Jerry Garcia (Nevarez-7th Period)

I walked into Room 400 feeling generally optimistic and calm, since all I had to do for the day was push a button. I was a bit nervous since I didn’t know the guy I was interviewing, but brushed it off. I sat down and got ready to interview the guy.

My interviewee, Jerry Garcia, is the 7^th District Cook County Commissioner. He seemed nice and outgoing, yet relaxed at the same time. He introduced himself in a civilized way, and said he was the 7^th District Cook County Commissioner, and he represents the area of Midway as well as many others on the City Council. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, in Little Village.  He stated his views on immigration and the lower class, and how they should have a say on things. He wants everything to be fair, as well as have poverty and discrimination diminished. He wants all work classes to have an equal voice, Overall, Mr. Garcia was an interesting and fair guy with good morals,

             

He is trying to give immigrants and all work classes alike to be represented equally, and have a say in choices. He didn’t think of himself as a hero, but rather a guy trying to help the unfortunate. In a way, he is a hero, since he is trying to do the right thing by letting everyone have opportunities. In general, he was a great guy, with good intentions and a goal that will help others. This makes him a unique community hero.

Written by Demetrius  R.

Ray Salazar (Nevarez-7th Period)

It was nearing the end of sixth period, only a few minutes left until the bell rings, and I had to go to my seventh period class, and interview Mr. Salazar. I watched the clock nervously, watching every second tick by, taking me closer to my seventh period class. The bell finally rung, and I rushed to my seventh period class. Hoping I’d have some time to go over my questions, I’d be asking Mr. Salazar. I walked into room 400 and instantly realized Mr. Salazar was not there yet. I took a huge breath, I was relieved that gave me more time to go over my questions, and I was going to take advantage of that. I quickly got to my seat, and went over my questions, brainstorming more questions I’d have to ask Mr. Salazar. Then finally Mr. Salazar walked in. he sat down with my group. I was nervous, negative thoughts going through my mind like “Will he think my questions are stupid?”

We immediately began the interview, Mr. Salazar seemed like a very cool, nice person to me. We began the interview with very simple questions like where he grew up, how it was like growing up, why people consider him a community hero, and what his average day is like, etc,. Mr. Salazar grew up in 26^th street, he believes that was a good place for his family to grow up in, but life started getting more difficult as he grew up, but as the tough gets going, the going gets tough. People consider him a community hero, because he dedicates a lot to helping out our community. For example, Mr. Salazar recently started a blog where he posts his opinions, and how we can improve our community, even though he was a little nervous about it at first. He seemed very calm; he was answering every question with ease. Then we started to ask him a bit more difficult question. Like me asking him “Has a student ever impacted your life?” and “Do you consider what people consider your “heroic” action really that heroic?” Mr. Salazar said many students have impacted his life, some students have inspired him. He also doesn’t believe what people consider his “heroic” action really that heroic, he believes he’s doing what he NEEDS to do, the right thing. It was a great experience interviewing Mr. Salazar. I learned many things from him, in such a short amount of time.

 
I learned a lot of things from Mr. Salazar that day. One thing I learned from Mr. Salazar is that if the going gets tough, you go tough, and just don’t give up. Anything is possible. Probably the most important thing I learned from Mr. Salazar was that you shouldn’t just do stuff, just to be considered a “hero”. You’re supposed to do what YOU’RE supposed to do. You’re supposed to do what’s right.

Written by Giovanni A.

David Castro (Nevarez-7th Period)

When I was told I was going to have to interview an adult about their job, I was nervous at first. I didn’t know want to be the one to interview the interviewee. I sat down in my chair and looked around for who I was interviewing. I looked at the paper that I had to write my notes on. My job was to take down important notes on what our interviewee said about his job and his life. David Castro was our interviewee, he works as a project coordinator and he goes to Loyola University.

David wanted to be a lawyer when he started his college career. After his freshman year he decided to change his career choice so he could help his community. He first chose to be a lawyer because he was good at debating on the debate team. He saw that kids in the community were struggling to get into schools and staying off the streets. As a profession, David organizes projects in his community and that helps children so they can get a better education.

David is humble because he didn’t consider himself to be a community hero. He believes that what he does is just what he feels he needs to do. I believe he is a hero because he helps people in his daily life. He does this by helping to organize activities so that kids can have something to do in the community. This makes him a hero because he keeps some kids off the streets.

Written by Lyiah M.

David McDowell (Nevarez-7th Period)

The bell rings, time to head to room 400, today is the day that we interview, I thought to myself. I was not nervous because I know I’m going to have to interview and be interviewed in life like to get a job, or a scholarship. I was prepared, we had our questions ready and everyone know their jobs. Mrs. Nevarez told us who we were interviewing and we all sat in the back left side of the room.

            David Mc. Dowell was sitting in front of me waiting for me to ask the first question. I have to admit it was kind of scary, and so we began. “What do you do in your career?” I asked, “Well, I don’t just focus on immigration rights I help the community on the problems they have.” said David Mc. Dowell. He is a man that helps with the problems in the community like drop out rate undocumented students and parents. Mc. Dowell shared with us that his mother was not a fan of his career although she still supports him in his decisions and what he wanted to do. His father helped him get to his career but passed away before he got the job.

            David Mc. Dowell is a community hero because he helps the south side community of Chicago with the problems they face, and things they are bothered on. Mc. Dowell organized a undocumented meeting but said they have not gotten any response from it. He organized meetings and helps people by making a change.

Written by Sandra M.

Hector Gonzalez (Garfield-7th Period)

Hector Gonzalez is a family coordinator at John Hancock high school that helps families get the support they need to help their children be successful in their education. He has been working there for three years. He has a wife and one child. He graduated from Roosevelt high school. At that time he also got arrested for the mistakes he did. Hector loves to cook, especially grilled chicken and all types of chicken. Hector also went to college in Mexico for four years. He moved to Mexico because his mother got deported.

Hector Gonzalez went through some challenging moments in his life. His mother got deported and he got arrested when he was in high school. Facing all his childhood challenges has made him what he is today. He is a family coordinator because he wants students to be successful in life. “The community means the world to me,” he said.

“I admire my family for being supportive for the decisions I made, I admire people who want to make a difference in the world,” that’s what Mr. Gonzalez said. He also said that he treasures knowing that he would wake up and see his family and daughter. He also said that he treasures people who want to create a change in their community. This makes him a hero because he is trying to encourage people to make a change in their community and help out other people who need help.

“Heroes and heroines are not on television,” he said. Mr. Gonzalez said that heroes are people who make a change and that they are not afraid to fail. Also that no matter what happens they would always help people.

 Written by Julia O.