OC HIGH / STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS : Friends Ease Move From Mexico

Marcos Contreras, 15, is a sophomore at La Habra High School. The story of his arrival in the United States was prepared by Emma Fewell, also a sophomore at La Habra.

I was born on Jan. 1, 1978. Last year I moved here from Sinaloa, Mexico. It was a very beautiful town; it was small, and there weren’t nearly as many people there as there are here. My father, mother and youngest brother came with me, but we left my 10-year-old brother with my grandparents. He didn’t want to come.

For me, moving was not hard. I love it here and hope that I can stay. My friends have been an important part of everything since I’ve gotten here, and I wouldn’t want to leave them.

The main reason we came was for me to study and get a good education. The schools here are much bigger than the ones at home, and at first all of the people were really overwhelming. The subjects here (especially math) are much easier than the ones in Sinaloa, and the classes are taught in a very different manner.

Before we came here, I played baseball, basketball and soccer. Baseball is my favorite. Right now I’m the junior varsity goalie for my team at school. I also plan to try out for the baseball team.

I think that moving here was a very important part of my life, one that I would never change. After we moved here I was in a car accident, but other than that, things have gone well.

I am learning and growing and hope to continue doing so. I kind of feel like I started a new life, although part of me is still in Sinaloa.