EiM Anthology with Mark Grist -Voice 2024

Dear Reader,

I am delighted to introduce "Voices", the third anthology in our celebrated series showcasing the exceptional literary talents of students across the Education in Motion (EiM)

family of schools around the world. This year's collection is truly remarkable as we're exploring new and exciting frontiers.

It's been such a pleasure to visit so many schools, work with so many inspiring teachers and students, and see the beginnings of these concepts form in the students' minds.

Getting to read the finished pieces, as you are about to, has been a great experience. A huge well done to those who made it into the collection this year. If you didn't make it in,

please know that many entries couldn't be included due to the constraints of curating. Your brilliant and powerful poems were deeply appreciated-thank you for sharing your

work with me.

This year's theme, 'Voices, ' has been a joy to explore.Thousands of EiM students have delved into the profound significance and privilege of possessing a voice. They've

examined what it means to speak up, listen to others, be proud of our unique voices, and the responsibilities we shoulder as individuals with voices in society.

Many poems in this collection reflect this exploration-there are pieces about being loud and proud of who we are, complaints about how we treat our world, and epic ballads

meant to be listened to by a crackling fire. You may find yourself listening to the voice of a famous villain or an inanimate object. The variety of approaches to the theme really

stood out to me this year.One of the most thrilling innovations in this year's anthology is the inclusion of QR codes linking to audio recordings of the poets themselves reading their work. This feature adds an extraordinary dimension to the reading experience, offering a magical bridge between the written word and the spoken voice, creating a much deeper connection with the poet and their work. I highly recommend you use your devices to scan these QR codes and see how it changes the experience of reading the poem. For me, it transforms the anthology into a powerful, living time capsule, packed full of life and energy. Additionally, a few of EiM's dedicated teachers have contributed, documenting some of the voices that have provided so much inspiration to their students. To those whose poems are featured in this anthology, congratulations!

Your work is a testament to your courage, insight, and remarkable talent. These poems traverse a spectrum of experiences-from personal triumphs and introspective

musings to vibrant character pieces, bold critiques of society, and joyful celebrations of life. Each piece challenges us to think, reflect, and appreciate the power of our own voices.

I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to the extraordinary teachers across the EiM campuses. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering support have been such an inspiration

to me throughout this project. It has been a privilege to work with such ambitious, compassionate, and inspiring educators.

I am also immensely thankful to Edgar Zillmann (EiM), whose relentless efforts and willingness to take risks made this year's tour and book project possible. Our publishers have been fantastic to work with throughout this series, and we couldn't have made such a high-quality collection without Jenni Harrison and her exceptional copy-editing skills, ensuring each poem shines as brightly as it should."Voices" is a celebration of the extraordinary achievements of our young writers. It stands as a testament to their dedication, creativity, and unyielding spirit. As you immerse yourself in their words and listen to their voices, I hope you find as much joy, wisdom, and inspiration as I have.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Mark Grist