WHEN ALL THIS IS OVER!...WHEN ALL THIS PASSES!...WHEN WE RETURN TO NORMALITY!... NOTHING WILL BE LIKE BEFORE?.... These are some of the recurring expressions that we have all made during the quarantine or mandatory self-isolation. 

In this blog I will talk about my experience during this unfortunate event, but I will not write/talk about the virus; although we know that this  will be with us indefinitely. 

“Crises are sometimes necessary for progress,” Einstein quoted." What would the famous stoic Marcus Aurelius have taught us in this turmoil? 

Well, the most awaited day of phase #3 arrived, as expected by many with increased tensions, but looking around we realize that the quarantine confirms the fact that we live in a very fragile world. We saw a number of beloved family members pass away. The divorce rate increased, because many couples, who were already alienated from each other and were keeping themselves busy with their daily activities, were suddenly forced to be together under one roof for an indefinite period of time.  and because they have been We became extremely anxious and scared of what was coming, and we felt the sadness of our children for not being able to go out. 

 But on the positive side... The circumstances revealed to us who we are, we rediscovered our inner peace, we took advantage of the time to get to know ourselves better, we learned new ways to be ourselves and others found their shadows. We appreciated the gift of spending time together with our family, we had the opportunity to make new virtual friends and to be able to help many behind the screen. We learned skills we didn't know we possessed and for an instant, we became more aware of the value and use of time. 

And yes, self-isolation affected all of us immigrants in different ways, especially because most of us do not have our families by our side, and this caused us to treasure the beautiful memories we spent with our loved ones laughing, hugging, and sharing caresses. We cannot imagine the degree of confusion, the mixed feelings, the feeling of helplessness of many in the face of the threat of a virus. But on the other hand, we could also take advantage of listening to our favorite music, settling into an armchair to read those pending books, some prayed, others meditated and began to interpret the silence. We reinvented ourselves, and we showed the world that we can work from home because we live in a society where we have been valued by "doing" and where everyone must be productive in life. 

But the best of all this is that we have proven that we are resilient people, it is just another proof that without leaving home we continue doing what we love, sharing our love. Nobody told us that one day we would miss a hug or a kiss and that it would mean a lot for us., But we learned to have absolute control of them, everything we leave today will be what we want to leave for the future. 

For this, we must focus on situations that we can control and avoid worrying about those that we cannot so that we are less affected, let's not ask "Why did this or that happen?... instead, how are we going to solve it? Let's start being stoic or at least try to be one.   And when we remember this pandemic, we also remember the good work we did as a team…

Translation Spanish-English: William Lin Kuang 

People generally use this argument when they see their objectives be challenged and they’re right, to a certain extent we all have the right to be happy, but not one has the right to be happy at the expense of others. If in order to be happy I’ll make another person unhappy or I’m going to affect them, then my happiness is not fair and by not being fair, it doesn’t last.’... (The right to be young, father Zezinho).

I chose this topic because of the pandemic, the mandatory lockdown, the social distancing and the events that have affected us emotionally and mentally. It’s costing us more to be happy, sometimes we  think that everything we’ve fought for hasn’t been worth it at all and we give up. Why do we feel so much pain and at the same time useless?... How can we feel happy when we think that we can’t?. There are some people that have a low self-esteem and they need someone to be happy, but if you depend on that ‘someone’ and you don’t have them at some point you will feel lost and your life being senseless, psychologists call it “codependency” and they advise that loneliness is not bad, that we have to learn how to be happy with our own company.

Borges mentioned it already in one of his works: “I’ve done the worst of all sins that a man can do: I haven’t been happy” or like Abderraman III Califa de Cordoba “There were 14 days of happiness throughout my whole life even though I had it all.” And lots of people erroneously think that happiness is about accumulating goods, possessions and success. Happiness it’s not to be looked for, it’s to be earned. Because it is not a right, but it is our duty. Happiness is not feeling either but an internal state of mind and the interpretation that we give it. don’t let that voice overpower your best memories, stop thinking that you’re not happy, because the opposite of sadness is not happiness but resilience.

Are you happy?... Do I have the right to be happy?... How can I be happy? It all starts with us and we pass it on to others, meaning one has to love oneself first to be able to love others, to be happy one needs to accept life as it is, and that’s what the Japanese concept of IKIGAI is, it means “having a purpose in life”: 1. What you love, 2. What you’re good at, 3. What the world needs and what you can get paid for. We also have to practice daily tolerance, the act of always transmitting a smile, never stop smiling, try to control negative thoughts, practice gratitude, remember all the things that you do have in your life, try to talk less and listen more, learn how to say NO in certain occasions, not be forced to do something that you don’t want to do, stop waiting for the appropriate moment or people, people who live waiting are letting their lives and happiness pass, you have to forgive and give yourself a new

opportunity to be happy; and give yourself time to reflect and meditate without being interrupted by anyone. That way you’ll be able to discover so many things about yourself that you had no idea about.

When I start reflecting about being happy, I always remember a movie that marked my life (and I guess the life of others) comes to my mind, “Life is beautiful” where the main character Guido (Roberto Benigni) for love to his son started to play a game with him where he had to earn points and the objective is to protect his happiness, his illusions, his innocence and protect him from the cruel reality they were living in, the holocaust of war. 

And it’s that being happy is how you look and accept life and how you deal with hardships and afflictions. Don’t look for ways to be happy, challenge yourself to be HAPPIER because you already are!!!!

Translation Spanish-English: Valentina Tobar

Kelly Arevalo 

Toronto, Canada.

For many newcomer families in Canada, a fairly common concern is knowing whether their young children benefit from speaking another language at home, or whether it leads them to struggle in their learning of English or French.

I have seen this discussion take place in different Facebook groups, and even though people have expressed diverse opinions, most parents recommend speaking their native language at home. 

This situation is not exclusive to Latin American families. The reality is that more than a hundred languages are represented in Toronto’s public schools, and Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) statistics indicate that more than fifty percent of students speak a different language at home. 

This enlightening information reflects this great city’s cultural and linguistic diversity, and many families ask: Should I speak my native language to my children? The answer they receive is an adamant YES, given that it is of vital importance for children to learn about their culture and identity. 

Toronto District School Board specialists explain that speaking one’s native language at home does not generate any confusion in children when learning another language; it has the exact opposite effect: it helps them learn about the world. “A good mastery of their first language helps ESL students in their English learning process. Growing up bilingual has a positive effect on the cognitive and academic development of young children,” says the TDSB.

Having to do online school at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic has given parents repeated opportunities to learn more about their children’s classes, and it has allowed many immigrant families to closely observe some of the interactions between the students and the teachers. 

In my case, this topic has really caught my attention, and I loved seeing my six-year-old son, who is in first grade, interact with other students whose first language is Spanish. There are five of them in total, and I sometimes hear them speak Spanish in their free time and help each other out – in Spanish – when one of them does not fully understand the teacher’s instructions. They are six-year-old boys and girls who are quickly and naturally learning the English language while playing and studying. They are doing a great job, and we, as parents and responsible adults, need to support them at home in this interesting journey.

“If you want your child to succeed, make sure they learn their native language,” recommends Dr. Roma Chumak-Horbatsch Canadian researcher, professor, and linguistics specialist. She highlights the following benefits: 

-By learning and practicing their native language, children will develop self-confidence, pride in their identity, and a deeper understanding of their roots and cultural heritage. 

-Learning and practicing their native language will ensure they maintain communication with their parents, grandparents, and other family members. 

-Children that learn and practice their native language do well in their exams, have a head start when they learn to read, develop strong writing, reading, problem-solving and math skills, and are more predisposed to learn a third language. 

Dr. Roma recommends that parents encourage their children to speak their native language at home. “Take advantage of every opportunity to speak with your child in your native language. Speaking two languages will NOT confuse your child. Mixing both languages is completely normal for bilingual people, and it is, in fact, a sign of proficiency in both languages rather than a sign of language confusion,” affirms the renowned specialist and researcher. 

Experiences are different in every household, but these specialists’ recommendations are applicable and adaptable to every situation. There are households where more than one language is spoken and families with parents from different cultures. Some children are born here in Canada; some come from big families, and so on. Many other variables play a role, but what’s important is that we support children and participate and contribute to their learning process. 

Remember to speak your native language at home! Incorporate it into your daily routine, when you talk to your children, and during your daily household activities. Its benefits are priceless when it comes to their development, and they are the basis for understanding, speaking, and writing our first language. Visit www.revistaservs.com to find additional resources about this enthralling topic. 

*Kelly Arevalo is a lawyer in El Salvador, with a master’s in international business law and a master’s in Big Data. Former Consul General of El Salvador in Toronto. Founder of www.revistaservs.com.

Translation Spanish-English: Ana Baltar

PARENTS AND CHILDREN  (PADRES E HIJOS)

"Children have a strange power over parents, we suffer more from their pain than our pain and we are happy when they are happy". (Excerpt from the movie "Unauthorized Living")

Having children is an adventure that throughout life will raise questions and you will even doubt many of them. By becoming parents, we are not going to be measured by what we are giving up by deciding to have children, but by what we are gaining by doing so. There are no formulas for perfect motherhood, and we will make many mistakes along the way, of course! But they will be for lack of experience but not for lack of love for them. When we become parents, we forget a part of us, to give to the most important people – the ones given to e us and care for them for a while. We love our children more than we love ourselves and we give our lives for them. But since they do not come into the world with an instruction manual under our arms, we are used to consider them as part of our possession, Since they are born, we give them almost everything like how to behave , we teach them discipline, safety, health, provide them education, etc... Children are only small once, that is why it is so difficult to tell them “No" when they want to sleep next to us in the same bed, or when they forget some schoolwork at home and call us to take it to them or not allowing us to do the homework for them, they forgot the night before. We must teach them that their mistakes have harsh consequences. 

Our children need courageous parents who have the strength to commit themselves to their education no matter how difficult or painful it may be. Nowadays there is a confusion between w being “good” parents and permissive parents. They do not need us to give them everything, because usually the sad result of this great effort would be the opposite of what we expected. Parenting requires maturity above all. This way parents can focus mor on loving their children and they will feel less guilty because they can do everything but not everything at the same time. However, we mothers who work outside the home think that we are neglecting our family or not taking good care of our children. I am sure that we will not become better moms by living, waiting on  them or  overprotecting our children or fulfilling their whims as a kind of penance.   

Let's stop and think about what it is like to be a child today with busy parents, with no patience, running from one place to another, and tired all the time from so much work?  

Or let us also think: When did bad become good? What legacy are we leaving them in this life full of fun and privileges?  What would the world be like when they become adults?... For our children to have their feet firmly on this earth we used to give them responsibilities.   Unfortunately, today that has changed. Now they are the ones who have the authority, and we obey.  We must avoid becoming stressed and exhausted.  Raising children is not as exhausting as we think.

Marathon. Worst of all we think we are doing this to ensure their happiness and therefore ours. 

Our children need our attention, our presence, and our love, let us cultivate in them a good heart. Let us help them develop their strengths so that they grow and enjoy feeling that they are useful beings, capable of contributing positively to the welfare of the world around them. Let us cultivate in them integrity and conscientiousness, allowing them to grow as kind and correct adults and capable of making important contributions in this society. This is an invaluable legacy since we are helping them to reflect on and/or reevaluate their values, because our time with them is usually a brief  unrepeatable magical moment. 

How difficult and heartbreaking it is to let them sail alone in an ocean of many storms, but we must give them complete freedom once they grow up. As parents we will feel alone and tears will slide down our cheeks but let us try to remember that we are also the world for someone else, for them... our children... 

Notes from Monica Rodriguez

Translation Spanish-English: Natalie Hon

“Every time I make a mistake, I discover a truth I haven’t yet known.” 

– Maurice Maeterlinck 

On this occasion, allow me to bring awareness of the topic that most people overlook or don’t want to remember: “If we do not learn from our mistakes, they are destined to be repeated.” We cannot change the mistakes we made in the past, but we can transform them into sources of wisdom and minimize them in the future. But what is a mistake? It is an opinion or action made by someone who sees it as true when it is wrong.

Let’s think about how we have lived our lives so far, the mistakes that we made and the experience we take from them because those mistakes serve us to do better, to teach us how to do things well. In the end, mistakes are lessons that lead us to success, so we must recognize, accept and overcome them. 

Often most people ignore them, hide from them, forget them, avoid talking  about them and always look for someone to blame. And this is when fear appears. It stops us, paralyzes us.  The reality is no one is exempt from making mistakes; on top of that, they usually occur at the worst time. We must think that we are going to learn from them because we can find a solution in the mistakes themselves. It gives us an opportunity to improve as persons and learn more about ourselves.  We also know better if in the future these happen again. The fact that someone is wrong does not mean that the person does not have a good soul, let’s not see it as turn downs but as opportunities. 

I can almost assure you that I have made many more mistakes than you.  I do not think that I did it because I was not very clever. There are other factors that has to be taken into account, the important thing is not to look back even if you have lost a lot, just take what you learned from it. You are not perfect. What a relief! I think that making a mistake is the best thing that could have happened to me because today, “I AM BRAVER.”

And what is experience? As Oscar Wilde said, “Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes.” But this is not always the case; there are people who do not become wise through experiences because their mistakes become frustrations, they do not see the positive in them, and they become victims, they remain stuck in their bad luck and do not make any effort to process and move on, a lot is learned from the experiences of others, and they make the path easier to navigate, we must learn as much as possible the lesson mistakes give you, remember that at the end, “everything happens for a reason” and then you will end up feeling better. 

We must learn to choose our battles well, which ones we should fight, and which ones to ignore, and do not waste energy in vain. life did not prepare us for an ideal path. If nobody makes mistakes, nobody has experience because the best lessons are not learned in school but from life experiences. 

And what lesson does it leave you at the end? Let’s take mistakes as lessons and not failures; learn from what happened, and use it to grow; it is not good if you make the same mistake over and over again because this means that you are not learning, do not give up anything, and finally change the way you think, evolve, be aware of what you do, pay  attention because you will do better next time.

Try to practice the stages of change: crisis, denial, anger, depression, acceptance, and learning. I think that the last step is crucial because it awakens the consciousness to check and close the repetitive cycles of mistakes and experiences and remember that if it were not for mistakes that were made, the world would not have known the existence of penicillin. Sharing these teachings with others is invaluable.

Translation Spanish-English: Tatsbita Sadikin

A lovely gift; friendship!

By Kelly Arévalo

The cold Canadian winter warms up every February with the celebration of Valentine's Day; also known as the month of love and friendship. Despite this, since the COVID-19 pandemic, speaking in terms of economy and consumption, there has been less enthusiasm in relation to celebrating these holidays.

Although flowers, cards, and chocolates are still more popular during this time of year, in

smaller amounts, the real romantic dinner dates with friends seems to have changed over to

ordering take out or staying in. In other words, the pandemic has made Saint Valentine

to stay home as well.

The online gift shopping for this holiday has also surpassed in-person store

purchases. In 2021, according to official figures, Canadians spent 20% less

than the year before on Valentine's Day. Unemployment, mental health, increased in cost of living,

social distancing; are obvious reasons behind the changes in consumption for this well

anticipated holiday.

The “consumer discouragement” that the pandemic caused in relation to the Valentine’s Day is a blessing in disguise because it  has opened up the opportunity for reconnecting with the true significance of love and friendship.

Although we are not able to speak of new forms of connecting at this moment, the pandemic has

shown us just how important the use of technology has become. Social media, video calling,

in order to maintain friendships, develop interpersonal relationships, and forge closer ties.

Long Distance Friendships

For immigrant families and individuals, the physical separation and distance from friends and

loved ones is a very hard and complex experience which has to be endured when we leave our

home countries.

Each person experiences different emotions and lives through different phases through this

difficult process of separation that comes with migration.

In this atmosphere of nostalgia, they long for friendships, a hug from

loved ones. 

It was that the COVID-19 pandemic that surprised many migrant families,

impacting the new arrivals with greater force.

The pandemic negatively impacted and interrupted the normal process of adaptation and

socialization of those who have recently arrived and are settling into their new communities.

Social distancing, the protocols and preventions associated with the pandemic have especially affected interpersonal relationships and friendship.

Translation Spanish-English: Natalia García

Welcome, Spring!

Kelly Arevalo

Toronto, Canada 

We begin one of the most meaningful and important seasons of the year, spring. During this season, nature delights us with the resurgence of lovely sounds, colours, and shapes; but it also provides us with a new opportunity to reinvent ourselves and fill our tired minds and bodies with positive energy after two long difficult years of dealing with the pandemic.

Spring is a period of transition. It follows Mother Nature’s fundamental laws, and as a part of it, our job is to appreciate and join these periods of growth and change. This includes changing certain behaviours that hinder our development, knowing how to make decisions, and improving our mindset on life, our interpersonal relationships, and our environment. 

Exactly a year ago, in this same column, I shared with you, my friends and readers, some simple advice to implement during springtime. I also talked about the importance of good deeds and making positive changes in our lives to release all of our built-up stress, contributing to our health and overall well-being. But, how easy is it to make and implement these decisions? The truth is that it takes a lot of will power.

Making the Decision to Change 

It is incredible how children who receive clear instructions, good advice, and motivation from their parents at home and their teachers at school can quickly adopt good habits. Some of the key factors involved in this process are repetition and consistency. 

Likewise, we adults acquire habits and routines throughout our lives that are not so beneficial to our health and well-being. These habits can even make us miss out on personal growth opportunities and hinder us from fully enjoying family and community time. 

Similar to childhood, good habits and healthy routines are formed with consistency, step by step, by setting realistic and measurable goals, celebrating every little accomplishment, and slowly but surely changing our negative habits and routines. This process initiates a crucial step: making the decision to change. 

A few years ago, I received some good advice that I keep very close to my heart, which is to know how to make your own decisions. Do not let other people make important life decisions for you! As spring begins, today is a good time to take initiative. 

A Time of Preparation and Recovery Post-Pandemic

We have been through some complicated times. The uncertainty and risks of Covid-19 will remain for a while, so we have to take the necessary precautions, follow health authorities’ guidelines, and ensure the protection and well-being of our families and communities. 

The national and global economies have also been experiencing high levels of instability, affecting employment opportunities, family economies, and mental health. To survive this, we must prepare ourselves mentally and physically, and strengthen our relationships with family and friends. History has proven that the best way to face adversity, no matter where we are, is to come together, help each other, cooperate, and strengthen our bonds with the community. This spring let’s dedicate some time to review these ideas, as they will help us move forward and find peace in these hectic times. 

Ten Simple Ideas for Spring 

Our minds and bodies need and deserve a deep breath of fresh air and recharge ourselves with optimism. Let’s make the most of this season by renewing our attitudes and mindset, enjoying the morning sunshine, and allowing ourselves to be amazed by the blossoming of Nature that this time of year brings.

I invite you to practice gratitude, appreciate life and friendship, engage in honest conversation, and take on charitable initiatives. 

I want to share some ideas with you about simple actions that help generate inner peace and emotional well-being. These are all things we can do without interfering with work-related obligations or personal projects, and they don’t require spending any money either. All you have to do is make the decision to invest some of your time and attention. 

-Go for a walk and breathe fresh air.

-Have a daily routine of breathing and relaxation exercises.

 -Plant aromatic plants such as mint and basil in your house.

-Make healthy changes to your diet and make sure to consume fresh, non-processed items. 

-Clean and organize a section or room in your house.

-Donate clothes that you no longer wear to free up some space.

-Listen to your favourite music or read about topics and writers you are interested in. 

-Support or participate in events and projects in your community. 

-Allow yourself to take breaks! Give yourself a rest day to relax and enjoy. 

-Be grateful, forgive, and share; it will make you feel good. 

These are just a few ideas. Write your own list of goals you wish to accomplish for spring 2022!

*Kelly Arévalo is a lawyer in El Salvador, with a Master’s in international business law and a Master’s in Big Data. Former Consul General of El Salvador in Toronto. Founder of www.revistaservs.com.

Translation Spanish-English: Ana Baltar

I’m general, it can be hard to get a true perspective as to what high school is like.We have watch movies or TV shows that can help us with that, but it’s not really the truth. Going into high school can be a very challenging social experience that maybe we’re not truly prepared for, but in this blog, I will try to make things a whole lot easier

Friends

Usually you think yourself “I can’t wait for high school and all the different things that my friends can do” but I think they don’t tell you is that maybe those friends can change; after all, different people have different reactions when placed in a new larger and more compact environment.

Maybe your friends want to explore that new environment filled with many different people, while you wouldn’t consider yourself extroverted or confident enough to do so.

This is an example of a situation where you end up feeling left out when that is clearly not the case.

Instead of telling yourself this, you should be that person who goes out and tries to talk to the new people that surround you. 

A good place to practice communication is by joining school clubs. This gives you a similar interest to talk about.

Teachers

The truth is, teachers are there to give you support and make sure that you understand, though there are many stigmas against this.

Make sure to ask questions when necessary or you could be left behind

If it’s workload that really stresses you out,  a good tip I learned is to keep all of my materials organized and to keep an agenda to make sure that no assignments go “missing”

Workload

Other topic is about the tests that you have to do. Sometimes, you do have to join that after school math club to help with your homework so that you’re sure of yourself and confident enough to the point where tests will no longer scare you. This can also help you when doing your final exam since all of the lessons will seem like a piece of cake. 

And at the end of the day many people may find high school to be this very stressful and nerve-wracking environment. but in reality, your experience in your hands.

You have the ability to take advantage of the resources provided for your whether it be school clubs or after school homework help. All of these factors can help you experience-to some extent-that dream high school life we aspire to have.

My final piece of advice I would like to give about high school is to remember to have fun while in clubs, talk to people, and never let negative thoughts or insecurities stop you from living out your high school experience. Like my favourite quotes says, “never be afraid to try something you because life gets boring when you stay within the limits you put yourself in.”

Valeria V.

For years, one of the requirements for all Ontario high school students has been to complete 40 hours of community involvement to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Beginning in my first year of high school last September, it was a priority of mine to find a cause I believed in to volunteer with. I was looking for flexibility to account for my extracurriculars and academics, a supportive environment for my first volunteer experience, and a mission that would make a positive difference in the world. My search brought me to Fuerza Latina, and I am incredibly grateful it did.

As a young Latina, the mission to “empower youth and their families by promoting well-being” means a lot to me, and is one that I’m happy to promote. I had already experienced some of Fuerza Latina's events and programs, such as the Vaughan Latin Festival and Cultural Days. These occasions meant a lot to me, as they made me feel seen and appreciated; they created a sense of community and encouragement that I didn’t get elsewhere. Unfortunately, in my schools and neighbourhood, I had difficulty finding other people like me, namely other Latino kids. Having people around to relate to, and connect with, through a common Hispanic culture made me feel validated and allowed me to express myself comfortably. It created an environment of diversity, as well as shared perspective. The representation coming from Fuerza Latina impacted me more than I ever realized.

Although I started volunteering trying to find a cause I supported, I was not sure I would find a program that could support me while still creating a positive change in the world. Luckily, Fuerza Latina met all my criteria. I am a strong believer that education is the first step to making a difference in the world and that everyone should have access to quality education. I also believe that our future relies on the youth of today, and giving young people guidance and support is the best way to foster a better world for future generations. These are the same principles Fuerza Latina advocates; giving youth the resources they need to get ahead.

Since joining Fuerza Latina, I have written two blogs and helped with the production of Adelante con Gina Balseca. I participated as a panellist on the show, discussing the importance of mentoring and Fuerza Latina’s new youth mentoring programs. I volunteered with the 2022 Vaughan Latin Festival and took part in Fuerza Latina's mentoring program. These projects have helped me improve my confidence, initiative, writing skills, and Spanish, among other things. I am now the youth leader of the Spanish Club at my high school. They have also provided me with a general idea of what to expect when I join the workforce so that I do not feel as unprepared when I eventually go out on my own. The guidance that I have received has and will continue to help me grow essential work habits. These effective work habits in turn will enable me to be more productive and help me excel in whatever I choose to do.

Furthermore, the people I have had the privilege of working with have been welcoming and supportive, despite my age and inexperience. The people of Fuerza Latina have made me feel like part of a community, and have given me the motivation to move forward and reach my goals. The kindness that I have been shown has inspired me to be a better person, and the encouragement that I have been given inspires me to keep persevering. Moreover, the passion and commitment of every member have boosted my own and made me even more dedicated and proud of my Latina heritage. I hope that I can learn from all of the talented, hardworking, and intelligent people that I have had the honour of meeting through this volunteering program.

Volunteering with Fuerza Latina has been a fantastic experience, one that I think has truly changed my life for the better. I have learned valuable skills – while improving upon my existing ones – participated in activities I enjoyed, and pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. The experiences that this volunteering opportunity has given me are priceless, and will surely aid me in my future endeavours. All in all, I am proud to say that I have volunteered at Fuerza Latina.

By: Paloma Santiago Shelton, 14 years old.

By: Paloma Santiago Shelton, 14 years old

After 5 years in the Gifted program, I still don’t know how to answer this question. The literal definition of giftedness is easy enough: The Ontario Ministry of Education defines giftedness as “an unusually advanced degree of general intellectual ability that requires differentiated learning experiences of a depth and breadth beyond those normally provided”. In order to meet the learning strengths, interests and needs of the gifted learner, the program is differentiated by depth, breadth, pace. But that doesn’t quite answer the question of what it means in practice to be assigned as gifted. 

It’s no surprise that parents of gifted children are generally thrilled with the idea of their child being in an enhanced program. Who wouldn’t be pleased to hear that their child had an opportunity to engage in a more comprehensive education? Even so, giftedness and being in the gifted program come with a surprising set of problems that may not be evident when a student is first labelled as such. A lot of them are also things that I wish parents understood when selecting the Gifted enrichment program. 

For one, I’ve experienced the feeling of being put on a pedestal since I joined the gifted program, facing pressure from seemingly everyone. Even if they are unaware of it, parents, teachers, peers, etcetera all pile onto my own growing expectations for myself, making the idea of failure a truly frightening prospect. Many of my classmates and I have become unsympathetic for any failure we encounter, whether it be our own or that of others. As a result, many kids classified as gifted in elementary school bring the stress and anxiety from their elementary education with them to high school.

Beyond just churning out high-achievers obsessed with reaching perfection, the demands for high achievement cause other problems: gifted students feel discouraged from asking for help, feel competitive with even our closest friends, and have a sense of separation between gifted students and non-streamed students. Another challenge of giftedness that doesn’t get much attention is how some gifted students rely on their talent and never learn to work hard or efficiently. Because of so many tasks coming easily at a young age, gifted kids may never develop a positive work ethic to help them as they get older and as the work becomes more difficult. 

Of course, this doesn’t apply to all gifted students, but there are common problems we face. Students like me tend to procrastinate on starting work, yet spend excessive time on it due to a desire to make everything perfect. All this is then combined with problems that young teenagers deal with which aren’t sparked by giftedness, such as bullying, anxiety, insecurity, etcetera, putting an even greater load on our shoulders. Nor does giftedness necessarily provide any protection against broader societal problems such as sexism, racism, homophobia, or other forms of bigotry. 

Nevertheless, there's no denying that being in the Gifted program has its benefits. It has exposed me to new academic challenges that helped me learn and grow, engaged me with my education, and introduced me to other students who think similarly and are passionate about their learning. Despite the challenges I had to overcome, I’m tremendously grateful for having access to a program that was better suited for me. 

I’ve always been an avid learner, devouring literature and constantly with my head in a notebook. That’s why I chose the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for high school, so that I could pursue my interests, develop skills for the future, have an enhanced academic education, and learn global citizenship. The draw for the Gifted program was that I could be an avid learner in a place that supported and encouraged kids with a similar inclination. It focused on the specific skills I wanted to improve: critical thinking, independent study, cooperative learning, and the social-emotional domain. 

Of course, I can’t speak for every gifted child there is. Just being in the same academic stream doesn’t mean we have a complete shared experience; I’ve been privileged in a lot of ways that others haven’t been, and I’ve had different struggles than others. Not to mention, despite still being classified as gifted, I’m no longer in the gifted program. I can’t definitively answer the question of what giftedness is. However, I wanted to write about what being gifted means to me, and how the experience of myself and my peers has shaped my life and my current experiences. 

So, as a general rule, what does it mean to be gifted? It means that as a young student, the rest of your elementary and middle school is going to change. Your academic journey will differ from those of others, as will your mental outlook. There are some positive and negative aspects to the new path you'll take. There will be ups and downs, just as there would be by remaining in a mainstream program. It will shift your outlook on education and your future entirely.

WHEN ALL THIS IS OVER!...WHEN ALL THIS PASSES!...WHEN WE RETURN TO NORMALITY!... NOTHING WILL BE LIKE BEFORE?.... These are some of the recurring expressions that we have all made during the quarantine or mandatory self-isolation. 

In this blog I will talk about my experience during this unfortunate event, but I will not write/talk about the virus; although we know that this  will be with us indefinitely. 

“Crises are sometimes necessary for progress,” Einstein quoted." What would the famous stoic Marcus Aurelius have taught us in this turmoil? 

Well, the most awaited day of phase #3 arrived, as expected by many with increased tensions, but looking around we realize that the quarantine confirms the fact that we live in a very fragile world. We saw a number of beloved family members pass away. The divorce rate increased, because many couples, who were already alienated from each other and were keeping themselves busy with their daily activities, were suddenly forced to be together under one roof for an indefinite period of time.  and because they have been We became extremely anxious and scared of what was coming, and we felt the sadness of our children for not being able to go out. 

 But on the positive side... The circumstances revealed to us who we are, we rediscovered our inner peace, we took advantage of the time to get to know ourselves better, we learned new ways to be ourselves and others found their shadows. We appreciated the gift of spending time together with our family, we had the opportunity to make new virtual friends and to be able to help many behind the screen. We learned skills we didn't know we possessed and for an instant, we became more aware of the value and use of time. 

And yes, self-isolation affected all of us immigrants in different ways, especially because most of us do not have our families by our side, and this caused us to treasure the beautiful memories we spent with our loved ones laughing, hugging, and sharing caresses. We cannot imagine the degree of confusion, the mixed feelings, the feeling of helplessness of many in the face of the threat of a virus. But on the other hand, we could also take advantage of listening to our favorite music, settling into an armchair to read those pending books, some prayed, others meditated and began to interpret the silence. We reinvented ourselves, and we showed the world that we can work from home because we live in a society where we have been valued by "doing" and where everyone must be productive in life. 

But the best of all this is that we have proven that we are resilient people, it is just another proof that without leaving home we continue doing what we love, sharing our love. Nobody told us that one day we would miss a hug or a kiss and that it would mean a lot for us., But we learned to have absolute control of them, everything we leave today will be what we want to leave for the future. 

For this, we must focus on situations that we can control and avoid worrying about those that we cannot so that we are less affected, let's not ask "Why did this or that happen?... instead, how are we going to solve it? Let's start being stoic or at least try to be one.   And when we remember this pandemic, we also remember the good work we did as a team…

Translation Spanish-English: William Lin Kuang 

People generally use this argument when they see their objectives be challenged and they’re right, to a certain extent we all have the right to be happy, but not one has the right to be happy at the expense of others. If in order to be happy I’ll make another person unhappy or I’m going to affect them, then my happiness is not fair and by not being fair, it doesn’t last.’... (The right to be young, father Zezinho).

I chose this topic because of the pandemic, the mandatory lockdown, the social distancing and the events that have affected us emotionally and mentally. It’s costing us more to be happy, sometimes we  think that everything we’ve fought for hasn’t been worth it at all and we give up. Why do we feel so much pain and at the same time useless?... How can we feel happy when we think that we can’t?. There are some people that have a low self-esteem and they need someone to be happy, but if you depend on that ‘someone’ and you don’t have them at some point you will feel lost and your life being senseless, psychologists call it “codependency” and they advise that loneliness is not bad, that we have to learn how to be happy with our own company.

Borges mentioned it already in one of his works: “I’ve done the worst of all sins that a man can do: I haven’t been happy” or like Abderraman III Califa de Cordoba “There were 14 days of happiness throughout my whole life even though I had it all.” And lots of people erroneously think that happiness is about accumulating goods, possessions and success. Happiness it’s not to be looked for, it’s to be earned. Because it is not a right, but it is our duty. Happiness is not feeling either but an internal state of mind and the interpretation that we give it. don’t let that voice overpower your best memories, stop thinking that you’re not happy, because the opposite of sadness is not happiness but resilience.

Are you happy?... Do I have the right to be happy?... How can I be happy? It all starts with us and we pass it on to others, meaning one has to love oneself first to be able to love others, to be happy one needs to accept life as it is, and that’s what the Japanese concept of IKIGAI is, it means “having a purpose in life”: 1. What you love, 2. What you’re good at, 3. What the world needs and what you can get paid for. We also have to practice daily tolerance, the act of always transmitting a smile, never stop smiling, try to control negative thoughts, practice gratitude, remember all the things that you do have in your life, try to talk less and listen more, learn how to say NO in certain occasions, not be forced to do something that you don’t want to do, stop waiting for the appropriate moment or people, people who live waiting are letting their lives and happiness pass, you have to forgive and give yourself a new

opportunity to be happy; and give yourself time to reflect and meditate without being interrupted by anyone. That way you’ll be able to discover so many things about yourself that you had no idea about.

When I start reflecting about being happy, I always remember a movie that marked my life (and I guess the life of others) comes to my mind, “Life is beautiful” where the main character Guido (Roberto Benigni) for love to his son started to play a game with him where he had to earn points and the objective is to protect his happiness, his illusions, his innocence and protect him from the cruel reality they were living in, the holocaust of war. 

And it’s that being happy is how you look and accept life and how you deal with hardships and afflictions. Don’t look for ways to be happy, challenge yourself to be HAPPIER because you already are!!!!

Translation Spanish-English: Valentina Tobar

Kelly Arevalo 

Toronto, Canada.

For many newcomer families in Canada, a fairly common concern is knowing whether their young children benefit from speaking another language at home, or whether it leads them to struggle in their learning of English or French.

I have seen this discussion take place in different Facebook groups, and even though people have expressed diverse opinions, most parents recommend speaking their native language at home. 

This situation is not exclusive to Latin American families. The reality is that more than a hundred languages are represented in Toronto’s public schools, and Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) statistics indicate that more than fifty percent of students speak a different language at home. 

This enlightening information reflects this great city’s cultural and linguistic diversity, and many families ask: Should I speak my native language to my children? The answer they receive is an adamant YES, given that it is of vital importance for children to learn about their culture and identity. 

Toronto District School Board specialists explain that speaking one’s native language at home does not generate any confusion in children when learning another language; it has the exact opposite effect: it helps them learn about the world. “A good mastery of their first language helps ESL students in their English learning process. Growing up bilingual has a positive effect on the cognitive and academic development of young children,” says the TDSB.

Having to do online school at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic has given parents repeated opportunities to learn more about their children’s classes, and it has allowed many immigrant families to closely observe some of the interactions between the students and the teachers. 

In my case, this topic has really caught my attention, and I loved seeing my six-year-old son, who is in first grade, interact with other students whose first language is Spanish. There are five of them in total, and I sometimes hear them speak Spanish in their free time and help each other out – in Spanish – when one of them does not fully understand the teacher’s instructions. They are six-year-old boys and girls who are quickly and naturally learning the English language while playing and studying. They are doing a great job, and we, as parents and responsible adults, need to support them at home in this interesting journey.

“If you want your child to succeed, make sure they learn their native language,” recommends Dr. Roma Chumak-Horbatsch Canadian researcher, professor, and linguistics specialist. She highlights the following benefits: 

-By learning and practicing their native language, children will develop self-confidence, pride in their identity, and a deeper understanding of their roots and cultural heritage. 

-Learning and practicing their native language will ensure they maintain communication with their parents, grandparents, and other family members. 

-Children that learn and practice their native language do well in their exams, have a head start when they learn to read, develop strong writing, reading, problem-solving and math skills, and are more predisposed to learn a third language. 

Dr. Roma recommends that parents encourage their children to speak their native language at home. “Take advantage of every opportunity to speak with your child in your native language. Speaking two languages will NOT confuse your child. Mixing both languages is completely normal for bilingual people, and it is, in fact, a sign of proficiency in both languages rather than a sign of language confusion,” affirms the renowned specialist and researcher. 

Experiences are different in every household, but these specialists’ recommendations are applicable and adaptable to every situation. There are households where more than one language is spoken and families with parents from different cultures. Some children are born here in Canada; some come from big families, and so on. Many other variables play a role, but what’s important is that we support children and participate and contribute to their learning process. 

Remember to speak your native language at home! Incorporate it into your daily routine, when you talk to your children, and during your daily household activities. Its benefits are priceless when it comes to their development, and they are the basis for understanding, speaking, and writing our first language. Visit www.revistaservs.com to find additional resources about this enthralling topic. 

*Kelly Arevalo is a lawyer in El Salvador, with a master’s in international business law and a master’s in Big Data. Former Consul General of El Salvador in Toronto. Founder of www.revistaservs.com.

Translation Spanish-English: Ana Baltar

PARENTS AND CHILDREN  (PADRES E HIJOS)

"Children have a strange power over parents, we suffer more from their pain than our pain and we are happy when they are happy". (Excerpt from the movie "Unauthorized Living")

Having children is an adventure that throughout life will raise questions and you will even doubt many of them. By becoming parents, we are not going to be measured by what we are giving up by deciding to have children, but by what we are gaining by doing so. There are no formulas for perfect motherhood, and we will make many mistakes along the way, of course! But they will be for lack of experience but not for lack of love for them. When we become parents, we forget a part of us, to give to the most important people – the ones given to e us and care for them for a while. We love our children more than we love ourselves and we give our lives for them. But since they do not come into the world with an instruction manual under our arms, we are used to consider them as part of our possession, Since they are born, we give them almost everything like how to behave , we teach them discipline, safety, health, provide them education, etc... Children are only small once, that is why it is so difficult to tell them “No" when they want to sleep next to us in the same bed, or when they forget some schoolwork at home and call us to take it to them or not allowing us to do the homework for them, they forgot the night before. We must teach them that their mistakes have harsh consequences. 

Our children need courageous parents who have the strength to commit themselves to their education no matter how difficult or painful it may be. Nowadays there is a confusion between w being “good” parents and permissive parents. They do not need us to give them everything, because usually the sad result of this great effort would be the opposite of what we expected. Parenting requires maturity above all. This way parents can focus mor on loving their children and they will feel less guilty because they can do everything but not everything at the same time. However, we mothers who work outside the home think that we are neglecting our family or not taking good care of our children. I am sure that we will not become better moms by living, waiting on  them or  overprotecting our children or fulfilling their whims as a kind of penance.   

Let's stop and think about what it is like to be a child today with busy parents, with no patience, running from one place to another, and tired all the time from so much work?  

Or let us also think: When did bad become good? What legacy are we leaving them in this life full of fun and privileges?  What would the world be like when they become adults?... For our children to have their feet firmly on this earth we used to give them responsibilities.   Unfortunately, today that has changed. Now they are the ones who have the authority, and we obey.  We must avoid becoming stressed and exhausted.  Raising children is not as exhausting as we think.

Marathon. Worst of all we think we are doing this to ensure their happiness and therefore ours. 

Our children need our attention, our presence, and our love, let us cultivate in them a good heart. Let us help them develop their strengths so that they grow and enjoy feeling that they are useful beings, capable of contributing positively to the welfare of the world around them. Let us cultivate in them integrity and conscientiousness, allowing them to grow as kind and correct adults and capable of making important contributions in this society. This is an invaluable legacy since we are helping them to reflect on and/or reevaluate their values, because our time with them is usually a brief  unrepeatable magical moment. 

How difficult and heartbreaking it is to let them sail alone in an ocean of many storms, but we must give them complete freedom once they grow up. As parents we will feel alone and tears will slide down our cheeks but let us try to remember that we are also the world for someone else, for them... our children... 

Notes from Monica Rodriguez

Translation Spanish-English: Natalie Hon

“Every time I make a mistake, I discover a truth I haven’t yet known.” 

– Maurice Maeterlinck 

On this occasion, allow me to bring awareness of the topic that most people overlook or don’t want to remember: “If we do not learn from our mistakes, they are destined to be repeated.” We cannot change the mistakes we made in the past, but we can transform them into sources of wisdom and minimize them in the future. But what is a mistake? It is an opinion or action made by someone who sees it as true when it is wrong.

Let’s think about how we have lived our lives so far, the mistakes that we made and the experience we take from them because those mistakes serve us to do better, to teach us how to do things well. In the end, mistakes are lessons that lead us to success, so we must recognize, accept and overcome them. 

Often most people ignore them, hide from them, forget them, avoid talking  about them and always look for someone to blame. And this is when fear appears. It stops us, paralyzes us.  The reality is no one is exempt from making mistakes; on top of that, they usually occur at the worst time. We must think that we are going to learn from them because we can find a solution in the mistakes themselves. It gives us an opportunity to improve as persons and learn more about ourselves.  We also know better if in the future these happen again. The fact that someone is wrong does not mean that the person does not have a good soul, let’s not see it as turn downs but as opportunities. 

I can almost assure you that I have made many more mistakes than you.  I do not think that I did it because I was not very clever. There are other factors that has to be taken into account, the important thing is not to look back even if you have lost a lot, just take what you learned from it. You are not perfect. What a relief! I think that making a mistake is the best thing that could have happened to me because today, “I AM BRAVER.”

And what is experience? As Oscar Wilde said, “Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes.” But this is not always the case; there are people who do not become wise through experiences because their mistakes become frustrations, they do not see the positive in them, and they become victims, they remain stuck in their bad luck and do not make any effort to process and move on, a lot is learned from the experiences of others, and they make the path easier to navigate, we must learn as much as possible the lesson mistakes give you, remember that at the end, “everything happens for a reason” and then you will end up feeling better. 

We must learn to choose our battles well, which ones we should fight, and which ones to ignore, and do not waste energy in vain. life did not prepare us for an ideal path. If nobody makes mistakes, nobody has experience because the best lessons are not learned in school but from life experiences. 

And what lesson does it leave you at the end? Let’s take mistakes as lessons and not failures; learn from what happened, and use it to grow; it is not good if you make the same mistake over and over again because this means that you are not learning, do not give up anything, and finally change the way you think, evolve, be aware of what you do, pay  attention because you will do better next time.

Try to practice the stages of change: crisis, denial, anger, depression, acceptance, and learning. I think that the last step is crucial because it awakens the consciousness to check and close the repetitive cycles of mistakes and experiences and remember that if it were not for mistakes that were made, the world would not have known the existence of penicillin. Sharing these teachings with others is invaluable.

Translation Spanish-English: Tatsbita Sadikin

A lovely gift; friendship!

By Kelly Arévalo

The cold Canadian winter warms up every February with the celebration of Valentine's Day; also known as the month of love and friendship. Despite this, since the COVID-19 pandemic, speaking in terms of economy and consumption, there has been less enthusiasm in relation to celebrating these holidays.

Although flowers, cards, and chocolates are still more popular during this time of year, in

smaller amounts, the real romantic dinner dates with friends seems to have changed over to

ordering take out or staying in. In other words, the pandemic has made Saint Valentine

to stay home as well.

The online gift shopping for this holiday has also surpassed in-person store

purchases. In 2021, according to official figures, Canadians spent 20% less

than the year before on Valentine's Day. Unemployment, mental health, increased in cost of living,

social distancing; are obvious reasons behind the changes in consumption for this well

anticipated holiday.

The “consumer discouragement” that the pandemic caused in relation to the Valentine’s Day is a blessing in disguise because it  has opened up the opportunity for reconnecting with the true significance of love and friendship.

Although we are not able to speak of new forms of connecting at this moment, the pandemic has

shown us just how important the use of technology has become. Social media, video calling,

in order to maintain friendships, develop interpersonal relationships, and forge closer ties.

Long Distance Friendships

For immigrant families and individuals, the physical separation and distance from friends and

loved ones is a very hard and complex experience which has to be endured when we leave our

home countries.

Each person experiences different emotions and lives through different phases through this

difficult process of separation that comes with migration.

In this atmosphere of nostalgia, they long for friendships, a hug from

loved ones. 

It was that the COVID-19 pandemic that surprised many migrant families,

impacting the new arrivals with greater force.

The pandemic negatively impacted and interrupted the normal process of adaptation and

socialization of those who have recently arrived and are settling into their new communities.

Social distancing, the protocols and preventions associated with the pandemic have especially affected interpersonal relationships and friendship.

Translation Spanish-English: Natalia García

Welcome, Spring!

Kelly Arevalo

Toronto, Canada 

We begin one of the most meaningful and important seasons of the year, spring. During this season, nature delights us with the resurgence of lovely sounds, colours, and shapes; but it also provides us with a new opportunity to reinvent ourselves and fill our tired minds and bodies with positive energy after two long difficult years of dealing with the pandemic.

Spring is a period of transition. It follows Mother Nature’s fundamental laws, and as a part of it, our job is to appreciate and join these periods of growth and change. This includes changing certain behaviours that hinder our development, knowing how to make decisions, and improving our mindset on life, our interpersonal relationships, and our environment. 

Exactly a year ago, in this same column, I shared with you, my friends and readers, some simple advice to implement during springtime. I also talked about the importance of good deeds and making positive changes in our lives to release all of our built-up stress, contributing to our health and overall well-being. But, how easy is it to make and implement these decisions? The truth is that it takes a lot of will power.

Making the Decision to Change 

It is incredible how children who receive clear instructions, good advice, and motivation from their parents at home and their teachers at school can quickly adopt good habits. Some of the key factors involved in this process are repetition and consistency. 

Likewise, we adults acquire habits and routines throughout our lives that are not so beneficial to our health and well-being. These habits can even make us miss out on personal growth opportunities and hinder us from fully enjoying family and community time. 

Similar to childhood, good habits and healthy routines are formed with consistency, step by step, by setting realistic and measurable goals, celebrating every little accomplishment, and slowly but surely changing our negative habits and routines. This process initiates a crucial step: making the decision to change. 

A few years ago, I received some good advice that I keep very close to my heart, which is to know how to make your own decisions. Do not let other people make important life decisions for you! As spring begins, today is a good time to take initiative. 

A Time of Preparation and Recovery Post-Pandemic

We have been through some complicated times. The uncertainty and risks of Covid-19 will remain for a while, so we have to take the necessary precautions, follow health authorities’ guidelines, and ensure the protection and well-being of our families and communities. 

The national and global economies have also been experiencing high levels of instability, affecting employment opportunities, family economies, and mental health. To survive this, we must prepare ourselves mentally and physically, and strengthen our relationships with family and friends. History has proven that the best way to face adversity, no matter where we are, is to come together, help each other, cooperate, and strengthen our bonds with the community. This spring let’s dedicate some time to review these ideas, as they will help us move forward and find peace in these hectic times. 

Ten Simple Ideas for Spring 

Our minds and bodies need and deserve a deep breath of fresh air and recharge ourselves with optimism. Let’s make the most of this season by renewing our attitudes and mindset, enjoying the morning sunshine, and allowing ourselves to be amazed by the blossoming of Nature that this time of year brings.

I invite you to practice gratitude, appreciate life and friendship, engage in honest conversation, and take on charitable initiatives. 

I want to share some ideas with you about simple actions that help generate inner peace and emotional well-being. These are all things we can do without interfering with work-related obligations or personal projects, and they don’t require spending any money either. All you have to do is make the decision to invest some of your time and attention. 

-Go for a walk and breathe fresh air.

-Have a daily routine of breathing and relaxation exercises.

 -Plant aromatic plants such as mint and basil in your house.

-Make healthy changes to your diet and make sure to consume fresh, non-processed items. 

-Clean and organize a section or room in your house.

-Donate clothes that you no longer wear to free up some space.

-Listen to your favourite music or read about topics and writers you are interested in. 

-Support or participate in events and projects in your community. 

-Allow yourself to take breaks! Give yourself a rest day to relax and enjoy. 

-Be grateful, forgive, and share; it will make you feel good. 

These are just a few ideas. Write your own list of goals you wish to accomplish for spring 2022!

*Kelly Arévalo is a lawyer in El Salvador, with a Master’s in international business law and a Master’s in Big Data. Former Consul General of El Salvador in Toronto. Founder of www.revistaservs.com.

Translation Spanish-English: Ana Baltar

I’m general, it can be hard to get a true perspective as to what high school is like.We have watch movies or TV shows that can help us with that, but it’s not really the truth. Going into high school can be a very challenging social experience that maybe we’re not truly prepared for, but in this blog, I will try to make things a whole lot easier

Friends

Usually you think yourself “I can’t wait for high school and all the different things that my friends can do” but I think they don’t tell you is that maybe those friends can change; after all, different people have different reactions when placed in a new larger and more compact environment.

Maybe your friends want to explore that new environment filled with many different people, while you wouldn’t consider yourself extroverted or confident enough to do so.

This is an example of a situation where you end up feeling left out when that is clearly not the case.

Instead of telling yourself this, you should be that person who goes out and tries to talk to the new people that surround you. 

A good place to practice communication is by joining school clubs. This gives you a similar interest to talk about.

Teachers

The truth is, teachers are there to give you support and make sure that you understand, though there are many stigmas against this.

Make sure to ask questions when necessary or you could be left behind

If it’s workload that really stresses you out,  a good tip I learned is to keep all of my materials organized and to keep an agenda to make sure that no assignments go “missing”

Workload

Other topic is about the tests that you have to do. Sometimes, you do have to join that after school math club to help with your homework so that you’re sure of yourself and confident enough to the point where tests will no longer scare you. This can also help you when doing your final exam since all of the lessons will seem like a piece of cake. 

And at the end of the day many people may find high school to be this very stressful and nerve-wracking environment. but in reality, your experience in your hands.

You have the ability to take advantage of the resources provided for your whether it be school clubs or after school homework help. All of these factors can help you experience-to some extent-that dream high school life we aspire to have.

My final piece of advice I would like to give about high school is to remember to have fun while in clubs, talk to people, and never let negative thoughts or insecurities stop you from living out your high school experience. Like my favourite quotes says, “never be afraid to try something you because life gets boring when you stay within the limits you put yourself in.”

Valeria V.

For years, one of the requirements for all Ontario high school students has been to complete 40 hours of community involvement to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Beginning in my first year of high school last September, it was a priority of mine to find a cause I believed in to volunteer with. I was looking for flexibility to account for my extracurriculars and academics, a supportive environment for my first volunteer experience, and a mission that would make a positive difference in the world. My search brought me to Fuerza Latina, and I am incredibly grateful it did.

As a young Latina, the mission to “empower youth and their families by promoting well-being” means a lot to me, and is one that I’m happy to promote. I had already experienced some of Fuerza Latina's events and programs, such as the Vaughan Latin Festival and Cultural Days. These occasions meant a lot to me, as they made me feel seen and appreciated; they created a sense of community and encouragement that I didn’t get elsewhere. Unfortunately, in my schools and neighbourhood, I had difficulty finding other people like me, namely other Latino kids. Having people around to relate to, and connect with, through a common Hispanic culture made me feel validated and allowed me to express myself comfortably. It created an environment of diversity, as well as shared perspective. The representation coming from Fuerza Latina impacted me more than I ever realized.

Although I started volunteering trying to find a cause I supported, I was not sure I would find a program that could support me while still creating a positive change in the world. Luckily, Fuerza Latina met all my criteria. I am a strong believer that education is the first step to making a difference in the world and that everyone should have access to quality education. I also believe that our future relies on the youth of today, and giving young people guidance and support is the best way to foster a better world for future generations. These are the same principles Fuerza Latina advocates; giving youth the resources they need to get ahead.

Since joining Fuerza Latina, I have written two blogs and helped with the production of Adelante con Gina Balseca. I participated as a panellist on the show, discussing the importance of mentoring and Fuerza Latina’s new youth mentoring programs. I volunteered with the 2022 Vaughan Latin Festival and took part in Fuerza Latina's mentoring program. These projects have helped me improve my confidence, initiative, writing skills, and Spanish, among other things. I am now the youth leader of the Spanish Club at my high school. They have also provided me with a general idea of what to expect when I join the workforce so that I do not feel as unprepared when I eventually go out on my own. The guidance that I have received has and will continue to help me grow essential work habits. These effective work habits in turn will enable me to be more productive and help me excel in whatever I choose to do.

Furthermore, the people I have had the privilege of working with have been welcoming and supportive, despite my age and inexperience. The people of Fuerza Latina have made me feel like part of a community, and have given me the motivation to move forward and reach my goals. The kindness that I have been shown has inspired me to be a better person, and the encouragement that I have been given inspires me to keep persevering. Moreover, the passion and commitment of every member have boosted my own and made me even more dedicated and proud of my Latina heritage. I hope that I can learn from all of the talented, hardworking, and intelligent people that I have had the honour of meeting through this volunteering program.

Volunteering with Fuerza Latina has been a fantastic experience, one that I think has truly changed my life for the better. I have learned valuable skills – while improving upon my existing ones – participated in activities I enjoyed, and pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. The experiences that this volunteering opportunity has given me are priceless, and will surely aid me in my future endeavours. All in all, I am proud to say that I have volunteered at Fuerza Latina.

By: Paloma Santiago Shelton, 14 years old.

By: Paloma Santiago Shelton, 14 years old

After 5 years in the Gifted program, I still don’t know how to answer this question. The literal definition of giftedness is easy enough: The Ontario Ministry of Education defines giftedness as “an unusually advanced degree of general intellectual ability that requires differentiated learning experiences of a depth and breadth beyond those normally provided”. In order to meet the learning strengths, interests and needs of the gifted learner, the program is differentiated by depth, breadth, pace. But that doesn’t quite answer the question of what it means in practice to be assigned as gifted. 

It’s no surprise that parents of gifted children are generally thrilled with the idea of their child being in an enhanced program. Who wouldn’t be pleased to hear that their child had an opportunity to engage in a more comprehensive education? Even so, giftedness and being in the gifted program come with a surprising set of problems that may not be evident when a student is first labelled as such. A lot of them are also things that I wish parents understood when selecting the Gifted enrichment program. 

For one, I’ve experienced the feeling of being put on a pedestal since I joined the gifted program, facing pressure from seemingly everyone. Even if they are unaware of it, parents, teachers, peers, etcetera all pile onto my own growing expectations for myself, making the idea of failure a truly frightening prospect. Many of my classmates and I have become unsympathetic for any failure we encounter, whether it be our own or that of others. As a result, many kids classified as gifted in elementary school bring the stress and anxiety from their elementary education with them to high school.

Beyond just churning out high-achievers obsessed with reaching perfection, the demands for high achievement cause other problems: gifted students feel discouraged from asking for help, feel competitive with even our closest friends, and have a sense of separation between gifted students and non-streamed students. Another challenge of giftedness that doesn’t get much attention is how some gifted students rely on their talent and never learn to work hard or efficiently. Because of so many tasks coming easily at a young age, gifted kids may never develop a positive work ethic to help them as they get older and as the work becomes more difficult. 

Of course, this doesn’t apply to all gifted students, but there are common problems we face. Students like me tend to procrastinate on starting work, yet spend excessive time on it due to a desire to make everything perfect. All this is then combined with problems that young teenagers deal with which aren’t sparked by giftedness, such as bullying, anxiety, insecurity, etcetera, putting an even greater load on our shoulders. Nor does giftedness necessarily provide any protection against broader societal problems such as sexism, racism, homophobia, or other forms of bigotry. 

Nevertheless, there's no denying that being in the Gifted program has its benefits. It has exposed me to new academic challenges that helped me learn and grow, engaged me with my education, and introduced me to other students who think similarly and are passionate about their learning. Despite the challenges I had to overcome, I’m tremendously grateful for having access to a program that was better suited for me. 

I’ve always been an avid learner, devouring literature and constantly with my head in a notebook. That’s why I chose the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for high school, so that I could pursue my interests, develop skills for the future, have an enhanced academic education, and learn global citizenship. The draw for the Gifted program was that I could be an avid learner in a place that supported and encouraged kids with a similar inclination. It focused on the specific skills I wanted to improve: critical thinking, independent study, cooperative learning, and the social-emotional domain. 

Of course, I can’t speak for every gifted child there is. Just being in the same academic stream doesn’t mean we have a complete shared experience; I’ve been privileged in a lot of ways that others haven’t been, and I’ve had different struggles than others. Not to mention, despite still being classified as gifted, I’m no longer in the gifted program. I can’t definitively answer the question of what giftedness is. However, I wanted to write about what being gifted means to me, and how the experience of myself and my peers has shaped my life and my current experiences. 

So, as a general rule, what does it mean to be gifted? It means that as a young student, the rest of your elementary and middle school is going to change. Your academic journey will differ from those of others, as will your mental outlook. There are some positive and negative aspects to the new path you'll take. There will be ups and downs, just as there would be by remaining in a mainstream program. It will shift your outlook on education and your future entirely.