Parkway Heights Students Awarded for Poems Honoring Black Leaders

Students at Parkway Heights Middle School took a few minutes out of their lunch break earlier today to acknowledge the efforts of two seventh graders, Farah Hakim and Ismael Ayala, whose original poems were selected in a school-wide contest last month in celebration of African-American History Month.

Principal Stephen Redmond called for quiet in the school’s cafeteria as he announced the two winners, who then each read their works aloud to the entire student body. As per the contest’s guidelines, each student wrote about an African American figure who they found to be inspirational.

Hakim’s poem, entitled “Rosa Parks,” honors the leader who inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott, while Ayala’s piece, “From Star to Heaven,” is a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both poems are reprinted below.

The young people expressed their admiration for the leaders they chose to write about.

“Dr. Martin Luther King was a fabulous man,” said Ayala, who said that he enjoys writing stories in his free time. “He helped the political rights movement so much.”

Hakim said that she chose Parks as her inspiration because of her influence not only in the civil rights movement for African Americans, but also for her work as a women’s rights activist.

The contest, which Redmond said will be the first of a series of such contests emphasizing creative writing, was presented and sponsored by South San Francisco native and Parkway Heights alumnus Ramon Olmos. Olmos, who had previously collaborated with Redmond at Baden Continuation School, said that he set up the contest as a way to inspire and recognize young people in the community and hopefully help create new leaders.

“I want to help inspire young adults to be the best they can be in their communities,” said Olmos, who volunteers his time with a number of schools and youth-oriented organizations in the area. He said that helping young people recognize their own potential to do good not only benefits those students, but also the community as a whole.

“Every little things counts,” he added.

In addition to certificates of achievement, both Hakim and Ayala were presented with gifts cards to La Perla Restaurant (donated by the restaurant) and to AMC movie theaters.

“From Star to Heaven” by Ismael Ayala

Oh Dr. Martin Luther King,

a great man he was.

He loved his family with all his heart,

a smile as bright as a star.

Oh Dr. Martin Luther King,

His childhood was tough.

Rights and laws did whites have,

made hard to live.

Oh Dr. Martin Luther King,

you grew to be a great political leader,

your speech shall live amongst,

so shall your dream.

Oh Dr. Martin Luther King,

thanks for your help,

America shall never forget you.

“Rosa Parks” by Farah Hakim

That iron-willed female

strong, colored and proud

so tired of all that stood in her way

that was the day

it mattered not

she knew she was tired

she could not rise

if you paid her a million

it was a standoff between

the tamer and the lion

stalking their prey

they cursed and demanded

she was worth nothing

they thought that way

little did they know

that was the day

the day she stood firm

she had had enough

of slinking down the aisle

crawling to the back

she was still

strong, proud and black.

Dr. M.L.K., Jr. formed

the M.I.A.

determined to improve

the life of all peoples

along with him fought

little by little

by tooth and nail and mind

for every inch they got

they de-segregated

the buses, the restaurants

equality and freedom

a right of their birth.

Rosa joined hands with Martin

and a host of others

the black, blue, brown, yellow

all blood brothers

they fought all those years

though Martin was killed

he still stands for freedom

human rights, and goodwill

she started the fight

she finished the race

no one could help see

the pride on her face!

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