By Meredith Rutland

FLORIDA, USA – With medical concerns like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases looming over their heads during abstinence-only sex education classes, teenagers across the U.S. are calling for a more comprehensive sex education policy. They say that sex education that also focuses on contraceptives, condoms and understanding one's body addresses teens questions while soothing emotional concerns that many students believe are all too often left unaddressed.

Katherine, 16, who asked that her full name not be used, wasn't offered a sex education class while studying in a Catholic school in Miami, Florida. She said the only mention of sex was for students to avoid it at all costs.

By Jenny Pilecki

CALIFORNIA, USA – Winona Hudak, 15, is an evangelical Christian who advocates for changing the curriculum at Huntington Beach High School in California, U.S., to include Intelligent Design in the science courses. Proponents of Intelligent Design claim that the universe was created by the Christian god and not by the processes identified by scientists, such as evolution by natural selection.

“If Christians have to learn atheistic views, then they or other people should learn Christian views,” Hudak said. The pastor of her church, the Forsquare Christian Church, preaches often about Intelligent Design and what Hudak called “evidence that proves evolution’s falsehood.”

Thompson's sneakers, a faded pair of black Converse low-tops, have more than the typical signs of wear and tear. Scribbled in black ink are the names of her boyfriend and favorite bands. As personalized as Thompson’s shoes may be, they also represent a fashion trend among teenagers: expressing the soul on the soles of one's shoes.