826DC Educational Programming Intern Alexa wrote this stunning review of Now I See with Open Eyes, a collection of poems from this year’s Young Authors’ Book Project!
Life is a cycle where experiences continuously open our eyes. Between the ages of 13-18, many of us go through a roller coaster of emotions due to puberty, high school, family, and life changes. Teenagers are typically described as immature and not wise as they haven’t fully lived life. However, reading the new 826DC publication, Now I See with Open Eyes, will show you that teenagers have certainly lived and learned a lot.
The poetry book Now I See with Open Eyes is written by 10th graders at Phelps ACE High School in DC. This collection of poems demonstrates at a deep and at a surface level how teenagers feel and think. As one student said, “And now I see with open eyes, the power within, that never dies. A passion so ignited, a flame burning, a path to healing calling my name.” This is the human experience at any age.
Reading through these poems you feel a plethora of emotions, and you may see yourself in some of these students. I certainly saw myself in some of these poems. A select few of the emotions these poems represent are determination, loyalty, heartache, faithfulness, discovery, and love. On top of this, there are stories about friendships, family, school, sports, gun violence, and making decisions for the future.
One common topic I enjoyed reading about in this book was friendship. Friendships are a big part of the teenager experience, and a non-linear one. Through lost friendships, a student remembers catching themselves “thinking about us and how we are now just strangers with memories.” Although this is about teenage friendship, this is applicable to friendships at all ages. Friends come and go as most things in life do, which I connected with.
There is a striking poem that tells a story about a DC teenager seeing with their own eyes gun violence in their neighborhood and its effects. This is an unfortunate reality for many students in DC and those in other cities as gun violence is an issue. It raises attention as to what the local government is doing to prevent gun violence and raises reflection on how we can help those who have been affected.
If you want to learn more about DC youth experiences or reflect on your teenage years, pick up this poetry book and purchase it from 826DC. There is nothing you cannot take away from this book. And if you don’t take anything away, you simply did not have your eyes opened.
About Alexa Iraheta:
Alexa Iraheta is a Senior Posse Scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently pursuing a major in Political Science with minors in Public Policy, Education Policy, and Chican@ & Latin@ Studies. Being a first-generation Latina college student has taught her a lot and she is continuously looking for ways to be involved in different communities. Alexa is very passionate about advocating for marginalized communities, especially the Latine community. She has been able to use this passion by being involved in the Latine Student Union and the 2024 Latinx Heritage Month Planning Committee.
Alexa is interested in gaining experiences and connections in the public policy realm. This is because she enjoys the legislative and analysis aspect of policy and believes it is essential to making change in this country and world. Alexa hopes to make change in policy in the areas of education, DEI, immigration, and health.
In the past years Alexa has grown professionally and personally through her internships at 826DC, the Committee to Elect Kati Cabral, the Wisconsin State Assembly, the White House Hispanic Initiative, and the DC City Council. Alexa plans to continue writing and being an advocate in the policy realm in the public sector. She hopes to work on Capitol Hill after graduation!