Eating healthy
This article reminds me of my family. Because high cholesterol runs on my dad’s side of the family, we cut down on saturated fat and we eat out way less than most people. I think it’s better to control what we eat when we are young rather than having to take medicine and increase the risk of getting heart disease when we are older.
Susan Luo
San Gabriel HS
In the article “Eating right while eating out” I learned that you shouldn’t look at the nutrition facts just to see how many carbs and fat grams there are because those aren’t the only bad things in food. Also, I liked how even though the writer’s cholesterol just wouldn’t go down, she never gave up. I learned that just because you don’t get fat, it doesn’t mean that nothing will happen if you eat whatever you want whenever you want.
Susana Aispuro
East Valley HS (North Hollywood)
Aware of AIDS
In “Acting against AIDS” I found it scary that in the state of California there were so many cases of AIDS. I know that teens know AIDS and HIV are in the world but they always think it is never going to happen to them. Even if our sex-ed class informs us and tells us how to prevent it, most teens don’t listen. This article gave me a scary realization of what AIDS can do. We’re all at risk of getting AIDS or a sexually transmitted disease.
Diana Tran
San Gabriel HS
This article really made me see what some people go through. We shouldn’t take AIDS as a joke. We should be more aware of it. Reading about how Jessica wasn’t that interested in AIDS and that now she is, was an eye-opener for me. People should really get tested so they don’t have their lives changed just for being sexually active.
Karen Flores
East Valley HS
Immigrant story
The article “I’m glad she came here” really spoke to me. As someone whose parents and grandparents came to America from Mexico illegally, I know firsthand that most immigrants are here to make their lives, and most importantly the lives of their families, better. If my parents didn’t come here I wouldn’t be here.
Name withheld
San Gabriel HS
I loved this article. It made me realize how much Brett cared for Emilia. She came to this country because she wanted to have a better life. It was very sad when she had to leave her daughter and family in El Salvador. Illegal immigrants don’t just come here to cause problems, they come because they want to have a better life.
Verenice Hernandez
Madison MS (North Hollywood)
At first I thought I had nothing in common with illegal immigration. However I recently discovered that one of the generations in my family snuck over to find a better future and start new. They worked day and night to build a foundation in America. Illegal immigration might be a negative thing but if my ancestors didn’t have the courage to sneak over or the endurance to go through hardships or strive to do their best to provide for the family, I wouldn’t even be here writing this letter to the editor.
Duyen Dang
San Gabriel HS
I was never really interested in immigration and I had low views of those who immigrated illegally. But now that I’ve read “I’m glad she came here” I feel more compassion toward immigrants who come here for a better life.
Andy Castillo
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
I connect with this story because when my parents and I came to this country they came here to have a better life. If people stay where they live they suffer in their country. I propose that if illegal immigrants come for a good reason then they should be allowed to stay and become citizens.
Name withheld
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
Friendship worth the wait
This article showed me what it’s like to be in another person’s shoes. I am one of the many people who has a group of friends I hang out with, but that doesn’t mean I don’t notice the people who are alone. Before, when I would want to approach them, I was always afraid that they didn’t want my friendship or that they didn’t want to talk to me. This article really gave me a lot of insight.
Brenda Lienh
San Gabriel HS
Marriage for all
I enjoyed reading the article "Speaking up for gay marriage" because I was impressed that someone with religious beliefs and values was able to formulate his own opinion and arguments to defend it. I related with Rene when he wrote, "The biggest problem I see among male teenagers is the fear of being ridiculed for not conforming to a specific guy attitude." I agree because it has a significant influence on how people (specifically males) act. I also liked reading about when Rene realized that gay people are the same as everybody else with the exception of their sexual preference. I was really close friends with someone for a couple of years before he told me he was gay. He seemed so much like everybody else I never expected or suspected it. I thought this was a great article with a very educated opinion on one of today’s controversial topics.
Jalen Byon
Sunny Hills HS I couldn’t believe it when Prop. 8 passed. I was brought up the same way as Rene—my family taught me to treat everyone equally and to disregard sexual orientation. I never cared whether someone was homosexual or bisexual. Every time someone at my school would make a prejudiced comment about gay people, I would be fuming but not say anything. Now, I tell everyone who discriminates against gay people the same thing I told the supporters of Prop 8, that there’s nothing wrong with gay people. Even if they didn’t try to look at gay marriage from my perspective, I know that I made an effort to change their minds.
Emmanuel Sanchez
Sunny Hills HS
I liked the article "Speaking up for gay marriage." It addressed a really big issue that can affect us in the future. I remember that every kid at my school had their mind set on where they stood. The thing that confused me was that they didn’t have a solid reason or even any reason why they didn’t want gay marriages in California. I have some gay classmates. I think that gay marriage should be just as legal as straight marriages.
Jeffrey Haspell
Sunny Hills HS
Jennie Yu
San Gabriel HS I agree with Stephany. Most people love somebody of the opposite sex, but many people love somebody of the same sex. I don’t see why this is bad. People should appreciate gay couples and not be cruel to them.
Jacqueline Bahena
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
I have to disagree with Stephany about gay marriage. I believe that marriage is a heavier responsibility than just dating or loving each other. Humans keep generations going by reproducing and marriage is a way for a female and a male to take responsibility to reproduce new generations. I believe there is a reason the system works this way, so I think we should not mess with it.
Runa Akahoshi
San Gabriel HS
A boy watched his father abuse his mother
I read the cover story, “Leave us alone.” It was really depressing that the writer’s dad threatened his mom. When the writer said how that affected him, I wanted to comfort him. Every time I read this story I think about how blessed I am for having such loving parents. I give kudos to the writer for being so brave and protecting his mother and brother even though he was terrified of his father.
Edit Mirzakhanyan
Wilson MS (Glendale)
After reading “Leave us alone” I began to think about what kids in abusive families go through. I talked to my sister who was in an abusive marriage for a while, it was tough on her but it was tougher on my nieces. The part that got me thinking was when the writer wrote: “I didn’t want to tell anyone about my problems. I felt like they wouldn’t understand.” My sister told me how she would just bottle everything up. She even contemplated suicide once, but her kids kept her going.
I found it depressing that the writer felt he had nowhere to go. I was happy to know that they were offered help, but sad that they did not take it. My sister got out of the relationship and found someone who loves her and the kids. I want to thank you for printing good articles that help people to realize that things go on all around them and that they can’t just let them happen.
Name withheld
Sunny Hills HS
After reading "Leave us alone," I was shocked. I never thought a dad could be a threat to a family. When the writer talked about how his dad acted violently against his mom and threatened her, I was infuriated. How could a man hit his own wife when he’s supposed to love and care for her? I felt really bad for the writer when he said he wanted to be free from his own dad. He felt "happy" when his dad got arrested so he wouldn’t be around threatening his family. I respected the writer. He decided that he did not want to become like his father, but wanted to be a role model to his brother. He stopped getting into trouble and avoided losing control. After reading this article I realized that I am very lucky. And that I should be thankful, having such a great, loving dad.
April Ji
Sunny Hills HS
When I read “Leave us alone” I was shocked that the boy had to witness his mother getting hit many times by his dad. I admire the strength the boy had to call the cops. Many people are frightened to call for help because they are scared that the abuser will hurt them too.
Monique Torres
East Valley HS
I loved this story because it had to be very hard for the author to open up so much and write about his abusive father. I know this story touched many of my friends. He had to grow up so fast to take care of his mother, brother and himself. I can’t imagine being him and having to deal with all of that pressure plus school work. For the author to keep himself so strong and not get too out of control and realize what he was turning into with all the bad influences, really inspired me.
Lilia Blkhoyan
Wilson MS
I like this story the best because it really got to me. It’s disturbing what this kid went through. He had to put the past behind him and is trying to be a good influence for his brother. I learned to always have a positive attitude no matter what because I can triumph in the end.
Cameron Swafford
Wilson MS
I’ve known friends who were in this kind of situation and I’m sure there are many others like them. I think that violence hurts everybody both physically and mentally. I admire the boy who chose to be a good role model to his brother and made sure he didn’t become like his dad. I hope all the kids in the world make the choices he did and stop domestic violence.
Sophia Quan
San Gabriel HS
I really admire the author of “Leave us alone.” Not many people have the guts to call the police on their dad, no matter what he did. While growing up, it would be hard to keep up your grades in school and to keep your own emotions and your attitude in check if you had to live with an abusive father. It was hard to stay positive in front of his little brother too. I just think it’s amazing how he brought up his grades and acts as a father figure for his little brother.
Aaron Tay
San Gabriel HS
I’ve heard of many battered women living in fear of their spouses and when they called the police I thought everything went back to normal again—easy as that. However, when I read what the boy had to go through even with the police’s help, I saw he lived in fear. I felt the struggle in him to make his life safer and stable. I was impressed when he was his brother’s father figure and took control of his actions. That showed courage and hope that he will lead a good life in the future.
Bonnie Thai
San Gabriel HS
I think it was very brave to tell your story. I know that seeing your mother getting hit by your father must have been scary. I’ve gone through the same thing myself. You must care a lot about your family because you stood up for your mother and took the role of a father figure. You spread a strong message to everyone who reads L.A. Youth. You are helping readers everywhere know that they can set a good example.
Name withheld
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
You are an example to families that have problems. It was hard to call the cops on your father and see him go to jail. If I were in your situation I might have feared him as well. It is hard to see members of your family hurt each other. I have been in situations where my parents argue but I am happy and glad that they did not hurt each other. You were brave to help your family. Your story inspires me and sends a message.
Angelica Trinidad
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
I think this is a sad story because it was a really hard life for the author, his mother and his younger brother. Most of the problems that separate families are because the father is an alcoholic or into drugs. It is hard to control because so many violent men cause more violence when their kids see it and they start acting violent too.
Michelle Velasquez
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
“Leave us alone” made me open my eyes to domestic violence. It is hard to believe that a family member can end up hitting somebody else who is part of their family. And then on top of that, going to jail. I think this is a common problem, but many family members are afraid to say something. Something good that the writer did was to take his little brother somewhere else and not let him see all the violence. I don’t know what I would’ve done.
Cynthia Martinez
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy