Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

I've been asked to motivate a group of high school sophomores — yikes! Help, anyone? Honestly, the last time I spoke with sophomores in high school I was a sophomore in high school. It didn't go well, but that's because I was in high school and a sophomore. I remember what I thought when someone other than Bill Cosby was asked to speak to us -- I thought, Blah, blah blah and when are we getting out of here and of course Bill Cosby never spoke at my high school.

I like to tailor my presentations as specifically to the audience as I can, so I need to do some homework here. Yes, I'm asking for help with my homework. I'll trade you my brownie at lunch tomorrow! (No, that's a lie, if you know me you know I'm not giving up that brownie for anything.)

Emotional support is always nice but I'm looking for specifics. I realize attempting to profile high school sophomores is a tall order, but if you have any good insights, like, "If you don't mention twerking, Kanye, and the new iPhone release, you will lose them" — this is the kind of thing I'm looking for. I know, it's not easy.

So, in review: Parents, cool aunts, or even friends of sophomores, recent sophomores, and about-to-be sophomores: What's on their minds these days? What are they interested in, what grabs them, what alienates them, what gets them talking?

Check out some of the answers I’ve already gotten on Facebook.