Everybody has a Story-- "Addictions"

My story is about my drug addictions I started smoking weed when I was 12 and it was always off and on and I would never smoke by myself I would only smoke with my friends and I would just get smoked out by them I started smoking and more at first I was always scared to get caugth and I would always be really paronoied when I smoked I was never at hom and I didn't want to go home until the high was gone but when I was 14 I started smoking spice I was addicted to it for about 2 and a half months I would only smoke some it with my friends but about my 3rd week smoking it I was mowing my neighbors lawn for $10 and once I got it I went to smoke shop and spent it I started smoking it at home and alone this went on for a month and a half and I was smoking before school during lunch and after school and then one day my first period teacher noticed I was high and then the principal came and took me to her office then asked me what I was on and I told her I smoked spice in the morning I was with two of my friends she asked me who I was with and I said I was by myself I think she knew I was lying but she never found out who I was with then the school cop searched me I had 2 grams of spice zigzags a rolled joint and a lighter on me I got suspended and charged I whent to court for that and some other charges and got locked up for a week I got out and was clean for about a month and then thats when I started smoking weed again I started out smoking weed like 2 times a week then 2 weeks later I was smoking every day I would smoke at home by myself most of the time and I would skip my program that I go to school at every day to smoke and then I got a call from my p.o. and he said he wanted me to come in for a drug test and I failed it but after I left there I knew I was getting locked up so I didn't care to stop smoking then about 2 weeks later I went to court I got locked up for a week and a half and then I got brought to O&A in Farmington and I spent my 15th birthday in O&A That's my story.

TL, age 15

Everybody has a Story-- "Wishing I had a Dad"

For the past three years I have be put in a residential treatment center for six & a 1/2 months, then locked up for six days in DT, then sent to live with my grandpa for 8 1/2 months, then lock in DT for another six days and then put in O&A for 56 days. I have had a problem with tobacco for those three years. I always wanted my mom to stop smoking. Then I find myself doing the same. This time in O&A is my last chance to prove to my judge that I can follow rules and stay out of trouble. I have also had a problem with anger and swearing and arguing with my mom. My mom was beet every day of the week when she was married to my dad. If she did not clean how he wanter her to he would beat her. If she was pregnant & was exghausted and did not jump for him he would beat her again. My dad has never been a part of my life and he has always depended on girls to pay his way he can't even keep a job for more than a month and he is wanted. I believe if I had a dad that it would help out a lot with my anger. Also I would have someone that knows what I am going through to talk to.

BB, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Therapist

Dear Sarah, I am applying to become a therapist because that has always been my dream job ever since I first got into the system and realized people out there have life harder than I do. My first program worked hard on my leadership skills because I was a mentor of my group of my girls had to go to me for their problems and I learned that I am really good at talking and supporting and helping people. No matter what the situation was I could help. So I feel like I would be a really good therapist because I have alot of experiences that I could probably relate to some experiences kids go through. I know what I have to do to get their, even though I am only in the 10th grade I can start on educating myself now. In one of my classes I am learning about how the brain works and about some of things that we do is because of how we use our brain. Which is stuff that I will have to know later in life when I persue my career but I know I will have to go to college for a couple of years but I feel like it will all be worth it. I will be able to change lives and I feel like it will all be worth it. I will be able to change lives and I feel like it will only make me stronger person to. Therapy has helped me alot in my life and I know it will help people that want it to help and I will be a support to them and understand them. So that is the career I want and I know that is some thing I am going to be good at.

SW, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is NCIS (naval criminal investigation service)

Dear Sarah, you shud hire me because I have had gun training I know governmen infermation & can hack, pick locks & have a gun permit.

DH, age 13

Poem: "felon of the night"

being up so high and trying
not to fail is an amazing thing
plus trying not to be seen. the more
paint yon hare and supplys the more
the wight and the harder it is
to clime. trying to make
the burner look just right the smelll
of the paint is to me like
the smell of food or flowers
or purtrim to other people I love
it. the feeling after you have
finished is like a feeling like no
other to see your work the next
day and to have eveyr one talking
about how sick that peace that
guy did was. It is a way to express
to feel like your heart is about to
blow up it beating so fast. I am
an artists. I am a creater. I am a dreamer.
I am a ghost. I am a felon of the
night.

SH, age 16

Poem: "What Made It"

It made it bad cuz when my mom
said dont take off and i did and i
didt came back hom tell 5:45 cuz my
mom call my P.O and said that i tike
off from the home when i was not
told to go anywhere so i tike off
and hang out with some one that i was
not to hang out with.

ZR, age 17

Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

--------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
because i don't even no what's going
on in me im so confused that i just
want to run away from this world.
and never come back i feel so confused
that i feel that no one would ever
be able to understand me.

AM, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I am a human being

everyone wants to be

mean but no one knows

what i have seen all they

say to me is your just a friend

why wont' they treat me

like a human being only if  people

could see everything that i have 

seen then people would think about

being mean. 

TL, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

the world see a lot in you when

you do good anywhere in the outs

or at your job why cant the doesn't

the world understand you cuz you have

to do good anywhere you are at in the

world.

ZR, age 17

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

the world doesn't understand whats goin on 

in me I just wanna be able to live

in society and not be a trouble maker and

keep my stacks of paper with out dealing

hussuling robbing or stickin up but not I 

know I can. 

KS, age 17

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I just want to be happy.

But, I- I just can't. Because I just 

saw my mom got murdered.

So I ran upstairs and hid. But, the

killer, I here him coming up the stairs!

But he didn't find me.

But when he left, I was still scared

because I don't have no one left in 

me, all of them are dead. So 

I locked all the doors & feel asleep. And 

then never woke up. 

CU, age 12

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

so much is going on in me

sometimes I want to give up & find a different

place to be.

One day I might just flee.

I hope I can find a better place in me.

ST, age 16

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I'm just another man

Trying to make a living. 

AW, age 16

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

my liver says hi to my kidney, my

kidney say hi to the brain, the brain

says how r you to the splien, the splien

says hi to the heart.

CS, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

All they do is judge me

They judge my looks

They judge me by my age

They judge me by what I wear

They judge me by my temper

They judge me by the choices I make

They judge me by the friends I have

They judge me by the way I draw

Why can't everyone calm down and take a look

Take a look at my kind, carring, loving, hopeful

and joyful spirit inside me.

Be more open minded.

Be carring

Be happy

Be peaceful

And just open your eyes there is a world of many possibilitys out there but you won't know until you look. 

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I feel angry but no one can see me

I feel like I'm invisible and so no one 

cares to look and see 

what I can be when I feel free

so this is me

Take a look inside me

I want to be free

from this discrase inside of me.

CW, age 13

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

My life is so hard

I get in trouble with the

law. Every time I do something

right I think it's wrong. Its

like they put it down on a

card. Keeping track of every 

thing you do just like god

but you don't know there

watching your every move an

action.

HM, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I want to be free but its my 

actions that brought me here

I dont' fear on getting more time

in hear I am a monster with out

a lace to show my feelings in me.

RD, age 14

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
i see a kid wanning to get
out of here and make a change
for that he can make it thru
life. And be able to have a good
life for the future.


AM, age 15


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I want to be free
I see myself free thats how
I want it to be but life
has a fee that you have
to pay if you want to be free.


TL, age 15


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

that I see that people are deing
good in here Im working so hard in here
where i can go home and do good in the 
outs.


ZR, age 17


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
am I crazy
cuz this is what I see 
A little boy affrade of hi
own toys becase of the other
boys smoking him around
telling him hes worthless as
he starts to frown by 
he gets up he cocks his fist
back and bops that little
hood rat in the nose as
every one heard a loud pop
the boy hit the growned starting
to cry the other boy had
a tast of power conseling inside
to take anyone who gets to him.


KS, age 17


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I'm the little girl. When I was 5
years old, my mom always told me
happyness was the key to life.
When I went to school we had to do 
on assignment what we wanted to be when I grew 
up. I wrote down "happy" they told me 
I don't understand the assignment & I told 
them that they didn't understand life. 


CU, age 12


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I see a beautiful young lady.
A young lady trying to find her way back home.
A young lady happy to be alive.
A young lady trying to survive. 


ST, age 116


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
Mirror mirror on the wall
Take a look and tell me
what you see in me
Is it good or is it scary
When I look into the mirror
This is what I see 
A man trying to change
Being the best I can be. 


AW, age 16


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

A kid who likes poetry.
A kid that also loves to party.
I am the one dancing on the table.
It makes it easier to see
The life of poetry
Brings out the man in me
So next time you think your tough
or the next time you think your bough
just right some poetry
and you will be surrounded by your friend
and not your worst enemy
that is lurking inside of the
Then when you realize you like it.
You will write and write.
Untill there is a dark gloomy night
and no one is in sight. 




-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I see a boy that is hard on the outside.
but when you go inside he is small and defenceless like a baby.
But can become a monster if any thing happens
to someone or something he loves
So if you be good and don't hert his feelings he
will be an angel from above. 


CW, age 13




-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

That my thoughts and feelings
is to be free. I'm in my 
room every single day bored
and frustrated Oh you show me
what to do I'm confused
and irritated. What should I do 
I'm filled up with all this frustration. Please help I need
some concentration.


HM, age 15


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
a meanly beast that feasts
on some heast. I cook meat
in heat or else I turn green 
like a bean but I am red 
hot so mean but aggresive. 


RD, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a judge

Dear Sarah, I beleive that you should hire me as one of your judges as Mathison county court house because I have got six proffesional degrees and ten masters degrees and I ahve attended fourty-eight years of colledge and I beleive that I would be a great judge because I have been in most juivaniles shoes. I grew up in the ghetto and I had an abusive mom and dad and I would often choose drugs over family and all my parents thought was I can't do anything to change him we must let him realize on his own that this is not right but as time went by I kept getting worse and worse and my addiction was slowly killing me and one day I woke up in the hospital with my family standing around me and beaging and pleading for me to kick my habit and all I was thinking of is when and where I was going to shoot up again and when I got out of the hospital I went and shot up by a near by trash can.

So that is why I beleive that you should pick me to be your next judge at Mathison County Court house.

BB, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Tattoo artist


Dear Sarah, I'm asking for this job because I feel like I can be trusted and will work hard. Ive been to 5 years of college and I have a high school diploma. I am really good at art but I feel like I could get a little bit more training. Im asking for this job because drawing and art is like my favorite thing to do. Thanks.

CS, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to coach boxers.

Dear Sarah,
I think you should give me this job because I love boxing. I pratically know all things to it. I have a great mental and physical body. I have all it takes to be a coach for a boxer that wants to learn. You should give me this job because I can help people off the streets and give them a better chance in life this sport is a real life saver for most people that like to fight. they can stay off drugs and stuff like that. You should give me this job because I would like to have a oppurtinity to have a job and change people life not just mine but others.

RD, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is automobile design artist for Maserati

Dear Sarah,

I am applying for a position on the automobile body design team here at Maserati. Since I was a boy, I've always been drawn to good looking cars, and Maserati has never failed to impress. I've been trying hard to get into a career in designing incredible looking automobiles and I feel that this would be the best job for me in this field. I also think I have a lot I could bring to the team to benefit the company.

Ever since I was about eight, I've been sketching and drawing cars that I like. It's my favorite thing to do. I draw many scale drawings of existing cars, hundreds in face, and I draw just as many sketches of cars I've imagined and designed on my own. I believe I have real talent in the visual aspects of creating new cars. It's always been my dream to some day drive a car I designed myself, and this job will be a huge step in reaching that dream.

In school I've completed multiple engineering, drafting, physics, and art classes. All those fields pertain to this job, I learned in depth, the aspects of scale modeling, design sketching, aerodynamics, and how to put it all together on paper. Those skills cover all the aspects of performing this job. It would require very little additional training to get me performing well as a part of your visual design team.

I feel I meet all the criteria required for doing this job. I also have patience. I work well with others, and can take and handle criticism, and use it to create an even better product. If you wish to inquire more into my abilities and experience, I have a large portfolio of automobile concept art and design sketches of many cars I've imagined. I'll be happy to deliver this portfolio and any other personal information you desire.

Thank you very much for your time and thought. I hope to hear back about any possible openings for me you may have. Thanks again.

BC, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Navy Seal.

Dear Sarah, I am qualified for being a navy seal graduated from high school I got a lot of experience about 6 years of training done a lot like staying under water for a while and also Im the best out their so think you should choose me for this job oh ya and I gimmerd osama bin laden.

DC, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is music.

Dear Sarah: I think that you should give me this job because I love music and that would awesome if I get a job that I love doing and music has been a part of my life for a long time music can help me when im feelling down some music is like if I wrote it because things they say is like stuff that has happened in my life and thats why I love music for alot of resons and thats why I think you should give me my dream job.

LA, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is SWAT

Dear Sarah,

I want to be in the SWAT because I am a daredevil. I take risks, and I am a proffectional bomb disabler. Hell week was no problem for me. I can do: skydives into the frigid waters of the pacific ocean, become a god of Parkour, and a master Kung Fu.

When or if I get this job I feel I will be able to complete any classified mission I am assigned to. All I ask is for $120,000 a year with great medical benefits. I am the best at my job. No one can match my supierior skills.

RN, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is game designer

Dear Sarah,

I have all the qualities to be a game designer. Some of the achievements that I have was building a AI in a game that I learned what it was doing wrong. Also I have big plans for the future of game designing. I'm going to make a game where you move and the character moves with you. I have a doctorite in computer science. Also I have a doctorite degree in virtual orientation. I strongly believe that you should pick me because of my skills and willing to work all the time.

UA, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Artist

Dear Sarah, my dream job is to be a artist. a artist because all I want to do is draw and it'd be cool if I could get payed to draw because I know alot of people that make part of there living by doing art and art is just what I live for. Because all it is letting your imagination go. 

MG, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is P.O

Dear Sarah

I am applying for this job because it is my lifelong dream. I think I am right for the job because I can relate to the kids, I have been in the juvenile system, and I got my life together. I have gone to college for 4 years and I have all the classes and degrees required for the job. Please get back to me. Thank you.

TH, age 16

My dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is being a firefighter.

Dear Sarah,
I would like to be a fire fighter cause I can take pain and I can go and rescue a lot of people from fires. I can also take out a mite of fire in ten minutes because I dont wast time. I work until the job is done. If you hire me I would be greatfull cause I also need money to support my family and dogs. I cant affored to live without a job and I have a master and a bachlors and a sociates degree. I feel you and me will get along very well. Thank you.

LH, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is R.N.

Dear Sarah,
My dream job is being a R.N. I don't like the site of needles or blood. So I will still try to be an R.N. I will go to school, for the full time. I hope for a part time job. So I can pay for colloge. I like helping people and saving lifes. That is my dream job. So dont laff. Don't laff.

KG, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is playing for raiders.

Dear Sarah, I think I should play for the raiders because Im like a raider I like to play foot ball and like to talckle people and I can run for my size. and i have a good education and a good record. and Im a good sport and I will take the team to the superbowl and win it and keep on wining it until I leave the team.
P.S. I need money!

AR, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is UFC & LA Swat

Dear Sarah,

Why do I want to be n the swat team. I will tell you why. This is why I would like to becom a member of the Los Angeles swat devison becuz it looks like a hard challange. I would fit the job because I say so that's why. J/K. I would like the hard work the exprince and the comint and I look tight and hard core in the uniforms.

My dream job is to became a UFC fighter why would I like to become a UFC fighter is becuz I like the adrline and I would be perfect for the job why becuz I trained at Absent MMg for 5 years I know kick boxing and brizien jitsu and thats why.

MT, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is history teacher.

Dear Sarah,

My inquire is to become a social studies, or a History teacher. I have a passion for culture, history, and ideology. I also have been noted for my abilities, thoughts, and have been sharing them for years. To be telling of past would be perfect.

I enjoy the past. From Adam and Eve, to the Gulf war, and to this day I am learning. How one persons thoughts became World War II, and how we are similar, and different from people from the past. The world, from point A to now, then to point B, History is facinating.

Looking, and telling, I learn from sources, and then tell of my expierences. Sharing some of this information is astonding. How Napolean lost Waterloo, from his "problem." Just from one fact, lead to his defeat. Some of this information can not be just kept for myself, it must be shared.

Culture is amazing. How every year, something changes. From the Industrial Revolution, to todays iPads and gadgets. What may be taboo for one culture, is important in another. Also how todays hot topic, or used to be was similar in the past. Immagrants used to be huge, after the potato famine in the 1840's made many Irish immagrants come to the Americas, working for a dime a dozen, taking many jobs. That may sound simmilar, even today people converse on immigration liking every job. Culture is amazing how simmilar, or different, and even taboo, it is truely exsilerating.

World, culture, ideas, and differences, the basis of history. Teaching it or learning it, history is remarkable. Being able to teach it would be a dream. Hencing that for my dream job.

CW, age 15

Everybody Has a Story: "I can forgive"

My story is like a tall tale. When I was small I was hert. My dad was very trubled. On the verge of a brake up. He was a hevey drinker, a biker, and a fighter. He drank alot one night. He came home wasted. I was about 11 months old. He got in a argument with my mom. I was sound asleep. In the midel of the fight I started to cry. Mom came and calmed me down. I fell back to sleep. Mom left. I woke up. He was still drinking. He came in my room and picked me up. He started to through me agenst the couch. 17 years later. He has changed. My mom dosn't see it but I do. I can forgive

KG, age 17

Everybody Has a Story: "Skating"

One day back in las vegas I had just learned how to drop in with my skateboard. My brother dared me to drop off the island which is a 15 ft High island of cement and I had never seen anyone drop off it. I agreed and when I dropped in, I leaned to much forward and almost broke my wrist. some skater punk came and carried me out of the bowl and that made me feel good.

BL, age 15

Everybody Has a Story: "Today"

I have no constellation to any story, from the look of it. A child of fifteen, declared brilliant, also declared idiot. Having special class for the advanced, and still with A's. Yet having the stupidity to attempt to behaviors to be in lock-down. Surrounded by others, with similiar, and different mistakes.

To be held back, not by intelagence, but by choices to be in a program, such being O and A. One of the few to use cursive, to converse at an advance level. An honor student, stranded in confusion, and melancholy.

A choice, a single choice. I could have, should have decided better. But looking in the past, one can learn. The future is what is next, whether good, or bad. Yet today, today is also something special, called the present. A present today is; breathing, seeing, feeling. Today, the present, regardless of ones situation is great.

Do not moan, do not complain, a simple concept, yet so hard to do. Even I have no right to complain about my situation. There are people in worse conditions everywhere. Life is great for many, but for some, lets be honest, life is a pain. Again, life is what you make of it. Choose wisely, and do well.

Farewell!

CW, age 15

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to restore old cars

Dear Sarah,

I think I should get this job because I've been fixin old car since I can remember. I love classic car's because they show people how those car's were made back in the day. I know all about cars & how to fix 'em. I'm pretty sure I know more about car's than anybody else that will turn in this letter.

TA, age 15

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a sushi chef and a rapper.

Dear Sarah, I want to be a sushi chef because I will be the best fish person for you. P.S. about bieng a rapper that is a good idea for me because I have a beautistic voice that will blow you away. here's my beat rap that Iam going to sing. so be sure your glued to your seat.

[My Life] (student actually rapped a song)

P.S. I will not write this down because it come's from the heart. And I did not write it.

JS, age 12

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a firefighter

Dear Sarah,

I think it would be a unique expierience to be a fire fighter because I know how to start a fire but it would be unique to save people from terrible dangers such as burning, suffocating, being stuck in dangerous places. I think I have what it takes to. I think a fire fighter is brave, strong, smart, instinctive. I am sort of all of these things. Saveing people has always interested my. I day dream about it all the time. If I were able to choose any job in the world it would only be a fire fighter because I have always wanted to be one.

BL, age 15

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a atow mucanic

Dear Sarah,
I want to do this job because I am great with helping my dad on his car or truck and I tell him what is empty and what is leaking out of the car and I help him look if something needs to be changed that is all I do.

And Sarah is the best person ever.

TM, age 13

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is doctor and builder

Dear Sarah, I really want to be a doctor and builders. Dear Sarah the reason why i really love those job for is because i love building things house and I love to be going over the world to be building people home places and I want to build my family a big mansion so they could be happy with what they live in and what they get from me ands o they could give me more blessing and Dear Sarah they reason why I wont to be a doctor the reason I want to be a doctor because there are so many sick people into this world that need help there are young babes dieing some people dieing from hiv people dying from cancer.

Dear Sarah I think you should hirring me to your job why because you no me for a long time went I was a kid and you want my teacher in O&A I no you seeing me in the bad place but you no that I'm not a person I just make the wronge choiceses.

CC, age 17

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a rapper

Dear Sarah, I want to be a rapper because I love music and I love vibin and I want people to be able to bumb my music and be able to understand me I want the world to know my name and I want people to want to meet me and be me and I want to have money for my family. Id be a good rapper because I can rap fast or slow and spit really good and can come up with stuff pretty quick and I want to be rappin with all rappers so that's my dream job.

AS, age 17

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is tatoo artist

Dear Sarah, I want to be a tatto artist because I love drawing. When I draw it makes me feel happy. When I give some one a tatoo I forget about every thing else and I really concentrate on the tatoo Im doing. And being a tatoo artist will just make me happy.

EA, age 15

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is tatto artist

Dear Sarah, I want to be a tatto artist because I love tattos and I love to draw and I've done then of theme so far they came out really good and I got my own tatto gun I love seeing it go from paper in to a tatto and i like seeing the joy people get wene I finish ther art my dream is to own my own tatto shop. I bleav that if i really want to all i got to do is keep my mind to it.

SR., age 16

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a swat member.

Dear Sarah,

My dream job is to be a swat member. I wanna be a swat member because I like guns & I wanna help
out my community & save peoples lives that are under hostile danger. I also want to prevent terrorist attacks which causes wars & also just ends up killing more people. Swat will be a fun, good job for me that I will enjoy because I like to shoot gun & I don't like jobs that you sit around on a chair because its boring which would cause me to wanna quit, Id rather be out there physical training, shooting guns, & saving lives.

SB, age 17

"My Dream Job"-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a famous jockey.

Dear Sarah, I want to be a famous jockey when I grow up cause I been around horses since I was small and I life to ride horses I like to see horse racing a lot my dad took me to my first one when I was 12 since then I like to watch horse racing It look pretty cool to be a jockey but at the same time it can be dangerous.

AP, age 15

Locked Up on Christmas

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel sad but happy at the same time it makes me apperatiate my family more and makes me choose better disisons."

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel lonely & like I can't do things right. I want to change and fix my wrong doings. I can't wait to see what happens."

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel very sad and kind of upset and made and that i want to cry and be sad every day of my life until I get to go home and stay their."

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel kinda sad because i cant be with my family and my girl for the holidays but im staying because i rather miss this Christmas than all of theme I know i'll be home soon."

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel very disappointed with myself because i feel like I have made my mom feel like it's her fault that Im in here I feel bad because my sisters don't even get to spend Christmas with me so its very hard."

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel Homesick. I terribly miss my family. My mom, my family are going to miss me. I love them very much, and this is the only year I won't be with them. My folly, my punishment, I love them extremly."

Locked Up on Christmas

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel very unfortunate and guilty because I know my family feels very sorry for me, and I feel very unfortunate because I am not with them celebrating the holidays and my girlfriends birthday." 

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel upset & deppressed. I need to do my duty to stay good. I feel realy bad that I am not at on Christmas. I will miss my mom."

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel sad because I can't be home with my family to see what everyone got & I can't thank everyone for everything they have gave me. I also feel angery at myself for making stupid mistakes." 

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel superduper awesome. it doesn't really matter or care about being here on Christmas. Doesn't make much difference to me because I don't get gifts on the out anyways." 

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel pretty good because I not going to miss it. At least I alive in stead of dead. I lucky to be locked up in ona ensted of being bad on the outs." 

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel really sad and I wish I was at home with my family. I wish they knew that Im really sorry I messed up." 

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel really sad and frustrated. I feel like I am a failure to my family and an of my friends." 

"Because I am locked up at Christmas, I feel very mad! I look forward to Christmas every year. It's a time of giving and a jolly time. A time of peice and joy. And caroling." 

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I work hard to have
a good destiny
I always look forward
to the future as far
as the eye can see
but the world doesn't understand
what's going on in me.

AS, age 17

-------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
The world can only comprehend what's going
wrong with me
well obviously
even a young man could point at everything
wrong with me
do you want me to show you how
much of a bad man someone can be
I can pull out a video clip and show you how
visually
Looking at me with that dumb smug look, casually
Judgin a book by its cover, pfft, honestly
This is why the world doesn't understand
what's going on in me.
The world can only comprehend what's going
wrong with me, Ima tell you positively
that I can show you how much of a real man  that
I can be
or I can show you how much of a bad man that I can be
I can pull out the deepest, darkest anger and show you physically.

JA, age 17

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

The world only see's what's 

wrong with me they don't 

see the good things in

me they cant see the 

good thing I do for my 

family. 

VR, age 16

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

Conflicts of the mind

hurts of the heart

trying to live my life

not knowing how it'll end

but who cares

every things ends in the end.

CH, age 16

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

Depression, regresion, love from 

above. I know my life is messed

up but Im not top thug. so death

my breath Im happy life's best.

JC, age 12

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

so much pain you can't even see me cause

people don't even pay attition to me ya'all

don't know how I feel with all this pain inside

me. 

TA, age 15

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

By what do you mean? 

I have nothing to hide,

no reason to flea.

By the looks of it nothing to see.

To be honest, I feel quite free!

CW, age 15

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

they don't know what I 

boen through so just let me

be trying to go the right 

pat but the gang life just

wont let me. 

EA, age 15

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
I see a kid who wants money
but can't find a job
I see a kid who wants to finish school
but doesn't have the dedication
I see a kip who wants to rap
but can't cause he doesn't have enough time
I see a kid who is making a change
and that kid is me.

-AS, age 17

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

A person with a strong personality

with the right mentality.

No matter what you see in me

I know who I am and who Im destined to be

A few bumps in the road now please don't judge me

A few sticks and stones wont even budge me

They cheatin there way to the top so they try and nudge em

Trust me

They couldnt reach the top and tell me

what they see. 

JA, age 17

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

I see a youngster trying

to make it in this 

life of sin trying to 

take care of his problems

with the law and get 

back in school and do

good in life so that 

he could get a good

example n his family

and let them see that he 

could do good and be

secsead in life so 

that one day he could

have a family of his own. 

SR, age 16

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

A big 6 ft 2 redneck hilbilly rebel from way

down south who loves to use duck tape for

everything & can fix almost anything with it.

We all should use it because it can fix

everything.

TA, age 15

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

A person with low self Asteem,

Not much to believe in.

Tryna find who he is in this

world & no one believes him.

Lost his first love that wasn't part

of his blood.

His heart is torn apart.

SB, age 17

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

Nothing special

hard working, fine grades

doing my best, at one stop

I might deserve a rest, but that is next.

CW, age 15

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

I see a full time Mexican 

trying to be free trying to make it

through this crapy society trying 

to live and not die and showing

my family that I do love my life.

EA, age 15

Everyone Has a Story: "So Many Bad Memories"

 I was born in ___ but moved to Utah at the age of 5. Mostly because my brothers and my familys lives were in jeporidy for gang violence that my brothesr participated in. What my parents wanted for is a new life. They moved to Utah hoping things would get better. But they didnt. Since I was a little girl all I remember was the anger in my dads eyes & the smell of alcohol coming from his breath. I remember the sadness in my moms tears dripping from her eyes & the fear in her body language. It seemed like all I did was hide. I was never comfortable living in my own home & my mom was doing everything to protect me from my dad and my two older brothers they didn't make the situation any better, they made it worse. They joined in on the actions of my dad. Ive had so many bad memories in my childhood... But Ive learned not to live int he past & to live in the present, now my dad is no longer a alcholic and he has changed so much. My older bro is in prison, nothing new. My father has never personally said sorry but actions speak louder than words.

CO, age 15