Sandra and Bautista (in the words of Monica Ortiz, their oldest daughter)
"The house in the Dominican Republic is almost complete. The bathrooms, floors, windows, doors and walls need finishing — almost nothing — (Ha!). My mom will be working at Long Island College Hospital 18 years in November and my dad 13 years at Methodist Hospital in September.

Aida begins attending a private university in New Jersey in the fall and it will be tough for my parents to finish the house and pay for school, but it means one more girl is going to college. They are very proud of Aida and are happy to say that Mayra is doing better in school (hopefully, my mom says, it stays that way). I asked my parents how they feel being big movie stars, my dad says he prefers to sing and has left the camera appearances to my mom, who tells me if possible she would like a small role in an American soap opera."

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Monica
"I am part of a team of four called the 'SceneTeam' on Galavision's bilingual show GALASCENE. I'm interviewing everybody that can be considered hip and funky and about to 'Blow-up'. You can catch us on Galavision Sundays, at 8:30pm, and at www.galavision.com/galascene.

Although I am thoroughly enjoying the reporting scene, I wanted to get involved with the production of the show. So, I'm helping to produce some segments including one on the documentary MY AMERICAN GIRLS: A DOMINICAN STORY.

Apart from the Television show, I've realized I can't live without dancing, so I get my dancing fix by performing as a background dancer with various recording artists, loving every second of it. What's next. maybe, I'll try to be the recording artist, hopefully this time when I sing, I won't be in a pig suit."

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Aida
"Two years ago, when MY AMERICAN GIRLS was filmed, I was a sophomore in high school. Many things have changed since then. In June, I'm going to graduate from high school, and enter a private university in New Jersey in September 2001 as a freshman. I'm a person of various interests, therefore I still don't know exactly what I want my major to be. But I do know what my interests are — I like writing poetry and reading, long walks on the beach, chocolate, white roses and showers before dinner. JUST KIDDING! But I wouldn't mind marrying a rich guy. Doesn't everybody want that? I seriously do like reading — especially THE SCIENCE TIMES. And I'm very much into the government, so maybe I'll become an FBI agent. Who knows... I do know that I want to be successful in the future.

These days, I'm doing an internship at a preschool run by Long Island College Hospital where my mom works. I work with children 4 to 5 years old that have special needs. Some of these kids are autistic, some have been abused, and others were born with birth defects. I love working with these children because, at the end of everyday, I feel like I've learned something new, and I know I've accomplished something. I learn from them, and they learn from me. It's been a great experience. What more could you ask for? Also, I've gained a lot of knowledge on special education careers and children. At this point in my life, I'm happy :)"

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: MAYRA'S ME MYSELF & I
"I AM A 16 YEAR OLD MIDGET DAT LOVES TO EAT, SLEEP, AND DANCE. I LOVE FOOD! LATELY, I HAVE BEEN SPENDIN MOST OF MY TIME EATIN AND SLEEPIN. I DANCE EVERY TIME DAT I HEAR MY SONGS CUZ I LOVE MY MERENGUE AND BACHATA. YA KNOW.

I AM ALWAYS HAPPY, HYPER AND READY TO GO. LATELY, LET'S SEE.... MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE BEEN GIVING ME A COMPLEX ABOUT MY FEET. DEY SAY DAT DEY FUNNY LOOKIN AND DATS GRIMY BUT IT'S ALL GOOD THOUGH. I THINK THAT IF AARON HAD PUT A CLOSE UP OF MY TOES, I WOULD OF KICKED HIM IN HIS HEAD. DATS WORD!

WELL, RIGHT NOW I AM DOIN MAD GOOD IN SKOOL. GOTTA 95 ON MY LAST MATH TEST YO! I AM ACTUALLY GETTIN SOMEWHERE AND DOIN SOMETHIN WIT MY LIFE. WHEN I WAS IN FORT HAMILITON, I WAS ALWAYS OUT CUTTIN OR JUST NEVA WENT TO SKOOL. I WAS ALWAYS IN HOOKIES (PARTIES WHERE PEOPLE CUT SKOOL AND HANG OUT) AND DUIN STUPID THINGS. I'M JUST BASICALLY CHILLIN. NOW, I AM ATTENDIN NOT ONLY SKOOL BUT CLASSES ALSO. AND DOIN WHA I GOTTA DO THERE TO KEEP MY MOMS OFF MY CASE. BUT I GOTTA DO GOOD AND GET IT OVER WIT CUZ IF I DONT DO IT, WHO'S GONNA DO IT FOR ME? SO NOW I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF.I FEEL LIKE IM GETTIN SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED.

EVER SINCE I WAS YOUNGER, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE DREAM OF BECOMING A STEWARDESS (FLIGHT ATTENDANT). I LOVE AIRPLANES! BY THE WAY, HALF THE REASON WHY I LUV TO GO TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SO MUCH IS CUZ I GET THE PLAYIN CARDS. HALF THE REASON WHY I WANNA BE A STEWARDESS IS SO THAT I CAN BE ABLE TO EAT ALL THEIR FOOD AND MONCHIES. I HAVE THIS THING WITH AIRPLANE FOOD I DUNNO WHY.

WELL. I AM A VERY HAPPY PERSON SO IM GONNA LEAVE YOU WITH A BIG HUG AND KISS.......MUAHHHHH!!! :~D (HAPPY FACE).....SMILE!"