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“I lived in Honduras and I am here in Washington, D.C. because I had not seen my mother in 10 years and because here they will give me good medicine. … All that I have been through – cancer, hepatitis B, and liver infection – has been very difficult for me and for my whole family. But, I have faith that …someday, my illnesses will rapidly disappear.”

by Andere Rosa
6th grader at Whittier Education Campus in 2010

“An issue I have an adamant opinion on is finding the courage to change…Out of seven of my older siblings who are out of school, none of them graduated on time. None of them gave my mother a chance to smile...at the accomplishment of such a feat. This changed me…A few words from my mother changed me. Of course change takes a culmination of commitment, dedication, and sacrifice, but with great conviction, change can be made.”

by Myranda Livingston
9th grader at Ballou Senior High School in 2013