By Esli Meija and Molly Lou Freeman
Benefiting from our rich tropical desert / oasis environment as our ecology classroom, Sierra School student-gardener -ecologists enjoyed an extraordinary visit to Liam McDermott's permaculture garden in Pescadero, BCS on 8th April 2016. We went to learn more about permaculture and complement our visit to Virginia Moonstone Mazetti's permaculture garden last autumn. Liam happily showed us lots of plants and techniques, discussing how he started his garden on a empty and dry desert lot 8 years ago; now it's filled with plants. Liam is passionate about permaculture as a means of sustainable living in harmony with our environment and taking care of our planet. Liam's garden includes composting, mulching, air and dirt layering, grafting, edible hedges, a cob bench, cultivation of perennial and annual plants, and more. A trained permaculture teacher - specialist, Liam's particular interest is in perennial polyculture food and medicine gardens. He seeks to create essential oils from his plants and trees. He is an activist for the earth!

Liam grows palms, roses, cashew, cocoa, kava, neem, baobab, hibiscus, guava, pomegranate, cinnamon, bananas, and surinam cherries, to name of few of the over one hundred species that thrive in his garden.

Liam discussed his particular interest in studying soil and creating natural root networks between his plants in order to sustain damp areas that naturally retain water between plants and enable them to grow.

After out visit, the teachers, students and Liam's family sat down for a refreshing "agua de jamaica" in the garden. Later, it was a pleasure, to look over the garden from the roof terrace of Liam's family's house. Liam gave me, Esli, a Kava plant, with instructions on how to take care of it; and I have already planted it and and am tending to it. We had a great time on our visit! Students and teachers celebrated a fabulous, highly interesting and educational morning, with a group photograph on the upper terrace with Liam's mother, Margarita and life-partner, Béatrice. Thank you, Liam! 

In English-Literature-Creative Writing class, we continue our study of the essay as a form of argument. We listened to, carefully read aloud, examined and discussed the famous, "I Have A Dream Speech" by Martin Luther King, Jr. This speech is a powerful, unforgettable and well-organized essay, full of metaphors and vivid images. King communicates a strong message to humanity that all people are equal. Students each wrote their own "I Have A Dream" essay as a message to humanity.

Gustavo Heras Aguilar, 6th grade with the help of Zephyr Flores, parent-volunteer
I have a dream that there will be work for everyone. I dream that all people will have opportunities to find work. I dream that for all jobs there would be training courses open to all who want to work. I dream that salaries would be higher in proportion to the cost of living. All jobs where people work long hours would have adequate break times. Work would be make as comfortable and healthy as possible. Work should be adequately paid and satisfying. 

Sofia Victoria Cota-Perez with the help of Molly Lou Freeman, English-Writing teacher
I have an amazing and important dream. I dream that all children will have an education. I dream that all children can live their right to an education. Education means going to school, learning to read and to write, learning to communicate, learning about our country, learning about history, sport, art and mathematics. Education also means making friends at school. I enjoy learning another language. I understand more and more English. I am learning to read and write in English. I wrote my first essay in English.  Education, for me, means learning English. English can help me communicate and make friends with more people. English can also help me when I travel. Education can help open doors and help prepare for more education and opportunities in life. 

I also believe and think everyone needs a home, shelter and food. I think this is important because people need to be healthy and to feel safe. This is a basic human right. It is important to have a place to eat, to sleep, to take a bath and to rest and relax.

Aliya Acacia Flores, 6th grade
I have a dream that everyone will explore their environment and do outdoor activities. In this way, everyone will be connected to what really matters: our environment. I dream that everyone will smell the flowers and climb the rocky, magical mountains. Being in nature and doing outdoor activities truly helps us notice the importance and the beauty of the wild outdoors. I dream of people walking on sandy beaches, watching colorful sunsets, hiking the magical Sierra de la Laguna, cooking organic food, planting helpful plants, keeping green gardens, swimming in the crystalline ocean, camping in beautiful landscapes, and making bouquets of flowers. My dream is that each and every person will cherish and protect the world of wonderful nature around us. For nature is truly what keeps us alive!

Diego Milan Aguilar, 6th grade
I have a dream that no one will be judged by their religion or their beliefs. It doesn't matter if people are Jewish, Christian or other religions. We are all equal. We are all humans and we are all brothers. I have a dream that people who believe in God will not be criticized by people who are of a different religion. I have a dream! I have a dream that people will not be judged by their cultural origin or their ethnicity. We are all the same human beings. Just because someone is German does not mean he or she is a Nazi. Just because some is Arab doesn't mean he or she is a terrorist. I have a dream that people from places all around the world will not be called robbers, racists or Nazis or any other name just because of the color of their skin. I have  a dream that children of different nations and cultures will all be friends.