WRITING Utopian & Dystopian Stories By Student Writers
America’s250 birthdayisatimetoreflectonourcountry’svalues:those thathavebroughtustothispoint,andthosethatwilldetermineournext 250yearsandbeyond.Andwebelievethat,asourcountrylookstowardits future,thegreatestinsightswillcomefromthepeoplewhowillshapeit.
That’s why civics nonprofit Vote.org and writing education nonprofit Cosmic Writerspartneredtoask3 –12 gradeAmericanstosharetheir visionsforwhatconstitutesautopiansociety.Usingthepowerofstories, youngpeoplefromacrossthecountryshoweduswhattheycareabout:they cautioned against polarization, encouraged connection with nature, and advocatedforanAmericagovernedbykindness.
In a particularly apt outcome, perhaps the predominant theme that emergedwasthenecessityofusingone’svoice.Indeed,ouryoungwriters haveembodiedtheirvaluesdirectlybywritingthesestories,communicating theiridealswithclarityandconfidence.
FromCaliforniatoGeorgia,fromMichigantoFlorida,we’rehonoredthat somanyyoungAmericanssharedtheirvoiceswithus.Thiszinehighlights threestandoutstoriesthatencompasstheskill,passion,andbreadthofideas expressed in our exemplary body of submissions. 5 grader Preston S. envisionsautopiainwhichconnectionsbetweenneighborsvanquishthe distinctionsbetweenrichandpoor;7 graderChloeJ.showsusarebellion composed of small acts of community care; and 9 grader Pooja K emphasizestheimportanceofwritingasatoolforbothrememberingand makinghistory.
Wehopethattheirstorieswillinspireyou,astheydidus,andassureyou that the next 250+ years of America will be guided by a generation of independentandprincipledthinkers
Sincerely,
RowanaMiller Founder&ExecutiveDirector, CosmicWriters
AndreaHailey CEO, Vote.org
COURAGE TO CHANGE COURAGE TO CHANGE PRESTON S. PRESTON S.
WINNER:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION
BY BY WINNER: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION
Myold,tatteredshoesscuffinthedirtonanarrowtrailasIhumanold AfricantuneMamausedtosingtomeasalullaby.Iamclutchingahanddrawnmap,madebyMama.
“Followthethickblackline,”shesays,“Itwilltakeyoutoastoreina differenttown.”Shekissesmeonthehead.“Go,now.Becareful.”
Ilookdownasthedirtturnsintoconcrete.Myeyestakeinthissmall, unfamiliartown.Thestoresarebustlingwithpeopleandthestreetsare neatlypaved.Allkindsofpeopleareouttogether,goingtothesamestores andridinginthesametaxis.Thehousesinthistownlookdifferentfrom eachother,eveniftheyareonthesamestreet.UnlikeinMapleville,where I’mfrom,thehousesherealternatebetweenrichandpoor,bigandsmall.
IfeelmyfacereddenasIbegintosensethetruth.Iamangryatourmayor forforcingMaplevilletobesplitbasedonwealth.Mamasaysourmayor’s rulesmakeitimpossibleforustoeverbecomerich,nomatterhowhardwe work.
IlocatethestorefromMama’smapandstormintoit,snatchingthe ingredientsthatMamarequestedofftheshelves.Ilayacrumpledpieceof cashonthecounterandraceout.Idon'tstoprunninguntilIgethome. Mamameetsmewithatiredsmile.Islumpdownonmybedandstareout mywindow.Idon’twanttotellMamaaboutmyconcernsbecauseIthink thatifshegetsjustonemoreounceofstressinher,she’llexplode.
Thenextmorning,Igetupearlyandridemybikethroughahiddenpathin thewoodsthatIdiscoveredlastsummer.Thesoundofkids’chattergrows louderasIapproachtheplayground.Idismountmybikeandlockitontoa fencepost.Ispotmybestfriend.“Hey,Justin!” “Hey!"
“Weneedtotalk.”
Hejogsovertome.“What’sup?”
“Wehavetostopthismadness!”Iwhisperintensely.
“Whatmadness?”
“Ourtownissplitinhalf;onesidehaspeoplelikeme,andonesidehas peoplelikeyou.Butothertownsbringthosehalvestogether!”
“Whoa,slowdown!Firstofall,Idon’tthinktwoten-year-oldsaregonnabe abletochangethistown’sways,especiallynotwiththismayor.Plus,Idon’t feellikeI’mthetypeofguytojust,youknow,savetheworld.”
“Wecan’tkeeplivingthisway.It’snotfair.It’llbehard,butthatshouldn’t stopusfromtryingtofixthings.Pleasemeetmeheretomorrow?”
Justin’seyessoften.Hegentlynods.
Thenextmorning,IshowJustinthewrinkledmapthatMamagaveme. “Thetownisoverhere.”Ipointtotheendofthethicklinewithmypencil andtraceit.“We’llgothereandstudyitcarefully.Wemustnoticeeveryway thatthistownisdifferentfromours.We’llcomebackhereandspreadthe wordthatthere’sabetterwayforallofustolivetogether.Soon,peoplewill linethestreets,protestingthemayor,demandingchange.”
“Wecan’tjustgoaroundtellinggrown-upswhatwethink.Theymight punishus!”Justinreplies.
“We’llhavetotakethatriskforMapleville.Comeon,wehaveaboutthree hoursbeforesupper.”
Onourbikes,wespeedpastcarsandpedestrians.Whenwearrive,welock ourbikesandroamaround.JustintakesnoteswhileIpointthingsout: “Lookatthatmansion,sittingrightnexttoashaggycottage.”
JustinisfuriouslyscribblinginhisnotepadasIpointoutmore.Whenthe sunbeginstoset,weridehometogetheruntilwehavetogoourseparate ways.Justingoesstraighttohisneighbor’shouseandIdothesame.Seconds later,adoorisbeingslammedinmyface.Mygrumpyneighborshouts,“No way,kid!Changejustwastestimeandmoney!”
Thenextmorningattheplayground,Justinsaysenthusiastically,“Igotone! You?”
“None,”Ireplyglumly.
“Wehavetokeepatit,”Justinencourages.“Yousaiditwouldbehard,but we’llgetthere!”
“OK,”Isigh,“Let’smeetagainonMonday”
ByMonday,JustinandIhadconvincedalmostonehundredneighbors. “Thismightactuallywork!”Iexclaim,givingJustinafistbump.“Butwe’re onlyhalfwaythere.Westillhavetoorganizearealprotest.”
“Wecanhangflyersaroundtown.Notonlywillitgetmorepeopleinterested, butitwilltellthemwhenandwherewe’llbemarching!”
“You'reagenius.”IwassogladtohaveJustinasapartner.
“Ihaveacomputerathome.Wecanuseittomakesigns.”
Ithink,“JustinisreallygettingintothisHe’sbasicallyleadingthisprotest!” Afewhourslater,IamhammeringdownthelastflyertoapoleasI breathlesslysigh,"Finallydone.”
Thenextmorning,stillinbed,Istartcountinghowmanypeoplestopto readthesignoutsidemywindow.Bynoon,thatnumberisforty-two.Pretty goodforonesign.Multiplythatbythefifty-twosignswehungallaround Maplevilleandyoucouldhavealmosttwenty-two-hundredprotesters.
OnMay27th,ourbigday,thousandsofpeopleareoutinMaplevillewith theirownsigns,readytomarch.ImeetJustinatthefrontofthecrowd,and wehugandsmile.IseeMamainthecrowd,wavingherposterintheair. Justinhandsmeamic.Mychancetosavetheworld!Iproudlyproclaim, "Fordemocracyandequality,wemarch!”
Forthefirsttime,Icanseethatchangeispossible.Peoplecanchange,just likeJustin,whoisfinallybeginningtounderstandme.Iamnolonger angry.IamgratefulthatMamaandIareluckyenoughtobelivingthrough change.
FINALISTS: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION FINALISTS: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION TigerofFirebyFrankieM.
OfflineintheUtopianUniversebyClaraC.
THE SAVIOR OF ARCBURY THE SAVIOR OF ARCBURY BY BY
CHLOE J. CHLOE J. WINNER: MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
WINNER: MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
sbelievedtheCityofArcburywasnormal.
y pedthesky,theirsurfacescrackedandblackenedfromyears ofsmokeandneglect.Streetswerecrowdedwithpeopleshufflinginlong rationlines,theireyeslow,andtheirfacesblankfromexhaustionand hunger.Everyonelivedinfearduetothesheerlackofcontroltheyhadover theirlife,well,everyoneexceptfortheCouncilofChampions,whichis whattheycalledthemselves.Abovetheminthegraysky,droneshovered constantly,scanningandrecordingeverything,24/7,aremindertoeveryone thattheywereneveralone.Lifewassurvival.Youdidn’tquestionit;you couldn’t.Youobeyed.Yousurvived.
“Keepyourheaddown,”Evelyn’ssupervisorhadalwayssaid.“Eyeslow. Thoughtsandwordsnon-existent.”
Evelynworkedinthemaintenancetunnelsbeneaththeeasterndistrict, wherethewallsdrippedwithcondensation,andthepipesgroanedlike giants.Thedarknesswrappedaroundherlikeablanket.Shehadgrownused toit thecold,thesilence,theroutine.
Thisisjusthowlifeis,shetoldherself.Everyoneliveslikethis.
Butavoicedeepinsidewhisperedback
Whatifthat’snottrue?
Sheignoredit.Questioningmeantdanger.
Thatday,whilerepairingapipealongarustedwall,herwrenchstuck somethingwithahollowclang.Shefroze.
“That’s…notright,”shemuttered.
Pressingherhandagainstthemetal,shefeltitshiftslightlybeneathher fingers.Herheartbegantopound.Restrictedzoneswereforbidden.
Walkaway,hermindwarned.Don’tbestupid.
Butcuriosityburnedbrighterthanfear.Evelynpushed.Withonelong achinggroan,thewallcrackedopen,revealinganarrowpassagebeyond.She hesitated,lookingaroundfornearbydrones.
Stepthrough,andeverythingchanges.
Takingabreath,shesteppedinside.
Lightexplodedaroundher. ***
Evelynstaggeredforward,shieldinghereyes.Warmsunlightpouredover herskinlikeawarmhug,nothingliketheharshartificiallightingshehad alwaysknown.
“What…onearthisthis?”shewhispered.
Beforeher,stretchedaworldthatfeltimpossible.Greenfieldsrolled endlessly.Treesswayedgentlyinthebreeze.Aclearstreamshimmered,its watermovingwithasteadymurmur.Theairsmelledfreshandalive,filled withscentsshedidn’trecognize.Shedroppedtoherkneesanddippedher handsintothestream.Thewaterwascoolandclean.
Shetastedit,anditseemedthatonesipsatisfiedherforeverthirst. Hereyeswidened.
“Whatisthismagicalliquid?!”sheexclaimed,“Nochemicals…nosoot…” Abrightlaughechoednearby. Evelynturned.
Peoplemovedfreely,smiling,talkinginsuchloudvoicesthatitmadeEvelyn anxiousNoguardsNodronesNofearNooneevenseemedbotheredby Evelyn’ssuddenappearance.
Awomanapproachedher,herexpressionwarm.
“Youlooklost,”shesaid,eyeingherdisheveledclothing.
“I…whereamI?”Evelynasked,notknowingwhethertotrustthewoman.
“You’reinthecityofPlotburg,”thewomansaid.“You’resafe,”sheaddedas ifsensingEvelyn’sworry.
“Nodrones,norationlines,noguards?”Evelynshookherheadindisbelief, “Noassignedjobs!?”
ThewomanlookedatEvelynasifshewereinsane.“What?!No,notatall, wechooseourwork.Wesharewhatwehave.”
“That’simpossible!”Evelynsaid.
“Look around,” the woman countered, looking even more worried for Evelyn’ssanity,“Wheredoyoucomefrom?”
“The…cityofArcbury.”Evelynshares,alittleashamed.
Thewoman’sfacewentpale.“Ohgosh!Yes,yes,thatmakesalotmoresense,” shegushedandaddedconcerningly,“Howdidyougethere?”
“I…”Eveylynlookedaroundasifexpectingdrones,butstillsheloweredher voice,“I’mnotsure,thiscrackinthepipe…”
Thewomanseemedtounderstand.“Letmeshowyouaround,”sheoffered.
Evelynwanderedthroughthevillage,stunned.Childrenranpastherlaughing.
Someonehandedherapieceoffruit.
“Tryit,”hesaid.
Shehesitated,thentookabite.
Sweetnessburstacrosshertongue,sorichitalmosthurt.Tearsfilledhereyes.
Foodwasn’tsupposedtotastelikethis.Lifewasn’tsupposedtofeellikethis. Sheapproachedamanplantingvegetables.
“Yougrowallofthis?”sheasked,“Justoutintheopen?”
“Ofcourse,”hesaidwithagrin.“Whywouldn’twe?”
“But…whatifsomeonestealsit?”Evelynquestioned.
Themanlookedather,“ThenIgrowmore,”heshrugged.
“Inmycity,”Evelynsaidquietly,“werationeverything.Wehideeverything. Everyoneisafraid.”
Themanstudiedher.Thenhespoke,“Fearisaweirdthing.It’slikeacage,”he said,“Butcagescanbeopened.”
Evelyn’schesttightened.
Whyhaven’tweopenedoursyet?
“Ican’tunseethis,”shewhispered.
“Youweren’tmeantto,”thewomansaidthoughtfully,behindher,makingher jump.Thewomanhadbeensoquiet,Evelynhadforgottenshehadevenbeen there.
Suddenly,thegroundtrembled.Thepassagebehindherbegantoclose.She triedtorunaway,butitseemedtosticktoEvelynnomatterwhereshemoved, suckingherin.
“No wait!”Evelynshouted,reachingforit.Butthelightvanished.The warmthdisappeared.Andshewasthrownbackintothedarkness.
Thetunnelsfeltsuffocatingnow.Theairtastedbitteragain.Thewallsfelt colder.
Thehumofdronesaboveseemedlouderthanever.Everythingwaswrong. Thisisn’tnormal.Itneverwas.
Later,whilerepairingawallwithherfriendJaren,unabletocontainwhat shehadlearned,Evelynleanedcloserandloweredhervoice.
“There’sanotherworld,”shewhispered.“Arealone.Peoplearefree.”
Jarenstiffened.“Evelyn…don’tsaythingslikethat!”
“I’veseenit,”sheinsisted.“There’senoughforeveryone.Nofear.No control.”
Jarenshookhishead.“You’vegonemad,Evelyn!Evenso,youknowto keepyourmouthshut!”
Evelynhesitated. Wasthistherightmove?
ShehadknownJarenforpracticallyherwholelife,butwhatifJarendidn’t believeher?Whatifhewastooscared?
JustasEvelynwasgettingeatenbyherownthoughts,Jarenshookhishead.
“Evenifit’strue whatcanwedo?”
Evelynwasquiet.
WhatcanIdo?
Thensherememberedthesunlight.Thelaughter.Thetasteofrealfood. Ican’tstaysilent. So,shestartedsmall.
Asymbolscratchedintoapipe.Anoteslippedunderadoor.Awhispered truthinthequietcornersofthetunnels.Mostpeopleignoredher.Some weretooafraidtolisten.
Butafewbelieved.Onenight,shegatheredtheminacrampedmaintenance room.
“Wedon’tneedtowaitforchange.”Evelynsaidquietly,“Wecanstartit.”
“How?”Lira,afellowmaintenancemember,asked.
“Helpeachother,”Evelynreplied.“Sharefood.Tellthetruth.Buildtrust.”
“That’ssodangerous,”someonemuttered.
“Soisdoingnothing,”Evelynpressedfirmly.
Silencefilledtheroom.
ThenLirasteppedforward.“I’min.”
Onebyone,othersnoddedandsteppedforwardaswell.Theirrebellionwasn’t loud itwasquietbutpowerful,likeastarinthenightsky.Theysharedextra rations.Helpedthesick.Protectedoneanother.Atfirst,fearclungtothem, refusingtoletgo.Butslowly,somethingshifted.Oneday,amancaught Evelyngivingfoodtoastarvingchild.
“You’llgetusallpunished!”hesnapped.
Evelynlookedrightinhiseyes,“Ormaybe,wewillsaveeachother.”
Hehesitated,thenlookedaway.Thefirstcrack.Weeksturnedintomonths. Smallgardensappearedinhiddencorners.Peoplebeganhelpingotherswhen theythoughtnoonewaswatching.Hopespreadbeneaththesurface.
Thesystemdidn’tcollapseovernight butitbegantoweaken.
6yearslater… Thecitystillstood.Butitwasnolongerthesame.Greenclimbedtheoncedeadtowers,turninggraywallsintolivingones.Gardensbloomedacross rooftopsandalongstreets.Theairsmelledclean,freshwithlifeinsteadofthe smoketheywereusedto.Itsmellednatural.Childrenranfreelybetween buildings,theirlaughterechoingwheresilenceonceruled.Peoplenolonger waitedinrationlines.Theysharedwhattheyhad,tradedwhattheyneeded, andworkedtogethertobuildsomethingbetter.Jobswerenolongerassigned; theywerechosen.Thedronesstillhovered,buttheirpurposehadchanged. Theymonitoredweatherpatternsandhelpedprotectcropsratherthanwatch people
EvelynthoughtbacktothedayatPlotburg,howshelongedtothankthe womenwhogaveherthecouragetostepup.Howshelongedtothankevery singlebeinginthatcityforhelpingmakehersabetterone,too.
Evelynwalkedthroughabustlingmarketplace,abasketoffreshfruit restinginherarms.Shepaused,takingabite,savoringthesweetnessthat oncefeltimpossible.Nearby,Lirataughtagroupofchildrenhowtoplant vegetables,hervoicesteadyandpatient.
Evelynsmiled.
“Wedidit,”shesaidsoftlyasLiraapproached.
Lirashookherhead.“Westartedit.Youstartedit.”
Evelynlookedaroundatthelivelycity thecolor,themovement,thelife. Thefearthatoncecontrolledeverythinghadfaded,replacedbytrust.They hadsuccessfullyoverthrownthegovernment.Allithadtakenwasone glimpseofabetterworld.Onemomentoftruth.Andthecourageto believeitcouldexist.
Evelynliftedhergazetothesky,nolongerafraidofwhatwatchedabove. Thecityhadchanged.Andthistime,itwasfinallyforthebetter.
FINALISTS: MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION FINALISTS: MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION CyclesandCyclesbyAngelinaD.
TheSingleBaobabTreebyPruthaN.
WRITING DEMOCRACY WRITING DEMOCRACY POOJA K. POOJA K.
BY BY WINNER: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION WINNER: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
noone ’saroundtohearit,diditeverreallyfall?
IfIfoundtruthamonglies,abeamoflightindarkness,butnobody believedme,didIeverreallyfindit?
Theyshowedusequality.Hand-fedusalieofsafetythatneverexistedinthe firstplace.Thereweretoomanygaps,holesfilledwithemptydealsand brokenpromisesweweretooscaredtoreveal.Streetswerebustling,sure, butyoucouldfeelthewhisperofwhatifcaughtinthewind.Noonesaid anything.Notforalong,longwhile.
Hypocrisyishumanity’shome,unfortunately.Youtrytomoveout,start yourownlife,butalwayscomebacktoitinthedarkesttimes.Ihave,too.
Webelievedinaleveledplane,onewherethedropletsofopportunitywould rippleevenlyandinfinitelyuntiltheendoftime.
Thattimeranoutfast,likeacrackedhourglass.
Theygaveushope,pridedthemselvesonbringingfairnessintoourborders Theybelieveditwouldlasttoo,Ithink.Ihopetheybelievedit.
Butlifemovedfartoofast,andthosewhotriedtoestablishorderonlybrought aquiet,deadlychaosbubblingbeneathaguiseofyearsofsilentsuffering.
Theyshowedusequality,thensmotheredourvoiceswhentheymattered most.Hypocrisy.
Iwanttoscream.Isawit.Isawwhattheypromised.It’sthere.Whycan’tyou seeit?Whywon’tyoulisten?
Welisten.It’sallwecando.Wewon’tact,though. Wearetooscared.
Iswear,Ididseeit.
Itwasbehindacurtain,orperhapsablanket?
Ablanketwouldbenice;it’sbeentoocoldlately.
Ihadpusheditaside,seekingaghostofcomfort,alifeIonceknew,but onlysawadoor.
OpeningitwasthegreatestandworstthingIcouldhavedone.
Sorry,letmetellyouwhathappened.
Idonotstepintoanewworld.Magicisnotreal.Imean,itcouldbe,butI certainlydonotbelieveinit.
Itisadarkroom,lonelyanddrearyfromcleardisuse.Dustmotesfloataround asmallcandlethathasatinyflame,thewaxsticknearlymeltingtonothing.
Adesk,dulloldwood,iscompletelycoveredinpapers.Somany,itlooks likeadesertofsand.
Therearealotofthosearoundtheworld,deserts.Iheardweoncehada desertofsnow.
Thepapersholdmanymarkings,mainlypictures,someletters,ahandful of...manuscripts?Inkflowslikeriversacrossthepages,depictingsomesort oflifethat... ...lookedcaredfor?
Theyhaveforgottenus,theoneswhopromised.Werotinneglect,intheshadows. Onedrawingismoredetailedthantheothers.Itdepictsaroom,withmany chairsandtables,andtherewereseveralpeopleintheroom.Thepeopleall lookdifferent.
Andtheyallhaveamicrophoneandaplacetosit.
Anotherpictureportrayschildreneating,Isuppose.Theyallhavefood,and areevensharingit. Theyarelaughing.
Idon’trememberthelasttimeIlaughed.
Pagesuponpagesrevealalifethathappenedonce.Iamsureofit.Ibelieve wewerehereonce.Iseemanyvoices.Iseethembeingheard.Iseepeople,I seeusdoingsomething.Ididnotstepintoanewworld,butIwishIdid.I wishIenteredthislifeIonceknew,butnownolongerexists.It’ssilly;Iwas notalivethen,butIamhomesick.
Soveryhomesick.
ThestreetslookmoredeadwhenIcomeback.
Ilied.Theyarenotbustling.Thereismovement,butthereissilence.Too muchofit.
Itrytospeak.
Amanwalksby,headdown,armscrossingtightly Igraboneofthem “I sawsomething,afuture ”
Themanwrencheshimselfawayandcontinueswalking.
Alady,herfootstepscautiousyetbrisk.Itrytogetherattention,“Please, listen ”
Sheisgone,takesaturnpastagraybuilding.
Istandthereforalongtime.Everyonewalkspast.Theywanttolisten,I hope.Ithinktheyaretooscared.
Iamtoo.
Manydaysgoby.Ithasgottencolder.Wehavegottenmoresilent.The silenceseemstobetheonlyequalthingthatexistsnow.
Itrytospeak.Idospeak.Afewhavesloweddown,eventolisten.Thereis noaction.Idon’thaveaction.Idon’tknowwhattodo.
Thelifefromlongagowasloud,Iamsure
Manyvoices,manyideas,manyhearts,plentytolistento.
Peoplelistened,Ihope.
Ithasbeenmonthsnow.Ihavelearnedmoreaboutsilence.Ireturnedto thespacebehindthecurtain.Tothedesk.
Ihavelearnedthatequalitybirthedfromsilenceisoppression.Weareoppressed.
Thelifefromlongagohasanequalitythatseemedtobenurtured.
Peoplelistened.Theywereheard.
Iwanttobeheard
Iunderstandwhysomeareafraidtospeak.Usingyourvoicecanhurt.Ithurts alot.
Ispoketoday.Climbeduponasmallcrate,afewofthepapersclutchedin myhand.Mywordscameoutscratchy,uneven.Ireadaletterfromthelife longago:
“Theypassedthebill,father.Iwassosurprised.Ihaveneverseensomany people,somanyvoices,voteatonce.Thisisforthegoodofthepeople,Iknow. Wematter.Thisisproofthatpeoplewilllisten,evenifthepersonspeakingisa girlwithasmallstatureandaloudvoice.”
Ireadthefather’sreply.Itwasshort.Itwasenough:
“Itdoesn’tmatterwhospeaks,aslongastheydream.Youdreamed,andthey listened.”
Theoneswhopromiseddidnotappreciatemystature,myvoice,ormy dreams.Theydescendedlikeastorm,anddrovemeout.Asmallcrowd listenedfirst,Ihope.Ididnotspeakforsometimeafterward.
Thelettersweregone.
Itriedsometimeafter.Anewsquareinthearea.Anewcrate.Asomewhat clearervoice.
Ireadamanuscript.Itfeltlikeitwasonfire:
“Thosewhorequireitmustreceivefinancialaidinalllevelsofeducation...It isourright.Wearetiredofsacrificinglifefortheopportunitytolive.”
Itwasasmallportion.
Itgotmoretolistentome.
Ikeptspeaking.
Morepeoplelistened.
Ithinktheyseethelifefromlongago,too. Iamsure.
Thepapersandthedeskaregone.
Thecurtainisgone.
Theoneswhopromisedtookitaway,Iamsure.Theywantsilence.They wantoppression.
Iwillnotbesilenced.Idonotneedthelifefromlongago.Iwillmakethat lifenow.
Thecoldwasworsetoday.Ididnothaveablanket,northecurtainfrom before.Thatdoesnotmatter,Iguess.IthinkImustfaceitregardless.
Istoodonthecrate,andafewpeoplehadalreadygathered.Theywantedto hearaletter,orseeanotherdrawing,butIdonothaveany.
Theoneswhopromisedhavenottakenmeawayyet.Itistoolateforthat.I thinktheyknowwewillnoticemyabsence.Ihavebeentooloudforsilence. Iamtooloudforoppression.
“Iamsorry,”Itellthosewhohavegathered.“Idonothaveanythingtoread today,butIwilltellyouthis:theyhavepromisedusnothing.Theytoldusa futureexistedwherewewouldallbeequal,butequalwhere?Equallyweak? Equallystuck?”
Ahushfallsoverthesquare.Thereismovementontheedges.Ipaynomind.
“Therewasalifelongagothatheldeveryoneuptothemicrophone. Everyonelistened,ortheytriedto.Thelifelongagowasnotperfect,butit wasreal.Thisisnotreal!”
Themovementedgescloser,butIseeourcrowdpushback. Action.
Itrytowrapupquickly,beforeitescalates.“Thisisnotwhatweweretold. Thisisnotthelifewewant.Silencegivesthemmorepower.Wecanbe stronger,andwebethattogether.Justuseyourvoice. ”
Thestreetsarebustling.Therearenoisesnow.
Iheardelicatewhispering,ideasbeingformed.Threadsbeingwoveninto thetapestryofourfuture.
Theoneswhopromisedseemtoloomintheshadows.Wefeelwatched,notheard. Theyaretryingtocontrolus,butitwillnotwork.Ihavelearnedthat.
Equalityisnotmanufactured.Itisearned,andwewillearnit.
Itisnighttime.Iamwriting.Ihavebeenwritingforashortwhilenow.
IdonotmeantohideasIwrite,butImustbesafe.ImustbediligentifI wanttomakemydreamscometrue.Imust
Footsteps
Comingclose.
Tooclose.
Itrytogathermypapers,mywritings,myfutureandsafety,butIamnot fastenough.Theyhavecaughtuptome.Myvoicewaspowerfulbuttheir weaponsaremore.
IneverknewtherecouldbesomethingasdarkasthenightuntilIlearnedof oppression.
Tonight,Ihavediscoveredpaindarker.
Idonotknowifthestreetsarebustling.IbelieveIamunderground?Or perhapsintheair?
IcannottellifIamclosertoheavenorhell.Thisfighthasgonetoolong.I amtired.Mywritinghasgottenmeintrouble.
Myvoiceechoesinthiscage.Wallsofstonetowerhigh,andIcannotsee.I amstuck.Alone.
Aloneinthisfight?Idonotknow.Perhapsthoseabovestillhavethat courage.
Perhapstheyarestilltakingaction.
Manyminuteshavepassed.Iamcold. Thereisnoblanketnow.Iambare;Icannotcovermyselfanylonger. Thetruthisout,andchangemustfollow.Iamsure. IwonderwhenIwillseethelightagain?
Acrash,abang,astarthatisnotthesun.
“Come,quick.Wedon’thavelong.”
Ahandreachesthroughthedust.Igrabit. Theyarehereforme,tohelp,Iamsure.
Warmhandswithcoldringsgraspmyshoulders. “Come.”
***
Thestreetsarebustling.Voicesareloud.
Itisalmostdeafening,thecries,thecheers.
Therearesongsinthealleys,truthsoprofounditshakesthewindows.
Thecityisback.Theyaregone.
Them.Theoneswhopromised.
Wearestrongerthantheiremptygobletsofgold. Wearestrongerthantheirwebofliesthatencasedus. Wearestrongerthantheglasstheybuiltourfutureon.
Wearesmoke.Wearefire.Wearetheproductofapowerfargreaterthan thestoriestheyfedus. ***
Thestrengthwegainednevercamefromwatchingthepast,mydearfighter. Itdidn’tcomefrominkandpaper.
Itcamefromagirl.Itcamefromsomeonewhobelievedtherewasafuture tofightforandawalltobreakdown.
Itcamefromtheoneswhonolongerfearedtheunknownbutchasedtheinevitable Itcamefromthosewhodidnothearatreefallintheforestbutlookedforit anyway,becausewhatarewewithoutthewilltosearch.
Itcamefromourselves.Iamsure.
FINALISTS: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION FINALISTS: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION BeholdtheSunbySadieT.
JohnDoebyAyushD.B.
MEET THE WINNERS MEET THE WINNERS S. PRESTON S. PRESTON Preston is a curious and activ from Villanova, Pennsylvania. busyplayingtennis,baseball,vio Heisavoraciousreaderandof free time writing stories and b creations. His favorite books a LouisSacharandRoaldDahl. beaninventorwhenhegrowsu
CHLOE J. CHLOE J. Chloe is a 13-year-old student from Lexington,Massachusettswhoenjoysreading, writingandplayingsoccer.Shelovescreating imaginative stories through fiction. In addition to writing, Chloe plays both the pianoandtheclarinet.Shefeelshonoredto have her story, The Savior of Arcbury, recognized in the Writing Democracy competitionandisalsoverygratefultoallthe teachersandfamilywhohavesupportedher.
Pooja is a rising sophomore from New Jersey.Sheispassionateaboutexpressingher creativity with words at any given chance. She also loves traveling, concerts, playing soccer,andhangingoutwithherfriends.
POOJA K. POOJA K.
"I RAISE MY VOICE NOT SO THAT I CAN "I RAISE MY VOICE NOT SO THAT I CAN SHOUT, BUT SO THAT THOSE WITHOUT SHOUT, BUT SO THAT THOSE WITHOUT A VOICE CAN BE HEARD." A VOICE CAN BE HEARD." –MALALA YOUSAFZAI –MALALA YOUSAFZAI 
