family pictures covering the walls, 

certificates of achievement on the fridge, 

and a collection of antiques in the glass cabinet. 

 

I am from a main road, 

fast cars and noisy sirens in front, 

young children playing together out back, 

and lots of playful dogs all around.  

 

I am from Italian food,  

baked ziti, meatballs and garlic bread, 

pepperoni pizza every Friday. 

Best of all, chocolate cake from Ginger Betty’s on my birthday.  

 

I am from “the apple doesn’t fall from the tree”, 

“treat people with kindness”, 

“just do the best you can”,  

and everyone's favorite, “make good choices”.   

 

I am from Sheila and Patrick, 

the kindest woman who works with the elderly, 

 the funniest man who fights crime everyday as a police sergeant, 

my two heroes who have shaped me into the person I am today.  

                                                                                     Bella Buonaugurio 

Ready for use and to create 
     memories. 

Time spent well, communication    
     had, and family surrounding the 
     table. 

I am from bright lights and loud 
     conversations, church bells 
     ringing and children’s laughter at       the park, and the quiet nights 
     where owls can be heard.  

I am from pasta and meatballs, 
      potatoes and turnip, and ice 
     cream sundaes for the little 
     ones. 
Fruit and veggies everyday (but 
    sneaking pizza on the weekends)

I am from “We are the Bazzinotti’s,” “If you don’t have anything nice to 
     say, don’t say anything at all,” "I  
love you to the moon and back," 
     and “God works in mysterious 
     ways.”  

I am from Anthony, Anthony, and 
    Anthony, from Marie and 
   Jeanette, and William and Jack. 
A line of first responders, teachers, 
    and public service. 

I am from a hardworking legacy, 
    responding with love and 
    commitment. 

                 - Emi Bazzinotti

From books and magazines

From warm smiles and pets at every turn

I am from vast fields and hiking trails

Beautiful sunsets and stargazing on summer nights

Dad’s famous soup on the cold winter days

I am from little Italy, where the house reeks of sauce

Lasagna and chicken parm for every holiday

Except maybe corn beef on St. Patty's day

I am from “worry about yourself, self you worry”

And “this too shall pass”

Or “luv… forever and a day”

I am from Kim and Ken,

We are from hard workers and veterans,

A long line of impressive men and women, 

We are a family who truly values one another. 

I am from fleur de lis, fleur de lis, and fleur de lis decorating the house,

The French symbol come to life when surrounded by friends and family,

Memories of New Orleans past bring joy to everyone who enters.

 

I am from fresh lavender,

The scent fills the room with memories of running around picking lavender from the old bush,

Picking flowers with my parents at Old Westbury gardens,

Bringing home dozens of flowers to lay across the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms.

I am from Irish soda bread and Pizza Rustica,

The smell of the warm crust fills your stomach,

Everyone gathers around the table laughing and remembering the good times,

Raisins fill the bread with sweetness and fresh Italian meat crowd the cold pie,

Flour covers me from head to toe.

 

I am from “Breath in confidence, exhale doubt”,

“Be the good you wish to see in the world”, and “You know yourself best”, 

All preparing me to be the best version of myself I can be,

Have confidence in yourself.

 

I am from Michael and Maira,

Who waited so long for me,

And Grammy, who wanted to be called grandmother, but her nickname fits,

All kind souls with big hearts.

spring days spent at the Lacrosse field, 

for as long as I could remember.

I am from the typical middle class neighborhood, with a good neighbor here and a shady neighbor there,

the beach and the Mount Hope bridge just down the street,

the sound of kids running around on a warm summer’s night,

and the sound of a ball bouncing, asking for me to come and play

I am from morning pancakes

and some sort of chicken for dinner,

chocolate cake on my birthday,

with a special choice of the meal

I am from “the side-street”,

“if you don’t have nothing nice to say, don’t say nothing at all” and last but not least,

“don’t 🤬 on my leg and tell me it’s raining”

I am from Patrick and Tabitha Cooney, alongside Nora, Mairin and Grace

A long line of Irish,

I am from a family of hardworking people

beautiful flowers perched above the fireplace, 

and a dog with endless amounts of energy.

I am from mountains and lakes, 

the sound of laughter at family cookouts,

neighbors saying hi as they walk by,

and s’mores by the fire all summer long.

I am from eggs and bacon, hamburgers and hot dogs, 

turkey club sandwiches with my dad, 

And snacking on goldfish with my mom,

I am from my grandmothers huge family dinners 

and my grandfather's secret stash of all the good snacks.

I am from “hard work pays off”, 

“home is where the heart is”, 

and a family who never leaves the house without saying “I love you”. 

I am from Karen and Matt, 

four grandparents who never miss an opportunity to hug their grandkids, 

and my younger sister Abby.

I am from a long line of hard workers, and

people who never give up or take no for an answer.

Years of time spent around close family,

Making memories as time goes by.

I am from corn fields, and acres of woods,

Long driveways and open air,

The sound of dogs barking in the morning, 

And the tractor in the fields during spring.

I am from chicken soup during cold winters, 

Pancakes after church Sunday mornings,

Large family gatherings for holidays

Tables and tables full of food for everyone.

I am from “You get what you get,”

“Not everything is about winning”,

And “ you need to work hard to achieve your goals”.

I am from the Kopecky family,

Scott and Erin,

The roots of who I have become,

I am from a big, happy, and supportive family.

beach signs and family photos, 

shelves full of favorite movies.

I am from salt air and low tides, 

endless walks on the beach, 

and sounds of my mother playing piano, 

every Monday afternoon.

I am from, chicken adobo, lumpia, and pancit, 

fried rice, spam and eggs, 

homemade fettuccine alfredo with chicken on my birthday, 

and pad thai for Skyler on his. 

I am from, “All you need is 15 seconds of courage,” whenever I needed to hear it, 

I am from, “Always look out for each other,” to me and my brother,

I am from, my dad always saying, “If you’re happy, I’m happy,” 

I am from, principles, “Trust, Consistency, Intentions, and Choices.”

I am from, Kevin and Melinda Lasit, 

two people who put everyone else before themselves, 

two educators who have not only raised me but countless others, 

two individuals who never hesitate to give a helping hand to those who need it.

Afternoons spent with my dad working on projects, 

Grocery lists sprawled on the countertop,

Rushing to put the food away before we could get our hands on a snack.

 

I am from the smell of the concession stand, 

Cheers and shouts being heard from the baseball field a block away,

The smell of flowers blooming in our garden, 

The laughs of my brothers and sister echoing in the house. 

 

I am from food on the grill, 

Roasting hot dogs over my fire pit every Friday night, 

A small coconut cake on all our birthdays, 

And desserts piling up in my kitchen. 

 

I am from “Always been kind to others”, 

“Believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear”,

And “Always try your best”.

 

I am from my dad and my step-mom, 

A woman who chose to be my mother,

Three brothers and one sister,

I am from people who care about others more than themselves. 

helping my dad rake the leaves into piles, 

and roasting Marshmallows in the firepit.

I am from little league games, and team pool parties,

Ruby barking for her breakfast, 

  Neighborhood kids playing on my basketball hoop, 

And church hymns on Sunday. 

I am from banana cream pudding and homemade shirley temples,

French toast only on holidays, 

Nana’s cheesecake for my birthday, 

And a packed school lunch everyday.

I am from “Stupid is as stupid does”,

“Boys! Dinner!”,

“Is your homework done?”,

I am from “Love you more” from Mom

I am from Nate, Michael, Ruby, Mom, and Dad, 

The Becker family and Harper, 

 goal oriented relatives, 

I am from hard work, fun, and strong family values. 

Large jets and color changing.

Lounging in the backyard looking up at the stars.

I am from a stone deck and a dark brown fence.

Large Evergreen trees surrounding.

Looking out while enjoying Mama’s hot home cooking.

Snowflakes falling as if it were Christmas again.

I am from pizza Friday’s.

Smokey grilled burgers, vegetable chili, 

Tri-tip steak on my birthday, and daily Sundae’s 

With a treat for the pup.

 

I am from “hard work over A’s.”

“stop comparing yourself to others.”

“no dessert until you finish your vegetables.” except for brussel sprouts

And “what you do here translates to what you will do on your own.”

 

I am from Karen, Jason and Kevin.

No, not one of those Karens. 

I am from an educator and a television specialist.

I am from proud parents asking me to fight for change in the world.

I am from music and tv traditions. 
Charlie Brown each Holiday morning
To singing and guitars in the afternoon.
Seeing all my sisters’ paintings on the walls

I am from flan and cream of coconut,
To Apple Crisp on Christmas.
Breakfast for dinner
And buffets after every sleepover

I am from “Fake it till you make it.” 
“As long as you try.”
And “We love you no matter what” 
I am from “pep in your step” when I am walking to slow.

I am from Miriam and Raul, Nancy and Ray,
Carrie and Ken
A mix of different cultures from around the world
I am from miracles that have all come together.

Sweaty days at the courts and fields ,

Hours training to improve upon skills

I am from fields of green and small town buildings,

Warm sunny days and runs down trails,

The sound of laughter echoing throughout the house,

And the smell of fresh coffee drifting from the kitchen

I am from steamy, comforting soups,

Homemade tortellini on holidays,

The smell of chicken on the barbeque in the summer,

Friday night pizza at the local restaurants in town

I am from “Imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes”,

“Always try and see another perspective”,

“Take it one step at a time”  when things get hard and,

“Sometimes you gotta dig deeper to find your inner strength”,

I am from Laura and Doug,

My loving parents and protectors,

Who raised me to be proud of who I am,

And to be proud of where I came from.

I am from farms on every corner, with cattle everywhere you turn, 
the smell of fresh wood creeping up every fall lasting till the beginning of spring, 
the snow filled christmas tree farm after a snow storm, 
and the cheers from the pep band every football game Sunday morning through the woods with cowbells ringing in the background 

I am from grandma's apple pie, pizza night friday,
Italian cookies, store bought brownie mix,
dad's old restaurants entrees, and crumb cake pizza 

I am from “you can only control yourself and how you react to them”, 
“kids stop fighting”, “I love you more”,
“make a decision ”,
to any quote in the Rocky movie series. 

I am from Susan, Tom, and Charlotte, 
Bruce and Muriel, my grandfather who watches over me everyday and my grandmother who never misses the chance to get her lipstick on your cheek or bring cookies to an event 
Tony, who has taken my grandfather's place and treated us like his own 
Tammy and Tom, my aunt and uncle who took me in as their own 
Ed and Lorraine, my grandparents who will always have our backs 
Bob who choice to be part of my family when my fathers side of the family had failed, and most my pride and joy; little brother Madden, ten years apart with the most
precious soul I have met,
Along with many others that shaped me into the person I am today, without anything in return. 

And friends around the corner, 

Block parties in the summer and 

Snowball fights in the winter 

 

I am from the smell of gravy on Sundays 

And homemade pasta on the beds 

The screams of a loving Italian mother  

Who always had change when the ice cream truck came our way 

 

I am from the feast of twelve fish on Christmas eve,

Cream filled Zeppololes on St. Joseph's Day,

The hometown taste of Twin Oaks  

And homemade calzones on Sunday 

 

 I am from “don’t be a ficcanaso”  

when I ask to many questions 

to the wise words of my father  

“Loyalty is everything”  

 

I am from Tribbie and Eddie Jr 

Carmine and Ruth, Densie and Eddie Sr 

I am from a long line of Italians,

The proud Zarra clan  

A lone house, buried in the woods 

With annoyingly smart friends to guide me 

 

I am from the songs of birds and owls 

The squeaks of chipmunks and squirrels  

Music of varying genres and the springs in Nerf guns 

 

I am from Mac and cheese Fridays 

Tuesday night beans and hotdogs 

And Wednesday night spaghetti  

Scheduled food for each day of the week 

 

I am from “Watch your language” and “go to the corner” 

But also “i love you” and 'few words sometimes means more' 

‘the golden rule’ constantly on mind 

“righty tighty lefty loosy” repeted constantly  

 

I am from Educators and truckers 

A Self-made and an adopted child 

I am from the elderly mind and young soul 

Ready for use and to create 
     memories. 
From gillies and dancing at any 
moment I can.

Time spent well, communication    
     had, and family surrounding the 
     table. 

I am from bright lights and loud 
     conversations, church bells 
     ringing and children’s laughter at       the park, and the quiet nights 
     where owls can be heard.  

I am from pasta and meatballs, 
      potatoes and turnip, and ice 
     cream sundaes for the little 
     ones. 
Fruit and veggies everyday (but 
    sneaking pizza on the weekends)

I am from “We are the Bazzinotti’s,” "Kristl, Alyssa, Rianna, Susi, 
     Anthony, Emi: get in the car or 
     you'll be late for school",
“If you don’t have anything nice to 
     say, don’t say anything at all,”
 "I love you to the moon and back," 
     and “God works in mysterious 
     ways.”  

I am from Anthony, Anthony, and 
    Anthony, from Marie and 
   Jeanette, and William and Jack. 
A line of first responders, teachers, 
    and public service. 

I am from a hardworking legacy, 
    responding with love and 
    commitment. 

                 - Emi Bazzinotti

Long hours spent shopping 

Around my small little town. 

 

I am from beeping cars, and flooded streets,

Tall green trees and church bells ring,

The sounds of children playing in streets, 

And the cheers of high school football down the street.

 

I am from chicken cutlets, and meatball, 

With parmigiana cheese always on top, 

Dunkin donuts every morning, 

And tomato sauce, pink vodka, and alfredo on every meal.

 

I am from “love yourself so you can one day love someone else,” 

“Clean your room or you can’t go out,” 

“Did you finish all your homework” and “do you need any help,”

I am from “I love you” every time I walk out. 

 

I am from Laura and Joe, Nick, Gabby, and Robert, 

Cathy and Peter, 

 Hard working parents 

I am from loving people who help me change and grow.