TEEN TALK

by Evan Baumel

Passing the Torch

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Evan Baumel and I will be your teen talk columnist beginning with the September issue of Around Wellington Magazine.  You may recognize my last name.  My sister, Rachel Baumel, wrote the Teen Talk column for Around Wellington Magazine two years ago. Let me give you an update on Rachel: she is currently finishing her second year at Simmons College in Boston and is an Arts Administration major.  Like Rachel, I enjoy writing.  My style of writing is very different from my sister.  I prefer to write about politics, history and issues that teens are experiencing in this day and age.  I will attempt to approach these serious subjects in a way that is informative, readable and in some ways entertaining.  I enjoy reading satirical literature and the comics as much as the Op-Ed column of the New York Times.  I also glance at The Economist magazine to keep up with the business world and our current economic state. The fact that Around Wellington Magazine is now online is excellent!  Most teens are plugged into their computers, iphones and ipods almost every waking hour that we’re not in school.  As a result, Around Wellington Magazine online will be much more accessible to people our age, so be sure to bookmark it as one of your “favorites.” 

    I am an active student at Wellington High School and in August 2009 will be a senior.  My activities will include the Debate Team, National Honor Society, Key Club, the Wellington Community High School Wave Newspaper and other clubs.

    An issue that is very important to me is student political awareness.  Whether you attend Wellington High or Palm Beach Central, most of our teen readers are within four years of having the privilege to vote.  I will try to keep you informed of how current legislation will affect teens on a local, state and national level.  I will try not to discuss controversial issues or communicate any political bias.  It does not matter to me what party affiliation you or your family is involved in.  What matters most is that you are aware that decisions about YOUR future are being made every single day.

     Of course, I will be covering teen culture and events that will interest our high school readers.  Over the summer, I encourage you to participate in activities, events, and festivals. Take a vacation, get a summer job and have a good time.  Don’t waste your summer by sitting on the couch watching TV for ten weeks. Economic times are tough, so if you can’t get a summer job try to volunteer in some capacity and earn some community service hours. Last year I was a volunteer Counselor In Training at a local camp and it was enjoyable. Overall, the message I’m trying to convey is: “Do something, anything of value to make your summer count.” I look forward to joining the Around Wellington team of writers in September.

 

Evan Baumel will be a senior at Wellington High School.  He’s involved in Debate, National Honor Society, and Key Club.