Collection of Art and Poetry
Class of 2023
In the winter of 2022, the Class of 2023 explored their identities through several creative mediums.
Poetry
Beacon Academy's Humanities Teacher, Cary Hammonds, taught a unit on poetry, which inspired the students to write their own. One poetry prompt asked students to write an ode to something important to them. The other structured the first line of a poem to read "This is not a poem " and the last line to read "This is me. " Students were invited to fill in the space between with their own words.
Art
Beacon Academy's Director of High School
Support and College Advising, Ashley Miranda, taught an art class that introduced the students to light, color, and different artistic techniques. The class culminated in beautiful self portraits made by each student.
In this book, we invite you to explore a curated collection of art and poetry created by the Class of 2023. We hope you enjoy seeing what they are learning and how they express themselves.
O v e r v i e w
DAMAYA SOTO
Me, Myself, and I, 2022
WATERCOLOR, ACRYLIC, MARKER
All the brown, all the black
I didn't know what to do, This or that
My hair being brown
The details being black
My beautiful painting
Being on a plaque
As I paint smoothly
My brush tells the true me
The frustration that rises upon my face
But I remember I have to embrace
The brown for you could see all around
The drawing being dark
But it will still leave a mark
The shades of black being different
But my painting still being magnificent
The hard work and dedication
For you to see My presentation
1
This Is Not A Poem
By Natalia Boneo
This is not a poem
This is a song
The song that gets me moving
The song I can feel alive to The song I’ve loved since I was 5
The song I listen to even when it’s not The right time because it gets me in a Good mood
This is not a poem
This is a soccer field
With me moving up and down
This is my dance team, free, alive, on the dance floor
Tapping the beat, spinning and turning to the jazz
The thing I’ve loved since I was 2
The thing I do even when it's not The right time because it gets me in a Good mood.
This is not a poem
These are reflections from My personal mirrors:
Purple walls with quirky artwork just my choices
Clothes tangled on the floor
Sparkly silver bed with soft blanket, black and white
Sparkly silver medals, some shiny gold, swing from a hook
Stuffed animal collections hanging in hammocks
Reminding me about the bigger world outside
Watched by my young cat on the windowsill
This is me
2
Shooting for the Stars, 2022 ACRYLIC, MARKER, WATERCOLOR
3
HUSSEIN SHUEB
JOHAN PEREZ-LEMUS
Good Guy, 2022
WATERCOLOR, CRAYON
In this self-portrait, I wanted to express how happy and childish I am by showing myself as a doll, a fun and not at all creepy or scary toy Growing up, I was a very quiet and reserved person because I never felt that I belonged at the schools that I was placed in, but now at Beacon, I have learned to become comfortable with my personality and have also learned to see the brighter side of things I always love to make others happy with a smile I used watercolors and colored pencils to show the childish aspect of my portrait while also being able to show my talent with only limited resources The shirt is a big example of taking creative risks. I have never learned to paint plaid, so this being my first time with such a big project was a huge deal In this portrait, I put this doll in a Good Guy’s toy box to reference Child's Play because I was absolutely terrified of Chucky, but now I have grown to laugh in delight
4
This Is Not A Poem
By Injila Chowdhury
This is not a poem
This the wooden floors that would creak, The flowers on the wall
Metal rusting door and the red sofa where I would spend time watching TV
The fridge that had a big yellow smiley face on it
The landline phones in every room
This is not a poem
This is a cold stone floor
The old tv with two antennas on it
The balcony where I used to sit and talk to my cousins
The kitchen always filled with people and my grandma cooking
Sunlight that peeked through windows
The comfort I felt staying there
This is not a poem
This is the quiet streets in my neighborhood
The driveway where my mom parks her car
The rabbits eating the grass and the dandelions that are growing in the backyard
Amazon packages that get left on the porch
This is me.
5
Ode To My Habesha Lebs
By Arsiemawit
MeKonnen
So long and beautiful
With unique designs
It has a fiery orange color
And the meskel at the bottom
When I wear it I feel like royalty
Made by an amazing shemanes hand
When I first got you
I was stunned by your beauty
The night before church I slept, With you next to me
The whole day, I was being careful not to hurt you Or make you dirty
When I put you on I felt the soft celestial cloth
The beautiful design
With the detailed meskel
Bright like the fireflies
And as white as the moon
As soft as wool
When I first set my eyes on you I couldn’t resist not ordering you I feel special every time I wear you
And I always thought of the shemane
How he made this beautiful creation
Only with his hands
Every single detail
Without any mistakes
6
JASMINE CALMO BETANCOURT
Untitled, 2022
CHARCOAL, PENCIL SKETCH
7
Ode To My Penguin
By Camila Henriquez
I bought myself a penguin
It was on clearance
It came with a twin
I believed it was a win
Cost 299
I thought what a find
Covered in plastic
I dig it out as if I were
In a mine
Shiny and smooth
Smelling crisp and real new
To this day
I use it every day With me
It shall forever stay
By my side on my charger
Making my day a little brighter
Though I bought it
In the 6th grade
Well and used
To me, it looks good as new
The vibrant colors come to fade
Like leaves fading into the new season
Leaves transitioning from green to red
My penguin fading Black to gray
The expression my penguin holds
Its eyes in deep sleep
Always brings me joy
It soothes me
To know it protects my charger
As its safely blanket
Keeping it covered
Through and through
Though it's merely an accessory
It's so much more
My penguin
Not only protects
My charger
But makes me happy
Which to me
Means a lot
8
DESTINY ZHUWAO
Real and Raw, 2022 COLORED PENCIL, WATERCOLOR
In the portrait, my natural hair is in a protective style and my face is bare. I wanted the painting to have a light, thoughtful, and soft but strong mood to represent the bare me, so I used watercolors and colored pencils The watercolors for my face and skin are to represent the value of it, the colored pencils are used in my hair to show the strength of it I started with the overall shape of my face then went into the individual features While working on each facial feature, I included all the details of that feature Since I was going for a thoughtful mood, I took the picture while looking into the distance The simple gray background is supposed to tie everything together and represent the wholeness of my personality
9
This Is Not A Poem
By David Kalombo
This is not a poem this is an intuitive thought this is a thought thought by many
An idea refused
An idea forgotten
An idea reused
An idea not liked not because of what it is but who said it
Not because of intelligence but difference
Not because of height weight or age but because the scale is beyond what they can control
This idea conceived in shackles in bars in minds near and far
This idea before me or you
This idea was ironic
This idea was smart
This idea conveyed equals idea shot holes in clothes rips in socks
With whips knives bullets rocks
This idea torn this idea tattered this idea frayed this idea battered and baked
Sweetened and made into muffins and cakes fed to people with 3 buttons on a shirt with 5
holes going to rake or work for less than normal pay
This idea is physical solid as can be
But one cannot grab it if one can’t see
Faith is the substance of all things believed and not seen
Could it be projected like future tense could it be here tomorrow
Could it be right or left
Rights were left at a spot that is unbeknownst to you and me
In that spot that idea was thought
In that spot the idea was laughed at
In that spot the idea cried and wailed yelled and mailed
To every recipient there could be
An idea heard around the world
That idea was you
10
TREICY MITCHELL
The Wonder of My Mind, 2022
ACRYLIC
This art piece is about the obstacles I faced in the past and face in the present The galaxy represents the dreams I want to accomplish while the blue clouds are the events that overwhelmed me and became a part of me The cloud on my face hides my eyes that can tell a story that I despise The white are the stars that enter into my life, it makes a bit of an impact because it adds a spark to my mind This overall art piece is the wonder of my mind that balances the good and bad in my life
11
The Haunted House of Perfectionism
By Kyan Dixon
This is not a poem, Perfectionism haunts me, No matter how much I try to run away from it, It still haunts me, It swarms my mind like a rock concert, All crowded and noisy,
Telling me to do this, do that, My hand scribbles away, flooding the paper like a tsunami
Perfectionism haunts me, but slowly, this wall of perfectionism gets broken. Broken. Broken, This haunting is slowly fading away, This is me.
12
SEVAJA NEAL
You Only Live...Once?, 2022
“You only live once?” represents as stated You truly only live once At the beginning of my selfportrait, I had the vision that it was going to be perfect I was consistent with my lines, insisted that I clean up all the edges, I was a perfectionist when it came to small details and I would even freak out about how many paint strokes I did for each piece of my painting As I was looking at what I thought was my “finished product,” I realized that everything doesn't HAVE to be perfect and that everything WON’T be perfect I decided to let loose and draw a thick black stripe right across my face and I splattered red paint everywhere. This represents accepted mistakes, that it's okay to mess up, and that sometimes your best bet is to just let loose and live in the moment
ACRYLIC
13
This Is Not A Poem
By Haroon Beshir
This is not a poem, This is a book, A mixture of words and stories. This is a fantasy, a novel, a realistic fiction, An action-packed book This is a movie, Filled with adventure and thriller This is 100-400 pages, Filled with words and ideas, Filled with voices and people, filled with drama and love
This is not a poem, This is the sport of Basketball Communication, cooperation, and Competition
This is the fun, the friendly, the energy This is the movement, tiredness, and endurance
The sweat, tears, and blood
This is the love and engagement of the sport. The players from diverse backgrounds, different families, and Different environments.
This is not a poem, This is a lifestyle
A religion including peacefulness, respectfulness, and humbleness
This is a big family
One where everyone is accepted, taken care of, and loved This is a ritual, Of practice and prayer, Fasting and celebration, virtue and morality
This is Islam
This is not a poem, This is a kid, a wonderful, generous kid This is a family member. A caring person. Helpful and supportive. This is an intelligent being. A friend, Kind and affectionate towards everyone
This is me
14
My Gloves
By Pharoahe Gasasu
You changed the game. As a kid watching everyone flash you off Red like blood, but elegant. When I put you on it is as if my fingers have turned into glue, and stick to the ball. You make my job easy With you I feel unstoppable, without you I feel weak Overtime you become frail and then, It's time for a new pair But never will I forgot the passes we caught, while up in the air
Sometimes you smell Hanging out with my cleats is a bad habit for you. You go in fresh like a pair of Js and, leave a rotten egg, needing to be thrown away. When it's too late you have to be thrown away Your smell can become unbearable, and distract me from the game
When you tear, Times become tough
Because without you my hands become weak, Without you my job becomes pain, And my game changes But you will always come back Because you can alway be repaired, No matter the damage For you will always be by my side, Because you stay on my hands, Attached like a baby to its mom But when you finally lose your grip, I know it's time for something new So long old friend, Can’t wait till we meet again, So our love can bloom
15
YADIEL LARA
This is Me, 2022
ACRYLIC 16
Ode to my Deodorant
By Taejahn Drane
From the bathroom closet, Where forgotten treasures awaited The miracle of must I’ve been yearning for Has finally shown itself
My deodorant is always by my side Like a dog with its owner A mythical item, shimmering in the light
My deodorant is a superhero, Rescuing me from evil odors I do not deserve this gift, But I desire it.
The feeling of an early Christmas present, Filling me with joy and delight Always searching for the secret Like a detective on duty
Your scent is my confidence
You’re like water after running a marathon, Reassuring and rewarding Your gray and blue colors are bittersweet Gloomy on the outside, But energetic and welcoming within
You’re a therapist, Saving me in my darkest hours I am lost without you, Like a blind woman without her cane Deodorant, where would I be if you weren’t here? You are my guide, Like a tutorial in a video game Society can agree
That you are a true savior
So here we are A moral for my deodorant: The scent for all, But the gift for one With a variety of choices, One must know
How that gift is to be used
17
BEN WILKINSON
Another Side of Me, 2022
ACRYLIC, MARKER, WATERCOLOR
My objective was to make this piece as realistic as possible because I wanted to stretch my artistic abilities to the limit I did struggle a bit with the perfectionistic part of me wanting every detail to be flawless, but this helped me get over that part of me This piece also served as a therapeutic activity by allowing me to accept my face for what it is I have struggled with my self-image and esteem especially with the shape of my nose, how my lips looked, the size of my eyes This piece was an opportunity to really understand what I am completely
18
Can’t Spell Poem Without “ME”
By Samayra Lemus
This is not a poem, this is dyed, cut, straightened, curled hair in a bun, in a ponytail, out and wild, tied and contained
Jewelry for days, crop tops or hoodies, makeup or bare face
This is unpredictable.
This is not a poem, this is silent spiraling thoughts disconnected from The Land Of The Volcanoes always conflict in The Land Of The Valiant Lord scared to do too much, or too little…
Hesitant to accept the love I deserve, afraid to love others like the ones before This is anxiety.
This is not a poem, this is giving your all and receiving nothing trying hard, seeing no change. Being told your effort isn’t enough, when simply giving it is killing you Faking it till’ you make it, but not quite making it “Got high expectations for someone with low standards,”
once said The Prince of NY This is disappointment
This is not a poem, this is the first flower to bloom in the spring, the first leaf to fall in the fall, the first warm day at the end of May That feeling you get when you wake up to inches of snow on the ground
The one you get when you get home and smell the freshness of the food being cooked in the kitchen
The one you get when you see a friend you haven’t seen in a while. The one you get when you spend all your money at the mall on Black Friday This is momentary happiness.
This is not a poem, this is art or sports, this is night or day, this is cats or dogs, this is happiness or anger, this is love and hate, this is clarity or confusion, this is family and friends, this is failure and success, this is fancy or bland, this is black or white, this is overthinking or not thinking enough, this is eating or starving, this is denying or accepting help, this is love and be loved, this is feel everything or feel nothing, This is me
19
This Is Not A Poem
By Yariel Lara
This is not a poem. This is the 6 of us, we like to fuss, All of us in our home, No matter where we are, We could always have energy for a spar. This is a full house of 7 humans and 3 pets, With noise everywhere and with no care, Where there is no sadness to bear.
This is not a poem, This is a journey of the outdoors, Ponds all around, Some irregular and some round. All the dangers of the outdoors, Is what makes it better than chores. Exploring in the woods is always fun for me, I wish I could climb like a monkey in a tree
This is not a poem. This is my lifestyle, Circulating everywhere upbeat, happy, optimistic, Lifting those who are sad and pessimistic. Always trying to put on a smile, Even when you must run a mile The sun shining through the sky, Living life at an all time high. This is me.
20
JORDAN LAMBERT
The Ultimate Black Man in the Night Sky, 2022 WATERCOLOR
This piece of art shows a boy who has a bright future, hidden away by those around him If he was truly powerless he wouldn’t have a bright future Art isn’t what he does but he is able to show something special, his purpose Only God knows who is down the road for him He would be happy to see his own success The background represents everything that keeps him hidden, maybe sometime in the future he is able to find his way through the darkness He is the hero of the country, He is the light in the darkness, He will find the truth in the lies
21
ARIANA LORENZO MATOS
No Words, Just Me, 2022
MARKER, WATERCOLOR
22
Art and Poetry Showcase
In December 2022, the Class of 2023 shared their work with their mentors, tutors, and other Beacon volunteers.
Art and Poetry Showcase
Thank You!
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers, faculty, staff, families, caregivers, alumni, and students who have dedicated hundreds of hours to Beacon and strengthen our organization Thank you to our donors, partners, and community at large who support our mission and continue to sustain our work. Together, we make up one Beacon Community, and we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
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