Many children grow up without ever really having experienced the joys of childhood. These kids may be forced to lead corrupt lives before they even have a chance to choose a path of their own. They’re raised in destructive environments and many won’t get the opportunity to ever grow from that. This is the idea that has inspired Randall student, Yesenia Aguilar to do something meaningful.     Aguilar, senior, signed up to be part of a program called Amarillo Parks and Recreation during the summer. She’ll work seven hours a day, five days a week under a department designed to aid underprivileged and potentially “at-risk” kids. From June up until August 7, Aguilar will be planning outdoor activities and spending time with kids roughly between the ages of 4 and 14. Along with the excitement that joins working with young children, there are a lot of responsibilities.     “I had to apply three months ahead,” Aguilar said. “In my interview I was questioned on what I like to do, [so they could] make sure I’m safe. I have to be confident to show that I have the ability to handle these kids; I have to be certified in CPR and be able to pass a drug test. I have three full eight-hour days of training from June 4-6. [One has] to be at least 15 to work there and I don’t know why this is a concern for them, but I have to fill out beneficiary papers in case I die. There’s a lot of paperwork due to the kids’ attendance, lunch count, and any reports about the day.”     Along with the qualifications she’s required to have, Aguilar said she is prepared to endure even further responsibilities. More hours, high energy, and a little creativity aren’t listed in the job description but are definitely needed as Aguilar explains it.     “There’s a lot of pre-planned effort [that goes into he job] and extra things I have to do that I won’t get paid for,” Aguilar said. “I have to go to staff meetings with other recreation leaders every week, which are non-paid hours, and I have to have planned activities for the kids. Even when I’m out on the weekend I’m going to be thinking about what activities I can be doing during the week and how I can be helping these kids with life skills. I have to make sure I’m fun so kids aren’t bored and just reading books all day because I want my park site to be the place where kids want to come back. ”     Given the circumstances, Aguilar said working in such an environment could be dangerous and may challenge her morals.     “[For a lot of] these kids, the lunch we provide will be their only meal of the day,” Aguilar said. “At 5:00 once the program is over for the day, some will still be at the park because they don’t have a home to go to or they’re afraid to go home so I have a moral dilemma of leaving or staying to help them out. Which I’m not supposed to help them after my shift is over. I’ve been warned about getting too attatched to kids too because they will try to lie to me. Some are kids that have parents that are in jail, addicted to drugs, or are abusive. If the family is involved with gangs, there could be kids from rival gangs there and if there’s a fight, I have to send kids home even if I’m aware that they don’t have a place to go. Something else is that the park is public, so there will be other people out. They might be doing drugs or something while the program is going on and my job is to go confront them no matter how old they are for the kids’ safety.”      Knowing how troubled the backgrounds of these kids are doesn’t stop Aguilar from trying to make a difference. She said she believes in getting a person back on “the right track” once they’ve already basically given up. However, she knows that it’s not 100 percent up to her to instill that drive for change into their hearts minds.     “I can’t make anybody do what I want them to do, they have to want it for themselves,” Aguilar said. “That’s up to the person’s own will. Once you’ve [quit], your only way to go is up and if you have someone who is motivating you then there is a possibility of change especially if they can relate to what you’ve been through.”     Experience is important to Aguilar and she has plenty of it. She said her past serves as a great inspiration for her desire to guide kids through rough lives.     “Growing up, I didn’t have my dad and my mom was a teenager when she had me,” Aguilar said. “I grew up in a house of eight, in the ‘ghetto’ so I didn’t go to the best schools. I didn’t have a good role model. I got into a lot of partying and I had a near-to-death experience at a party because of drugs and alcohol. I was sent to rehab for 16 months. I heard about this job and thought about how these kids are a lot like how I was. I thought if I had a place like this in the summer to learn from people with experience and if I had a role model it would’ve helped me to not make so many bad choices as a teen. When I was in rehab, the staff that impacted me the most were the ones who’d been there before and I learned where you come from does not control who you become.”      The necessity in hiding her passion and excitement is non-existent as far as Aguilar is concerned. She said she anticipates a productive and life changing summer, not only for the kids but also for herself.     “The biggest thing I look forward to is just working with the kids,” Aguilar said. “I pretty much get paid to play. I like to have fun and that’s what I’ll be able to do. If I can give what’s been given to me and decrease the chance of kids throwing away their lives then that would be my payback for what I’ve done to other people. My idea is if I can be their one motivation in life and help them reach their potential to its highest, then my work has been done.”