Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.
Friends Czarina Ascuncion and Kaitlyn Li are both 8th graders at Washington Middle School. Li is a euphonium player in the band, while Ascuncion plays clarinet in the band, and violin in the orchestra. Band teacher Mr. Ujimori and Orchestra teacher Ms. Maeshiro create a safe space for friendships and music to thrive. Ascuncion and Li reflect on their start in music, and offer advice for incoming middle schoolers.
Last Friday, The Conversation talked to Mark Newton, minister defence at the British Embassy in Washington. The U.K. was one of 26 nations represented at a Honolulu defense conference.