Our Roots, Our Words, Our Power - Volume 1

Our Words Are Powerful: Our Roots, Our Words, Our Power Volume 1 (ages 9-14) Words To Power

Our Words Are Powerful: Our Roots, Our Words, Our Power – Vol. 1 This book is a publication of

Copyright © 2024 by Words To Power All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

To the youth drawing strength from their ancestors to advocate for themselves.

Your roots and your words are your power.

Be powerful!

Acknowledgments Thank you to the young poets who submitted your powerful words to this publication. Special thank you to the numerous schools that provided us the opportunity to present our poetry workshops for your students during the 2023-2024 school year. We look forward to partnering with you for the upcoming school year. We greatly appreciate the financial support from Caring for Denver Foundation, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, National Endowment for the Arts, Colorado Gives Foundation, Poetry Foundation, and individual donors.

With your investment, we can publish, celebrate, and distribute books of poetry written by underserved youth as part of our programs in schools (workshops and student presentations), to encourage creative expression that reduces isolation, increases self-confidence, and increases the use of poetry and spoken word for coping and resilience.

Foreword Welcome to “Our Words Are Powerful,” a yearly youth-written book of poetry from the Denver area edited, published, and distributed by Words To Power. Previous themes have included: • • •

“Our Ancestors Speak Through Us” (2023) “We Are Here For A Reason” (2022) “The Struggle Is Real, So Is Our Resilience” (2021)

For 2024, the “Our Roots, Our Words, Our Power” theme inspired insightful submissions from 133 youth, the vast majority of whom participated in Words To Power's poetry workshops (see wordstopower.org for more information). Volume 1 is a collection of poems from those ages 914. We know you will find the power in these words as motivation for your own growth.

Words To Power conducts highly engaging and culturally relevant spoken word poetry workshops for Brown and other underserved youth in elementary, middle, and high schools in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado. We partner with schools to produce poetry events with multiple participating classes coming together to share their spoken word with each other. Words To Power publishes a yearly youth-written poetry book, with most submissions coming from our workshop participants.

Every summer, we host a book release event with contributors reading their poetry for their families and the greater community. Words To Power also collaboratively organizes quarterly community open mic events featuring youth who consistently participate in our programs.

The Words To Power logo draws inspiration from many sources. The overall structure is modeled after a corn plant, as our workshop curriculum uses it as a metaphor. The raised fist reminds us of our power to create change, as social justice movements before us have struggled to achieve. The scrolls on either side pull from Indigenous books in Mexico, as symbols of speech (thus the accompanying image from a codex of people talking to each other). Taken together, our words and power come from our roots.

Table of Contents You Are You by Alaila (age 9) .......................................................................... 1 The Power Inside by Aylin (age 9) ................................................................... 2 To Bring Joy by Ella Duran (age 9) .................................................................. 3 Believe by Emily Ha (age 9)............................................................................... 4 Community by Gunner (age 9) ......................................................................... 5 Imagine by Neydin Perez-Fierro (age 9) .......................................................... 6 I Am a Warrior by Sequoya Tail (age 9) .......................................................... 7 Hope for Today and Tomorrow by Aaliyah Eang-Tran (age 10) ................ 8 I See by Aaron Andrade (age 10) ...................................................................... 9 We Can Change the World by Aaron Andrade (age 10) ............................... 9 Ourselves and Choices by Alenn (age 10) ..................................................... 10 A New Future Together by Alivia Miller (age 10)........................................ 11 The Future by Analee (age 10) ........................................................................ 12 Helping Others by Analee (age 10) ................................................................ 13 The Tears In My Eyes by Avianna Natalia Leal (age 10) ............................ 14 Worlds of Silver by Avianna Natalia Leal (age 10)....................................... 15 Help People in Need by Azaria (age 10) ........................................................ 16 Words by Camila Aguilera-Aguirre (age 10) ................................................. 17 My Roots, My Words, My Power by Camila Aguilera-Aguirre (age 10) ... 19 Strength in Dreams by Cherish Garcia (age 10) ........................................... 20 Power of Our Voice by Cherish Garcia (age 10).......................................... 21 The Man of My Words by Chris (age 10) ...................................................... 22 Power to Help by Dalani Abrams (age 10) ................................................... 23 Being Myself by Emma Victoria (age 10) ...................................................... 24

My Spirit by He ska wicasa Diezel Murray (age 10) .....................................25 Power Inside Us by Hugo Andrade (age 10) .................................................27 We Can Change the World by Isaiah (age 10)...............................................28 We Can Say What We Need to Say by Jaila Rivera (age 10) .......................29 Motivation by Jayla Fraire Garcia (age 10).....................................................30 El Poder de Nuestros Ancestros por Jhonniel David Rojas Brito (10 años de edad) ...............................................................................................................31 My Community by Layla Rocha (age 10) .......................................................32 The Future by Luis Rojas Reyes (age 10) .......................................................34 Powerful People by Nayeli A. Vasquez (age 10) ...........................................35 Together We Rise by Riley Young (age 10) ...................................................36 My Future is Bright by Riley Young (age 10) ................................................37 My Dream by Theon Calvin (age 10) .............................................................38 Me by Yareli (age 10) ........................................................................................39 Making My Parents Proud by Zaiden (age 10) ..............................................40 Have a Big Heart by Analia Martinez (age 11) ..............................................41 Be Kind by Analia Martinez (age 11) ..............................................................41 Power of Our Roots by Ashton Knight Casias (age 11)..............................42 I Am and We Are by Dakoda Graham (age 11) ...........................................43 The Burning Fire by Emianna Mei Renteria (age 11) ..................................44 Who I Am by Jacob (age 11) ...........................................................................46 All About Me by Jayden Sanchez (age 11) .....................................................47 Power to Speak by Joseph Duran (age 11) ....................................................48 My Story by Lyana Faye Fresquez (age 11)....................................................49 I Am by Lyana Faye Fresquez (age 11) ..........................................................50 I Am Power and Hope for the World by Mazrael Chavez (age 11)...........52 My Life by Michael Zerfoss (age 11) ..............................................................53

Football by Michael Zerfoss (age 11) ............................................................. 53 A New Community by Roman Padilla (age 11)............................................ 54 My Family’s Sacrifices by Zayne (age 11) ...................................................... 55 The Power by Abigail (age 12) ........................................................................ 56 Family by Anonymous (age 12) ...................................................................... 57 Powerful by Eric Rosa (age 12) ....................................................................... 58 Life Struggle by Noe Jose Acevedo (age 12) ................................................. 60 Our Roots by Ty'zhir (age 12) ......................................................................... 61 Struggles by Ana (age 13) ................................................................................. 62 The Future by Armani (age 13) ....................................................................... 63 Sacrifices by Isaac Duran (age 13) .................................................................. 64 Scars by Jayla (age 13) ....................................................................................... 65 Love Hurts by Jayla (age 13)............................................................................ 66 Ancestors’ Dream by Santiago (age 13) ......................................................... 67 Inspiration by Angel Zavala (age 14) ............................................................. 68 What We Can Do by Angel Zavala (age 14) ................................................. 69 Reflection by Ares Sandro Sebastian Pacheco (age 14) ............................... 70 True Story by Ares Sandro Sebastian Pacheco (age 14) .............................. 71 Power and Inspiration by David (age 14) ...................................................... 72 Do Not Be Amused by Gio R (age 14) ......................................................... 73 Somos Un Corazón Unido por Jeni (14 años de edad) ............................... 74 I Imagine by Maria (age 14) ............................................................................. 75 Trust by Marlon (age 14).................................................................................. 76 What I Am by Nadiya Zarinana (age 14) ....................................................... 77 My Future Dreams and Hopes by Sara (age 14)........................................... 78 Mi Vida by Victoria Flores (age 14)................................................................ 79 Who Will I Be? by Vincent (age 14) ............................................................... 80

You Are You by Alaila (age 9) I am the person in the mirror.

I carry my dreams everywhere I go.

I come from a place you will never see.

My determination comes from a person who you will never be.

In the mirror, I see me.

I encourage you to be you.

In my dreams, I imagine me being me.

I choose to be me.

With our voices, we can speak for those who cannot.

We carry our dreams in our hands.

We can imagine our future.

Together, we will speak.

Our motivation pushes us.

We are us.

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The Power Inside by Aylin (age 9) I am my parents’ dream.

I will never forget how much they love me.

In the mirror, I see a powerful girl who never gives up.

I imagine my future, seeing powerful people telling me that they can take everything I have but not my power.

With our voices, we can inspire people so they can speak for themselves and keep trying.

In our hands, we can reach out for strength and convince people that they are powerful.

Together, we find strength, even when we fall.

If you think it is over, it is not.

You must stand up and be proud.

If someone falls, you help them up.

We have the power.

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To Bring Joy by Ella Duran (age 9) We speak for our dreams.

They reach back to remind us that we can do it.

This way, we all can get along and be kind.

We carry our hopes, telling us to never give up.

Our words reach out to inspire us to follow our dreams and bring joy.

This way, no one can tell us what to do as long as we follow our dreams.

We build each other's love to bring us joy.

We will always remember that we all have something in us.

Our ancestors remind us that we all can work together.

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Believe by Emily Ha (age 9) I am the warrior my family raised with their sacrifices.

I come from the roots of my tree.

I hold onto the memories of my loved ones.

In the mirror, I see her, as the person she wants to be.

In my dreams, I imagine my future coming alive.

I choose to believe that you can become whatever you want.

With our voices, we can stand for each other, even when we are different.

We have a tiger controlling our hearts while there is a fire melting the fear as it disappears.

In our hands, we can create a different and better world.

We can help the people.

Our ancestors are counting on us.

Together, we can find strength like no other to fight for our people who went before us, as they cheer us on.

We are our own people who can stand up even when we fall down, because champions never give up their dreams.

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Community by Gunner (age 9) We are the dreams of our roots and our ancestors.

Together, with our power that we will never forget, we can change the community.

Together, we can stop hatred and bring unity to our community for us to be kinder.

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Imagine by Neydin Perez-Fierro (age 9) I am a soccer player and a kid.

I hope to become a famous person.

I come from the USA, a land of happiness.

In the mirror, I see hope.

In my eyes, I have a future.

In my dreams, I imagine astronauts.

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I Am a Warrior by Sequoya Tail (age 9) I am a warrior.

I am a warrior who fights for my family.

I am a warrior who has roots that are strong like a rock.

I am a warrior who has a strong personality.

I am a warrior who has powerful parents.

I am a warrior who gets my roots and my strength from my native ancestors because they help fight for their family.

I am a warrior who helps my community.

I am a warrior who is strong like a tree.

I am a warrior who sees success in the mirror.

I am a warrior who comes from Native land.

I am a warrior who comes from a strong bloodline.

I am a warrior who is smart like mother earth.

I am a warrior who uses poetry for my powerful words.

I am a warrior who is kind of like a flower.

I am a warrior who is different from others but I am proud of who I am.

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Hope for Today and Tomorrow by Aaliyah Eang-Tran (age 10) I am an independent woman.

I will carry and hold the hands of people in need.

I come from a loving home.

I will always be grateful for my family’s sacrifices.

Their love is like a key to my heart.

Every day when I open my eyes and look in the mirror, I see the woman I want to become one day.

In my dreams, I want to bring hope and help my community cope through rough times.

We can speak for those who cannot.

We can give hope to our people.

Together, we can find our strength and motivation so our people can rely on us.

We are oriental people.

Our future depends on each other, even when people stereotype us.

But it is just a waste of your day.

People will say anything.

We bring unity to our community.

We will never forget where we came from, nor our ancestors.

I am thankful for how they fought for us to become the people we are today.

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I See by Aaron Andrade (age 10) In the mirror, I see the greatest NBA player I am to become.

I see the amount of MVPS and trophies I am going to get.

I see the number of times I will be called the greatest of all time.

In the mirror, I see the gentlemen I am to become.

We Can Change the World by Aaron Andrade (age 10) With our voices, we can prevent the world from being a very bad place and change the environment into a place where people would want their kids to start families and have their funerals.

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Ourselves and Choices by Alenn (age 10) With our voices, we can talk to the people we know.

With this power, we can communicate our dreams.

In our hands, we hold our confidence.

We carry kindness within us.

Together, we accomplish strong goals in our own way.

We reach out to the trophy of life but we will need teamwork.

We are the people our families count on.

We speak for their hearts.

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A New Future Together by Alivia Miller (age 10) We are our ancestors’ dreams and power.

We bring unity to the next generation like how they brought it back to us.

We never forget the power inside us, the power in our words.

They reach the sun.

We speak for ourselves.

In our hands, we hold our future as we create and build life.

We have the power to fight back.

We inspire the people around us.

Together, we find strength to connect friendship.

This way, we fight together and build a future together.

It is within all of us.

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The Future by Analee (age 10) I am a good student.

I will always remember my mom telling me to do my best in school.

I come from the struggle that makes me want to do better in the future than I did in the past.

In the mirror, I see a person I know will do good in life.

I reach out to my mom, telling her to trust yourself into the future.

In my dreams, I imagine that I can create a good life and not struggle.

I believe that you can do anything, but you need to believe yourself to make that happen.

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Helping Others by Analee (age 10) With our voices, we can speak for the people who do not have one, so they can feel better in life.

In our hands, we can hold our dreams for the future.

We can give these keys to others so they can enter their future.

Together, we can find strength in ourselves and lift up the people who need our help.

We are going to the future together, so we can help even more people in need.

We will always remember that we can help the people who struggle or we can bring them to the future with us.

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The Tears In My Eyes by Avianna Natalia Leal (age 10) Tears in my eyes, I cannot count how many times I have cried.

I felt so awful.

I saw her in a deep sleep.

She will continue to sleep.

She will be empty, but she will have no pain.

It might be a while until we meet, but I know I will see you again.

So will your other relatives.

They miss you dearly.

I wonder how it feels for them, because it has not happened to me.

I never lost someone like a parent, until I lost you.

At least I have my dad and mom.

But you were there for the times that were hard.

We will miss you dearly.

We love you, Angelina Vazquez.

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Worlds of Silver by Avianna Natalia Leal (age 10) I come from her attention on her silver thing.

When she “tried,” actions changed.

But I always pray for things that may not happen.

But her silver thing is always controlling.

No matter what she does, it is always there.

It will always linger, always drag her.

She is always trying to get better for her family and for her child.

I Love You Mom.

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Help People in Need by Azaria (age 10) With our voices, we could help people in need.

We inspire others to use their words for good.

In our hands, we can take care of people.

We have the power to lend a hand.

Together, we can reach out to those in need.

Our community can help bring people to their future.

We are human beings who deserve to be treated better and to have a voice.

Everybody’s dream is to have the power to say what they want.

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Words by Camila Aguilera-Aguirre (age 10) I am a dreamer, who just wishes to speak.

I carry my words on my back, each letter and word getting heavier and heavier, wishing to let them all out at once.

I come from a family that always gets told what to do, not being able to have words.

My family and ancestors sacrificed for me, making me want to speak for them, to speak for their justice, to show them what I can do.

In the mirror, I see the woman my ancestors want me to be, the one who they hope will be able to have her own words.

With my voice, words, and confidence, I know I can show how I feel about everyone telling my family what they can and cannot do.

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We are people, people who can do things ourselves, people who speak in their own way.

We are the dreams, the power we want to talk with, the power we can guide our kind with, the power we want to be, the power our ancestors want us to have.

In my dreams, I imagine that the world is powerful, everyone can use their words, everyone can do anything, as long as it is not illegal.

Even though my future may not be sunshine and rainbows, I can still make my success grow larger and larger, taller and taller.

I believe I can do it!

Si, se puede!

Yes, we can!

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My Roots, My Words, My Power by Camila AguileraAguirre (age 10) My roots, my words, my power, I see my future in them.

My roots, my words, my power, I cannot control them.

My roots, my words, my power, I use them for my community.

My roots, my words, my power, I am strong just like they want me to be.

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Strength in Dreams by Cherish Garcia (age 10) I come from the strength of a family of four who do not give up until we complete our goals.

In the mirror, I see hopes and dreams coming alive.

In my dreams, I imagine that I have power to use my voice to get rights for everyone.

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Power of Our Voice by Cherish Garcia (age 10) With our voices, we can speak so we can change whatever we want to change.

In our hands, we can hold things and people can take them.

But they cannot take our rights and our voice.

Together, we can find strength so we can help people in need.

We are people who will never forget that we can use our voices to get the rights that we deserve.

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The Man of My Words by Chris (age 10) I am a soldier, carrying my family’s hopes.

I will never forget the struggle they went through to raise me.

I fulfill my parents’ dreams to become great.

In the mirror, I see a man who will become strong enough to overcome anything.

I see a caring friend and a loving son who cares for all.

In my dreams, I imagine a world with love and peace.

I will always remember the struggle my parents went through for me to become the person who I am.

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Power to Help by Dalani Abrams (age 10) I come from New York.

I am creative.

In my dreams, I imagine supporting my mom by being on the radio.

I have the power to help people in need.

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Being Myself by Emma Victoria (age 10) I am someone who dreams and imagines pursuing her goals.

I care about myself like a calm river.

My ancestors were valiente.

They sacrificed themselves for each other to survive.

I come from a beautiful country and deserve to be a proud Venezolana.

I get inspiration when I know everyone wants our pais to be a better place.

In the mirror, I see a strong woman who cares about herself.

In my eyes, I see a person who is fearless and knows that she can do whatever she proposes to do.

In my dreams, I imagine my words cambiando, deseando a better world.

I believe that I can have the power to use my voice to make that happen, like words coming out of my mouth.

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My Spirit by He ska wicasa Diezel Murray (age 10) I am the strength of my family and culture.

I am inspired by how we dance and how we draw.

I come from a family with empty pockets and filled with strength.

I dream of my family being happy and having peace.

In the mirror, I see the man who I am going to be in the future, happy and healthy, not struggling, proud of myself, and having a good life.

In my dreams, I imagine my family not being sick.

I imagine my family being happy and having money to afford food and things for the house.

With our voices, we can make a difference in life and say positive things so we inspire other kids to share their culture, so no kids hide who they are.

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In our hands, we can carry our culture and past.

We have the power to share art and design.

We carry our ancestor's blood.

Our ancestors make up who we are.

Together, we help our community understand what our culture is about and what they have done to indigenous peoples' land.

We use this for motivation, so we grow stronger.

We have our ancestors' features.

We have our ancestors’ strength.

The power of our culture is strong with art.

Our designs express how we feel.

We express our spirit.

I express my spirit.

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Power Inside Us by Hugo Andrade (age 10) With our voices, we can use the power inside us to move the earth.

In our hands, we carry our future with us.

Together, we bring each other up.

We are powerful.

We are strong.

We will always remember the power is inside us.

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We Can Change the World by Isaiah (age 10) With our voices, we can encourage people to be better.

Our words can inspire the people to lend a helping hand.

We can stop all the negativity.

We can give positivity, so people will not be sad or mad.

Together, we can assist people who have less than us.

In this way, we can bring a helping hand.

We are gift givers because we like to support people.

We will always remember to be kind.

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We Can Say What We Need to Say by Jaila Rivera (age 10) I am my future, my ancestors' future.

I come from my ancestors, my roots.

In the mirror, I see my ancestors' sacrifices.

In my dreams, I imagine the person that I can be and the person that can surprise her people.

With our voices, we can speak the truth so people can hear what we have to say.

In our hands, we bring unity to the people in our community.

Together, we find strength in our people.

We are our motivation.

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Motivation by Jayla Fraire Garcia (age 10) With our voices, we can lift the spirit of our people and help each other, making them strong.

With our hands, we can give love to our family, our animals, our world, and our place.

We bring our community together with our motivation.

We will always remember the people who took care of us, who brought us to school, who showed us love.

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El Poder de Nuestros Ancestros por Jhonniel David Rojas Brito (10 años de edad) Yo soy suficiente como mi abuelo.

Vengo de un país lindo y hermoso.

En el espejo, veo una persona increíble y luchadora.

En mis sueños, me imagino ser un futbolista profesional.

Con nuestras voces, podemos ayudar a las demás personas.

En nuestras manos, tenemos el amor de nuestros ancestros.

Juntos podemos abrir la puerta al futuro.

Somos gente orgullosa de nuestros ancestros.

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My Community by Layla Rocha (age 10) With our voices, we can empower others so we can be a community.

We speak for everyone as we speak for our minds.

Do not think that we just speak for our minds, but for our communities.

In our hands, we can build people’s dreams and inspire them.

We can reach out to them, making them have confidence for a future.

But they do not have to be the same as us.

They can do our jobs better, stronger, faster, and more powerful.

Together, we can become a community helping everyone we can.

We build unity in our community, finding a way to connect.

In this way, we can find strength.

To help everyone is my goal, and I will meet that goal, for me, for my people, for everyone.

We are people, just people, so we need to help everyone we can.

But we can never forget

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what our ancestors did to each other.

We must mend those wounds and bring unity.

Some people may not always agree with what I say.

Just because of our skin color, our culture, our ways, does not mean we cannot be a community.

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The Future by Luis Rojas Reyes (age 10) With our voices, we can dream, standing and speaking for those who do not have voices.

With our words, we can reach out to our motivation.

In our hands, we hold power and unity.

Together, we can connect to our ancestors’ words.

We can find strength in the darkness.

We are the future.

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Powerful People by Nayeli A. Vasquez (age 10) With our voices, we can make peace in the world, helping others in need.

Our words can make a difference in the world.

In our hands, we carry pride and happiness.

We have the power to change the world or the rules if they are not fair.

Together, we can help each other be safe and feel like we can trust people.

Our community can help others feel like they are safe where they are.

We are powerful.

We can help others.

We are strong.

We are proud people.

Our ancestors made us the way we are.

They made us powerful and good people.

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Together We Rise by Riley Young (age 10) With our voices, we can rise up.

With our voices, we speak for each other.

Our voices can spread hope into our community for unity.

The power inside us can do good.

Together, we rise.

In our hands, we carry the key to hope and togetherness.

We reach out to our future.

We have the power to choose to create a better community.

Together, we rise.

Together, we can bring unity into our community.

In this way, we find strength in each other to connect our motivation to rise.

Together, we rise.

We are together.

We will never forget where we came from.

Our roots connect to our hopes, dreams, and power.

Together, we rise.

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My Future is Bright by Riley Young (age 10) I am Riley.

I am strong.

I am powerful, beautiful, and brave.

I am my own future.

The strength of my family runs through my roots.

I carry the hopes of my grandma for my future.

I come from the beautiful, powerful mountains of Denver, Colorado.

Any mean words just make me stronger.

My grandma’s love is like a warm blanket surrounding me.

In my dreams, I imagine someone who can make the world a better place.

If you do not reach out, then no one will know who you are.

I surround myself with my friends’ and family’s love.

In my dreams, I imagine using my voice and words to make the world a better place.

I have the power to choose to create a better world.

Even though the journey is tough, my future is bright.

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My Dream by Theon Calvin (age 10) I am my mom’s and dad’s dream.

They are my roots.

I come from my family’s tears.

In the mirror, I see my eyes.

In my eyes, I see myself succeeding.

In my dreams, I imagine myself becoming an astronaut.

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Me by Yareli (age 10) I am a good student, a kind person, and a funny girl.

I am a person who will not give up because of what someone says about me.

I will always remember that I am an awesome person who can do anything I put my mind to.

I come from the inspiration that my family gives me.

I come from the way that my mom shows me love.

I get motivation and inspiration from her because she is a kind and loving person who never gives up.

In the mirror, I see a strong, beautiful, stunning, kind, and funny girl.

In my eyes, I see a very educated and smart girl who will never give up her dreams.

In my dreams, I imagine myself being a good person who helps others in need.

I can become a better person mentally and physically.

Even though sometimes I can be mean, I am confident that I can change and be kind to people who I do not like.

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Making My Parents Proud by Zaiden (age 10) I see a greatest NFL player on my shoulders.

I come from basketball, my way to make my parents proud of me.

To be a strong basketball player, I will carry my team to win and never give up.

I will be rich so I can feed the homeless.

I will never forget to give back.

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Have a Big Heart by Analia Martinez (age 11) Having a big heart makes you look good.

You need to help others by having a voice.

You need to stick up for them.

They might not have a voice but you do.

You need to be kind and inspire other people.

Be Kind by Analia Martinez (age 11) You need to have a big heart and be kind to help others.

Make it your responsibility to have a big heart.

You need to help and inspire people.

You can never forget what people did for you.

You need to do the same for others.

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Power of Our Roots by Ashton Knight Casias (age 11) With our voices, we can share our life and our stories.

Our words can show who we want to be.

With our hands, we unite and join together.

We reach out to the future to change how we used to be.

We look in the sky to see the stars as our possibilities.

Together, we help each other to build a better community.

We build a tower of all our changes and stand on top.

We speak the truth with our words of power because we will not stop.

We grow our life with strong roots so we as the people can lead.

I can be a part of that because I am a young seed.

This is what I must say because I can only be me, when others are little saplings or full-grown trees.

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I Am and We Are by Dakoda Graham (age 11) My ancestors are the reasons that I will become successful.

My family’s sacrifices made me fearless.

In my eyes, I see a window, showing me the adult I will become.

I chose to believe that my dreams can and will come true.

With our voices, we can inspire people to love others.

In our hands, we have the tools to unite as a group.

Together, we will help others even if we need help.

We are stronger together.

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The Burning Fire by Emianna Mei Renteria (age 11) I am the light that shines bright as a star, the strength in a powerful family.

I come from a fierce Bernadette and a strong, kind Alexi.

Their love is like a burning fire that never fades.

In the mirror, I see my future laying ahead of me.

I surround myself with art and music which will bring me happiness.

In my dreams, I imagine the people I love surrounding me.

I have power over my future because I believe that I am strong and I can push through.

With our voices, we can sing powerful songs.

With our voices, we can speak the truth so everyone can keep going even when it is hard.

In our hands, we carry the dreams we have for the future.

We have the power to create our essence.

Together, we build a bright home,

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full of challenges that make us stronger.

We connect by the food that we eat around the dinner table: steak, chicken, wings, soup, pasta, homemade tortillas, and salad.

We are unique in our own way.

The dreams we have will live forever.

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Who I Am by Jacob (age 11) I come from the peaks of the snowy mountains where my ancestors once roamed.

I come from a beautiful family with a beautiful culture.

We are an unstoppable force like a train.

We fuel off hate to become great.

No matter what happens in my life, I know where I come from: a loving mother, a caring father and an amazing brother.

I come from sports, homemade meals, sleepovers and a funny family.

In the mirror, I see the man who my parents wanted me to be.

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All About Me by Jayden Sanchez (age 11) I am a boy named Jayden who knows he will become famous.

I come from a world that we need to make powerful.

With encouraging words, we can build a strong community together.

In the mirror, I see the man I know I will become to help my family fight the struggle.

In my dreams, I imagine becoming an NBA player to help people in need.

I will pay it forward.

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Power to Speak by Joseph Duran (age 11) I am joy, a light shining like a star in the night.

I am the strength of a determined person.

I come from a family of love and inspiration.

Their struggle makes me grateful.

In the mirror, I see a weight, as heavy as a boulder, on my shoulders.

That obstacle keeps me going.

In my dreams, I imagine I can create peace for all colors and give rights to all people.

With our voices, we can speak for the power inside us.

With our hands, we reach out for family and friends.

We bring the community together.

We are the power of our dreams and future.

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My Story by Lyana Faye Fresquez (age 11) I used to come home crying because I was told that I did not fit in.

I was made fun of because of my weight and the darkness of my skin.

But all those hateful words and laughs behind my back made me realize it is “self-love” that those people lack.

See, I was told by my mother that I was never made to fit in but to stand out!

And someone’s worth, beauty, and strength is something you should never doubt!

As she combed my hair, she told me, “When you look in the mirror, remember, you are a lot like your hair: strong, thick, beautiful, and full of life.”

So, with that being said, I will change for no one.

I am me and will always be me.

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I Am by Lyana Faye Fresquez (age 11) I am from my beautiful mother Natalie and my strong father James.

I am from fighting with my siblings but knowing they will always have my back.

I am from grandma’s warm hugs and from my grandpa’s true love.

I am from the smell of yummy food coming from mom’s hot kitchen.

I am from movie nights with my siblings, nickel play every Friday, and family dinners every weekend.

I am from getting dropped off at school with quotes like, “Remember you’re a leader, not a follower,” or “You are not made to fit in, you were made to stand out,” and a I love you as I close the car door.

I am from learning to love myself for who I am on the outside and the inside.

I am from wise words and good advice from strong, beautiful women.

I am from lowriders, loud music, and dancing at parties while food is cooking on the grill.

I am from making TikToks with friends while playing in the front yard.

I am from the close friends I have made and the amazing teachers that helped me grow.

I am from being sent to the principal's office every single day

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and now stopping by to say hello and how is your day.

I am from Garden Place, home of the Tiger pride, where I am thankful for the memories and sad to say goodbye.

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I Am Power and Hope for the World by Mazrael Chavez (age 11) I am someone who knows that there are a lot of problems in this world and I can change them.

I come from my ancestors and their sacrifices.

In the mirror, I see a life changer, a word changer, someone who makes sacrifices for those in need.

In my dreams, I see someone carrying the world on his shoulders, protecting those that need it.

With my voice, I can speak for those who do not have voices.

In my hands, I hold the key to change this world's problems.

Together with others, I feel stronger.

I am the one who will stop the problems with the world as we know it.

I am invincible to hateful things.

I grow stronger every time I am put down by someone.

I am power.

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My Life by Michael Zerfoss (age 11) I have grown stubborn but I am never a burden.

I love to love, hate to hate.

Day by day, I do what I do and there is nothing in my way.

I am a boss player, I have always heard this.

I will tell my kids when it is their day: you are the controller of your life, you are the navigator, the skipper, whatever you do not do now you will do later.

I have lived to see loss but I will see another day.

Football by Michael Zerfoss (age 11) No matter the weather, no matter the pain, the kick always starts the game.

The team runs it back as far as they can.

The opposing team must defend run or pass.

Whatever you do, you do not want to finish last.

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A New Community by Roman Padilla (age 11) We are strong in our community.

We can stop negativity.

We can give rights to the people.

We can stand up for ourselves.

The power is inside of us.

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My Family’s Sacrifices by Zayne (age 11) I am the dreams of my family to be helpful.

I will remember what my family has done for me, reminding me to care and not be mean.

Their sacrifices made me.

In the mirror, I see the past.

On my shoulders, there is the power to create my future and not hold onto the past.

In my dreams, I imagine my family helping me.

I have the power to help them no matter if they help me or not.

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The Power by Abigail (age 12) I am the future of my family.

My roots will go far just like a tree.

I come from a broken family but the struggle makes me stronger, with only a few scratches.

In the mirror, I see a new generation.

In my eyes, you can see how much I hold.

In my dreams, I imagine finding a new start in life.

I have the power in my hands to make that change.

With our voices, we can change perspectives.

On our shoulders, we carry a heavy backpack but we can give more than a paper and pencil.

Together, we are the future.

The community looks to us.

We are more than just people.

The power in us can create more than just a building.

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Family by Anonymous (age 12) In my dreams, I imagine that I am rich so I can buy stuff and support my family.

I can create that dream by working hard.

Even though I have money, I can always get more.

My future is mine to create.

I have the power to make this dream come true.

I choose to help the world.

I will always remember the sacrifices my family made for me.

So, when I earn money, I will help my family retire early.

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Powerful by Eric Rosa (age 12) I am a product of my environment and come from ancestors who passed down their empowerment.

I come from empty pockets and dangerous streets with people who you did not know were nice to meet.

In the mirror, I see the man I want to become.

I came to this life to seek my purpose and my job is not done.

With my voice and words, I hope in the future for people to be heard and not hurt with all the negativity on this earth.

In my dreams, I imagine that I have the power to inspire.

That is my desire, helping people who are down to rise higher and higher.

With our voices, the power inside us inspires, not spreading negativity and hate, and to not debate, but to share the story of the kid who always wanted the opposite but received the exact same hate.

In our hands, we have the power to be heard to make a little voice feel powerful even with just one word.

Together, our motivation can deliver people

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from temptation, making them speak so powerfully they start to feel levitation.

We are the seeds and roots to empowerment to make hurt people speak with devourment towards hate and debate, making them so good they speak without a mistake.

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Life Struggle by Noe Jose Acevedo (age 12) I am a kid who had a rough childhood.

I will always remember the struggle that my family and I had to go through.

I come from money problems and the sacrifices my parents made to get us where we are today.

In the mirror, I see a kid with big dreams.

In my hands, I have the opportunity to help my parents.

In my dreams, I imagine that I will be successful in life.

With our voices, we can speak for ourselves.

The power inside us comes from our parents’ power.

In our hands, we can do whatever we want in life.

Our futures depend on us and on how we act.

Together, we work as a family.

Our motivation comes from our ancestors.

We are children from God. We will always remember the struggle we went through.

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Our Roots by Ty'zhir (age 12) With our voices, we can speak for the power inside.

In our hands, we can hold our future.

Together, we have the power to find our own strength.

We can connect with our ancestors.

We will never forget our roots.

I am connected to my roots.

I come from my ancestors’ sacrifices.

In the mirror, is see a product of my ancestors, my roots.

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Struggles by Ana (age 13) With our voices, we can inspire others to reach out for motivation.

We always look to our dreams so we can make a difference.

In our hands, we create a future.

Together, we find strength.

Our ancestors are our roots.

We will always remember our dreams, our inspirations.

We will never forget everyone who pushed us to become better, even when we struggled.

We change our future to reach our dreams.

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The Future by Armani (age 13) With our voices, we carry the ability to speak for those who cannot.

The power inside pushes us to speak the truth.

Together, we have the ability to make a difference with our voices.

We are the future.

Those who came before us give us inspiration to keep going and not give up.

Our future resides with us.

We are ancestors' dreams.

In our hands, we have the strength to continue what they started.

Our words speak for our ancestors.

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Sacrifices by Isaac Duran (age 13) I am proud of being mestizo and having a roof over my head.

The strength of my family makes me want to be more than one thing.

I come from a family with a proud culture to experience.

The sacrifices of my ancestors inspired me to be what they hope for me to be.

En el espejo, veo un hombre taking his family to a better future.

My ancestors are behind me, inspiring me.

En mis sueños, imagino que el racismo termina.

Even though racism is still around, that does not stop me being who I want to be.

With our voices, we can make a change and speak for our rights.

In our hands, we have things that take us into life.

We carry el dolor de nuestros ancestros y las cosas de lo que sufrieron.

We can create a better future, thanks to our ancestors for never giving up.

Juntos podemos cambiar la mente de las personas racistas.

Nuestra comunidad es una poderosa.

We will always remember how our ancestors suffered for our generation to keep growing.

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Scars by Jayla (age 13) I come from a family with hopes and dreams, but do not think before they speak.

With our voices, we can build the strength to make the world a better place.

In the mirror, I see the girl I used to be, the girl who was so afraid to speak.

I am a girl who will live her truth, becoming the woman she wants to be, embracing her scars that show her past.

In my eyes, I see a girl who will allow herself to be happy, a girl who can accept herself for who she truly is.

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Love Hurts by Jayla (age 13) I loved you when I did not love myself.

Love is sweet like sugar but bitter like liquor.

Many died from it.

Many killed for it.

Many suffered for it.

It still hurts today because it is not over from the pain of those days.

Pain swelled inside, threatening my life with no place to break away.

I can find no place to hide, revealing there is no I. It makes us cry in the middle of the night.

It always seems to give scary thoughts, making people want to die.

This pain inside is far too real.

I mean what I say but it is still true today.

Some say it is beautiful.

Some say it is horrible.

Some say it is wonderful.

Some say it is terrible.

Can’t you see that I am in my pain?

Can’t you see that I am hurt from the words you have spoken?

Can’t you see that I was compelled from the love you have awoken?

Why do I choose this?

Why can’t I let this wound show?

The pain in my past is more than you will ever know.

Feelings denied and thoughts hidden roaming through our minds we once thought to be forbidden.

I will always tell, love hurts.

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Ancestors’ Dream by Santiago (age 13) With our voices, we can change this racial world.

All of us should speak for the people who cannot.

In our hands, we carry the ability to make a difference.

We have the power to bring people together to fight racism.

My community can make a change.

We are our ancestors' dreams.

Our ancestors believe in us to leave a legacy.

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Inspiration by Angel Zavala (age 14) I am the inspiration for the future of this world.

I carry and will soon pass on the inspiration I had like those before and those before them.

I come from a damaged household but full of dreams.

Their sacrifices and struggles have pushed me to shoot for the stars and into the solar system.

In the mirror, I see myself and the lord leading down the path I want for my future.

With my words and voices, I can reach the dreams I have, unlike those who could not reach the potential they had.

In my dreams, I imagine inspiring the people with and around me.

I believe that people can choose their own dreams and chase them like a cheetah chasing its prey.

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What We Can Do by Angel Zavala (age 14) With our voices, we can spread the legends and the culture that we represent.

As the kids of this generation, we need to take the power we have.

We can speak for the next generation after us, just like how they did before us.

We must remember who we are before we become the person we dream of.

Our future is in our hands to control and shape for those who follow.

Together, we will envision the future for our community.

We find strength in those who had none and inspire that person to spread the world of our culture that brings us together.

We are from the same culture, the same bloodline.

Standing up, we can change the community we are a part of and the community we represent.

We will always remember and never forget who we are as a person and as a community.

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Reflection by Ares Sandro Sebastian Pacheco (age 14) I am proud of my culture.

My ancestors and roots create a man who always will remember the sacrifices, sacrifices they made, their beliefs, their culture that makes a man who will keep these stories.

I come from the traditions and culture my family teaches me.

I come from a land that was oppressed by the “saviors” who destroyed part of the culture of one of the most important empires, civilizations that give me inspiration to save this culture.

In the mirror, I see the representation of the hope that my parents have for me.

In my eyes, I see my ancestors, ancestors who sacrificed for a culture.

In my hands, I hold the hopes and dreams of my family.

On my shoulders, I carry all the sacrifices my ancestors and family made for me.

In my dreams, I imagine the future, the consequences of my choices and the fear of failing, failing my parents.

My future is still unclear, but I choose to create it.

I have the power to shape my future.

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True Story by Ares Sandro Sebastian Pacheco (age 14) I am a speaker who tells the true stories, stories that come from a land, a land that I come from, a land that was stained, desecrated by the desire for wealth.

They use our stories to look at the good guy, those who "saved" a wild community, calling themselves heroes, proud of their stories, horrible and despicable stories.

They hide their truths, labeling ours as the bad ones, ours who fought to avoid "salvation."

What other name do you have?

The slave conquest.

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Power and Inspiration by David (age 14) I am powerful and strong.

We live in poor conditions that power our future dreams.

I come from a family of sacrifices, their struggles making me feel proud and grateful for mi sangre mexicana.

In the mirror, I see the strength of my ancestors.

They live within me.

They power me to reach out to others to bring peace and comfort.

In my dreams, I imagine a proud, successful man, the future that rests on my shoulders.

Power and inspiration runs through my veins.

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Do Not Be Amused by Gio R (age 14) By the time I was nine, I had seen two people die from drug abuse.

Do not let it abuse you.

It takes your mind, body, and your skin.

Do not let it in, cannot give it a reason to win.

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Somos Un Corazón Unido por Jeni (14 años de edad) Con nuestras voces, podemos elegir el futuro.

Nosotros hablamos para que nadie pueda hacernos de menos.

El poder dentro de nosotros nos ayuda a alcanzar nuestros sueños.

Con nuestras manos, nosotros podemos construir el futuro que nosotros queremos.

Cargamos el poder de cambiar la sociedad para crear un mundo diferente.

Juntos, podemos ver que las personas pueden salir adelante apesar de todo lo que sufren.

Nuestra motivación nos dará fuerza.

Somos Chicanos como lo dice nuestra sangre y nuestra piel morena.

Nosotros siempre seremos todo lo que nuestro corazón diga.

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I Imagine by Maria (age 14) I am a girl who has hopes in her dreams.

Yo soy una niña que tiene un gran corazón y que también es buena onda.

Vengó de la sangre de mi madre y quiere que salga adelante.

In the mirror, I see my future.

En el espejo, veo que voy a ser una niña feliz.

In my dreams, I imagine I can create something better.

I imagine that I will have good grades and become something great in the future.

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Trust by Marlon (age 14) I am a hard worker.

I will always remember the need to sacrifice to build my future.

My family and I come from a beautiful place.

I feel that one day, I will return to El Salvador por la primera vez.

En el espejo, veo a kind and smart person.

In my hands, I feel something that no one else can.

En mis sueños, imagino that I will have a landscaping job with lots of money.

I have the power to be kind and be someone others can trust.

Con nuestras voces, we can say something positive.

We speak for ourselves and our life in the future.

We have the power to feel the angels around us, the angels protecting us from evil and danger.

Together, we can make a better place for everyone in the world.

We connect our hearts with our souls, our lives to a better future.

The power we have can make the world a better place built on trust.

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What I Am by Nadiya Zarinana (age 14) I am the embodiment of my parents' hopes and dreams.

The strength of my parents to pave the way is better than the one they were given.

I come from a broken home, overflowing with emotion.

The struggle makes me work harder to make something of myself.

In the mirror, I see the product of a dreamer and a man with no motivation.

On my shoulders, I carry the responsibility to be the best and the nicest, but not to be cocky.

In my dreams, I see a woman with pockets heavy with a desire to make a drastic change.

I have the power to make my life better.

But why, when the world is set up to be against us?

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My Future Dreams and Hopes by Sara (age 14) I am the future dreams of my family to end addiction, showing at the beginning of every struggle, there is a rainbow waiting at the end for someone to find.

I will be the one.

I come from the hopes and dreams that my family has for the future.

We show our embrace of a culture deep in our roots, the pride we have to be who we are.

In the mirror, I see the person of the future smiling and waving, showing how far we have gone in life.

In my dreams, I imagine the way I will show the roots and culture that my ancestors struggled to find again, while embracing every part of who I am.

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Mi Vida by Victoria Flores (age 14) Yo soy una morena, hija de padres migrantes, que quiere cumplir el sueño de sus padres.

Yo vengo de la lucha y sacrificios de mis padres que vinieron a los Estados Unidos en busca de una vida y futuro mejor.

In the mirror, I see happiness in my eyes and success in my hands.

In my dreams, I imagine my successful and millionaire life.

With our voices, we can change the world and our own future.

En nuestras manos, cargamos la responsabilidad de hacer a nuestros padres orgullosos.

Together, we can help each other to become better people.

Somos hispanos que estamos cambiando el mundo y haciéndolo un mejor lugar.

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Who Will I Be? by Vincent (age 14) I am the expectation of my parents to struggle through empty pockets, pointing fingers at dressed men who dismiss our hard work.

“Pontes las pillas,” because straight A’s will never be enough.

I am the traditions and culture they rooted in my mind and heart, painting part of my identity and who I wanted to be.

I come from sacrifices and abuse my people before me suffered, and continue to suffer.

I come from unique patterns painted on dresses meant to present what was once ours, from complex words and identities that are never spoken or shown for the sake of my safety.

In the mirror, I see faint dreams that express my struggles and distant hopes that no one sees me different enough to cease my life.

In my dreams, I imagine not struggling with the generational issues that I wish I never had to sacrifice a childhood for.