Spanish teacher Maria De La Cruz spent months planning out the second field trip to Homeboy Industries (HI) before it was even announced. Many staff, including but not limited to Jose Vallejo, Aram Abdulla and Sean Meisner joined this year’s trip. Nearly most of the staff who joined last year for De La Cruz’s AP Spanish trip went back to HI once more to experience it again. In order to keep everyone updated, to avoid any uncertainty and to account for the big group that was going this year, De La Cruz sent out emails weekly to students and parents alike, answering FAQs and speaking on the event’s progression.
There was no sun to be found at six in the morning, still hidden by the clouds as a slight breeze took over the morning, signaling oncoming rain for that week. Students and staff had been instructed to meet by the gym by 6:30 a.m. while departure was aimed at around fifteen minutes later. Upon De La Cruz’s arrival, groups were quickly formed based on each class and chaperone in order to fit inside the two charter buses. As the bus departed at 6:47am, students braced themselves for a long three hour ride to their designated location.
Arriving at 9:52 a.m., the buses pulled into the parking lot of HI. After being dropped off, students were promptly put into four different groups, sorted by colored bracelets before heading over to the art center.
“It was an amazing experience to visit Fabian Debora’s art studio. Healing through art and music utilizes creative expression to improve emotional, mental and physical well-being. There is much evidence that art and music therapy reduce stress and anxiety and pain while fostering emotional well-being,” De La Cruz said.
Inside the arts center, students discovered different hand crafted pieces made by the students attending the art school. Such pieces included hawk rings, incense, with all four elements being represented with their creations, so students and staff feel connected to the elements and embrace themselves spiritually. Staff members noted to the attendees that they held rituals every morning with said items.
Students were directed throughout the center looking at other paintings and crafts that were displayed there. From there, students walked to the music center where students were encouraged to pick up instruments and play along with the staff and students. As they played, a crowd gathered, even singing along to the songs in Spanish.
“When words are not enough, let your soul speak through art,” De La Cruz said.
After the musical misadventure, students were led to the Homegirl Cafe for lunch. While some difficulties arose from the process, such as eating arrangements, De la Cruz and the chaperones were quick to solve the problem. After each group had their round of eating, they would then begin to rotate into touring the actual industry building. The red group (the primary group for the majority of the field trip), began at 11:45 a.m.. Unlike the previous year students were allowed to enter the tattoo removal room, the computer room, the therapy room and view the bakery warehouse from an upstairs window. From the bakery they were led into the merchandise store before being led out the front of the building, waiting for their next destination.
The red group was taken to a historic railway park with Abdulla being the chaperone. The group was able to explore the park freely for half an hour before returning to the meeting point to head back to the art center.
Meanwhile, the blue group was taken to the art gallery during this time as the pink group walked to a small Mexican restaurant for their lunch. The red and blue group would merge into one briefly as students were able to buy art prints to get signed.
After ensuring that every student was accounted for and content with their purchases, all groups were brought back to the rented out charter buses before making their way back home. While every student got their own experience when it came to the trip, De La Cruz explained the significance of the event in her own perspective as well as why the trip came to be.
“We started reading Father Boyle’s book ‘Tatuajes en el corazón’ in AP Spanish Language and I had always wanted to take our students to Homeboy Industries,” De La Cruz said. “This experience provides a firsthand experience in social justice, empathy, rehabilitation and second chances.”
While De La Cruz says she is soon to retire from her position here at BVH, she hopes that the trips to Homeboy Industries continue even after she is gone. The planning of next year’s visit is already in the works with two more happening in the school year, one reportedly in the fall and another in the spring. While every student is not guaranteed a spot in going on the trip, De La Cruz had some advice for those who could not experience it.
“The most important messages are unconditional love, kinship, compassion and seeing goodness in everyone,” De La Cruz said.
