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

Everyone Has a Story: "Locked Up"

the day I got locked up and im still locked up well I woke up then I was about to get up but then my mom starts knocking on the door so I put [my drugs] away then I go for the door my mom asks me what time I got home last night so I told her then my school cop pops up from my hall way in my mind I was like @#$*$^!! Then he told me to turn around so I did then he hand cuffed me then he took me to d.t. When I got there I was thinking in my head and was like I cant beleive Im here and when I got into my section I saw my friend I havent seen him awhile. Me and that fool are homies. I know he would have my back but yeah me and him left d.t. the same day he went to the Salt Lake O&A and I came here but its pretty chil here I know that I can get threw with this program and hopefully go home.

L.A.

Everyone Has a Story: "A Day at Lagoon"

One day I thought it was a good idea to go to Lagoon. Little did I know what people try to get you to do. So the day I went was Lagoon day for ninth grade. There was a bunch of people at admission and when we got in there was more people. The first ride we went on the old roller coaster. That was fun but my stomach went up my throat a couple times. I admire who ever thought that gravity would pull a cart around a track. After that we went to the spider and rode the wild mouse. The wild mouse is way fun and I could go on it alot without getting sick. After we went to the gondola and rode it across the park. Whenw e stopped at the arcade and played some games. The haunted roller coaster/house was lame it wasn't even scary. I think it should be but I see why they don't so kids can't get super scared and get off the ride. I wanted to go on the jet star but no one else did so I didn't. We went to raddle snake rapids and rode it twice. the first time we were fine and didn't get wet. The last time we got soaked. that was my trip to Lagoon.

VA, age 15

Everyone Has a Story: "Friends"

When I was six years old I moved here from ___ and lived with my dad. Ever 6 months - 2 years we moved to a different city. I hardly ever had friends because I kept having to make new ones and when I made new friends we moved again. Then my dad and step-mom met they have been together for 4 years and we hardly move anymore. Sometimes I think it was a very good thing we moved around the valley Because If we didn't my dad and step-mom would have never met and I wouldn't of ever had friends. Life is hard to do when you dont have friends because people say we listen to our friends 70% parents 20% and other things 10%. Lots of things have either a positive influence on you or a negative influence and not that I'm locked up I will try my hardest to only follow the positive influences and live a wonderful life with my family, friends, and siblings. I will never get locked up again. If I have anything to say about it.

RN

Everyone Has a Story: "My Story"

OK so it all started 1 year ago when I live in AZ I got mixed up with the wronge crowd and I starte drinking with them and then a cuple weeks later I started smoking with them and then after all that I started to not listen to my parents or listen in school and then I got into drinking and smoking a lot more and I wouldnt come home till after curfew and then after all that I picked up a charge and I'm not going to say what that was because it will start stuff and then once I got out of DT I went back to my homies and went back to drinking and smocking and after that happened I got jumped into a crew and thats when I became known as a soldier and then a yer went by of being a soldier that I became a seller and then I started my own crew out here and started to recruit peeple and we got up to 95 people runing and the after 3 weeks I went on the run and I was on the run for 3 months and got arrested and booked into DTand then will I was in their I met and old freind and the we got switched to another unit together and then we became cell mates and then he left to another program I went to court righta fter he left and found out I was going to O&A and then after about 4 weeks in DT I left to come to O&A and I saw an old freind and then she left and I started adjusting to the program and how I'm ready to go home.

TB, age 15

"My Dream Job" --a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Sloth Whisperer

Dear Sarah
I deserve to be hired as a sloth whisperer because I am 300% devoted to slothes. I've put my very own life on the line for a sloths entertainment. More than 12 years of my life have been spent deep in the jungle bonding and observing sloths. In this time I have obtained the traits of a sloth and I can do everything they can and interact with them successfully. When I was born the doctors performed an experimental surgery on my brain. They implanted a device that not only allows me to talk to sloths, but I can read their minds.

PC, age 17

"My Dream Job" --a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is football player

You should picke me ccs I am the best football player you will ever mete I will make you a lote of money and if you do picke me you wont regret it and I need the money my family is not so rich at the time I was my the only one who has arms and lages and I am the best football player ever.

KK, age 14

"My Dream Job" --a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Marine Bioligest

Dear Sarah, I think you should hire me to be a marine biologest because it is something that I have always wanted to do. I would be the best marine biologest you could every think of because I would actually wake up in the morning and love going to my job unlike most people who hate going to their jobs. Also I would do my best to make new discoveries and find new ways of life and I can asure you that in the futer you would not look back and regret hiring me as a marine bioligest.

MT, age 16

"My Dream Job" --a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a doctor

Dear Sarah, I would be a very good doctor because I have gone over to Africa to help the starving children and the sick two times. Also I have gone to college for 8 years and also med. school twice. I once performed open heart surgery on a camping trip in the middle of the wilderness with nothing but anastesya and a steak knife.

JP, age 18

Everyone Has a Story: "Getting Help"

When I was ten I was abused physcially and my mom was almost beat to death and my brother was hit and my sister was hit and my ear drum was damaged. I finally got sick of being abused so I ran to a niebors house and asked to use thir phone then I called my grandma to come and get me and when she did I told her everything that was happening at my mom's house and she filed a protective order for me my mom my brothers and sister and when [the abuser] was gone we started to recover from the abuse. went slowly at first.

LH, age 14

"My Dream Job" --a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Case Worker

Dear Sarah,
I would be excellent in this job because first of all, I absoulutely love children. I love and enjoy working with different types of kids, and all ages. I know perfectley how the system works. The experiences I've been through in my past will help me relate to them. I understand how it feels to not have love and support. Its extremeley hard having to go through life without someone by your side who is always ther to support you and motivate you. No one has to go through this alone. So I want to be there for the kids to give them that boost they need in order to keep going. I want to show them that life doesn't have to be the way it is. There is hope and faith. I'm not going to lie and say that life is easy. Because obviously, everyone knows it's not. Nobody's perfect. Yes we will make bad decisions and mistakes more than once. I have no right to judge these kids by what they've done and neither does anyone else! I've made many mistakes and have done things I regret, and am not proud of. But we learn from those mistakes. It's our job to help these kids change their lives around, Not by judging them and bringing stuff up that has already happend. I want to help them move on to the next phase in their lives. Make them realize that life dosen't revolve around parties, drugs/alcohol or gangs. I also know what it's like living on the streets. It's hard out there. Sometimes, if your lucky enough, you'll find a warm place to sleep. I want to get both girls & boys off the streets, show them that their not alone, and that anything's possible. Many of my experiences actually benefit me because "I've been their, done that." I want to work with girls who have been sexually, emotionally, or physically abused. I want every girl to know that "It's never your fault." No matter what people have said or what happened in the past. You can hold onto it, and let anger and pain take-over you. Or you can simply let it go and be free and turn it into something positive, so that you, and the person after you can inspire young teens and adults all over the world. Don't let your past affect your future.

S. G., age 14

"My Dream Job" --a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a pharmacist tech.

Dear Sarah, I deserve this job because I am the most qualified person for the job. I have attended Harvard med for most of my life and have earned every degree possible. Also, you will make a lot of money by hiring me because I have discovered the cure to AIDS and cancer--- it is ice cream.

AM, age 16

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

The world doesn't understand
what I see. Its what you dont see.
Because it is me in which I see. 

RT, age 15


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The world doesn't understand
I'm a fighting machine, I cant stop
I mean, I wish for money
power and every thing. So 
one day I can be king.


TB, age 15


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The world doesn't understand
I want to get out of JJS custody
and go home and be with my family.


CY, age 17


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The world doesn't understand
its like a bottle for life or death like that
show I used to watch when I was young with 
the pill robot guy and the white blood cell
guy that fight all of the germs. 


TR, age 13


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The world doesn't understand
But the truth is the world really does.
My trauma, my pain is all been experienced by
many before m. I remember a time when
I let the world treat me as a victim.
therefore that's what I became. I refuse
to feel the restraint of the world because
I would prefer to make excuses so in all it's
not that the world doesn't understand me
I just don't know the world. 


AS, age 17


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The world doesn't understand
I feel sad, like I'm the one who is to suffer or
pay for that mans wrong doings. I've lost every thing
How can I cope, when sometimes the ones who ment 
me harm are those who said "I love you." When fear 
is my friend, and I feel it but dont act. I always was
the one to protect the little ones. And I'll always 
remember I'm the survivor and I get to tell 
the story. But what happens when that storyes at 
its end? 


AS, age 16


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The world doesn't understand
see what they don't see, is what I 
see-- and that is me. they say Im
hiding in the dark and they cant find me.
Im tip toeing on hells boundaries with 
the devil so dont try me. If you can not
see me turn on the light and look into
these eyes and it should be clear that 
I am not telling lies. like I said this clown
has his head stuck in the skies, thats why
he spits these crazy rhymes-- waiting in
his cell to get out and live his life. 


CM, age 14


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The world doesn't understand
try an walk a mile in my shoes the world lfe me 
nothing but these blues. 


SC, age 17

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
a clown that never cries, instead he dream in the skies. he dont believe
in the lies, he feels like his friends are taken
away by the system--- he stops and thinks
"Wow I am really starting to miss them!" I know they have 
not forgot about me, but it's been along time so just let this 
clown continue to rhyme. And one day he will be back on his
grind with his friends and family for a very long time. 


AM, age 14


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Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
someone who loves so deep to imagine
someone who cares and gets sad over to the tears of other.
someone who fought the battle and has now even
And finally someone who is remembered for great things. 


AS, age 16 


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Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
I see change. A different person from who I was. 
I see someone empowered by fear of the continuing
cycle of disgrace. I see someone who can
let go of pain and strives to enjoy life. 
I see a fighting chance. 


AS, age 17


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Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
a monkey flying so night he thout
he would cry so he decided to buy a kit and 
go for a ride then he was in office and they 
turned him into a pie. 


JR, age 13


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Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
a delinquent sitting in juvie
all because of his extreme stupidity
this isn't what I want to see
I want to see me holding a degree from a university. 


CY, age 17


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Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
a tall guy in the sky, I dare
you to tell me a lie, and watch
your eye. I'm telling you for the very last time. 


TB, age 15


------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
A young man who is scare. But always prepared
I was here unprepared. For it is the consequences I am scary. 


RT, age 15


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Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
I see who is real
and I see who is fake
but for the most part 
I see my mistake.


SC, age 17

Poetry: "The Best of Me"

Back in the day or at least around my way. When the weekend was creepin it was time to go play I dont need to be pacific but the times seem real terrific party's, fights, the good old nights. but when you hit 18 you lose your juvenile rights, next thing you know your an old man livin every day with regret tryin to make a stand. Now Im here to tell you thats not going to be me, trying to fulfill my lite as truest can be, dont question me, bless me to see the best of me every mistake I make is going to take time All 5 have for advice is dont do the crime cuz your just going to regret wishing you could rewind.

DW, age 17

Everyone Has a Story: "Judgement"

My story is about my life when I was eleven I lost my niece and I just got into trouble after that I am good a training horses not to be cocky but I am I plan to work in the oilfield when I get older I've had a lot of traumatic events happen in my life Ive been shot at lost my best friend to a stray bullet so don't judge me when you point your finger at me you point 3 fingers at yourself. Only god can judge me.

Everyone Has a Story: "Bad Decision"

My name is _________. I was born in oregon but moved to utah with my family when i was about six years old. I had a good child hood and it started going down hill when i hit the 8th grade and decided to smoke for the first time. I was with my best friend at the time and one day after school we decided to go to another friends house to hang out and when we get there there were other kids there standing around passing back an apple smoking out of it. Me and my friend walked up and one of the kids passed it to me and i hit it because i wanted them to think i was cool. After that day i started hangin out with the bad crowd of kids that smoked and got in trouble and i was doing it until about 6 months ago when i realized i didnt want to be that kid anymore but i wasn't doing much about it. Yeah i stoped hangin out with a lot of the kids and stoped smoking but one night i ended up making a really bad decision that landed me locked up for sixty day and thats when i really sat down and decided i have to change the way i live before its to late. I can't really say this program has changed me because noone can change in sixty days but it has changed the way i think and see the world.

J.C.

Everyone Has a Story: "Trying to Stay Alive"

I was 15 when I got jumped in to a gang. Before I knew it I was getting crap from every one the day after I go in. I said "they dont understand, theyre just hatin" But I was blinded by my own lust for a purpose in life. I had thought I found it but I was wrong. Dead wrong.

With in two weeks I was arrested 3 times charged twice and searched for drugs, alcohol, may be even weapons. The school cop just kept questioning me and said "word on the street is you go jumped in" I nodded, I didnt care what he was trying to do I just wanted to leave school. Then he says "you go by -----?" I said "ya" after that talk everyone started to look down on me. Soon after the cops kept coming to me everytime something gang related came up. especially graffiti I was always trying to be pushed into saying "I did it." It was the worst.

in the time I was all about the hood life. I beat up a girl, stole beer, got drunk, started a fight, worse of all there were two guys out to kill me and for a week I was to keep low, so I did though I always seemd to be across the street from them when fighting. Till they showed up at my high school to try to kill us, me. I was scared but when one walked past me I didn't flinch. Luckily he didn't know who I was. There still looking for me I've decided to get out but its hard and I may not survive.

J.S.

One Thing I'm Going to Do Differently...

-"im going to stop smoking weed and stay cleen and start skating again" KE, age 12

-"One thing I will do differently when I leave is make my life the best it can be. I'll change the way I treat people. I'll change people's lifes for the better. One love." RE, age 16

-"I going to stop running & hideing from my fears & I'm going to go to school & do well." AS, age 17

-"a thing Im going t do different when I leave is be a part of my family again. get my life on the right track and not to go with the guy who always put me down." MS, age 16

-"When I leave O&A I want to stop smoking bud and ciggarretes and start sk8ing again." LR, age 13

-"I am going to do better for my Mom and stop smoking weed." JM, age 14

-"I am not going to make the same decisions that got me put in here. I have already wasted enough time in my life." JC, age 17

Poem: "The Relationship with Carlos"

1. i thought you were so good to me
but you wernt.
2. i felt you were my everything
but you wernt
3. i thought you truly loved me
but you didnt
4. i thought you were going to be there for S
but you werent
5. S screamed for your attention
but you didnt
6. i cut myself badly
but you still didnt care

1. you took away my friends & family
but i didnt care
2. you took my sobriety & then my drugs
but i didnt care
3. you took my right to be a mom
but i didnt care
4. you would call me things like stupid or ugly
but i didnt care
5. you controled my whole life
but i didnt care
6. you kept me living on the street
but i still didnt care

1. we beat each other bloody
but we didnt care
2. we said we loved each other
but we didnt really
3. we screamed & yelled at each other
but we didnt care
4. we both wanted something eles
but we didnt care

dont do what i did!

SC, age 16