WELCOME TO THE TREASURE HOUSE!
Poetry is like flips on the wet, soft grass …
Poetry tastes like strawberries and
all other kinds of fruit …
It is as sweet as an angel.
It is the animal of life.
Amy Inman
Grade 3, Border Voices Poetry Project
Miramar Ranch Elementary
Ever since 1993, the world’s most famous poets (imagine Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet laureates Billy Collins and Kay Ryan) have trekked to San Diego and left raving about the huge successes of the Border Voices Poetry Project:
“Like many writers and educators, I have a dream of bringing major poets into the schools . . . and promoting poetry in every classroom. That vision has already begun in San Diego, thanks to the Border Voices Poetry Project . . . ’’
– Dana Gioia
Poet, critic and former chairman
of the National Endowment for the Arts
Border Voices places poets in hundreds of classrooms throughout San Diego County, resulting in spectacular increases in scores on standardized tests (SEE STUDIES)
Free poetry fairs, featuring celebrated poets from around the world, have delighted thousands of people. The fair includes students reading their award-winning poems, a Poetry Clown, music and other delights. To get a “feel” for a Border Voices Poetry Fair, check out the fair schedule and an introduction to the fair at:
And Border Voices TV and radio shows have entertained millions. (TAKE A LOOK)
LEAP FOR JOY: Michelle Zhang celebrated at the 2002 Poetry Fair. Michelle won first-place in the middle school division for her poem: “A Bad Algebra Test Is...”
A Literary Treasure Chest (Online Magic)
Here are some of the resources you will find when you click on the gray links on this page:
(1) A complete list of Border Voices poets that teachers can bring into the classroom.
The poets are available throughout the county – Meet the Poets
El Cajon, San Diego, National City, La Mesa, Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, Escondido …
(3) Poems by award-winning students: 2012 Top Poems
(4) A report showing how Border Voices boosts test scores
and student self-esteem. Soaring Scores
(5) A proposal to create an ”endowment for poetry” to
serve the students of San Diego. A Case Study.pdf
Start clicking, and enjoy the treasury of art and information that has been gathered in this
electronic Ali Baba’s cave by the Border Voices Project.
“Border Voices is like nothing
I’ve ever done … I have never
had a better sense of mixing
poetry worlds together.”
– Donald Hall
one of America’s
most-honored poets
A CHARMING INTRO TO BORDER VOICES POETRY: 9-year-old Brianna Harrison (above) wowed a crowd of 7,500 when she introduced Maya Angelou at Cox Arena. Brianna recited Ms. Angelou’s most famous poem, “I Rise,” with infectious gusto. FOR MORE POETRY-ON-FILM, visit our archives at YouTube.
Make a Donation Help students tap their inner genius ... Border Voices gratefully accepts contributions to bring famous writers to San Diego to work with our children, and to conduct year-round
poetry workshops in the school. Thanks to your help, we also showcase our brilliant young people in our
annual anthology of student poetry, as well as on weekly TV shows where they work with world-famous poets.
Your tax deductible donation can be made using our
please contact Border Voices at (619) 293-2546
NOTA BENE: Anyone who gives a donation of $50 or more
receives a complimentary copy of “Songs from Stone:
What the Children Heard.” This is our latest, and perhaps most
exciting anthology of poems by acclaimed poets and San Diego students.
A poetry student from Aldea Infantil
SOS Orphanage, poses proudly with her umbrella. In Fall 2003, Border Voices offered free poetry workshops in two orphanages, while continuing to teach poetry in hundreds of classrooms in San Diego County.
Photo by Mercedes Romero
Maya Angelou
