Recently in Teen pulse Category

Some Central York School District residents want the school board to vote on whether the district should honor its valedictorian and salutatorian (Read more). Right now, it is among a handful of districts in York and Adams counties that don't formally recognize students who have the top grade-point averages in their graduating class.

Some say the top students should be singled out. Others say that makes for unnecessary competition.

Members of our Teen Takeover staff weighed in on the issue:

Today, many teens and adults do not focus solely on the road while driving. Multitasking has become a major problem while behind the wheel and has become a source of accidents. Case in point: Texting while driving.

In fact, seven states (Alaska, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington) have now made it illegal to text while driving.

So, do local students think texting while driving should be illegal?

"No, just because it is illegal doesn't mean people, especially teens, will stop texting. I think it would be difficult to be caught, so it's a waste of time for this law to be made."
-- Aaron Hare, 17, Susquehannock High School

"I think texting should be illegal while driving in Pennsylvania. The driver will be more aware when he or she isn't texting. Texting shouldn't be a priority at that time. Both hands should be on the wheel while driving."
-- Erin Whitlock, 16, York Catholic High School

"I think it should be illegal. A text message can wait. If it's that important, the person who sent it will come and find you."
-- Kirstin Hughes, 14, Northeastern High School

-- KATELYN SWADE, Susquehannok High School

What do you usually do during your summer vacation from school?

With rising gas and food prices have you heard of teens at your school who are saving money by shopping at secondhand stores and thrift shops?

If you like finding clothing bargains or making your own outfits, join the conversation here.

International Women's Day was first celebrated in Europe on March 8, 1911. In many European nations, as well as in the United States, women's rights were a political hot topic, according to History.com. Many people might not know that there is a Women's History month. It's existence can be a controversial topic because it is held in honor of one gender.

Should Women's History Month be recognized?

Halloween is a time of fun to be had by all - or is it? Adolescents and grown-ups alike have long speculated over the issue of teens and trick-or-treating. Adults argue that rowdy, pumpkin-smashing, candy-stealing teens make trick-or-treating unsafe and unenjoyable for younger children, while adolescents insist on the contrary. Here, three teens weigh in on the issue.

Stereotyping occurs within 30 seconds of meeting a person, said psychotherapist Robi Ludwig, who hosts the show "Without Prejudice" on GSN. People are often stereotyped because of their religion, sexual orientation and race. Do you think stereotyping is more common among teens or adults?

For a few years now, environmental issues have seemed to take the forefront in many people's minds. However, there is speculation about what the public is doing to lessen the myriad of environmental problems (littering, ozone depletion, global warming and pollution, to name a few) that are ruining the world. It seems as if there is much talk for change, but nobody actually wants to step up in order to correct the problems.

With increased attention being given to the concept of global warming, what is your opinion on the issue? Are you worried?

In recent years, standardized testing has become a major issue of debate for both the government and local communities. With the No Child Left Behind Act, schools are held responsible for the performance of all of their students on standardized tests. As the government is rating schools based on the test scores of their students, I asked some York County teens, what is your opinion of standardized testing?

For all of the high school underclassmen out there, beware. No longer do students have to simply keep grades passing (at the very least) to step out the double doors of their high schools with a diploma in hand, but many must also complete numerous competency tests as well as a graduation project. Most schools in the area, at least those in York County, require their students to complete a graduation project. To some, the grad project is the final culmination of what was learned in high school. To others, the project is a hindrance, showing no test of any skills that haven't already been tested. Is the project a help or an obstruction?

What do you think of American celebrities' highly publicized acts of charity toward developing countries?

By JUSTIN SHAPIRO, Central York High School

How well do you think cultural diversity is presented and accepted during this, Black History Month?

Brendan Greene, 15, sophomore at Central York High School wrote:
I believe cultural diversity is not well represented during Black History Month because people believe that diversity doesn’t matter and the schools don’t really promote and discuss the Civil Rights Movement.

Alesia Knott, 14, freshman at Central York High School wrote:
I don’t think Black History Month is expressed well. I think people need to be more aware of the cultures in society more than one month a year. If it’s going to be encouraged one time a year, I feel it needs to be elaborated much more.

Will Beal, 18, senior at Central York High School wrote:
The national media does a good job of presenting Black History Month, but locally is a different story. There could easily be drastic improvements within the community and schools.