Got a tin grin? Then smile wide – we’re planning a story on braces and retainers. And we want you metalheads (that’s a compliment, really – we think braces are da bomb) to mouth off: Tell us the funniest, grossest, most embarrassing, memorable (or forgettable) or wonderful thing that ever happened to you and your braces. (Like, getting locked in a kiss with a fellow brace-head isn’t necessarily a bad thing, huh? And you wouldn’t believe the cool stuff we used to find while digging through the cafeteria trash cans for our retainers!) Send us your stories and we’ll have a reporter get back to you for the gruesome/awesome details. If it’s OK with you, we might even come take your picture. (If you want to stay anonymous, we could take a picture of your mouth only) So fill in the coupon and mail to the address below. (P.S. We know misery loves company, so the KidNews staff will include our braces tales in the story.)
Here’s my mouth-watering braces story:
First name:
Age:
Phone number (include area code):
Mail to: KidNews Braces Blab/ 5th Floor, Chicago Tribune/ 435 N. Michigan Ave./ Chicago, IL 60611.
Or e-mail us at kidnews@aol.com.
UNIVERSAL HERO
When I saw the article in In Your Face (Jan. 13 Tough News) about how they wanted to name a high school after Martin Luther King Jr. and some of the parents didn’t like the idea, I just had to respond. I mean, we have a lot of schools named after famous people who were white, but does that mean mostly white kids attend the school?? If the person did something that great for this country, he definitely deserves to have a school named after him, no matter what his race.
Kate J., 15, Chicago
Celebrate difference
There seems to be a big debate going on in Backtalk over what is more important: huge, national and international issues or individual interests (i.e., the length of a musician’s hair). I don’t think that anyone has the right to tell another person what is important. We are all individuals with different ideas.
What I think that the youth group today can generally agree on is the level of exclusion and hostility in today’s school cliques. Everywhere I go, I see people being mocked because of their interests or lifestyles.
Adults can tell us that the clique situation is just part of growing up. But I believe it is evident that today’s youth are more cruel to one another.
I am not saying this letter will change anything; I am only expressing my hopes for a better tomorrow.
Lisa L., 13, River Forest
Gun controversy
I would like to respond to Mike H. (Jan. 13 Backtalk). Although you are right that people kill people, guns certainly do help. You’re also right that criminals may get guns illegally. However, I don’t believe that owning a gun is a right that everyone has. Yes, the Constitution says we have a right to bear arms. But that is a weak argument. Guns today are quite a bit different from the guns that were around when the Constitution was written. So is everyday life. They didn’t have drive-by shootings or even think of killing people for their sneakers. People were meant to have weapons so Congress could not disarm a state militia, not for people to hold up a 7-Eleven.
I don’t think that saying hunters are being oppressed by gun control laws is a very good argument either. Hunting for sport isn’t exactly a right.
Liz
In response to Marc (Jan. 6 Backtalk), guns are not toys. Even if you ban guns or stop them altogether, not only will thousands of people lose their jobs, but people could make them themselves.
Yes, people die from guns. So do kids. People who want to get guns should have to pass a test and get a license.
As for kids with guns, it’s the parents’ responsibility. The gun should never be loaded when it’s in a place where a child might get to it. The gun should be in a locked area when it’s loaded.
Guns aren’t made to harm people. Guns do other things, not just hurt people. The police, military, homeowners and single women use guns to protect themselves. Only foolish people do foolish things like intentionally kill someone with a gun.
Rachael B., 13, Sandwich
Stick to music
I have had it up to here. First, a bad pop group like Hanson decides to do a movie. And the Spice Girls (make a) movie which is critically panned. I think that musicians may be stepping over the line into something they aren’t familiar with.
Matt M., 14
PS: In response to Kacy R. (Jan. 13 Backtalk): Jamie Kennedy actually was in “As Good As It Gets.” He was one of the (male prostitutes) who schemed to rob Greg Kinnear’s character.
Skeet Ulrich does have a bigger role, but maybe next time you should either, a.) look more closely or, b.) read the credits. Get glasses, girl!
Editor’s note: To clear this up once and for all, yes, Jamie Kennedy did appear in “As Good As It Gets.” But hey, some of us forgot about his dinky role too.
Sinking feeling
I read your story on “Titanic” (Jan. 6 Features). I think it was a fantastic movie, but it is very scary when the ship goes down. And it was sad. I think younger children should not see this film. It’s too scary. But it’s good for older kids.
Maureen O., 10, Evanston
All-Star material?
I’m not a big fan of Dennis Rodman, but he’s good enough to be on the All-Star Team. No one will vote for him because of his reputation. They should think about his skills. Lately, he has been playing great and using tons of effort. All people know is when he’s bad. They never notice when he’s good.
Meg D., 12, Palos Heights
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Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, 5th Floor, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611. We won’t use your last name, but you must include your full name, age and phone number (we may call to make sure you wrote it). You can also send us letters by e-mail (screen name KidNews@aol. com).
