The Best of the Stressed--and the Rest

Prom breakouts. Relationship breakups. Life-depends-on-this finals. Ugh! Stress--it’s not on the syllabus, but it’s as much a part of high school as small lockers and big books.

So who takes the prize in Stress-Off ‘99?

You decide:

Elizabeth Smith of Canyon High and Briana Stephenson of San Clemente High won a contest at their schools: Smith was voted most stressed by the senior class, and Stephenson wears the crown awarded to the biggest stress case.

Stephenson may find help from classmate Jennifer Thomas, who trains in the field of stress management. Thomas works as a statistician for a cardiology research team that evaluates stress testing.

If that fails, Smith and Stephenson could always follow the advice of Ebony Reed of Bolsa Grande High. She just plain deals with it. “My claim to fame is probably my attitude. I really never get stressed out,” she says.

Ah!