There’s no place like Surf City

Derek Pham

As part of the Youth in Government Day sponsored by the city,

students wrote speeches about their community and what it means to

them. The following speech, titled “Better Things to Think About,” is

by the first-place winner, and allows the reader to see Huntington

Beach through the eyes of a high school student.

A community such as Surf City, aka Huntington Beach, has its share

of stereotypes. But, whether they be the surfer dudes, blond, rad,

fad girls, or the cliche evil hierarchy of schools so often seen in

movies, Huntington Beach is the coolest city in Southern California.

I know I have my own bias, but what can one expect from the

endless sunny days, minute walks to the beach, and friendly citizens

of Surf City?

Every day, the newspapers have stories of death, destruction, and

the world nearing the apocalypse. But in our sunny, happy H.B.,

stories of friendly rivalry between high school sports teams and

inspiring stories of puppies finding new homes dominate the

headlines. H.B. affects the outsider, or guest, in a variety of ways.

Never is there really a sense of negativity in our city, but a

sense of peace -- peace that everywhere one goes, an ever-smiling

face is present. And despite the occasional gloom, the ceaseless

caressing waves continue to make music to every Huntington Beacher.

Growing up in Huntington Beach, I’ve known this city as my life.

I’ve traveled the world, seen the sights that fade, heard the sounds

that diminish, but never will there be a duplicate of Surf City.

Here, everything lasts, from the constant motion of the waves to the

endless activity on downtown Main Street.

If we all just listened, took a break from our busy lives, we’d

see truly what this wonderful city is all about. Start with the pier;

stand on that historic pier that towers over surfers and body

boarders. In the back, hear the gulls shriek as they catch their

fish, or the fisherman commenting on the day’s catch. Suck in the

scent, that familiar ocean air tingling the nose but refreshing the

mind. Hear the children laugh, the adults converse on the sand below

you. Sounds of beach balls whop by while skates, bicycles and

scooters skid on the paved road. This is your H.B.

Move to Main Street and see what effect it has on you -- the awe,

as activity is continuous from the markets to eat-ins; it’s Surf

City. Pedestrians mingle with cyclists, cars drive at 5 mph glancing

at the merchandise from Tilly’s or Jack’s surf shop. People relax

outside at Starbucks while the Arriba Grill sizzles away. Soak in the

smell, the sounds, the sights.

When the world is tired, busy, no one cares to go and have some

fun. It’s off to bed for them, another day done, another one to come.

But not in Surf City. This is H.B., your H.B.

And finally, leave Main Street and take to the quiet of a tranquil

neighborhood. The dogs are out, the children are playing about,

surfers dripping in sand and salt H2O get changed near their cars.

Life seems so different here from the bustle of downtown, but not in

atmosphere. The same peaceful, relaxing air surrounds you and you

just breathe in, a sigh of happiness. Happiness at these events,

happiness at this close-knit community; happiness in H.B.

There are times when we wonder what makes our life so great. The

answer is the surroundings we grow up in. What affects our future

depends on our life before it. Surf City was a guide, leading me

through my childhood to my current status. Here I am, in wonderful

Surf City with its familiar sounds, sights and smells. With its dudes

and dudettes, surfers and cyclists, neighbors and friends, all that

one could ever ask for. It has taught me that my community, my city

is what I build my support on. It is a pride in my community and this

pride has affected my everyday functions, from work to

extracurricular activities.

The world constantly turns and lives are affected by these sudden

changes. But in Huntington Beach, the waves tell all. Each and every

day the tides rise and recede only to do the same thing the next day.

But our city keeps changing, not unmoved by these unvarying events.

So, the world may have its share of the horrors, but our youth,

who command tomorrow, remain undisturbed, for it is the positive

outlook that makes the difference and not a report of disaster. In

Surf City, it is better to view the hopeless with an optimistic

manner because the wanderer may wonder, “Where is the murder, the

violence, the enemies?” and all he or she would get in reply is,

“Would you like to take home a puppy?”

* DEREK PHAM is a 10th-grade student at Edison High School.