Each month we will bring you a list of 13 things you can do to make the world stand up and take notice... in a positive way. It's time people knew that the future is safe in your hands. So get ready to show up all the nay-sayers who think that teens are living in an alternate reality by practicing any, or all, of these Random Acts of Teen-ness.

1. Next time you hear someone telling a sexist or racist joke, don't just stand there with a frown on your face, say something! Tell them why the joke isn't funny and let them know how un-cool you think they are for feeding the fire of ignorance and intolerance. Do this even if the joker is an adult, being right has no age limit.

 
2. Give up your seat on the bus or subway to a senior citizen, little kid or pregnant woman (or anyone who obviously needs it more than you do) BEFORE anyone else does.

 
3. When you are around little kids, watch what you say and do -- like it or not, you have an audience and they do look up to you.

 
4. Don't smoke! It doesn't make you look cool and non-conformist, it just makes you look unoriginal. Rebellious teens have taken up puffing their lives away for generations, and chances are good that your own parents or their friends acted out in their youth by indulging in this very smelly habit. If you really want to shock the masses, never smoke and make sure everyone knows that you don't need to pollute yourself, and those around you, to feel cool.

 
5. When your parents are away, throw a party... a cleaning party that is! Gather your pals and get busy cleaning out the garage, tidying up the yard or scrubbing the house from top to bottom. Then take the crew on to the next house and surprise another set of parents with your clean spree.

 
6. Give blood at your local blood bank, and bring along as many friends as you can when you do. Make a day of it, start off giving blood and end up saving a life!

 
7. Sign an organ donor card and discuss your wishes with your parents and closest friends. If there are any organs you don't want to donate (your skin is an organ after all), or if there are some things you don't want your body used for (you can specify that your donation is for transplants only, as opposed to research purposes), make it clear and put it in writing.

 
8. Let your little brother or sister choose the video for once, and don't whine and complain when you end up watching "The Emperor's New Groove".

 
9. When one of your friends suggests doing something stupid or harmful, don't go along. Let them know that the idea is lame and come up with something productive and fun to do instead.

 
10. If a homeless person asks you for change, and you can afford to give, hand them something with a smile. If you can't afford to give, or if it isn't something you can support, refrain from making rude jokes or degrading comments, just smile and say, "Sorry, I can't." There are lots of adults who lack the maturity not to spit on someone when they are down, and by doing this you'll set a much needed example for everyone.

 
11. When you go to the beach, bring enough waterproof sunscreen for everyone!

 
12. Make it a habit to always ask if you can get something for someone else when you are going to get it for yourself. For instance, when you get up to get some milk at dinner, ask the others at the table if they would like a drink too. If you are returning your library books, see if anybody else needs their books dropped off.

 
13. When it is late at night and you and your friends are taking in the warm summer air by cruising the neighbourhood, keep the noise to a minimum. If you are driving around, don't keep the tunes pumping. If you are walking around, keep the chattering to a dull roar. You may be on summer break, but for most people, the summer months are business-as-usual. You should make an extra effort to follow this one on a week night, and definitely when you are in a residential area, since most people still have to get up and go to work.