By May Bar
Hendrick Hudson High School
Christopher Cabrera is someone who fills the room with his optimistic energy and character.
The rising junior at Brentwood High School is known as a very cheerful and upbeat person, according to his friend Jonathan Ramos, whom he has known since the first grade. Though many people know him for his bright personality, he is also a person of many interests: social studies, photography and journalism.
Christopher grew up in Brentwood with his three siblings, Leslie, Brandon and Kimberly Cabrera. His parents, Damaris and Fredi Cabrera, are immigrants from El Salvador. Growing up in Brentwood with this background gave Christopher a unique point of view.
This is also what sparked Christopher’s interest in journalism, which he is studying in school. “Being historically educated is very important and can help in gaining a perspective into the wider world,” said Christopher, whose favorite subject is history.
Christopher sees journalism as a way to change the world, but he also takes a more hands-on approach. He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, helping to build houses for families that don’t have one. On one project, Christopher got to sign his name on a wall of a house. This memory is very special to him because it exemplifies Christopher’s commitment to “help this beautiful family have a house.”
Film photography is also a major interest for Christopher. “I found this old Pentax camera that my dad used to have and I thought that if I could get this to work, I could experiment around with it.” Christopher said.
Jonathan said that Christopher believes “photography as a medium is incredible since photography is one of the few things where you can capture a moment rather than just picturing it.”
Another hobby is repairing old computers that would otherwise be considered e-waste. Christopher said it is a “fun side-project to bring life back into old systems.”
Christopher’s many interests and hobbies all play a part in his work as a journalist. “I believe that my participation in the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists will both help me flesh out my current skills in journalism and further develop in other aspects that I’m currently not as proficient in,” Christopher said.