Berkeley Youth Institute Summer 2013 by pegah rahmanian

Berkeley

youth Institute

A Note From the Editor: In the middle of June 2013 thirty-five youth from Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, and Emeryville came together early on a Monday morning and boarded a bus, which would lead to an unforgettable summer. Two months later those very same students that were strangers that early Monday morning now call each other family. The transformation from strangers to family wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy and certainly didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come without arguments, frustrations, and obstacles. Despite the struggles, these youth chose to show up, often times coming in early and staying late everyday. Staff, youth, alumni, each individual in the Youth Institute made a deliberate choice everyday to show up, to work on projects, to work on themselves, and when that happens a community forms. The Youth Institute is a digital media arts program geared towards youth development. However, technology is merely a platform for which we use to begin a conversation, to tell our story, and there in lies the real magic of the Youth Institute â&#x20AC;&#x201C; connection to one another. This magazine is a testimony to the hard work, the creativity, and the healing that occurred this summer. I ask our readers to treat this collection of work as a sacred piece of what we experienced together and to dive in to the words and allow yourself to be immersed in the stories that make up our Youth Institute community. To the youth of the 2013 Youth Institute class, I would like to congratulate you on a beautiful magazine. It has been an honor to share the last two months with you, to hear your stories, to witness your growth, to surrender to your silliness. You are an incredible class, with strong personalities, brilliant creativity, and a supreme ability for empathy. Pegah Rahmanian, Berkeley Youth Institute Program Manager

Table of Contents The Meaning of Art • by Jordan Rowen Keren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2 The Korean Hallyu Wave • by Quyhn Tran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3 Brofist • by Malina King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Hardships of Friendships • by Erika Lopez. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 The Benefits • by Gavonni Ericks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6 Xbox and PS4 Comparison • by Cameron Leonard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7 Philippines • by Chesline Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8 Lonnie and Me • by A’Jewel Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9 Top Chop • Dejanaee Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10 What is a Real Friend • by Manjula Kuriyan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11 Can Video Games be Relaxing • by Christopher DeLaTorre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 12 The Perfect Picture • by Nazeer Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13 Impact of Adoption • by Angelia Rodriguez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14 The Mind of a Poet • by Je’kyla Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15 I Have a Twin Sister • by Midori Thrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16 Scarred for Life • by Loma Kim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 17 The Saints of My Life • by Najah Allah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 18 East Coast to West Coast • by Yasin Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 19 Dancing Roots • by Christian Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 20 G.A.T.S. • by Hector Munoz-Guzman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 21 Acting: A Different Way of Life • by Alexis Fuentes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 Masks • by Gianni Pina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 23 The Love Across the Sea • by Thoai Tran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24 Poetry: The Powerful Hidden in the Simple • by Xavier Anderson Villaluz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 25 Soccer is My Life • by Barasa Kamateh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 26 Wonder Woman • by Ahjeleyah Grisby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 27 Skate • by Nathan Tadesse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 28 Hip Hop Culture: A Way of Life • by Tarik Brooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 29 The Mental State of Feeling Great • by Nya Sandford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 30 What I Expected in America • by Tenzin Nyodrup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 31 Inside My Family • by Nathanial Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 32 Life is a Rollercoaster • by Rebeca Torres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 33 xxxxx • by Richard Yratcheta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 34 What is Grief • by Michael Wang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 35 Road to Success • by Kierra Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 36 The Mentoring Experience • by 2013 Alumni Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 37 Class Logo and Quote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 38 Class Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 39 Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 40

The Meaning of Art

here are many types of art; visual, 2-D, 3-D, physical, movement based, audio, multimedia, and many more. Music uses voice and body to create art, dance allows people to express themselves through movement, and painting creates another world on canvas. Art is for the person who enjoys creating it and also for those who admire it. Everybody has seen or done art even if they haven’t realized it. People sometimes create art when singing in the shower or dancing while doing their hair. Art is a two way street and there is art in this world meant for personal use and there is art meant to be seen and felt. Without art the world would be nothing.

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” -Aristotle

Art is a very good way to express oneself. Creating an image or words that is beautiful out of a blank page is awesome. I get really frustrated with things in life and using art is helpful because it allows me to calm down. When I draw or do different types of art it puts me in a whole other world. I think only about art and do not focus on the bad things in my life. I start clean like a blank piece of drawing paper. I am full of different events and memories and I take all of my life experiences and put it on paper. When I do art it always comes out in a different way depending on my mood. I have been practicing many kinds of art since I can remember.

BY: JORDAN ROWEN KEREN

It’s interesting how different art forms feed different parts of a person. For instance, when I am angry I play the drums, when I feel sad I pick up my guitar, when I am having fun, I dance and make beats, when I want to clear my mind I draw on a blank canvas and create something. Art can be that tool that helps us feel in control of ourselves. I used to play the drums when I would get mad and that was very helpful for the following reasons - the loud noise made me feel better and the physical exertion of playing also burned off some of my anger. Now, I like to draw and use the computer to create art, like graphic design and music beats. When I’ve made the beats, I like to dance to them with my friends. Artists such as Hoodie Allen or Childish Gambino make songs to express themselves and put their feelings into lyrics. I believe that art helps them deal with their emotions and helps other people understand them. For listeners of their art (at least for me) it gives me inspiration in what I do. Art means a lot to me because I have been using it for recreational use and also as a sort of therapy. Art is a tool that everyone can use. It is always around us everywhere we go. Some people notice it and other don’t. Some people create it and some people destroy it, but no matter what art is with us.

n a e r o K Hallyu Wave e Th By Quynh Tran

Born and raised in Asia, I was exposed to the Korean music due to the crazy popularity of it from an early age, but I did not take an interest in it until my friend recom mended a few songs. It didn’t take long for me to become strangely addicted to K-pop, I found myself humm ing to the tunes of popular songs and singing Korean lyrics. That is when I realized, music doesn’t need to be unde rstood through the lyrics but rather the emotions and effor ts that the singers put into these wonderful songs. For the past 3 years, K-pop was with me through hard times and good times. It helped me up when I felt down or made me even happier when I was happy. It’s always a fun thing to just randomly break out into songs or dances whenever someone says a certain word that appe ars in a music video. For example, if you say “Sorr y”, most K-pop fans will probably start singing and dancing to Super Junior’s “Sorr y Sorry”. Not only that, there are also a lot of fandoms and each of them belong to a certa in singer or group. Being in these fandoms makes me happy and everyone feels like family. At first, my family was a little worried about how I was const antly listen to “weird” music and staying up late watching these dramas. Over time, they got more used to it and became more open to me listening to K-pop and watching K-dramas. My Mom is a big K-drama fan so she had no problem with me watching K-drama, but my Dad wants me to focus on studying so he is still a little bit strict about my studies. He has even expanded the limit of how many hours I can be on the internet listening to music . I hope K-pop will be there and help me through the hard and pressuring times in High School. High School life is hard and you will always need something to help you relax and have fun. K-pop is like a healing medicine that eases my mind and helps me stay calm through many even ts and obstacles that are waiting for me. The Korean Hallyu Wave, has grown so much throughout these past 3 years and it is gaining worldwide recognition. As for me, I hope I will be able to stay positive in High School and get through the 4 years in just a blink of an eye.

n Pop, is a type The Korean Hallyu Wave, better known as K-pop or Korea . Many of these of music with different genres originated from South Korea aling to teenagers genres of K-pop include popular ones that are very appe ds. This Korean and young adults like Dance-pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Balla then finally Wave trend started in South Korea, moving on to Japan, and the world. U.S.A, spreading all around Asia and many other regions around e of K-pop but it as one of the largest music industries, had also been awar “Gangnam Style”. wasn’t that famous until the success of Psy with his song

By Malina King

PewDiePie born Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg is a

video game commentator on YouTube who has over 10 million subscribers. PewDiePieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s videos are very funny and they keep you laughing. You might hear PewDiePie talk about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bro Armyâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brosâ&#x20AC;? are what PewDiePie calls his fans and together we make a Bro Army. PewDiePie is the second most subscribed channel on YouTube so you can conclude that the Bro Army is HUGE. PewDiePie started making videos in April 2009, KLV Ă&#x20AC;UVW YLGHR ZDV RI KLP SOD\LQJ Minecraft, and eventually he became very popular. PewDiePie is most known for playing the games Happy Wheels and Amnesia, but he plays tons of games! PewDiePie helps me escape the real world and get into the games he is playing. He also does charity work and donates money so people can get clean water. I love that when he does his videos he interacts with his fans. He asks us how our day was and pauses for a reply. PewDiePieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sPlayâ&#x20AC;? segment is when he does a walkthrough of games his fans suggest to him. Some of the games his fans suggest are Deadpool, The Walking Dead, The Last Of Us, The Calling, and Conkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bad Fur Day. Often times he will name objects

in the games and create them into different characters, an example being a golden statue named Stefano and a rock named Jennifer from Amnesia. He also does another segment called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fridays with PewDiePieâ&#x20AC;? where he does random things to make you laugh such as putting on makeup with food and dancing in his girlfriends clothes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kinda funny because â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fridays with PewDiePieâ&#x20AC;? is never actually on a Friday. PewDiePie was born on the 24th of October 1989 in Sweden. He lives with his girlfriend Marzia Bisognin. At their home in Italy, they have a one eyed pug named Maya, PewDiePie will often joke around and tell Maya to wink. Not only does PewDiePie have a YouTube channel, but his girlfriend Marzia has one as well named CutiePieMarzia. In PewDiePieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest Fridays with PewDiePie video, he says him and Marzia are planning to move to Britain soon. You can follow PewDiePie on Facebook and Twitter, and please join the Bro Army and remember to subscribe to his YouTube channel!!! At the end of each of his videos KH ORRNV WR WKH FDPHUD DQG JLYHV D %URĂ&#x20AC;VW which is almost like a handshake and makes his Bros (fans) feel connected to him, and to that I VD\ %URĂ&#x20AC;VW

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ne The Be fits

I have an older brother named Davon Ericks Jackson. He was born June 6, 1995 in Berkeley CA. He is now 18 and is three years older than me. He’s also my mother’s first son. Davon is smart, fit, and good at sports. It’s really nice having an older brother because they help you through your struggles, they can be a positive role model, and they can be your best friend. Bigger brothers and sisters can understand where you’re coming from and know what it’s like growing up with your parents, but they have the knowledge and experience to help you through it.

My brother is good at anything that he puts his mind to. He is really good at math and sports. He would always help me in math because I would struggle. When Davon was a little kid he didn’t play that much basketball but as he got older he started to play more, usually against me. After playing more he got better, but so did I. I loved it when he used to help me with basketball, but I wouldn’t take his advice. It was only when he left that I would try his suggestions and they would work. His favorite team is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

At the age of seven, my mom wasn’t able to reach me, mostly because I didn’t know how to talk about my feelings to older people. My father wasn’t there when I was little, he didn’t live with us and I just don’t remember seeing him as much. My brother stepped in for both my parents and would take care of me. I remember when I had a back to school night, he came to see how I was doing. He always knew how to talk to me in a way that I would understand.

My brother lives with his father in Tracy CA, which is about an hour away from where I live. He has lived there for three years now. I miss him because I don’t see him as much as I want to. When I do see him we make the most of it and he always plays basketball with me. Even though I don’t live with him anymore, the things he has taught me come up everyday and everytime I play basketball now I think of him. I’m grateful to have a big brother.

Cameron Â Leonard Â Youth Â Institute Â Summer Â 2013

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ideo games are like my virtual counselor. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been playing videogames since I was 6 years old. 4` Ă&#x201E;YZ[ Z`Z[LT ^HZ HU ?IV_ HUK I remember playing some kind of Spongebob game. I have a problem with anger, and when I play these games I can take my anger out. As I got older, I started playing violent games to get more anger out. That way, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not irritated anymore or upset, when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m done playing I can be back to normal and not be mean to people. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt the people I care about, like my friends. I feel very calm when I play video games. The thing I like most about these games is I can do what I want without any repercussions. When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m done, I feel normal. Video games take me to a different world, away from reality. Reality is hard for me sometimes because people steal HUK Z[HY[ Ă&#x201E;NO[Z ^OPJO \WZL[Z TL I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like being mad, because when I am itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like my world falls

apart. When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m done playing video games I feel happy, like Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m back in control. If you have the same issue it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter ^OH[ JVUZVSL `V\ OH]L ?IV_ One or PS4. What does matter is Ă&#x201E;UKPUN ZVTL[OPUN [V JOHUULS `V\Y emotions. he two consoles Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m most MHTPSPHY ^P[O HYL [OL ?IV_ 6UL HUK 7: ;OL ?IV_ has a built in t.v., it can multi-task (switches between music, games, and tv), and has voice recognition. The PS4 is RPUK VM SPRL [OL ?IV_ L_JLW[ [OH[ it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a t.v. and it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t multi-task, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really meant just for gaming. There are different games for each console and you JHUÂť[ WSH` NHTLZ TLHU[ MVY ?IV_ on PS4, so deciding on a console you have think about which games `V\ SPRL [V WSH` :VTL L_HTWSLZ VM NHTLZ VU ?IV_ HYL .YHUK ;OLM[ Auto, Just Cause, and Red Dead 9LKLTW[PVU :VTL L_HTWSLZ VM games on PS4 are Forza, Far Cry 2, and Call of Duty. I prefer the

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]LY`VUL ULLKZ [V Ă&#x201E;UK H way to get away from their troubles and subside their anger. It can be anything such as video games, sport, arts, L[J @V\ ULLK [V Ă&#x201E;UK [OH[ ZWLJPHS something that helps you cope ^P[O `V\Y WYVISLTZ 6UJL `V\ Ă&#x201E;UK it, hold on to it,` and never let go.

philippines by: Chesline Miller

The Philippines is a wonderful place to go for a vacation and just relax under the sun. One of the greatest things about the Philippines is its amazing weather. It’s hot during the day and warm in the night, it doesn’t seem like there is ever a day when it is cold. This doesn’t mean there isn’t bad weather, storms in the Philippines are not that frequent but when they come they are pretty powerful and can cause blackouts. Another great thing about the Philippines are the beaches. The beaches have a lot of natural beauty like clear blue water, nice warm sand, and all the beautiful creatures. There is also this really cool river called the Enchanted River. The river’s depth stays a mystery because no diver has been to the bottom, there have been a few that have tried to go to the bottom but have failed. There is

one more thing that makes this place even better. The food. The food is different, interesting, and tasty. Having Filipino food should be the first thing a person does on their visit. Filipinos love to eat and make tons of different food. The foods I think are the best are, Afetada, Tinola, Sinigang. Afetada has a bunch of great tasting flavors and healthy ingredients including carrots, chicken, and bell peppers. Tinola is simple; it has chicken, rice, and spinach. Sinigang is my favorite; it’s a soup with all types of good vegetables and salmon. My mom’s family is from the Philippines and I love to visit, but don’t get to that much. Whenever I can visit it’s always a fun and great experience and I can never get enough.

e M d n a e i Lonn h t i m S l e w e J ’ A : By Drugs strongly impact my community, it’s something everyone knows about where I live. It is a strong and bad influence on peoples’ lives. I know it’s a big impact on the streets of Oakland, especially. You hear about it on the news all the time. Drugs are a huge issue for people in my community. Drugs are not good for anyone, they damage everything; your brain, your heart, your body. Growing up, my older brother, Lonnie, was a loving, responsible, helpful person. He would be so sweet and play

with me when no one else would, he supported me. When I would get in trouble he would stand up for me and make sure I was okay, he would protect me with his whole being. But it all changed when we moved to East Oakland. One night when Lonnie was walking home from practice, a man around the block asked him whether he was ready to join the “Dope Game”. That man convinced my brother to start selling drugs. Lonnie wanted to become a man and try to help our mom out because he never wanted her to struggle as a single mom.

That first night he dealt drugs, he sold to an undercover cop and went to jail at the age of sixteen. I was devastated. I felt left alone. My role model, someone I looked up to, my love, my big brother, my one and only was gone. It was hard for me to understand what happened because when we were growing up my mom tried so hard to keep him out of trouble. But the day he left he was gone for months. I was torn between emotions, on one hand I missed him so much but at the same time I was angry with him. I wasn’t mad at him I was mad at the situation he had gotten himself into. My brother had let me down. While he was gone I wondered what he was doing, if he was safe - I didn’t know what could happen to him in jail. When he came home he was excited to see me. It had been a year and he had spent his seventeenth birthday in jail. We spent hours catching up and he apologized for leaving me and he promised not to leave me again. Since that day, he has kept his promise to me, he has been committed to bettering his life. Now, he has a girlfriend, they have been together for almost two years and he has gotten his own apartment in Stockton CA, and is enrolled in Job Corp. Witnessing my brother’s change has been inspiring and gives me confidence for my own future. When he chose to go down the path of selling drugs, I wasn’t sure if he would make it to his nineteenth birthday. When I see the track he is on now, I am proud to say he’s my big brother and my role model.

Top Chop They say food feeds the soul. I enjoy cooking, especially for other people. I like to cook because it makes me feel happy inside and I am very proud of my cooking. It’s the right thing for me, like it’s something I’m supposed to do all the time. I started from the bottom, but I’m still not there yet. I’m learning new techniques and ways of cooking. When I was young, I grew up watching people cook. I really enjoyed just watching someone else cook, but eventually I wanted to learn how to do it myself. When I was in 2nd grade, I started taking cooking classes and I still do today. I enjoy learning about the history of food and where it came from. In my life, I have many influences in cooking. I have two grandmothers that make soul and Indian food, while my step-mother makes great Asian food. One of my favorite types of dishes to cook is soul food. Soul food comes from the area around the Louisiana region. For soul food, there are very unique kinds of seasonings used to make it. Soul food originated from Native Americans and African American slaves, but it became common in the 1960’s during the Civil Rights Movement. It is so good that it has gotten popular with other cultures. One day I would like to open my own soul food restaurant. To open my own restaurant, I plan on going to Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco. The school is a culinary school, meaning it specializes in teaching people how to cook. At Le Cordon Bleu, they have different programs such as Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastries, and Enthusiast Cooking classes. I plan on taking as many of these classes as I can in order to be able to cook different kinds of food. Cooking has changed my life in a positive way . When I cook I feel like I’m not just someone cooking, I am a person that will go somewhere with it. One thing I like making is fried fish. Everytime I make it, I feel like I’m in my own world, because my grandmother used to make it before she passed away. Here is my favorite fried fish recipe.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of Corn Meal 1/2 cup of regular Bread crumbs 1 Egg 3 cups of cooking oil salt or seasoning salt pepper onion powder garlic powder

Directions 1. Rinse the fish and season it with salt, pepper, onion, garlic powder, and chili peppers. 2. In a separate bowl , mix cornmeal and bread crumbs. 3. Beat 1 egg in a different bowl and coat the fish in it. 4. Place the egg covered fish in the mix of cornmeal and bread crumbs. 5. Heat up the cooking oil. 6. Place each fish in the hot grease so that they don’t touch each other. 7. Cook until it is golden brown on each side.

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What is a Real Friend A real friend is someone who is there for you through tough times and good times; someone who understands what you are going through and who you can trust with your life. A real friend is someone who does not try to change you or pretend to be someone else when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re with you. The true meaning of a friend is someone who you can disagree with and who is still there for you. No matter how bad the disagreement is, they are still by your side. A friend is someone who does not leave you for someone else. A friend is someone you can be truthful with and who accepts you for who you are, and who does not talk about you behind your back. My best friend, Silvia, has been there for me since we were in 4th grade (weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re now sophomores in high school). We have had our fair share of disagreements over the years, but we have always managed to take the WLPH WR ZRUN LW RXW 6LOYLD KDV VWXFN ZLWK PH GXULQJ GLĹ&#x2039;FXOW WLPHV ZLWK P\ IDPLO\ 6KH KDV QHYHU EHWUD\HG P\ WUXVW 6LOYLD DQG , DUH VR FORVH VKH IHHOV OLNH IDPLO\ WR PH HYHQ WKRXJK VKH OLYHV LQ D GLĹ&#x160;HUHQW WRZQ , especially love her bcause she is not ashamed of me when I act crazy, and she stands up for me if someone puts me down. I feel like she is always there for me and that I can trust her.

Cultivating a true friendship is not easy. Most of us have many friends that come and go in our lives,

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about friendship. Chesline Miller said a friend is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Someone who is important in your life and who will help you grow.â&#x20AC;? Xavir Villaluz said a friend is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Someone who is always beside you no matter what.â&#x20AC;? Abel Castillo GHĂ&#x20AC;QHV D IULHQG DV Â´6RPHERG\ ZKR \RX UHO\ RQ HYHQ IRU WKH VPDOOHVW IDYRUV Âľ , OLNH WKHVH TXRWHV EHFDXVH WKH\ UHĂ HFW WKH PHDQLQJ RI WUXH IULHQGVKLS I feel fortunate that I have a true friend who is always there for me. My friend has enriched my life and helped me become a better person. So far, we have supported each other through family, teenager and boyfriend issues. I look forward to growing old with Silvia so we can tell our kids stories of our growing up together.

Â Â By Â

Manjula Kuriyam

Can Video Games be Relaxing? By:Christopher De La Torre

In my opinion, video games can be very relaxing. Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson at the Texas International University suggested that videogames can be used as a type of therapy for young adults and teens and that violent games can help people work through their frustrations and calm down. To all the people who say that violent video games are bad for you, New York Times found government data that says the more violent games being sold the less youth offenders there are out on the streets. Most grown ups are worried that videogames are just used to shoot and destroy, but actually there are games that can help you. For instance the Uncharted series has puzzles that require a huge amount of thinking. In one of the Assassin’s Creed games it has all kinds of history in it like George Washington and the American Revolution. Games can be a huge resource for learning. I’ve loved playing video games ever since I was little. I never liked yelling and there was a lot of yelling at my house growing up, so whenever that happened I would just go into my room and start playing my games for hours and hours. Games can be an escape where you can zone out and relax your mind and calm down. When I play videogames I feel like I am a part of that world and when I’m in that world nothing matters around me but the mission and then after the mission is done I feel more relaxed. I accomplish something and that feels good to me. - TPE] ¿VWX TIVWSR WLSSXIVW ERH EHZIRXYVI KEQIW XLI QSWX FIGEYWI XLI] are my favorite. I feel in control and do everything my way even if it is the wrong way. The point is that I get to make the decision, right or wrong. A professor at the University of Rochester found that video games are good for your brain because of all the quick decision making actions that can help you in the real world. Video games are a place where I can escape reality and just go to my happy place. All in all I think that games can be a great tool that everyone should use. I hope I persuade some adults to actually let their kids play video games and not be overprotective about it. Games can be good for relaxing or just on a rainy day, so pick up a controller and start to play, maybe one day you will use games for these purposes too.

EPERFECT H T

PICTURE Â Â Â by Â Nazeer Â Green

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Impact of Adoption Children who are adopted face many different situations and feelings such as feeling unwanted, confused, or rejected. It’s natural to wonder how an adopted child feels. Some say being adopted from birth helps keep them open minded. Others say adoption is just another part of their lives. It doesn't make them any different. According to PBS, about 120,000 kids are adopted each year in the United States. Parents with adopted children face the issue of telling a child they’re adopted. Adoptive parents must determine what and when they will tell their children about their adoption. Many believe that it’s better to tell a child they’re adopted at a very young age because it gives the child an early opportunity to accept the idea of being adopted. Others think that telling a child too young can confuse them; therefore they believe they should wait until a child is more mature. Some believe that when children are placed in adoption before the age of two and are the same race as the adoptive parents it’s probably okay to tell them around the age of 5 or 6. Studies show that the best age to tell a child that they are adopted is when they are at the age of 6-8. By the time a child is 6 they usually feel established enough in their family to hear about being adopted. Some children will want to talk about their adoption and parents should encourage this. The child's feelings and response depends on their age and maturity. Each child is different and are unique about dealing with being adopted. Some children will talk about it a lot and ask a lot of questions, others may not want to talk about it at all. As children grow they try to make their own sense of being adopted. In preschool years when they’re trying to control their bad behavior, adopted children may wonder if their birth parents gave them away for being bad or crying a lot. Being unwanted is a common feeling adopted children can occur. However, if parents approach the situation positively and openly then the worries are less likely to develop. All youth go through a stage where they struggle with who they are, wondering how they fit in with their family, their peers and just the world. This struggle can be harder for adopted children from different cultures or countries. In adolescence, a kid is more interested in their birth parents. Children may do extreme behaviors to create a sense of belonging. This curiosity is not unusual and does not mean that he or she is rejecting the adoptive parents. Adoption is a lifelong process for everyone involved. Personally my experience with adoption has been a blessing. Of course I have my moments of wondering what it would be like if I wasn't adopted, but what adopted kid does not. When I was about six months old my grandma adopted me. My birth mother was hooked on serious drugs. Because of her addiction she now deals with mental disabilities such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, she’s unable to provide and support for me in the way I need. For my whole life I’ve always known the truth about my birth mother. I've never had a hard time accepting the truth about her; I’ve never had a real relationship with her, which I think made it easier. At times I like to wonder what it would be like if my birth mother was sober, with a job and if we were an actual family like how you see in the movies. Most of the time I'm more grateful for the fact a family member adopted that me. It makes me feel like I’m still a normal person and that I don't have a part of my life that I don't know. My Grandmother (who I call mommy) has been nothing but an amazing strong woman. I respect my mom a lot; it’s not that easy to raise another kid after having your own children. She has taken me all over the world; she’s an endless support in my life. She helps me when I’m having issues, comforting when I’m sick, she’s everything I wish my mother could be and more. I am not ashamed to say that my birth mother has an addiction to drugs and isn't in my life consistently and that I am being raised by my grandmother. It makes me who I am and I’m a stronger person for it.

By:Angelia Rodriguez

The Mind of a Poet.

By: Jekyla Hunt

Poetry. What is poetry, is it a meaning? Is it a way of expression? Is it the lively HPRWLRQ FRQTXHUHG E\ WKH SRZHU WKH EDVV DQG UK\WKP LQ RXU YRLFH" ,V LW D GHFLVLRQ RU D FKRLFH WR believe in your words and put them together to create your state of mind in that present time? We are taught to believe that poetry is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.â&#x20AC;? Poets all around the world, in ways have impacted the material of writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or writingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; today. Poetry has made a huge impact in my life. I became the person that I am today because of my writing. I started my journey as a writer at about 10 years old, I had written a goodbye letter to my family. I was attempting to commit suicide. I realized that I was writing things RQ WKRVH WZR SLHFHV RI SDSHU WKDW , KDG QHYHU HYHQ WKRXJKW RI 7KH ZRUGV MXVW Ă RZHG IURP P\ mind to the paper with no thought or hesitation, whenever I write I always re-read it and EDUHO\ UHPHPEHU WKLQNLQJ LW 3RHWU\ LV D W\SH RI OLWHUDF\ WKDW KDV D Ă RZ RI FRQVWDQW ZRUG SOD\ or repetition. Society is built around the great arts of poetry whether we realize it or not, great poets like Maya Angelou write poems about womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s empowerment and stories about things WKDW UHODWH WR \RXQJ SHRSOH LQ JHQHUDO <RX GHFLGH KRZ \RX ZDQW \RXU SRHP WR UHDG \RX KDYH control. Some people assume that teens donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to write or engage in writing activities because they think that we get bored or that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care. I, on the other hand cannot stop writing. I love the aching pain that I get when my hand is tired from writing for so long. I have been writing every day for the past 2 years now. Whenever I have the time to write I am able to release any leftover emotions or feelings I have had throughout the day. Writing is my craft and I take it very seriously. In fact, one of my favorite things to do is to write poetry. I write stories or poems about love, identity and living as a teenager in such a blunt time in the world. I encourage my peers to be inspired by the things that other people write and say whether they understand it or not. I am inspired by poets who inspire you to think and WKDW FKDOOHQJH \RXU PLQG DQG WKRXJKW SURFHVV 3RHWV WKDW HQFRXUDJH \RX WR WKLQN GLĹ&#x160;HUHQWO\ RU through another lense and in another light are inspiring. There is too much information in the world to not want to expand your knowledge and your mind. Good poets know how to make you think about what you are reading and make you understand the meaning of every word in every stanza. I believe that all teenagers have the ability to express as much as possible. I encourage my peers to do the best they can to express themselves and do what they can to get out their feelIngs and thoughts. Poetry is like an outlet for me to forgive the things I think could have handled GLĹ&#x160;HUHQWO\ RU WKLQJV , ZDQW WR FKDQJH , FDQ FKDQJH WKHP LQ P\ VWRULHV , FDQ WHOO WKH VWRU\ GLĹ&#x160;HUHQWO\ , KRSH WR ZULWH PLOOLRQV RI VWRULHV RQH GD\ DQG JLYH NLGV LQVSLUDWLRQ WR ZULWH ZKDW WKH\ want and learn how to be free with words they say.

I Have a Twin Sister By: Midori Thrower

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I Â have Â a Â twin Â sister. Â She Â likes Â to Â watch Â Dora Â the Â Explorer Â and Â absolutely Â loves Â watching Â shows Â on Â Sprout, Â and Â Nick Â Jr., Â all Â chanels Â for Â younger Â children. Â My Â sister Â is Â 13 Â years Â old Â and Â was Â born Â with Â a Â type Â of Â Cerebral Â Palsy Â that Â affects Â her Â learning. Â I Â have Â always Â been Â very Â protective Â of Â my Â sister. Â Ever Â since Â I Â was Â younger Â Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Â just Â wanted Â to Â keep Â her Â away Â from Â trouble Â and Â mean Â people, Â but Â Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Â not Â always Â able Â to Â do Â that. Â My Â sister Â absolutely Â loved Â school. Â She Â liked Â making Â friends Â and Â even Â doing Â school Â work. Â At Â school Â my Â sister Â had Â an Â aid, Â Ms. Â Sarah, Â a Â person Â who Â was Â Â supposed Â to Â help Â my Â sister Â and Â be Â Â someone Â she Â could Â trust. Â Meeting Â her Â I Â thought Â she Â was Â the Â perfect Â person Â to Â do Â that. Â One Â day Â after Â school, Â our Â Â step-Âdad Â arrived Â to Â pick Â us Â up Â from Â school. Â I Â walked Â out Â RI P\ FODVV ÂżUVW WR meet Â him Â and Â we Â waited Â for Â my Â sister. Â She Â ran Â out Â of Â her Â classroom Â to Â meet Â us Â and Â held Â onto Â my Â step-Âdad Â tight Â as Â if Â she Â needed Â someone Â to Â keep Â her Â safe. Â We Â just Â thought Â she Â might Â of Â had Â a Â bad Â day. Â The Â next Â morning, Â we Â were Â getting Â ready Â for Â school. Â About Â 20 Â minutes Â or Â so, Â before Â it Â was Â time Â to Â get Â in Â the Â car Â and Â leave Â I Â looked Â over Â to Â my Â sister Â who Â was Â sitting Â on Â the Â couch Â with Â her Â Â backpack Â on. Â She Â looks Â up Â to Â me Â and Â says, Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Â donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â want Â to Â go Â to Â schoolâ&#x20AC;?. Â It Â seemed Â like Â everything Â froze Â and Â zoomed Â in Â on Â my Â sister. Â Question Â after Â question Â we Â asked Â her Â for Â the Â longest Â of Â time Â and Â repeatedly Â

she Â replied, Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Â donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â knowâ&#x20AC;? Â or Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Â just Â donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â want Â to Â goâ&#x20AC;?. Â Finally, Â she Â said, Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;because Â she Â hurt Â my Â armâ&#x20AC;?. Â I Â froze Â and Â felt Â anger Â boiling Â up Â inside Â of Â me. Â We Â asked Â her Â who Â she Â was Â talking Â about. Â She Â said Â Ms. Â Sarah. Â She Â told Â us Â how Â Ms. Â Sarah Â would Â yank Â her Â around Â and Â squeeze Â her Â arm Â when Â she Â wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â listen, Â and Â how Â she Â would Â yell Â in Â her Â face. Â I Â canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â explain Â how Â angry Â my Â parents Â were. Â It Â was Â scary Â to Â see Â so Â much Â anger Â in Â their Â eyes. Â All Â I Â felt Â like Â doing Â was Â hurting Â Â someone. Â Images Â of Â going Â to Â the Â school Â and Â hurting Â all Â the Â people Â that Â knew Â about Â it Â or Â might Â have Â known Â and Â most Â of Â all Â Ms. Â Sarah Â came Â to Â my Â mind. Â I Â wanted Â to Â go Â straight Â WR VFKRRO MXVW WR ÂżQG 0V Sarah. Â I Â wanted Â the Â cops Â to Â be Â called Â right Â away Â and Â to Â have Â her Â arrested, Â Â however, Â my Â parents Â Â decided Â to Â talk Â to Â Â Mr. Â C, Â the Â head Â teacher Â of Â students Â with Â special Â needs. Â We Â went Â to Â school Â that Â day Â and Â went Â straight Â to Â Mr. Â C. Â He Â scheduled Â for Â us Â to Â have Â a Â meeting Â with Â Ms. Â Sarah. Â I Â really Â didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â understand Â how Â talking Â it Â out Â would Â help Â at Â all. Â The Â next Â day Â we Â got Â a Â call Â from Â Mr. Â C. Â He Â said Â Ms. Â Sarah Â had Â denied Â doing Â anything Â to Â my Â sister Â and Â had Â quit. Â Absolutely Â nothing Â was Â done Â about Â Ms. Â Sarah. Â Apparently, Â nothing Â could Â be Â done. Â I Â never Â Â understood Â why. Â I Â still Â donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Â Ms. Â Sarah Â made Â my Â sister Â not Â like Â school Â as Â much Â as Â she Â used Â to. Â When Â I Â ÂżUVW PHW 0V 6DUDK , WKRXJKW VKH ZDV D JUHDW SHUVRQ who Â we Â wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â have Â to Â worry Â about, Â I Â thought Â she Â was Â kind, Â and Â caring. Â I Â guess Â people Â arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â always Â who Â they Â seem Â to Â be.

By: Loma Kim

Scarred For Life

Once when I was little, I got a scar on the left side of my chin. To explain it simply, I ripped my chin open with a hook. The whole thing was a terribly bloody process. One night when I was in the 5th grade, I had the house to myself. My mom went to play pool at a bar (which she hadn’t done in a very long time) and trusted me to behave myself. I didn’t. My grandpa went to sleep at an early time, around 8pm or 9pm. Since I had the house to myself, to me this meant that I was obligated to stay up late to watch movies and play on the computer. Once I did plenty of that, I started to feel sleepy. In our house, the rule is that when the last person who is awake decides to go to sleep, they must close the curtains.

ince I was quite short at that age I had to stand on the couch to reach the curtains. Because I was standing on the edge of the couch, it tipped over a bit, launching me into \PM KWZVMZ 1 LQLV¼\ NMMT IVa XIQV [W 1 OW\ ]X \W ÅVQ[P KTW[QVO the curtains and headed towards my room. As I stepped foward, a drop of blood landed on my foot. I was confused, so I walked to the mirror in the hallway that led to my room. My face froze in horror. There was a very deep and bloody gap in my chin. There were two hooks in my living room that we hook our curtains on. I assumed that I fell on one and it cut through my nerves.

hen I saw my distorted chin I burst tears, waking my grandpa in the process. My poor grandpa was XZWJIJTa \MZZQÅML PM LWM[V¼\ [XMIS I TW\ WN -VOTQ[P IVL PIL to deal with a crying 10 year old. My grandpa and I tried calling my Mom for what felt like forever. At that point I was furious at the fact that I needed her and she wouldn’t pick up. I felt helpless and all I could do was sleep. My grandpa brought me a Band-Aid and an icepack and patted

my shouder, as I fell asleep on the couch. I went out like a light because I had cried my eyes out.

woke up in the middle of the night. My mom had come home and fell asleep beside me. She woke up as I tried to squirm out of her arms. “Let me take a look at your chin”, she said to me. I took off my Band-Aid and looked up at her. She looked quite concerned and told me that we needed to go to the hospital. It was obvious that she didn’t know that it was that bad by the way that she reacted.

hen we got to the hospital, I went into a room and we found out that I needed stitches. The man who stitched me up was really nice but the numbing shots KI][ML I XIQV [QUQTIZ \W I \PW][IVL ÆIUQVO VMMLTM[ Towards the end the numbness started wearing off and it hurt a little when he dabbed the blood away with cotton balls. I got 18 stitches in total. It still upsets me when I look at it because it’s on my face and I can’t get rid of it.

hen I think about it, it’s not all that bad. I’ve seen my friend’s scars, which they often try to hide. Most weren’t noticeable because they’ve healed since they were young. Honestly, everyone has scars that they’ve had to accept, and done something stupid that they regret. My mom always tells me that scars fade over time, and I really hope that time goes fast. Since I got the scar I have wondered if it would fade and when. I also hoped that it would move to the underside of my chin so that no one could see it. I think that this experience is most imporant to me because it taught me to be more careful. I hope that in the future I am conscious enough \W XZM^MV\ Ua[MTN NZWU OM\\QVO IVa UWZM [QOVQÅKIV\ TQNM changing scars like this.

THE

SAINTS OF MY

LIFE

BY: NAJAH ALLAH

he greatest people I’ve ever met were, are, and always will be my parents. Throughout my entire life, my parents have always been there for me. They have always given me the resources and support I need to succeed. My parents always encourage and help me go after my dreams. I know there are kids who don’t have parents that are there for them and it makes me sad to know that. I think that everyone deserves the same love and encouragement from their parents that I receive from mine. I know the bond my parents and I share is a unique one that not many others have with their parents. I believe that if your parents are in your life, you should take a minute or two to reflect on all that they have done for you, and the sacrifices they have made. I do not know all of the sacrifices my parents have made for me but I still appreciate them every day for making my life wonderful. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for my parents. My whole life my mother and father have showered me with gifts on my birthday. One day my dad told me that sometimes he and my mom would eat very little just so I could eat very well and have nice things on my birthday. When he told me this, I was astonished because until then I hadn’t yet realized how fortunate I was. I do realize that they sacrifice time and money every day just to make sure that I am safe and have all of the resources I need to succeed. I have a bald spot on the left side of my head, which shows almost every time I wear my hair in a ponytail. One day I wore my hair in a ponytail to Spanish class and my classmates that didn’t like me began laughing and making fun of me in front of the entire class. Unfortunately, the teacher heard them but decided not to reprimand them. After about forty-five minutes, I asked to go to the bathroom and cried in the bathroom for about thirty minutes. I called my dad, and I could tell through the phone that he was hurt hearing that I was hurt. The problem was resolved by the end of the day, but my feelings were not. After that I started to become depressed, I know some may think you shouldn’t let others have such a big impact on you, but being thirteen and still trying to find yourself is extremely difficult. I could tell that my parents noticed how I was feeling and did everything in their power to make me feel better. They would take me places that I loved, and we did activities together to take my mind off of my social problems. Even though my parents are divorced now, they still have remained friends because they did not want their relationship to interfere with the relationship I have with each of them. If I have a problem or need something they will come together and get it for me despite their differences. A lot of people think that when your parents get divorced, you pick a parent you like the most and stick to them. As you can see that is not the case with my parents and I love them the same and enjoy spending time with both of them. Even though my parents are amazing almost all parents make sacrifices for their children. I hope after reading this article you see the love I have for my parents and you appreciate your parents a little more.

EAST COAST TO WEST COAST

I moved to Oakland, California three years ago

leaving the East Coast behind.

from Rochester, New York. When I moved out West I

had no idea how different it would be. Life on the East

West, it’s almost like I judge everything and everybody

Coast wasn’t the easiest, I grew up without a father

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and most of my family lived somewhere else. I found

are different, the streets out West have hills, but the

I’ve had a hard time accepting that I live in the

myself getting involved with gangs, violence, and drugs. VWUHHWV LQ 1HZ <RUN DUH ÀDW $W ¿UVW , KDWHG WKHVH VPDOO Even though my family wasn’t around, the people on differences, but then I found them useful and I started to the East coast were really friendly and everyone on my block were pretty cool with each other. People in my neighborhood watched out for me and if they saw me getting into trouble they would tell my mom.

When I moved to Oakland, things changed and

everything I knew to be true was different. The biggest difference for me was language, it was as if people in Oakland were speaking with a big Italian accent, the slang was really strange to me. I was used to the

enjoy them. I even started enjoying the slang. In school, it felt like I was learning more and socializing with other’s got easier. In History class they even taught us the correct information, like the truth about Christopher &ROXPEXV FRPLQJ WR $PHULFD , HQMR\ WKH ZHDWKHU KHUH in the West, but I do miss the snow days in the East.

$IWHU JRLQJ WKURXJK DOO WKH GLIIHUHQFHV , IHHO

like it’s a new start and a new change for me. I feel like

slang in New York, where we said things like ‘what’s up

things happen for a reason so that you can be where

what’s up’ to say hi to a friend or ‘what’s doin’, ‘what’s

you are. It was all worth it, the move, the slang, the

up with it’ for how are you. In California all of a sudden

weather, the people, the hills, the differences, it was

I heard things like ‘ hecka’, ‘outta pocket’, and ‘don’t get worth it. spunky with me’, I didn’t know what to do with this new language. Three years later, I feel connected to it and

I feel a little guilty about that because it feels like I am

*UDIÂżWL LV DQ LOOHJDO DUW IRUP DQG LV DOVR WHPSRUDU\ 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ JUDIÂżWL DUWLVWV out Â there, Â but Â the Â one Â that Â stands Â out Â to Â me Â LV * $ 7 6 *UDIÂżWL $JDLQVW 7KH 6\VWHP LV an Â artist Â from Â the Â Bay Â Area, Â one Â of Â many, Â but Â KLV JUDIÂżWL LV YHU\ ZHOO NQRZQ LQ WKH DUHD GXH to Â his Â signature Â piece Â and Â if Â you Â look Â close Â enough Â you Â can Â see Â him Â everywhere. Â His Â JUDIÂżWL LV YHU\ ÂłFOHDQÂ´ ZKLFK PHDQV YHU\ Â ZHOO GRQH +LV JUDIÂżWL VWDQGV RXW EHFDXVH Â it Â looks Â like Â it Â was Â meant Â to Â be Â there. Â When Â GATS Â paints Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Â Maskâ&#x20AC;?, Â his Â signature Â piece, Â itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Â his Â way Â of Â Â expressing Â how Â unfair Â the Â system Â is. Â Â He Â chose Â the Â human Â face Â EHFDXVH WKDWÂśV WKH ÂżUVW WKLQJ ZH VHH when Â we Â enter Â this Â world, Â and Â its Â something Â all Â of Â us Â recognize. Â He Â also Â added Â bags Â under Â his Â eyes, Â its Â shows Â that Â humans Â see Â everything, Â and Â that Â we Â never Â rest. Â The Â empty Â tears Â in Â his Â mask Â represent Â friends Â and Â family. Â The Â mask Â is Â just Â one Â of Â his Â characters, Â but Â most Â people Â Â recognize Â it Â as Â the Â mask Â against Â the Â system.

GATS

Graffiti against the system By; Hector Munoz-Guzman

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I chose to paint the human face EHFDXVH WKDWÂˇV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WKLQJ ZH VHH ZKHQ ZH enter this world, its the most recognisable symbol. The bags under his eyes represents the vigilance, that we never we never rest, that we witness all of the injustices and we will never forget. The longer I painted the mask, the longer the teeth grew, into a beard of knowledge, that dug into his environment and rapped and adapted, the same way are strategies to keep adapting to keep move-Â ments alive. The name on the nose are the people I respect, people i paint the mask for. *$76 LV P\ IDYRULWH JUDIÂżWL DUWLVW , ORYH KRZ KLV JUDIÂżWL KDV D VWRU\ EHKLQG LW The empty tears a remembrance of friends , DFWXDOO\ GR DUW P\VHOI DQG KLV VW\OH RI DUW and loved ones who had their lives stolen by LQVSLUHG PH WR PDNH DUW RI P\ RZQ Â the police. â&#x20AC;? *URZLQJ XS LQ WKH %D\ $UHD ,ÂśYH DOZD\V -ÂGATS. VHHQ WKLV P\VWHULRXV IDFH HYHU\ZKHUH , JR 1RZ WKDW , NQRZ KLV VWRU\ KLV PHDQLQJ DQG VWRULHV EHKLQG LW , FDQ FDOO P\VHOI D IDQ 6RPHGD\ , ZDQW WR OHDYH P\ PDUN LQ WKH %D\ $UHD MXVW WKH ZD\ KH GLG Â +RSHIXOO\ , LQVSLUH VRPHRQH HOVH DV KH LQVSLUHG PH

Dancing Â Roots Dancing Â is Â a Â beautiful Â way Â to Â express Â your Â feelings, Â emotions, Â and Â thoughts Â on Â Â Â Â Â Â D GDQFH Ă&#x20AC;RRU 0DQ\ UDFHV FXOWXUHV DQG UHOLJLRQV XVH GDQFH DV VSLULWXDO RIIHULQJV Â entertainment, Â or Â for Â social Â interaction. Â No Â one Â really Â has Â clear Â evidence Â where Â dancing Â Â Â Â Â Â started Â or Â originated Â from, Â but Â in Â my Â opinion, Â I Â can Â say Â that Â throughout Â time Â we Â have Â perfected Â it Â to Â make Â it Â look Â beautiful. Â There Â are Â many Â ways Â to Â dance. Â Some Â dances Â I Â know Â personally, Â are Â Cumbia, Â Bachata Â and Â Sapatiadas. Â Dancing Â comes Â to Â me Â easy Â because Â I Â come Â from Â a Â family Â who Â loves Â to Â dance. Â My Â brother Â and Â I Â have Â dance Â offs Â and Â try Â to Â one Â up Â one Â another, Â but Â my Â mom Â is Â the Â best Â at Â dancing Â she Â is Â the Â one Â who Â taught Â me. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â My Â favorite Â dance Â type Â is Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bachata, Â usually Â in Â this Â dance Â you Â dance Â Â with Â a Â partner. Â Bachata Â originated Â in Â the Â Â Dominican Â Republic Â and Â spread Â to Â other Â Latin Â American Â areas Â and Â has Â developed Â from Â there. Â Bachata Â requires Â you Â to Â be Â very Â connected Â to Â your Â partner, Â which Â makes Â it Â really Â exciting. Â Cumbia Â is Â another Â of Â my Â favorite Â dances, Â this Â dance Â makes Â me Â feel Â the Â most Â free Â and Â happy Â because Â it Â is Â very Â joyous. Â This Â dance Â originated Â in Â Colombiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Â Caribbean Â coastal Â region Â and Â was Â created Â by Â Native Â Colombians. Â Sapatiadas Â is Â a Â very Â fun Â dance Â which Â can Â be Â danced Â many Â Â ways Â but Â this Â dance Â involves Â more Â dancing Â Â ZLWKRXW D VSHFLÂżF ZD\ WR PRYH \RX FDQ Â dance Â how Â ever Â you Â want Â but Â the Â point Â is Â to Â PDNH \RXU IHHW VODS WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU PDQ\ WLPHV LQ a Â rhythm Â to Â the Â music Â and Â also Â jump Â around Â while Â doing Â it. Â Â Â Â Â

I Â learned Â how Â to Â dance Â Â because Â my Â mom Â would Â always Â grab Â me Â and Â dance Â around Â the Â house Â and Â at Â parties, Â she Â taught Â me Â the Â steps Â WR PDQ\ GDQFHV 0\ ÂżUVW PHPRU\ RI dancing Â is Â when Â I Â was Â 5 Â years Â old. Â Â , ZHQW WR D SDUW\ ZLWK P\ IDPLO\ DQG just Â played Â around Â with Â the Â other Â Â little Â kids Â outside. Â I Â got Â bored Â so Â I Â went Â with Â my Â mom Â who Â was Â Â GDQFLQJ RQ WKH GDQFH Ă&#x20AC;RRU DQG although Â I Â didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â know Â how Â to Â dance Â , VWLOO VKRRN P\ OLWWOH WDLO IHDWKHU ,WÂśV D YHU\ ZRQGHUIXO DFWLYLW\ WKDW PDNHV PH IHHO SURXG RI P\ IDPLO\ URRWV DQG LW makes Â me Â happy Â and Â excited.

%\ &KULVWLDQ 0DUWLQH]

Acting: A Different Way of Life by: Alexis Fuentes I started acting in the fifth grade. Our History class had to put together three plays on the topics of Columbus’s journey to America, Slavery, and the boycotts of grape farming by Cesar Chavez. I was in the play about slavery and had to play the difficult roles of two bad guys, a whip master and slave hunter. Though I had hard roles, when I was done with the play, it made me realize that I had something I felt confident doing. When I was acting I could ventilate all the built up emotions I had inside. I could take on a different persona, someone I wasn’t, but wish maybe I could be. Now, acting is a part of my life that I can never let go. I had to deal with bullying at school because I was always so awkward and had only two friends up until the fourth grade, but even then I was still picked on. Acting was a nice way to use the anger I felt, I could channel it. Every time I went to rehearsals I was able to release my emotions. One of the best parts of acting in middle school was all the friends I got, but when I started drama in the sixth grade I felt nervous all over again. Eventually all the nervousness was replaced by the joy of working with all of my new friends, and that continued for the next two years, joy, new friends, and that great feeling of doing something great after I finish a play. I use drama to act like a different person. So far, I have been every character in a story, the bad guy, the good guy and the guy who offers good advice and tells you what you should do. With all these different personas it is interesting to me to see how I want to show them as myself. As a king intent on keeping the favor of his people by removing paintings that the people deem unholy. A blind dead man who is the main character’s only way of advice to going back home even after being away for so long. And the leader of a wolf pack intent on keeping a promising human into the pack. Johnny Depp once said: “ I cannot believe I am paid millions to lie and pretend to be someone I am not”. I have always wanted to become an actor even before I started acting, and seeing all of these different movies gives me different views on great acting. Bottom line is I really like acting, I feel a great passion for it and I love the people I meet through acting. Acting is something I never wanna give up, a meaningful dream I wish to fulfill.

Mask

The way a person acts changes throughout the progression of the day. Personalities aren’t static things, they are like a wardrobe of masks that people put on depending on the situation. There are masks for switching between groups of people, like family, peers, teachers, and really close friends. A person doesn’t keep the same personality or “mask” on for each group of people. Just because you switch between masks doesn’t mean they aren’t all part of a person’s personality, it’s just different parts of that personality. The problem with changing masks or code switching is that some question it to determine whether a person is being fake or real. What does the mask do to you exactly? I think it takes away your original persona, whatever that may be. For the amount of time you wear the “mask” or allow yourself to be empowered by the “mask” depends on the choices that you make. I don’t know if this makes wearing a mask fake, maybe just a different kind of real. Masks hold an adaptive ability. Like we humans do. They mold and change and alter to fit-in with their surroundings. Masks change in all sorts of situations. Being around their family a person will act different from how they act around friends. Where some may be more quiet and calm in one place such as a church, as soon as they leave they can turn into a loud, disruptive person. A person may address a teacher or person of authority with respect in private, but in front of peers they wear the mask

By Gianni Piña worn in front of friends. My Uncle Rene talks about being yourself and preaches the thought of why act different around other people? He has had the experience of breaking through the mask. He has no need for it. He realized that the only person he had to be and the only way he had to act was as himself, inside and out. We don’t all have the strong will that my Uncle has, but it is possible for anyone to have high self-esteem and to stay true to oneself without the need of using many masks. If I were to tell you that I wear a different mask everyday, but have it painted to look like my normal face would you call me crazy? Would you judge me and assume that i’m just a loon waiting to be swept up by doctors and taken to a mad house? If you choose to wear masks take the time to paint each one carefully, so that it blends with your face. Then no one will know, your teachers, your family and friends, even the daily public. But, I say wouldn’t you rather choose to be your own person? Be your own persona? Not change who you are because society urges you to wear a regretful mask to hide the true beauty that is YOU. Perfection is unattainable, but it’s ones imperfections that make them perfect. Like the Fugees said in their song, “Put the mask upon the face just to make the next day”.

By:

an i Tr a o Th

It was January 6th 2013, three years since the last time I had been back to Vietnam. I was visiting this time for my brother’s wedding. After 18 hours on an airplane, I was welcomed by really hot weather. I took my jacket off as quickly as I could and boarded the bus that would take me to our hotel. On the ride to the hotel, I could see how different the country looked after three years. By the time we arrived to the hotel I was pretty tired. All I wanted to do was rest. My Dad kept yelling at me to gather all of my things and my sister’s friends crowded around us at the hotel. They were so happy to see her after such a long time. There were a lot of screams from excitement and there were a few friends I didn’t recognize, so not paying much attention I walked past the commotion to go upstairs for a shower and to unpack. My sister jumped in the shower after I was done and left me with her friends who were waiting for her. That’s when I saw her, in her white t-shirt, blue shorts, and glasses. She was one of my sister’s friends I hadn’t recognized, but when I saw her, I thought to myself how beautiful she was, I’d never seen anyone like her. She had the most beautiful eyes and lips, I thought lightening was running through my body. [IIOW LEH ÀS[R F] WS JEWX - SRP] had one week left in Vietnam. During that last week, my sister told me that her friend liked me. I was totally shocked, happy, and confused at the same time. I didn’t think it was possible for her to like me. With only 1 week left for us to spend time together, we hung out everyday and had fun together. Finally, it was time to say goodbye.The ¿VWX HE] - KSX FEGO XS XLI 9 7 - [EW WEH - missed her voice and her jokes.

The Love Accross The Sea It was hard for me to get back to school. We skyped every night, but whenever I saw her, I cried. Everything I do, I try to always share with her. She’s a special girl to me. She doesn’t like rules, tradition, or anything that stops her from experiencing the world. I love her because of her forgiveness, for not being jealous, and for letting me be myself. I know it’s tough for me and her to stay together because we’re 10,000 miles apart. She’s going to college and I’m going XS FI E WSTLSQSVI FYX MX·W ¿RI XS QI - believe in our relationship, that we can make it through. Before I left her, I told her that it doesn’t matter where she is, who she’s with, TSSV SV VMGL M·PP GSQI FEGO ERH ¿RH LIV because she’s my girl. Finding someone to love is easy, but ¿RHMRK XLI VMKLX TIVWSR MW RSX IEW] 0SRK distance relationships can be challenging, especially when you have school and JEQMP] ERH ]SY·VI WXMPP ¿KYVMRK SYX ]SYV identity, but if it’s for the right person, all the work is worth it. For those people in long distance relationships I hope my story gives you the hope to continue working on your relationship, don’t give up if you have problems. Long distance relationships are a great teaching tool on love, humanity, and resilience.

oetry

ful ower

the p mple i s e th

: idden

Poetry is a very powerful and ancient art form, it predates literacy and the earliest forms were sang or orally recited. It can be found all over the world and it’s written in many different styles such as ballad or epic, but the most common now is free verse. It allows a person to express themselves using a creative twist on mundane-everyday words, resulting in a profound meaning that can inspire and motivate. One person who mastered this was a famous American poet, Langston Hughes, an activist who fought against black segregation used poetry to portray the lives of African Americans from around the 1920’s till his death in 1967. This man, Langston Hughes, is an inspiration when I write because he wrote for what he thought was right and I use that ideal as my standard. My first real exposure to poetry was in my creative writing class in 2012. We were instructed to write a poem about life, and so I did. When I was finished, I felt this feeling inside of me, like something had been released, and I realized it felt good to let out what I was feeling inside via pen and paper. I realized that this was a perfect way to let out the pent-up emotions that had been inside of me for so long, so from then on, writing poetry has been my passion. I write poetry when I’m either feeling something strong or just feel inspired from something I encounter. When I write poetry, I feel confident and whatever I was stressing out about before just dissolves. I’m extremely happy that I found writing because it has helped me when I’m feeling angry, frustrated or sad and transform it into a symphony of words. You could say it’s my motivator because it is one of the few things

that makes me feel good about myself and also gives me the energy to not give up. I also feel like I’ve learned a lot and done a lot with it in just a year. I went to a writing summer camp in 2012 and it was a little awkward because I didn’t know anybody, but that soon changed and I was friends with everyone there. I loved my time there because I learned a lot about not just poetry and writing in general, but also about life. We wrote about so many subjects and my favorite one was when we had to go outside and observe what we saw around us. The one lesson I’ll never forget was when our writing teacher told us to always be true to ourselves, because if we don’t it’ll be as if someone else wrote for us. I’ll never forget my time and I know I came out a better person. Simply put, poetry is my lifeblood, I can’t live without it. Knowing that I have the potential to help others just by using my poetry makes me happy and fills me with the determination to do it. Overall, I’m very thankful I found poetry, for without it, I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have these past years when I discovered it.

Soccer Is My Life Designed By: Barasa Kamateh

Wonder Woman “My mom taught me right from wrong and I’m glad that she raised me that way” In 2011 the statistics for a single mother in the

state of California were 34% and the number of mothers in a family were 3,041,000. In my opinion, it’s important to recognize single mothers because they provide for their family and they are an inspiration to their children. The work that single mothers do to take care of their kids and provide for them is great. When they provide for you they support you, meaning that they support the things that you want to accomplish.

y mother is a single parent, she takes care of three kids, my brother, my sister and I. My mom has been a single parent since I was 2 years old, I am now 14 years old. Regardless of the hard work she has to do everyday my mom wakes up with a smile on her face and that is a blessing. She is amazing and she always keeps her head held up high. Not everyday is a good day for her but most of the time she has good days. My brother, my sister, and I live with her, so she has had to provide a roof over our heads, food, water, and clothes. Anything we ask for she tries her best to make a way. My mom can be both a father and a mother in this family because she takes good care of us and we know what’s right from wrong. There is a special time that I can remember when my mom did something for me when I was younger. I use to love Dora the Explorer and I use to watch her show’s all the time, so on my 4th birthday I felt very special because my mom threw me the best birthday party. Most single mothers can’t do that

much for their children, but all I know is that my mom went out of her to make it perfect. I was so excited that day and I loved my mom with all my heart for making that day very special.

have interviewed 3 different people and I have asked them what they appreciate about their mom’s. The first person I interviewed was a boy name Gavonni, he said, “I appreciate my mom by surprising her with cake, food, flowers, and money”. He said, “I also do the chores around the house and help her with her needs”. The second person I interviewed was a girl named Rebeca, she said, “I help my mom by changing her mood, from mad to happy”. She also said, “I’m the only person she can actually lean on and depend on and I am there for her”. The last person I interviewed was a boy named Cameron and he said, “I buy her flowers and chocolate, because she’s supportive”.

I appreciate my mom for being a single parent

and I show it by helping her do chores even when she tells me not to. I also lend a helping hand by cooking for the family and taking care of my sister and my baby brother. Also, my mom taught me right from wrong and I’m glad that she raised me that way. There are times that I give her money when needed for gas to take me places. I appreciate my mom and I would do anything for her even if she were to ask me not too. My mom is very supportive and that’s why I admire her.

-Ahjeleyah Grisby

Skate All I love to do is skate. I’m not so good at it though. I can’t do many tricks, but I like the feeling of being by myself, just me and the skateboard. Lately, I haven’t had a lot of skate time because of school and other things. But it’s summer now, and I’ve been trying to get back into the game. I’ve been skating since I was 10. I still can’t pull very many tricks. Some areas of improvement I need to work on include foot placing, which is what you need to learn kickflips and all tricks. I try to but I just mess up and trip. I’m practicing, I’ll get there. Skaters have to be dedicated. The gear a skater uses is factor in skating. Walmart just isn’t gonna cut it. You need to go slightly more professional. Usually, a decent board will go $99 to well... the sky’s the limit. It depends what brands you use. Good brands include Bones, Plan B, Reds, Element, Diamond Hardware, Spitfire, and so many more. There’s a lot of them, but these are the ones that I personally recommend. Skating is a worldwide sport. From all over the U.S to China, even in Afghanistan, there are pro skaters scattered all over the world. The first skate exhibition was held in 1963 by a few local surf companies trying a new idea by poular demand, and that’s how skating was born. A complete accident. A few surfers making boards with planks and scooter wheels. Skating is also pretty risky. I fell really hard on my face at a skate park. I was lucky. I only sprained my wrist and a few cuts and bruises. One time my friend fell over a small hill and broke his leg. 5 months in a cast and crutches, with two surgeries and he’s gonna have bolts in his leg for life. He said he’s never going to skate again. It took him a really long time to get back on that board. Skateboarding is really a passion, I guess. You have to be ready to fall on your face and get back up. It’s hard work, and you really have to be dedicated. You fall and get back up. Anyone who tries can do it. So can you. Never giving up? That’s what the skate game is all about. By: Nathan Tadesse

Hip Hop Culture: A Way of Life By Tarik Brooks Like hip hop artist Dead Prez says, ‘it’s bigger than hip hop’, it’s a way of life, it’s an art, it’s a culture. Hip hop was born in the streets of New York City as an expression of humanity and life in the streets. Quickly it became larger than life and every young black person living in NYC was totally immersed in its magic. It spread to other urban areas and became a culture. The Hip Hop culture consists of 4 elements: Graffiti, Breakdancing, MCing, and DJing. Graffiti is the visual part of hip, breakdancing is the movement of hip hop, MCing is the storyteller of hip hop, and DJing is the heartbeat. Hip Hop might as well be human. I feel really drawn to hip hop because it feels like the music of the people. The lyrics are often stories of the struggles of life. When I listen to hip hop music I

feel relaxed, I don’t think about anything, I just listen and dance.

Not only does hip hop have a great beat, but I love listening to the message behind the songs. I think hip hop sometimes gets a bad rap for being negative and violent. It’s true that some of it is negative, especially mainstream rap on the radio these days, but there is a lot of it that is positive. My dad plays the song, ‘Why Is That’ by KRS ONE around the house, and one of my favorite lines in the songs is, “It’s like teachin’ a dog to be a cat, You don’t teach white kids to

be black, Why is that? Is it because we’re the minority? Well, black kids follow me, Genesis chapter eleven verse ten, Explains the genealogy of Shem Chem, was a black man in Africa If you repeat this fact they can’t laugh at ya”. I would say that in some ways hip hop is teaching me to be a conscious young black man, I just listen for the right messages. One day, I hope to be able to breakdance, I think it’s really exciting the way you make your body move. Whenever I see graffiti I have to stop and look because it’s just so cool. I love how all the hip hop elements come together to make a whole, complete art.

I want to encourage people to see the complexities of the hip hop culture and the time and effort it takes to produce such amazing works of art. I appreciate the role of hip hop in my life, and I hope that the rest of the world can appreciate what it has to offer.

The M ental State of Fee

ling

Great

rack is a sport of running. Track

originated from Athens and came to North America in 1876 at the New York Athletic Club. Meets are held all across the world. You can run however many events your body can take and there are several events. There is the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter run, 800 meter run, 1500 meter run and even a 3000 meter run. =SY GER VEGI [EPO ERH HS ÁIPH IZIRXW 8LI X[S events that I specialize in are 200 meter dash and the 400 meter run. The 200 meter dash is a quick 29 second run. It is half a lap and real competitive race. Everyone is really trying to make it to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. You need to be able to start off with TS[IV ERH Â] SYX SJ XLI WXEVXMRK FPSGOW FYX make sure you have enough energy for the last 100 meter. What I do is push and sprint for 50 meters, rest (slow down) for 50 meters and sprint the last 100 meter with full speed. The other event I run is the 400 meter run. Most people really do not like this event but I love it. It is not too long and it’s not too short. It is one lap around the track. Sometimes it feels like the longest 1 minute or so in your life. You get so tired so quickly and I think that’s why people don’t like it, but that’s why I like it. When you JIIP PMOI ]SY JIIP PMOI KMZMRK YT ]SY ÁRH XLMW fuel that’s just enough to keep you going and sprinting to the end. It feels so good to have such an explosion of energy at the end, it feels so amazing. I started to run track in the fourth grade. I thought it would be something I would like, and it was something new and different to me.

As soon as I started I instantly fell in love. Track was my drug and I could never get enough of it. I needed it in my life. Running releases my pain. When I need to clear my head or make a decision I grab my sneakers and go. I remember XLI ÁVWX XMQI - [SR E VEGI - was ecstatic and I felt like it was so surreal. I didn’t feel slow anymore and I was really proud of myself. I also remember the ÁVWX XMQI - PSWX - [EW humiliated and felt like I wasn’t KSSH EX XVEGO FYX - ORI[ XLEX if I quit then I would never get better. I usually leave everything out on the track. What I mean MW MJ WSQISRI LEW LYVX QI QEHI QI QEH SV QEHI QI WEH - PIEZI all of those feelings or negative energies on the track. Running is my passion and I enjoy every time I am able to run. When nothing is KSMRK VMKLX MR Q] PMJI VYRRMRK MW my gateway to leave all of those [SVVMIW FILMRH =SY WLSYPH ÁRH something that makes you feel LETT] EPP XLI XMQI WSQIXLMRK that helps you to get away and it is always there to make you happy. Having a passion is very important. There are no limits to having a passion. It can be QYWMG EVXW VIEHMRK QEXL WGMIRGI SV WTSVXW ;LIR ]SY ÁRH XLEX XLMRK ]SY GER¸X PMZI without and it truly makes you LETT] WXMGO [MXL MX HSR¸X PIX anyone try to take it away from you. At the end of the day you should always feel happy.

By: Nya Sandeford

WHAT I EXPECTED IN AMERICA By: Tenzin Nyodrup

My name is Tenzin Nyodrup. People call me Tenzin. I am from Tibet, but I lived in India for a few years. In India, everybody says that America is the future. They say that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to work, cook, drive or do pretty much anything because machines and robots do all of those things. So, when I knew I was coming to America I expected it to be heaven, a place filled with people and tall buildings. I expected to see robots in America and cars without drivers. Deep down inside I even expected to see flying cars. When I came here I found out that almost everything that people had told me about America was fake. People have to work hard. They have to cook for themselves, drive their own cars, and work long hours during the days. If I go back to India I will tell my friends that in America there are a lot of different people from different countries and cultures living together. They would probably be very surprised by this because they told me that everyone in America has yellow hair and speaks English. I lived in India for 5 years at a boarding school and I have lived in America since the end of 2010. Life is very different in these two places. A typical weekend for me in America would look like this; I wake up at 10am, eat my breakfast, get money from my Dad and hang out in downtown Berkeley. Sometimes, I watch movies, hang out with my friends, and go swimming. In India, we have school everyday except Sundays so my weekends were only one day. I would have to wake up at 7am on Sundays to eat breakfast and afterwards we would have prayers.

After praying we would wash our uniforms by hand, study, and then the big kids would cook lunch. After lunch we could do anything we liked or go anywhere as long as we were back by 5pm. We would eat dinner, watch tv, and then go to sleep. The main reason that I came to live in America was to live with my Dad. In 2010 it had been 11 years since I had seen him. When I was 2 months old my Mom told my Dad to go to America. We were poor in Tibet and she said that he could make more money in America to give me a better life. When I first arrived, I thought America was kind of cool and I had so many questions like, would there be another Tibetan kid in my school? Would the other kids be nice? What would it be like living in America? The first thing I noticed on the ride home from the airport was how smooth the freeways were and the quietness of the car ride. In India the streets are really rough and there are a lot of people on the roads. Now that I have lived in America for three years I have experienced some great times. There might not be flying cars or robots that do your jobs, but there is a really good transportation system that could take you to places like flying cars. America is really clean and you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get sick a lot. For the meantime, I enjoy living in America but I see myself moving somewhere else in the future.

INSIDE MY FAMILY By: Nathaniel Hunt My

twin brother and I were born June 29th, 1999 at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California. Besides him I have 3 other siblings, an older brother and sister and a younger sister. Even though my brother and I were born in Berkeley, we’ve lived in Oakland our whole lives. It’s not that bad, I haven’t seen anyone get shot or beat up or anything. I know that’s what the city of Oakland is known for, but I’ve never witnessed anything like that. My siblings Xavier, Taylor, Antwan, and Alex, we don’t get along all of the time but when we do it’s the most amazing thing in the world.

older brother Xavier is a pretty complicated person. He’s one of those people who gets angered easily, I think it’s because he was an only child for 8 years. When my mom had me and my other siblings, Xavier had to share attention, his stuff, as well as my mom. As he got older things seemed easier because he could understand he had to share with all of us. When Xavier was in his early 20’s he started showing a lot of jealousy towards me and my siblings again, but this time it wasn’t on purpose, it was his Schizophrenia. My older brother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia about 5 years ago. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard for you to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s unreal. Also it makes it harder for you to think clearly, and makes you have very emotional

responses to things. It’s been weird for me because I really want that close relationship with my brother to the point where we can talk about anything together, but with his anger I feel like I can’t rely on him for anything.

Taylor

is a very creative artist. Me and my sister’s relationship is confusing. One minute we can be arguing like there’s no tomorrow, the next minute we’re happy together, enjoying each other’s company. Her dream is when she’s finished with college she wants to move to New York and sell her art out there. Taylor is a pretty well thought out person, she just has to learn how to put her thoughts and ideas out more. My twin brother Antwan and I are two different people. We argue over the smallest things. It could be over the type of music we like or which food we think is better, just over the dumbest things. Things that you shouldn’t even waste your breath on. I would like to be able to talk to my brother about certain things but most of the time he seems like he doesn’t want to be bothered with me, so I just leave him be. Sometimes it gets lonely because I feel like he’s a person I could talk to and just hang out with and I want that to change. My younger sister

Alexandria

is probably one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. She’s a really progressive person, she loves to get out and try new things. She does whatever she can to make someone’s life better.

Last

but not least my parents. My mother and father have known each other their whole lives.

They weren’t high school sweethearts or anything they have just known each other a long time. But as soon as they had my brother and I they started to grow apart. Personally I think my father is one of the worst people in the world. Don’t get me wrong he’s my dad, it’s just he’s not the person I would expect him to be. The only reason why I think he’s a terrible person is because he has never been in my life and has never made an effort to be in my life. Then there’s my amazing mother. I love my mother to death, her being a single parent raising 5 kids, I think that’s an absolute amazing thing to do. She’s a caring, smart, helpful, responsible, beautiful human being. She is a superwoman. I would do anything and everything to make her happy. She tries to be there for me whether it’s helping with a problem or teaching me the basics of life, something my father could never be able to do. I couldn’t ask for anyone better. I love my family with all my heart and I would willingly die for them. They’re part of me, I wouldn’t be able to imagine what my life would be like if they weren’t in it.

Life is a Rollercoaster

-Rebeca Torres People who take their life don’t think about the people that love them. They are usually caught up in all of their problems and don’t think about the consequences or their actions. They think that the only way out of their problems is by ending their lives. When you are stuck in problems the easiest thing that pops into the mind is suicide. Life is like a roller coaster, it goes up and down. When you go up, life is happiness and joy. When you are down, it is pain and sadness. Life is hard to live, sometimes you have to face problems, but there is always a solution. When I was in the 7th grade I overdosed on pills and the doctors told my parents that I wouldn’t survive and that there was two possibilities: that I was going to die or stay crazy. The reason I wanted to end my life was because I had problems at school and at home. I regret everythingI did because there was a lot of help out there but I was stuck in my problems, my problems took control of me. My family was affected a lot because of my choices. Something I will never forget is after my overdose when I saw my Dad crying. I had never seen him cry because he acts strong and never shows his emotions. People that love you can be affected by your choices and some family members can be hurt a lot because they didn’t or weren’t able to help you. When you commit suicide there a lot of people that suffer. If you are caught up in your problems, people’s advice doesn’t seem helpful because you think all your problems are never going to end.That may seem true in those moments but you have to think about the problems and pain

that will remain with your loved ones. Having experienced this myself I feel like I can reach out to kids my age that are struggling with depression. This is what I suggest: Face the fact that there are going to be problems everywhere you go. Problems always have solutions, never think that you are never going to get out of those problems, there are only for a short period of time. Life is a gift, live life everyday with happiness and joy because life is only lived once. Live every moment as if its the last in life, every minute should be a memory to you. In life there are cruel people that make life complicated because they want to see you suffer, but don’t let them bring you down, show them how strong you are. Always smile to the world even if it’s so hard and painful. If you need help there is a lot of help in this world, don’t be afraid to speak up. If you don’t share your problems with someone, they will increase because you are not able to release your feelings and emotions. When you do talk to someone, life feels better. You have someone that gives you advice and opinions on what to do and your problems will start decreasing. There is always someone out there that you can talk to such as a friend, teacher, a parent, or someone else. My experience haunts me. I regret everything I did, but I survived and every moment that I live now is gorgeous. There is a lot of help out there, don’t let your prolems drown you.There is always a solution.

The Experience By Richard Yracheta

What’s this?

Seems like a I’m Lost

I think i might just take a shortcut... wow! Look at that forest!

Short cut

UGH! I should’ve of stayed with the group.

This looks reasonable.

! Who is there?!

Awww. He’s adorable!

It’s Just a bunny.

Yep. Should’ve stayed with the group.

What did I do to deserve this?

Oh NO!

Well This is it....

Oh GOSH! It was only a dream.

Fin

What is Grief? By Michael Wang Dedicated to James Izumizaki,

At the beginning of my 8th grade year, a very dear and beloved teacher, named James Izumizaki or Mr. I, of mine died. My life had completely changed and I had sunk into a small depression. I started this poem a FRXSOH RI GD\V DIWHU KH GLHG EXW ZDV XQDEOH WR Ă&#x20AC;QLVK LW This poem symbolizes both sides of grief, which in my opinion is one of the most complicated emotions ever. After his death, my life changed dramatically. He was WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW ORYHG RQH RI PLQH WKDW GLHG What is Grief? Grief is a terrible feeling, It attacks your memories, It destroys your happiness, It obliterates your soul, What is Grief? Grief isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the light at the end of the tunnel. It is the soul-crushing darkness at the beginning, It makes you doubt life, It makes you doubt love, It makes you doubt God, What is Grief? Grief is the combination of all bad emotions, It is horror, It is depression, It is anger, It is fear,

What is Grief? Grief is the combination of all good emotions, It is happiness at someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s release from pain, It is the longing and desire to be there with them, It is joy, It is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of recycling, What is Grief? Grief is death, Grief is life, Grief affects anything and everything, What is Grief? Grief isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a terrible emotion, Grief isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meant to hurt, Grief will make you yell, Grief will make you cry, But at its core, what is Grief? The darkest, saddest, and most amazing part of Love. I wrote this poem as part of a grieving process. In the beginning, grief makes you doubt yourself. As time goes on, grief becomes less pronounced. Eventually, time will heal the wound, then everyone realizes the beautiful aspect of grief. The reason people feel guilty or depressed or angry or cheated, is that you love this person so much, you cannot bare the idea of being apart from that person. So, grief, in all of its soul-crushing wonder, is purely

love.

The mentoring experience What Â does Â it Â mean Â to Â be Â a Â mentor? Â A Â Â mentor Â is Â someone Â that Â takes Â time Â to Â help Â and Â Â support Â others. Â The Â Youth Â Institute Â Alumni Â are Â Â mentors Â obligated Â to Â help Â their Â peers. Â Sounds Â fun Â and Â easy, Â right? Â Well Â yes, Â but, Â itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Â hard Â work Â too Â because Â they Â are Â faced Â with Â many Â obstacles Â that Â can Â break Â or Â create Â a Â person! Â The Â idea Â of Â being Â a Â mentor Â is Â simple, Â but Â the Â experience Â of Â being Â a Â mentor Â is Â complex. Â Becoming Â a Â mentor Â isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â Â GLIÂżFXOW LWÂśV MXVW D MRE WKDW UHTXLUHV PRUH KHDUW WKDQ professionalism. Deciding Â to Â join Â the Â Alumni Â program Â was Â an Â easy Â choice Â for Â this Â yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Â alumni Â class. Â As Â Â individuals Â we Â knew Â that Â being Â a Â mentor Â would Â make Â us Â address Â personal Â growth Â goals Â such Â as Â EXLOGLQJ FRQÂżGHQFH ZRUNLQJ RQ EHLQJ D WHDP Â member, Â breaking Â out Â of Â a Â shell, Â or Â just Â learning Â to Â have Â fun. Â As Â a Â team Â we Â knew Â that Â being Â an Â Alumni Â not Â only Â meant Â being Â mentors, Â but Â also Â passing Â on Â the Â magic Â of Â the Â Youth Â Institute Â â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Â we Â had Â to Â make Â sure Â the Â new Â class Â had Â an Â equally Â memorable Â Â experience. As Â alumni Â we Â have Â to Â help Â and Â support Â the Â new Â class. Â We Â try Â to Â bond Â and Â be Â there Â for Â the Â new Â

class Â just Â like Â mentors. Â Â Through Â being Â there Â for Â them, Â we Â have Â gained Â experience Â on Â how Â to Â help Â RWKHUV DQG KRZ WR EHFRPH UROH PRGHOV $W ÂżUVW the Â new Â class Â didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â want Â help Â from Â us. Â They Â would Â only Â ask Â for Â staff Â members, Â or Â tell Â us Â they Â didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Â need Â help. Â We Â kept Â at Â it Â though Â and Â eventually Â they Â would Â let Â us Â in Â and Â respect Â our Â suggestions. Â Â Â The Â new Â class Â is Â a Â strong Â group Â of Â Â individuals Â that Â come Â together Â to Â complete Â pretty Â great Â projects. Â As Â Alumni Â we Â get Â to Â sit Â on Â the Â Â sidelines Â and Â watch Â the Â growth Â of Â the Â youth Â in Â the Â new Â class Â and Â itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Â very Â clear Â they Â are Â hardworking, Â creative, Â and Â dynamic. Â As Â the Â 2013 Â summer Â Â program Â comes Â to Â an Â end, Â we Â are Â excited Â to Â Â welcome Â the Â new Â class Â to Â the Â larger Â Youth Â Institute Â family. Â We Â as Â Alumni Â exit Â the Â program Â with Â a Â better Â sense Â of Â responsibility, Â professionalism, Â and Â Â personal Â growth Â knowing Â we Â helped Â create Â a Â fun Â experience Â for Â the Â new Â class. Â We Â hope Â that Â the Â new Â class Â graduates Â the Â program Â proud Â of Â their Â work Â on Â their Â movies, Â magazines, Â as Â well Â as Â their Â personal Â progress Â made Â during Â this Â program. Â

By: Â Youth Â Institute Â Alumni Â Class Â of Â 2013

Class Logo and Quote

Youth Institute Class of 2013

On behalf of the staff and students of the YMCA Berkeley Youth Institute, we would like to thank all the individuals and organizations who have contributed to making this program a success. Without their support this program would not be possible. Thank you to our donors: Alameda County Center for Healthy Schools and Communities Bank of the West The Berkeley Alliance California Emerging Technologies Fund YMCA of Greater Long Beach Thank you to the Board of Directors for the YMCA of the Central Bay Area: Jim Collier Eric Eisenberg Mary Friedman Marjorie Cox Erin Freschi Jack Gardner Angie Garling Tim Hassler Ken Kuchman Jules Mayer Pam Owens

Perry Patel Tom Ratcliff Chaid Richards Susan Shields Darrell Sooy Nancy Spaeth Ryan Svoboda Andy Williams Caryl oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe Jessica Devine Michael Harris

To the many people and organizations that referred youth and supported the recruitment effort, we thank you.

youth in•sti•tute: \yüth\ • \in(t)-ste-tüt-tyüt\ noun The Berkeley Youth Institute is a youth development, digital media arts, project centered program. Using service-learning, storytelling, job readiness, and community based strategies YI aims to foster a safe, healing, and transformative journey for young people; guiding them through a RITE OF PASSAGE into adulthood. Through a technology lens the YI encourages youth to cultivate imagination and curiousity, act in cooperation, and harness a passion for learning. Equipping them with the tools of resilliance, reflection, relationship, and a tangible understanding of CITIZENSHIP; youth conclude their time with the Youth Institute leaving behind a legacy and moving into OPPORTUNITY.