Kayden Stephenson

Photo: Instagram/KaydenStephenson

"American Idol" made the final stop on its nationwide search for talent in Oklahoma City, the old stomping grounds of one of its most successful artists, Carrie Underwood.

One of the final contestants shown on this episode was 16-year-old Kayden Stephenson.

Kayden was born with cystic fibrosis, a terminal illness. His estimated life expectancy is only 35. With that in mind, he wants to do as much as he can while he's young and has the chance. He decided to follow his dream and audition for "Idol."

Kayden sung one of my personal favorites, Stevie Wonder's "I Wish," and was pretty darn good. The judges fell in love with him and sent him through to the next round. I think he will be one to watch for in Hollywood week!

But, beyond that, Kayden is an inspiration to everyone. We all take life for granted everyday. He has taught me to value my life even more because it is so precious.

Take a look at his amazing story.

Kayden Stephenson, Auditions Oklahoma... by HumanSlinky

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Out Of Bounds

When I saw this video on ESPN, I fell out in the floor laughing. I bet the referee didn't expect this to happen...

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NMM: Parmalee

We're back to country music this week with a band from right here in North Carolina, Parmalee. This band is fairly new on the scene but is getting a lot of airplay on local radio stations, including 94.7 QDR. Parmalee consists of two brothers, Matt and Scott Thomas, along with their cousin, Barry Knox, and their longtime friend, Josh McSwain. 

The "Must Have Had A Good Time" crooners have released another single called "Carolina." This is a great song and one that is sure to be a success for the band. It should get a lot of playtime on radio stations across the country.

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ENG 417: Secret Mentor

Naturally, I could have selected a sportswriter as my "secret mentor" but, instead, I'm choosing David Muir from ABC News.

Muir is known for his reporting on television and being the weekend anchor of "World News with Diane Sawyer." However, Muir transfers his top-notch reporting to the web where he writes many stories for ABC News' website.

Muir writes stories on numerous topics ranging from business, to entertainment, to politics. I guess that is why I like him as a journalist. He covers a wide variety of topics, like my blog, and does so very well.

One of his series I like to see on television and read online is "Made In America." This is a series of stories that profiles American businesses and captures them in a positive light. All to entice viewers and readers to give that company business and to stimulate the American market.

There are many journalists and/or writers I look up to. David Muir is a great example of someone I would like to be in the future. I feel the way he writes and reports can be used in my own writing and reporting if I get into the field.

Here is a video of one of Muir's "Made In America" reports.

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NMM: Capital Kings & Royal Tailor

This week's look at new music features Capital Kings and Royal Tailor, two Christian pop groups who are making some noise in the business. Both are currently apart of the 2013 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular and have released a collaboration song, called "Living for the Other Side." 

Check it out!

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Review: Silver Linings Playbook

 

After a long wait, I finally got to see this film. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

What To Know

Director: David O. Russell

Writers: David O. Russell (screenplay) and Matthew Quick (novel)

Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver and Chris Tucker

Rating: R for language and some sexual content/nudity. Parents Guide

Plot: Pat Solatano has lost everything - his house, his job and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his parents after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain for beating up his wife's lover. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife despite their tough separation.

When Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something very important for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives. Written by The Weinstein Company

Family Friendly? No. Although there is an overall positive message in the film, the subject matter is hard for young children to understand. There are also some frightening scenes and profanties throughout. 

Should You See It? Absolutely! The film does an incredible job of mixing sorrow and heartbreak with comedy. It is nominated for eight Academy Awards and rightly so. For me, Silver Linings Playbook is one of the best films I've seen this year.

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Fighting For A Change

Pla (far right) with her teammates. Photo: Change.org

This week's salute goes to 11-year-old, Caroline Pla, who is fighting discrimination in the sport she loves.

Pla loves football. She even joined the junior varsity football squad as a part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Youth Organization (CYO).

That is, until she was banned.

Jason Budd, the deputy secretary of the Archdiocese's Office of Education and the overseer of the CYO program, cited policy and told the squad's coach that Pla had to be removed from the roster immediately due to "safety concerns."

"Football is a full-contact sport designated for boys," Budd said in a Forbes article.

Pla's coach said the handbook used male pronouns but never explicitly stated 'no girls allowed.'

No one really gave thought to Pla's choice of sport. She would tag along to her brother's football games and quickly fell in love with it. Then she began to play Pop Warner Football at five-years old.

“Girls make up 1-2% of our total football playing population across all age groups in any given year,” said Josh Pruce, Pop Warner’s National Director of Media Relations in the same Forbes article. “We welcome girls who want to play football.”

Pla's story has made news across the country, including on the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The Pla family has also started a petition on Change.org to make the Archdiocese stop discriminating. You can check it out and sign it here.

How insensitive of the Archdiocese to ban her from playing the sport she loves. Who gives a crap if it's football? Can't boys have just as much a risk of injury as girls do? Can't girls still get injured playing softball, volleyball, basketball and other sports?

It truly makes no sense at all.

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