Memorias Grabadas
Written by the students of Mr. Andres R. Martinez Cruz in their English Language Development Level 2 class at Theodore Roosevelt High School, Fall 2023
Introduction
Music possesses the power to transport you. Regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, when a particular song plays, you may find yourself traveling through memories, overcome with the emotions of that time. Whether it was playing in the background or its lyrics spoke words you could not, a song can become a key to reliving the past.
This book began as an assignment but evolved into something more. English learners were tasked with connecting songs to people, moments, or places they wished to immortalize. The outcome was a collection of vignettes inspired by the students’ experiences, each carrying messages of hope, joy, love, and healing. They embraced the challenge of growing their storytelling skills by weaving literary devices, sensory details, and descriptive language into their work, resulting in beautiful stories they are proud of.
Memorias Grabadas features the stories of young people from El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Cuba, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Honduras who wrote in Spanish and worked hard to translate their words into English while preserving their original depth and significance. Each story depicts the aspirations, dreams, and worries of teenagers navigating the unfamiliar. These authors graciously invite readers to step into their memories, hoping that their writing can serve as a source of inspiration for those who, like them, have uprooted their world and embraced a new chapter in their lives.
To all who participated in this project, it has been a privilege and an honor to edit your work. Wherever the future finds each of you, may this book serve as a reminder that you are brave, strong, and talented individuals who are capable of anything.
A todos los que participaron en este proyecto, ha sido un privilegio y un honor editar sus historias. Dondequiera que el futuro los encuentre, que este libro sea un recordatorio que son personas valientes, fuertes y talentosos, capaces de cualquier cosa.
Wendy Beltran, Writers’ Room Program Coordinator, Roosevelt High School
