By Staff Report
Morgan Hill student Normandy Hays earned first place in this year’s Morgan Hill Library Teen Poetry Contest for the middle school category. Here’s her poem that addresses the topic of immigration.

The Need to Strive
Immigrants called us the land of the lucky,
Lucky for us they came
Without their money and hard work
We wouldn’t be the same

Many years later, some are still coming
To find jobs and a new life.
Why do we send them back?
Back to their old life of pain and strife?

Our families were once immigrants too
Were they not?
The things these people are seeking,
Our families once sought

We need to come together,
We need to strive.
Strive for a country where everyone has jobs
Strive for a country where every race can thrive.

Strive for peace and unity,
Strive for no homelessness
Strive for a country,
Where everyone feels like a prince or princess.

Don’t turn them away!
They are in need
Can’t you see their tears?
Can’t you hear them plead?
Help me, help me please…..

Normandy Hays is a home-schooled student.