Anna Alvarez (Fehbe Meza/Neon Tommy)

Neighborhood: Hyde Park

Job: Full-time student and Starbucks Barista

Age: 20

What are the top issues facing L.A. and why?

“I don’t know if this exclusively an L.A. issue, but I know that school funding for public schools is being drastically cut, but taxes are still being raised. This is not okay.”

Why is this issue important to you if you are a college student? It really no longer affects you. 

“It doesn’t affect me but I have two younger sisters who are in elementary school and I see the corruption that goes on in the schools. When I came to college three years ago, I found myself completely unprepared. I was in the same classrooms as kids who came from private schools or schools in more affluent cities and, I hate to admit it, but I was not at their level. Plus, I am pretty sure L.A. has a very high drop-out rate. Taking away funding from schools and cutting their arts and extracurriculars are not helping this problem in any way.”

What do you think Mayor Garcetti can do to address these problems?

“Honestly, I don’t really know what he said he wants to do, if anything at all. All I know is Mayor Villaraigosa was really into the publicity and the celebrity status that comes with being a mayor, but he didn’t really do a lot for the schools. I want to see this one actually taking action. 

“Implement after school programs- tutoring, sports, anything- so that kids can stay off the streets. Keep the art programs because there’s only so much kids can learn from books. Reach the kids young, beginning in elementary school. Teach them about college and what a college degree can offer them so that they can believe that they can do bigger and greater things. A huge problem I see in these schools is students, even those in high school, do not know what college can do for them or any opportunities that are available to them. Sure, the cost can deter a lot of low-income students, but there is financial aid in many forms. A college education begins in a student’s early years. 

“And if all this costs money, that’s fine. I would gladly pay more taxes if I knew they were being put to good use.  At the end of day, it is these inner city schools filled with low-income students that suffer the most. I really hope this mayor does not overlook them like so many other mayors have in the past. These kids need a chance too.” 

Did you vote in the mayoral election this summer? And who did you support?

“Honestly, I did not vote. I did not think I knew enough about the candidates to make a good decision and what I did know did not convince me to vote one way or the other. But I did vote for Obama in the presidential election.”

Reach Contributor Fehbe Meza here.