Mercury News Photo

Bessie Kawachi Chin, 87, fulfills her dream of a college degree after Japanese-American internment prevented her from finishing her studies nearly 70 years ago.

San Jose hosts the first wheelchair lacrosse clinic in the country.

Since Marine Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes was killed in Iraq in 2004, three relatives and friends have paid him the ultimate tribute.

Life in a Year: Part 11

The day that Ella Cho was born her parents were advised to start making funeral arrangements.

Tech companies and NGOs help school children recover from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

A look at California Penal Code 148 and its use by the San Jose Police Department.

The 2009 recession by the Mercury News staff.

The California Institution for Men in Chino is at almost 200% capacity.

Los Lupenos in San Jose celebrates their 40th anniversary.

A classical Indian musical art form with strong spiritual roots is practiced in Sunnyvale.

Shontale Taylor leaves the foster care system to begin a new life.

Disabled students in Vietnam find hope in an IT Training Program.

Third graders at Trace Elementary School perform their school play “Thinking Cleary.”

Young teenagers talk about their experiences going through puberty.

Hannah Pauline Tarley performs the 1st Movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.