Resolve and Resolution: Growth Through Awakening and Reckoning

Inspired by Amanda Gorman and fellow contemporary spoken word poets, sophomore English students composed their own powerful messages to alert, uplift, and strengthen.

Mangosong

Giancarlo D. ‘23

Transliterated into Ilocano from the Spanish Mañoso, Meaning tricky, but clever and cunning.

An Apology:

Isabel G. ‘23

I’m

Sorry I Run the Banks

That We have the nerve to call ourselves the chosen ones, When it seems every single time something goes wrong, We are chosen to blame, Is truly abhorrent.

I dare you to drown in the tears that we shed So you can know how it feels to keep your head above water For three-thousand years.

My mother’s maiden name, passed down from her father, from his father, and his, Tracing all the way back patrilineally to a distant conquistador Lost to the sea of oral tradition.

Though this connection was severed, Existing only as a specter, haunting my mother’s family Waiting In the cracks

Until my mother married a white man.

Where is the Love?

Almanny N. ‘23

We are falling into an endless pit of despair

And we don’t seem to care Because all we ever do is find ways to divide.

We are taking apart The pieces of the puzzle that make Our world!

We need to realize that we are all human, No matter our race, religion, or politics.

The puzzle we call “Life on Earth” Was never, Will never, Be perfect.

But we must never Forget that through unity, We can strive to find the missing pieces.

We can find peace in the pieces we are looking for And the only thing that keeps us and the pieces united is… Love.

Dear Senators, Genevieve B. ‘23

I’m only a high school sophomore, but I’ve done my reading, And I’ve done my research. Because have to justify my existence through scientific evidence

Because unless it’s said with eloquence, my own experience is meaningless. Because no matter how much we try, to justify, and testify People still ask us why we would want to change our lives for the better.

But this is a hearing about school sports, right?

No. No, it is not.

Senators, Have you ever listened?