Dr. Davis began her talk with a startling anecdote: In 1986 the Central Valley only had one doctor that accepted women with Medi-Cal. There was a perception that Medi-Cal patients were sicker or more of a hassle to handle as a patient. Around 1995 is when the perception began to shift. More monetary incentives, or funding, were being provided for Medi-Cal and data was gathered showing that families on Medi-Cal weren’t “sicker” than other families.
"I think Merced has a lot of guns, most of which are illegal I suppose since the times I’ve seen or heard about guns weren’t necessarily from adults. A lot of teenagers here in Merced have access to guns. I have had friends who either own a gun or carry a gun around at all times for “protection.” I personally think that I shouldn’t have to fear what I haven’t done and so far I have no problems with anyone."
“One of the first public activities that I ever got involved in was when I went out and collected signatures with a lot of other folks in this community to get J St. renamed to MLK Jr. Way,” says Assemblyman Adam Gray. “That experience was shared with Charlie Huddleston, who literally walked with me from house to house collecting signatures. So coming to this celebration every year is special for me in that personal way.”
Today, I still struggle with my depression. It’s not as bad as when I first started showing symptoms but I still find myself a bit down here and there. My current treatment is taking anti-depressants and they keep me in check. I used to think that I would never be happy again or live a normal life but now I can say I am doing what I once saw as unthinkable. I’ve changed so much through my depression and seeing it all from the beginning to the present just makes me happy that I have people there for me, people who want me to get better, making sure I’m getting the right treatment and always being there. I now know that I can still be happy and live life without hold- backs.
I came into the US when I was about three years old. Throughout my years in elementary, I did very well and throughout middle school I did even better. I was always making my parents proud, and I graduated from the eighth grade with four educational awards and one sportsmanship award. Now I am a sophomore at Golden Valley High School and I am thinking about how I want my future to be. I want to go to college, but how will that help if I can’t work for that profession?
Everyone has different views about El Capitan. This school definitely stands out from the other high schools in the district and I feel it is a much-needed change that can lower the student population of the over crowded high school. In conclusion, El Capitan can change the way students experience high school. In the future, if technology is successful at El Capitan, we will see those changes in Merced High and Golden Valley. El Capitan has a promising future and I hope it leaves a lasting impact in our community.
Photo: some rights reserved wolfpetersonby Ana LlimetEditor’s Note: This story was originally published in We’Ced Youth Magazine Issue #2
I was in 3rd grade and I had just gotten out of the restroom when a group of girls approached me. Read More
Shortly after, my father relapsed and I lost contact with both him and my brother. Through another family member, I was informed that my brother was taken into the custody of his older sister. Child Protective Services (CPS) eventually decided the home he went to was unsafe and placed him in foster care.
Slowly but surely, I started to get better in school. I got in less and less trouble, I stopped fighting and became an A and B student and I started playing sports like basketball. I started to look for ways to get involved in my community and that’s how I found out about BHC.
Adoption is a great alternative for a mother or family that wants to provide a better and brighter future for their child. After my recent experience I’ve not only learned about the positive outcomes of adoption, but also to observe the good and bad when it comes to particular topics. I’ve learned that it only takes one person to change a mindset.
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