Scholastic Choices articles from January 2004

Scholastic Choices archives from January 2004

The bully business.(Mental Health)
January 1, 2004... More than 3 million 10th graders say they are bullied each year. More than 3 million kids are the ones doing the bullying. But a recent study warns that the problems--and costs--of bullying reach beyond the teen years. The report, by a...

Ban the tan.(Health)
January 1, 2004... Last year we warned you about the dangers of using indoor tanning booths ("Tanning Trouble", Choices, January 2003), but we're not sure you were listening. Twenty-eight percent of teenage girls and 7 percent of boys reported using tanning...

Caffeine fiend.(Nutrition)
January 1, 2004... Occasional headaches are a part of life. But are you getting almost every day? If so, take a look at what you're drinking. If you're drinking large amounts of caffeinated cola, coffee, or tea, you might want to switch liquids. That's what...

Play ball!(Physical Fitness)
January 1, 2004... The year 2002 was a banner year for high school sports teams. A record 6.9 million male and female athletes shot hoops, kicked goals, slid home, or otherwise played a school sport. It was the 14th straight year of increased participation,...

Kelly speaks.(Relationships)
January 1, 2004... Kelly Rowland is rolling. Last year, the Destiny's Child star released her first solo album, Simply Deep. She also made her big-screen debut in Freddy vs. Jason. With all this work, does Kelly have time for a relationship? Inquiring minds want...

Daddy day care: two years ago, this teen became a father. His advice: "if you like being a kid, don't get pregnant, and don't get anybody pregnant.".(family)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... Ray Garcia Salas was 14. He was hanging out at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when the phone rang. He picked it up. A voice on the other end said, "Hi, this is April's father." April was Ray's girlfriend, "My daughter's pregnant," the man...

The party's over: teens are drawn to club drugs like GHB, ecstasy, and ketamine. But the drugs are extremely dangerous. Kylene Beard found that out when she almost died after taking GHB.(substance abuse)
January 1, 2004... "I'M NOT GOING TO DIE OR ANYTHING, AM I?" That's what Kylene Beard asked the girl who had just charged her $20 for GHB. "No! Of course not!" the girl reassured her. Kylene, who was 17 at the time, hadn't heard of GHB until the day...

Against all odds: these teens are disabled, but they are thriving. Read their inspiring stories.(personal development)
January 1, 2004... AMANDA Even if her hearing was perfect, Amanda Goyne would not be considered a typical teen. Amanda 16, is a champion skier, who has competed on the slopes since the age of 6. And despite missing a lot of school in order to ski, the high...

Brain fuel: how can you keep your brain sharp for tomorrow's big test? Make sure you eat nutritious meals.(nutrition)
January 1, 2004... Did you know that your brain functions like a car engine? For instance, a car's motor needs things like gasoline, oil, and brake fluid to operate. Your brain also needs specific materials to run properly: glucose, vitamins, and minerals. Where...

Restaurateur: Xavier Teixido is a chef and restaurant owner. Here's how he reached his culinary goals and how you can too--starting today!(career choices)
January 1, 2004... When he was in college, Xavier worked part-time at a racetrack eatery. He worked with a great chef who taught him how to cook great food and how to run a restaurant. Today, Xavier owns a chain of restaurants in Wilmington, Delaware. If you...

The right resume?(career activity)
January 1, 2004... If you're looking for part-time work, you'll increase your chances of getting hired if you have a resume. What is a resume? It's a written summary of person's education, accomplishments, and job experience. Look at the resume on this page....

Soup's on: our teen chef's steaming hot Mexican tortilla soup will bowl you and your friends over.(recipe 101)
January 1, 2004... INGREDIENTS * 1 medium onion, chopped up * 3 cloves of minced garlic (Minced means chopped up really small.) * 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil * 1 four-ounce can of green chiles * 1 15-ounce can of stewed tomatoes...

Your body & mind headaches: Dr. Marjorie Seidenfeld answers your health questions.
January 1, 2004... DEAR DR. MARJORIE, I GET HEADACHES ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES I WORRY THAT I MIGHT HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR. WHAT SHOULD I DO? --NICK IN MINNESOTA A headache rarely turns out to be a sign of a serious health problem. If you're really...

My boyfriend's behind bars: Marlene Tedeschi answers your tough questions.(the advice corner)
January 1, 2004... Q. I have a boyfriend who's been in jail for a year and a half. I recently found out that he's going to be in Jail for more than a couple of years. We've been together for two-and-a-half years and I really do love him. I don't want to leave...

10 tips making new friends: are your friendships getting stale? Want to meet different people? Here's how to bring new pals into your life.
January 1, 2004... 1. Expand Your Horizons Joining a new club or volunteering with an organization outside of school is great way to meet people who share your interests, 2. Open Up. Swallow your shyness and take the opportunity to chat up someone...

Sticky situation: advice from Choices readers.(students helping students)
January 1, 2004... the problem: I have a friend who thinks she is better than everybody she knows. She always has to be right-even when she is wrong about something. I have to tell her she's right. Am I being too nice? What should I do? --Wronged Friend...

Choices: answers teens' questions about sex.(Sexuality Supplement)
January 1, 2004... As executive director of the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention & Parenting (MOAPP), Nancy Nelson talks to teens every day about sex and sexuality. She's been working with teens for 20 years and takes her job seriously....