| Commentary |
DeMarkus Criggley
Eleventh-grade
Healy North
Never Give Up on Life
When I was fourteen I became a father.
My daughter’s mom died from heart
complications, and because of that my
daughter has problems breathing. So, it
was very hard for me to take care of my
child. But she's better now, ‘she's made it’
is all I can say. I would like to give thanks
to my family. They were there through
thick and thin. Now, I am sixteen and
about to have another little girl. She is
expected on March 2, 2007.
On top of being a father - I have more
responsibilities - I have to stay out of lock
up. Because if I get locked up my
daughters will think it's OK to get locked
up, and to prevent them and me from
having trouble with the police, I am making
plans to keep me off the streets. I will stay
at home and work. My plans are to be a
positive role model to my little girls.
Because if I don't, my kids will grow up
thinking it's cool to get locked up. So I’m
giving up the criminal life for my kids and
myself.
Rest in peace, Stacy, Ahniyah is OK.
Eleventh-grade
Healy North
Never Give Up on Life
When I was fourteen I became a father.
My daughter’s mom died from heart
complications, and because of that my
daughter has problems breathing. So, it
was very hard for me to take care of my
child. But she's better now, ‘she's made it’
is all I can say. I would like to give thanks
to my family. They were there through
thick and thin. Now, I am sixteen and
about to have another little girl. She is
expected on March 2, 2007.
On top of being a father - I have more
responsibilities - I have to stay out of lock
up. Because if I get locked up my
daughters will think it's OK to get locked
up, and to prevent them and me from
having trouble with the police, I am making
plans to keep me off the streets. I will stay
at home and work. My plans are to be a
positive role model to my little girls.
Because if I don't, my kids will grow up
thinking it's cool to get locked up. So I’m
giving up the criminal life for my kids and
myself.
Rest in peace, Stacy, Ahniyah is OK.
Guiliano Bell
Twelfth-grade
Nancy B. Jefferson
I'm so Close but I Can't Go
Now I'm going to speak on my feelings and I hope you all
hear what I have to say.
This is my song, so pay attention to what I have to play.
These are my problems something I have to face.
I'm just thinking out of the blue at some of the things I
used to do and now I know I was speeding with no brakes.
I’m trying to change but it’s hard to change the only thing
I know. I wanna stop but I’m trapped in a box with no
where to go.
But I don’t let that show I just chill and play it cool.
I know what’s happening so I keep from snapping, and
follow the rules.
No one can feel my blues, so I stay to myself.
I got nothing but time with a lot on my mind and pride still
won’t allow me to ask for help.
My little man's growing up, seeing him grow up is what
I'm missing.
As I sit with my peers for another New Years and another
Christmas.
I can’t forget the most beautiful and blessed day,
January 6, my birthday.
It came so fast, I'm just thanking God I'm on the scene.
It may not have been my way, but I thanked God for that
day because I made it to eighteen.
I’ve known people that died from bullets, I’ve known
people that died from circumstances.
I’ve been through both in my time and I'm still here
standing.
Now freedom is the only thing I yearn for in this world.
From the pain in my eyes I do realize how much I miss my
girl.
I cut her out my life because I have to stay focused.
I got to admit I do regret the times I treated her bogus.
Now the only people I call is family when I pick-up the
phone. I now know you truly do realize what you had
when it’s gone.
But all this made me stronger, it made me want to be
somebody. I'm more cooperative but I still have to learn to
trust somebody. I only trust God - for a human it can
never be possible. I don’t even have friends because these
emotions within making me feel uncomfortable. But who
can I blame for the road I chose. I'm blaming someone
else, but I'm stepping on my own toes. Now look at me -
the streets left me with a bad taste. My experiences are
proving there’s no such thing as friends in the first place.
I didn’t realize what I was doing to my Mama. Money
can’t even repay her for all the drama. Kids don’t even
realize how much they should cherish life. Shouldn’t
anyone have to beg them to do right.
Freedom is not a game—no one can play. The 'hood got us
messed up, thinking the block is the only way. Most 'hood
kids don’t even leave the 'hood, some never seen a map.
The systems constantly giving our people time and we're
still blind to the trap. I’m happy, then I’m sad, even my
feelings are pacing.
I’m right back down as soon as I think it’s over. I'm
praying for myself a little more because I think I’m bipolar.
My friends say I’m tripping and not to worry it’s just a
phase. God knows how much I can bear when it comes to
these hard days. My ways led me to bad places, and to bad
situations. I'm so close to saying no one cares I’m on my
own. Because I’ve been gone for so long, most of the time
I feel alone. I'm so close but I can’t go anywhere I want to
be. I hope I don’t give in, somebody pray for me.
Twelfth-grade
Nancy B. Jefferson
I'm so Close but I Can't Go
Now I'm going to speak on my feelings and I hope you all
hear what I have to say.
This is my song, so pay attention to what I have to play.
These are my problems something I have to face.
I'm just thinking out of the blue at some of the things I
used to do and now I know I was speeding with no brakes.
I’m trying to change but it’s hard to change the only thing
I know. I wanna stop but I’m trapped in a box with no
where to go.
But I don’t let that show I just chill and play it cool.
I know what’s happening so I keep from snapping, and
follow the rules.
No one can feel my blues, so I stay to myself.
I got nothing but time with a lot on my mind and pride still
won’t allow me to ask for help.
My little man's growing up, seeing him grow up is what
I'm missing.
As I sit with my peers for another New Years and another
Christmas.
I can’t forget the most beautiful and blessed day,
January 6, my birthday.
It came so fast, I'm just thanking God I'm on the scene.
It may not have been my way, but I thanked God for that
day because I made it to eighteen.
I’ve known people that died from bullets, I’ve known
people that died from circumstances.
I’ve been through both in my time and I'm still here
standing.
Now freedom is the only thing I yearn for in this world.
From the pain in my eyes I do realize how much I miss my
girl.
I cut her out my life because I have to stay focused.
I got to admit I do regret the times I treated her bogus.
Now the only people I call is family when I pick-up the
phone. I now know you truly do realize what you had
when it’s gone.
But all this made me stronger, it made me want to be
somebody. I'm more cooperative but I still have to learn to
trust somebody. I only trust God - for a human it can
never be possible. I don’t even have friends because these
emotions within making me feel uncomfortable. But who
can I blame for the road I chose. I'm blaming someone
else, but I'm stepping on my own toes. Now look at me -
the streets left me with a bad taste. My experiences are
proving there’s no such thing as friends in the first place.
I didn’t realize what I was doing to my Mama. Money
can’t even repay her for all the drama. Kids don’t even
realize how much they should cherish life. Shouldn’t
anyone have to beg them to do right.
Freedom is not a game—no one can play. The 'hood got us
messed up, thinking the block is the only way. Most 'hood
kids don’t even leave the 'hood, some never seen a map.
The systems constantly giving our people time and we're
still blind to the trap. I’m happy, then I’m sad, even my
feelings are pacing.
I’m right back down as soon as I think it’s over. I'm
praying for myself a little more because I think I’m bipolar.
My friends say I’m tripping and not to worry it’s just a
phase. God knows how much I can bear when it comes to
these hard days. My ways led me to bad places, and to bad
situations. I'm so close to saying no one cares I’m on my
own. Because I’ve been gone for so long, most of the time
I feel alone. I'm so close but I can’t go anywhere I want to
be. I hope I don’t give in, somebody pray for me.