Having a clean environment brings positive attention to our community, plus, everyone should be able to live in a clean environment. So why is it that when I walk to school I see trash everywhere? I am Luis, a future immigration lawyer and engineer, and a 9th grader at Gompers Preparatory Academy. This is how I chose to do what I can to clean the path to school for our community.

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Early October 2021, I was leaving school and I saw my Mentor with a new blue bucket and pickers. As I was standing there I watched him pick up trash in front of our school and down the sidewalk. This was the first time I saw him doing this and I asked If I could do it instead of him. Not sure why I asked, maybe it was because seeing someone so important to me should not be picking up trash. He asked me If I was sure I wanted to, as he warned me that others might say things. I never gave it a second thought, as I have and continue to be bullied for being in Ballet. That was the moment I began to clean up the streets near my school.

The derogatory comments came out instantly just like my mentor said they would. After I picked up the 3rd piece of trash, one of my friends said to me “so this is your punishment for being bad?” This comment struck me by surprise. I thought to myself...I chose to pick up trash because I didn't want to see my mentor doing it. And then another comment, “community service?” This went on the entire time as I walked up and down in front of the school. Before walking home I found my mentor and talked with him about the comments and how I was feeling. He said, "stay strong, you will learn a lot." He mentioned "Selflessness." Not sure exactly what he meant, I guess I will be experiencing it. I then asked if I could take the bucket and pickers home with me because there is a lot of trash on the way. He said sure but that I had to bring them back every day and tell him my stories. That began the journey to make the streets in Southeast San Diego a cleaner place.

Currently... other students have asked me if they could help on their way home too. The friends that first said something condescending to me, now are asking how they can help, imagine that. I am saving up money to purchase some more buckets and pickers for them. Eventually, when we clean the streets from trash and debris, then there will be less graffiti, and it will become a safer place. My friends and I take pride in our community. This is our home. This is where we play. This is where we learn. Together we will make a difference. We choose to do this because we care!