Summer 2008 Update

Having a job since she was 13 has taught Christina to work hard and not give up, which will help her in her future.

Essay contest winners chose every day and Saturdays because they get to spend time with their families.

An East L.A. art program takes graffiti from the streets to the classroom.

Before coming here I didn’t even think about going to college. I saw myself in the future having a lousy job that I would hate. But the Skillz ‘N Action program has helped me tremendously by showing me that I can use graffiti and other types of art in a career. WITH PHOTO GALLERY.

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Better teachers, more books, smaller classes and better scheduling would help us learn more. Reprinted from 1998.

When he moved here from Taiwan as a kid, Vincent, 18, knew exactly who he was. But now after years of trying to become as American as apple pie, he is torn between two identities. Reprinted from 2000.

T.C. Boyle’s Tortilla Curtain. Stephenie Meyers’ The Host.