Eighty-Five Young Poets Featured at Newark Museum Event Highlighting Literacy, Creativity, and Self-Expression
NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools celebrated the power of student voice and literacy at its inaugural Third Grade Student Poetry Showcase at the Newark Museum and attended by hundreds of family members, educators, district leaders, and community supporters.
Led by the English Language Arts Department in the Office of Teaching & Learning, the showcase featured 85 third-grade students whose original poems and artistic profiles were selected for exhibition from among thousands of student submissions created across the district.
The event reflects Newark Public Schools’ ongoing commitment to literacy instruction that is rooted in the Science of Reading while also providing authentic opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents as readers, writers, storytellers, and leaders.
“This showcase demonstrated what is possible when students are given the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to express themselves,” said Superintendent León. “Our students’ words revealed their hopes, challenges, identities, dreams, and tremendous potential. They remind us that literacy is not only about learning to read and write, it is about finding one’s voice and using it to shape the future.”
The poetry initiative was inspired by Who Am I?, a poem by youth poet, activist, and New York City Poet Laureate Kayden Hern in partnership with Scholastic. Under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent Yolanda Severe and Assistant Superintendent Sylvia Esteves, the district organized a citywide reading of the poem and guided thousands of third-grade students through the process of crafting and publishing their own original works.
The resulting collection showcased the remarkable depth of thought, creativity, and self-awareness present among Newark’s youngest writers.
At the Newark Museum, student representatives took the stage to recite their poems before an enthusiastic audience. Hern opened the event with a reading of his own work before listening to students share their personal stories and aspirations.
Among the featured poets was Lucas Goncalves of the First Avenue School, who traced his family’s journey from “the salty seas of Portugal” while envisioning a future where he becomes “as good as the author of The Great Gatsby.” His classmate Ryan Cruz offered a moving reflection on overcoming medical challenges, describing “tubes, surgeries, and scars” that helped alleviate his pain.
Sherinne Gamboa of Ann Street School confidently presented her poem in both English and Spanish, celebrating herself as “amazing and chistosa” and expressing pride in being “a good person and a good estudiante.”
From Ironbound Academy, Logan Rodriguez described himself as a student who excels in “math and ELA and drawing” while aspiring to become “the Einstein of my generation.” Fellow student Phoenix Cardona shared a vivid portrait of herself as an artist whose goal is to inspire her community through “the colors of excitement, love, and happiness.”
The showcase concluded with a heartfelt reading from Aisha Tralawally of Speedway Avenue School, whose poem expressed her desire to change the world. Defining herself as “the sound of laughter,” “a hundred degrees,” and “the hug when you are sad,” Aisha's words embodied the empathy and optimism that characterized the event.
Throughout the exhibition, students demonstrated an impressive command of literary techniques, including alliteration, metaphor, imagery, wordplay, and symbolism. Their work reflected the diverse experiences, cultures, languages, and perspectives that make Newark unique.
“The Student Poetry Showcase illustrates the power of literacy education,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “When students learn to read with understanding and insight, and write authentically, they gain the confidence to share who they are with the world. We are proud of these young poets and grateful to the educators and families who support their growth.”
