It's Slime Time!

What do burping, volcanic slime, and the Jonas Brothers have in common? They all took center stage at the 22nd annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California, this weekend. Ninety million votes were cast in 18 different categories!

The Burp Award was given based on live performance and not votes, however. That award went to Rico from The Penguins of Madagascar after the animated flightless marine bird belched out a loud one!

Promising more slime than ever before, host Duane Johnson, star of Race to Witch Mountain "rocked" the show with his funny, upbeat personality. He promised kids everywhere to make this year's show the slimiest ever. But there was just one problem: he needed to find the key to activate the "volcanic slime eruption."

While he looked, the Jonas Brothers brought down the house down with their performance of "S.O.S" and "Burnin' Up." Sparks literally flew off the stage as they sang. The Jonas Brothers came away from the annual event slimed and honored as Best Musical Group.

The audience then went wild for The Pussycat Dolls who performed "When I Grow Up" and "Jai Ho."

Actor Will Ferrell broke the show's slime record by sliding down a 200-foot "slip ‘n slime" into a pool of the green stuff.

"I'm about to cry and barf all at the same time!" He shouted after climbing out of the goo.

During the awards show, viewers voted online to pick Johnson's next funny stunt. The options were: sing opera, knit leg warmers, or dress like Miley Cyrus, star of the TV show Hannah Montana.

It's not too hard to guess which option viewers picked!

Johnson came onstage in a bright orange rhinestone dress. He also wore a long wig, along with his goatee. Miley adjusted the top of his dress for him before she was named Best Female Singer. She started to cry as held onto her award, which is a replica of the Nickelodeon blimp.

"I really thought I was going to lose," she said.

In the end, Johnson learned he needed a musical key to activate the volcanic slime pyramid. The Jonas Brothers saved the day when they sang in the musical key of "G" for green. The whole auditorium shook as slime erupted into the crowd!

Gotta love that slime!

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Winners
Favorite Movie: High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Favorite Animated Movie: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Favorite Movie Actress: Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical 3: Senior Year)
Favorite Movie Actor: Will Smith (Hancock)
Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda)
Favorite Music Group: The Jonas Brothers
Favorite Female Singer: Miley Cyrus
Favorite Male Singer: Jesse McCartney
Favorite Song: "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Beyoncé)
Favorite Reality Show: American Idol
Favorite TV Show: iCarly
Favorite TV Actress: Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place)
Favorite TV Actor: Dylan Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Favorite Cartoon: SpongeBob SquarePants
Big Green Help Award: Leonardo DiCaprio
Favorite Male Athlete: Peyton Manning
Favorite Female Athlete: Candace Parker
Favorite Video Game: Guitar Hero World Tour
Favorite Book: Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

— Mariam El Hasan, Scholastic News Kid Reporter

Get the latest on national and international events, movies, television, music, sports, and more from Scholastic News Online.

Photo: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan talks to Brenda Song, who plays hotel heiress London Tipton on Suite Life on Deck,  at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, March 28, 2009. (Photo courtesy Mariam El Hasan)

Game (Almost) Over

Attention, Gamers!

Tomorrow's the day! What day? Well, the last day to submit your video game idea to the Invent A Game Contest (the winning idea will be turned into a real game!).

For the last month, we're been bringing you a series of blog entries to guide you through the process of inventing your own video game. If you missed any of them, check out our roster below. You've still got a whole day to get your game on:

March 11: Intro to the Game On! Program
March 13: The Steps of Inventing
March 16: Review Your Favorite Games
March 20: The Different Types of Video Games
March 23: Designing Your Game
March 27: Naming Your Game

Now, go submit your game!

— The Game On! Team

Peter Lerangis 39 Clues Exclusive!

An update from author Peter Lerangis:

Hey, Splotters!

Well, I'm home for a few days before heading off to the Windy City (Chicago). I'm pretty winded myself, but in a good way. A GREAT way, actually. It's been amazing to see the numbers of readers hooked on Amy and Dan's search for The 39 Clues. I visited a LOT of school groups on the West Coast, and wherever I went, I met students and teachers who were fun and enthusiastic and full of good, sharp questions.

But nothing quite prepared me for Mr. Bentz, Ms. Campbell and the Skyline School in Solana Beach, CA.

This visit was scheduled last on the West Coast leg of The 39 Clues Double-Dealing Tour. We'd seen the Skyline kids and their teachers, Michael Bentz and Ms. Campbell, in a video feed last December (the day of the webcast with Whoopi Goldberg and Gordon Korman). Their energy and passion for The 39 Clues was impressive. Mr. Bentz had even integrated the books into the school's curriculum. Well, we suspected they'd planned something for my visit last Friday morning, because when we called to say we were on our way, Mr. Bentz asked us to delay a bit while they "prepared." Uh-oh.

THE FIVE: Best Scary Books for Kids

I'm the type of girl who's usually first in line at the movie theater for the latest scary flick. I like to be spooked -- ghosts are a particular favorite of mine, but I'll make do with aliens, or even monsters if need be. Naturally, it's no surprise that my bookshelves are lined with some super scary titles that I've read again and again -- because the best scary stories are the ones that get scarier each time you read them!

So here are my top five favorite scary books for kids:

5. The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
Prepare yourselves, readers, for the scariest dollhouse you've ever encountered. After reading this tale about a girl whose dollhouse holds terrifying secrets, I spent many a dark night consumed with dread over whether my dolls would start whispering confessions to me. Sadly, or luckily, they never did.




4. All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn
I myself wasn't a troublemaker as a kid, which I suppose is why I found it fascinating to read about characters like Travis and Corey, siblings who have been kicked out of summer camp for being pranksters. They spend the summer at their grandmother's inn, and what starts off as just another prank — staging fake ghost sightings and charging tourists for them — quickly turns all-too-real when they realize the inn actually is haunted! Some truly frightening moments make this book suitable for slightly older readers.

3. Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac (ages 12 and up)
Not to be confused with the new book Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman (another scary tale that combines video with reading!), Skeleton Man is tense, creepy, and unexpected. It weaves together some Native American history with modern-day references (it was written in 2001), and even though it's seriously scary, it's refreshing to read about a gutsy young girl who sets out to solve the mystery of her missing parents.

2. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
What can I say — Mary Downing Hahn is a master at telling scary stories! I actually hadn't read this title until a friend of mine recently reminisced about it, sealing the deal for me when she mentioned it was truly, seriously scary. And it is — all graveyards and hauntings, converted churches and legends . . . and I couldn't put it down. This one is not for the faint of heart!

1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (ages 12 and up)
Sometimes the best reason to read a scary book is to learn that not all “scary” things are dangerous — or all that frightening. This 2009 Newbery Medal winner starts off with a terrifying scene, but ultimately, the ghosts of the graveyard prove themselves more humane than some of the actual humans in the book. Scary, sure, but also funny, captivating, and tender.

What are some of YOUR favorite scary reads?

— Morgan, Scholastic Staffer

Catching the Love Bug: Exclusive with the Jo Bros

They're the hottest group since the 1990s Backstreet Boys mania, Hanson phenomenon, and *NSYNC obsession. Not only are they are rapidly burning up the charts with hit singles such as "Hold On", "S.O.S.," and "Burnin' Up," these boys are also selling out shows, clothing, magazines, and other items with their photos plastered on them as fast as the fans can recite, "Nick, Joe, and Kevin!"

Now, to fuel your fanatical adoration even more, THE STACKS is providing you with an exclusive interview with the Jonas Brothers. Check it out!

Joe, what's it like living your life on camera for the new TV show?
Joe: It's great, it's cool. It's definitely fun for us.

Nick, who are your inspirations for songwriting?
Nick: Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Prince; those are all big ones for me.

And how about for you guys? Joe?
Joe: I'm a big fan of Mick Jagger. He's always been amazing. And Bono, and some really influential people. Their songwriting is just amazing.

How about you, Kevin?
Kevin: I agree with all of those. I'm a big country music fan as well, so Brad Paisely, Tim McGraw. Lots of things like that as well.

How do you keep it real?
Joe: I think it's just important that you have time with your family and friends and you take that time. Thankfully, we have some really good friends of ours who've stuck around all these years throughout everything.

And they still give you trouble when you act up?
Kevin: Of course, but that doesn't happen.

What was the inspiration for "Tonight"?
Kevin: I think everyone's had that moment where they're on the phone and something's not going great, and then you just have to let it go that night. Hopefully it resolves. In the end, in the song it does kind of resolve, which is nice.

There's no personal story behind that?
Nick: No. I think it's just kind of like we said, relating to our fans and things they've told us that they've gone through and just being able to incorporate it into a song. I think we definitely have gone through it too, but I'm not going to give away the story exactly.

What is your funniest fan encounter?
Joe: We've had a couple. Way back when we first started, we were doing a school tour, and we were sound checking and Nick happened to be backstage by himself and the doors broke open. The girls broke open the doors and kind of all jumped on Nick. It was pretty scary. I just kind of walked away. Kevin was pulling the girls off of Nick. It was really funny.

Do you each have different types of fans or is it pretty even between the three of you?
Joe: There is an age gap between each of us, but not that much. Every fan kind of has their own thing. Most fans, we hear that they like all three of us.

During those Beatle-mania style moments, what is going through your head as you're trying to make your get-away or pull people off your brother?
Kevin: We love playing those moments on the television show, especially. In real life, as well. We just enjoy it. We have the best of both worlds.

No fear?
Joe: No. We have a really good team around us that keeps us safe and protected. But more than that, I think we just are really happy with our fans. We have the best fans in the world.

Sounds like these guys have some pretty crazy fan stories, but still love every minute of what they do. Are you a Jonas Brothers fan? If you are, enter for your chance to win a signed Burnin' Up CD!

— Carly M., STACKS Staffer

The Name of the Game

Paging all gamers! We're bringing you a series of blog entries to guide you through the process of inventing your own video game — and then you can enter your brilliant creation in a cool contest (the winning idea will be turned into a real game!). Today, it's all about naming your game. Read on for advice from Alyssa Hansen and Kaycee Johnsen, two 15-year-old inventors!

An important step when it comes to creating something like a video game is naming the invention itself. It may seem simple and unimportant to name the creation, but it's more important than you'd think. In fact, the name is really a major selling point for your game — it will be the first thing that comes to people's minds . . . Do you really want to have an unimaginative name? Take Post-it notes for instance…would you rather buy something called “Post-its” or “little pieces of paper with sticky gunk on the back”? Giving your invention a catchy and cool name shows that you care about it and care what people think of it.

When it comes to naming your invention, it could be a really simple name or a more creative name. Here are five suggestions for naming a new invention or video game:

1. You could simply name it for what it does. An example of a video game that says exactly what it represents is “NBA Basketball.” Keeping it simple is a good way to ensure that everyone will know what your invention is just by simply hearing its name.
2. Name it for its parts. One great way to come up with an invention is by putting parts of different things together. Suppose you came up with a game where you had to search for treasure and solve mysteries. You could call it “MysteryFinder.”
3. You could also feel free to name it after yourself. Some of the biggest creations of our time were named after the people who dreamed them up, like Disneyland after Walt Disney, and Ford after Henry Ford. And, hey, if you don't like your name, you could always name it after us (just kidding!).
4. To get more creative, try naming your invention using fun and catchy sounds — like Yo-Yo, and Hula Hoop. It should be something fun to say out loud, something you'd happily say over and over again. The first invention we helped create is called Boogie2Boogie because it has to do with putting 2 body boards (also called “boogie boards”) together. We spent a long time coming up with a giant list of possible names, and when we went back to our teammates with them, Boogie2Boogie was just the most fun to say, and it stuck!
5. Try using initials as well — like UPS (United Parcel Service) or GM (General Motors). You could also use numbers and symbols in the name of your invention to make it stand out. The pool game we invented with our friends is called UX, short for “Underwater X-treme.” One of our friends made up a cool logo that is eye-catching and that helps people remember the name of our product, even though it is just two letters.

We hope you get the idea that naming your game is a big deal! The better the name, the more attention you'll receive and the more drawn to your invention people will be. It may be hard for you to decide what name to use, and that's okay. Just make a list and start narrowing down to your favorites. Ask your friends for opinions, too. Their different viewpoints will help you understand what other people will think when they hear about your invention. Who knows . . . maybe one day we'll hear your game's name or see it on a shelf, so you want to make sure it's memorable!

Good luck! We can't wait to hear about your inventions!! And don't forget that the contest entry deadline is coming up on Tuesday — so you'd better get your game on!

— Alyssa Hansen & Kaycee Johnsen, Kid/Teen Inventors

 

Alyssa Hansen and Kaycee Johnsen, both 15, began inventing when they were just 10 years old. They, along with their siblings and friends, have created Boogie2Boogie, a new kind of wave-riding toy and the Underwater X-treme, a challenging pool toy that solves the problem of everybody peeking when playing Marco Polo. Both inventions won the National TOYchallenge and are currently being marketed by By Kids For Kids. Alyssa and Kaycee have been writing a regular column for creative kids in bkfk.com since 2006 and have co-written a book and activity kit that teaches kids how to invent. You can see all of their creations, and a lot more at www.bkfk.com.

Cool Book Stuff: Secret Passageways

I grew up in an old house, full of history and antiques and tiny staircases. And, I was convinced, full of secrets, too. I just knew that if I searched hard enough, I’d uncover a hidden passageway to the shed out back — or, cooler yet, a secret underground path to the beach a few blocks away.

I long ago gave up my search, but luckily, hidden passageways and secret rooms feature in a lot of amazing books, so I can live vicariously through the characters who disappear, find treasure, or even step into different realms. Plus, reading all those books has taught me the best lessons I’ll need, should I ever discover a secret passageway of my own.

For example, I know what to listen for when I start knocking on walls in my search for a hidden trapdoor, and how to carefully run my fingers up and down any cracks in the wall, looking for the latch. That’s because I’ve read The Ghost at Dawn’s House (The Baby-sitters Club #9) too many times to count. I also know not to give my trust too freely to anyone I should meet if and when I finally find that secret passageway – because I’ve read (and seen!) Coraline.

Secret passages and hidden doors are everywhere in literature, including places like Hogsmeade (where a trapdoor in the cellar of Honeydukes lets Harry Potter and friends connect to a secret passage that leads them to Hogwarts), the city of Venice (which Amy and Dan Cahill discover in The 39 Clues Book 2: One False Note), and even hidden in plain sight behind a fireplace (like in The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless by Ahmet Zappa). You just have to know how to find them!

So do any of you have hidden passageways or secret rooms in your houses? Would you want to find them if you did? Leave a comment and let me know!

— Morgan, Scholastic Staffer

It's Back . . . In Paperback -- Paint the Wind

Hi Ink Splot Readers,

One of my favorite Scholastic authors is Pam Muñoz Ryan. She is an incredible writer who has written over 30 books! I met Mrs. Ryan at an event at Columbia University. She was part of an Authors Readers Theatre group, along with some of Scholastic's best authors: Brian Selznick, Sarah Weeks, and Avi. Each of the authors selected an excerpt from their books to perform, then had their fellow authors help them in reenacting the scene. It was amazing to hear the story from the author's own voice. Mrs. Ryan chose a scene from her book Paint the Wind.

The book is about a girl named Maya who lost her parents when she was five and has to live with her extremely stifling paternal grandmother. Her grandmother is so strict that she doesn't let Maya run, shout, or play in the house. Bringing friends over is out of the question. Her grandmother even refuses to talk about Maya's mother. Maya is basically a prisoner . . . until her grandmother dies. After her grandmother's death, Maya goes to Wyoming to live with her grandfather on her mother's side. In Wyoming, there is a horse named Artemisia who runs free. Artemisia holds the key to Maya's memories about her mother.

We are fortunate enough to have an interview with Pam Muñoz Ryan about Paint the Wind. My favorite question is about the horses' names. Pam says that they were all named after famous painters, mostly from the American West, where the story is set. I love when character names have some significance beyond the story.

If you want to read more about the horses' names and other behind-the-scenes trivia, read her interview! And leave me a comment letting me know which question is your favorite!

— Nick, STACKS Staffer

Stacks in the City, Pt. 5: Minneapolis Pub Library

This month I am bringing you a special edition of Stacks in the City, featuring my home state of Minnesota! Two weeks ago I went back home to visit my family and friends, as well as to get out of the city that never sleeps for a bit so that I could catch up on my own. While there, I decided to visit the relatively newly built Minneapolis Public Library, located in downtown Minneapolis.

After visiting the library, I can now add this onto the list of cool and notable things in Minnesota (in addition to the Mall of America, the Winter Carnival, the Minnesota State Fair, and the handful of famous musicians from the state).

I must say, the Minneapolis Central Library is quite spectacular. According to The Minneapolis Star Tribune, the new Central Library building was designed by famed architect Cesar Pelli, who is known for his design of the World Financial Building in New York City and the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia. Along with the Minneapolis architectural firm, Architectural Alliance, Pelli crafted a miraculous library, which — at $250 per square foot — features a host of energy-efficient measures, including a roof garden and utilizing substantial daylight instead of electricity.The library opened to the public on May 20, 2006.

What I loved most about this library were its children and teen areas, which distinctively stood out amongst all of the stacks and shelves of books. Teen central is a separate room on the second floor, with neon lights and cool chairs for readers to sit in. However the children's area was by far my favorite, with dragonfly models hanging from the ceiling and reading activities all around.

Want to see for yourself? Check out my photos!

So, the next time you end up in Minnesota, after you're done checking out the Mall of America, the lakes, and the amusement parks, head downtown with your parents to see the library. Plus, later this year the Minnesota Planetarium is slated to open on the roof of the building.

— Carly M., STACKS Staffer
A special shout-out to all of my fellow Minnesotans!

Character Confidential: 3 Qs for Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo Baggins (from The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books) is one of the all-time classic "unlikely hero" characters. First of all, there's that silly, alliterative name — really, break it down and say it without attaching any context, it's ridiculous. And then there's his appearance and physique, which might generously be described as "roly-poly." Short, squat, big, hairy feet; definitely not your typical Orc-slayer.

Still, he's a legend for a reason. He's quick-witted (if the riddle showdown with Gollum is any indication), and he's brave enough to stand up to goblins, enormous spiders, and a dragon. Of course, the real reason he's important in J. R. R. Tolkien's mythology is that he finds the One Ring and brings it back to the land of the living, as it were. In doing so, he sets in motion the events that fill the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings. He also begins a slow descent from a happy-go-lucky hobbit with nary a care in the world to someone who finds himself struggling with an addiction that he only partially conquers, which makes him a pretty tragic figure in the end.

Anyway, if I could sit down with Bilbo, here's what I'd ask him:

1. Do you ever wish you hadn't found the ring — is the knowledge that Sauron is gone for good worth the pain that the ring caused you and a lot of people you love?
2. How did you convince yourself to give Frodo the ring?
3. Finally, a riddle: The man who invented it doesn't want it. The man who bought it doesn't need it. The man who needs it doesn't know it. What is it? (Splotters: 2,000,000 extra special bonus points if you can figure this out — but NO GOOGLING. I'll know.)

What's the answer to question #3? What are you hoping Bilbo could tell you? And what the heck is going on in that video? Holler at a scholar in the comments!

— Jack L, STACKS Staffer

Creation Station: Designing Your Own Video Game

Attention all gamers! We're bringing you a series of blog entries to guide you through the process of inventing your own video game — and then you can enter your brilliant creation in a cool contest (the winning idea will be turned into a real game!). Today's focus: how to actually design your game. And who better to walk you through that process than two teens who have done it themselves? Read on for a step-by-step guide from Alyssa Hansen and Kaycee Johnsen (both 15 years old)!

Think about it . . . We would never have known about Mario or Jigglypuff or Pac-man if someone hadn't created them. Designing those popular characters and their games may have been a challenge, but we're sure it was fun at the same time. Guess what? It doesn't take a professional to design an amazing game! In fact, anyone can design a game if they put their mind to it!

We gave you ideas for getting started in our last blog entry — now it's time to get specific about designing all kinds of games, including video games! The first thing is to think about who is going to play your game. Inventors call the people they are designing for the “target audience.” Will older or younger kids play your game? Is it something a family would play together? Or is it a solo adventure? Are there different types of people who would want to play your game? Although it may seem like a lot to think about, each of these questions will help you get a better idea of how to create and design your game. We promise!

The next step is to decide what kind of game you want to create. Is it going to be a racing game, an adventure game, or a story-based game? (For a cheat sheet on different types of games, check out Friday's post from the Game On! team.) Guess what, that's the easy part! Now you have to get specific! How many levels are there? Who are the main characters? Will it be an easy or hard game? Will it be multiplayer — and if so, will they work together or compete against one another? Most importantly, what is the main goal of your game? You need to know what it means to “win” the game so that you are always leading players toward that target.

Got all that down? Great! Here's the fun part — get out your pencils, markers, and paper and start drawing! Make some drawings of the characters. Will they be girls and boys? Are they aliens? Whatever you think of, just jot it down on some paper. Then sketch each level on a separate piece of paper (assuming there are levels). Think about whether there are certain things in each level that the player has to do to get to the next level, or if there are specific things allowed on each level. Does your character have a certain amount of lives? Also make sure you create a set of rules for the player to follow. Make the rules as clear as possible by drawing charts and using examples. Not into drawing? Then create an outline of how players will advance through your game and what needs to be accomplished at each step.

Not into drawing? Then create an outline of how players will advance through your game and what needs to be accomplished at each step.

Put your drawings or outlines into one giant map and see if it makes sense to you. Think about how players will move through your game. Have a good friend look over your map to see if they understand it.

If writing or drawing everything down on paper isn't quite doing the job of reflecting your game, try making it in 3D. Try putting everything into a board game first. That will help to get your ideas across more clearly, and it will help you test out your ideas for how to play the game.

After you figure that out, share your ideas with all your friends, and most importantly, the people you designed the game for — your “target audience.” Ask them what you could do to improve the video game and make it more fun. You'd be surprised to see how much their input helps. After all, you want to make a game that people will enjoy and have fun playing! Remember, you are the boss. You don't have to take all the advice you are given. Use the advice that makes the most sense to you for improving your game.

After you've improved your game, you've completed the design process! You're ready to set your idea in motion! One way to do that is to enter the BKFK video game design contest — professional video game programmers will create one winning idea! Maybe your game could be the next big thing — we can't wait to play it! So get started on creating your game, and be sure to check back on Friday for our next post, all about naming your game.

— Alyssa Hansen & Kaycee Johnsen, Kid/Teen Inventors

 

Alyssa Hansen and Kaycee Johnsen, both 15, began inventing when they were just 10 years old. They, along with their siblings and friends, have created Boogie2Boogie, a new kind of wave-riding toy and the Underwater X-treme, a challenging pool toy that solves the problem of everybody peeking when playing Marco Polo. Both inventions won the National TOYchallenge and are currently being marketed by By Kids For Kids. Alyssa and Kaycee have been writing a regular column for creative kids in bkfk.com since 2006 and have co-written a book and activity kit that teaches kids how to invent. You can see all of their creations, and a lot more at www.bkfk.com.

Ashley Argota: Singer, Actress . . . Smarty Pants?

Last month, we got the exclusive from Keke Palmer (who plays the title character in the Nickelodeon show True Jackson, VP), when she visited the Scholastic Store to read to her fans. And now, we've got more from behind-the-scenes at True Jackson, VP. This time we're bringing you an interview with Ashley Argota, the actress who plays True's best friend (and assistant at Mad Style), Lulu.

Q: Where were you when you learned that you got the role in True Jackson, VP?
Ashley: I was home taking a science test — I'm home schooled. So I was working on a science test and I heard the phone ring, and I knew it was my agent because I'd been waiting all weekend for the call. Because my last callback was that Friday, and my agent was like, “Okay, you'll probably get the call sometime next week.” And I was like, “Okay.” So when the phone rang, I knew it was them and I was really, really scared to pick up the phone, and I was like, “I don't know if this is good news or bad news.” So I picked up and I heard her say, “Is everyone there?” And I was like, “What do you mean everyone?” And apparently my manager was on the phone too. So I put the phone on speaker and my mom came in the room. And my manager and my agent at the same time went, “You got it!” And there was a lot of screaming that happened after that. My manager on the phone was crying, and I was screaming my lungs out. And I had a full battery on my phone at the beginning of the day, but because I called so many people and told them, I had absolutely no more battery. It was terrible.

Q: No bars!
Ashley: [laughs] No bars.

Q: That must have been a really exciting moment.
Ashley: It was. I remember what time it was because I happened to look at the clock — it was 12:21 when I found out.

[Carly] I love when you look at a digital clock and there's some fun combination of numbers. My favorite is 12:34. And, if you look at the clock at exactly 11:11, you're supposed to make a wish.