Cover Art by: Magory Collado "Lawrence Student Writing Workshop: The Rising Loaves” is hosted by the Lawrence History Center, developed in collaboration with Andover Bread Loaf, and funded in part by the Catherine McCarthy Trust, the Essex County Community Foundation Greater Lawrence Summer Fund, W. Dean and Sy Eastman, the Pringle Foundation, the Stearns and Russell Trusts, Rogers Family Foundation, Andover Bread Loaf, and the Lawrence Public School lunch program. A Letter from the Program Directors …….………………...…….………………..3 Student and Writing Leader Work Brianna Anderson ………………………………….……....……..………..……5 Jhandaries Ayala ………………………………….……....…………...…...……5 Sheila Barry ………………………………….……....……………..……………6 Angelique Ceballos Cardona ………………………………….…….………..…6 Magory Collado ………………………………….……....………………………7 Kelley De Leon ………………………………….……....……….………………8 Michael De Leon ………………………………….……....………..……………9 Isabella Delgado ………………………………….……....…………..………...10 Jennifer Escalante ………………………………….……....………..…………10 Julien Felipe ………………………………….……....………………………….11 Angell Flores …………………………………………………….………..…..…11 Anelyn Gomez ………………………………….……........…….………………12 Karen Gonzalez ………………………………….………....…….……..………12 Katarina Guerrero ………………………………….……........………..………12 Mary Guerrero ………………………………………………..….……..………13 Lee Krishnan ………………………………….……....…………….……..……13 Breison Lopez ………………………………….……....……………….………14 Edin Macario ………………………………….……....………………..….……14 Manuel Maurico ………………………………….……....…………..…………15 Mekhi Mendoza ………………………………….……....…………..…………15 Jennifer Merida ………………………………….……....……………………...15 Daniel Enrique Monterroso ………………………………………………….…16 Leah Mora ………………………………………….………...…………………16 Wilfred Ortega ………………………………………………...…..……………17 Jadiel Ovalles …………………………………..….……....……………………17 Ninushka Rivera ……………………………….…….….…....…………………17 Odlanyer I. Rivera ………………………………….…….....………..…………18 Reynaldo Rivera …………………………….…….…….....……………………18 Williams Rivera …………………………………….……....………………...…19 Isaac Rafael Rodriguez ………………………….………....……………...……19 Keyla Rodriguez ………………………………..….……....……………………19 Yoelsy Anai Rodriguez …………………………………....……………………20 Danna Alejandra Rojas …………………………………....……...….…………21 Jackie Schierembergg …………………………….……....……………………21 Dominic Tejada ………………………………….……....………………………21 Erna Telemaque ………………………………….……....………..……………21 Brando Vicente ………………………………….……....……………………...22 Juliet White ………………………………….……....…………………..…...…22 Dear Families and Friends of Rising Loaves, We are happy to invite you into our world at the Lawrence History Center, home to our city’s historical archives. Our theme this year was “Our Stories.” We wrote our personal stories and learned about the stories of people who have come before us such as Eartha Dengler who founded the Lawrence History Center. Over the past three weeks our writers and leaders shared their stories through poetry, music, drama, art, games, and historical research. This anthology gives the reader a glimpse of the incredible work our writers have done. There were many people who helped us with our work. Kathy Flynn and Amita Kiley introduced us to the historical archives and guest poets, Harlym 125, Quess, Anthony Morales, and Eliot Sykes inspired us. Educators, Lou Bernieri, Richard Gorham and Julia Perlowski ran writing and drama workshops. Our writers had the opportunity to visit the Addison Gallery, the Essex Art Center, Elevated Thought, and the Farmer’s Market. Music Educator, Alan Nuñez, helped us compose our anthem, which you will see in this anthology. Happy Reading! Queridas Familias y Amigos de Rising Loaves, Nos da gusto invitarles a nuestro mundo del Lawrence History Center, centro de los archivos históricos de nuestra ciudad. Nuestro tema este año fue “Nuestras Historias.” Nosotros escribimos nuestras propias historias y aprendimos de las 3 historias de la gente que vivieron en Lawrence antes, como Eartha Dengler quien fundó el Lawrence History Center. Durante los tres semanas de nuestro programa, nuestros escritores y lideres compartieron sus historias por medio de poesía, música, drama, arte, juegos y investigación de historia. Esta antología nos da una vista al trabajo increíble que hicieron los escritores. Hubieron muchas personas que nos ayudaron con nuestro trabajo. Kathy Flynn y Amita Kiley nos presentaron los archivos históricos y los poetas: Harlym 125, Quess, Anthony Morales, y Eliot Sykes nos inspiraron. Educadores, Lou Bernieri, Richard Gorham and Julia Perlowski hicieron talleres de escritura y drama. Nuestros escritores tuvieron la oportunidad de visitar el Addison Gallery, Essex Art Center, Elevated Thought, y el Farmer’s Market. El educador de Música, Alan Nuñez, nos ayudó a componer nuestro himno, que esta en este antología. ¡Goze las palabras! Program Co-Directors 4 Abuelita’s Red Nail Polish by Brianna Anderson [Writing Leader for the Tacoritos Writing Group] It’s hard to not be reminded of you, Like mills, like Katerina’s shirt sleeves, like a stop sign, like apples, like red robins, like the aftermath of a paper cut, like bloodshot eyes, like the drippings of a broken heart, like home And your potent smell, Like the aroma of a hissing pot of sancocho, filling the room with laughter, like you used to; intoxicating, like the way it felt when death wrapped its arms around you and embraced you, like when Eve entwined herself around that tree Como farina, y platano frito, como el campo, y el rio, como yo sin ti, como abuelo sin ti, como mami sin ti, como no tiene aire para respirar Like burnt tree, like a cornered me, like when there is no electricity, like all things needed-- not wanted, like scarred knees, like a cracked back, like the first snow fall-- purity, like Mary, Joseph, ‘Kaiden’, Adam, like the Messiah Like all the good things in life being taken away all at once I Used To by Jhandaries Ayala [Writing Group: Purple Panthers] I used to be the lonely person I was but now the social girl. I used to be the girl who wondered what I looked like in your eyes. I used to be the girl who was afraid of changes. I used to think I had all the time in the world but now I see reality. I used to think the love of someone else was what I needed to love myself. I used to think I would never fit in. I used to think I had to be someone I wasn’t to find myself. I learn the reality a few years later and that reality was to love yourself first. 5 Lawrence Is… by Sheila Barry [Writing Leader] A city with a rich history Bread and Roses Massive mills Generations of family Birthday shopping at American Toy Barry Bros. for winter jackets Vincent’s for shoes Hardy’s Bakery Christmas lights and music on Essex St. Morin’s Coffee shop and Bluebonnet bakery Cedar Crest every Saturday for lunch Café Azteca St. Patrick’s Day parades Holding our breath until we crossed the Duck Bridge H.K. Oliver School Bread Loaf Autumn colors changing on the Common El Taller Aluminum Christmas trees with a revolving color wheel Lawrence History Center My kids in room 110 Rocky Road to Dublin Robert’s Market banana tree Easter lilies and May processions Lawton’s by the sea Cherry and Webb, Sutherlands, McCartney’s, and Robinson’s Aunt Kit’s parlor Bishops French fries Tripoli pizza Lawrence is where my roots are Where I was first planted Worth It by Angelique Ceballos Cardona [Writing Group: Word of Mouth] I wanted to be cool. I wanted to be someone else. 6 I wanted to be included. why was I so different ? why do I always say the wrong thing ? I asked myself these questions, and even cried over some. My sweat and tears for toxic relationships. That weren’t Worth It. Darkness by Magory Collado [Writing Group: Purple Panthers] I woke up with a start. It had been the same reoccurring nightmare. The one i knew i would never escape. The memories are still fresh as day in my mind, like if it all just happened yesterday. But it has been 3 months, 3 months of constant paranoia, 3 months of constant fear, 3 months of running and running and running. I felt the chills as they ran races down my spine. I shivered. I looked over to see the window was open. The moonlight shining brightly, coruscating the sun’s light and making it it’s own. Reminding me of my past self, who I was 3 months ago. She’s long gone, tucked away in the deepest corner of my mind. I snapped out of my daydreams and shut the window immediately. I can’t afford to look at the moonlight when they are still out there. “ they won’t rest until there is a gravestone at Saint Monica Cemetery with your name on it” I whispered to myself. “ Emerson?” i heard a voice that was a soft as a feather whisper. If I wasn’t paying attention I probably would have missed it. “ what are u doing? “ she asked again. I recognized the voice as lily. My roommate at the Philips Orphanage. Where i was currently staying. This has been my 5th orphanage. I had to flee the others because they were catching on to me. “ I had a bad dream, u should go back to sleep lil’s” I said softly, after wishing me goodnight, she fell asleep. I was dreading the day when they would start to wonder too much. When they would get too curious as to why I don’t have a birth certificate, or why i just suddenly showed up at their doorstep, or when they found out that the real Emerson was dead and that it isn’t my real name. Then i would have to run, and never be heard of again. This has been my life since it happened, and I already know the drill. 7 I reached for my worn out, army green bag and pulled out the one thing i knew was a must to have. It was irreplaceable. I reached for the secret pocket and pulled out my gun in