Joshua Villafuerte

I've been in Cafe for about 8 - 9 years now to which I’ve started Cafe back in either 2013 or 2014. During those first few years of Cafe I learned Art, Music, and other activities. At first I didn’t really know what I was meant to do, but I did have fun. I have met people throughout my journey in Cafe which are Mr. Adams, Ms. Caesar, Ms. Josanne, Ms. Candice, and Ms. Browne. I met Mr. Adams during my first year in Cafe he was the music teacher who taught me to play the steel pan before Ms. Josanne came along. Ms. Caesar was the art teacher  for whom taught the ways on how to make art. Ms. Candice was another music teacher I met throughout Cafe, but unfortunately she wasn’t here to see where I am right now.  Ms. Browne was both the mother of Shiloh, Jacob, and Hannah, but also the one who looks out for others.  

During the time of middle school to my early high school years I would always go to Cafe afterschool as a part of my life. In the afterschool Cafe we would eat snacks, do activities such as Art and Music, and eat dinner. The people in Cafe who stood out to me are Ms. Josanne, Ms. Caesar, Mr. Aviel, Mr. Dominec, Ms. Erika, Vanessa, Winnie, Alex, Ashley, Miseal, Miles, Bryce, Reena, Shiloh, Jacob, Hannah, Kyree, Lesalle, Soleila, Aaron, Wenona, etc. These people are few of many other people I’ve met in Cafe usually because they seem good and also inspired in their own way. When the pandemic hit the U.S hard it meant that almost everyone had to stay indoors and those who go out must wear a mask. Mostly everyone in Cafe got affected by this and had to stay home. Many of them were impacted by the sudden change of events that made them sad. I was not immune to the effect that the pandemic had on my life, and it really was the worst. I got more progressively lazy and ate a lot to the point where I didn't want to do anything. Even then I still went to Cafe virtually even though I didn’t participate in some of the activities in spite of my laziness. Moving forward to this year things start to be a little more fair, and it gets better simply because we can go back to Cafe in person. However, we needed to have a mask on and we needed to make sure that we aren’t positive of the virus. 

As it gets close to the day of graduation which is on June 2 I have a limited amount of time to plan a future. Before graduation I wanted to acknowledge Ms. Green for founding Cafe for this would not be possible without you. After I graduate I plan to attend Prince George's Community College to take Liberal Arts to improve my artwork.  After spending 8 - 9 years in Cafe it has been a great part of my life to join and be a part of the community. I would thank all of those in Cafe for just being there and helping me to live beyond hoping that all of you would find Christ in your hearts.