When Leanza Cornett was crowned Miss America in 1992, she wasn't thinking of the fame and fortune that came along with the title. She was thinking of something more serious - AIDS. After being crowned, Cornett began a national tour called "AIDS Affects All," making speeches promoting AIDS awareness. Cornett got involved in volunteering with AIDS patients when she was 20 years old. "The reason

What do you want to be when you grow up? Kids around the world constantly ask themselves this question. Usually, when children are growing up, they pick a "perfect job," then change their minds many times. They try on jobs just like they try on clothes. Children's Express wanted to find out what kids' aspirations were for the future. Recently, we posed that question to kids visiting The Childr

Lawrence Wilson, a 16-year-old South African, has witnessed great changes in his country. From the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 to the promise of elections that will give black South Africans the right to vote, he sees this as a time for hope. "It's the beginning of a new South Africa. (Mandela's release) sparked off everyone trying to strive for peace and change from apartheid," he said

Marianna came from the Ukraine in pursuit of peace, and she found it - at the University of Notre Dame. There she studied as a member of the Peace Institute, then returned to her country with a better understanding of life and its importance in a world of peace. Now back in the United States finishing a degree in journalism at American University in Washington, D.C., she will be the first fem

No one thinks about amusement-park safety until an accident happens. Well, almost no one. At Paramount's Kings Island near Cincinnati, Dave Fokey's job is to ensure that the park is safe as well as fun. In an interview with Children's Express at Kings Island, Fokey, the vice president of operations, said he does a complete survey of the park every day to make sure there are no obvious safety

How many times would you imagine a roller coaster designer had ridden on one? Fifty? A hundred? Ron Toomer had never taken a roller-coaster ride before he created his first runaway train for Six Flags Over Texas in 1966. Toomer, 63, is president of Arrow Dynamics in Utah, one of the leading ride-design companies. He started his career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry. He met

After he finished high school, he thought he would be a construction worker or enlist in the Air Force. But he didn't. Instead, he applied for a job he heard about on the radio. Now we know him as Indianapolis Chief of Police James D. Toler. You would think Toler is an active person, with a hectic job as a head of the city's police force. But, really, he is just like anyone else. In fact, a s