Maria’s Bio

Maria has been a student of Noorthoek Academy for 11 years. She was born in Colombia and adopted by a family in Grand Rapids. Maria enjoys the outdoors, shopping, playing cards, watching movies, and listening to her favorite artist, Michael W. Smith. Her church and spiritual life is important to her. She has a dog named Mango and a cat named Tinker. Her favorite flower is a sunflower. Maria works part time in Grand Rapids, but her dream job is to work at a blood bank.

Maria’s Poetry

I Have a Plan for You

A day like any other.
Plans to run errands,
enjoy the afternoon.
Then the phone rang,
Dad’s words echoed in my ear.
“They are gone.”
Time stood still.
My heart seemed to stop,
my legs felt weak,
my world crashed down.
Two of my favorite people,
my uncle and cousin,
were gone.
My emotions tossed me about.
First sadness, then anger.
I wanted to blame,
to yell at the world.
Until one day God spoke to me.
He had a plan for them.
He unfolded their lives and
was ready to take them home.
He ended their suffering
and brought them peace.
He then told me
about His plan for me.
“It’s time for you
to have peace again.
They are with me.
One day you will understand.
Trust me.”

Summertime

The sunrays warm me
as a swift breeze gently
guides me into the meadow.
Crickets chirp a sweet melody.
Soft grass plays with my toes,
tickling like tiny feathers.
Sunflowers exhale
their fresh aroma welcoming
endless fluttering bees,
eager to dip and taste.
The wind sways the trees,
leafy branches waving hello,
cooling the fields around me.
Birds heard more than seen,
chirping excitedly as I pass.
The sky an endless ocean of blue
decked in puffy, cotton candy clouds.
Chipmunks scamper through the field,
chattering as though to say,
“Well boys, it’s finally summer.
Time to run and play!”

Memories of Grandma

Walking into Grandma’s house,
the aroma is sweet, delicate.
Beautiful and firm,
the blue marble floor,
as steady as she.
The green, softly
carpeted stairs
are warm and cozy
on my bare feet.

Ever Blossoming

The dark water,
the dirt in my life,
hid my beauty.
I was alone.
My world was
unrecognizable.
I couldn’t breathe.
After some time,
things started to change.
I was able to see
true colors again.
The Son began to
shine in me,
washing away the
dirt and filth.
He breathed new
life into my soul.
I emerged as a
fresh, budding flower.
I am beautiful,
stronger than before.
Ever blossoming.