OCR Text |
Show “TM GLAD I'M NOT A CHEERLEADER best friends. I guarantee you that not one of popular Awhile back we printed a letterfrom a teenager who said, “At school, I'm not a loser, but I'm not verypopular. I wish I could hang outwith the cheerleaders and the basketballplayers. Maybe ifI could, I would be happier.” This letter will make themtrusts another one. It seems as ifthese popul: le have all kinds offriends and boyendg touchedthe heart ofAmyRitter, 18, a freshman at Glendale Community easein Phoenix, who wrote back: I oefaeie i teenagers thatyou don’ ee eeI have been acheerleader, and I know. When are popular, people think: “Oh, I want to be aroundthat person.” Butit’s not because they necessarily like you—it’s ___ because they want to be popular too. They Amy try to “kiss up” to you, because they wantyou to like them. ‘They arejust trying to use you, and you can’treally trustthem, Otherkidssee allofthe cheerleaders sitting together, and you any happler than /would pull me aside: “Can you believe so-and-so did this?” And, “I can’tbelieve so-and-so did that.” And, “She said this.” And, “She said that.”Then later on, I would see them all talking together at lunch like they're each other's you §—_islotf pressure’ alcohol. So don’t think that being popular will make you any happier than you are now. valinePai of friends—even one best friend you can count on—that is are now. all you need. Do you really wanttobe a star and have to act like you’re happy all the time, have to put on ashow for everybody, becausethey youare Relegated It gets pretty tiring, content where you are. good I could trust who didn't care who I was. I remember one day, sitting and watching the cheerleaders and so sorry for them, because I knew what it felt like. My happiest times in nig veeNee when I was a “nobody” and could be myselfanddo whatever I wanted. Sometimes you have to be “nobody”to be “somebody.” say HittBe eoune Ae MAKE MY OWN MISTAKES?” Recently, we heardfrom anIllinois teenager about a itn] PROGRAM preventsflea infestations without making your dog unpleasantto be around. Unlike topical flea sprays, spot-ons and dips, PROGRAM Is thesafe, once-a-month tablet that never leaves a residue or odor on your pet. So, if you care about beingclose, start your dog on PROGRAM now, before you see fleas. Use only as directed. Only from your veterinarian. Because nothing should come between you and your pet. common complaint. Here is an excerptfrom herletter: [am at the point in schoo! that I am losing interest, and my mom constantly hounds me to work harder, because if I don’t, I won'tget into a good college. My mom wants the best for me. She wants me to succeed in life without making anymistakes. She doesn't want me to ruin my chances. She ane ee Os eee peaceat ee ee for my future, But eeecede etasine own mistakes. After all, that is the only wayI can learn so Tcan become better adult, Robbins, 15, Northbrook, III. TEENAGERS: TELL US ABOUT SOME ADVICE Bie eee cel www.programpet.com © 1997Novartis, PROGRAM is 4 registered raceerank of Novartis, PAGE 10 - MAY fi, 1997 - PARADE MAGAZINE |