By David Allen
FROM: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

First the marching band performed a few rousing numbers. Then writer Luis J. Rodriguez took the stage in Pomona’s Garey High quad Friday morning, Oct. 22, to tell 600 students about marching to the beat of a different drummer.

Rodriguez, who ran with L.A. gangs in his teen years, told students he used to think being tough was about intimidating others. Eventually he figured out that toughness is setting goals and seeing them through despite opposition.

“Toughness is about believing in yourself, having that dream and doing everything you can to make that dream happen,” said Rodriguez. “You have to learn to be really tough inside.”

I was among those on folding chairs in the quad, and delighted to be there.

Garey High teacher Ion Puschila — Mr. P. as they call him on campus — mentioned to me a few weeks ago that the school would be hosting Rodriguez, a former Los Angeles poet laureate and author of the memoir “Always Running.” Read Rest of Article Here