For many Animo Jefferson students and staff, they have friends who feel like family. These friends they have, they can really trust them and always feel comfortable and happy to be around them, even if they’re not doing anything productive and just keeping each other company.

For some students they consider their friends family because they’re able to tell them anything.

Eighth grader Sofia Garcia said, “Friends I would consider family would be Brandon, Briana, and Abraham. I would consider them family because I am really close to them and I can tell them anything. I’m always with them at school and I can just really trust them. When i’m around them I feel like I can be myself and I trust them enough to be myself around them.”

For some students they consider their friends family because they’re able to joke around and laugh with them without having to feel ashamed.

Eighth grader Abraham Ramos said, “friends that I would consider family are Melinda, Sofia, and Melane. I feel great, I feel like a new man, I honestly just feel happy around them. I would consider them family because I could be myself around them. They feel like my actual family because I am able to joke around with them, we always have fun, make jokes.”

For some students, they consider their friends family because they always feel happy when these certain people are around, and also because they support them through tough times.

Eighth grader Chelsea Ramirez said, “I would consider Madeline, Melinda and Kimberly. I feel happy and like I can be myself when I’m around them. My energy bounces off their energy, they are always able to bring my energy up and I’m always able to have a lot of fun with them. I would consider them family because all three of them have been there for me. I can tell them everything, they’re always there for me, they always have my back, and I talk to them all the time. I basically consider them my sisters because we’re just super close.”

Eighth grader Rachel Lopez also said, “friends that I consider family would be Jessi, Melinda, and Madelynn. I feel very happy and I feel like I can be myself when I’m around them. I would consider them family because they’re always there for me, to support me and they make me feel better. They just make me feel really happy. ”

For some students, they consider their friends family just because they have family members who they remind them of.

Eighth grader Jane Pedro said, “Three people I would consider family would be Aimee, the one that is mostly around at my house, as well as Bryan Castro because he reminds me of my own brother, and also William because he reminds me a lot of my cousin. I feel like I am myself when around them. I don’t have to hide anything from them and I don’t need to be fake about anything at all with them. I would consider them family because they all have a specific family member they remind me of.”

For some people, they consider their friends family because they have been knowing them for the longest time or even most of their life.

Campus security officer Mr. Alex said, “Friends I consider family would be Ivan, Salvador, and Tony family. I consider them family because I’ve known them for almost a decade, and we’ve been through a lot together. When I’m with them I feel comfortable.”

In conclusion these people talked about how much they appreciate these specific friends that feel like family because and how much they’ve helped them through life.