Vaccine Equality
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past year, you probably have heard about Covid-19 and more recently, the Covid-19...
Welcome to ATL Teen Life, a blog by Atlanta youth for Atlanta youth.
Your voice matters. Vote.
Listening and learning from one another.
Staying positive.
2022! What a year so far!
What is important now? Let your voice be heard. Vote!
Despite deep divisions, let's keep listening and learning from each other. Let's keep respectful dialogue going, and get vaccinated or boostered!
We will be continuing to feature local Atlantans who will share how they are staying positive during this time and what advice they would give to teens in Atlanta.
We got this Atlanta!
Nancy Beane
Wife, mother, and educator for 46 years including 28 years as a Westminster college counselor.
Past President of Southern Association for College Counseling.
Past President of National Association for College Admissions Counseling.
"I am a total Wildcat at heart and “bleed” green and white! I cherished each day with my students, believing totally that every single one had tremendous potential and trying to help them on their ways to achieving it."
Greg Goodwin
Founder and CEO, Mentoring Viable Prospects
"MVP is a summer baseball tournament whose mission is to provide opportunities and exposure for young athletes pursuing a college education. Its objective is to positively mentor each player in the areas of character development, social and emotional growth, academic achievement, and physical well- being. "
Dr. Scott Boden MD
Professor and Chairman
Emory University Orthopedics
Father of five
What are you doing during this pandemic to stay positive, and what has helped you the most?
No alternative for a “half full” person but to stay positive.
Also, have been making a list of the good/amazing things that have resulted from COVID crisis, rather than focusing on the losses and bad things.
How are you using any extra time? If you were a teen, what would you do.
Have had no extra time. Working seven days a week last 4 weeks.
If I was a teen, I’d practice my sport at home (golf, baseball, tennis swing, shoot baskets etc). I’d learn a foreign language or how to program computer apps and start making apps.
3.If you could go back in time, what advice would you say to your high school self?
Have more self confidence and don’t worry about what others will say or think.
JENN HOBBY
Mother of two and Atlanta native
The host of Star 94.1's "Jenn & Friends" morning-drive radio show.
Jenn is a well-known Atlanta personality featured on radio and television for more than 18 years.
1. What are you doing during this pandemic to stay positive, and what has helped you the most?
Counting my blessings! I think about what I am grateful for daily - my husband, my daughters, our dog, our good health and the health of my parents, in-laws, friends and neighbors. I am grateful for the beautiful Spring weather in Atlanta too. Our daily walks and bike rides have been a saving grace. I am also endlessly grateful for our healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and all essential workers who are keeping us afloat. And finally, I am grateful for teachers and all educators supporting our kids. This is such a strange time, especially for children who love going to their classroom everyday. The teachers and administrators are working over time to reach out to every student.
2. How are you using any extra time? If you were a teen, what would you do.
Since I am still working and have two small children, there's not a ton of extra time right now. We have a cycle in our house right now: cook, clean, chase kids, play referee to their fights and REPEAT. Haha! If I have found any extra minutes, I have been cleaning closets and doing at-home yoga workouts. If I were a teenager, I would build a tree house, decorate it just as I dreamed and climb inside to read classic novels. (Invisible Man, Beloved, The Bell Jar or The Color Purple to name a few favorites!)
3.If you could go back in time, what advice would you say to your high school self?
I would spend more time following my curiosities in art, literature and nature. I would tell my young self to stop wasting time in relationships that feel so significant at the time, but are not worth the emotion they require. (And Mom and Dad actually are really smart!)
Coach Katie Trainor
Assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach of Varsity Girls Lacrosse
at The Westminster Schools
1. What are you doing to stay positive during this time?
There are a few things I do every day to keep me in a positive mindset. The first is exercise, moving every day has been important for my self-care. The second is acknowledging 4 things for which I'm grateful every day, I write these in a journal before I go to sleep and it allows me to reflect upon how blessed I am. Lastly, I have been reaching out to my family and friends as we are all at home. We are so fortunate to have technology that allows us to call, text, facetime, and zoom our loved ones while we all practice social distancing and are unable to physically be with each other.
2. How are you using this time?
Now that I have afternoons free since sports were canceled, I have challenged myself to be outside for the two hours I would have normally been out at lacrosse practice. Some days I tend to my yard and gardens, other days I go for a run or walk, and some days I sit outside and read a book or listen to a podcast, but I use that time to honor our lacrosse team and the two hours daily that we lost when school went virtual.
3. If you were a teen, what would advice would you give to yourself?
If I were a teen, I would use free time to be active. With virtual learning and working, we are all sitting in front of our computers a lot, so if I wasn't studying or in class, I would find ways to be active. Practice your sport, learn a new sport, or work on your fitness. Read a book for fun, play a board game, paint, cook a new recipe. Help out your siblings or parents. Ultimately do something that allows you to disconnect from technology and do something for yourself or your family.
3. The advice I would give to my teen self would be "run your own race". I read this quote as an adult and it truly resonated with me. I think so much time as a teen is spent worrying about grades/test scores/college applications, and comparing one's successes/failures to peers' successes/failures that one loses sight of the wonderful journey he/she is on. I would want my teen self to focus on my own race: celebrate my successes, learn from my failures, and as cliche as it sounds, know it will all work out in the end. Don't focus so much on the final destination that you are unable to enjoy the journey along the way.
ALEX GRACEY
STANFORD SOPHOMORE AND PUNTER
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL GRADUATE
ATLANTA NATIVE
It's pretty clear we're in a rough time and history is going to remember it as such. I find it encouraging when I look around and I see people doing their part to "flatten the curve", as they say. The virus is especially frightening because of its incubation period and it is encouraging seeing people like my family and yours staying home to prevent further spread of the disease. I actually had a friend my age who got it and is fine now. The recovery rate is high in reference to the global reaction, which is one of the only upsides.
Unemployment levels right now are high and businesses, small ones especially, are experiencing extreme turmoil. This may not make much sense to you, but the economy is set up for a strong performance once the disease passes. Sadly, I don't think we are going to reach the level we experienced prior to COVID-19 for quite some time, but it seems extremely likely in an extended timeframe. Unfortunately, people are going to continue to be unemployed during that time. Lots of people are getting laid off and businesses are failing. What is promising in this instance is seeing what companies like Apple are doing with their donations and contributions to combat the spread. Once this passes companies will be re-hiring.
In terms of staying active - I'd recommend going on a run/walk outside each day. If you enjoy lifting weights (I know I didn't at 14) I'd recommend doing pushups, sit-ups, and other bodyweight exercises. You should be able to find some easy ones on YouTube or Google. Without PE and after-school sports it can be hard to fit things into your schedule but staying active is important. I try to get outside at least once/day to walk the dog, go on a jog, or just enjoy the good weather at a safe distance from everyone.
I'm currently using this time to catch up with high school friends that I haven't talked to in a while, get ahead in some of my classes, and read. I know it sounds a bit cliché, but I would tell myself to read more books - a wide variety of them. You become a fast reader, but more importantly you learn a lot about the world and the things around you, which is ultimately one of the most important things. I hardly read in middle school and high school and it's one of my biggest regrets. Next to last thing, work hard - the hardest workers are by far the most rewarded individuals in life. Lastly, be nice to everyone, especially your parents.
I found this sweet message in my mailbox today. What a great idea -- pass it on!
Focus on what you can do, not what you can't:
1.Random acts of kindness: pick someone in your life and to try to make their day better
2. Organize a car parade for a friend's birthday
3. Organize a food drive for your local food kitchen.
4. Donate to hospitals or organizations fighting against COVID-19:
Contribute to a student-driven fundraiser for the CDC Foundation
Help CHOA patients smile by sending silly videos
5. Take a virtual walk: call a friend and go for a "walk" together, although in your respective neighborhoods.
6. Check in on a neighbor or family member and help them out if needed.
7. If you can, consider donating to local organizations in need.
8. Support your local businesses!
9. Make homemade masks.
CNN article: A guide to helping and getting help during the coronavirus crisis
By Mayra Cuevas, Christ Davson, Jennifer Grubb, and AJ Wilingham at CNN
Check them out.
For the first time ever, DoubleTree by Hilton, is sharing their famous signature cookie recipe!
Makes 26 cookies
½ pound butter, softened (2 sticks)
¾ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ¼ cups flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch cinnamon
2 2/3 cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts
Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice, blending with mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl. With mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Don’t overmix. Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart. Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and center is still soft. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for about 1 hour.Cook’s note: You can freeze the unbaked cookies, and there’s no need to thaw. Preheat oven to 300°F and place frozen cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and center is still soft.
Executive Director of@NYOsports1951
Founder of@TheSkillFactory
married to@KiraMarieBurr
& “dad” to Maddox, Marlow & Maclan
1. What are you doing during this time to stay positive?
I am focusing on quality time with my family. My wife and I have 3 kids (ages 6, 3 and 10 months) and we have really enjoyed getting some extra time with them. Life is normally so busy that this “break” has allowed us to really focus on our kids and spend some one on one time with each of them.
We are also staying in contact with all of our extended family via FaceTime or Zoom. We setup daily/weekly web calls with our family members to check on them, ask how they are doing and just share stories (outside of COVID-19).
We have also done a lot around the house. Projects that have been pushed out for months/years. Our house is finally clean! lol
2. How are you using this extra time? (working out, spending time with family, catching up with friends, picking up knitting, getting off the couch, etc)
Well, I mentioned the family calls and projects around the house in answer #1 but we have been outside a lot. We go on at least one family walk per day (we have a new puppy and he needs it), we just built a new play set (swing, slide, monkey bars, etc) in the backyard so we spend a good amount of time back there with music playing, kids playing and relaxing. My son (6 years old) is doing online learning for kindergarten and my wife and I have really enjoyed helping him with his work. We seem to have plenty to do to keep us busy right now.
3. Finally, if you were fourteen right now, what would you do during this time? What advice would you tell yourself?
1. Create a schedule and follow it to create some consistency.
2. Stay active. Runs, walks, workouts, etc.
3. Stay social separate from social media. Call friends, FaceTime friends… have direct conversations with people.
4. Talk to your parents. About anything. But, if you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, ask your parents. Setup a daily fun family activity with your parents/family. Take advantage of this time together.
5. Use free resources. There are a ton of really cool things popping up during this time that have made the “break” easier. Technology and software made free, resources on COVID-19, erc. Take advantage of those and make them a part of your day.
6. Lastly, plan & prepare. Think about your goals. All the things you want to do with your life and use this time to write/brainstorm about those goals.
Write 3 things that you are thankful for today.
If this time in your life will be a story you tell 10 years from now, what story would you want to tell?
As we continue to adjusting to shelter-in-place orders, great food can be a source of joy in these sometimes isolating times. We speak from experience-- a meal from these restaurants will definitely serve as the perfect mid-week pick-me-up! Plus, we get to support local restaurants and take a day off from homemade meals. Make sure to tip big if you can. Let us know your favorite pandemic takeout spot!
Willys
Chipotle
Mirko
Peros
Mellow Mushroom
Dominos
Whitehall Tavern (wings)
Bar Taco
Taco Mac
Otters
Jinya Ramen
Taqueria del Sol
Goldbergs
Figo Pasta
Chick-Fil-A
OK Cafe
Fellini's Pizza
Cafe at Pharr
Orient Express
Taco Villa
Saigon Cafe
Yakitori Jinbae
Minato
"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."
Aristotle
We believe it takes a village to make an impact. Atlanta is a great city and has a great community. With the election, movements for racial justice, and COVID-19 shaping much of 2020, we aim to connect youth with advice from respected community leaders, encourage positivity, and form a virtual community despite political or physical divides.
Email us if you would like to be a guest blogger or if you have a suggestion.
James and Julia Rhee
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA