Imagining A Better Future

Mario Ayala arrived in the U.S. in 2001 with his wife, Elizabeth, who was born in the U.S. but grew up in Mexico, and their two daughters. Mario had training in video in Guadalajara where he had a job writing scripts for small projects. It was not without some fear that he made the decision to come north to start a new life. How would he get a job? Would he ever again be able pursue work in video production? How would he learn a new language?

In San Mateo Mario learned of the Adult School and enrolled. Shortly thereafter came the events of September 11. When the school held a memorial for those who died at the World Trade Center Mario grabbed a camera he borrowed from the school and shot his first video in the U.S. He was moved by the fact that teachers, students and staff sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” in their candlelight ceremony.

Mario continued his studies in English and steadily improved. He was part of the Adult School video production class and worked on a number of student projects. He regained confidence in himself and discovered possibilities he had not foreseen. He and Elizabeth began a small video production business doing wedding and quinceneara videos. With his improved English he was able to help his young daughter with her homework.

Six months ago, based on the success of their video and photography work, Mario and Elizabeth opened a photo studio on B Street in San Mateo. The name of their shop, Imagine.