Kids Issue 2016: Tackling challenges and more

Editor’s note: The following essays, poetry and art are part of Xpress’ 2016 Kids Issue, a colorful annual feature that offers local K-12 students a chance to express themselves. This year, we asked kids to focus on the theme of “Who am I?”

TACKLING CHALLENGES

My best qualities are being optimistic and respectful, a good listener, being considerate, a hard worker, athletic and reasonable.

Being short is what makes me different. I’m also a baseball and soccer fanatic: I have a lot of knowledge about those sports.

One of the challenges I’ve had in life is learning guitar. It’s challenging, and strumming the right strings is sometimes hard for me. Another challenge was being in a commercial: It was hard because it was new for me, and with new things, you don’t know what to expect.

— Mason Eill, Odyssey Community School

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I AM FROM

I am from
feathers and orange peels on the dashboard
a room flooded with hand-me-down heels and old sneakers
and closets stuffed with big ball gowns and jeans

I’m from
a beer-guzzling city with bluegrass tattooed bodies
and acupuncture for adults, kids, and dogs

I am from
hot summer days by the neighborhood pool
ice cream, farmer tans and scraped legs
from trying to skate by the Sonic parking lot

I’m from
sleepy eyes, chamomile tea, tea-tree and ylang-ylang fumed
pillows the bitter smell of coffee and the taste of soft honey
and baths of cold creek water

I’m from
my mother’s trust, my father’s warnings
my sister’s notes left under my bed when I was little
Cody’s kisses and his white hair that I find on my clothes
but I don’t mind, it makes me miss him though
Nile’s snuggles and forceful motivation to get up in the morning

I’m not from one place
I wouldn’t call this small mountain town my only home
and I wouldn’t say
Brady, Tom and Julie are my only teachers

I am from
everything I see, do and hear
Tomorrow I will be a different me from the one I am today

— Faye Foley, Francine Delaney New School for Children

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WHERE I AM FROM

I am from the mountains of North Carolina.
made from a beautiful mother and a hard-working
father,

an amazing little brother,
a smart older brother that I look up to the most

I am from the lovers of the outdoors
and a strong grandfather and grandmother

I am from a family that can really cheer people up
when they are feeling down.

— Evelyn Gray Chisholm, Odyssey Community School

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WHO AM I

Who am I?

I am the guy on the field
the one in front

I am the one who has faced the challenges
the one who helps people

I am the one who has lived many places
the one who loves playing magic

— Cayden Taylor, Odyssey Community School