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| Van Horn High School senior JJ Baca signs a Letter of Intent to go to Ottawa College in Ottawa, Kansas and play football. Here, the Superintendent, Athletic Director and family & friends gather for the signing. |
- On April 13th, high school English teacher Lois Flanagan and two students, Ryan Harper and Victoria Friel, traveled to El Paso Community College to attend a poetry workshop with Jimmy Santiago Baca. Mr. Baca is a published novelist, poet and screenwriter. He is best known for his poetry and “Blood In Blood Out.”
The workshop began with Ryan and Victoria reading the poetry to the group and getting feedback from Mr. Baca. Mr. Baca gave the students insights on how he began to write, what inspires him to write, and how he finds his own voice3. Ryan and Victoria were able to meet Mr. Baca and received a signed first edition copy of one of his volumes of poetry. The workshop ended with Mr. Baca asking Ryan to read one more poem. The students were thrilled to be able to hear of poet on this level talk to them about the own poems.
The seniors at VHHS worked on poetry during the school year. Each student wrote poems on various themes. They printed their poems and bound them into books to take with them after graduation. Some of the themes included love, war, carpe diem, biographical poems, and music. The students were also challenged to perform a poem of their own at the poetry reading at the Cornerstone Coffee house held on may 13th. There were 24 seniors who attended the e vent and read for the audience. They were also treated to cowboy poetry by Mr. Ray Fitzgerald, local cowboy poet. Mr. Fitzgerald gave the students feedback on their poems and also shared his experiences about performing his poetry. Mr. Fitzgerald encouraged the students to write about things they know and to find their own voice.
Some of the poems written by seniors are included here. We hope that you enjoy reading their poems as they take the next step toward their futures.
Seniors offer a sampling of their poetry
A Man and his Pen – by Daniel Wise
Guns are the pens that write racism and pain, and
Pens are the reason why men are slain.
Guns are just the victims of people’s unrest and to think this
Destruction started at one man’s desk.
Now the desk of one man becomes the coffin of Billions
and the man at the desk is content with his millions.
Now the man at the desk isn’t really to blame
But his pen could have stopped it if that was his aim.
Now the soldiers aim not at money but heads and this
Destructive pattern just continues to spread.
If the man at the desk understands that cost and knows
Just how many lives will be lost,
Then isn’t the man just like an assassin with his pen
As his weapon and his conspirators beside him.
BE the Change! – by Emiley McCoy
As a child my path was chosen for me
And I went along ignorantly.
But now that I am older
I am veering from my parent’s path.
I have my own opinions,
Which I give whether asked, or not.
I have my own strong beliefs,
And no one can change that!
I have made some good choices
And have paved a smooth road,
But I have also made some bad choices
Which are like potholes.
I love my life
But feel like there is something missing.
I want to make a difference,
And change the lives of people less fortunate.
I want to BE the change that the world needs,
But I do not know how to start.
I guess the answer is to “Just Do it!”
Because I have made up my mind and chosen my path.
I WILL BE the change!
I WILL make a difference!
Carpe Diem – by Rutesh Bhakta
As our day approaches coming to an end
Everyone will be heading in different ways
Some will be remembered others may not
Everyday is a critical day
Time will fly so we must use it in a good way
Even if its cherish or hate
We will always debate
Class of ’10 here we go
After spending these 12 years so slow
This is the class to remember
Most will forget and some will say YAY
But as eagles we will always be soaring red and grey
Graduation – by Shelly Lopez
As I get ready for such an important day
I remember when I would dream of this day
I’m speechless no words, no expression just
Thoughts of how this is so unreal
It’s finally here
My heart is racing
But I am patient
Since it will be me and my fellow classmates
Together for the last time
I can already imagine walking that stage
Towards the diploma for it will be mine
It will not be easy, but it was not hard
I thank god for letting me live till this day
As for my big brother didn’t get to
But that is OK, because I’ll share this day with him
This is for me and you big brother
Now will you go ahead and walk beside me