The Meridian: Looking Glass (Spring 2023)

Looking Glass

This publication is a forum for students to openly express themselves. All art, literature, articles, and photography were submitted by students of Alpharetta High School and selected by a committee of the news and creative arts magazine students before being accepted. The pieces accepted into the magazine represent the diverse views and opinions of the creators themselves. These works do not in any way, shape, or form represent the opinions of Fulton County Schools or the Alpharetta High School administration, faculty, or staff.

Looking Glass

The Meridian Spring 2023

2022-23 Journalism Staff

Margaux Sivirine Editor-in-Chief

Nia Ervin Managing Editor

Hazel Thekkekara Staff Member Staff Member

2022-23 Journalism Staff

Kaelin Talele Staff Member

Anna Haskell Staff Member

Taj Seton-Martin Staff Member

Charlotte Groton Staff Member

Daniyal Makki Staff Member

Letter From the EIC

Margaux Sivirine, Editor-In-Chief

I’m so proud of my staff for the publication we were able to create this year! With just 10 staffers, we created a beautiful publication that explored the theme “through the looking glass” in a way that reflected our own person experiences of exploring the known and the unknown. At first, it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel – how do we create a publication when there are so few of us? Furthermore, how do we make a publication when we as a team don’t know each other that well? Well, a year is a long time to find that light! Gradually, we pushed through and worked together to create something we are immensely proud of. So, it’s a delight to see that our Spring 2023 issue is also an accumulation of a year’s worth of jokes, memories, and friendships a small group of students created in the red workroom in the AHS library. And, of course, none of it could be done without our wonderful teacher Mr. Fortunato, who’s wisdom and guidance allowed for amazing memories that all of us will cherish. From the golden oreos to my personal vendetta with Fortunato’s 4th Law of Composition, working with this amazing staff has been one of the best experiences I have gone through in my high school journey, and one that I will always cherish. Thank you so much for my staff and Mr. Fortunato for making this publication go from a dream to a reality!

By Mister E

A castle tall and proud upon a hill Was crafted with hands full of love and care. Result of endless time and endless skill, A sight beheld by any who stood there. The walls of this great castle strong and stout. The moat protects the treasures held inside And like a human wouldn’t work without, The heart, the king, its conscience be denied. Upon the towers lie great views below, The ocean water, cool breeze, clear blue sea. The moment’s brief, so take it nice and slow. Enjoy the finer things like being free. The castle can be broken by a hand, Because like us this castle’s made of sand.

Home

By: Margaux Sivirine

when i think of home

it’s not back in France or here. what i couldn’t find in Vernouillet or Alpharetta i have found here in your cologne and warm embraces in your sweet kisses and quiet affirmations of love you are my home my gorgeous, beautiful home

By Anna Haskell

Far off into green fields where flowers sway Stood a tall daisy in the dawn summer breeze Sun climbing up hill for a new day

That daisy still stood there with ease

Late afternoon, sun started to act shy

The warm glow was captured by dark clouds The clouds grew, thunder cracked in the sky Sun refused to show; flowers calmly bowed

The bright tall daisy still stood there brave No storm can disturb its beauty and peace The fields release storms often but never stay Once the storm passes, sun is finally released

Flowers begin to look up, dances and smiles The daisy stood bold; the storm drained for miles

My Friend

By Zeina Nesnas

Will you continue to remember uswhen days end, and memories fade with age- and when we run out of things to discuss, will our friendship still get to hold a page? Time, ravenous consumer of the past that could never steal the shine from your eyes, or the way you beamed when your smile was cast. forgetting those would be worse than goodbyes So, when we meet next, let our days never close. let our laughter be loud and our joy known, for its your laugh I wish to hear the most, and it’s your joy I wish to make my own. You do not know the comfort you provide, My friend through it all, never left my side.

A Look in the Mirror Shravika Pendyala

In quiet moments, when the world is still I look inside, and try to find the will To understand the thoughts and fears that linger And to see the truth that lies within the mirror

I search for answers to the questions deep That I have kept locked away in sleep And as I gaze upon my own reflection I find the strength to make a new direction

I see the flaws and faults that I possess But also the love and kindness I express I see the hope and dreams that I have held And the strength to make my future self beheld

I find the courage to let go of the past And to make a new beginning that will last With each reflection, I see a brighter me And the path that leads to true authenticity

So let us all look deep within ourselves And find the strength to break away from our shelves And embrace the beauty and the power That lies within in every passing hour.

Sitting In an AP Gov Classroom

BY: MARGAUX SIVIRINE

You yearn for it don't you? The applaud?

You're giving all you have to offer

Man, at least try to notbe anoutsider

Save the tears, you chose this, you little fraud

Your classmates also pursued the applaud

It's addicting, it makes them feelworthy

Exceptyou feel incompetent and empty

Wow, the inferiority hasjust nowthawed!

Now you're telling meyou don't belong here?

Hm, it really has taken over, hasn't it

It'sa parasite, yetyou'reallowing it?

Why doyou continue coming back here?

Well, I'll say what you know deep down inside:

You're a complete fraud you don't belong here

epiphany

By Hazel Thekkekara

my tongue probes bitter mountains and valleys of my lips, a mess of silken heat and dried blood.

i feel the craters in my gums from long nights of red-tipped noses, and eyes filled with so much hatred

the stars looked like broken pearls in the sky; intermeshed fragments of ephemeral longings, all unheard. in the dark, i think of those lacy cobwebs of light, echoing tales we told when the willows didn’t weep, and pain was only a fading bruise.

i remember

my cheeks stained pink from long days amid the ferns, eyes big and brown as i stared at the sun. for an instant, i thought i could do anything if i could do thisbut my humanity intervened, and i shielded my retinas with a wretched hand.

traipsed inside, heartbeats later. encased within four plaster walls, i confined my body to a second skin and a nylon purse. coughed on the odor of unwashed bodies until i realized the scent was my own. that night, my lips breathed a song i hadn’t heard before, and before the music morphed into musings, i clamped my teeth together. repeated to myself that bad things only happen when you put your mind to them. after reciting a litany of forget, i turned from the window. now, i rest uneasy.

you put your mind to them. after reciting a litany of forget, i turned from the window. now, i rest uneasy.

repeated to myself that bad things only happen when

MUTED

By: Hazel Thekkakara

the monsoon rains poured heavier that day.

eroding earth spilled across cobblestoned streets, mixing as chai does with sugar.

the boy’s shoes, what could be said about them?

his entire life was like those shoes -

warped from heat & neglect.

shoes fashioned from tires, scraping against the hardened soles of his feet.

the monsoon rains kept pounding.

his shoes kept pace with the shadows on the sidelines.

the boy drifted aimlessly along the cobblestoned streets as the world kept turning, muted.

Competitive Nature In Theater

By: Charlotte Grossi

Introduction:

The theatre department at Alpharetta high school plays a big role in the life of many aspiring young performers. Most of these students grew up with a love for acting, singing, and dancing. However, there is much more to theatre than what is on the stage. The sense of community and friendship off stage is one of many factors to a flawless show. Musical theatre just like a sport has a completive nature to it. The aspect of casting can influence a student’s determination and build or destroy confidence. Having a strong support system is a necessity in performance arts but a hunger for success always reveals a competitive side.

Bella Popa is a Junior at Alpharetta High School and has been doing theatre for about nine years. She has played the lead and many supporting roles in several Alpharetta and other productions. She is considering acting and performance as a career to develop further after high school. She says theatre makes her happy but she’s aware of the difficulty that come with succeeding in the acting business. She plans to audition for musical theatre colleges to continue her love for theatre. Bella goes on to say, “My director pushes me a lot and, I end up being thankful for it because I have improved so much”. The director has a huge impact on all aspects of the show and behind the scenes. The director chooses the show and the cast so having a good relationship with them is necessary. Having a good relationship with fellow cast members is just as important. Actors may be friends with their fellow cast members but at the end of the day disappointment and envy is very possible in this business.

Bella enjoys the closeness theatre brings to her and her friends. She says, “I love performing with my friends, it makes me so much closer with them to form the bond we make with each other during shows.” Extra curriculars are definitely a great way to find and get closer to friends. Musical theatre requires a lot of collaboration and teamwork to put on the best show possible with well-developed characters. She goes on to say, “I love to grow with them and watch us win competitions, together and we all are very supportive and honest with each other on performances.” Having a supportive community surrounding her has been a big part in what makes her want to keep improving and developing her acting skills. Bella thinks it’s very important to support her friends as they support her. Critiquing each other and giving them the

confidence, they need to perform on stage. However only one actor can get each role, and this causes friends to be in competition with each other. Bella says, “In the end everyone ends up being happy for one another but in auditions and competitions it gets pretty intense sometimes.” Auditions are where toxicity in the community is most prevalent as it determines an actor’s role and opens opportunities.

Conclusion:

While it might not be as obvious, musical theatre can be a highly competitive hobby and career to pursue. The community behind the scenes is what is important to produce a beautiful and meaningful show. Toxicity and envy are inventible in any sport, job or art. Receiving support is a must in everyday life and great achievements.

STUDENTS' WELL-BEING

BY: ZEINA NESNAS

Many teachers assign a lot of homework with a specific deadline, which might cause students to become stressed out by attempting to finish it as soon as possible before the deadline. If the studenthad difficulty solving the homework or received a complex question, it would exacerbate the student's stress. The primary concern here is how the quantity of homework and testing affects students both emotionally and physically. Students who spend too much time on homework experience an increase in stress, physical health problems, a lack of balance in their lives, and social alienation. The interviews conducted at Alpharetta High School on how the quantity of homework and testing affects students both physically and emotionally. Seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen were interviewed. Interviews were conducted with seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, and they were asked if they find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities that

are important to students because of the amount of homework they have, also if it has affected their sleep schedule and time spent with family. The first question in the interviews asked was, "did the work ever keep you awake all night or affect your sleep schedule?" Multiple seniors responded with, “yes, I stay up past 12 am every day because of homework and studying for tests.” Regarding the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen they had the same response. They have also been questioned if they have ever had to give up or have not had time to spend with family, friends, participate in extracurricular activities, or do the things they enjoy. Many seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen stated that they don't have time to spend with their families because of the excessive homework assignments they receive and also claimed, "we are unable to meet our developmental needs or establish other important life skills at the same time." In other words, students are less likely to participate in extracurricular activities and spend less time with friends and family. These high school students claimed that they do not have enough time to do their work since they receive assignments on a daily basis, causing them to stop being physically active and be able to do other activities they enjoy. They mentioned that they can't leave the house as much due to the amount of work they receive. Many students were stressed and anxious as a result of the amount of homework and tests they had to do on a daily basis. It has had an emotional and mental health impact on them. Seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen were interviewed at Alpharetta High School. The first interview question was whether they had ever felt stressed or spent too much time on homework. Many reported feeling anxious and spending more than 2 hours every night on schoolwork. They claimed they "don't have enough time in school to finish the assignment." Every grade from 9 to 12 expressed how it had a negative impact on their mental health and that they had multiple mental breakdowns as a result of the work. They used words like "overwhelmed" and "exhausting and tiring" to express how they felt. A sophomore stated, "We students should not have to face this at such a young age, and teachers should reduce the amount of homework assigned every day because having to study and do homework for tests every night is exhausting." When asked if juniors, freshmen, and seniors felt the same way, they said yes. During the interview process, students were questioned

about the average, or how much homework and tests they receive in a week. Most of the seniors reported they have 4 quizzes and 2 tests every week, as well as 3-4 assignments per day, for a total of 23-24 assignments average weekly. Most juniors and sophomores said that they have three quizzes, two tests, and at least five assignments per week. Freshmen, on the other hand, get one test and two quizzes every week, but 4-5 assignments per day. Students indicated that this affects them emotionally since doing this much studying and homework in a week is emotionally draining. They also mentioned that this was without the classwork they receive. Teachers were also interviewed and asked why they assign homework and assignments, which is a common question among students. Ms. Mitchell, an English teacher, responded, "I personally don't provide much homework, yet I believe teachers assign homework because they think it's a good reinforcement, and that practice is vital for students, as well as daily review." She was also asked, "Are you aware thatstudents are stressed, and that this affects them both emotionally and physically?" She responded,"Yes, I am aware that students are stressed, and that thisaffects them; I believe it isdifficult for them." She then stated solutions and how to manage their time, stating, "students get distracted with technology and social media, I think it's the main reason why they can't manage their time so in order to get your work done they should not use much technology and focus on studying even though they can still get stressed, I know it's hard for them." These students conveyed their feelings and responded to the question of how it impacts them physically and emotionally. They spoke up about how it impacted their sleep schedules, mental health, and how they hadto give up extracurricular activities due to the amount of work they received. Therefore, these interviews have provided an answer to the primary question.

AP 2D Design at AHS

By: Kaelin Talele

Alpharetta High School provides a variety of classes dealing with the fine arts, including Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Graphic Design, and Photo. Taught by Ms. Michael, there is a more advanced class that is recommended to students after taking Photo I and II called AP 2D Design. Throughout this course, students work to put together a portfolio throughout the school year filled with collages and photography that reflect their ideas and skills. The students must submit their digital portfolios to the AP Program by May 5th. Though the class here at AHS is a small one with just 4 students, together they create a creative and motivated classroom. To get behind the creative minds at AHS and see what topics they have been developing, I asked a few students about their portfolios.

Sophie Smith, a junior taking the course, is using a creative strategy in representing societal issues. Through photography, she is taking societal issues like gender equality, how expensive healthcare is, and issues of bullying, and incorporating board games to display them. Smith says she is "...using games like Life, Monopoly, Operation, Sorry, and Clue". By using Operation to illustrate how expensive healthcare is, and Life to show things like issues for the lower class, Smith creates visually pleasing and engaging works of art. The work she has made with these board games has been a means for her to represent and explain the various issues that we are witnessing in our society daily through the medium of art. She continued to say, "I've changed my topic a couple of times, but it's really been about trial and error and what works and what doesn't". Choosing one topic to focus on for the entire year seems like a lot of pressure for students. Despite this, Smith appears to have a creative vision and an effective strategy.

Another junior in this tight-knit class, Emily Fuelling, is putting her portfolio together with pieces related to miniature people. Fuelling explained she is "...using perspective and other techniques to display miniature people in different environments." As a result, it becomes clear that she is focusing more on how humans affect their surroundings, and how they are just one strand of a much larger whole. Whether it is environmental impacts, social awareness, or the actions of humankind in general, Fuelling uses photography and collages to depict the roles of humans in our large world.

The AP 2D Design class at Alpharetta High School holds many talented and creative students with developed visions. After talking to these two students, it is clear AHS has the pleasure of having students with the impressive talent of sharing messages through art. Politically and philosophically, all students have been putting together creative portfolios with strong messages.

Common Ground

By: Jane Walmsley

I hesitate to knock on the door, my hand shaking ever so slightly. My mother sighs impatiently and quickly push past me to open the door. She walks inside with a buzz in her steps, and I trail behind at a snail's pace. My new family waits inside. When I walk in, my eyes instantly go to Reagan. She was my new stepsister, another kid in my grade at my school. I had seen her around but knew nothing about her. It made it all the more intimidating for me to live in the same house as her. The trouble with blended families is that a blender chop thing up. Everything I knew was being chopped into tiny pieces and shoved together, unrecognizable. I glance wearily at her, the edge of a frown tugs on my lips. My mother and stepfather are glued together by excitement and loud conversation. My mother's grin being a tad too wide to feel natural. The rest of my stepfamily has plastered awkward smiles on their faces as they look at each other, unsure of where to go from here. I make the first move; I shuffle past the rest of the family and walk down the unfamiliar hall. As I walk, the pictures on the walls mock me with memories and vacations that do not belong to me. At the end of the passage, my room waits for me in silence. When I enter, the walls are bare, and the moving boxes left on the floor haven't been touched. It's summertime, but home has never felt so cold.

Months pass, and nothing changes. The bitter tension of the situation still bites at me every day. I have never had such a big family, yet I have never felt so alone. However, as time moved on, something peculiar began to happen. The months of everlasting snowfall paused for a brief moment and allowed a tiny blade of grass in the earth to appear I heard some shouting outside my room, my body tensed, and my hands clenched. This wasn't the first time I heard a screaming match in the house. My walls shook as a door slammed, and the voices grew louder and more furious with every passing minute. I peeked my head out from behind my door My eyes scanned the hallway, only to end up locking with another pair of eyes - Reagan. Her back was up against her door, and her eyes were wide, as if she wasn't expecting to see me. Then, the look of shock slipped off her face and was instantly replaced with relief. She offered me a half smile and said, "Parents, such idiots, am I right?" In that second, I felt freer than I had in months. My hands unclenched, and I allowed a smile to

make its way onto my face. It became clear that we were on the same playing field, on the same team, and in the same situation. We had each other to lean on in this chaotic family.

By year-end, I could feel the winds change between us, the calm after the storm had finally arrived. We hugged more tightly, and our laughter from late at night would still linger in the early hours of the morning. We often huddled in my room to share our thoughts, dreams, and struggles. Our passion for Hallmark movies and Taylor Swift fueled our friendship. She came to see me star in the school musical, and I cheered her on at her lacrosse games. I learned that people could find common ground with enough time and effort. Our lives were not blended; they were folded together, each of us maintaining what made us unique. It didn’t matter what situations life decided to throw at me, I would find my own form of common ground and stand on it.

Why Do People Go To Cross Country Meets?

By Margaux Sivirine

The sun is barely rising as I anxiously fiddle with my fingers, waiting for the shot to occur. Coaches, parents, and teammates line up the cones to catch a glimpse of their runner in the crowd. I stealthy slide between 2 viewers, and my eyes dart to find the person I’m cheering on. There are so many people here. How will I find him? The early morning fog dissipates, giving view to the course ahead. Hills litter the course ahead, lined up with trees that dance with the cool breeze. I shove my hands into my sweatshirt pocket, hoping the fabric will warm my shivering hands. An electronic voice booms from the speakers, telling the runners to get on their marks. My eyes quickly scan the field to gather a rough estimate of how many boys are about to stam-

pede through this field together. My heart pounds against my ribs; I know this is the most crucial part of the race.

Why is it the most crucial part of the race? Well, the position of the runner at the beginning of the race determines in which “pack” – the group of people running alongside them – the runner stays with. This plays a key role in determining pacing and, eventually, placement. Hundreds of boys and girls compete against each other to place well or beat their PR - personal record - through the foggy mornings. And the Alpharetta Cross Country team is no exception. With a team of 65 kids, including both genders, AHS regularly competes with other local schools, such as Johns Creek

and Blessed Trinity, to improve their running abilities.

Coach Wright, coach of the boys cross country team, has been proudly coaching XC for 2 years. Cross country is the 2nd largest athletic team in the school and, despite the niche sport, has 57 regularly competing runners. These runners compete in meets that are almost exclusively at least an hour away, which requires a long commute early in the morning for any supporters that are interested in cheering the runners along. This is due to the fact that cross country races

require a large, open field to accommodate for the hundreds of runners, but, unfortunately, large fields cannot be found near Alpharetta. The long commutes require a large time commitment as a cross country meet can multiple hours which begs the question: what drives people to attend these meets?

As my eyes linger of the families of the runners, I realize we must have all had similar mornings: wake up at 6:00 am, eat a quick breakfast as we prepare for, minimum, an hour-long drive, and then headed to the car. Thankfully, the crisp air

collectively welcomes everybody to the open field, despite the early time.

Coach Wright believes the answer lies within the nature of the sport. Practice for the sport occurs every day of the week for an hour in order to prepare the runners to perform their best. Long-distance running is an extremely difficult sport that solely reminds on endurance and mindset and is reflected on the outside view of a person. When asked, Coach Wright believes that people attend these meets to “see people better themselves,” and he continued by saying, “[a spectator] can really see the struggle of the inner person when they’re running. For the runners in the front, you can see the inner fight and how bad they’re struggling; for the runners in the middle, you can see themselves pushing for a PR; for the runners in the back, you can see the amount of effort they’re putting in running.”

However, Coach Wright recognized how there are two primary issues affecting how many people show up to the meets. Coach Wright and Coach Baron - The girls XC Coach - choose which races AHS runners will compete in. And while they try to vary

The AHS cross country team at the Wingfoot meet on September 24th, 2022.

them, they primarily choose legacy races - as in, races that AHS runners have previously raced in and done well. Some of these locations include Wingfoot, which is in Cartersville, Georgia, and Coach Wood, which is in Whitesburg, Georgia.

But there is a major drawbackWingfoot is an hour away, and Coach Wood is around an hour and 15 minutes from Alpharetta; additionally, these races can begin as early as 7:00 am, which requires attendees to leave Alpharetta at around 6:00 am to see their runner. This drastically impacts the number of attendees viewing the race. Yet, for those who attend, there is a bigger reason to attend these meets.

Love and support for a runner will make any race, regardless of location, automatically worth it. Being able to congratulate the runners firsthand immediately after they race is more pleasant than congratulating them days later and recognizing their achievements and goals during a vulnerable time is

more genuine and memorable. I’ve gone to 3 meets in total and taking the time out of my day and support the XC teams is an exciting way to start my Saturday morning, and I know that the runners appreciate seeing somebody interested in their pursuits and achievements.

16 minutes and 20 seconds later, I find the person who I was cheering for. After a joyful congratulation, I am engulfed by sweaty arms holding me tight. In this moment, I realize that this is why I come every Saturday. The long commute was barely a cost to the moment of seeing such a genuine happiness on a runner’s face as you support them. Having support, whether it be from friends, family, or teachers makes all the difference. The struggle with the inner self is seen on the outside, making cross country the perfect sport to attend if you want to see somebody become a better version of themselves. So, if you have some spare time on an early Saturday morning, the support you can bring to the AHS XC team is more meaningful than any words afterwards.

MARGAUX SIVIRINE

Senior year. The wear where you can finally be stress free! I mean, it’s the final year so it should be easy, right?

Wrong. I don’t know about other seniors, but senior year has been the hardest year of high school for me. And I wouldn’t say it was the workload that was the breaking point because, honestly, it felt the exact same as last year. But the college application process is a different beast, and I made many regrettable choices that, if I could, would go back and do different. So, I’m here to save everybody planning on applying to college in their senior year from the hardship that not many people talk about!

FROM SENIOR TO UNDERCLASSMEN:

ENJOR YOUR SENIOR YEAR!

To be clear, this is based on my experience, and everybody has different experiences that will influence your college application process differently. For me, my dad attended college in Europe and my mom never attended college. My older brother chose to go into the workforce after graduating, and now it’s my turn to graduate and start the chapter of my life. No one in my family knew about how to apply to college or financial aid or anything related, so I had to learn everything by myself.

So, let’s begin! The first step is to think about colleges or programs you’re interested in pursuing. I thought I had all the time to think about it, then I blinked, and suddenly. I found myself in September of my senior year. You don’t have as much time as you think. I know it’s probably a source of dread to have to start looking at colleges, but you’re only hurting yourself in the future if you don’t start early.

Think about colleges, research programs and extracurriculars, and think about what you want to have in your university. You’re going to be there for 4 years, so don’t rush it. I had the opportunity of visiting a few schools in Boston over the spring break of my junior year, and that started my thinking process. Now, I am not saying you must travel during your vacation time and visit colleges, but if the opportunity is presented to you, I would suggest taking it.

Okay, now you have a couple schools in mind. Now mark your calendar for August 1st because that’s when the Common Application opens for you to start your college application journey. There are other college application websites, such as Coalition, but I’m not familiar with those as I applied to all my schools through the Common App since many schools accept the Common App.

The common App. It’s been my source of dread for half a year now. The first thing you’re going to want to do is fill out the basic demographics then your activities list. My piece of advice when describing your role in the extracurriculars is using short phrases and separating them by a sei -colon. Also, using strong verbs (which I googled and used those). Yes, it’s incredibly tedious … but get those done early so you can perfect the description. Your activities list is one of the most important aspects of your application, so don’t mess it up.

Great, now you have a superb activities section. Now to the actual beast: the essay. Let me tell you right now, it’s hell. Unless you’ve known your entire life what you were going to write in this moment, it’s difficult to come up with an idea – I didn’t have a solid idea until I started writing my essay. All I can recommend is reflecting on key moments in your life

it can be silly, serious, happy, etc. Basically, you are going to need an essay responding to one of 7 prompts in under 650 words. I pushed it off until I asked one of my teachers if he could read, and when he said yes, I knew I had just a few days to write it so I can have something to give him. And you know what? I got it done. Would I recommend this approach? Honestly, if that’s you will get it done, then go for it. And once you write it, get as many people as possible – teachers, friends, coaches, etc. – to read over it and edit. And then go back and edit it some more. And when you think it’s perfect, have someone look over it and edit it again. You should always focus more on how you grew from the experience rather than retelling the exact moment itself. No college wants to see yet another sob story unless you make yourself stand out by reflecting on the experience and how you became stronger.

You’re so close now to being done! Of course, there are supplemental essays some colleges will ask of you, and for that, I just recommend looking deep into one aspect of a school – extracurriculars, study abroad, internships, etc. – and relating it back to yourself and your future goals. Supplementals are just another way for colleges to get to know you!

Y’all, stay on top of things. Deadlines are absolutely no joke. I know it can be so overwhelming, but you need to push through it. On October 1 the FAFSA – the primary financial aid form –opens and can be sent to colleges. Get that done right away. Not only does it make you have a better chance of getting money, but it also relieves a huge pressure from yourself.

Some colleges might also ask for you to submit a CSS Profile, which is done through the College Board website. Please, do that too. Research what the schools you’re applying to want … it will save you from so much anxiety.

Now you’re ready to go into your senior college application season! Just know it’s all temporary. Find joy in small activities and continue interacting with others. Everybody around you is going through the same thing – you’re not alone. There is always someone to help you.

One might call her a matriarch, but the lilt in her voice that sounds like a hummingbird perched upon rusty nails, & the acrid scent of redolent myrrh that makes my eyes sting & nerves fray will never be enough to convince me she is anything but Grandmother.

ii.

the prudence that once defined her now gives way to pearl-painted coupes & an abundance of liquor.

her presence no longer prompts straighter postures; her ebony hair has withered into ash.

through all the hemmings & re-hemmings, age still peeks out through the cracks in her whalebone corset -

hera to juno, not realizing they are one & the same, parallel universes.

iii.

the golden clock turns grayer as it ticks; the same shade as the eyes that once gazed into mine, lips crooning stories into the stillness of the night, somnolent lullabies coaxing my eyes shut.

words once held so dear now nothing more than broken syllables, lost upon ears that have been wearied by the endless babble, by the world that just keeps on turning.

when did my shrine to her morph into a shroud?

halcyon was not halcyon the day the clock struck nothing.

Learn About Others

Taj Seton

When she was first born, she had no teeth Zeina enjoys sushi with seaweed She watches her 2 brothers And she loves her mother

That’s it, check out what I make next for me

Annabella enjoys mac and cheese

When she she sees the camera, she says cheese She has two furry dogs And can be shy and calm

If she sees Noah beck she might freeze

They both watch their siblings at home When phone goes off they stare like a gnome They both have bright futures next day they are featured I feel as at home they can both sing

Lamp Post

BY: KENDALL DEBRODY

Maybe I will sit on this street and think think about what I could have done or said differently thinking about how I could have tried better trying to make them stay trying to get them to give the same I have been thinking for months but I now sit and let my wounds release for there was none I could have done I have felt but a lamp post standing idly in the darkness desperately giving off a flickering light but how do I give off enough? when the other posts don’t even try?