Focus on TUSD - December 2006

Cholla HS Produces Poetry
By Michelle Grijalva
Cholla High Magnet School Teacher

My junior and senior English classes were studying Native American literature when the librarians at Cholla announced that November was dedicated to American Indian Heritage Month, and they would celebrate with a day-long poetry festival and poster contest.

In my classes, we began the semester studying the letters of Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci's pamphlet on the "New World," Mundus Novus (1504-1505). We talked about the conquistadores and how, eventually, their writings influenced federal policies in the United States. We discussed the Dawes Act, or the Allotment Act, designed to cut up the tribal land base and the devastating effects of the assimilation policies at the end of the 19th century, which led to the formation of off-reservation boarding schools. It was a difficult period to study since American Indian children were taken from their homes and lived in isolation, deprivation and oppression. Some of the children in the stories suffered severe loneliness; others ran away from the schools and displayed incredible courage and discipline.

We also did a comparative analysis of similar policies that were taking place in the 1930s and '40s in other countries, such as apartheid in South Africa and the Aborigines Act of Australia that led to the "stolen generations." We studied stories and films that showed the oppression that these policies created, and we studied characters that struggled against such oppression. So, by November, we were beginning to turn our studies back to the United States and work with the Native American Renaissance; we were eager to celebrate rebirth, renewal and regeneration. The students were enthusiastic about participating in the poetry festival and, by reading aloud, becoming part of a contemporary celebration of Native American resilience, resistance and renaissance.

In the library, students studied poetry and prose from scholars and writers who began the American Indian Renaissance as well as new work by contemporary writers. Some students chose to write their own poems, and all students worked on posters, and we discovered that there are excellent artists and poets at Cholla Magnet High. The day before the poetry festival, we practiced reading our poems to the class, so we were prepared for the festival, which the students took very seriously and enjoyed a great deal.

Angel Ramirez, a senior at Cholla High Magnet School, won first place in the school's poster contest for this image of two faces.

After the formal readings, the students reflected on the poetry festival and wrote about it. Senior Valeria Duran wrote that the "reading was a good experience, which taught me many things; but more importantly, it showed me how to present a poem. To me, the way a poet or reader presents a poem is quite important. A good presentation attracts the audience. Getting into character with the poem is key, for it brings life to the poem." And Senior Greg Galpin wrote that "I love how poetry explains one thing through something else. Many times I realized that if people would slow down and 'get into the groove' of the poem, then it flows smoother and is easier to understand. Our job as the reader is to tell this story, get the point across," But Greg also admitted that "it's scary" to be a reader. Junior Michael Grizzanti explained that "although I only read one poem, the moment up there was like no other -- it was a rush. It showed me that I am able to stand in front of a crowd. Also, I feel that all the young poets that read had good composure--and I enjoyed [the readings] very much."

Junior Gabriella Morales, who attended the Maya Angelou poetry reading sponsored by The University of Arizona, explained that Angelou taught her how to enjoy poetry readings. As Gabriella said, "Maya Angelou made the reading full of life -- even when it's about serious issues." Gabriella, who writes poetry, explained that "writing helps get the pain out and gives order to hard times, and we can teach each other that life does not end with just one hard fall."

Other students talked about the courage it takes to walk up to the podium, especially if you are reading your own poems as Antonio Garcia and José Cañez did. José explained that he took his time to write a "poem about Native America, but the only things I could think about were pain, hatred and forgiving--.What was hard about the presentation was that I was worried that no one would like my poems and wouldn't pay attention, but my confidence grew and it felt great. Everyone was quiet when I was reading, and everyone said they liked my work." Senior Michael Redmond echoed José and said that "The poetry reading was my first time speaking in front of a large audience. At first I was nervous, but when I started reading my poem it was like reading to myself -- and when I finished reading, I felt good inside. I don't know why, but it was a good feeling just knowing that I actually read my poem in front of my fellow classmates."

Some students felt so comfortable with their classmates that they went beyond reading and decided to sing. Seniors Judith Leon and Megan Turnbull gathered a group of students together, and, in the spirit of poets Maya Angelou and Tracie Morris decided to express themselves through singing, and they created a medley of songs about soldiers returning from war: the major theme of the classic American Indian novel by N. Scott Momaday called House Made of Dawn. The students were wonderful singers and inspired many more students to perform.

Clearly, the festival was a celebration and a coming together of many voices on a common theme. Poetry showed us how we can transcend difference to speak of difference and pain, to speak of love and war, humor and beauty. As the Diné (Navajo) say: "In beauty it is finished," and, for one day, at Cholla, it was a beautiful poetry festival.

 

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The deadline to submit material for the January Focus is Friday, Jan. 12. The Focus will be published Friday, Jan. 19. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the Focus Online Submission Form.