Harlem Academy Students Recognized for Excellence

10/29/2024

Three of our middle schoolers recently received recognition for giving back to the community. Kayden, a sixth grader, was featured in The New York Times for his poetry performance during a Unity Walk in Harlem. In addition, seventh grader EJ and sixth grader Jett were honored with the 2024 President’s Volunteer Service Award for their good work at Advent Lutheran Church.

The Power of Poetry

Kayden’s original poem, “Voices,” captured the hearts and minds of more than 100 participants at last month’s Unity Walk, an event organized by artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons. In his poem, Kayden spoke of Black pride, ancestral strength, empowerment, love, and joy – uplifting the crowd with his powerful and hopeful words.

“I wrote ‘Voices’ because I wanted to reflect on things in the news,” says Kayden. “I’d never performed it before, but I thought it fit the theme of the Unity Walk. People say that my poems are inspiring, and I’m happy my words connect with them.” The rigor of Harlem Academy’s literacy curriculum, which fosters a love of reading and a mastery of language skills, has helped shape the way Kayden crafts his poems.

Kayden’s grandmother, Jackie Hern, attended the Unity Walk with him and was thrilled to see him in The New York Times. “I thought, ‘Wow, that’s my grandson!” she says. “I felt grateful that he had the opportunity. I’m always so proud to see him performing his poems and to feel the enthusiasm and excitement of the crowd.”

This isn’t the first time Kayden has been featured in the news because of his poetry skills – nor is it likely to be the last. In 2023, he was the poet laureate for Governor Kathy Hochul’s inauguration, and a book of his poetry will be published by Scholastic in January.

Helping Neighbors in Need

EJ and Jett are committed to volunteering at Advent Lutheran Church’s food programs, which serve over 500,000 meals to food insecure New Yorkers each year. “Being there makes me happy,” says EJ. “When I hand people bags of groceries, their faces light up.” She also helps with the food pantry’s Plentiful app, which lets people make reservations to pick up food. “I check that everyone’s name is on the list.”

Jett also works on the Plentiful app and helps pack bags of food. He has been volunteering at the Advent pantry for nearly two years and loves it – even if it means giving up part of his Saturdays. “It’s surprising how fast four hours can go by,” he says. “After I started going, I realized how many people we help, and it makes me feel good.”

As recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes the outstanding ways young people are serving their communities, EJ and Jett received a certificate, a medal from the White House, and a letter signed by President Joe Biden. They both volunteer at the pantry two Saturdays a month. EJ also leads a nonprofit that she started at age 10, Nice Ninjas, which encourages kids to perform random acts of kindness.

Their moms couldn’t be prouder. “I am so excited for him,” says Jett’s mother Yolanda Holmes. “We are a family of volunteers and believe in community service. My heart is so full.” EJ’s mom, Frankie Thompson, feels the same, pointing out the benefits kids gain through service. “It helps them grow and learn leadership skills. Once they see how fun volunteering can be, they’ll think getting up early on a Saturday morning isn’t so bad,” she says with a laugh.

Back