In celebration of 826LA’s 15th Anniversary in 2020, we’re bringing you 15 profiles of the people who’ve grown with us and helped us grow. 
Jose is a senior at Roosevelt High School (RHS) with a bright future. Between writing sessions in the RHS Writers’ Room and the 10th Annual Personal Statement Weekend, Jose spent a large part of 2019 working on his personal statement essays with the help of an 826LA volunteer, Josh. While he frequents the Writers’ Room to work on his future, Jose also visits the Writers’ Room to relax and play video games with his friends during lunch.
Jose recently chose to cover the 826LA Writers’ Room for his Journalism class presentation. His presentation was inspired by the Instagram account, Humans of New York, where everyday people are interviewed about a meaningful memory or experience that introduces or expands on larger concepts, issues, and topics. Jose interviewed a student from each grade along with Angelica Butiu-Coronado, 826LA’s Program Coordinator at the RHS Writers’ Room. Jose returned the favor by letting us interview him about 826LA’s impact.
Hear about Jose’s and other seniors’ talk about their experience at the
10th annual Great Los Angeles Personal Statement Weekend
When and how did you first get involved with 826LA?
Jose: My friend Angel invited me over and told me there was an 826LA Writers’ Room. When I first walked in, the Writers’ Room had a welcoming presence and Angelica was really nice. The room just had a good vibe so I made it a point to come by during my lunch breaks.
How has 826LA impacted your life?
Jose: I am inspired to write more and more. Seeing all these tutors helping me and hearing their experiences is really empowering. I want to do something like that in the future too. I want to do something with my writing because I like writing a lot and I want to help spread out the news and all these experiences I’ve had, I want to spread them out to the world.
If you could travel in time to 2005, the year of 826LA’s founding, what’s one thing (or person!) you would bring back with you?
Jose: I’d bring my brother to see that these writers and resources are here for him because he gave up on his education. I would want to show him that it’s still possible and that [826LA] is here to help him out.
What is your favorite thing to write?
Jose: Inspirational stories because it feels good to empower people and it also inspires me while I’m writing.
Finish this poem: Robots are red / dinosaurs are blue / 826LA is 15 / __________.”
Jose: 826LA is here for you!
What would you like to see for 826LA students 15 years from now?
Jose: I would recommend that you have a Welcome to the Writers’ Room Day where you welcome students and bring more awareness to the Writers’ Room because a lot of students might not know that this resource is here for them.
What were you like as a 15-year-old?
Jose: To be honest, I was a very closed-off person. I would just go home, sleep, and not open up. But now I am a more energetic and open person.
What strengths do you see in 826LA students? (e.g., RHS Writers’ Room, published authors, Personal Statement Weekend, etc.)
Jose: 826LA students are very open and not afraid to share with their tutors and volunteers. They’re very energetic.
If you could take just one Time Travel Mart product to a desert island, what would you choose and why?
Jose: Student chapbooks for inspiration and hopefully, to help me get off the island.
What strengths have you acquired because of 826LA?
Jose: I’m not afraid to branch out and seek out resources, I’m more outgoing, and my writing has improved a lot.
What 826LA program or activity would you like to get involved with, but haven’t gotten the chance yet (e.g., Scholarship Day, volunteering, visiting the Time Travel Mart, an 826LA internship, etc.)?
Jose: All of the above. I want to branch out as much as possible because I’m a senior.
Who would win in a battle of wits: a caveperson or a robotic caveperson?
Jose: The caveperson because if a robot gets wet, they would not survive.
Why is writing important?
Jose: Writing is important because if the world was only made up of numbers then we wouldn’t be able to communicate.
Have we mentioned we have a birthday coming up? For our 15th Anniversary in 2020, 826LA is celebrating the people who’ve grown with us and helped us grow: students, educators, donors, and volunteers.