School.
Peer pressure.
Athletics.
Clubs.
Relationships.
Preparing for the future.
Work.
College.
Health.
Balancing it all.
Sex.
Drugs.
Rock 'n' roll.
OK, maybe not rock 'n' roll.
But teens do have a lot of issues to deal with every day, and there's no way adults can ever know what teens are really going through. Life today is not like it was when today's parents were teenagers.
At least that's what I hear.
It's been a very long time since I've been a teenager, and I have several years before I have to worry about my children's teenage years.
That's why I need you, teens, to tell me -- and The Daily Star readers -- what it's like to be a teen today.
We are looking for a teen to write our Teenhood Today column, focusing on issues that face our youths.
If you are attending a local high school, enjoy writing and would like to write a column every four weeks, I want to hear from you.
You can submit a sample column of 500 to 700 words, along with your name, age, hometown, grade, school and a phone number where we can reach you.
They can be sent by e-mail to dziemba@thedailystar.com, by fax to 432-5707, or by mail, attention to me, to The Daily Star, P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820.
If you have any questions, give me a call at 432--1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 259.
If you are chosen to be our columnist, your sample column will run as your first column.
Best yet, if you are chosen to be a writer for us, you'll get paid.
It's not millions, but it'll be enough to put some gas into your tank or to buy you and a couple of friends lunch at a local pizza shop.
So, teens, get writing. I'll need your samples by Friday, Oct. 7.
Denielle Ziemba is associate managing editor of Lifestyle and Community at The Daily Star.
Teen Talk
Wanted: Teenhood Today columnist
- Teen Talk
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On the Go: Patriotism doesn't mean keeping status quo
I've been labeled many things, but when anti-American and unpatriotic came into the picture recently I was surprised. I know I have some controversial opinions, but since when does that equate to not loving America? I'm a born and raised American kid, and I love America.
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Luhrmann brings Gatsby new life
Sure, you would think that being a college student and having finals rapidly approaching would equate to my growing anticipation for the summer and being done with my first year of college.
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Teenhood Today: Only you can determine your impact
The question I am most often asked is, "What do you want to do with your life?"
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A Word of Advice: Just do something
If you're not going upward, the only direction you can go is down. To stagnate is to surrender; to do nothing for yourself; to give up on a better day completely. If we sit around feeling good enough in all aspects of life, or just too lazy to fix them, well, as Albert Einstein put it, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
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On the Go: Life is like the Cliff Walk
Over spring break, my family and I spent time in Newport, R.I. While we were there, we walked a path known as the Cliff Walk. This walk is nestled between some Newport mansions and some cliffs overlooking the ocean. While we were walking, my sister and I noticed how this path was a perfect metaphor for life and the journey it is.
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Weekend Reviews: 'Host' plot offers no surprise
Just when we all thought we would be safe to turn on our televisions and re-enter the movie theaters after the last "Twilight" film was released on DVD and Blu-Ray, the cinema gods decided to toy with our emotions once more.
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Teenhood Today: Responsibility is at heart of gun debate
I'm a hunter. That means that I know exactly where my meat came from, and I know that the animal died in a humane way. Plus venison is my favorite meat.
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A Word of Advice: Make your building blocks positive ones
One block, two block, three block, the world around you building you up.
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On the Go: Embrace changes in life
Life is evolving, progressing and changing.
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Weekend Reviews: Thrifting makes you look incredible
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Teenhood Today: Finding a happy medium when packing
Packing suitcases should be a sport.
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A Word of Advice: Don't let power of envy rule your life
Envy is a very powerful thing. Whether on the receiving end of it, or dealing it out yourself, making people want something can be more powerful than any insult you can put on them. It's like waving a steak in a dog's face and putting that dog behind a glass barrier. He sees something in front of him that he wants, something someone else has that he just can't get.
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On the Go: Don't let happiness hibernate
When was the last time you did something for the first time? When did you last smile? When did you last laugh out loud? When did you lose track of time just chatting with someone? When did you last learn something new?
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Weekend Reviews: Oscar frontrunners hold relevance
Once again, it is that time of the year: either you’re complaining about the weather or your lack of a valentine, or attempting to view all of the films nominated for this year’s Academy Awards.
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Teenhood Today: Follow through on good intentions
Most of the time, people have good intentions.
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A Word of Advice: Change is a brilliant thing
From the beginning of human history, we have come to be through adapting to our environment. So why do we all fear change when it hits our own personal lives?
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On the Go: Old houses have history to share
My house lives and breathes history.
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Weekend Reviews: Sparks creates the perfect spark
If you enter the library of any high school in America, chances are the number of books listed under the author "Sparks" will far exceed many others in the fiction section. The author, Nicholas Sparks, has written 17 books, and I'm sure will have two finished and ready to be published by the time this column is printed.
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Teenhood Today: Broken resolutions can be fixed
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A Word of Advice: Hard work pays off in many ways
Success isn't found, success is bled through hard work and dedication.
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On the Go: Patriotism doesn't mean keeping status quo
