Issue date:
May 1-3, 1998

Advice, insights, questions from students

"I have always wanted to get good grades, so this year I started doing my homework, studying and paying attention in class. It worked! Hard work does pay off."
-- David Soto, 15, Parkway High School, Bossier City, La.

"My advice for anyone thinking about making a change for the better is only three words: Go for it."
-- Jasmine Abdrabou, 14, Hopkins North Junior High School, St. Louis Park, Minn.

"America is fighting a losing battle against the majority of teens. Drugs, smoking, alcohol, depression, sex and parent-related problems? Where do [good] teens like me fit in?"
-- Amelia Firnstahl, 13, Bethany Academy, Lakeville, Minn.

"I used to be embarrassed of my mom. ... I know I hurt her feelings. Now I am older and my mom and I are best friends."
-- Jennifer Gonzales, 18, Bloomington (Texas) High School

"Nobody should change for anyone, no matter how much they get made fun of, laughed at or even talked about, because you're you, your own person."
-- Shauntaya Myers, 14, East Central High School, Tulsa

"Being honest helped me to gain respect and trust. Being friendly to others caused people to become friends with me. I have gained more friends with a positive attitude than I had with a negative one."
-- Josh Everett, 17, Northwood High School, Shreveport, La.

Teens selected for honors

As part of the survey, teens were picked from the respondents for special honors. Two were picked to be USA WEEKEND student editors. One was choosen to be a Channel One student anchor and one teen was picked to for a trip to Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

Photo Credit: JON GOELL FOR USA WEEKEND

USA WEEKEND student editors. B.J. Coleman, 17, a senior at Landon High School in Bethesda, Md., and Denise Guttery, 18, a senior at Osborne (Kan.) High School, helped edit this issue. B.J., a panelist on Black Entertainment Television's Teen Summit, plans to study journalism at Boston College this fall. Denise, a local radio sportscaster, plans to major in mass communications at Kansas State University.

Channel One student anchor. Frances Romero, 14, a freshman at Preston High School in New York City, was to be flown to L.A. to co-host a Channel One News show on this special report. The show was to air last week in 12,000 schools nationwide. Frances writes for her school paper and works with the community action group Aspira.

Photo Credit: BOBBY SANCHEZ FOR USA WEEKEND

Disney World trip recipient. USA WEEKEND flew Jesse Gibson, 12 (left), a sixth-grader at Park Hill (Okla.) School, and her family to Orlando in March to see Walt Disney World and a spring training game between Atlanta and Detroit at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. Born deaf, Jesse credits an upbeat attitude with helping her overcome her impairment.