Hey, Cherie!

I am in 10th grade and hate my school. Even though it is a liberal religious school and they do not try to pound religion into me, I still think that I would be a lot happier at my local public school. I have attended religious schools all my life; I would like to go to a normal school with kids from all over, instead of only kids from my religion.

But my parents are not interested. My school is pretty small, while all the public high schools are huge. Plus, there are gang problems at some of them. I know that I would not get into a gang, but my parents do not want me in that environment. I should also say that I am a "C" student because I don't like to work — my parents are afraid of how I would perform at a public school where teachers would pay even less attention to me.

Is there anything that I can say or do to convince them to let me change high schools? I really do not want two and a half more years at this school.

— Public School Fan

Hey, Public!

Get A's instead of C's, or at least try your hardest. I mean it. That may sound flippant and curt, but 50,000 years of Homo sapiens and Cro-Magnon experience has illustrated that when children demonstrate an ability to do what their parents ask of them, then parents are more likely to be flexible when the kids ask for something.

That is the truth, whether the issue at hand is hunting mastodon or where to attend school. I can't imagine a kid, who failed at slaying a mastodon, telling his caveman dad that he should be switched to a different kind of hunting. And I can't see too many parents being sympathetic when their "C" student — one who says they don't want to work — comes to them and asks to switch to a tougher kind of school.

You will find no bigger fan of the principle of public schools than me; same with allowing a child to help shape his or her schooling. But when that kid is operating from a position of weakness instead of strength, it's harder for parents to convince themselves to say yes. You have eight more months in this school year — show your abilities, and you'll have a much easier time when you bring up this issue again in the summer.

Hey, Cherie!

My 10-year-old little sister hates pizza, and it is really embarrassing. I am 15. When we have a family meal, she never eats pizza. She only tried it once, too. What kid doesn't like pizza? How can I get Kristy to enjoy pizza?

— Pizza Lover

Hey, Pizza!

Whoa, baby. As a former New Yorker, I'm in shock. Not like pizza? I suggest you go for the this-is-great-pizza approach. Invite some of her friends over, order in pizza, and have those friends do the "this is so good" thing.

I bet your little sister takes a slice. And they say that peer pressure is always a bad thing, nope.

Cherie Bennett is a best-selling author of books for teens and young adults. Visit her website at www.cheriebennett.com. To find out more about Cherie Bennett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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