I n 1997, The Indianapolis Star interviewed Roxanne Ratcliff, a 19-year-old who had already had three pregnancies. The 14-part series traced Roxanne's turbulent adolescence, from nonconsensual sex at age 13, to an abortion at 14, to the births of two children by age 18 -- Devon, who is being raised by Roxanne's parents, and another boy who was put up for adoption. Y-Press read about Roxanne's expe

Area Youth Ministry was founded in 1970 as a Christian outreach ministry to inner-city youths. It serves about 800 to 1,000 adolescents each year. In addition to the Drop-in Center, the ministry offers Bible study, breakfast, cultural and volunteer opportunities, and single-gender groups that help youths mature. Area Youth Ministry is located at 1641 E. Michigan St. During the school year, it is o

When Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, 78, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, is interviewed, he speaks with passion and twirls around in his chair. Tutu, who remains energetic and effervescent, recently visited Indianapolis to speak at Butler University's commencement ceremony. For more than 25 years, he has helped unite South Africa and fight against apartheid, its system of racial segregati

"I just want to try and do something good for the world. That's why I take part in projects, 'cause it makes me feel like I have a purpose in life," said Philip Mpagi, 18, of Kampala, Uganda. For four years, Philip has been a part of iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network. The program connects students and teachers around the world. Philip found out about iEARN through his older b

In the late 1980s, Peter Copen saw a world in need of improvement. "Environmentally, the world was a mess. In terms of hunger and conflict and racism, all the issues that were facing humanity were getting worse and worse," said Ed Gragert, director of iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network. Copen believed modern technology could help students communicate with their peers around th

The neighborhood surrounding Area Youth Ministry is run-down and dreary. Many of the buildings are falling apart and need a new coat of paint. But the Drop-in Center at the youth ministry is as comfortable as your friend's basement. As you enter, you'll see groups of people playing cards, watching TV and playing video games. In late spring, Y-Press interviewed four teens at the Drop-in Center, a s

Most people know the early teenage years are a difficult period. One professor's research explored the role gossip plays in middle schools. In 1981, Donna Eder, now a professor of sociology at Indiana University, began a study to better understand the sociology of middle schools. She published her findings in the 1995 book "School Talk: Gender and Adolescent Culture." Eder and three other research

Gender discrimination can start innocently, as when grade-school boys yell, "Boys rule, girls drool," on the playground. It can be more insidious, too. Ann DeVilbiss remembers when her little brother became very upset after spotting a woman driving a truck. "He's like, 'Why is she driving that truck? Only men are truck drivers!' " That's one of the reasons Ann joined SAGE -- Student Advocates of G

Most everyone has played a round or two of the game "telephone." One person starts with a sentence and whispers it to the next person. The goal is to see how the final sentence differs from the original. In the game, everyone giggles and laughs at the outcome. But in real life, when gossip is the message being transmitted, the result can be hurtful. Y-Press recently talked with four middle schoole

Imagine going to high school with 3,210 other kids. Do you think you'd be able to find your way around in seven minutes with that many people in the hallways? Could you make friends? North Central High School freshmen share many such concerns. Panther Quest, an optional summer program, is designed to help students become familiar with the school and each other before the school year begins. To fin