Youthoctnov2013

October/November 2013

Strong at Heart

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

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John Hall Publisher Kevin Atwill Editor Adlen W. Robinson Director of Content Ryan Garmon Advertising Director Graphic Design Jeff Bucchino Josh Bugosh Contributing Writers Tim Keyser Alyssa LaRenzie Crystal Ledford Jennifer Sami

Contents 8

Following Faith

South Forsyth junior ministers to many.

10 Shouldering Generosity

Young woman helps foster children adjust to school.

20 22

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

Lifting Spirits

Practicing what he preaches - Page 8

YOUth Magazine

Follow us online at: forsythnews.com

Drama program at Lambert High has a family feel.

Middle-schooler doesn’t let a health diagnosis dim her outlook.

Photography Alyssa LaRenzie Adlen W. Robinson Jennifer Sami

is published bimonthly by the Forsyth County News Co., 302 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Cumming, GA 30040.

Advertising rates and deadlines available upon request.

Contact Ryan Garmon at (770) 205-8960 or rgarmon@forsythnews.com.

A Stage Presence

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Outdoors ������������������������������������������������������������� 12

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Food ������������������������������������������������������������������� 24

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Technology ��������������������������������������������������������� 26

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Entertainment ����������������������������������������������������� 28

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Education ����������������������������������������������������������� 30

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Welcome to

H

urray for fall! I love this time of year. The kids are back in school, the leaves are turning to beautiful hues, pumpkins are everywhere and the holidays are nearly upon us.

I can’t wait for you to meet this month’s “cover kid,” Chandler Burnell. I have actually known the Burnells for years and wrote about Chandler when he was just a little thing volunteering with the American Heart Association. Flash forward 10 years and I see a mature, humble and truly inspiring young man.

I loved meeting Maggie Walker and her sweet mother, Janette. Maggie is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Dustin Grattan is someone to watch, too. I have

a feeling we all may see him on a future Olympic team!

And Maddie Malmfeldt is a special young lady. Not many teenagers spend a good chunk of their summers trying to find school supplies for children in foster care.

As always, we value your readership and feedback. We are also always looking for youth to profile, so please email me if you have ideas.

Best,

Adlen W. Robinson is an award-winning columnist and feature writer who has been a contributor to the Forsyth County News for more than a decade. Adlen has lived in Forsyth County with husband Paul for 23 years and they have four children. Author of “Home Matters: The Guide to Organizing Your Life and Home,” Adlen is also busy working on her first cookbook. E-mail her at contact@adlenrobinson.com.

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

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Heart

in the

Right Place

Faith guides teen to make a difference Imagine their joy turning to raw fear when their newborn baby was diagnosed with hypo plastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS. The condition occurs Chandler Burnell, shown with mother Ingrid in this family photo, underwent three heart when the left side of the heart surgeries as a child. does not develop completely.

Chandler’s mother, Ingrid, said handler Burnell was born in the doctors basically gave them three middle of the 1996 Summer options.

Olympics in Atlanta. In fact, “There is Comfort Care, where his parents had tickets to an event, the child is allowed to pass away in but missed it due to their son’s grand comfort, a heart transplant, which is entrance into the world.

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

difficult due to a lack of infant hearts, and palliative surgery, which is a risky three-stage open heart surgeries to rework the heart to function without correcting the defect,” she said.

After much thought and prayer, Ingrid and husband Stephen decided to go the surgery route. Chandler’s three surgeries were when he was 9 days old, six months, and just before his third birthday. Thankfully, Chandler thrived after each one, and continued to get stronger and live an active life.

He’s now a 17-year-old junior at South Forsyth High School who, except for the scars from surgery on his chest, bears no resemblance to somebody with any sort of condition.

Even with his heart issue, Chandler’s parents wanted their son to have as normal of a life as possible.

“We always wanted him to live his life to the fullest,” said his father.

For Chandler, that meant participating in and pushing himself in many sports, including basketball, lacrosse, soccer and tennis.

“Sometimes I would get frustrated when I felt tired before I wanted to,” Chandler remembered.

“And sometimes I did push myself further than I probably should have, but that is just how I am.”

Chandler Burnell plans to attend seminary school after finishing high school and college.

Photos: by Jennifer Sami, submitted

While Chandler loved participating in sports, his main passion is Jesus Christ and his Christian faith. Extremely active at both North Point Community Church and Browns Bridge Community Church, Chandler is determined to attend seminary after college.

“I want to go into youth ministry,” he said.

For the past two years, Chandler has been a small group mentor for a group of seventh-grade boys at North Point. In addition, he meets weekly with some friends for breakfast before school in an accountability group.

“We support each other, but also hold each other accountable,” he said.

Even with his heart issue, Chandler’s parents wanted their son to have as normal of a life as possible.

See Chandler pg. 16

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

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Ph ot os : Ad le n W . Ro bi ns on

W

hile most students are thinking about what school supplies they need to fill their own backpacks, Maddie Malmfeldt concentrates on filling up some for others.

Malmfeldt, a senior at West Forsyth High, recently collected school supplies and new backpacks for 98 children in the foster care system. Volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, distributed the full backpacks to the children they serve as they headed off to the start of a new school year.

Being in charge of such a big project was not something Maddie, 17, went looking for — rather, it found her.

“The summer before my freshman year, a woman came to my Girl Scout troop meeting and told us about collecting and filling backpacks for CASA and that she was no longer able to do it any longer,” Maddie said.

“I volunteered and then just kept doing it every year.”

Maddie started by getting the supply lists from each school and then CASA provided her a list with the age of the child.

Maddie reached out to numerous people and organizations in the community and has been heartened 10

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

“I have always felt anxious when returning to school, so it is my hope that these foster children will feel better about starting school when they are prepared.” with the show of support she has seen.

“There are so many people and groups who have donated supplies, I could never have done this without them,” she said.

Maddie said one donor, Cheryl Hudson, provided 42 flash drives, and Ann Connor at Automation Direct gave new backpacks and binders.

Another woman, Lisa Gore, donated $500 so Maddie could buy supplies that had not been donated.

“I also contacted the Optimist Club and they let me speak at their meeting and then helped collect supplies,” she said.

Maddie is quite familiar with CASA

Maddie Malmfeldt, a West Forsyth High senior, recently collected school supplies and backpacks for children in the foster care system.

since her mother, Paula, worked as its advocacy case manager for five years.

“One thing that continues to amaze me is that Maddie is really quite shy and somewhat of an introvert,” she said. “She really had to move way out of her comfort zone to speak with numerous adults and even do some public speaking to raise money and awareness for this project.”

Paula also noted that Maddie could have used the project to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Instead, her daughter said she wanted to do the project because it was the right thing to do.

Maddie also has empathy for children who may have anxiety while returning to school.

“I have always felt anxious when returning to school, so it is my hope that these foster children will feel better about starting school when they are prepared,” she said. “Having a full backpack with all the school supplies they need is a small thing, but hopefully will help.”

Because of their circumstances, foster children often are entering a new school where they don’t know anybody, according to Maddie.

“Kids hate feeling different, so I hope that by having a new backpack like everybody else, they will feel better about themselves,” she said.

And, she added, there’s another factor. “By having the tools they need, they are more likely to have incentive to try to do well.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Make this fall a festive one

he autumn season in north Georgia means leaves changing color, cooler weather and, of course, fall festivals for youth of all ages.

Some events — the Cumming Country Festival & Fair, Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, and the Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville — take a look at history and heritage. Others celebrate the season, including the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawasee and Mule Camp Market in Gainesville.

Most of the festivals offer free or low-price admission and a variety of entertainment. Whether you prefer live music, carnival rides, unique performances, seasonal celebrations or delicious food, a fall festival in the area will spark your interest. Here’s a brief sampling, listed in chronological order, of some of the major upcoming fall festivals: Cumming Country Fair & Festival

The 19th annual event at the Cumming Fairgrounds brings concerts, rides and entertainment to town. Visitors can also enjoy local history in Heritage Village, which includes the cotton gin, steam engines and the Indian Village. The schedule includes a concert or special price for admission or rides each night. This year, Casey James, Kellie Pickler and Don Williams will each perform a concert and the fair will conclude with the American BullRiders Tour.

Some days feature admission or ride special prices.

When: Through Oct. 13 Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming Cost: Regular admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students and free for children 4 and younger Online: www.cummingfair.net Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

The nine-day event at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds features musical performances, educational demonstrations, arts and crafts shows and more. The state fiddlers’ convention, which takes place Oct. 19, also draws a crowd to the Hiawasee festival. Changing leaves, mild temperatures and mountain backdrop set the mood for the annual event.

When: Through Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. most days Where: 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee Cost: Admission is $11 and children 9 and younger are free Online: www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com Mule Camp Market

Fair and events offer fun outdoors 12

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

This Gainesville fall festival showcases mule rides, arts and crafts vendors, live music and carnival activities for kids. Visitors can enjoy bluegrass music and mountain charm at the annual event. Named after Mule Camp Springs, which became Gainesville, the event began decades ago as a farmer’s market near the downtown square. In the early 1990s, the Gainesville Jaycees took over

the event and grew it into the regional fall festival with crowds of up to 75,000 over three days.

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Gold Rush Days

When: Oct. 19 and 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Downtown Dahlonega Square Cost: Free admission Online: www.dahlonegajaycees.com Mountain Moonshine Festival

There’s no moonshine at this annual weekend event, but the family festival explores Dawsonville’s history in the times of prohibition. Now, thousands of visitors come to explore the birthplace of NASCAR racing and hear about local legends such as Lloyd Seay, Roy Hall, Raymond Parks and Gober Sosebee, who once sped through the north Georgia mountains. A unique car show, parade, historical tours and many activities for children are included in the 46th annual celebration. The event benefits KARE for Kids, a local nonprofit organization.

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The weekend festival commemorating the 1828 discovery of gold in Dahlonega is timed so visitors can enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Activities include a parade, live entertainment, 300 arts and crafts vendors, crowning of a king and queen and, of course, a gold panning contest.

Voted as one of the top 20 regional events by the Southeast Tourism Society, Gold Rush Days is expected to draw more than 200,000 to the Dahlonega historic district.

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

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Fast on the water A

lthough Dustin Grattan was just six months shy of his second-degree black belt in tae kwon do, he felt burned out and decided to take a break.

His parents, Jessy and Evan, agreed, but made the stipulation that their then 12-year-old son find another sport to keep him busy and active.

After researching what was available, Jessy found Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club on Lake Lanier and signed her son up for a summer camp.

The week-long camp not only introduced him to kayaks, it sparked a new passion.

“I learned all of the basics of paddling and handling the boat,” said Dustin, who is now a 15-year-old sophomore at North Forsyth High School. “I loved it.”

When someone handed Dustin a brochure about the BBI Junior Olympic Program, he told his parents he wanted to pursue more intense kayaking.

The program, offered in the spring and fall, is an introduction to the Olympic discipline of flatwater canoe/kayak racing at the former Olympic venue on Lanier in Gainesville.

In the program, the athletes have a chance to hone their skills in a variety of different boats and are introduced to competition. There are teams and they practice several times a week.

Dustin thrived in this competitive environment and earned several medals. When the next season rolled around, not only did Dustin sign up, he got his father involved as an assistant coach.

Soon he was asked to be a part of the developmental team and joined it full time this past winter with the goal of competing in nationals.

“We trained every day during the summer,” Dustin said. “In the fall, it’s four days a week.”

His best friend, Tyler Martin, decided to join him and the two trained together and planned on competing in some events at a national competition.

The 2013 USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint Nationals

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

Canoeist training for world championships

Photos: Submitted Dustin Grattan, a sophomore at North Forsyth High School, has found he’s right at home on Lake Lanier, training for the 2014 Junior/U-23 Canoe/ Kayak Sprint World Championships.

were held in August in Oklahoma City and the entire family made the trip.

“It was really fun meeting other competitors from all over the country,” Dustin said.

And all of his hard work paid off. In one of the races, Dustin placed 12th in the nation. He and his teammates had also been training in sprint canoes and had a team race at nationals.

In addition to Dustin and Tyler, the team included Michael

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“It is nothing like a regular canoe. They are extremely narrow and long and you position yourself on one knee and paddle. It takes so much strength and balance.”

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Dustin said he wasn’t sure they had trained enough, but the four ended up placing second in the nation in that race.

Coming home with more medals to add to his growing collection, Dustin said he wants to concentrate on sprint canoe racing.

“It is nothing like a regular canoe,” he explained. “They are extremely narrow and long and you position yourself on one knee and paddle. It takes so much strength and balance.”

Indeed both the kayaks and canoes are not what most would expect. Extremely light and narrow, they take much skill to maneuver and race in.

Dustin said he loves the thrill of racing and competition in general. On Oct. 1, he joined the high performance team with Claudiu Ciur as his coach. His training increased to two practices a day, and includes weight training and running, along with practicing on the water.

Dustin is currently training for the 2014 Junior/U-23 Canoe/Kayak Sprint World Championships. From now on he will only be canoeing at the competitive level, but likely will still kayak for fun and recreation.

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CHANDLER Continued from page 9

In addition, he is active with the youth program at Browns Bridge. This past summer he and 55 other youth and adult leaders journeyed to Merida, Mexico, to help build a gymnasium for a church.

“We mainly worked on the roof, but we did many other things as well,” he said.

The group was so successful with the project, the members were told that their efforts knocked several years off the project’s completion date.

“The people there are amazing,”

Chandler said. “The experience made me realize how universal God is.

It doesn’t matter that we are from different countries, speak different languages. God is the same for all of us.”

Chandler said many people, including his parents and several leaders at church, have inspired him throughout his life and walk of faith.

Another source of inspiration was the late Tony Tristani, a longtime friend.

“Tony was a great man who passed away from cancer, but

he always used to say, ‘God is good,’” explained Chandler.

During his battle with cancer, Tristani often handed out hand-held wooden crosses to people who were enduring tough times and reminded them that God is nearby, even during their struggles.

Chandler’s parents purchased one of the “comfort” crosses to support “Friends of Tony,” an organization that supports those affected by childhood cancer.

Chandler keeps the cross in his pocket and holds it often. “No matter how difficult times were or how sick he was, he was always saying ‘God is good.’ When I hold the cross, it reminds

Chandler Burnell is active in both North Point Community Church and Browns Bridge Community Church. This past summer, he traveled with a church group to Mexico, where they helped build a gymnasium.

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

me of how he fought the fight and always lived for God. It inspires me.”

Another great influence in Chandler’s life is his small group leader at church, Richard Chancy.

Chancy has led the group for more than two years, but has known Chandler and the Burnells for far longer. There is much mutual respect and admiration between the two.

“Chandler is quite an impressive guy. To be that young and already have that much vision and clarity is incredible,” Chancy said. “He is also such a hard worker at whatever he is doing. I have told him many times that God has a big vision for his life.”

In addition, Chancy said Chandler is wise beyond his years.

“He understands mortality in a way most 42-year-olds do not. He truly lives each day in a way we all can learn from,” Chancy said.

Chandler plans on attending the University of North Georgia so he can remain close enough to continue to volunteer at his church.

“I feel like it is great experience for what I hope to do one day as my job.”

Chandler has obviously overcome what most people would consider enormous obstacles and does so with the maturity and humility of someone much older than his young 17-years.

“I try to live my life to the fullest,” he said.

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Photos: Submitted

Marching on Storied band program thriving at Central

F

orsyth Central High School’s music program is continuing its strong tradition of excellence.

Director Tom Tucker, who served as the program’s assistant director from 1999 before stepping into the lead role in fall 2012, said the Flash of Crimson Marching Band this is year is more than 165 students strong.

“I think when I started, back then we floated around 130 members,” Tucker said. “And that number got bigger and bigger as the enrollment got bigger and bigger at Central.”

He said at its highest point, the band reached close to 200 students.

“When the new high schools [Lambert and West Forsyth] were built, we dropped quite a bit in enrollment and of course the band numbers did too,” he said. “We went down to the 140-range.

“I think now that the districting is leveling out, we’re on the upward swing of getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”

Tucker noted that members of incoming freshmen classes

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

participating in the program also are climbing.

“This year we have about 27 seniors and about 65 freshmen,” he said.

No matter their grade, the students must come together to create a show that wows audiences at halftime of football games and marching band events.

Tucker said this year’s show is called “Sense-ational.” It revolves around a central character, one of the band’s color guard members, as she goes on a journey exploring each of the five human senses.

“For instance, in the opening movement, she puts on a set of headphones … and goes around listening to all the sounds of the band and we play around with that,” Tucker said.

“So each sense, as it comes up, she goes through another journey based on that particular sense.”

Creating precision on the field takes plenty of time and practice, but Tucker noted the efforts only make

band members better all-around students.

“Academically our students do very well and I think part of the reason is they push each other in band,” he said. “They all want to be the highest level performing group they can be, so they push each other.

But they’re also a support network for each other.”

Tucker, who leads the band along with assistant direct Dan Grass, said in his opinion Flash of Crimson students are some of best of brightest at Central.

“They’re very driven, they work hard, they come in the door and they want to excel at something,” he said.

Tucker said there’s a strong bond among not only the students, but also the band boosters and fans of the group.

That bond came in handy when longtime director John Mashburn, who Tucker called “a great mentor,” retired at the end of the 2011-12 school year.

“A change in directors can be

Exhibition in October

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something that really impacts a band program,” Tucker said. “But we were able to come through it really smoothly because everybody cares so much about our program.”

After a period of developing the band’s new leadership, Tucker said he and Grass, who came onboard last year, are ready to take the Flash of Crimson to a new level, while at the same time always remembering the program’s strong tradition.

“As far as the future of the program, I think the sky’s the limit,” he said. “Dan [Grass] came in with a lot of skills. He’s young and excited and motivated.

“But no matter what, it’s always the Flash of Crimson Band and it keeps marching on.”

Want to see the Flash of Crimson Marching Band in action? Forsyth Central will play host to the 2013 Forsyth County Marching Band Exhibition at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the school’s stadium.

West Forsyth takes the field first, followed by South Forsyth, North Forsyth, Central and Lambert. Admission is $4 per person, with all funds benefitting the Central band program.

19 forsythCountyPawn100613_Youth

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

Committed to the

stage Photos: S u b m it ted

M

eredith Myers was a sweet older sister.

Then she turned into a mean girl. But as auditions for the spring musical approach, the Lambert High School senior could change personalities again.

“I’ve played very contrasting roles,” said Myers, drama club president, of her roles in “Little Women” and “Legally Blonde.” “It really was an opportunity for me to grow a lot.”

Diverse shows and community involvement have been staples of Lambert’s theater program since the school opened in 2009. In just a few short years, it has developed a competitive program which recently garnered five nominations and honorable mentions at the Shuler Hensley Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards.

The program began with Jeff Shrader and since 2010 has been run by Ryan Wason, the school’s chorus and musical theater teacher.

“With Jeff Shrader’s drama and my musical experience, we were able to work toward building the foundation that we have today,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of support both in the school and in the community ... in addition to booster parents who spend countless hours with costume pickup and set building and getting meals for the students and publicity and program development and all the countless other things they do in support of what their children are doing.”

Lambert produces between three and five shows a school year, including one-acts, some directed by students. Other past productions include “South

20

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

To Meredith Myers and her classmates, the Lambert High drama program is like family.

Pacific,” “Crazy For You” and “Charlie Brown.”

While there’s a bit of a rivalry between the high schools in Forsyth, as well as through state competitions, Myers said club officers go out once a month to shows other schools are putting on in the area.

All shows are open to the school for auditions. In addition to the drama club productions, drama classes offer a spring showcase.

But while drama club students still must take part in schoolwide auditions, they get exclusive membership to the International Thespian Society and can compete at the annual conference.

“We are currently in production for our fall one-act play. We’re going to be producing the comedy ‘Moon Over Buffalo,’” Wason said. “We’re also going to be producing the one-act play “The Lottery.”

Spanish teacher Lisa Robinson is involved with the club, both as a co-sponsor and a mother. Her daughter, Lambert junior Elana Lazaro, is very involved with the program. So while Robinson never took part in theater growing up, she is now.

“It’s a constant learning experience,” she said.

“Especially this year, I’ve attended some meetings and as a foreign language teacher, I feel like I’m in a foreign language class ... learning all the vocabulary

that goes with actually putting together a performance.”

Performances require serious commitment from the actors, Robinson said.

During rehearsals for shows, cast members can expect to spend as many as three hours a day, four nights a week in rehearsal — longer in the weeks leading up to the performance. But that time together only further strengthens relationships, according to Robinson.

“I always figured with drama kids, you’re going to have drama, but no. These kids really do support each other amazingly well,” she said. “I think Lambert as a school, is a community more than anything. These kids are like family to each other.

“The support and the help that they give each other and the amount of hours they spend together ... it’s a community and the kids are really benefiting from that.”

For Myers, who has been in theater since elementary school, the program at Lambert truly is different.

She’s always had a passion for theater as “an outlet to express myself,” but her experience at Lambert “has just really been a blessing.”

“I have never met a more dedicated and passionate group of students,” she said. “They’re committed to the art that we produce, they’re committed to each other. I’ve never been a part of a group that’s so much like a family. No other club or organization or class or anything I’ve been a part of that has been so influential over my life.”

-- Jennifer Sami

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21

Can’t keep her down Seventh-grader with scoliosis is inspired, not discouraged

W

hen undergoing a physical, most children are checked for scoliosis. Then 11-yearold Maggie Walker had the test in June 2012 and was given a clean bill of health.

But after suffering some unexplained severe back pain, her mother, Janette, decided to take her to the chiropractor.

“We just thought it was a pulled muscle,” she explained. “With the chiropractor’s treatment, most of the pain subsided, and we attributed the remaining pain to her tough workouts.”

Maggie has been a competitive cheerleader with the Atlanta Jayhawks since she was 5, and takes her sport quite seriously. In addition, she plays lacrosse, loves hiking and has a passion for surfing.

Any athlete at her level is used to muscle aches and pains. When the pain seemed too severe, Janette said they went to an orthopedist. In fact, they saw three different ones until they felt they had the correct diagnosis.

Nothing prepares a parent when their child is given news such as the Walkers received in early May of this year.

“Maggie was diagnosed with moderate idiopathic scoliosis, with two curves in her spine,” Janette explained.

Due to the location of one of the curves, a brace was not an option.

Instead, the doctor closely monitored her condition to see if the curves were progressing too quickly.

Unfortunately, that was the case and she is scheduled to undergo 22

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

surgery in early November, right at the end of her competitive cheer season.

Although she received the diagnosis during the final two days of tryouts for the Riverwatch Middle School cheer squad, Maggie was able to focus on her abilities and made the team.

“That was a really stressful week,” she recalled.

While many people, young and old alike, may feel sorry for themselves in this In September, Magg ie Walker was in cha situation, Maggie does not. rge of a fundraiser for Change 4 Georgia called Suds for Soldiers. They raised “I haven’t really shared more than $2,000, wh ich will go tow ard s ass isti ng soldiers and their my story until now because families.

I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me or give me special “I have had incredible support from treatment,” said the now 12-year old my family and friends, but I know there seventh-grader. “My plan is to start may be others who might not be as a support group for other students fortunate, or who just want to speak in Forsyth County who may have with another young person who has scoliosis.” been through what they are going through,” she said.

“I know there is a reason Maggie doesn’t just want to help those who have scoliosis, she is all this happened to me and about helping anybody she can. In I feel like I am supposed September, she organized a fundraiser for Change 4 Georgia called Suds for to use this experience to Soldiers. It collected more than $2,000 make a difference in the that will go towards assisting soldiers and their families. lives of others.”

“When people ask me what I am not going to be able to do after the surgery, I tell them I am focusing on Maggie went on to say she loves what I will be able to do because that helping others. Since going through list is much longer,” she said. her ordeal, she sees the need for such Janette said they aren’t certain how a group.

long of a recovery Maggie will face after surgery. Judging from her determined spirit, chances are nothing will hold her back for long.

As for how the family is coping, Janette said she draws strength from her daughter’s unwavering positive attitude.

“We know God has a plan for Maggie and that he is in control and not us,” she said. “We know God knows her character, her strength and her determination and for whatever reason he chose her to walk this path, he will be beside her every step of the way.”

Faith clearly plays an important role in Maggie’s life.

“I know there is a reason this happened to me and I feel like I am supposed to use this experience to make a difference in the lives of others,” Maggie said. “And I am really excited that the doctor said when I wake up after surgery, I should be about two inches taller!”

Maggie Walker, a seventh-gra der at Riverwatch Middle Sch ool, has been diagnosed with moderate idiopathic scoliosis .

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-- Adlen W. Robinson

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23

Cooking up a career C

orey Nolan is spending his last year as a student in the South Forsyth High School culinary classroom, but it’s his ninth year in the kitchen.

And he has many more ahead.

The high school senior plans to continue his education at a top culinary institute and turn his passion into a career.

“After being in the industry so long, it felt like a dream that I would have my own restaurant,” Nolan said.

He’s just 17, but Nolan has gleaned years of experience from the family business — and home.

His parents owned a deli restaurant when he was younger, and Nolan liked to help with the cash register and making sandwiches.

Nolan, his mother and two brothers all spent some time working at a restaurant in The Collection at Forsyth, and he’s now cooking for a fitness club.

In the kitchen at home, Nolan said he remembers plenty of nights where he would make dinner with his father and then bake cookies with mom.

“It’s just something that comes naturally to me,” he said. “I really wanted to figure out more of the advanced stuff.”

That’s why he joined South’s culinary program, which launched in 2001.

Instructor Dawn Martin said Nolan has shined as a leader, helping younger students in lab classes and taking on the role as president of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, at the school.

He was also a member of the threeperson FCCLA team that took first in state in March and competed at the

24

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

national level during the summer.

She said Nolan enjoys being challenged and he grows from constructive criticism.

“It’s always exciting to work with that type of student,” Martin said.

Nolan will follow other former culinary students at South who have continued their training with higher education and a career.

Martin expects he’ll also continue the trend of students returning to their roots.

“I feel so blessed,” she said. “They come back and give back.”

Nolan likely will be headed to New York next year, since he has been accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. The institute is known as the “Harvard of cooking schools,” a term coined by famed chef Julia Childs.

Nolan recently returned from a visit to the campus, where he heard something that resonated with him and his decision to pursue a culinary education.

During the tour, one of the students told him that a regular college has thousands of students

Photos: Alyssa Larenzie

with different goals and studies.

“At the culinary school, you’re there for the same purpose,” Nolan said, “and you have the same passion.”

-- Alyssa LaRenzie

South senior Corey Nolan plans to attend a culinary institute.

Cajun Chick en Pasta 1 c. boneless chicken breast 2 tbsp. butter 4 tbsp. Cajun season ing

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1 lb. pasta 2 c. heavy cream 8 oz. parmesan chee se

Cut chicken into 2-inc h cubes and sauté un til cooked with butte and 2 tbsp. of Cajun r seasoning in a skillet.

Se t aside and wrap.

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Growing together and depending on each other.

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

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Listenup

L

istening to music on portable devices has been popular for years, but today’s technology makes it easier than ever to access music anywhere.

The two primary factors that affect our music listening experience are the device and the service.

Computers, tablets, phones and dedicated MP3 players can all be used to play back or stream music, but certain devices work better depending on the situation.

Desktop and laptop computers work well for web-based audio streaming, but phones and MP3 players have the benefit of being portable.

Many phones work great as MP3 players, but a dedicated MP3 player, such as Apple’s iPod, allows for extended use without affecting the battery life of a phone.

Apple’s iTunes has been a historically popular program people use to buy music and organize media libraries. It allows music, podcasts and other media to be easily transferred to iPods, iPads and iPhones.

The iTunes Match is a feature that works with iCloud and allows users to share their iTunes music across multiple devices.

The iTunes Radio is Apple’s answer to streaming music services that have pulled some consumers away from buying music online. It provides users with the ability to create stations, and it’s ad-free for people with a paid subscription to iTunes Match.

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

Devices and services shape music experience

strea “ The po m pu redu ced t ing musi larity of c h boug e amoun ser vices ht on h t line. of music as ”

OPA !

Amazon’s MP3 Store is another popular option for purchasing music. Along with the store, Amazon has its web-based Cloud Player and a Cloud Player app for mobile devices.

One nice feature with Amazon’s MP3 Store is purchases can be downloaded to a computer with iTunes and automatically added to the iTunes library.

The Amazon Cloud Player can play back music stored on Amazon’s cloud, as well as music from the device.

Google Play Music is Google’s music service for Android devices and web access. It’s free to use, but the company also offers all access, which is a paid subscription service that allows subscribers to listen to music that would normally be bought per song or album.

The popularity of streaming music services has reduced the amount of music bought online, not only at iTunes but other vendor sites as well. Apps such as Pandora, Spotify, Slacker, Songza, Rdio and others have become increasingly popular.

Each app has different features that allow the listener to customize his or her experience. In most cases, the user can either use the free version of the service, or pay a monthly or annual subscription fee to remove ads and allow unlimited skips.

The overall profitability of streaming music services remains questionable, but the number of apps and services available provide consumers with a variety of options for listening to music.

-- Tim Keyser

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F

irst and foremost, October has Fun. I love me some Fun.!

I was so glad to hear this band would be back in Atlanta, this time on Oct. 8 at Encore Park Amphitheatre. My friends recently went to the group’s Florida show and had a great time.

Fun. has been around for five years, but it won last year’s Grammy for Best New Artist (and took home Song of the Year to boot).

You probably know its mega hits like “Carry On,” “We Are Young,” and “Some Nights” by name, and more than likely have randomly burst into song when one gets stuck in your head … or maybe that’s just me.

This is definitely one of those groups whose sole purpose is to entertain — plus the band makes great music, so it’s a win-win.

There’s another pair of bands coming to town that are just as fun, only you won’t find them atop any Billboard charts. The Voodoo Glow Skulls and the Toasters will play the Masquerade on Oct. 9.

I have no idea how they ended up sharing a stage, but they’re both awesome 28

live, so this is guaranteed to be a great show.

The Toasters are arguably one of the bigger bands to come out of second wave ska music. (For those of you not familiar with ska, think reggae plus punk, with a horn section.) While the ska movement has sadly all but died (OK, fine, it is dead), I’m still a believer and after seeing the Toasters, you will be too.

The Glow Skulls are something entirely different. They’re more on the punk side of things, and you won’t find a band which rocks faster and louder than these guys, while still maintaining musicality. They are wild and so much fun to watch destroy their set.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Michael Bublé will croon at the Gwinnett Arena on Oct. 27.

He’s far too young to sing like Frank Sinatra, but he’s so adorable, I don’t care.

You have to admire someone who launches a career with swing and jazz standards that most people his age had never heard of.

Bublé makes it work, and he’s definitely bringing the music of our grandparents’

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

generation into a modern light.

For some hip-hop action, Philips Arena will have Drake on Nov. 7 and Kanye West on Dec. 1. No, West is probably not touring with his daughter, North. (Yes, they named the poor little girl North West. I guess it’s better than North by North West.) So, hopefully, that means there won’t be any

Kim Kardashian sightings in Atlanta.

But for all the drama that’s followed West around over the years, music-wise, he clearly has some talent.

So does Drake, who’s been building his name since releasing a series of mix tapes in 2006.

Thanks to support from West, Jay-Z and other big names, the Canadian hit

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the top of the charts in 2009 and has been riding high ever since.

Finally, I’m coming back to ska because I want to revive it.

Mustard Plug will perform at the Masquerade on Nov. 3. This punk/ska band has been around for more than 20 years and is one of my favorites.

The band is a poor man’s version of the Mad Caddies, and since the Caddies are in my personal top-10 list, that’s still saying something.

Mustard Plug has lived out its song, “We’re Gunna Take on the World,” touring the globe multiple times over a long career.

Here in the States, the Michigan-based band tends to stick close to home for most shows, so it’s good to see them making a swing through the South again.

-- Jennifer Sami

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Jennifer Sami writes a weekly entertainment column for the Forsyth County News. In each edition of YOUth, she’ll alert readers to upcoming concerts and events in the metro Atlanta area. Contact her at (770) 205-8975 or jsami@forsythnews. com.

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Aaron Carter Buckhead Theatre

$16 - $20

Oct. 19

Rod Stewart Philips Arena

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Oct. 26

Selena Gomez Philips Arena

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Oct 26 – 29

Fox Theatre Halloween Ghost Tour Fox Theatre

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Michael Bublé Gwinnett Arena

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29

Kudzu and Kudos

Wwisdom ord : If you’re from the South, chances are you’ve seen so much kudzu alongside the highways and other places, you don’t even notice it. But those who aren’t natives often marvel at the walls of green that blanket so much of our landscape.

Did you know kudzu was introduced to our country by Japan in 1876 at the Centenniel Exposition in Philadelphia. It was brought over to be used as food for cattle.

The Southeast provided the perfect climate for kudzu, whose name comes from the Japanese word for the plant, kuzu. Somehow it became kudzu in America.

In Japan, kudzu is used for all sorts of things.

It’s edible and made into a form of tofu. In addition, there is a starch in its roots which is used as a food ingredient across East Asia. Its fiber, known as ko-hemp, can be used to make baskets, paper and even clothes.

Though it sounds like a positive crop overseas, here in the South it’s viewed primarily as a nuisance. Called “yard-a-night” or “the vine that ate the South,” you rarely hear anything good about poor kudzu.

Back in 2007, the city of Chattanooga, Tenn., tried an inventive way of thinning its highway kudzu problem by allowing goats to graze along the hills and enjoy their fill of kudzu.

It worked pretty well, but alas when it came time for budget cuts, the goat project was chopped.

With as many economic problems that are happening everywhere, it seems someone would tap into the possible money-making side of surplus kudzu.

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Kudos noun, [ˈkü-ˌdäs, ˈkyü-, -ˌdōs]\ Acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement.

I found it interesting to learn that kudos is etymologically singular.

In other words, you say “Kudos is (not are) due him for his brilliant work on that project.”

But kudos is usually treated as plural. For example, “He received many kudos for his work.”

So even though technically you could use the word kudo, people likely would look at you as if you didn’t deserve any kudos.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

Youth Magazine | October - November 2013

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Youth Magazine | October - November 2013