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
-
-
A Word of Advice: Learn to appreciate what we have
By Melissa Flathmann "When I was a kid ... we had to walk to school, barefoot, in two feet of snow ... uphill, both ways!" How many of you have heard this line so many times your eyes automatically roll? I've heard it lots and as I get older, I realize that maybe as kids, we missed the point.
-
On The Go: Public speaking and I don't get along
By Adrian Adamo If, for some reason, you ever happen to be invited to attend an event where I am scheduled to be doing some sort of public speaking of any kind, do us both a favor and politely decline.
-
Weekend Reviews: Pottermore offers lots more Potter
by Maggie McVey I'm not typically someone who looks for the biggest sensations on the Internet. Frankly, I usually have way too much going on to be able to sit down and "surf the 'net" as the kids call it these days.
-
Teenhood Today: A nudge toward humility or confidence
By Miriam Thurber A problem that many people face is the issue of self-esteem. We either hold ourselves too high or we push ourselves too far into the mud.
-
A Word of Advice: Teens can make a difference
By Melissa Flathmann
-
Teen Talk: I'm becoming a pro at procrastination
There are a lot of dangerous things out there in the world, but of all of them, procrastination might be the worst. Why is that, you ask?
-
Weekend Reviews: May the odds be ever in your favor
ByMaggie McVey The newest tween sensation sweeping the nation is none other than "The Hunger Games" trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins. Many believe this series to be the next "Twilight" or "Harry Potter," but I think "The Hunger Games" is interesting in its own right.
-
Teenhood Today: You, too, can overcome technological difficulties
By Miriam Thurber I was planning on writing about stress. However, in the middle of writing it my computer died and that column disappeared into the other dimension.
-
A Word of Advice: Make eating fun and healthful
By Melissa Flathmann Eating healthy can be a challenge.
-
On The Go: A tale of an 18-year-old knitter
By Adrian Adamo When people hear of "knitting," the image that comes to mind is probably one of a bunch of elderly women, their glasses halfway down their nose, sitting around in a circle in rocking chairs, rocking back and forth with a ball of yarn trailing on the floor.
-
Weekend reviews: True hipsters don't try to be hip
By Maggie McVey The newest epidemic that seems to be affecting our nation's youth is one that may surprise and perhaps even disturb you. Yes, folks, teenagers all across the country are becoming hipsters.
-
Teenhood Today: If you can't laugh at yourself ...
By Miriam Thurber People need to learn how to laugh at themselves.
-
A Word of Advice: Being kind, honest goes a long way
By Melissa Flathmann We all have someone in our lives who has a problem owning up to their mistakes; it could be you, a friend or a relative. No matter who does it, be aware that in no way is it a good thing.
-
On the Go: I'm lovin' my jam-packed, stressful life
By Adrian Adamo Right now, it's exactly 1:22 p.m., which means I have exactly 20 minutes before I should leave for class, allowing a three-minute grace period. should there be any traffic when I'm crossing the street to get to class. And of course, I'll need to plan an extra 30 seconds or so to have on hand just in case the stairs are crowded today.
-
Weekend Reviews: All romance movies aren't mushy and traditional
By Maggie McVey Don't you just love love?
-
Teenhood Today: School "¦ Need I say more?
By Miriam Thurber Name one person who enjoys school _ one person who wakes up pumped each morning, finishes all assignments three months before they're due, and starts a club called "The best day of my life was the day my first teacher pried my arms off of my mom's legs and forced me to learn my ABCs!"
-
A Word of Advice: Little changes can make big difference for our earth
By Melissa Flathmann Every year our earth becomes more and more polluted. The sad part is that not many people try to stop it because they may think "How would one person make a difference?"
-
On the Go: Why do puzzles have to be so darn puzzling?
By Adrian Adamo Life isn't always easy. We are mere humans, trapped in this game we call "life," just trying to make our way through relatively unscathed.
-
Weekend Reviews: The Nook versus the book
By Maggie McVey Ever since electronic books or "e-books" as some like to call them, have risen in popularity, I have solemnly rejected ever feeling the necessity or desire to buy into the idea, undoubtedly created to make companies such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble copious amounts of money.
-
We'll all find our place in the world ... eventually
by Miriam Thurber I'm starting to think about my future, and it's scary.
-
A Word of Advice: Learn to appreciate what we have

