Miley Cyrus has made the internet go ‘bangerz’ once again after her VMA date, Jesse Helt, a twenty-two year old former homeless man turned himself into the Polk County Jail in the Willamette Valley community of Dallas, Oregon. After accepting the award on Miley’s behalf, he discussed the issues of homeless youth in hopes to spread awareness.

“I am accepting this award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving, lost, and scared for their lives right now,” Helt stated. “I know this because I am one of these people.”

“Helt was booked on a probation violation warrant and then posted $2,500 bail,” said Martin Silbernagel, director of Polk County Community Corrections. His arrest was due to an alleged violation of probation.”Court records show that Helt pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief and criminal trespass several years ago after breaking into the apartment of a man he believed to be selling bad marijuana. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and probation. The arrest warrant was issued in November 2011 after he violated probation.”

Jesse’s mother, Linda Helt, said late Thursday that the whole situation has been a whirlwind experience, and she confirmed that Cyrus has offered to help pay for her son’s legal help.

Despite rumors, Cyrus and Helt are not dating and she actually met him at the Hollywood homeless center My Friend’s Place that Cyrus is a proud supporter of.

“God gets the glory and she gets the credit,” Helt said.

FSA Connection Questions

1. Select the best sentence that summarizes the article.

2. What is the connotation of the phrase, “Whirlwind experience”?

3. How does the style of the passage influence the tone?

4. Which word is a synonym for awareness?

5. What is the main effect of the quotes in the passage?