Juarez-Lincoln HS ACE Speechless, Dreams Issue #2

2009-2010 Semester II Issue # 2

Cover Art by Juan Salinas

This issue contains writing and art from Juarez-Lincoln ACE Spring 2010 students, faculty, & special guests from J-L, L.J., and Palmview High Schools.

SPEECHLES’S INTRODUCTION Speechless is Jurarez-Lincoln ACE’s new literary & art magazine. This is an opportunity for JL ACE to showcase its artists. Art is subjective and means something different to every person. It is in a constant state of change, so you can never really pin down what it is other than thought provoking.

Speechless The Dreams Issue Issue # 2 Spring 2010 Speechless members at large:

Dreams: –noun 1. a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep. 2. an involuntary vision occurring to a person when awake.

3. a vision voluntarily indulged in while awake; daydream. 4. an aspiration; goal; aim: A trip to Europe is his dream. 5. a wild or vain fancy. 6. something of an unreal beauty, charm, or excellence. –verb (used without object)

Acevedo, Cynthia Cline, Bernard De Los Santos, Judith Flores, Blanca Noyola, Esmeralda

Speechless would like to thank Mr. M. Troncoso again for letting us express ourselves through this magazine, along with Ms. C. Acevedo, the entire English and Art Departments for continuing to introduce JL ACE artists to our community. Thank you for inspiring our students to dream no matter how scary those dreams may be.

Drawing by Javier Garza, JL Ace

Speechless NOTE: Speechless will be coming out every semester. No work or any part of this issue may be reproduced (quoted, copied, photographed, videotaped, or broadcast) without the written consent of the artist or writer.

All letters to the editor are welcome; however, please limit the length of each letter to one double-spaced page of which some may be published in our next issue with your consent. Include your name and e-mail address.

For more information on Speechless contact E. Noyola, rm # 5 at JLACE or e-mail.

E.noyola@ljisd.com

The views reflected within this issue do not represent the views of La Joya ISD or Juarez-Lincoln ACE; in fact, the views expressed by any speaker or character in any statement, poem, drawing, photo, painting, or short story do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone.

This is an artistic and abstract expression of the artists and writers.

This is art.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL 2009-2010 second semester has been very productive. Students have been working hard to obtain the credits they need. Many students have accomplished their goal by earning their required course credits needed to graduate this May. The faculty and staff at JL Ace are dedicated to helping you, the students, accomplish your dreams.

We would like to welcome our newest staff members, Abdias Gomez, Counselor and Thelma Banda, Principal Secretary.

Congratulations to all our graduates and have a safe summer. “Success is Yours.”

SPEECHLESS

Page 1

Mario Troncoso, JL Ace Principal

TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover Art by Juan Salinas, BLENS ~~~~~ Cover Drawing by Javier Garza ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 1

In the 956 by Carlos Flores ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 10

Emo by Gustavo Martinez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 11

Art by Miguel Coronado, JL HS ~~~~~~~~

Page 2

Como by Lorena Vela ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 11

Wonderdom by April Granados ~~~~~~~~

Page 3

It by Ruby Red ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 11

Fallen by Carlos Flores ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 3

Dream Room by Joe Guevara, JL HS ~~~~

Page 11

Olvido by Lorena Vela ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 4

Dream Room by Deyanira Villarreal, JL HS

Page 12

Forget by Criselda Vega ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 4

Swirl by Eddie Velazquez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 12

Swing by Alex Hernandez ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 4

Tracks by Criselda Vega ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 12

I’m OK by Criselda Vega ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 5

Page 13

Art by Blanca Ozuna, JL HS ~~~~~~~~~~

Page 5

Music & Lyrics by Criselda Vega ~~~~~~~

Page 5

Life Hurts by Miguel Flores ~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 13

Kristin Blood by Gustavo Martinez ~~~~~ If I Had One Wish by April Granados ~~~

Page 5

Adorned with Beauty

by Guadalupe Flores, JL HS

~~~~~~~

Page 6 Page 6

Dreams by Ruben, The Riddle ~~~~~~~

Strength by Javier Garza ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 6 Wink by Christopher Piedra ~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 7

17-year-old Sunday Night, Story by Christian Gonzalez and Written by E. Noyola ~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 7 Keep Up by Criselda Vega ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 7

Broken Dreams by Eddie Gonzalez ~~~~~

Page 8

Broken by Carlos Flores ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 8

For the Longest Time

by Brehtt Red~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dreams by Juan Salinas “BLENS” ~~~~~

Page 8

Ojos de un Poeta by Eddie Gonzalez ~~~~

Page 9

Sleep by Johnny Boy, SEVERE ~~~~~~~

Page 9

Sleeping Bear by BLENS ~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 10

Page 9

SPEECHLESS

Not even after death by Roberto Armendariz Page 13 Art by Cynthia Vega, JL HS ~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 14

Diablita by Christopher Piedra ~~~~~~~~~~

Page 14

Chica Facil by Lorena Vela ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 14 Box by Yara Valdez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 15 Vine by Joanna Hernandez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 15 The Animal Spirit Within Emerges

by Miguel Coronado, JL HS ~~ Page 16 The Mask by Blanca Ozuna, JL HS ~~~~~~~ Page 16 You Come From Me

by Maricruz Juarez, JL HS ~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 17 Are You My PC? by April Granados ~~~~~

Page 17

Art by Daida Gamon, JL HS ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 17 Blader Tree by Jose Olguin ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 18

Wanna by Ruby Red ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Page 18 Dreaming while flying by Carlos Flores ~~~ Page 18 Sleeping Fairy by Carlos Flores ~~~~~~~~~ Page 19

Page 2

Art by Miguel Coronado, JL HS

Wonderdom “Don’t, no, aahh!”

I scream but no one hears me.

I’ve lost my footing and I am spining around.

I am freaking out. Upside down, it’s all around but I don’t know how to stop.

I am in a small dark room and I start to panic.

I’m claustrophobic.

Then the walls suddenly are coming closer and closer. I close I close my eyes and all I hear is my heart sounding like the beating of drums.

A door opens, I go out, and I find myself in Wonderdom.

It is dark. I feel strange in this perfect world.

In my dreams we will be strange.

I am haunted by a shadow.

I reach out to feel its face but Wonderdom by April Granados, JL Ace there’s nothing there.

Inspired by Avril Lavigne and Tokio Hotel

SPEECHLESS

Page 3

Fallen by Carlos Flores, JL Ace

Swing by Alex Hernandez

Forget

Olvido Sepultado tus recuerdos‌ bebiendo tu olvido Y escupiendo tus besos.

By Lorena Vela, JL Ace

Lets forget the problems n the past n live for today n tomorrows satisfaction lets get lost in love u have my heart n all my loving everything is going to be ok You’re all I ever needed lets live today wit smiles n happiness n the love we have for each other

By Criselda Vega, JL Ace

SPEECHLESS

Page 4

I’m OK I like the way you’re there for me you never left me hanging.

You always wonder if I’m ok.

You’re not here in my face to tell me, but the way u talk n have fun with me shows it all.

You’re the blood in my veins.

The father no one wants but the father I’m glad to have.

By Criselda Vega, JL Ace

By Blanca Ozuna, JL HS If I Had One Wish

If I had one wish, I would wish to see my dad one last time.

You may ask why or for what? When I was a child I grew up without a dad. On March 13, 2008 a big tragedy happened. My paternal cousin gave us the big news. My dad had overdosed.

His brain had turned upside down and wasn’t functioning.

I always wished I had my dad with me. I think if my dad would have been with us everything would be better. Since he’s not here it’s like falling and never feeling the ground.

There’s a huge emptiness within me.

My only true wish would be for my dad to be with me one last time. If that wish would one day come true what I would love to do with him is go to the movie to watch Tarzan again. That was the last time I saw him.

by Gustavo Martinez JL Ace

By April Granados, JL Ace SPEECHLESS

Page 5

“Dreams dnt happen, dey get accomplished.”

by Guadalupe Flores, JL HS

By Ruben, The Riddle, JL Ace Strength

It takes great strength to accomplish what I have but every morning I wake and I ask myself, Is this all I want or are my expectations a reflection of my legacy?

Do I want more than these walls keeping me from my dream of greatness?

SPEECHLESS

Page 6

By Javier Garza, JL Ace

17-year-old Sunday Night “Are you o.k.?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch,” said Marco.

Marco pulled down the visor of the passenger side of my old pick-up truck to check his neck. All I could see was thick, crimson liquid oozing from the right side of his neck just under his chin.

His khaki Abercrombie t-shirt was soaked with blood.

“Carnal, that’s not just a scratch.”

I saw my brother lazily tug on his skin with his blood stained hands as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. I leaned over the steering wheel and pushed his shoulder back to turn him my way when I saw a gaping hole on his neck. It stretched from his collar bone and curved up toward the bottom of his right ear. The blood poured out like a running faucet. I looked at Marco with fear and shock.

“I’m taking you to the hospital.”

His eyes rolled back and his body fell limp on the seat. He looked like he passed out, but as he slid down the seat. He spoke.

“It’s ok, carnal. I’m not gonna make it. It’s ok if I don’t.” Marco whispered.

I drove down the expressway. Weaving through traffic, going 90 to 100 miles an hour, I rubbed his shoulder and reassured him everything would be fine.

“You’re gonna be alright. You’ll be fine. We’re almost there.”

At the hospital, I stayed with my brother all alone. I didn’t call anyone to let them know he was hurt. What would I say? Um… Mom, Marco picked a fight with some guy that flicked a cigarette at him that burned his cheek. Marco had him pinned on the floor until the guy pulled out a knife and stabbed him three times barely missing the carotid artery in his neck? No. My mom would freak.

Wink by Christopher Piedra , JL Ace

Keep Up Keep ya head up I know the struggle ur going thru I’ve been thru it n still living it. Keep ya head up n let the struggle help u find ur way into ur dreams.

By Criselda Vega, JL Ace

I didn’t have much time to contemplate my brothers’ mortality because after the nurses at the hospital stitched up his chest wound, gauzed up his neck, he got up and walked out of the hospital room.

They couldn’t stitch up his neck because the hole was too big. He made me take him home with a wrapped up neck drenched in his blood before the cops showed up asking questions.

I don’t remember much of the drive back home. Shock, I think.

He staggered out of my truck. Once my mother caught sight of him, she ran to him. I ran too. I drove away. I didn’t want to see my brother like that. Hurt? Almost dead? It’s beyond my imagination how the knife barely missed the carotid artery which could have killed him in a mere moment. No. I dove.

Laying on a cot my pastor lets me use when I need a safe place to sleep, I dreamed. I dreamed of my brother being healthy, safe, and strong enough to change. I dreamed of me being, feeling safe.

I dreamed of a life…a simple one. I want to work—Border Patrol agent maybe and just live.

You’ve seen me around lately? I’m not living, I’m surviving. I’m dreaming.

SPEECHLESS

Page 7

Story by Christian Gonzalez, JL Ace Written by E. Noyola, JL Ace

Escurren Las verdaderas lágrimas no son Las que caen de los ojos sino las que salen del Corazón Y escurren del alma

By Lorena Vela, JL Ace

By Eddie Gonzalez JL Ace

For the Longest Time I have loved her for a long time.

Since the beginning she never left my mind.

There’ve been many times I’ve hurt her, But she loved me enough to still claim me.

I dream of always providing for her as the need arises And being there for her as time goes by.

I try to tell her of my love and to stay calm.

When others ask about her I just call her mom

By Brehtt Red, JL Ace Broken by Carlos Flores , JL Ace SPEECHLESS

Page 8

Ojos de un Poeta Para los ojos de un Poeta Todo es bello Pero para mí no.

Solo tú eres bella.

Tus ojos son bellos Y tú boca también.

Pero lo que me gusta más de tí es Tu manera de ser

by Eddie Gonzalez, JL Ace

Sleep by Jonathan Ramirez, SEVERE Palmview

SPEECHLESS

Page 9

BLENS, JL Ace

In the 956 Born in the 956, I never thought it would be like this.

People hatin’ on me, telling me what to do.

I didn’t really care what they said.

Gang-banging people didn’t understand me and why I did those things.

School has always brought different things to my life.

Ups and downs, coming blown to school,

Sleeping Bear

the look on my face, hiding my eyes.

by BLENS, JL Ace

People didn’t know what I was watching behind them.

I was watching my surroundings and not doing anything bad, Because if I did…

Broken face School was just a place to be chilling, laid back, and relaxing.

I felt like I was living two lives one in school and one at home Out of school I had friends but my real friend was Jane.

As I got older things changed in my life I was selling nickels and dimes all throughout my hood to make money A mi me respetan todos y no me importa lo que diga la gente.

I didn’t realize that I didn’t have to be hustling’ to get respected.

My moms is real sick. I want her to be proud of me.

I have a girl now. A good girl. I want to take care of her.

I have a little nephew. I want him to look up to me not just look up at me.

By Carlos Flores, JL Ace

SPEECHLESS

Page 10

¿Como? ¿Cómo decir la verdad, cuando se vive dentro de una mentira?

By Lorena Vela, JL Ace IT I may be a lot of things but I’m not a liar.

I’ll lay back and listen to you serve it up to me, But I won’t eat it.

Tell me that I can’t do it and watch me crunk it.

I’ve never had an opportunity like this before And I’m taking it.

I’ve always had something to say. No one listened.

Now I’m graduating...so you sit back And soak in it.

Wallow in my success.

Swim in it until your fingers get all pruney.

Emo by Gustavo Martinez, JL Ace

SPEECHLESS

By Ruby Red, JL Ace

Page 11

Dream Room by Joe Guevara, JL HS

Tracks “Living up my life I’ve chosen bad tracks n now I’m on the right one can’t no one take me off my railroad”

By Criselda Vega, MAGIK, JL Ace Swirl by Eddie Velazquez, JL Ace

SPEECHLESS

Page 12

Dream Room by Deyanira Villarreal , JL HS

Life Hurts by Miguel Flores , JL Ace

Music & Lyrics If I am the music, u r my lyrics this beat is a melody I cant get rid of.

This is barely the beginning, I’m hoping it don’t end.

My life with u in it is a beautiful song, with new beats adding each time we’re near.

This rhyme keeps flowing and u aren’t ever gonna see the end.

The more we talk the melody goes soft n adds more lyrics to this music sheet.

By Criselda Vega, JL Ace

SPEECHLESS

Page 13

By Roberto Armendariz Submitted by Elizabeth Armendariz , JL Ace

“The devil is a very big angel, but a very little man.” ~ Gregory Maguire, Wicked

Art by Cynthia Vega, JL HS

Chica Facil Soy facil de enamorarme pero difícil de olvidar.

By Lorena Vela, JL Ace

Diablita by Christopher Piedra , JL Ace SPEECHLESS

Page 14

Box I was in a dark crowded room. I couldn’t concentrate on my thoughts with the loud, sad, and weeping sounds my family was making. My mind was blank. I couldn’t think of anything- I didn’t dare to. Then I glanced across the room. I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a crazy dream that I would soon wake up from.

I walked slowly towards it; towards the “box”. The box was pretty. It was light blue with beautiful red flowers on it, and two pictures of my cousin, Edgar, on the side of it. Edgar not only was my cousin but he was also my friend. He was always there for me through the good and bad, although I sometimes could be a pain in the behind to him.

By the time I was half way toward the box my eyes were blurry. I felt my cheeks wet, and I had a knot in my throat. I couldn’t speak.

I couldn’t weep.

Soon enough I was in front of him. I saw him lying down inside the box.

He was well dressed and so white. He looked like if he was sleeping a long sleep. I knelt down. I closed my eyes. Suddenly, I remembered Edgar and I spending time together, all the things we did. I couldn’t stop crying. The more I remembered, the more I cried. I just wished it was all a dream. I wished it was a nightmare. But no... It was all reality.

Why was it reality? Why couldn’t it just be a dream?

I felt a rush of anger racing through my veins.

Looking straight at Edgar, at the situation that he was in, I realized this was reality. For some reason, it had to happen no matter what. I knew nothing was going to bring him back, but I knew I wasn’t alone. I knew that he was still going to be with me. I had to learn how to let go of the times and the things we did together the hard way. I had to let go of him and it wasn’t easy.

Today I still remember him. It’s been four years and I still cry for him, but I know that each day that passes is a day closer for us to meet again.

By Yara Valdez, JL Ace SPEECHLESS

Page 15

Vine by Joanna Hernandez, JL Ace

The Animal Spirit Within Emerges by Miguel Coronado, JL HS

THE MASK The MASK is the dream that we all wish we had. The MASK is the one thing that smiles and gets you through the day. Beneath the MASK I am safe from those who can harm me. Everyone sees the MASK and they think they see me. No one knows who is under it. No one sees the real me. Then, I saw your MASK. It was the same as mine. It was just something to hide under. I was so afraid of the harm. Two broken souls I should have stayed away but then I failed. I don’t know how I feel about you. I feel your pain for not being understood. It’s around you like a soft hate almost undetected. Slowly something grew.

Something I wish the MASK could have protected me from. The Mask is the dream that we all wished we were a part of. I dream of being with you, but you’re too far to reach….too far over the rainbow.

By Blanca Ozuna, JL HS SPEECHLESS

Page 16

ARE YOU MY PC? “OMG!” I screamed! It was the first time that Andrew looked at me. Andrew is the guy of my dreams. He’s my Prince Charming. Piercing We started as Science partners once, then we started talking. What I like about him is that he’s a down to earth guy. He’s a gentleman. He has never disrespected anyone.

Andrew has a way to lift you off your feet that makes you feel like if you’re up in the sky. His voice is like millions of waves crashing among each other. When he stares at me with those green eyes it’s as if we were the only ones in the whole world.

As I describe Andrew, I notice that it is all a dream.

He isn’t real! Hopefully, I will have my Prince Charming exactly like my dreamy Andrew.

By April Granados, JL Ace

Art by Daida Gamon, JL HS

You Come From Me by Maricruz Juarez, JL HS SPEECHLESS

Page 17

Dreaming while flying by Carlos Flores, JL Ace

Blader Tree by Jose Olguin, JL Ace Wanna

I’m not going to school today. You have to go. No, I haven't’ been out that much. Aren’t you like in a miniprison? No. It’s an Academy. Academy of what? Advancement in high school credits. Keep telling yourself that. Aren’t you behind in the first place. That’s the point. I’m behind and now I need to advance in order to catch up. Advance, as in to move forward. Oh. I thought academies were like private or specialized in art, science, or literature. Yeah, they have those there. But it’s not special. Oh no. If we are anything, it’s special. So you don’t like it? Get out. What will I do? “Do you want fries with that?” I wanna go to college.

Then wanna go to class and finish your credits. Don’t sleep. How do you always do that to me? I thought you wanted to be an artist. I want a tattoo shop. You need college for that? I want to own one. How’s college gonna help? Hello? Business major. I’m scared though. Why? I’m not that smart at the school things. Why do you think that is? I don’t know. Teachers say I just need to focus. Clear my head, if you know what I mean. That’s a good idea. Yeah. So you wanna ride to school then? Yeah.

SPEECHLESS

Page 18

by Ruby Red, JL Ace

SPEECHLESS

Sleeping Fairy by Carlos Flores

SPEECHLESS Page 19