Teen Raps American Dream Beyond National Borders

Editor's Note: This is the first in our Dispatches series, documenting experiences around the changing American Dream.

Most teens will never touch thousand-dollar audio equipment in their lifetimes. But Woodside High School graduate Jose “Lalo” Saavedra has state-of-the-art editing equipment, a grand piano and soundboards at his fingertips in the Redwood City .

To the 18-year-old, they’re not just fancy toys. The partnership between Adobe Youth Voices and the multi-platinum R&B group Black Eyed Peas has provided Saavedra and other teens the opportunity to create powerful messages in an industry-quality studio.

Saavedra and his friends have produced music videos raising awareness about the Haiti earthquake and President Obama’s goal of having the most college graduates by the year 2020.

“I’ve found my calling and future career,” Saavedra said. “It’s something positive I can do.”

Viewers of the music videos include U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and several other White House officials, who were in awe of what the teens could produce.

Check out of the making of the Obama 2020 video.

Wow-ing the White House and MTV

High school students with their baseball caps and baggy jeans may not be the typical voices you would expect to captivate the Obama administration officials. But with the assistance of the Adobe Youth Voices program and Peapod Academy, the teens have broadcast their messages to audiences they could never have imagined to reach.

Saavedra was able to participate in the Adobe Youth Voices Summit two weeks ago, where some of the industry's top experts taught youth like him additional production skills. He's also been able to travel to cities like Denver to accept a digital arts award.

“[Saavedra] takes himself a lot more seriously now and has realized his full potential,” said Diego Pettersson, a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club. “I know he’s going to be a star in everything he’s going to do.”

The teens have gained considerable confidence. But the product of their hard work has rippled beyond the studio. Their Haiti video has gone viral and is up for an MTV video music award. The winner will be determined by online voters.

“They’re seeing the world beyond themselves,” said Miguel Salinas, the Adobe Youth Voices senior manager. “They have the sensibility to understand the plight of young people in other places.”

The teens' global awareness blossomed with their involvement in the Boys & Girls Club.

Saavedra was one of the more disciplined students, taking the initiative to join the Boys & Girls Club “to have something to do,” he said.

After his high school friend was killed by gang members, Saavedra focused on earning a black belt. His friend, , had been interested in karate and encouraged Saavedra to learn it, too. Saavedra also concentrated on school and channeled this energy into making music.

Many of Saavedra’s fellow Peapod Academy friends didn’t initially have the same determination that he had.

Fellow Peapod Academy member Richard Kaho was expelled from Menlo-Atherton High School for stealing a car. But he received a second chance at the Boys & Girls Club community school and is now making his own music.

“They not only get to learn technical job skills,” Salinas said. “But they can use technology as a vehicle to explore issues and think critically.”

Acquiring Skills through School

The same valuable technical skills are being taught on campus. Despite diminishing school budgets, Woodside High School began offering an during Saavedra’s final year of high school.

“It was the best thing in the world because I got to do what I loved in school and out of school,” he said.

Thanks to his school, companies involved with the music program and nonprofit organizations, Saavedra is achieving his American Dream. He defines it as “making your own ability to be successful with your strength, will and determination.”

But he’s not stopping now.

He’s headed to the Foothill Community College, from where he hopes to transfer to the four-year Cogswell Polytechnical College in Sunnyvale that specializes in digital audio technology. He said he aspires to be a lyricist or producer so he can create positive music and messages about issues in the media.

“There’s so much negativity,” he said. “I want to try to lighten it up.”

His effort has already produced a positive message for those who doubt one teen can make a difference.

“Media is a universal language,” he said. “You can take world issues and push it through the media to build a connection and get a lot more feedback.”