Diverse Treasure

DT 18: Diverse Treasure Returns!

2010-02-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-02-23T09:46:00.001-08:00

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

2010-02-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

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.

DT 18: Art students explore watercolor, animation

2010-01-25T15:52:00.001-08:00

By Christian Villareal

Watercolor by Douglas Martinez

Last semester in art class, LLA students learned a wide range of art skills, using both traditional and digital tools.

Students first learned how to work with water colors. We drew all types of flowers in the LLA garden. As an art student this semester, I learned that the more you draw, the better you get at it.

Watercolor by Destiny Stone

After that, our class worked on an assignment using Flash animation called “Growing City.” The assignment required us to illustrate six buildings, two characters, and a background. The different elements are arranged on six layers. The characters’ movements must have a beginning, middle, and end. This assignment feels advanced because I just started learning Flash, and I am still trying to get used to the program.

I have also learned some general art skills. For example, we learned how to draw what we see, and not what we think we see. If the artist looks at something and focuses on drawing what is seen, it can look realistic and have detail. If the artist draws from memory, it will be impossible to create accurate details.

Nov. 7: Farewells, Cheers, and THANKS!!

2008-11-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

Words cannot express how grateful we are to our fantastic hosts, Beth Newberger and Richard Schwartz, and Allida Black and Judy Beck. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment are second to none!!! We can't imagine a more exciting week to have been in Washington, and the experiences you created for us will stay with us and guide our ongoing exploration of citizenship, democracy, freedom, and opportunity. From all of us, THANK YOU!!! We can't wait to see you again.
- Justin Warren, LLA Staff

Nov. 6: Vietnam Memorial

2008-11-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

Nov. 6: Library of Congress

2008-11-07T05:47:00.001-08:00

You may be wondering, 'where are all the BOOKS??!?!'
More on that to come : )

Nov. 5: LLA Visits House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

2008-11-05T19:11:00.001-08:00

We had lunch with Speaker Pelosi!!! Check this link (here) which features us on her website, and watch her comments and Mario's reaction (below).

ELECTION DAY 2008: OBAMA!!

2008-11-04T22:23:00.001-08:00

Words can't describe our excitement. But this can:

ELECTION DAY 2008: Arlington VA Precinct Reporting

2008-11-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

Nov. 4: Jefferson Memorial

2008-11-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

Even though Thomas Jefferson supported slavery, his philosophy and his personal thoughts became helpful in what we now call the 'new generations' of thinking. Though Jefferson never thought of a united nation without slavery, segregation, discrimination, and racial persecution, his words were the seed of the struggle to end our 'legalized dehumanization' that continues today. He started the movement to open voting rights and citizenship to all americans, not just those who were wealthy landowners. Even though his idea of a 'citizen' didn't include many groups of Americans, his philosophy promoted the ideas that would shape the future of equal rights for everyone.

- Mario Zambrano

Nov. 3: Obama's Last Campaign Rally!!

2008-11-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

Manassus, VA. Swing state. The evening before the election. 100,000 people attended. None were disappointed.

Nov. 2: Clinton Rally for Barack Obama

2008-11-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

One word -- INTENSE!! Our host, Beth Newburger, escorted us past an endless line, through security, and directly to seats in front next to the stage! VIP, baby! After hours of patience, she finally arrived. Kanye's "Sky High" was blasting in the background, when police cars and three black Escalades pulled up, our hearts started racing. While Listening to the wise words of Senator Clinton, we all got the chills. Not only were we in the front row, but I got to say hello and shake her hand! Did I already say... INTENSE??! That's when it hit us: we are history in the making.

- Josie Najera

More pics, video, and excitement soon...
Up next: LLA students go to Obama's FINAL campaign rally!!!

Nov. 2: President Lincoln's Cottage House

2008-11-03T05:54:00.000-08:00

Nov. 1: Arriving in D.C.

2008-11-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

Finally in DC -- This is what we've all been waiting for! This seems so different from what we're used to. The streets are cleaner, the traffic lights are longer, the weather is perfect. The flight over here was smooth. I was asleep the whole time! But so far I'm having fun, and I can tell that I'm going to learn a lot. I'm excited to tour the city tomorrow and learn something new. We're scheduled to go to a Hillary Clinton rally tomorrow -- hecka exciting! I've never been to anything like it before. Can't wait.

-Kenysha Thomas

Graduation Issue 2008

2008-10-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Please click on page images for a larger view. Enjoy!

Issue 15 - The Phenomenal Women Issue

2008-04-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentleman, check out another HOT ISSUE!
Our best issue ever? Or is our best still to come...
Please click on page images for a larger view. Enjoy!

ISSUE 14

2008-02-11T14:59:00.001-08:00

ISSUE 13

2007-10-30T09:57:00.001-07:00

Please click on page images for a larger view. Enjoy!

ISSUE 12

2007-10-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Please click on page images for a larger view. Enjoy!

Life Learning Academy on KTVU

2007-05-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this cool profile about our school on TV!

ISSUE 11

2007-04-30T09:24:00.004-07:00

Another hot issue -- our best so far!! As always, click any page to enlarge and read. Enjoy!

When As a People lead singer Adam Yas moved back from Los Angeles in 2004, he and his best friend, Tim Way, started writing songs. Later they started looking for band players, and, after a year of auditions, he and Way found a bass player on Craig’s list. The house mate of the bass player later became the lead guitarist, and they became As A People.

Yas is the lead singer. Tim Way plays the drums. Nigel Sussman plays bass. Nate Link plays the guitar.

Yas and Tim Way are both from Boston, MA, Nigel Sussman is from Pennsylvania, PA, and Nate Link is from Maryland, MA.

Diverse Treasure interviewed Yas at LLA:

Q: What made you be an artist?
A: I love music, and my brothers would play records from ages 3 until I was old enough to write my own.

Q: What is lead singer Adam Yas playing for?
A: I am playing for the audience and going for the goal [of] support[ing] my future family and being able to play music for a living.

Q:What was the best performance you performed?
A:The next show will be my best performance.

Q: What or who inspired you?
A: My mom has always supported me in everything I’ve done. She’d never put me down or say ‘you should try something other than music’ which was great of her.

Q: Is their a message you guys are putting out in your lyrics?
A: People are people. For good and for bad.

Q: Do you write your own lyrics?
A: Yes, I’m always writing on my own songs. Usually I write them on like scraps [of paper] such as napkins, receipts, etc. I write a lot of things that come into my head.

Q: What is the audience you guys want to receive?
A: Open minded people.

Q: How would you categorize you style of music?
A: We’re the music type that isn’t always the “Top 40.” [We’re] the artsy, rock, eclectic style, more the uncategorized genre, for example, the type of sandwich that includes ham, tomatoes, cookies, bananas, etc.

For more info about Yas or As A People, visit www.asapeople.com or www.myspace.com/asapeople.

ISSUE 10

2007-03-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting Diverse Treasure Online, the Life Learning Academy student newsletter. Click any page to enlarge. Enjoy!