Not everything is as it seems

Socorro Gallegos, 9th Grade
Centennial High School, Compton, CA
Los Angeles Area

All you can hear are the gunshots and all you see is student failure. Why is it that when Compton schools come up all you hear about is the latest riot? Do those condemning our schools even dedicate time to know more about my peers than they are just trouble makers? California leaders should save me and my peers a spot in college because Compton students should be known for our academic success, because people need to hear more about our accomplishments, and because it all comes down to the money we do not have.

While everyone puts a spotlight on our gang bangers and trouble makers, they leave in total darkness those of us that work hard to earn our A's. Do you hear our pens and pencils writing fast and steady? Those are the only tools carving our paths to success and we know it. There are so many more of us, but only the Compton trouble makers are known. Did you hear about our latest academic accomplishment? Over 150 high school students earned a G.P.A. of 4.0 or better in the Compton District and I was one of them. Those are the kind of success stories my peers and I should hear more about. Sadly, this won't make the local news, but the riot that recently broke out in my school will and that's the only thing everyone else will care about.

I have always wanted to attend Harvard for my higher education, but my dad makes less than $28,000 a year. Why does this matter? Harvard costs $40,000 a year. My dad couldn't afford that and even if I went to another University this would cause my parents to be heavily in debt. When many of my peers have similar circumstances; who can afford college? My peers' and I do not give up easily, but our pockets are empty. We stop dreaming because we can't help but notice we can't afford college.

My peers and I deserve a spot in college because it all comes down to the money we do not have, Compton students should be known for outstanding academic success too, we also need to hear more about our numerous accomplishments. Save us a spot in college please!