Written Stories 2008/2009
Laura's Trip
My Second Visit to the Arizona State Capital
by Laura Castro, Amigos Center
This visit to the Arizona State Capital gave me as a student, so many lessons, as a mother, so many experiences to share with my children, and as a citizen, the opportunity to advocate for Adult Education .
First, I’m going to talk about my experience as a student on my visit to the Arizona State Capital. This Capital is full of U.S. history, especially the museum. I learned some facts about our state. For example, Arizona was named a State on February 14, 1912. As for politics, I learned that Arizona has 30 districts, and each district has one senator and two legislators.
My second point is about my experience has a mother, I share with my children all the things that I learned and I saw on this visit to the Arizona State Capital. This discussion was a review for me, and I’m glad because my children now want me to take them to the museum. They want to see with their own eyes the petrified trees. So, I’m going to take my children on a field trip to the Arizona State Capital as soon as I can.
What can I say about my experience on my visit to the Arizona Estate Capital as a citizen? I’m so glad that I had the opportunity o advocate for Adult Education , not just for Amigo Center where I’m a student, but Adult Education in Arizona. I was there whit the Legislator Mrs. Anna Tovar and the Legislator, Jerry Weiers. My fellow students and I were speaking for all adult students in my state. I hope that at least one of those Senators or Legislators that we meet last Tuesday in our visit to the in Arizona.
Being part of AALL with this group of wonderful teachers and students, going to the Arizona State Capital to speak up for Adult Education in Arizona, was an unforgettable experience for me, as a student, as a mother, and as a citizen.
I cannot wait for our next field trip to the Arizona State Capital !!!!!
by Laura Castro, Amigos Center
This visit to the Arizona State Capital gave me as a student, so many lessons, as a mother, so many experiences to share with my children, and as a citizen, the opportunity to advocate for Adult Education .
First, I’m going to talk about my experience as a student on my visit to the Arizona State Capital. This Capital is full of U.S. history, especially the museum. I learned some facts about our state. For example, Arizona was named a State on February 14, 1912. As for politics, I learned that Arizona has 30 districts, and each district has one senator and two legislators.
My second point is about my experience has a mother, I share with my children all the things that I learned and I saw on this visit to the Arizona State Capital. This discussion was a review for me, and I’m glad because my children now want me to take them to the museum. They want to see with their own eyes the petrified trees. So, I’m going to take my children on a field trip to the Arizona State Capital as soon as I can.
What can I say about my experience on my visit to the Arizona Estate Capital as a citizen? I’m so glad that I had the opportunity o advocate for Adult Education , not just for Amigo Center where I’m a student, but Adult Education in Arizona. I was there whit the Legislator Mrs. Anna Tovar and the Legislator, Jerry Weiers. My fellow students and I were speaking for all adult students in my state. I hope that at least one of those Senators or Legislators that we meet last Tuesday in our visit to the in Arizona.
Being part of AALL with this group of wonderful teachers and students, going to the Arizona State Capital to speak up for Adult Education in Arizona, was an unforgettable experience for me, as a student, as a mother, and as a citizen.
I cannot wait for our next field trip to the Arizona State Capital !!!!!
GED Trial and Troubles
Angelique Esparza started Mesa Public Schools Family Tree Program in August of 2007. She attended GED classes taught by Laurel Strate with her three preschool children until January of 2008. At that time her family situation became overwhelming and she stepped out of the program until April of 2008. In August when school started she was unable to attend classes but came back to finish her GED in January 2009. This is her story.
My name is Angelique D. Esparza and I am a native Arizonan. I am a single mom and have four children who are seven, six, and four year old twin girls. When I started Family Tree I had three of my four children in the program. I lived in East Mesa , which was a long way from the school, so it made it difficult for me to get to and from school. I was late the majority of time and finally quit going all together. I had not finished high school, not earned my GED and my job options were limited.
My children and I moved four times that year. I felt like I had no way out; every time I turned around I was running into a brick wall. I went to stay at my mother’s house, got back into Family Tree, and four months later I earned my GED.
Getting my GED was a challenge. When I began taking the tests everything went smoothly. On my first test, Social Studies, I scored a 610. That helped my confidence soar through the roof. I took my second test and did well, and then I was ready to take my third test.
I called MCC ( Mesa Community College ) to schedule the test but they had no available spots. I felt a little discouraged. The appointment-setter at MCC said I could come in and stand-by and if someone didn’t show up I could take their place. I still had three of the five tests to take. I did just as she said, and sure enough I got in. I took my third and fourth tests that way, finishing them before the center closed.
The May 15th graduation deadline was a week away and the only place I found to test was at Paradise Valley Mall, a long way from my Mesa house. I arranged with Family Tree to help me with transportation. We were in route, having to leave four hours before the test actually started. On the freeway the school van quit working. I thought for sure we would get hit because the traffic was crazy. Three times the van stalled on us before we arrived at the mall.
There was a sign-in sheet and they could only take the first twenty people. Go figure! I was number twenty seven. I stuck around praying and hoping seven people wouldn’t show. When the guy was taking the head count of the people that were on the list six of them didn’t show. Then this other guy who was waiting to take his test said that he was going out for a smoke. Well, that put me right into the twentieth spot. I took the test, (of course it was math—the hardest one of all). I passed and was able to walk with my fellow classmates at our graduation ceremony.
My name is Angelique D. Esparza and I am a native Arizonan. I am a single mom and have four children who are seven, six, and four year old twin girls. When I started Family Tree I had three of my four children in the program. I lived in East Mesa , which was a long way from the school, so it made it difficult for me to get to and from school. I was late the majority of time and finally quit going all together. I had not finished high school, not earned my GED and my job options were limited.
My children and I moved four times that year. I felt like I had no way out; every time I turned around I was running into a brick wall. I went to stay at my mother’s house, got back into Family Tree, and four months later I earned my GED.
Getting my GED was a challenge. When I began taking the tests everything went smoothly. On my first test, Social Studies, I scored a 610. That helped my confidence soar through the roof. I took my second test and did well, and then I was ready to take my third test.
I called MCC ( Mesa Community College ) to schedule the test but they had no available spots. I felt a little discouraged. The appointment-setter at MCC said I could come in and stand-by and if someone didn’t show up I could take their place. I still had three of the five tests to take. I did just as she said, and sure enough I got in. I took my third and fourth tests that way, finishing them before the center closed.
The May 15th graduation deadline was a week away and the only place I found to test was at Paradise Valley Mall, a long way from my Mesa house. I arranged with Family Tree to help me with transportation. We were in route, having to leave four hours before the test actually started. On the freeway the school van quit working. I thought for sure we would get hit because the traffic was crazy. Three times the van stalled on us before we arrived at the mall.
There was a sign-in sheet and they could only take the first twenty people. Go figure! I was number twenty seven. I stuck around praying and hoping seven people wouldn’t show. When the guy was taking the head count of the people that were on the list six of them didn’t show. Then this other guy who was waiting to take his test said that he was going out for a smoke. Well, that put me right into the twentieth spot. I took the test, (of course it was math—the hardest one of all). I passed and was able to walk with my fellow classmates at our graduation ceremony.
Haiku Poems
Haiku Poems
By Antonio Gonzales
ACYR Youthbuild Participant 2009
Intelligent
I am smart and wise/
Like a bird in the blue sky/
Stay focused and learn.
Graduation
I understand why /
I have to accomplish this/
It’s to make you proud.
Hair
Short hair, long hair black/
Red hair, blue hair, white/
This ain’t Doctor Seuss.
Color
Red, black, blue, white, green/
Red, black, blue, white, green…purple/
Where did you come from?
By Antonio Gonzales
ACYR Youthbuild Participant 2009
Intelligent
I am smart and wise/
Like a bird in the blue sky/
Stay focused and learn.
Graduation
I understand why /
I have to accomplish this/
It’s to make you proud.
Hair
Short hair, long hair black/
Red hair, blue hair, white/
This ain’t Doctor Seuss.
Color
Red, black, blue, white, green/
Red, black, blue, white, green…purple/
Where did you come from?
