Top 10 of 2010: #8--The Progress of my Kiddos...

So, I've worked with lots of kids over the past few years...and several have such a special place in my heart. I think they'll probably be in my life forever. 3 of them did some amazing things this year, and it's awesome to watch happening. One, Tiffany, graduated high school. Another, Briana, became a senior in high school (I got the call from her saying she had passed all of her classes while I was listening to Yelawolf soundcheck! I'll never forget it). And the third, I call him Son, he's thinking about leaving his gang...and he's calmed WAY down on his level of involvement with them. I'm so proud!

Number 9, Meeting Big Krit, Big Sant, Wally Sparks, Steve-O, Johnny Shipes, and Dutch...



Big Krit





Big Sant






Jonny Shipes

 

Wally Sparks







Dutch



Steve-O

So, yes, anyone who knows me knows Big Krit is one of my favorite rappers, but that is not why this gang made my list. I get frustrated with the music industry A LOT...and this group of guys right here proved to be the antithesis of everything i felt about people in the industry. They were appreciative of me, both as a person, and because of my work, and treated me like family for the brief time we spent together. I appreciate you ALL for being such humble, hard-working, kind individuals and I know that that combination of qualities will pay off. Just know that, whenever I get frustrated with the industry, I think about the time I spent with you all, to remind myself that there are some very amazing people out there, grinding very hard!

2010 Recap--My 10 Best Moments--Number 10--Writing my Master's Capstone Paper

Wow...yeah...I haven't touched this blog in forever! Partly because I've been so busy, and partly because I have yet to learn how to manage my new busy-ness. So, hopefully, I'll get better at this. Until then, I wanted to post my top 10 moments of 2010...because this has really been an awesome year.

Coming in at Number 10, Writing my Capstone Paper for my Master's Degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from UC-Irvine. I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but this paper means a lot to me. I see it as a stepping stone toward the books I'll be writing in the future. It includes 3 case studies from young men I've worked with in the past--some who are in gangs, and some who are not--and it gives suggestions on how to resolve to youth violence epidemic...something I'm dedicating my life to!