A Summer Assignment that Resulted in an Extraordinary Response Poem
Aren Zakarian, a 15-year-old young adult who receives support from Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, recently participated in a summer school Poetry class. As part of his assignment, he was tasked with writing a response poem to Maya Angelou’s famous work, “Still I Rise.”
Aren’s response poem, titled “I Rise,” transports readers into a realm of possibilities. Through his vivid imagery, he paints a hopeful picture, reminding us of the strength we possess within. Experience the magic of “I Rise” and let its lyrical flow inspire your aspirations.
This is Aren’s second poem. His first poem, “Me,” was recently selected as a Topical Winner by the Live Poets of New Jersey (NJ). The Live Poets of NJ is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and honoring youth in their poetic pursuits. They are known for their annual National High School Poetry Contest, which provides high school students with opportunities to showcase their work and potentially win scholarships, as well as have their poems published in a poetry book. Aren’s winning poem, “Me,” can be found in American High School Poets: In Like a Lion 2025, which is now available on Amazon.