Superstar Teagan Stedman's Shredfest 2013 report
April 17, 2013As soon as I walked in the doors at The House of Blues on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood, loading in the first of the two Marshall JVM halfstack guitar amps, I knew today was going to be a great day and immediately felt a surge of excitement. Today the organization that I founded, Shred Kids' Cancer would hold its main event – its 5th annual Shredfest to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. As I heaved the guitar amps in place, grabbed my guitar, tuned and plugged in to start the sound check I could not believe my eyes. Plugged into the other amp on the stage was Grammy Award winning multi-platinum rock and roll hall of famer Slash. From there, the day just kept getting better and better. We had a stage meeting with the nine kid bands who were battling to help fight pediatric cancer, followed by checking on the silent auction set up upstairs and making sure the VIP area for kid cancer patients was all ready to go. After that I met the judges: Zakk Wylde, Shavo Odadjian, DJ Lethal and Frank Zummo in the green room and asked them to follow me to the red carpet and get in to see the show. Finally it was 11:55. Showtime. The National Anthem beautifully sung by my band mate Annie Reznik got every ones attention. I gave a short speech and introduced the talented Leo Howard, star of Disney XD's show “Kickin It” as our emcee.
You know how in a story the intensity and excitement reaches a certain point it has a certain build up but then slopes downwards? That never happened. It just kept getting better. At some points during Shredfest I wish I was like Mr. Potatohead, so I could just put one eye in the audience to see the whole show and do my work backstage and around the venue at the same time. The show ran smoothly, exactly on schedule. The energy was in the air, and was different than a regular concert, as all these people were together for a reason bigger than themselves. Everyone at the event was contributing to the fight against pediatric cancer, not only through just arriving and buying tickets, but many hours were spent before preparing with bands, as well as involving media, the Rock Stars and over 20 sponsors including Guitar Center and Sunset Sessions. Each one of these areas acted like fingers reaching out and spreading awareness and building energy to unite us all together to help the kids that give our organization its purpose...
More > 0 CommentsApp Update!
April 16, 2013Hey there, Team! You all know how great the ALL Interactive Game is, right!? We think it's awesome and happy to have shared it with so many of you across the country. Not to share too much, but we have been working on very cool things that will be able to go along with fun ALL Activity and one of those is app for mobile devices!
We've told you before about how we've been working with some amazing students in the Computer Game Design Program at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Those students have been working hard this year to do the coding, graphics, artwork, design, level development and a ton of other things that go into creating amazing games. They are doing an wonderful job of creating a platform where you can have fun but also learn to say 'Yes' to a healthy lifestyle and 'No' to underage drinking...
More > 0 CommentsCatch Aly on NBC tomorrow and #JointheConvo
April 12, 2013Alcohol Awareness Month is a perfect reminder for parents about the influence they have on their kids decisions to drink or not to drink. 82% of parents think it is extremely important to have early conversations about alcohol as a way to combat peer pressure and delay potential experimentation. Lynn and Rick Raisman understand the importance of this message and have taught all of their kids to make healthy decisions which includes eating right, exercising and saying NO to alcohol. In a recent Satellite Media Tour, Lynn reminded parents “This doesn't have to be a big serious sit down discussion, use everyday events to remind your kids to say NO to alcohol.” Lynn, we couldn't agree more!
Parents, teachers, and caregivers, we urge you to use Alcohol Awareness Month as a reminder of the importance of these conversations. Mere minutes can make a real impact in your community...
More > 0 CommentsAn Update from Superstar Sam Pritt
April 10, 2013Every morning two alarm clocks go off simultaneously from opposite sides of my room. I stumble into the kitchen, sore from yesterday's workout, and crack five eggs into a pan. A few hours later I'm heading to work, where I might spend anywhere from three to ten hours in my chemistry lab. A student intern at the National Cancer Institute, I'm currently researching drugs to treat colon cancer and other diseases. A few weeks ago my work won me the grand prize at the Frederick County Science Fair for the second year in a row, and a weeklong trip to Phoenix, Arizona to compete in the 2013 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
As a homeschooled senior, I have a lot of freedom and flexibility to structure my schedule the way it works best for me. After work I go to soccer practice or the gym, sometimes both in the same day. I spend my evenings hanging out with friends or practicing piano and studying. This is my life: sports, fitness, school, music, friends. A lot of kids spend their Friday nights drinking and partying, but that's not my thing. I've made the choice to stay physically and mentally in shape. I still haven't decided where to go to college—I have Harvard, Princeton and Yale to choose from—but what I do know is that I want to take this life with me to college and beyond.
More > 0 CommentsAdvice from a school counselor: take time to reconnect with your children
April 9, 2013I was recently visiting with a parent of a second grade student who was concerned because her daughter had written some inappropriate things on a paper at school. Her daughter had recently also started eating a lot after school. As we visited I was asking about the typical things that might cause a child to be experiencing an increase of stress. Her mother had no idea about any of these areas because as she stated, “She is very closed off and quiet. She just doesn't talk to me.”
With the increase of commitments pulling parents in different directions, it seems that parents are having a harder time connecting with their children. Key conversations about events at school, with friends, and social pressures may not be occurring. As an elementary school counselor, I emphasize the importance of parents connecting and talking with their children. Beginning these crucial conversations early in life ensures that the relationship will be there when they get older. Crucial conversations would include making positive friendship choices, body image and eating, sexuality, appropriate computer and cell phone usage, the dangers of “the new drug”- pornography, cigarettes, under-age drinking, and drug usage. To the average parent each of these conversations might be daunting but if they start talking to their children at a young age they become the norm...
More > 0 CommentsA Superstar Update: Moriah Wilson
April 8, 2013Hello Ask, Listen, Learn team! I've been having a great time working with Girl Talk and dedicating my time to Lil Hearts of Love.
I'm in the beginning phases of a project which combines my love for jewelry making along with my love for doing something for others. I have decided to make bracelets which are meant to be like Circles of Hope. Each beaded bracelet will have the word "hope", "believe", or a similar uplifting word and will be sent with a message of hope. They will be given to organizations which help rescue young girls from troubling situations. My hope is that the bracelets will be a constant reminder that no mattter what situation they may have previously been in, there is always hope for a better future.
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