Willow Glen Resident

Education

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Real Life: Holocaust survivors David and Yetta Kane, whose grandson Charlie Kane is a junior at Willow Glen High School, came to speak to students about their experiences during World War II. The talk was tied into a weeklong discussion in advance placement U.S. history.

Author inspires high schoolers to make smarter life choices

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Willow Glen High School students sat quietly as local author Art Rodriguez spoke to them on the importance of education.

The San Jose author of East Side Dreams and Monkey Box talked about his life growing up in gang-ridden East San Jose during the 1960s. More than 200 students heard his story.

"My goal is to help kids see their lives, and what they could get out of it," Rodriguez says. "Help them see that what they put into life they will get out. Encourage them to strive to further their education and show them that not having an education makes life tough."

Rodriguez spoke candidly with the students about the ramifications of doing poorly in school. He told them about the three years he spent a youth detention facility, and that he did not learn to read and write until his mid-20s.

After touring the United States and giving presentations to various school districts, Rodriguez said it was time to come back home and talk to his local schools.

Rodriguez approached Genevieve Stoner, the high school's library/media assistant, about coming to talk to the students.

"I received a faxed letter from Art offering to come and visit the students and talk to them about his experiences," Stoner says. "I have had students ask for his books by name, and it seemed like a good fit for him to visit the school."

World history teacher Evelyn Goldstein agreed and helped coordinate the event.

"Students can identify with his life," Goldstein says.

He worked himself out of a troubling life and is now a successful author and role model, she says.

"It's motivating for our students. I hope that they'll be able to see that they can become as much as they want to be. That it's up to them to make their lives better," Goldstein adds.

The presentations are part of Goldstein's College Opportunity Through Peer Advising class.

This is the first year that the program has been implemented. It is designed to be a study session for students who have the potential to go to college and need an extra push, she says.

"A lot of them have the ability to go to college but are not always aware of it," Goldstein says. "This class gives them time to get caught up in their other classes with me acting like their mom."

Goldstein brought all 18 of her COPA students to the presentation, and many were appreciative.

Willow Glen High senior Mayra Ramirez read two of Rodriquez's books and says meeting the author in person brought his books to life.

"I was interested in the book and wanted to read on," Mayra says. "I know people who have gone through similar problems. The books make you reflect on your own life."

The books' message also addresses the consequences of bad choices, says senior Deysi Torres.

"These books are important because they give a glimpse of what can happen when you make poor decisions," Deysi says.

High school English teacher Sylvia Ward has used Rodriguez's books in her reading lab for English-language learners for the past two years.

"This class is for at-risk kids," Ward says. "They can relate 100 percent to the books and to the author."

Ward uses the books as rewards for the students on Fridays.

"For 45 minutes, the classroom is completely quiet," Ward says. "They don't want to stop reading."

The overall message of Rodriquez's books is that young adults can do whatever they want but will only get out of life what they put in, Ward says.

"Coming from teachers and parents, sometimes this message loses its meaning," she says, "but coming from someone who's been there, it's much more powerful."