Conchita Day Writings
“The Hearth Cycle”
By Camila Basora
8th Grade
Hope, warmth, care.
These shine in the mother fire as she tends
Her embers.
Weak and innocent the embers start off,
Ignorant of the world around them
As their mother nurtures them to growth.
They grow from embers to flickering flames and later to raging fires
Now exposed to their surroundings
And still kept under Mother’s watchful eye.
But as these former embers grow,
Their mother starts to fade away
Into the next chapter of the hearth.
As the mother fire changes to flame then ember,
Her former embers take her place,
And they pass on what she began.
“If You Are Not from Conchita”
By Elisa Rodriguez
6th Grade
If you’re not from Conchita
You don’t know the arts
You’ve never heard music
You’ve never loved and lived art
You’ve never experienced a beautiful dance
If you are not from Conchita, you don’t know the arts
If you’re not from Conchita
You’ve never had a second family
You’ve never felt true, unconditional love
You’ve never felt happy and whole
If you are not from Conchita, you don’t know family
If you’re not from Conchita
You’ve never had passion
You’ve never done anything with all your soul
You’ve never really, really tried
If you are not from Conchita, you don’t know passion
If you’re not from Conchita
You don’t know that you can hear beauty, feel beauty
See beauty and be beauty
If you’re not from Conchita
You don’t know how extraordinary you can really be
“Conchita Girl”
By Mariana Escobar
8th Grade
As I stroll through the school
And walk through these long halls
I find myself thinking of memories
From inside these school walls
It feels as if I crossed the starting line just yesterday
But the more I think, it seems farther away
I’ve always heard that time goes by fast
I had never believed it, until these precious moments had passed
I remember being small and walking through the door
I was definitely not aware of what was in store
I was not aware of what I would soon be:
A sister, a part of a second family
Fast forward a few years
I am well settled in
Oh, you wouldn’t believe how happy I’ve been!
I’ve learned many new things along the way
Lessons in my heart, which forever will stay
A sense of love, a sense of home
Here, my heart will forever roam
In a place where dreams are bound to come true,
You learn how to be yourself, how to be you
Now, I am older
I’ve grown up here
I’ve learned how to shine brighter
Year after year
Every inch and every corner
Holds a vivid memory
For this school has made the best of me
Walking through the grass,
In the distance I see
A big old tree as old as me
Memories of games played by that tree flood my mind
Just like the school, it is one of a kind
I pass the tree and spot the space
Where I found my one, true belonging place
A building built from the creative arts
Where the creative students got their starts
Slowly, I make myself return to present time
Leaving Memory Lane should be a crime
My journey here is coming close to an end
But nowhere else my time I’d rather spend
Although my experience here has been a climb
The view from the top is nothing but great
I don’t want to leave anything behind
I don’t want to leave, I want to wait
It is time to go
It is time to depart
But no matter where I am,
I’ll always be a Conchita girl at heart.
“Conchita”
By Julian Perez
5th Grade
Conchita led a very colorful life. It started with a dream in Cuba with her sister Alicia. They later moved to Miami, Florida in 1963. When the school started, they wore uniforms for boys, girls and even teachers.
Conchita was a true leader, and I am inspired by her a lot. Because of her, I have found my talents like Cuban dance, piano, bongos, singing, and my personal favorite, theatre. But it’s not only the arts, it’s education. This school has turned me into a very smart boy.
I can’t believe that her dream started in 1963 in Miami is still going on today. I am really following Conchita’s legacy because I am following my dreams just like she did. When I grow up, I want to be just like her. I want to spread her legacy across the United States, and eventually conquer the world.
“Conchita”
By Marcus Mesa and Andy Sordo-Martinez
5th Grade
Conchita was a very nice woman. She helped people when in need, and she was considerate. She listened to people and was respectful when people were talking to her. She helped people learn from their mistakes.
Conchita had a good heart, and she helped people follow her example. We would really like to ask Conchita some questions on what the school looked like and how hard it was to run an orchestra made of 350 students. Unfortunately, she died 7 years ago in 2006. Everyone will remember her legacy and how she acted.
If we had the chance to make her our teacher for at least a day, we would take that chance. We think Conchita would’ve been an awesome teacher. Happy Birthday, Conchita!!!
“Nuestra Foundadora”
By Alejandro Fernandez, Jasmine Rosales,
and Isabella Valdano
5th Grade
Conchita Conchita que Buena y bonita
Conchita Conchita qua pianista que eres
Conchita Conchita ya no tan Chiquita
Conchita Conchita cuanto nos quieres
Conchita Conchita de Cuba viniste
Conchita Conchita cumpliste tus sueños
Conchita Conchita no te rendiste
Conchita Conchita serás recordado todos los años
“Conchita’s Poem”
By Lia Ballester, Allison Fernandez, and Hannah Pastor
5th Grade
Conchita our founder had a very kind heart
She build the conservatory so kids could express their talent
Conchita cared about everybody’s art
She was our founder and always gave us a challenge
Conchita was very dedicated
She wanted everyone to follow their dreams
Conchita wanted everyone to be well educated
She wanted to share her love with us
Our school has grown throughout the years
As she gathered people together
Now that she has gone
We will continue her legacy from this moment on
“Conchita”
By Diego Belfortand Christine Hawkins
5th Grade
Conchita was nice
She was very wise
She lightened up the day
With her smile on her face
We will continue her legacy
Forever in our hearts
She always played a beautiful melody
She inspired us to join the arts
Without her we would have never discovered or showed our talents
We all dedicate this day to her
To thank her for her knowledge
We will be in Conchita’s life forever and ever.
“Smiles”
By Nicolas Ruiz
4th Grade
Conchita was a very special person. She will always be in our hearts in the good and in the bad, but every time I think about Conchita and I have a frown she brings that frown upside down.
“Conchita”
By Chloe Jova
4th Grade
Dear Conchita,
You were the most grateful, most pleasing woman. You helped many children play the greatest music. You built an amazing school and children. You will always be remembered in everyone’s heart.
“Thank you, Conchita”
By Victoria Arguelles
4th Grade
Conchita, thank you, for all the gifts, our beautiful school that gets better and better every year. Thank you for all the teachers. We love them very much. We wish you could be with us this very day to join our fun festivities.
“Conchita”
By Sebastian Lazo
4th Grade
Conchita is my second home. I partly live here because I come here to learn the ways of life. Conchita is one of the best people you can find. I was inspired to do what I do because of Conchita.
“Conchita”
By Isabella Baez
4th Grade
Conchita means a lot to me. Conchita means teaching, loving, and kindness. It is special in my life because of my friends and teachers. Conchita means happiness. Conchita means learning. Conchita means fun. Conchita means festivities. It is special in my life by making me smarter. It is special in my life by helping me learn new things every day. It is special in my life because I’m having fun with my friends. Conchita is the best! I love CEA! CEA is the best school ever!
“Dear Conchita”
By Justin Bezanilla
7th Grade
Dear Conchita,
I wanted to take the time to write you a letter on how grateful I am to be in your wonderful school. Your school has impacted me, and it’s completely mesmerizing. I also am so grateful you started this school because if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have my great friends, and I wouldn’t have the type of education I have now. Also I wouldn’t be this athletic because I am in a lot of sports in this wonderful school and I get a lot of practice. Without you I wouldn’t be as good at sports and especially in baseball. Thank you for everything; you made me the person I am today. Also I am so grateful for this school to have a little bit of strictness in it because if not I would behave horribly with my parents, in public and at home. I would be very disrespectful to my family. So thank you for that too.
Love,
Justin Bezanilla
“Conchita”
By Arlene Banegas and Christina Teixeira
5th Grade
Conchita. Who is she really? From the years that we’ve been here, we could tell that she had a lot of passion. For dance and music she was very talented. She never gave up and was very persistent. Her legacy has lived on for almost 80 years. Piano has always been at the heart of the school. Thanks to that, our school has succeeded into becoming a loving and sentimental place that treats us like family.
From then to now the number of students has changed. In 1973 there were 19 students that graduated and in 2012 59 students. This school has influenced many people’s lives, to be a better person. We think that you’ll never feel out of place, and the teachers and principals are really one-of-a-kind. Our director, Maribel Diaz, has always been there to remind us that school isn’t just fun and games. It’s like a second home; teachers and friends are always going to support you. That’s what Conchita is. She was a wonderful person who took part of many people’s lives, and hopefully she has been a part of yours.
“Conchita, the Founder”
By Bianca Arocha and Natalie Fernandez
5th Grade
Conchita
the founder
of our school,
the most talented
woman from Havana
to Miami.
Her Legacy is her
Honesty.
As of today,
we will remember
her as a woman
who gave us a
school to learn
in.
Her talent with
the arts,
brought it to our
hearts. It will
never bring us apart.
Conchita
was not just wonderful,
she was amazing.
We have spent seven year of joyful cheers at
CEA!
“Conchita Poem”
By Leslie Andreu and Isabella Bruna
5th Grade
It all came from her heart
And that was just the start
She built a school
And that was cool
That focused on the arts
She made us look
Into a book
And she gave us a chance
To dance
But she didn’t give up on us
We use some instruments
To make music
And we think
And also wear pink
But we always have fun
And she truly did it with love
Conchita Espinosa
“Conchita”
By Sophia Guimaraes and Gabriela Loynaz
5th Grade
Conchita Espinosa had so much courage to create this school. It is outstanding! How nice and generous she was! We should be thankful because she made this amazing school. We have made so many memories and made super cool friends these past years. We started in this school so young and came about 6 or 7 years ago. We all are that much smarter thanks to her. My mom is so amazed how we have developed so fast in such a good school. We are so proud of Conchita. The everlasting Conchita Espinosa is still inside our hearts, including me and you. This is the best school you can ask for.
“A Dream”
By Carolina Cruz-Wegener and Anna Gutfreund
5th Grade
It started with a dream, that’s how this school came to be.
Our story starts in little Havana and made history in Miami. This wonderful lady, Conchita, had a big dream to teach us to be educated people and terrific people inside and out. Her talent for piano began inspiring all musicians in her school. Teachers were the facilitators of the arts. She was one of those teachers.
Today we carry her dream for the world to see and pass it on to each other. We are thankful for her legacy, for teaching us how to be noble people like her. Since 1963, her dream lives on through each one of us.
“Conchita Espinosa Academy”
By Megan Gonzalez
8th Grade
Conchita Espinosa Academy
I’m proud to say is my school
I have been here a long time
Since Kinder in 2003 – when I was only 3
Excited to start my life
Somewhere where I was new
I only met her once but I’ll never forget
The way that she smiled
With a glow like the stars
She made it look like life itself
Proud of who she was
Proud to watch us grow
Proud to watch us become
The type of people we would be
I’m lucky to say
Conchita saw me learn
She made me be me.
“Dear Conchita”
By Michael Moreno
7th Grade
Dear Conchita,
Thank you for everything you have given me throughout the years I have been in your school. You have really taught me a lot of things in my life. You have taught me to be kind and loyal to everyone. Thank you for all of the education you have provided for me. All the education you have taught me is what has made me what I am today. Thank you for helping me meet all the wonderful friends I have today. Even though I never really met you, your legacy has really helped me in both life and when I am in school. Thank you for all of the technology you have provided me. The technology you have given our school has helped me learn things both fast and easy. Thank you for the sports you brought to our school. The sports you have given me are fun and can help me with a good future. Thank you for all of the teachers that you have given me. They teach me a lot about school and life. When I have a problem with my life or school, they are the first ones to help me with my problems. Thank you for the coaches you have given me because they taught me how to play sports, and now I’m good at many sports. I wrote this because I wanted to say thank you for all the things you have given me to succeed in live.
Love,
Michael Moreno
“Conchita”
By Ashley Ferran
8th Grade
Conchita,
You spoke to us
with the legacy you left,
and that is something all
the alumni have kept.
You started off small but
in our hearts you have grown,
and have taught us how to
face the world all on our own.
You have impacted our lives
in a big way,
and given us the courage to
go our own ways.
“Conchita Espinosa”
By Alex Anderson
6th Grade
Conchita, estoy muy agradecido por todo lo que me has dado. Gracias por darme una buena educacin y por darme, no solo a mi, sino a otros, una son risa indescriptible. Yo no he podido vevte, pero sé que puedo decir Gracias por todo! Feliz cumpleaños!
“Conchita”
By Glenda Rosario
6th Grade
Conchita era una mujer extraordinaria. Ella pensaba que las artes eran la clave para la educación y el future. Todo enpieza en 1933 cuando ella fundó una escuela en La Habana, con pocos estudiantes. Ella se mudó a los estados unidos y empezó a dar clases en un graje en el 1963. De Nuevo, se mudó a un lugar cerca del mar. En la actualidad, estamos en una escuela donde los estudiantes pueden aprender y practicar el arte que les guste, precisamente con lo que soñaba Conchita. Lamentablemente ella se fue al cielo en el 2006. Su hija ha tornado las riendas del colegio y ha seguido su legado. Esta semana celebramos su cumpleaños que es el 23 de febrero pero también celebramos su vida grandioso. Muchas gracias!
“A Life Without Conchita”
By Julio Burgos
8th Grade
I didn’t really know Conchita well enough to really say really good things about her, but if I had to describe her with one word, it’s “spectacular.” I chose that word because I can tell she did what she did not for the money or fame. She did it because she really cared. She started really small with a piano and her garage. Because of her kindness and her loving smile, she welcomed kids into her own home to give them the opportunity that they probably couldn’t afford. She put sweat and blood into what she loved and that’s what makes her spectacular.
Even though I didn’t meet Conchita personally, if I could tell her anything, I would tell her congratulations on everything that you have provided this wonderful school, and congratulations for the wonderful kids that you have raised. She had an amazing heart and was a person that would not stop until she got what she wanted. I think that this world would be a better place if we had more people like Conchita. Even to this day, I wish I could have met the wonderful lady called Conchita.
“Conchita Means to Me”
By Alexa Guardo
3rd Grade
Conchita means to me a lot. You study here for 10 years. I’m on year 5. It is special in so many ways. I will share the reasons why. One: it is fun. We have fake grass so we can play. Two: CEA is my 2nd home. Three: we learn new things every day. There are wonderful teachers that help us. We have many celebrations. The best reason of all is that we can follow our dreams!
“Conchita Is Really Special”
By Danny del Riesgo
4th Grade
Conchita is really special! She taught me everything I know. She’s really special just like this school. She gave us all the knowledge she has with her heart and mind. She gave us a park. She gave us a conservatory. She made this school as fun and as smart as she could. What would we do without Conchita?
“Conchita”
By Jesus Labrador
4th Grade
Conchita Espinosa Academy is a school that you will always have fun while learning. Conchita was a great lady who made this wonderful school to learn and have fun.
“Conchita”
By Perla Liz Burgos
4th Grade
Without Conchita I wouldn’t have the right education. I wouldn’t have the same friends I have now. It wouldn’t be the same. Conchita is like my second home. Conchita is the greatest school.
“Conchita Is the Best”
By matthew Pancorbo
4th Grade
Conchita is the best!
She made this school for us to learn.
Without this school what would we have?
What knowledge would we learn?
Conchita is very special.
She is the very best.
With this school right her right now,
we are the happiest!
“Conchita Day”
By Sofia Lopez
4th Grade
Conchita is very special. She made this school for us to learn. Our school increases with knowledge more and more each year. Without this school we wouldn’t know what we know now. We are thankful for all the things you have done for us. Thank you for this school and what you’ve given us!!!!
“Conchita Espinosa’s Legacy”
By Enrique Gonzalez
6th Grade
Conchita, Conchita you are so amazing.
Conchita, Conchita you are so heart-warming
You light up my day and I love it.
You are outstanding and nice.
Our school is courageous and so are you.
Our sports are terrific and so are you.
Our teachers are creative and so are you.
Conchita, Conchita you are so amazing!
“Dear Conchita”
By Nicole Rey
7th Grade
Dear Conchita,
You are a very talented, colorful, and kind person. The fact that you never gave up on your dreams makes me super happy. If you would have not tried so hard to make this school, I would not have all the education I have. Your passion for the arts is strong. You left the arts here for all your students and everyone gets to learn and practice their passions.
You leave your legacy here today and everyone loves it. All the parents choose this school for their kids, and that means you did a good job. You made a really good school where kids can be like family to each other. Everyone can be unique here. This is my second home.
You created a place where everyone fits in. No one guts bullied, no one feels left out. Every student feels comfortable with each other. We have plays where everyone can express himself or herself. We have the Communion in 4th grade, where we take the Eucharist for the first time.
We also have advisory. Advisory is a certain amount of time we have to do what we love. We also have Family Affair where there are rides. If it weren’t for this school, I wouldn’t be able to be who I am today.
Sincerely,
Nicole Rey
“Conchita Espinosa”
By Stepahnie Peralta
6th Grade
Conchita Espinosa era una mujer bien cariñosa. Tenía un gran amor por los niños y las artes. Era pianist y también compositora. Daba clases de piano con una sonriso en la cara. Cuando vino de Cuba a los Estados Unidos, tenía solo cinco dólares. Fundó la escuela Conchita Espinosa. Primero comenzó con un conservatorio par alas artes. Despues abrió la parte académica. Quería que esta escuela fuera una oportunidad para que los niños persiguìeran sus sueños. En 2006, Conchita Espinosa murió a los noventa y dos años. Ella era una mujer bien cariñosa con un corazón bien grande. Siempre la vamos a recorder.
“Conchita Poem”
By Rodrigo Aragon
8th Grade
Conchita Espinosa is our school’s founder.
She wanted to help everyone around her.
She left behind a big legacy,
So children can treat the arts with glee.
She liked to teach and she made it so much fun.
She had valuable lessons for everyone.
Conchita taught kids to dance and sing,
Since they’re four years old until they’re wearing a graduation ring.
Conchita really admired the theater
And she was this school’s firs leader.
She lived with a powerful rule,
That there would be not talentless in this school
She left here on Earth her soul
And is still accomplishing her goal.
“Conchita Espinosa”
By Sofia Roa Febres
6th Grade
Conchita Espinosa era una mujer que inspiraba. Desde pequeña, a Conchita le encantaba la música. Ella enseñaba piano a muchos estudiantes que ella queria con todo su corazón. Conchita pensaba que si ella fundaba una escuela, muchos niños de diferentes edades podrían perseguir sus sueños. Ella también creó un conservatorio para que los estudiantes pudieran aprender las artes como la música y el baile. Primero, Conchita abrió la Acadmia Musical “Conchita Espinosa” en la Habana y Miami. Tristemente, Conchita Espinosa murió en 2006 pero su récuerdo está adentro de todos sus niños. Estoy muy agradecida por que esta escuela sea mi segunda casa.
“The Wonderful Legacy”
By Sebastian Zambrano
7th Grade
Conchita gave us a second family,
Conchita gave us a second home,
Conchita gave us knowledge,
She also gave us care,
Most importantly Conchita gave us a wonderful legacy,
One that is a lot more than words
It is a living thing that we can grow and thrive on,
She gave us this legacy so we could always pass it along,
We pass down her legacy so it will always be alive,
And although some of us never knew her,
we keep her in our hearts.
“Dear Conchita”
By Jackie Hernandez
7th Grade
Dear Conchita,
What a wonderful school you have created! It is not only a school but a legacy that will stay in my heart forever. This school has given me the strength and the courage to move forward and want to do something more in life than just an ordinary, boring job. It has taught me to take risks in life and that it is okay to make mistakes. I have been in this school since I was four years old. I have seen this school get remodeled and change. It’s almost like entering a new school – a bigger, better, more refreshing school. You were a motivator. You taught us through this school and its faculty to never give up on something we want or dream. This school is not like any other school. We have a special quality that’s different, and it’s different because we love each other as a family. I think that’s what we have in our school that no other school has.
“Conchita Poem”
By
Lilliana Garcia
8th Grade
Imagine a place full of kids.
A place made of love and care.
You’ve given us so many gifts.
I love you for that, I swear.
I am proud to say you made my school.
You did it all for us
You care so much I find it cool
You’ve surrounded the school with trust
I am leaving soon.
And it’s hard to say.
I’ll miss you a lot.
In the possible ways.
“Oh, Conchita!”
By Andrea Fernandez
7th Grade
Oh, Conchita!
How you have
Fulfilled my
Dreams with
This wondrous
School and
The art I do see
Oh, Conchita!
If you were
To see the
Little kids’
Talents,you
Would be astonished
Along with how
Much they
Have accomplished
Oh, Conchita!
The stories
I hear from
You sound as sweet
As Hershey’s my dear
Oh, Conchita!
How you have
Affected everyone!
No matter what
We’ll always be one
Oh, Conchita!
It’s a shame
You’re not with
Us, we truly
Do miss you
“Conchita”
Conchita is the best,
unlike the rest.
Her school started very small,
but ended up very tall.
She taught many kids, soon they became teachers.
These teachers are great,
they never come late.
They all help us out,
so we are never in doubt.
This is my second home,
because I am never alone.
Although some of us never met her,
we sure will never forget her.
“Conchita Espinosa”
By Emily Torres
6th Grade
Hoy celebramos el cumpleaños de Conchita Espinosa. Conchita era brillante y persistente. En La Habana fundó una escuela y después fundó una escuela en Miami que se llama Conchita Espinosa Academy. Su escuela da mucha importancia a las artes. Ella era pianist y una Buena maestro.
Conchita falleció en 2006. Ahora su higa Maribel es la directora y sus nietas, Carol y Ana, tragajan en la escuela. Conchita dejó un legado que permanence en el corazón de todo el mundo. Ella consiguió su sueño ehizo uno escuela excelente. ¡Feliz Cumpleños, Conchita!
Ms. Henriques’s class had a very special guest speaker, Mrs. Diaz. Mrs. Diaz came to her class and taught her children about Conchita and her legacy. Her class then made a list of ways we can live each day like Conchita.
- Take care of yourself.
- Take care of your friends.
- Cuidar los juguetes
- Listen to your teachers
- Take care of the world because Papa Dios made it for us.
- Enjoy music.
- Take care of mama and papa.
- Keep the classroom neat.
- Take care of and listen to your teachers.
“Conchita Is Special”
By Victoria Fernandez
4th Grade
Conchita, to me, means joy. It is special in my life because of the teachers. It is special because of all of the talent here. It is special because of the coaches. It is special because of the experiments we do in science. It is special because of the people. It is special because of the music. It is special because of what they teach us. It is special because of Conchita. It is special because of all of the times here. It is special because of the shows. That is why Conchita is special to me.
“Conchita”
By Juan Carlos Varela
4th Grade
Conchita is our creator.
She is helping us to be better people
She made our school.
We need to follow her steps.
We are Conchita Espinosa Academy
“Conchita”
By Valentina Castro
4th Grade
Conchita, Conchita you live in our hearts you made us
this school and you made it our home.
Conchita, Conchita you live in our hearts you gave
us many teachers, that taught us so much.
Conchita, Conchita you live in our hearts.
“What Conchita Left Us”
By Jorge Rodriguez
6th Grade
Conchita is a school.
I think that it is cool.
Conchita is also a woman,
And her job is done.
She made this school
And its rules
She left this great heavenly legacy.
She is so great she should have her own holiday.
It is sad that she has passed.
If she were still alive I would ask
“What do you think of the school today?”
To me, Conchita is the best
There is almost never a mess,
But if there is, the janitors clean it up.
Conchita is a second home, a second family,
When I come here, I spend the day happily.
“Conchita”
By Jeena Prasertulum
8th Grade
Conchita is a place that I call home
Where I have grown up to be who I am today
The memories made, never forgotten
The friends I have will always be in my heart
Conchita not only the name of my school
But the name of the founder
Will have a special place in all the students’ hearts
Conchita has provided me with many things
And has helped me flourish in my talents
When it’s time for me to go
I will always love and remember this school as my second home.
“Conchita”
By Natalie Garrido
8th Grade
Conchita, thank you for not giving up on your dream. It means so much to me. The people in this school, to me, are like family. I would have never met them if it was not for you. I have been here since Pre-Primary, and I have watched the school grow.
The education here is like no other. All the teachers teach so well. I’ve learned so much since day one. It is not only academics, also the arts. Everybody in the school is so talented.
This school to me is like a second home. I am so glad I came. If I went somewhere else, it would not be the same. There are so many new things! Like a whole new building for the little ones, technology and so much more.
Also we have so many activities. Every day I come is fun. We have Family Affair, Walk for the Future, Hoop It Up, etc.
There are so many visitors who visit the school. I hope one day they can come here, and they can enjoy it as much as I do! Thank you so much, it is amazing how far we have come.
