My name is Mario Ayala, and I am 17-years old. I attend The Met High School, a small charter school in downtown Sacramento, and I am currently in my senior year. I was born and raised in the neighborhood known as Oak Park, an older neighborhood with a lot of challenges and people who are working to make it a better place. I’m very proud of both where I live and of my Mexican heritage.
Recently, writing has become my passion. I like to write about subjects or people that might otherwise get overlooked just because of where they live or because of where they come from. I also feel like minorities aren’t represented enough or realistically in day-to-day life. This is the main reason why I pursue journalism. I have also continued doing it because I feel like news outlets don’t get the complete story and only focus on what they feel is important. I have found that writing is the best tool that one can have to express their point of view. It is amazing how putting together sentences about a subject you feel strongly for can cause people to change their perceptions.
During my time writing various different articles and sitting in class listening to lectures, I have really changed my goals and found an interest for helping minorities. That’s why after high school I plan to attend college and become a lawyer that represents underprivileged groups. I want to make a change, even if it’s tiny, and I want to start in my home neighborhood, Oak Park. I also want to continue with writing after I complete high school.
Some of my hobbies include boxing and creating music with my group. Music and writing have become two of the most important things in my life. I feel like they help me create a bond with other people who also cherish these things. These two things have really helped me understand life.
I hope to be able to fulfill my role as a journalist and provide quality articles that are also interesting to read about subjects that are important to the community and our city, so stay tuned.
Welcome Mario…. glad to hear your voice!
Great article, looking forward to working with you again!