We Are Young

I look back at the kid in the picture and think, “How would this guy manage social media pressures, school safety and nearly two years of a global pandemic?” Honestly, I have no good words. Not that my generation didn’t face its own perils (anyone else brave the freeway in the back of a pickup or worry they’d end up on the back of a milk carton?), but somehow the stakes today feel greater. I read about it in the news. I see it in the eyes of my nieces and nephew. I hear about it regularly from friends who are parents. I mean, applying for college— something I did but barely broke a sweat over— gives me anxiety from afar.

Maybe that’s why I felt some relief when I learned more about our Faces of the Future in this issue. Yes, these are some very busy teens … school, sports, activities, businesses … I don’t know where they find time for sleep. But even with packed schedules, I observed nine kids who find space— space to unwind, space to play and space to discover joy. They travel and explore. They care and connect. They create and dream. It’s both refreshing and relieving to witness such accomplished kids who are able to just be kids. Maybe we all could use an excuse to let loose once in a while. In a grown-up world, sometimes you just need to be young.

Darren Elms

ADELAIDE BRANNAN | Adelaide is a student at Loyola Marymount University and will graduate in May. She is currently a freelance photographer in the South Bay area. When she’s not in Los Angeles, she’s in New York with her older sister.

KEVIN ELMS | Kevin is an actor, artist and writer from Southern California. He has been an avid comic book and art collector for nearly 35 years. Kevin is always on the hunt for new pieces to add to his ever-growing collection. His other interests include classic films, mid-century architecture and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball.

KAILANI MELVIN | Kailani is a junior at Notre Dame Academy. Working for Southbay has given her the ability to do what she loves best: tell people’s stories. When she’s not writing, you can find her performing on stage, petting her cat or thinking about how she should be writing.

April 2023

Toy Story

A local designer puts a colorful and playful spin on a family’s home. More on page 100.