Cal Prep's Rolling Pride

Photos By Luis, Text By Ms. Hollyman

At the end of some school days you can't help but notice high school students pull out of the parking lot in shiny souped-up trucks. In the heart of our diverse and culturally rich Cal Prep community, these rolling works of steel, vinyl, chrome and are the pride of some students.

It's a sunny Friday afternoon, "short-sleeve weather" and school is over for the week. The clouds are puffy and everybody has headed home except for a few soccer players left in the playing field. High school student Brian R. enters the parking lot with friends and begins to load up his vintage red Ford pick-up truck . A Cal Prep teacher crosses the parking lot to her 2009 Subaru. She stops and asks Brian to pose for a photograph. "No way," he says, laughing. "But you can photograph my truck."

At Cal Prep, some say these trucks like Brian's, are more than just vehicles; they represent a powerful form of self-expression, a connection to cultural roots, and a testament to the artistry of their owners.

Rafa now roars to the front of Cal Prep's driveway in his souped up black shiny Dodge Ram.

This teacher ooohs and ahhhs again. She watches while Grizzly Posts Photographer, Luis, angles for a great photograph. Luis plays with filters and tries to capture Cal Prep's building in the reflection of the side panel of Rafa's Truck.

When asked about the significance of trucks in LatinX culture, another student answers "whatever." He's just not going there with his teacher.

No problem. She gets it.

A student asks the teacher if Rafa can "burn tires" as he drives away.

"Hmmmm...."she answers.

Rafa revs up his motor and heads towards Shane Drive with the muffler of his rolling pride roaring.

So cool.