Small but powerful, keeping my soul at peace. The refreshing shower from earth, wishing to never be hurt. I am a raindrop, striving to be as happy as can be!”
Derick McCray read his poem: “What if I was broke? Would you give me a loan?…if I was homeless? Would you give me a place to lay my head? What if I was lost? Would you help me find my way? What if I was hurt? Would you mend my wound? What if I needed a friend? Would you turn your back? … What if you were in my shoes? Would you want me to turn a blind eye? Now ask yourself: What if?”
Starr Miles read her poem “Zip It Up”: “…Once you step inside this class, your odyssey begins. Actor, professor, poet, historian, author, singer, soak in all their gifts of knowledge … Learn what gifts your classmates can provide of knowledge, pain, hardship, perseverance, and strength: family. Missy Starr, zip it all up inside that backpack you carry on Odyssey graduation day with joy, happiness, and pride.”
Toshiana Northington read her poem “The Truth”: “My heart has been broken; I know what it feels like. My heart has been broken; That's why I hold it tight. I have had men cheat on me. I have had people lie to me. I will not let anyone else bring me down. I'm gonna do me … I have made a change for the better. I have made a change for my kids. I have made a change for my future …”
Janet Shelton read her poem “My Odyssey”: “… I AM HERE! With my new family to celebrate my new birthday … A new me has been born. So when someone asks how old I am, I will answer one – not one literally, but … from my transformation from last year … Professor Emily … gave me a reason to tell my children every day that anything is possible at any age … Thanks for a change of a lifetime!”
Jeannine Shoemaker read her poem “My Featherweight”: “… It's small but strong, old yet ageless. I'm honored to have it … a special gift to me. I had to have it, for it is a rite of passage for someone like me … I hunted and stalked, I called and prayed, and finally it happened. The call came in. It was mine, all mine. My 1942 Singer Featherweight belonged to me. I am finally in the league of a True Quilter.”
Alisha Taylor dedicated Dr. Kent M. Keith's “Paradoxical Commandments” to her four children: “People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway … The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway … What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway …”
Shiquille Ward read his poem “Never Forget the Fallen”: “I wake up every morning, thank God for another day. Got some guys that didn't make it, so we celebrate, enjoy life, spread love, and just embrace. If it's a dream you been sitting on, grab a pen, grab some paper, and just sing along. Be happy, be grateful, be thankful, because remember: Trayvon would be happy to trade places.”
Latrice White read “Words of Thanks”: “I would like to thank everyone who was supportive of our Odyssey class … We've been through some great and tough times, but with the support of our children, family, friends, co-workers, Odyssey staff and classmates, I know we're in a better place … We've been on a roller coaster of … highs and lows, but … at this moment I am overjoyed…What a journey!”
