IN THIS ISSUE

Homeschooling Teen Profile: Jonathan Woodbury

College-Bound: Regent University

Stepping Stones: by Michaela

The World Around Us: by Adrianna

The Razor's Edge: by Madeleine

Catherine's Column: by Catherine

Laughter, Tears, and Our Teen Years: by McKennaugh

The Sports Report: by Caela

Libbi's Nonfiction Book Review: Not a Fan - Teen Edition

Bookshelf of a (Maybe) Teen Author: Taken Away

Anime Review: by Xbolt

Game Review: Garry'sMod

Horse Breed Heaven: by Kayla

Homeschooling High School: Answers for Teens

Career-of-the-Month: Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Optician, and Orthoptist

E-Mail Etiquette: Tip-of-the-Month

And much more!!!

College Bound  

Now is the time for high school juniors - especially if they dream of attending a highly selective college - to start thinking about taking the SAT and/or ACT. Besides good transcripts and letters of recommendation, entrance exams are an important part of the admission process. While some colleges have waived these tests as a requirement, many colleges and universities still rely heavily on SAT and ACT scores to help in admissions decisions. A typical applicant to a competitive college might boast section scores in the upper 20s for the ACT and above 600 for the SAT.   

 

Sylvan SAT/ACT� Prep can help you prepare.  

Find a participating Sylvan below 

or visit www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com

to find a center near you.  

  

Laughter, Tears, and Our Teen Years, by McKennaugh

PLEASE READ THIS AND HELP ME. TWO CHILDREN'S LIVES DEPEND ON ME AND I CAN'T SAVE THEM ALONE.

Dear Friends,

My column is called Laughter, Tears, and Our Teen Years. Well, this month it's on tears. Yuri and Viktor's tears. Some of you may have read Teri Olsen's article that spoke of my site www.ukrainianorphans.com and the children that I was trying to advocate for. One of them, Levina, had received a family awhile before the article went into Homeschooling Teen. Today, her family will be meeting her for the first time. They will hold her and kiss her and love her like she has never been loved. They will try to give her back all the life that she was denied in the Ukrainian orphanage. Levina has so many special needs you can't pronounce them. She is as stiff as a board. She can't even bend at the waist from lying in a crib for over 7 years. She is 15 pounds from starvation. She will never walk or speak or play. Her gorgeous eyes will never see. Despite all this, a family chose to bring her home. She is one of the very few Ukrainian special needs children who will be rescued from a life-and death-in a crib.

I came home from Ukraine with the goal to find families for three, though, not one.

The other two are boys, Viktor and Yuri. In the next 2 months, both of them will turn six. Last year, I held these little guys and made them laugh in a world where there's nothing to laugh at.

Due to Teri's article in March, a family decided they would try to adopt Yuri. However, they are missionaries, and thus have very low income. Because of this, they were not allowed to proceed with his adoption. (Ukraine has no income requirements, but the US does.)

Yuri, with his sparkling brown eyes and beautiful smile, is still living behind bars. And soon he will be sent to a mental institution. Almost all children with ANY special need in Ukraine (even if it is not a mental disability) are sent to these institutions at age four to seven, depending on the orphanage. At Yuri and Viktor's orphanage, the children are lucky; they usually get to stay until age 6 or 7. Yuri was due to be transferred already, however. He has microcephally and other special needs. Because the family was coming, the orphanage tried to put a hold on the transfer. But now they can't come. What will happen to Yuri? Will he go to a mental institution? If so, there is a chance that he will soon die, due to the terrible conditions there.

Viktor will also be transferred before long. He has microcephally, spastic tetraparesis, and partial atrophy of the optic nerves. We were also told at the orphanage that he had Down Syndrome. I believe his ankles are deformed and he cannot walk. Perhaps in the US he could get an operation that will allow him to run across the room. He desperately needs the love that a mommy and daddy can give him. He needs someone who can be patient and willing to help him with all the problems he has. Someone who has lots of time to teach him how to cuddle and walk and enjoy life.

 I'd be thrilled if I got just 10 people to tell Yuri and Viktor's story.

Will you be the first one to share? Call a friend! Post on your website, blog or Facebook! Send out an email to all the contacts in your email account and ask them to pass it along, as well!

If you decide to help get the word out, can you please let me know that you are telling their story? Email me at [email protected].

You can go to my site, www.ukrainianorphans.com to find out more about these two children. Remember, there ARE people out there that would be willing to adopt them... it's just up to us to reach those people. Levina's family didn't fall into my lap. It took months of advocating, hours and hours and hours of computer time, exhausting failures, and never giving up, to finally have someone read her story and say, "Yes. I can do this. I can take her home." Somewhere, someone would be willing to give these little guys life-but on my own, I can't find the family that will say, "Yes." I need you. Please help me. --McKennaugh  

Download a flyer to print out and distribute at church or in your homeschool group: http://www.homeschoolingteen.com/images/AugustArticleForHomeschoolingTeen.pdf 

McKennaugh Kelley ([email protected]) is fifteen years old. She lives in Troy, Pennsylvania with a handful of crazy, creative, but mostly wonderful little brothers.

AUGUST IS...

Family Fun Month  

National Catfish Month

National Golf Month

National Eye Exam Month

National Inventors Month

National Back-to-School Month

National Water Quality Month

National Peach Month

10-12 Perseid Meteor Shower  

13 International Lefthanders Day

Click here for more August holidays:

Tell us about your favorite homeschool-friendly college, and we will feature it in an upcoming issue! [email protected]    

The Razor's Edge,by Madeleine Richey

Forbidden Pictures: The Effect of Pornography on Our Lives

Everyone has heard of pornography. Everyone knows what it is. But how many know what it does to us?

Pornography has become a problem in our country. Not only for those of us who consider ourselves to be part of the many faiths that frown upon such sexual exploitation, but even for those who do not. Some forms of pornography are illegal. I repeat; illegal. The laws of our country forbid it. Not only that; it destroys us.

Pornography is defined as sexually explicit material designed to cause sexual arousal. The court has also ruled though, that the making of pornography is not prostitution, but a different offense as a whole. The porn industry in the US alone is estimated to be worth anywhere between $2-$13 billion every year. Unfortunately, pornography is often regulated by "soft core" or "hard core," and as such the courts are often faced with the decision of what is lawful and what is not, depending on the material in question. Not all forms of pornography are illegal, but child porn is an offense punishable by heavy fines and jail time.

Child pornography; being defined as sexually explicit material featuring minors (under the age of 18), is an offense that not only destroys the innocence of childhood for our children, but brings us down to the lowest level. Have we sunk so low that we are using children for our pleasure? Child porn caters to pedophiles, an offense for which other criminals have no tolerance. Criminals have their own form of justice; child abusers often end up dead even in jail, so hated and despised are they by thieves and murderers.

As a whole pornography is vulgar and disgusting, depicting human beings, who are entitled to human dignity, as sex objects for our pleasure. It makes them less than human; and it makes us less than what we deserve to be.

Every faith teaches that humans are entitled to be treated with respect and as a person in their own right, not a toy twisted and turned in a camera lens and photoshopped to appeal to the base desires of others.

The arguments against pornography consist mostly of immorality and legality; what is not commonly argued is the effect it has on our daily lives. The term sexual addiction is rarely used. It is far less commonly heard that crack addiction or weed-fiend, but it is an actual addiction that affects far more people than most of us realize.

A sex addiction is often used to define hypersexuality, where thoughts, feelings, or actions pertaining to sexuality occur more frequently than is considered normal and are often out of the person's control. Many experts classify a sexual addiction as the same as an addiction to nicotine or crack cocaine, while others are still unsure as to whether a sexual addiction does really exist or if it is just a form of hypersexuality or poor self-control. Oftentimes it is associated with bipolar, obsessive compulsive, or narcissistic personality disorder, as some of the symptoms of sexual addiction are the same as with some of these and other disorders.

The disturbing effects of pornography and sex addiction can destroy us. Not only is pornography wrong, it is dangerous. Soft porn leads to hard porn and to a pornography addiction that consumes lives, often blinding those addicted to the people around them. If found in possession of child porn, you can spend years in jail and pay hefty fines. But even beyond the fines and jail time, is its effect on us and the people in our lives. Losing a loved one to a sex addiction is even more shameful than losing them to an addiction to crack cocaine or heroin; it irreparably damages our relationships with the people we love and who love us through hurt, shame, and loss of trust.

Some people say that as adults, entitled to free choice by the laws of our country, we should have the right to view pornography, even child porn, if we see fit. Though the possession of pornography, excepting child porn, is legal in our country, that doesn't make it right; we should remember that those involved in the making of porn are someone's sister, daughter, brother, or son. What if it was someone you loved?

Madeleine, 16, says: "We need to be aware of the problems from which our world suffers; if we're not, we'll never do anything to fix them."

Game Review, by DuneJumper

If you like physics, creativity, and building things, you will like this game!

Garry's Mod (aka Gmod) is a first-person sandbox physics game that's more like a whole playground, there's so much stuff you can do. Gmod was originally created by Garry Newman, an amateur C++ coder living in Britain, as a free mod for Valve's Half-Life 2 game. Gmod became so popular that it was officially released as a full-fledged Steam game on November 29, 2006. (Steam is kind of like iTunes, for PC games.) Half of Gmod's $10 selling price goes to Valve; the other half to Garry and his team. Newman has made over one million dollars from his mod!

Even though it's a stand-alone game, Gmod requires the user to have a Steam account and own at least one game based on the Source engine (such as Half-Life 2, Day of Defeat, Counter-Strike, Portal, Left 4 Dead, or Team Fortress 2). Most of the weapons and props used to build things in Gmod are from Half-Life 2. Many of the household items such as furniture, plants, etc. are from Counter-Strike Source. You can use Gmod with something other than Half-Life 2 (as long as it's a Source game), and you will have all the basic items. But Counter-Strike is recommended if you want to build houses and furnish the rooms. Props can also be selected from any other installed Source game or from a community-created collection.

Unlike most games, Gmod doesn't have any particular objective. There is no "right" way to play and pretty much anything goes. Players create their own fun and entertain themselves through their ability to do whatever they wish in the game world. Players are free to design, build, and experiment by manipulating "props" - various objects that can be placed in-game. Multiple players can work together to build large structures like rollercoasters, fortifications, or even Rube Goldberg devices. You can expect the unexpected when you join a multi-player server, but there are servers for every interest including parkour and role-playing.

Gmod takes advantage of the Source engine's modified version of the Havok Physics Engine, which allows players to build virtual contraptions that follow real laws of physics. You spawn objects and create your own inventions limited only by your imagination. You can make realistic objects like cannons and catapults, or come up with a completely new creation like a bathtub car or a rocket chair. Some players have performed virtual physics-based experiments, like tying together bundles of explosives to see how high they can blast objects into the sky.

Gmod features two "guns" for manipulating objects - a Physics Gun and a Tool Gun. The Physics Gun allows objects to be picked up, adjusted, and frozen in place. The Tool Gun is a multi-purpose tool for performing various tasks. You can use it to weld objects together, install wheels and thrusters, attach ropes and pulleys, make ball-and-socket joints, add balloons, change colors and textures, paint on decals, and make push-buttons that turn things on and off.

Another unique Gmod concept is ragdoll posing. So if you're not too great at construction, you can always play with dolls! You can place the ragdoll characters in silly positions and even adjust their facial expressions. This is a popular method for making Gmod videos. I've had a lot of fun making animations by posing ragdoll models in Gmod, recording the screenshots using Fraps, editing the footage in Sony Vegas, and then posting my videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/dunejumpertwc  

Gmod has a huge community of followers and a multitude of fan-made props, models, skins, maps, and other add-ons. You can find ships, cars, tanks, fireworks, monsters, and just about anything else you can think of! Download some or upload your own at Garrysmod.org. Gmod is a REALLY fun game, and the possibilities are ENDLESS. Watch a gameplay demo: http://youtu.be/7zWO98ognNc  .  

Learn more about  famous homeschoolers at www.FamousHomeschoolers.net

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Exciting News!

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Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/HomeschoolingTeen

Please join us and let's keep in touch!

Stepping Stones:  

A Monthly Devotional, by Michaela Popielski

Hello guys! Sorry I didn't write last month. I was on a mission trip and in all the craziness forgot to finish my article. But I am finishing it this month. The subject this month is I think going to be about bitterness. Bitterness is horrible and kind of goes along with condemnation and mercy. So don't be surprised if some verses about those subjects pop up too. Well, bitterness is obviously what it means: a feeling of ill will or grudges or wounds that fester and end up destroying us for years if we let it. I've struggled with bitterness and still am at times but I think about how Jesus died on the cross and how he didn't hold any grudges or bitterness against us even though we should have suffered the same fate. Really, pretty cool, right? This brings me to, Mercy. 

Mercy is something that I think human beings as a whole struggle with. If someone ticks us off to a severe degree are we likely to forgive them instantly? Probably not. But God calls us to be merciful so we have to at some point. Or we don't and risk losing everything. Is it easy? Nope. Mercy also has to do with putting pride down. Anyway, back to subject. I know this is short but it is all I can think of. God is a merciful God and that's wonderful. Not having mercy or forgiveness can lead to bitterness. And bitterness is very difficult to get rid of because it literally becomes a part of you and can make you totally different. And it can be a single incident. Like a fight or a tragedy that can totally change you for either good or bad. I've had to learn to give my bitterness to God and to not hold onto it. It is hard but worthwhile. Though as I have said, it is a struggle. Well, I guess I'll start the verses. Also since school is starting soon if it hasn't already started the verse load will be lighter. Adieu, Michaela

Aug.1:  2 Sam. 24:14. Ps. 86

Aug.2:  Ps. 91

Aug.3:  Ps.145. Nehemiah 9:17

Aug.4:  Isa. 20

Aug.5:  Esther 2

Aug.6:  Ps.37

Aug.7:  Josh.11:19-21.  Deu. 13:16-18

Aug.8:  1Chron. 21:12-14. 1 Kings 8:49-51

Aug.9:  Heb.1:1-15

Aug.10: Heb.1: 16-26

Aug.11: Heb1:27-39

Aug.12: Esther 3

Aug.13: Ps.1.

Aug.14: Ps.127

Aug.15: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Aug.16: Habakkuk 1:12-17

Aug.17: Matt. 6:14-16. Luke 16:36-38

Aug.18: Habakkuk 2:1-10

Aug.19: Habakkuk 2:11-20

Aug.20: Isa.21

Aug.21: Esther 4

Aug.22: Jonah 4

Aug.23: Rom. 3:9-19

Aug.24: Rom.5:1-9

Aug.25: Isa. 22

Aug.26: Habakkuk 3:1-10

Aug.27: Habakkuk 3:11-19

Aug.28: Ps.62

Aug.29: Esther 5

Aug.30: Ps.78:1-16

Aug.31: Isa. 23

Catherine's Column

By: Catherine Amaris Munoz

Hi there, all home-schooling teens! My name is Catherine Munoz. I am a "former" homeschooler from Monrovia, California, USA. I am a graduated homeschooling teen. This is my twelfth column for the "Homeschooling Teen e-zine," and I am looking forward to sharing more with you all in the future.

"A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might." ~Proverbs 24:5

How interesting it is to realize what the loss of a pet can do to ones sense of self... A pet can become so much like part of a family. In late June, my kitty passed away, and he took a piece of my heart along with him-- wherever it is that his sweet, little kitty soul went to. I was at Disneyland celebrating my graduation with my boyfriend when I heard the news that my kitty (who had been unwell for a while) passed away. At the moment when my mom called me and said that he may not make it through the evening, my boyfriend and I both had the same thought: "Dear God, please don't let this precious kitty suffer." We prayed and prayed about it. No more than 15 minutes after the initial phone call, as we were leaving Disneyland and making our way back home to possibly prepare to say our goodbyes, I received another phone call... My kitty hadn't made it. He was in "kitty heaven," and although it pained me to understand that I would never have him back, I was comforted by the idea that God had heard our prayers. My mom said he went "to sleep" as peacefully as anything: even to his last breath he was in the loving arms of his owners who adored him, and even after his last breath he will be adored by us. I'm sure the feeling of loss after the passing of a pet is not uncommon. Chances are, if you are reading this right now, you can relate in one way or another. It was difficult to deal with, but as each day passes, I am able to recall more and more memories of my baby kitty; I was so blessed to have had his companionship for over 16 years. In my opinion he lived a purposeful life, and I am sure that in God's opinion, he is being just as pleasant a pet up there in heaven with Him... Watch over our pets dear Saint Martin de Porres and Saint Francis of Assisi! Amen.

MUSIC CORNER

This month's featured Christian music artist is: Mainstay

The Christian rock group Mainstay is comprised of lead vocalist Justin Anderson, guitarist Scott Campbell, bassist Dan Ostebo, and (last, but not least) drummer Ryan DeYounge. Their music is compared to the familiar artists: Kutless, Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse and Sanctus Real. They began in 2001 but have been on hiatus since 2008. Hopefully Mainstay will start up again, but until then you can visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/mainstay for more info!

August Recipe ~ Easy Blueberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Servings: Makes 8-10 sandwiches

What you'll need:

1 pint (about 3 cups) blueberries

3/4 cup sugar

Pinch salt

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1 cup whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

16 to 20 graham crackers

Directions:

(1.) In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine berries, sugar, and salt; cook, stirring often, until sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Add lemon juice.

(2.) Puree cooked berries in batches, filling blender no more than halfway each time. Strain into a bowl; refrigerate until chilled.

(3.) Stir milk and cream into berry mixture. Pour into ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to freezer until firm enough to hold its shape, about 30 minutes.

(4.) To assemble, spread about 3/4 cup ice cream on one graham cracker; top with another cracker. Press lightly, and freeze again until firm.

August Movie Review ~ Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted: 3-D (2012)

In my opinion, Madagascar 3 was the best of all three Madagascar movies, so far! Thought there was some innuendo which was unnecessary-- I mean come on, we're dealing with animals here!-- but besides that, I'm sure kids of all ages will enjoy seeing the original "Furry Fab Four"-- Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman-- on the big screen as they venture to Europe. As usual, they find themselves away from their New York zoo home. Consequently, they encounter new animals as well as familiar buddies (i.e., King Julien and those unorganized penguins who somehow remind me of the green aliens from Disney's Toy Story movies... What I find similar is their simpleminded way of going about things). Oh, and those pesky monkeys always wreak havoc too. Well, needless to say, a chimp in a costume turns an okay situation into a wild goose (or should I say "zoo animal"?) chase. In between these cuckoo situations, some European circus animals are found, and so the troop gains influence from the Madagascar crew. It was adorable to witness our Alex fall in love with the feline from the circus. By the time the Furry Fab Four reach their hometown, they aren't as enthusiastic to return to the containment of the zoo. I enjoyed Madagascar 3 because it was pieced-together quite cleverly (and hilariously, I might add)! Any child would find it a silly, colorful 3-D delight; any adult would find the inside-jokes, wit, and the imagery to be entertaining as well! It was a treat to see at the movie theater!

The World Around Us,by Adrianna Kuzma

Water Rocks: Guitars Help Rid Developing Nation of Waterborne Diseases

A popular game allows kids to play with a band and score points by playing notes on the screen. Guitar Hero is popular because a person can sing, dance, and perform to be part of their favorite song. Today in Mozambique, there is a man who actually is a guitar hero.

In my last column, I discussed how nanotechnology is an important water-cleaning method, but if the people - especially children - do not have sanitary habits fully established, then access to improved water sources may make little difference. Without an understanding of water safety, even the newest technologies may fail as diarrhea-related illness and death overtake a community. The World Health Organization reports that a leading cause of death for children living in developing countries is a lack of access to clean water, hygiene, and sanitation (World). 

There are various ways of teaching people about safe water habits, but an especially innovative one was developed by a man named Feliciano dos Santos, who incorporates uplifting, inspirational rock music in his lessons on hygiene and sanitation. Four years ago, dos Santos won the prestigious international Goldman Environmental Prize for his grassroots work in one of the poorest regions in Africa. In the rural Niassa region of Mozambique where he lives, dos Santos formed an Afro-pop band and named it after a regional fruit called Massukos. The band's name reflects the history of the country. After a sixteen-year long Civil War ended in 1992, development was possible again, and dos Santos chose the band's name to stress its role of providing spiritual nourishment.

As a toddler, dos Santos caught polio, losing part of his leg due to contaminated water.  He heroically overcame the loss by pouring his energy into his work to solve the polluted-water crisis in his region. He formed the nonprofit organization Estamos to coordinate community-based educational music and theatre productions as well as installing pumps, building wells and composting latrines.

Feliciano dos Santos is pictured here wearing a shirt with the word "estamos" printed on it. Formed in 1996, this nongovernmental organization NGO was founded specifically to address water safety issues in Mozambique. (Feliciano dos Santos. The Goldman Prize Recipient. Mozambique: Sustainable Development, 2008. http://www.goldmanprize.org/2008/africa )

In partnership with Water Aid, dos Santos has carried health messages to rural areas lacking water infrastructure.  Specifically, dos Santos works side by side with the people of Mozambique to build low-cost composting latrines that consist of two brick-lined pits for a household. Located away from wells, the brick or cement lining prevents contamination of ground water.  Preventing odor and flies, ash collected from the cook fire is sprinkled after each use of the latrine. 

There are added benefits not directly related to water safety. The family sprinkles ash and soil down after each use. They wait approximately eight months while the harmful pathogens die off, leaving rich, essentially free, fertilizer behind. Producing beyond subsistence levels, the resulting crops afford the farmers an income to allow for improvements or such things as school supplies (Feliciano). Farmers in the area report that this organic compost produces higher yields, and unlike expensive artificial fertilizers, this compost enriches the soil for better retention of nutrients and water (Nourishing).

Feliciano dos Santos is seen with residents of a local village. Concerts are followed by workshops explaining villagers' options for water and sanitation. (Feliciano dos Santos The Goldman Prize Recipient.  Mozambique: Sustainable Development, 2008. http://www.goldmanprize.org/2008/africa )

Described as the Elton John of Mozambique, dos Santos uses music to promote safe behaviors because people love music, and music is a part of every community.  Music has rhythm, melody, and voice. Dos Santos takes these powerful elements to create his message music. Rhythm is a key element that makes music enjoyable to dance to. Rhythm is the foundation of music in Africa. It is rather simple; therefore, it is important to make sure that when a person is strumming a chord on a guitar that it is regular in the sense of being easy to dance to. In a PBS Frontline video about Massuko, children are seen dancing excitedly to the band's bouncy rhythm (Mozambique). It is also good if the rhythm allows the audience to clap their hands to it. If the music does not have a rhythm, then the mind would not be able to remember it easily. A good rhythm will stick in the minds of the audience. In an interview, dos Santos explained: "in every song we use the rhythm of some traditional music -- for the people it's 'ah this is our song' and it speaks to them, it's in sync with their culture. We weave in melodies from the community to the songs and then introduce a new idea like clean water systems" (Pryor).

Feliciano dos Santos shown performing with his band Massukos.  In combination with his outreach, his music effectively communicates about water safety. (Feliciano dos Santos. The Goldman Prize Recipient.  Mozambique: Sustainable Development, 2008. http://www.goldmanprize.org/2008/africa )

Local melodies give Massuko's songs spice, color and taste. Combined with traditional rhythms, the songs are fresh yet accessible. At times, the music utilizes the distinctive reggae rhythmic accents on the off-beat. Melody and rhythm comes together to help the audience recall the song and sing it so that others can enjoy it, thereby spreading the water safety message throughout the community. In this way, the song's melody is taught to others and the simple life-saving messages about hygiene, sanitation and HIV/AIDS are quickly broadcast to everyone in the Niassa region. Dos Santos points out that the Massukos Song "Washing Hands" uses village melodies and phrases to motivate hygiene. The song can be heard here: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/specials/in-the-field-specials/curiosity-felciano-dos-santos/ (Explorers: Feliciano dos Santos, Musician and Activist. National Geographic Videos. Web. 22 July 2012.)

Let's wash our hands

Let's wash our hands

For the children to stay healthy

For the uncles to stay healthy

For the mothers to stay healthy

We build latrines.

These lyrics provide a life- saving message in a catchy way because of the melody and rhythm. Commenting on how rapidly the song becomes part of the local culture, dos Santos comments: "When we were driving there, all the children began to sing this song. So that idea stays in people's heads and stimulates a process. Whenever a mother hears that song, she remembers that she needs to wash her hands. Music stays in our head. If we observe the feelings that have an impact on people - when they are sad, when somebody dies - they are all portrayed by music" (Interview). The voice is like a human touch. The human voice is the glue that holds everything together in the song. The chorus often becomes an anthem of the Niassa region of Mozambique, conveying a post-Civil War jubilation while conveying the message of the song. The message might be pride in Niassa, how to keep the environment clean, or how to clean hands to keep people healthy. Feliciano dos Santos plays on the guitar, sings about sanitary matters, and follows up by facilitating the building of wells and latrines.

Members of the internationally-acclaimed band, Massukos. (Massukos Band Members. Poo Productions. 2007. Web. 22 July 2012.  http://www.massukos.org  To hear Massukos go to: http://www.myspace.com/massukos/radio )

On the web site for the band, the purpose of their music is defined: "Massukos was conceived as a way to preserve and communicate the rhythms and culture of Niassa, the band's home province in northern Mozambique. They sing in Yao, Nyanga and Makua (Massuko). Although music does not command action, people can absorb its message at a deep level and dos Santos notes this mnemonic character of songs: "Music has a potential to remain recorded in the mind. As long as the music starts, people remember what they forgot [such as washing their hands], so music becomes effective. And it is effective not only because it stays in people's minds, but also because it can be carried wherever they go - [its message] is part of them" (Interview).  Not all popular music is equally memorable, so it is a measure of the band's originality that its traditional Mozambican elements combine with reggae elements in a unique but memorable way.

Of course, Estamos is not the only group doing this work. Church-affiliated groups, such as New Hope International (partnering with 100 Wells) and Catholic Relief Services have also been very involved in community water projects that include a similar range of efforts not just in the area of construction but education as well (One; Catholic). Convincing people to change water behavior around the taboo subject of latrines involves more than providing point of source water purification. Especially since children are often most dramatically affected by water and sanitation issues, presenting the hygiene message in a simple, yet lively and memorable way is very motivating. The point is that this untapped type of teaching could be employed in many developing countries because music is part of culture in every country. Through music, Dos Santos is able to convey a life-saving message that keeping clean means staying safe from waterborne diseases. To the people of Mozambique, he is indeed a guitar hero.

For a complete list of Works Cited, see: http://www.homeschoolingteen.com/2012/08/water-rocks-guitars-help-rid-developing-nation-of-waterborne-diseases

About the Author: Adrianna is a homeschooler from Indiana. She loves to sew and has made Regency ball gowns as well as fleece pet beds. She plays the cello, loves cats, and is passionate about caring for the planet. She recently produced a video on bottled water that won a national award.

You can be a Homeschooling Teen reporter or columnist! Please send information about what you like to write about, the reason you want to take on the challenge of a monthly column, and an example of your work to: [email protected]

Bookshelf of a (Maybe) Teen Author, by Emily Russell

Taken Away,by Patty Friedmann

Summer's little sister went missing in Katrina - and her mother blames Summer.

Summer Elmwood's parents don't believe in television, computers, cell phones, air conditioning, or caller ID. They don't believe in evacuation, either - which is how they ended up living in their local Baptist Hospital when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Summer's little sister, Amalia, was having open-heart surgery a week before the storm... but when Summer's family is forced to evacuate, Amalia is gone. Now they're living with shallow, selfish, rich Aunt Sharon, and Summer's family is convinced she hid or murdered Amalia. With a secret cell phone, her best friend Haydn, and a new friend Robert, it's up to her to find her sister.

Emily Rachelle is a homeschooled sophomore in love with Jesus and the world of words. You can read more book reviews, as well as poetry, opinions, and everyday chatter at her blog, Blog of a (Maybe) Teen Author (http://maybeteenauthor.blogspot.com ).

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Libbi's Nonfiction Book Review

Are you a follower of Jesus? Many would say so. What does a follower really consist of? If held up to the light of the Word, many "followers" would turn out to be fans. Being a follower is much more than just attending church, having a Christian ringtone, or staying pure until marriage. Being a follower means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, not to follow some rules. It means having a DTR talk, and seeing how committed to Jesus you really are.

I liked:

• The premise.  I really loved the book as a whole. It was interesting enough to keep up with a teenager's attention span, but profound enough to make you think. Hard.
• The prologue. I could not believe how insightful it was. Literally. I read it a few times just to grasp the profoundness therein. Free bread? Ouch hallelujah.
• The down to earth writing style. Wow. It is really hard to maintain the balance between profound and approachable. Kyle Idleman did it well.
• The prologue. I know I wrote it twice, but seriously. It was fantastical.

I disliked:

• How much it challenged me. Just kidding. That was my flesh talking, my spirit loved it. :)

Overall:

I would 100% recommend  this book to anyone. Literally. While it is meant for teenagers, I think anyone could benefit from reading once, or twice, or a lot. (There is an adult version, which I hope to read soon.) I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Libbi H.

This book was given to me for free from Zondervan in exchange for my honest review. 

Libbi is a homeschooler who runs the Life is Funner blog at http://lifeisfunner.blogspot.com . She likes peacocks, the color pink, hair accessories, and reading biographies.

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Thank you for taking the time to view Homeschooling Teen Magazine. We hope that you and your homeschooler enjoyed reading with us. That is our goal, after all! It is also our goal to provide homeschooled teens a place of their own, to highlight their accomplishments, talents and thoughts. Here at Homeschooling Teen Magazine, our articles and information are written exclusively by homeschoolers, for homeschoolers. We strive to make this a safe place for your teens to join in and express themselves in accordance with Philippians 4:8. We will never share or sell your information with any third party. Content is a top priority for us and articles will always be age appropriate. Our magazine will only allow sponsorship logos and links that are family friendly. However, the opinions expressed in our magazine are not necessarily those of Homeschooling Teen Magazine and we cannot be held responsible for any information listed or actions from our sponsors. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

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Copyright 2012 - Homeschooling Teen Magazine

August 2012

Welcome... Homeschooling Teen is a free e-zine for homeschooled high schoolers and young adult alumni. Published once a month, much of the content is written by our subscribers, and there are many opportunities for readers to participate - whether it's writing book or movie reviews, sending in original short stories and poems, or submitting other articles of interest. Additionally, in each issue we feature a profile of a Homeschooling Teen and a Homeschool Friendly College. Write to us at [email protected] 

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Homeschooling Teen Profile:

Jonathan Woodbury, first ever homeschooled Flinn Scholar!

More than 550 high school seniors from throughout the state of Arizona applied for the 2012 Flinn Scholarship, but only 22 of Arizona's most talented students were admitted to the 27th annual class of Flinn Scholars. This distinction includes in-state tuition, room and board at any Arizona public university, mentorship by a university faculty member in the Scholar's field of study, opportunities to study abroad, and additional benefits. Each award, provided through a partnership between the Flinn Foundation and the universities, has a total value of more than $100,000. Jonathan "Jonny" Woodbury, 17, is the first homeschooler in the program's history to receive this honor.

Being awarded the prestigious Flinn Scholarship involves an application and interview process even more competitive than that for the most selective colleges and universities. Candidates must complete a thorough application form, and participate in two interviews with a selection committee comprised of distinguished Arizona leaders. Jonny's two older sisters had also applied for Flinn Scholarships and his eldest sister made it to the first round of interviews. "I was really shocked," Jonny admitted, "because both of my sisters are really smart so if they didn't make it to the end, how can I?"

According to Matt Ellsworth, Flinn Scholars Program Director (and a 1993 Flinn Scholar): "Every year we have a number of homeschooled students apply for the Flinn Scholarship. The qualifications they need to attain are equivalent to those required of students at public and private high schools." He further explained, "Our interviewers on our final selection committee were struck by Jonny's thoughtfulness and capacity to discuss articulately a wide variety of topics, from the U.S. space program, to constitutional law, to the philosophy of S�ren Kierkegaard."

The Danish philosopher S�ren Kierkegaard is one of Jonny's role models along with such varied individuals as the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, President Calvin Coolidge, the dancer Fred Astaire, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German Lutheran pastor who spoke out against Adolf Hitler. Jonny's deep and diverse knowledge can be credited in part to his homeschool education, as well as his regular habit of reading the New York Times, the New Yorker, politico.com and other news media.

Besides being a Flinn Scholar, Jonny is a National Merit Finalist - one of the top high-school students nationally - and has long been a member of the Math Counts team. Jonny, who says "I love numbers and patterns," had his sights set on MIT and CalTech for a degree in math and computer science, but he was also considering ASU because "I've always liked the idea of not going far away for school." Jonny is thinking of pursuing a career in data journalism (analyzing data for the purpose of creating a news story).

Jonny is the youngest of three children to be homeschooled by their engineer parents, Pam and Dave. The Woodburys decided to begin homeschooling when their oldest daughter was four years old. Because of her fall birthday, she would have had to wait to start kindergarten until she was nearly six, but she was already reading. Pam, an electrical engineer who retired to stay home with her children, never regretted their decision to homeschool. "There are just so many options, so much opportunity, so much fun to be had," Pam declared. "In homeschool, you have flexibility. Jonny was always able to pursue his interest," she added.

The Woodburys took advantage of the many different learning paths that are available to homeschooling families, from co-ops and groups to online courses and community college classes. Although Pam was responsible for providing most of the academic instruction for her son and daughters, she gives much of the credit for Jonny's success to others - his music and percussion teachers, a friend's parent who taught English courses, and the community college professors who helped shape her son's education.

Jonny took a chemistry class at Chandler-Gilbert Community College during his sophomore year of high school. For his junior year he enrolled in Spanish as well as additional math and science classes. Jonny completed his senior year of high school studies entirely at the community college. This fall he will attend the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University to undertake a dual major in math and computer science. "College shouldn't be too different with all the classes now at CGCC," noted Jonny about his transition to the university.

  Jonny is a self-described "Writer, poet, musician, composer, and general art lover, but I get paid to do math." (He's been a math and physics tutor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.) Jonny has many extracurricular interests including music composition, jazz, and right-to-life activism. He is the editor of a pro-life blog run by teens, called Voices for the Voiceless, for which he spends countless hours dedicated to protecting the rights of the unborn. Jonny looks forward to continuing with his community involvement and musical interests while at ASU.

As an accomplished musician and composer with a diverse musical background and eclectic influences, Jonny's primary musical study has emphasized vibraphone and hand percussion, but his musical training includes classical percussion, drumset, and piano. He performs regularly as a member of a local community percussion ensemble and several jazz combos - both in school settings and professionally - and has been featured as a soloist with these groups. Additionally, he has performed as a guest with the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Big Band, and played percussion with the CGCC College Singers at the Arizona Music Educators Association Convention.

Among his musical activities, Jonny has participated in numerous local and national jazz and percussion camps including the Arizona State University Latin Jazz Camp and the University of Central Florida Mallet & Percussion Camp. He was a member of the inaugural AZPAS High School Honor Percussion Ensemble, and was recognized as an outstanding performer at several AZPAS Days of Percussion. Jonny also plays percussion and drumset with his church worship team.

Jonny recently co-published a book titled Outside the Box with Josh Gottry, Adjunct Professor of Music at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Available from C. Alan Publications, it's a collection of percussion compositions including four progressive solos and one duet for cajon. Each piece is intended to develop comfort with a variety of sounds and to assist the performer in creating a vocabulary of idiomatic and creative grooves for the instrument. The duo can be seen performing one of the songs at http://youtu.be/1pyY1gf7tSA .

About Flinn Scholars

Flinn Scholars is among a handful of statewide or regional merit-based undergraduate scholarship programs run by private philanthropies. The Flinn Scholars Program began in 1986 and is supported by the Phoenix-based nonprofit Flinn Foundation. The Flinn Foundation is a privately endowed, philanthropic grantmaking organization established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations.

The Flinn Scholarship is considered to be one of the top merit scholarships in the country, providing for a world-class undergraduate education. In addition to the financial benefits, which include college tuition and funding for study abroad, it provides mentorship from faculty; exposure to community and world leaders; and fellowship in an extraordinary community of current and alumni Flinn Scholars. The Class of 2012 is only the second to have more than 20 students.

In addition to U.S. citizenship and Arizona residency, baseline requirements for this year's Flinn Scholarship applicants included: a minimum 3.5 grade-point average; a ranking in the top 5 percent of their graduating class; a minimum score of 1300 on the SAT test or 29 on the ACT; and demonstrated leadership abilities. As a group, the 2012 Scholars averaged 1470 out of 1600 on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and 32 out of 36 on the American College Test (ACT). Merit, demonstrated by academic and personal achievement, is the only factor in selection. Financial need is not a consideration.

The online application for the Flinn Scholarship includes a form that collects biographical and family data; a personal-information sheet on school and community activities, employment, and current studies; and three essay questions. Two teacher recommendations and a report from a guidance counselor are also required to be submitted electronically. In addition to the online report, guidance counselors must mail a copy of the student's transcripts, including information on course work, class rank, grade-point average, and scores on standardized tests.

For homeschooled applicants, the required counselor recommendation and transcript are typically provided by the parent who took primary responsibility for the student's education. That letter must provide information about the curriculum and homeschooling approach. The other two letters of recommendation must be from persons who taught the student in an academic course at an accredited institution: high school, community college, or university. "It is essential that we receive this independent assessment of the student's academic and social performance in a group context like those he/she will encounter at university," states the Flinn Scholarship website.

Flinn Scholars come from every corner of Arizona, and they choose concentrations in virtually every discipline - athletics, business, creative writing, education, filmmaking, law, medicine, music, politics, science, etc. "These students have impeccable academic records, though that alone is not sufficient to become a Flinn Scholar," concludes Matt Ellsworth. "Equally important is what the student has done outside the classroom-in school clubs, within the community, and through their own pursuits. We're looking for well-rounded individuals who will make a mark on Arizona and the world."

Applications for the 2013 Flinn Scholarship are available starting in mid-August. The application deadline will likely be in mid-October. Learn more about the application process, criteria, and strategies by reading "What it Takes to Earn a Flinn Scholarship" at http://www.flinnscholars.org/what-it-takes .