From Crayons to Krylons
From
Crayons to Krylons
Edited by Yesenia Trevi単o
From Crayons to Krylons
From
Crayons to Krylons
Edited by Yesenia Trevi単o
From Crayons to Krylons
Giving a voice to the speechless. LaLa Land Press LaLaLandPress@live.com Issuu.com/lalalandpress McAllen, TX 78501
Cover Design by Bryan Presas Cover Design Edited by Jorge Garcia Art Work by Juarez-Lincoln High School
Copyright © 2015 by LaLa Land Press Spanish Edited by Marcela Campa English Edited by Yesenia Treviño All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1505347937 ISBN-10: 1505347939
FORWARD From kindergarten coloring with Crayons to realizing the images of their lives spray painting with Kraylons, they grow and change artistic mediums but manage to remain sane. A collection of art, essays, short stories, and poetry written by the students of JuarezLincoln High School in La Joya in deep South Texas with special guests from the rest of the district. Note: Some of the names of people and places have been changed to protect their identities. This book will give you some insight on what it is like to grow up in La Joya, Texas mid all the current dangerous poetical and low socioeconomic status of a bulletproof boarder town. The drawings from Juarez-Lincoln High School are Texas State Winners of Visual Arts Scholastic Event, VASE, of the Teas Art Education Association and are traveling being exhibited in various museums across the country.
Artwork by Delia del Rio Hinojosa
2
Photograph by Marisela Garcia
54
“Possibilities”
3
“Backstabbed” by Angel Gonzalez Artwork by Yesenia Tijerina
55
“Lesliehonest” by Leslie Galvaniz Artwork by Javier Coronado “Death Train” by Marlon Rapalo Muñoz “Not Enough Pay” by Lynda Lopez “Student/Teacher” by Andres Salinas “The Phoenix Within” by Mallely Garcia “En el Bosque No Todo es lo Que parece” by Blanca Polanco, Ruth Pavón, Gloria Garza, y Yazmine Aguilar “The Beginning” by Esequiel Rodriguez “Mis Últimas Palabras” by Marisela Garcia Artwork by Sargent Roberto Banuelos
61
99
by Delia del Rio “My Time at Juarez-Lincoln High School” by J.J. Guajardo, Jr Artwork by Gabriela Reyna “Reborn” by Christopher Chavez Photograph by Jacklyn Sanchez “Friday Effect” by Aldo Medrano Artwork by Ayin Villagomez “Privileged Loneliness” by David Gutierrez “Stuff” by Yesenia Treviño
“Nuero Naranjo” by Fermin Cruz “Naranjos Hondureños” by Marlon Rapalo Muñoz “Eccentric” Colored Pencil by Anakaren Suarez
7 12 13 16 17 24 25 33
36 37 40
“Living the Jush Life” by Joshua Villarreal
41
“Inicio”
“Body, Soul, and Music” by Sabrina Luna “The Rules of Being a Contact” by Rodolfo Rodriguez “The Cover-girl” by Jose Suarez “Impacted” by Lizeth Martinez
46
“Thoughts of Love” by Jessica Hernandez “Mi Vida Color de Rosa” by Lizeth Leal Artwork by Esequiel Rodriguez “Aviana” by Denise Moreno
47 50 51
by Yaritza Peña
60
70 71 82 83 88 89
94 95 98
106 107 117 118
“Impossible” by Cesar Coronado
126
“Time: The Pain & Hope” by Marco Zenteno
147
“My Faith” by Leslie Anne Hernandez “Little Runaway” by Michele Pequeño “Pointless” by Zila Padilla “La Rosa Muerte” by Catherine Perez “Engineering Plans” by Alex Noz “Short Lived” by Adolfo Zapata “Bloom” by Mauricio Colunga “15” by Olga Linda Martinez
127
“When Daddy Calls” by Esmeralda Delgado “Smile” by Lynda Lopez “Stolen Princess” by Adriana Hernandez Artwork by Anakaren Suarez “No My Sister” by Marialena Flores “One of a Kind” by Adrian Rodriguez from Güero by Esmeralda Noyola “Baby Tree Barrial” by Enrique Olguin
149
“Mi Primer Amor” by Yolmelien Sanchez “A Father to All” by Airam Ruby Noyola
141
“Baby Tree”
167
130 131 135 136 137 139 140
143
11
by Enrique Olguin
152 153 154 155 158 159 166
From Crayons to Krylons
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks to La Joya ISD for continuing to encourage their students to express themselves through writing and art. Thank you to all the administrative team at Juarez-Lincoln High School and our supportive Principle Mr. Alaniz for letting us show the world what La Joya is made of. Thank you, Mr. Alaniz, Principal of Juarez-Lincoln High School Ms. Eloisa, Principal Secretary JLHS Mrs. D. Garza, ELA JLHS Asst. Principal Mrs. Solis, JLHS Asst. Principal Ms. Marcela Campa, Spanish Teacher. JLHS Ms. E. Garza, Spanish Teacher Jimmy Carter Early Collage Mrs. Fagutag, Fine Arts Department Head, Art Teacher Mr. Corpus, Art Teacher, JLHS Mrs. Gutierrez, Art Teacher, JLHS Mrs. Gomez, English Teacher, JLHS Mrs. Altamira, English Teacher, JLHS Mr. Guajardo, US History AP, JLHS Mr. Jorge Garcia, Engineering, JLHS Mr. Figueroa, ELA Department Head, JLHS Mrs. Adriana Morales, ELA Dept. Head, D. Treviño M.S.
Mr. Jose T. Garcia, Principal, D. Treviño M.S., Sharyland ISD Board Member
Mrs. Montoya, La Joya ISD ELA Coordinator Mrs. Cortez, La Joya ISD Fine Arts Coordinator Marla M. Guerra, Ed. D., South Texas ISD Superintendent A. Benavides, Ed. D., La Joya ISD Superintendent And most importantly… all our contributing Writers, Artists, and Readers.
Essays
Click here to order a copy!
From Crayons to Krylons
by Delia Del Rio Hinojosa Juarez-Lincoln HS
POSSIBILITES Delia del Rio
“T A
challenging
he secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on the fighting the old, but on building the new,” Socrates. personal
circumstance
that affected
my
participation in school is my family’s lifestyle. This past year has not been the greatest. It was hard to believe that this past year we lost our house after living there for twelve years.. We used to be united; we did not struggle for payments or personal problems, until the day we lost everything. In December 2013 when we moved out of the house and started looking for a place to live, it was the saddest I had ever felt. The first time I fell asleep in my new home there was a knot in my throat from crying while remembering how things were back in the days not too long ago. Suffering in an uncomfortable trailer, we spent cold winter days and nights. Finally, we found out what poverty truly was. My parents were getting desperate and discouraged with how much we were struggling. That was when we decided to forget the past and begin to form our future. My dad had to work two jobs. One in construction from eight to five and the second he would
From Crayons to Krylons
referee soccer community league games. My mom sold food plates to earn more money. She would have to wake up early to prepare everything so that it would be ready for peoples lunch break. With our help she finished fast. We cooked outside. We could not cook indoors were we lived. It was a little trailer and we could not fit inside all at once. It was a trailer for two and there are seven of us in total; my parents, four girls, and one boy all in a small space. I saw how horrible the conditions were, but they were breaking a leg to achieve what we wanted...as a family. They were not the only ones who had to work. My sister and I began to sell food such as snacks in school to get sufficient money to help our parents pay any payments at home. Sometimes we did not have enough space to sleep. My parents would sleep on the bed, the girls on the floor, and my brother spent the night with friends. The most important thing I have learned from this ordeal was that as a family we have the opportunity to help ourselves by remaining united. “Todo se logra en esta vida si tan siquiera uno da el primer paso,� my dad’s encouraging words let us know that anything is possible one step at a time. Knowing how to overcome a problem as a family gives us faith that no matter how big the situation is we can make it and learn from our mistakes in the future. I would not like to build a house with those same bricks my parents did. We are building a new future together.
From Crayons to Krylons
MY TIME AT JUAREZ-LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL J.J. Guajardo, Jr
D
ear Juarez, My name is J.J. Guajardo Jr. and I have
taught at Juarez-Lincoln High School for nine years. This was the school in the La Joya Independent School District that took a chance on a young 22 year-old, fresh out of college, with grand dreams of shaping today’s youth in order to help prepare them for their future after high school. My thoughts as an educator changed drastically from my first year teaching at Juarez-Lincoln High School to now, my last year here. It has been an amazing nine year journey and I can honestly say that Juarez changed me. I fell in love with the profession my first year teaching, but quickly realized that in order to better my students I had to work more diligently. In order to bring out their best, they deserved the best from me. I’m not saying there weren’t rough days or rough students encountered, but I can honestly say that as the years kept passing the fondness with my profession grew. I had the pleasure of
From Crayons to Krylons
working with an amazing group of students; extremely intelligent, hard-working, and kind hearted. Juarez exposed me to the most humble kids I have ever worked with. At times having the misfortune, as some call it, of working with students who were labeled as troubled I didn’t shy away from working with students who were being moved from class to class because of behavioral issues. But, rather sought the challenge to make them better historians and students. I believe that all my students left my class better people than when they walked in at the beginning of the year. It was while working in this district that I was given the opportunity to travel the east coast several times in order to better myself as a historian and an educator. Blessed to work with amazing teachers not only in this school but also across the district, I have learned from my peers. I have asked questions to become a stronger teacher and always remained willing to help fellow educators who had questions or needed assistance. I try to better myself by surrounding myself around others who have a passion for education. A passion for success. A passion for helping others. Several of my coworkers have become life-long friends with over the years. In 2012, I was selected as teacher of the year for Juarez-Lincoln High School. That same year I was awarded the very prestigious Teacher of the Year for Secondary Educators for La Joya I.S.D.
Numerous times many
people have asked why I believed I received the award. People asked me what it was I did differently. My answer throughout has not changed. The honor came because I bring my best on a daily basis and I truly find joy in my job. Again, I’m not saying there weren’t
rough days here and there, but for me, work has never truly been work but rather something I find joy and engross myself in. There will always be a special place in my heart for Juarez. Not only did I get to help several students succeed and assist them in passing state exams, but it is here where I met the love of my life, my beautiful wife, Yvette Solis. If it wasn’t for Juarez I would not have met the person I would spend the rest of my life with and my two amazing fraternal twin babies, a boy and a girl. I mention my twins because fatherhood has changed me drastically. It has taught me patience and it is that patience that has further assisted me in teaching. My kids and my wife are my world. The reason for my departure from Juarez is to be closer to my babies. I will still be employed in La Joya and there is no other district where I would prefer. I would like to finish with a message to not only my students but to all students. It is a message that rings true to me being something that my father told me as my high school years were coming to an end. “Right now you have two options in life. You can choose to have fun now and work hard for the rest of your life. Or you can choose to work hard now and have fun for the rest of your life,” he said. That decision is up to each and every one of you. Make the choices that will affect your life in a positive way; even if that means times will be tough for a while. Have a plan and continue moving forward because once you have succeeded you can enjoy the rest of
From Crayons to Krylons
your life with a job that you love, with people that you love, and with a smile on your face. Sincerely,
JJ Guajardo Jr. Historian Educator Husband Father
Click here to order a copy!
by Javier Coronado Juarez-Lincoln HS
From Crayons to Krylons
from DEATH
TRAIN
Marlon Rapalo Muñoz
Introduction
I
am a human being in search of the American Dream.
Considering the fact that I’m being watched over by the All Mighty throughout my journey, I am one of the most
privileged people in this world. The Lord has taken pity on me. He knows my thoughts, heart, and intentions in this country. All I aspire to is bettering myself daily and elevating my family name. The obstacles I’m confronted with do not faze me. My faith is in God first, not material things. One day my recompense will be greater than what I have suffered, and my suffering has been epic. After all my fighting, triumph is sure to follow. I am more than merely thankful to be alive and well. I’m indebted. Crossing three borders isn’t easy, but thank God I made it, at times walking over places where many dead bodies have fallen. He maintained me safe on my journey from Honduras toward the United States. It is a very difficult thing to do and much more so for an inexperienced child such as me. To this day it is the worst thing that has happened to me. I don’t wish what I’ve seen or done on anyone.
The mere thought of the children that travel on the Train of Death every day is unimaginable. The Beginning My father left and never returned when I was a four-year-old boy.
Ana, my younger sister was only two. He never took the
opportunity to get to know us. My mom was both mother and father to us, cleaning other people’s dirty laundry to put food on our table. I admired her for doing whatever it took to help us survive. Even making food to sell. Even though mom was very strict with us, she did it so we could stand up and value ourselves with pride.
Preparing us for the
obstacles that we could encounter. My little brothers and sisters learned at a very young age to grow up in a fatherless home. We were more than capable of helping our mother in whatever way we could. Each morning we were awoken by the sweet aroma of fresh made coffee and sweet bread. Regardless of how tired and weary my mother was from washing other peoples clothes all night our breakfast never failed. Reliable. Unlike my father, one of the most unreliable men I’ve ever met. He still cares nothing of his children. “Mí hombrecito, ve a la tiendita por mi. Trai huevos y mantequilla. No te demores,” Máma Rosa asked me to run to the little store and fetch some butter and eggs. I loved helping her. She trusted me to go all by myself at only seven-years-old.
After signing my name on the
grocery tab Doña Alda had for us, on my way back home I passed a small field where the neighborhood boys had fashioned some PVC
From Crayons to Krylons
pipe they’d stolen from crazy Don Arnolfo down the block into a soccer goal post. The boys called out to me.
Note: Marlon Rapalo is publishing the book Death Train/Tren de la Muerte set to be released in April 8th 2016. The book will be in Spanish with the accompanying English translation. Look for the book on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, Nook, and Kindle.
Click here to order a copy!
Click here to order a copy! BOUT THE AUTHOR A collection of artwork, essays, stories, and poetry written by the students of Juarez-Lincoln High School in La Joya in deep South Texas with special guests from the rest of the district. Note: Some of the names of people and places have been changed to protect their identities. This book will give you some insight on what it is like to grow up in La Joya, Texas Mid all the current dangerous poetical and low socioeconomic status of a bulletproof boarder town.
From Crayons to Krylons