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TEEN KIDS NEWS

SHOW 225

MWANZAA O/C
Coming up on Teen-Kids News. How to know if a boyfriend or girlfriend is not good for you.
FELIPE O/C
I’ll show you how to recognize abuse – and what to do about it.
JENNA O/C
Check out the new technology that can turn YOU into an action figure.
CODY O/C & V/O
I’ll report on an extreme sport that may be too extreme.
NATALIE O/C
I’m Natalie with a tip to help you make the grade.
JOHN O/C & V/O
She’s a triple threat – if you don’t know what that is - wait until you meet Christina Milian – I’ll have the buzz.
HALEY O/C
And why what you eat can affect your grades - next on Teen Kids News.
SHOW OPEN

HEADLINES

MWANZAA
Hi, I’m Mwanzaa
HALEY
And I’m Haley. We’ll start with the latest news from around the world…
MWANZAA
Here’s Lauren with the headlines…
LAUREN VO
Former President Bill Clinton was back in the hospital this week. Problems with his heart again.
Mr. Clinton has just returned from visiting areas hit by the tsunami. He was traveling with former President George Bush Senior.
LAUREN VO
Here’s some really shocking news about finishing high school. The Educational Testing Service says almost a third of all American kids don’t get their diploma in four years. State governors say this is a problem that has to be fixed…and fast.
(GOVERNOR MARK WARNER – VA)
WE CAN’T KEEP EXPLAINING TO OUR NATION’S PARENTS OR BUSINESS LEADERS OR THE COLLEGE FACULTIES WHY THESE KIDS CAN’T DO THE WORK.
LAUREN VO
Whether it’s finding jobs or going to college, Bill Gates says a good education is vital. He’s even donated almost a billion dollars to help make schools better.
(BILL GATES)
FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY, YOU CAN’T PICK ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
LAUREN VO
President Bush is nominating a new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations - John Bolton. He has many years of experience in the State Department and a reputation as a tough negotiator. However, critics say when it comes to dealing with other countries, being a tough negotiator may not be such a good thing.
LAUREN VO
Speaking of negotiating, the leaders of Lebanon and Syria have signed an agreement. Syria’s President promised that at least some of his troops will leave Lebanon. Syrian soldiers have been there “helping to keep the peace” since 1976.
LAUREN VO
Got milk? That still might not get you enough calcium. Researchers now say you probably need more than just dairy products to protect your bones. They suggest additional sources like broccoli, kale, orange juice with added calcium or tofu.
LAUREN VO
A major dolphin rescue has been going on in Florida. Dozens of dolphins are being helped to turn around and go back into the ocean. They were found on a beach near the town of Marathon.
LAUREN O/C
There are new concerns about global warming. Scientists say rising temperatures in the Arctic are endangering the polar bears. In fact, they fear that the great white bear could be wiped out by the end of this century. Haley…

RELATIONSHIP ABUSE (R.A.P.P.)

HALEY O/C
The dating game can be a tough one for teens. A relationship is hard to maintain...even when it’s going well. But there are many teens who are in situations that are not only bad...they’re dangerous.
Felipe is here with a look at the problems…and hopefully some help.
FELIPE O/C
Haley, it’s called relationship abuse. And you’d be surprised how many teens are affected.
FELIPE V/O:
When you think of the word “abuse,” you may think of hitting or pushing. But there are other, less physical ways relationships can be abusive. And they can be just as damaging. There is verbal abuse, which includes insults and name calling.
(BOY – RE-ENACTMENT)
WHEN I CALL, I EXPECT YOU TO ANSWER. WHAT ARE YOU AN IDIOT?
FELIPE V/O:
And there’s sexual abuse. One example is when a person doesn’t respect their partner’s decision to say NO to sex.
(BOY – RE-ENACTMENT)
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT - YOU ARE SUCH A TEASE!
(GIRL – RE-ENACTMENT)
I AM NOT A TEASE, JAMEL.
(BOY – RE-ENACTMENT)
LOOK…YOU’RE MY GIRLFRIEND…WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM, YOU DON’T LOVE ME?
FELIPE V/O:
It’s also abuse if a partner tries to control who you hang out with, or keeps track of your phone calls.
(BOY – RE-ENACTMENT)
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TALKING TO CHRISTINE…I TOLD YOU I DON’T LIKE HER.
(GIRL – RE-ENACTMENT)
SHE’S JUST MY FRIEND. SHE JUST WANTED TO HANG OUT TONIGHT. THAT’S ALL.
(BOY – RE-ENACTMENT)
I DON’T WANT YOU TALKING TO HER SHE’S A BAD INFLUENCE…I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU THAT.
FELIPE V/O:
You might think you wouldn’t put up with that kind of behavior. But the statistics show many teens do.
(GALE GREENSTEIN)
IN THIS COUNTRY, 60 PERCENT OF TEENS WILL EXPERIENCE ABUSE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS; THAT’S MORE THAN HALF OF THE CLASS…AND THAT MEANS THAT EVEN IF IT’S NOT ONE OF THEM IT’S THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO THEM….IT’S THEIR BEST FRIEND…IT’S THEIR SISTER.
FELIPE V/O:
And the numbers don’t lie. Teens see it every day.
(GIRL)
I HAD A FRIEND WHO HAD TO CHECK WITH HER BOYFRIEND TO SEE WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO WEAR THAT DAY.
FELIPE V/O
A lot of teens in abusive relationships feel they have nowhere to turn for help. That’s where RAPP comes in. That stands for Relationship Abuse Prevention Program. It’s run by the Center Against Domestic Violence. RAPP teaches high school students the warning signs of abuse.
(GALE GREENSTEIN)
TEENS WHO EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT HOME ARE SO MUCH MORE LIKELY TO REPEAT THAT PATTERN IN THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIPS WHETHER IT BE AS A VICTIM OR AN ABUSER…AND THAT’S WHY IT’S SO ESSENTIAL TO SHOW THEM THAT THERE’S ANOTHER WAY.
(BOY)
IF I GET MAD AT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING I KEEP IT BOTTLED UP INSIDE. R.A.P.P. HAS TAUGHT ME THAT IT’S OKAY TO TALK TO SOMEONE IF YOU GET ANGRY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP IF YOU TALK WITH YOUR PARTNER, IF IT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN TALK IT OUT, THINGS MIGHT WORK OUT.
FELIPE O/C
Like most relationship issues, communication is key. But if things don’t “work out”, get help.
And we’d like to thank the teens at RAPP for helping us with the role- playing scenes that showed abuse. Mwanzaa…

WEEKLY READER POLL: ABUSE

MWANZAA O/C
Thanks Felipe. Okay, so we know it’s good to TALK about abuse – but who would you talk to? That’s the subject of our Weekly Reader Poll. We asked what would you do if you knew someone was being abused by their boyfriend or girlfriend.
(GIRL)
I WOULD JUST TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT…
(GIRL)
I WOULD TELL THEM TO LEAVE THEM –LEAVE THE PERSON THAT’S ABUSING THEM.
(BOY)
I WOULD GET THEM TO SPEND AS LEAST TIME WITH THEM AS POSSIBLE, OR EVEN BREAK UP WITH THEM.
(BOY)
WELL THAT’S REALLY FOR ME TO STAY OUT OF…
(GIRL)
A FRIEND OF MINE WAS TELLING ME A STORY HOW SHE WAS A BIT ABUSED AND I DIDN’T FEEL RIGHT GOING TO HER PARTNER AND SAYING SOMETHING BECAUSE I DIDN’T FEEL IT WAS MY PLACE…
(GIRL)
I’D TRY TO CONFRONT THE PERSON THAT’S ABUSING THE OTHER PERSON TO SEE WHY THEY’RE DOING THAT, AND TO SEE IF THERE’S SOME WAY FOR THEM TO STOP DOING THAT.
MWANZAA V/O
Well, only 3% of you would try to take on the abuser directly. 12% said they’d try to work it out by talking to the victim. 26% would do NOTHING. The majority – 59% - said they’d take the problem to a responsible adult.
MWANZAA O/C
And as Felipe’s report showed - that’s the best answer.
HALEY O/C
When we come back we’ll see how big screen heroes get cut down to size.…
MWANZAA O/C
A man, a scan, an action plan…we’ll explain that next.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #1 / CLOSED CAPTION ANNOUNCE

DIGITAL TOY SCAN

HALEY O/C
Jenna’s here now, to show us how technology is changing a familiar type of toy.
JENNA O/C
Haley, I’m talking about action figures…They just don’t make ‘em like they used to. And that’s why they look so much like the real thing. Let me take you behind the scenes at the leading action toy company.
JENNA VO
Whether making a model of Morpheus from The Matrix or a sculpture of Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker, this is where it all begins. Gentle Giant Studios is the leader in digital scanning. The process allows an action figure to look just like the person it’s modeled after.
(BRIAN SUNDERLIN)
THE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, SPECIFICALLY THE SCANNING, HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY WE MAKE ACTION FIGURES. WE’RE ABLE TO SCAN ACTORS AND MODELS AND RECREATE THEIR LIKENESS 100% WITHOUT ANY LOSS OF DETAIL OR CHARACTER CORRECTNESS THAT YOU MIGHT GET WITH TRADITIONAL SCULPTING ONLY.
JENNA VO
This isn’t an actor – it’s our co-worker, Will. He stepped in to help demonstrate the full-body scan.
Brian Wilcox
3D Prototyper / (BRIAN WILCOX)
BASICALLY WHAT YOU HAVE IS THE FOUR CAMERAS ARE REGISTERING WHERE THE LASER FALLS ON THE BODY AS THE CAMERAS MOVE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. BASICALLY WE CAN TAKE THE DIGITAL MODEL AND SEND IT TO FILM, VIDEO GAMES, WE CAN MAKE AN ACTION FIGURE OUT OF HIM. WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT.
JENNA VO
Just a few years ago toymakers relied on the keen eye of sculptors and painters to make figures recognizable. BUT Don’t worry. These guys still have a job. Sculptors add details that make the figures worth collecting. And painters bring the faces to life.
(JAVIER SOTO)
IT’S MY JOB TO GO AHEAD AND TRY AND IMPROVISE AND MAKE IT LOOK BETTER THAN WHAT WE’VE ALREADY STARTED WITH.
(JOSEPH JUNG)
THEY ROUGHLY TAKE MAYBE A WEEK AND A HALF TWO WEEKS YOU KNOW TO GET SOME OF THESE DONE YOU KNOW DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH DETAIL YOU’RE INVOVLED WITH.
JENNA VO
Joe started sculpting as a kid because he couldn’t afford to buy his own action figures. Now he has a ton of toys and a great job.
JENNA VO
The creators at Gentle Giant say - if YOU want to get into this business, start training now.
(BRIAN SUNDERLIN)
IF YOU HAVE THE AMBITION TO DO THIS, GO TO SCHOOL FOR COMPUTERS, LEARN COMPUTER GRAPHICAL PROGRAMS. AND IF YOU’RE INTO SCULPTING, START SCULPTING. GO TO ART SCHOOL, GET YOUR EDUCATION IN THAT AND GIVE US A CALL.
JENNA O/C
Gentle Giant also does digital scanning for movie effects. In fact – the company scanned Tobey McGuire to create a digital stuntman for the movie Spiderman. Gentle Giant says its next step is making movies of its own. Not bad for a company that started in its owner’s garage ten years ago.
Mwanzaa -

CYBERGUY

MWANZAA O/C
Thanks, Jenna. For more on technology, let’s check in on our CyberGuy – Brian.
BRIAN OC
When people change service provides, they usually get new phones and just throw their old ones away. The problem is that’s wasteful and bad for the environment too.
Here’s a cool new way to help save the planet, and raise money at the same time. A company called Cells For Cash – dot – com will buy old phones which they repair and re-sell.
So not only can you raise money for your favorite cause by organizing old cell phone donations – you can even help save the planet.
I’m Brian the Cyber Guy for Teen Kids News.
CODY O/C
Just ahead – we’ll take a look at why one new sport might be too dangerous to play.

COMMERCIAL #2

FRANKENFISH

HALEY O/C
There’s a monster on the loose - they call it the “Frankenfish.”
Its real name is Northern Snakehead and its natural home is China. A few months ago we reported that a Snakehead was found in the Eastern United States.
Now the scary creature has made its way to Lake Michigan in the Midwest. It’s feared the voracious fish is upsetting the ecosystem wherever it goes.

PARKOUR

MWANZAA O/C
You may have seen this where you live. Teens doing Matrix type moves, running up walls and jumping over obstacles. Cody’s here to tell us what it’s all about.
CODY O/C
Mwanzaa, they call it Parkour. Some say it’s a sport. Others say it’s crazy. Any way you look at it - it’s definitely dangerous.
CODY VO
Meet Mark, Matt, Ben and Lawrence. They look a little old to be hanging out at the playground. But they’re not here to swing or slide. They jump OVER the swings, and OFF of the jungle gym. And you may think picnic tables are for sitting – well think again. Today they’re part of Parkour.
(MARK)
PARKOUR IS A SPORT - IT’S AN EXTREME SPORT. IT’S A DISCIPLINE - IT’S AN ART FORM THAT STARTED ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO IN THE SUBURBS OF PARIS.
CODY VO
And it’s getting more popular in the United States. It’s outdoor obstacle coursing combined with gymnastics moves.
(MARK)
THE IDEA IS TO USE ARCHITECTURE AS OBSTACLES TO INTERACT WITH THE ARCHITECTURE IN WAYS THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON’T.
I DON’T LOOK AT A WALL AND SEE AN OBSTACLE; I LOOK AT A WALL AND SEE SOMETHING THAT I CAN INTERACT WITH.
CODY VO
There’s no doubt. This sport is dangerous. But players insist it’s not crazy. Or…not THAT crazy.
(BEN)
YOU KIND OF HAVE TO BE CRAZY TO DO JUST ABOUT ANY SPORT SO I DON’T SEE THIS AS ANY DIFFERENT FROM ANY TYPE OF SPORT OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
CODY VO
Yeah, but most sports are done with some supervision. In Parkour, you’re flirting with a trip to the hospital with every move you make.
(LAWRENCE)
I BROKE MY FOOT DOING IT LAST NOVEMBER WHEN THE GRASS WAS REALLY WET. SO YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOU’RE SURROUNDING WHEN YOU’RE DOING THINGS LIKE THAT.
CODY VO
Even the daredevils who do it say helmets and pads are a good idea. And along with not breaking bones, not breaking rules of the playground or park is a good start, too.
(MARK)
YOU REALLY HAVE TO START WITH A GOOD UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME OF THESE MOVES ARE DANGEROUS. YOU DON’T JUST GO AND JUMP OFF SOMETHING.
(MATT)
I STAY WITHIN MY LIMITS, THAT’S THE KEY THING, JUST STAYING, KNOWING YOUR LIMITS AND STAYING WITHIN THEM.
CODY O/C
Don’t think you can just go out and try this. Some of these guys studied gymnastics. And it took them years to learn those moves you just saw.
And if I haven’t made it clear enough… Parkour CAN BE DANGEROUS. I’m Cody Gifford with sports.
/ NATALIE O/C
COMING UP, A WAY TO REMEMBER HOW GREAT YOU ARE!
COMMERCIAL #3

MAKE THE GRADE: RESUME