The Leaf

Volume XV - 2023 theme: Evolution

Growth. Perspective. Change. As humans, we evolve. Perhaps no longer in the Darwinian sense of growing legs or gills or extra toes, but in a sense that our circumstances and our environments challenge us to constantly learn and adapt. Oftentimes the journey to evolution is painful - relationships face turmoil and sometimes even end. But, at the end of such trials and tribulations, we emerge stronger and wiser. We grow. We wanted this publication to be a celebration of beauty of that process. The beauty in our imperfections that lead us to more curious and more fulfilled lives. A tribute to our evolution as students, as artists, as friends, as lovers, as human beings. To evolve is to live.

Editorial policy

The Leaf, Coral Springs Charter School’s literary arts magazine showcases the creative talents on our student body. The staff selects work each year based on merit, style, theme, and quality of writing. Art pieces and photography are selected based on quality, individuality, and relevance to select literature in our publication. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the faculty and administration of Coral Springs Charter School, but rather the views and ideas of the individual artists, authors, or the literary magazine staff members and editors.

Coral Springs Charter School

3205 N University Dr Coral Springs, Fl 33065 954-340-4100

Enrollment: 893

Editor-in-chief:

Laura GOnzalez

Advisor: sammy jo harwell staff: brianna hassel ariana soto suzette smith

Editorial staff: “Flight” by madalen erez

Temptations, Ariana Soto, 4

Theres Other Fish in the Sea, Leyla Morris - 7

Serenity, Gwynevere Castro - 8

Ready for Battle, Madison Camilo - 10

The Champion, Madison Camilo - 11

Leaving Soldier, Madison Camilo - 11

The Lovers, Leyla Morris - 12

Two Sides of the Same Coin, Miyka’el Leonardo - 14

Nefel Bata, Gwynevere Castro - 17

Yokai Kitsune, Gwynevere Castro - 18

The Goldfish, Gwynevere Castro - 20

A Photo Collection, Madalen Erez - 22

Overwhelmed, Madison Rousseau - 24

Third Perspective, Leyla Morris - 27

Too Loud, Valentina Rodriguez - 28

Pride, Gwynevere Castro - 30

Innocence, Miyka’el Leonardo - 33

Interconnected, Madison Rousseau - 35

A Collection of Cats, Isabella Veiga - 36

Untitled, Karina Walsh - 39

Untitled, Karina Walsh - 41 art: poetry/prose

Spotlights, Laura Gonzalez, 5

Tsunami, Valentina Llano - 6

Soul Star, Gwynevere Castro - 9

My Love to You, Toline Abdelhafiz - 13

Lost in a Lie, Laura Gonzalez - 14

The Moon Shines Like You, Toline Abdelhafiz - 16

Make Me Your War, Valentina Llano - 19

From the Depths of Darkness, Sarah Soberon - 21

The Story of a Mad Woman, Rebecca Hayes - 25

It, Defined; Valentina Llano - 26

School, Malak Akel - 29

Selling My Soul, Laura Gonzalez, - 31

Lies, Ariana Soto - 32

We Are an Eclipse, Valentina Llano - 34

Don’t Look Up, Valery Macena - 38