(Describer) In computer animation, different news scenes in rectangles move fast around a turning globe.

♪

(Describer) In front of a blue background with a triangle and circle, title: Teen Kids News. A girl sits at a desk with monitors behind her.

Welcome to Teen Kids News. I'm Livia. Let's start with our top story for this week.

(Describer) The Teen Kids News logo is on curved screens that form a turning cylinder. Passing around it, title: Top Story.

♪

Whether college is still several years away or just around the corner, we can all use help with deciding where to apply. Eden gets some expert advice.

(Describer) A few students walk through a campus.

(Eden) If you're planning on going to college, there's a--and here's a great SAT word to remember-- plethora of factors to consider. The most important thing is that it's specific for the major I want. The size of the campus, how much money, and if I get a scholarship. The location of the school, how big or small it is, kind of like, the atmosphere, what the campus life is like, and if they have the major I'm interested in. Things like whether it's good for my major. It's very important to have teachers who are able to teach you, connections the school's able to give you, the way they help you apply for jobs. There are a plethora of factors to consider. Unfortunately, too many of us

(Describer) Eden:

base our decisions on the wrong ones. To help us avoid making those mistakes, we're joined by Melissa Cohen. She's an author and expert on education. Welcome. Hi. It's a pleasure to be here.

(Describer) ...on a screen next to Eden.

Choosing a college seems pretty scary for most of us. It's one of the biggest decisions you'll make, but doesn't have to be the hardest. You have a list of the top five mistakes teens make. You say it's not smart to pick a school simply because someone we know went there.

(Describer) Legacy school.

Parents, relatives, and friends encourage us to go to schools they went to 'cause they had a great time. Because they had a wonderful experience doesn't mean you will. What's a good fit for one isn't necessarily good for another. Doesn't being a legacy help you to get in? Being a legacy is just a factor. It does not guarantee admission. What's the next thing to avoid basing your school decisions on? The social life. Just because a school has great parties, beaches, or skiing does not mean it's the place for you. You're there to learn, not for vacation. Make sure the school offers the academics you're interested in so you can be successful. On to number three. Sports. Just like with social life, because a school has a great sports team doesn't make it a deciding factor. Having good sports brings more to the college experience. Unless you're on that team, it's just a bonus. That your school made it to the Final Four is not the best reason to apply. What's the next mistake to avoid? Impressing family or friends is not a great reason to choose a school. They'll be more impressed with how you thrive. If you fail, they won't be impressed. Right, impress them with your accomplishments. To your number one reason to steer clear of when deciding where to apply for college.

(Describer) Chasing Rankings.

The harder a school is to get into doesn't mean it's the best education for you. College rankings are based on a variety of different factors. Each one is compiled differently. Make sure the school offers the academics you are interested in. It doesn't matter what the sweatshirt says. If you're not happy, you won't be successful. You need to be engaged on all levels to thrive at college. Great advice. Thank you. Thank you. Good luck. As with any important decision, do your research. Of course, talk to those whose opinions you value. Your parents and the school guidance counselor are a good start. You might want to also check out this website. It's called... It's filled with reviews of the faculty as well as reviews of the schools themselves, all written by the students. Just make sure, as you weigh your options, you keep focused on the important priorities. That doesn't mean college can't be fun, just not too much fun.

(Describer) Alexandra:

It's been said that if you snooze, you lose. Well, that may or may not be true when it comes to hitting the snooze button on your clock. According to the Harvard Medical School, there are pros and cons.

First, the con. [alarm buzzes]

After hitting the snooze button, the remaining sleep you'll get is probably not as restful as the extra uninterrupted sleep you would have gotten had you set your alarm for the later time. Got that? Now the pro. Snoozing for a few minutes after the alarm goes off can help you wake up gradually rather than being jerked awake. Depending on how you'd like to wake up, you need to choose whether to snooze or not to snooze.

(Describer) Title: Pet Power.

Helping patients to heal with the power of pets. I'll have the story.

(Describer) Livia:

For many of us, pets are an important part of the family. We'll meet a girl who owes her life to a furry friend. Scott tells us about the organization that makes this possible.

(Describer) In a hospital...

Would you like to say hi to Clarabelle?

(Scott) Meet the health care providers no money can buy. They give and give some more. Along with their owners, these are called Pet Partners, part of an organization that trains humans and their pets to visit the sick, the elderly, and disabled. The animals have an innate sense

(Describer) Nancy Brenner:

of knowing when someone needs comfort.

(Scott) A girl named Jordan needed more than comfort when she was five. My leg was really hurting one night, and then I had to go in the ambulance to the hospital.

(Scott) A rare bone disease was causing unbearable pain.

(Describer) Jordan’s mom Shannon:

My daughter wouldn't let me touch her. She wouldn't let her father touch her, paramedics touch her.

(Scott) Even after surgery, Jordan was miserable. With a device drilled into her bone, she refused to get out of bed or even eat. My daughter was dying. She was dying.

(Describer) A woman walks a dog.

(Scott) And then came a miracle, the Pet Partner team of Janelle and Jenna.

(Describer) Sitting in her bed, Jordan laughs.

[chuckles] And when we saw Jenna,

me and Mommy, we were like... "Why is there a dog in the hospital?" And when Jenna came in my room, um, she just did tricks for me. Then she came up on the bed and cuddled on this horse.

(Describer) ...a stuffed one.

(Scott) The bond was immediate. So was the effect on Jordan. She agreed to a bargain-- if she would eat, she could take Jenna for a walk. And so I ate some of my lunch, and I got out of bed, and I walked the dog.

(Describer) In a video, Jordan uses a walker as she walks Jenna.

(Scott) Jordan was hooked up to her medicine, but the little girl and the loving dog took a walk all around the hallway, a journey back to life.

(Describer) Shannon:

My daughter was on the brink of death. That dog helped bring her back. Jenna!

(Describer) Jordan runs outside to her.

(Scott) That was two years ago. Here's a happy reunion. Say hi. Hi, Jenna.

(Describer) She kneels and pets Jenna. An older woman holds a rabbit.

(Scott) Stories like this one are happening all the time, all around the country. Pet Partners teams inspire smiles at all kinds of health care facilities-- at group homes for people with learning challenges, at Veterans hospitals, even at schools and libraries.

(Describer) With a pig...

"To sleep, perchance to dream."

(Scott) Sherman the pig helps kids learn to read. Pet Partners has helped me build more confidence in my reading out loud.

(Scott) Kids can be on the other side of the leash. Teens with pets who pass the training become volunteers.

(Describer) Scott:

Health care professionals recognize how effective Pet Partners can be. The experts see a measureable difference in their patients.

(Describer) Sister Sean William O’Brien:

Having animals around and visiting lowers their blood pressure.

(Describer) Connie van Billiard:

It also decreases perceptions of pain because it helps people to relax. That's really, really important.

(Scott) It all goes to show you love is good medicine.

For Teen Kids News, I'm Scott.

(Describer) Libby:

Just how popular is Twitter? In a single day, the number of words tweeted would fill a book. Not just an ordinary book, but a book with ten million pages. Let me give you an idea of how big a book that would be. Say you could read a page every 30 seconds. It would take more than two years to finish it. Go impress your followers. Tweet that.

(Describer) Title: Injury Action.

Injuries happen. When they do, we'll show you what you should do.

(Describer) A girl’s ankle is covered and raised. Livia:

We all should know what to do in a medical emergency. That's why we're bringing you tips on first aid from the American Red Cross.

(Describer) In an animation, a finger swipes an icon of blood, then swipes an icon of fire, and swipes a heart with a jagged line across it. It presses one that says “First Aid Tips – American Red Cross”, then one of an ankle wrapped in bandages. Title: Sprains. Alexa:

♪

Sprains and strains are a pain, but a little first aid can go a long way. Lipica Shah is an instructor for the American Red Cross. What is the difference between a sprain and a strain? A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint. A strain is the stretching or tearing of your muscles and tendons. Just different body parts. What do we do? So let's all get on the ground,

(Describer) They sit with another girl.

because if you hurt your ankle, you'd be on the ground.

(Describer) The girl straightens one leg.

Whether it's a sprain or a strain, we treat it the same way, using the acronym RICE. It stands for Rest, Immobilize, Cold, and Elevate. Rest means stay in the position we found it. If it's at an awkward angle, leave it that way. Straightening it could cause the injury to be worse. Immobilize comes into play if I need to move Cammie somewhere else-- like if it's unsafe where I am-- to make sure her injury isn't going to move from its position while we are moving. I might have to keep it in place. Cold is one of the most important things. Take something cold-- ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables-- to help reduce swelling. I'll put a towel or other material between her skin and the ice, and put the ice over the injury site. Elevation's another way to reduce swelling, but it should only be done if it won't cause more pain. If I can, I'm going to gently lift her foot--

(Describer) Alexa moves it under Cammi’s foot.

you can use anything to elevate the injury-- and gently place it back down. So that's all you would do for a sprain or a strain. R-I-C-E. Rest, Immobilize, Cold, Elevate.

(Describer) Alexa:

RICE is good to know. But, remember, even with relatively minor injuries, it's important to get proper medical attention. For TKN, I'm Alexa.

(Describer) Livia:

Ever take a close look at your state flag? You should, because you might be surprised at how much you can learn from it.

(Describer) Different flags flash by, with various colors and seals. A couple dozen are shown together, then appear in the word “flag”. Title: Flag Facts. It’s on a flag. Ellie:

[military drum solo]

♪

If you ask someone what state they're from, and they hold up their hand, they're from Michigan. Here's Detroit. The state is shaped like a mitten with a hat. Michigan is made up of two peninsulas, Lower and Upper.

(Describer) Randy Howe:

The Michigan motto means: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." A peninsula is a body of land surrounded on three sides by water. Michigan has an extensive coastline. There are the four Great Lakes-- Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Superior.

(Ellie) It's on the flag, the Latin for: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you." You'll find lots of water. Michigan has more coastline than any state but Alaska. This is how the missionaries and fur trappers that settled the land got there.

(Ellie) That's one of them in the center of the flag. Although holding a gun, he's waving. A peaceful gesture, but then there's this word.

(Howe) Tuebor means "I will defend," and dates back to 1835 when tensions rose between neighboring states, Michigan and Ohio, that they almost went to war.

(Ellie) There's more Latin across the top.

You'll recognize "E Pluribus Unum,"

"one from many," a salute to the diversity that helps makes this country great. Almost forgot. Move over, Diagon Alley. The town of Colon is home to the biggest maker of magical supplies. With "Flag Facts," I'm Ellie.

(Describer) Eric:

Elvis Presley is one of the most famous and most successful musicians of all time. You might be surprised to hear, when he took music in school, he barely passed, getting a "C." There's a moral. If you have a dream, don't let a few setbacks make you feel you can't accomplish that dream. Elvis was able to take that "C" and turn it into a "K,"

(Describer) A viewer email says, “I love your show. I think it's cool to see and learn new things that I didn't know before and I love how you guys explain things. Your show is so much more interesting than action news because your show is educational and fun to watch so kids don't say that your show is boring.” Signed Sienna B.

as in King of Rock 'N' Roll.

♪

There's lots more ahead on Teen Kids News. So don't go away. We'll be right back.

(Describer) Emily:

Throughout the year, we bring you videos from the website, HooplaHa. This week's video is on a program that helps disabled teens do something they never thought they could.

(Describer) Title: Winter Park, Colorado. Home of the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

(girl) I'd never skied before. It was a new challenge. I'd never done a snow sport. I've always been an amputee and wasn't sporty. I used to get bullied a lot, which most people do,

(Describer) Julie Rogers:

but, obviously, I was an easier target.

(Describer) She gets her one ski boot into a binding.

It's different, because now I'm socializing with young disabled people.

(Describer) Volunteer Russell Gay:

(male volunteer) The experience of being with other people with similar disabilities makes them feel more self-assured. You get here, and half the kids are missing a limb. It becomes, from being shy, "Let's get in the hot tub." Legs, arms come off.

(Describer) Title: Each year, Salveson Adaptive seeks donations to fly a group of teens with disabilities to the US to learn to ski. Tony Peters:

It's important to have these programs so people not only can get involved physically but socially, emotionally. They can interact with their peers, do recreational activities with their peers and family in a therapeutic recreational setting. The confidence and belief in themselves they didn't have before is life-changing.

(Describer) Volunteer Jamie Chestnutt:

For us, as volunteers, the privilege of being part of that is great. You can't help but come back.

(Describer) Mono Skier Lucie Bouron:

This trip means that I'm able to ski. It's a place I can actually ski. With this extensive list of disabilities like I have, it's hard to be allowed to do a lot. My school does a ski trip. They would never be able to take me, because they don't have the equipment. So this trip is amazing.

(Describer) Another Mono Skier sits on a modified ski.

(Chestnutt) There's nowhere in Europe that does this, so we fly from the U.K. just for this. We enjoy staying in Winter Park, but the NSCD is why we're here. Each time down by yourself, you've fallen once.

(Describer) An instructor talks to Julie.

Now, if you saw that class of two-legged skiers over there... Yeah. They're falling a lot. They're falling a lot. Yeah.

(Describer) A skier has another behind her holding cables to her skis.

(Bouron) All my instructors have been so nice. They've pushed me so that I've got everything out of the trip I could.

(Peters) They might be using crutches or canes. The beauty about skiing is, when you put on skis, you can just let the skis slide along and glide down, have the wind in their hair and experience that thrill. I enjoy skiing now and definitely I want to do it again.

(Describer) Julie skis on her one leg and poles with little skis on them.

♪

(Describer) Title: We’ll have more HooplaHa videos in upcoming shows.

(Describer) Against the background of a baseball game in a stadium, title: Baseball Facts, with Matt. A bat hits a ball.

[cheering]

[bat cracks]

Only 27 players have ever hit 50 or more home runs in a single season. Of the first 16 times 50 or more home runs were hit in a single campaign, 15 were done by Hall of Famers. Some include Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Jimmie Foxx, and Mickey Mantle. Of the 50 or more home runs hit in a season, the only person not in the Hall of Fame to do so was Roger Maris in 1961. He broke Babe Ruth's single season home run record with 61 home runs. I'm Matt for Teen Kids News.

(Describer) Livia:

This important message is brought to you by the National Road Safety Foundation.

♪

(Describer) Driving a car, a woman gets her phone out of her purse in the passenger seat. She holds it at the wheel and types while she approaches another car at a stop sign.

(Describer) Replying to a text asking when she’ll pick someone up. She types “be there...” as she gets closer to the other car.

[loud bang] [buzzing]

(Describer) A boy puts down a book in a library and answers his buzzing phone.

(female) What if your mom or dad texted while driving and got hurt? Imagine how you would feel. Is everything all right? I don't know.

[no audio]

(Describer) Titles: Teen Kids News. Coming up, Balloon Sculptures! Long thin balloons are twisted into a bow that fires a balloon arrow.

♪

(Describer) In front of a circle and triangle, title: Teen Kids News. With the woman who made the bow and arrow, Emily:

Once again, we're with Sandi Masori, America's top balloon expert. She's showing us how to make balloon sculptures. Some of the sculptures you make are pretty complicated, like this one. Can you tell us about this? This is a bow and arrow. What makes it complicated is not so much the bow part, but these double-pinched twists on the arrow.

(Describer) ...on the back end.

These twists are what we use to make teddy bear ears. It's not what I would necessarily teach as the first balloon lesson. It's something that, as you get more comfortable with balloons, becomes something you're going to use a lot of. In this case, it's going to help us shoot the arrow.

Like that. [laughs] That works!

Those fly. That's why I love making these. Once you bring those out, that's all you're making. What if you're more of a beginner? What's something easier to make? Let's make a balloon heart. Okay. A balloon heart is made out of one balloon. Instead of twisting it, we're shaping it by training the balloon. I'm going to give you a balloon. I'm going to take a balloon.

(Describer) ..both long and thin.

The first thing we're going to do-- It's fully inflated. I've given it a good burp. Let some air out so it's squishy. The next thing we're going to do is push the air out of the tip,

(Describer) ...so it’s a thin knob.

then tie the two ends together just like you were tying your shoelaces. Don't be afraid to stretch those pieces of balloons so you can get them tied.

(Describer) Emily works to tie her two ends together, so they form the bottom of the heart.

All right. It's tied. So now we're going to take it and flip it around so we have the bottom of it facing us. We might want to use our stomach or other body parts to brace it. What we're going to do is bring it in.

(Describer) They bend the middle of the top.

Squeeze the air out of it as you're bringing it in, especially the tip. Slowly let the air back into it. This is going to train the balloon. And it'll be a heart. It's beautiful! It's something that's guaranteed to make anybody's day. You can embellish hats by adding it to it, put animals inside it, or be a stand-alone. Who doesn't like to get love? Yeah. These are not only cool to make. Knowing how to make even simple balloon sculptures is a smart way to make money. If you want more information, check out our website.

(Describer) Livia:

That wraps it up for this edition of Teen Kids News. We'll see you again next week.

♪

(Describer) Titles: Director: Alan J Weiss. Producers: Tania Wilk, Marilou Yacoub. Writer: Deborah Gobble. Copyright Eyewitness Kids News LLC, 2016, all rights reserved. Funding to purchase and make this educational program accessible was provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Department of Education by telephone at 1-800-USA-LEARN, or online at www.ed.gov.

Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Write to us at... Here's a shout-out to PR Newswire for including Teen Kids News on their big screen in Times Square, New York City.

(Describer) Title: Alan Weiss Productions.