Student 17 - ALIVIXI

Student 17: Life Planning

My book is intended for young readers aged 13 and up, particularly those with passion and drive but who may lack the guidance and mentorship to steer themselves in a positive direction. For many years, I have served as a mentor to children, teens, and adults. I mentored children aged 6+ at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, where I read stories, taught illustration, and shared important life lessons. Currently, I mentor teens in art and design at Artists for Humanity in Boston.

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, instant gratification has become the norm, and the value of patience and wisdom seems to be slipping away. Many young people, along with adults, are caught in a constant cycle of immediate choices, often influenced by external pressures and disconnected from the consequences of their actions. This binary, decision-making system can easily lead them down paths of unethical ideologies.

As a father of two young girls, I’m acutely aware of the passage of time and the challenges they will one day face in this world—possibly without me by their side. My deepest desire is to leave a legacy that strengthens them and prepares them for the next stage of their lives. I want to pass down everything I’ve learned, all the hard work and effort I’ve invested, so they can grow to be better than I ever was.