LIT May 2017

LIT

P B S - H SA' S L I T E R A RY M AGA Z I N E

In Memoriam ISSUE NO. 3 M AY 3 0 , 2 0 1 7

CONTENTS 25 Summer To-Do List #5 ¶ C H E C K L I S T

1 #80 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ A Z U C E N A N O R I E G A 3 You Get Better ¶ P O E T R Y ¶ A R G E N E S L I R A 4 #1 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ K A Y L A E D WA R D S 5 #59 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ C H R I S T I A N L O P E Z 6 Summer To-Do List #1 ¶ C H E C K L I S T ¶

ANONYMOUS

26 Summer To-Do List #6 ¶ C H E C K L I S T ANONYMOUS

N AVA

ANONYMOUS

30 Summer To-Do List #8 ¶ C H E C K L I S T 31 The Love for a Mother ¶ E S S A Y 32 Galactic Mess ¶ P A I N T I N G ¶

10 Psychosis.03 ¶ N A R R A T I V E ¶ H E C T O R N AVA 15 #51 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ D AV I D C O H E T Z A LT I T L A 16 I Lost My Life ¶ P O E T R Y ¶ K A T E R I N VA R G A S 17 #65 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ M A D I S O N C A R R O L L 18 #4 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ K A Y L A E D WA R D S 19 Summer To-Do List #3 ¶ C H E C K L I S T ¶

34 Happiness ¶ P O E T R Y ¶ J A D A S A L A Z A R 35 [Insert Creative Title Here] ¶ E S S A Y H E C T O R N AVA

THALIA CAMARGO

39 Lost Ones: My Uncle ¶ P O E T R Y ¶ A N O N Y M O U S 40 Love Is An Action ¶ E S S A Y ¶ K A T E R I N VA R G A S 41 Untitled ¶ P O E T R Y ¶ J O C E L Y N T O R R E S 42 Accept the Change and Let It Grow You ¶

LAIA LA RUE ¶

PBS-HSA STUDENTS

Dear Reader,

¶

37 #18 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ A P R I L R E G A L A D O 38 Lost Ones: Carlos ¶ P O E T R Y ¶

ANONYMOUS

24 In Five Words: PBS-HSA Is... ¶ C O L L E C T I O N

¶ ANONYMOUS

Y V E T T E E S P E R I C U E TA

20 #71 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ A Z U C E N A N O R I E G A 21 Untitled ¶ C O M M E N T ¶ D A L I C I A C H E A T H A M 22 Summer To-Do List #4 ¶ C H E C K L I S T ¶

PBS-HSA STUDENTS

¶

ANONYMOUS

ANONYMOUS

23 Summer Wishlists ¶ M I S C E L L A N Y

¶

27 #41 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ L E S L Y C E R VA N T E S 28 Lost Ones: I ¶ P O E T R Y ¶ A N O N Y M O U S 29 Summer To-Do List #7 ¶ C H E C K L I S T ¶

M E L I S S A M A RT I N E Z

7 Childhood Memories ¶ E S S A Y ¶ E V E L Y N 8 #68 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y ¶ L E O N A R D O AV I L A 9 Summer To-Do List #2 ¶ C H E C K L I S T ¶

¶

¶

E S S A Y ¶ VA N E S S A A M A Y A

43 #72 ¶ P H O T O G R A P H Y

¶ LISSETT RAMIREZ

For our final edition of the 2016-2017 school year, we chose the theme “In Memoriam.” While commonly associated with a tribute to those who have passed away, In Memoriam simply means “in memory of.” As we finish another school year, we thought it made sense to spend some time thinking and writing about memories and the innumerable stories contained within them.

Memories are our images and ideas about the past. While rooted in the past, memories, in many ways, control our present and future. Memories, like stories, are messy mixtures of lies and truths: two people can have completely different memories of the same event, or a person can remember a moment one way soon after it happens and then remember that same moment in a different way after some time has passed. Memories are complex recipes of fact and fiction because they are about loss. The “of” in “in memory of” brings to mind something that is lost or someone who is no longer there. If the thing were present, there would be no need for a memory of it. Memories interact with the things and people we have lost and our varied life experiences to create a narrative of our life. The fascinating and frustrating reality is that we are constantly rewriting and retelling our life story.

As you read the student work in this edition, we hope that you create new memories, and we hope they inspire you to continue writing your story.

Sincerely, Elias Johansson-Miller & Debbie Kim

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You Get Better

ARGENES LIRA ¶ 12TH GRADE

What in the world ever happened to having manners?

It seems having “Swag” these days is all that matters.

See, I don’t think it's cool to judge these kids while they miss school, calling them names making them want to drown in a swimming pool. See, words can hurt they can drive a person ill, tell them to kill themselves too much and they probably will. ‘Cause all these kids want just a freaking friend, someone they can talk to, invent to until it ends.

Life can be rockin’ like you're living on boat, they say “just keep swimming” but what if you can’t float? I hate when people say “things” like it gets better, it doesn't get better but SHE WILL IF YOU LET HER. I know you’re having dark thoughts, but I promise they’ll go away, life isn’t easy, man I never said it would be, but try to relax and think about how it could be. Think of the things that make you smile. I think wonderful, I just want you to stay a while, yeah. If nothing goes right then just go left, you got to get through the worst just get to the best, Yes!

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#1

K AY L A E DWA R D S ¶ 10T H G R A D E

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#59

CHRISTIAN LOPEZ ¶ 10TH GRADE

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Summer TO-DO list #1

MELISSA MARTINEZ ¶ 11TH GRADE

1. Sleep 2. Beach 3. Yosemite 4. Chapman UC 5. Boston 6. College Applications 7. Solvang 8. Read 9. Act 10. Dance

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CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

EV E LY N N AVA ¶ 10 T H G R A D E

Unicorns are beautiful magical creatures that people say that they only exist in our imaginations. I believe in unicorns.

Back when I used to live in Georgia when I was 6 years old, my dad and I had a special bond. It was a beautiful father-daughter relationship. Georgia is a place where tornadoes occur often, and I would always be scared and wouldn’t sleep well at night because I was worried that a tornado might happen at any moment. I would be scared to sleep in my own room, so at night, after everyone was asleep, I would sneak out of my room with my little blanket and a small flashlight and go to my parents' room.

My dad is a light sleeper, so it was hard to sneak into their room. He would feel me going into the room, and he would get up and carry me back to my room. I would always tell him to not leave me alone because I’d get scared, and he would lay down in bed with me. He would tell me stories about unicorns, and my favorite one was the one about a little princess named Sofia that was about my age and that had a unicorn as a pet. Its name was Rainbow. Sofia and Rainbow were best friends, and they would always play together. Rainbow would always take care of the little princess. He would protect her from anything that would want to hurt her. Rainbow would even sleep next to her so that she could be safe and wouldn't get scared. My dad would tell me that if I slept in my own room, a unicorn would come take care of me and protect me from anything or anyone that would want to hurt me. After the story, my dad would stay with me until I’d fall asleep. Then he would give me a kiss on the forehead, leave a lamp on and leave.

Even though now my dad and I can’t see each other like before because of the distance, we try to keep our special relationship. I learned that there is always a special someone that is always going to be with you no matter how hard or bad things get, and that small things like unicorn stories can mean a lot to someone. I realized that my dad would tell me these stories to make me feel safe. This has changed my way of imagining things. This is why I believe in unicorns. ¶

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#68

L E O N A R D O AV I L A ¶ 11 T H G R A D E

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summer to-do list #2 ANONYMOUS

1. Stay up late 2. Worry if my credits are enough for next year 3. Try to exercise more 4. Hang out with my friends 5. Do different stuff to my hair 6. Change my attitude towards everything 7. Go to different amusement parks 8. Catch up on all my shows 9. Buy more socks and sweaters 10. Catch up on sleep

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psychosis.03

H E C TO R N AVA ¶ 11 T H G R A D E

August 1#, r0&6 It’s a sunny morning. Denton wakes up to get ready for the first day of middle school. He walks down to the kitchen where he sees his mother, cooking some lunch, and his father, reading the latest newspaper. He sits down to eat his breakfast as he listens to his surroundings. Birds chirping at their nests, cars roaring past the street, the shallow banging of pots and silverware in the kitchen, and the subtle rustle of paper at the table. Denton is at home.

Denton’s father is a weak man. He detests his life. At work he is mistreated and he never defends himself against others. He is looked down upon by his co-workers and family. When at home he releases his anger on Denton and isn’t kind to his wife. He is an alcoholic and has no friends. Denton’s mother is ignorant to the way her husband treats her son. She also hates her son as she believes that he is a curse to her life and to the way her husband has been acting. She is also alcoholic and tries to find love in her abusive husband. Her friends try to help her, but she ignores them.

As Denton sits down at the table, his mother hands him his food: undercooked eggs and bacon with a side of burnt toast and water. Denton sighs as he looks at the eggs whose yolk starts to stream down and touch the bacon that begins to get soggy.

If only I could just run away.

“Eat up! I didn’t waste valuable money on this food for you not to eat!” snaps Denton’s father as he adjusts his newspaper– like every other day.

“Your father is right, eat up or there will be no supper for you,” says Denton’s mother as she cleans her hands on her apron and then proceeds to hug her husband. He grumbles and pushes her off. She just gives a weak smile– like every other day.

I don’t think I’ll even survive for supper at this rate.

Denton eats his food with disgust,trying to back the need to throw up all over the kitchen table. It’s 7:00 am.

The bus arrives,and Denton steps in. As he walks down the aisle, he scans the seats for any opening. Every student stares at Denton with a menacing look.

It’s all right, Denton. Once you get to class, you are safe.

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The bus starts to move and Denton hasn’t sat down yet. When the bus lurches forward and makes him tumble to the floor, the students’ start to laugh, not a single hand extended to help. . He quickly gets up and, embarrassed, wedges himself into a seat already occupied by two smaller kids, mumbling apologies. . 7:35 am. Denton arrives to class early, waiting for it to start. Still mortified, Denton buries his face into his arms as he hears a few kids in the back talk and laugh about the incident on the bus.

“Cheer up, man. Don’t let those idiots get you down,” says Denton’s friend Jake, patting his back as he sits down next to Denton. Jake is a calm guy. He’s strong and smart. He likes reading and detests failing. Jake is Denton’s best friend, they have know each other since third grade, when Jake defended him after a few kids were forcing Denton to eat a spider. Since that day, they have been close, and Denton became arachnophobic.

“Yeah, bro. Just tell me and I’ll beat the hell out of them!” exclaims their friend Penny as she begins to march over to the kids in the back. Jake grabs her arm and pulls her back.

“Stop. You’re of no match.”

“Aw come on, Ed. I can take them, just let me go.” She struggles to free herself, but then gives up and sits beside Denton. Denton looks at Penny, then hides his face again. Penny is a very enthusiastic girl. She is very talkative and creative. She shares Denton’s fear of spiders but loves all other animals. She befriended Denton when she was paired up with him in chemistry class– one of the only classes Denton enjoys.

“Come on, D, cheer up. We’ll keep you covered,” claims Jake with a big smile.

Denton stands up and leaves without saying a word.

“Come on, man. Don’t be like that,” sighs Jake.

In the boys’ restroom, Denton turns on the faucet, stares at the running water, then looks at himself in the mirror.

What are you going to do with your life? You have no friends, and your family hates you. What about Jake and Penny?

You don’t need their help, you can take care of yourself. Plus, they don’t even care about you..

For a long moment, the loneliness overwhelms him.

If only I could just run away and never come back.

A student enters the restroom and Denton immediately closes the faucet, dries his hands and leaves. 10:30 am.

Physics class starts and Denton is ready. He is always upbeat and happy in his science classes. It’s the only thing he really finds comforting. He has perfect scores in these classes but does poorly in English and other subjects.

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1:00 pm. Denton sits at the far end of the cafeteria with Jake and Penny.

“Great, cheese and ham on a sad excuse for bread. Again.” says Penny sarcastically as she lifts the bread and the cheese slides off onto her plate.

“Just eat. Can’t get any worse than this,” says Jake.

Denton sighs and says, “What do you guys even know?”

Jake and Penny glance at each other and then look at Denton. “Denton, what is wrong with you? You’ve gotten worse and worse each day.”

“What do you care, man?”

“Hey, don’t start!” exclaims Penny, annoyed by Denton’s fiery temper. with a look of annoyance on her face.

“We love you, Denton. You should never think otherwise.”

Denton calms down and sighs again, but he still has a bit of anger built up in him.

2:00 pm. Class has ended and Denton is ready to leave for home. Jake and Penny say goodbye but Denton only stares as they disappear into the distance. Denton arrives at home, walks in and up the stairs as his father, drunk and asleep on the couch,the TV still on. His mother must have gone to the store. Denton hurries into his room.

He throws his backpack beside his desk and starts to do his homework. His room is well organized and clean. The walls are covered by posters depicting science, space, famous scientists, and his favorite movies. His bed is near the window on the far end of the room with his closet in front of it. Next to his bed is his desk and a book shelf that hold his impressive collection of comics and science books. Denton doesn’t own a tv because it would disturb his father and he mostly reads books anyway. Once Denton finishes his homework, he jumps onto his bed and starts to read his favorite book: Oblivion– a sci-fi story about a space shuttle invaded by a parasitic creature that kills every character in the story. Engrossed as he is in the pages, he hears his father stir downstairs then yell something about wanting a cold beer from the fridge. Aggravated, Denton puts the book aside and goes downstairs. When he hands over the beer, his dad chuckles and grabs Denton by the neck.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said cold!” yells Denton’s father as he throws the beer at Denton’s head and starts to beat him. He stops after a few minutes, and sits down to watch the TV as Denton is left on the floor bleeding and crying, the beer can weakly fizzling next to his head.

The next day starts the same; same miserable breakfast, same miserable school day, same miserable day. Thursday 1 2 ¶ M AY 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 ¶ L I T

afternoon, after school, his chemistry teacher asks Denton if he wants to go to the science fair. Denton, hesitant, asks his father for a ride. Oddly enough his father agrees, but he hides his true intentions when he does. As Denton and his dad drive over to the fair, his dad stops by the gas station, gets off, and returns with a six-pack of beer. He then proceeds to drink while driving. Denton doesn’t say anything due to the fear he has towards his father. After a few cans, Denton’s father starts to yell at him, telling Denton that he was a mistake, blaming his son for this horrible life– a lie shown in his mind by his wife, a lie that even Denton believes. The car begins to swerve dangerously as Denton’s father gets drunker, more agitated., Other vehicles honk and steer to avoid them.

Frightened of crashing and hurting others, Denton grabs the steering wheel to pull the car over to the shoulder.

“Let go! What do you think you are doing?” shouts Denton’s father. He elbows Denton hard in the chin to force him off the wheel. One blow to the face makes Denton jerk the steering wheel to the right and the car responds with a sharp turn that causes it to spin wildly. Still seeing stars from his father’s elbow, Denton braces as the car careens towards the median.

Denton opens his eyes and finds himself outside the car, looking straight at his father through the smoke waving in front of him. His father, upside down hanging out through the front window, bleeding heavily from his nose and mouth, one side of his face disfigured beyond recognition.

“Denton. Help me…” groans Denton’s father as he stretches his arm out to his son.

Denton turns around and backs away. He suddenly breaks into a sprint away from the crash, a tear blurring his vision as he runs away from the crash. He hears his father scream: “Don’t go! Come back and help me, God damn it!... Get back here you motherf–” A tremendous explosion engulfs the vehicle. But Denton keeps running as the screams and sounds fade. The only thing Denton can hear now is his own heart beat.

Denton wakes up crying. He looks around the room as he wipes his cheeks. I’m still in the engineering room.

“Hey, pal! Are you still alive? Can you still hear me?” says Jake on the radio as the sound of explosions fade from Denton’s mind.

“Y-yeah, I’m still here.”

“Good. Now make a move on. I almost left without you.”

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Denton stands up and starts to walk down the hallway. He gets to the window that has a wide view to the space deck. He sees that the ships are all destroyed.

Well, there goes that idea.

Denton feels something near his foot and he jumps back. To his surprise it is a dead officer, whose twisted face looks devoid of blood. Next to him is an assault rifle that can shoot lasers up to 100 rounds per case. Denton picks up the rifle and a few cases, and he heads to his right. Denton arrives at the core and notices that it is covered in black goo. The ship's core is corrupted as if it is the ship's brain and it’s being eaten and taken over by the parasite that has invaded the ship, slowly draining it of all life and sanity. Suddenly a loud screech is heard throughout the room. Denton prepares his rifle, which emits a glow as the energy fuels up inside. ¶

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#51

D AV I D C O H E T Z A LT I T L A ¶ 1 1 T H G R A D E

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I LOST MY LIFE K AT E R I N VA RG A S

¶ 10TH GRADE

I lose my life by the time I change in one moment really fast like losing keys I lost my life.

One moment I have everything and in the next I have nothing

I lose my comfort helping me to value things

I have a new life the happiness comes to my life and I'm thankful for everything that I have.

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#65

MADISON CARROLL ¶ 10TH GRADE

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#4

K AY L A E DWA R D S ¶ 10T H G R A D E

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summer to-do list #3 ANONYMOUS

1. Take college classes 2. Road trip to Vegas 3. Sleep over with my cousins 4. Drive in pool 5. Six Flags 6. Go shopping 7. Knotts Berry Farm 8. Go Kart World 9. Go hiking 10. Gym

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#71

AZUCENA NORIEGA ¶ 12TH GRADE

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UNTITLED

DALICIA CHEATHAM ¶ 12TH GRADE

“We all change when you think about it, We’re all different people, All through our lives and that’s okay. That’s good. You’ve gotta keep moving so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.” - The Doctor

We all die every year because we grow, change and learn so much. We use our knowledge of life and understanding of our mistakes to move forward. Since May is "in memory of," then let us remember all the people we used to be and see are far we’ve come. Always look forward to the future and its possibilities. Never look back on the past, but learn from it.

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Summer TO-DO list #4

LAIA LA RUE ¶ 10TH GRADE

1. Take driver’s ed 2. Attend tumbling classes 3. Attend Washington’s cheer boot camp 4. Go to Boston and New York for RISE 5. Attend the AP Calculus Bootcamp 6. Do DIY deep conditioners on my hair 7. Summer cleaning 8. Help my sister prepare to leave for college 9. Go outside to spend time with my brother/doy and swim everyday if possible 10. Practice my handwriting on my left and right hands to become ambidextrous

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SUMMER WISH LISTS

PBS-HSA STUDENTS ¶ ALL GRADES

By Anonymous

By Anonymous

1. Fight a bear

1. I wish I could go to my friend’s house

2. Fight a gorilla

2. I wish I could go to Chicago

3. Sleep

3. I wish I could have my free time

4. Go out

4. I wish I could go to colleges and observe

5. Have a family night

5. I wish I get more help for my own self

By Angela Cardenas

By Anonymous

1. Go to a lot of museums

1. Go to the gym

2. Hang out with my girlfriend

2. Visit Jalisco

3. Go to the beach

3. Travel a lot

4. Get a job and work

4. Go to Six Flags

5. Go on a road trip

5. Be closer with my family

By Anonymous

By Anonymous

1. I wish I could go visit my brother in Utah

1. Go to Six Flags

2. I wish I could party every weekend

2. Go to Raging Waters with my family

3. I wish I could travel and eat everywhere

3. Have sleepovers with my friends

4. I wish I could go shopping everyday

4. Go camping and enjoy nature

5. I wish I could get a job at Footlocker

5. Go to the beach to relieve stress and have fun

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in five words: Pbs-Hsa is...

PBS-HSA STUDENTS ¶ ALL GRADES

#1

This

school

is

like

elementary.

memorable

happy

difficult

stressful

honorable

This

school

is

really

small.

small

different

joy

hardworking

friendship

It's

basically

World

War

III.

#2

#3

#4

#5

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Summer TO-DO list #5 ANONYMOUS

1. I will work out 2. I will work (job) 3. I will go to college 4. I will go to Knotts 5. I will go to the movies 6. I will go to the beach 7. I will go on a family trip 8. I will have some me time 9. I will practice time management 10. I will go see my doctor

Summer to-do list #6

ANONYMOUS

1. Try to watch Alien: Covenant 2. Watch the rest of My Hero Academia 3. Try to get Injustice 2 4. Try getting my driver’s permit 5. Find more EDM 6. Try going to Wendy’s again 7. Sell my stuff 8. Wrestle with my dogs more 9. Do more exercise 10. Go on a date with Stephanie

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#41

L E S LY C E RVA N T E S ¶ 10T H G R A D E

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Lost ones: I

ANONYMOUS

I lost myself. I started feeling useless. It’s like when I’m with my friends everything is fine but deep down I know I feel the emptiness. I smile, I laugh, but something doesn’t seem right. I’ve lost myself somewhere. I don’t know where. It’s like a bubble—pitch black. I don’t feel the same. I’m not the same person. I’ve lost myself. I don’t know where. I see myself changing. I’m changing into darkness. I don’t like it...Is someone there…? I’m lost… ¶

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Summer to-do list #7 ANONYMOUS

1. Go to the beach 2. Get a summer job 3. Hang out with friends 4. Go to Six Flags 5. Go to Knotts Berry Farm 6. Go to concerts 7. Barbeque 8. Get ready for the next school year 9. Apply for scholarship 10. Get my driver’s permit

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Summer to-do list #8

ANONYMOUS

1. Watch anime 2. Sleep 3. Clean 4. Watch movies 5. Hang with friends 6. Gardening 7. Go to the beach

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The Love for a mother ANONYMOUS ¶ 10TH GRADE

Sixteen years together were the best days of my life as a daughter. Little by little, I’m growing as woman. I was in your womb for seven months, and the doctor said I was not going to make it. But I made it to be with you in this world, even though I was as small as a little chihuahua. I’m glad that I’m with you. When I was a child, you gave me anything I wanted and you always protected me, and I was happy for that.

I was in 5th grade the first time you left me behind because you went to see your boyfriend. I wasn’t jealous, but I was scared because you left and I stayed with my family and you knew that I would stay alone because they always work. I was scared but strong because you always taught me not to open the door no matter what occurred.

Years passed. In middle school, I forgot how to love because you got married and you gave more attention to him. You and I started always having arguments over little things. Seventh grade—I didn't know how to take the pain out. I cut myself when I was alone because I was alone, not wanted, until I wanted to end my own life but someone stopped me before I actually did it.

Eighth grade. One of my friends told my counselor that I was cutting myself, so they took me to the office.

They asked me a lot of questions like “Why do you cut yourself?” or “Do you do it for fun?” and “Do you just want to get attention?” I never answered. I stayed quiet. They called you because you care a lot. You didn't talk to me for a week, two weeks. I cried because I was alone with no support, and the only words I remember is when you said “You’re as crazy as the people on the street.” Those words hurt me so much that I wanted to die. But I’m still fighting to live.

In high school I became stronger but forgot who I was. One thing I noticed is that you changed little by little.

You showed your love for me but still with ups and downs. You kept saying that I need to get straight A's like my brothers but I'm not them. I only need two more years for me to leave from home, from this state. I know I’m going to miss you, but me leaving is to start a new life. A lot of people do mistakes in life no one is perfect in this life. As your daughter, I'm not perfect in school or family. I can make a lot of mistakes as you did when you were my age. And I can do better in my life. ¶

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GALACTIC MESS Y VET TE ESPERICUETA¶10TH GRADE

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happiness

JADA SALAZAR ¶ 10TH GRADE

Happiness Your beauty I have witnessed But yet not having you is my weakness The barrier it brings, with such thickness Has me speechless, makes me feel skinless, Trapped in everlasting unclearness Happiness You used to make me painless but now Without you I feel faithless.

So passion has taken your place and filled That empty space.

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[ insert creative title here ] H E C TO R N AVA ¶ 11 T H G R A D E

A person’s mind is big. It can create impressive scenarios in mere seconds. But sometimes people believe they have run out of ideas, that small and weird ideas are for kids, and that you don’t need creativity to mature. But I believe that being creative can improve one’s life.

I have met many people who gave up on their creative careers. My uncle is one of them. He works in an office and doesn’t really like his job. He says that his life is boring, that he needs some fun. At times I would see him draw, and he was good at it. I asked him why he didn’t pursue a creative career. He said that that isn’t right, that he is not fit for it and that those ideas are only for kids and crazy people. Jobs like those wouldn’t bring him any money. He says that he has no more ideas, that his creativity faded away when he got older. He told me to follow my dreams, that no matter how crazy they are, if they bring me happiness, I should keep to them.

In contrast to my uncle, my friend, Francisco, who is 26, performs as an actor in theater. He has been doing so since high school and says that it has been the best decision of his life. He was studying engineering in college but said that it didn’t bring him much joy. He was then emailed by a producer after his last show to act for him in a video. He did, and after that he quit engineering and kept acting. His parents told him that it was a dumb idea to change careers. But he decided to follow his dream of becoming a Hollywood actor, no matter how farfetched the dream may have been. Today, he has won two second-place national awards in Mexico for acting. He has performed more than 50 times, gathering around more than 200 people at the theater to watch his performances.

He is well-known around his home state and soon plans to head to the U.S. Through my uncle and Francisco, I seek to prove that creativity is needed in a person’s life, that you don’t need to be a kid to come up with a new story, and in the process, you can create something for people to enjoy. Without creativity, the world is bleak and empty; there wouldn’t be any music to listen to until you get tired of listening to them; there wouldn’t be any good shows or movies to binge on Netflix anymore; there wouldn’t be any more art to stare and think about whether the artist was creative, or high. And I have decided to show people that creativity isn't only a kid’s thing and that no matter how old you are, you can always create something new. You don’t even need an artistic career to be creative. You can be a doctor but also find a creative way to make your patient happy. You can be an engineer and create innovative products to improve humanity. You can be a teacher and make learning fun.

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Francisco's acts, and my uncle's words, inspire me. I want to become a videogame developer and show to the world my ideas for a good game. But that’s not all. I also feel like doing film and wanting to become a movie director; or an artist; or an actor; or a singer. The possibilities are endless, because I believe creativity is limitless. ¶

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#18

APRIL REGALADO ¶ 12TH GRADE

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Lost ones: Carlos

THALIA CAMARGO ¶ 10TH GRADE

I understand that people come and go But I would’ve never guessed your absence would cause such a hole I miss your jokes and your sarcastic remarks And I miss the fun days we’d spend in the park As days pass we’re starting to heal Bu we’ll never forget that man who made Each day feel like the best day ever Carlos, you will forever be remembered.

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Lost ones: my Uncle ANONYMOUS

I lost a loved one I lost a person I can never get back I lost a mentor that I looked up to I lost a part of me that made me black I lost laughter and great memories I lost good times listening to camp stories I lost my uncle

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Love is an action

K AT E R I N VA RG A S ¶ 10T H G R A D E

I believe that love is an action and not a feeling.The author Luanne Rice said: “The biggest mistake any of us can make is thinking that love is a feeling, an emotion. It’s not that at all. It’s an action.”

When I was 13 years old, I noticed that my daddy was a junkie. I always looked at him and thought that he was my example to follow, an admirable person that not only loves me, but my sister and my mom, too. However after one year, his addiction became the most important thing for him, and he left our family without money to buy food and to pay our school tuition and bills. Soon, my days become like hell because when he came to the house.

He always beat my mom to the point that he almost killed her in front of me. I remember my last conversation with him. He said, “You, your sister and your mom are the most important people that I have. I love you.” I was confused; I could not know how a person who loves you could be capable of almost killing you. So I said that to him, but guess what? He didn’t change.

Then when I was 15 years old, my mom taught me the true meaning of love when she decided to leave my daddy and give us a good future by working hard to give us the best. Even now, she is single, and she works like a father and loves us like a mother. She teaches us every day that if you love somebody you are going to do things to make your loved ones happy.

In that moment I learned that love is an action because if my daddy really loved us, he would at least try to change to give us a good future, to take care of us, to not hurt us, to realize that his actions were wrong. But today I’m 17 and he is still not worried about me or his family. In contrast, my mom always does all for me and my sister.

She may not say “I love you” but she shows us by putting effort every day and every moment to give us a good life.

I can say that love is an action not only between family, but also with friends or boyfriends. That experience with my family helps me when I choose friends. He or she has to be worried about me and demonstrate that I’m important, not only say “I’m your friend." Also love is not only feeling butterflies in the stomach or looking at that person and seeing only perfection, or thinking that you have to love each other even if that person hurts you. Love has its ups and downs. It is not perfect but love never has to hurt you. Love is an action because when we love somebody we have to demonstrate that that person is really important and then do things to make that person happy. ¶ 4 0 ¶ M AY 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 ¶ L I T

UNTITLED

JOCELYN TORRES ¶ 10TH GRADE

My white skin doesn't matter to you I will be white for the rest of my life I still have a body You may not like me but it doesn't matter to me what you think How I am doesn't mean I will be mean or racist to you I'm white and proud But not only am I white but I'm Chicana Who wants the best for herself Even though there's prostitutes and gangs it doesn't mean you have to give up Because you've got to work hard to be the best of yourself

Sometimes in life it's hard because you have people wanting to bring you down But you got it You can do it You can go to college Just believe in yourself Have the people who just want to support you And ignore the rest Because at the end no one is going to be with you

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accept the change and let it grow you

VA N E S S A A M AY A ¶ 10T H G R A D E

I believe in accepting the changes in your life and embracing the seasonal changes within it.

When I moved to the summer breeeze of California, away from my mom and brother, not only did that change my life but it made the person inside of me grow. Everyday of your life is part of a change. Some days the rains melt us; other days the winds reshape us to the image we are to be. I believe that when we accept change, we learn to live again from something that once drowned us, and we learn to embrace the outcome.

July of 2015 was the year I moved from Mississippi to California to live with my dad. I felt like a plant being removed from its natural habitat, but I also realized that life is like the seasons, that changes serve their purpose in the environment. My mom would say that this change in state was to serve a great purpose in my future education.

When I accepted this change, I was able to grow with it both mentally and emotionally. I changed in the way I spoke; I learned to keep a balance with my words and with people, the type of balance a gardener has when pouring water onto his roses. He does not water them too much because they'll die, and he doesn't leave them without water because they'll also die. Instead he waters them with just the right amount so they'll not only survive but also keep growing and sprouting. When I changed in this form, the roots beneath me became stronger so that my stems above ground could grow tall. I started to form dreams and set my goals into the skies. My hard work sprouted green leaves that allowed me to rise and remain above the doubts people tried constructing around me. That made me humble myself before my critics. When petals fall from a rose, when I see parts of my former self shed, I don't just destroy them or mourn them. Even petals can make a lovely and fragrant rose water, something that is useful and not just seen as dead or worthless.

It took a period of rains to learn that this change shaped me to the better person I am today. Sometimes in life we need certain things removed or things to be changed in order to realize that the only person that can make you improve in the middle of life’s changes is yourself. Allowing myself to accept this change helped me see life from different angles, to accept things as they come, and let things go as they go. Change is what really reshapes us in order to get us to our purpose in life and makes us grow into the person we are supposed to become. ¶ 4 2 ¶ M AY 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 ¶ L I T

#72

LISSETT RAMIREZ ¶ 10TH GRADE

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TTYL