DT 18: Diverse Treasure Returns!

By David Morales


After more than a year without publishing, Life Learning Academy’s student newsletter is back in print.

The Diverse Treasure student newsletter will continue it’s mission to “chronicle the LLA and Treasure Island communities and celebrate our strengths, accomplishments, and diversity. “

Diverse Treasure (DT) also presents an enhanced online edition that editors hope will showcase more of LLA’s achievements, according to faculty adviser Justin Warren.

With DT’s return, students rebuild their forum for staying aware of school-related issues and events, student accomplishments, and Treasure Island topics.

Digital Storytelling student Juan Cabrera explained, “the importance [ of the newsletter is] you gotta get everybody informed.” Cabrera is one of six students who have worked to produce the newsletter this semester.

DT temporarily ceased publication while LLA created a new digital arts lab. The mac-based lab allows students to improve the quality and look of Diverse Treasure, and add to the publication’s capability to share stories in different formats, according to Warren.

LLA senior Mario Zambrano not only remembered the old DT, but was excited to hear that the publication is returning.

“My favorite thing had to have been waiting ‘til it came out,” Zambrano recalled. “I remember just waiting, like anticipating for it to come out. I remember I couldn’t wait.”

LLA art teacher Robin Havens also expressed excitement about the newsletter’s return.

“Without the newsletter.” Havens said, “we haven’t had a way for [the students] to tell [their] stories and I think we’ve been missing that. It’s almost like having an art class without a place that you could show your art.”

Editor's note: Diverse Treasure is supported in part by a grant from the Marin/San Francisco Jewish Community Teen Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund.

DT 18: Flores donates painting to LLA

Story and photos by Adriana Garcia
Video by Juan M. Cabrera



On Friday, November 20, 2009, representatives from Fifty24SF Gallery and Upper Playground came to Life Learning Academy and donated a painting to the school.

The artwork, a colorful painting by Bay Area artist Sam Flores, was installed at the school by Lynzy Blair, Emily Hebl, and Diana Smith. The piece, measuring 66.5” by 48,” now decorates LLA’s assembly room.

Flores did not attend the installation ceremony because he currently lives in Hawaii, according to Blair.

Blair explained that the gallery wanted to donate the art to a place where it would inspire.

“If we auction the piece, it only goes to the person who has the money to afford the piece, [and] whether or not you donate that money to the school, it’s not the same impact as having the actual artwork in this school.”

Born in 1975 in New Mexico, Flores moved to San Francisco in 1995 where he later started his life as an artist according to his website, http://www.samflores.com. Flores’ signature art is described on the site as “a female Fatima, often with large hands representing a warm welcoming.”

When the installers from the gallery arrived, they took a student-led tour and heard a brief summary about the school.



The three then met with LLA Principal Dr. Teri Delane. Delane explained the way that the school runs, and how it changes students’ lives.

After inspecting the wall space available, the installers retrieved the two-panel painting from their car and determined how to place it on the wall. With instruction from Delane and guidance from LLA art teacher Robin Havens, the piece was installed on the southeast wall of the LLA assembly room. Other framed artwork was removed to make space for the new work.

As soon as the artwork was installed, everybody in the school gathered. There was a lot of excitment. Blair told us a bit about herself and about the painting. Delane thanked the people who made it happen, and discussed how the art will touch LLA students.



After the assembly, students and teachers decided to get a closer look.

“Its awesome, just so awesome!” said LLA senior Carlos Chan.

LLA senior Jesus Ballote agreed, adding “I like the birds because [they symbolize that] everybody is free.”

DT 18: Be the change you want to see!

Story and video by Willie Woodson



Last semester, Life Learning Academy students viewed and reflected on a movie called Schindler’s List.

Schindler’s list is a 1993 film by Steven Spielberg. The movie tells the true story of Nazi party member Oskar Schindler who saved over 1100 Jewish people from concentration camps during the Jewish holocaust.

Students at LLA watched the movies in groups of 5-10 students with two staff members in a small screening room. The movie and discussion lasted most of the school day.

LLA principal Dr. Teri Delane screened the film for students to show an example of someone with the courage to step away from the majority and say that what the masses believe is wrong.

“The thing that creates change in people is to help them overcome prejudice,” Delane said, adding that there are “choices that we make -- with regard to violence, and regards to doing the right thing in your life everyday -- to see the change in our communities.”

The movie had a noticable impact on the students who watched it.

“My reaction to watching Schindler’s List was that I was amazed,” said LLA senior Mario Zambrano. “It touched me a lot, It made me think about where I come from, and it made me appreciate my life more... made me appreciate my freedom.”


“ I believe Schindler was actually right for what he did,” said LLA student Adriana Garcia, “because at one point in your life you have to stand up for what you believe in, and that’s exactly what Schindler did. Whatever he believed in, he stood up for it.”

DT 18: Keys to Success at LLA

Story by Jesus Ballote
Video by Jesus Ballote and Adriana Garcia



It takes serious effort to achieve success at Life Learning Academy. These are my top five keys to success for students who want to meet their full potential and earn their diploma:

STAY ORGANIZED
To make things easier for yourself I recommend setting and keeping track of goals. You should balance your time to get all your tasks done.

HAVE CONFIDENCE
Some risk-taking is needed to try new things and build the experience to know what you like or don’t like. Taking a chance allows you to learn from your mistakes.

BE RESPONSIBLE
If there is a problem, deal with it responsibly. Think of a way to resolve the problem without creating an even bigger one. There are always a lot of different directions -- and solutions -- you can choose.

STAY CALM
Maitain your cool to handle any situation effectively.

GIVE EFFORT
The greater your effort, the better chance you have for success. Even when things are becoming difficult in school, please dont give up!

Want to hear other LLA students’ keys to success? Visit DT Online and listen to top success tips from Josie Najera, Mario Zambrano, Ginger Tandoc, and Damariee Lewis.

DT 18: New Teacher - Lorena Archila

Story, photo and video by Juan M. Cabrera



Lorena Archila is Life Learning Academy’s new Spanish teacher. She has been teaching for two years. She describes teaching in her native language as one way of contributing to her community while doing something she enjoys.

Several years ago, Archila discovered LLA by coincidence while visiting Treasure Island. She was hired to teach Spanish classes beginning in Fall, 2009.

Archila appreciates “the roll that the students play in making sure that each one is reponsible and accountable,“ and has learned that the non-traditional school structure means that “the way I need to teach students is different.”

Outside of LLA, Archila enjoys knitting and spending time with her nearby relatives. “La familia is first,” Archila said when she spoke to DT staff.