Media and Movies for Teens and Tweens

Effervescent teen host, Julia Howe, orchestrates a lively radio broadcast focused on movies and interviews two radio reporters from KIDS FIRST. Julia says that teen movies shape the way teens think about growing up, relationships, and offer a sense of identity. The movies she highlights have been a mirror to high school lives and, at times, an escape from them. From Ferris Bueller, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Clueless to Mean Girls, Lady Bird, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, High School Musical 2, and more, today’s teen films are breaking new ground. Julia then interviews Ashleigh and Kinsley, two KIDS FIRST film critics. They talk about how their backgrounds in debate and acting have helped them be KIDS FIRST reporters. They also offer their opinions on what they’d like to see changed or modified in the entertainment industry. KIDS FIRST empowers youth to navigate today's media through film-based learning, developing critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding. Ashleigh and Kinsley discuss how they have grown from their involvement with KIDS FIRST.

Bios

Ashleigh C. (20), of Virginia, is a researcher at George Mason University, studying Youth Participatory Action research and an advisor for Bridge USA’s High School Program for retooling civic/political discourse in today’s youth. She teaches STEM to girls through a female-led, non-profit named Posse Empowerment. She loves sharing her opinions about entertainment through KIDS FIRST! She loves the film, Just Go With It because it’s fun, inspiring actors and has a clear message. She admires Chris Evans, for his acting and his contribution to ending political discourse, just like Captain America. Danai Gurira is her favorite actress, for portraying a strong African American female in The Walking Dead. She is a Speech & Debate Champion and President of her high school speech and debate team.

Kinsley H. (age 13) lives in Missouri. She joined KIDS FIRST! because she wants to be more involved in the entertainment industry. Her favorite actress is Millie Bobby Brown, because she plays characters that are strong role models. Kinsley enjoys musical films such as 13: The Musical and Matilda the Musical and has performed in many of them at her local community theater. Recently, she played HeeShe in Giants in the Sky: A New Children’s Musical,Ballet Girl in Freckleface Strawberry and Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island. Her biggest accomplishment was being cast as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins, Jr., which was her first role in the big theater. She intends to pursue an acting career and perform on Broadway. When not performing or working for KIDS FIRST!, she spends her time ice skating.