Youth/Juventud

from April/abril, Volume 17, Issue 4 of Latino Lubbock Magazine

Selena Day - April 16th

Youth Opportunities

EASTER EGG HUNT Bring your Easter basket and enjoy games, face painting, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. In addition, there will be egg hunting split into different age groups. Festivities kick off at 10:00 AM at Safety City located at 4500 Avenue U, on April 1, 2023, 10 am – noon.

TISSUE PAPER CHERRY BLOS-

SOM TREE Join us as we use tissue paper to make a cherry blossom tree! This is a family program., At 5034 Frankford Ave, on 4/11/2023, from 4 to 5 p.m.

TEEN LINK Teens will talk about different important topics with activities connected to the day’s topic. Snacks will be provided. Please register by calling 806-775-3362 or sign up in person at the Godeke Branch Library, 5034 Frankford Ave. Ages 13-18. On 4/11/2023, from 6 to 7 p.m.

POETRY JAM Join us as we write poetry following some basic poetry formats! To be held at Patterson Branch Library, 1836 Parkway Dr. on 4/18/2023, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Stop by Hodges Community Center, 4011 University Ave on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Family Game Night from 4pm-7:30pm! Games will be provided but you can also bring your own. Children must be accompanied by an adult for this program. This month will be on 4/19/2023 April 19: Outdoor Games.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Help us celebrate Earth Day with Texas A&M Agrilife Exension. Ages 0-7 At Mahon Library, 1306 9th St, on 4/20/2023, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

UPCYCLED T-SHIRT BAG Celebrate Earth Day and create a unique reusable bag by upcycling old t-shirts. Bring one of your old t-shirts or use one that we will provide. Ages 12-17. At Mahon Library 1306 9th, on 4/21/2023, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

LUBBOCK YOUTH LEADERSHIP

LYLA invites students ages 8-17 to participate in June 2023 summer camps! Please text the word INFO to 806-535-5437 for more information if interested!

FREE ONLINE MOVIES FOR KIDS

Did you know you can watch movies online through the library?!? We've got movies for all ages available through the OverDrive App (not Libby) or on the website lubbock.overdrive.com!

OPEN FITNESS Avoid the unpredictable weather of high winds and too hot temperatures. Use our fitness equipment to get fit! Treadmill, bikes and more! Ages 13+ (13-16 yrs. needs guardian) 3 p.m., M-F at the Trejo Center. Free.

As teens, we know the decisions our country makes will positively or negatively affect our future. Fortunately, we’ve learned that if we do not agree with certain ideas, we can challenge them. We have used social media as our main weapon because we know how to manage it better than anyone else. Our generation, Generation Z, uses social media to combat issues we do not agree with by spreading awareness, petitions, and opportunities to volunteer or protest. Not only have we used social media, but we have gone out and physically volunteered in many events in the communities. For me, I enjoy learning about issues in our country through social media and volunteering in Lubbock with different organizations. As a student,

I realized that I could make a change in many ways. I also learned that my voice matters. I encourage you to volunteer and voice your opinions on social media platforms if you feel passionate about certain topics in our country. Believe that we, as teens, can make a difference now, we don't have to wait until we are adults.

Blaise Martinez - is a 10th grader at Lub- bock High School. She aspires to attend Stan- ford University, major in computer science, and pursue a career in computer science and app development.

Isometimes don’t think I understand how incredible an opportunity it is to be surrounded by many expert thinkers at Johns Hopkins, but I can get lost and allow myself to be overwhelmed with the novelty of my situation—long walks to the bus stop, heavy traffic in narrow streets, no drive-thru coffee shops. Instead of embracing this change as something positive and hopeful, I have a lot of days that make me feel like “I’m stuck in the mud.”

Recently, I heard the speaker, Simon Sinek, give an incredible description of mental fitness. With physical fitness, I may be hydrated, eating right, exercising, but for whatever reason my body is just not working that day. I understand that my body may feel sore or tired some days than others and I move on, but I somehow don’t treat mental fitness in the same way. He surprised me when he said, “you are 100% mentally fit if you have sadness, joy, doubt, uncertainty, and insecurity.” These emotions that may make me feel like I’m failing, are shaping me to be a stronger person. Although I feel lonely, I’m sitting in it, not worried about it, and allowing it to pass through me as if I’m having just another off day at the gym. I’m grateful for what I’m going through. How else would I be able to fully appreciate the happy days? I can now move forward with great optimism because I recognize that “this too shall pass.”

Bailee Alonzo - is a recent graduate from Texas Tech, who majored in Biology/Pre- Med. She aspires to become a dermatolo- gist.

STATE

FLORES HEADED TO NATIONAL SPELLING BEE Ava Flores, a Lubbock ISD student is headed to Washington D.C. after winning the regional spelling bee in Lubbock! She is a 5th grader at Rush Elementary School. She competed against nearly 10 kids in the spelling bee representing their school district. By winning regionals, Flores secured a spot at the national spelling bee. She is the first Hispanic student from LISD to achieve this level! Congratulations from Latino Lubbock Magazine!

FUTURE LONGHORN: Congrats to Coronado High School's Keely Gutierrez for earning a full ride to the University of Texas! Keely was awarded the Impact Scholar- ship - a $48,000 scholarship to cover the cost of her tuition over the course of four years. Her family demonstrated support for their future Longhorn! Congratulations from Latino Lubbock Magazine!