Viva La Vida

VIVA LA VIDA

Stories of Life, Love, and Growth

This book was written by the 2019–2020 students of Andy Molnar’s English Class at the Academic Leadership Community and printed in May 2021.

The views expressed in this book are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of 826LA. We support student publishing and are thrilled you picked up this book.

Las opiniones expresadas en este libro son las de los autores y no reflejan necesariamente las de 826LA. Apoyamos la publicación de jóvenes autores y estamos felices que haya recogido este libro.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Editors:

Jiamei Zhou

Dominique Zamora

Jack Cline

Cover & Book Design: Puicón-Pérez

Echo Park 1714 W. Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, Ca 90026

Mar Vista 12515 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90066

from the Students of the Academic Leadership Community

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 Viva la Esperanza / Long Live Hope

La Paz sea Contigo BY LUZ G.

This New Night BY ANA S.

Positive Side BY MAYNOR L.

Distance: Response poem from “The Moon is distant from the sea” by Emily Dickinson BY BERTA V.

Coffee BY NANCY P

Standing Tall BY CHRISTIAN M.

The Moment In Time, The Reminder Of Hope BY ERIC G.

I Wish My Past Was Written in Pencil BY MATTHEW V.

The Empty Halls BY ELIZABETH S.

Soledad es Mía BY AXEL P. Keep On Going BY JUAN P.

ASHLEY P.

Memory of the Past BY ALBERT P.

J.P.

S.

CHAPTER 8 Viva el Entendimiento / Long Live Understanding

No Hate BY ROSA F.

Growing Beside You BY MADELYN M.

The Joy of the Playground BY DELVIN M.

Live Life With No Regrets BY JAVIER Q.

The Sun and the Moon BY VANESSA N.

Grow up and Live BY CARLOS A.

You BY KATHIANA P.

Outgrowing BY KARINA M. L.

Future Me BY JARRET C.

CHAPTER 9: Viva la Imaginación / Long Live Imagination

The

Forest BY JENNY A.

Night

BY IVONNE G.

The Repeated Dream BY SUSANA H.

Winter

BY CAROLINA J.

Z.

That is Me BY CYNTHIA

R.

Impoverished Society BY BRANDON C.

Oppression over Hispanics BY KIMBERLY A.

Should Schools Reopen? BY MARIA R.

The Story of an Immigrant BY LEIDI T.O.

Los

BY OSCAR

M.F.

INTRODUCTION

The year we hoped for, stolen.

Instead, we got more natural disasters more political corruption more systemic injustices and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the midst of the chaos we the students of ALC braved the challenges.

We moved forward still with resolve to fill empty pages with voices.

Indeed, we got stories of growth stories of love stories of triumph and life in a pandemic here in these pages: what was stolen, we take back.

2020 Student Editorial Board

Jeffrey J.P., Peter L., Karina M., Albert P., Dimson R., Brianna R.

CHAPTER

1

Viva la Esperanza

Long Live Hope

LUZ G.

LA PAZ SEA CONTIGO

In this busy world it’s hard to find a moment of peace. Every flashing sign is urging us to calm down, but how can we when the lights are blinding and nauseating. Cars rush by, whipping hair into faces as we feel ourselves pushed forward by the speed of the moving vehicles.

Maybe if we sat down we could be alright.

The signs tell us to express ourselves, our feelings, but only out loud if they’re good, so instead, we write.

We write until our hands cramp and our eyes water from exhaustion. The words left unsaid haunt pages upon pages of notebooks. The palm of our hand glides across the paper we write on, smearing words together. All the memories, the hurt, and the love, stays inked onto our hands. All the feelings pour out of us like we lost a screw in our minds.

And as the sun lowers, everything is painted with a warm shade of yellow. We look out the window, and turn our faces to the sky. Squinting, we see the sky move quickly, but without the chaos of city streets. Clouds morph into animals, and places, and people we know. Birds sing evening songs of comfort and church bells echo three streets away. They make you remember four words exchanged with firm handshakes and kind eyes.

“La paz sea contigo.”

As the words sink in, the sky cools down and the gradient of cotton candy colors gives off a sense of tranquility. The world moves forward, moves with ease.

And all we can do is hope to find that peace.

Luz G. is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

ANA S.

THIS NEW NIGHT

Up in the sky

There’s nothing but a moon, Lustering its moonlight And welcoming everyone into this new night

This new night where everyone Forgets or regrets Remembers and smiles Meets up to hang out To build new memories Or ready to head home And slumber to reach the end of this Weary day

Ana is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

MAYNOR L.

POSITIVE SIDE

You walk, leaving school and heading to work

Knowing your backpack contains a bunch of homework

Thinking about the test that you probably did bad

Having that feeling your parents will probably be mad

You feel tired and think about giving up

But you know your parents didn’t come here to see you get broken up

So keep going with your head up high

The good times will come by

Maynor is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

BERTA V.

DISTANCE

Response poem from “The Moon is distant from the sea” by Emily Dickinson

I, the bright Moon, distant from YouBut still, I will guide YouI will lead You - like the ConstellationAlong the dark Sky -

You will never get LostYou will be under my ControlSo far from home - from your ComfortI will take You - back Home -

Oh, Dear, You, will now guide meAnd I - will be HomeUnder your Control My eyes fixed on You-

Berta V. was born in Van Nuys, California and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is a junior at the Academic Leadership Community. She is first generation, second oldest of four kids and only daughter of Salvadoran immigrant parents.

NANCY P.

COFFEE

He’s a blanket of hope. He’s my professor, teaching me the path of life. Teaching me experiences to make me strong. He said what Denzel Washington taught him: “I failed over and over again and that’s why I succeed.” With a coffee in his hand, he kept mentioning that I will fail at a point, but it’s okay. He’s my book of knowledge. He said a guitar is not easy to play if you don’t practice and if you don’t have a guide, but he said not to be afraid to make mistakes. He said, “No te rindas.” He also taught me the meaning of an old saying: “You hang around the barbershop long enough, sooner or later you’re gonna get a haircut.” Just be patient with yourself. A tissue will just take your tears away but might not take your pain away, and it’s okay, life at some point will give you what you deserve. My professor is teaching me the path of life. He said to keep my mind cold, to disconnect my mind from my heart and to listen to the strongest, to develop character. He said to identify happiness and commitment. You cannot be committed to happiness. Be that flower waiting to look its best. He was about to finish his coffee when he said, “Stay away from obstacles, because they will get in the way in your best moments.” Words from the wise man. I love you, Grandpa.

Nancy P. is a short girl who likes to eat and go out with her friends. She’s calm but also crazy. She likes to travel and her parents support her with everything, Nancy wishes to accomplish her dreams, which are to become Spanish teacher or a kindergarten teacher. She loves babies but she doesn’t want her own.

CHRISTIAN M. STANDING TALL

I can hear the steel cracking. I hear the footsteps of the people walking on top of the steel. I smell baguettes. It feels old and rough but yet maintained as the steel seems to have been cleaned of rust recently. I notice the architectural design of this steel maleficent. I taste love in the air. Whenever storms raged within the city, whenever people reached the top to eat, whenever the Nazis invaded, whenever all odds seemed against it, the Eiffel Tower in Paris kept standing. She stood tall and was a beacon of hope to those that were losing faith. Now, she is the tower of love for those that go to Paris, France.

Christian M. is intelligent but a not so smart person as he always finds some way to get hurt. He tells his stories and emotions through simple words that mean much to him.

ERIC G.

THE MOMENT IN TIME, THE REMINDER OF HOPE

Moment in time, reminder of hope

It broke my heart I won’t say it dope

Feeling so sad, need to talk to a pope

Placing my feelings in a envelope

I don’t know what can you gain

By seeing all this pain

They took him away from me

Crying all the way down to my knee

I wish you and me sitting watching upon the sea

Now you’re gone, I can not see you again

I wish you could see me graduate high school

Now I know how life made me a fool

Throwing my graduation hat up in the air

Thinking of you

Man I wish I can swear

Man I know life isn’t fair

Now you’re gone, but I still feel your presence

You took care of me like anyone would, now that is a blessing.

Eric is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

MATTHEW V.

I WISH MY PAST WAS WRITTEN IN PENCIL

As time passes by fast, next time you know you’re in the position where you can’t think of the next move. Life is like chess: if you want to win the game, you have to think ahead, watch every move you make.

Life can also be miserable. People keep coming in and coming out, but you’re the only one who can choose who can stay in your life and who cannot. From letting people with ambitions stay in your life, to letting people go who can’t prove to you that they are the best to stay in your life.

Everyday, you keep striving and finding solutions for those confusing or unsolvable questions you always have in your mind. Even if you want to change those unforgettable memories you had, or replace them, you can’t.

I wish everything would just be the same again, I wish everything would be fine. I wish every step I make, I could track it back. I wish my past was written in pencil, erasing what I needed to delete and replace it like it was some bad grammar, and adding something that I could’ve done when I had the chance to.

I just want my life to be like jazz, smooth, stress-free, not worrying about something else but having those freedoms.

Matthew V. is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

ELIZABETH S.

THE EMPTY HALLS

I have been acquainted with the silence

I’ve walked the road away from all the pain

I’ve walked these halls in fear

Fear I will lock eyes with another

So I roam the halls early morning

Still with no sign of life

Preparing for what’s to come

I stand still and take in the silence

For when the time comes the silence will be no more

And the halls will roar with life

Nowhere for me to take in the silence and be at peace with my thoughts

Elizabeth S. is a very introverted person, but she loves Pokemon and the rain.

CHAPTER 2

Viva el Dolor

Long Live Pain

MARTIN S. RAIN

Looking outside the window, rain hitting the front porch. A yellow flash cracks the sky, and seconds later a mighty roar from the storm. The light from the storm makes the world look brighter from total darkness as if somebody was flickering a flashlight. Inside my heart, the storm continues the pain one person can cost you. The memories that flow back like a river of tears. The storm gets stronger and the rain is continuous rain, rain, rain, rain, dark clouds mean pain.

Martin loves the rain and it brings out the inner feelings from his smiling face.

NERI A.

WATER POOF

This is being written on March 15, 2020, at 9 something PM. Currently, I have no thought on what I’m writing, all this is coming straight through my head, so let’s begin.

Today was normal, feels like a Saturday even though it’s a Sunday. I woke up at 7 AM. Stayed on my phone for two hours and got up at 9 AM. That’s life. I went to the restroom and cleaned up.

I ate a burrito today, it was good. They were two beef and bean. The small burrito, with the tortilla rolled around it, with the stench being so strong my nose was starting to feel hungry, and with its body getting ready to be lifted off the plate and be put into my mouth. It was delicious.

I also ate two peanut butter jelly sandwiches. They were good too.

I’m not sure what else I did. Oh, I watched Jumanji: The Next Level. I watched the one before The Next Level, they both were about characters in a game. They were good. I would rate it an 8/10. Maybe I was feeling a little hungry but it was good. I ate a few Cheetos puffs but I didn’t enjoy it as much because I kinda wanted Takis. I would have gone to the store to go get some but they probably sold out or something because of this Coronavirus.

Speaking about the Coronavirus, it’s pretty bad man. Water, toilet paper, hand sanitizers, and more are pretty much sold out at every store.

I wonder why everyone is packing up so much toilet paper though. It’s not like we, humans, poop 50 times a day. I would check a doctor just in case you do cuz I don’t think it’s healthy.

No school is also in effect. Some people think it’s good, some people think it’s bad. I don’t know what to think, all I know is that the Earth is round. A bunch of surprising things happened to me this year but I think it’s too much for this writing to explain here.

After I watched Jumanji: The Next Level, I watched YouTube. Now it’s 7, I ate again. I ate those same burritos from earlier, but I ate three. I watched Bob’s Burgers when I was eating. Great show, rate it a 10/10.

Well, I think that’s it for right now.

Neri is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

MANUEL P. PAIN.

A response poem to music from Lil Peep and Lil Tracy

If I gotta I’mma wait in the rain

Girl you don’t know my pain

And my life is made out of mistakes

Girl you don’t know my pain

If I gotta I’mma wait in the rain

Girl you don’t know, I’m insane

And I’m not happy with this life that I made Girl you don’t know my pain

No religion girl, but I know I’m a saint

Regrets that I’ve made, I’mma die with them

I don’t wanna die but we can’t escape death

So I’ll try to live my best, try not to be stressed

Used to want to fit in, but now I could care less

I’m different unlike the rest, thought that should be said

Tried to reach the sky but I felt clouds instead, what you know about it

I can’t love no girl, I don’t got time for them

You don’t know my name, you don’t know my pain

I know I’m on my way to hell, and the beamer switching lanes

Girl, I just came to get rich get out of my brain

Remember me when I’m gone, with that Gucci on my waist

I rarely like to think, but I love to hallucinate

I won’t go far away, I’ll stay in the same place

Waiting for you to come back, to end my pain yea yea

If I gotta I’mma wait in the Rain

Girl you don’t know my pain

And my life is made out of mistakes

Girl you don’t know my pain

If I gotta I’mma wait in the rain

Girl you don’t know, I’m insane

And I’m not happy with this life that i made Girl you don’t know my pain

Manuel P. is a nice guy. What else is there to say?

AXEL P.

SOLEDAD ES MÍA

Loneliness only disappears when The mind travels

In a new unique world of Loneliness

Soledad thinks that This situation is sad

But Together we can dissolve Our problems

Through art

Soledad is my emotional muse Who accompanies me Through dark days

Loneliness was a little Light who grew in a dark locked room She is my persona

In every moment that I think, draw, dream They always ask, are you sad?

No, I am not always sad I am just thinking

To disappear… I’m scared to be seen faking a smile sometimes is the best way to avoid feeling uncomfortable in front of everyone even though my heart hurts to not have friends

Axel P. is from Oaxaca, Mexico. He is a shy boy who loves drawing while he is alone. The best way to transmit himself is through art. His favorite color is green.

JUAN P.

KEEP ON GOING

Waking up feeling tired and bad

Looking at my grades makes me mad

Trying to motivate myself everyday

But all I want to do is stay home and play

A legend once said to get better everyday you wake up

I live by this trying not to let anyone interrupt me

Listening to music or playing basketball to clear my head

Because I don’t know if I’ll always make it to my bed

Juan P. is a student at ALC who loves watching and playing basketball and soccer. He also enjoys playing video games and listening to music. He hopes to be a better person and graduate high school.

MARCOS P.

BIGGEST YOUTUBE EVENT IN 2018-2019

KSI vs Logan Paul was one of the biggest events in youtube in 2019. It all started on February 3, 2018 after KSI had fought another youtuber known as Joe Weller and won. After the fight in front of the whole crowd, KSI called out the Paul brothers known as Jake Paul and Logan Paul because they don’t have a good relationship and hate each other. After a few days the Paul brothers had reacted and agreed to fight. KSI’s new opponent was later confirmed to be Logan Paul. The fight took place in the Manchester Arena, Manchester, England on August 25th with headgear. Finally the day had arrived both YouTubers over 20 million subscribers were gonna fight and become history. It was a tough decision but all 3 judges decided to call it a tie. Everyone was disappointed with the results and wanted a rematch for both of them. Logan and KSI had agreed that they would have a rematch and it would be taken on November 9, 2019, except this time there would be no headgear. It would take place here in LA at the Staples Center. This time they wanted someone to win and someone did win. The winner was KSI and won because of a controversial two point deduction on Logan Paul for holding and hitting KSI when he was down. KSI is still undefeated and now his new opponent is Jake Paul.

Marcos is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

BRANDON D.

BURIED IN WORK

A response poem to “Red Roses” by Langston Hughes

I’m waiting for the summertime

When the sunrise lurks-

Sizzling, Sunny, Summertime

When the sunrise lurks

Cause if I’d be in the Winter

They’d bury me under work.

Un’neath de homework, lawd, Oh, what would I do?

Un’neath de homework, I say what would I do?

It’s bad enough to be bored but, I don’t want homework too,

I’m waitin’ for de Summertime

When schools’ expired

Waitin’ for de Summertime

An schools’ expired

Ll’ make a nice setting

For a man that’s tired.

Brandon D. is a Junior at ALC. He skates and plays soccer. He gets easily bored of most things and he likes to just kick back and chill.

JOSE A.

CHILLS TO THE DEVIL

I walk a long path of bad behavior. I was in sixth grade the first time I was arrested. Some fool was talking trash and I wasn’t about to take it. I caught him outside class and asked him, “What’s your problem?”

He answered with a shove, so I answered with a punch. Never seen so much blood pour out from a mouth before. His braces caught his lips, the police rushing to the scene, questioning any kid who had committed similar atrocities. Before I knew it, I found myself in handcuffs, in the Dean’s Office, crying, explaining my actions.

Ten years have passed and I haven’t learned my lesson. I was thirteen when I had a knife in my possession. I thought I was the baddest dude in the hood without a question. I thought I was gonna give chills even to the devil. I’ve been dodging that fool forever.

Since that day in sixth grade, everything has gone down hill. But there are people by my side now that tell me I have to chill.

Author Bio: Jose is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

KIMBERLY M.

SAME AS ALWAYS

Struggling, he grumbles but remains calm. He twists his hand to the right three times, two times to the left and finally one turn to the right. Opening his locker in one swish he pulls out his phone to check the time to see that he only has at least two minutes for him to get to class.

Looking inside his locker to see his binder with a few books on the side, swiftly he takes out his three-inch black binder and slams his locker door with a BAM. As fast as he can walk (without getting in trouble) he shifts from side to side, dodging students in front of him to get to class on time.

Just as the bell rings he goes into the class huffing, then he looks at the teacher who looks at him but just turns her head to her computer, saying nothing. Taking a heavy sigh, he sits down in the back of the room close to the window, slumping his backpack on the floor while opening his black binder to a clean white lined paper. Taking a pencil he begins to write down what the teacher wrote on the board and what she is saying, not paying attention to any of his classmates.

He looks out the window to keep himself entertained. What feels like minutes for him are hours, he snaps out of his thoughts when he hears the bell ring, putting his stuff inside his backpack at his own pace to not get caught between groups or pushed harshly by other students.

Walking out of the classroom he just looks straight to find the next class, since there are less people, there isn’t much delay so he gets to class with two minutes to spare. Sitting down at his assigned seat (which is in the front of the room), he takes out his black binder from his backpack with a pencil to take notes. Learning new formulas from the teacher, he writes

down as much as he can as time passes. His writing comes to an end when the bell rings. Putting his utensils in his blue backpack, he hangs it over his shoulders to the library where he just relaxes his mind for a while. He turns on his phone, plugs in his earphones and finishes some work for tomorrow. He goes to his last two classes and all he does is take notes but it requires some reading from time to time. Walking through the streets, he breathes the fresh air, admiring the leaves falling from the trees and how the sky shines so bright that it blinds him when he looks straight at the light.

Arriving at his apartment door, he takes out his jingling keys from his backpack’s front pocket and puts it in the knob to twist the door handle to open his door. Putting his stuff on the table and taking off his shoes, he flops down on the soft and cozy bed. Groaning, he sits on the bed and goes over to the table to get his backpack. He takes out his papers and a book that he needs to do his homework and gets right to it. He grabs a snack. As he completes all his homework he yawns and looks at the time, the same time as other days he completes his homework.

How long is he going to do the same thing every week, especially the weekends, when he has more chores to do? He sighs heavily and puts his written papers on the binder he has in his backpack. Standing up he goes to the bathroom to shower for a while. Putting on his clothes to sleep with, he jumps on the bed, then takes his phone that was by his side off of the bed to check if he put the alarm at the right time for the morning.

Turning off his phone, he charges it and puts it on his table, and pulls the covers over him, warming him up, the sleep taking over him. His last thought is, “Curse this time loop.”

Kimberly is a junior at the Academic Leadership Community. She is Guatemalan, and even though she lives here she will never forget the place she was originally born.

CRUZ C.

CHANGE

Waking up at 10 am, dreaming of a delightful dream, as soon as I open my eyes, I see everything I thought this was just a horrible nightmare

But I have realized that I would never wake up from this world

Questioning, “why is their destruction between brothers?” Don’t we all have dreams, a soul, born the same And our life ends as everybody’s else, DEATH why, why, why, why?

But I keep trying to close my eyes I keep trying to have that dream

But how can 16-year-old kid process this Brutality, violence, injustice that happens right in front of him A man dies easily, but difficult for people to notice and change Screams for help don’t get heard unless you are important But as I see more of this world, the less I can sleep

Then I wake in the middle of the night, Having the same dream I had when I was young. It’s been 70 years since I had that dream, A dream of hope and peace

But this time I am old and about to die

As I see the last of my life passing, I see on tv More war, riots, violence, injustice, sickness, poverty, Then I decide to close my eyes and fade away from this world

Cruz is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

CATARINA J.P.

MY SUNLIGHT

When I wake up

I see the sun in my window

Shining through the leaves

Bustling through the morning breeze

Every morning I remember my father

I remember my job en la cantina

I remember the bottle

I remember los borrachos

I remember my father died en la cantina with his bottle in his hand laying on the cold floor

People looking, panicked

But not caring

I wish I could disappear the poison

That kills. The poison that killed my father

I wish I could’ve done that sooner

To get my father back

To get all of the people back

The victims, the families

I wish I could stand in the morning sunlight

Shining through the leaves with the morning breeze

Hands locked with my father

Listening to his sweet voice calling out to me

Now I can just visit him

Cry and cry sitting down

Staring at his tombstone

With his remains

I remain with him for a short time

Not feeling the morning breeze.

Catarina J.P. is the oldest of four siblings. She is a lover of nature. With big dreams, she’s always hopeful of everyone and everything. She’s lived 17 years and is waiting for the next ones to come, hoping every day to accomplish something… but she is too lazy to do it.

CHAPTER 3

Viva la Felicidad

Long Live Happiness

MICHELLE C. RUNNING

Mind clear, soul here

Hearing the gun shot make its way

One long deep breath and boom

Sprinting, legs moving, heart racing

Trying to get ahead of the crowd

Too many people around

Getting up to pace and trying to be first

Nothing around matters anymore

Concentrated in the race

Moving the muscles

But moving the energy running through me

“Can’t fall behind, can’t fall behind”

Another deep breath, heart still racing

Listening to my heart beating faster than my legs moving

Feeling the pressure of the crowd around

Listening to me and my legs moving fast

Turn after turn

Lap after lap

Almost done, no need to panic

Can’t give up, won’t give up

Feeling the breeze of air in my face

The cold going up against my sweating body

Legs trying to stretch farther and farther

But most importantly, mindset set to win

One more lap, just one more

Moving faster and faster, sprinting at this point

Last 100 meters… last 10 meters

Pushing harder and harder, time running

Crowd yelling and cheering

That rush adrenaline

Zoom, crossing the finish line

Time set ...panting …breathing heavily… satisfied

That feeling you get when running, I’d never switch it for nothing

Track and field is where my heart is and will always be.

Michelle is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

DIEGO P.

ON THE MOUNTAIN

One moment that I remember most of the days is when I was living in Mexico. When my grandfather, my brothers, and I went to the forest to collect some fruits and vegetables. There we had some fun swinging and throwing water at each other. We usually go to the forest most of the days but on one of the days, it was normal. I was trying to cut an orange when I saw a bee in front of me. My grandfather told me to stay still and not move, but I was very tense. I ran like crazy and the bee stung me and since I was on the mountain I rolled down like a ball. After that I only laughed.

Diego P. is from Oaxaca, Mexico, likes playing soccer, listening to music, and being with his family.

ASHLEY P.

MY CRAZY GROUP OF FRIENDS

“LAS FEAS AND ME LOL”

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people We all have different personalities but are all crazy in someway Laughs, jokes, chisme, and much more that we share makes up our days

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people They make my days feel less boring I know that you listen to what I have to say even if it’s dumb

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people They are like family and that is on “Periodttt”

I love my family and like them, these people take a special place in my heart. :)

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people We’ve been together in this Crazy Group since Freshman Year We’ve grown together and have gotten through bad, good, and stressful days together

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people We have spent many days together inside and outside of school

Many memories created that will remain in my heart even if we are no longer in touch

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people Diana, Ana, Karina, Neysa, Flor, and Angelica you all have made days a little better, thank you

Diana, I love that you are always laughing at my jokes and we can joke around all the time.

Ana, I love that you also laugh at my jokes and that we can also joke around.

Karina, I love that everytime we hangout it is always fun and full of jokes and laughter.

Neysa, I love that we could be weird together and laugh at the smallest and weirdest thing. Although we sometimes argue and you get on my nerves you are still pretty cool, lol.

Flor, I love that I could make you laugh anytime and that we have a good friendship.

Angelica, I love that we could laugh and have a good time every time we are hanging out.

Hopefully we remain in touch and meet again in the future, if we separate

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I will miss you FEAS so much

We are soon graduating and soon going our own ways I wish you the best of luck and remember me, your Crazy Friend

I can only speak for myself and all I can say is, the world is not ready for US

I hope you all accomplish great things and turn your dreams into realities

Keep up the good work and don’t change your personalities, please

I can only speak for myself and all I say is, I love these people

Ashley P. is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

BRITTANY L.

RAMEN

A good, steamy ramen

I want ramen, ramen with lots of noodles.

Ramen that I like best

A friend who will love ramen as much as me.

Everyday I remember how important ramen is to me.

I fall asleep, thinking of ramen. Having dreams about ramen. Ramen will always be mine.

Ramen can fix me right up when I’m sad, Looking more delicious, everytime I see it.

When I’m walking to the ramen shop, my mouth gets watery.

Ramen with noodles! Beef! Eggs! Curry! Sriracha! Ramen is so special and important to me. It’ll be my favorite food forever.

Ramen who will always be there for me. Fill me up when I’m hungry.

Ramen is my best friend.

I saw this last night in my dream, I said to myself, it’s just my dream ramen.

Brittany L. loves ramen!

ANGELO M.

WOKEUP

Woke up to people talking like me

Woke up to people sounding like me

Woke up to people talking like me

Oh, I think they like me, yeah

I think they like me.

Angelo is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

ALBIERI T.

REMEMBER WHEN WE MET

I burnt my hair in the shower last Wednesday. I met this guy who was in my class and his name was Bruh. He was rather boring or his face was just always like that. I barely knew him but it seemed like everyone else did. He was not a funny kid and I guess he was jealous of me because I was pretty funny. They told me his name and he was just sitting there in class and I said, “Hey Bruh. I like that name Bruh, but I don’t know you. Why don’t we go kick it and be friends?”

I not only burnt my hair last Wednesday, I spun around to get out of the burning water and burnt my back too.

Albieri T. spends most of his time listening to music and walking his dog. He loves his dog so much.

JARITZI S.

A MEMORABLE TRIP

Two years ago, in 2018, I went on a trip with my best friends to San Diego. I never had an amazing time like this one, even the ride felt just right. My friends and I first went to the pool. It’s funny because they don’t know how to swim, but I do. We dared each other to jump into the pool because it wasn’t that deep. After that we went to a fancy Mexican grill, we ordered carne asada, and it looked juicy and tasted juicy too. It’s memories like these that make me want to cherish every moment.

Jaritzi S. is a person that loves being social and loves doggies.

DIANA V.

THE GIRLS/ LAS FEAS

2021. The year I graduate. June. The month I go my separate way from seven friends. It is hard to believe that one day I won’t be able to see the friends I saw for each and every four years of highschool. Having to start all over, I just can’t picture a world without them. Fighting for a seat at the lunch table. Seven girls, each different in their own way. Each having a unique personality.

Ashley, she will always make you laugh even when you’re having a bad day and she will drive you wherever the fun is at. Angelica. She will always let you know what movie or T.V. show to watch and is a great photographer. Ana. Short and kind, but a great model for pictures; Ana will always know how to pose. Karina. She will always encourage you to do a sport and try new things and will be the first to know a new trend. Flor. She will always be on her phone, but will always have the best book recommendations. (P.S. Her name means flower in English). Last but not least, Neysa. She will always look flawless, even when she is sick, and will always bring candy on holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s day, which will always make you feel special. With them it’s like a whole nother world. Classes with them are a whole nother vibe.

Listening to music with the girls, in class. Sharing an umbrella when only two out of the seven girls brought an umbrella. Letting me use their locker, because mine doesn’t work. Filming Tik Tok videos after school. They will always have my back. They will always make me laugh with the foolish things they do. It’s weird how destiny has put us all together. Weird to think how we all became friends. Going down memory lane and remembering all of our adventures. Those deep talks we sometimes have during lunch. These memories will forever be carried with me. Thank you girls/ Feas.

Diana V. One of the members of Las Feas. A student at the Academic Leadership Community.

CHAPTER 4

Viva el Amor

Long Live Love

NEYSA A.

THIS IS MY STORY, WHAT IS YOURS?

Growing up as a child I never thought about the future and how my life would look like in five to ten years. Now living my life as an 18-year-old teenage girl has taught me many lessons throughout time. I realized that after my mom passed away, my sisters and I had more responsibilities in our household. I was raised by a single father who struggled with rent, but made sure his kids had food on the table, and good clothes to go to school with. After my mom’s death, my family split apart and we all went our own ways. Just last year, I lost one of my brothers from a car accident which impacted my life in many ways. I did not allow myself to fall into bad habits, but use this as a reason to always keep striving in life. My brother was homeless at that time along with one of my other brothers who is still struggling with alcohol abuse. My life isn’t the best, but I make the best out of it. What keeps me motivated in life are the people who care about me such as my family, friends, and most importantly God who blessed me with this life. I do not blame anyone, especially myself for the past mistakes I have made, because I don’t want to live with regrets. You may say that there is no such thing as a perfect family, but my family is perfect the way it is.

Neysa A. — Many say her smile is contagious because of her two dimples on both sides of her cheek. She is fun to be around with because she makes you laugh a lot. She is very athletic and loves to try new things. She is the most sweet and loving person you’ll ever meet.

FLOR M.

I LOVE THE WAY YOU ARE

I love the way you are

I love everything about you

The way you squint your eyes, and smile when the sun hits your face

As I stare at your beautiful ocean eyes,

A cool breeze lifts your beautiful reddish hair off your shoulder, and the constellation of your speckle freckles

I love the way you are

Your beautiful personality

As you show your kindness and understanding

The way you show sympathy

For those who are hurt from their broken hearts

I love the way you are

The way you smile when you’re genuinely happy

All the happiness you bring when you show your sense of humor

You put some smiles on others

And care for those who are close to your heart

There is nothing more beautiful than you

Who continues to fight for others

Despite the chaos and madness in the world, the world isn’t perfect and people aren’t as well,

but you are

I love the way you are In more ways than one You’ve shown me that I’m important, Your personality, Your kindness, Your beauty, and your love

I’m the happiest boyfriend you could ever have And you’re the only girl that I ever loved I love you No one can ever change you

Flor M. is a teenage girl who enjoys writing random stories about her made up characters. She also enjoys writing poems that express the world around her. She likes to try new things that give her the curiosity to learn. She is the friendliest person you could ever meet. She tries to understand the things that go around her and support the people that she loves.

LINDSAY C.

I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD

My parents are the most important people in my life

Both special in different ways

They give me a life full of surprises

No day is the same as the last one

They bring me happiness

They bring me joy

Leaving their country to give us a better life

Grateful that they always show us that it was worth it

Always keeping us together

Taking us to new places, feeling new breezes

A life full of laughter

Always creating new memories

Protecting us from the danger

Always putting us first

Thinking about a life without them breaks my heart

A life without that kind of love

There’s no day that I ever stop loving them

But that day will come sooner or later

That’s how life works

But for now we have to live life to the fullest

I love you mom and dad. Always

Lindsay is someone who loves exploring new places. She enjoys watching baseball and Netflix. She also spends her time playing with her dog.

MARYANGY J.

THE LOVE OF TWO

Since the day I was born, you were the first guy that really loved me. You taught me many things. You always corrected me when I would do something wrong. You always picked me up when I was down. You always protected me from the world. You were always there and never let me down. You made me laugh when I would cry. We had that amazing father daughter bond. You were supposed to be my best friend... But at the end you put a woman before your children, when your children should always come first.

I have so many questions to ask you, but I know your response will be “Things aren’t always like we expect them to be.”

I trusted that you would never hurt me… But despite what you did, I love you.

I found someone I really like You’ll like him, he’s really kind He’s funny just like you sometimes I found someone I really like maybe even for the first time. He makes me really happy He really loves me

He’ll never do nothing to hurt me. He does all the things you used to do

He makes me laugh when I cry He even wipes the tears off my face.

I know he’ll protect me from the world and he’ll never let me down. You held me tight for so long now, I think it’s time you let me go so someone else can.

I’ll always be your little girl, no one can ever replace you. You were the first guy that really loved me. I found someone I really like.

You’ll like him, he’s really kind.

Maryangy J. is a friendly, caring, and happy person. She loves kids, The Weeknd, eating and making other people laugh and smile. She was born and raised in Downtown Los Angeles but now lives in South Central Los Angeles. A goal she has in life is to travel around the world and enjoy life to its fullest.

ADAHIR U.

BASKETBALL

People play it for fun

But I play it with all my heart

We on the court practicing our shots

People dunking with such high hops

Shooting, sprinting, jumping, and passing

There is so much action

That I can’t take my eyes off

Firmly, I gripped an orange round ball

Dribbling with such a high amount of speed

I lose my balance as I fall on my knees

I spring back up, I don’t give up

I learned this lesson from Kobe

Aka the Black Mamba

Number 8 and 24

It was a shock,

To hear that you are now gone

Now everyone is here on the floor

Crying and sobbing

No one will forget this legend

With one ball, and with one’s skills

You can change it all

Adahir is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

JEFFREY L.

CHICKEN SOUP

It’s 4:30pm. Dark, alone, and woken up. I see raindrops through my window. While seeing the raindrops I hear ice falling from the sky. The moment relaxing, chill, and Peaceful.

I turn on the light and I see a tree next to two cars, and a pile of leaves. The wind is beautiful, hearing the sound, and the thunder Calm as ever. The next hour I smell soup. Chicken soup. When I am done I get dessert, tasting the creamy, chocolaty, frosted ice cream. Damn what a perfect day.

Jeffrey is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

RICHARD L.

FELL IN LOVE

You don’t have to be perfect To make me want you You’re beautiful top to bottom I’ll be your knight in shining armor That falls for you over and over

You make my world a better place Like sunflowers blooming in a vase And make my heart beat Like a drum bass

Richard is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

CESIA P.

BUTTERFLIES

As time grows closer, I look to see what’s in store

Try to take a peek into the future

I’ll get to hold her hand

They’ll play our favorite bands

I’ll maybe walk her to the driveway

I want to try to sweep her off her feet

Because the way she she looks at me is so damn sweet

Butterflies, when your face goes beet red,

Your tell tale heart gives you away

Cesia is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

GUILY P.

MY DEAR ABUELITO

All I have left is your memory the memory of your warm old hands of your arms without meat, of your robust body, of your small eyes like pieces of blue and immaculate sky. I only have memory of you, you are no longer here, you are history. I love you now in my memory, You can not imagine how much I love you.

Loving you was simple, Grandfather, you have gone from being a shadow to being a memory, a change of words, you see, that is death and the advantage of being human. Well, in truth, life never ends with a bed sheet and even if the shape is lost, there are those who dream of it and get excited, and that is reason enough to die happy and say goodbye to suffering.

Guilly P. Is a shy person, but is so friendly. She is learning English. She loves to listen to music all the time, her best friends are earphones. Guily loves to help other people.

RAFAEL B.

IN CASE YOU READ THIS

In case you read this, I just want to tell you, That since I was born You’ve carried me in every moment that I needed. Every time I’ve needed your help You’ve been there.

In case you read this, I just want to tell you that When my father came to the U.S. Even though you had four kids with him, And I was five years old, that hurt me a lot

But you were there to carry me, And you showed me that love exists. You taught me how to love everyone, that there aren’t barriers to love and to show gratefulness

You taught me that in good moments everyone is going to be there, but only real friends are going to be in the worst moments of your life.

In case you read this, I just want to tell you that When I was growing up You were there And you taught me That the prettiest love in this world Is the love of a mom for her children.

In case you read this, I just want to tell you that When my brother needed to come to the United States And it was an emergency you were there. My heart got broken when I left you When I started this new journey that I never thought would ever happen.

In case you read this, Right now my heart is breaking down Because you’re not with me anymore Because something went wrong. Many times I’ve asked God If I am paying something because I don’t understand why life isn’t fair. Why do we need to quit some things, to get something a little bit better.

Trust me I want to have you near me

And the only thing that I want is to feel your hugs that make me stronger.

My life makes more sense with you And if you’re not with me, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if it’s better if I go to you, Or if I wait for you.

In case you read this, I want to tell you that I love you Mom, from here, and for the rest of my life.

Rafael B. is a guy from El Salvador that is looking for his dreams in a big unknown land (the United States).

CHAPTER 5

Viva el Coraje

Long Live Courage

ALBERT P.

A MEMORY OF THE PAST

I awoke in a cold sweat. My legs trembling, I could not shake my sense of anxiety as I made my way through the school halls. “Today’s the big day,” I thought, as I made my way to class on that Wednesday morning. The air was tense, but my mind was sharp. I knew what I had to do if I was to score big on this project, the time I spent researching, the time I spent practicing, the time I spent wondering. Wondering, “Will I be good enough? Will the audience accept it, will they accept me?” My mind had been filled with doubt, but I knew I could not give up. I could not fail like I had done before, this time it was going to be different. No time to think now. I would have to perform a piece of the past, and how it affected the future, of a man who rose to fame and perished in obscurity, a monument of our country. His name was Thomas Paine.

Thomas Paine was his name

The son of a quaker, From officer to radical

For the sake of his pay

To America he made his way, He began to foreshadow the tyrannical battle

That would free the colonies,

For he was a patriot they say He wrote down his thoughts for the future that he sought Peace and liberty

For the better of America

It was Common Sense, he brought

He wanted us to fight

For the independence of the U.S.

He knew that Britain was an obstacle, possibly unstoppable

But that didn’t stop him from supporting the war

To him, our sacrifices were priceless

So he wrote a series of 13 numbered pieces

That would be named, Thomas Paine’s American Crisis.

The room was silent, only the sound of trees as they shook outside. Not a word was said, and the frightening thought that I had failed gripped my heart. “Was it all for nothing?” I thought. Had I succumbed to the same fate as Paine? I felt fearful. Was my effort to tumble into the pits of Paine’s coffin? I braced myself for their condemnation. Then I heard the sound of thunderous applause, a sound that washed away my doubt and fears. A sound that would make my pain a memory of the past.

Albert is an Academic Leadership Community student, who is interested in science and aims to become a veterinarian in the future. He is of Mexican descent and was born in Los Angeles, California. His favorite foods are pizza and chicken.

MANUEL D.

MISSING MEMORIES

Being an immigrant in the mighty United States it’s a big deal to live within,

In specific Latino, Waking up at home and Feeling far from home, Blue eyes full of hate on me everyday, Fighting with my tongue to accept the language, I’m not a criminal, I’m just Latino.

Math became my favorite class, I hated numbers more than letters

But by the time numbers became letters and Letters became numbers, Words hurt more than circles or triangles, Finding diamonds is easier than finding well paying jobs, I’m not a genius, I’m just Latino.

Beautiful places with beautiful people, Take my hand, Close your eyes and listen, Cumbia songs, Pupusas and family, Never forget these memories, Remember your past and who you are, Remember for what are we fighting for, I’m not revolutionary, I’m just Latino.

Manuel D. is a tall guy with glasses that likes video games. He is calm, funny, and sometimes competitive. You’ll never get bored with him.

VICTOR O.

WAS IT WORTH IT

To my younger self:

As I stood in the room you could hear the loud stomping getting closer. You could hear someone screaming, shouting. The steps became even louder, as they got closer I clenched my fist. I was ready for the end to come. This was supposed to be my last mission before being shipped home. My last day in the best Marine Corps unit on earth. As the mortar shells drop close to my unit, we prepare for our last stance. The youngest member of our unit, Joe, crying scared, calling for his mother, while we all prayed to God to guide us out of here. As we finished we saw Joe jump out telling us, “Live to fight another day brothers.” As all this was occurring I thought, “Why did I join? Was it patriotism or because I felt that I needed to do this for myself. I just wished I could have stayed in college instead. If I could tell my younger self… There are many options.” And I ended by saying, “Ooh rah.”

Victor is the person who knows what you go through. He’ll understand, and try to help you in any way. He enjoys listening to music, likes to hang out with his friends and is the pack leader. Overall Victor is an exceptional guy and is waiting to meet you and look towards the future.

TANIA D.

BEING A LATINA IN AMERICA

Being Latinx in this country means we have to double the effort to fit in and make others accept us, because our culture and language are not the same. It makes it difficult for people that do not speak Spanish to understand us or us to understand them when we don’t speak English. Being a Latina is a privilege for me. Knowing all the struggles that my country went through and still is going through, like gangs or too many crimes where innocent people are killed daily, has motivated my family to provide a better life for me away from violence, so I can have a better future. Many other Latinx people from other countries can relate to this because it only shows that we are proud of being Latinx and we don’t give up fast.

It hurts that so many people easily say rude things and easily say, “Go back to your country, you don’t belong here,” because we don’t speak English, have another skin color or because Latinx people are seen as bad people who are not helping this country. We have to keep going and show the world that we are more than just illegal immigrants.

Tania is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

JEFFREY G.

THE WAY: AN ORAL HISTORY

My name is Antonio and I was born in El Transito, El Salvador, in 1972. I grew up in a small pueblo. It was difficult growing up in this pueblo because there was a lot of pobreza, but I loved El Salvador and all the freedom I had as a child. When I was eight, my mother had to leave me with my grandma so she could migrate to the United States. I remember my grandma telling me, “Hijo, the only reason your mom left us is so she could help us financially and when the time is right, you will have to leave before the army recruits you.” I couldn’t picture leaving my home. In 1980, the Civil War began and they began recruiting young teenage boys to join the army. I remember one day I was going home after playing soccer with a couple friends. I was walking home and I saw my grandma running down, waving her hands, but I didn’t know what she was trying to tell me. I heard the sound of loud trucks and I began running to my aunt’s house around the corner. My grandma arrived shortly after and was crying because she was scared that they were going to take me. I spent the night at my aunt’s house and the next morning I went home. When I got home my grandma had some of my stuff in a backpack.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“It’s time for you to go to the United States with your mother. If you stay here you will most likely be forced to join the army and I don’t want that for you.” said my grandma. I knew that she was right, but I did not want to leave. My mother had arranged everything for me to begin my trip to the U.S. I had the help of a coyote that led the way. Throughout the trip, I was extremely scared to get caught and be sent back to El Salvador. It was a dangerous trip because we had to swim across rivers and walk up and

down hills. I arrived in Guatemala and spent the night at a hotel which I was thankful for. I slept in a small bed. The next stop was Mexico. We had to walk up hills and on the dirt path for a couple hours until we got to the next train. By the time we got to the train my legs felt numb from all the walking. I enjoyed riding the train because it was the only chance I had to rest and take a break. The rest of the trip involved us getting on and off trains and buses. The water that my grandma packed for me began to run out and I was extremely hungry. I arrived in Mexico. I was so amazed, it was such a beautiful country and the people there were so nice. They would sit outside and listen to these relaxing songs. At this point I knew that we were getting closer and I began to feel anxious. After crossing the border of Mexico, we were stopped by immigration and I was taken to jail. I was scared. I had never been to jail before. Immigration contacted my mother to inform her on what had happened. My mother did not know how to drive, so she asked her neighbor to drive her to where I was being held. My mother bailed me out and I began to cry. “I want to go home, ‘’ I told my mother. “If you want to go back home, you will have to find a job, save money and buy your own plane ticket back to El Salvador,” she said. My mother explained to me that immigration gave me a few days to go back to my country, and as much as I wanted to go back, I decided to stay, so I never left the U.S. even though I was supposed to. On my way to my new home in Los Angeles, I had to sit in the back of the truck. I could not take my eyes off the tall buildings and how fast we were traveling on the freeway. I wish my grandma could see everything I could see. I miss her.

Jeffrey is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

JEFFREY J.P.

NEVER SETTLE

The skills of basketball will NEVER be given, today, this year nor ever. I have the mind and work ethic like Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Although I never knew Kobe Bryant personally his interviews taught me to take everyday seriously as if it were my last. I dedicated my time to watch Kobe highlights and learn his game so that I can incorporate it in my game. I worked hard everyday, mastering the basics, pushing myself to exhaustion. I was never like this. I never took basketball seriously until the summer after my sophomore year. I believed that just by watching highlights and basketball games I would improve my skills but I was wrong. My motivation came from the failures I’ve encountered. One of many failures I’ve overcome was not making my school’s basketball team for two straight years, ninth and tenth grade. Knowing that I had the fundamentals and skills to be on the team made me furious because I knew that at any given time I can easily ball up and beat every single JV player and maybe some Varsity players. I believed in myself but the coach didn’t. I wanted to prove him wrong, I stayed after school two hours per day using my time wisely. I saw improvements that would soon turn into many strengths of mine. During the summer of sophomore year I started working as an intern at a legal fund and realized that basketball had to be put aside. I felt bothered because something I loved had to be given up but I knew deep inside that after summer break I was going to continue to practice.

Junior year arrived, I attended all four basketball tryouts trying to stand out and show that I was serious. I let my game do the talking and made sure to not make any friends during tryouts because I knew that I wouldn’t work

as hard because I would show pity for them. I made the team but was not satisfied because I knew that there is always room for improvement and at the same time I wasn’t happy about how our system was built around a particular player. The scoring was centered around the player and I can’t say whether he enjoyed or disliked the coach’s scheme. He was the go-to-guy in all of our first six games and our opponents would frequently double team him which would cost us all the games. The average point loss in our first 6 games was around fifteen to twenty eight, it was quite embarrassing but we never gave up on each other. I finished the season as a JV starter and almost racked up a double-double in one of my games.

That game was the best and special at the same time because it was three days later after Kobe Bryant, someone I idolized growing up, passed away. I was wearing number twenty four going into the game against Roybal. I had one goal and it was to win and score more than ten points. Although I didn’t reach double digits in scoring I did manage to get fourteen rebounds. It was an amazing feeling because at the start of my high school career I was a starter for Varsity and I played so bad that the next game I was given five minutes to play. The game against Roybal taught me that it’s fine if you aren’t able to accomplish a goal of yours because you just got to keep on moving forward and forget about the past. Ever since that game I have been setting goals, specific goals because I believe you can’t make a huge progress between two goals. This means that you can’t set a goal like making the JV team to making the Varsity team because there are steps in between and those steps are very important. I have many goals for a reason and it’s because I like to challenge myself so that I can be a better player and person.

My goals consist of making the varsity team for senior year, averaging more than ten points per game as a senior, getting recognition from either a D1, D2, or D3 school. Playing for Duke or Michigan State University is my dream. They both compete at Division 1, the highest competition in college sports. I also have longshot goals that are achievable but will require a lot of work, effort and dedication, one of them being making it to the NBA. I am willing to sacrifice my body and time to train everyday for many hours. I know that if I am given the opportunity to play basketball for hours in an open gym I’ll take advantage of it and I can tell you that I will be the first

and last player in the gym. Some people may criticize me. They may call me short compared to NBA players but I could care less because the more I pay attention to the critics the more I’ll struggle. Although it is true that I am short to be an NBA player, I make sure to block off all the hate because I am just trying to be the best person and basketball player I can be so that I can inspire others to follow their dreams.

Everyone has the potential to achieve their goal(s) if they give it everything they have. Giving it your all is better than not putting in any effort because you miss one hundred percent of the shots or opportunities you don’t take.

Jeffrey J.P. has a dream just like everyone else. His is to make the NBA and he will do everything he can to accomplish this huge goal. He strives for GREATNESS and wants to inspire others to follow their dreams and work hard. After high school he wants to play for a D3, D2 or hopefully a D1 school. The road to success starts now. To be successful you have to believe in yourself because no one else will do it for you and just focus on the future, not the past. Your failures are the boost of energy you need to overcome all obstacles in life.

JESUS S.

A SHY MAN

I am a shy man who walks alone to home. The man who doesn’t believe in himself. The man who doesn’t talk even if he has a problem. The man who stays away from others.

I am the man, who would walk till the end of the world for you. Yet feel that no one would even take a step up for me.

I am a Shy man, I like quiet places. Love to cuddle with my blanket. I love those rainy days, and listening to the water drop.

I am a shy man, who would surprise you if you win my trust. I’m a shy man who will surprise you pretty soon. Watch how strong I can be.

Jesus S. is a shy person, who spends his time listening to music and playing video games.

CHAPTER 6

Viva la Gratitud

Long Live Gratitude

PETER L. KOBE

On August 23, 1978

Birthed a young man destined to be great

Born to Pam and Joe Jelly Bean Bryant

His legacy will forever be triumphant

A young boy, his parents had given birth and seen

Would name their child, Mr. Kobe Bean

Kobe, born in the streets of Philly

His father played ball in the city

Of Brotherly Love, To provide money for his family

Six years later, moved to Rieti in Italy

A Black boy, foreign in a place where people looked at his face

Played football and spoke the language to save his fate

But basketball was truly his passion, playing in the streets while the kids was nappin’, asleep

To grow up to be one of the greats of the league

The league, the NBA, He looked up to Michael Jordan, the prominent face of basketball

Played ball every day, Played ball every night, every summer, every fall

Went back to Philly and started playing and carrying

For his high school team, Lower Merion

Working and playing so hard, Kobe, an All-American

Kobe, the young High School prodigy

Aspiring to be in the league from High School, the hot commodity

A young kid from Philly, to be in the NBA

Announced his declaration to be in the NBA

To be one of the greatest scorers one day, through practice and play

Drafted 13th in the ‘96 NBA Draft

Traded to the Lakers to play with Shaq

Struggled his first few years, trained and trained every single day

So much blood, so much tears, so much love for the game

Through airballs and misses, through assists and through swishes

81 points, all-star appearances, an MVP, gold medals and 5 rings to go with it

Kobe left a legacy that’ll never be the same

It is a shame what had occurred on Sunday

One of the pinnacles of basketball, to pass away

Kobe along with his daughter Gigi,

And her teammates, parents and the pilot

Their deaths won’t be silenced

Kobe, the coach of Gigi’s team at the Mamba Sports Academy

Was kind to give her teammates and their parents a ride in the chopper

Unfortunately, experiencing uncertain tragedy

We shall not forget about those who lost their lives too Who flew during a day that was filled with oddity and gloom

Kobe, the Black Mamba #8 and #24

Provided so much for this generation

Hard work and determination

Values as his core

Kobe, more than just than an athlete

He inspired millions to be more and stampede

For greatness, a businessman, an author, won an Oscar But foremost a husband and a father

Dear Kobe, we’ll forever miss you

You played a part in our childhood

I need some tissues

Crying when I was in my younger days - when the Lakers lost

Crying now when one of my idols is gone, but at what cost?

Dear Kobe, you left everything on the floor

Dear Kobe, you’ve done so much for the world - you’ll enter Heaven’s door

It’s so hard for the fans when we think of you

It’s so hard for your family, your wife and kids when they just got to be around you

Just barely got to make up for the family time that was due

Kobe, It’s so hard to say your name when I’m taking a shot in the trash can

You the best man, Kobe, you’re the greatest Kobe, the hard worker, the insanest

Your Mamba Mentality will forever be uncommon RIP Kobe, Your time on this Earth will never be forgotten

Peter is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

ABIEL Y.

RAINY DAY

I still remember the day when the big gray clouds engulfed our ball of gas.

Staring at the rain hitting the glass pane, Watching which of my droplets will win.

Seconds stretched, Cartoons were drowned out by loud thoughts. Downstairs smells like chocolate because of the tablea.

Pot filled with rice.

Bowls filled halfway, Lechera to top it off.

Warm, steamy rice warmed all of us up.

The champurrado was the highlight of the day.

Abiel is really bad at writing essays, poems and anything like that.

CRUZ C.

MORE MOMENTS

It’s a Monday, 9:30 am and everybody’s sleepy and tired, In English class thinking of what I should write about With my brain half dead because I slept late Not coming up with a single idea of what I should write about Should it be good or bad, sad or happy, interesting or boring. Then, that’s when it hits me, 10 years from now I’m gonna look at this and I should feel proud, And remember those times where life was just taking it slow and steady, So, what’s better than writing about my biggest accomplishment in high school.

But what is my biggest accomplishment, you may ask?

Having the fact that I haven’t accomplished that much in high school, I believe it’s all the people I’ve met,

To all the people who have been dealing with me for the past few years or months.

To all the people who just made my day when I wasn’t feeling good.

To all the people who asked me if I was ok when I looked sleepy or didn’t feel good.

To all the people who talked to me first, since the first semester of freshman year.

To all the people who I still talk to since freshman year, and over time still talk to me.

To all those people who are just awesome, And if I were to be a freshman again, I would talk to all of them the first day of school, and have more moments.

CRUZ C.

LETTER OF GRATITUDE

Dear all essential workers,

I am one of the many people who you have helped every day from good days to bad times. I’m Cruz, a 16-year old kid who lives near downtown L.A. and believe that I speak for a lot of people, thank you. I understand that every day when you wake up, there are times where you think, “Am I going to be okay?” I want you to know how important you are and how much you have done for us. I can’t name every single thing that you have done but I can say that life would give back everything good you have done. Everyday, you risk your own life for a stranger and I’m not just talking about doctors or nurses, I also want to thank other workers. The people who have been working since the pandemic started, you made sure this country did not crumble down. You all are important people who deserve plenty of recognition, especially if you are a doctor or nurse because you risk your own health for others. Personally, I knew a few essential workers and I have heard them talk about how hard their job was because of the pandemic, how they struggle because you can never assure yourself that you can go home with your family and not be concerned about anything. It’s not the same as before, but yet they continue working so their community can be a better place. I just want to let you guys know how grateful I am, and how every day I wake up, I feel relieved because I know that there is someone out there that can help me and feel more secure. You make hundreds of people feel secure. I don’t know what else to say other than I hope you guys have the strength to continue helping us.

Sincerely, Cruz

Cruz is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

JASMINE E.

REALIZATION

Coming home from school

Always feeling tired

I try my best in my given assignments

I can’t give in so easily

I have to put school as a priority

As it will lead us to a better future

Seeing the hardship my parents went through

Making me feel so guilty on how hard they work

My father leaving early in the morning

Then coming home late at night

Rarely spending time with his family

My mother taking care of us

Multitasking with us and doing chores

Life is hard as I learned at a young age

But I want to help them

There is something that I can do to help

To make our future better

JASMINE E.

THE PEOPLE I CHERISH

I want to be there for them

They understand me

Helped me through many struggles I had

Always worried about me as they can read me as a book I was afraid of them at first

Something was stopping me to approach them

We had a rough start since we had people in our lives before

As months pass by We started to be together

A conversation initiated our friendship

We started to see the similarities we have

Then a year passes

I get to meet different people in different places

From the dance room to the classes that I had This helped me

Getting along more with others with different ages

Wished that I got to meet them sooner as time runs out

Looking back, it makes me realize I met them in different places

It took hard work and time

But I’m glad I was able to be part of their lives

Jasmine is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

MICHELLE F.

ONE DAY MAKE IT TODAY

Maybe one day we’ll live in a world, where the amount of melanin in our skin, doesn’t define who we are, where it doesn’t determine the treatment we receive, here, there, and in that country too, racism forms invisible barriers, it seeds hatred, injustice, brutality, and murder. red and blue lights break the darkness, sirens break the silence, seven gunshots to the chest, no court date, just blood and a grave. moderate peace is broken, violence owns the streets, what happened to serving and protecting?

Maybe one day, we’ll live in a world where our skin color is not considered a threat or a target for bullets.

Michelle is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

MELVIN H.

MY GIFT OF GRATITUDE

To all the nurses, doctors, vaccine researchers, My name is Melvin H. from Los Angeles, California. I want to say thank you to what you have done for the people, the country, the citizens of Earth for risking your lives for tackling the Covid-19 global pandemic. I haven’t personally had any experiences with any doctor, nurse, or researcher, although a few of my relatives have been to a Covid-19 testing site. I am truly amazed with what you have done for the public and how you have worked. Working every single day endlessly, risking your lives at close proximity with Covid-19 patients. I myself would love to help people like you did but it’s the fear of risking my own life that held me back. All the lives you people have saved is phenomenal, truly amazing. We are all grateful for your service. We all hope you do your best to treat the people well and yourselves as well during this tough time. You guys are the future. You will make the human race prevail.

Best regards, Melvin

Melvin is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

DIMSON R.

ONE DAY

One day, You will be gone. You won’t be there when I come home. And it’s okay.

The memories, Good and bad, Will still remain in my heart.

The lessons you taught me Will still remain on my back.

The food you gave me, That made me a strong boy, Will remain in my belly.

I will miss you, But don’t you worry. I’ll see you again, Whether It’s in heaven Or On earth.

One day, I’ll need to say goodbye. Goodbye to the person who took care of me. To the only person who truly loves me.

Some day.

Dimson R., a caring, sensitive, gentle, and hardworking person, has many problems. He is an overthinker, and at times he is the smartest person in the room. Although he might seem lost in classes and in his life, he has his mind set on his goals.

CHAPTER 7

Viva la Música

Long Live Music

NATHAN P.

THE STRING OF LIFE

Life is as long as a guitar noise

It doesn’t stop until you stop playing the notes

Fretted with many riffs and keys

The keys only hold nerveless strings

In the keys, the silver fretts

The fingers that dance over them

The music is sweeter than the words

The circle opens. A new speech

That goes both high and low

The melodies of birds and bees

The murmuring of summer seas

Gently strumming the guitar

Air clashing with the guitar

Finger smack, the wire

The guitar was singing to my desire

Nathan loves to make music for himself and others. He is chill, talkative, and likes to play video games. He wants to succeed in graduating high school and see where his string of life heads towards science.

CLARISSE C.

MY QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

As a teenager, going through a worldwide crisis, I have a lot of uncertainty for my near future because I see and I hear everything that has been happening around me. It arouses fear in my heart, knowing that it can affect my senior year and my future life as a college student. A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease/virus over a whole country or the world. As of March 13, 2020, President Trump declared an emergency pandemic due to the rapid increase of people being infected with Coronavirus (Covid-19). Thus, I have been in quarantine for about two months now. During this time I have been trying to find things to keep me distracted, happy, and completely sane. The only thing that has managed to keep me in a healthy state of mind, is music. I have created a seven-song playlist that makes me reminisce on the good, happy times and it brings me to hope for brighter, better, and happier days in the near future.

7 SONG PLAYLIST

1. Jamming- Bob Marley

2. This Night Has Opened My Eyes- The Smiths

3. Dani California- Red Hot Chili Peppers

4. I Ran (So Far Away) - A Flock Of Seagulls

5. He Can Only Hold Her - Amy Winehouse

6. Clocks - Coldplay

7. Pretty Girls Make Graves - The Smiths

The first song I chose for my playlist was “Jamming” by Bob Marley

because every time I hear this song, it reminds me of the beach. When I hear this song, I can imagine myself in the car, on a warm, breezy day, on my way to the beach. The lyrics that stand out to me are: “Your life is worth much more than gold. We’re jammin’ (jammin’, jammin’, jammin’). And we’re jammin’ in the name of the Lord.” What those lyrics mean to me is that I should live my life to the fullest with no regrets because “my life is worth much more than gold.” Also, the instruments that stand out to me are the drums because you can hear them throughout the whole song and they make the melody much stronger and bold. The melody itself is so powerful, it makes me feel relaxed and calm; it helps me just breathe and take everything in.

The second song I chose is “This Night Has Opened My Eyes” by The Smiths. This song is second on my playlist because it tells a story and I like songs that have a meaning/purpose. Morrisey sings in this song: “A shoeless child on a swing. Reminds you of your own again, She took away your troubles.” It reminds me of my childhood, when the times were simple and I did not have a care in the world. Opposed to now, I have so many responsibilities and times are harder now because I am a young adult. I am torn between still wanting to be a child and learning how to be an adult. These words are simple but yet so powerful, they have the ability to make me remember things I did as a child with no worries. The drums in this song also stand out to me and every time they hit the cymbal on the drums, it makes the melody more soothing. The drums and the cymbal make the song more hyped and alive, it makes it easier to rock out to.

The third song on my playlist is “Dani California” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s the third song because when I am bored, I can play this song and start rocking out. This song makes me feel creative. It is a cool song to play whenever I am working on art pieces for art class or just to have cool paintings hanging on my wall. In this song, the lyrics do not really stand out to me, what really captures my attention is the beat to the song. The guitar in this song is so powerful, it makes the whole beat much more interesting; in one part of the song, the guitarist is just rocking out, so it makes the song have this cool, rocker vibe.

The fourth song on my playlist is “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock Of Seagulls. This song is fourth on my playlist because it reminds me of a person, who I used to be very close to; it brings back a lot of memories.

Mike Score sings: “Reached out a hand to touch your face. You’re slowly disappearing from my view. Disappearing from my view.” I mentioned already that this song reminds of a person I used to be close to and so that person slowly started to disappear out of my life and now, I know nothing of that person. I have perplexed feelings about this song but either way it is a good song. The instrument that captures my attention in this song is the electric guitar because it gives the song a different tone, it has a very strong sound.

The fifth song on my playlist is “He Can Only Hold Her” by Amy Winehouse. It is the fifth song because this song has an upbeat melody but the lyrics tell sort of a sad story. I mentioned before that I like songs that tell a story or that have a true meaning to them so that is why this song is on my playlist. Amy sings very sadly in this song: “He can only hold her for so long.

The lights are on, but no one’s home. She’s so vacant. Her soul is taken.” In those few words, you can imagine a woman who is numb to everything already. The piano is very subtle in the melody but it gives the song a classy tone. Listening and understanding her pain from a few words is very important in order to have a connection to the song.

The sixth song on my playlist is “Clocks” by Coldplay because this song does not have much significance to me but I like this song a lot. I like to play this song when I am outside and I like to relax and close my eyes and recline myself on the chairs outside. Chris Martin sings so passionately: “Confusion that never stops. The closing walls and the ticking clocks are gonna, Come back and take you home.” It means that time is passing and no matter what we know or how much we have learned, we will always have a moment of confusion. Also, the instrument that stands out to me is the piano, again it is very subtle but once it captures your attention, the tone of the song sort of changes. The song makes me feel relaxed and the melody is very smooth like.

Last but not least is “Pretty Girls Make Graves” by The Smiths. This song does not bring back any memories but overall I like the song. The beat is unique and the lyrics are different from any typical love song. Morrissey

sings in this song: “Another man, he takes her hand a smile lights up her stupid face.” This little piece of the song tells you how the story ends. Basically, the woman that had expressed interest in the guy, quickly fell in love with another man, and wasted the guy’s time. This is another song that tells a story that has a meaning. The guitar has a smooth, easy tone to the song, also making the song an easy, relaxing love song.

C. is a student at the Academic Leadership Community

Clarisse

MARTIN C.

ONE LAST SONG TO YOU

This feeling is so unfamiliar yet so recognized

Its sound is like a soft gentle murmur

But so confusing like a piece of unknown sheet music

It isn’t like a thundering storm cloud

But a soft and gentle melody

Bringing Joy to my heart

It’s alluring tone warms my heart

I´d like to retain this sound and keep it

Yet it is so elusive and so equally intrusive

Echoing through my mind

I never want to let this go

It’s so welcoming

I would like to learn from it

Develop my own distinct sound

Harmonize with it in a beautiful duet

And maybe if it allows

We can form a beautiful symphony

Martin C. won’t describe himself to you. You can learn about him in his song or in person if you’d like.

ANDERSI B.

FLOWERS: MY STUCK-AT-HOME PLAYLIST

“FLOWERS” - IANN DIOR

One of the songs I’ve heard of Iann Dior is “Flowers”. His song hit 3.9M views. I was surprised because he used to only hit around 10k views. It’s crazy. The reason I picked “Flowers” was because he’s putting out his thoughts to someone. One of my favorite lyrics is when he starts like this:

“I hate to see you cry I should’ve stayed another hour

Now I’m alone, I should’ve stayed another hour

It’s hard to breath, someone sent me help I can’t believe you left me for someone else

You made me bleed

And you just don’t care.”

When I heard the line where it says, “It’s hard to breath, someone sent me help,” this lyric was powerful to me because it says it’s hard to breath and someone sends me help and it just reminds me of the George Floyd incident. The only instrument that stands out besides the claps would be a guitar and drums that gives a nice flow to his lyrics. And this song is on my first playlist.

“PROSPECT”- IANN DIOR

“Nowadays I get what I want Lately been spending’ a bag

Addicted to getting that cash

Addicted to popping them tags

Money was made for the sad

Now my Ex-B**** calling me back”

“Prospect” is another song by Iann Dior. It was released May 21, 2020 so it was just a recent song. Lil Baby was also featured in the song. I listen to some of Lil Baby’s songs but not as much. The drum stands out a lot in the music. The whole lyrics I included stand out because knowing that you accomplished something people start coming at you like they are now interested in you. This song is my second song on my playlist.

“GOOD DAY” - IANN DIOR

“It’s gonna’ be a good day

Im’a have a good day ‘cause I had a long night Rollin’ with my N***** and they never switchin’ sides” The lyrics that stand out for me in this song is “and they never switched sides’’ because he talks about how his friends are never leaving his side and having them as someone you can trust. I would say that the piano stands out in the music. The whole music is just a vibe, when I listen to it makes me feel active and makes me forget about problems I may have.

“THIS FEELING” - LAKEY INSPIRED

This song does not have any lyrics or anything, it’s just a chill beat to listen to. The instruments that stand out for me are the drum and the clapping making a sick beat. It also sounds like a whale noise when they communicate. This song is on my chill relaxing playlist because there’s times where songs like this can make me feel sleepy when I have trouble going to bed or when I want to power nap.

“Not Even Her” is another type of chill beat song. It does not have any lyrics but there’s some lyrics to it: “Know while she wonders why I, I don’t trust nobody not even her.” The instruments that stand out are a guitar and a little bit of tapping from the drums. This song is another of my relaxing playlist because when I do homework I want to listen to songs without lyrics because it distracts me so I listen to this song. This song is on my relaxing playlist like the song this feeling.

“HAD

“Get on bad enough

You and all your Hopped out that Bently truck

You doin’ your thing baby live it up

You showin’ out …”

The phrase that stands out is the part where he says “live it up you showin’ out.” Why? Because it reminds me of going out with my personal style of clothing and just looking fresh. The instrument that stands out are the drums. The melody goes from high to a deeper voice but because the song was sung by two people. This song is just a vibe because this song is what I listen to when I’m biking around LA or other areas. It just goes good.

“A LOT TO LOSE”

“Take a look at my lifestyle right now

A lot for me to lose

I ain’t always in the right like right now

A lot for me to prove”

The phrase that stands out to me is the part where it says, “Take a look at my life right now.” This means a lot to me because people sooner or later change. And because it has different meanings. The melody on this song is kinda wavy because it goes and comes back to his original voice with some high pitch voice. The song is my last song on my playlist because I like to end my songs with a positive song.

Andersi is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

NISHAT T.

SONGS THAT BRING ME PEACE

1. “WHEN I WAS YOUNGER” BY LIZ LAWRENCE

“When I was Younger” is a song about how a girl promised her mom that she would make her proud. The lyrics that stand out for me are “Now that I’m older / It’s so much harder / To say those words out loud.” These lyrics stand out for me because they remind me of the reality that I am currently encountering. The reality where I am constantly experiencing challenges academically and personally. Therefore, this song makes me think of how things aren’t the same as I pictured as a child and how it all gets harder when we are old. I chose this song first because lately my mom got sick, and this song reminded me of how I promised her that I will make her happy and be successful. Therefore, this song is a motivation for me to make my mom’s dreams come true.

2. “WHO WE ARE” BY TRISTAN PRETTYMAN

This song is about two people who fall in love and claim that it was fated that they’d be together. However, I interpret the song differently. To me, this song is about how we can’t change who we are. For example, the lines, “I believe in something more / All the days that came before / Led us right to where we are” demonstrate that everything we have gone through brought us to today and it’s impossible to change what defines us the most. During the lockdown, this song helps me to understand that change is good but some things can never be changed. More specifically, things that define us, things that we believe in, and overall things that help us to shine.

3. “HOW TO SAVE A LIFE” BY THE FRAY

“How To Save A Life” by The Fray is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and it also holds a very special meaning in life. To me, this song reflects the current situation we all are going through. This song reflects the significance of saving lives and taking care of others.

For example the lyric, “Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend” shows the pain of losing a friend. The lyrics also say that he would try to save his friend if he knew beforehand. Thus during the pandemic, doctors and nurses are putting their lives at high risk for saving those who are fighting against COVID-19. This song makes me want to help others, save others so that no mom loses her son, no friends lose their friends or no one goes through the pain of losing their loved ones.

4. “EVERYBODY” BY INGRID MICHAELSON

This song is about getting over a breakup and falling in love again. The lyrics that stand out for me are “ Everybody, everybody wants to love / Everybody, everybody wants to be loved.” These lyrics are especially powerful for me because it makes me want to fall in love. Although I have never been in love, this song compels me to fall in love. During the lockdown, this song made me happy. I am immensely in love with the song. It’s a very melodic, catchy and lovely song.

5. “SPIRITS” BY THE STRUMBELLAS

Basically, this song is about fighting someone’s own demons. In other words, this song is about trying to change and become a better person in life. For example, the lyrics “I don’t want a never-ending life / I just wanna be alive” explains that the songwriter wants a happy life; not everlasting life. During the lockdown, this song made me want to change and grow into a better person. For example, I can read books and gain knowledge or I can learn a new language. Overall the melody and tune of the song push me to start over, get rid of all those negative voices in my head. Therefore, “Spirits” is one of the most inspirational songs I have ever heard in my life.

6. “THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND” BY WOODY GUTHRIE

It’s a song about a progressive utopia land with no ownership of property. It’s one of the United States’ most famous folk songs. I first heard this song when I was watching a documentary about Barack Obama. My first impression when I heard the song was jovial because this song made me feel that I was welcomed in this country and so are others who immigrated

to the United States. Besides, the tune and melody of the song took me to an imaginary land with no boundaries. For example, the lyrics “ This land is your land / this land is my land / from California to the New York island” illustrates that we all are equal and we own the same land. During the lockdown, this song helped me see everyone equally. This song represented hope for everyone that we all equal regardless of our race, sexuality, and ethnicity.

7. “SWANS” BY UNKLE BOB

The reason I chose to listen to this song a ton of times a day is this song represents love and betrayal simultaneously. For the past six months, major changes occurred in my life and those changes changed me as a person. Those changes made me strong, strong for facing the world. I love this song a lot because this song represents me, my feelings, my thinking. The lyrics that stood out the most in the song are “I wanted to tell you I changed / I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time.” These lyrics show that someone has changed and she wants her special person to be aware of that. During the lockdown, this song taught me that it’s okay to change. Changes are necessary to bring the best of us.

8. “SONG FOR ZULA” BY PHOSPHORESCENT

This song is mostly about one’s toxic experience in a relationship. It is about how one suffered from a relationship. For example, the songwriter says, “I know love as a caging thing.” He argues about how love traps one. The lyrics that stand out to me the most are “I do not lay here in the dark waiting for thee / No my heart is gold and my feet are light.” These lyrics show that moving on is everything. We can not stay in the dark and suffer. We have to move forward and learn from our mistakes. Precisely when times are rough like this and we got more time to spend with ourselves. Therefore, during the lockdown, this song helped me to move on with my life. This song gave him hope and anticipation for starting over.

9. “FIGHT SONG” BY RACHEL PLATTEN

This song’s about pushing through self-doubt and believing in yourself. In this song, the lyrics that stand out the most are “And I don’t really care /

If nobody else believes / ‘Cause I’ve still got / A lot of fight left in me.” These lyrics demonstrate that it doesn’t matter what others think of you, what matters the most is what you think about yourself. Besides, the tune and melody of the song are very inspiring and motivating. Thus, during the pandemic, this song helped me to push myself and finish my homework.

10. “WELCOME HOME” - RADICAL FACE WRITTEN BY BEN COOPER.

This song is about returning to a “childhood home.” A home where one spent his whole childhood and now as he went back there all these memories are hunting him and reminding him of the people who he lost on the way. The lines that stand out for me are “All my nightmares escaped my head / Bar the door, please don’t let them in / You were never supposed to leave.” These lyrics are especially powerful for me because it drives me crazy to think that one day I will push all my nightmares away by pretending that they don’t exist. But they will still come right back when I will step into the house where I spent my childhood. Those nightmares will come true and remind me that I am all alone and the people I love are no longer alive. At that time I will be a hopeless girl walking around the house looking for signs of my parents’ existence, looking for the bed where they used to sleep, looking for the swimming pool where my dad first taught me swimming. Everything about this song, its music, its melody takes me back to the home where I spent the most incredible chapter of my life. I chose this song last because after the lockdown is over I want to go and visit my childhood home in Bangladesh.

Nishat T. is friendly, cooperative and compassionate. Like most people she doesn’t know what she wants from life. However, she knows that she wants to be a surgeon someday. Therefore, after high school she wants to go to a four year university and medical school and then pursue a career in medicine. She is willing to study medicine because she believes that studying medicine is a privilege and it can empower her to help people which is her ultimate goal in life. She believes that sooner or later people realize that real fulfilment comes only from helping others. As a result, she wants to dedicate herself to a path she can cherish the most.

CHAPTER 8

Viva el Entendimiento

Long Live Understanding

ROSA F.

NO HATE

You were the best thing that has ever happened to me…

You were my happiness,

My best friend,

The person who renovated me

No I don’t hate you

No, I don’t regret meeting you.

I just wish you planned things differently... Memories after memories

And my love for you just gets bigger. Time really did fly by your side

I enjoyed every minute with you

Listening to your laugh, your voice

The beat of your heart

But this is the time where I have to let go

Let go of our memories

Let go of my hopes that one day everything will be back to normal.

Let go of your touch

Let go of your voice

Especially, let go of your presence

This is the time to say goodbye to you...

Rosa is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

MADELYN M.

GROWING BESIDE YOU

I’m growing

I’m growing out of the ways I proposed

I’m growing out of the people who hurt me the most

Did nothing but drain my spirit out

Now I’m left alone just hearing my beating sound

My heart will no longer take the pain

I almost thought I’d go insane

Hearing one tragedy after another

How does one grow out of a wasteless town

They fear that their sadness will no longer go away

Why must we stay in this harmful place

I’m growing

But no matter how hard I try to go

You struck me where no one else has had me

Right in my soul

Please don’t grow out of me, not just yet

We still haven’t found our place in this world yet

Madelyn is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

DELVIN M.

THE JOY OF THE PLAYGROUND

When I was a kid, I always went to the second floor of my apartment which contained a tiny playground.

The playground had no slide, no monkey bars, no stairs to climb, not even a spot to relax under the sun; it had a small red fence that looked like some prison bars with a tic tac toe game where you were supposed to turn a wheel if you wanted it to be O or X.

But I loved the playground. I would go to the playground with my friends who were my neighbors and we would play soccer, hide and seek, tag, or any games we could make up in our heads. Some of the games may have made us go get medical help.

But the main reason why I loved the playground so much was my friends. The four of us would go to the playground right after school. I could still remember my friends knocking on my window telling me to meet them in the playground and play soccer. But I believe the reason why we all had this love for the playground was because of our youngest friend of the group. He was always the one knocking the windows telling us to go to the playground to play. He was the chain that kept us together, but all chains will break eventually.

One day while we were all just relaxing after playing a crazy game of tag, he told us he was moving to Las Vegas. None of us took him seriously so we all laughed it off. I still regret to this day doing that. I wish I could go back in time and tell him that it was so much fun playing with him in the playground. Thanks to him I could call him a friend whom I could go to whenever I’m bored or could cheer me up whenever I’m feeling down.

But the next day, I went to the playground and knocked on his window

but saw nothing in his room. No bed, no T.V., no closet, no posters, nothing. He really did move. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to him.

I’m 16 now and it has been 4 years since he left and neither my friends or I ever went back to the playground since then. Sometimes I would go to the playground and sit by the red fence by myself and wish that life could have gone the way it should have been.

Delvin is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

JAVIER Q.

LIVE LIFE WITH NO REGRETS

I wake up everyday with the intent of it just being another day

To find myself growing up

I think to myself I need to open my eyes and experience something great

Before it’s too late

And as I begin to see change

To feel the life in me, I will forever be proud inside my chest and forever untamed

Although life can be learned from many valuable lessons, whatever I’ve done and however

I’ve chosen to be a better person

Would I live my life over again?

Make the same unforgivable mistakes?

Yes, life is too short for regrets you live and you learn.

Give your best shot in life,

That is the only way to strive

Take this opportunity in life

So that you can truly find your way

So that you don’t repeat your mistakes

There may be times when you would give up

Your life does not end here and yup, You have to go ahead and choose it all

That would help you to stand so tall

The greatest failure is the failure to try

Alter your attitude and you will change your life

Javier Q. is a junior at ALC. He likes playing soccer with his friends. Next year, he needs to set a plan for himself and change his life around. He wants to make his parents proud by having a career and repay them for everything they have done for him.

VANESSA N.

THE SUN AND THE MOON

I open my eyes

The roaring beautiful sky shines ahead

Painted with the vibrant colors of orange, yellow, and red

With a brush stroke of dark purple and red clouds

I take a deep breath

Honey sticks and cherries laying next to me

I feel the air hit my face

The sun at its lowest point

A blanket wrapped around me instead of your arms

I wonder why, or where it went wrong

I hear the crashing of the strong blue waves onto the shore

I hear the seagulls fighting for the food that was left to rot in the sand

I hear you saying those hurtful words that night

I feel the cold breeze hit my skin

Inflicting goosebumps all over

I remember the way you kissed me

Nothing but the impossible I imagined

I met you when my world was new, and the possibilities were endless for us

I dig my feet into the soft sand that’s been eroded over centuries

I reach for the bag of red ripe organic cherries I’ve bought that afternoon

I bite into one, the sweetness of the juice hits my tongue

The way you talked about loving me. Within those two weeks were sweet to me

Those two weeks were going to be the last to be

But sweetness turns into bitterness if the flavor is sweet and sour. Your lips taste of cherries and Honey but you soon tasted Bitter

As if you wanted to get rid of me but you couldn’t

Just not yet

The sun colored of warm yellow and orange starts to slowly leave Soon to disappear into the Horizon

Your eyes colored of light brown that looked like pools of honey in the sun

Your hair colored black that was darker than my lingering fear of you leaving

Your skin colored of a deep warm brown reminding me of the vast tall trees in forests

The roaring sky with such warm colors

But the colors start to die off into the darkness as the sun starts to leave.

The sun leaving to rest and come back for another day

I feel like that’s what it looks and feels like when they say “Good things don’t always last forever, but be happy that you experienced something beautiful while it lasted”

We bonded and held each other’s hearts with trust for a whole year

You didn’t take your time to leave as the sun does everyday

You didn’t kiss me goodbye as the sun does to the moon every evening to go off again

You didn’t leave behind beautiful colors as the sun does when trying to go off into the horizon

You didn’t give me a warning like how the sun’s colors start to fade into the night skies

You left me in the cold

You left only dark colored skies

You left me only with the moon at night dark, cold, and not knowing when light will come back

I stand and start packing up my items into my bag

I feel the breeze hit my body again

It’s cold and the sky turns into a dark indigo blue Stars start to rise and the moon appears You were my sun to my night skies

I hear the crashing waves trying to tell me to not leave indefinitely

But I can’t stay and keep waiting for a sign anymore I can’t wait for the sun to rise on the same spot it setted

As I see the dark ocean, I remember what could’ve been But soon the breeze catches me, Bringing me back to reality

I will never forget how from strangers, we became something beautiful within a year

If it were meant to be, you’ll come back to me

You were my sun to my night skies

Now you’re just a grain of sand in the whole seashore

Vanessa is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

CARLOS A.

GROW UP AND LIVE

Grow up and Live

Life is just one big mountain

When you hike up that mountain

You may look down and just see that you are 5% Up that mountain.

Grow up and live

Grow up and live

Seeing that 5% of my mountain makes me think about the days when I was a kid

The running, jumping, and the hiding

While playing at the park

Grow up and live

Grow up and live

Now I see down my mountain, I’m 20%

Seeing that same kid that now is a teen. Seeing his huge struggles and challenges, like losing his uncle and almost losing his grandpa and now things may change.

You just got to Grow up and live

Carlos is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

KATIHANA P.

YOU

I am not in love with you

I am not infatuated with you I am embarrassed to be seen with you I am not proud of you I do not want to show you off I do not adore you As much as I have tried Have made myself believe Forced myself to love you

I simply can not I won’t ever love myself

Katihana P. is a quiet, friendly girl, who is willing to be friends with anyone.

KARINA M. L.

OUTGROWING

Growing is to, Grow in life,

Growing to fit new clothes,

Growing to find the right fit, Growing to find a whole new world, The spontaneity one follows every day are the building blocks of life, Growing to be happy with the choices one makes In more ways than one

With the responsibility of one’s own happiness, Growing to be better in every which way

To grow can be scary

Scary to see your loved ones go,

Scary to start your own life,

Scared to let go of the moments that seemed never ending, Scared to not know what to do in life,

Scared to be alone

Scared to make life changing risks one can never know the ending to Scared to jump from the building called Life

Karina M. is a student who enjoys living every moment. She likes being out of the house which is why she enjoys doing sports and hanging out with friends. She also appreciates everyone in her life.

JARRET C.

FUTURE ME

To my Future self

Be kind to people

Don’t bring people down

Try your hardest in everything and anything

Never be discouraged

Never get into bad habits

Never break someone’s heart

Never break someone’s trust

Always believe in people

Never hate anyone

Never treat people with hate

Try to smile even in the worst of times

Make people smile even on their worst days

Be successful in life

Have a happy family

Have the best life you can have

There might be some ups and downs along the way

But you will be okay

Jarret is chill and laid back and likes to play video games in his free time. He likes to watch shows and movies on Netflix. He wants to be successful and make his family proud by graduating high school and going to college.

CHAPTER

9

Viva la Imaginación

Long Live Imagination

JENNY A.

THE LIVING FOREST

I see ferns and a muddy dirt patch. Trees all around me create shade from the blazing sun. Feeling relaxed from the beautiful scene. From a far distance, I see a log cabin. Old and run down. Slowly being one with nature. Becoming home for creatures. Moss growing all around and a tree growing within it. Around the top you can see a branch sticking out of the house. Within the small branches, you can see a tiny nest. Filled with wonders and delight. A small family of birds living together. Eggs being warm and guarded by their mother, waiting to come into the world and soar up high where the trees reach.

Closing my eyes I can hear the birds chirping with one another. Hearing the trees rustling within the wind, creating a WHOOSH sound, like as if the trees are talking to me. From a far distance I can barely hear the sound of running water. Splashing water all around as if the river was trying to escape its path. Moving as quickly as it can down the hill as if a creature was chasing it. While bringing life among its path.

Jenny A. is a very shy person who is bad at socializing with people. She is a creative person who loves to draw. She loves animals but prefers cats. She would always space out in class, dreaming of a world to create with her own hand. Always being sleepy and running late everyday to school but working hard everyday to one day walk on stage with her fellow classmates. Dreaming.

KIMBERLY A.

MY ESCAPE

A book in my hand I opened it and began to read I escaped my world for a little while And entered the world of another

Waltzing through the pages The words creating a movie in my head Not wanting to put it down I kept on reading

I made some new friends I laughed with them and cried with them Felt their happiness and pain

As I read the final chapter I realized that my time would soon be over And I couldn’t help but feel Sad that it was coming to an end

Kimberly is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

IVONNE G.

NIGHT TIME

At night, the wind blows faster and the sounds of leaves vibrate so fast. At the same time, “...making windows and doors open and close, one or the other will break due to the impact of the air in motion.” I woke up to the noise of the wind, nervously opening the curtains to see what huge disaster it had made… but then again I was too tired to ever get up and see so I just went back to sleep and put another layer of blanket to warm me up! Seeing the sunset come down gave me a glance of the world’s natural daily routine. I’ll gladly wish to see it more often since that orangish to the blue to purple gives me a sensation of happiness from sadness to feeling empathy. That’s a feeling right?

Ivonne G. A shy but hardworking girl. She loves watching anime and editing too!!

SUSANA H.

THE REPEATED DREAM

Exhausted, he stumbled, dragging his left foot along the way, leaving a snake trail behind. He staggered, balancing his weight on an old borrowed crutch. The vast plains lay ahead, with each strand of grass combed to the side poking his bare ankle. He clenched his jaw, as each step he took awoke pain around his left ankle. He sighed, now wishing for more than the crutch to hold onto. Although accustomed to the idea of solitude, he was finding himself missing the absence of human socialization. Insanity was one of many worries he felt, greater than hunger, for solitude triggered many desperate instincts that in many occasions led him to hallucinate, yet keeping him alive prolonged this fear. Fear that impacted his decisions, and yet so far making it to this point had proved his existence was meant to be with or without human interaction. Many thoughts of his shut down as he stopped at mid thought. He stared at the familiar short buildings several meters ahead. Staggering enough he found himself perplexed as they had not been there before. They, the people, the buildings, but none of this seemed right. Setting his crutch down he walked, he walked until he made enough turns not caring if people turned around to look at his torn rags or bemused expression. He walked, reaching his destination: the remote house in the remote town. Staring straight up he frowned, and as he expected he had reached his old familiar house. Rubbing his palms together he steadied his breath intaking the sounds and rewinding his previous dream. None of it seemed real, yet none of it seemed like before, everything changed. Suddenly he felt a familiar sensation behind him. He turned and like before

a pair of eyes were staring, fixated on him, but they were not the only ones as he noticed the town got quiet. The street’s movements came to a halt and every living being had stopped to stare at him. Remembering his fear, his shoulders relaxed, he stared straight up and laughed out loud, he laughed at the irony and laughed at his misfortune. In that moment the clouds were a dark grey blanket that covered the sky of a Friday afternoon.

Susana is a student who enjoys spending time with her family. She is a first generation student who hopes to attend and graduate college someday. She spends time watching anime and drawing in her spare time.

CAROLINA J.

WINTER LIFE

The forest, lonely, silent, and dead, was covered in a thick and cold blanket of snow. The only visible things were the silhouettes of the trees and rocks. In the middle of that forest a young wolf lived alone. Usually the winter days were harsh to get through. The young wolf woke up and stretched as usual with every movement its bones cracking. The young wolf decided to go on a morning stroll in the cold and white snow. The wolf strolled leaving dents from its paw print behind in the snow. As the wolf walked, it began thinking about how it came to be lonely in life and away from the pack. When the young wolf was a pup, it got lost due to its curiosity. When the young wolf realized where it was, it was too late and it couldn’t find its way back. The young wolf was pulled back to reality when its stomach started to cry out for something to eat. Since winter was tough, it was really hard to find food and the young wolf hadn’t eaten anything in days. The young wolf knew that it was time to spring into action and to look for something to sink its teeth in. Suddenly the young wolf heard a strange noise, something that it hadn’t heard in a long time, and a smell almost like paradise. The wolf knew right away that there was a rabbit nearby. The young wolf spotted a white rabbit as pure as the snow. The young wolf headed towards the rabbit step by step, leaving paw prints in the bare white snow. It got closer and closer, each time getting quieter and quieter trying not to make any sound. But the sound of a single twig was enough to make the rabbit escape, and the young wolf had to starve.

One thing that Carolina does is draw and she also likes food.

ANGELICA Z.

TO SURVIVE OUT THERE

The mummy’s arm was outstretched, the torn wrapping hanging from it as it stepped out of its gilded box. The room now felt colder. I knew I should have never touched the crown or even come into this creepy house. The mummy started to crawl slowly towards me. I began to step backwards slowly to not make a sound.

I was at the doorstep when I felt someone grab me by the arm and pull me to the side. We then slowly ran to the main entrance. We kept on running, two blocks down the street. Then I took notice of the person and realized that it was a girl. It seemed like she was about my age too. She was wearing cargo pants with a long sleeve underneath and a vest. She really seemed more prepared than I was. I was simply wearing some jeans and a sweater.

No one was really prepared for this, no one was expecting this to happen.

It all started when an earthquake shook the world. The sea level rose upon houses and people died quickly. It was like the end of the world. It was said only about 30% of the people on Earth survived, and I was part of that 30%. Now the few people that were able to survive had to deal with monsters, creepy creatures roaming around. People had seen werewolves, mummies, and vampires.

The girl also had a small backpack and was carrying a knife in hand, which meant she could have killed me at any moment but she didn’t. I thanked her for helping me escape from and survive that creepy house. She didn’t respond to me, which I guess you’re supposed to do in order to survive out there.

Angelica Z. was born and raised in Los Angeles,CA. She enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and going out with friends. She wishes to help out people in the future. People who suffer from poverty, domestic violence, cancer, and more.

LEONARDO C.

I DON’T KNOW

I walked in. The first thing I noticed, just by looking around, were the scattered oddities around the dark, eerie room. And that noise. Where is it coming from? What is it? It bothered me. Whatever, there are more important things to worry about. Like the human shaped figure at the center of the room. I just now realized it’s been laughing. This entire time. It must have noticed me entering. Because it turned. Still laughing. It started to speak in between spasms of manic and crazed laughter. It, or rather he, said, “We are the same. Did you know? Of course you did. You realized. That is why you’re here.” He was gone in a blink of an eye. And the realization hit me. He was right. It was funny. Which was why I started to laugh softly to myself. But then I couldn’t stop. And my laughs became stronger, louder. See, the more I thought about that figure being correct, the funnier it got. Suddenly, the noise wasn’t just noise. I could understand it. I could feel it within me. It resonated with me. The madness consumed me whole. And it felt powerful. Just as I was going through all this, a poor soul walked in, visibly disturbed. Very scared. And very confused. And I couldn’t wait to pass on this revelation.

Leo C. hates it in here, and wants you to let him out of the book.

CHRISTOPHER L.

SOARING FOR A PURPOSE

A small bird looks up at the sky, Seeing his parents soar up high in the sky, Eager to fly sky high, One day he too will soar up high in the sky, To his goal, To his dream, To his destiny,

A long road ahead but, One day he too will soar, And when he does, He will be free once again.

Christopher L. is a teen who likes to play videogames and is inspired by his two older brothers to keep trying in school.

CHAPTER 10

Viva la Sociedad

Long Live Society

CYNTHIA R.

THAT IS ME

Being born into a family of Mexicans, I’ve grown to live in fear. Most of my loved ones do not have papers. Especially with the racist president we have now, it didn’t calm me down. Seeing the news of people going into those horrible detention camps. Mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons being separated and traumatized. The many raids that are happening anywhere at any time. I would go to school in fear, for not only my siblings and my cousins, but also for my friends and everyone else since America is built on immigrants.

Although racism has always been around, it was exposed even more with President Trump saying, “Make America Great Again...”

It was never great for anyone that wasn’t white to begin with.

Living in a society where white is superior, everything you get is dependent on the color of your skin and your ethnicity. Not only that but also depending on your gender, you get treated even more as a minority within your raza. All machistas saying that women are only useful in the kitchen, as if to say women are only good as a house slave and serving their husbands 24/7 to their liking and taking care of their children. Making them think they aren’t good enough for anything else.

Women are just as strong, hardworking, and smart, and they shouldn’t be treated as such and viewed as an object.

Oh wait but there’s more!

There is discrimation toward your race and gender but you are also judged by your sexuality.

Whether a guy likes guys, a girl likes girls, or someone who likes all, depending on how “old school” your loved ones are you are forever hidden

in fear of being yourself. The LGBT community wasn’t granted the right to marry their loved one until 2015 and even then there are still countries who even ban just showing affection. Being called hateful names and being treated as even less of a human because of who they love or what they identify as is wrong.

Love is Love.

Now imagine all three characteristics thrown into one… That is me.

Cynthia R. is a gay junior at ALC. The only semi good quality she has is her sarcasm but it gets annoying so… idk :)

Poverty,

BRANDON C.

IMPOVERISHED SOCIETY

Often linked with Latino communities, Gangs, violence, homelessness, Beaners, wetbacks, immigrants, aliens, In a system of “democracy”

Where the poor are impoverished

And the rich are bloated with support, Enough to care for their family’s successors.

Latinos working hard to provide basic necessities

Selling tacos, weiners, flowers

Construction, cleaning, housekeeping

Just for their offspring to be placed, In a system of pipelines

Brandon C. is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

KIMBERLY A.

OPPRESSION OVER HISPANICS

Have you ever been in an environment where you felt discriminated against? Many of us Hispanics have been in a position where we’ve felt uncomfortable because of our skin color, native language, and our social class. For many years, we have been opposed by our government because of our social status. Recently, immigrants have been a target for violence and for causing chaos.

Hispanics go through many difficulties throughout their lives, making it harder for them to succeed in America. Author Ana Gonzalez-Barrera of Pew Research Center states, “Hispanics with darker skin are more likely to experience discrimination than those with lighter skin. About two-thirds of Hispanics with darker skin colors (64%) report they have experienced discrimination or been treated unfairly regularly or from time to time, compared with half of those with a lighter skin tone.” This indicates how Hispanics of darker skin complexion are targeted more frequently than those with lighter skin tones. Not only do Hispanics worry about being targeted or discriminated against because of the way they look, they also worry about speaking their own native language in fear they might be attacked by a racist. Recently on social media, there have been multiple incidents involving a white racist complaining and belittling a Hispanic for speaking their native language. There was a video of white man threatening this woman for speaking Spanish, saying, “I pay for their welfare. I pay for their ability to be here, the least they can do. The least they can do is speak English.” He then threatened to call ICE. It is sad and unfair that humans have to go through situations like these only because they’re a part of a certain culture/race or speak a certain language.

Living in America in times like these is hard for anyone that belongs to the Hispanic community as we face ongoing oppression, especially Hispanics who are a part of the poverty class. For some reason white people think it’s okay to look down on hard working people. There have been some incidents where people working at restaurants are being mistreated by others. In one incident, a Hispanic waiter got a racist note instead of a tip that said, “We only tip citizens”. It is unfair because these people work hard everyday to provide for their families. According to Daniel Feder, an immigration lawyer, “It is not uncommon for managers and coworkers to harass their Hispanic co-workers by using racial slurs, jokes, and comments. They sometimes use negative stereotypes to demean [and] harass.” This shows how Hispanics not only do they face harassment from people outside their jobs, but they are also mistreated by those working with them on a daily basis. Belonging to a different social class should not give anyone a reason to mistreat others just because you feel entitled.

It is not right that we Hispanics have to hide out because we’re being discriminated against due to our skin color, native language, and social class. Hispanics are being discriminated against based on our skin tone, also known as colorism. We shouldn’t feel afraid of our skin but be comfortable with our skin. There shouldn’t be unfair treatment towards people speaking their native language. It is not right for us Hispanics to get dehumanized by others.

Kimberly A. loves to watch TV.

MARIA R.

SHOULD SCHOOLS REOPEN?

LAUSD schools were closed because of COVID-19. A lot of students had to do online work which is not very easy to do. The LAUSD Superintendent believes schools should reopen in the fall so students could start attending school. Many people agree with schools reopening and many do not. People believe if students go back to school then they will be able to have a better education while other people don’t want it to reopen because they are afraid students will get infected. I believe schools should open with strict rules such as wearing a mask and not getting too close to a lot of kids. School hours should be shorter because many students will have a mask on which will make it harder to breathe if we stay for the regular hours we are in school. I also believe when it’s lunchtime many people shouldn’t be in the same lunch area together. Everyone should be spread out and have different timing for people to get their lunch.

Many people believe that schools should reopen so students could get their education and not make it very difficult for them in the future. I agree that schools should reopen but schools should have very strict rules of what students can do and can’t. I agree that when reopening school there shouldn’t be a lot of students in one class because it can affect a lot of students by getting the virus. For example, in the article “Reopening Schools in the Context of COVID-19: Health and Safety Guidelines From Other Countries,” Hanna Melnick states, “Denmark’s guidance requires students to maintain 2 meters (6 feet) of separation in class and recommends that classes be divided into one or more stable groups. In practice, this has meant reducing group size to 10 or 11 students. Staff are limited to working with one or two classes, and support staff help

teachers cover the split classes.” I agree with the author that by reducing the number of students in class and having a lot of students separated and also maintaining a distance of 6 feet. If students are gonna follow the rules and understand it for their safety then they should reopen the schools. Personally, I as a student believe schools should reopen so we can get our education.

On the other hand, many people believe schools should not reopen because there is a chance people will spread the virus or get the virus. I agree with this as well but if you take precautions and be 6 feet apart then you should be good. Covid-19 doesn’t affect young teenagers but it does affect adults which means we have a lot of teachers that can get sick fast and it can harm them. I understand many students, teachers, and parents are afraid of school reopening but if we follow the directions that are given then we should be good. According to Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post, Donald Trump and Senator Rand Paul say that kids don’t get sick from COVID-19, “despite rising concerns among health experts about how children are affected and without noting that they can be silent carriers who infect adults also in a school building.” I agree that students can be infected with the virus without getting the symptoms and infect adults in the school. I agree, before reopening the schools, the president and LAUSD Superintendent should make sure it’s safe to go back to school by following the rules because if it’s not safe then we should continue our classes online. Schools should reopen with rules telling students what they can do and what they can’t do. I agree with schools reopening but we have to have fewer students in one class and should reduce school hours if we are going to be wearing a mask. Many people believe schools should reopen because students have to get their education in school so they can learn and other people believe they shouldn’t reopen because it can cause harm to every student in school. I believe schools should reopen in the fall so we can get our education done.

Maria is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

LEIDI T.O.

THE STORY OF AN IMMIGRANT

To be an immigrant, people discriminate against you. They make fun of you. They think that we are less powerful than others, but we are equal and we suffered to come to this country. We had to leave the people who we love to get a better future. The first job we can get is sewing clothes. We work a lot of hours to get paid less but we don’t get to choose. Parents have to work hard to give their children everything so that they won’t have to repeat their story. Some citizens think that immigrants are the worst people. For example, President Donald Trump thinks that Mexicans are criminals and they bring drugs to the United States but that is not true. He doesn’t know the struggles we faced to get a better life. Undocumented people are the ones who give joy to this country. In many stories children are separated from their parents just because they are immigrants. Many parents bring their children to the United States to get a better education, learn English, and meet new people. It’s very difficult because immigrants start to have a new life and, in many cases, the children make fun of them because they don’t know how to speak English. That should change. We should all have equal rights even though we have different lives. We are all at the center of the universe.

Leidi T.O. is from Guatemala, she is 17 years old and she came to the United States when she was 12 years old. She is an undocumented young woman on the school soccer team. She is very proud of being Latina because she is hard working. She helps her parents by taking care of her siblings on the weekend since her parents are working. She has a happy life because her dreams become true for being with her parents. She is studying hard to have a better future and visit her grandmother very soon.

OSCAR M.F.

LOS ANGELES

We live in a city, and the name of that city is Los Angeles. This county is located in the Golden State, California. Los Angeles is very diverse in race, ethnicities, and hobbies. In this city we have all types of communities of different types of people. For example we have Latinx communities, Black communities, white communities, Asian communities, and Middle Eastern communities. The city of LA also brings diversity with hobbies or interests. For example we have arts and acting in Hollywood, and skateboarding, roller skating, running, volleyball, surfing, and cycling in Malibu. There are many famous cities within the area of Los Angeles like Hollywood with all the movies made there, and all the rich, famous people that live there. Then there is Compton, the birthplace of West Coast rap and many famous rappers. Oh, and how could we forget Pasadena with its Rose Bowl and annual Rose Parade, which is also the home of many celebrities? That’s why Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the United States, next to New York City.

Oscar M.F. is a student at ALC. He likes to draw when he has nothing else in mind.

JANETH G.

THE HOODS

L.A. and Watts are two hoods that are the same, but different.

I grew up in L.A., but in the “ghetto” part. I grew up close to Westlake and also Echo Park. In Westlake, you can find ladies that sell food out on the streets and the men hanging out and talking about LA VIDA

Something that most people don’t know is that this side of L.A. has a lot of problems with gangs. You can’t wear some type of number on your clothes because then people will think you are part of a gang. Coming from a neighborhood of minorities is hard because people don’t look at you the same. They think you are less because you live in the “hood.” Another side I used to live in is Echo Park. There is a famous lake that they have in Echo Park, and around the lake you can see the men and women selling and the kids playing.

Now it’s not the same. Westlake and Echo Park are filled with coffee shops and they are taking away the people that are selling on the streets. It’s not the same neighborhood anymore, but it will always be mine.

Watts is the city that I stay in now, and before I moved I really didn’t know much about it, only that it is a historically Black city and that it is close to the famous Plaza Mexico. Watts is a busy hood. It is a city that has so much history going back to the ’60’s. You can find the famous Watts Towers on 107th street, one block from where I stay.

Many people think that Watts is not a safe place because of the famous riots. Living in this neighborhood taught me that I shouldn’t believe what people say. Before I moved here, most of the newspapers I read said that you wouldn’t even be able to walk in daylight because it is dangerous. Yes, some people don’t get along because of the gangs they are in. You don’t

know who is gonna stop you and ask you where you are from. You have to be careful about what colors you wear. But this neighborhood is a place where everyone knows everyone and people get along.

L.A. to Watts, these are the places that I am from. They have taught me many different points of view. Both these cities have taught me that it’s okay to be in the “hood” and that it’s not a bad place. A lot of people would like to be part of these neighborhoods. I guess I’m just a lucky one.

Janeth is a student at the Academic Leadership Community.

BRIANNA R.

ENTRE MUJERES

Men and Women

Male and Female

Mr. and Mrs.

He and She

Spot the similarity?

Women have the right to stand up and speak for themselves Cállate y siéntate

Women can be independent

Let us find you a man

Women are treated equally It looks like you need a hand

Women are capable to do the same things men can do Honey, you should stay home and make dinner for the kids and me instead

Women make their own decisions

I will not allow you to abort the child

Women are allowed to do what they want

Mommy that’s daddy’s job

Women should dress to their liking

Cover up

You’re showing too much skin

Cover up

You’re looking to get raped

Cover up

You’re making men feel uncomfortable

Cover up

You Don’t Look

Like

A Woman

A real woman Is whatever she wants to be

Brianna R. is friendly but isn’t afraid to stand up for herself or others.

RECOGNITION

Thank you to this year’s volunteers who dedicated their time to supporting our students through each phase of their writing. The impact of your commitment resonates in the confidence our students embrace as published authors.

Evelyn Ellias

Jake Fiedler

Rachel Rubin

John Houchin

Janna King

Josh Moorhead

Mickey Rapkin

Ellen Stolar

Jeff Abramson

Janson Lalich

Patrick Diaz

Alice Stanley

826LA

TUTORING

From Monday to Thursday, students attend 826LA for free individual tutoring in all subjects. Once homework is completed, students read books from 826LA’s library and write stories based on a monthly theme. Students submit their writing for inclusion in chapbooks, which 826LA publishes throughout the year. To celebrate students’ hard work, 826LA unveils these chapbooks at book release parties, where students read their work to thunderous applause from their volunteers, families, and peers.

IN-SCHOOLS

Because not all students can come to us, 826LA brings specially trained volunteer tutors into under-resourced public schools. There, volunteers provide one-on-one or small group assistance with writing projects. 826LA works with teachers to craft all projects, which are designed to engage students while targeting curricular issues. In addition to visiting twenty schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District each year, 826LA has additional sites within Manual Arts High School (South Los Angeles) and Roosevelt High School (Boyle Heights), called The 826LA Writers’ Rooms.

WORKSHOPS

826LA’s workshops bring students together with artists, writers, and professionals for creative collaboration. Whether the subject is journalism or preparing for the zombie apocalypse, our workshops foster creativity while strengthening writing skills. This includes two long running workshops, our reading development workshop Barnacle’s Bookworms, and our Journalism workshop.

FIELD TRIPS

During the week, 826LA invites public school teachers and their students to our writing labs to participate in a morning of collaboration, creativity, and writing. Whether Storytelling & Bookmaking, Choose Your Own Adventure, Memoir, or Personal Statements, field trips at 826LA support teacher curriculum and student learning by offering a safe space for students to be their most imaginative and to work on their writing skills. In a few short hours, students brainstorm, write, edit their work, and leave with something tangible—a bound book or a revised essay—as well as a renewed confidence in their ability to tell their stories.

JOEL ARQUILLOS

Executive Director

BEATRIZ GARÆCIA

Director of Programs & Operations, Mar Vista

SHAWN SILVER Director of Advancement & Events

LAUREN HUMPHREY Institutional Giving Manager

CHERYL KLEIN Senior Communications Manager

MIKE DUNBAR

Senior Programs & Operations Coordinator, Field Trips in Mar Vista

PEDRO ESTRADA

Programs & Operations Coordinator, Tutoring & Workshops in Echo Park

ASHLEY LOVE-SMITH

Senior Manager of the Volunteer Program

CARINNE MANGOLD Store Manager

PUICÓN-PÉREZ Design Manager

LATESHA KNIGHTEN In-Schools Program Manager

JENNIE NAJARRO

Senior Volunteer Coordinator, Mar Vista

ANGELICA BUTIUCORONADO

Program Coordinator, Writers’ Room Roosevelt High School

CECILIA GAMIÑO

Program Coordinator, Tutoring & Workshops in Mar Vista

CATHY MAYER

Program Coordinator, Field Trips in Echo Park

MARICRUZ POOLCHAN

Program Coordinator, Tutoring

WENDY ALVARADO

In-Schools Volunteer Retention and Management Coordinator

NADIA SARKISSIAN Development Coordinator

MARINA AGUAYO Marketing & Communications Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA

GRACE KIM Volunteer Coordinator Americorps VISTA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susan Ko, President

Sarah Rosenwald Varet, Vice President

Frankie Quintero, Secretary

Ben Au

Adriana Centeno

Matthew Cherniss

Chad DePue

Dave Eggers, Emeritus

Terena Thyne Eisner

Scott A. Ginsburg

Eileen Shields

Belinda Tan

Holly A. Thomas

ADVISORY BOARD

J.J. Abrams

Judd Apatow

Miguel Arteta

Mac Barnett

Steve Barr

Joshuah Bearman

Amy Brooks

Father Greg Boyle, SJ

Stefan G. Bucher

Mark Flanagan

Ben Goldhirsh

Rebecca Goldman

Ellen Goldsmith-Vein

DeAnna Gravillis

Spike Jonze

Miranda July

Catherine Keener

Keith Knight

Al Madrigal

Krystyn Madrigal

Tara Roth

Katie McGrath

R. Scott Mitchell

Lani Monos

B.J. Novak

Miwa Okumura

Jane Patterson

Keri Putnam

Sylvie Rabineau

Sonja Rasula

Luis J. Rodriguez

Terri Hernandez Rosales

Brad Simpson

J. Ryan Stradal

Natalie Tran

Sarah Vowell

Sally Willcox

YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD

Echo Park

Gabriela M.

Natalie S.

Jose R.

Genessi L.

Vincent H.

Gabriela R.

Josue R.

Dayanara M.L.

Ana M.L.

Yamilka M.L.

Samantha J.

Mar Vista

Nadia V.

Nasim Z.

Michael R.

Mirna R.

Vanessa A.

Katherine G.

Montserrat L.