‘Eagles Soaring’ by Sabrina Cruz

This piece was part of the Ánimo Voices Competition, which invited students to write about innovators, upstanders, visionaries, or rebels that have made a difference in their local or broader communities. The competition was an opportunity to motivate, recognize, and celebrate our strong student voices through writing and art.

Eagles Soaring

by Sabrina Cruz, 10th grade, Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School

There were 2 students
That were motivated
To go to college
To get more knowledge
But, sometimes things happen
Unexpectedly
Which causes some dreams
To silently cease
Denise: A beautiful, long sunflower whose yellow petals shined bright like the sun
Her roots grew deeper and sturdier as she pushed through the perils of life.
Ismael: It all commenced with a touch of a brush. A pallet of connections, feelings,
emotions and techniques. Channeling his infinite imaginations with each and different
strokes to create a never ending masterpiece.
I wish you the best
Please rest in peace
We know you’re in heaven
But you legacy
Will live on forever.
It was your destiny
To embody
Respectability, Humility, and Generosity
For our community
Even in death you continue to open
New opportunities for students
To experience life – changing possibilities
With memorial scholarships.
You have given us inspiration to
Become model citizens
At a university within our society.
We can never know the pain your family feels
But find comfort in knowing that
Other students who are
Thinking of going to college
Will look to you for inspiration.
Tene animo
Because remember we’ll see you later.
You close your eyes
As you saw your beautiful
Life pass you by
But your pain has ceased,
It was meant to be,
To serve a greater purpose
For eternity.
For everyone will grieve
Till there is relief
Within the hole
In the hearts
Of these two families
And our Animo family.