In The Driver's Seat

Teen journalist tests out his credentials at Detroit's auto show.

Seth Samuels

T2T Staff Writer

T

his January — thanks to my involve-
ment in IN's Teen2Teen section — I
was fortunate enough to acquire my
very first press passes for the annual trip to the
Detroit auto show. Not only was I surrounded
by media from all over the globe, but I also
journeyed from car to car inside an ironically
different Cobo Hall. With all of the glass "do not
pass" panels absent, car doors open and cameras
flashing, I found myself inside a host of cars that
normally would be off limits and limited only to
my camera.
From an Audi A8 W12 to a Lamborghini
Murcielago, I took it all in — style, feel, even
Seth Samuels, sporting his press pass, tries on a new Audi.
smell! After the show, I flashed my bright green
pass to a guard and strolled into a room I didn't
even know was at the show: the Media Room. Piled
brought out the professional aspect of journalism in
high with booklets, conference sheets and other data,
a real-life situation. Fortunately for us and the city of
the Media Room was where all of the credential-wear-
Detroit, the North American International Auto Show
ing press folk would go to reflect on that day's offerings.
is still the signature show of the country and one of the
Amidst all of the papers was even a free snack machine! most renowned in the world. Because of this, journal-
Benefits aside, I was able to enjoy another aspect of
ists, either from Web sites, publications, radio and TV,
the show that really made the experience unique. Being venture here to write about (or even speak about) the
surrounded by press and the like was great, but it really
show and what it has to offer. Personally, seeing my own

endeavors in writing take real-life form was truly a
hands-on and memorable experience that made me
feel more than just a writer, but a part of the jour-
nalistic world.
For example, while perusing displays from
various automakers, often the only words audible
were,"... and that's the latest from the 2008 North
American International Auto Show. Stick with us
for continued coverage. I'm ..."At least all of the
cameras and press people kept me prepared in case
I did catch some real estate on the camera.
As I went down the elevator of Cobo Hall
to the parking garage for the second and final
time, I reflected on the remarkable last two days.
Everything from getting into and out of cars to
being one of the youngsters amid foreign reporters
created an auto show like no other. And while see-
ing more cars made me want them, too, I thought,
"Maybe one day, I'll be the driver of one of these
[cars] and a reporter for them, too!"

❑

Seth Samuels, 17, is a junior at Birmingham Groves High
School. For more of Seth's Auto Show photos, go to jnt2t.com .

'Be The Change'

ADL leadership mission primes teens for action.

Ariella Yedwab

T2T Staff Writer

T

he brevity of life grants power to abide, not an
excuse to bail, and therefore we will no longer
hope for change, we will be the change'
This statement is what I, along with nine other teen
delegates from Michigan, proudly proclaimed to a
roomful of more than 110 other delegates from across
the country at the Anti-Defamation League's annual
Grosfeld Family National Youth Leadership Mission in
Washington, D.C.
During the mission, our diverse group focused on
team building and discussed ways to stop bigotry,
prejudice and hate. We heard inspiring speakers includ-
ing a Holocaust survivor, an African American soldier
who liberated German concentration camps at the end
of World War II and a woman from the Freedom Writers
Institute.
Our main event was a visit to the U.S. National
Holocaust Memorial Museum. It was truly touching for
me to see people's reactions to the museum. Teenagers
of all faiths, not just Jews, were crying and were
astounded by the atrocities of the Holocaust.
The mission provided a safe environment where
everyone felt comfortable to discuss the issues we
teenagers — as well as the world — face every day. We

broke into discussion groups to share our reactions
and our own very personal stories of dealing with
discrimination and bullying. These groups con-
sisted of teens with different backgrounds, beliefs,
goals and personal experiences; yet after a few
short days, we all had a strong bond and common
goal of making the world a better place.
Teen members of the Michigan delegation to the ADL
I have always been told that my actions have
National Youth Leadership Mission stand in front of the
consequences, but not until I attended this mis-
White House.
sion did I truly understand the power of those
words. We learned how minor bullying and racial
slurs can lead to prejudice, and eventually genocide. I
cide education is not taught. There is so much denial
had never understood how what seem like such minor
and this is the last generation that will have Holocaust
assaults can lead to such devastating results.
survivors to talk with. Education is the strongest weap-
After the mission last November, I had such a sense
on. Our hope is that knowledge will stop the ignorance
of passion to do something and a need to take action.
and that the stories of the Holocaust will always be
Our Michigan delegation and our chaperones, West
remembered so such an event will never happen again.
Bloomfield High School teacher Mara Hoffert and ADL
The mission was an amazing experience. It gave us to
Michigan Region's assistant director Carrie Waggoner,
tools and the initial push toward making change in this
are working with State Rep. David Law, R-Commerce
world. And now, because of that experience, together we
Township, toward ensuring that Holocaust and genocide are truly being the change.
education is required in secondary schools in Michigan.
We feel genocide education is so important to teach
Ariella Yedwab, 17 is a junior at West Bloomfield High School.
about the effects hate and big-
otry can have.
Our fear is that these stories
Watch for teen teen in next week's Jewish News
will soon be forgotten if geno-

❑

February 14 • 2008

