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SoCal Connected

Angelo in Trona

A troubled teenager shares the story of his move from Bakersfield to Trona, an isolated desert town in San Bernardino County.

For nearly nine years, Angelo lived in Bakersfield, a city he characterizes as the complete antithesis of Trona.

In Bakersfield, Angelo couldn't seem to stay out of trouble. He ran away from home, made plans with the wrong people, and eventually got expelled from school.

"I kind of got mixed in with the wrong crowd and seen some things I probably shouldn't have seen," he said.

After getting expelled from South High in Bakersfield, Angelo and his mom decided it would be best to move to Trona.

Angelo took charge of his life by joining the football team at his new school, and kept himself away from cellphones and the "drama" of the Internet.

"I hate the Internet; it's just drama."

"I don't like seeing people go through bad situations, especially situations I've been through before," he said. "Everyone's going to win and lose. You want to win all the time, but there will be times when you lose and times when you win."

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