“L.A. is fun, diverse and trendy
First place $50
Angel G. Villegas, 16, Eagle Rock HS
Los Angles is definitely an exciting place to live in. Some people say it’s a dangerous place to live in, but I guess that depends on where in L.A. you live. As for myself, I love Los Angeles because it is so unique and interesting. As long as you have a ride (because buses in L.A. suck!) and a little bit of cash, there is always something to do or see in L.A.
I think one of the best things about L.A. is the diversity of its people. Even though we are different in background, race, color, culture, and views, we live and function together and get along just fine. We are not segregated. We see each other every day, sit together in theaters, classrooms, and sporting events. We go to the same schools and libraries, amusement parks, beaches, etc., and we are able to live side by side in the same neighborhoods peacefully—most of the time.
Because of the diverse population, L.A. offers a lot of opportunities to learn about other countries, people, cultures and customs. There is always a cultural function or event happening somewhere in L.A. Many Angelenos have moved here from other U.S. cities (I guess because of California’s “perfect” climate) and these people also bring with them different views and lifestyles to learn about too.
In addition to its perfect climate, another reason why I love L.A. is that there are so many outdoor activities year-round such as camping, fishing, or skiing up in the mountains at Big Bear, off-road racing or camping in the desert near Palm Springs, swimming or surfing at the beaches like Zuma, Malibu, or Santa Monica to name a few, or going fishing off the piers. There are also many popular annual parades, like the Thanksgiving Day and Christmas parades in Hollywood, the weird and wacky Doo-Dah Parade or the world-famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.
Even when the climate is not so perfect, L.A. still offers a lot of sights to see. We have the world famous communities of Hollywood, Pasadena, and Beverly Hills with their landmarks, museums, and huge mansions. We have world-famous Disneyland— “The Happiest Place on Earth.” We have the famous Warner Brothers Studios, and Universal Studios, where you can “ride the movies.” Let’s not forget Magic Mountain, with the “world’s scariest ride”—Superman!
These are only some of the reasons why I love L.A., and some reasons (besides Rodney King and O.J.) why I think L.A. is known the world around. L.A. is where trends start, and where movie stars live. I’m glad I live in such a great city, and I plan to live here for a long time to come.
L.A. welcomes everyone
Second Place, $30
Mike Forman, North HS
I think that like New York, Chicago, Houston, and Seattle, Los Angeles is a definite place of concentrated energy. All of these cities have a voice, a kind of silent voice that speaks to its people and I know that the voice of Los Angles welcomes everyone, from those who fit the definition of ‘insane,’ to various definitions of ‘normal.’
But I love the limitless coast which this gigantic city is next to. The atmosphere is comforting at certain times—the beach, the sunsets, the weather, especially morning sunrises when our city naturally awakens. I think Los Angeles never sleeps—there’s always something that is going on or being missed. Certain nights I feel a kind of magic that roams the skies above L.A., forming a big circle where we stand directly in the middle.
I describe it as one giant story that softly connects together. We are the characters and the actors and directors changing the course of our events by the positive and negative energy that we all try to obtain.
I love L.A., but I hate it too
Third place, $20
Tadra Vanhook, 17, Morningside HS
Damn this place! But this is my dream, this is my home. I’ve shed too many tears, I’ve been through entirely too much pain. Damn this place!
Why do I stay in a place that makes me hurt? Many of my family and friends have been laid to rest in this dreadful place. I’ve seen too many days cut short in this horrible place. I’ve been put out, shut out, and left out in this rotting place!
My mother has been treated so wrong. This deadly place lead her into an addiction to “death.” I miss my daddy. Ever since he’s been obsessed with his girlfriend, “Death,” I haven’t seen much of him. And where are my brothers? Has anybody seen my brothers? Two months have passed and they still haven’t called yet. Damn this place!
Once again, why do I stay in a place that makes me hurt so much? Is it because in this place I learned to value life? Is it because I’ve learned to love my mother with all my heart and give her the utmost respect? Is it because I learned to see my daddy and tell him I love him, while he is going through his struggle? Is it because in this place I’ve learned to call my brothers regardless of whether they call me.?
I may damn this place, but I love this place. This place is my dream. This place is my home. L.A. is my future.
I love driving in L.A.
Honorable mention
Erica Ann Champion, 17, California Academy of Math and Science
This sounds strange, but there is something comforting about seeing that layer of brown on the horizon. It says, “Welcome home.” Have you ever been on the 105 freeway near LAX and glimpsed the entire L.A. basin? It’s a beautiful sight. Or at night, do you drive down the street, and when you get to a light, glance to either side to see the lights in a never-ending road to anywhere?
I like driving on the freeway. I find it relaxing. Even the traffic jams are okay, as long as they don’t make me too late. There’s something unifying about being in a traffic jam. Everyone is in the same predicament. We think we are all in a long parking lot with no hope of exiting, when someone zooms by in the car pool lane, and we think, “Damn, I should have brought my little brother with me.”
…Our arrogance has polluted our environment, but it also brought us success. L.A. citizens have refused to let geographical confines limit our desires. When we needed a port, we made one—the biggest, busiest and most important port on the West Coast. We don’t build around trees, we put them where we want them. L.A. is what we’ve made it, smog, traffic and all. Tourists may not like it, but we should be proud.
L.A. is all I know
Honorable mention
Tim Pai, North HS
Why do I love L.A.? I don’t. Then I think harder and look deep down, and I know that I do. Sure, this city is filthy in some areas, and dangerous in others. It’s filled with people who can’t even speak English. So why do I love L.A.? I could write down some bull about how diverse L.A. is and how there are so many cultures here. These aren’t the reasons I love L.A. I don’t really care about how many cultures are here, but the diverse restaurants are often good. L.A. is close to everything—the beach, amusement parks, school, parks, recreation centers. I grew up here. L.A. is all I know and I believe I’ll be homesick when I leave. Although I’ve been around (to Mexico, Arizona, South Korea) I find I like L.A., especially Torrance where I live, the most. Maybe this is all bull, but this is why I like L.A.
L.A. is magical—
especially the girls
Honorable mention
Jon Mark Ventura, 14, Eagle Rock HS
L.A. is a magical place to visit, like nowhere in the world. Well, except Florida, Japan and Europe. But Disneyland in L.A. is the best, the place where parents spend their paychecks buying you stuff and paying for admission.
L.A. has a population of about 6 million people. Half of them are girls. Half of them are pretty fine girls. That means more girls for me.
Everything happens in L.A. If the glove doesn’t fit and you’re living in Los Angeles, that means you didn’t do it. The justice system will just let you get away with it. You just gotta love L.A.
When you need a snack or soft drink, don’t worry, there’s a liquor store on every corner. When you need a fast meal, you’ll find a fast food restaurant on every block. You just gotta love L.A.
L.A. has my favorite basketball team, the Lakers with Kobe, Eddie and Shaq. L.A. has malls—mini-malls, huge malls and boring malls. They got a mall in Carson, Beverly Hills and Long Beach. Practically everywhere, there’s a mall. I love all malls. They have my favorite stores to buy stuff. And girls go to malls, and I love girls, so I love malls.
L.A. has the best weather. Okay, I’m lying, not truly the best. L.A. has the craziest weather—one day hot, the next day cold. L.A. has flash floods, hot winds, hot rainy days. But it’s cool because I’m used to it.
What can I say, I’ve been living in L.A. all my life. What other place could I love? I just gotta love L.A.
L.A.’s not so great
Honorable mention
Teresa Burnett, 16, Verdugo Hills HS
My relatives in Iowa think that I live next door to Brad Pitt and meet John Travolta for a cappuccino every now and then. For a “normal” teen in L.A., that’s so far from the truth. So what if I live just a stone’s throw from celebrities? They could live on Mars for what it’s worth.
Why do people think L.A. is such a glamorous place? Just turn on the news to see how “great” L.A. is—a place where one can be shot, raped, jumped or robbed day or night. We need a car or house alarm just to feel a little safe.
Ah, the clean, fresh air. The trees. The beautiful buildings. Wait a minute! Wrong city—back to L.A.—the smog, the dingy buildings, the torn streets with potholes, the graffiti. Need I go on? L.A. is just an overrated place of struggling, stress and broken dreams. Go ahead—take a deep breath. Can’t? Oh yeah—I forgot—we’re in L.A.!
L.A. used to be a glamorous haven of movie stars and excitement. Now it’s just a slum of stagnant, broken lives. The middle class are those who are crushed by the greed and capitalism of the upper class. The final, awful thing about L.A. is the earthquakes. Where else can one wake up to the house cracking and falling apart, heirlooms and prized mementoes crashing to the floor and a shattered city of anguish, fear and loneliness?
People from other states may think L.A. is great, but it’s not. In small towns, the county fair is the happening thing. In L.A. the happening thing is murders and other vicious acts. L.A.’s not so great.”