Juan is a troubled teenager living and growing up in the "ruff " parts of Los Angeles who realizes he has to help support his family. While working in a wrecking yard to make ends meet, Juan is also trying to fit in at his "hard-core" City school among his many different classmates and avoid being constantly tormented by the school bully. He struggles to pull himself out of his economic problems by utilizing his artistic ability learned from his graffiti street knowledge. When Juan discovers there is going to be The First Annual Graffiti Art Contest coming up, he realizes that winning may just get him out of the tough times.