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By Cara Bernard UJW FREDERICK, Md. - Twins Joy and Josh Chand may look very much alike, but their college plans are as different as the rising and falling stock markets on Wall Street any given day. The 18-year-olds attend Governor Thomas Johnson High School here, and are planning to go to college, despite the tough economic challenges that face their family and the state of Maryland.

By Lenaya Stewart UJW SPRINGDALE, Md. -- Maya Anderson sits staring at her math test. Her foot taps impatiently and she angrily wipes at the sweat on her forehead. This test is 30 percent of her grade, and she doesn't know the material. The clock ticks loudly in her ears as she closes her eyes and tries to remember the last few lessons her teacher taught but the loud voices coming from the other 37 people in her class makes it impossible for her to concentrate. Sighing, she turns her test over and gives up. This won't be the last time.

By Najee Ellerbe UJW WASHINGTON -- The election of President Barack Obama is fueling a discussion among young African-American men about whether racism is dead in the United States. No question, Obama's election has been a source of pride and inspiration for people of color across the country and around the world. Many people have said it is a happening they never thought they'd see in their lifetime.

By Kendra Johnson UJW UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - After being frisked by security, area teens enter the Showplace Arena where the annual Spring Peace Bounce is happening. They listen to their favorite Go-Go bands, dance the night away and simply have fun. Go-Go is funk-style music that started in Washington, D.C.

By Mariya Ilyas UJW ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Sixteen-yea r-old Ariel Smallwood of Bowie, Md., recently uploaded her pictures from a past weekend, talked to a friend in California, messaged another friend in Ohio, made reservations to attend Charles H. Flowers High School's "Class of '09 Party of the Century," joined the Duke Class of 2013 Group, and told the world she was having a great day. All without leaving her seat. With the rise of free social networking websites, particularly Facebook.com, more and more users have been able to "connect and share with the people in your life," as the site encourages.