It all started with the transition from middle school to high school, where he began to feel insecure. He came to the conclusion that there had to be a change in his life so he could be treated better. He knew that it was not going to be easy, but he was determined to achieve this change.
Jayden Chavez, a senior at Huntington Park High School, was willing to be seen more, be more outgoing, and put himself out there.
Chavez was determined that both his sentimental and physical aspects wanted to change. So, he started out his senior year by slowly trying to talk to people, not wearing a mask anymore, and working out more. This slowly allowed him to regain confidence in being himself around others and not shying away from them.
“No matter how much you trip, you can always catch yourself before the ground,” said Chavez.
His insecurity began when he saw how easy it was for simple people to start a conversation with others. Before, it was easier for him to do this, but once he entered high school, it was a whole change for him that was hard.
When the pandemic came, he mentioned that these feelings became worse. During 10th grade, this situation was severe enough that it led him to be in a depressed state.
“I would not turn on my camera for any class… I knew that it was going to be difficult… I did not have any support because no one knew how I really was,” said Chavez.
Before, he would try to keep everything to himself because he did not feel comfortable talking to others.
As he mentioned next, “I would go to places that I wouldn’t normally go with them. I would accept their invitation instead of saying “I’m busy” as an excuse. They would just say “Oh wow!?” said Chavez.
He was a very awkward person, and when people tried to converse with him, he tried to end the conversation as soon as he was able to.
“I’m trying to make a change, and I am different now,” said Chavez.
Written by Ashley Pineda, Guest Writer from Journalism 1