Fixing Things
My goals for 2010 are to gain all my mom’s trust that I lost from her, and other things. I want to get my work permit and driving permit. I want to see my nieces and nephew again. I want to work hard this year in school so that I can graduate early. Most of all, I want my family back together like how it was before this year started!
This year was very hard for me. My family broke apart. My dad and brother got incarcerated and I lost the sisterly relationship with both my sisters. My nieces and nephew moved back with their (not-in-the-right-mind) mother, who is my sister. The economy struck Fresno hard…my whole life has been a lie and karma has bit me in the a** hard. Hopefully 2010 has something good for me. I know it will because I will fix things.
-MM, 16
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An All-Around Better “Me”
I want to be an all-around better person. Physically, mentally and emotionally. I believe that my past problems from 2009 were somewhat of a strengthener. My past problems taught me that every problem can be solved. That patience is key, even when you have a deadline or when you’re being rushed. I also want to get healthier in 2010.
-Kevis, 19
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A New Year, Anything Can Happen
Eighteen, going to be nineteen years. So much has changed through my eyes. Most I choose to forget. The things I remember remain in my system as a new year arrives. A new beginning, new growth, new challenges, a change for the better where courage and strength become my destiny. The positive attitude I have will remain as I persist to become a better person this upcoming year.
In 2010, I want to have a place of my own where I pay my own bills and feel independent. I want to work and feel good each time I receive a paycheck. I want to attend college without having to ask my parents for their permission to take out loans. Also, in 2010, I want to wake up hearing little footsteps crawling in my bed, saying, “mama!”
2010 is a year where everyone can say “shawty is a 10.” Where friends and family become strong and united. The year where anything can happen.
-Anna, 18
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Class Of 2010
Within the blink of an eye, 2009 has already reached its pending end. I can still remember my stubborn moments and time wasted doing nothing. But this year, I have many memorable moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I can remember cheering my brother and boyfriend at graduation this year when they took their walk across the stage. They successfully finished high school and now, the college world has opened up to them. Entering college transformed them into stressed-out, rushing zombies.
I was jealous of them because within a couple of days of college, they matured and turned into young adults. I miss the silly games when we would just talk and laugh about something I can relate to.
When 2010 comes, I hope I can enjoy it as much as possible and savor each moment as a kid. I know that when that my graduation day comes in June, when I take my walk across the stage with a diploma in my hand, I will have a new responsibility on my shoulders. I hope and wish for a smooth transition into the adult and college world. I can hold on to my childish ways, but I know that I’ll change.
-Angelina, 17
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Living Better
In 2010, I would like to accomplish the things I haven’t done. I would like to start driving so I’m going to ask my friend for help. I would like to graduate as well, which I am, but I want to accomplish that. Another goal is losing weight. Like whenever I go to the store with my brother, I buy too much junk food for myself. That’s unhealthy for my body. The only way for me to lose weight is by exercising every single day. I’m also going to start eating my fruits and vegetables.
-Luis, 17
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Win Some, Lose Some
Looking back at 2009, there were many things I have gained and lost. For instance, my yearlong relationship ended some time in January but a new flame sparked in April. What I am hoping to achieve next year is a close band of friends who will always be there. Throughout 2009, I’ve lost so many so-called “best friends,” but I have gained new ones. I might not be as close to them as I wish I could be but hopefully my friendship with them can prosper and I can have a new band of people who I can rely on and create close personal bonds.
Hopefully I can create real friendships and not the kind that just fade after an argument or the type who are only with you to party. To gain this, it will be important for me to understand each and every person’s “buttons” or what makes them tick to know not what to do to lose them. It’s the time for real friends and not these so-called friends.
-Gracie, 16
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Focus On My Writing
To be honest, in 2010, I want to become a better writer. I always thought my writing was at least decent until I kept getting low scores on my college essays. My vocabulary and sentence structure is not at college level. I want to broaden my vocabulary and learn how to become a stronger writer. I want to impress my instructors and give them a strong essay to read.
Grammar errors have haunted me throughout my high school years. I thought it was just a phase I was going through, but I was wrong. I see many of my friends becoming talented writers and that has made me feel left behind. I don’t know where to start to improve my grammar but maybe I will start by reading college level books. Those books can help me discover how to write stronger pieces and introduce me to new vocabulary words.
The other kind of writing I want to improve is poetry. During my spare time, I would rather play video games or hang out with friends. I never did care how to write beautiful poems, but I love it when I hear other people’s work. I try writing poems myself but it’s not for me. For some reason, my poems are so inconsistent and don’t make sense.
-Dasen, 18
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Not Ready For Change
I feel like crying as 2010 is coming up. One year older. One more year of memories I would rather forget. I don’t want to 2010 come.
This past year, I had a blast. I have made many new friends. I had many good memories. As a junior this year, I’m going to miss all the seniors who leave in June, especially Angel, Thao, and Arena. I love the jokes and love all the smiles. I wish I had more.
That will be my New Year’s resolution. I’m going to be more selfless and help out the community more, show more love to all my friends. I want to better my life more in any way possible. I really can’t say much, only that I don’t want things to change.
-Yee Leng, 16
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To Be Free In 2010
In 2010, I will eliminate all negativity in my life. This way, I can be myself. I will grasp the essentials needed for survival. I will fight with all my being to obtain a clear state of mind and destroy all burdens and free myself. I will remain on the surface of the ocean of life and not drown.
-Marcus, 19
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So Many Things To Come
2010 is exciting! It’s going to be my year. The year I finally become an adult, the year I graduate. There are so many things I want and need to accomplish.
Throughout school, I never really had to put effort into my work to receive As. This year, as a junior, I took Honors Chemistry. The class was hard. But I know if I had put in all my effort and if I had taken the time, I would have gotten a higher grade than a C.
Also, I signed myself up for AP Statistics. I understood the basic concepts, but again, I slacked off and didn’t keep my mind on the work. I wasn’t pushing myself. I don’t want to wait until 2010, so I’m going to change now. But it’s so difficult for me because I’m very slow moving, and I get distracted easily. Still, I know if I work hard, I can change my grades so I’m going to push myself to do work and stay focused.
I think staying organized and then lighting candles might help. So, I’m going to keep my backpack and room more organized. I also want to do more volunteer work in the upcoming year. There are just so many things I want to do. 2010 is an exciting year and I cannot wait to see what I can do to change my life in a positive way.
-Gabby, 17
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Big Dreams For The New Year
In 2010, I hope to go to every Twilight convention in California. I also want to work on becoming an actress or model. I will work hard to raise money for everything I need and by asking people to sponsor me and help my dream come true. I have always wanted to be a model ever since I took modeling classes when I was little. I remember some of the classes, for example, I once did a little commercial for a toothpaste. It was kind of scary and exciting at the same time.
Another class taught me how to walk like a model. It was hard at first because they made me look straight ahead and then I had to walk with one foot directly in front of the other. I got frustrated a lot but it paid off.
Awhile back, I was visiting a teacher at my old school and someone was putting together a fashion show of students and special guests and she asked me to join. She said I had a beautiful smile and was very pretty. I said “yes” and showed up to her classes. I learned everything fast. She was pleased to see a new person learn so fast.
On the day of the show, I did my best and she said that when I’m ready and can pay for it, she would love to have me take her classes at her studio. So I’m going to work hard, earn money responsibly and seize a respectful opportunity to learn how to model or act. And I still want to save money to go to the Twilight conventions in 2010 too.
-Chanda, 21
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Stepping Stone
What I want for 2010 is very simple. I want to graduate. I just have one more semester to go before I graduate high school. For my last semester of high school, I want to pass all of my classes and make as many memories as possible, ones I will never forget with my friends, the greatest people in the world.
I’m going to keep doing what I do best and try hard in my classes. I hope I get the grades I want. I’ll try to go to all the basketball games, dances, and other school functions. I’ll be in the school play and I’ll leave my mark somehow.
Not only do I want to graduate, but also I want to go to college. I want to receive a congratulatory letter.
The year 2010 is not only a number or year for me. It’s a huge stepping-stone for me. This year is symbolic of change for me, and I’ll make the very best of it next year too.
-Arena, 17
Time Heals
What I want in 2010 is to make up for all the times I spent being upset, angry, and sad. There may not have been too many of those times but I’ve come to realize that I can’t change the situation I’m in completely on my own. The reality is that I really was hooked on something that I strongly believed in and still do believe in and nothing can ever change the beliefs I hold for my one person whose knowledge, charisma, charm and limitless caring love helped me through the roughest days.
All the gaps in between my happiness in 2009 were filled with paranoia, anger and restlessness. I thought these gaps of depression would never come to an end. I can now say the last time that time heals all, especially from experiencing a rough road in 09. Before I knew it, things changed quicker than I could ever imagine and I plan to regain all that I have lost. 2010 has already begun with a new face.
-Miguel, 17
In 2006, over 25 youth began participating in weekly after-school writing workshops where they congregated in the hallway of a two-story building in West Fresno and learned the essentials of creating media and telling their stories. The group evolved over the next five years and is now proudly recognized as The kNOw Youth Media.
Through our program, we create opportunities for our youth participants, who in turn create long-term positive change in their communities. Our approach weaves youth development and youth media innovation to produce our biannual youth publication, multimedia projects, and community forums.
The kNOw began as a project of New America Media, which was the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. In 2018 The kNOw became a project of Youth Leadership Institute.
