Teen Input about Politics Important. The youth of today are the voters of tomorrow, as well as the local officials, congressmen, senators, and president. When adult leaders make decisions that are going to affect teens, the teens should be asked for their input.
By Gina Martin, Panther Press, Montezuma-Cortez High School, Cortez, CO – 5/24/11
Source: My.hsj.org

Could You Be Carrying a Radioactive Device? Although the cell phone is a pivotal invention that has changed communication in the world, the usage comes with a toll on health. In a recent study, the damages that radiation has on the brain and body are clearly spelled out.
By Juliana Heffern, Lion's Tale, New Hope-Solebury High School, New Hope, PA – 6/2/11
Source: My.hsj.org

Rogue Voting Creeps Into Congressional Proceedings. In a Democracy, one is supposed to vote based on his or her honest opinion. However, certain people choose to deviate. This deviation is called rogue voting. It is when you vote for someone or something you disagree with.
By Miles Gordon, Clarion, Cleveland High School, Portland, OR – 5/6/11
Source: My.hsj.org

A Wandering Media: The Short Attention Span of Our Society. Long-term coverage of disaster recovery just does not get the attention, or ratings, of the initial event. Is there something wrong with the news media, or does news coverage simply reflect the short attention span of its audience?
By Lillie Hodges, The Fourth Estate, Laguna Blanca School, Santa Barbara, CA – 5/23/11
Source: My.hsj.org

With Liberty and Justice … For What? The First Amendment gives students the right to not recite the Pledge if it is against their religious or philosophical beliefs. However, the Pledge of Allegiance should not be omitted from being recited in schools altogether. If students want to recite the Pledge, they should be given that opportunity.
By Rene Kiss, The Shoreline, Lake Shore High School, St. Clair Shore, MI – 5/26/11
Source: My.hsj.org

Bin Laden Death May Signal Beginning of the End of War on Terror. Now is a time to look toward a better future, and wait in anticipation for the much-needed end to the War on Terror.
By Chloe Miller, The Jagwire, Nortwest High School, Germantown, MD – 5/24/11
Source: my.hsj.org

Student Apathy Leads to Low Academic Success. Students that don't care about their education believe that test scores don't matter to them. Apathetic students may think, "This useless information won't help me any in life, so why should I bother myself with something I won't need to remember in a year?"
By Aubrey Shirley, The Mountain Lion Messenger, Sierra Vista High School, Las Vegas, NV – 5/30/11
Source: My.hsj.org

Thick Skin May Be the Solution to Nationwide Bullying Problems. I've learned to not care what people think based on the amount of times I've stood up for myself. I've concluded that everything will blow over eventually, and laughing at yourself is honestly the best way to handle embarrassment.
By Lexi Eisaman, The Panther, Franklin Regional Senior High School, Murrysville, PA – 5/13/2011
Source: my.hsj.org

Teens Usually Choose Parents' Political Party. If children and teens are exposed to politics, but aren't supposed to talk about them, how do they choose their political party once they're able to vote? Most often, they simply choose the party their parents are affiliated with.
By Shannon Deery, Herbert Hoover High School, Charleston, WV – 5/20/11
Source: Flipside, West Virginia Gazette

President Obama : The Lone Ranger. President Obama has acted in a Clint Eastwood-esque manner these last couple of weeks. He wrassled with the biggest monster of our age, and has laid to rest the doubts about his citizenship. He has acted in a decisive manner, while facing more roadblocks and angry opposition than any president in modern history.
By Sebastian Ritschel, The Comet, Catonsville High School, Catonsville, MD – 5/12/2011
Source: my.hsj.org

Nearly Half of Students Surveyed Have Jobs. Although the current amounts of jobs seem low, there are those who think that there are lots of jobs available.
By Erik Salamanca and Alberto Salgado, Monthly Mortonian, Morton East High School, Cicero, IL – 5/1/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Peanuts: Life Endangering? Some parents see banning peanuts from schools as an overreaction for a small minority of the school population, while other parents scream loudly that their children could die if another child eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich anywhere near them.
By Anna Smith-Nichols, The Talon, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, West Chester, PA – 5/9/2011
Source: my.hsj.org

Youth in Libya Take a Stance. In a country where freedom is a given, most teenagers forget that other countries do not allow the same independence that America does. Yet, the youth in Libya decided that it was their turn to assert their own opinions.
By Elizabeth Morris, Cougar News, Mount Mansfield Union High School, Jericho, VT – 4/20/2011
Source:

Teens Don't Consider Alcohol Dangers. Kids everywhere are experimenting with their tolerance for alcohol and unknowingly placing themselves in a position for physical and mental harm. Despite public health warnings, teens only think of what they see to be the positive effect of alcohol use.
By Jeffrey Cauley, Raider Review, North County Senior High School, Bonne Terre, MO – 4/18/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

The Buzz with Medical Cannabis. Research shows that compounds in cannabis called cannabinoids offer significant value to the medical industry. Although marijuana does show promise in the medical industry, the way in which it is run is an absolute joke.
By Mikhail Bahraini, The Crimson Report, Arvada High School, Arvada, CO – 4/20/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Cutting a Danger to Teen Students, Counselors Needed. According to teenhelp.com, it is estimated that one out of every 200 teen girls cuts themselves purposely between the ages of 13-19.
By Nicole Hernande, The Premier Advocat, Premier Charter High School, Phoenix, AZ – 4/21/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Teen Drug Abuse Can Come Right From Home Medicine Cabinet. While parents are looking through their children's phones for evidence of drug deals, under bed's for bongs, bowls and baggies, or through the closet for clanging alcohol bottles- their kids are out with friends or attending school high on pills from the family medicine cabinet.
By Matt Ostovitz, The Comet, Catonsville High School, Catonsville, MD – 4/15/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Egyptian Revolution Encourages American Youth. The young protestors who have overthrown thirty years of tyranny in Egypt remind us of our responsibility. In order to make sure our government represents us, we must be a bit more like those in Egypt. We must endure through challenge to assert our beliefs, and participate in democracy.
By Matthew Hamilton, Focus, Fairfield Warde High School, Fairfield, CT – 4/13/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Teens Debate if Birth Control Should be Available at School. The increase in teenage pregnancies has led people to ask the question if schools should distribute birth control to its students..
By Shanice Robinson, Watchdog, C.D. Hylton High School, Woodbridge, VA – 4/11/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Interracial Relationships Spark Social Debate. For some, the color of their skin is nothing more than just that, a color. "Important qualities that make you who you are have nothing to do with race. It's what is on the inside that matters," Social Studies Department Chair Audrey Weir-Graham said.
By Harmony Evangelisti, Stagg Line, Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, Stockton, CA – 4/15/2011
Source: My.hsj.org

Any opinion, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Democratic Education. Youth correspondents are encouraged to freely express their opinions and must abide by the guidelines posted on this website. Professional editors will monitor all submissions to assure that they follow recognized journalistic standards and ethical codes before content appears on this website.