Triangle teens make the world a better place

Carolina Parent Magazine- May 01, 2009

Written by: Robin Whitselll

Media reports about teenagers often focus on negative news: athletes behaving badly, women actors woefully under-dressing and singers arrested for flaunting weapons or beating up their significant others. But don’t let the bad press for Generation Y fool you.

Today’s teens are connecting with issues and taking action to make a difference. According to an October 2006 online study of 1,800 Millennials (people born roughly between 1979-2001) called the Cone Millennial Cause Study, 61 percent of respondents felt a personal responsibility for making the world a better place. Locally, Triangle teens are having a real impact on their communities, peers and schools.

Providing opportunities for others

Connor Bernstein knows about focusing on the positive. The 14-year-old Carrboro teen divides his time between Hawbridge School in Saxapahaw and home-schooling with his mom, while also running a business. Bernstein, with help from his mother, owns the Web-based company Kits for Kids (www.kitsforkids.com) that sells kid-focused science kits.

Even with these commitments, Bernstein volunteers at the Kramden Institute (www.kramden.org) in Durham. Kramden is a nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers and provides them to economically disadvantaged kids. “It means a lot to me to volunteer,” Berstein says. The kids who come to the Kramden Institute “are already probably working as hard as they can to get good grades. They really want to succeed. It’s not necessary that this hold them back. It’s a big disadvantage not to have a computer. They can use this to help with school productivity and working at home.”

He recognizes that not all kids have had the opportunities that have been available for him. “I was completely passionate and ready to go, but if my mom hadn’t stuck with me I wouldn’t have had a business. If I hadn’t been referred to the business school [UNC-Kenan Flagler] last year, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I’ve had,” Bernstein says.

He believes providing computers for talented kids allows them to have similar opportunities. “I think it’s good for younger kids to realize how fortunate they are and take the opportunity to give back.”

Bernstein counts his parents and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs among his inspirations. He wants other parents to focus on the positive with their kids. “Don’t go into a situation expecting the worst. If you completely expect that [your kid] is going to be bad, your kid isn’t going to want to do what you want because they will get that vibe from you,” he says.

Understanding privilege and poverty

Fellow Kramden volunteer and Athens Drive High School senior Taylor Pardue feels strongly about the influence of privilege in the lives of those around him. The 18-year-old believes that most people don’t understand the meaning of poverty.

“I think for anyone that comes from a suburban background and lives in a middle-class family, it’s important to put a face on poverty. These kids aren’t starving or living on the streets, but they still have less than the people I know. To be well-rounded you need to meet people you aren’t accustomed to,” he says.

Pardue believes poverty is cyclical. “I think if you look at the stats, if you start out poor, you stay poor. If you start rich, you stay rich. There has to be something we can do that allows every kid to have an opportunity.”

In addition to his volunteer work, Pardue is on the varsity basketball squad, captain of the tennis team, a rower on Wake Rowing team and an officer with his school’s National Honor Society. The Raleigh teen also is ranked first in his class with a 5.0 GPA. Despite his impressive resume, Pardue is modest about his accomplishments.

“I’ve never been the quickest, fastest or strongest, but I’ve always had an interest in sports,” he says. “[With] academics, my parents are smart people, and I bet genetics play a role in that, and my upbringing, too.”

Although he hopes his actions speak to those around him, Pardue is not quick to call himself a role model. “I wouldn’t consider myself a vocal role model. Maybe my actions lead others. I feel like I’m a hard worker in school, and I hope to compete as hard as I can in sports.”

Pardue advises parents to stay focused on the relationship they have with their kids. “I would say you first have to be the parent and relate in that way. Even though, obviously, as teenagers we want more independence. You are the ultimate authority in that relationship. There are a lot of good kids out there, and the media portrays the American teenager today as partying and doing that sort of stuff all the time. The majority of kids are still good people and have positive things to bring to society.”