Drama Ruins Social Networking

By Paola, 16, junior Facebook and Twitter have become the center of our social lives. We connect with friends and share memories easier than ever through these websites. Although they’re fun to use and can sometimes have benefits, such as being able to contact someone who doesn’t have a phone, the websites can also be […]

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Rethink Your Role Models and Heroes

By Cheryl Mattox Berry Once and for all, can we bury the notion that athletes are role models and heroes? The final nail in the coffin: recent lies and scandals engulfing cyclist Lance Armstrong and Manti Te’o, Notre Dame football player and Heisman Trophy runner-up. Years ago, basketball pro Charles Barkley made a sobering admission […]

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Everyone Needs a Rulebook

By Cheryl Mattox Berry At the tender ages of 8 and 10, two California girls knew they had to live by some rules. So, Isabella Thordsen and Isabelle Busath, who are cousins, spent two weeks writing down 157 dos and don’ts in a little red notebook. Last week, their rules became public when they lost […]

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Warning: Fun Weekend Ahead

Got plans for the three-day weekend? There’s a lot going in Washington, D.C., and around the country as the nation celebrates the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. This year, both events are officially observed on Monday. If you ‘re pondering what to do, consider […]

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Just Say No to Alcohol

By Cheryl Mattox Berry Doing shots is a lot of fun. Line ‘em up and throw ‘em back. Then, you do it again. Before long, everyone is laughing, dancing and having a good time. No problem, no worries, right? Think again. You’ve put yourself in harm’s way. First and foremost, underage drinking is illegal. Second, […]

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Celeb Pregnancies Nothing to Celebrate

By Cheryl Mattox Berry The entertainment industry has been buzzing with news about Kim Kardashian and Jessica Simpson’s pregnancies. Both women are in relationships, but they’re not married or plan to walk down the aisle soon. No doubt, the pregnancies will be a big moneymaking opportunity with plenty of photo ops for these publicity-seeking women. […]

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13 Wishes for 2013

 By Cheryl Mattox Berry As you prepare to ring in the New Year, spend a little time assessing what you accomplished in 2012 and where you fell short. The answers are a starting point for setting goals in 2013. Once again, I’m not asking you to make New Year’s resolutions because everyone knows those commitments […]

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Take a Real Holiday; Silence Social Media

By Cheryl Mattox Berry You’ve been ripping and running since school started in August. It’s time to chill. During the holidays, give your thumbs a rest, too. Disconnect from social media and reconnect with family, neighbors and old friends. It’s hard to believe that a mere decade ago, social media as we know it didn’t […]

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‘Tis the Season for Forgiveness

By Cheryl Mattox Berry It’s inevitable: Someone will let you down. The person – a friend or family member – may not intend to do so, but things come up. Also, we’re human and make mistakes. How do you deal with the hurt and anger of disappointment? Do you lash out at the offending party. […]

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