November – December 2001 Issue

A group of L.A. Youth writers had mixed feelings about being asked to pledge allegiance to the flag in the wake of the attacks.

Building a “Day of the Dead” altar to commemorate those who died in the attacks was a healing experience for the writers at L.A. Youth.

After working on the altar, Danny Maryanov, 16, of Santa Monica High School said, ” I felt like I was maybe helping a little bit. I was participating in a relief effort, maybe to relieve people’s minds.”

Said Marco Menendez, “This is a really tragic thing that happened. I don’t know anyone who was not affected by it. And although the Day of the Dead is a light-hearted way of dealing with death, this altar is not to diminish or disrespect what happened on September 11, but it’s finding a way to celebrate life.”

Youth express their fears for the future.

Students from Venice HS discuss why they think America is hated.

Ryan, 18, had to learn when to say no to friends.

Los Angeles teens describe what they miss most about this singer and actress who died in a plane crash in August.

Emma, 14, is wondering how we should interpret all the messages about America that we are getting in the media.

Students in John Brierley’s AP Government class at Venice High School offer their thoughts.

Eugenia, 16, never thought it would be so hard to adjust to life in America when she moved here from Tajikistan.

You can spend a great, cheap afternoon at the Santa Monica pier. w/ photo gallery.