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Buzz Kidz by Alex Meyer, age 16November 2011
Dancing QueenThe first time I saw a Markette, a member of the renowned Memorial High dance team, I remember being hypnotized by the sparkles on her uniform. My mother, a professional dancer, had instilled in me the expectation to continue in her footsteps from an early age. My sister, an award-winning swimmer, found her claim to fame early on. … Memories of Halloween Costumes PastOctober 2011
Were you one of those gung-ho Halloween kids? The ones who bravely pushed their way up past the spider webs and creepy music strung on the front porches, despite the fact that some overhyped dad in a zombie costume was going to jump out from a dark corner? Or maybe you were more like me – the girl in the … Buzz Kidz by Joe Francisco, age 18October 2011
Banana Dance for DollarsThis past year I was part of a club at school that sold peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to raise money for a foundation called Kenya Kids Can, which brings money to starving children. My fellow co-founders – Scott DeLone, Rachel Owens and Lexi Fink – and I knew that since the kids at our school … Are Our Kids Too Dependent?October 2011
At parents’ night at my son’s school, I could have sworn that when the principal got to the part in her speech about not doing your children’s homework for them and allowing them to make their mistakes, her eyes fastened on me. All parents wonder at times whether they are doing enough – or too much – for their children. … Buzz Kidz by Madeleine Moorhead, age 17September 2011
Big hugs for little kidsThree years ago, my family became involved in Show Hope, a Christian non-profit that cares for special-needs orphans in China. Maria’s Big House of Hope is a special-care center in China that houses children whom the official state orphanage does not have the resources to support. After organizing several fundraisers, my family and I were … Kids in ServiceSeptember 2011
Last year, my son and I were introduced to the concept of required community-service hours. He had to do 12 hours of them to pass the sixth grade. You will, perhaps, not be surprised to learn that we forgot all about those hours until a week before they were due. During our last-minute search, we discovered many opportunities for kids … Is College Worth It?September 2011
PayPal cofounder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel recently made headlines for critiquing the “education bubble,” the newest ridicule-worthy institution since the housing bubble popped. Higher education is overvalued, underwhelming and elitist, according to Stanford-educated Thiel. That’s why he created the “20 Under 20” Fellowship. He selected 20 young “visionaries” to drop out of college and receive $100,000 to pursue an … Retro FashionAugust 2011
What’s Old is New AgainI recall my parents shaking their heads at some of my fashion choices when I was a teen, critiquing them as “so old fashioned.” Now my daughter is hunting through my closet. Too bad for her that I am not much of a pack rat. It appears I’m not the only one whose yesteryear items … Back Porch – Children’s Bedtime RoutinesAugust 2011
August is so strange. It’s still 100 degrees outside and sunny well into the evening hours. But somehow we’re supposed to turn our minds to new semesters, school clothes and earlier bedtimes. Even if we don’t have school-aged children, all ads focus on fall, and workweeks get a bit more pumped up. In my family, our most profound adjustment is … Academic RedshirtingAugust 2011
They are two of life’s certainties – children grow up, and parents worry if they’re making the right decisions about their education. Some pending moms and dads feel compelled to make critical school choices as soon as they learn their child’s due date. The result of this planning is a growing number of older kids in class who have received … Buzz Kidz by Katherine Cokinos, age 16August 2011
Taking a Tumble in Competitive CheerFor three years I have been actively involved in competitive cheer. Last year I joined the Memorial Junior Varsity cheerleading squad. The summer before, I had worked so hard to master my full twist – a 360-degree spin in the air. If I achieved my full twist I would finally get to be on … The Summer of Busy Kids: Last Minute EscapesAugust 2011
This is the third in a three-part series on out-of-the-box ways to keep kids busy and happy this summer. Summer’s winding down, and there’s a big question looming – how are we going to make the last few weeks count? If you’ve already breezed through your summer wish list and vacations are memories in a scrapbook (or if you’re like … Buzz Kidz by Kenneth Levy, age 15July 2011
Batty for bobbleheadsWhen I was 4, my mom gave me my first bobblehead, one of those figurines with the head on a wobbly spring. She wanted me to start a collection I could pass down to my children and tell a story with. She bought me a University of Texas Longhorns football player. What started out as a representation … The Summer of Busy Kids: Exploring NatureJuly 2011
Think of an idyllic childhood, and you’re likely to conjure images of kids playing outdoors, making forts out of trees and bushes, maybe even befriending a bug or two. While those of us braving the Houston summer heat… Buzz Kidz by Krupali Laxmidas, age 18June 2011
Every effort countsI’m a senior at Memorial High School, but I lived in Africa for much of my childhood. I volunteer with Pratham, a non-profit that raises money to help educate children in India who can’t afford it. I prepare brochures, pamphlets and invitations for fundraising galas. I also volunteer with a school-based organization called Memorial Angels in Disguise, … |
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