KYDS keeps students engaged in various activities

Andrew Pulido Gonzalez and Amelie Graves • February 10, 2026

Seniors Guadalupe Martinez, Julia Garcia and Justin Pineda create candles with coach Andrea Rodriguez during the KYDS program’s self-care day on Nov. 13, 2025.

Amelie Graves

When KYDS first began in August 2024, junior Giancarlo Valdez was alone in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), accompanied by only three Keep Youth Doing Something (KYDS) coaches. That’s because Valdez was the first person to join KYDS.

“At the start, I felt like ‘Why am I the first one?’” Valdez said. “I felt lonely. It was just me playing Nintendo Switch, alone.”

Eventually, after the first month, the program grew to what Head Coach Corey Nuñez estimates to be around 25 students attending on average. KYDS is an after-school program that offers various activities. It starts right after school ends and goes until 6 p.m. Some of the activities offered at this program include tutoring, driver’s ed, cooking, e-sports, digital and traditional art, self-care, soccer and dance. The goal of the program is in its namesake: to ensure that young people spend their time positively.

“The point of Keep Youth Doing Something is just not be bored and not to brainrot and watch your phone,” Nuñez said. “You guys can do anything. So doing either (the) cooking, music, or 3D printing programs, it’s better than just going home.”

The program began when PTSA President Colleen Elkins and former Principal Armen Petrossian reached out to KYDS. The program is funded mainly through federal funds and donations and does not charge the schools for its services.

The most popular programs within KYDS are the tutoring program and the cooking program. To reach their goal of 50 students in attendance at KYDS, Nuñez is hoping to open up further programs that students are interested in, like robotics or film, to attract more students.

“They’re always trying to make people feel safe,” said senior Natica Renteria, who participates in the cooking program. “They started all these programs to make sure everyone feels safe.”

Many students come to KYDS for a variety of reasons. Some often come simply because they can’t get picked up at a certain time. While others are seeking a place to hang out with their friends and to engage in their community. For Valdez, who Nuñez described as the student “who got the program up from the beginning,” he stayed because he found an open community where it didn’t matter why you were there.

“I love the fact that it’s open to not just the kids who have to leave early,” Valdez said. “It’s open to everybody.”

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About the Contributors

Andrew Pulido Gonzalez, Features Editor

Andrew Pulido Gonzalez is this year’s Features Editor in his second year on staff. As Features Editor, he is excited for the opportunity to lead the human interest stories produced by the publication to showcase the diverse experiences at the school. He is also the president for the Class of 2027. When he isn’t at school, Andrew enjoys doing deep dives on politics and doing political canvassing. If he’s not doing that, he’s annoying his dogs or doing the most mundane chores as an excuse to listen to his favorite podcasts.

Amelie Graves, Digital Media Editor

Amelie Graves is this year’s Digital Media Editor for The Pearl Post. This is her first year on the DPMHS Student Media staff and she is incredibly excited to work with the amazing team. Her goal for the 2025-2026 school year is to release more videos on The Pearl Post website and increase the amount of coverage for school events. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and catching up on sleep.

Alex Salcedo, Visual Editor

Alex Salcedo is this year’s Visual Editor for The Pearl Post. As a junior in his second year on the DPMHS Student Media staff, he is focusing on capturing moments that speak louder than words. This year, he aims to grow his portfolio and take the photojournalism aspect of The Pearl Post to the next level. Outside of school, you’ll find him refining his camera skills. He also enjoys playing music, going to the gym or catching up on much-needed sleep.