In this series, four Y-Press journalists explore how the current economy has affected youth. While many stories have been done about adults and the economy, few mentioned teens.

A lot changed after April 20, 1999, when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went on their murderous rampage through Columbine High School. Before then, students could carry tools such as pocketknives and nail files.

Imagine more than 60,000 locals being uprooted from their homes every 30 days; Indianapolis would be a ghost town in about 14 months.Since 2003, that many Iraqis have fled their homes each month to escape the turmoil that has divided their nation, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

“It is not ethical, but I will do it anyway.” “Artists have become greedy.” “Who’s going to know?” “I can’t afford to pay a dollar a song.” These are some teenagers’ justifications for illegally downloading music, though there are many more. In the information age, it’s easy to get all the music you want, right when you want it.

Scientific studies have found volunteering actually makes people happier and healthier. Last year 61 million Americans volunteered 8.1 billion hours of community service. That‘s nearly $158 billion in donated labor and happiness.

Considering how important young people have been to this election cycle, it's not surprising that their journalistic peers have the same enthusiasm for covering it.

When Adam Lussier realized that he was nearing voting age, he decided to do some research on the presidential candidates. Like most teens, he headed straight to the Web, where he "stumbled upon" Ron Paul's Web site and liked what he read. A registered Democrat, Adam switched parties to vote for Paul in Connecticut's Super Tuesday primary.

Youth today often have unlimited access to multiple forms of communication and have been called the most connected generation. It is not uncommon, for example, for a kid to spend several hours each night instant messaging friends, creating and posting videos on YouTube or inputting information on Facebook or MySpace for (almost) all the world to see. These communications venues are also playing a key role in the 2008 election. As the conventions near, presidential candidates are trying to get all the votes and funding that they can, and the Internet has become a gold mine for generating support, particularly from youth.

Shaw High School senior Jonathan Lykes is not your typical high schooler. As a matter of fact, he was called an “overachiever” by The Columbus Dispatch. You see, for the past year, Jonathan has been helping to lead the Ohio Youth Agenda, a group of high school students throughout the state who gather yearly to promote issues that matter most to Ohio’s youth.

The film follows the life of an extraordinary man with a below average IQ. The lack of "true intelligence" doesn't stop Forrest. From his days as a college football player, to his service in the Army, to his time as a shrimper, Forrest proves that he has what it takes to succeed in life. With his simple innocence and his good-as-gold heart, Forrest charms everyone he meets in this heartwarming film.

Ratatouille He’s dying to become a chef. Brad Bird, et. al Pixar Animation Studios Run Time: 110 minutes In theaters Rating: G

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby "The story of a man who could only count to #1” Will Ferrell, et al. Sony Pictures, Inc. Run time: 126 min List price: $20.00 Rating:PG13