Annandale, VA -  Standing at the main entrance of Tysons Corner at 11:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, senior Ayda Salamanca anxiously, once again, checks the time on her new cell phone that she managed to buy from her most recent pay check. Exhausted from the seven-hour shift she has just finished, without any other method of transportation, Salamanca is awaiting for her boyfriend to come pick her up.

Salamanca, standing at 5’3, with thick lensed-glasses and shoulder-length brown hair, is not like the average American teenage girl. She spends her days and weekends at work, trying to make as much money as possible. Salamanca, among many other AHS students, represents how the nation’s current state of the economy is affecting American citizens deeply.

Currently, the U.S. economy is enveloped in a financial crisis. Since August 2007, markets and the financial industry began collapsing. Last week, the stock market plummated to an all-time low since the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

Over this past summer, as the value of houses dropped tremendously and foreclosure became rampant throughout the nation, Salamanca’s family also lost their home to the bank. Desperate and helpless, Salamanca strenuously began looking for a job.

“I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to help my parents, but I couldn’t find a job anywhere—I applied to Victoria Secret, Marshalls, food stores—everywhere,” said Salamanca. She continued slowly, “I felt useless. I couldn’t do anything.”

Although she found a job at the start of this school year, Salamanca’s salary barely covers her life necessities. Not only does she give her mom money weekly and pay for her own expenses, she also sends money to her sister in Bolivia every month.

Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the economy. As the value of houses had began to decline about two years ago, banks began tightenining up their lending standards, which consequently, dropped consumer spending and increased unemployment as many employers cut wages and hours from their workers.

Sophomore Micheal Munson’s father was a victim of the loss of jobs many Americans have faced in recent months.

“My father used to work for the IBM [International Business Machines Corporation]. But then they shut his part of the company and gave him away,” said Munson.

As the financial crisis hit the family, Munson’s parents decided to move from the three-floors house they used to live in to a smaller house in Annandale.

“Now I’m just trying to adjust to my new surroundings. I ride my bike everywhere to save money,” said Munson.

For many students, the gas prices are the primary detriment that the economy has brought upon them. Although gas prices have been decreasing in the past week after they skyrocketed as hurricanes Ike and Gustav hit, the gas pump is where most students spend the majority of their money.

“I spend $200 a week on my Caddilac V6,” said senior Osmane Bah.

Although Bah works five days a week, he does not have much money for himself. He is among the many AHS students interviewed for this article, who give their parents money to help them pay for the house’s expenses on a weekly basis.

“I give my mom $160 every month and pay for all the bills—internet and phone,” said Bah.

To save as much money as possible, many students have found ways of commuting through other methods of transportation. “I mostly take the Metro Bus everywhere,” said senior Dalia Faris.

Senior Vinh Ngo has found another alternative. “I carpool and charge people whenever I give them rides,” said Ngo.

While most teenagers are equipped with today’s latest technologies—iPods and iPhones, Salamanca has a computer, but no internet, nor cable. So how does an 18 year old student manage school, work and financial problems at home?

“I’ve learned how to time manage. I try to study and do my work ahead of time.

Similarly, other students as well are making just enough to make ends meet.

“I hardly eat—I don’t have any extra money on me,” said senior Sasha Thomas.

Senior Lady Morales’s life took a turn this past summer as her entire family began cutting down on everything—food, clothes and family trips.

“Before we used to buy cookies, donuts, brand-named items. Now, we get the cheapest stuff possible,” said Morales.

Junior Alisa Hooker’s family tries to limit the usage of electricity as much as possible.

“We’re on a strict budget. We turn off everything. As soon as I leave my room, the light must be turned off,” said Thomas. Despite the weather outside, Thomas’s family keeps the air conditioning low as well.

As for Salamanca, winning a lottery would solve all her problems. Until then, she works hard to save money and make something of her life.

By: ______________

Annandale High School