Help for Confused Parents

Some clarification about “what’s in” (and it’s no longer emo). Thanks YPulse for the link.

Character Education Leads to Social Justice

(Image Found Here)

I love this idea used by the Hamilton Public Schools of having a Social Justice Fair as the culmination of the year’s character education program.  This is a fantastic idea for MindOH! schools to implement as well — the larger application of specific elements of character could be a very eye opening experience for students.

High School Confidential: The Finale

Last night, the final episode of High School Confidential aired on WE tv. I’ll admit I was even looking forward to it, but I found it to be more of a recap of the series (read: less interesting to those of us who have followed the show) than I had hoped. We did see the girls off to Prom and graduation, but the episode was low on new content. I think it would be much more interesting to know how this experience has affected these girls now two years since the project vs leaving them off at graduation. Also, I noticed several of the updates were a bit outdated just from correspondence I’ve had with several of the girls about contributing to the blog.

My thoughts overall was that the show did a good job of providing an overview of a variety of high school experiences through the eyes of some vastly different students. If the project had begun with the knowledge of what it would become, I think a few things would have been done better (ie more footage, more interviews, greater emphasis on interconnectivity), but that of course if the value of hindsight.

The website does have some endearing footage of the parents reading final goodbye letters to their daughters, which if you’re a pushover for the sentimental, you’ll enjoy.

Smart Choice Resources for Prom Season

In a response to last week’s post on Why Teens Drink, I recieved some great information about MADD’s (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Prom season resources for encouraging students to make smart choices. The order form is found here, and it looks like many of these materials could be used for several years.

As someone who has lost two family members to drunk drivers, in separate accidents, it is critical that there are preventative conversations happening before high schoolers across the country head out on Prom night.

No Raise In Your Future? Try a Compliment.

I saw this on Good Morning America yesterday, that receiving a compliment creates the same satisfaction in the brain as being given cash. We’ve always known a kind word can go far, but compliments might carry more weight than only originally suspected. So go spread a few around — they’re free!

Gossip Girl = TV 3.0?

With the return of the CW’s Gossip Girl this week, the media has been a buzz with news that the CW will not longer offer free, full viewing of Gossip Girl episodes online, in an effort to improve traditional media ratings. As someone who discovered the show online, and some what shamefully admits to loving the show, I was very disappointed. The drama of Serena, Blair, Dan and the rest of the crew has greatly improved the quality of numerous cross country plane trips via my ipod — the other market Gossip Girl dominates.

A article from Wired today raised some interesting points about Gossip Girl and how the show’s online success could be the emergence of “TV 3.0.” I think this is a fantastic example of tech savvy teens (the show’s main audience base) demanding media on their own terms and the adult dominated TV industry not knowing how to respond. To cut the online community off at the knees by dropping the availability of online episodes is a lame way to deal with the conflict between new media and old measurements. It be great to see the CW lead the charge for stronger online integration with traditional TV shows instead of backing down from the challenge.

High School Confidential’s Cate Gives Update

(A recent picture of Cate and her dad).

Last night, WE tv’s High School Confidential featured Cate, Beth, and Lauren B. I enjoyed the episode and I was most interested in the dynamic between Cate and Beth. What a difficult situation for the two girls, and despite all the bickering we heard about, both girls were very graceful about the situation on air. Beth has agreed to share an update with us later this week, so please check back for it!

We’ve heard from Cate before when she responded to The Tyra Banks Show through this blog, and today we get an update from her in the wake of her episode airing. She invites your (appropriate) questions below for her response, so ask away!

Since the Filming Stopped

By Cate Crandell

Well, it has almost been two years since we stopped filming for the documentary. I would say life is just grand! I’m 20 years old, a student at the University of Kansas, and enjoying just about every minute of my life! I mean, you only live once, right? You must always take full advantage of every situation! (OOhh… I hear thunder right now! I’m excited!)

Anyways… since graduation, a lot has happened in my life! My dad and step-mom still do not live together, but have decided not to get a divorce, and I do believe that they are happier now than they every have been.

My sister and I have become a lot closer! She actually made a surprise appearance at my “viewing party” tonight… messed up the make-up a little bit. It was good to see her. She goes to school an hour and a half away from me, so we really don’t get to see each other. I’m a resident assistant, so that makes traveling even more difficult. The job has its perks, but I’m excited for it to be done. May 16^th and I’m out of here!

Speaking of jobs… my photography business is really thriving! I have 3 weddings booked for this summer, and I have either a family or senior shoot almost every weekend. I’m actually going to be traveling to St. Louis, Chicago, and NYC this summer for photoshoots. It should be a lot of fun! So, if you need portraits… let me know! I just re-did my website. www.cate-photography.com. I should be posting wedding photographs as soon as finals are done.

I no longer have my motorcycle. I sold it last May due to the fact that I never had time to ride it. I purchased a Honda Metropolitan 49cc moped upon coming to college, so when I preferred 2 wheels over 4, I generally chose the scooter. 100 miles to the gallon, I really can’t complain! One of these days I’ll hopefully get another one, but I’m hoping to get a new car first.

I am now a French major. There was this major episode earlier in the semester where I had a major freak-out and decided to no longer be in Journalism. I wanted to quit school all together and to go photography sessions and such, but my father, being the very wise man he is, convinced me that’s not a good idea. So, I went down from 2 to 1 major, and all is well. I’ll even be graduating a semester early! Woo hoo!

Next spring I’ll be studying abroad in France and just traveling all over the area there. I’m so excited!

So, life is just grand since graduation. I still have my ups and downs, broken hearts, and poor encounters, but all of my good times totally make up for that! I really couldn’t be happier right now.

As a side note, I just want to say that I am still sorry for what happened with Brad. I don’t know what else to say other than that, and so I’m just going to keep it there.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I will try to check the blog as often as possible.

College Prices Dropping? That’s a Change!

I’m very excited to see this New York Times piece about the expansive and progressive financial aid reform sweeping Tier 1 universities. This is an excellent move on their behalves to level the playing field for potential students. I loved seeing The University of North Carolina take the lead on this one; it’s always nice to know my tax dollars are going towards a institution whose agenda I support. Many of my former students have benefited from UNC’s generous financial packages. My only wish is that The University of Texas was also making waves about their efforts to reduce college expenses.

Why Do Teens Drink?

A mother wrote into Vanessa Van Petten asking her about why teens choose to drink, and Vanessa responded with some great statistics coming from the kids themselves. I think this insight is helpful to parents and educators struggling to steer kids towards positive decision making and having to respond to the poor decisions teens sometimes make.

Teens recognize that the consequences of drinking alcohol aren’t worth the risk.

• The vast majority of teens do not think drinking is worth the consequences:

o Nine in ten (90%) don’t think drinking is worth the consequences it can cause, in general. Older teen girls ages 15-17 are more likely than younger teen girls ages 12-14 to agree (97% vs. 89%).

o Nine in ten (90%) think drinking at or after prom or a school function is NOT worth the risk of ruining the occasion.

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Ask-Elizabeth.com Connects Girls With Answers

I came across this today, after Elizabeth Berkley (best known in my mind as “I’m so excited” Jessie on Saved By The Bell) was on The View. She has started a new site called Ask-Elizabeth.com that is the online reference for a offline self-empowerment workshop she’s created for teen girls.

Ask-Elizabeth is a supportive, non-judgmental forum for girls to ask what is on their minds and hearts.

While I’m not sure how to go about getting Elizabeth to come work with girls you know, the site is well put together. What she’s organized is a great, personal approach to impacting the lives of young girls.