“Dear Editor,
Many of your articles are on teen sex, pregnancy and abortion. But the fact is many teens are totally informed about many of the issues on sex, AIDS and violence. Don’t get me wrong, I think sex and AIDS shouldn’t be kept a secret.
Putting more articles on these issues only frustrates and confuses teens. Being a 17-year-old, I sometimes get a little confused on whether I should keep my pants on or off.
We’re in the 90s and things do get a little crazy out there, but confusing teens with stories like “I got pregnant, and I don’t know what to do”, or “My baby is the best thing that ever happened to me” don’t help teens realize the truth about “the birds and the bees.”
If we’re grown up enough to call ourselves “mature”, then we gotta get our facts together, be responsible and stick around for the consequences.
—Anonymous,
El Camino Real HS
Dear Editor,
Since the first issues of LA Youth, I have been a subscriber. I don’t miss reading a single article. I’m an educator and counselor and I wondered if you would accept a letter from an adult who for years has listened to what youth have to say…
A growing number of unhappy youth are taking their lives. I’m writing this letter for the readers who are unhappily asking, “Who am I? What am I for?” My word is: Why not sign up for a visit with the school counselor or a counselor with a youth organization? Why not give it a try? She or he will begin by saying: Tell me how you feel about yourself and what you think of yourself. If talking it over is helpful, ask, “May I talk to you again?”
—Paul Irwin, Claremont, CA
Extracurricular Activities
Dear Editor,
I found your article about the best band interesting. I could really relate to what the kids were talking about. I played in a band and I had to perform in front of a lot of people too. My band entered some contests but we didn’t win. I learned the true meaning of team work. You can’t make good music if everyone isn’t on the same track.
—Andre Smith, Birmingham HS
Dear Editor,
I play wheel-chair basketball and wheel-chair hockey. Doing these things has helped me and has hurt me in some ways.
These activities can help you with your confidence because if you’re doing well, it can spill over into your school work and bring more confidence and better performance.
But there’s a flip side to every story. Last year, my lack of focus on my school work and my intense focus on sports hurt me. But overall it has been a good thing because if there’s one thing life has taught me so far, it’s that the majority of the time you’re going to have more than one thing going on and learning to keep a balance between my activities and my school work has helped me a lot.
—Jeff Gray, Birmingham HS
Dear Editor,
I know what it is like to go up against a person that is bigger than yourself. I am 14 years old and have been playing soccer for almost 10 years. I would get scared of a bigger player and back off. Then my coach would yell at me and tell me to play closer and fight for the ball more.
For school courses that are hard for me, I rely on soccer experience which taught that at first I might feel odd but in time with patience, asking more questions, I know I will be a success.
—Gered Yetter, Birmingham HS
Faith Essays
Dear Editor,
The first place essay in the contest really made me think. I could also somewhat relate to her. I mean, I believe in God and everything but I don’t go to church and I don’t really practice what the Bible says to practice.
I don’t think you should base your life on a bunch of rules that may be unrealistic. As long as you’re a good person and do good things, you’ll go to Heaven. God loves you because of who you are and not because you go to church.
I guess I also understand how she feels about not believing in God. I mean, it’s hard to believe in something you’ve never seen or heard. But I’ve been taught since I was little that there is a God so, of course, I do believe.
—Michelle Benvenuto, North HS
Dear Editor,
As a Catholic, I believe in God because I want to. Of course there is no scientific evidence to prove that there’s a God but we Catholics rely on faith, something beyond confidence and trust. Even though we cannot (and never will) prove God’s existence, think about who created you, us, animals, etc.
—Chester Reyes,
Daniel Murphy HS
Dear Editor,
I enjoy reading your articles, but lately I have read too many articles on religion. I strongly suggest that you have other topics, more news topics. Inform the youth about the world, about the government.
—Vanessa Riña, North HS
LL Cool J
Dear Editor,
I like LL Cool J. He seems like a real down to earth guy. Not someone stuck with his head in the clouds. I’ve liked listening to his music for along time. He has a certain style, real smooth. I like that in guys. Sometimes you gotta be careful with those smooth talkers. I liked the article because it was about someone I know.
—Tiffani Doerschel, North HS
The Internet
Dear Editor,
It’s easy to get hooked on the Internet. I don’t have access to it at home. I go over to my friend’s house to use his computer. There is so much stuff to go through. I like to go to Surflinks, they have the surf report and even some interviews with top-ranked surfers. I think it’s kind of good I don’t have my own computer because if I did I would be hooked.
—Brett Morrow, North HS
Dear Editor,
My parents are afraid that I’m going to get hurt over the Internet, too. I’m not worried except that I might stay up all night and talk to everybody. This is a great education and I hope we go online with America Online or Microsoft Network. We’ll see. I do understand my parents’ views and will do my best not to let them down.
—Stephen Stewart, North HS
Who am I?
Dear Editor,
Your article “I know you are but what am I?” made me stop and think. I had never thought about my family history or ancestors. After reading your article, something in me wants to talk about it. I used to think that it does not matter where you are from, it’s who you are that is important. Now I have a second thought about it. I know that having information on my history would not change my identity but it would be inspiring to know what my great grandparents were like and what their lives were like.
—Katie Tae, Verdugo Hills HS
Dear Editor,
My grandmother spent a portion of her life in the Japanese internment camps. She is an amazing woman. During a time where it was rare that women went to college, she got a degree in business. Then war broke out and she and her family lost everything. After the war, my grandmother tried to get a job but no one wanted to hire a “Jap.” She went back to school for a nursing degree and found work. Now she’s retired in Torrance and often tells us, without bitterness, about life in the camps.
—Jodimiwa, North HS”