Every year, COMPAS publishes an anthology of student writing. You can check out our latest, Move Hands Down to Heart, here. It’s the 45th anthology of student work we’ve had the honor of publishing. It’s edited by COMPAS Teaching Artist Raki Kopernik, with cover art by seangarrrison and interior art by Katrina Knutson. In addition, over a dozen COMPAS teaching artists worked with youth throughout Minnesota and helped inspire hundreds of pieces of work, from which selected works were chosen for the anthology.
Recently, we caught up with one of the young authors from Move Hands Down to Heart, Roman T., an 8th grader from South View Middle School, and his mother, Delaine. They shared some insights about the impact of the anthology project.
Roman and his South View classmates worked with COMPAS Teaching Artist Frank Sentwali to develop their creative writing writing skills. For Roman, this experience has solidified his identity as a young poet. “I definitely want to keep writing poetry,” he said. “When I started in early 8th grade, I never really thought I liked writing. After meeting Frank Sentwali, and writing my first poem, I realized it’s kind of relaxing for me. It helps me bring out my inner feelings, so I think I’m going to keep writing.”
Delaine echoed the sentiment: “I wish all eighth-graders could go through a writing class with Frank. This is a time when there is a lot of discrimination and things like that happening, and some people are feeling the brunt of that. Poetry can provide a platform for processing their feelings.”
To truly grasp the profound depth of emotion a young author can convey, read this powerful excerpt from Roman’s poem, America.
What a great place to live.
Anything you want it shall give.
They say it’s where your dreams come true.
Yes, this place was standing on red white and blue.
But through my time
you know what I’ve seen
segregation, separation, mass berating, discrimination.
It’s a situation in this nation, multi-generation differentiation
and our administration treats our
population with aggravation. Manipulation takes us through
rehabilitation with the determination of
separation and isolation.
I am an alien
living in your hellscape.
All I want to do
is get away, escape
the crazy things
that I’ve seen unfold.
It’s completely against
what I’ve been told.
America oh America
the land of the free
that’s what they told me
what they guaranteed
but ever since I got here
I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
What is it about people who are different that makes y’all fear.
The separation
that people have to face
The full poem can be found on page 51 of Move Hands Down to Heart.
In addition to working with students in their classrooms to develop their creative abilities, each year, COMPAS hosts a celebration to share its latest anthology of student writing. Young authors from kindergarten to 12th grade and their families, friends, and supporters come together to share their writing and listen to each other. The events include opportunities to browse the newest anthology book, pose for photos, and meet COMPAS team members.
The celebration for Move Hands Down to Heart took place in November, and Roman was one of the young authors who read their poems for the gathering. The audience listened to stories that shared students’ truths, their struggles, and their inspirations. The pieces were provocative and thoughtful, offering commentary on what it is like to be a young person in today’s sometimes ever shifting world. Using creativity to hone their stories and poems, under the guidance and mentorship of COMPAS Teaching Artists, these young authors showed that creativity triumphs over fear and that our youth are resilient despite the difficulties they encounter.
Roman was thrilled by the response to his work: “Multiple families were all congratulating me and saying how much my poem impacted them and changed how they thought, and how other families of color have felt the same types of things living in Minnesota, throughout their school systems, or where they work,” he enthused. “And they said it really helped them think about what was really going on in their life. It felt great because my whole goal when writing this poem was to try to teach others and help others express themselves. It made me really feel accomplished. Like I was doing something right.”
The work of young authors expressed in the anthology reminds us of the transformative power of creativity and the voices it amplifies. Through the guidance of dedicated teaching artists and the courage of young authors like Roman, we see how art can provide a platform for expression, healing, and connection. The result is more than words on a page. It is reflections of resilience, truth, and hope in the face of challenges. By supporting these young writers, we are not only nurturing their talents but also building a stronger, more empathetic community. Move Hands Down to Heart is a testament to the power of creativity to inspire and unite us all.
Want to explore how our teaching artists can create memorable learning opportunities within your school? You can get started by discussing your questions with us, exploring the teaching artist directory, or booking your program now.
