Wish Upon a Dream
Wish Upon a Dream was written by the Inglewood Dreamer Scholars in partnership with I Have a Dream Foundation - Los Angeles in the fall of 2025
Introduction: The Soundtrack of a Generation
Welcome to a unique and powerful exploration of identity, memory, and social consciousness, as told through the music that defines a moment. This collection presents the work of 8th-grade students who were challenged to look beyond simple preference and articulate their lives, feelings, and beliefs using the universal language of song.
The pages ahead are more than just a list of playlists; they are carefully curated sonic self-portraits. You will find deeply personal narratives: a theme song for a first concert, an auditory snapshot of an improbable sports victory, and the calm melody used to anchor a study session. From the nostalgia of a childhood car ride to the raw emotions of a friendship conflict, these young writers demonstrate that music is not just background noise—it is the definitive soundtrack of their coming-of-age experience.
Organized into three thematic Tracks, this manuscript allows you to hear the world through the ears of a new generation. We begin with Track 1: The Sound of You, where students use music as a key to unlock their most significant memories. We move to Track 2: Mixtape for a Stranger, where the students craft a musical introduction, often accompanied by a visual collage, to reveal who they are without speaking a word. Finally, in Track 3: Music for a Cause, the students connect their personal playlists to the broader world, championing artists who push creative boundaries and advocate for social change—from the civil rights anthems of Aretha Franklin to the community work of Kendrick Lamar.
What follows is an impactful and moving document that showcases the insight, vulnerability, and passion of these 8th graders as they turn their innermost lives into a powerful and unforgettable listening experience.