Have you ever wished you could enter the magical world of Harry Potter? Well, now you can come close! Universal Studies opened a brand new theme park: the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” The park includes three rides, like the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This is a dark, scenic ride where you get caught in the middle of both a Whomping Willow, and a Quidditch match! There are also two rollercoasters, Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.

You can also tour the Hogwarts Castle to see the Gryffindor Common Room and Professor Dumbledore’s Office. And there are five stores to shop at, which mimic the shops on the streets of Hogsmeade.

You can check out the website for the theme park here, and watch a clip of the Harry Potter stars exploring the park!

Do you follow the Harry Potter books or movies? From stores like “Zonko’s Joke Shop” to the rides . . . what part of the theme park would you like to visit first? Share your picks below and in our poll!

Love,

Luna

Women are increasingly involved in politics throughout the world. Julia Gillard, pictured above, was just sworn in as the first woman Prime Minister of Australia. Ms. Gillard has served on the Australian parliament for over 10 years, and she studied law before getting involved in politics. Although she doesn’t have children, she says she admires women who balance having a job and raising a family at the same time. Ms. Gillard promises to “lead a strong and responsible government.”

Currently, women hold about 22.9% of officer positions (like governor) throughout the United States. Nikki Haley recently secured the Republican candidacy for governor of South Carolina. If she wins the fall election, she will become the state’s first female governor!

In addition, Ms. Haley is American-Indian, and would thus become the first governor of South Carolina to be of a racial minority. Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has endorsed Ms. Haley, which helped her gain support.

In May, U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Elena Kagan to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her confirmation hearing is this week. We will keep you updated on what happens!

Do you enjoy politics? If you were in a political position, what topics would you be most involved in helping? Take our poll, then tell us below!

Love,

Luna

One of the reasons that we moderate everything girls submit to the website is so that our members do not experience cyberbullying. Cyberbullying includes harassing emails, name-calling, spreading rumors…real-life bullying behaviors that are expressed over the Internet.Not all websites are moderated, and unfortunately, cyberbullying is sometimes a result. Recently, Girl Scout Dominique Napolitano testified in Congress about the need for greater online safety. Celebrity Psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw also attended the hearing.

Dominique hopes that other teenagers wills listen to her tips for online safety because she is closer to their age and thus “on the same level.” She believes that, “When the advice is coming from another teen they might feel like the other person knows what they are going through. I am inspired to advocate for teen safety because I want to help save teens from feeling hurt or guilty.”

Along with other Girl Scouts, Dominique helped created an online safety website. This website tackles issues like cybersecurity from a teen’s point of view.

Dr. Phil says that 42% of children have reported being bullied online. In your experience, do you believe that cyberbullying is a big issue? How can this problem be resolved? Take our poll and then share your ideas below!

Love,

Luna

Recently, the New York State Senate passed an “anti-bullying law,” which they hope will create a school environment free of discrimination. Governor Patterson still has to sign off on it for it to go into effect. Once it does, the law will protect victims who are bullied because of such things as ethnicity, weight, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender.

In related news, Constance McMillen, a lesbian high school student in Mississippi, was denied from wearing a tuxedo to her prom, and bringing her girlfriend as a prom date. The parents of the high school students organized a private prom, which Constance was not invited to. Instead, she was directed toward a prom that only had seven attendants, teachers, and the principal. Since most of her school wasn’t at the prom Constance was invited to, she called it a “fake prom.”

A U.S. District Judge ruled that it was unconstitutional for the school to deny Constance from taking her girlfriend to prom, and from wearing a tuxedo. While Constance never went to her real prom, Ellen DeGeneres gave Constance a school scholarship upon hearing this news. U.S. President Barack Obama also just hosted a reception at the White House for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Pride Month. And he invited Constance and her girlfriend to attend this special event!

What do you think about this news? Do you think bullying will decrease in New York State schools if the Governor signs the anti-bullying law? What are some other ways schools can work toward ending discrimination? Please share your thoughts below and taker our poll!

Love,

Luna