Youth Voice

What Student Government Does for Me
by Melissa Montoya

It’s 4:15 on a cold December afternoon, and we are still reviewing what students worked on today during their group time. It was a long day; my head pounds while my focus skips from one topic to the other. I repeat, “Guys, the sooner we get through all this, the sooner you can go home.” However, I cannot go home right after the meeting is done. I must sort through all the information provided and set up next week’s agenda. While organizing the folder and packing up, I begin thinking about next week’s topic so the meeting will run as smoothly as this one. Afterschool programs such as Student Government help students develop skills such as commitment, management, and leadership.

Being a representative of Student Government enhanced the importance of being committed. One personal experience that demonstrates my commitment was the first year I entered Student Government. As a sophomore, my interest in Student Government was minimal. However, when the President and Vice-President approached me about joining, I felt that exploring this experience would be a good option for me. As the year went on, fewer representatives showed up for the afterschool meetings, and even though I was not an elected official, I continued to attend the meetings. Now I am in my third year and am currently the Vice-President.

Being Vice-President of Student Government helped me develop important management skills. First of all, when the previous President and Vice-President graduated, they left me in charge of starting and running the next year’s group. When starting the group, I, with the help of a classmate, made the applications, conducted interviews, and organized the logistics of the meetings with the current afterschool program. When the initial steps were complete, I worked on writing agendas, taking attendance, and handling any disciplinary issues. Finally, the leading management task was facilitating the meetings. By facilitating meetings, I can demonstrate that I am capable of organizing meetings with big groups, whereas before I could just take responsibility for myself.

               
Through my history as a representative and now as Vice-President, I polished my leadership skills. I entered high school as a very quiet, introverted, hard-working student; today I still work hard, but can now speak in front of a crowd and motivate them easily. In Student Government, besides management, I also encourage the representatives to excel when doing their jobs. For example, since I have some experience in planning events, I am guiding our Prom Committee through steps for successful fundraising, scheduling, and coordination. I also work with students to develop ideas for solutions to school issues. In one instance, one of our new representatives proposed setting up trash bins outside so students can throw away their trash instead of throwing it on the ground. I plan to help this student take on this proposition and make it successful, just like I have in many other instances.

My involvement in the afterschool program, and, ultimately, in Student Government, has perfected my commitment, management, and leadership skills. Before entering Student Government, I was not aware of how strong these traits were within me and never really thought of staying after school as much as I have. However, participating in Student Government through the afterschool program has given me a small peek into democracy; and because I enjoy it, I plan on joining a Student Council body in college and pursuing a political career.           

(December 2009)

Martial Arts: My Way of Life

by Elvis Huertas

THUMP! was the sound as I landed back first onto the mat. As I felt the sting of the pain, I was also happy by how well one of the students of the afterschool martial arts class had improved in take downs. It has been three years since I started studying traditional Kung Fu—via a Martial Arts club offered by the 21^st CCLC program at my high school—with my instructor, Brian, who is also a teacher at the school. Now I help him teach. Going through tough training both mentally and physically has taught me many things. During my training I discovered that in everything one does, one must have patience, considerable mental strength, and the ability to process things quickly.

I remember starting out Kung Fu; all I wanted to learn were cool tricks like spin kicks. However, first I needed to learn the basics; I soon began to get frustrated with this. Everything changed when I received my first test: to blow out a candle by throwing a punch without touching the flame. I punched once. Nothing happened. The second punch. Nothing. The flame stood there taunting me. This made me realize that I needed more patience in order to be able to perfect my punches. For the next week, I spent two hours a day practicing. When it was again time for the test, I succeeded with my third punch. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Patient endurance is godlike.” To be able to endure anything from rules to remarks—with patience—is truly an admirable thing.

The first rule in martial arts is that it must only be used for self-defense, and not for vengeance. This first rule is the most important. In order for me to follow it, I needed to be mentally strong so that no remarks could get to me. I was taught by my uncle that I was to beat up anyone who would even give me a small remark. Brian told me and the others that, “Everything you learned here today is for self-defense.” Hearing this from a 15^th degree black belt made me think and realize that fighting just makes things worse, and violence should be the last thing one resorts to. As I continued my training with the sense that it was only to be my last resort, I was able to focus on actually mastering the different techniques.

One of the techniques we practiced for a long time was the 360-degree defense, very useful when defending against an armed opponent. As we kept practicing, I noticed that my reaction time was quickening, and that I was beginning to predict the person’s next move. Soon I began to learn how to adapt to situations. Once, when I misread my sparring partner’s movement (I had gone for a lower block when he actually went for an overhead strike), I was able to process that I had enough time to use the opposite hand to block the attack, and I did.

By learning patience, mental strength, and how to process things rapidly, I have become a better student. I now have the patience to take my time to do everything to my best ability. Being mentally strong has given me the restraint to avoid all unnecessary conflicts and ignore rude comments. The ability to process things quickly—when it is necessary—has helped me meet deadlines. These skills will help me in college as they are now helping me in high school and in life.     

Ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed art. Fond memories of my childhood always include coloring, playing with clay, or drawing. Art was just really fun for me for a long time. Then it happened.

I remember walking through a bookstore when I saw Around the World in 45 Years, a compilation of Peanuts comic strips. I knew I had to have it. After reading it front to back, I became inspired, even infatuated, with Charles Schulz’s work. From that point on, I also knew what I wanted to do in life.

I wanted to draw.

And so I did. By the end of fifth grade, I began to get really serious about comics and sequential art. I remember my teacher had just ordered How to Draw Manga (manga is a style of drawing, also known as “Japanese comics”) by Katy Coope. The first day it came in, I borrowed it; the last week of school, I sadly returned it—weeks overdue.

I continued to draw manga throughout middle school. After middle school I joined New Urban Arts, and my world and my mind exploded there. I love it there so much! Thanks to them, I have made comics, friends, zines (self-published pieces of work), participated in Lock-Ins, performed in front of an audience, visited Boston’s Papercut Zine Library, met so many amazing people, and learned to love art in a way I never had before. I owe them all so much and am eternally grateful for all they have done for me.

And at my school, Feinstein High School, I was asked to draw covers for the afterschool program booklet (twice!), and then I was invited to start the Feinstein High School (FHS) Zine Team as part of the afterschool program.

The FHS Zine Team is an independent, self-publishing, media club. We meet weekly and create our own publications to give out in the world. At first, I was really nervous being “the teacher”.  I was on edge wondering, “Will anyone show up? Will there be a lot of people? Will they even want to stay?” To my surprise, about six or seven students and Ms. Heather, the assistant director of the afterschool program, attended. And they actually liked it, and told me they wanted to come back next week. I felt so accomplished—people enjoyed my class! Since then, the FHS Zine Team has worked on an average of three zines per student. We also have a web site in progress (fhszineteam.webs.com) and a collaborative zine about happy memories. I am very excited about what is in store for the FHS Zine Team as well as so very proud of all of the work they have done.

Recently, I found a new way to explore my passion. I am taking a brand new course at the Feinstein afterschool program: cartooning and anime. 

So in conclusion: Why do I do art?

I do art with one dream in mind. While not exactly the most noble or profound dream ever, it’s the reason why I pick up a pencil or pen every day. And no, it’s not to get famous or super rich. My reason for drawing is the hope that one day my art will inspire someone to do what they love. I want them to be inspired the way I was by Charles Schulz when I picked up his work. The thought of someone looking at my art and saying, “Wow! I want to do that!” is what keeps my heart a-pumpin’ and my hands wrapped around a pencil.

That is why I attend New Urban Arts, joined their Zine Team, started a Zine Team at Feinstein High, continue to make zines, comics and paintings, and just carry an excitement for possibilities in my heart. 

For those reasons, I make art. And my afterschool programs fuel my desire to pursue my passion.