In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, 826LA dedicates this publication to all of those who have helped make our community what it is, what it was, and what it will become.
Thank you to the students, volunteers, educators, donors, staff, community partners, and time-travelers who have filled the last 20 years with such creativity, joy, and hope.
We look forward to another 20 years in partnership!
THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THE STUDENTS OF THE ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY.
This book was written by the students of the Academic Leadership Community in 2024.
The views expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of 826LA. We support student publishing and are thrilled you picked up this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Este libro fue escrito por los alumnos del Academic Leadership Community en 2024.
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 hayan recogido este libro.
Todos los derechos reservados. Prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de este libro sin autorización escrita del editor.
Editor(s):
Maddie Silva
Mariana De Oliveira Souza
Andy Molnar
Cover Artwork : Elizabeth Fernandez
Book Design:
Elizabeth Fernandez
Los hijos de las mariposas:
STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION, GRATITUDE, STRUGGLE AND HOPE
In Partnership with the Academic Leadership Community
Epigraph
Introduction
Hope (Monarch): Life Lessons
Just Believe
Love in the Night
What Comes From Your Heart
Not Everything Lasts Forever
What I Know Now
Bond
In Jesus I Believe
Gratitude (Spring Azure):
My Top 5 Anime/Mangas
What Could Have Been? What Would Have Happened? Is the Dream Over?
The Change
She is Mom
8 Things I Can’t Live Without
A Bond is Formed
Calms Me Down
Two People
How Music Saved Me
Mom-ent of Truth
Pop-Tart Pals
See You Again
What Would I Do Without You?
Thank You Isn’t a Phrase I Say Often
She Did It All
Dear Mom A Sweet Pop-Tart
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sleep
Mi Razón Por la Que Sigo Adelante (My Reason to Keep Going)
To: My Partner In Crime
Untitled
Peak
Never a Boring Day with You Two Kiwi
The Boy Who Captured My Heart
First Day of School
My Motivation of Life
A Day in the Park
We Are Like Sisters
Anywhere I Go
Wounds (Mourning Cloak):
Forever Tarnished
Una Simple Pieza Para Este Libro Future, Not the Rapper
I Have Many Questions…
That Time When I Couldn’t Sleep So I Went Mentally Insane
Regret and Acceptance, An Ongoing Cycle
Friends
White Lies
No Longer Me
“Why Don’t You Talk Much? Why Am I This Way?”
Ponder
Transformation (Malachite):
Un Cambio de Vida
The Balance Of Life and Basketball
Defining Myself.
Be Greater
Deeper Than Skin
God Changes Lives
The First Time I Ran More Than 10 Miles
Similar Purposes
Resilience (Cloudless Sulphur):
Keep Your Chin High
Hard Work
Tides Of Life
Never Let People Make Your Own Decisions
The Journey of Life Existence
Life of a Student Athlete
The Walk Home Am I Satisfied?
Acknowledgments About 826LA Programs
Join the Future Bestsellers Club!
EPIGRAPH INTRODUCTION
Brown And Agile Child
by Pablo Neruda
Brown and agile child, the sun which forms the fruit And ripens the grain and twists the seaweed Has made your happy body and your luminous eyes And given your mouth the smile of water.
A black and anguished sun is entangled in the twigs Of your black mane when you hold out your arms. You play in the sun as in a tidal river And it leaves two dark pools in your eyes.
Brown and agile child, nothing draws me to you, Everything pulls away from me here in the noon. You are the delirious youth of bee, The drunkedness of the wave, the power of the heat.
My somber heart seeks you always I love your happy body, your rich, soft voice. Dusky butterfly, sweet and sure Like the wheat field, the sun, the poppy, and the water.
Every year since 2012, Mr. Molnar’s English classes do The ALC Book Project. It challenges students to write freely about almost anything––their lives, opinions, interests, and stories, real or imagined.
At the start of this year, Mr. Molnar informed us that we were each invited to write something for this edition of The ALC Book Project. He shared with us the various books that his past classes had written. With every page of every book, we learned about the people who wrote them, and we felt inspired. We wrote from the heart, and after several revisions, with the assistance of the team at 826LA, we were able to craft pieces that we were satisfied with publishing.
After submitting our work, the next step of the process was to form a Student Editorial Board. This group dedicated numerous hours to reading and discussing the heartwarming, heartbreaking, and courageous stories penned by each student. We examined the prevalent themes in the essays, brainstormed titles for the book, organized chapters, and wrote this introduction. Though we had to ask for several extensions, we managed to create a book that we feel best represents its authors.
In developing a title for this book, we came up with many ideas, some of which didn’t quite fit our vision. After careful iterations, one title resonated with us: “Los Hijos de Las Mariposas,” which translates to “The Children of the Butterflies.” In life, we are all like caterpillars, shedding our past selves to become something else, something better. Like generations before them, our parents and guardians experienced difficult times, but through resilience and perseverance they underwent a metamorphosis: emerging from the chrysalis as beautiful butterflies, stretching their wings for a brighter future. We are that future. We are Los Hijos De Las Mariposas.
––Christian G-M., Editorial Board
hope (monarch)
life lessons Deyly C.
Deyly C. is an ambitious junior. She’s passionate about her family, loved ones, and music. She is resourceful, affectionate, and energetic. Deyly is excited at the opportunity to learn new things and has a strong desire to succeed in life.
Be patient with yourself as you bloom
Unfortunate events happen in everyone’s life, and that’s just life
It’ll leave you physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred
These are lessons we can learn from
Or wounds that can never be healed
Wondering can drive us crazy
Truth is it’s impossible to know everything
But we know that change is a constant
What matters is whether you’ll let that change negatively impact you
Speaking up and opening up is hard
Some people choose to share their events
Others are afraid of being judged, so they stay silent
Scared to talk about it, choosing words carefully
I took my pain and turned it into a strength
I grew from it, I learned from it, I can talk about it and give advice
In order to grow from it, you must really crave self-improvement and peace
Don’t be so hard on yourself
Keep in mind that you can’t control other people and you’re not responsible for their perceptions of you
Remember that no one has it all together no one has it all figured out
We’re all winging it and
At the end of the day it’s your choice whether you let it destroy you or let it help you bloom
just believe
Melanie
Melanie is in high school, going to have a job soon, and likes to hang out with her boyfriend at the end of the day. Melanie’s favorite season is autumn and she’s a huge foody.
Young and naive, Filled with laughter and glee. Resting under a tree, by the sea, wanting just to flee.
Crashing waves, with the love I gave. Never to be saved, never to be changed.
The fragrance of success, Always lingers in my chest, Nevertheless, progress is success.
love in the night
Jomari
Jomari, 17, loves listening to music so I don’t have to hear anybody in my ear. Ermm.
The night sprinkles fantastic darkness here at this place. It’s a little strange and dangerous, but the reason I feel this mysterious thrill is only because of the secrets it holds. As the moon casts its silvery glow upon the city, I can’t help but wonder about the untold stories hidden within the labyrinth of love. Every flickering streetlight and whispered conversation seem to beckon me closer, daring me to uncover the enigma that shrouds these romantic steps toward the captivating unknown, ready to unravel the mysteries of love.
The city is filled with anticipation, as if everyone holds a piece of the puzzle I’m meant to solve. It’s like a mysterious playground, offering secrets and riddles to those who dare to explore. Each step takes me deeper in this enigma, where love and mystery intertwined, creating a timeless tale.
As I walk through the dimly lit streets, the distant laughter and glimpses of intertwined silhouettes add to the allure of the night. Love seems to be scattered throughout the city, waiting to be discovered by those who embrace its complexities.
The night’s charm continues to unfold, drawing me further into its embrace. Every shadow holds a promise, and every whisper carries a hint of the unknown. I wonder what other mysteries await me as I journey through the labyrinth of love in the depths of the night.
What Comes From Your Heart
Josias G.
Josias G. wants to be a police officer in the United States. He wants to protect his country even though he is an immigrant. In his free time, he likes to hang out with friends and read. Currently, he attends a junior police academy.
I believe in God. One reason why I believe this is because he has the power above all to heal people. As an example, I remember when I felt bad because I had a headache and a bad fever and how I had faith in Him and I believed that he could help me. I asked him to heal me. I felt very bad. I felt like I was dying, but I told God to heal me and he healed me. This helped me realize that God has that power. Believing in God is something that inspires me to believe in what comes from your heart.
Yo creo en Dios. Una razón por la que creo esto es porque él tiene el poder sobre todo de sanar a las personas. Por ejemplo, recuerdo cuando me sentí mal porque tenía dolor de cabeza y mucha fiebre y cómo tuve fé en él y creí que él me podía ayudar. Le pedí que me sanara. Me sentí muy mal. Sentí que me moría, pero le dije a Dios que me sanara y él me sanó. Esto me ayudó a darme cuenta de que Dios tiene ese poder. Creer en Dios es algo que me inspira a creer en lo que sale de tu corazón.
Not Everything Lasts Forever
Jamie
Jamie is a junior at Academic Leadership Community. She plans to graduate high school. She enjoys listening to music and spending time with her loved ones.
At some point in our life we all experience a deep emotional connection with someone
Getting to know a person, spending time, making memories with them
Having someone to talk to day and night
Getting comfortable
But people change and feelings change
You get attached
They leave, you are hurt
Lost, Sadness
Repair, Disappointment
Wanting to know about them and how they’re doing
Waiting for them to return
Not wanting to accept and let go of them
But as time passes, you understand that not everything lasts forever
People come and people go
Don’t let your happiness depend on a person
We all grow, time heals
Move on, appreciate the lesson
Don’t make the same mistakes
Life keeps going with or without someone
Enjoy life, make memories, love yourself and find peace
What i know now bond
James G. Emily R.
James G. was born and raised in LA. He loves playing football, working out, and listening to music.
I used to want to grow up fast but now I’ve come to realize that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. As a junior going into second semester I started to realize the high standards that are placed on us and the responsibilities we hold as upperclassmen. It makes me reminisce about those days in elementary where our biggest problem was knowing what we wanted to play during lunch. Friends laughing, running, and playing Tachi’s were my most fun memories as a kid. My advice to anyone reading this is to enjoy the youth that you have and never be scared to pursue something that you find interest in. If you want to try a sport, go ahead and give it a shot. Don’t let time fly and live a future full of regrets. Enjoy the time that you have at this given moment and live it to the fullest.
Emily R. is a teenager almost going through adulthood who wants to experience new things before it’s too late.
I believe everyone can have a spiritual connection, whether it’s with someone, or something like an object, a place, or even yourself. People think that being spiritual means being positive all the time, but that’s not true. Being spiritual means being conscious, being aware, and also growth. We humans grow and evolve mentally. The spiritual connection that I had was with a person. The moment we met each other we instantly clicked––they were my soulmate.
Every time I would hang out or call them I was always open to sharing my thoughts and feelings. I felt at peace with them. The need to fill the air with conversation seemed unnecessary at times. I feel like you can communicate more with presence than with words, and their presence alone brought me peace. Sadly me and this person stopped being friends recently, and it hurts me now that I have lost my soulmate. But I came to realize they were just a lesson. I am glad that I met that person because, thanks to them, I was able to experience a spiritual connection.
I want people to know that even if they lose their spiritual connection it is okay and that they’ll eventually find it again! I lost mine and months later there was a person who came into my life, and it seems we have instantly clicked together, with our souls, and I’m so grateful to have them.
in jesus i believe
Giovanni L.
Giovanni L. is a person who loves to watch soccer games, especially a team called Pumas. He enjoys making new friends. In his free time he enjoys playing soccer, basketball, and playing video games. One of his dreams is to own a GTR R34.
I believe in Jesus because of the remarkable impact He’s had on my life. He’s blessed me with a loving family, forgiven my sins, and remained by my side through every hardship, even when I didn’t acknowledge Him. His constant presence has been my source of strength and comfort.
One reason I believe in Jesus is because he has brought significant blessings into my life. For instance, when I was nine years old, my mother fell critically ill, and I nearly lost her. Despite my tender age, I vividly remember the anguish of seeing her in the hospital, fighting for her life. In a moment of desperation, she turned to Jesus in prayer, pleading not to leave her children motherless. Miraculously, she regained consciousness shortly after losing her pulse, astonishing the medical staff. A nurse later remarked, “I don’t know who you were praying to, but it worked.”
Almost losing my mother at a young age was challenging, but the hardest blow came five years ago when my father passed away in a hospital in Mexico. He fell ill suddenly, vomiting blood, so my uncle rushed him to the hospital. His last words to me were, “Listen to your grandma.” He passed away the following morning. When my grandma told me of his passing, I initially thought they were playing a sick joke and lying to me. It wasn’t until I saw his lifeless body, eyes closed and skin pale, that I let out a loud cry. I ran to my room, feeling a sharp pain in my heart, as if I had been stabbed. After his passing, I felt alone and filled with sadness. My once bright smile faded, replaced by sorrow, and I began keeping my feelings to myself.
I had a challenging childhood; the passing of my father and my mother’s near-death experience were just glimpses of the hardships I endured growing up. However, the one constant presence in my life was Jesus. At that time, I was unaware of him and had never heard of him until I attended a church camp. Throughout my time there, I felt a profound sense of peace, as if all the sadness and problems I had carried for years had suddenly vanished. A fellow church member prayed for me, and during that prayer, I experienced something indescribable, something magical, the presence of Jesus for the
first time. Tears streamed down my face, not of sadness but of joy. I felt alive, at home, and genuinely happy. Upon returning home from camp, I felt no pain. I realized that my past experiences served a purpose. They helped me grow as a person. They taught me that I will never be alone during tough times because Jesus will always watch over me and never leave my side. And that is why I believe in Jesus.
gratitude (spring azure)
coffee Alan L.
Alan L. is a junior at Academic Leadership Community. He was born in America but his parents are immigrants. He’s half Salvadorian and half Mexican. He likes to spend time with his grandma and loves coffee. He hopes to go to community college and enjoy his life.
Coffee. That one word alone brings back so many cherished memories. It has always been a constant in my life. I don’t remember the first time I tasted coffee, but if I had to say my earliest memory was one afternoon when I was about eight or nine years old. I was in my grandma’s house and it was just my dad, my sister, and I. We would usually spend the afternoons at my grandma’s house since it was the only time of the day we had available. My dad would always drink coffee while my sister and I would usually drink milk or juice.
That particular day, however, I saw my dad drinking coffee and curiosity got the better of me so I told my grandma I wanted a cup of coffee. My dad and grandma laughed and they agreed as I watched my grandma serve me a cup. I remember taking the first sip of coffee and instantly falling in love. The aroma was like no other; the taste was sour but sweet, and the color was brown like a teddy bear or bread freshly taken out of the oven. The caffeine didn’t affect me in a negative way I would say, on the contrary, it almost felt comforting and gave me a sense of familiarity.
Ever since that day, I started to drink coffee. I remember when I was in middle school and I was just starting sixth grade. It was that time of my life when my mom started to let me walk back from school to the house on my own. I remember almost every day I would pass by my grandma’s house and drink a cup of coffee. We would usually talk about things that would affect me like issues I had at school or simple conversations like how my day went. It was relaxing, it was my emotional therapy. As time passed and life went on, things changed in my life. But not coffee. It was the only thing that remained constant in my life. It would bring my family together since it would allow me to stay close to my grandma.
It’s funny how things in our lives will change, but then others don’t. I feel like we focus so much on the things that change in our lives that we end up clinging to the things that don’t. We do this because we’re scared that those things too will change one day. I feel like that’s why I decided to dedicate this piece
to a time in my life when I didn’t have to worry about the notion of growing up and taking on more responsibilities. I did this for myself and my family.
Now that I’m in high school and am currently in eleventh grade I’ve noticed that I don’t have as much time to myself as I used to. Thankfully I always make time for coffee and my dad has started to take my sister and me to Starbucks after school. Thank you to my parents for always being there for us, my sister who has been with me since we were little, my grandma of course for loving and always looking out for me, but especially, thank you, to coffee.
untitled
Sydney R.
Sydney R. is an academically-driven person who is looking forward to being a psychiatrist.
Trip events:
Arrive
Walk into the forest
Follow Alex and Fluffy into the meadow
Build snowman
Get back in the car
Car freezes
We stay there for a while, at least a couple hours more
Go home at night, see stars
Celebrational woos were cheered as the engine finally stopped. Everyone got out of the car one by one filled with motion sickness or excitement. The crisp air and earthy smells, the various shades of greens and browns engulfing our vision. With toboggans in hand, we headed off towards the speckles of white in the distance.
Venturing into the brown and icy grounds in search of a snowy hill, we walked by the trees sprinkled with snow. While the adults ate snow off the tree leaves and took pictures for el feis, the kids tried out their new sleds. The slippery slope, covered in chunks of ice and tree roots, proved too rough for sleds.
Fluffy, eagerly pulling me as I held her leash, led everyone into a clearing. A meadow covered in an untouched blanket of white. Crunching sounds were made as we stepped on the fresh snow. We built a snowman next to the snowwoman the other family built.
After a while of rolling around in the snow, we put our things in the car’s trunk and headed back home. We slowly went up the hill until the car completely stopped. The car had frozen and we stayed out there for a while. Everyone was nervous and panicking as it would soon be dark. I was too tired and fell asleep inside all the blankets as everyone got out of the car.
When I woke up, looking out the window, I was met with a dark landscape. Except, it wasn’t pitch-black. The first day I saw snow was also the first day I got to ever see a sky full of stars.
top 5 anime/mangas cars
Andres V.
Andres V. enjoys going to the gym, studying about cars, and collecting miniature models of them. His favorite car is the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut.
At home I just chill. But my favorite things to do are go to the gym, do my workouts, and study about cars. I watch YouTube videos about cars on the TV. Mostly about the Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
My love for cars started to grow when my older brother took me to a car show, and I was very excited. I was ten at the time and the cars I saw were majestic. I saw a Bugatti Veyron, a Lamborghini Veneno, and a Ferrari Enzo. The car I was most excited about was the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut. The thing about the Jesko Absolut is that it’s the fastest car in the world and the spoiler looks cool.
My love for cars started growing after the car show. It excited me to see all the different types of materials they used to build the car. My mom would take me to the store and I would get a lot of Hot Wheels. And whenever we arrived home I would open my hot wheels and just have fun with it. My room is now filled with car collectibles. I have a miniature model of the Bugatti Bolide and the Lamborghini Terzo Millineo. I’ve learned to never judge a car by its exterior.
For my future, I would like to work as a car mechanic and help people with their cars, or just know how to fix my own car just in case it misbehaves.
my
Eddy M.
Eddy M. enjoys different types of manga, anime, and games.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)
2. Dragon Ball Z (both anime and manga)
3. One Piece (anime)
4. Demon Slayer (anime)
5. Dragon Ball Super (anime and manga)
Fullmetal Alchemist.
I really enjoy this manga. I enjoy the characters, the backstory and action, and the plot is pretty good. The basic plot of Fullmetal Alchemist is that two brothers try to revive their mother, but in the process of failing, Al, the younger brother, gets his soul captured and Edward, the older brother, exchanges his right arm and left leg to save his brother’s soul. They are trying to find the philosopher’s stone to get their bodies back. It’s a really interesting plot and has a lot of unique and enjoyable characters. Not a lot of people talk about this manga, so I recommend checking the school library and reading the entire series.
Dragon Ball Z.
Both the anime and manga are pretty enjoyable and one of the most popular series in the history of anime and manga ever. For you to enjoy this you have to read or watch the original Dragon Ball anime or manga. The basic plot is that there are seven orbs called the Dragon Balls and getting all of them summons a dragon that grants you a wish. Goku finds Bulma and they go on adventures to find these orbs and gain new friends throughout the series while Goku gets stronger as the series goes on. There are many characters with different arcs and with good humor and fights.
One Piece, despite it being a long series, is really enjoyable. The anime series stopped in 1999, while the manga is still going on (with 1089 episodes). The show is about pirates trying to find the One Piece, the world’s greatest treasure that belonged to the pirate king Gol D. Roger, after he was executed by the government. The series has well-written characters and more locations and arcs than most other anime out there, and it’s pretty impressive that it’s
still ongoing. It’ll take you a while but once you get caught up, you’ll enjoy it and get attached.
For Demon Slayer, the animation is really good. The basic plot is that Tanjiro and his family are attacked by demons. Tanjiro’s sister becomes a demon, so he sets out to be a Demon Slayer and tries to cure his sister. A lot of likable characters with different personalities and interesting fights. The soundtrack also fits with the theme.
Dragon Ball Super is pretty interesting. It takes place five years after the events of Dragon Ball Z. Again, like Z, you have to watch all of the series to understand and enjoy it. The anime has pretty good animation, especially as the series goes on. I recommend the manga more, but the anime version of Dragon Ball Super is still good.
What Could Have Been? What Would Have Happened? Is the Dream Over?
Robert
Robert was born and raised in LA, He’s a rising senior at Academic Leadership Community. He loves listening to Future, watching futbol, and going to the gym.
Do you like futbol? If you do, you must like Neymar. Neymar Da Silva Santos Jr. also known as Neymar Jr. is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Saudi Pro League on the team Al-Hilal and on the Brazilian National Team.
Neymar started his career in the Brazilian League, where he played for the team Santos. Neymar looked like the best player on the team. Neymar was one of the highest goalscorers in the club’s history. Neymar was getting offers from many big football teams for example Chelsea and Real Madrid, but he eventually decided to leave Santos and go to the best club in the world, Barcelona. When he joined Barcelona, he was one of the best attackers on the team. Neymar in the 2015 season had played fifty-four games. He had forty-two goals and eighteen assists. With this, he won five team trophies including the treble which is three trophies: the Champions League, LaLiga, and Copa Del Rey. But in the summer of 2017 Neymar left to join PSG.
But it wasn’t a great success because he got so many injuries and missed out on lots of games. In the one season he was healthy, he made it to another Champions League final but lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich. He was unhappy at PSG even though he scored many goals there. Neymar felt forced to leave at the end of his PSG career. Then people started to question, where is Neymar gonna go next? He moved to the Saudi “Pro” League for the club Al-Hilal.
Neymar was one of the best talents in the world but didn’t achieve his expectations. If he were to retire right now, he would retire with seven league titles, one Champions League, and an Olympic gold medal. He could’ve been one of the greatest of all time like Lionel Messi and Ronaldo Nazário.
the change
Xavier B.
Xavier B. is a boy who came to the United States at eight months old from Mexico, Pachuca, and is trying to pursue his dream of becoming the first family member to attend college. As he started to get older he realized how many sacrifices his parents have made in order for him to get an education, food, clothes, and a roof on top of his head. His dream is to become a US citizen and retire his parents from working as soon as possible.
Have you ever thought of who’s the best soccer player in the world? If you haven’t, then let me tell you that the greatest soccer player ever to live and that has inspired me to be better physically and mentally is this player known as Cristiano Ronaldo who is from Portugal and is currently playing in Saudi Arabia with his team Al-Nassr FC.
Dear handsome Portuguese devil, you have been my biggest inspiration throughout these years. I remember when you won your 2018 Champions League. It was such a remarkable moment because it was his last year in Real Madrid, the first club that I supported at the age of nine and I always loved that club no matter what. At a young age I always admired him, not only because of the way he played, but also because of his great mentality that was just dedicated to winning and never giving up no matter what the outcome was. What made me look up to him was his unique mentality that he had during big games or moments that were pretty rough throughout his career and this kind of shaped the way I’ve handled some pretty rough times throughout my life.
During quarantine, it was a pretty rough time for all of us. We all went through something that made us change who we are now, but most importantly it was the biggest challenge. I was dealing with family problems, school, and my acne as well. It was one of my biggest insecurities because so many people would point it out and I didn’t like how I looked. Not only that, I would struggle to maintain that good habit of getting good grades. It was just so bad. I was lost and I had zero motivation to bring up those grades. I also dealt with family problems. We all do at some point in our lives but at this point it was too much to deal with. If I’m honest it was basically a downfall, but at that time I saw how Cristiano Ronaldo was also dealing with some different problems but still managed to have a great performance in the field and always kept a smile and I always wondered, why can’t I do the same? We might deal with
different problems but he came from a way rougher background than me but still managed to get up and I said to myself, if he can do it then I can do it for sure. It was not just a 3AM motivation. It was a motivation that still stays with me ‘til today. I wanted to be a better person mentally and physically for myself and my parents but I knew this would take time. Couple months later I got to improve with all the stuff that I was struggling with. I had the chance to culminate from my middle school with good grades. Everything was getting better with my family, no problems at all. My acne is still there but it’s not as bad as it used to be.
8 things i can’t live without she is mom
Princess G. Wendy
Wendy is someone who enjoys listening to music and hanging out with friends. She likes watching scary movies and shows. Wendy also spends most of her free time with her cat Luna.
My mom has always been someone that I’ve looked up to because she is a hard worker and she doesn’t give up. She is the strongest person I know. Even with her own struggles, I see her strength when she still manages to put a smile on her face, and I admire that. When I see how outgoing she is, her confidence, and her fearlessness to speak her mind I am motivated to be better. I appreciate her love and every talk we have because I know I can count on her with anything. So as I get older, I realize my mom is and will always be there for me.
Princess G. is described as a random, sociable, funny, interesting, odd, energetic, short (I’m 5 ‘0), sensational girl.
1. Sports
I LOVE watching sports. Playing it might not be my thing but I love watching games with my family and friends. Whether it’s the Dodgers, Rams, Kings, Lakers, it doesn’t matter. Watching my favorite athletes play makes me happy. Sports have brought me the best memories ever like going to the Dodgers vs. Astros game and seeing the fireworks while being on the field, going to the 2023 NLDS game, witnessing a Ronald Acuna historic grand slam going to Rams Night at the Kings game, sitting close to the court at the Lakers game, getting tickets for a Rams game on my birthday, the list goes ON. I can talk about sports forever!!
2. My Friends
I have the bestest friends in the entire world. My main friend group consists of Diana, Arely, Macario, Cris, and Axcan, Emerson, and Joselyn. And I can’t forget my best friend Kimberly. Without them I would literally be miserable. They make my day with a simple text or conversation. They’re the funniest people I know and anyone would be lucky to have met them. I’m forever grateful for them and the memories I have made with my dummies.
3. My Favorite Movies
I say movies because I can never pick one. I love all the Tim Burton movies, Coraline, The Little Mermaid, the Winnie the Pooh movies, American Psycho,The Fast and Furious saga, The Dark Knight, The Sandlot, and I can name one thousand more. See, I like looking at pictures more than reading so movies definitely help a lot but that’s because I’m a little dyslexic.
4. My Music
I’m convinced that I have the best playlists in the world. I listen to anything and everything. Name an emotion and I have a playlist for it. Like I even have a playlist for when you want to feel like you’re clubbing in the 2000’s era with the Jersey Shore cast members. I would definitely say my top artists are Isaiah Rashad, Kali Uchis, Odd Future members, Westside Gunn, Lil Wayne, Miguel, Kendrick, J Cole, Cigarettes after Sex, TV Girl, Keem, The Smiths, Tory Lanez, Aventura, Future. Once again I can name so much more. I’m very inde
cisive. But they legit shaped me into the person I am by making my mindset the lyrics they write. I literally wouldn’t know how to live if music didn’t exist. Like it’s such a vibe to stare out the window and listen to music in car rides.
5. Yapping
Even my own mother says that I yap a lot, literally in those exact words. I am even “yapping” a lot in this assignment. I just love talking, being silent is not for me. I get uncomfortable in silence. Like you know I’m having a really bad day when I’m quiet or want to be by myself. I just get really excited to talk about things I love, and I would hope that talking a lot would make the other person feel more comfortable talking to me.
6. Food
I literally need food like everyone else. But one of my favorite foods is chicken, especially from Pollo Loco. I love their rice and pinto beans too. I also love Sbarro. I love going to Fig to get my pizza and eating it at the top while enjoying the view of DTLA because I love pizza and a good view. I also love In-n-Out but I hate going inside because it’s always packed. What I enjoy most though is snacks. Every morning I’m at either Lupitas or 7-11 and buying Lays (regular or limon) or Flamin Hot Funyuns and a drink. My drinks switch from kiwi strawberry Arizona, kiwi strawberry Snapple, and a pineapple Fanta.
7. Target
I will dedicate my life to Target. I would not be able to live if I didn’t go to a Target ever. Target has my favorite items which includes Hot Wheels, stuffed animals, Legos, coloring books, stickers, candy, etc. And there’s one in like every five minute radius from me which is super convenient if I ever need something in an emergency. Target also has a Starbucks inside so this means you can stay hydrated while you shop! I also like to walk Kobe at Target so that he gets comfortable around other people.
8. Kobe
Kobe is my pug. I got him when he was six weeks old on January 26th, 2023 which was the third year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death which is why we named him Kobe as we are a family inspired by him. My Kobe even has a Kobe Bryant jersey. Kobe goes with me everywhere. Like when I get out of softball practice, he goes with my parents to pick me up and is always so excited to see me, like his little tail wags so much. It’s so cute. He is literally my son and best friend.
a bond is formed
Xavier G.
Meet Xavi G. - an amazing person who loves the outdoors! He is always up for an adventure and enjoys hiking, camping, and surfing. Xavi is currently on a journey to discover his true passions and dreams, and his positive and cheerful attitude will surely lead him to great success. He could be a very impactful author that could have the potential of being a writer, or could go the other way around pursuing math and becoming a mathematician.
In happiness and love, where hearts are pure, A bond is formed, unbreakable and secure.
A friendship is born in the realm of youth, Where love knows no bounds, and trust finds its truth
Together we roamed through the meadow of dreams, Skipping and laughing, hands in hands, it seems. Through sunny days and starlit nights, Our spirits intertwined, soaring to new heights.
The happiest times, oh, how they show! Like rays of sunlight, warming my soul. We build castles in the sand, sleeping in each other’s hand, With hearts entwined, we vowed never to disband.
But childhood is not all laughter and cheer, Sad moments came, crying was clear. Through scraped knees and broken hearts, We found peace in each other’s arms.
When tears stained our cheeks and sadness loomed, We held each other close, covering our wounds. For as we journey through life’s winding road, Our childhood bond will forever be bestowed.
So let us cherish these memories made, Never forgetting where we came, A new chapter is beginning but I hope we will stay.
two people calms me down
Brandon M.
Brandon M. is a chill dude with broccoli hair who likes cats.
I’ve always believed that music can set you free in a way. I believe this because when I put on my favorite songs it helps me relax.
I have always liked music a lot ever since I started to listen to Michael Jackson when I was a younger kid. I listen to music when I play football or when I go out by myself. The types of music I usually listen to are Spanish, rock, pop, and R&B. An example of my favorite songs are Rock With You by Michael Jackson and Teenage Fever by Drake. These songs are my favorite because they really connect with me and they help me calm down.
Throughout middle school, I went through a lot of stress and started to fail most of my classes. But music really helped me concentrate and helped me finish assignments so I managed to raise my grades. Whenever I’m in class I put on my AirPods when I have no one to talk to, so it helps me to space out and relax. Sometimes I forget my AirPods at home and it kills my mood, so all I want to do is sleep. Honestly I’m grateful music is a thing because it helps me not stress too much and helps me avoid people I don’t want to talk to.
Emily R.
Emily R. is a curious girl willing to learn and try new things. She loves watching movies and listening to music. No one loves cats more than she does.
Picking flowers
Going on picnics
And dancing in the rain Doesn’t have to take two people
Getting ice cream
Strolling along the beach
And laying under the stars Doesn’t have to take two people
Walking through the woods
Going to the movies
And running through the snow Doesn’t have to take two people
But deep down I know it’s true That one day I could have two
how music saved me
Jasson R.
Jasson R. is the realest guy you’ll ever know who has an obsession with cats.
I have always believed that music can set you free. I believe this because when I put on my AirPods I blast music and I feel like I’m in another world and it’s just a good feeling.
I have always loved music. Ever since I was little, I would listen to music with my mother and it has always brought me joy. Especially when drawing, I always have music playing, like funk, R&B, or sometimes Spanish rock because those types of songs really change the way I see my drawings. If I don’t have any type of music playing, then I just don’t feel like drawing anymore and I will just go to sleep.
One of my favorite artists is Steve Lacy. His type of music really changed me. I don’t know why, but his songs hit different. The fact that music exists is a blessing. It has been there for me during my hardest times.
During middle school, I went through so much stress and started failing all my classes, but music helped me to get through it. Now that I’m in high school, music helps me finish some assignments quickly. It has helped me avoid people, and it has been there when I have no one to talk to. Sometimes when I forget my AirPods at home I become gloomy and I don’t wanna do anything but sleep. In all honesty without music, I would have not made it past my previous grades, so I’m very grateful music is a thing.
Mom-ent of Truth
Aileen G.
Aileen G. is a junior who is a hardworking person who enjoys listening to music and likes trying out different things. She is very competitive and enjoys learning about math. Aileen enjoys watching TV shows and movies. One of her favorite shows is The Office and some movies she enjoys watching are Mean Girls and White Chicks.
Dear Mom,
I want to express how grateful I am to have you in my life. I appreciate you and the sacrifices you have made for my siblings. You have worked tirelessly even taking on extra jobs and shifts to provide for us. You never complained even when money was tight and you had to take on two jobs to provide for the family. You always found time for me even when you were exhausted from cleaning the hospital floors all night. I remember how much you suffered with your job as a janitor. I remember all those times you were busy crying in your room because of the way you overexerted yourself to the point where you were always in pain. Your job as a janitor in a hospital would always push you to your limits as it was a lot of pulling around pounds of trash, cleaning several floors, and walking too much for yourself. You would always tell me nothing was wrong to not worry me, but I had felt scared for your health. I felt guilty for being the reason you worked so hard to give me everything in life. You told me you were going to make your life better by going to school to become a CNA (certified nurse assistant) since you wanted to help and interact with people.
You stuck to your word and went to school the following weeks. The program you had entered was about six months long. You would tell me how your teachers would make weird comments like, “Why do you keep coming to this class if you know you won’t pass?” You told me this made you feel worthless and like you couldn’t do anything since you were insecure about yourself speaking English. I remember around this time you were learning English and had spent day and night studying and always said no to going outside even when my dad had offered to take you out for a walk. You never let those negative thoughts or comments affect your ability to work hard and persevere. I know this was a big step but you had to take it. I appreciate how you didn’t quit.
I remember it was the day of your final test to become a CNA and I felt so nervous for you my hands were sweating and my heart was racing. You had looked quite calm though and unaffected by the test. As thirty minutes had passed it was time for you to go into the tall scary building and take the test. We didn’t know how long it would take, but I was expecting it to be about two to three hours but it turned out to be around five hours. I had decided to go to a park with my dad to take my mind off your test. I then felt much more calm as I knew all those hours of studying built up to this day and it would soon be worth it. When we came back from the park we were still waiting but I had received a text from you saying you were almost done with the last section. We waited and waited and finally, you came out of the building. I had no idea if you had passed or not. Your face was so still and expressionless. You then looked disappointed as if you were going to tell me if you passed or not. “I didn’t pass the test.” I felt so bad for you and was about to comfort you saying it’s ok but as I was about to say something you pulled out a paper from behind you and said, “Just kidding!” The paper you pulled out was your confirmation that you passed. I felt so proud of you since you had learned so much in six months and improved your English so much. Now you help people every day by feeding people, walking people, and taking care of them. Someday I hope to be a hardworking smart person like you. Thank you for everything that you have done for me.
From, Aileen
pop-tart pals
Kaiden
Kaiden’s a huge yapper who likes fries, not so much guys, just her future wife Jennifer. Kaiden loves Michael Cera’s movies and his cream.
Leslie,
When I see you, I fart
I know we can never be apart
Because I know our hearts are tied
Our friendship can never die
Met you eating Pop-Tarts
We locked hearts
I’ll start a riot for you, bro
Even though you didn’t grow
Your smile shines as bright as the sun
And although you can’t run
You’re so much fun
What I say is true
I do love you homie
And even though you owe me money
You’re still my honey
Yeah a nice memory is priceless
But you still owe me money
Even though you’re the color of a ghost
You’re the friend I love the most, I’ve never referred to myself as “thyself”
You made that up yourself
Thank you for these fun few years together
And I’ll be waiting for the $43.73, bruh
Alexa loves Starbucks and likes to sleep and be with her dog. Alexa wants to go to college and hopefully become a lawyer or a real estate person. Alexa is sixteen and has two siblings. Alexa is proud of being Mexican.
The beginning of losing someone you love is hard and it doesn’t get any easier. Having to lose my grandma at such a small age was sad. Especially since I barely got to see her because she lived in Mexico. I loved her so much, every time I would go to visit her she would always make sure I had everything I wanted or buy me things, and would also make me my favorite foods. Even though I barely got to be with her and see her, I was very close with her and comfortable. She always made me happy and made me laugh. It was very hard for me to hear that she passed away. I couldn’t believe it. I was in so much pain and shock that I felt that I couldn’t breathe. She was always happy and excited to hear that we were going to visit.
My grandma owned a store and she always let me get whatever I wanted from the store and my dad would pay for it and she would be like, “no esta bien, asi dejalo es para mi niña,” and my dad would say, “ahh ama por eso es así.” And every time we would go she would always have something for me like a toy, candy, or a cute little shirt. I was always thankful for everything she gave me and did for me.
I was in middle school when my grandma passed away. I got the news when I was at school and I started crying because I couldn’t believe it. They had said that she had fallen and hit her head and that they took her to the hospital. I was so hurt and sad when they told me that she passed away. I didn’t want to be in school anymore. I just wanted to go home. I was just sitting at the lunch table crying and one of my friends was with me making sure I was okay. I still remember a staff coming up to us and saying, “Girls, are you guys okay? Everything good?” and my friend answered, “No Ms. Her grandma passed away,” and the staff said, “Oh mija, you shouldn’t be here right now, do you want to go home?” and I didn’t answer because of all the pain I was feeling and going through. I was crying so much. My friend answered for me and said, “I think she just needs to calm down Ms.” The staff was like, “Okay girls. If you guys need anything just let me know.” My friend said, “Okay Ms., thank you.” But I didn’t end up going home. I just stayed at school and waited for it to be time to go home.
I got home and went to bed and started crying. Then, a few minutes later my tia came and told me what had happened and that my mom left to Mexico. I just started crying more and she was like, “It’s okay, calm down. I know it’s hard and sad but she is going to be in a better place.”
what would i do without you?
Destiny
Destiny is a shy person but once you get to know her and when she’s comfortable with you, she won’t stop talking. She loves listening to music and listening to all kinds of it except for country. She is very understanding and caring. She also loves flowers, especially orchids.
Words can’t express how much you mean to me. I’ve lived through ups and downs with you but I’ve learned how to value someone like you. You have taught me many things, like learning how to appreciate what I have in life even the littlest things. I appreciate everything you do for me and the sacrifices you’ve made. You’ve always managed to put a smile on my face even when times were tough. You are someone who I can gossip with and won’t judge me. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you and telling me, “Everything is going to be okay.” Your presence gives me comfort and makes me feel safe. You are the strongest and bravest person I know and have been through so much and you deserve better. You always smile through your pain so I wouldn’t know about your struggles and you put your feelings first so I wouldn’t have to worry. Although I don’t say it much, I’m grateful for your love and for caring about me and understanding me. You’ve made me the person I am today. You give great advice like saying, “You should always study and do good in school, so you won’t ever have to depend on anybody.” No matter how old I am I always want you there by my side. I won’t ever complain or judge the mistakes you’ve made because it’s your first time experiencing and living life too. I am truly blessed to have you as my mom. I don’t know what I would do without you.
thank you isn’t a phrase i say often
Esau C.
Esau C. is a junior in the Academic Leadership Community who is weirdly obsessed with sci-fi such as Star Wars and a game called Starcraft 2. He enjoys being with friends. He enjoys annoying Christian during his free time because “making Christian annoyed brings him joy.” Esau is also wanted in thirteen states and four countries for being a known cheese thief.
Thank you isn’t a phrase I say often, nor as much as I should, yet there are a couple of things I’m thankful for.
I’m thankful for my friends for making me laugh, making school more fun, and making each day more memorable. Like how they make jokes in class or how we hang out during lunch.
I’m thankful for my teachers, who taught me several valuable lessons and skills by creating a safe and supportive learning environment. I’m grateful for them preparing me for life outside of high school.
I’m thankful for my family, who taught me life lessons as I grew up and taught me how to be a better person. They helped shape me into the person I am today.
I’m thankful for my brother even though we don’t get along sometimes. He still brings joy into my life, like when we play games together. Remembering the days when we would play Halo late at night trying to beat a level on the hardest difficulty.
Lastly, I’m thankful for my mom who raised me as a single mother going through college and working every day to provide for my brother and me. She sacrificed so much just to give us a better life. Such as forcing herself to go to a job she doesn’t enjoy just so she can bring food to our table. For that, I will always appreciate her.
Esmeralda
Esmeralda (also known as Esme by friends and Chiquis by family) comes from a big family of nine. Including her dog Winter, who she loved so so so much. She enjoys her daily hangouts with Julie.
You were there when I was born. You were there when I took my first steps, my first day of school, my culminations. You were also the first person to break my heart. The memories of us are the reason why I love you. Going to work with you, and afterward we would always eat those delicious tacos that were in the corner of your job (just remembering makes me hungry! Yumm!). You would drop me off at school and tell me, “Te quiero mucho Chiquis.” Haven’t heard that in a while. How I miss you being at my games, just seeing you there always made a difference. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still grateful you’re here but are you actually here?
People might say that she’s weak, and selfish for staying with you, that she should have left to show us strength. It’s quite the opposite. She made sure we never saw the bad side. She was strong enough to go through everything alone and still woke us up every day with a smile. I may not have had bedtime stories, or her braiding, even hugs and kisses, but she provided everything I needed and wanted. That was her way of showing me her love. She never learned how to show love any other way. After you messed up and thought you didn’t have to be a parent anymore, she stepped up even more than she already had. She’s not perfect, no one is. She has made mistakes just like you. The difference is she has never left our side while you did and still you don’t even try to get us back. You pretend as if everything is okay. I’m very grateful you showed your true colors. She will recover because she has six kids who love her to death and would do anything for her. Now that you showed your true colors she will be able to learn to love herself little by little. You both weren’t able to have a childhood and experience many things, which is why you are the way you are. It doesn’t excuse anything, but it makes me understand you more. That’s why I don’t hate you, I never did. It sure made me appreciate her more. She is the strongest human being I know. She’s why I will be successful in life, to fulfill her dreams. I love you momma. She did it all
We still sleep under the same roof, eat together, you’re still here but not really. Your absence had such an impact on my life. You weren’t just my dad; you were the person I looked up to, my best friend, my coach, but now you’re just my father.
Everything changed, or so I thought. I grew up and realized who you really are. I grew up and you resented me because of how much I remind you of yourself. Trust me I hate it too, because I see it. I became such an angry person because of you. All that hate I had made me into a horrible person, who did horrible things to people who only cared for me. You wanna guess who I hurt the most? I was so much like you that I hurt the same person you did. While all she did was care and love us, we hurt her.
I don’t remember much from my childhood, just that all I wanted to do was be with you. It was better with you, it was more fun because you were the cool parent. Now I know why you were the cool parent, because you were the irresponsible one. While you did all the fun stuff she did the actual parenting. Relationships are supposed to be 50/50 right? It wasn’t though, it was more 80/20. She just hid it so well, it made it seem like you were doing more than she was. She kept everything to herself for years, just for us, just for you. Instead of loving her and thanking her, you took advantage of her. Yet she stayed through everything, which is why it made me angry. I thought to myself, “What kind of woman stays with a man who doesn’t love her?’’ The kind of woman who puts her children’s happiness first instead of her own.
dear mom A Sweet Pop-Tart Friendship
Lailanie Leslie
Lailanie might act shy at first but is very bubbly and understanding. Loves to play football and volleyball. Upbeat music is always a first choice or RnB. She enjoys taking care of her body, mind, and soul.
Dear Mom, I’m so proud of you…really.
You’re someone who is very hardworking, optimistic, goofy, and confident. You always find a solution to everything you set your mind to. In my eyes, you’re beautiful inside and out, and I’m proud to also have you as my best friend. You always know what to say when I need advice. Even when I make wrong decisions, you still support me. Your advice always makes me reflect positively. I will always be grateful when you make me and the little ones happy, even if it’s something small. I’ll never forget the day we all wanted takeout but you didn’t have enough money. That afternoon we all scrambled for spare change in the car and gathered six dollars to buy pizza. One thing I love about you is that if you want something you won’t pity yourself about not having it. Instead you’ll focus all your effort on making it happen. You’re someone that will always inspire me to do better. You had me at such a young age, which wasn’t easy, but as your first child, I think you’re doing amazing. You deserve all the amazing things coming your way. I know everyone’s not perfect, but in my eyes you are.
Love, Lanie
Leslie is a shy but superrrr talkative girl. She enjoys entertaining her friends, watching movies, and multitasking. She has a huge heart that likes being in the presence of others, especially her future fiancée (Kevin). She looooves her emo bands, especially Fall Out Boy.
Kaiden, Piercings and black hair
Constant nasty stares
The day I first saw you in bio I knew I’d enjoy being by you
Back then you didn’t look like yourself I was intrigued by the way you went by “thyself”
Helping you with algebra I wanted to be smart for you, bruh
Never acknowledging me I wish I hit your knee
During presentations, we improvised
During PE, peeing synchronized
Eating so many Pop-Tarts
I’m astounded you didn’t fart
Always spamming me with TikToks You make my world rock
During PE, having our long walks
Trusting you with my embarrassing thoughts
Although you run aggressive
Our friendship is impressive
But I’m not replacing my Kevin
We’ve known each other since 2011 Am I running out of rhymes? Duh
Still, I hope you know I love you, Bruh
Sueños Entrelazados
sleep
Anthony Rosy R.
Rosy R. was born in Guatemala. She has a very unique personality once you get to know her. She enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her family. She also loves her friends, nature, and travel.
I left my home, my cradle of love, my country of Eterna Primavera. Carrying in my breast a pain, a sadness that never waits. I am looking for a new dawn, in distant, unknown lands, where the sun also knows how to bloom, and the stars are never hidden. But even though I’m far away, my heart never forgets, the taste of my land “yo se yo” melody is always welcome.
In my chest I carry the love of my family, in every heartbeat, in every sigh. In my mind the memories of Guatemala, the beautiful country of Eterna Primavera. I remember when I went to the lakes of Atitlan and Amatitlan, the majestic mountains around the lakes. Its majestic mountains and green and towering volcanoes, its vibrant colors and its smiling people. In every corner, history and culture, a legacy that I carry with pride and tenderness. Even if he takes me far along the way, my heart will always be close. In every step, in every waking dream, Guatemala, my love, my strength and my flag.
Anthony is a guy who loves sleep. He is a heavy sleeper and can sleep anywhere anytime. He would rather stay in and sleep than go outside. Shoutout to Laysha and Kiwi.
Sleep is cool, sleep is neat, It’s like a treat, oh so sweet. Close your eyes, count some sheep. Drift off to dreamland, deep, deep, deep
Mi Razón Por la Que Sigo
Adelante (My Reason to Keep Going)
Antonia O.
Antonia O.: a person who loves to hang out with her friends and makes them laugh. She loves to play flag football and loves to eat. She likes to help others when they are in need. She tries to stay on track with her grades and always tries to do better academically.
Por ti soy agradecida for coming to the U.S. and wanting to give me a better future and for my siblings. A mother who did everything for me when there were many obstacles in the way. For you who did the best you could to provide me with food and for everything I have ‘til this day. For you who filled in for a person who wasn’t in my life, who gave me the love I needed. And from you I got many inspirations to not give up even if it gets hard because when you come from the people around you not helping out you still managed and made it possible to make it to the top. A woman who still managed to keep looking forward in life, and kept walking when life wanted to pull her back. A hardworking person who has done almost every job in her life to provide for me and my siblings and has pushed through battles in her life to get where she is. A person who hasn’t given up yet despite the way others treated her and wanted her to fail in misery.
My mother who has a kind heart to help lots of people on her way to the top and is always generous and loves to help others when they are in need because she knows how it feels to come from nothing. My mom has a heart of gold even when she doesn’t have enough for herself she still loves to give. My mom, who views things as a lesson from which we can learn from. Mi mamá que nunca tuvo lo que yo tengo en esta vida, yet she deserves the world in my eyes. I am proud of my mom. She has worked really hard and deserves to rest. My mother who lives her life to the fullest. A person who has faith in God and con Dios a su lado todo fue posible.
I remember those nights when you prayed for those things you have now. You put in that hard work. That is why I strive to do better to make her feel proud and for her to know that all she has done for me didn’t go to waste and that no matter what, I have to keep pushing because she did as well. My mom is a person who always says, “Si puedes soñarlo, puedes lograrlo.” A wise woman who knows what is best for me.
The bond with my mom grew over time once I grew and hit that age I understood where she was coming from. The struggles, time, money, everything made sense. Me and my mom can finally joke around, talk without arguing. Maybe me and her didn’t have the best bond but over time we grew to understand each other.
My mom is not perfect but she tries to do what is best for my family. She is my reason to keep going and do better. I learned the saying: “Aprender del pasado vive en el presente y trabajar para el futuro.” And that’s when I realized how important it is to keep going and to learn from our mistakes and make it out of this lifestyle where mostly all the kids my age don’t end up well. I do it for me and for my family. If my mom can make it, then I can make it as well. Soy la más afortunada de tener te como mi mamá la persona más importante en mi vida una mamá muy incredible, fuerte, amable, y cariñosa con una carisma que te has muy diferente de las otras. La que me ayudó ver la vida como un regalo y der ser agradecida de lo que tengo y te deseo mas buenas cosa en tu vida. Espero que yo te pueda hacer feliz con mis decisiones en el futuro… Now I hope her life contains nothing but clear skies from now on. I have an opportunity to change our lives and get into college, and with my studies, I can work hard and reach my goals with you by my side. I can do anything because I know you are always going to be there for me and support my decisions. Thank you Mami, for being an inspiration in my life and a role model for me and my reason to keep doing better.
to: partner in crime untitled
Camila C. Edsel G.
Camila C. is a junior at the Academic Leadership Community. She was born in Santa Ana, El Salvador. She is a very creative person who likes to listen to music and to be around her friends. She is a quiet person but once she gains confidence with the people around her, she won’t stop talking and laughing. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her siblings. In her free time, she loves watching Netflix series and watching soccer games.
Having you as my older sister is the best thing that could happen in my life.
When I’m feeling sad, you are the only person who is able to notice that. You were always there for me, making me feel better even though we were going through the exact same thing. I am always going to appreciate you for that.
I want to thank you for all the amazing things that you have done for me, for example when I told you that I wanted to go buy a new phone, you immediately told me that you wanted to go with me and you even took me to have breakfast in a Salvadorian restaurant. Also when you took me to the cinema when it was my birthday to watch one of my favorite movies at that time, and for always making me laugh when I am not feeling my best.
Even though sometimes I don’t show it, I am really thankful that you are here with me.
What I admire about you is that you have gone through so many things and you still have a smile on your face. I admire that you are a really hardworking person, that even though you are so tired, you never show that. You are my inspiration in everything that I do. I am trying really hard to follow your steps in becoming a better person.
The moments that we spend together are unforgettable and unique because you always know exactly what to say and how to say it, and I don’t know if it is because you are older than me or just because you know me so well that you know exactly what I’m feeling. What I like most about our relationship is that we could be able to talk for hours and hours and we would never get bored of that. You always tell me your experiences about what you have gone through, you have that trust in me, and I am really grateful that you do. Like I always tell you ever since we snuck out of the house, “You are My Partner in Crime,” and I would really miss you if you weren’t here with me.
Being a football player in Miguel Contreras’ Learning Complex is fun and also has a lot of responsibility. I’ve been in the team for three years now going into my final year. I play for Miguel Contreras’ football team and I gotta say it’s been one of the best times of my life. I made so many memories and friends but my first year of playing football for MC was the worst year. I thought I was gonna play JV but then I found out that there wasn’t a JV team so they put me on their varsity team. My first day of practice I was so scared because when I first saw the team they were huge and I was a small fat kid. After a week of practice, the team gave me a nickname that I would never forget and it was “Baby Face.” I can’t blame them for giving me that nickname. I looked like a baby and looked scared every time they told me to play. That year I remember getting thrown around, being a human punching bag. That same year I remember we won league champs and our record was 7-3. We got the number three seed in the playoff but sadly we lost our first game. But I was determined to become a starter next year and win League Champs again.
Starting off my two years of playing, I started to get better at the game and understand it better and I had a chance to get that starting position. Over the off season, I started to work out and started to work on my footwork and new moves for defense. I remember doing really well during practice in the summer and the week before our preseason game I was named starting offense guard. I was so nervous going to the game and it affected my game. I was doing so bad that my coaches took me out of the game during the second half and replaced me and I lost my starting spot and became a backup. I didn’t get to play until the third game of the season and that’s when I got my coaches’ trust again and became a starter again. Then going into the sixth game, they put me on the defense line for no reason, but I didn’t care as long as I played. But that year was the worst season because we lost everything. We were the worst team of our league and lost Crown Hill to Roybal and our record was 3-7. I was on a mission to win Crown Hill.
peak Never a Boring Day with You Two
Erick V. Hazel Z.
Erick V. He is just always in his own world. He is really quiet for real unless he knows you. He is funny, but if he knows your type, you know what I’m saying.
The 2022 World Cup. I was lucky to witness one of the best World Cups in football history from the group stage to the final. Everything was amazing. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience because I got to watch it in school, so watching it with my friends made it more exciting. The underdogs, Morocco, were an amazing story because no one would have thought they would have made it out of the group stage, but they ended up going to the semis knocking out Spain and Portugal, but they fell short against France. This made them the first African team to ever make it that far which is amazing. France vs. England was a very interesting game with the amount of amazing players on both teams. I was hoping England would get through but it did not happen. The game with the Netherlands vs. Argentina was the second-best game in the tournament. The aggression and the history both teams have was very entertaining. The comeback and watching it with my friends, the emotions were just something I won’t ever experience again. The final was the best that I have ever watched because of how good the game was. The comeback was crazy when Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in like one minute. I was just shocked and then went to penalties. Messi being a hero and Mbappé being a villain, the final was the best of all time. The 2022 World Cup was peak.
Hazel Z. is a loud person and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She loves her parents, friends, and her fat chihuahua.
To my best friend:
You were the first best friend I ever had. You were a kid raising a kid. You made me laugh, you made me cry, and you make me proud. We came a long way with each other. You’re my day one, the shoulder I could cry on, and the first person I can talk chisme with. You weren’t good with words but your actions showed that you cared. You made me the person I am today. I put you through so much. I wasn’t the good kid you hoped I would be growing up but you didn’t give up on me. You pushed me and motivated me to do better when I was at my lowest. You always told me, “Thug it out” and I did. I changed because I wanted to gain your trust again. I wanted you to be proud of me. I am grateful that you didn’t give up on me. I am blessed to have a mother like you to guide me through life. You didn’t deserve all the things that have happened to you throughout your life. You’re tough and scary sometimes but you can be a soft person. I look up to you and when I’m older I want to be as strong as you. You make me proud as a daughter. I love you and I owe you my whole life.
To my old man:
You may not be my blood but you took a big step in becoming my father figure. You watched me grow and you’ve been with me through thick and thin. You always showed me affection and unconditional love even when I would push you away. I remember when I first called you dad but I don’t remember your reaction. Mom always reminds me of how happy you were that day. We made a lot of memories together that have stuck with me and always make me laugh. When Mom and I were having trouble with each other you always came in between and helped us work through it. You were the most patient and understanding out of the three of us. Mom wasn’t good with words but you were. You would listen to what I had to say and you would listen. After I was done yapping, you always knew what to say. You saved me when I was going through it and had no one to go to. I wanted to give up but you reminded me that life was worth living. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. Thank you, Dad. I miss you and love you.
I love you both unconditionally. Thank you for not giving up on me. You guys deserve the world.
Kiwi is a three-year-old Maltese mix who I love a lot.
He’s a white fluffy dog who is very social
We got him in 2021 during quarantine.
He loves spending time out in public and sticking his head out car windows
He’s been to beaches, parks, and even the snow.
He also loves sleeping.
He sleeps in the most random places and funny positions.
I love when I get home from school because he’s always there to greet me
I love his company
If I could do everything with him, I would I would do anything for him
the boy who captured my heart
Lindsy
G.
Lindsy G. is a junior in the Academic Leadership Community. She likes to listen to whatever kind of music except for pop music. She might look mean but she is very kind and outgoing. She likes to hang out with her friends and likes to spoil them. She likes to spend time with her mom and buy her stuff. She hopes to get an electric guitar and play the alto saxophone and the flute again.
When I first saw you
You were perfection in my eyes
Your smile is so tender and contagious
Your voice is always soft and gentle that when I hear it, it makes my heart flutter
I will never forget how your eyes sparkled when you looked at me, how your chocolate-colored eyes shone beautifully in the sun
Your laugh is so contagious that it makes me want to laugh with you
How you make me feel when we both make eye contact makes my heart beat fast, and I get that tingling feeling in my stomach
When we talk I can’t help just to admire you
When I look at you, my mind blocks everything but you, like those romance movies.
Every time I see you I start to get that warm feeling inside It’s like you cast a spell on me that makes me admire everything you do… You were the one who made me believe in love at first sight
Laysha loves her dog Kiwi and Kiwi loves her!!! Shoutout to Anthony.
first day of school My Motivation of Life
Luis O. Maritza R.
Luis O. is a student at ALC.
It’s the first day of school a Mix of fear and excitement
As students walk through the doors
Old friends reunite and some New friends are made, The halls are full of chatter and noise
As students find their way to their class
The bell rings signaling the beginning of class
As the day goes by students move from class to class
Learning new subjects and skills
As the day comes to an end and the final bell rings
Students pack their bags getting ready to go home.
Maritza R. is a student in ALC. Runs track and cross country. She enjoys hiking and food.
My motivation in life is my mom because she has played an important role in my life that has impacted me in multiple ways throughout my journey. Starting off with building my independence when I was young by giving me the space that I needed to start working on it. She would encourage me to start doing things by myself without having to worry anyone, which built a strong trust bond between my mom and me. Thanks to that and the trust she gave me, it has helped me improve and grow because my independence led to building my confidence and it has pushed me to accomplish anything I want with my hard work and effort.
Something about my mom is the support she gives me in the decisions I want to make and in my sports. The time my mom showed support was in the Central League finals for track. I remember her cheering me on and how happy I felt when seeing her there. She shows up whenever she can and her presence is the most valuable to me because for her I’ll push myself as hard as I can to make her feel proud. Whenever I talk about a decision with my mom she gives me the time to think about it and doesn’t make me feel pressured. That is something I really appreciate about my mom. I love making my mom feel proud because it’s always been one of my accomplishments I always try to make. I feel like it’s the least I can do and a way of thanking her for everything she has done for me. My mom’s hard work plays a big role in my life because it influences me in becoming hard working and keeps me motivated on what I want to accomplish.
After looking at all the struggles my mom has gone through in her work, I am really looking forward to being able to continue my education after high school and focus on my career path so that I’m able to take care of my mom so she won’t have to keep working.I want my mom to be able to live a peaceful life. I know this path will have plenty of ups and downs to reach those goals but I will use those experiences so that I’m able to improve and become mentally strong to deal with what’s coming up. I’ll carry the skills my mom has taught me growing up and it’ll guide me on my path to where I want to reach. I’m looking forward to continuing doing the most for my mom and me.
a day in the park we are like sisters
Melvin T. Marta H.
Melvin T. has friends who are very special in good and bad ways. Is a person who is social with friends but is quiet when they know no one.
Walking around the park
Watching the flowers blossom
Flying birds are traveling around
Chirping looking for food
Scavenging squirrels looking for a spot to stay
Spinning around with joy
Having fun watching the animals play
Singing and making a rhythm with the animals
Going down the slide having fun
Seeing a homeless person under a slide
Waiting for the sun to set
And there you watch a beautiful sunset in a good day
Marta H. was born in Guatemala. Her personalidad es única. She likes to draw and paint, but what she likes the most is singing clearly.
I believe in friendship. One reason I believe this is because friendship is very beautiful and because you can tell friends what happens to you and tell them your problems. Friends trust each other, and also don’t hide anything from each other. I love myself and I love my best friend too.
We are like sisters. I remember when my best friend told me that she wanted to go out with her boyfriend and that I had to help her by going with them because her parents wouldn’t let them go out unless I went too.
Having a best friend means having someone who understands you and is with you in the most difficult moments of your life. We go for ice cream and have a coffee together. This is important for me because it’s one of the most beautiful things in my small world that is my life.
anywhere i go
Jonathan J.
Jonathan J. is a student at the Academic Leadership Community, born and raised in Los Angeles. He played football for Miguel Contreras. One thing he loves is JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars and lowriders. He loves this quote from Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift: “Life’s simple: You make choices and you don’t look back.”
One reason I believe in photography is because it is a hobby that you can do anywhere you go, and it is just a relaxing thing to do alone. For example, if you are out on the beach, or in the mountains, you can take some good pictures, or maybe when the sun is going down you can take a good picture. I remember when I first took my first landscape photo of a sunset. I had no idea how to take perfect pictures, but by taking more photos I improved.
Another reason why photography is important to me is it allows us to document our lives and the people around us. For example, you can take pictures of your loved ones, family, friends, and sports, so you can remember them when you get older and show them to your family. I remember when my father showed me my old baby pictures when I was learning how to walk. This showed me that you can take pictures and remember your good past life.
forever tarnished Angel
G.
Angel G. is a 17-year-old student who likes to watch movies and football. He supports Juventus and watches them play in the Serie A.
Once upon a time, in a small, peaceful town, lived two best friends, Steven and Max. They were inseparable, sharing secrets and dreams. One day, a greedy businessman arrived, promising wealth to anyone who would betray their closest confidant. Tempted by greed, Steven succumbed to betrayal. He whispered Max’s deepest secret to the businessman, not realizing the magnitude of his act. As Max discovered Steven’s treachery, his heart broke into a thousand pieces. Trust shattered, their friendship was forever tarnished. The townspeople were shocked and disgusted by Steven’s actions. Both Steven and Max lived the rest of their days in bitterness and hatred.
wounds (mourning cloak)
future, not the rapper Una Simple Pieza Para Este Libro
Catarina T.
Catarina T. es una persona con una personalidad divertida. Le gusta mucho el amanecer después de la lluvia. Y para ella la lealtad es lo más importante, más importante que el amor.
Mil Historias por leer y la mía sin contar
Soy uno de muchos más
Muchos que desean dejar una huella y no lo pueden lograr Una huella que tarde o temprano se puede borrar.
Dime, con solo una palabra.
Donde estas?
Que quieres?
Dime cómo quieres dejar tu huella si no me puedes decir con una simple palabra ¿Quién eres?
Un pensamiento vacío te llena verdad? No sabes!
Y lo que crees saber, es lo poco que no llena ese vacío. Así que otra vez, ¿Quién eres?
Quienes nos creemos para querer contar una historia la cual Nadie va escuchar!
Somos la “nada” que intenta ser el “todo” Solo somos la simplicidad de la realidad Mil Historias por leer y la mía sin contar.
Emerson H.
Emerson H. is a proud student in the ALC community. Some of Emerson’s favorite hobbies are playing soccer, playing video games, and sleeping. One of his dreams is to become a successful businessman.
Future. The word that promises good things or bad things in our life and on the Earth. I believe in my future and in the future of the world.
Since I just turned seventeen years old I realize that my future is getting closer to me than it’s ever been. I’ve always thought about many things that I could be or have in the future. I want to be a doctor, I want a nice home, I want a nice car, I want a family and most importantly I want lots of money. All of those things are what I desire to have in the future.
My future is not the only thing that is arriving. Another thing that is coming closer is the future of the Earth. I believe the earth is one step closer to a scary future. There are many signs that the world is changing. Technology has advanced ridiculously over the past few years. In 2023, the world started developing functioning human-like robots that are meant to help human society flow better. Robots might take over the world, right?
i have many questions...
Kimberly
Kimberly is a hardworking and athletic student. Her favorite sport is soccer which she is constantly working to improve. She loves to study and read books. She can focus on her work for some time but is easily distracted. She is looking forward to joining the military and studying Robotics Engineering. She believes that doing something successful is accomplished by working from small to greater goals. She was born in LA to a Guatemalan family, who remain and are the biggest supporters in her life. She has occasionally demonstrated the special ability of predicting the future or what may happen.
I met you once, and twice, and now
I’m gone I wonder
Why do you show yourself to me?
Why me? I wonder.
Why did you seek my attention?
What’s so special about me?
Do you follow me with every step I take?
Do you show yourself to them…
My family I wonder
I have so many questions…
What are you?
A top hat, so tall, but a shadow
Are you a woman or a man…Or neither?
I do not fear you…
Are you okay?
Does it hurt not to be seen all the time?
You are a being that never spoke but stared Such an intense stare…I could almost feel it
Leaving me all alone with my thoughts.
I would question where you went and why you left so fast
I have many questions…
Who are you?
A ghost?
Someone so dark and mysterious
Could you be someone beyond this life?
Where did you come from?
Why are you here?
Why do you stay after so long?
Are you trapped here?
Did you once live here?
Was my home your home?
I have so many questions…
Did I scare you?
Was I someone you feared?
Will I ever see you again?
Will you stay this time?
I have so many questions…
I’m so sorry…
I’m sorry for not noticing you sooner
I’m sorry we couldn’t spend more time together
I’m sorry I don’t know you better
I’m sorry I can’t help
I’m sorry you’re alone
I know you were someone special here in this home of ours.
I will see you and notice you
Maybe it took me so long to notice you but I’ll always remember you no matter what…
Even if I have so many questions…
Were you even real to begin with?
that time when i couldn’t sleep so i went mentally insane
Mary G.
Mary G. doesn’t exist. You have only been seeing an illusion. You need to start taking your pills now. Don’t lie to yourself now.
Time feels non-existent as I lay here, alone in a room with the silence surrounding me. I stare blankly at the ceiling as my ears start to ring. It’s been a few days since the time it all started. Sleep feels like a distant memory of days gone by since then. I try to count the time as I hope for the Sun to shine. I despise the night, yet it lets itself go by slowly like it’s taunting me.
I start to ask myself: When was the last time I closed my eyes and let the waves of sheep take me? How did it even start? Will I ever go back to the way I was before? These nights were starting to take a toll on me. Soon, my eyes were visualizing a figure in the room, a figure with a body that was oddly disfigured but blended well with the dark dull room. I felt it staring at me. I didn’t want to look back. My heart started to beat rapidly; the adrenaline was kicking in. This wasn’t the first time that it had appeared here, it had been here since the beginning. This thing has been keeping me awake for days. I didn’t wanna let down my guard while it was around. I don’t know what it could do to me the moment I give in.
Soon, I started to hear it breathing. It sounded like a wet snarl with each breath it took. This made my spine shiver in fear, each bone was shaking in a beat. I couldn’t even move my body as I was chained to the couch. Not a single muscle wanted to budge as I could feel the fear overtake my mind. It continued to stare at me with those eyes, the eyes of a dead fish to be exact. Soulless and it was just a void the more I investigated them. I started to feel sleepy like I was about to pass out from the lack of sleep these last few days.
My body was ready to give up on me, but my willpower wouldn’t let my body do so as long as that figure was still here. The more I kept up that attitude, my body still wanted to give up on this. It started shutting down little by little, yet my mind kept it awake no matter what. After a few minutes, it gave in, and I started to fall into a short slumber as the warmth from the soft blanket huddled around me. I quickly realized what was happening and woke myself up as fast as possible. I then looked up and saw the figure a lot closer to me than before. I could feel the intensity rise as the feeling of fear started to take
over my whole body. The breathing was a lot louder, which was not pleasant to hear. Its eyes became wider than ever and stared at me once again.
I wanted to scream for help but knew that people would not listen or believe what I was seeing. As I might appear to be quite foolish to them or perhaps even a loony who has gone lost, I chose to scream internally instead as I was afraid, afraid of this thing in front of me. I don’t even want to speak about this thing even if I want to know its pure intentions or why it is here exactly. I just stayed there in silence and grasped for any sort of hope that might come upon me during this time. Even then, I didn’t really have that much hope left to begin with. I wanted this figure gone already; I wanted this night over with. It was like I was abandoned and left here to fend off this thing with my life on the line. I hate it. I hate it so much, this feeling, this situation, everything about it is making me go insane.
The blood rushed throughout my body; I was starting to go feral from the feeling. Please someone save me from this hell I am stuck in. The urge to scream was strong yet I couldn’t let it out. The fear heightened and made me mentally exhausted as my eyes started to give in. As my eyes started to close, I suddenly just accepted my fate that I might not be alive the next morning and succumbed to sleep. A few minutes later, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach which forced me to wake up. I looked down and saw blood on my blanket with what looked to me like some sort of sharp object that had pierced it. My mind and body froze to the realization of this.
I slowly looked up and saw the figure right in front of me, it seemed that it was what stabbed me. The figure had used its hand to pierce my stomach. My face was in pure horror as it kept looking at me. I couldn’t do anything but stare back at it with a mortified expression. Then the figure raised its other hand and steadily aimed it towards my head. Then it went towards me in a flash. I woke up and panicked a bit when I got up. I looked out my window and saw it was morning. I gave out a sigh of relief as I realized it was just a dream.
I got up from my couch and went to get ready for the day. I went to the bathroom and as soon as I got to my mirror, it was there. The End.
Regret and Acceptance, An Ongoing Cycle
Edwin C.
Edwin C. is a junior at the Academic Leadership Community. He is a considerate and boring person who likes to listen to any type of music. He is a quiet, shy person but opens up more once he is comfortable with the people around him.
Have you ever been afraid of death? Have you ever thought about a loved one passing? What if you regret not forgiving or spending time with that person before their passing? Regret is what I felt when that happened. It is the only thing I felt for months, a strong feeling I will most likely carry on for a few years. For me, I never thought that regret was something I would feel after the passing of a loved one. This feeling, weird and unpleasant, makes me feel like I am restrained, as if I am tied up in hot burning chains in a dark room, all alone with no way to get out. I never would have guessed I would feel like this, especially to someone that is horrible, and whom I knew so little about. Looking back, when I was young, I always spent a lot of time with this person; as I grew older, I became more distant and less amiable. Growing up, I have always been scared of death for the fact that someone’s existence will only be a memory. Now, what I feel about death is just to accept it since it is a natural occurrence. Growing up, I have always been told to accept that some things happen, even if it hurts. However, for me, I was in denial rather than accepting the death of someone. For a few years, I have been trying to forget that anything happened. Forgetting that person entirely so that I just move on with life. Eventually, with time, I learned that I needed to accept what happened or I would be stuck feeling like I am alone in this world and whatever piece of me is missing will be gone forever. So with time, I learned to accept what happened and now I feel less restrained. To this day, I still feel regret sometimes for not spending that much time with that person, even though I don’t know why, but I know that I will be fine since I accepted the truth.
friends
Yasminne
Yasminne is a person in ALC that likes to listen to music (lo-fi, and rock). They try to cope with their feelings and get themselves together whilst trying to be “normal” at home and at school.
Friends in school have fun
Talking about random topics like
Meeting at lunch, do some funny stuff
That makes people sort of upset in the process
The amount of friends you can have can limit
If you have a good memory.
As in remembering their names, receiving a text message from your phone to hang out in their home if you bond with them quite enough.
Sometimes a friend goes too far and it causes their own friends
To disapprove with what they are doing.
They can go to the point it’s just weird and nerving.
It’s not like you can trust your friends anyways
no
longer me white lies
Maria Katie B.
Katie B. is a 16-year-old girl from Los Angeles. Her hobbies are playing games, reading short story books, and listening to any type of music genre. One of her favorite quotes she reads from the bible in Corinthians 13:8 goes, “love never fails” so if it fails it was never real. If it’s real, it will come back to you. If it’s meant for you, no one else can take it from you.
Reassurance is a constant need and want I crave from my significant other. It’s a need I crave so dearly as someone who’s been starving for months on end. My needs aren’t being met and I try and try to bring it up, but it only makes us fight so intensely that I feel like I can’t breathe. My breath starts to increase and I feel the buildup of water seeping out of my eyes. It’s unfair to me that my needs don’t get met. By this, I mean the constant need and affection from you. I constantly try to show and express it in different ways, but you just take and never give. I love you. I love you more than anything. I would do anything to help us leave this endless repeating cycle. You blame me and my insecurities so much, but my insecurities stem from my needs not being met. This entanglement of a relationship has made me more insecure than I have been in years. Bringing these things up won’t change anything, so I try to steer clear of it slipping out my mouth. I know it’s the cause of everything that goes on from our unstable souls. I’m constantly accommodating you, but you never try to even reciprocate. Your lack of energy is unfair. After giving you chance after chance and believing the white lies you always give me after an argument saying, “You’ll change,” “I’ll do better for you,” “I’ll stop making you feel like arguing is a daily thing.” I know it’s a white lie because you’ve said these same phrases countless times. I take you back knowing you’ll never change for me. I know you’ll never change, or well not for me at least. I know I’m not the girl he’s willing to change for.
A student who knows people like her but she seems incapable of loving others. She always shook with fright, unable to feel the least particle in her ability to speak and act like a human being. She kept her solitary agonies, her melancholy, and agitation hidden.
My life has been of much shame. I can’t even imagine what it must be to live. I was born in a small village in Guatemala, and it wasn’t until I was quite big that I started to see the world differently.
I have been sick ever since I was a child and frequently been confined to bed. Often as I laid there, I used to think about the world and dullness stirred dark emptiness in me.
I always aroused doubts and fears while growing up.
The idea that human beings work to earn their bread, because if they don’t eat, they die, I thought that’s what makes us humans.
My understanding of happiness seems to be completely different from others.
I still wonder if I have been happy, for as long as I can remember people have told me how lucky I was but I had always felt as if I was suffering in darkness, an endless darkness.
The more I think about the world, the less I understand. All I feel are the assaults of terror and emptiness at the thought that I am the only one who is entirely unlike the rest, it’s almost impossible for me to talk to other people but I managed to maintain a smile.
When I was a child I had no notion of others, not even my family members, I was only aware of my own fears. I was the child who never spoke a single word.
Sometimes I think I’m pretending to be something that doesn’t exist or just something insignificant. I find it difficult to understand the type of people who live or who are sure that they can live happily.
“why don’t you talk much? why am i this way?”
Sabrina B.
Sabrina B. was born in Los Angeles, California and has never left. She has seen the changes made in her neighborhood from the good and the bad. She is interested in becoming an elementary school teacher in the future. She likes to color/draw/ paint in her free time or whenever she is feeling bored. She is a quiet person but can be talkative to people who she is comfortable with. She also enjoys watching all of the Harry Potter movies and reading the books.
Ever since she was in elementary school she was always the quiet kid; you never saw her in any fights or drama at school. Even if she was with friends, she never really talked or was the loud one of her groups. She honestly does not know why she has always been this way because nothing traumatic has ever happened to her to the point where she was forced to be quiet. She remembers being asked by her friends and family members why she is always quiet. One specific moment was when her sister randomly asked her, “Why don’t you talk as much with us?” or “Do you talk a lot at school?” Most of the time she answers with, “I’m not sure” and “not really”, and it’s the truth, she doesn’t know why she is not talkative like her family or her friends that she has had in the past and present. Being the quiet one has taught her so many things. One being that not a lot of people will know who you are, and to her that was honestly not a bad thing. But it also made her realize that she’s not existent in other people’s lives, not even in the background. Not a lot of people know how she is at home and what her goals are in life because it was rare for her to be comfortable enough to talk about herself. But she will say that something she likes about being quiet is that not a lot of people will bother her when she wants to be left alone. She has come to the conclusion that being quiet has its ups and downs but she has been so used to being not as talkative to the point where she is not comfortable and would be nervous to be loud and talkative around people. She starts to get nervous about what people will say or think when she talks about her interests or anything at all. “Why am I this way?”
Kellie
Kellie is 16 years old from Los Angeles. Her hobbies are reading, dying hair, listening to music, swimming, makeup, hiking, and walking to different places while taking pictures. Some of her favorite foods are spicy shrimp, adobo, white rice, Wingstop, Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, and Yoshinoya. A dream she has is to be a mortician, crime scene clean up crew, florist, or an ultrasound tech when she is older. She also hopes to travel around the world and experience the different ways to do all the things she wants to do.
Will you?
Will you hug me like the sun does every day
Will you admire me like the flowers I love so dearly
Will you hear me like the song I replay at night
Will you be there for me when the sea decides to finally swallow me whole
Will you hold my hand and guide me through this life like my mother does Will you be there for me when I can no longer keep myself together like the broken mirror
Will you pick up the pieces with me or Will you just leave me
transformation (Malachite)
un cambio de vida
Norberto I.
Norberto I. is a high school student at the Academic Leadership Community. He likes to spend time with friends playing soccer. He aspires to meet his goals and get ahead in life. Norberto I. es un estudiante de secundaria de la Comunidad de Liderazgo Académico. Le gusta pasar tiempo con amigos jugando fútbol. Aspira a alcanzar sus metas y salir adelante en la vida.
Cambio de país
Cambio de vida, con coraje y esperanza en el corazón, muy segura de cumplir mis nuevas metas y convertirme en una nueva persona
Adentrándome en lo desconocido, encerrada en un mundo sin sentido
Pero mi tierra natal me ha dado el cariño y el esfuerzo por superarme Me ha hecho más fuerte, por eso estoy construyendo mi propio rincón.
Extraño la tierra que me vio crecer de niña, sus paisajes y mi cálido hogar.
Pero sé que en este nuevo camino, encontraré mi lugar, mi paz y mi felicidad.
A Change of Life
Country change
Life change, with courage and hope in the heart, very sure to fulfill my new goals and become a new person
Going into the unknown, locked in a world without meaning But my homeland has given me the love and effort to excel It has made me stronger, That’s why I’m building my own corner.
I miss the land that saw me grow up as a child, its landscapes and my warm home. But I know that on this new path, I will find my place, my peace and my happiness.
the balance of life and basketball
Alexius
Alexius is a humble person and likes to play basketball and work out. Alexius enjoys talking to friends and making new ones as well. He enjoys music and movies. Alexius is from Mexico, Salvador, Guatemala, and Bakersfield. He currently lives in LA and plans to go to college to study a good major and play college basketball.
When I turned fifteen I went to the park with my tia and saw these people playing basketball. I sat down and watched them play. I was really flabbergasted how good these guys were. I saw one of them shooting the ball from deep and he was making it while trash talking. I saw these guys jumping high, dribbling crazy, and just playing with confidence. These guys were short, tall, big but they all had their own amazing skills. I wondered if I could play like them one day.
The next day I asked my tia if she could buy me a basketball and take me to the park and she did. When I arrived there, I got my ball, stepped on the court, and thought to myself: this is going to be easy. I started to dribble the ball and I kept losing it every time, and when I shot the ball it was so hard that I kept air balling or hitting the backboard hard. I was wrong! This sport was harder than I expected. From that day I started to train myself and play basketball. Ever since that day at the park two years ago, I have been playing this sport. During these two years of playing basketball, I started to notice some changes. I remember when I didn’t play basketball. When I didn’t play basketball I was at my lowest and felt empty inside and was in a dark place. I was a lonely person who didn’t have that many friends. I used to be a person who was mad and depressed. I used to not talk to anyone and sit home all day and play video games. When I picked up a basketball I felt something starting to grow inside me. When I started to play more I met new people. When I met these new people they turned into friends and made me feel happy and relaxed. It was an unfamiliar feeling but it was a good one.
I feel like my basketball friends really saved me and helped me get out of that dark place. They are all very competitive and always make me laugh and smile. I feel like basketball filled up that empty space or that missing piece I was needing. Basketball was like a breath of fresh air. When I found basketball I also found passion, motivation, purpose, and friends.
I feel like basketball has helped me change in a lot of good ways. I changed by being a humble person with some patience. I also feel calmer and learned discipline while trying to be a kind person.
The balance of life is the balance of basketball. In both life and basketball I have learned to navigate friendship, determination, courage and discipline.
defining myself
Anthony G.
So like Anthony G.? Yeah, he’s this really straight forward guy who you see in the hallways 24/7. He is really quiet for real unless he knows you…he is funny as heck though…but if he knows you type.
Have you ever thought about what has shaped our personality? Do we learn from seeing our parents interact with others? After all, they are our first role models in our life. Or does our environment shape our personality? If you were to visualize yourself living in a different environment from what you have grown up from, would you be the same person you are today, or a totally different human being? It is my belief that our environment shapes our personalities, makes us who we are and who we aspire to be.
As for I, a kid who was living in WestLake, Los Angeles from birth to the age of five, I remember so little. Moving to San Fernando Valley was a drastic change. I went from a Spanish-speaking household living with my grandparents to a new household living with my aunt and her husband with two children, who only spoke English on most occasions.
Growing up in “The Valley” was really fun, although after every turn you’d see acres of land owned by horseback riders, with nothing but dirt, and trailers to transport horses across many other lands. Looking back, it seemed boring. But at the time, I was just a kid in middle school, couldn’t go out, just walk to school and back. Which I didn’t mind because there was nothing at all to do in San Fernando.
Once COVID-19 became serious and everyone was forced to quarantine, my mother and I were stuck in a singular room not being able to go out, only for food or the restroom. We knew we had to start a new chapter and move out. After long decision making, we finally moved back to Los Angeles. It was a new beginning for me. New school, new neighbors, new friends, new environment. Now this is where I’d say my life took a turn. I changed…drastically! I currently attend Miguel Contreras Learning Complex (ALC) as a junior. It was different. I was now going out daily, trying new programs, making a lot of new friends, and finding new hobbies. But what shaped my personality the most was the environment and community I was around. I discovered a lot of new things.
Los Angeles as a teen definitely has opened my eyes to a whole new world. Going from seeing horses to buses, from seeing dirt to graffiti, from seeing houses to apartments upon apartments. I have learned to read body language as a necessary precaution to get around. My awareness heightened because you have to know who is who as there are so many different “cliques” and before you become a target you better know how to avoid unnecessary situations. Although I’m very outgoing and approachable, I still carefully choose who I bring into my life. I meet new people every day, whether it’s at the gym, school, or even out in public. I always stay sharp with my approaches, giving good energy to everyone. The biggest effect on me was when I witnessed a close friend fall down the wrong path. Over time I saw him losing himself to the street life, but couldn’t do anything about it. His friends pulled him down and he just couldn’t lift himself back up. This frightened me. I knew I had to get away from that. I now know to always watch what your decisions could lead you up to because you never know what the possible outcomes are. I took that as a lesson to learn because I’ve made bad decisions myself. But I am glad who I am today. Always standing up straight, knowing where I lead myself up to. Always looking for a new tomorrow because today is a day to enjoy. Thriving to pursue my career alongside my friends that I keep close.
be
greater
Moises L.
Moises L. is a student at ALC. He supports Chelsea FC.
Be greater in Life
Unleash your true potential
Embrace the unknown and what’s inside of you
Be better each Day
Discover your worth
Because that’s where greatness is shown
Let your passion guide you Leave Doubts Behind Embrace endless Possibilities
In every setback
Find Resilience and Courage
To get back up and keep going
Unleash Your True Self
With each step, strive for greatness
Be greater in Life
deeper than skin
Sarah O.
Sarah O. is a person who needs music injected into her veins. She doesn’t mind any music genre, but enjoys rock and melancholy music the most. She enjoys participating in last minute plans, they always end up making the best memories. “We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.” -Stephen King
As I followed my teacher out of the classroom, worrying thoughts ran through my head as to why I was being pulled out.
“Why do you wear that hat? You do know that such clothing is not permitted on school grounds? Do you have any information I need to be warned about?”
As I began to answer her questions, I watched as I saw a pitiful face crawl up replacing what was once joyful. Followed by profuse apologies from my teacher came a classroom full of concerned classmates. This moment was just one of the many I had faced after being diagnosed with alopecia at the ripe age of five.
This journey has altered my perception of life and has sharply marked my identity. My self-image started to rot as the years went by. Growing up as the “bald girl,” I was met with constant torment. Friends, family, teachers felt they needed to walk on eggshells around me, to which I grew resentment towards. The pain received from the monthly hundred shots I’d take at such a young age will never surpass the mental toll the whole situation had on me.
This sort of treatment led to questioning thoughts revolving around my selfworth, wondering my role in such a world. I couldn’t bring myself to believe that I was worth more than a puny bystander. My constant hunger for more had taken over my flesh and mind, affecting my performance at home and school. I had to retaliate somehow.
In desperate need of the spotlight drawn away from the obvious, I spent an eternity in a work overload. Entering high school I was presented with more opportunities and freedom. I eagerly embraced any hobby’s welcoming hands, ranging from the art of baking to medication calculations. Initially, keeping myself occupied was fun and included many perks! I’ve made wonderful friends whom I consider family, I’ve built on networking, gained experience. Beneath it all was a sea of heavy thoughts, its anchors leaving me just
above the surface. The adrenaline rush from the validation I’ve received from my accomplishments had convinced me to take on more work, unable to fully grasp the intensity of the situation. Eventually, the responsibilities caught up to me as life blew my wick, extinguishing the flames of excitement.
For what felt like an eternity of neglecting the betterment of my mind and body, I started ascending into a realm of insanity. As my frail soul went limp, an external force took over my body, cornering me into a realization. Genuine self-improvement stems from the acknowledgement of my worth. If when, and only when one fully accepts this concept, they blossom.
The dawn of my junior year marked the moment I was able to embrace my messed up mindset to start breaking it down. Life, much like a rollercoaster, is anything but linear. Despite the countless twists and turns, my life has only been an uphill climb since that moment of realization. Immersing myself in my loved ones’ lovely presence as a reminder of how gentle life can be. Each day a new adventure, I pour my heart and energy into the ventures that stir my heart.
If there’s anything I’ve taken from this ongoing journey, I’ve learned the importance of being gentle to yourself. The importance of treating your body and mind as a garden; acknowledge those roots of pain and hurt, pick those weeds of self-doubt, and tend to your needs and desires. Now, watch your garden bloom with flowers of self-love.
Each day is a new chapter, a renewed sense of purpose, a chance to grow beyond being solely defined as just “the bald girl.”
god changes lives
Juan
A compassionate individual with a passion for sports, Juan stands out as a dedicated student. His academic achievements reflect his commitment and he is happy to share his knowledge, motivating others to strive to do their best. Guided by a strong friendship with a higher power, Juan finds satisfaction in inspiring those around him.
In the depths of despair, when all hope seemed lost and I questioned the very purpose of my existence, I unearthed a profound truth that has since been my guiding light: an unwavering belief in God’s transformative power. Back in eighth grade when I was at my school in Guatemala called Liceo Genesis, I was the poorest-performing student in the class, often facing failing grades, unable to comprehend my teachers’ words. My vocabulary was lacking, and I associated with a negative circle that led me astray. I felt lost, unable to fathom my own identity.
One day, I said, “it’s time to change.” I resolved to change my life, yearning for improvement but uncertain about where to begin. My discontent with being the worst student and my desire for personal growth motivated me. I embarked on my journey by watching personal development videos, which offered some assistance. However, a turning point occurred when I stumbled upon a book that profoundly altered my perspective: the Bible. In my quest for self-improvement and transformation, I found answers within its pages. My first reading of it brought a sense of peace, renewed energy, and happiness.
One day, while in prayer, I beseeched, “God, help me, remove all that hinders my growth and make me anew.” Gradually, my grades improved, and I became the top student in my school. My behavior underwent a positive transformation, and my vocabulary and thought patterns evolved because with every negative situation I no longer complained about why that happened to me. Now I take it as a learning situation.
However, an unexpected change accompanied my growth: I lost many of the friends I once considered close. I couldn’t understand why they distanced themselves. Upon reflection, I realized that what I had asked of God was to remove anything obstructing my personal development, including negative influences, which had included these friendships.
In conclusion, the profound transformation I experienced is a testament to the title “God Changes Lives.” In my darkest moments, when hope seems lost, I found that unwavering belief in God’s power was the catalyst for personal growth and positive change. Through the Bible and the practice of prayer, I not only improved my academic performance but also reshaped my character and perspective on life. Though this transformation led to the loss of some friendships, it opened the door to a brighter and more fulfilling future. The title “God Changes Lives” encapsulates the essence of my journey, emphasizing that faith and divine connection have the potential to transform individuals, providing them with the strength and guidance needed to lead a more meaningful and purposeful life.
the first time i ran more than 10 miles
Alex T.
Alex T. is just one person out of millions of millions of fabulous existences and a true believer that everything happens for a reason.
It was a hot Thursday and I was resting from work. I remember it perfectly. I wasn’t thinking about doing anything, just resting before going back to school. I decided to go with my cousin to her work in Pasadena, to entertain myself for a while. On the way to her work, out of nowhere, I thought to myself, Why don’t I run from Pasadena to my house?
Mind you, it had been several months since I did practically any exercise, but I thought, If I put my mind to achieving it I could achieve it. When I arrived at my cousin’s work I said goodbye to my cousin and got ready to run. I don’t know why I had shorts in the car but I had them.
I put my headphones on, and a voice began to repeat in my head: you can, you can, you can do it. In the first few minutes of running I thought, Why am I doing this? Who tells me to do this? But somehow I just wanted to do it and that’s it. I had doubts in my head, but every time they tried to appear, I just always thought: you can, you can. You are almost there.
Sometimes I had negative thoughts like, You can’t, you can’t, you have to stop. But I still kept thinking, Run, run, you can, you can, you have to achieve it. Throughout the route I really felt like I could do it. I don’t know if I was just delirious, but I continued. My legs hurt, and I didn’t know if they would hold up after a long time of not exercising and then out of nowhere making an effort like that. It was brutal. But through determination, I achieved it. I felt beastly. I felt incredibly great. In the end, I ran twelve miles in two hours and twenty-six minutes.
Similar purposes
Brayan M.
Brayan M. is from Guatemala. He likes to play video games and soccer, and he works in his free time. Brayan M. es de Guatemala. Le gusta jugar videojuegos y fútbol, y trabaja en su tiempo libre.
Experiencias e igualdad de vida
Tengo Experiencias diferentes a las tuyas, Por ejemplo la muerte de mi padre fue una experiencia memorable para mi vida. No pienso como tu, Y veo la vida de otra manera que tu Pero estoy seguro de que tenemos propósitos similares.
Experiences and equality of life I have different experiences than yours, For example, the death of my father was an experience memorable for my life.
I don’t think like you, And I see life differently than you But I’m sure we have similar purposes.
resilience (cloudless sulphur)
keep your chin high
Matthew M.
Matthew M. is quiet and keeps to himself.
I don’t like having my back towards the door or my eyes off of it. I also hate it when people walk behind me, especially close behind me. The reasoning behind this, I’m sure, is an extension of the paranoia I have most of the time.
The first time I was attacked, I was younger. A group of my friends and I were eating burgers, and when I got up and turned around, I saw someone’s arm about to make contact with my face. I quickly put my hands up, but got knocked down to the ground as the rest of my friends got rushed. I was beaten on the floor, and one of my friends managed to kick him and stomp him off of me. There was punching and choking and tackling, and then the police arrived. We all scattered and tried to run away while the police tried to chase us on foot. If I remember correctly, that was right before COVID hit.
To put it in perspective, if the people you hang out with have problems they become your problems. People who have a heavy disdain towards your friends also have that same disdain towards you, especially if they see you with them frequently. If they can’t catch your friend, you’re the second best option. Which is why it’s best for you to be wary of who’s around you, and the questions people ask, and to be wary of where you are. If people ask if you know someone, and you do, it’s best you say no. If not it might not end well, might not be the most pleasant interaction.
As for a solution to all of this, I’m not sure. You just gotta keep pushing until you stack enough cash that’ll make moving out of your neighborhood an option. Try not to let things get to you, try to keep your chin high, and try to avoid eye contact. Don’t let your pride get you hurt.
hard work tides of life
Alex Jennyfer
I believe in the power of working hard. One reason I believe this is because you can get anything if you work hard. For example, Leonel Messi, one of the best professional soccer players in the world, had to train hard to get where he’s at.
I remember when I had practice every day in the morning, and we would run lots of laps. We would train hard everyday, we would practice shooting the ball, doing drills. No matter the weather, our practice wouldn’t get canceled. This work helped me realize if I keep running a lot and practicing I won’t get so tired when I’m playing and won’t make so many mistakes.
Another reason I believe in the power of hard work is because you can prove people wrong. In the World Cup, Messi lost his first game, and people were saying, “Messi is finished” and “Where is Messi?” But he worked harder by going to practice earlier, being more focused, and he ended up winning the World Cup.
Working hard isn’t so easy though. The first few days you are going to want to give up because all the training and running will have you breathing heavily and it might make you want to throw up. After those couple of days, you will get used to it and you will feel proud of yourself for not giving up. You also can’t be eating junk food. You have to start eating healthy food, so you can stay fit for your sport. I believe hard work is important because, in the end it’s true: all that hard work pays off.
Jennyfer is a seventeen-year-old girl who loves music, art, and romance books.
In the depths of my life’s ocean wide, memories and people side by side
Some like gentle waves, caress my soul, While others crash and take their toll.
The sunlit moments, like shimmering seas, bring joy and laughter, a gentle breeze but shadows lurk beneath the surface deep, reminding me of the secrets I keep.
The good memories like treasure untold, sparkle and shine never growing old.
Yet amidst the beauty, darkness resides. The bad memories are like turbulent tides.
People like the ocean embrace, some bring warmth, love and grace but others like storms, wreak havoc and pain, leaving scars that may forever remain.
Yet, I navigate this ocean of mine, Embracing the good learning from the bad times. For in the ebb and flow, I find my way discovering strength with each passing day.
So, let the tides of life guide my sail. Through the highs and lows, I shall prevail. For in this ocean, I’ll learn and grow. Embracing the journey, wherever it may go.
never let people make your own decisions
Juan C.
Juan C. wants to become a professional volleyball player. He comes from El Salvador, from a town that has incredible people. He likes to participate in the LGBT community. His family does not accept him, so he decided to meet new people, and what matters to him is that they support him.
In this world, there are many things that can distract you. One thing that distracts me, in a good way, is volleyball. I am on the volleyball team. I have been able to get there without any help because I put in my effort and because some people told me that you are not going to be able to improve, you are going to be on the weakest team, and now those people are amazed because I am on the strongest team. I am one of the best, and I not only have a dream ahead of me, I have many people counting on me.
I have met coaches and professional players who encourage me to continue with my volleyball career. I know that nothing is easy in this life and every time a person makes you feel small, simply breathe, and teach them without words but with actions.
When a group yells at you or tells you that you will never be able to play like them, just look at them and let them be amazed and you will leave them silent with your steps. Every time I feel frustrated in a game, I always go out to relax and then think about how I can improve and not continue making the same mistakes, and then I feel better, and I feel more powerful, and I can say I come with everything. No matter how hard they hit me, I just say this blow is not going to stop me. I will always continue no matter how bad my body feels. I will always support my team now that they trust me, so I tell them that, yes, they can trust me.
the journey of life
Erick G.
Erick G., born in Los Angeles, California is determined to live up to the potential his family knows he can be. He loves watching movies like You’re Next and TV shows like Ted Lasso, as well as playing/watching sports like soccer, basketball, and football.
Life is like Sisyphus, but instead of pushing a boulder, you have to push yourself up to the top. If you don’t know about Sisyphus, let me indulge you. Sisyphus is from Greek mythology where he fooled the gods many times. Until one day, he got caught by the gods and his punishment was to roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down every time he neared the top. This metaphoric boulder, whether it’s small, heavy, or a different color, or a different shape, is often compared to the repetitive and sometimes challenging nature of life. Yet we still persevere. Despite the struggles in life and difficulty of finding the meaning, we persevere. Your boulder represents how much you’ve succeeded on your treacherous journey and persevere. You’ve failed but still never gave up to find your purpose in life because you persevered. So you can finally overcome the challenges you’ve faced just like Sisyphus after he completed his “task” and it restarts all over again once a kid is born. With every push of your life’s boulders, may you always persevere.
existence life of a student athlete
Edwin G. Stuart
Edwin G. is a track and field athlete who likes to eat and hang out with friends.
This world can be full of surprises, just so many of them you never know what it can bring up to you and you wouldn’t expect it to happen. Decisions lead you to different consequences and your actions form what others think about you. We all have a certain experience we can relate to, right? It can even be the slightest thing we can relate to, but we don’t even realize someone else has experienced the same thing as you did. It can be like losing a loved one or going through family problems or even being disappointed in yourself for not being successful in something you aimed for. It’s fascinating how so many things can happen in just one day and it goes away quickly. Time goes by so fast each time. Everything just goes so fast and the moment you realize time is up you know everything is over. Do you ever wonder what it would be like from someone else’s perspective? How do others see this world and how do they think their way through? Their different mindsets and perspectives? So many questions, and the number of things in this world that can be questioned, it’s as if humanity’s life existence was meant to be questioned. Every good and bad thing that happens to us, we just have to learn from what we experience in life and be prepared when something new comes up.
Stuart grew up in Los Angeles California, and he plays for MCLC soccer high school team. He has the number ten on his jersey, and he’s looking to play D1 college in the future.
I am Stuart. I wake up early in the morning like at 5:30 am to practice and train my techniques. I am a passionate high school soccer player, who practiced tirelessly on the field, and I am also chasing my dream of winning League Champs and CIF this season. I scored two goals and got six assists, and we got pretty good wins against Roybal, RFK, Belmont, Hollywood, and Mendez. I have also faced some pretty hard challenges like practicing on the softball field for the past two years. There were mental problems during my freshman year when we had a losing streak, yet we persevered in making it to the playoffs.
“Never let the fear of striking out stop you from playing the game.” —Stuart O
the walk home
Omar C.
Omar C. is an artist based in Los Angeles, California. He enjoys exercising with his mother and playing with his chihuahua named Teddy. He is terrified of oceans, but loves a peaceful time watching any nonsense on YouTube while devouring a bucket of chocolate ice cream.
As I walked down a valley of darkness, I had nothing in my mind but fear and trembling thoughts of what could happen to me on my way home. My crusty, faded-out Vans on my feet, with a big fat hole on the vamp exposing my pinkie toe sock was the only thing I had on that kept me feeling lucky.
The day was dark, cold, and ugly. My fingers were stiffer than a dead tree branch on the pavement floor. I was rawboned, a shaking leaf, as I quickly crossed the street. This was the latest I’d been out. I wasn’t used to the streets being hard to see under my feet. At every corner, I was greeted with nothing but darkness. I felt the sense of someone watching me from behind.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” I whispered to myself.
Suddenly ahead of me, a man stood at the corner of the sidewalk, waiting for the light, hands to his side. I slowly approached him. His lanky torso towered over me. He wore a black fedora hat that sat carelessly on his tousled hair. The fedora had a tall angular crown with a flat brim. A short purple feather of some bird was held inside the band. He had a sinewy frame with painfully looking red burnt scar tissue all over. His hands and forearms were covered with long arm hair. His nails were like those of a werewolf, uneven and curved spikes. I stood about six feet away from him, and his scent was putrid and irritating. This man looked like a villain straight out of a Hideo Kojima game. I insisted that it was probably just a Halloween costume. I would have complimented him if it weren’t for his freakish height and horrible smell. I waited for the light.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel extremely uncomfortable standing next to him. I contemplated crossing the street or going back the way I came from. But I patiently waited as I fiddled with my wrist bracelet. Out of nowhere, he swung his arms over his head. He stopped and started to spin aggressively. I immediately took five steps back. My bony legs were quivering with the freezing wind. Still, I stood there, pretending I saw nothing. I fixated my full attention on the streetlight in front of me. I could not move, my legs were stuck in the cement, my hands glued to my sweater, and suddenly, my rear end was muddy.
The man began to screech from the top of his black lungs. I had to cover my ears from the horrendous noise. His voice was not human, as if a bear was clawing out of his mouth. I quickly looked to the left towards an open street and booked it. I told myself I would not stop until I made it home.
I looked behind me, and I saw a cheetah of a runner slowly gaining on me. I cried out, “Get away!” as I heard the naked feet of the man ––the monster––on my heels. The adrenaline in my body pumped through my veins as my heart thumped on fire. Meanwhile, he was swinging his arms around his head, making disturbing moaning noises. It seemed as if I was running forever. I passed red light after red light. I could not breathe anymore, and I had to stop. I looked behind me and the monster wasn’t there. I planted my feet under me and looked in every direction. Nothing. Not a single thing but outer darkness and heavy mist everywhere. I took a breather and fell towards the wall behind me, and wept.
“I want my mommy,” I whispered to myself as my gooey snot ran towards my mouth. My worst nightmares combined were happening to me this second: the dark, being alone, being lost…being chased by freaky monsters. I quickly pulled myself together, telling myself if I wanted to see my mother again, that
I had to get up.
I wiped my runny nose with my sweater sleeve and stood up, looking around to see if I recognized my surroundings. I decided to continue walking away from where the man was, heading towards my house.
As I walked down the valley of darkness, I had nothing in my mind but trembling thoughts of what could happen to me on my way home. The freezing cold wind continued, and I could feel my body tightening up as I gripped my sweater. I kept thinking about the demon next to the streetlight. His glowing red eyes, sharp yellow teeth, and freakishly long claws. His dirty fedora covered the moon, blocking the light. His arms were longer than my body.
As I continued down the street, I looked down and noticed something in the sewer grate, three feet away from me. It was small and round and a fleshy color. I reached down and picked it up. It was a soft texture, but pointy at the tip. My eyes widened.
“Is this––’’
I turned it around in my hand and saw the nail.
“––a toe!”
I cried out and chucked it back on the ground. An electrifying jolt hit my body and a sudden tension attacked my stomach. A dark liquid rushed up my pharynx and came rushing out of my mouth like the chocolate river in Wonka’s factory. I placed my hand on my stomach and with the other, wiped the vomit from my mouth. But as I did, I looked ahead of me, and I was met with a grisly sight…a Mount Everest of toes in front of me. Then I felt the cold wind on my feet––my shoes were gone––and the floor was suddenly bumpy and wet. I lowered my head, hoping it wasn’t what I thought it was. But it was: a sea of severed toes under my grippers. Under my feet were the wet sounds of toes squelching, step after step. Everywhere around me were slimy old toes. Toes to my left, toes to my right, toes in every direction.
Abruptly, I was met with a towering wall of toes blocking my way. I groaned at the thought of scaling a giant wall of toes, but I placed my hand against the wall and started to climb. I used all the force within me to try to climb it, but I fell over and over again. My arms were beginning to get sore, and I was feeling really defeated. On about my seventh try, I thought about going through the wall instead of over it. I hated the thought, but I needed to escape and find my mother.
I let out two long breaths, reached my hand out, and walked directly into the wall of toes. I slowly got deeper and deeper, until my whole body was inside. It smelled terrible and slime was all over me, but I kept on going. The worst part was the feeling of wet toes rubbing against my lips and nose. It was completely dark, so I hurriedly reached for the other side. Deeper and deeper I stretched, until finally my arm pushed through. I pushed forcefully until my face was also out. It was so refreshing, and I couldn’t believe I actually did it. I pushed myself out, and I fell on the ground.
I got up to take a breather and stood on a bench that was suddenly beside me.
“You can wake up now, Joseph!” I cried out towards the silent sky. I dropped down and continued to walk along an open street. As I walked on my bare feet I noticed my toenails. They were gray, curved, and thick. I stopped and examined them. I scratched my head as my nose scrunched up and my eyebrows furrowed. Then I looked at my fingernails. They also were sharp and long. I cut them this morning, I thought. I started to worry if I would ever wake up from this nightmare. I decided not to dwell on it and continued down the street.
Soon, there were suburban houses that were familiar to me, but they were rundown or burnt to a crisp. All of the streetlights were blue. My house should be right across from here, on the other side, I thought. The mud in my pants was starting to smell.
“What the heck is going on,” I said to myself. Then out of nowhere, a jumpy old lady sprinted towards me from the alleyway beside me. “Ah!” I shrieked. She ran right through my shoulder. “Out of my way boy!” she screamed in a hoarse voice. She looked deathly, left eyeball hanging on a bit of swinging tendon. Her skin was a gross yellowish color, extremely wrinkly with brown freckles all over her boney legs and face. The skin on her chin was saggy and looked extremely dry with rashes on her neck and shoulders. She was either really dead, really old, or a combination of the two. She continued running down the street with no shoes towards the fog.
“Okay,” I told myself, “this is a dream. It has to be a dream. Wake up!” I slapped myself. “Wake up, you lazy sod, wake up!”
Suddenly, I smelled something behind me. I immediately turned, and a hulking black pitbull greeted me with bulging blood-red eyes fixated on me.
The pitbull started to growl while heavy slobber fell from its mouth. The world
around me seemed to slowly go black, while I stood there helplessly. I wanted it to end, this nightmare to cease, but I had only one thought in my mind, my sweet mother. The dishes she prepared for me, the memories of her at the park, taking me to school, her childish laughter. I soon realized in that helpless and tired moment that I’d never told her I loved her. Never once have I ever said I appreciated everything she has done for me, and a guilty tear dropped down my dirty cheek. The pitbull let out a fearsome bark and charged at me while the darkness surrounded me. “I must see her again,” I said. “ I have to survive.” I lifted my head, covered my face with my forearm, and yelled, “No!” The dog ceased into ashes. I was alone, but I wasn’t dead.
The night was old and freezing, my legs were heavy, the mud in my pants was dry and stank like molded goat cheese, and my shoes were still gone, but as I walked through this fog, I had nothing in my mind but the hope of seeing my mother again.
Suddenly, light was just up ahead in the shape of a door. I raced towards it with all my might, my legs on fire, my breath heavy against a raging hot wind, my body dripping warm sweat step after step. The light was just steps ahead, but my body went numb, and I slammed to the ground like a tree trunk.
I got up to a crawl, my skin boiling. The door was further back. My clothing was on fire as I crawled at a snail’s pace towards the heavenly door. I kept crawling on, inch by inch I dragged myself.
Ahead of me, a black fedora appeared, and a man standing right by it. It was the man––the monster, the werewolf––that was by the streetlight earlier.
“Son, let me help you, and I’ll give you the mother you long for.”
I ignored him and kept going. He reached down for his hat with his claws.
“You’ve done well, now rest. Let me help you,” he said as I tried to crawl past him. Teardrops were gushing out of my eyes, the air was blazing hot, my skin was burnt to a crisp. I looked at his horribly scarred face, as he tried to hand me the fedora.
“This hat grants you her. Put it on. Only worship me.”
He put his hand on my naked shoulder. It was cold on my shoulder.
“Please, I can help you. Stay and worship me.”
I looked one last time at his face and said confidently, “You don’t tempt me.”
He put on his fedora and scoffed, “Where do you get such faith?” Then he let out a single deep breath as wings spread out from behind his back and he flew upward, disappearing in the thick fog.
I gasped for air for my charred lungs. My black eyelids were slowly closing. My parched arms were weary and shaky as I reached for the ground, dragging my tired body against the floor. Each time I did, it was more painful than the last, my nails gradually being pulled out as I scraped against the fiery cement time after time.
The door was only inches away then. I could barely let out a single breath, let alone reach for the door. I deeply inhaled through my crisp lips and cried out a single question, ”Why?!” My eyes slowly shut and my head dropped to the floor. I was dead in spirit and body, nothing left.
Suddenly, I felt something on my naked back. Something wet that refreshed me. Again, I felt it, cold and wet everywhere on my body. It was raining in Hell, and a boy on its surface felt it. I slowly turned around on my back and felt the cold shower of love on my bare chest. I took out my dry tongue and tasted heaven. I looked down at my chest and noticed my skin was in place on my body. I felt a heavy weight being lifted off of me. I hopped onto my bare feet and spun around on my toes chuckling at the cooling rain sprinkling onto my dirty face.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
I turned around and sprinted to the heavenly door. On the other side, I felt a warm touch on my hand. It was soft and gentle and familiar. I immediately lunged at it, and warm feathers wrapped around my fragile scarred body, gently and motherly. I tightly squeezed soft fabric, the softest of pillows, and felt hair on my cheek that smelled like honey. A single tear fell when I heard her kind voice for the first time, “You’re home, Joseph.”
am i satisfied?
Chellan W.
Chellan W. is a girl who always tries her best. She loves to learn new things and develop new hobbies. She may look quiet and mean (based on her friends’ first impression) but she is actually a nice and talkative person once you get to know her. Her goal in life is to graduate high school with flying colors and get into a university to pursue the career of becoming a surgeon. She wants to help her parents and buy them a house as soon as she earns a lot of money. During her free time, she likes to read books, write stories, draw, listen to music, and occasionally play games with her friends, especially the ones she cherished so much back in the Philippines.
“It is with great pleasure to deliver you the news that your daughter ranked #2 on the class honors list,” my second grade teacher told my mother as we stood in front of the bulletin board. There, I saw the list of honors students from across the school, crowded with parents, with their children holding their hands, but the only thing I was looking for was the list of my class.
I remember how questions flooded my mind. Is it really true? Am I really ranked number two in the whole class? Those questions were answered when I finally saw my name on the list. My name stood there, beneath my classmate who was #1. Slowly, everything started to sink like a giant ship floating in the middle of the sea.
At that moment, I felt like I had found a purpose. I started craving to be the best of the best. My mother also joined me in my goal to aim for the highest. I didn’t know it at the time, but my whole life was about to change.
Every night, in preparation for monthly exams, my mother would make twelve to twenty pages of test questionnaires for each subject. I remember crying whenever I answered them because of the number of questions…it was too many, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. I wish I was exaggerating but I am not.
Despite the torture of answering so many questions, I guess it was very effective and, well, worth it because I aced all of my tests. On most subjects, I got a perfect mark, and for the rest, there were only a few mistakes. That’s it. From #2, I moved to rank #1. It wouldn’t have been possible if my mother hadn’t pushed me hard, and I am thankful for her.
As I continued to move up grade levels, I became more and more hungry for achievements. I started to base my self-worth on academic validation. Whenever the honors list got released, I got comments such as, “Wow, you’re really, really smart huh!” and “You’re really gifted!” or “What is it like being born so smart?”
Those compliments…I used to love hearing them. It gave me a boost to keep pushing forward and aim for more. A driving force to continue on no matter what.
For other people, getting a 46/50 is excellent, but for me, who wants to get perfect marks all the time, it’s unacceptable. I hate making mistakes on activities, quizzes, and exams. As you are reading this, you are probably thinking that I am overreacting. Believe me, I repeatedly told myself the same thing over and over again. But I just can’t seem to accept anything but perfection.
As I near the end of high school, one question lingers in my mind: “Am I satisfied?”
All those years of constantly chasing to be the best. Those years of knowing nothing but studying all day. I wonder, how long will I have to continue doing this? Am I really happy with this?
As I reflect back on the words I received from other people, I keep asking myself—am I really lucky to be smart? Am I even smart in the first place, or am I just working hard? Maybe that’s why I get good grades. Okay, I may be smart with academics, but I know little to nothing about life outside of school.
Back in seventh grade, I heard my friends talk about how they constantly go out to have fun and just enjoy life. I can’t help but to grow a little envious as they describe their experiences of playing Tumbang preso and Bato lata out in the streets. I don’t know how to play that game. I realize that I missed out a lot on my childhood. All I’ve ever done was stay at home and study. If I play, it’s only with my sister at home or through video games on the phone when I have the time.
I did not get to enjoy much in my childhood. I caved to the pressure of studying to secure my position on the honors list. The pressure is bad, but…it’s the silent expectation that kills me.
All the people around me know that I get good grades, but I barely get any sleep and I often have mental breakdowns. I barely hang out with my friends too. I have sacrificed a lot.
I have been told that my intelligence is a gift. My gift has made me feel like I have importance––a role to play in this world. However, my gift is also a hardship. A gift wrapped up in a curse. It can help me in life as much as it destroys me. My gift will help me reach my goals. It will help me pursue my dream career.
But my gift also presents a lot of regrets. I am praying and hoping that these regrets will be overridden by the success that I have been fighting for. Despite everything, I have come so far and I don’t intend to give up.
If you, the person who is reading this, if you somehow relate to my situation…I want you to know that I am proud of you. You are worth it in every way possible and you are doing a great job. May we meet in the future with our goals fulfilled, sharing accomplished smiles.
acknowledgments about 826la
Vision:
Endless shimmering, fluttering, dancing and soaring applause for …
Mr. Molnar, for everything.
Maddie Silva, for coordinating the field trips and this book’s publication.
The wonderful and generous and helpful volunteer writing tutors @ 826LA including Ariadne Makridakis, Lindsay Mccarthy, Michael Rowan, Tanis Rideout, Anthony Anchelowitz, Arlen Konopaki, Ben Harizman, Bryce Hurless, Caroline Rood, Elias Tanner, Jennifer Leonard, Kfir Goldberg, Madelyn Roth, Michelle Duerstock, Raquel Dominguez, Simone Spira, Sophia Woolsey, and Toby Lawless.
Elizabeth Fernandez, for the beautiful design of the book.
The enormously generous donors of this project: Ryan Carr, Mark Deason, Kevin Flanagan, Nate Hahn, Venessa Melendez, Tobie Whitman, Athena Valdez, and Ermelinda Viray.
The ALC Community School team, for helping plan our book release event.
The Student Editorial Board –– your size is small, but your intelligence and spirit is huge!
All of our authors, for their creative courage, and to friends and family for supporting them unconditionally.
826LA envisions a Los Angeles where every child has access to quality writing education and is empowered to express themselves creatively through writing. We envision a Los Angeles where every teacher is supported in their writing-based educational objectives.
Mission:
826LA is dedicated to unlocking and cultivating the creative power of writing for students ages 6 to 18, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.
How we advance our mission: A nonprofit organization, our services are structured around our understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
With this in mind, we provide after-school tutoring in all subjects, evening and weekend workshops, in-school programs, field trips, college access, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.
All of our programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student’s ability to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in their own voice.
Core Values:
826LA values joy in the service of achieving educational goals. Our community norms value diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We therefore prioritize partnerships with Title 1 Schools, engagement with historically marginalized populations, and training and deploying community-based volunteers in support of our mission. As a teaching approach, we value creativity, authenticity, empathy, and lively, rigorous, and student-centered writing education. As an educational enrichment organization, we value supporting teachers, principals, and other school staff in the pursuit of excellence.
826la programs join the future bestsellers club!
After-School Writing Programs
Mondays through Thursdays, students attend 826LA for after-school writing programs. Students participate in community building activities, work on homework or reading with trained tutors, and of course, write! Students submit their writing for inclusion in chapbooks, which 826LA publishes twice a 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.
Field Trips
During the week, 826LA invites teachers and their students to our writing labs to participate in a morning of collaboration, creativity, and writing. Whether Storytelling & Bookmaking, Well-Wishing & Poetry, Choose Your Own Adventure, or Memoir, 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—as well as a renewed confidence in their ability to tell their stories.
In-Schools Programs & Writers Rooms
Because not all students can come to us, 826LA brings specially trained volunteer tutors into classrooms throughout Los Angeles. 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 needs. In addition to visiting twenty schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District each year, 826LA has additional sites within Manual Arts High School, Roosevelt High School, and Venice High School 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 student creativity while strengthening writing skills. This program includes two long running partnerships with Paramount Pictures and the Hammer Museum.
Sign up to make a monthly donation to 826LA and you’ll join our Future Bestsellers Club. For as little as ten dollars each month, we’ll deliver writing from our brilliant, emerging authors right to you!
Go to 826LA.org/donate and click on Future Bestsellers Club to join.
Jaime Balboa
Executive Director
Diego Quevedo Chief of Staff
Shani Foster
Director of Education
Christie Thomas Director of Development
Pedro Estrada
Programs & Operations Manager, Echo Park
Mike Dunbar
Programs & Operations Manager, Mar Vista
Mateo Acosta
Associate Director of Community Engagement
Carinne Kemp
Store and General Operations Manager
Time Travel Marts in Echo Park & Mar Vista
Alma Carrillo
Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Communications
Trevor Crown
Senior Manager of Volunteer Innovation & Assessment
staff board advisory board
Ariadne Makridakis Arroyo
Senior Volunteer Coordinator
Katie Feige
Institutional Giving Manager
Maddie Silva
Manager of Special Initiatives
Arisdeysi Cruz Tutoring Program Coordinator
Marco Beltran Writers’ Room Program Coordinator Manual Arts High School
Wendy Beltran
Senior Writers’ Room Program Coordinator Roosevelt High School
Cole Montgomery Senior Development Coordinator
Ariana Ponce Olivares
Senior Civic Engagement Coordinator
Wilson Swain
Creative Engagement Specialist
Julia Malinow
In-Schools and Tutoring Program Coordinator
Caz Shen
Store Associate
Karen Van Kirk
Board President
Sarah Varet
Board Vice President
David Ullendorff Board Treasurer
Cisca Brouwer
Development Committee Chair
Ben Au
Jeff Boos
Scott Boxenbaum
Iman Farrior
Joe Ferencz
J.J. Abrams
Judd Apatow
Miguel Arteta
Mac Barnett
Steve Barr
Joshuah Bearman
Father Greg Boyle, S.J.
Amy Brooks
Stefan Bucher
Kathleen Caliento
Monique Demery
Mark Flanagan
Ben Goldhirsh
Rebecca Goldman
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein
DeAnna Gravillis
Terri Hernandez Rosales
Christine Jaroush
Spike Jonze
Miranda July
Catherine Keener
Scott A. Ginsburg
Susan Ko
Hon. Holly A. Thomas
Dave Eggers, Emeritus
Visit our Time Travel Mart storefronts in Echo Park and Mar Vista where you can shop for all your time traveling gears and gadgets. From Mammoth Chunks to Robot Milk to original student-authored books, we pride ourselves on being the only Los Angeles purveyor of quality goods from the past, present, and future. The proceeds from the store help to keep all programs free for our students. You can also visit the stores online at timetravelmart.com.
