XCEPTIONAL Teen Magazine

PUBLISHERS MEMO The Literary Magazine for Future Champions Hello young ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to finally present the premier edition of Xceptional Teen Magazine, a bimonthly publication created to engage, educate and empower today’s teenagers from all walks of life.

We hope you are ready for the 2016-2017 school year? Do Your best this year, choose to have positive attitude, treat others and yourself well. Surround yourself with positive people. Do your best at home, school and community. Stand out as a great example and source of inspiration to your siblings, peers and people around you.

We firmly believe you can be empowered and challenged to make a difference in your own life if you are afforded the opportunity to do so. This is why we spurred to action to launch Xceptional Teens Magazine.

Every edition of Xceptional Teens Magazine will give you array of opportunities to enhance your knowledge, skills and talents. You can win fabulous prizes by participating in various contests or grab scholarships to further your goals. That’s not all, you can snag the opportunity to be on one or more XTM covers. We hope you will find this edition educative and informative. Write to us and let us know what you think.

We want you to always remember that it is never too late to be what you might have been and don’t ever let anyone define you. You are CAPABLE of accomplishing great things.

It’s never too late to start over. If you weren’t happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don’t stay stuck.

Do better.

Best Wishes, Shola Adebuga Steven Ajayi

PUBLISHERS Shola Adebuga xceptionalwoman@publicist.com Steven Ajayi HEAD of PRODUCTION Steven Ajayi CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Maria Pelino

EDITOR Shola Adebuga ASSOCIATE EDITOR Betty Adex ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Shameka Glaze GRAPHIC DESIGNER Steven Ugoh

XCEPTIONAL Teens Columns Teens Tales 4 One on One 6 Your Health Matters 8 Parents Roundtable 9-10 Financial Literacy Café 11 Think Like A boss 12 Career Choices 13 Rule Your World 14-15 Fashion & Style 16 Creative Minds Galleria 19 STEM 21-22 Law & Order 23 Once Upon a Teen 24 Healing the World 25 World of Opportunities 25 XCEPTIONAL Teen Magazine is created to educate, engage and empower teenagers from all walks of life to become well-rounded citizens and serve as exceptional role models at home, school, community, and the world at large.

Cover model: Samantha Roth Photo by Chris Hawks XTM is published bi-monthly PLUS a specialBONUS Summer edition.

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TEENS TALES Marcus McTear was a star running back at Reagan High School in Austin, Texas. At 16, he was bright and popular and dreamed of college until a spring day in March 2003. The popular athlete stabbed his girlfriend, Ortralla Mosley, to death in a school hallway after she tried to break up with him. What had gone wrong? How did a boy with such pent-

up rage escape the attention of parents and adults? As it turns out, Marcus had a history of teen dating violence a few years before, when he was dating an eighth-grade classmate named Rae Anne Spence.

Rae Anne said everything about Marcus appealed to her. “He was very, very sweet to me. We talked to like 3 o’clock in the morning every school night,” she said. At first, Rae Anne seemed happy. She was a cheerleader and her athletic boyfriend poured on the affection with flowers, love notes and constant adoration. Then the sweet relationship took a turn. She said Marcus began telling her what to do, what to wear and demanding that she not attract other boys’ attention. “I couldn’t show a lot of skin. And with the makeup, if I would wear it, like, even a little bit, he would get mad,” Rae Anne said.

Marcus was Rae Anne’s first boyfriend, and she said she didn’t know if this was unusual behavior. But Rae Anne’s mother, Elaine, soon noticed her bubbly daughter was becoming withdrawn and less confident. “I watched her go from being this vibrant beautiful girl to a person who never wanted to put on makeup, who worried about everything that she wore to not being able to be herself,” she said.

The controlling behavior Rae Anne was experiencing is a sign that emotional abuse may escalate, experts warn. “A girl always has to be aware that if he can annihilate you emotionally and verbally, slice and dice you, you can’t be sure that he’s never going to lay a hand on you,” said Jill Murray, a psychologist and author of “But I Love Him: Protecting Your Teen Daughter from Controlling, Abusive Dating Relationships.” Murray says the pattern of abuse in teen dating violence is the same as that in adult domestic violence. For Rae Anne and Marcus, one minute there were tender kisses; the next, angry threats. Rae Anne says the first hint it was escalating to physical abuse came one day at school. “I was standing with like a group of girls. And, like, he came up to me, and, like, I wanted him to stay with me and not go with his brother, and I just remember him turning around and punching me in my arm,” Rae Anne said. “I just stood there, like, and I tried to pretend it didn’t happen.” But Rae Anne kept her fears secret from almost everybody. One of the scariest moments, she says, happened during an argument between classes when she grabbed Marcus’ backpack. “When I got to the top of the stairs, he got behind me, and like grabbed me by my arm and like twirled me around, and told me to never touch him like that again. And he pushed me down the stairs,” she said. Rae Anne told her mom about the incident. At this point, Elaine said she tried to persuade her daughter to end her relationship with Marcus. “I tried to pound it in her head that this boy was no good for her. I mean, if he was going to push her down stairs, what

else was he doing that I didn’t know about?” she said. There was a lot she didn’t know. One time, Rae Anne says Marcus bit her cheek.

On another occasion, she says, he set her backpack on fire. Rae Anne says other students saw the violence but blamed her for the trouble, not the star athlete. Despite feeling isolated and alone, Rae Anne somehow found a moment of confidence and broke up with Marcus.

Potential for Abuse Doesn’t End With Breakup Murray says ending a relationship doesn’t mean the danger of abuse is gone. “The most vulnerable time for a girl in a domestic violence situation is when she leaves, because they’ve taken their power and control back. And an abuser who doesn’t have power and control is very frightened,” she said. Just days after they split up, Rae Anne says Marcus wrote a heartfelt letter to her, begging for another chance.

“He just apologized and said he’d never do it again,” Rae Anne said. She gave him another chance, she said, hoping the relationship would get better. But as in most cases of teen dating violence, it didn’t get better. Marcus even said he’d commit suicide if she left him, Rae Anne said. The breaking point came one day in drama class. Rae Anne says Marcus violently smacked her with a notebook “as hard as he could.” “My ear was ringing and then he didn’t stop. ... So I got up and I slapped him back,” she said. “And that was like the worst mistake I could have done, because he put me in a head lock and he continued to punch me until the teacher stopped him.”

By now, Rae Anne’s mother was beyond exasperation. After the incident, the school suspended both Marcus and Rae Anne. But in response to the escalating violence, Rae Anne’s mother says she felt that the school essentially did nothing to help her daughter. So she took a drastic but, she felt, necessary step: She moved her family across town to a new school district. She says felt it was the only way to get her daughter away from Marcus. Despite the physical abuse, Rae Anne says she wasn’t able to end her relationship with Marcus. “Because I loved him. … I just felt like he needed me,” she said.

Rae Anne said she was concerned for Marcus, and worried “that he’d hurt himself or somebody else.”

Boyfriend Moves On, With Tragic Consequences By the fall of that year, Rae Anne had escaped her rocky relationship with Marcus. The popular football star was now a sophomore, and it didn’t take long for him to move on to a new girl at school. This time he found someone just as popular as himself, an outgoing 15-yearold sophomore -- a beautiful, bright dancer named Ortralla Mosley.

Her mother, Carolyn Mosley, remembers the first time she met Marcus. He made a good impression. “He was a very good young man. He

4. “You can never be over dressed or over educated.”-Oscar Wilde

had his life organized to where he thought he was on the right road.

I really thought they would make a very, very, very good couple,” she said. But just as he had with Rae Anne, Marcus soon began to control Ortralla’s life and by the spring of 2003, Ortralla’s mother said her daughter had had enough and was trying to break up with him.

On the morning of March 28, 2003, she says Ortralla went to school expecting trouble. Marcus was an emotional wreck, begging Ortralla not to leave him, Mosley says. Ortralla’s English teacher, Vanessa Connor, recalls that Ortralla seemed particularly distressed about Marcus. “I looked at her and she looked like she wasn’t all with me that day, you know. And I said, ‘Baby, you, you all right?’ And she said, ‘Oh, you know how it is, Miss Connor, roller coaster of love. You know how teenagers are.’ And I smiled and said, ‘All right,’” Connor said. But things weren’t all right. At 4 o’clock that afternoon, Marcus snapped.

After a violent confrontation, he chased Ortralla to a second-floor hallway, pulled out an 8-inch kitchen knife he’d hidden in his backpack and began stabbing her repeatedly: six times in the head, the neck and the back. Students and teachers heard screaming and came running.

Amid the chaos, Connor knelt down on the bloody floor to provide comfort to the dying girl. “I was saying, you know, ‘You got to hang in there. You got to stay with me. Don’t go.’ And it was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through,” Connor said. Moments later, Ortralla was dead. Marcus was arrested and charged with murder. He pleaded guilty and is now serving a 40-year sentence. Understanding the Cycle of Abuse Chris Cummings, 22, does not know Marcus, but says he understands how the cycle of abuse can poison a relationship. Cummings said he had a deep-seated insecurity as a teenager during a three-year relationship. Cummings said he didn’t hit girlfriend “with a fist,” but he’d push her around. “I threw her to the ground once or twice,” he said. When his girlfriend cried, he said, the violence would escalate.

“It just made it worse, you know, cause then I’d hit harder,” he said.

Cummings says violence somehow made him feel powerful and in control. He even took out his frustrations on his bedroom walls.

Murray says that’s a classic sign that a teenage boy may become abusive. “A boy who puts his fist through a wall or through a window is a dangerous person, because the brain doesn’t know the difference between a wall and a face. All it knows is that when I punch through something, I feel better. And then the next step is he punches them,” she said. Cummings says he is grateful that his relationship never descended as far as Marcus and Ortralla’s did. He realized he needed help and got counseling with the support of his family. Unfortunately, in the case of Marcus McTear, his uncontrollable violence left Ortralla dead and Rae Anne emotionally scarred. “I have nightmares of the murder. I feel like I was there, even though I wasn’t,” Rae Anne said.

Rae Anne said she still struggles with self-esteem and confidence issues.

“Marcus still has a lot of it. I just hate that he has half of me with him.

The me that I want back,” she said. Now 19, and wiser, Rae Anne is refusing to run away from her past. She’s speaking out, hoping to spare other young girls from the nightmare that she escaped and Ortralla Mosley did not. She said she keeps a picture of Ortralla above her bed.

“I feel like now I’m not just living for me, I’m living for her,” Rae Anne said. “There’s a reason for everything. And there’s a reason why I’m still here. And I think I’m going to keep ‘Tralla alive. I’m going to keep her spirit alive the best I can. And I’m going to talk about this as much as I can. And make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Ortralla’s mother, Carolyn Mosley, has become a Texas correctional officer so she can learn how to deal with young offenders. In honor of her daughter, she has incorporated the Ortralla Lu Wone Mosley Foundation -- a Texas organization that will provide a safe haven for adolescents dealing with dating violence.

For more information about the foundation, write to: The Ortralla Lu Wone Mosley Foundation, P.O. Box 200, Lancaster, Texas 7514 RESOURCES WWW.BREAKTHECYCLE.ORG, WWW.YOUTH.GOV WWW.LOVEISRESPECT.ORG WWW.CDC.GOV WWW.THEHOTLINE.ORG

Everyone have a STORY To tell...

What’s YOURS? Email or mail your story to us: xceptionalteensmagazine@gmail.com 5. Your mind is a powerful thing when you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.

ONE on ONE

Meet Samantha “Sami” Roth: A Queen’s Journey a year. They were hard to find as that was before Facebook. When I was 10, my mom reconnected with her college friend, Becky, on Facebook.

Becky had a daughter, Cait, who also did pageants and was older than me. She taught me how to model and ace interviews. She was my first pageant coach. I won my first pageant after working with Cait and Becky.

At that point my mom started finding me more pageants for me to do.

That’s interesting. why did you go into pageantry?

My cousin did pageants and I looked up to her because she is a little older than me. So I wanted to try them too.

You have a good sense of fashion. What does fashion mean to you?

The ability to be yourself. It’s not about how expensive or how popular the clothes are but you feeling confident in what you are wearing.

What’s your most-prized possession?

My dog What are your special talents?

Dance, Sing, Act, Piano, and am starting to play guitar What are your hobbies?

Hanging out with my friends, pageants, sports, reading and drawing You are one of the amazing teens have ever met. You are a representation of your family’s parenting. What lessons did you learn as a child raised in your home?

“Bite my tongue if I don’t have anything nice to say”

Can you please tell us about yourself?

My name is Samantha Roth. I was born on July 15th 1999 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Through my music talents and my gift of public speaking I want to teach others to volunteer and give back to their communities. As the Ambassador for the Next Generation of Global Sisterhood, I believe that one act of kindness does have the power to change the world.

What is the name of your school and what grade are you in?

I attend Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and am in 11th grade.

Tell us about your start in the world of pageantry I started when I was 6-year-old. The Salvation Army sent out flyers to schools about a pageant they were hosting. It was only $10 and I asked my mom and dad if I could do it. but only did one pageant

Do you have any book or books that have impacted your life?

Of Mice and Men, The Fault In our Stars, and the American Girl Books Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try~ Gail Devers Who is your role model?

My Grandpa because he has Parkinson’s but keeps on fighting.

What are you most passionate about?

Volunteering and giving back to your community.

What change would you like to see in the world?

Equality for all people If you could have one super power/talent, what would it be?

If I could have a super power, it would be teleporting to wherever I want and whenever I want. .

6. “Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one will believe it.”

The day you will never forget: When I won my national pageant title .

What are you most proud of?

Making National Honor Society Having got to the stage you are in the pageantry world, what advice do you have for teenagers who want to get into pageantry?

Don’t let anything hold you back and keep trying.

As a teenager and advocate, what do you think is the way forward in curbing bullying among children/teenagers?

To use positive anti bullying programs that are interactive with the kids and help that to understand and care about others.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Not to be scared, to step out of my comfort zone, because everyone else is trying to do the same thing.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I will be in college studying music therapy Words of advice to other teens: Be the best you can be and not worry about what other people think of you.

XCEPTIONAL TEEN Role Model of the Month

Xceptional Teen Magazine wants to shine the spotlight on one very special teen each month.

If you know a teenager that you believe has done something extraordinary, tell us in 500works or less why that teen should be picked as our Xceptional Teen Role Model of the Month.

One teen will be selected each month for our online feature and one will grace our bi-monthly print.

Nomination should include first and last name of teen nominated, age, name of school attended by teen, phone number, email for teens (if available), first and last name of person nominating the teen, relationship to teen (friend, parent, teacher, religious leader, etc), phone number, email address and reason for nomination.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible”- Fracncis of Assisi

7. “The futue you see, is the future you get”-Robert .G. Allen

YOUR HEALTH MATERS

When teenagers are overweight, parents and doctors should encourage a healthy lifestyle rather than worry about the number on the bathroom scale, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says.

In new guidelines that address both teen obesity and eating disorders, the AAP says adults should move away from “weight talk,” and instead help children have a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.

“We need to focus on health and healthy behaviors, rather than the number on the scale,” said Dr. Neville Golden, the lead author of the new recommendations. He is a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University’s School of Medicine in California.

The AAP has long had guidelines on both childhood obesity and eating disorders. But the new report addresses both together because they are connected, Golden said.

Most teenagers diagnosed with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia were not overweight to begin with, according to Golden. But, he said, some overweight teens do develop eating disorders when they try to lose weight.

In an effort to shed pounds, Golden said, some children turn to risky tactics such as fasting, using diet pills and laxatives, or excessive exercise.

To help ward off those problems, parents and doctors should steer teenagers away from the idea of “dieting,” the AAP said.

One reason is that dieting doesn’t work, Golden pointed out. Studies have shown that teens who go on diets are more likely than their peers to become overweight.

What’s more, Golden said, dieting can go too far-- with children severely limiting calories or using other unhealthy weight-loss tactics.

And part of the concern, he noted, is that overweight teens who develop eating disorders can be easy to miss-- because they’re not excessively thin. But children who rapidly lose weight can develop complications often seen in anorexia -- such as an unstable heart rate and low blood pressure, the AAP warned.

How can parents promote a healthy body image? For one, they can be mindful of their words, both Golden and Cohn said.

It might seem “obvious” that family members shouldn’t tease or criticize kids about their weight, Cohn noted. “Unfortunately,” she said, “a lot of people don’t realize that.”

And it’s not only what parents say about their children that matters.

“What you say about yourself and other people is important, too,” Golden said.

Cohn agreed. “If children hear their mom saying nasty things about her own body, they do take that in,” she said.

Instead of commenting on children’s weight, the AAP said, parents and doctors should talk about the importance of a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

But, it should also go beyond a conversation. Parents should “lead by example,” Golden said, and take a look at their own lifestyle habits.

The AAP recommended having family meals as often as possible. That’s because studies have found that children who sit down to eat with their family tend to eat healthier foods, and are less likely to diet or take “extreme” measures to lose weight.

“We don’t really know why family meals are beneficial,” Golden said.

“It may be because parents are ‘modeling’ healthy eating. Or maybe it gives parents and children a chance to talk, which is important, too.”

Cohn made another point: “At a typical office visit, your pediatrician may have about 30 seconds to give some general diet advice.” Yet children who have issues with weight or unhealthy eating habits often have parents who are in the same boat. So if parents need additional help, she said, they can ask their doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian.

Marjorie Nolan Cohn is a New York City-based registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

She agreed with the overall message of the AAP guidelines, which were published online Aug. 22 in Pediatrics. “Having children go on a ‘diet’ isn’t going to help,” Cohn said.

What does help, she said, is ensuring the kitchen is stocked with healthy foods, having family meals whenever possible, and encouraging kids to have a positive body image.

8. “Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try”-Jack Canfield

PARENTS ROUNDTABLE Why I won’t buy one extra box of tissues for my kid’s school supplies; signed, a frustrated parent So we started doing the school supply shopping this week. A daunting task even as the kids get older and the lists get shorter. Gone in my house are the days when the most expensive item on the list was the ever-elusive “just this size” binder. Now, we’re talking calculators that rival my electricity bill. But I sigh, watch the ads, and get out there and do it. I put on my thickest armor because nothing will be just right for my kids. The kitty folders are too childish; the more mature ones are $200 per piece. Add to that the hysterical mobs crowding the $1 pencils like they were the last chance to win tickets to a 21 Pilots concert, and we have a joyfest that keeps on giving.

Yes, I’m frustrated.

And let’s talk about that list, shall we? I mean, who in their right mind thinks it’s a good idea to request that our kids purchase Expo markers in bulk or boxes of Kleenex that should be supplied already? ESPECIALLY when those might not get used by my kids? Who thinks it should be my job to bring Ziploc bags to school? Well, I’ll tell you who. This mom.

I’m not going to buy just the one extra box of tissues because (let’s all be honest here) I can afford more than that. And *gasp* what if someone other than my precious Timmy uses them? Well, then, haven’t I done a good deed for the year for less than the cost of a coffee?

We should all be interested in what willcreate the best learning environment for all these kids, for all these little people who will be making big decisions someday like what to do with YOUR Social Security or how to fix YOUR city infrastructure or how best to treat that cancerous mass in YOUR body. If you don’t agree with something on the list and think it’s excessive, have a conversation with the teacher. I guarantee if it is something that will actually get used to educate your children, the teacher will be able to explain how.

Yes, Expo markers are expensive. Get in a classroom and watch children solve problems at their desks (sometimes ON them) with them and really engage in the process because it all of a sudden became colorful and perhaps a little bit taboo. You think you have to buy too many glue sticks? I invite you to join a class when they do a simple sorting and gluing project that gives the kids one more opportunity to understand all the “-augh” words and their various pronunciations and watch multiple children go through half a stick just for that one project. More is more, right? And yes, the theory is that you teach them to use less, but let’s be honest: some just use what they use. Watch kids “clean” the floor at the end of the day and, in a rush to get home, throw away all the “trash” they found, which includes half used pencils and crayons that would take too long to find a home for. So, let’s fast forward to January. The supplies are no longer new and shiny, and more than a few have met their untimely trash can demise. Used and broken

crayons look better in that circular file than in pencil boxes. Glue sticks that still have some in them but are not the easiest to use just aren’t worth it anymore. Markers find new homes in backpacks. Pencils that have no erasers have lost their appeal. Dry erase markers are dried up because they have been used to solve, spell, create. And then what happens? Supplies that were an extra $10 from you at the beginning of the year for one kid become extras in your kid’s teacher’s cart at Target during a grocery run. And forget the $10. Oh no. Multiply that sucker by – how many kids were in that classroom? Was it 20? 30?

Let’s see. Does your job ask you to shell out a couple hundred bucks to upgrade your software or buy staples? And if it’s teaching your kid how to multiply better or be able to compose a sentence without referring to spell check, isn’t that extra $10 a little worth it? I’m frustrated by our entitlement. We act like we’re doing the schools and the teachers a favor when we fill that backpack with tissues and markers. Umm, let’s back up a minute. Aren’t they the ones doing us the favor? I mean, are we willing to take a step (or 200) backward and fill in gaps caused by something as silly as a distracted kid (who then distracts others) because he can’t find a glue stick to finish his project? And yes, we went through school without some of these things, but these kids are more accustomed to bright and shiny. Maybe sad, but still true. And if bright and shiny go away, attention spans shorten, and kids are more disruptive. And guess what? Kids don’t learn as well then.

9. “What you do today can improve all your tommorow”-Ralph Marston

I’m frustrated that we can’t see just how big a job these incredibly underpaid teachers are undertaking. So, my suggestion is to watch for sales and stock up. Buy the extra box of tissues. Do the right thing and thank that teacher for all the efforts to make our future decision-makers great ones. Be frustrated with me for the right reason.

FINANCE LITERACY CAFE How to Ace Your First Test Managing Real Money in the Real World As a teen, you’re beginning to make some grown-up decisions about how to save and spend your money. That’s why learning the right ways to manage money... right from the start...is important. Here are suggestions. Save some money before you’re tempted to spend it. When you get cash for your birthday or from a job, automatically put a portion of it — at least 10 percent, but possibly more — into a savings or investment account. This strategy is what financial advisors call “paying yourself first.” Making this a habit can gradually turn small sums of money into big amounts that can help pay for really important purchases in the future.

Save some money before you’re tempted to spend it. When you get cash for your birthday or from a job, automatically put a portion of it into savings.

Also put your spare change to use. When you empty your pockets at the end of the day, consider putting some of that loose change into a jar or any other container, and then about once a month put that money into a savings account at the bank.“Spare change can add up quickly,” said Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC’s Community Affairs Outreach Section. “But don’t let that money sit around your house month after month, earning no interest and at risk of being lost or stolen.” If you need some help sorting and counting your change, he said, find out if your bank has a coin machine you can use for free. If not, the bank may give you coin wrappers.Some supermarkets and other non-banking companies have self-service machines that quickly turn coins into cash, but expect to pay a significant fee for the service, often close to 10 cents for every dollar counted, plus you still have to take the cash to the bank to deposit it into your savings account. Keep track of your spending. A good way to take control of your money is to decide on maximum amounts you aim to spend each week or each month for certain expenses, such as entertainment and snack food. This task is commonly known as “budgeting” your money or developing a “spending plan.” And to help manage your money, it’s worth keeping a list of your expenses for about a month, so you have a better idea of where your dollars and cents are going. “If you find you’re spending more than you intended, you may need to reduce your spending or increase your income,” Reynolds added. “It’s all about setting goals for yourself and then making the right choices with your money to help you achieve those goals.” Consider a part-time or summer job. Whether it’s babysitting, lawn mowing or a job in a “real” business, working outside of your home can provide you with income, new skills and references that can be useful after high school or college. Before accepting any job, ask your parents for their permission and advice.

Think before you buy. Many teens make quick and costly decisions to buy the latest clothes or electronics without considering whether they are getting a good value. “A $200 pair of shoes hawked by a celebrity gets you to the same destination at the same speed as a $50 pair,” said Reynolds. “Before you buy something, especially a big purchase, ask yourself if you really need or just want the item, if you’ve done enough research and comparison-shopping, and if you can truly afford the purchase without having to cut back on spending for something else.” Be careful with cards. Under most state laws, you must be at least 18 years old to obtain your own credit card and be held responsible for repaying the debt. If you’re under 18, though, you may be able to qualify for a credit card as long as a parent or other adult

agrees to repay your debts if you fail to do so. An alternative to a credit card is a debit card, which automatically deducts purchases from your savings or checking account. Credit cards and debit cards offer convenience, but they also come with costs and risks that must be taken seriously. Protect yourself from crooks who target teens. Even if you’re too young to have a checking account or credit card, a criminal who learns your name, address and Social Security number may be able to obtain a new credit card using your name to make purchases. One of the most important things you can do to protect against identity theft is to be very suspicious of requests for your name, Social Security number, passwords or bank or credit card information that come to you in an e-mail or an Internet advertisement, no matter how legitimate they may seem. “Teens are very comfortable using e-mail and the Internet, but they need to be aware that criminals can be hiding at the other end of the computer screen,” said Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC’s financial crimes section. These types of fraudulent requests can also come by phone, text message or in the mail. Be smart about college. If you’re planning to go to college, learn about your options for saving or borrowing money for what could be a major expense — from tuition to books, fees and housing. Also consider the costs when you search for a school.

Otherwise, when you graduate, your college debts could be high and may limit your options when it comes to a career path or where you can afford to live.

For more information on saving and borrowing for college, visit http://studentaid.ed.gov/redirects/students-gov, a Web site with information from the U.S. government and other sources.

10. “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody”

THINK LIKE A BOSS? How To Think Like An Entrepreneur Being an entrepreneur sounds so exciting and tempting. No bosses anymore, no pressure from a job which is not satisfying you, and no limited pay check. Sounds like a pretty cool deal, huh? Entrepreneurial life is definitely really exciting. But 9-5 will almost immediately turn to 24/7. Your customers become your new bosses and the size of your paycheck will vary from month to month. If you persist, work hard enough and innovate, you can join the “club” of successful entrepreneurs. How can you make your journey easier? Start thinking like the world’s top entrepreneurs.

Surround yourself with successful people You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Do you want to be successful? Meet successful people and hang out with them. Create a small mastermind group. Learn from each other and share your ideas. Their support and positive example will motivate you to do more and make the right decisions.

Find your passion Take a few minutes and think of what makes you feel great, what energizes you and what you cannot imagine life without. Write it down. Then think of which activities can make you money and reduce your list to that which you are passionate about and can make you money. Passion is your fuel. Your business will have its ups and downs, but passion will make you stay in the game. Plus, it can be contagious. Your vision and energy will motivate people in your team. Steve Jobs once said, “People with passion can change the world.”

11. “Every acomplishment, starts with the decision to try ”- Gail Devers

Brainstorm and create ideas James Altucher suggests that you write down 10 creative ideas every day, so you will accumulate about 3500 ideas a year. Maybe 3-4 will work, but isn’t it worth it to do this small exercise every day? Look at Sir Richard Branson. He is an innovation machine. Virgin Records became successful brand, but he didn’t stop there. He decided to bring fresh air into the aviation industry, which was not in demand that time. The biggest businessmen of that time were running from the airline and aviation industry. Virgin Atlantic now has a stable position in industry and Branson’s Virgin Galactic is just about to expand the limits of human experience to outer space.

Make quick decisions With entrepreneurship comes responsibility. You are the person who is making decisions. Over analyzing can cost you a lot of time and you can miss many opportunities. I am not saying that every decision is good and you shouldn’t ask more experienced people for advice. But when you have to make a decision, act quickly, but accordingly. Create more space for big decisions and reduce the small ones, which are not important.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, wears the same T-shirt every day, so he doesn’t expend time and energy on things which don’t matter.

Take risks The road to success is not smooth and sometimes you need to take risks to gain more. But take the risks that might bring you much more than you invested. Bill Gates dropped out of school and started a business in a new industry. He had a vision that people will use computers for work and at home. His risk paid off and Microsoft now has a value of billions of dollars. Start by overcoming one little fear a day. You will gain self confidence and trust in yourself.

Do not take failure too seriously Everyone fails from time to time. But it shouldn’t stop you from trying.

Donald Trump could, probably, talk about that for hours. The man, who is now worth approximately 4 billion dollars, came through bankruptcy, huge personal debt and a few ideas which were total failures. He is not the only millionaire or, better said, billionaire, who experienced failure like this. The problem is giving up. Learn from failures and quickly get up. Failure is just opportunity for new beginnings. Whenever you fail at something, imagine it happened to one of your closest friends. What would you suggest to them? This little exercise will help you to see the situation from a better perspective.

Think big and do not limit yourself Jordan Belford is not the type of businessman people adore for his innovation and creativity. He didn’t make his business 100% legally, and he cheated many people to get to the top. But he was right when he said, “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the BS story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” Believe in yourself and dream big. You can achieve anything you can think of.

Start writing down your goals and dreams. The probability that you achieve them will be much higher.

Stay focused Without focus you are wasting time on unnecessary activities and slowing yourself down. Because of this, maybe you never reach a goal you set. The best entrepreneurs are focused; they see where they want to be and they do everything to get there. Every morning when you wake up, write down your main focus for that day. This exercise will help you to finish your stuff.

Stop worrying what other people think Unless they are your customers. When you achieve some sort of success, people around you change. You will see who really matters and who doesn’t. There will be a lot of them who do not believe in you and

your vision. They might think it is too unrealistic or you succeeded just because you were lucky. Ignore it. Successful entrepreneurs just do not waste their energy on something as insignificant as other people negative thoughts.

Learn to trust You might believe that you can do this and that job better than anyone else. Instead of watching someone failing, you take the wheel and do the job instead. This behavior is not very beneficial in business. Even though we could have a discussion about Steve Jobs and his managerial style, learn to trust people and delegate. It will pay off. Richard Branson is a role model when it comes to trust and delegation.

Are you thinking like an entrepreneur? Whether you decide to be one or not, these ideas may help you to achieve more in any aspect of your life. Feel free to share your comments or insights about entrepreneurial thinking. Email: xceptionalteensmagazine@gmail.com Barbora Ilic Barbora is a writer, marketer, healthy food lover and passionate traveler. She is interested in everything from human rights, ecology, healthy lifestyle to business and startups.

Quotes That Will Inspire Greatness: “When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity.

You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel.

It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.” – Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

12. “Stars can’t shine without darkness ”

FASHION

&

Back to School Fashion

STYLE

How to Get a Naturally Glowing Skin A glowing skin is a desire of many. It is for this reason that girls try out various cosmetic products to get those popular “rosy cheeks” and a glow on their face.

However, there are ways by which you can naturally get a glowing and a beautiful skin that is healthy too.

Basic skin care is a must as that helps in preventing your skin from dryness, dullness and also from problems like pimples and acne.

Basic skin care implies keeping your face protected from sun and environmental dust and pollution: regular cleansing of face: and removing makeup before sleeping. Along with these basic tips, there are also other natural ways that can help you attain a naturally glowing skin.

A healthy diet is the key to a healthy and a beautiful skin. Have a well-balanced diet and pay special attention to fresh fruits and vegetables. A diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin C is particularly beneficial.

Most importantly, drink lots of water and keep your skin naturally hydrated and moisturized. Water also helps in flushing out toxins from the body and thus helps in providing your skin with a natural and a healthy glow.

Few homemade beauty tips can help you attain glowing complexion. You can make a natural facemask at home using honey and egg white. You can also apply a mixture of honey and milk on your face for a naturally glowing skin.

Along with the above given tips, also try to reduce your stress levels as stress makes your skin dull and also leads to various kinds of unwanted skin eruptions like pimples, acne and blemishes. Thus, follow the given tips for a naturally glowing skin

READ & WIN PROMO

Starting from January 2017, you have a chance to become our XCEPTIONAL READER of the YEAR and win fabulous prizes! All you have to do is: a. Subscribe to receive all the editions from January 2017 to December 2017 b. Find the READ & WIN coupon in each edition c. Fill out the coupon and mail to us!.

13. “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90%, how we react to it”-Charles.R.Swindoll

RULE YOUR WORLD with SHOLA Welcome Aboard Hello Xceptional Teens, You are welcome to “Rule Your World” column, a column specially created with you in mind and filled with empowering and fun content Trust me, everyone one of you is a winner, if you can think IT, write IT and send IT to me, you can win one of our weekly and monthly giveaways.

This column was created because I believe you can rule your world and become anything you wish to become. No dream is too big to attain. Through this column, Rule Your World, you will surround yourself with teens like you who are dreamers, believers, doers and thinkers. Guess what the icing of the cake is? You have me in your corner because I believe there is greatness within you. Go ahead and share your aspirations with me, the challenges you are facing, your fears and your success. Write to me via xceptionalwoman@publicist.com . I look forward to connecting with you! Until then, be safe and always remember that you are destined to be great!

RULE YOUR WORLD ESSAY CONTEST Topic: What current issue in your local school or community needs to be addressed? What change would you institute, if given the opportunity? Send your entries to xceptionalteensmagazine@gmail.com with the subject “Be A Hero” Deadline: October 28, 2016 Rule Your World Contest will be judged by outstanding selected teens and adults. Submission fee of $10 includes consideration for Star Writer’s $250 prize and publication in XTM. Two runners-up will be awarded $100 and publication in XTM. All other submissions will be considered for the online edition of XTM. FAMOUS PEOPLE FIRST JOBS President Barack Obama: Scooped ice cream at a Baskin-Robbins in Hawaii “My first summer job wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it taught me some valuable lessons. Responsibility. Hard work. Balancing a job with friends, family, and school.”

Michael B. Coleman (The first African-American mayor of Ohio’s capital city): Worked at the corner drug store, Kroger’s supermarket and his father’s barbeque restaurant.

Jack Stahl (Former president Coca-Cola, former CEO of Revlon, author of Lessons in Leadership): mystery customer who visited retailers and reported on service.

His advice: “Focus on details and get things done on time and with quality.”

Joyce Beatty (U. S Congresswoman, first female Democratic House Leader in Ohio & first black woman to serve as a senior vice president at Ohio State University): “While I may have been scared, I knew to get the job I had to act like this is what I did.”

EMBARRASING MOMENT My worst moment was in fifth grade. One day, a couple notes went around the classroom with two girl’s names on them, asking people to place a checkmark beside the girl who was prettier (sort of like that “Facemash” thing that Mark Zuckerburg wrote in that Facebook movie. Pretty much everyone saw them and voted, and then the teacher found out. Then we had to sit around while the teacher angrily demanded that we weren’t going anywhere until the person who wrote the notes admitted who they were. Finally, a girl started crying and got up and admitted that she had written the note because she wanted to see if people thought she was pretty. To make matters worse, the girl had lost by a huge margin.

That girl was me. Amy Hansen, inspired and curious.

Not Funny.

I was in math class and I was really thirsty. I pulled a water bottle out of my backpack and took a sip. I was taking too long of a sip, because the whole water bottle started to go into my mouth! I pulled it out of my mouth, but I still had a mouth full of water. To make things worse, I was laughing! I could not swallow the water! And then, the boy that sits next to me yells, “MORGAN, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU!?” I don’t know why, but I thought that was so funny, and all of a sudden, I just exploded! Water got all over my desk, pants, and textbook! So embarrassing!

What is the most embarrassing moment of your life? Share it with us.

14. “Stars can’t shine without darkness ”

JOKES Little Tom is constantly late for school and what’s worse is that he always has a big lie explaining why. The teacher tells the principal that she has had it with his exaggerations. The principal tells her to send Tom to him the next time he shows up late.

He will tell Tom a lie so big that he will never tell another one.

Ever. The next day, Tom shows up two hours late. Tom says, “I was two hours early today so I had time to fish in the pond on my way to school. I caught a 17-pound trout and had to take it home. If I didn’t clean it and freeze it, my mom would’ve been angry. That’s why I’m so late”. The teacher promptly takes him to the principal’s office and explains the story to the principal.

The principal tells Tom about his own trip to school that day.

He says, “I was walking to school through the park on the trail today when I heard something behind me. I turned around and was shocked to see a giant grizzly bear behind me. He was 24 feet tall and had 6-inch fangs. He was going to eat me, Tom! Just then a little dog ran out from the bushes, jumped up and attacked the bear. The little dog killed the bear and then ate the whole bear right there in front of me. What do you think of that, Johnny?” Tom replies, “Oh yeah, that’s my dog Sparky. That’s his third bear this week.” ~ Josh Tilman, Milford, Massachusetts The Best School Jokes Teacher: whoever answers my next question, can go home.

One boy throws his bag out the window.

Teacher: who just threw that?!

Boy: Me! I’m going home now.

SHOUT-OUTS *Birthdays * Graduation * Awards * Holidays * Promotions * Births * Farewell * E.T.C Special shout-outs to the following birthday celebrants: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER- NOVEMBER 09/09 Muiz Omoniyi, Rhode Island 09/12 Aderonke Adenike Aderanti, Ohio 10/31 Folashade Ahmodu, Texas BOOKS THAT IMPACTED MY LIFE If you want your life to be different… READ! •The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Steven Covey •Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want — Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible by Brian Tracy

XCEPTIONAL LYRICS/SONG Analyze our chosen XCEPTIONAL Song and send your analysis to us for a chance to win a prize and get published. What’s the message? Did you derive anything from it? Share your thoughts! If you have an inspiring song you would like to recommend and see published in our one of next editions, kindly email it to us! Chosen Song: Ghetto Child by Joe ft. Shaggy FIRSTS IN HISTORY This section has been created to highlight and celebrate men and women who contributed to the world in many different ways. They are educators, writers, scientists, politicians, entertainers, civil rights advocates etc. you can too!

1.The first African American individual to play major league baseball: Jackie Robinson 2.The first men to climb the giant mountain K2: Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. K2 is the second highest mountain on earth. With a peak elevation of 8,611 meters (28,251 ft.), only 778 ft. shorter then Mt. Everest.

3.The first internet virus: Morris Worm 4.The first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize: Edith Wharton 5.The first female secretary of State: Madeleine Albright THINK ABOUT IT Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do with this opportunity?

Send your answers to: xceptionalteensmagazine@gmail.com with subject “Think About It” INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE The poor man is not he who is without a cent BUT he who is without a dream. ~Harry Kemp The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt Coming Soon Do you have an Xceptional Teen in mind for our feature?

Though we’ve got amazing teens in our 2016-2017 line-up, We are always open to learning about more great teens. Simply email xceptionalwoman@publicist.com with your suggestions.

RIDDLES 1.I am something, I have two legs but cannot walk, what am I? 2.I am a room that nobody can enter.

3.I am something that people do not like to have but when they have me, they don’t like to lose me. What am I? 4.What contains a sea without water and a town without habitat?

ANSWERS 1.Trouser 2.Mushroom 3.Case 4.Map

BIGGEST WINNER CONTEST Are You Worried About Your Body Size or Appearance?

Feel Embarrassed or Called Names by Peers Because of Your Body Size?

XTM Wants YOU! Come Talk To Us! Call 614-758-3367 or Email xceptionalteensmagazine @gmail.com

15. “If (plan A) didnt work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. Try again ”

GALLERIA Alone Alone, I stand in the crowd, drifting in my thoughts.

I feel sad.

I feel weighed down.

I feel heavy. But I don’t know why.

I close my eyes and let my thoughts pull me under.

I see bright flashes behind my closed lids. They are wonderful. They are exhilarating.

I am the Queen of a foreign land, far far away.

I am a small bird flying high above the Earth, dominating the skies.

I am a rock that has just been tossed into an ocean.

I am a bouquet being admired by a newlywed.

I am a forgotten historical event.

I am the sun that rises in the morning and sets in the evening.

My thoughts, my wicked thoughts spin a web around me.

I am now under its control, such wicked control.

I want to call out for help but hesitate, oh how I hesitate.

Do I really want to be freed? Do I really want to continue living in a world where I am insignificant?

In my thoughts I can be anything that I want to be…

But in real life… I am just me… I am just me.

Just me? No, I am not just me.

I am beautiful.

I am loved.

I am cherished.

I am cared for.

I am funny.

I am intelligent.

I am outstanding.

I am independent, but still dependent on others.

I can feel the web that my thoughts have spun around me begin to unravel. I can feel myself begin to feel lighter, as if a boulder has been lifted off my soul. I can feel a heady rush racing through my body. I can feel a wide smile threatening to burst free. I can feel a true sense of happiness overcoming me for the first time in a long time, such a long time.

Do I really want to be free?

Yes, yes I do.

Someone bumps into me, and the spell is finally broken.

I turn around and start walking, I turn around for myself, I turn around for my loved ones, I turn around and finally rejoin the flow of time.

Martha Taylor, Toronto, Canada

I am a size nine, so what?

I used to beat myself up about not being so skinny as the models that I see on TV. I admired the beautiful size 2 girls that got all the guys drooling over them, by simply looking in their directions.

As a child, I was always called fat or over-sized and that used to kill me inside, but recently I realized how fortunate I am to have all my body

parts, P-E-R-O-I-D! There are days I wish I was thinner, but I remember that girls can be loved thin, thick, tall or short. I also learned something valuable to me… Beauty is more than skin deep.

I have thick thighs and my stomach isn’t flat, but I have a wonderful family and great friends. Even though I get self-conscious about my body at times, my loved ones are always there to remind me that I am beautiful.

So for all you plus size girls, you are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. Alexandra P. The Met School, Providence, Rhode Island

Letter to Myself: Forgiveness by a young woman from Juvenile Prison I am not yet sure I am ready to forgive you.

You ripped me to pieces so small, I wasn’t even sure I was there anymore.

Your words cut me deeper than any blade ever could.

You burned my skin; gave me 3rd degree wounds.

For over a year, I dealt with the blame.

I dealt with the threats of suicide when I said no.

I dealt with screams, the shoves, the “I’m-sorry, I-love-you”s.

The “It-won’t-happen-again”s, the “take-me-back”s I dealt with the pain.

As if all the showers could scrub away the filthiness I’ve felt.

Almost 3 years later, and I’m still unlearning what I was taught to be sorry for.

But almost 3 years later and I can tell myself that I deserve better.

I can look at my scars now, and see that that is no longer me.

I can be happy with someone else.

I can look at myself now and not feel ashamed.

This is to myself.

This is for me.

I don’t forgive you, but I forgive me.

Elmick Dashton, Toronto, Canada

16. “Your mind is a powerful thing when u fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change”

LAW & ORDER LICENSING & STATE LAWS Ohio’s multi-stage licensing process allows teens to gradually gain exposure to complex driving situations, easing them into driving over an extended period of time.

TEMPORARY INSTRUCTION PERMIT When your teen turns 15 ½, the teen may apply for a temporary instruction permit. You and your teen need to visit your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles driver licensing exam station and bring a state-certified copy of the teen’s birth certificate. A list of these deputy registrar locations can be found at www.bmv.ohio.gov. Your teen must pass a knowledge and vision test at a driver license exam station and will be given a receipt with a confirmation number. The teen may present the receipt at a BMV deputy registrar’s office within 60 days to receive a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC).

When driving with a TIPIC, a teen younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor seated in the front passenger seat. A temporary instruction permits holder age 16 or older may drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat. Permit holders under age 18 are prohibited from driving a motor vehicle between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or legal custodian who holds a valid license. Drivers must carry their TIPIC with them while operating a vehicle.

Temporary permit holders between the ages of 15 ½ and 18 must receive a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in driver training to advance to a probationary license. In addition, they must complete 50 hours of driving with a parent or legal guardian, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. Parents or guardians must verify the hours in writing, under penalty of falsification.

The number of vehicle occupants is limited to the total number or originally installed seat belts. All occupants must be wearing seat belts when the vehicle is being driven by a temporary permit holder.

PROBATIONARY LICENSE When your teen turns 16 and has had a temporary instruction permit for at least 6 months, the teen can go to the local BMV to take the driving test, which includes maneuverability and a road test. The teen will also need to take a second vision test and provide proof of having completed 50 hours (including 10 at night) of practice driving time. (Keep track of your practice driving) The teen will then receive their probationary license.

Make sure a parent or guardian is present to sign the application form or get a parent’s notarized signature on the form ahead of time.

A teen with a probationary license is allowed to drive without a parent, but must follow certain rules to help keep safe. For the first 12 months, license holders may not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, traveling to/from work or school sponsored function, or in an emergency. Drivers holding a probationary license for 12 may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., with the same exemptions.

License holders who are 16 years old may not drive with more than one non-family passenger unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or legal custodian. At age 17, the driver may have no more passengers than there are seat belts in the vehicle. All occupants must be wearing seat belts when the vehicle is being driven by a probationary license holder.

SUSPENSIONS/RESTRICTIONS If a probationary license holder under age 17 is convicted of a moving violation that occurred during the first six months of license issuance, the teen will only be allowed to drive with a parent or guardian for the next 6 months or until age 17, whichever comes first. A temporary instruction permit or probationary license can be suspended for up to one year if the teen is convicted of multiple moving violations or any alcohol-related offense. Ohio’s underage consumption law makes it illegal for a driver under age 21 to drive with a blood alcohol content level of .02 or greater.

FULL LICENSE At age 18, a teen is eligible for a full license, provided that probationary license requirements have been met. Night and passenger restrictions are lifted, but parents are encouraged to maintain their own additional rules.

License applicants age 18 or older who fail the required road or maneuverability test must take an abbreviated driver training course prior to attempting the test a second or subsequent time.

A parent-teen driving agreement can help you enforce licensing rules that the state and your family set. An agreement helps you and your teen understand the rules of the road and sends a clear message that driving is an earned privilege that your family takes seriously.

POLICING State and local police enforce traffic laws and investigate crashes. Remind your teen that police can and will enforce all requirements on seat belt use, drinking and driving and other laws. Breaking the law can lead to fines, license suspension and other penalties. Talk to your teen about these and other consequences, and explain what to do if stopped by police.

•If stopped by the police, teens should expect to present a valid license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

•If stopped as a driver or passenger, teens should always cooperate and be respectful with law enforcement.

•If in any kind of situation involving law enforcement, teens should talk to their parents about it, because this can create a learning experience.

17.“opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle

S.T.E.M

Meet The Most Powerful Woman in Particle Physics

CHRISTIAN BEUTLER Fabiola Gianotti, CERN’s new director-general

F

abiola Gianotti isn’t new to CERN, the Geneva, Switzerland-based research organization that operates the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s biggest particle collider. In fact, the Italian particle physicist was among the CERN scientists who made history in 2012 with the discovery of the Higgs boson. But now Gianotti isn’t just working at CERN. As the organization’s new director-general — the first woman ever to hold the position — she’s running the show. And though expanding our knowledge of the subatomic realm remains her main focus, she’s acutely aware that she is now a high-visibility role model for women around the world. “Physics is widely regarding as a male-dominated field, and it’s true that there are more men in our community than women,” Gianotti said. “So I am glad if in my new role I can contribute to encourage young women to undertake a job in scientific research with the certitude that they have the same opportunities as men.

How will things be different for you in your new role? My new role is very interesting and stimulating, and I feel very honored to have been offered it. The range of issues I have to deal with is much broader than before and includes scientific strategy and planning, budget, personnel aspects, relations with a large variety of stakeholders, etc. Days are long and full, and I am learning many new

things. And there is nothing more enriching and gratifying than learning.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Super-hectic, super-speedy and ... atypical!

What do you think explains the gender gap in science generally and in physics particularly?

There are many factors. There’s no difference in ability between men and women, that’s for sure. And in my experience, the more diverse a team is, the stronger it is. There is the baggage of history, of course, which takes a long time to overcome. There is the question of the lack of role models, and there is the question of making workplaces more family friendly. We need to enable parents, men or women, to take breaks to raise families and we need to support parents with infrastructure and facilities.

Your term as CERN’s director-general is scheduled to last five years.

What are your goals for CERN during this period?

The second run of the LHC is the top priority for CERN in the coming years. We got off to a very good start in 2015, and have three years of data-taking ahead of us before we go into the accelerator’s second long shutdown. The experiments are expected to record at least three times more data than in Run 1 at an energy almost twice as large. It will be a long time before another such step in energy will be made in the future. So, the coming years are going to be an exciting period for high-energy physics. But CERN is not just the LHC. We have a variety of experiments and facilities, including precise measurements of rare decays and detailed studies of antimatter, to mention just a couple of them. In parallel with the ongoing program, we will be working to ensure a healthy longterm future for CERN, at first with the high-luminosity LHC upgrade scheduled to come on stream in the middle of the next decade, and also through a range of design studies looking at the post-LHC era — from 2035 onwards.

What discoveries can we reasonably expect from CERN during your term?

I’m afraid that I don’t have a crystal ball to hand. There will be a wealth of excellent physics results from the LHC Run 2 and from other CERN experiments. We’ll certainly get to know the Higgs boson much better and expand our exploration of physics beyond the Standard Model. Whether we find any hints of the new physics everyone is so eagerly waiting for, however, I don’t know. We know there’s new physics to be found. Good as it is, the Standard Model explains only the 5 percent of the universe that is visible. There are so many exciting questions still waiting to be answered.

“There is nothing more enriching and gratifying than learning. ~ Fabiola Gianotti, CERN director-general What are the biggest opportunities at CERN? The biggest challenges?

These two questions have a single answer. Over the coming years, the greatest opportunities and challenges, not only for CERN but for the global particle physics community as a whole, come from the changing nature of the field. Collaboration between regions is

18. “Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.”

growing. CERN recently signed a set of agreements with the U.S. outlining U.S. participation in the upgrade of the LHC and CERN participation in neutrino projects at Fermilab in the U.S. There are also emerging players in the field, notably China, whose scientific community has expressed ambitious goals for a potential future facility. All this represents a great opportunity for particle physics. The challenge for all of us in the field is to advance in a globally coordinated manner, so as to be able to carry out as many exciting and complementary projects as possible.

Were you always interested in being a scientist? If you couldn’t be a scientist, what would you be/do?

I was always interested in science, and I was always interested in music. I pursued both for as long as I could, but when the time came to make a choice, I chose science. I suppose that as a professional physicist, it is still possible to enjoy music — I still play the piano from time to time. But as a professional musician, it would be harder to engage in science.

What do you do in your spare time?

I spend my little spare time with family and friends. I do some sport, I listen to music, I read.

That it’s hard to understand! Of course, if you want to be a particle physicist, you have to master the language of mathematics and be trained to quite a high level. But if you want to understand the field conceptually, it’s almost child’s play. All children are natural scientists. They are curious, and they want to take things apart to see how they work.

Particle physics is just like that. We study the fundamental building blocks of matter from which everything is made, and the forces at work between them. And the equations that describe the building blocks and their interactions are simple and elegant. They can be written on a small piece of paper.

19. “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”

LETTER TO MY XCEPTIONAL TEACHER

Sometimes when people ask me what career path I would like to pursue in the future, the thought of being a teacher crosses my mind.

The notion of educating the minds of the future, the potential to have so much influence, the guaranteed summer breaks—it almost seems like it would be a crime to turn down a job so ideal.

Then I think about the countless hours preparing for classes, writing and grading tests, planning homework assignments, collaborating with other teachers and—worst of all—speaking in front of a class, and I realized how much respect I have for teachers.

Honestly, how does one put up with hundreds of hormone-filled teenagers for eight hours straight, five days a week, 180 days a year?

You think you need summer vacation? They know they need it.

Even though I certainly don’t have the enthusiasm or stamina necessary for being a teacher, I do believe it’s important to recognize those wonderful people who dedicate so much of their lives to improving the next generation(s).

Far more than just being the people who stand in front of the chalkboard (or whiteboard or Smartboard), my teachers have been the role models that I strive to emulate; they are the cheerleaders that have provided me that extra encouragement necessary to step out of my comfort zone and are the reasons behind my motivation to put my best foot forward every day in school. Although some of the academia they teach is ostensibly trivial (I do hope future job interviewers don’t ask me about comic sections), both in and beyond the classroom, every single one of my teachers has shaped me to be the person that I am today.

This post is for the preschool teachers that pulled me out of the shallow end of the swimming pool and led me to the diving board, who promised they would catch me even if I belly flopped and who fully delivered on their promise.

This is for my third grade homeroom teacher, who didn’t laugh in my face when I told her that one day, I was going to be the smartest person in the world after I graduate from Harvard AND Princeton AND Yale AND Stanford.

This goes to my fifth grade social studies teacher, who taught me where all the states are, and who only chuckled a little bit when I forgot where the Battle of Bunker Hill took place.

This post is for my seventh grade math teacher, who coaxed a passion for math out of me, and who had the patience and good humor to answer literally every single one of my questions.

To my Introduction to Journalism teacher, who nurtured my journalistic seed and gave me confidence in my writing abilities, who had faith in me and saw more potential than even I have ever seen in myself. Without a doubt, taking your class was one of the best decisions that I have ever made in my entire (albeit short) life.

To my freshman biology teacher, who was not only a mentor, but a friend and a neighbor who opened the door for me when I most needed it.

Thank you for single-handedly restoring my faith in humanity.

This goes out to my sophomore AP World teacher, who has the most wicked sense of humor that has ever been known to mankind, and has taught me the history of the world in the most hilarious way possible that I would gladly repeat my sophomore year just to take her class again. (Also, please teach me your ways of freelancing a perfect world map.)

But most of all, this article is for every person who has been, currently is or will ever be a mentor of brilliant minds of all ages. It’s impossible to put into words the profound impact that teachers have on their students, but I’m sure every person has experienced it. Teachers are the epitome of leading by example, the mother geese and father ganders who teach the little goslings how to fly before they leave the next to take on the world.

Valerie Hsieh Student journalist at Lexington High School

20.”When you know better you do”- Maya Angelou better”

Once upon a Teen From Obstacles To Triumphs

A

s long as you are making progress, you are going somewhere. Where you are, is not where you have to be. I have come a long way, considering my environment. Starting from middle school throughout college I was faced with many, many obstacles.

Firstly, by the time that I was ten years old I did not live in the best neighborhood. I lived in what they call the projects, the PJ’s. That was my home. That was where I had to adapt and learn to stay alive.

Where I tried not to stick out like a sore thumb, in order to keep the peace. A place where I’d rather blend than to draw any unwanted attention. Unfortunately, it was not that easy. Staying out of the way too much, often turned into curiosity from others.

My mom tried to be pretty strict when it came to our extracurricular activities. Even though I had a pretty decent group of friends, there was still so much to get into. There were times that I was glad to tell my friends that I was grounded by my mom again. I could not step foot outside after school for like a week or two. Deep down inside I thought to myself, lucky me. Now I can stay inside my room and finish reading my Sweet Valley Twins series or catch up on every detail in Word Up! (magazine). It felt harsh at the time for others.

Friends would always say, your mom is so mean or why is she tripping. I have even heard, “why don’t you get a whooping and get it over with so you can come back outside with us. WHAT? To me it was not that serious and it definitely was not to my mom. Actually I think it gave her a sense of relief, a whole week or two with no worry about her only daughter.

In middle school, I was a straight A student. I attended a very sheltered private school on the outskirts of the PJ’s. My walk to school was dead smack in the middle of chaos. When you were as young as me, you are sort of fearless. Also, the fact that my younger brother strolled with me, I had to wear that protective metal for the both of us.

The school, owned and operated by Peoples Community Baptist Church, my home church was a safe haven. Personally I felt and still feel to date, that the school officials provided the best group of teachers and curriculum for us during that time. We are allowed to speak our minds, of course as long as we were respectful. To my knowledge there were no unnecessary pressures and the majority of the students completed their educational goals successfully. The school was a safe haven. However, once I left the property that sense of security left with me.

There was confusion and corruption that lurked outside of the

school grounds, in a place we affectionately call “the hood”. In this place I have had to dodge bullets, crackheads, and thirsty dudes who thought that it was their duty to take one’s virginity. It was a lot to digest, especially at my young age.

My high school years were a total shock to my life. There were ten times more students, than that of the private middle school. Uniforms were no longer. In my mind I now had to go out and purchase a ton of clothes to keep up with the trends so I would not be taunted and teased. Well since I was not the one with the JOB, I had to settle for the five outfits and one pair of sneakers that my mom bought at the beginning of the schoolyear. I was forced to wait until Christmas before another two outfits were gifted. I thank God that I had a cousin named Angie, who obviously went shopping often. As she grew out of her things, I would gladly receive them. My grandmother would make sure she came through with the huge bag of slightly used goods. I guess it is what you kids call resale these days, but only they were given to me. Aside from the clothing dilemma that was not really a dilemma, I was having a hard time adjusting to the size of the school. There were very loud kids and busy hallways between each class. Often times the hallway action would spill off into the classrooms and I would witness arguing, fighting (fist, knife and lock fights), and blatant disrespect to the teachers. This learning environment was definitely a shocker.

During my senior year it had gotten so bad that the metal detectors were used due to the volume of guns brought into the school. I can gladly say no one was ever shot throughout my years there, at least not during school hours.

It was a stressful situation. My grades dropped drastically. I had become so preoccupied wondering when the next big disturbance was going to happen, I could not concentrate. My single mother, having only a high school diploma herself, tried what she could to keep me on the right track. My grades had gotten so bad that the Board of Education sent a letter to my home requesting a meeting with my parent (I say parent because dad was not in the picture). I really thought that they would expel me from school, which could not happen because that meant trouble for me at home. Instead they came up with a plan to assist me and told me that I was on some sort of academic probation. I was not a volatile child, plus they saw potential and knew that drastic measures were not necessary.

Throughout the rest of my high school career I started to focus more. I became close to my band family, who was not surrounded in drama, and I also joined the softball team. I can honestly say that this combo as well as being respectful to my teachers took me a long way. In order to play any extracurricular activity, you must maintain a certain GPA. I had no choice but to step up my game if I wanted to continue to play the sport that I loved and was very good at.

I breezed on through high school, with the help of some friends, educators who cared, and a passionate principal who wanted to see students make it. I also had to complete summer education studies in order to obtain credits needed to graduate. I worked as hard as I could senior year, although the fighting did not cease and the neighborhood became crazier. My mission was to not let my mom and grandparents

21.” Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”

down with all of the dedication and resources they poured into me. I also became curious about college life, so it was imperative that I made a major change.

Fast forward to college life. I MADE IT! Wilberforce University class of.... well that is not important right now young people(ha). Anyway, I am on the right track, surrounded by droves of people who were making the very best of their college experience. There was a certain comfort level that came about. There were not many disruptions, maybe one or two violent incidents, but the fact that a police station was right on campus probably assisted with keeping things in order. Aside from that, these people were close to adulthood and preparing for the rest of their lives so the entire vibe was different...in a good way.

I partied, I studied, I was happy, and then all of a sudden I became ill. I was not far from home. I did not feel like I was under any more stress, so what could be wrong? Had I gotten so used to my tumultuous surroundings in “the hood” that I was not able to function here? Was it the fact that I traded good home cooking and food from the garden for a more eat whatever they slap on your tray type of meal. I did not know what this was taking over my body, but it was not right.

Months into my freshman year, I landed in the hospital. I could not hold down anything I ate and was in the worst pain I ever felt in my life.

After extensive testing (poking and prodding), the doctors told me that I suffered from Ulcerative Colitis. I was only given speculation on how and why this came about. I had questions that could not simply be answered. What I did know is that this was not it for me. I was not going back to the same stressful life in my old neighborhood. Wilberforce was my home now, so I did what I could to stay. I grabbed my prescription, bid the doctors farewell, and did not look back.

I was out of school for one week straight and fell behind. It did not help that prior to this I would be out partying and missed classes, thinking that I could definitely catch up because it was just one or two days. I hate I did not see this coming. I thought to myself I would have not been so careless with my time if I had known. After my pity party and a nice letter from the dean stating that we needed a meeting. I cannot remember all of the details of this letter, what I can recall is the words academic probation. Not again, I thought. I have come too far. I pitched the letter in the trash and got my ENTIRE life together.

I started a daily medication regimen, tried to eat healthier and got back on track with my grades. I was accepted to join a social organization called Ladies of Heart, which often had me out late during the process. I kept it pushing like there was no illness whatsoever. The older sisters never knew that I was suffering until the process was over. I overcame all of the obstacles set before me and they rightfully named me Ms. Gladiator.

I graduated with a degree in Mass Media Communication, went on to Pennsylvania to work for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as an intern writing news stories. I joined a theatre company and tried my hand in acting. I worked as a promotions and marketing manager for a new record label out of New York City.

I was on the road to success and tragedy struck again.

I moved to California with the knowledge that I was feeling ill, but this time it was worse. My mind told me to keep going, help expand this record label, but my body shut down. I ended up in a hospital bed, yet again. The doctors diagnosed me with Crohn’s disease, which they revealed that this was the issue day one. Here I am thousands of miles away from my family facing a major surgery. No one from my hometown could get to me fast enough and it was too dangerous for me to travel home to get help. With all the prayer in the world, the surgery was a success, I became stronger, and hopped right back on my feet.

I moved back to the Midwest, worked on a film production, became a middle school teacher, and shortly after started a family. I developed a passion for helping others, especially young adults.

Two years ago I completed a Master’s Degree program in Education Administration and I am currently writing two screenplays. Guess what? I am still not finished! Take what you will from this extensive, but true story and try your very hardest to overcome any obstacles you may face. It was not an easy road, and I am sure some of you may have it harder than this, but that does not mean give up. It simply means give it all you got!

ShaMeka C. Glaze

ALVIS BUDGET GROUP

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Michael Mcguire 1030 West Third Ave. Columbus, OH 43212 T (614) 737-5400 F (614) 299-1603

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