Myles

I am from paintball guns, R/C cars and computers.

I am from my dog and my cats.

I am from trees, rocks and grass.

I am from Jonathan, Julie and Juliet.

I am from halo-halo and mystery meat.

Monique

I am from my couch, the TV and toilet paper.

I am from the pool, my dog and my two cats.

I am from gangsters outside, oak trees and Handi Shop 2.

I am from Alexis, my dad Domingo and my mom Selma.

I am from “stay strong.” I am from “keep your head up” and “stay in school, I promise you will do good in the future.”

I am from enchiladas, spaghetti and pepperoni pizza.

Isaiah

I am from the computer in my mom’s room. I am from a TV in my room, my mom’s room and the living room. I am from having a bed to sleep on in my room.

I am from dogs in the backyard, a hose in the front yard and grass in both yards.

I am from having cars all over the driveway. I am from the store on the corner.

I am from my cousins Jacob and Jeremiah. I am from my sisters taking care of me when mom was gone.

I am from my sister saying “pow! right in the kisser.”

I am from eating bacon before school and eating McDonalds when we had nothing else to eat.

Roman

I am from playing an Xbox early in the morning.

I am from a little slide I had when I was four years old.

I am from my swing set.

I am from “boopie-dudie,” what my parents would call me.

I am from eating hamburgers when I was younger.

Isayah

I am from an Xbox 360 by my TV, the movie shelf in the closet and family pictures in my bedroom.

I am from a built-in swimming pool, the lawn mower in the shed and a big table with chairs by the pool.

I am from the basketball hoop down by the end of the street, plants by the neighbor’s house and the boat down the street.

I am from my two brothers, my grandma and my sister.

I am from “I’m going to finish the fight and we will make it,” from my favorite video game Halo.

I am from lasagna and french bread, barbecuing in the backyard and burritos.

Ismael

I am from footballs, dogs and the rooms in my house.

I am from football, flowers and the hose outside.

I am from trash in the streets, kids and sports.

I am from my sister, my brother and my grandma.

I am from “‘cuz I said so!,” and “banana pudding.”

I am from tamales, carne asada and hamburgers.

Juan

I am from my TV, my bed, my clothes, food, paper and pencils.

I am from grass, dirt, bikes and trees.

I am from drugs, gangs, guns and violence, bikes and dead dogs.

I am from Alexis Garcia, Carlos Guitierrez, Brian Sanchez, Jasmin, Chato, Adrian and Ramon.

I am from “when you puttin’ in work, that’s how it goes.”

I am from enchiladas, tacos, beans, Mexican rice, cheese and pizza.

Tags: boys and girls club, merced, poetry, spotlight, where I'm from