110 Faces 08-09

All photos taken by VOICES youth leader Lilliana Christina Lopez.

My name is Nicholas James Pinon, or Nick. Ever since I could do so, I’ve been writing like a mad man. I have to write in order to get my thought process out. So when the opportunity came for me to get paid to use this thinking process of mine, I had to take it. During the process of becoming a member of the VOICES staff, a great tragedy struck one of my close mentors/teachers. My story of this tragedy will be expressed fully through VOICES, and I intend to prevent such tragedies from occurring to others. With my time at VOICES I also expect to learn more about myself and about the opinions of others that I would never have otherwise known.

I’m Kirsten Jackson-Price. I’m from New Orleans and I’m down for whoever is down for me. I believe VOICES is a place where I can write without being judged. I care because everyone has a right to be heard. Coming back from Hurricane Katrina, teen pregnancy, and gang affiliation are topics I would like to work on. I’m into watching sports and I would like to work at ESPN one day. A goal of mine is to go to the ESPY’s.

My name is William Baker and I work for VOICES because it’s a place where we can all work together like a family to create completely individual things that weave the quilt that is the 110 Degrees Magazine. I hope that this experience will help me achieve my goal of becoming a photojournalist. I love photography and poetry and I consider my biggest weakness my greatest strength, and that is that I care for others selflessly.

My name is Ocean Whalen. I want to work at VOICES because I want to be a better photographer. I like to take pictures and thought it was cool that you get paid to learn. I care about being a good photographer because I want to be able to take good pictures of the environment: pictures with sunsets, moons, shadows, or leaves. I wanted to learn how to take serious pictures that have meaning to them.

I am Christian Griessel. It took me a while to fully wrap my mind around this fact, but once I established it, it seemed almost too easy, so I searched for a deeper meaning. I spent almost a year and a half of my life to trying to figure out who I was; I searched the blackest depths of my mind to find a conclusion to this seemingly basic question, and when I could not find the answer, I searched some more. But we can only make conclusions based upon what we know, and I know that I am an adolescent boy in Tucson, I talk to my cats like they are people, and I find the greatest joy in the simplest things. I exist, and my name is Christian.

My name is Ben Islam. I was born in California and was raised in Tucson. I originally came to VOICES because it seemed like a great opportunity, and I needed a job. I care about my friends and family dream that one day, I’ll have a career I love. My goals are to find meaning in life or religion. Topics that interest me are racism, religion, and music.

Alyssa Stafford: My name is Alyssa L. Stafford, but some people call me Angel. I was born and raised in California and moved to Tucson, AZ with the hope of starting a better life. When I first heard about VOICES I was amazed by the intentions of this program. Once I was hired I decided I wanted to help other youth see that they don’t have to turn to negative peers or things in order to be successful.

My name is Quartney Nicole Welch. I am 17 years old and in 11th grade. My dream is to be able to take photographs and write about them. I started working at VOICES to get photography skills, but after the first week I realized I wanted to be a photojournalist instead of just a photographer. Not to mention that the three college credits look great on my college application. My goal is to become a photojournalist right out of college.

Ariel Flowers: I am a writer and a storyteller first and foremost. I have always loved hearing about other people, from ancestors in my grandmother’s stories to the BBC with my mom on Sundays. I was brought up in a household where talking and reading and writing is important, and getting to know others and the world we all live in is important. I want to write about the problems with health care, education, and bills. Everyone has something to say, something to share with the world and I like the idea of being the one to help them share it.

My name is Abigail Cota and I’m 17 years old and a Senior at Pueblo Magnet High School. Last summer I attended the University of Arizona’s Writing Summer Program and it was there I learned about VOICES. Through the interview at VOICES I learned so much about myself and the world I thought I knew, but I realized how disconnected I was from my community. I have always been an avid learner and I’m constantly putting myself in situations where I know nothing because I want to learn. That day the seed to learning sprouted. At VOICES I feel important, responsible, and unique.

Carlos Valencia: I am an 18-year old urban outlaw armed with a pen and a pad of paper. I chose to work at VOICES to be a part of something positive. Tucson has many stories to be told, and the youth are merely the limbs that write them down. On my downtime I like to listen to music, read good books, go to concerts, spend time with my friends, ride my longboard, and paint. I don’t like to think about getting older; I want to be kid for a lifetime. If I had to choose, I’d like to age gracefully and become a writer, poet, or psychologist.

My name is Laxmi Dahal and I am a Bhutanese refugee who recently arrived here. I like VOICES because it helps to express my opinion. I chose it because I can get the opportunity to share my story, which is to convince all the people to love and help refugees. My dream is to become a perfect man and help my community. I like to play tennis play badminton, read books, listen tomusic, and write stories and poems.

Mara Balfe: Waking up is the best part of my day. Sipping down my soy milk and finishing it off with a smile. I have a deep, beautiful relationship better than any man and that’s art. Sleeping and dreaming help me stay sane, and I feel blessed and gifted to be me — and that means I’m fine being crazy, whatever that means. I give myself what I think I need and I listen to what others may want from me. I love to connect and grow with people and the world around me.

I’m sixteen year-old Talena Brown. Having my mom be a high school English teacher for much of my life, I naturally took to writing. Then, freshman and sophomore year I got the chance to be on my high school paper. After my first article was published it was off to the races for me. I loved seeing my name in print and I loved getting to inform people about what was going on in their community. After I heard about VOICES through my school I could not help but interview. Through VOICES I plan to inform people in the community who are struggling with drug addiction about a different way of life involving recovery and 12-step programs.

My name is Monet Rodriguez and I’m 14 years old. Who I am is a Mexican girl living on the west side of Tucson with a story to tell. I like VOICES because it’s a place where I can go just to be myself and not have to think or worry about what other people have to say about me. I also like the fact that we tell Tucson’s stories from different point of view.

Jackie Enriquez: I love my job. It’s not everyday that you get hired to express yourself through writing and photography, all while working with amazing and inspiring people. This is going to be my third year working at VOICES and I can honestly say that it has been a major catalyst toward my growth as a writer and photographer.

Felix Valencia: When I applied to VOICES I didn’t apply to prove anything. I applied because I wanted to try. And that’s something that most people don’t do anymore. Even if you don’t succeed, you still did something rather then just sitting around doing nothing. That’s why I applied to VOICES: it gave me a chance to try again.

My name is Ashley Alshouse and I’m 16 years old and I go to Alta Vista High. Things that I like are writing, taking pictures and also music and science. I think is music, writing and taking pictures all have a story to tell. That’s why I thought VOICES would be a great thing to join: it has lots to teach me.

Ulrick Francisco: Working with VOICES has been a goal of mine since my senior year at Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School. When the offer came to work as a photojournalist at VOICES I immediately said YES! I hope to sharpen my skills as a photographer and keep an open mind as a journalist, so far working here has surpassed my expectations. I look toward the future working with the awesome staff and mentors soaking up their knowledge like a sponge.