Etchings 2022-2023

Editorial Board and Staff

Editor in Chief: Bianca Reznic

Copy Editor: Shubhan Rangnekar

Copy Editor: Carlos Karaptian

Art Editor: Graceann Caliendo

Writing Editor: Meghan Adamo

Writing Editor: Jadyn Schoenberg

Secretary/ SFAC Representative Paige Hofer

Treasurer: Jessica Farakh

DearReaders,

Whetherit’safriend,parent,orevenpet,everyonehas someone.Itisinournatureashumanstoseek connectionsandformrelationships.Thisyear’seditionof theEtchingsmagazineexploresthevastnessofsuch relationships. Withineachpieceofthismagazine,from photographstopoems,youwill beabletofindthe differentemotionsandtypesofrelationshipsallwithone commonmessage-nooneisalone.

Thiswouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthestudents whoworkedforandsubmittedtoEtchings. Aspecial thankyoutoMs.Dochertywhoguidedandsupportedus throughouttheentireprocess.Andthankyou,thereader, forcomingalongthisjourneywithus. Wehopeyou enjoytheproductofourhardwork.

Sincerely,

BiancaReznic

What is a relationship?

A relationship is being there for somebody, and them being there for you mutual love, reciprocated by both people a unique connection between two people

A relationship is a sense of comfort and warmth a sense of belonging is being loved, and loving someone

A relationship is… whatever you want it to be

A relationship can be between people between displacement and time between a blanket and a baby between salt and pepper between sun and moon between a composer and their music between a painter and their art

A relationship can be between anything you want it to be

A relationship isn’t defined by anybody but you isn’t set to certain standards isn’t an object to obtain

A relationship isn’t just marriage

Because a relationship…

Is whatever you want it to be.

~ Shubhan Rangnekar

Family Relationships

Role Model

Asakid,youlookuptoyourcousin

Who’sgoingtoschooltobecomeadoctor. Youwanttobejustlikeher:

She’snotonlysmart,butbeautifulinsideand out.

Youdeclarethatyouwillbejustlikeherwhen yougrowup.

ShegivesyouheroldMedschooltextbookwith wordsyoucanbarelycomprehend.

Youbragabouthertoeverybodyandanybody whowilllisten.

Shegraduatesfrommedicalschool, movesonwithherlife.

Shegetsmarried, hasababy

Yet,shewillforeverbeyourrolemodel. ~MeghanChaundy

TheMother

It is or she who ave me my name

That I must write it upon every wall

For she lives in the spaces between those nine letters

So it must never be written too small

It is or she who ave me my body

That I must make it take up space

So I will be thousands o eet tall and wide

For she and I who share the same ace

It is or she who ave me this voice

That I must speak in boomin cries

For she’d never see me the same way a ain I I lay where the silence lies

And it is she who lived throu h ivin up thin s

Somethin rom which you and I’d never recover

It is she who is brazen and strikin and true

Whom I proudly call my Mother.

Artwork by Scarlett Willems

Connected in Crime

Intermsofthequantityofmoneywehave;we’resuccessful.Intermsofthe wayinwhichweobtainedourwealth;we’recriminals.Ihadonlybeenacquainted withmyfamily’slucrativebusinessforthreeyears,afterassumingoursuccess wasbaseduponmyfather’slengthyprofessionasalawyer,butdiscoveringthat myfatherneverhadacareerinlaw.Infact,hedidnothaveacareeratall;atleast notagovernmentapprovedone.

Ifeltenormouspressure;myhandsbegantotrembleandbeadsofsweat descendedfrommyneck.Myparentsawardedmeoneopportunitytoprove myself;thisrobberywouldsignifymyadmissiontothefamilybusiness.My family’sentireexistencewasbaseduponthewealththeyhad.Theyintentionally worenamebrandclothing,dinedatthemostexpensiveestablishments,and frequentlybelittledthosewhowerelessfortunate.Butourfortunewasas fraudulentasthepearlsmysisterwore.

Thedoorsofthebankwereonlytwofeetinfrontofme;ifIextendedmy rightarmoutwards,Iwouldbeabletograspthedoor’shandle.However,I couldn’t.Amanwalkedoutofthebank,clutchingthehandofhisdaughter.She wasprobablyyoungerthanfiveyearsold,andseeingthegirlsoinnocently juvenileremindedmeofsimplertimes;beforeIbecameintertwinedwithmy family’scorruption.

Finally,Icommitted.Iswungthedooropen,andshoutedasloudasI possiblycould,“Stopwhatyou’redoing!”Oneafteranother,thebank’soccupants rotatedtheirheadsinmydirection,butsurprisingly,afterglaringatme, momentarily,resumedwhattheyhadbeendoing,priortomyentrance.Thelack ofreceptancetomyrequestencouragedmetorepeatmyinitialstatementmore forcefully,“Stopimmediately.”Thistimenobodyturnedtheirheads,orappeared evenremotelypanicked.

Thirtysecondslater,aclerkapproachedmepolitelyrequestingIremove myselffromthepedestalIhadpositionedmyselfon.Irefused,“Showmetothe bankvault.”Thewomanbeggedmetogetdownbeforeenteringatroubling situation,Icouldnotescapefrom.Inthedistance, Iheardtheringofsirens.For thesecondtimetoday,Iwasfrozen.Ineededtomove,butIcouldn’t.

Idon’tknowwhy,norhow,butsuddenlytearsbegantodescendmycheeks. Ihadfailed.Threesecondslater,sevenpoliceofficers,threewomenandfourmen appearedattheentrancetothebank.Withouthesitation,Ithrewupmyhandsin surrender,droppeddowntomyknees,plantedmyheadintotheground,and waited.Iwaitedforthecold,metalcuffstobetightenedamongstmywrists,and shamefullywalkedtothepolicecar,justlikeIhadseensomanytimesinthe movies.Iwaited.Despitemyheadbeingfaceddownwards,Icouldfeelpeople’s eyesonme,judgingme,andmyeverymove.

Icontinuedtowaitanxiously,untilIfinallyheardthejingleofanofficer’s beltbecomelouder.Ilookedupcautiously,nervoustheywouldperceivemy suddenmovementsasthreatening.Herpointingfingerslowlymovedupwards, andIrosetomyfeet,maintainingmydownwardstare.Shegrabbedmyrightarm, andescortedmeoutthefrontdoors.Afterbeinginsideforsuchanextended periodoftime,thesunlightwasblinding,andIfailedtonoticethesixcopcars linedalongGlenLane,eachcontainingonepersoninthebackseat.Isquinted towardsthebackofthefirstcar,andrecognizedmyolderbrother,whoappeared tosmileatme.Withthepoliceofficermaintaininghergrasponmylowerarm,I walkedtothenextcar,wheremymothersat,overcomebythetearsinhereyes.I refusedtowalktothethirdcar.Ididnotwanttoseethepersonresponsibleformy family’shumiliation.Intwenty-fourhours,wehadtransformedfromafamily whosesuccesswashighlightedonthefrontpageofthenewspaper,toonewhose mugshotswerepaintedallovertown.

Jadyn Schoenberg

~

Friendships

Friendshipsinlifemaycomeandgo, Similartotheseasonschanging,from autumntosnow. Somemayfade, Somemaylast, Theywillalwaysbeputtothetest.

Toloveistocompromiseandtoalways forgive, Becausethecyclecontinues,andthatishow ushumanslive.

~JuliaLevinson

Funny inside jokes

Running away together

Inseparable pair

Endless loyalty and compassion

Never a dull moment

Diminishing each other’s bad thoughts

Selflessness and devotion

Helping each other for life

Insults followed by laughter

People bonded by unconditional love

~ Shubhan Rangnekar

My Gift

Hope

Offered up on a silver platter

Supporting this platter

Kindness

A pedestal.

Hand crafted and held together by the pieces of my heart

Acceptance

A diamond rested upon the platter

Support

A constant flow, As pure as the silver

As high as the pedestal

As strong as the diamond

As I pour my soul into the creation of this gift

As I forge this platter using inspiration as the flames

As I climb the pedestal to give more of my heart

As I place the diamond to cement my standing in his well being

Shrouded in confusion and anger

He sets it to flames, incinerating the gift

He pours water over my workspace, steaming the platter

He orchestrates it’s downfall, knocking the pedestal

He fears the diamond, tarnishing it’s shine

As I sit back and see my work is futile

All that I stand for torn to shreds

I take a deep breath

Remembering my purpose

I again provide

Hope

Kindness

Acceptance

Connections are important to make It isn’t always easy, But it will be for your own sake

Someone always on your side A person to talk to, That can help be your guide You can always reach out Whenever you’re in doubt!

~ Rachel Feigenbaum

Photography by Carlos Karaptian

The sirens rang, becoming increasingly louder. She knew she had to hide, but she couldn’t.As if she had just succumbed to a wave of paralysis, Maria remained hopelessly still.They would find her, just like they did her mother.

They banged on the door; she did not answer. She knew they would barge in anyway, intrude into every aspect of her life without her consent.

Maria peeked out towards the sliver of light at the end of the closet door, and she could see them, their black leather boots and hear muffled voices over their walkies.As the sound of their boots became louder, Maria fell deeper beneath the coats. She worried they would hear her excessive breathing, and racing heart, but then they left.

Maria assumed this was a trap, a ploy to lure her out of hiding. She sat in the closet for hours, as still as she had been when she had first heard the sirens, careful to ensure she would not be detected. But as hours passed in absolute silence, Maria emerged from her shelter, and positioned herself cautiously on the sofa. She glanced outside and witnessed children playing in their front yards, their mother beside them gossipping.

It was as if the whole intrusion was a bad nightmare, an event that solely existed in her mind, and nowhere else, which it kind of did.

Then, she walked upstairs. She walked into her bedroom, sat down on her bed, breathing a sigh of relief.The latch had not been opened. Exhausted from the day’s events, the moment Maria had contacted the pillow, she was fast asleep. Nothing could possibly awaken her.

She would not arise until ten the following morning. Per usual, she brewed a pot of coffee, lied down to enjoy the news, but was startled by another knock at the door. She peeked through a crack in her curtains, to find her best friend, Susan, waiting outside. She hauled the door open and embraced her companion.Then, Maria’s attention would shift to her miniscule porch, occupied by two large, brightly colored suitcases, followed by her friend's request to stay awhile. Maria reluctantly agreed, because she wanted to help her friend, but at the same time she did not want to endanger her.

Susan became comfortable, and Maria became her butler, catering to each and every one of her needs. Maria was caring because she wanted Susan to feel welcomed, but she also wanted to ensure Susan would not overstay her welcome, and begin aimlessly wandering around the house, like she had done during previous visits.

Since they were young children, Susan was fueled by her curiosity which often led her to make controversial decisions, and ultimately her lack of stability.As Maria had settled into a small cottage in the countryside, Susan moved across the United States, and even spent some time in Europe. Despite the secure life she had created, Maria envied her companion, who had the ability to travel and be free, unburdened by the past.

The two friends had spent the entirety of the night conversing, informing each other of the fascinating occurrences in their life. Susan had found a boyfriend, and dreamt of the romantic, although unrealistic life they could potentially share, and was now overloading Maria with details of their starstruck relationship. Bored by Susan’s obsession over his newfound love and updates on her recent travels, Maria fell asleep on the couch, with Susan watching over her.

Although Maria was at peace, embracing the comfort of her cushiony couch, Susan had completed the first step, to her meticulously devised plan, by luring Maria to unconsciousness. Susan then proceeded to Maria’s bedroom, opening the latch Maria had ensured was secure earlier in the morning.After opening the latch, Susan was slightly startled, although she had been informed in significant detail of what to expect, the realization that her best friend was an agent working against the government was still disheartening.

They had been long-time friends, but now their relationship was severed by their betrayal of one another. Susan had been repeatedly lied to for over thirty six years, but once acquiring the truth, she would deceive Maria into believing their relationship was indestructible, while simultaneously feeding information to the authorities. Now the only thing that remained indestructible was the bars of Maria’s prison cell.

~ Jadyn Schoenberg

Relationships. Such a broad term that could be interpreted in so many different ways. The thing is, even if we may not see it all the time there are relationships everywhere. There was a time in my life where I believed there was nobody who cared, nobody who heard, and nobody who even bothered to listen. I was overcome with sadness until I came to the realization that I am not alone.

Whether it’s the unconditional love that I’ve always received from my family, or the people at school who stop and say hello, happiness is all around. I started telling myself that I am good enough for others and this is when my life truly turned a corner. I became closer than ever with my friends and became more aware of who the true ones really are. Anyone who wasn’t fulfilling my happiness was not someone I was willing to waste my time on. It became clear to me that once I was sure of myself and not just focusing on the people around me, I would reach my full potential.

All of these challenges that I as well and many others face, shape who we are as human beings and who we may become. As long as we are willing to tackle these challenges head on there is nothing that can stop us. Just always remember that you are not alone and don’t let anything ruin your confidence. Once you learn to be happy with who you are, the right people will come to you. My best piece of advice is not to chase but to attract. When you are the one attracting, that is when you know the right people are walking into your life.

~ Emily Franzen

“The smallest joys can illuminate all which is dark”

- Carlos Karaptian

Artwork by Scarlett Williams

”A relationship is like good chocolate, too much is Bad for you”

- Shubhan Rangnekar

Romantic Relationships

My thoughts racing

My emotions pacing

I speak to make her happy, hoping to entertain

I look up

Her eyes

Wide, brown, engulfing, innocent, caring, I lose control of myself in those eyes

The tight grip on the reins of my emotions and behaviors Which are so meticulously calculated and planned Are ripped from me solely by her glance

I surrender to her

Life’s worries dissipate into that smile

My heart skips a beat

My breath slips away as her gaze settles

The butterflies in my stomach escape, and begin to occupy the entirety of my body.

All my experiences and emotions flash before my eyes And none seem to compare to the thought of making her happy.

But then I’m reminded She is perfect,

And I screwed up.

I questioned it for so long, I misplayed my cards She knows about it.

And now this?

How could I ever do anything?

In what world would this ever work?

The fear of ruining what we have

Of making her feel uncomfortable

Is the worst thing that could happen to me

How could I put her through that?

All I want

Is to see her smile.

I would not be able to look at myself

With the thought of harming her

How could I ever make this work?

Artwork by Jayden Suarez

Enemies to Lovers

Theyswore

Theyhatedeachother

Theydidn'tlikeeachother

Theywouldneveragree????

Theywerenevergoingtobefriends

Theywerealwaysgoingtohateeachother.

Adultssworethey’dgetalongwhenthey’dget older

Theyalwaystoldthemno

Butthen…oneday

Theykissed

~ Meghan Chaundy

Rain

Youtaughtmelove

Butalsopain. Youbroughtmesunshine

Butalongwiththat,rain. Forgetrain,youbroughtmedownpours. ButforyouI’mstillgrateful, Forwithoutthatrain, IwouldnothavegrownintotheflowerIamtoday.

~LorraineKoch

Photography by Carlos Karaptian

Mixed Feelings

It’s okay to have mixed feelings about people

You can miss someone but hate them at the same time

You can be bitter but happy for someone

You can feel sad but happy at the same time.

~ Meghan Chaundy

Relationships with Self

Younger Self IfIcouldmeetmyyoungerself Iwouldgiveherahug Andtellhertobekindtoherself

~ Meghan Chaundy

Artwork by Scarlett Williams

Love can be a burden or a blessing, Thou mustn’t push it too far from ones core. The pain shall leave me over obsessing; I shan’t surrender my joy any more. The birds hum and I’ll listen intently, Falling open armed into the abyss, I shall not plummet but alight gently And be rewarded with a true love’s kiss. A profound moment just the way I prayed; But Spring can’t stay, and lovers turn away, Flowers die and the sun begins to fade. Soon enough the memories turn to gray. Lovers can leave and turn your heart to char, Unforgiving and leaving you to scar.

~ Payton Stein

Poison Ivy

The toxic cycle of a relationship, may be one of life’s greatest mysteries. Why do we stay for so long?

It is human to find comfort in something that is “normal” for you. But that does not mean it is wrong to outgrow this comfortable space. After all, isn’t it stepping out of our comfort zones that makes us better? We go back time and time again, through the stages of pain and forgiveness, hoping to change something set deep in stone within a person. But within hope comes the great possibility of disappointment. Disappointment– not in your own ability to care for somebody, but disappointment in the fact, they could simply never be the person you needed them to be. So instead, open those doors for somebody who will appreciate you, not consume you. Consume you with the haze of darkness that they carry above their own head. Let in those who feel like the sunshine you have longed for all winter long. Let in those who re-teach you to appreciate the little things, and help you carry the big things when it feels too heavy. Your heart is not meant to be a toolbox, trying to repair the holes and leaks of others. Rather listen to your heart when it reminds you that after all is said and done, you cannot fix what you did not break, you cannot change what does not want to be changed. Butyoucanleave,beforetheivyintertwinedthroughyourownheartbecomes poisoned.

~ Ava Seymour

“What if we-?” said the heart.

“Not again,” said the head.

“We could just-” tried the heart.

“Not again,” said the head.

“But maybe just one more try,” urged the heart.

“Not again.” said the head.

“Who made you so afraid?” asked the heart.

Hegdish

These were the days where the television created the ambience of home

Where I teeter tottered through piles of out of place paraphernalia

Cardboard contraptions left untouched unless encountered by the unfortunate toenail

The endless chasm of clutter dutifully defending each square centimeter from grime

They called it hegdish* but I called it home

My sequestered oasis

Accessible only after dodging the living room troll’s toll of cuddles and kisses

Was found within a cold glass table

Painted scrupulously by the many-fingered metacarpals of goblins

A wooden turtle lay resting

Marvelously decorated in greens, purples, and oranges to dissuade me of its true nature.

Its tongue lackadaisically hung to one side

Taunting

I grew courage after several months to yank that tongue out of its toothless jaws

For only one strong warrior may reign supreme.

It glared at me

Crafted so gently with precision, with purpose.

I could not be delicate nor small, nor lithe.

I sucked in my stomach

I contorted my corium

I breathed in so far that my exhales cued cacophonous convulsions of coughing.

My collections of wishes from stars, birthday candles, and dandelions could not save me.

Oh, how lovely it is to be little and carefree.

~ Brooke Bassin

Artwork by Scarlett Williams

not what I’m needing my mind is ceding. to the reality that’s slowly fleeting that once was the life I was leading. now I just find myself pleading to find the purpose preceding. to which pain, it would be impeding and would halt my mind that’s speeding. towards its inevitable feeding to this world which solely hatred it’s breeding. coarse, static, pulsing, bleeding

~ Carlos Karaptian

Environment & Objects

My thoughts become cloudy again as I am sucked back into a reality I had easily blocked myself out of. I look down at the scribbles that only I can decipher, the emotions and secrets that make sense to only me. I am in a group, but feel like an outsider - as if there’s a bubble separating me from the rest of them.

I hear noises around me, but it doesn’t even process. Someone’s calling my name, but I ignore it, not even looking at anyone. I'm trapped in my own little world and do nothing to break away from it.

While everyone can express their emotions with other people, I only have a notebook. When I hold the pencil, it lets me transport myself into a different world. It doesn’t have eyes or ears but it knows everything about me. I'm glad it doesn’t have a mouth.

The noises are still incoherent, but they grow louder with each passing second.As the conversation grows louder, so do the thoughts on my pages. If I do express these emotions, what will even come out of it?At least in my notebook I don’t need to worry about the constant judgment and eyes staring at me. People will always come and go, and who knows who you can trust?

Better to keep quiet than to interact in a conversation that will soon be forgotten. It’s better to just write out my feelings, that way no one has to get bored talking to me. It’s better to keep my mouth shut just in case I say something stupid that drains the entertainment out of the conversation. It’s better to -

The words on the paper are ripped from me and the voices that filled the room finally enter my ears and clog my head. I hear a loud, angry voice, which I’m assuming it’s directed at me since she’s looking right at me with a distasteful look. I avoid her gaze and just stare dead-straight at my notebook and I continue to ask her to hand it back to me.That only fuels her anger as she looks at my journal and then looks right back at me as she rips up the pages. It feels like all my secrets and thoughts are being spilled out. I feel naked in front of everyone. It feels like a mirror shattering and my thoughts are the fragments of glass being scattered around for anyone to pick up.

Chaos continues to erupt in the classroom as I scramble to grab all of the fallen pieces from the floor.The onlookers either pretend they didn’t see anything or laugh in their own amusement. It didn’t matter to them that I was humiliated. It didn’t matter that something I held close to me was forever taken from me. None of it mattered to them. My journal was forgotten, along with the words that were fading away slowly.

And the world I tried to avoid became a reality once more.

~Arpan Josan

Artwork by Jayden Suarez

The Idle Sky

This night is different than others, the stars wink at me as they sit.

The sky isn’t pure black, but rather a dusty graythe clouds haven’t yet run to where the sun blisters. Every direction I look the sky prevails

I guess it really never does end. I close my eyes and yet the sky still remains

It engulfs my vulnerability.

It blows a breeze through my hair

It demands the owl to hoot and the crickets to chirp.

It has the strange ability to rid me of my thoughts. Suddenly, for the first time, I am perfectly calm. This night has claimed my soul, And replaced it with an echoed repose. This night is different than others, because now I see myself in the stars.

~ Jessica Farakh

Photography by Graceann Caliendo

Love is a Weird Thing

Love is a weird thing. You fall into it and out of it; There are ups and downs. One day you feel like They are the sun of your life –They keep your world bright.

And the next second, They bring darkness They bring sadness Love is a weird thing.

Sometimes I feel like I don’t wanna be in love at all.

But then I remember The feeling of the sun And I want it again Love is a weird thing.

She was cold as snow — He was hot as the sun but… Both were warm as spring.

~

Valerie Higuera

Photography by Carlos Karaptian

Dear Diary, DearAuthor

Deardiary, Todaywasagreatday.

Deardiary, Todaywastheworst.

My dearest author, I live for your words, For your mindless drawings and endless emotions.

Deardiary, WhoamI?

Deardiary, IthinkI’minlove.

My dearest author, I do not have all the answers, My pages are blank for a reason.

Deardiary, I’mrunningoutof pages, WhatshouldIdo?

My dearest author, I must say goodbye.

My Constant

Life with you has brought me joys I had never expected. You’re such a simple creature, a fluffy little dog with a curled tail. You never know what’s going on but you always know exactly what to doyou put the color even in the grayest situations. Barking at essentially nothing, or dropping your favorite toy at my shoes, I know I can count on you.

~ Jessica Farakh

Photography by Jessica Farakh

SpecialThanks

BOARDOFEDUCATION

Mr.JustinVarughese,President

Mr.StevenHartman,VicePresident

Dr.WilliamHender,Trustee

Ms.SusanHermer,Trustee

Mr.GusHueber,Trustee

SUPERINTENDENTOFSCHOOLS

Dr.JordanF.Cox

ASSOCIATESUPERINTENDENTFORBUSINESSANDOPERATIONS

Mrs.LauraA.Newman

ASSISTANTSUPERINTENDENTFORCURRICULUM, INSTRUCTIONANDASSESSMENT

Mr.TimothyRusso

ASSISTANTSUPERINTENDENTFORHUMANRESOURCES

Mr.ScottOshrin

COMMACKHIGHSCHOOLADMINISTRATION

Mrs.CarrieLipenholtz,Principal

Mr.MatthewP.Keltos,VicePrincipal

Mrs.AndreaAllen,AssistantPrincipal

Mr.EricP.Biagi,AssistantPrincipal

Mr.TobyElmore,DirectorofStudentAffairs