[X]PRESS Left to right: Ramon Franco, Brenda Falcon, Monica Guerra, Jamari Caldwell, Joel Cribb, Charlestina Maxie, Oscar Servellon, Ya'Shalan Nelson, Edgar Mendz, Justin Chin, Goldie Chang.

Jamari Caldwell
Age 18
Hometown East Oakland
School Media Academy
Interests Reading, Writing and Playing Basketball

Jamari Caldwell hoped to defy his teachers' expectations. They believed that he would not finish high school or go to college. Jamari defied them by finishing high school and going to Chico State. In the future, he wants to write poems, articles, and short stories that expresses the way he feels. Jamari wants his stories to influence people who do not have the confidence to express themselves. His ultimate goal is to create a book about his life along with sharing other peoples' experiences. Through comparing and contrasting different living situations, he wants to encourage the youth in the world. As Jamari said, "If anyone puts their mind on something, anything is possible!"

Goldie Chang
Age 15
Hometown Foster City
School Aragon High School
Interests Cheerleading

From high flying stunts to cheering her school name, Goldie Chang, 15, has cheerleading mastered. Goldie's been doing this sport for almost three years and is on the spirit squad. Goldie is currently interested in the sport of cheerleading. "It supports positive attitude and school spirit," she said. Something that pushes her "tick button" is when people show off too much. Goldie was born in San Mateo and has dreams of becoming a brilliant reporter. With the spirit within Goldie, I'm pretty sure her goals will be reached and her dreams will come true.

Justin Chin
Age 16
Hometown San Francisco
School Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
Interests Reading, Sleeping, Watching TV

Justin Chin, 16, says he is someone who stands out from everyone else in the world. He was raised in San Francisco and currently lives in Bay Point. "I have a lot of talent because I'm able to speak different languages, read fast and I also have good memory," said Chin. "I think I will have more power when I am able to vote because I can choose to have my voice heard by being able to shape how the country runs." Chin also plans to graduate from high school, college and hopefully, one day start a family. He wants to major in chemistry in college to become a doctor.

Joel Cribb
Age 17 Hometown Vacaville
School Vacaville High School
Interests Reading, Writing, Music

Playing music with his band on top of buildings and writing 27 notebooks filled with stories and poems sounds normal to 17-year-old Joel Cribb. Joel's father tried to teach Joel how to play a guitar when he was young, but he was impatient, and it stopped him from learning. As a result, Joel turned to reading and writing as a passion. When he was 11, Joel finally learned how to play guitar and the piano, but writing remained his overall passion. Joel likes to make his own music on his bass, guitar, harmonica and piano. "I'm a musician by nature, but a writer by heart," said Joel. In the future he hopes to become a writer or a journalist for a magazine like "Rolling Stone" or "National Geographic."

Ramon Franco
Age 17
Hometown Oakland
School Metwest Internship Base School
Interests Social Change, Football, Soccer, Weightlifting

Can you think of a Mexican food plate besides tacos, burritos, and nachos? Well, Ramon Franco can. He is very interested in the culinary arts. He's had this interest ever since he was five years old. He wants to specialize in Mexican food. "I want to make Mexican dishes, prove that there is more to Mexican food then a taqueria," he said. If he was to cook he would cook Oaxacan, Zacatecan, and Chihuahuan food. Yes these are all Mexican types of foods and he is planning on cooking them in the future. So maybe next time you walk into a Mexican food restaurant, it might belong to Ramon Franco.

Brenda Falcon
Age 15
Hometown Michuacan, Mexico
School International Studies Academy
Interests Science, Art

Ever since she was little, Brenda would get excited when other people talked about dinosaurs. Brenda could relate. She enjoys going beyond the expectations put on her by her family. She plans on going to UC Berkeley or Utah State and conquering every obstacle in her way. Brenda is a unique person who likes a variety of things, like art and science. Brenda has some great skills that she can use, as well as some that might take her a while to master. "A cool thing that happened to me was... my art was up in the De Young Museum!" Brenda said. The piece of art was a pencil drawing of an owl.

Monica Guerra
Age 17
Hometown San Francisco
School Balboa High
Interests Venezuelan Heritage, Music, Politics

In sixth grade, 17-year-old Monica Guerra developed a strong taste for all things Beatles. However, with the emergence of Barack Obama as a major presidential candidate, Monica can call herself a "political fanaticist." It's been a long time coming for her, but she's finally found her path. After living in Venezuela for three years, Monica says, "I would not be as task-oriented as I am today, what with al the internships and programs I've been taking." She transferred from her school in San Francisco to a school in Venezuela, where she says the academic side of things was far more grueling than here in the U.S. Monica, as a career goal, has a strong drive to become a journalistic writer in a major publication.

Charlestina Maxie
Age 15
Hometown Richmond
School El Cerrito High School
Interests Writing

While moving all over Oakland, Charlestina attended seven different elementary schools, before she graduated from Santa Fe. She is unique for her determination and perseverance. Her passion for writing is but one of the reasons why she applied to BAMMA. She loves to write poetry and write her own songs. "I enjoy learning," she says. Without a doubt, Charlestina is very bright -- she enjoys learning and has been an honor roll student for the past three years.

Edgar Mendez
Age 17
Hometown San Francisco
School International Studies Academy High School
Interests Graffiti Art

As a young adult, Edgar is addicted to graffiti art. "I like the mixing of different colors to create something never seen," he said. Edgar has been interested in graffiti art since his freshman year. Edgar first had a sudden interest in graffiti art when he witnessed his friends tagging on public property. However, after being caught by the school while tagging on the windows, walls and bathroom, Edgar has stopped tagging on public property and moved on to the general art. What bothers Edgar the most is that high school students have to go through a whole bunch of nonsense tests in order for them to get accepted into a good college. Edgar wants to work in the fashion and magazine world when he's older.

Ya'Shalan Nelson
Age 16
Hometown Raised in San Jose, lives in Hayward
School Tennyson High
Interests Filmmaking, television shows

The ultimate high of life is passion for motion pictures. One day, Ya'Shalan Nelson wants to see her name in lights. The 16-year-old Taurus has a drive for film that nothing can stop. "Filming is my life," she says. "I want to live forever." And though movies make Ya'Shalan happy, some things just push her buttons. What things? Teenagers. She says "I thought all of the peer pressure videos were unrealistic, but it's real when you get to high school. People are actually doing drugs and having kids. They are too young and living way past boundaries."

Oscar Servellon
Age 15
Hometown Oakland
School Metwest High School
Interests Music

Oscar Servellon, sibling of seven, has lived in the same home his whole life. He takes pride in his hometown, despite what people think. "Many people think Oakland is dangerous," he says, "but it's really not." Rather than spending time practicing sports, Oscar spends his time practicing a Brazilian dance. "I practice capoeira, which is the way slaves practiced fighting and communicating with each other," he says. The most common place you will find Oscar: shopping at Hot Topic. That is the only place he will shop. He is not sure what career he wishes to pursue, but knows what he enjoys to do. "I am passionate about a lot of things," he says. "I like to work with my hands."