The Beat Within

by AMJ, San Francisco  It was the happiest when I got to go out of state to go skate with my homie’s. It was about three months ago, when me and my homies/family we went to Oregon to skate all different skate parks. It was I can say, the happiest time of my life. We went all over Portland/Oregon. I mean it was the best adventure. We went camping for a few days, all different camping spots.  Then after that, we went to go meet my sponsor for the first time. She’s hella cool, I’m like a son to her

by Montana, San Francisco A funny moment for me would be coming to jail because no matter how much I try I always end up in jail. I know it’s a blessing in disguise to keep me alive and just be thankful to still be here and not be dead.  Even though I’m in jail right now, it could always be worse. So, you just have to be thankful for all the little things and never be ungrateful. Never be in denial to things that are keeping you safe and alive.  I don’t know how to be more aware of

by ISC, Santa Clara “Difficult” is the one word I would use to describe my childhood. Growing up was difficult. It honestly was difficult for anybody growing up in the system. It was bad all until I started looking at life a different way.  The system was a different type of bad. You can make being in the system not bad by making good memories. I’ve had some good times but honestly being here is mostly not good.  Growing up was hard, especially my childhood. Even though you try to make the best of it, the people and things around

by JV, Sacramento The man that inspires me the most, to be honest, is one that struggled, preserved, and overcame. This man was publicly shamed, shut down, and rejected by society. But this man never gave up. He went on to be remembered as one of the greatest composers in history, his name was Sergei Rachmaninoff.  Rachmaninoff was born into a family of musicians. It soon became clear that he was especially talented. At a very young age, he was sent to a prestigious Russian music school known as a conservatory. He was to be taught by the best pianists

by Lil Los, James Ranch, Santa Clara From the moment I Ianded on earth I can’t remember anything from before I was a four year old, but I can tell you everything after that age. I was in the mix of so much stuff. I feel like I was never able to be a child. As a young child, I was four, I seen my own mother physically attacked by my father. I was confused and scared. I didn’t know what to do or how to help.  At five years old the cops kicked in the door and took my