Valentine’s Day is not just a day for lovers as most people think, but also for friends; in this case, homies. These students have created a strong bond throughout the years, dating back since attending Guillen Middle School. Making each other laugh and having fun has always been a key in this friendship.

“I started hanging out with them in Mrs. Witte’s class at Guillen. We would always laugh and had a good time in that class,” said Michael Juarez, 12.

Most of them used to play soccer at Guillen during lunch, and they started hanging out with each other since. Others started to join in throughout the years because someone from inside the group would invite others to hang out.

“I’ve hanged out with them for about three years now, and it’s been a really wild and fun three years.” said Sara Ortiz, 12

The members of the group eat together during lunch and afterwards, go to hang out near the Academy building. They usually bump to music, cut each others’ hair, have fun and dance with or against each other. Everyone is constantly laughing and smiling with the good vibes evoked by each other.

The group usually doesn’t have any conflict within its members. They’re usually “drama-free.” They have always been true to each other, and at the possibility of a conflict arising, they “battle it out.”

“If anyone has a problem, we throw hands and then finish it with a friendly brotherhood hand shake,” said Moises Castorena, 12.

Spending so much time together has created many treasurable memories for the whole group to remember for years to come. Heading out after graduation, many will advance to the next stage of their lives going to the University of Texas at El Paso to continue their education. Others will go on their lives somewhere else with a different goal, but their heartfelt memories will still be with them wherever they go.

“My most memorable memory… It was when we found a dove at parking lot of the stadium while playing soccer and we drove it around town. Afterwards, we went to Michael’s house to chill and swim with the dove at the pool. The dove unfortunately died in the process.” said Victor Burciaga, 12.

Because most of them are seniors, they wanted to leave a message to everyone in the group to remember as they’re about to head out on their next stage in life:

“Stay wild, stay blessed” said Castorena.

“Los quiero mucho,” said Ortiz.

“I love each of y’all, and I know we will be someone big, because we have potential to be someone big in life. Bless up,” said Burciaga.

“Rivalz on 3,” said Juarez.