>> welcome to "teen kids news." i'm livia. here's our top story for this week. >> this report is brought to you by allstate insurance. [ cheering ] >> celebs walking the red carpet today are helping to kick off an event that is as exciting as it is extraordinary. called "we day," it celebrates teens who are taking action to make the world a better place. >> the kids that are here earned

a spot to be here, you know? they're here because they did something to make a difference in their community. so it's not like we're bringing a bunch of kids to tell them they should help. we're bringing kids who are helping, so that kids at home who are sitting down, watching maybe want to do something and know they can. >> we day encourages children to think beyond their communities and to realize that, together, we can have an effect on change in the world, and it's theirs to change. >> but there's more than just star power on this red carpet. although not immediately recognizable as celebrities, these folks are the true inspirational force behind this movement. >> it's an exhilarating feeling, because all these people are here, and they're excited for you, so it's gonna be awesome. >> i think it's amazing, and it's so cool to be in an environment where there's so many people like myself that really want to make a difference and change things. >> the first we day that i ever spoke at, we had about 5,000 students in a small arena in toronto, canada. and now we're in 15 cities across the world -- not just

north america, but in the u.k. as well -- so it's grown exponentially, which also means that we can really hang out with more kids, which is really really cool. so it went from 5,000 -- we've got 15,000 today right here at the allstate arena. >> it all started with the vision of two brothers marc and craig kielburger, hoping to make a difference in the world. now we day is more than just a one-day event. >> we day is part of a yearlong series of activities that runs in schools. there is a free service learning program that comes alive in any school who wants it. we'll send a speaking tour -- every week a new educational resource, every month an amazing social campaign to get involved in your community. we want to make it easy for every teen to change the world. >> and to make a global impact you need partners who share your mission. now, why is allstate involved in we day? >> because kids can change the world, and we're trying to be a force for good. these kids are great they're enthusiastic and it gives you hope. you come out here, and you say "this is gonna make the world better." and these kids take it seriously, and so do we. they do the work, and they do

the work all year long through we act. it's fabulous. >> we act is made possible with the help of allstate insurance. schools across the country are given the resources they need so kids can get involved and earn their ticket to we day. [ cheering ] you have to be here to truly feel the energy. allstate arena is literally rocking with excitement. once inside, the crowd is pumped to witness powerful speeches performances, and testimonials each tackling issues such as bullying educational empowerment, and overcoming adversity. >> we're gonna take you on a journey to explore a really important concept -- empowerment. we day, are you ready to change the world? that energy, that noise you're hearing, that is the power of we, and this is what we day is all about. >> ♪ turn it up ♪ ♪ let it play ♪ ♪ i want to hear that sound till my windows break ♪ >> trust me -- i know what it's

like to face adversity so i can relate. and you never back down. you never offer excuses. you inspire me and all your classmates and your peers here today. >> thank you. >> let's give it up for ezra! [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you. thank you. >> my goal today is to share a phrase that has helped me in my life. "i can." these words will help you achieve whatever you want in life. >> i've gone on to overcome bullying, graduate from college, climb the largest mountain in africa, and even take the stage -- [ cheers and applause ] thank you. >> and finally, the co-chair of we day illinois took the stage with some special spoken words. >> when passion, persistence and perseverance are in agreement, believe it. >> he spoke to the press backstage about his excitement and commitment in communicating with young people. >> one of my most fulfilling things that happened to me in

music or anything in art is when i reach the youth. like, i feel like -- i feel like it's a pure thing when young people come up to me and be like, "man, we love that song," or, "i seen you in that movie." it's just something about it. i get a joy because it's -- i care about the youth so much. when you see young people participating in something as powerful as we day, then you know that, in the core of who they are, they want better -- a better world. >> and the kids here today are definitely finding creative ways to reach out to their communities and beyond. >> we met with the police commissioner of our district to help brainstorm ways so we could help, like, police understanding youth and youths understanding police. >> one of the things that we did was a walk-a-thon. we were trying to raise money to buy some goats and send them to the other side of the world that could help people that need it their education and the food and money and jobs.

>> it was quite a day for all these special teens, which ended with a performance by chicago native and national co-chair jennifer hudson. >> ♪ how you turn it up ♪ ♪ if they don't like it tell 'em we don't give a what ♪ ♪ nobody's business who you wanna love ♪ ♪ if they don't like it you can tell 'em that ya do ♪ ♪ say! ♪ >> all the money in the world won't get you a ticket to this show. the price of admission is making a difference. to find out how you can get involved, visit weday.com. for "teen kids news," i'm scott. >> here's another reason to cut back on the cola. doctors say drinking too much of it can zap your muscle power. even diet cola can drain potassium from your blood, and that's something your body needs. so, next time you're thirsty you might want to reach for something that isn't carbonated or overly sweetened. think "water." >> don't go away. we've got lots more still to come on "teen kids news." we'll be right back.

>> hooplaha's motto is

"life with a smile." their website features good news, inspirational stories, cute pictures, and funny videos. sound familiar? since "teen kids news" has a similar mission, we're presenting you with our hooplaha pick of the week. >> westophate club is a social-media movement to end bullying. it's turned into a movement in our school. we just need to break free from all of the negativity that surrounds us. the main goal of the westophate club is to give students a safe environment and to provide them a comforting place where they are free to be themselves. >> it's a piece of paper with hershey kisses on it, and people send it to each other, and it has a really nice compliment. >> we sold them for about two or three weeks. it's not just stopping bullying. it has faces. it has people that are passionate about it, and that

makes it so much better. >> i just love to see people's faces light up when they get a positive note. >> it's a compliment, and i think people are starting to spread more cheerfulness. >> i didn't expect it, and it was really sweet. and then i sent them to three of my friends, and i think they liked them. >> it just affects people so much, and it makes them feel so good about themselves and it undoes a lot of the negative effects that people have on them, and i really wanted to be involved with something that has such a positive impact. >> i kind of started being bullied freshman year, and then once i joined westophate, i stopped letting it get to me. >> i was always kind of like this outcast girl. >> by joining westophate, i want to help spread the positivity. >> every school can definitely use a westophate club. >> i think it just way more positive energy around. like, people -- they're just a lot nicer to each other. >> i think the school's changed quite a bit. they've heard the club. they see the bracelets. they see the shirts. >> they just realized how not

only teachers can change it but students, too. >> you may never have thought of this, but dating is a lot like driving. kristina explains. >> lisa jander, the "teen dating mechanic," is back with more tips. hi. >> hi! >> so, how is dating like driving? >> well, dating and driving are very similar in that when you think about driving down a road, there are boundary lines, and they were put there for a reason, and the reason is to keep you safe. while boundaries are really important in driving, they're also very important in dating -- establishing what those boundaries are. do you hold hands? do you not hold hands? what is okay in your world in terms of physical boundaries? in addition to that, it might even be a financial boundary. what are you comfortable spending on something? do you each pay your own way? do you pay for the movie? so, what are your financial boundaries, and what makes you

feel comfortable? it's really important to evaluate those. >> good point. thanks, lisa. once again, your advice steers us in a good direction. >> thanks for having me. >> we'll have more dating advice in upcoming programs. you can also check out our website to learn more about the "teen dating mechanic." >> coming up, you'll meet a teen who came up with an idea that will not only put her on national tv, it will also help save lives. "teen kids news" will be right back.

>> every state has one, but most of us don't know why they look the way they do. here's "flag facts." >> you might not want to have a close encounter with a beehive but you have to admire how much work goes in to making that

honey. it's that spirit of industry that puts a beehive in the middle of the state flag of utah. >> the beehive is a symbol of industry, commerce, and hard work and would seem to be a perfect symbol for a state like utah, which was so difficult to settle. >> it did take a lot of hard work to create a state in the middle of the desert. it took a lot of faith, too. mormons were seeking a place to practice their form of christianity, which was new and controversial. >> in 1830, joseph smith began the mormon religion in upstate new york. they quickly had to leave upstate new york because of religious persecution, and after a brief stop in the midwest, they settled in the territory that would become utah. >> the mormons arrived in 1847. the date is right there on the flag, along with 1896, the year the state entered the union. at first, mormon leader brigham young wanted to claim a much bigger territory and call it "deseret." congress didn't go for that, so the state was smaller

and named after the ute indians who were there first. >> but one thing that's very interesting about the state is that of all 50 states, it boasts the youngest population, with an average age of 27.1 years. >> utah is also famous for amazing natural wonders, with two great national parks -- zion and bryce canyon. but they're too big to put on the flag! i'm brandon with "flag facts." >> this report is brought to you by the national road safety foundation. >> hello. >> hello. >> hi, julia. i'm mary lou. >> nice to meet you. >> nice to meet you. >> 18-year-old julia huuki is this year's winner of the drive 2 life psa contest. the nationwide competition is sponsored each year by the national road safety foundation and scholastic. as part of the prize, julia got to fly to new york with her mother and work with a professional tv crew to produce her psa. >> one more time, sean, vp camera. mary lou is the producer.

i'll be directing. and kristen, who you met at the training station, is the associate producer. okay, so, we're the crew working with you today. and you remember what these are? >> i do. [ chuckles ] >> so, these are your storyboards, right? so, mary lou, why don't you quickly just walk through her original storyboards? and then we'll talk about how -- what we're gonna shoot today. >> okay. >> okay? >> so, your winning idea, which is a very nice idea, to show distracted walking, shows, "would you ever..." >> julia's concept was to show the danger of paying more attention to your phone than where you're walking so she had scenes where she stepped into a manhole and even dog poop. but that created some challenges for the crew. >> so, how can we get you to step into a manhole, but without stepping into a manhole in real life and getting hurt? so, we thought about that. and then the last one was, we love the dog poop, but there's just no way you can show real dog poop on tv. so, you have to have fake dog poop. well, if you have fake dog poop,

how can everything else be real and just the dog poop be fake? so, that gave us what idea? >> the idea to go with an artist's rendition for the backgrounds of all the scenes and to shoot you in live action in front of a green screen. >> it involves literally a green screen. it's a background, and it allows the editor to key in any background that they want. [ ufo warbling ] so, rather than you literally being out in the street, almost about to walk into a manhole we can put a street in your background and have you walk and pretend to fall in a manhole. >> so, what we'll do downstairs in the green screen is tape you walking for the various scenarios, and then we'll put them in the edit room over the backgrounds. >> i really like this. i love how you guys put it all together, and i love the idea of the cartoon background. it just...works really good, i think, with what my ideas were. >> how about just a black

t-shirt? >> yeah, black t-shirt is fine. >> next stop for julia was to go with the producer and choose the clothes she'd need for the different scenes. earlier, the crew had set up the green screen and hung the lights. when we return, we'll be ready to start shooting. "teen kids news" will be right back. selling cookies is about... -the big picture. you have to have a goal. -a big goal. something you and your team... -want to do in the world. we choose... -where the money goes. a trip. -an adventure. helping people out. -helping a lot of people out. something never been... -done before. we have to decide. -make a plan. we all... -have to agree. it's not always easy. and about the money? -we are responsible for it. handling it... -managing it... tracking it... -doing great things with it. this is business. -girl business.

girl business. -the biggest... girl-run business... -in the world. it's kind of amazing. girl scouts are everywhere. -over 2 million of us. my mom is one. -my little sister is one. my cousin michelle is one. -maybe you're one. girl scouts should totally run the world. -i think we already do. i'm not surprised. -are you surprised? we're not surprised. did you think this was just about cookies? n't focus. i was always interrupting my t eammates. earlier in my career my coach approached me. he had some questions for me and, you know, first question was, do i ever have, you know, growing up did i have focus problems? and i said, "yes, coach, you know i obviously suffered from adhd as a kid." i felt like i've outgrown it. and he said, "i think that you know sometimes i don't feel like you're focused." so the next day i went and saw a doctor. i had no reason to be embarrassed,

no reason to be, you know, ashamed of having adhd. you know, that's why i'm here telling my story. if you were diagnosed with adhd as a kid you might still have it. find out more. take a quiz at ownitquiz.com to help recognize the symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, then talk with your doctor. seek help. don't be afraid. it 's your adhd. own it. >> okay, so, i think this outfit looks great. this will work nicely. let's go downstairs to the

studio. >> okay. >> so, this is it. this is the green screen. let me see your outfit. yeah, this looks great. >> my idea was that i would have -- first of all, i asked, like, "would you ever..." and i would talk about, "would you ever, like, walk into another person or step into a manhole or dog poop? and then at the end, i would figure i might end up with a more serious note and say, "would you ever walk into a vehicle," or, "in front of a vehicle?" and i figured it would get people's attention that way. >> the director gave julia a few last-minute instructions. >> you've got your phone up here, right? and you're texting, and you're walking, and we're gonna take probably -- maybe three or four steps, so 1, 2, 3, 4... and on 4, you're stepping into the hole. >> okay. >> so... you're gonna show us what you do when you step into a hole. okay? >> okay.

>> and go ahead. >> "eek!" >> "aah!" >> one more time. >> aah! >> you wiggle first. then your arms go up. action. >> whoo! >> good. >> everybody ready? >> okay, i think we are. are you ready, my dear? hands are up, just like that. good. remember, you're gonna walk, and you're gonna pretend to -- >> oh-one, double-oh 20. >> okay, standing by. and...action. >> aah! >> action. >> aah! >> don't look at us, though. >> aah! >> okay. >> watch this monitor right here. don't worry about the manhole. that's not there for you to fall into.

>> aah! >> what do you think? >> it's really cool. [ chuckles ] yeah. >> four steps. then, when you get here... >> over the next few hours, the crew worked with julia to capture all the other scenes in the psa. >> action. excellent. and...action. and hold it. and that looks great. excellent. fantastic. >> good going. >> way to go. what do we call this now? >> it's a wrap. >> it's a wrap. way to go. nicely done. well done. well done, kristen. mary lou! >> nice job. we're big on high-fives. >> i learned how, like, the production of something like this goes. like, i always wondered, like, how does a commercial or a tv show work, you know? and i learned that, like, you don't necessarily start with the first scene.

you know, you just work your way through whatever works best. i also learned about the green screen, which means that you can basically just put any background you want behind you. and this actually worked really good for our production, what we were doing today. and i'm really excited to see how it turns out. >> the next step is editing and then presenting the finished spot to the people at the national road safety foundation. we'll have that report next week. for "teen kids news," i'm scott.

>> this report is brought to you by paramount pictures. >> who wants krabby patties? [ cheering ] >> aah! >> aah! the secret krabby patty formula! it's gone! [ alarm blaring ] >> red alert! the world's favorite sponge is facing his biggest adventure yet in the new hit film "the spongebob movie: sponge out of water." >> welcome to the apocalypse.

>> setting out to find the missing formula, spongebob and friends are hot on the scent. >> i smell krabby patties! >> from over there! >> the surface! >> [ gasping ] >> and to save their world they'll do anything... >> [ screaming ] >> ...even if it means coming to ours. >> huh? what is this place? >> maybe this guy knows. he looks smart. he's got five heads. >> their search takes them places they've never been, until they finally find... >> krabby patties! >> what are you doing with me formula? >> you mean... me formula. >> to fight the supervillain burger beard, the friends unleash their own inner superheroes. >> look at me. i'm a god! what is this diabolical thing? >> and as if all that weren't enough, the blu-ray combo pack takes you behind the scenes of the wildly entertaining adventure. >> spongebob, you would not believe the size

of the ice creams here! gulp! >> there's more than an hour of fun features, like sing-along music videos and a look at how the superheroes were created. >> ah! >> that was kind of an evolution. i mean, we started out with this idea that they would just have kind of fighting skills and they would work together and, you know, it would be more of a kung fu thing. >> there were a ton of ideas across the board that we were sort of playing with, and then we settled on something that was pretty great. >> we started thinking, "wait a minute, you know, let's try to go more along the lines of 'iron man' and all those guys." >> we tried to capture some internal thing from each character. >> [ sings fanfare ] >> patrick! >> huh? >> and you can tap in to your own superhero when "the spongebob movie: sponge out of water" debuts on blu-ray combo pack june 2nd. >> we're gonna bring you down! hu-ah! >> spongebob! >> patrick? >> talk to me, buddy. >> i'm seeing a bright light.

>> is this better? >> much. thank you. >> for "teen kids news," i'm scott. >> maybe we should have picked a better superpower for you, patrick. >> [ chuckles ] we'll see you next time on "teen kids news." thanks for watching. have a great week.

res-- brought to you by seaworld and busch gardens. for more than 40 years-- working to preserve the world we share. say hello to poco and his friends-- african chimps who have the same traits as some of us humans. they groom... they relax... they play... ...and they're orphans. ♪