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My overall thought is Juan carlos didn't give up on the american dreams. He also know that he was going to complete college degree. He was also studying for his master's degree. He wonder about the kids from his neighborhood who left behind

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My overall thoughts about the reading were that Juan Carlos did not give up. People can change their ways to be successful. The author states that " He got high and also ran with a tough crowd, and rarely attended class". This shows that anyone can change. You can come from the bottom and still become successful with arduous work and dedication.

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My thoughts on the text are that it was interesting  I do not really have many thoughts. My thoughts on the text are that it was interesting. I do not really have many thoughts.  . to me this passage means that he wasn't impacted around his environment when others was .what was important to me was that how he beat all the odds when most couldn't it was something great to here because a lot of people always say what you cant do    jaun reyes proved a lot of people wrong and showed that a lot was could have gotten done with working hard he started off doing bad things and his life wasnt on track he proved that theirs alot you can do by working hard and focusing so that was what was important to me.

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My overall thoughts on the passage is that opportunities are only given to those who take risks. Of course, situations vary depending on the circumstances of your life, but the only shots you miss are the ones that you don't take. The American Dream isn't always accessible to those in lesser economic situations. Very rarely will someone with a poor education, horrible community, and lack of proper mentorship acquire the America Dream. Acquiring the American Dream requires having a mindset of determination and ambition. The article follows the life of Juan Reyes, a low-income Dominican, and how he faced his struggles and in what ways he surpassed those struggles. I believe the author wrote this to persuade others like himself and to inform society on the disadvantages of those with less opportunities.

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I feel like the article spoke a lot of real knowledge and the article was introduced with a very good question which makes the reader think , and valid points were given. I like how he also used his own backstory to cover the topic of the article to give us an understanding of his question.

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I think it is a good way to see there are ways to go to College and db the work for it. The way it that no matter when you are from you can do it but, you have to put the effort and not just you the teacher too. It puts this in a new light to see it in. You can do it and put the effort to do so.

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My overall thoughts on the reading was that Juan Carlos didn't give up on the american dream. The author also states that Juan Carlos teacher showed him tough love and good love so that means that he was discipline and he learned respect. Also he knew that he was going to complete a college degree.

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My overall thoughts on this reading are , I think its a great motivational text. A lot of people in life go through the period of their teacher or other's telling them they wont amount to anything. This passage can show them individual's , you can make something of yourself despite what others say. I also noticed An american dream can be what you make it out to be. In life you may make it while your other wont.

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My thought about the reading from the text is I like how the reading is saying because it talks about how his life during school. He went to Heritage High School is where Reyes remember first about the American dream. I think he wasn't meant for his environment because how it said gauntlet of bad teachers and dysfunctional schools.

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My overall thoughts on this reading are that Juan had came from the same life as his friends and wonder why they haven't to achieve their American Dreams like he did. I also wonder if the kids grew up with were able to be pushed on the right path of achieving their American Dream as Juan did. He is wondering where their chance in a college education to reach their American Dream.

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I overall see this passage as an example for him to inspire others not needing his environment. Even though, i do feel that his environment could've been a support system to him to strive harder or the other way around.Just because you're different does not mean you're the same as others. He gave an example that no matter where you come from you can still make the right choices and strive to the future. Also, no matter who judges your dreams to not let it bring you down as he said in this passage "doormen get paid $16 an hour. And if I get that job, I can make it". I agree the smallest opportunities can lead you into the future or into bigger opportunities without knowing. I agree that he can be more than just the environment he came from or he is around in. You can not compare yourself to others when it comes to your dreams and struggles no matter if the environment is neutral.

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I think the reason why our teacher chose this passage is because this is something that we can relate to. Everyday we see people skipping classes, acting out, or just not caring about what they do in school. Then there are also those that despite their environment, continue to do great things and do what they need to succeed. You make your environment not the environment makes you. If you surround yourself with all the good things in your environment it will in turn push you to be better. I know this is true because I know many people who are doing really well in school at this very moment.

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My overall thoughts on the reading is that its about The American Dream. Making kids and young adults understand that they are not "lost causes". Young people may lose their motivation from things their going at home. We need to understand that we can have an American Dream.

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My thoughts about the text I just read, The way he was getting in trouble because of the stuff he did, and who he hanged around with.  It's incredible how he changed his life around. He didn't change his life just for himself but for his mother also. I know every mother would like see their children do something, or be something as a profession for themselves. I like how he continued to make things happen and it is great.

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My overall thought about this reading is, to show that it dosen't matter what environment you come from. You can achieve any dream you want to if you put your mind to it. Juan didn't inspired me because just because he did it, it dosen't mean everyone eles can. It's kind of like I kill a snake and write an article about it, LOL everything is not achievable to SOME people. It is to me but I mean you can't sell this bs to the black folks.

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my overall thoughts about this responds is. that you gotta want it. you gotta put yourself in a better place and around better people to get better. you gotta ask for help to become better in life.That what i got from the whole reading. i feel like reyes did the right thing he wanted to get away from the bad problems in put his self into a better crowed where he can get out of school on time.

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My overall thoughts about this reading are good. My overall thoughts are good because this is a motivational and inspiring text. It really opens up your mind when you really sit and pay attention to the words as you read. It motivates me to want to do the best, I've always had the mindset of doing my best, but this just boosts my mindset. I feel like you gave us this text to make us realize that it's near the time for us to graduate, it's going to be here in no time. This text should have inspired all my classmates to do their best. Juan Carlos wasn't a product of his environment because he beat the odds, while majority of his friends didn't.

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Honestly, my overall thoughts on the reading is that with the different and difficult obstacles you have, you can overcome then and you can succeed in life. Everyone is different. Everyone has their own advantages and disadvantages. It is totally up to you whether you put them to use and do something with your life. Another thought I had was that even though your environment can be bad doesn't mean you have to be bad with it. Try to stray away from things that doesn't benefit you and surround yourself with people/things that are going to help you.

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My thoughts on the text are that it was interesting  I do not really have many thoughts. My thoughts on the text are that it was interesting. I do not really have many thoughts.  . to me this passage means that he wasn't impacted around his environment when others was .