Kamala Harris was just announced the 46th Vice President (Elect) of the United States. Harris is already breaking through glass barriers as she is the first female and person of color to be elected as the Vice President. While this is important for all women, it resonates for me especially because now I can look in the mirror and see a future for myself that is not just a mirage–it’s a reality.

SHE’S MORE THAN JUST AN ICON

Harris has touched the hearts of some many young girls of color. Being a young African American woman, I added Kamala to my list of role models, joining actresses like Viola Davis, musicians like Chloe X Halle, activists such as Tamika Mallory and so many more. 

Girls all around the nation are exclaiming, “She looks like me!”

Kamala Harris is a role model for my generation, and her presidential platform (in 2019) and vice presidential platform (2020) speaks to me because after high school, I hope to pursue a career in law. As Kamala has previous experiences with law and being the first black Attorney General in the state of California. I find new similarities in us each and everyday. 

I WON’T BE THE LAST

Kamala has already made her mark. As she sets the stage for the next attorney generals, members of senate, and future vice politicians. Girls all around the world can follow in her footsteps. “What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters,” said Harris.

FUTURE LEADERS

After four years of (mostly) white, male politicians running our country, the future is now looking brighter.

Shirley Chisholm, first African-American woman in Congress, once said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” 

I have a “virtual” seat at the table because Harris will represent color, she will sit for love, she will stand for injustice, she will lead with pride and unity. 

“Be the flame of fate, that torch of truth to guide our young people toward a better future for themselves and for this country.” Harris is the flame, she has inspired and ignited the flame. Now, the future is in the hands of young adults; young girls to create a better world for themselves,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.

A recent Lancer Media survey found that teens still miss the toys and television shows from their childhood.  According American University’s School of Communications research, ratings have dropped on television shows lately because of the increase of on-demand television.  It’s hard to imagine that there are “good old days” just 5-7 years ago.

The top three television shows teenagers miss:

1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air– A well-off family in Bel-Air receives a great gift from their poorer family in Philadelphia. This gift is their cousin Will (Will Smith.) His mother wanted him to gets some good old fashion family and life values. Will quickly adapts to the family, the Banks’, lifestyle while for the Banks it takes some getting used to having another person in the household. Yet, during all of the show Will shows that family love and loyalty can not be bought at a price.

2. Spongebob Squarepants– is a sponge who lives in the ocean with his best friend Patrick Star, a star fish. In the show, they go on adventures and show us their lives in Bikini Bottom. Spongebob is a carefree character who goes jelly-fishing and works for Mr. Krabs, his mean penny-saving boss. Spongebob is also known for his delicious krabby patties that he makes at the Krusty Krab. His optimism keeps him always in high spirits and finding laughable moments. Many teenagers grew up with Spongebob and still enjoy it today.

Freshman Ben Dempter said, ” I grew up with SpongeBob and I enjoy watching it because it’s funny.”

3. Full House– A classic television show that follows a single dad as he raises three young girls with the help of his best friend and brother-in-law in San-Francisco. This show continued for eight seasons as the family grew and challenges were faced. Full House still airs on Nickelodeon in the early morning and at night. Full House stars big stars such as John Stamos, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Candace Cameron.

Catch reruns of these shows on ABC Family and Nickelodeon. Check your local listings for dates and times.

The top three toys teenagers miss:

1. Webkinz- An award winning virtual world for children ages 6 and up. Children buy their own stuffed animals, make their account on the official website, put the code in and instantly have a new family! Webkinz was established in 2005 and  was at its peak in 2007 and 2008 with 8.2 million children owning them worldwide. Don’t be fooled, Webkinz still exists. Go out to a local store or online and start your virtual world today.

Sophomore Jeweliana Hendrickson said,  ” I still remember my first Webkinz. It was Bubbles the Hippo!”

2. Hot Wheels- A brand of all different toy cars. Most popular among boys, Hot Wheels Cars were a toy that almost all kids owned during their childhood. You may recognize Hot Wheels by their catchy slogan, “Hot Wheels, beat that!” If you have a young boy or even girl, go out and get some Hot Wheels. They are sold at all different stores such as Toys “R” Us and online almost anywhere. Hot Wheels toys sales have fluctuated depending on their new arrivals and new trends.  Hot Wheels produces not only cars but tracks, bridges  and even a car design machine.

2.  Beanie Babies- A successful  line of stuffed animals produced since 1993 by Ty Warner, Inc. Parents have rushed out to the stores for Christmas and birthdays to get their children the exact Beanie Babie they want. Even though the most popular Beanie Babies animal is the famous bear, they come in a variety of different animals: dogs, tigers, horses, elephants and lambs to name a few. Beanie Babies are sold at almost every store and can have customized accessories. This is one toy that doesn’t look like it’s going away.

Sophomore Kaylee Henry said,  “My grandmother has around 150 Beanie Babies and they are still sitting around in her attic.”  Collectors may have to wait a long time for the value of Beanie Babies to increase!

Find these toys at local stores near you.

Watch their performance:

You can also download the original .mov file.

Coming off a 93-54 loss against Oakdale, Linganore showed no sign of letting up as this game was a real barn-burner all the way to the finish. In a tightly contested game, head coach Tom Kraft turned to sophomore phenom Thomas Lang; and he came up big in the 73-70 win over Walkersville last Friday.

Lang hit a 3-pointer deep in the right corner as he stated he “tip-toed” the out-of-bounds line to get the shot up. Lang’s shot gave the Lancers a one-point lead with 6 seconds remaining, then stole Walkersville’s inbound pass and was ultimately fouled. Lang then successfully shot two free throws  to give the Lancers their third win of the year.

Starting the fourth quarter, Linganore was down 55-49. Sophomore forward Carter Schmidt changed that with a lay-up of his own off the assist from Lang, and the Lancers took the lead once again, 65-64 with 2:47 remaining.

Walkersville then drove down the court and nailed a three to give them a 67-65 lead. Linganore answered when senior guard Kyle Nicolet hit a three from the left corner, pushing the Lancers ahead once more 68-67 with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter, which featured seven lead changes and two ties.

With 25.1 seconds left, Walkersville knocked down two free throws to give them the lead 70-68, forcing a Lancers time-out. Kyle Nicolet found Lang on the left wing. Lang drove baseline and passed to Tarte, but the it was deflected off Tarte’s shoulder, sending the ball towards the right corner. Lang raced towards the ball, tip-toeing the line to keep the ball in-bounds as he turned around and drained the three to seal the win.

This is not the first time Linganore has seen a last-second game-changing three. In 2012, Jalen Gee hit an “NBA range” three with 3 seconds left, defeating South Hagerstown 54-51 to advance the Lancers to the quarter-finals of the playoffs.

Linganore hopes to carry on a win streak as they travel to Thomas Johnson Tuesday and play host to Middletown on Friday.

Thomas Lang finished with a team high 21 points while Jack Staub added 20 points for the Lancers.

Download the original video: http://lhslance.studentmedianow.org/site/Lancer%20Media%20Videos/ThomasLangsealswinagainstWalkersville.mp4

Members of the Lancer Marching Band played “Taps” at 11:11am in tribute of Veteran’s day to recognize the bravery and selflessness of every man and woman who has risked their own life for the freedom of all Americans.

Veteran’s day is not a celebration of our freedom, but of the price that some have paid for that freedom; every soldier who has seen the horror of war, and every serviceperson who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the rights that each one of us hold important. It is our veterans that inspire Americans today to be a part of the service, and devote their own aspiration to keeping our nation’s well-being.

To all of our veterans, and the families of our veterans who have also made great sacrifices, Linganore High School would like to say, Thank You.

Download the original video file at http://lhslance.studentmedianow.org/site/Lancer%20Media%20Videos/Taps-November-20th-2013.mp4

“Skateboarding is at a phase where kids think it’s really popular. They’re accepting it into the world,” says David D. of Pitcrew, a skate shop in Frederick. “A lot of people have [skater] role models. It’s growing.”

There are no barriers – all that is needed is a skateboard and somewhere to skate. Team rosters aren’t assembled; stressful practices aren’t scheduled at inconvenient times; and there’s no demotivation from losing important games. Skaters expect a laid back practice and the feeling of accomplishing a new skill.

Once sucked in, the ones that stick with it as a passion have various reasons for doing so. Sophomore Justin Mitchell skates “…when or if I just want to relax or get away from everything.” Sophomore Bryce Watson says that it’s his main method of transportation for him. Sara Harding, sophomore, simply thinks longboarding is fun.

There’s more to do than aimlessly coast around the town or skate park: many work at perfecting various tricks, especially the skateboarders (as longboards are more geared toward speed). There are hundreds upon hundreds of tricks that can be done on a skateboard, and each one varies in difficulty and spectacle.

Watson, for instance, says his favorite trick is a “hardflip, for sure.” A hardflip is where the board does a flip and a 180 degree turn, and appears to go through the person’s legs.

After mastering the basics, there are “best trick” contests, contests where whoever does the most impressive and difficult trick is crowned the winner. David of Pitcrew said that competing in contests is slightly more mainstream as opposed to simply doing it for fun, as the skaters “…get more advertising and people get to see them, which is always a good feeling.” The rise of the X-Games, a professional televised competition for skating and other similar sports, and the rise of television exposure probably influenced the popularity in the contests.

Watson, recounting a competition he was in, said “…there was a best trick section and tied for first but lost the tie breaker. But I was still hyped on second and got a free shirt.” He thinks contests can be stressful at points, but if he’s just with his friends, it’s fun.

Most skate around where they live—in Harding’s and Mitchell’s cases, they both skate around Mount Airy. The Mount Airy skate park is popular, as it’s the only skate park in the area. The Pitcrew skate shop, where many skaters get their gear, is a popular skater hang-out, a place to “talk shop.” Pitcrew is celebrating their 20^th anniversary, a testimony to skating’s growing popularity, on Market Street in downtown Frederick.

Skating is hardly a mysterious subculture. The people who do it love it, and it’s not a bad way to have fun. If you’re thinking of doing it, “Just go for it,” Watson says. “All you have to do to be able to skate is put it in your head. If you can visualize a trick, you can do it. And don’t be afraid to get hurt: it happens. Basically, just do it how you want to and don’t let anyone tell you how to skate.”

Kobi Azoulay and Brennan Nolan contributed to this article.

Download the original video: http://lhslance.studentmedianow.org/site/Lancer%20Media%20Videos/Shredding-%20The%20story%20behind%20local%20skateboarding%20and%20longboarding.mp4