I'm not sure if he was referring to the thundering running, the dinging bell, or the victorious cheers. No matter which, I wonder if he would have believed me had I told him that members of the Teen Takeover staff were learning grammar during this latest monthly staff meeting.

Grammar and fun in the same room? The same sentence?

Yep.

AngelaMarie Flynn, Laura Detter, Corinne Elliott, Sean Ramirez and Amber Routson prepare to run from one end of the YDR conference room to the other to grab the next question in Sunday's Grammar Smackdown.

Smackmaster Amy Gulli (white top) watches as the teens grab their papers and take off.

When the official business of the staff meeting concluded, they dispersed in discovery of all that a night at a York ball game has to offer. Of course, we asked them to write about their experiences. 



So when I feel truly proud to be an American, it's news.

A few months ago, I took part in an international music festival called "Vivace!" at the Pennsylvania Academy of Music in Lancaster.

The first evening I was there, the American Wind Symphony Orchestra (AWSO), emphasis on American, was playing in the academy's concert hall.

As I listened to AWSO perform its repertoire, I realized the orchestra depicted America beautifully and accurately.

There were wacky characters (the 81-year-old director wore a loud paisley sports jacket), international flavors (the young professional musicians hailed from all over the world - Venezuela, England and Japan, among others) and a backdrop of remarkable music that set up an amazing concert.

The professional acoustics of the academy's concert hall didn't hurt either. When a Japanese piece called for an Odaiko drum - a monstrous drum that symbolizes Japanese warlords - it pounded, echoing in my chest. When a flute's solo reached its lofty high notes, I felt it tingling in my toes.

Hearing AWSO made me want to capture every moment on a movie reel so I could replay it in my mind whenever I wanted. When the orchestra played a medley of tunes from "The Sound of Music," the experience was so breathtaking it was almost sad, knowing I would never be able to hear anything quite as beautiful again.

But how did that make me proud to be an American? I guess I realized that being capable of being that happy when listening to a representation of a country, even if it was just for an hour or two, was a feat worth appreciating.

A guest instructor at the festival later told me that certain types of music are like water or wind in color and mood.

In retrospect, I believe he was right. When AWSO mixed the fluid elements of sparkling, rushing water and whispering, meandering wind, the result was magic.

Her brain filled with static.

No one cares

She doesn't matter anymore.

In a grey world

She dreams

And she screams

But no one cares.

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina, Wake Forest University is a
stunning campus with classic red brick buildings and an exquisite landscape.

Throughout the 2 p.m. hour, regular guy Steven Smith (the host) introduces the latest videos on the music scene, as well as classics and up-and-comers. He keeps you up on the news and interviews a variety of bands.

Primarily intended as a forum for language exchange, this Facebook-esque networking tool allows users to meet others based upon their native language and the languages they are attempting to learn or practice.

Oh, can't forget sports...and NHS...and my job at Abercrombie. I like being involved, I really do. But it's a drag sometimes. I'm amazed that I still have time to hang with friends or go out at night. But, just one more year and I'll be finished with high school...then it's onto the big league where the rest of my life awaits. I'm ready for it, please come quick!!!

In a time when new forms of communication arise as quickly as the latest trend becomes obsolete -- multitasking phones, online forums, video broadcasts -- personal interaction sounds more oxymoronic by the year.

Also in this system of information super-highway, a problem of any sort can be immediately classified and "dealt with," "taken care of," or "put on hold." Once the complication is identified, people can, as the standard states, "move on."

With the endless lines of communication available, it's strange that problems are rarely said to be "fixed."

Instead of confronting and accepting problems, some people distract themselves with another task rather than facing the adversary; any challenge, whether it occurs in a business or social setting, can be forgotten or ignored by way of an alternative coping method.

Take, for example, a simple iPod malfunction. Why fix it? It could take more time and money -- two of the most common motivations -- to fix than it would take to buy a new type of MP3 player or export the iPod's music collection to another database.

Problem solved, but not fixed.

In an argument between friends, the typical solution includes forgetting and forgiving whatever disagreement preceded the quarrel. Forgetting might be the easiest and fastest way to reach an accord (problem helped), but in some cases, forgetting prolongs the anger or hurt, but does not diminish it. Being able to accept the discrepancy while still being aware of it signifies complete reconciliation (problem fixed). Both concepts allow the friends to leave the fight in the past, but only one supports a clear conscience.

Of course there are situations where, in terms of economics, the risk is more than the gain.

If the iPod were thoroughly destroyed, finding a replacement would be better than moping over a lost cause, and if the friends' argument concerned something shallow, shrugging it off and laughing about it later would be preferable to a drawn-out debate and discussion.

However, sometimes people get lost in a plethora of easy-outs. A serious conversation can be a bunch of text messages, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's can "fix" any lingering discomfort. A frustration at the office can be "fixed" by a mind-occupying, busy schedule and acting like everything's OK.

There might be plenty of ways to avoid fully addressing an unpleasant situation, but that doesn't mean those alternatives are always ideal. If a car has an obvious nick, chances are a responsible owner won't just slap some paint over it and keep driving.

Unless the solution includes a trip to Staples, fixing a challenge doesn't always come with an easy button.

How to keep new school year resolutions for success:

1. Stay organized. Jot down all assignments and important dates in a day-to-day planner.

2. Study with a buddy. Find a dependable classmate in every class for missed notes or help with assignments.

3. Use your resources. Take extra time to use all available resources, such as teachers, peers, tutors and librarians.

4. Don't procrastinate. Waiting until the last minute only adds more stress.

5. Remember to relax. Take deep breaths when under pressure. Always keep in mind that high school is supposed to be the best time of your life.