Spring 2011 issue of aThEENs, the newsmagazine for and about teenagers of Athens, Georgia. A publication of Geoffrey Graybeal's News Editing & Production (JOUR 3510) course in the

1. aThEENs
SPRING 2011 A new mAgAzine just for And feAturing
Athens teens
Athens teens
Go Green teen
From ecofashions to
eating organically
Bthe decline?
On
loGGinG
pg. 14 & 15 pg. 8
Athens
Youth
sYmphonY
Gearing up for its
next performance
pg. 26

2. Too young to go to the bars and clubs, too close to be wowed by the University of Georiga
campus, and too indifferent to cheer for the Dawgs, Athens’ teens have a completely different
aThEENs?
view of the town. They know Athens to be a place of incredible diversity - both racially and
economically. With a poverty rate hovering around 30 percent, they know it to be an “inner-
city” comparable to bigger cities like Atlanta. They know it to be home of the “Gladiators and
the “Jaguars.” Most importantly, they care about this town in a way college students cannont
understand, because this is truly their home.
aThEENs is a magazine for Athens teens. It’s about issues teenagers face, some specific to Ath-
ens and others applicable to all teens. It’s about what Athens teens do - for fun and for work.
It’s about the high schools, the focal point for any teenager. And it’s about the future, because
contrary to many Georgia students, Athens teens do hope to leave the Classic City someday.
So dig in and hopefully you’ll find aThEENs informative, fun and specially for you. Also, hit
up the website at www.atheens.wordpress.com for more content, including video.
- The aThEENs staff
The Staff
Lilly Workneh Crissinda Ponder Devon Young Maggie Siu
Co-Editor, Media & Co-Editor, Media & Co-Editor, Media & Media & Technology
Technology writer Technology writer Technology writer writer
Sydney Kida Sarah Page Maxwell Kerry Boyles Satyam Kaswala
Environment Writer Environment Writer Environment Writer Environment Writer
Meg Goggans Meredith Seay Keir Bridges Michael Barone
Health Writer Health Writer Health Writer Health Writer
Patricia Miranda Nick Sobrilsky Jen Ingles Andrea King
Community Writer Community Writer Community Writer Community Writer

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4. 4 Media & Technology
Technology Make
Classrooms SMAR “Today’s students are used to using technology and we have
to engage the students in a way that they are used to,” Beggs
said.
Although technology use could be limited in secondary
school systems, institutions of higher learning make sure that
students are receiving a 21st Century education, which includes
a reliance on technology.
“I think higher education has been leading the way, we’ve
been adopting much faster than K-12 [schools], but I think
they are trying to catch up,” Beggs said.
Marc Ginsberg, an English teacher at Cedar Shoals High
School, uses several forms of technology in his classes to en-
gage students.
“All of the
things that a “Multimedia makes
lot of people
would have
done at one or
it so much easier
two points in
high school on
for faculty to bring
their own for
a project you different kinds of
can do in your
classroom now, content to their stu-
pretty easily,”
Ginsberg said.
Ginsberg
dents.”
assigns projects
for his students - Thomas Beggs, UGA
to bring out
their creativity throughout the school year, including record-
Thomas Beggs poses with what he calls the “standard ing Othello soundtracks, and generating sound slides using
model” of technology in classrooms around UGA campus. Microsoft Photo Story.
Photo by Crissinda Ponder “I think it’s more enjoyable, for both myself and the stu-
S
dents, to offer those kinds of assignments because it’s a long
year and I can only read the same essay on Othello so many
By Crissinda Ponder times, and they can only write the same kind of assignment so
many times,” he said.
chools are relying on multimedia to give Every classroom at Cedar Shoals is equipped with an LCD
students alternative platforms for learn- projector, a SMART board, a DVD/VHS player and wireless
ing— both in and outside the classroom. connectivity. Each department has a cart of laptops that can be
Gadgets and gizmos, projectors and checked out for class use.
PCs, screens and SMART boards – teachers The school also has a set of digital cameras, iPods and
may have banned these from classrooms SMART response systems, which are similar to clickers.
before, but they are making their way back “You have to change it up to let different students show
in today. their understanding in different ways, otherwise, it’s going to
“Multimedia makes it so much easier for decrease motivation,” Ginsberg said.
faculty to bring different kinds of content When Beggs came to the University in 2003, only about 30
to their students,” said Tom Beggs, coordinator of classroom percent of classrooms had technology. Today, technology is
support in the University of Georgia’s Center for Teaching and present in 96 percent of the classrooms on campus.
Learning. He said most UGA classrooms are equipped with a “stan-
Now that we are in the digital age, the technology teachers dard model,” which includes a LCD projector, a Blu-ray player
would normally confiscate is getting its use in education. and a document camera.
The more basic forms of multimedia – VHS tapes, and old
school overhead projectors – are being replaced by SMART
boards, laptops and much more.

5. es High School
RTer “We’ve come a long way,” Beggs said.
Check out the multimedia feature
at aThEENs.wordpress.com!
“For the last eight years we’ve been very
busy trying to work with faculty to find
out what it is they want, how to improve
the technology they use and how they
want to use it.”
Several instructors allow personal
laptop use in class and often use com-
puters during instruction to go through
PowerPoint presentations, audio and
video clips.
Marguerite “Peggy” Brickman, an
associate professor of plant biology, uses
alternative forms of instruction on a
daily basis. For instance, her classes use
audience response systems, or clickers,
daily.
“I think if you just sat in the class and
you’re kind of taking notes, you have
this false feeling of, ‘I got it, I got it,’ it
isn’t until you see a question you’re like,
‘I don’t know what she’s talking about,’”
she said. “The clickers are more of having
[the students] practice their understand-
ing of what we’re talking about,” she said.
Because Brickman’s class sizes can
exceed 300, it’s important for her to hold Peggy Brickman operates the projector and computer screen from the head of her
her students’ attention. biology lecture. Photo by Crissinda Ponder.
“I definitely feel like [the students] re-
spond to visuals of all kinds, especially
animations or video clips,” Brickman
said. “Students don’t really want to sit
there and just passively absorb what the
instructor at the front is teaching; they
kind of want to be actively engaged in
learning and doing something.”
Beggs said using multimedia has
more benefits when compared to
lecture-only instruction.
“Instead of just saying it, you can give
visual examples of what you are talking
about,” he said.
The Center for Teaching and Learn-
ing is thinking about what technologies
will be implemented on campus in the
near future.
“Technology is used heavily on this
campus every day,” Beggs said. “I think
we’re at a point where we are kind
of slowly evolving, and I think that
bringing in content and people from a
distance using video conferencing tech- Cedar Shoals teacher Marc Ginsberg’s classroom SMART board projecting the
nologies is the next step.” daily agenda. Photo by Crissinda Ponder
Page designed by Kerry Boyles

6. 6 Media & Technology
Teen Jobs
How Athens Teens Can Get Hired
K
By Nicholas Sobrilsky
aThEENs staff
aeli Jones position will often not get
knows about work, he said, and they
persistence. should not anticipate high
The 19-year- salary jobs while still in high
old said school.
she started “They’re not going to get
Martin Hogan, 19, a student food
looking rich on the first job,” he said.
for retail Some Clarke Central High services worker at the University of
jobs at age School students have not only found Georgia in his employee uniform.
16 but found no open positions for work but must work so many hours Photo by Nicholsas Sobrilsky.
two years. She enrolled in a class on that they have trouble keeping
possible workplaces.
business, in which she built a resume and up with their studies. Sam Hicks,
Jones said teenagers should “find
practiced interview techniques. But her department chair of counseling at Clarke
a place that will go along with your
applications were rejected three times for Central High School, said teachers will
schedule.”
her lack of work experience, and in one often send those students to his office for
Clarke Central students who want
afternoon, she drove to three different advice on balancing school and work.
more personal guidance through the
businesses for interviews. “There are a lot of kids here [at the
job search, application and interview
“You can get really frustrated,” she school] who have to work 30, 40 hours to
processes can visit the school’s career
said. support their family,” he said.
center. But even with school aid, Hicks
With an unemployment rate Students who want to work but have
said, persistence might not be enough.
in Georgia of more than 10 percent, a less dire need, Hicks said, should fill
“Since the economy went south three
according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor out applications to many businesses,
years ago, those jobs for kids aren’t there
Statistics, and competition from adults form networks with peers and possible
anymore,” he said.
laid off during the recession, teenagers employers, and show persistence with
in Athens face strong difficulties Jones eventually landed a job.
finding a job. Knowing how to
approach the job search as a
teenager will help teens gain the
Can Teens Make Green?
work experience they need for
$7.25
future jobs.
The minimum wage in the
Roy Adams, 51, co-owner
United States as of July 24, 2009
of the Adairsville, Ga. thrift store
Heavenly Hand Me Downs,
The unemployment
receives 10 to 12 job applications
rate among people ages 16
from teenagers each semester. He
and older in Georgia in Jan.
10.4 percent
said that a teenager applicant’s
2011, seasonally adjusted. The
knowledge is less important than
national unemployment rate for
their willingness to learn and put
this age group was 9.0
forth effort.
“You can usually tell if they’re
lazy,” he said.
Adams expects his workers
both to be dependable and
responsible and to provide their
own transportation. Teenagers who
do not show genuine interest in the

7. 7 Media & Technology
Love at
First Click
Athens Teens Explore Online Dating
By Maggie Siu
G
aThEENs Staff
one are the days of meeting your potential date they’re Lexi Hall checks her Facebook account in
at school, church, the movies or even the mall. interested in. between classes. Photo by Maggie Siu.
There is no longer the hesitation before reaching Social
for the home line phone to ask for a date. When networking sites have made it easier to learn more about who
it comes to meeting new people and finding new interests you. “Facebook is a socially acceptable way to stalk
interests, technology has made it more effective than going out or people you meet. You’re naturally going to want to know if the boy
joining multiple organizations to reach others. Instead of meeting or girl you met at a party last night is in a relationship,” said Orr.
new friends through mutual ones, you can friend each other on Not only has social media helped people meet, it has also
Facebook or mention each other on Twitter. Friends can Skype maintained couples’ relationships. Long distance seems more
and see each other without actually meeting up. manageable when Skype allows webcam use or when Facebook
However, cyber-dating also poses disadvantages. Users can shows new photo albums.
easily lie about their age, appearance or location. They can post “[Social media] allows you to keep tabs on what [your
misleading photos or skew their interests or traits. According significant other] is up to,” said Lexi Hall, a 19-year-old
to a survey done by Northwestern University, approximately 45 sophomore at the University of Georgia. “It sounds awful, but
percent of 65 surveyed users reported problems with significant having a long distance relationship is difficult.”
others that were caused by facebook. While it’s usually reserved for Hall, who is currently engaged to a U.S. Navy sailor, frequents
adults, younger users are beginning to utilize social networks for Facebook and recently started a Twitter account. Her fiancé is
meeting people and maintaining existing relationships. currently stationed in Pensacola, Fla., but she says social media
“Sadly, some individuals do not consider themselves to be in a has made their relationship more manageable.
relationship until it’s announced via their social networking site,” “It has made it so much easier to communicate and feel closer
said Asher Orr, a 16-year-old student at Jefferson High School to one another. Sometimes someone will post a comment on my
in Jefferson, Ga. “Couples often wall or photo on Facebook, and
deliberately post certain materials on he’ll ask questions, but we’re really
their partner’s wall to display a public open with each other,” said Hall.
image.” As these social media sites
For some teens, the decision continue to gain popularity, they
to become “Facebook official” has are also changing the dynamics of
become as important as the decision dating in the 21st century. Social
to date in the first place. The question media tools sound appealing
of becoming Facebook official is when it comes to advancing
more common now than actually communication and allowing more
becoming an official couple. For some, freedom to learn about others.
the status simply does not define the However, with these changes, there
relationship, but rather spreads the are also complications on how
news quickly to the public. to maintain a relationship in the
As for meeting new people, social networking world.
Facebook suggests new friends Now instead of going steady,
and similar interests to other users. we’re going Facebook official.
Twitter has a section to suggest We’re not having friends seek out
followers that you have in common relationship statuses because we
with current followers. Blogs often can read them on profiles. We’re
share links or connect through tags advancing to messaging programs
for users to find and discuss similar to talk instead of picking up the
topics with each other. Social media phone. We’re poking crushes on
connects all of us, whether we’re facebook, retweeting them on
aware of it or not. According to Zogby Twitter, calling them on Skype,
Interactive, research shows 94 percent or commenting on photos from
of Facebook users often use the Flickr.
networking site to check out someone
Page designed by Sydney Kida

8. 8 Media & Technology
Battle of the Blogs
By Lilly Workneh “Any technology is better than paper through engaging in the activity.
aThEENs Staff and pencil,” said Mark Ginsberg, a “The blog has been such a blessing to
literature teacher at Cedar Shoals High my life,” said Sophia Danner-Okotie, a
School. Ginsberg has incorporated blog- 19-year-old University of Georgia sopho-
It has been a gruesome battle: Many ging into his teaching lessons to allow more. Okotie’s blog, Fresher Fash, focuses
blogs have fallen and tweets currently students to be part of a virtual commu- on her creative expression in styling and
stand in victory as teenagers move to- nity and post their writing clips online. designing outfits. “Styling myself has
ward Twitter and abandon their blogs. “I think that blogging will allow them to given me the inspiration to style others.”
It is no secret: When it comes to find- keep writing. Most of them are new to There are many motives behind blog-
ing out information, many of us want it the virtual community aspect and I think ging. Many teenagers see it as a way of
to be short, clear and to the point. After they’ll like that.” self-expression, some find it as a way of
all, isn’t that the genius mastermind plot Yet, encouraging students to blog releasing their thoughts and anticipating
behind Twitter becoming so popular? outside of the classroom has proven feedback, and others think of it as a great
Many take this to mean that the good particularly difficult and Ginsberg also way to build an online portfolio of their
ole’ use of blogging is becoming extinct sees a decline in blogging and a shift to interests, hobbies and talents.
among teenagers, as many of them resort more popular sites such as Twitter and “I have posted some of my styling on
to “micro-blogging” on sites such as Facebook. the blog and received amazing reviews,
Facebook and Twitter, where this form of “I think students just don’t have the but most of all, I began to build a port-
expression is generally shown. time to blog as much these days and folio for a possible career in the fashion
“I just don’t think I’m that interest- many don’t have In-
ing to blog about,” said Maegan Scott, a ternet access in their
17-year-old senior at Cedar Shoals High homes,” Ginsberg
School in Athens, Ga. “I find it interest- said. “I also think
ing that people think they’re that inter- entertainment plays
esting to blog about.” a factor. Many stu-
Research conducted between 2006 and dents would rather
2009 showed that bloggers between the choose sites such as
ages of 12 to 17 fell by half, leaving it now Facebook and Twit-
at only 14 percent of children between ter because they are
these ages who actively blog, according simpler, easier and
to a recent New York Times article. entertaining.”
Instead, teenagers are more active on Although many
sites such as Facebook and Twitter where students are not as
many find easier ways to socialize and receptive to blog-
stay connected with friends. ging as others, some
“Tweeting takes less brainpower do find it enjoyable
which is why I think this generation and consider it to
enjoys it,” Scott said. “Twitter limits you be a valuable lesson
to 140 characters so if people don’t care in writing. Some Sophie Danner-Okotie, 19, is a sophomore at the University
about what you have to say, they don’t students enjoy the of Georgia, who enjoys publishing post to her fashion blog,
waste much time reading it.” closer sense of com- Fresher Fash, along with spending time on other social
Many teenagers have turned away munity it brings in
from blogging due to the time commit- such a vast world. media sites.
ment required in writing lengthy posts. “It enhances the
Some feel as though their work goes un- feel of the classroom,” Smith said. “Soci- styling industry,” Okotie said.
noticed due to a lack of a large following. ety is growing technologically and I think There are many benefits blogging has
However, those who do continue to that writing on the Internet passageway to offer. Along with discovering a sense
blog, do so with a passion that disregards is another way to spread the word and of self, finding comfort in self-expres-
a care for their number of blog followers, build a closer environment.” sion, and relating to others on similar
reposts or page views. Smith enjoys blogging both inside and likes and viewpoints, blogging provides
“I consider blogging as a pathway of outside the classroom, often publishing an outlet that allows teens to persevere
expression,” said Alex Smith, an 18-year- many of his writing clips focused on a and take pride in their individuality.
old senior at Cedar Shoals. “I love pre- variety of topics ranging from political The battle is ongoing and perhaps
senting myself and getting my opinions analyses to college football. blogs will soon be armed with a powerful
out there.” “I post my opinions on some kind of weapon that will bring greater competi-
Teachers have encouraged blogging in disposition dealing with society,” Smith tion to Twitter and Facebook. Regard-
the classroom as a way to create an open said. “I enjoy talking about both positive less, those who enjoy the true purpose
forum and allow students to be techno- and negative aspects.” of blogging and all it has to offer have
logically aware of the different inven- Despite the decline, blogging will already found victory.
tions of expressing themselves via social always remain a favorite pastime of those
media. who enjoy the benefits and advantages
Page designed by Sarah Page Maxwell

9. 9 Health
Cool Treats
Heat Debate
Athens teens choose: Yoforia vs. Yoguri
By Keir Bridges
aThEENs staff
Major newspapers and food and
health blogs nationwide have been noting
$3.95, while at Yoforia, customers receive a
tub they may fill with multiple flavors and
toppings for 39 cents per ounce.
Original is probably ordered the most, but
many people are dedicated to one flavor in
particular. Taro [a root vegetable] has been
the rise in frozen yogurt’s popularity as a “I think Yoguri has better tasting yogurt,” one of our biggest hits. Many people have
dessert, often citing health benefits as op- Smith, who has frequented both shops, said, never tried anything taro-flavored before
posed to other frozen desserts as the cause. “but Yoforia is cheaper, and you get more, and are intrigued because it tastes so dif-
The increase in national chains, such as and there’s better variety of flavors.” ferent from anything else. It offers a new
Pinkberry, has been a subject of discussion For Yoguri, its College Avenue location experience.”
as well. in downtown Athens could also affect its Hitchcock said she prefers the original
With the opening of Yoforia and the con- customers. topped with a variety of fruits such as kiwi,
tinued popularity of Yoguri, frozen yogurt “It’s pretty popular with both [teenagers strawberries, pineapple, and blueberries.
shops are also on the rise in Athens. and college students], but in this town it’s “I really like their mango in either place,”
Local teenagers have different opinions often the college kids we see the most. There said Smith.
on the reasons for frozen yogurt’s recent is also quite a large group of adults who Dasher said she enjoys working in the
surge. come in on a regular basis, especially earlier yogurt shop, because “It’s really fun to
“The health aspect. People think it’s okay in the day before the college kids get out of see all the different types of people. I love
to indulge in that since it’s supposedly better bed,” said Dasher. meeting new people and I get to do that a
for you than ice cream,” said Audrey Smith, As for the most popular type of yogurt lot there. I especially love when our regular
a 15-year-old Cedar Shoals High School ordered “It’s so hard to say,” said Dasher. costumers come in. A lot of them are very
freshman, while browsing at the Athens- “There are huge fans of all of the flavors. nice and fun to talk to.”
Clarke County Library.
Ivy Hitchcock, a 13-year-old who is Frozen Yogurt: A Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream
homeschooled in Athens, had a different Healthier Option?
take. Shaking her head, she said, “Tastes
good. I don’t think we [teenagers] re-
ally care if it’s healthy. The healthy part’s a
bonus.” Made With Yogurt Cream
“A little of both. I think that since it’s a
relatively new phenomenon many people
are still trying it out, and the ones who do
try it often love it,” said University of Geor-
gia freshman and Athens Academy graduate Fat Content Less fat, but fat-free 10-18 percent
Rose Dasher, 18, an employee of Yoguri. “It’s yogurts may have more
sort of a novelty. People like to experience sugar
new things. Also, we do often get people
who come in for the health benefits. It’s
hard to find a treat like that that’s actually Cultures Yogurt is fermented, Ice cream is not fermented, so
good for you.” meaning that live these beneficial cultures are
Smith and Hitchcock agreed that frozen bacterial cultures are not present.
yogurt is popular among teenagers. added to milk. These
“Definitely, yeah,” said Smith. cultures are beneficial.
“Very,” said Hitchcock.
Dasher said the price can be a factor in Lactose Content Contains enzymes that Does not contain these
the number of teenagers they see. “Since it make digestion easier, enzymes.
can be pricey, I think it’s often a matter of especially for lactose-
who can afford it. So if there is a high school intolerant people.
kid who gets money from their parents,
then they’re going to be able to come in Sugar Content More sugar Less sugar
pretty often,” she said.
Price can also affect a teen’s decision Sources: http://www.wisegreek.com/is-frozen-yogurt-heathier-than-ice-cream.html
about which yogurt shop to visit. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/frozen-yogurt-vs-ice-cream.html
At Yoguri, a small, plain yogurt with the Page designed by Andrea King
customer’s choice of two toppings costs

10. 10 Health
Organic Eating
Athens strives for better living through farming, restaurants
By Keir Bridges
aThEENs Staff
In Athens, consum-
ers seeking organic and
locally-grown foods have a
number of options.
Dianne Simpson, a Wat-
kinsville resident with two
sons, Alexander and Ben-
jamin, attending Oconee
County High School, says
that books and documen-
tary films influenced her
decision to feed her family
more organic and locally-
grown foods.
She says that, aside from
the health benefits, the
inhumane treatment of
the animals in commercial
farms discussed in these
books and documentaries
was a large factor in her
The specials board at organic restaurant Farm 255, located at 255 West Washington St.
decision.
The Simpson family’s
and his brother Timothy, an Oconee was “Yummy!”
produce and meat are all organic, in
Middle School student, affirming that They also noted, however, that it is
many cases local, and they try to avoid
they definitely thought it was weird. usually more expensive.
all processed foods.
Laura, 17, and Leah Ballard, 14, are Local restaurant Farm 255, and the
During growing season, they buy
both Oconee County High School local organic farm supplying its food,
their produce at the farmer’s market
students. are part of the Full Moon Cooperative.
and from local farm Fields of Grace.
When asked if teenagers thought eat- “We emphasize ecological approaches
The rest of the year, they buy boxes
ing locally-grown or organic food was to agriculture,” says Farm Manager Jack
of organic produce online from Viking
weird, Laura said, “If you were super Matthews.
Produce, which delivers orders to the
adamant about it, people might think Community involvement is impor-
customer’s doors every Thursday.
that was weird,” but that, otherwise, it tant to them; the Community-Support-
When asked how her sons feel about
wasn’t something they thought teenag- ed Agriculture (CSA) program allows
the food, she says she feels it’s about
ers think about very much. members to pay a certain amount in
educating them to make healthy deci-
Each knew a classmate who felt exchange for a weekly supply of fresh
sions for themselves and that establish-
strongly about eating organic but said vegetables.
ing these healthy habits will help them
both students came from families who Members also have designated days
once they are on their own.
also felt strongly about it. to help on the farm, connecting them
When she became a vegetarian for
They eat organic food sometimes, with the food and with their local
a while, she says her sons found it
but, as Laura said, “Food is food.” farmers, which Matthews cites as a
strange, but did not want to read the
They agreed that you can taste a dif- main objective of the cooperative.
literature or see the films that had
ference in organic food, for example,
led to her decision. This statement
sodas with natural sugar taste better. Page designed by Patty Miranda
was punctuated Alexander grimacing
Leah’s first response to the question

11. 11 Health
Body & Soul
local health club she was instantly
hooked. “I think it’s very effective
and fun. It definitely helped my core
and general muscle tone.” After go-
ing alone for a few months, Maggie
Teens shape-up with Pilates also began encouraging some of her
friends to try Pilates with her.
By Meg Goggans Mary Rabun, also a 19-year-old student at UGA, was
aThEENs Staff skeptical of the unconventional exercise at first, but agreed to
accompany Maggie to a few classes. “I didn’t feel noticeably
more toned at first, I mainly felt more limber. But the focus on
breathing did make me feel more relaxed.”
Another 19-year-old UGA student, Elizabeth Karam, agrees.
Karam began doing Pilates her sophomore year of high school
at her local gym. “I prefer it because it doesn’t feel like I’m do-
ing a strenuous workout that I would typically dread. Instead it
just makes me feel stronger and more relaxed after.”
Rabun and Swindle now tend to focus on a less intense ap-
proach that doesn’t involve the typical Pilates apparatus. They
opt for mat-based exercises and classes that are just as easy to
do at home. “It’s a really convenient way to keep up with your
stretches at home” Rabun says.
Pilates was first developed by the German born physical
trainer, Joseph Pilates. As a child growing up with health prob-
lems, Joseph was always interested in improving health and
personal fitness. After drawing from a variety of Eastern fitness
techniques and even Zen Bhuddism, he began to emphasis the
Mary Rabun, 19, practices some of her Pilates exercises importance of breathing during his sessions. When he moved
to New York City, his method continued to attract followers.
In a serene, white-walled room, a group of focused students When asked how the method can attribute to this healthier
appear to defy gravity. They carefully move their bodies across lifestyle, Martin replies, “Awareness, breath, flow, concentra-
a strange, wooden contraption. Their defined legs fly upward, tion, control, efficiency, harmony – you can apply this to all
over their heads, and back down with poise. Elastic bands are aspects of your life. It’s not just a resolution but a way of mov-
stretched to their furthest lengths, positioned from the heels ing that teaches you about your body – a learning process that
of the students’ feet to the backs of the wooden equipment. A lasts a lifetime.”
soft, non-distinct melody glides around the room. As with most exercise, Pilates increases energy and pro-
A slim, young woman calls out instructions for the class in a motes balance. The focus on breathing further connects your
comforting, soft voice. Amanda Martin, the teacher at Balance, mind and your body. Maggie and Mary both claim that Pilates
a local Pilates and wellness studio here in Athens, instructs her has been beneficial in helping them achieve an overall health-
classes with enthusiasm and positivity. After the students fol- ier lifestyle, especially with the stresses of school. “It definitely
low her lead, the soothing quiet resumes and a series of steady increased my self-esteem and decreased my stress level”, Mag-
inhales and exhales float through the air of the classroom. gie says.
Pilates is a well-known fitness method that has been catch- At the Balance studio, Martin stays true to Joseph Pilates
ing on for decades all across the country. Celebrities from promotion of body, mind and spirit. “Teaching Pilates goes
Jennifer Aniston to Madonna to Gwyneth Paltrow all swear by beyond the exercises, it will give you the tools to make health-
it. It’s done in studios all around the world and today teenagers ier choices outside the studio where the real transformation
around in Athens are beginning to catch on to the Pilates trend begins. It relaxes you, educates you, gives you energy, self-
as well. confidence and an awareness about your body that is immea-
When Maggie Swindle, a 19-year-old student at the Uni- surable.”
versity of Georgia, tried the fitness method a year ago at a
Healing Arts Studio UGA Rec Balance
Centre in Athens Center Pilates & Wellness Studio
The Healing Arts Centre Studio offers traditional The University of Along with their group
holds its Pilates classes in Pilates classes daily, as well Georgia’s Ramsey apparatus classes, Balance
the Sanghra studio. as therapeutic yoga and Student Center offers offers classes on the mat for
Yamuna body rolling. regular Pilates as well as a $10 and
Remedy, an herbal phar-
your second class is free.
macy, is also located in the Yoga Pilates fusion class.
centre. 675 Pulaski Street
160-1 Tracy Street
678.596.2956 300 River Road 706.546.1060
834 Prince Ave studioinathens.com 706.542.5060
706.613.1142 recsports.uga.edu balancepilatesathens.com
healingartscentre.net
Page designed by Jen Ingles

12. 12
12 Health
Eating Disorders
Teens push bodies to
match media image,
peer pressure
By Meg Goggans
aThEENs Staff
M allory Williams, Rebecca Jones
and Katie Smith, all 13-year-old
students at Clarke Middle School in Ath-
ens, sit in the cafeteria with their daily
lunches.
Smith pushes her almost finished
sandwich aside. “I feel confident when I
look in the mirror because I know that I
was made the way I’m supposed to look,”
she says.
Jones agrees with Smith, saying, “I
don’t really feel any pressure from people.
I like my weight the way it is.”
After the other girls distract them- American adolescents often feel pressure from media outlets like magazines
selves with their brown bag lunches and and television to be a certain weight. Photo by Meg Goggans.
school books, Williams is left at the table.
When asked if she would change some-
thing about her body she hesitates for
can take a toll on the stress and pressures
adolescents face in their daily lives. say the numbers of this survey may be9
some form of social phobia. Researchers
a moment, looks up, and admits, “I am NEDA also states that while the main- even higher, as many teens are ashamed
who I am, but maybe I might change my stream media does seem to play a large of their disorders and choose to remain
size a little.” role in teen body perceptions, reasons silent about their condition.
“People with anorexia definitely
“This is not an eating disorder. It is a stress isolate themselves from others and social
situations so they are less tempted to
and poor coping skills disorder.” eat,” Crawley explains. “All people with
eating disorders feel a sense of failure and
--Connie Crawley, health and diet expert shame that can interfere with their social
interactions.”
In a culture that is saturated with the for these disorders vary from person to Eating disorders can have both short-
fascination of beauty and self-image, person. Teens may develop them as a re- term and long-term mental and physical
adolescents can often find themselves action to the demands of adolescence or effects.
wondering how they fit into society’s pressure to fit in and be accepted by their Some effects of anorexia can include
predetermined ideals of body image. peers. When life gets stressful, some tend a slowed pulse, muscle and hair loss,
A recent poll done on advertising to use food as a way to feel like they’re yellowing of skin, and thinning of bones.
in America reported that the public is gaining some form of control. Bulimia holds consequences similar to
bombarded with nearly 5, 000 adver- Connie Crawley, a health and diet ex- anorexia, but can also cause severe intes-
tisements daily, whether consciously or pert at the University of Georgia, agrees tinal problems and major throat issues.
unconsciously. These advertisements with these reasonings. “Some people Treatment for these disorders is often
often show thin models and promote have control issues with their parents or a difficult to implement, but is a neces-
body images that are often not typical of chaotic home environment and find that sary means to provide healthy counsel to
the average person. food and exercise are the only things they those affected. Exact treatments may vary
Maggie Grady, a 19-year-old student can control. Some people use food as a from person to person and can often be a
at the University of Georgia, has felt the way to deal with stress and cope with the struggle.
pressures of these kind of media ide- ambiguities of becoming an adult,” she 12
Crawley recommends that family and
als first hand. “I always see celebrities says. friends show compassion and support for
with perfect bodies and I think I want to A recent study from the Archives of those they know who are affected. “It is a
look like them. I’ve considered skipping General Psychiatry surveyed more than disease that just takes time for recovery.
meals and I usually say I’m on a diet,” she 10, 000 adolescents ages 13 to 18. They need to understand that this is not
admits. Nearly .3 percent of those surveyed an eating disorder. It is a stress and poor
Along with this media scrutiny, were anorexic, .9 percent bulimic, and 1.3 coping skills disorder that has the symp-
school, family, friends, sports, clubs, and percent had a binge-eating disorder of toms of disordered eating. It is treated by
other activities, teenagers are faced with some kind. helping the person to learn new coping
certain expectations of body image, ac- Subjects with disorders were much skills and methods for reducing stress.”
cording to the National Eating Disorders more likely to have problems with alco-
Association (NEDA). All of these factors hol and were more inclined to suffer from Page designed by Nicholas Sobrilsky

13. 13 Health Check out the multimedia feature
at aThEENs.wordpress.com!
Tastefully
Tackling
Obesity Shannon Clarke prepares a salad for dinner at The
By Meredith Seay Village Summit Dining Hall. Photo by Meredith Seay
aThEENs Staff
“Hmm. Do I want Doritos, Skittles, a cent. The statistics also shows a steady gram that has a mission that “encourages
honey bun, or a Snickers?” is a question rise compared to just eight years prior a lifetime of healthy eating by providing
teenagers find themselves asking while where the obesity rate was 14.8 percent. each student with the affordable oppor-
staring through the glass of a vending The Youth Behavior Survey data from tunity to consume meals that are nutri-
machine loaded with sugar filled fatten- 2007 gave data for youth in Georgia tious [and] appealing…”
ing treats at school. As with many, at this specifically. In Georgia, data shows that Angie Garcia, Nurtition Services
point convenience and tastiness takes 18 percent of youth in grades 9-12 are coordinator from Clarke County District
priority to healthiness. overweight and 14 percent are obese. says that “ the changes were made for the
Health officials recognize the rising Being obese is an issue within itself, better and I hope that it can be a start to
rates of obesity as a growing epidemic but according to health officials it also better habits for all of the students” when
that requires immediate attention. Kath- leads to other problems. Having such an asked about the changes Clarke County
erine Ingerson, a registered dietitian at has made to the lunch menu and vend-
the University of Georgia’s Food Services ing machines.
Administration says that the main fac- Along with high schools, colleges
tors contributing to teenage obesity are are also stepping in to help with healthy
“poor nutrition choices, physical inactiv- decision making. UGA’s Food Services
ity, and over consumption of calories. offer private counseling sessions with
Many times these factors arise from poor the registered dietitian to patrons of
role models and nutritional ignorance at the meal plan. Although this service is
home.” available and free, Ingerson is concerned
Shannon Clarke, 19 year-old sopho- that students are not taking advantage of
more at the University of Georgia, agrees the services. On a daily average she only
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net meets with one to two students. “Con-
with Ingerson about the contribut-
ing factors of obesity. “I kind of agree sidering there are [more than] 8,000
because if you have obese parents, like unhealthy weight has also been cor- students on the meal plan, this means
mine, it tends to be harder. They don’t related with having an increased risk to only 4-5% of students take advantage of
get a lot of physical activity so they don’t chronic diseases including high cho- private nutrition counseling sessions.”
push you to.” lesterol, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, Clarke, who has been looking for
Clarke struggled with her weight as a and sleep apnea. Besides the medical guidance and advice on eating healthier,
teenager due to poor diet habits at home. risks involved, obese teenagers are often was not aware of the service, but “would
Her parents were out a lot when she was subject to ridicule and taunting by their like to at least meet with her for a ses-
younger so instead of having a balanced peers that can cause feelings of inferior- sion.”
meal she usually ate snacks out of the ity and inadequacy. The promotion of health to pre-
pantry. Unhealthy food coupled with In order to promote healthiness vent teenage obesity is still evolving
inactivity caused her to gain weight. and change among youth, the state of as schools in Georgia and across the
In order to stop the weight gain and Georgia has launched several programs nation adopt health programs. Students
maybe shed some pounds, Clarke de- geared toward the issue. The Georgia may complain about not having their
cided to join her school’s track team. She Recreation and Parks Healthy Vend- favorite snacks available to them, but the
began to lose weight, which also lead to ing Resolution was adopted in 2005 to ultimate goal is to teach students that
a healthier diet. encourage healthier items being offered healthiness should play a more impor-
According to the National Center for for vending Machines and concession tant role over tastiness in decisions on
Health Statistics last updated for 2007- stands. food.
2008, American preteens and teens aged More locally Clarke County School
12-19 have an obesity rate of 18.1 per- District has joined this movement by Page designed by Crissinda M. Ponder
implementing a School Nutrition Pro-

14. Go
14 Environment
Students use this trash bin to encourage
recycling at Cedar Shoals High School
Students at Clarke Central High School help
to keep the community clean.
&
Save
By Sarah Page Maxwell
aThEENs staff
Think ECO-nomically
A
thens teens say
the town’s envi-
ronmental ethos
makes living an environ-
mentally friendly lifestyle
easily obtainable.
An environmentally
conscious attitude has
become somewhat the
status quo in the Classic
City, according to one
The rain garden at Cedar Shoals High School high school student.
serves as an outdoor classroom and helps the “I hear a lot of people
environment by collecting rainwater runoff. talking about going
green,” said Adele Mea-
Photos by Kerry Boyles. gher, a senior at Cedar
Andrew Lentini, Program Coordinator, discusses
sustainable living practices with Kevin Kirsche, Shoals High School. “Athens
is a hippy town, and living
Green Teens
Director, at the UGA Office of Sustainability.
here for my entire life has
definitely had an impact on me. We care about our environment…” Meagher is
a member of the PACS (Positive About Cedar Shoals) environmental club at her
in Action! school, a club with strong initiatives in allowing teens to help preserve the envi-
ronment.
Sometimes the easiest, and most affordable, way to contribute to preserv-
ing our environment is to take advantage of the resources provided around us.
Check out the multimedia feature
at aThEENs.wordpress.com! Page designed by Lilly Workneh

15. Green “Living on campus makes it pretty easy to reduce my
Exceptional
carbon footprint,” said Amy Wong, a freshman at the Univer-
sity of Georgia. “There are bins everywhere in the dorms that
make recycling easy. Also, I take the bus and walk every-
where.” Wong is a member of the Go Green Alliance and
the Environmental Health Science Club, both organizations
that find importance in limiting waste and taking care of our Green Teen
natural habitat.
Beyond the first step of eliminating our need to
consume and replacing it with an attitude more focused on Full Name:
reuse, there are a number of smaller steps that can be taken
on a daily basis that do not require a large financial nor time
Andrew Wooyoung Kim
commitment. Hometown:
“In my room, using a power strip makes it easy to
have a central source to turn off the power from different
New York City, NY
outlets when I’m not there,” said Wong. Being aware of pow- Birthday:
er usage is an easy way to control the size of our footprint.
Both Wong and Meagher said switching from the March 7, 1993
incandescent light bulbs most people use now to either com-
pact fluorescent or LED bulbs can make a noticeable differ-
Interests: Recycling, playing the Cello, tennis,
ence in energy usage. Watching the length of showers is also environment, public health, medicine
important for water conservation, but something that gets
left at the wayside in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. inspirational Kim Yu-Na, philanthropist and
“We are a very green family,” Meagher said. “We
figures: world-renowned Korean figure
compost the things we can and use them as fertilizer in our
garden.” Both of these actions, composting and carpooling, skater, and Dr. Jim Yong Kim,
can help to preserve the earth and save money. Medical Anthropologist and
Living sustainably, when approached at a micro-
Executive Director of Partners in
level as opposed to a large-scale commercial level, is actu-
ally less expensive than carrying on a wasteful lifestyle, said Health.
Andrew Lentini, program coordinator of the University of Interesting Fact: He has competed at the Inter-
Georgia’s Office of Sustainability. The main change that must
be made does not include increased spending, but a change national Science and Engineer-
in the way we think. ing Fair in San Jose, California.
“It requires thinking about things on the front end
rather than the back end,” he said.
Check out more about Kim on pg. 16!

16. 16 Environment
Green Teen
Making Environmentalism his Mission
By Kerry Boyles
aThEENs Staff
C edar Shoals High School is known for
its great recycling program, but one
student in particular exemplifies what it
which help organize the recycling for
the school. In 2003, PACS was named
the best high school recycling program Interact Club Presidents Andy Kim (left) and
means to be environmentally conscious. in the nation by Keep America Beautiful. Rachel Adam (right) with former sponsor Sally
Senior Andy Kim is passionate about the “I’ve started our school’s first orga- Dowling after the first recycling campaign was
environment. nized recycling program for our sports implemented.
“The environment provides us all [with] program especially at football games,” he makes me conscious of how important it is
the resources to live an adequate life, and said. “Hundreds, even thousands of cans, to preserve and protect it,” she said. “When
sustain life in the lowest levels of exis- bottles, and recyclables have been thrown I see him so motivated, it makes me want
tence,” he said. “We need to conserve these away for the past years we’ve had football to increase my efforts. He shows me that
resources in order to live a successful life.” at this school…Next year, we hope to col- there are so many easy steps that can make
Because of this passion, Kim considers lect these recyclables and turn them in for a difference every day.”
recycling to be incredibly important and is cash to donate to charities.” Sally Dowling, Kim’s Spanish teacher,
incredulous so few people do it. These actions have not gone unnoticed says that Kim’s passion about the environ-
“By conserving our natural resources by Kim’s friends and teachers. ment makes him an extraordinary teen.
such as potable water, gas, and forests, we “You can find a few students scattered “I really think that there is very little
can leave the remaining resources for our throughout high schools that are con- about Andy that is not exceptional,” she
future societies,” he said. “All our society’s cerned about the environment but very said. “He is a born leader and an energetic
natural problems can be solved through few teens, and very few adults for that crusader.”
smart environmental actions and non- matter, care as deeply as Andy does,” said Though Kim may not consider himself to
selfish acts. “ Kim’s friend Rachel Adam. “He doesn’t be “an energetic crusader,” he still has high
Kim exemplifies his concept of “non- participate in environmental volunteer hopes for the future.
selfish acts” by participating in several work for any ulterior motives like many “I’m looking at three possible career
different clubs, but he says that spreading teens, he does it because he genuinely options now: doctor, policy, and research,”
awareness can be even more important. wants to make a difference.” he said. “I’m thinking about exploring en-
“When people become aware, their Adam also says she is inspired by Kim’s vironmental policy, since the Earth doesn’t
thought process changes…and in the end, environmental awareness. really have its own attorney.”
their actions change,” he said. “A teacher “Andy’s interest in the environment
once told me that you can’t have change
without awareness, and I’ve lived through
this for a while.”
Kim spreads awareness by working in the
school’s environmental fair. The fair invites
local educational organizations like Keep
Athens-Clarke County Beautiful, Storm-
water, Sandy Creek and 4-H to speak to
students and provide interactive activities.
Kim says the fair is held in the school’s
rain garden, which is used by the school
as an outdoor classroom. The garden also
accumulates trash and keeps contaminants
from getting into the rivers.
But if trash gets into the rivers, Kim is
there to pick it up.
“Another activity I’ve participated in is
Rivers Alive, which is a river cleanup proj-
ect across the state,” he said.
Kim also participates in Positive about
Cedar Shoals, PACS, and the Interact Club, Kim poses with his environmentalism stand. Page designed by Devon Young

17. 17 Environment
Green is
the New
Black
Eco-friendly fashion Cheryl White holds up her favorite shirt from the Kika Spring
2011 Collection. Photo by Sydney Kida.
at local boutiques Expo at the Classic Center on January White decided to support the envi-
By Sydney Kida 29, many such businesses in the Athens- ronmental prerogative in her business
aThEENs Staff Clarke County area were highlighted, venture mainly because as a mother she
one of which was green wants her children and her children’s
jeweler Beth Carter of Beca Designs. children to have a clean, safe environ-
Sometimes environmental conscious- Carter’s jewelry pieces are made from ment in which to live.
ness is not analytical or boring at all—it fused recycled glass in her studio in Kika Paprika products are green in a
is fashionable. Don’t reserve the “Go- Colbert, Ga. Though she has been in jew- number of ways.
ing green” idea for environmentalists elry production for about 10 years now, “We use organic cotton, and we grow
and politicians. Try it yourself here in in 2007 she decided to make the jump to it right here in the United States, it’s actu-
Athens! eco-friendly materials. ally out of South Georgia. We use
This environmental fashion move- “Of course living in Athens we have recycled water bottles in many of our
ment is more than a short-lived trend an unending supply of bottles to work pieces, and we choose to use eucalyptus
because it’s impact is really important. with,” Carter said of her recycled mate- [plants],” White said.
According to Starre Vartan’s The Eco rial. Indeed, home of a sprawling Eco-friendly clothing has its unique
Chick Guide to Life, clothing production University and more than 90 bars to struggles as a green product. For in-
directly affects people’s health and local choose from, Athens provides the perfect stance, it is more costly to make and to
ecosystems where fabric fibers are grown setting for bottle-inspired art. buy. While a couple extra dollars for a
and manufactured. Every step of cloth- While recycled glass can make an tank top that aids the environmental
ing production requires its own set of outfit come alive, there is more to “green” movement may be easily dropped by a
chemicals, thus producing its own type clothing than eco-friendly bling. There full time employee, a teenager’s budget
of waste. are a number of different ways an entire might not be as forgiving.
On the topic of green jewelry, Var- outfit can pass as environmentally Andy Hitt, an 18-year-old pre-jour-
tan says, “No matter how supposedly friendly. nalism student from Lawrenceville, Ga.,
environmentally sound the operation, Kika Paprika, a socially responsible said “I would buy eco-friendly clothes
mining is a dirty, eco-system destroying clothing line started if I thought it was really gonna help! A
process.”
In Green Chic, “We use recycled by a mother-daughter
team in California,
bunch of people would.”
However, when Hitt was asked if she
Christie Mathenson
explains that there is water bottles in offers environmentally
safe products to wom-
would be willing to pay more than $20
for a tank top, she hesitated.
no farming process in
the world more pes- many of our pieces, en of all ages, shapes
and sizes. The cloth-
“I don’t know about $20,” Hitt said,
“but I am all for cute tops!”
ticide-intensive than
conventional cotton and we choose to ing can be purchased
through any of the
Athens has a ways to go before there
is an eco-friendly clothing store on every
growing. Organic cot-
ton, however, is grown use eucalyptus.” numerous company
consultants.
block downtown, but the city provides
more and more options for teens looking
without pesticides or
chemical fertilizers. -- Cheryl White One such consul-
tant is Cheryl White,
to be eco-chic.
Before the environmental movement
This means none of a Kika enthusiast and mother of three reaches a point where every teenager can
the nasty chemicals gets into the air, the located in Woodstock, Ga. open his or her closet to a rack full of
water, the soil or your skin in organic “My sister sold the clothes for five sea- corn-based and organic cotton shirts, it is
cotton growing. sons and I decided to become a consul- important to remember that a little social
As the environmental movement tant. I love what they stand for, I love the responsibility can still go a long way.
grows, so do the outlets available offering clothes and the choices that the company
and supporting environmentally sound makes,” White said.
products. Thanks to the Green Life Page designed by Maggie Siu

18. 18 Environment
Athens Youth Wo
Wildlife and Con
Athens Teens Aid
rain garden soaks in rain runoff water,
thereby preventing pollutants from con-
taminating nearby natural water habitats
professor of Wildlife Ecology and Man-
agement at the University of Georgia.
“We’ve lost that connection.”
Conservation Efforts and the wildlife that thrive there. To bridge that lost connection, Bar-
“Getting active is the most important nett also teaches courses in fly-fishing.
By Satyam Kaswala thing,” said Loran Posey, a sophomore The first will be held on Sat. March 12 at
aThEENs Staff 4-H leader at Clarke Central High Sandy Creek Park. He encourages teen-
School. For his part, Posey helps spread agers to enroll. Getting people invested
Everyone wants to save the world. But awareness about dangerous environ- in outdoor activities will help them real-
for young people in Athens, that may mental pollutants such as radon gas. He ize that protecting nature and habitats
not be such an elusive goal. makes PowerPoint presentations, post- means protecting entire ways of life, he
Wildlife and habitat conservation is ers and flyers about the hazards of radon said. Everything is connected.
paramount in protecting the future of gas and presents them to various classes. But there is something else teenagers
Georgia ecosystems, which, according to “My classmates may think I’m lame,” can do. Teenagers, fresh on the heels of
one are expert, have been fragmented by said Posey. “But at the same time, it’s having their own set of wheels, are in
the onslaught of urban sprawl. good that they’re getting exposed to it a particularly unique position to help
“There are things that we can do in [the information].” protect wildlife in an even simpler way,
the short term,” said Lindsay Boring, the According to the Environmental Pro- according to Boring.
director of the Joseph W. Jones Ecologi- tection Agency, radon gas is the second Opting for Georgia wildlife plates
cal Research Center in Newton, Ga. “But leading cause of lung cancer in America when buying a car for the first time
if young people become informed and behind smoking. It is also harmful to helps provide funds for vital non-game
knowledgeable about wildlife, then they pets and wildlife near homes. conservation programs, says Dr. Bor-
will have a whole lifetime of caring, con- Though these are seemingly small ing. Endangered or threatened Georgia
tributing and influencing good things to scale efforts, in actuality it is precisely species that once flourished in Georgia
happen.” specific, incremental steps like the ones like red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher
All over town, youth are doing just these teenage volunteers are taking that tortoises, fox squirrels and Indigo snakes
that. will ultimately combat monumental benefit from such programs, though
Andy Kim, a senior at Cedar Shoals issues like global wildlife protection or they do not offset the loss of habitat
High School, is one such teenager. climate change, says Joshua Barnett, caused by the same stretched highways
Kim is a leader in multiple student- a junior at the University of Georgia , those license plates will hover above. It is
headed groups at his school, includ- prominent environmental blogger, and an inescapable irony. But it is important
ing Interact, a service based club, and former president and current Conser- to start somewhere. Even small steps
Positive About Cedar Shoals (PACS), vation Director of the Athens wildlife leave lasting footprints.
a group that sponsors an annual envi- protection group Trout Unlimited. “When I get a car I’m getting a
ronmental fair. He is also a member of “If you try to take up climate change, hybrid,” said Posey. “But the wildlife
the 4-H Wildlife Judging team, where for example, if that’s what you’re going license plate is a good idea. I’ll have to
high school teams throughout the state to fight, that’s such a huge issue,” Barnett tell my dad.”
compete in various contests dealing with said. “It takes all these little things that
knowledge and identification of wild
animals and plants within certain eco-
will ultimately conquer this greater evil.”
Barnett fights in his own way. He
“If you try to take up
systems. Through all of these activities, participates in Trout in the Classroom, climate change, for
teenagers work to protect the environ-
ment.
which is a program where volunteers
install a 60-gallon tank in science example, if that’s what
“Our main goal is to spread environ-
mental awareness to the student body at
classrooms ranging from kindergarten
to high school, and fill them with about
you’re going to fight,
Cedar,” said Kim. “When kids get more 1,000 trout eggs. Students then raise and that’s such a huge is-
involved and know more about it, then nurture the trout through every stage of
they will be more willing to get out there life and later release them into state- sue. It takes all these
and do something about conservation.”
Indeed, the students of PAC do not
approved streams.
The goal, the program’s website says, little things that will
limit their efforts to theoretical knowl-
edge. They get their hands dirty.
is to foster lifelong conservation eth-
ics in youth, understand ecosystems
ultimately conquer this
Teenage volunteers regularly main- and appreciate natural resources and greater evil.”
tain a rain garden in order to demon- wildlife.
strate the beneficial effects of habitat “People were once very connected - Joshua Barnett
conservation on biodiversity. The Cedar to the land,” said Steven Castleberry, a

19. Work To Protect
nserve Habitats
Joshua Barnett, Conservation Director of Trout Unlimited, hurtles a fly
rod on March 4, 2011 as he practices casting techniques in his Athens, Ga.
home backyard in preparation for his fly-fishing courses. Photo by Satyam
Kaswala.
Rain gardens protect streams from pollutants. This stream, located at Orange Trail Creek in the State Botanical
Garden of Georgia, flushes into the wildlife-rich Middle Oconee River. Photo by Satyam Kaswala.
Page designed by Keir Bridges