Category Archives: identity

This collaborative poem by Portola Valley First Graders appeared in the anthology, I Have a Dream: Inaugural Poems for a New Generation (2021). Poem on Belonging WOODLAND POEM You can put anything on the magic paper Shining sun Pollen for bugs Flying in the water Eating fish Cold yummy Ice cream I love watermelons OnContinue reading “Portola Valley First Graders”

Abigale Wee was a freshman in high school when she won first place in the inaugural countywide 2020 Housing Leadership Council Youth Poetry & Art Competition. Poem on Belonging GROWING HOME There’s a certain endearment About the black and white tiles on the floor of Toy Boat Dessert Cafe, the lingering smell of coffee, theContinue reading “Abigale Wee”

Jescent Marcelino immigrated from the Philippines in 2019. She is the first runner up in the 2021 Inaugural Daly City Youth Poet Laureate and 2022 San Mateo County Poetry Out Loud competitions. Her work has appeared in the anthology, I Have a Dream: Inaugural Poems for a New Generation. She has also been featured inContinue reading “Jescent Marcelino”

I Have a Dream: Inaugural Poems for a New Generation, an anthology featuring the work of 115 students ages 6 to 16, was released on January 9, 2021, nine days before MLK Day and 11 days before Inauguration, with support from the San Mateo County Arts Commission and Office of Arts & Culture Executive DirectorContinue reading “I Have a Dream”

Marta Olson won first place in the Housing Leadership Council’s 2021 Youth Poetry Competition (6-12 category). Poems on Belonging IN THE PARK, 3 BLOCKS AWAY The grass is wet under our feet as we run And it’s dark, so dark We cannot see Without the light of the absent moon At the crest of theContinue reading “Marta Olson”

Julia Santos is a finalist in the Housing Leadership Council’s 2021 Youth Poetry Competition (6-12 category). Poem on Belonging WHERE I’M FROM I am from a two story pink house From a place where there’s no neighbors and the lots filled with grass I am from a house filled with joy and happiness And fromContinue reading “Julia Santos”

Lena Hui is a finalist in the Housing Leadership Council’s 2021 Youth Poetry Competition (6-12 category). Poem on Belonging COMING HOME Home, sweet home Trace the footsteps of those before. Walk down the beaten road of the El Camino. Think of those who fought for their freedom. Nourishing at home, the farmers marched for aContinue reading “Lena Hui”

Sarah Hansen is an incoming junior who enjoys writing poetry in her free time. She also enjoys baking and playing with her dog. She was a featured reader in the 2019 Poetry & Community Concert at Burlingame Library. Her work has appeared in the Speak Poetry Vol. 1 anthology. Poem on Belonging POETRY IS SANContinue reading “Sarah Hansen”

Finley Brownstein is a finalist in the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County’s 2021 Youth Poetry Competition (K-5), for his poem, “What Home Means To Me.” Poem on Belonging WHAT HOME MEANS TO ME I have troubles and struggles during my day, but there is somewhere I know I can go, my home, aContinue reading “Finley Brownstein “

Rachel Cronin won first place in the Housing Leadership Council’s 2021 Youth Poetry Competition, K-5 category, for her poem, “All That Matters.” Poem on Belonging ALL THAT MATTERS Home. What is the meaning of home? It’s a place where you can Connect you can Laugh you can Express you can Cry. Home is the deepnessContinue reading “Rachel Cronin “