By Guillermo San Juan<\/p>\n
Living in the same neighborhood for 23 years has been a challenge but also a blessing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fort Worth\u2019s Western Hills North neighborhood is where I have stayed my whole life. I still remember many things about this community. I remember empty fields before houses were built or different fast-food places before getting replaced or shut down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many things have changed, but the main thing I have appreciated over these years has been family and friends.<\/p>\n
I have always loved my schools growing up. From Western Hills Primary, Western Hills Elementary, Leadership Academy at Leonard Middle and Western Hills High School.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I have met some of the coolest people and made friends with so many. I have a friend of mine who I have known since kindergarten, and I am always grateful to have that friendship. My teachers were great also because I would not have graduated from Texas Wesleyan University without any of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout the years, there have been changes in life.<\/p>\n
In middle school my buddies moved to a different place \u2014 and it did suck. High school was amazing. Those four years were the greatest years of my life. Hanging out with friends during lunch, class and after school was always a great time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After graduation, everyone starts doing their own things: college, jobs, marriage and kids. I do wish it could be like the old times where we all could just chill again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s just life \u2014 we all will move on with our responsibilities. I do try to contact anyone I know and have a conversation with them. I do hope everyone I have talked to is happy and doing great in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As much as I love my friends, my family has always been something I loved my entire life.<\/p>\n
I really appreciate my three sisters and everything they have done for me; they are people who I can always go to with anything. My parents are special; I will always love them no matter what, and I do hope one day I can take care of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the things I loved about living here is that my family from both my parents\u2019 sides all live around here. Having everyone here is so cool, and I have really appreciated that we can always see each other during parties or any events. I love my family so much!<\/p>\n
These 23 years have had a lot of changes. My friends have their things going on, but sometimes we do hang out from time to time. I loved my friends and people I have talked to during school, and I really do hope they are all good. My family is something I cannot live without, including the five dogs that we have, especially my pug Bella.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Western Hills North will always be my neighborhood!<\/p>\n
Guillermo San Juan (center) shares his memories of being born and raised in Fort Worth\u2019s Western Hills North neighborhood. He is a recent graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and a documenter for the Fort Worth Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nWestern Hills North\n<\/p>\n Total population: 5,586 Age Education Race Click on the link to view the schools\u2019 Texas Education Agency ratings:<\/p>\n
Female: 48% | Male: 52%<\/p>\n
0-9: 13%
10-19: 14%
20-29: 10%
30-39: 21%
40-49: 12%
50-59: 17%
60-69: 7%
70-79: 4%
80 and older: 2%<\/p>\n
No degree: 21%
High school: 32%
Some college: 35%
Bachelor\u2019s degree: 7%
Post-graduate: 4%<\/p>\n
White: 33% | Hispanic: 26% | Black: 40% | Other: 0% | Two or more: 1%<\/p>\n