When the People's Republic of China took control of Hong Kong on July 1, 1997 , emotions in the former British colony ran the gamut from dread to resignation to optimism. And while China has not imposed any drastic changes so far, Hong Kong, controlled by Great Britain for more than 150 years but with a population largely of Chinese descent, is in a state of flux. Its youths seem largely uncertain

In late June, six Y-Press news bureau members traveled to Hong Kong. The purpose was to interview young people about the 3-year-old hand-over of the region from Great Britain to Communist China. During this 10-day trip, the team interviewed 105 young people and six adults who shared their opinions on nationality, politics, lifestyle, freedoms and their future under the Chinese government. When the

In late June, six Y-Press news bureau members traveled to Hong Kong. The purpose was to interview young people about the 3-year-old hand-over of the region from Great Britain to Communist China. During this 10-day trip, the team interviewed 105 young people and six adults who shared their opinions on nationality, politics, lifestyle, freedoms and their future under the Chinese government. When the

Sweet and optimistic, Katie Mahar is a typical 10-year-old girl. The Craryville, N.Y., resident is the youngest of four children. She jumps on her trampoline, listens to the Backstreet Boys and plays with her kitten, Pumpkin. She also has a disease called xeroderma pigmentosum, a genetic disorder also known as XP.

"We're wearing masks not because we are afraid, but kind of for precaution and protection of other people," said Koren Sin. Koren, a senior at Sacred Heart Canossian College, an all-girls school in Pokfulam, Hong Kong, shared this sentiment during a recent videoconference with Y-Press. Many of her fellow students, all sporting white surgical masks, were eager to talk about how SARS has affected th

Sandra Delph's job requires her to be on call 24 hours a day and to drive more than 40,000 miles a year. But she loves it. "The best part is the feeling of public service, I think, and caring about people and being able to interact with them," she said. Delph is a sign language interpreter for the deaf. She's been signing for 17 years but became a full-time interpreter four years ago. She was insp

Sign language -- it's been around for almost 400 years and still is used today by deaf people around the world. It also is being studied by hearing people. Whether their interest is learning a new way to communicate or simply to gain high school credits, many hearing students are taking sign language classes each year. Sandra Delph is a free-lance sign language interpreter who also teaches America