VOICES Faces

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Sophia Cortes

December 15, 2009

Sophia Cortes, 17, Tucson High Magnet School
Three friends and I decided to apply at VOICES simply because we were broke all the time and had heard good things from people who had participated in previous years. I applied for magazine, but was told I would be best suited for radio. I enjoy playing music and [...]



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Cheryl Edith Zamora

December 15, 2009

Cheryl Zamora, 17, Pima Vocational High School
I have a son and currently live in a group home. I grew in Tucson, an only child with my mother who was a single parent. I didn’t have such a good childhood but there were times were I didn’t need much. I don’t speak with much of my [...]



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Paula “Birdie” Coleman

December 10, 2009

Paula ‘Birdie’ Coleman, 14, City High School
I am a high spirited, optimistic, and hyper. My goal in life is to be noticed, wether that be as a singer, an actress, or a writer. I love the color green, coffee, sour gummy worms and making up random words like happidy. I am a drama student and [...]



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Stacey Pinnell

December 10, 2009

Stacey Katharine Pinnell, 20, Pima Community College
I obtain gratification from the hovering transparency of smoke, waking up alive instead of halfway dead, and marveling at beauty in simplicity. I am inspired by observing society’s leisurely transformation into an escapist culture, as well as manifestations of genius. Oh – and phenomena that are not really there…or are they?
(VOICES [...]



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Avory Baur

December 10, 2009

Avory Baur, 16, Tucson Magnet High School
I honestly never expected to actually get hired at VOICES, but I am really glad that I did. I’ve always been flaky, noncommittal and self-deprecating, but being at a place where people actually care what I have to say as helped me immensely. I’ve developed as a filmmaker, writer, [...]



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Noor Jabbar

December 10, 2009

Noor Jabbar, 18, Amphitheater High School
I came to America one year ago from Iraq. My goal is to graduate from Amphitheater High with very high grades and activities to get accepted with a full scholarship, either to attend Stanford University or the University of Arizona, where I want to study fiber-optics engineering. My favorite hobby [...]



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London Richards

December 10, 2009

London Richards, 15, Mountain View High School
Hi. I love to ride bikes and skateboard! My passion in life is filming! My favorite movie is Napoleon Dynamite. My favorite bands are White Chapel, Job for a Cowboy, The Devil Wears Prada, and As I Lay Dying.
(VOICES Photo/Lilliana Lopez)



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Clarissa Corrales

December 10, 2009

Clarissa Corrales, 16, Desert Rose Academy
I am very content, and self-conscious about everything. I am often confused, but one thing that is clear is that VOICES has given me the opportunity to learn to write and open up.  I shall carry it with me for the rest of my life. I cannot explain VOICES – VOICES explains me.
(VOICES [...]



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Victoria Garcia

December 10, 2009

Victoria Garcia, 17, Edge High School
At birth, my mother named me Victoria. As I got older, I grew fonder of the nickname – Vikcki. The extra “k” is there for a reason. There are thousands that go by the name “Vicki”. But I’m the only one that spells it my way. I’m very spontaneous with [...]



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Noah Miller-Perry

December 8, 2009

Noah Miller-Perry, 16, Tucson Magnet High School
I thoroughly enjoy activities such as playing and listening to music, eating, and hanging out with friends. I play the trumpet, mandolin, ukulele, keyboard, euphonium, and steel drums. I’m in the radio program at VOICES.
(VOICES Photo/Lilliana Lopez)



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Anthony Valencia

December 7, 2009

Anthony Valencia, 15, Pueblo High School
My favorite things to do are skateboarding, jamming out to music, and taking pictures – which is something I have loved doing since I was in fifth grade. I discovered that I love photography when my older sister ran away from home. She brought a camera with her when she [...]



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Nickolas Armendariz

December 7, 2009

Nickolas Armendariz, 19, Edge High School
I love to go out and have fun painting the town red. Strobe lights and blinking dance floors are a thrill, but my favorite thing will always be sitting inside on a rainy day with a book and junk food in hand. I’m not really into travel, however when [...]



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Jose Morgan

December 7, 2009

Jose Morgan, 17, Edge High School
I hope to go to college right after high school. I had acquired an interest in journalism and I thought Voices was the perfect opportunity to get a head start. I have always had a passion for all things having to do with the media and I hope to make [...]



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Nini Boufelfel

December 7, 2009

Tasnim “Nini” Boufelfel, 15, Tucson Magnet High School
I’ve been searching for a place where I could practice what I’m passionate about: video and photography. I wanted to find a place to share my views and I came across VOICES. I’m always looking for inspiration and VOICES does just that by giving an interesting atmosphere where [...]



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Alena Estrada

December 7, 2009

Alena Estrada, 15, Tucson Magnet High School
Drawing, video games, swimming, homework, and writing are the things that dominate my life. I am also very curious about Japanese culture. I never get enough sleep and watch far too much anime. I wanted to share my writing with the community, which was why I applied to VOICES.
(VOICES [...]



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Lewis Dawley-Hill

December 7, 2009

Lewis Dawley-Hil, 15, Canyon Rose Academy
Before I began working at VOICES, I went to school not really caring about whether I get an A or a D in most of my classes. Now I feel like I can actually do this for a career as a freelance radio journalist. I feel like I can get [...]



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Marena Priday

December 7, 2009

Marena Priday, 17, Sahuaro High School
My free time is spent at live music performances, playing the viola, and indulging in my love for the arts. I joined VOICES after my Creative Writing teacher, Ms. Lange, encouraged me to apply. When I was hired, my knowledge of the photography and writing world was instantly heightened. Through [...]



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Adela Paige

December 4, 2009

Adela Paige, 14, City High School
My hobby is to read manga and any other book that catches my interest. Right now I’m currently reading Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures. I heard about VOICES at school when they told us that they were hiring again. I figured, “Hey, it’s not every day a 14-year-old can get [...]



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Natalee Dawson

December 4, 2009

Natalee Dawson, 16, Salpointe Catholic High School
In my spare time I love to write, watch The Office, sarcastically berate drivers in front of me, listen to obscure musical groups from the sixties, participate in VOICES and my school newspaper, and use run-on sentences. I love precipitation of almost all kinds, except acid rain and golf-ball-sized [...]



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Pedro Reyes

December 4, 2009

Pedro Reyes, 16, Amphitheater High School
Greetings and Salutations. My name is Pedro, which means stone. I like to see myself as one that rolls. I am sixteen years old, but roughly one third of those years I have spent asleep. I attend Amphitheater High School and this year I’m a junior looking forward to an [...]



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Hector Mendoza

December 4, 2009

Hector Mendoza, 17, Pueblo High School
Television shows, albums, movies, and the Internet have structured who I am. Making time to catch the season premier of The Office and getting emotionally attached at the season finale, making sure I listen to Radiohead’s discography from beginning to end, rewinding and replaying scenes in Pulp Fiction and keeping [...]



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Ricardo Bojorquez

December 3, 2009

Ricardo Bojorquez, 17, Pueblo High School
I have often wondered what I will want to do for a living. My ultimate goal is to have fun with my job and love it. As a child I would create a story or movie with my Legos and toys, and I know that made me happy. So, I thought, [...]



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Anastasia Moneymaker

December 3, 2009

Anastasia Moneymaker, 15, Edge High School
I am the one and only Anastasia Moneymaker. I have spent 15 years of my life laughing, sleeping, and voicing my opinions. I’m a prisoner of Edge High school and VOICES has somewhat freed my soul. It has given me an environment to work alongside people my age and really [...]



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Stephanie Fleming

December 3, 2009

Stephanie Fleming, 15, Tucson Magnet High School
I’m a young teenager on the brink of getting my drivers’ permit. I have often been labeled as Goth or Emo due to my unique style. I’m half Mexican and Scottish. I have a brother who just got out of the Army, and one sister. I hope my future [...]



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Dylyn Shapiro

December 3, 2009

Dylyn Shapiro, 17, City High School
Dylyn is in her seventeenth year of life, currently scraping through her last year of high school. She comes from a Jewish household, her parents being among her greatest influences. Dylyn is originally from Gainesville, Florida and hopes to attend the U of A next year. Also, she is not [...]



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Jodi Franklin

December 3, 2009

Jodi Franklin, 15, home schooled
I help take care of my five brothers and sisters. I cook occasionally when my mom doesn’t feel up to it. My favorite things to cook are meatloaf and fried chicken. I look up to all of my family members for different reasons. I am glad that I was born into [...]



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Robert Rojo

December 3, 2009

Robert Rojo, 14, Wildcat School
I will be turning fifteen on December 23. My religion is Christianity. I adore hearing the gospel spoken to my heart and thoughts. I often travel to my grandparents’ ranch in Ajo, Arizona, where I learn how the ranch life is harder than regular life. My goal in life is to [...]



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Nina Foushee

December 3, 2009

Nina Foushee, 16, Tucson Magnet High School
I am a little sister with a frequently misspelled French last name that I love.  I like moving: walks to the park, or runs with my Pop, or trips in planes, cars and buses. My mom and I are like an old married couple—we have a grand old time grocery [...]



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Sara Mubembe

December 3, 2009

Sara Mubembe, 16, Catalina Magnet High School
I am from the Congo and I lived in Uganda about 4 years. I am so happy to work at VOICES because it have improved my writing skills and it has helped me a lot by introducing me to more people. When I started working at VOICES it was [...]



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Carbon Thierren

December 3, 2009

Carbon Theirren, 20
Since I’ve been in Tucson I’ve just been painting and writing, when I can focus. During the summer I do commercial fishing in Naknek, Alaska to pay the bills. I’ve worked on a few art projects that were fun: “Our Truth,” a 3-person painting exhibition at the Icehouse in Phoenix, Survival Research Laboratories [...]



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Miciela Sahner

December 3, 2009

Miciela Sahner, 16, Salpointe Catholic High School
I’m the only child of a divorced couple and am mainly Hispanic, German and Native American. Photography is my greatest passion, along with my love of reading, writing, crafts, and drawing. I love to spend time listening to music and dancing. I have traveled to Central Mexico and Egypt [...]



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Jacob Lopez

December 3, 2009

Jacob Lopez, 19, Pima Vocational High School
I’m here at VOICES as a youth apprentice in Radio. I heard about this program through word of mouth. Now I’m a youth journalist. Honestly, it’s not where I want go in life but it sure ain’t a bad route to follow. I want to major in fashion and [...]



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Charlie Franco

December 3, 2009

Charlie Franco, 16, Tucson Magnet High School
Although I interviewed at VOICES to work for the magazine, I was offered a position in the radio group and instantly took the opportunity at something I was unfamiliar with. After my first few days on the job, I realized I wasn’t used to being around the same kinds [...]



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Katie Tarter

December 3, 2009

Katie Tarter, 17, Tucson Magnet High School
I joined VOICES expecting to be taught at the amateur level. Instead, I was given the training of professionals with PhD’s, published books, and above all, passion. My experience here has opened hundreds of doors and bettered the way I present myself in writing and on the radio. I [...]



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Maria Aguirre

December 3, 2009

Maria Aguirre, 17, Southern Arizona Community Academy
Some of my interests are reading, human anatomy, and doodling silly cats. I love Pokemon and I have an affinity for animals. I am in love with Jim Carrey and I also love pie! Not only the edible pie though—the mathematical pi is to die for, the infinite numbers [...]



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Chynna Vindiola

December 3, 2009

Chynna Vindiola, 19, Aztec Middle College
If you want to understand my personality, you should know I’m a loner. When I’m at home you can find me sitting in the front room or in my room with the lights off because that’s how I like it. I’m also an animal person, probably because that’s what I [...]



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Samuel Crosswell

December 3, 2009

Samuel Crosswell, 18, Amphitheater High School
My passions are painting and photography. I’m really interested in exploring different cultures and having new experiences. That’s why I was so excited when I heard about the VOICES photo program! VOICES has been an awesome creative and educational experience for me, and I’ve met lots of great friends and [...]



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Fabian De La Pena Montero

December 3, 2009

Fabian De La Pena, 16, Tucson High Magnet School
I like playing the piano and reading Japanese manga and watching animes. I applied to VOICES after a friend of mine told me about the job opportunity and I was looking for a job at the time. I really enjoy being at VOICES. In the photography program [...]



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Gregory Thomas Clarke

December 3, 2009

Gregory Thomas Clarke, 17, Amphitheater High School
5’ 10’’, muscular, likes walks down 4th Avenue and listening to people’s problems. I love art, especially sculpture. I joined VOICES to expand my artistic comprehension.
(VOICES Photo/Lilliana Lopez)



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Michelle Rogers

December 3, 2009

Michelle Rogers, 17, Tucson High Magnet School
I had never heard of VOICES until one of my friends told that she was going to apply, so I came with her to apply. At first I didn’t know what to expect when I got the job, but now I have a ton a fun working with the [...]



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Felix Valencia

November 25, 2009

Felix Valencia, 18, City High School
It is not everyday that youth are hired to express themselves creatively while being mentored by positive role models and influences. This is going to be my second year at VOICES and it has been a blast working with all of the talented and interesting youth who come to VOICES with [...]



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Ulrick Francisco

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Ashley Alshouse

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Felix Valencia

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Jackie Enriquez

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Monet Rodriguez

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Talena Brown

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Mara Balfe

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Laxmi Dahal

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Carlos Valencia

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Abigail Cota

May 11, 2009

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, [...]



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Ariel Flowers

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Quartney Nicole Welch

May 11, 2009

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. [...]



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Alyssa Stafford

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Ben Islam

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Christian Griessel

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Ocean Whalen

May 11, 2009

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: [...]



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William Baker

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Kirsten Jackson-Price

May 11, 2009

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 [...]



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Nicholas James Pinon

May 11, 2009

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. [...]