We Are The Dreams Of Our Ancestors by Words To Power

(Elementary School Students)

Words To Power

Our Words Are Powerful: We Are The Dreams Of Our Ancestors Volume 1 (Elementary School Students)

This book is a publication of

To the youth standing up for what is right, shining your light: You are truly the dreams of your ancestors. We need you to be powerful! We all must be.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the powerful elementary school students who submitted your inspiring poems to this book. Special thank you to the schools that partnered with us during the 2024-2025 school year. We look forward to working with you again! We greatly appreciate the financial support from Arts In Society, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, Denver Arts & Venues, Rose Community Foundation, TDB Family 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 for coping and resilience.

Foreword

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

• “Our Roots, Our Words, Our Power” (2024)

• “Our Ancestors Speak Through Us” (2023)

• “We Are Here For A Reason” (2022)

• “The Struggle Is Real, So Is Our Resilience” (2021)

For 2025, the “We Are The Dreams Of Our Ancestors” theme inspired powerful submissions from over 240 youth, all of whom participated in Words To Power's poetry workshops and student presentations (see wordstopower.org for more information). Volume 1 is the collection of poems from 73 students in our partner elementary schools. We know their words will touch your heart and inspire you to be powerful during these difficult times.

Words To Power conducts highly engaging, culturally relevant, and SELfocused spoken word poetry workshops for underserved youth in elementary, middle, and high schools in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado. As an extension of our workshops, we partner with schools to host presentations of youth poetry. Words To Power publishes an annual book of youth poetry with submissions from our workshop participants. Every summer, we host book release events with contributors reading their poetry for their families and the greater community.

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.

Anything by Angel Sanchez (age 8)

I am the one holding the roots of my family.

I come from a home far from here. The struggle makes me want to do more.

In the mirror, I see a nice person who can overcome anything in my way.

In my dreams, I can create anything.

We reach out for education. We speak for justice.

In My Heart by Alexander Romero Jr (age 9)

I am loved. I am strong and always will be. I shine as bright as a shooting star. I am Mexican. I love my culture and always will. I am a scholar and a leader. My family and I will never give up. In the mirror, I see success in my heart.

Just because you feel like you are not learning, does not mean you cannot try. Remember, you are improving every day.

I come from a talented family. We love each other. We sacrifice for each other like a tiger would for its cubs. In my dreams, I imagine myself getting better everyday. I feel deep in my heart that I am connecting to a mathematician.

Peacemaker

by Diana Badillo Gomez (age 9)

I am a person who brings peace to my people.

The strength of my words will someday change the world to be a better place. I come from a society without dreams and peace. The struggle makes me want to grow up and take a stand for my country. In the mirror, I see the powerful, peaceful, and hopeful woman I want to be. With my voice, I know I can achieve this goal. In my dreams, I imagine a world that does not refer to us Mexicans as “aliens.”

I believe I can create a community that supports this decision.

We Are The Voices of Our Ancestors by Georgia Swan (age 9)

With our voices, we can speak for our ancestors. The power inside us is always there. It is the power of our ancestors.

In our hands, we hold our families’ past and our future. We have the power to create love and hope for our people.

Together, we empower the voices inside us. We can find strength within ourselves if we follow the path our ancestors made for us.

We are our family's roots. The power inside us is our ancestors inside us. The dreams of our ancestors are us.

I am the future of my family and my family guides me to my future. I will never forget how they worked so hard to direct me on the path of my life.

I come from proud blood and undefeatable hope. Their sacrifices helped me become who I am today.

In the mirror, I see in my eyes the power of my ancestors. They surround me with hope, guidance, and love.

In my dreams, I imagine a voice, a voice that can change the world, my voice. Even though there is violence and helplessness, there is also love, hope, and kindness.

The Way of Life by Giles Delzell (age 9)

With our voices, we can lift up the people who have fallen before us. Our words can pave the way for others to come. In our hands, we carry the power to change the world and motivate others. We can give power to others and make a difference. Together, we can help families with pockets full of dreams and hopes. We bring unity to our community, making a light for trailblazers ahead. We are family, trailblazers, full of dreams, full of hopes. The dreams of our ancestors flow through our veins, inspiring us to do more every day. This is the way of life.

El Poder de Nuestros Sueños por Isabella Lopez Banuelos (9 de edad)

Yo soy Mexicana y lucho por mi vida. Vengo de una familia que está muy orgullosa de nuestra cultura.

En el espejo, veo una familia poderosa, luchando por nuestros sueños de ser amable, saludable, y feliz.

Con nuestras voces, podemos cambiar el mundo porque es nuestra vida. En nuestras manos, tenemos el poder de amar y ayudar porque somos fuertes, somos poderosos.

Juntos, podemos luchar por nuestros sueños. Somos una familia poderosa, orgullosa, y amorosa.

My Decisions by Jhonni Zarinana (age 9)

I am the dreamer in my eyes.

I do not come from a broken family. I do not regret the decisions I make to help them.

When struggle hits the family and life gets hard, I will not give up or leave.

I come from a family who is struggling badly but I push through all of it.

In the mirror, I see a woman with pockets overflowing with joy, money, and love.

My mom always told me that I am the only one who controls my decisions. I have had friends who thought that they could control me but they never could.

In my dreams, I imagine a house with a chimney overflowing with love. My mom and dad never give up on me. Their sacrifices

make me happy. The struggle makes me stronger. With our voices, we can speak the truth, not afraid to be ourselves.

The struggle in my house is hard and heavy but I know I am stronger still.

In our hands, we hold the roots of our mind, heart, and soul. Together, we can change the world. We are the power to our life.

We Can Change the World by Jimena Reyna Torres (age 9)

With our voices, we can change the world and give people hopes and dreams. We inspire people to see themselves for who they really are. In our hands, we can trust God and see our future. Even though it may be dark, we still have each other's arms. Together, we can change the world and keep fighting on. We bring unity to our community. This way, we can connect our arms and feel a calm river in our hands. We are people who fight on. Our roots reach for hopes and dreams for others to complete.

Baseball, Family, and Me by Liborio (age 9)

I am a dreamer, with hopes of being a baseball player in the MLB. I will always remember the person I am, a kind kid. I come from a Mexican family. In the mirror, I see someone and that someone is me, Liborio Islas Salas. On my shoulders, I carry my family’s heart, my heart. We are one big family.

In my dreams, I imagine playing for the LA Dodgers, hitting a home run, and winning the world series. My grandma is counting on me.

We Are More by Lincoln Diaz (age 9)

Some people think of crime when they hear Mexicans. We are much more than immigrants. We are Mex-I-can-s not Mex-I-don’t-s. Some of us come from homes with empty pockets filled with dreams and hopes of a better world.

We Are Activists by Lucas Williams (age 9)

With our voices, we inspire the young to choose the right path. In our hands, we have the power to slowly change the world. We can give people the joy they deserve. Together, we can help the broken. In this way, we fight for what is right. We are activists. We fight for the people of the sun. We will never forget their ancestors.

My Heart's Dream by Margarito

Gonzalez (age 9)

I am a hard worker. I will never forget to always be willing to work for my family. I come from the sacrifices they make for me. I am thankful.

I believe in my family's culture. In the mirror, I see my ancestors on my shoulders, watching me. In my dreams, I imagine a new world.

Love and

Dreams

by Mia Lizeth Vazquez (age 9)

I am in love with my family and culture. We have empty pockets full of affection. I am grateful for the love concoction that we share with each other.

In my dreams, my feelings are important to this world. In this life, I have ups and downs. I fail and succeed.

The Boy Who Believes His Dreams by Nehemiah Pacheco (age 9)

I am a person who likes sports such as football, basketball, and soccer. I come from a family of love and support. The struggle in my family makes a tougher nine-year-old boy. In the mirror, I see someone who will never give up in life. I can put my dreams on my shoulders. I imagine becoming an NBA star. With our voices, we can tell people how great they are. Our words can tell you to believe in yourself. In our hands, we have the power to be great people and become special to someone in our life. Our future is as bright as the sun. Together, we are people who cannot be taken down. Our motivation can inspire someone. Our ancestors believe in us.

We Are Powerful

by Paul Lawrence Baca (age 9)

I am a person who sees my dreams. I will always remember and I will never forget my roots and my ancestors. I come from the struggles of my ancestors and empty pockets. In the mirror, I see more possibilities and more freedom. In my dreams, I imagine a better and bigger family. With our voices, we can give inspiration to others with our power inside us. Together, we can change the world. We are powerful.

Our World by Rachel Ha (age 9)

With our voices, we can speak for our ancestors and the dead. We can connect with the people before us, our beloved ones. That power will make this world better. We will always remember the people who helped change the world.

In our hands, we can feel peace and kindness.

We can also find our strengths. We can hold the power to help others.

Together, we will help each other, help the world, so our homes can be even better. We can inspire others, inspire people who smoke weed to stop.

Dreams come true when other people help.

We are people, people who reach to the future of our community. We can connect parents to their children and inspire people to do good deeds. Speak or make a note, so you can spread the goodness.

Why I Never Give Up by Rayvon Sillemon (age 9)

I am Rayvon. I am good at football and never give up in hard times. I come from Denver and a strong culture. We push through and show grit. In the mirror, I see me, the strong man helping his family. Forever in my dreams, I imagine playing football with my friends. With our voices, we can say powerful words and encourage. In our hands, we carry our culture, our history, our strength. We can make a powerful difference with grit. Together, we are our ancestors, the inspiration to inspire others with our motivation. We are strong and smart people. We reach out for our ancestors’ dreams and our future.

Sunshine by Silviano Maestas-Zitka (age 9)

I am Silver. I am American. In the mirror, I see I am scared. In my dreams, I imagine a good life. With our voices, we can show that we believe in ourselves. In our hands, we hold the key. Together, we are happiness.

No One Can Take You Down by Abigail Carachure (age 10)

I am brave, strong, and loving. No one can take that away from me. My ancestors stood up for what they believed in. They want me to take the same great steps to grab my successes!

I come from Denver. My family is strong and brave. People need to know that they cannot take us down. Their sacrifices help me live up to my potential. I always feel them when things get tough!

In the mirror, I see myself being a model, a Queen, a movie star. No matter what, I must try. In my hands, I always feel their bravery.

In my dreams, I imagine having a family, having a dog and kitty. I imagine being amazing while believing in God.

I have the power to fight for myself and others!

With our voices, we can tell people to stop polluting the earth. In our hands, we can hold people’s dreams and hopes. Together, we can end hate and anger through the power of love and kindness. Our community is strong. People need to know that you can never bring down a Catholic. We are people who can change the world by planting seeds. My roots are planted in Colorado but that does not mean that I am not Mexican.

Our Strength by Aiden (age 10)

With our voices, we can share good words and speak up when something is right or wrong. In our hands, we do not have a lot but we can push through the hard times and never give up. We show that we have respect and manners. Together, we can make the world a better place without littering or trash in the sea. We are strong people of Hispanic heritage.

Our Dreams by Aleenah Andrade (age 10)

With our voices, we can speak for our ancestors. They give us inspiration, to not be ashamed of where we come from and who we are. In our hands, we can hold the dream of our culture to not end.

I will teach the next generation to speak Spanish and be proud of their blood like my mom and grandma taught me.

I get inspiration from my family tree. We have the power to not forget our culture. Together, we can bring peace and equality to the world. Our community can help by treating others like you would like to be treated. We are powerful and kind people. We can make the world a better place. We will always remember our roots.

I Am by Aleenah Andrade (age 10)

I am a strong woman. I carry my roots proud, like a full bloomed tree. I come from a Mexican American culture and blood. I am unstoppable. I get inspiration from my family tree. In the mirror, I see a loving, caring, independent woman and friend. On my shoulders, I carry the responsibility to show my brother how to play basketball. In my dreams, I imagine that injustice against immigrants would stop so that families could be together. I believe that one day, everyone will have equal rights.

Helping Others by Allie Esther Vargas (age 10)

With our voices, we can speak for our rights and give inspiration to people suffering from personal things like I did. I used to be sad all the time like a lonely star in the dark sky. But I have overpowered the loneliness and pushed through.

Now, with my voice, I speak for others and you should too. On our shoulders, we carry weights every day, with people trying to tell us how to live our lives. I say, we have the power to live our lives how we want to and my words are true.

Together, we connect with others in need and find a way to help people who do not have strength. We can plant another seed without the toxins, to grow more strength. Our ancestors came here for us to have better lives. We need to make sure

that we tell stories about them to pass down through the generations, so their legacies are remembered. We are Americans Latinos, Puerto Ricans, and our roots.

The Love by Allison Cordova (age 10)

Yo soy the hope of my family. The love of my ancestors will always stay with me. Vengo de the dream of my ancestors. Their love is like my heart. In the espejo, I see her, the girl I wish to be. I surround myself with love. In my dreams, I imagine yo succeeding in my future. I imagine that the world will be a better place. With our voces, we can have freedom. We can speak for ourselves. In our manos, we have the power to help each other by saying good things to each other.

Juntos, we can have harmony. In this way, we can change the world. Somos the people we know and love. We are the dreams.

The Power by Amine (age

10)

With our voices we talk so that people see us in our words.

With my hands, I can help my little brother. We reach out to the future.

We walk from the park. We find strength sharing stories and drinking tea under the lights.

I am Amine. I have the power.

I Was a Little Girl by

AnaLeah Bachicha

I am the girl I dream to be. I will always remember when I was a little girl, not using my brain but just my heart. I will always remember my culture and not hide it because I am not afraid. In the mirror, I see a girl I dream to become. I will always remember playing with Barbies and toys, not glued to my phone. In my dreams, I imagine myself living my best life. I will always remember my dreams to be rich, seeing my friends every day.

(age 10)

We Can Love Each Other by Anastazia Cates (age 10)

With our voices, we can talk to different people, sharing words of love. The power inside us is strong and full of joy. With our hands, we can build new places for people. Our words reach out to friends and families. Together, we can work, create, and build. In this way, we can love each other. Our community is strong and powerful. We can love new things, new people, new friends new families. We build a happy place for everybody.

We are the dreams of our roots. We will always remember to love everybody. In our hearts is a powerful ocean. We will never forget our love for everybody and our ancestors.

Building Confidence by Anonymous (age 10)

With our voices, we can inspire others to speak up for themselves. With our words, we motivate ourselves, as a community, to create confident people.

We hold our future in the palm of our hands.

We carry our friends. family, and future with us along our way, passing down our ancestors’ culture to the next generation.

Together, we unite with others to speak up, telling them to be proud of their culture.

We are our ancestors’ sacrifices and praises.

We should be proud of that and speak up.

Change The World by Aria (age 10)

With our voices, we can help fix the world for our families. Our words can help change it. In our hands, we hold our hope and faith. Our future can be more beautiful if we reach for our dreams. Together, we can choose a better president who does not see brown people as “illegal aliens”! Our community can help that! We are all amazing people who can make the world a better place! The dreams that we have can help change the world!

See, Hear, Do by Aria Baltierra (age 10)

In the mirror, I see my brothers and me. También veo a mi primo que pasó al otro lado.

With our voices, we can talk to friends and people. Our words can reach their ears so they can hear us. In our hands, we work for things. We can carry books and boxes.

My Family, My Dreams by Arianna Ozwald (age 10)

I am my family's pride and joy.

I try to lift my fallen dreams and bring them back, even if I struggle.

I come from art because it lets me express my feelings. It inspires me to create something out of the sacrifices I make for my family.

In the mirror, I see a little girl who is trying, even if she has depression and mental health issues. I see her trying to make a change for her family.

In my dreams, I imagine becoming successful for my family. I also dream to be loved by everyone.

The Door to the Future by Brandon (age 10)

With our voices, we can inspire others to reach their goals. The power inside us is strong. In our hands, we hold a key for a better tomorrow. We have the power to reach out to the future and open the door. Together, we grow as a community. In this way, we bring unity. We are smart, kind, amazing, and thankful.

A Message

for Everyone by Bridgette (age 10)

With our voices, we can show how strong we are. The power inside us is like a rock in the ground that we pick up to be stronger. In our hands, we carry our dreams to shine like a shooting star. We try to reach and touch the moon. Together, we light up the night. In this way, we can see our path. In my dreams, I imagine a rose blooming with success, even though I am a seed. I come from a bird that blessed me to keep going. My family’s love is like sweet honey straight from a honeycomb. We are a tree that protects us from the bad things coming our way. Our roots hold our dreams inside us.

The Light Bright Star by Bryseia (age 10)

With our voices, we can speak the truth. We talk for the people who are deaf. We give other people inspiration, communicating with each other to make the right choices.

With our hands, we reach out for the future. We carry respect in our heart wherever we go.

Together, we bring unity and make communities. We connect by helping each other. Our motivation helps us be a community.

We are the dreams of our parents. Our roots connect by respecting each other. The power of our family is like a bright star.

All About Me by Dominic (age 10)

I am a person my lord loves. I will never forget my mom’s kind words when times were rough. I will always remember my family’s sacrifices to reach my dreams.

In the mirror, I see my family's legacy. I can reach out to my mom and dad. In my dreams, I imagine a person who will never give up even in tough situations.

Con nuestras voces, podemos ser guardianes de nuestra comunidad. Con nuestras manos, podemos construir el futuro de nuestro pueblo.

Podemos ver que las personas pueden salir adelante. Somos estudiantes, cómo lo dice. Juntos, con nuestra sangre, nuestra piel morena, nuestras raíces, seremos fuertes.

Fuertes por Edward Mancilla Morales (10 de edad)

The Future by Ekaleenah G. (age 10)

In our hands, we carry the power to bring our community together to see the dreams that we need to complete, the future we need to make. We are here for a reason. We are here to finish the future.

Heavy On My Shoulders by Eli Macias (age 10)

I am the one who dreams. Sometimes, I feel like I have boulders on my shoulders, but I have my ancestors on my arm. En el espejo, veo una persona in the future. The person in the mirror is me next to my ancestors.

Dreams by Eli Morales (age 10)

Words can bring joy, making me follow my dreams. In the mirror, I see a man who I am, a man who hopes to be adventurous and strong. I come from a loving family that wants me to become successful with the determination to explore and help others. With my words, I can inspire people to follow their dreams. In my dreams, I am an activist who fights for the freedom to explore. With our voices, we can create joy and happiness for others. Our words can inspire them to do the same. Together, we can help people achieve their dreams and be happy. We are all a part of the same big team.

I Am The Future by

Elias Esai Delgado Hernandez (age 10)

With our voices, we can create peace and hand it to Mother nature. Our words can create a better future, especially for immigrants. We can be loving like Mother nature. In our hands, we imagine the person we want to be. Our future can only come true if that is all we see.

Together, we can create something unlike anything anyone has ever seen. Our community can come together like a full-grown tree. We are still standing because nothing holds us back, even though people trying to do that feels like a smack. We are still standing because nothing holds us back.

My Dream by Elytzel Rojas Flores (age 10)

I am Elytzel, a doctor in the future, following my roots.

I come from a big family that loves me, even if they have lots of problems in their life.

In the mirror, I see the person who saves people from danger.

In my dreams, I imagine the little girl growing into the woman, the doctor I believe I will become.

Work Hard by Emani Duran (age 10)

I am a future football a player. I will always remember not to give up. I come from Mexico. On my shoulders, I carry the hopes and the dreams of my family.

All About My Dreams by

Esteban Prado Rodriguez (age 10)

I am strong, different, special, and courageous with a lovely future. The strength of my mom says I can accomplish anything.

I come from a family from Mexico, a state called Michoacan. Their struggle makes me feel like I can succeed.

In the mirror, I see a successful and long future. On my shoulders, I carry my uncle’s engineering job.

In my dreams, I imagine a future where I am the best soccer player in the world because of my parents. I believe I have the power to learn and do whatever I want. With our voices, we can tell others, “believe you can be powerful.” Our words can inspire them

to speak up.

With our hands, we can take care of others and love them. We carry our ancestors’ roots. Together, we can encourage others to not give up. This way, we can help each other to accomplish our dreams.

We are all different and special. Our ancestors are counting on us to fulfill the dreams that they could not.

Together by Ethan (age 10)

With our voices, we can talk to our family. We speak for our people. In our hands, we carry food for the homeless. We can give love to our family. Together, we shine like a star.

Love The World by Evan (age 10)

With our voices, we can inspire people to be better and change the world. In our hands, we carry creativity to make a better place to live. Together, we can climb a mountain to get to our dreams, to succeed.

We are together. We will never forget where we came from. Our roots connect to our hopes, dreams, and power. Together, we rise.

I Am a Dream by Gerald Baker (age 10)

With our voices, we can talk to people about life. We give them inspiration. With our hands, we reach out into our future, seeing ourselves older and doing better. Together, we can help our community, finding our strength to put it all together.

We have a strong community. We are the dreams of MLK Jr and we will never forget. We will always remember him and we will fulfill his dream. I am a dream that no one has seen. I am Gerald Baker.

I come from a household of seven with not a lot of food but I still have a bucket full of dreams. In the mirror, I see myself with a great life with a lot of money. In my dreams, I imagine a D1 athlete.

Love and Kindness

by Gia Sandoval (age 10)

I come from a warm hug from lovely family and friends. With our voices, we inspire people to protest for what they love. Our words have the power to be mean or kind. We can carry love for our family.

My Life by Hipolito Perez Poot (age 10)

I come from the Yucatan, a place of nature, a place where there are a lot of lizards that grow big just like me. I am a Mayan artist. In the mirror, I see someone who fails and then rises up.

In my dreams, I see the man my dad wanted me to be. I just wish he could see me now, as a good person standing up for what is right. With our voices, we can speak up against the racists. With our hands, we can build a good community.

Honesty and Power

by Isabel Ibarra (age 10)

In our hands, we carry food for homeless people. We have the power to hold hands with a family member who passed away. Together, our community can be honest. We can all be friends, so we do not leave out anyone. With our voices, we can express ourselves. We can speak for people who do not have a voice. I come from the love of my mother and father. Ellos decidieron que yo sería honesta y fuerte, bondadosa y amaría a dios. We are powerful. In the mirror, I see myself, a loving girl. In my eyes, I see her trying her best.

Change The World by Junior (age 10)

With our voices, we can use the power of our speech. We speak for ourselves and our future. With our hands, we can reach out to the past for lessons. Together, we can affect the present and make the future better. The power of our community can change the world.

Equal Rights for All by Kylie

Ahuixtle

(age 10)

When I was young, I got inspiration from all the people depending on me to help. In the mirror, I see someone who will change the world. I reach out to someone who will help others, someone who will be kind to others, someone who will be a superhero. In my dreams, I see a world with harmony and equal rights for all. Even though I will try to help, I may fail.

With our voices, we can change the world. Our words will help others and save those who are troubled. In our hands, we have hopes and dreams for a better world. We can give our world love and our world will give us love Together, we will make equal rights for all races and cultures. This way, all people will feel like they are welcome and happy.

We are powerful and bright like the sun. Our voices can make a difference in the world. The dreams of all people, all cultures are to have a better tomorrow. It will be like we are in heaven.

El

Guerrero

by Luis (age 10)

I am the brave one of my family, un guerrero de dios. They say that I am strong. Their sacrifices in life give me motivation. In the mirror, I see myself as a soccer player. With my voice, I guide the team. In my dreams, I imagine being brave and famous, winning trophies. I believe in myself. I will make my goals possible.

Birds by Molli Clara Gonzalez (age 10)

I am a sparrow lifting off. I will always remember that I am strong.

I come from 3 little parrots in one little nest. I will always remember the sacrifices they made for me. In the mirror, I see the bird I want to be. With my voice, I can try to be. In my dreams, I imagine I am an eagle soaring through the sky. I have the power to flow free.

With our voices, we can bring freedom to the world. We carry all those little birds to the future. We are falcons. We soar through the sky powerfully. We will always remember that we were just hummingbirds, but inside, we were powerful equals fighting to be free.

Never Giving Up by Nathaniel Guzman (age 10)

I come from a family that does not have much, but I was told to love each other. Sometimes, I feel like people hate me but I do not look at the negative.

I am a strong young man with dreams of being a tattoo artist like my dad. I want to be successful in life. Sometimes, people turn me down but nothing can stop me. My dad said, “Do not give up son,” and I never did.

We Are People Too by Nhynaeve Aguilar (Age 10)

I am a person who my family counts on for a better future.

The strength of being an Aguilar is like having freedom and love.

I come from a family who believes in themselves. Any struggle makes me stronger in every possible way. In the mirror, I see a strong, independent person who is not afraid to go after what she wants.

In my eyes, I see the world and how I have the chance to make it better for all of us. In my dreams, I imagine a better future for me and my family.

I believe that one day, I will learn to speak up for myself even if I am scared. With our voices, we can call out the bad people and stop them from hurting our community. We speak for our rights. We speak for us.

In our hands, we hold our future. We create a legacy of love.

Together, we join our hands and work together to build a better future. Our motivation is our hearts and words. We are people. No one can tell us who we are or what we want. We hold the faith of our ancestors. They built who we are today. We are people. We also have a choice, a choice to follow the path our family made for us.

My Words by Penelope

Kearns (age 10)

I am a proud, brave sister and daughter.

I am my family's pride. I come from a strong heritage, a beautiful place where the bees fly, the wind blows the trees, and where there is a proud family.

In the mirror

I see a beautiful, sensitive girl. I see a girl who gets put down but gets back up. I see a girl who dreams, dreams that she can be the best girl she can be. In my dreams, I imagine that I am a better me and that my family is happier, so I can be.

With our voices, we can bring unity to our community. We can bring the inspiration that they gave us. In our hands, we carry our future, we carry our dreams, we carry the strength that we found.

Together, we can use our power to build the structure of our future. We are the stars they look at in the sky. We are the power inside.

We Are the Dreams of Our Ancestors by Sofia Escaname (age 10)

With our voices, we can come together and express ourselves. Our words are powerful and deserve to be heard.

In our hands, we hold the strength of goddesses. We can spread kindness. Together, we can come together, speak up, and feel heard. Our motivation can encourage other people.

We are beautiful souls who have rights as strong as steel. We will always remember the rights we all have.

My Belief by Sofia Garcia (age 10)

I come from a family who supports everyone, una casa que ama. Even though we do not do everything perfectly, I believe we will be strong forever.

In the mirror, I see que yo puedo and I will not stop believing. My roots will be impossible to rip out. It will leave a scar that I will heal.

With Our Voices by Sophie (age 10)

With our voices, we can be heard and inspire others using the power inside us. In our hands, we can change things and write strong poems. We reach out to our future. We can give power to others. Together, we can work hard with family and friends. We need to get along even when we are mad at each other. We can find strength and bring unity. We have the power to do great things. We are stronger together.

I Am My Future by Tye Christian Davis (age 10)

Our words can reach to the sky, pulling those loved ones down to give them a hug and say, “I love you.” In our hands, we carry all the sacrifices our ancestors made for us. Be grateful because nobody lives forever. Together, we should all feel the community’s power. We can be inspired by love. We are our future. We can choose our fate.

My family's love is like a beautiful flower sprouting roots for a legacy. Our ancestors sacrificed so much for my family. I should not be judged by my skin but by my actions. I come from Minneapolis but grew up in Wisconsin. That does not mean that I do not have roots from Colorado. In the mirror, I see a very powerful man in my future, continuing my family's legacy. I will follow my dreams all the way to heaven. I will be very unstoppable.

We Belong Here by Victoria Reyes Rios Guadalupe (age 10)

I come from Colorado but I have roots in Mexico. I am the dream of my family to keep going for a better future. In the mirror, I see a beautiful girl with a tomorrow as bright as the sun. I reach out to my future to have success. In my dreams, I imagine I have the power to stand up. I also have one BIG dream: that all races are free because no one has the right to tell you that you do not belong here. So remember: We have the power to change the world.

Never Give Up by Xavier Perea Vasquez (age 10)

With our voices, we can speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. With our hands, we can help others and make this a better place. We can inspire people to keep going and never stop. Together, we bring kindness and spread laughter to everyone. We are the future of our parents and the strength of our ancestors.

What We Can Do by Yahel (age 10)

In the mirror, I see myself carrying the ganas to succeed. In my dreams, I imagine myself spending time with my family.

With our voices, we can make people better and stronger. In our hands, we carry our future. Together, we grow like a big strong tree. We are the love in our moms’ eyes.

Who We Are by Agustin Sanchez (age 11)

With our hands, we can create a future of a world with unity and protection for all races. With our voices, we can create a fire to burn away the negativity and show people the way. Together, we are the roots of power to speak for our education and prosper in life. We are being who we are truly meant to be.

Yo Soy by Agustin Sanchez (age 11)

People call me Augustine but I am Agustin. Agustin is on cloud nine but is being pulled down by people who want me to be who I am not. I come from a powerful tree with roots that share stories of my ancestors’ sacrifices to protect and create a better future for the next generation. In the mirror, I see my shoulders full of heavy weights. I also see growth, my ancestors’ voices helping me lighten the load. In my dreams, I imagine the power and creativity that I surround myself with helping me live for my future.

Bravery by Dion Banuelos (age 11)

I am a brave boy. I come from a good town and neighborhood on Lincoln Street. In our hands, we have the power to stop racism and make a better future. Together, we can be strong like a team. We are fighting for what is right.

Dreams By Eden Lewis (age 11)

My roots make me successful. Any struggle makes me determined. I surround myself with concerns. I surround myself with prayers from a place of Christ. I can build a bigger and brighter life. Our words are powerful. We can reach out and believe in ourselves. We can follow our dreams. We make an impact on our environment. We are dreamers, bringing unity to our community. We have the power to stand up for ourselves and be smart about our choices.

I Am by Emianna Renteria (age 11)

I am a helpful leader who cares for everybody, like my ancestors did. I come from a family full of strong leaders and people of their word.

In the mirror, I see a young lady who can love unconditionally, like her mom and dad, a young lady who forgives and helps. In my dreams, I imagine a little sister who follows my steps, and becomes a caring person. She will be as bright as the sun, and as delicate as a flower. I can motivate her to be a loving little girl.

With our voices, we can speak for our people to grow in our truth. In our hands, we hold our heart, carrying love and hope within. Together, we bring unity, and give hope to one another. We are the dreams of our ancestors. We live from their mistakes, and learn from them.

Todo

Lo Que Se

Hace por Eveline (11 de edad)

Con nuestras voces, podemos hasta hacer un sol, y sacar el poder de adentro. En nuestras manos, podemos tocar el futuro y tener el poder para no rendirnos nunca.

Juntos, podemos ser fuertes, como una roca. Somos de otras culturas, pero juntos, nos enseñamos y aprendemos.

Vengo de la fuerza de mis padres y del lindo significado fuente de vida que me pusieron en mi nombre.

Determination by Diezel He ska wicasa Big Crow-No Moccasin (age 11)

I am the strength of my heritage and I will protect their name. I come from a family who never gave up. Even with empty pockets, they put food on the table. In the mirror, I see the man who promised his family that he will be successful. He will have kept that promise, never giving up, even when it was hard. In my dreams, I imagine my family not going through struggles while supporting me. With our voices, we can change the world and stop racism. We will not give up on our dreams so the world can be healthier. We are mathematicians who inspire others. In our hands, we carry the heritage and genetics of our culture. Together, we can make a difference to leave our mark on history.

Fuerte por Jonathan (11 de edad)

Soy fuerte para mi familia. Ellos me dan mucho esfuerzo para llegar a mis metas. Mi nombre significa “Dios es misericordioso.” Vengo de México. Es muy bonito porque alla podemos jugar. En el espejo, veo mi orgullo.

Forgiveness by Liam Moffatt (age 11)

With our voices, we can inspire people by speaking kind words and showing forgiveness. In our hands, we can make anything become possible, by working hard to help others. Together, we can put smiles on the faces of others and ourselves. We are people who can make a difference in the world, changing it into a better place.

The Sun and The Moon by Meli (age 11)

I am the moon because not everything relies on me. It usually relies on my brother and everything else. Even though I am sweet like honey, I feel like I taste too spicy, like the Carolina Reaper because nobody likes me, as if I do not have my own light. I come from my ancestors but the love of my parents to their son is bright and the love for me just feels like it is fading away. My love, my power, my identity, and my trust is fading away. In the mirror, I see the moon that is cold, frozen, and nothing on it but dust and footprints. In my dreams, I imagine my freedom, my love, and my power.

A Thriving Tree by Mikey Coats (age 11)

I am but a tree shining as bright as the sun, growing and thriving each day.

I come from the seeds of my ancestors’ sacrifices, growing into who I am today. In the mirror, I see a colorful, blossoming tree misjudged by the way it stands out among others that are gloomy and hateful. In my dreams, I imagine a society of people who share unique differences, not judged for how they look or feel. We can connect with new people and find similarities, so that we can build a strong community full of warmth and content.

Love

by Sophia Gonzalez (age 11)

With our voices, we can speak for ourselves, for love, for kindness, for friends. In our hands, we hold love. We carry our kindness in our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. We reach for hope so people will love us. Together, we care for one another so we can make more friends. This way, we could get along with others. We are always good friends.