Grade 12
PoetryWritingBright blue skies, delicious aromas, laughter and cheer
Behind the beauty, there is something to fear
Culture embedded in us from a young age
Some habits are just too hard to escape
Latin culture is beautiful and however not always fair
Women are viewed as the housewives not allowed to have a career
Although times have changed some things remain the same
Latin culture sometimes cannot be changed
The man must be served and the kids must be fed
Latin culture is beautiful but there are things we must break
Latin culture something we love and embrace
But there are always things that we should be willing to change
The toxicity in our culture should not be hidden away
We must face the dark side of our culture to seek an escape
No more male superiority no more women put down
Latin culture beautiful as ever but never forget to strive to be better
Room for improvement is never something you can’t get to
Striving for better is how we continue to stick together
Our culture connects us
Let’s never forget our roots but never forget that we must always have space to move
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by Jonas K., 826 National
A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.
by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.
by Colin Y., Age 17, 826 Valencia
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A student looks back on their first day of kindergarten and how they've changed.
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by Camille, 826LA
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Yamilet J., 826LA
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by Jazlyn Moses, 826 National
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by Kayla, 826 Boston
This poem offers a very-real answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
by Sarah X., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A student shares how they've uplifted their community.
by Tina N., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A student describes their shark like imaginary friend.
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by Oriel, 826NYC
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by Gisel J., 826LA
The power of public speaking shines through this student's memoir.
Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.
by Katya Torres, The 826 Dallas Project
This bilingual poem explores the harrowing story of a boy working while in school to save his mother.
by Lisbeth M.F., 826NYC
A story about how Marcus becomes Marcela.
Virginia Walker, age 18, 826 Boston
A student writes to a grandmother she never met.
by Jesus C., Grade 12, 826LA
A poet identifies with a trapped ocelot at the zoo.
by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
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by Ryan, Grade 12, 826 Boston
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by Jennifer Alcocer, The 826 Dallas Project
This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.
by Franny, 826CHI
A student spins through space and a treasure trove of memories in this poem.
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston
A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.
by Izzy T., 826 Valencia
A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.
by Sarah X. Age 18, 826Boston
A rousing public narrative from an author coming to terms with their identity as a young Chinese American woman and what they represent: the community of Boston's Chinatown.
by Salma Khalif, 826 MSP
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
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In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
Cate H, Grade 12, 826CHI
A poet sets the stage to showcase her reflections on being trans.
by Sylvia C., 826 Valencia
A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
Kenya G., 17, 826LA
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
by Jordan, 826 New Orleans
Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.
by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Nhu N., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A young writer reconciles their sexuality with the beliefs of their community.
by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP
A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
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by Ryker, 826michigan
Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Maria, Grade 12, 826 Boston
In this public narrative, a student makes the case for creating community change by building youth centers in her neighborhood.
by Michaiah Anderson, The 826 Dallas Project
In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view
by Soraya, 826NYC
This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.
by Jizelle Villegas, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.
by Matthew Inoa, 826 NYC
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student describes how essential workers are the pulse of New York, fueling the city’s hope.
Henry F., Grade 12, 826CHI
A trans student reflects on their desire to be male.
by Cristina, 826CHI
A student recounts separation with a beloved friend through a nostalgic lens.
by Kayla Wayne, Grade 11, 826NYC
In this poem, a student reflects on their first encounter with forced assimilation.
by Helen, Grade 12, 826 MSP
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a senior at South High School in Minneapolis offers words of support to healthcare workers across the country, including her own mom.
by Vanessa Ramon-Ibarra, 826DC
Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.
by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.
by Kailyn Espinosa, 826NYC
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by Terry Velasquez, Grade 12, The Bronx, NY
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares gratitude for the dedication of nurses and gives “credit where credit is due.”
by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston
A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition
Annasian Walters, Grade 11-12, 826NYC
A student explores gratitude and love through sharing food.
by Leydi Di Villanueva, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.
by Isaiah, 826 New Orleans
This student reveals the mysterious origin story of the king cake. Hint: it includes Big Freedia, DJ Chicken Wing, and a massive party.
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