Where We're From

During the first few sessions of REP this year, Waukegan freshmen and sophomores read George Ella Lyon's poem Where I'm From with their REP coaches allowing them to get to know a little more about each other in a new and interesting way. Scholars were then asked to reflect on and explore their own experiences and upbringing through creative writing. The results were a wide range of perspectives and lenses even though all of our Scholars share Waukegan as a part of their identity. Some of the Scholars and Scholar Coaches chose to submit their pieces, which can be read below.




Where I’m From
By Jordan Constantino '21

I am from chores
On Saturday morning
I am from a green, big backyard
To splishing and splashing
Out in the family pool

I am from spending family time.
On the grill roasting corn.

From trips to Florida
To the happiest place on Earth.
From thrills on coasters
and screaming on rides.

To watching movies with family
on family night
From celebrating holidays
together of course
family. 


Where I’m From
By Annie Aviles-Zamora '20

Annie '20
I'm the spiciness in the candy kids used to eat
I'm the feeling of comfort knowing your dog is next to you
The goal you finally accomplished
I'm the kindful face you’d see smiling no matter the situation

Sunken realizations of knowing you’re leaving your loved ones behind all alone
Never knowing whether you’ll see them again
I’m the forgotten opinions no one asked me for

I was the 4 year old who saw the world as a horrible place
The random phone call in the middle of the night which made my heart hurt
Growing up with my missing family on the back of my mind
Knowing all of the family grudges we have against each other

I am the sigh of relief when you leave a toxic relationship
Being happier with the smallest detail of the day
Accepting life as it comes to you


Where I'm From  
By a Waukegan SC

I am from a mom, couple of siblings, and a dad
            Waukegan, one may say.
I am from colorful Thanksgiving plates,
and the urge to travel.
I may be from back dirt roads and Great migrations,
            from Milk and Honey and comfort foods.
I am from Fatal Inventions and social constructs.
            from like is unfair, and you can have these hand me downs
I am from glia, neurons and neurotransmitters,
            from Philly, New Haven, White Bear Lake, Detroit and China.
I am from Summer nights drives on Lake Shore Drive,
            a mom, couple of siblings and a dad.
The “not-so” North Shore Suburb and trips to Hyde Park, Englewood and Harvey. 
I am from play cousins and best friends,
            church on Sundays with color hats, tears and shouts.
I am from quiet conversations with myself.
From shouts, hugs and kisses.

Love you’s and good nights. 


Untitled
By Edwin Felipe-Pozo '20
Edwin '20, with his origami goldfish.

I am from the gem
that shines bright across the sea
I am from the place
Hidden from the pulse, in the trees
I am from the place
where there is many but none
except for seven

I am from a place
That is filled with so much love.
A place I have known
The place filled with chirp and joy
A place of kindness
that comes with the scent of care

The smell that I’ve heard
The smell of a lace unknown
The only thing known
Is the scent from
The place where I am from


Where I'm From
By Frank Romero '21

I am from a district from teaching
to learning and Representing.
Alyssa '21 (bottom row, second from the left) and Frank '21
(back row, second from the right) in their facilitation
 group at camp this summer.
I am from the kids despite of
waking up every morning from the
headaches to stomach aches of passing
that exam. I am from the crumpled
paper in your book bag to the broken
pencil on the floor it is unstoppable.


Gone
by Alyssa Cole '21
I was gone when it happened
I was at church
with the rest of my family
Little did I know
that a little after we got home
something would change my whole life
A simple heartbeat
to nothing at all

I wish that I could have helped him
but it was too late
someone in my life
had just passed away

People brought gifts
and people prayed
People said I’m sorry
everyday
But in the end
after every day
you fell like a part within
left with him


Where I'm From
by Amber, SC

I am from a house painted in red,
                from the northside of Waukegan.
I am from unpaved streets that skinned my knees
(Gray, broken,
now covered in blood.)
I am from the crabapple
and the evergreen
whose sap and pines coated me
as I hid away.

I’m from peanut butter and jelly made daily,
                from tuna casarole eaten on Fridays during Lent.
I’m from the day-ins-and-day-outs
                and the tell-the-other,
from be quiet and listen.

I’m from the Dimitroffs and the Amedios,
Bulgarians and Italians, among other things.
From grandparents who risked everything
                to be here.

Now in my computer are all these photos,
                overloading my memory,
taken by my mom
who is no longer here.
I am from those moments--

but continue to grow.

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