Student's poems in view at St. Paul event

Hundreds of business, civic and school leaders filled a vast expanse of tables at a "student success breakfast" this week at Washington Technology Magnet School in St. Paul.

The event, sponsored by the St. Paul Public Schools Foundation, marked the launch of its campaign, Succeed Saint Paul, and included a pitch for funds that are to be used to bolster the ranks of mentors and tutors, and help teachers put their innovative ideas into action.

At each table, in front of each attendee, was a card with a poem written by a Central High student -- the product of an inspired educator grant awarded last year to Anthony Jacobs and co-teacher Jesse Kwakenat.

Perseverance was a common thread in the poetry, and far back in a corner of the room, at one of the few empty tables, were cards containing the poems, "Rising Up" by Khadroe Madobe, "Overcome" by Gao Vue and "Struggling Dreams" by Devarius Terrell, the latter of which ended with the words:

"For the brothas and sistas that

walk slouched over and barely speak.

Walk straight up tall and tell the

You can say what you want but

you can never steal my dreams.

To the sistas that cry every night

and the brothas that have the blues