sports and recreation

Jhanae wants to be the skinniest girl on the track team, but the results of her extreme diet are more dramatic—and embarrassing—than she expects. (full text)

Slimming Down and Manning Up

Luis attempts to diet, but his mom's dismissive attitude and delicious cooking make it difficult. Eventually, he finds the support he needs to get healthy. (full text)

Sisterhood of the Karate Champs

At her karate school, Suzy learns more than self-defense. Her experiences there convince her that women need to stand up for themselves and each other. (full text)

The Art of Shotokan

Despite his physical disability, Otis sticks with and excels in Shotokan, a karate-like martial art.
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Wrestling With My Anger

Shateek is distraught when his beloved grandmother dies and he's put into foster care. He joins the wrestling team and channels his anger into success.
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Three Cheers for Cheerleaders

Tichelle and her fellow high school cheerleaders aren't taken seriously and she thinks it's because they're girls. She feels they should get more respect: not only do they pump up the crowd, but cheerleading demands skill, discipline, and lots of practice. (full text)

I Got Served

When Christina gets dropped as a starter on her school's handball team, she decides to give up the sport. Although she sometimes regrets walking away from the team, she also feels she took the best course of action and has moved on to pursue other interests.

Score One for Team Spirit

The students at Phillippe’s international high school tend to stick with people of their own nationality. But soccer brings them together.

She Got Game

Playing handball helps Cynthia release her anger and have fun.

How Can Exercise Relieve Stress?

Nakese explains how your body releases feel-good chemicals when you work out.

Overboard With Exercise

Shavone takes up strenuous physical exercise to lose weight and be accepted by her peers.

Becoming a Woman Warrior

Clariza feels women would be treated with greater respect if they were perceived to be as physically strong as men. Her goal is to become a bodybuilder, not to win titles or trophies, but so she doesn't have to feel inferior to men or depend on them when she's in trouble.

What I Learned from Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente, the first Puerto Rican in the Baseball Hall of Fame, is a role model for Luis.

He Kicks...She Shoots...She Scores!

Robyn wants to play soccer but the only team convenient to her is a boys' team. She joins up, improves greatly as a player, but still feels out of place and wishes there were more opportunities for girls of all athletic abilities to play together.

Bike Messengering: Biking for Dollars

Damien, a bike messenger in New York, compares riding well on its maniacal streets to what artists call "flow" or athletes call the "zone"—a mystical process demanding the discipline and determination to make split second decisions that hold one's life in the balance.

Dancing Up a Storm

Charlene is only 6 when she wins a dance competition, and from that point on she studies and performs everything from hip-hop to ballet. Charlene encourages young people to discover their creative talents and use them to the fullest.

From Sore Loser to MVP

A wheelchair won’t stop Michelle from playing basketball—or beating the boys.

My Sporting Life

In an accompanying article, Priscilla describes how playing sports helps her develop skills and deal with emotional dilemmas.

Operation Paintball: Splattering the Enemy

Julio describes the thrill he gets from playing war games with paintball ammunition on weekend outings. It's like hunting, only better, because you're being hunted at the same time.

Running For My Life

Maurelhena loves running high school track, yet hates feeling like a dumb jock. Her relay team breaks a New York State record, but she fails to score high enough on the SAT for college scholarship eligibility. She later raises her scores and wins a scholarship.

I Leave My Anger At the Rink