Student Work

From a SpeakTogether virtual workshop, Talent Unlimited High School, Spring 2020

This poem was composed during a six-week session conducted by author and spoken word artist Sheri Booker, who worked with a class of 10th-grade students to develop their voices. This workshop took place during a global pandemic, a national lockdown, and uprisings across the country to end police brutality and structural racism. Read more about the works in this collection, which are artifacts of this period and a true testament to the vision, creativity, and resilience of these students.

Listen to a recording of the following poem above. 

Final Poem

by Chiara Manuguerra

I come from a generation where Hannah Montana, Drake and Josh, iCarly, and Victorious caused me to spend hours of my life glued to the tv.

The worst memories I had in my childhood were dying in Mario Kart or when my backyard watermelon did not grow.

I come from my old phases of Duck Tape, Rainbow Loom, Video Star, Minions, One Direction, and Justice Clothes. I come from old childhood memories with my Best Friends and our crazy lives.

I come from a family that shares the same love of the Christmas season and fuzzy pajamas.

I come from a small family that protects and spoils me throughout my life.

My family has supported me even at my craziest moments in my life. I believe I am who I am today because of my past.

Chiara Manuguerra was a sophomore at Talented Unlimited High School in NYC at the time of this recording.

You can navigate their individual poems and listen to recordings of them reciting their stellar works below.