The Unfinished Jigsaw 2023-24

The Unfinished Jigsaw

2023–2024

an anthology of literary and art work by students from Charlottesville City Schools

Charlottesville City Schools

1562 Dairy Road Charlottesville, Virginia

Cover Art: Avery Davis CHS Grade 11

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Appreciation is expressed to our creative students, teachers, and all others whose contributions have made this anthology possible.

Editor/Layout

Editorial Board

Art Teachers K–12

Aaron Eichorst, Fine Arts Coordinator

Jeff Smith, CHS

Holly Russell, Buford

Christine Esposito, Walker

Kurtis Gazin, Burnley-Moran

Carol Busching, Burnley-Moran

Dana Carrico, Clark

Ashley Riley, Greenbrier

Linda Thornton, Greenbrier

Ida Cummings, Jackson-Via

Nathan Hipple, Jackson-Via

Megan Gilmore, Johnson

Amy Jamieson, Johnson

Susan Northington, Venable

Karen Minor, Venable

Heather Rose, Lugo-McGinness Academy

Jennifer Kett, CHS

Samantha Pagni, CHS

Amber Westphal, CHS

Rachel Wilson, CHS (Photography)

Abi Davis, Buford

Lou Haney, Buford

David Cook, Walker

Shannon Vidoni, Walker

Ryan Trott, Burnley-Moran

Evelyn Reid, Clark

Alissa Drolshagen, Greenbrier

Lily Brookman, Jackson-Via

Holly Tucker, Johnson

Melissa Combs, Venable

Photography

Copyediting

Rachel Wilson

Annette Kaufman-Horner

Who Are We?

We are the books, Let everyone read our story.

We are the instrument, Let everyone rejoice in our unison. Our unity isn’t to dry the oasis, but to bring water to the desert

Olga Salama CHS Grade 11

Let’s present love in the dryness. Where we don’t expect something to grow, but hope that something was given. The love of the beauty to the beast turned the beast to a prince. It’s impossible to plant lemons and expect to eat oranges.

I was traveling on my way, it was at night. I didn’t know where I was going because there wasn’t light.

The one who sees in the night and day helped me in the night until I found the light. He walked a way and let me walk in light. With light I was able to find myself. I recognize who I am and that I am supposed to take light to the darkness,

I Am

Iam as quick as a lion. I am as happy as a dream.

I am as nice as a dolphin. I am as crazy as a monkey. I am as strong as a bear cub. I am as quiet as a book. I am as tough as a tiger.

Cora Racine Greenbrier Grade 2

I am as brave as a dog. I am as funny as a clown. Put it all together and you’ve got ME!!

Make the invisible be visible. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

For I was hungry and I got food, I was thirsty, ooh there is the oasis I was a blind, now I can see where I’m going I was in prison and light came to me

The light set me free. The light is who I am.

Now I know who we are.

We are the light, Let us gleam in the gloom. We are the ones who were lost because of missing light And light came to us and delivered us from the darkness

We are the rivers, The moon, The shadow, The sun, The rain, Everything we should know about ourselves is peace, and love, A symbiotic union like the anemone and clownfish.

I Am...

Maeve Thomas Venable Grade 4

Iamhilarious

I am the rainforest and hopeful I am a best friend

I am the sound of laughter

I am a warm pizza fresh out of the oven I am drawing, writing, and reading. I am finishing soccer season strongly I am a sister, daughter, granddaughter, I am a cousin, and a friend.

I Am Me

Lily Simard Buford Grade 7

I Am Poem

This is me I am me!

Black is beautiful

I am beautiful

No one can change the color of my skin

No one can make fun of my culture

People think that mean comments and hatred can get under my skin and bug me, but it doesn’t Just like sticks and stones they would break my bones

And words will never hurt me

This is me

I am me and I am proud of who I am to be

The Best Part of Me

Ahmad Hendoraji Jackson-Via Grade 1

Ihave eyes. They help me see my mom.

Joshua Bleakley CHS Grade 11

Iam kind and smart.

Jensi Trinidad Guerrero Walker Grade 6

I wonder how everybody actually feels inside.

I hear people talking.

I see people playing outside, having fun. I want life to be easy. I am kind and smart.

I pretend to be rich. I feel happy.

I touch my fluffy blanket.

I worry only about myself.

I cry when I remember the mean words someone said to me.

I am kind and smart.

I understand how it feels to be bullied. I say no to things I don’t want to do.

I dream my dad turns into a spider.

I try to get better at reading.

I hope someday I will be rich.

I am kind and smart.

I Am

Dynasti Oliver-Bennett Greenbrier Grade 2

Iamas quick as a cheetah.

I am as happy as a flower. I am as nice as a smile.

I am as crazy as a cat.

I am as strong as a gorilla.

I am as quiet as a fox.

I am as tough as a bear.

I am as brave as a bat.

I am as funny as a clown.

Put it all together and you’ve got ME!!!

Elana Speidel Buford Grade 8

I Am Poem

I Am...

Beckett Straight Greenbrier Grade 4

Iam Beckett Straight.

I am a dog lover who likes to read. I wonder when I am quiet and calm. I hear the wind blow on my face when I run with my dog.

I see mountains when I hike. I want to be a better person so l can help the environment.

I am a helpful, kind person who likes to go outside.

I want to ride a horse and feel the wind tickle my face.

I feel that I have to worry when I’m scared. I hug my dog when I’m scared.

I worry that I’m not helpful.

I cry when I’m sad.

I am a good person who likes to help the Earth. I know I’m funny when people laugh. I dream about making movies.

I try to be funny.

I hope that when I’m older I’ll be making movies.

I am somebody who deserves to be on Earth.

Navaeh Yeargan Walker Grade 6

Iam a girl that is 12. I’m a Cancer. I’m Mixed. I wonder if I can do better this year than last year.

I hear the word “proud” everyday and it feels good.

I see my future being very good if I’m productive.

I want to finish school and get a degree. I am someone that is kind, productive, and pretty.

I pretend I am good at music. I feel happy, productive, okay, PROUD.

I touch cat fur.

I worry about my family and my friends. I cry about what people said about me . I am someone who is passionate.

I understand how my kind of music works. I say I will never give up and I will be PROUD!!

I dream about anime like My Hero Academia. I try to write my songs so people like them.

I hope my future will be really good.

I am a girl that is 12. I’m a Cancer. I’m Mixed!!

The Best Part of Me

Zoe Halbert Jackson-Via Grade 1

Ihave a big brain. It helps me learn.

All About Me

Kennedy Drumheller Jackson-Via Grade K

happy

I love school I need air I think about my mom

I Am Poem

Jayden Thomas Walker Grade 6

Iam smart, funny, nice and fun. I wonder what the world would be like without God.

I hear the ocean and wind. I hear birds. I see waves, whales, and the blue sky. I want my own house, car, and job. I am smart, funny, nice and fun. I am Jayden.

When I was young, I pretended I could stop time.

I feel happy, strong, in the green and yellow zones.

I play with my little brother and sister. I worry about leaving the stove on when I cook. I cry when I’m mad.

I am Jayden.

I understand math and words if I pay attention. I say the world is not flat. I dream about me on the beach.

I try not to sleep when I’m in school. I hope someone ends world hunger. I am smart, funny, nice and fun. I am Jayden.

I Am Poem

Iam creative and happy. I wonder how life works.

I hear kids laughing. I see kids playing. I want to understand life. I am creative and happy.

I pretend I’m in a peaceful place. I feel lonely sometimes, although I have friends.

I touch nothing. I worry I’m not special. I cried when we moved from California. I am creative and happy.

I understand I’m happy here. I say good is good.

I dream of the possibilities of the world. I try to be a good person.

I hope to be smart.

I am creative and happy.

The Best Part of Me

Ihave a brain. It helps me to be smart.

Roy McNeil Jackson-Via PK

Diego Alvarado Walker Grade 6

Emmett Eslocker Jackson-Via Grade 1

All About Me

Iam unique.

Julian Mickey Clark Grade 2

I like Magna-Tiles.

I give hugs.

I help people.

I like to build things with Magna-Tiles and Legos.

I give hugs.

The perfect time for a hug is when someone is sad.

I help people.

I help by cleaning up!

I hope you liked reading about what makes me special.

I Am Poem

IJesus Aaron Roblero Walker Grade 6

am a son and a brother.

I wonder if the Hindenburg is the biggest floater.

I hear birds singing and wind blowing.

I see a jellyfish swimming.

I want a Border Collie.

I am a son and a brother.

I pretend to be a puppy seller. I feel ocean waves.

I touch my dog’s fur.

I worry that I don’t have class with my best friend.

I cry because I want to be in his homeroom. I am a grandson and an owner.

I understand life is too short.

I say never give up.

I dream everyone will have a great future.

I try to be like my dad.

I hope you have a good day.

I am myself and I am Aaron.

I Am...

Iam a student who likes having fun at school.

I wonder how to do math.

I hear talking when I eat lunch with my friends.

I see smiles when I walk in the halls.

I want to have fun so I can be a happy student.

I am a caring daughter who likes helping my family.

I want my family to be happy.

I feel that I am excited.

I touch the remote when I go to sleep.

I worry about my friends and family.

I cry when I get hurt.

I am a beautiful girl who likes shoes.

I know I’m special.

I dream about being kind.

I try to wear new hair styles.

I hope to always be kind.

I am a fourth grader who likes me.

Michelle Wong CHS Grade 10

Makejah Patterson Greenbrier Grade 4

The Best Part of Me

Ella Meadows Jackson-Via Grade 1

Ihave two hands. They help me climb rock walls

I Am Poem

ITobias Ponce Walker Grade 6

am nice and energetic. I wonder how a copy machine works. I hear ocean waves.

I see kids having fun. I want to get a little more subscribers. I am nice and energetic.

I pretend I am on TV! I feel happy.

I touch the water. I worry about my family. I cry when I get hurt. I am nice and energetic.

I understand you have to go to school. I say treat others how you want to be treated. I dream for peace.

I try to be a good YouTuber.

I hope gun violence will stop. I am nice and energetic.

I

Am...

Iam from a little Spanish I am from the USA

I am from cool glasses

I am from a rainy month

I am from the taste of boba

I am from the smell of pancakes

I am from a warm family

I Am

4

Iam from my colorful hands after playing with sidewalk chalk.

I am from the taste of the candy inside the eggs on easter.

I am from running outside at recess playing with my friends.

I am from the crowd when our team scores a goal.

I am from the taste of my parents’ anniversary cake.

I am from the day I learned to ride my bike. I am from hot cocoa on snow days.

I am from my friends and my family.

I am from home.

The Best Part of Me

Ihave a big heart. It helps me to learn.

Rose Mooney Greenbrier Grade 4

Alyson Romero Jackson-Via Grade

Aceyn Brown Jackson-Via Grade 1

Dasani Williams Buford Grade 8

We Come From...

Ms. Croce’s Class Johnson Grade 1

We come from chocolate, peach, caramel, tan, light brown, and lemonish skin.

We come from brownish, black, brown, gray, green, blue, light brown, bluish-green, dark brown, and blackish brown eyes.

We come from special places such as Honduras, Africa, the United States, Afghanistan, Brazil, Virgina, El Salvador, China, Mexico, Seattle, home, and the beach.

We come from special people like our moms, dads, cousins, siblings, friends, classmates, Miss Croce, Miss Dunlap, all of our teachers, grandparents, and sports teammates.

We come from special things like calming strategies, electronics, Puppy & Snail, school, sports, plants, pets, allergies, watching things, walking to school, and playing.

We come from many languages such as English, Chinese, Spanish, Pashto, and Japanese.

We come from special foods like rice, pizza, mac & cheese, Chinese food, steak, sushi, dumplings, popcorn, ice cream, spaghetti, burritos, noodles, sandwiches, tacos, and chocolate.

We come from some of our favorite things in life, such as crystals, wildlife, nature, the world, family, and friends.

We come together at Johnson School to make one school family.

Where I’m From

Iamfrom soccer.

From my iPad or my glasses.

I am from the millions of flowers inside out of my house that I can smell from a mile away. I am from the deep forest and the trees swaying everywhere.

I’m from Thanksgiving.

I am from my dad, mom and dog. I am from the loud barking of my dog. From my dad saying to calm down.

I am from Richmond. I am from casserole.

I am from the family picture book. I am from LOVE.

Jack Zumbrunn Greenbrier Grade 4

Natalia Salazar Fraire Buford Grade 7

Anne Fruscello CHS Grade 11

I Am

Caio Strazzabosco Greenbrier Grade 4

Iam from the meows of my cat in the morning. I am from the trees swaying before I go to bed.

I am from the smell of pancakes on the weekends.

I am from the hugs of my family before I leave for school.

I am from the taste of chocolate coins on Christmas.

I am from the smell of wet leaves as I walk to school.

I am from the soft fur of my cat. I am from the caring voices of my friends. I am from eating pizza on Fridays.

I am from the giggles of my brother, Luca. I am from the lines of my pencil at school.

I am from the concentration of my brain as I do work.

I Am Poem

IJermir Bright Walker Grade 6

am an artist and a gamer. I wonder if I’m going to be an art teacher. I hear birds chirping.

I see a Playstation 5. I want to be able to do a wheelie. I am an artist and a gamer.

I pretend like my bed is WWE. I feel good.

I touch a drum set. I worry about tests.

I cry when it’s Monday.

I am an artist and a gamer.

I understand people can be free and perfect. I say I’m going to be an artist.

I dream I’m going to get a million dollars.

I try to get good grades.

I hope I can help people.

I am an artist and a gamer.

I Am

Quinn Kavanaugh Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Iam Quinn.

I am Korean. I am a beagle lover. I am a pig lover.

I am a Swiftie.

I am excitement.

The Best Part of Me

Carrie Shifflett Jackson-Via Grade 1

Ihave good green eyes. They help me read books.

I Am Poem

IJustin Morris Walker Grade 6

am nice and smart. I wonder why we do not have memories as babies.

I hear the ocean.

I see a hill in the distance. I want world peace. I am nice and smart.

I pretend I’m a character in an imaginary world.

I feel happy.

I touch a dog’s fur.

I worry about dying. I cry about being yelled at.

I am nice and smart.

I understand you need money. I say we should all be nice to each other.

I dream of freedom.

I try to be kind.

I hope my family has money.

I am nice and smart.

I Am Funny and Happy

Rylan Foley Clark Grade 2

I’m different.

I make people laugh.

I’m very good at keeping my hands to myself.

Last I love my mom.

I’m funny because I like to play around.

I like to make people laugh.

I am good because I keep my hands to myself.

I also try hard at school.

I am happy because I love my mom.

My mom loves me too which makes me happy.

I am funny, good and happy.

These are things that make me special.

I Am Poem

ILay’Ja Wingate Walker Grade 6

am a girl and I will be 12 on July 6.

I wonder why we go to Walker.

I hear the ocean wave in a shell.

I see a big pool at Massanutten.

I want a new phone so I can call people.

I am good at splits and more.

I pretend that I’m on TV and I’m famous. I feel pain when I fall.

I touch the lone big Eiffel Tower in Paris.

I worry about what I’m going to get on my grades.

I cry when I see people leave to go to a different place.

I am good at splits and more.

I understand that we have to do math and history and more.

I say if you believe, you can achieve!

I dream I am at Get Air Jump.

I try to get better at math.

I hope for a car when I’m older.

I am a girl and I will be 12 on July 6, 2024.

Marlow Van Yahres CHS Grade 10

Dear Mama

Jack Vena Burnley-Moran Grade 3

February 12, 2024

Dear Mama:

I am writing today to persuade you to let me sit upfront in the car.

My first reason is everyone my age does it all the time at dismissal. For example, we were walking home one day when I saw my friend Sawyer getting inside his car and he sat in the passenger seat!

My second reason is walking is in Daddy’s blood. Whenever he is not around the front seat is open for me to sit in. One day when we were walking home and you came by in the car, me and Henry got in back even though the passenger seat was empty because Daddy continued walking!

Finally sitting up front would be nice but only when it is safe. For instance, I wouldn’t do it on long drives because it is not as safe as in town. Plus Daddy goes on most of those drives with us like to D.C., New York, and New Jersey.

Thank you for considering the previous request, letting me sit upfront in the car when Daddy isn’t around would be a fun experience.

Jack

Family

Mayari Secora Johnson Grade K

Ilove my family because they work together.

Family

Julian Mehl Venable Grade 4

Time with family hiking in the wilderness exploring new paths

Dear Mom

February 12, 2024

Dear Mom,

I am typing to you today to persuade you to buy me a new stuffed animal. The first animal I would like is a zebra.

My first reason for wanting a stuffed zebra is I want to make a zoo of stuffed animals. I love animals so a zoo would be a good thing to build.

My second reason for wanting a stuffed zebra is it is my favorite animal and it is a very common stuffed animal. Stuffed zebras are easy to find because the last time we went to the store we saw a stuffed zebra.

My last reason for wanting a stuffed zebra is we have so many that I can add to the zoo but a zebra would be the first animal you would see.

Many of the stuffed animals we have at home are just one color. I like that the zebra has a pattern of black and white stripes.

Sincerely, Kyle

Wilson

Kyle Wilson Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Home

Shukriya Laldare

Venable Grade 4

Home, Afghanistan

Family and friends still there

My heart is still there

John Benusa Greenbrier Grade

K

Everyday Hero Profile: Tommy George

Once upon a time a man named Tommy George was born in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa on May 3, 1976. As a child growing up in the village with limited resources he had a warrior mindset. By the age of 13 years old he came to the city to continue middle school. With no money he was forced to sell goods in the streets for school fees.

Then in 1989, a civil war broke out in Liberia that impacted millions of people. People fled Liberia to neighboring countries. He found himself in Danane, a border city to Liberia. As a refugee in the Ivory Coast he was facing hard times. But he managed to finish high school.

In 1998 he left Danane for Abidjan, the capital city of Ivory Coast; he was homeless in Abidjan for some time. Armed with faith in God and prayers he found a job as a clerk in a bakery where he met my mom. After a year in the bakery he started to work at a church as an accountant clerk.

In 2002 a rebellion started in Ivory Coast and refugees’ lives were in danger. Tommy was facing war again. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had to step in for refugees resettling in the USA. After navigating the immigration process, Tommy was qualified to resettle in the US. On the cold night of February 2004 my parents arrived in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA the land of opportunity. He went back to school and studied accounting and religion at Liberty University. After graduating he founded a church, Praise Chapel where he is a pastor. He also had a successful cleaning business (Winner’s Cleaning Service). He is an author who wrote two books Focus On God and The Art of Radical Thanksgiving. He is working on becoming a certified public accountant. He is also a singer, he has two singles that are out now.

“With courage and determination you can overcome any obstacle,” he said.

My dad is an everyday hero who pushed through the struggles in life and always stayed prayerful and positive.

Justice George Buford Grade 7

Your Mom

TheMarleyna Taylor

Clark Grade 2

important thing about your mom is that she loves you. She helps you with your needs. She buys stuff for you. She’s helpful and kind. She does what she can for you. She got you to love. She is fun.

But the important thing about your mom is that she loves you.

An Older Sister

An older sister

Will never give blisters

Especially if she is ten.

If you’re a glistener

A few little sinisters

May interrupt your Zen.

But one little mister

Is good for a sister

‘Cause he can be super sweet then.

Calliope Wax

Clark Grade 4

Aubree’s Magical Papa

My papa was as sweet as a piece of candy

Before he died, I hoped he would come back as a flower

So whenever I see a beautiful daisy

My smile is shining like the sun

My papa is my papa Whenever I visited my papa

He was as happy as a guinea pig

My papa would dance with me

He would dance

Like life’s a party.

Aubree Christmas Clark Grade 4

Ashly Marin Dubon Buford Grade 8

Avivia Wilson Greenbrier Grade 3

My Challenge

Whitaker Wellmon Greenbrier Grade 4

As a younger brother and a sibling, I have a very good relationship with my brother and my sister. While most people have an age gap for siblings of just a few years, I have an age gap of ten years! We are like best friends, but have a ten year age gap. That meant that I was only 10 years old when my brother went to college. So then think of what it would be like if one of your siblings went to a college almost 630 miles away (very, very far away from my home).

In 2020, it was my brother’s last year in high school, and the next year he would be going to college. I tried to spend as much time as I could with him before he would have to leave to go to college. But I couldn’t do that much because I had to do after school, and he would go hang out with his friends. He also had to apply to colleges with my parents and my older sister, so I wouldn’t have almost any time with him. At this point I wanted him to go to a college near our house like Virginia Tech, or UVA so we could see him more often.

But a few months passed and he knew what colleges he got into. After some time he decided where he would go for college. He chose a college called Rose Hulman, an engineering school 631.7 miles away. But all I knew at that time was that he was going to an engineering school that was called Rose Hulman. After a few more months had passed it was time for my brother to go to college. My parents had to go with him so it was me and my sister for a day or so. My sister and I did not know what it would be like without him. We knew he would visit for holidays and things like that, but we still were sad about him leaving. We knew that he would be fine. He liked his roommate and he liked the area, but he would still be sad and so would I.

Halfway through the year, almost summer break, my family did our beach trip to Topsail Island in North Carolina. Before the trip my brother came back and stayed with us for a week or so before my family went to the beach. It was nice to see him and catch up with each other. The trip was so fun even though my brother did have some work to do. Otherwise I got to see my brother so much and had a great time with him and so did my family. It was easily the best beach trip we ever had and was just so nice to see him and also have lots of fun. But when my brother went back to college I was sad but was more happy than before we went to the beach.

It was January 2023 and my brother went back to college after winter break. I was starting fourth grade and he would be going into his second year in college and we were both somewhat excited for new grades and new years but also nervous. But now it is November 2023 and my brother is back home for Thanksgiving break and we are both happy to see each other. We are both having a good school year, and are excited for the holidays and each others birthdays, and just to see each other

So in conclusion, it was and still is, sad to not see one of your siblings that much, but we do our best to talk to each other or hangout or just do dumb things when he is at home. Sometimes some things as simple as playing a game or going outside and taking a walk, even just sitting and talking like “how are you” or just being in the same room can be so much fun with someone if you don’t see them much. What I have learned is that as long as you spend time with someone you can still have fun with them even if you don’t see them too often.

You Should Have Known Better

Ava Dees-Kuttner CHS Grade 12

You were supposed to protect me, to guide me, and show me how to be in this world. Who am I to the world? Who should I be?

You raised me without structure. You punished me because of mistakes I did not make. You put your father’s pain on me, my mother’s pain on me. You pushed your insecurities and failures onto me. It was not my fault. You punished me as others had punished you. You allowed the heartbreaking pattern of generational trauma to continue and grow.

Yes, you raised me with love and affection, and for that, I am grateful. I am grateful for the tools you bestowed on my tool belt. The joy of adventure and the importance of hard work you shared with me is priceless.

I will carry these tools with me throughout my life. That is not, however, the only thing I will carry. I will carry a deep hole in my heart. A hole you left unfilled. An absence of the respect, patience, and understanding that I so heavily deserve.

I see you in your pain. I understand the hurt you have experienced. But I could never understand the hurt you have inflicted upon your own innocent daughter. Instead of reflecting on your past, understanding it, working through it, and letting it go, you threw your pain at me. I, your helpless victim, knew nothing better than to catch it.

I caught the flaming torch that was hurled towards me. I caught and held onto it for so long, but I cannot hold it anymore. I cannot hold your hurt and your daddy issues. I will not.

I am letting go.

I am no longer blaming myself for how you

treated me. I realize now your treatment of me was not okay, nor was it my doing.

Your lack of emotional intelligence was not my doing. I was a vulnerable little girl who, for so long, did not know how to advocate for myself and fight back. How could I have known?

You should have kept me safe, protected me, and taught me how to deal with agony. Instead, you were the predominant source of my suffering and affliction.

It was not my fault. You should have known better.

The Vintage Dress

TheBattuello CHS Grade 11

dress stayed in the closet. No one ever moved it out of the closet. No one touched it, and no one sure as hell ever wore it. It hung in a clear garment bag, the bag was always covered in dust. The dress was from a 1950s wedding. It was a soft rose color with a large tulle skirt. The bottom of the tulle had been burned, holes from cigarettes littered the hem. The bodice was intact but the sleeves had been completely destroyed. The only way you could even tell it had sleeves was because of the loose thread around the armpits. The sleeves had been torn off. The bride had destroyed it. There was a note attached to the bag, written in cursive, which was what was assumed to be the bride’s note to her husband.

“I know.”

That was the note. Two simple words.

When my dad died I was sent to clean out his house. I’d found the dress in the closet in the attic. I hadn’t thought about it in years but I remembered that dad had told me it was from his short lived first marriage. He’d cheated on the

Clara

poor woman and she’d found out right after they said their vows. She had destroyed the dress and left it on his bed with the note.

For some reason my father had kept it, as if to remind himself of how he’d messed up. I didn’t move the dress out of the house before it sold. I had no use for a tattered old wedding gown.

So the dress stayed in the closet

Numb

Kyra Gibson Buford Grade 7

Today has been quite a long day for me. Exhausted, I finally make my way to bed and lay on my side.

In an attempt to distract myself, I mindlessly scroll through my phone for what feels like hours,

But in reality, it’s been hundreds of minutes, thousands of seconds, and hundreds of thousands of milliseconds.

Beling CHS Grade 12

As the clock continues to tick away, my eyes grow heavy, and a whirlwind of thoughts flood my mind.

I can’t help but wonder why I wasn’t good enough and how I will muster the strength to face another day of school tomorrow. I yearn for things to get better and question why no one has noticed my struggles.

Amidst this chaotic mix of emotions, my heart starts racing, and my throat tightens. In that moment, I realize that I need to cry.

However, even that seems to elude me, as I can’t seem to do it right. How do I explain to someone that although I may feel deeply for them, I have lost the ability to express it?

numb.

David

In the Back

Logan Zunder & Robinson Ness Buford Grade 7

We all know that quiet kid in class sitting in the back like the last animal in the herd. Just listening as they talk.

We all know the millions of times the kid opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

We all know the whispers and muffled talk of the kids looking at him like an animal in the zoo.

We all know how he just wants to be like the others. Just wanting to live a normal life. Just wanting to FIT IN!

Now we find him in a historic room, the lunch room as you would expect the quiet kid sitting alone eating his lunch, looking around trying not to be heard or seen. Trying to never have the stage. He feels alone and scared.

He would keep his head low as he walked home, never waving back at the crossing guard as he crossed the road. When he got home he went to his room and he laid down. He feels like he can just sink away like a whirlpool.Thinking of a life where he would fit in. All of these thoughts he can never share with the world.

He has always tried to fit in. WHY DOES HE FEEL SO ALONE?

The world has beat down on him because he will never accept himself. The boulders of his peers crushed him like the weight of the world on his shoulders. THAT IS WHY HE FEELS SO ALONE.

Juliana Pierce Buford Grade 8

Zachary Wilder-DeMicco Walker Grade 6

Choice

I’m Free But My Mind Isn’t

Charmian StOurs CHS Grade 12

Asking questions feels like a burden, Having any expression on my face other than a frown feels wrong, Walking around outside is scary Someone could shoot me, Like the guards threatened to

This is completely different

My life was completely different I find myself questioning which life I preferred But I’m finally free

Why would I question that?

Why would I second guess freedom or prison

Why

I’ve been so adjusted to this morally wrong way of living

And yet I find myself almost wanting to go back to it

Here I have to get a job

Find the courage to wake up every day

Take care of myself

I have no one to answer to but myself

I feel guilty

Many people in my “home” before wanted to be me

They wanted out Why am I wanting back in?

Everything’s changed. My life stopped

While everyone else’s was still going

I don’t know where to go

Where do I belong

I hope to find peace

I hope those people who put me in prison find

peace

I hope they find their killer

I hope they can forgive themselves for putting me there

I hope they can recognize exactly what they have done to me

My life feels over My life ended when I was sentenced to 25 years in prison

My life has restarted I wish it hadn’t

It’s better out here than it was in there Is what they say Is it?

I find myself asking that question every day

My mind was forced to find comfort there

My mind was given no choice

My mind had to accept that I was guilty of something I didn’t do

My mind had to give up and let go

My mind is gone

I feel blank

I don’t know what I do with myself from here

I don’t know how to live on with this black hole inside me

Sucking the life out of my soul

What’s left of it anyway

Maybe in another life

Maybe in another life, I will find the peace I deserve

Not this life

This life was taken

This life has passed by me in misery

This life was already over

Come Back to Yourself

Rosemary McLeod CHS Grade 11

Do it slowly and remember to breathe. Take a moment to realize what is around you.

Take a moment to feel, on a base physical level We can work through the emotions after you remember what’s beneath you. it’s a little easier when you’ve come back to yourself.

Come back to your body, spirit, and mind.

There’s a heart beating inside you. It’s been there for a long time now, and it wants to be alive. There’s a child inside you from your happiest memory, and they still want to thrive. And there’s you.

You, who doesn’t want to sit down with the child.

Or the heart, because you’re swamped right now. Your water inside your skull is spinning, perhaps not frantically but there’s something moving.

Maybe like a lazy river at a pool. You feel a little displaced. Like your head is in your toes and you have an upside down soul.

That’s okay, though.

I don’t think anybody is properly in place. My soul is probably twisted diagonally at all times.

And of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t hurt. Your heart still wants to beat.

Yet your ribs seem no longer to be a shield but a cage.

And something seems sharp in your chest. Yes, you’re in pain.

Yes, that’s okay.

Come back to your emotions.

They’re hard to come back to. They’re something dark and seemingly unkind that you’re staring down.

They aren’t something you’re keen to feel.

At least not ones like these.

They’re suffocating.

I very much understand this.

And you can’t really claw your way to the surface.

I’d like to remind you to breathe. Do it slowly, as many times as you need.

Now let yourself feel.

Think as little as you can, and just feel.

Cry if you need, if you want.

Feel it like it’s a weight strapped to your back, that you’re hyper aware of.

Sit with it.

In silence or in noise.

Because it’s not a beast that needs taming. Or a monster that warrants running away.

It’s just the blood from your upside down soul. It got roughed up a bit, while it was spinning to follow your head into your toes.

You’ll notice that the weight is morphing into a clingy hug.

Then you’ll notice that you’re perhaps a little tired.

Rub your eyes gently. Stretch a little.

Grab some water if you can. Maybe you’re dehydrated from all these emotions.

Grab the thing that brings you the most comfort.

A stuffed animal, A specific food, A book you may like to hug.

Find someone close to you.

Yes, they will care. You don’t have to tell them what you’re feeling, if you don’t want to.

But maybe text them something, that will leave you waiting for a response.

Then tell them you’re going to sleep. Because right now you are. To nap or to bed. You came back to your emotions, and it’s left you tired. Now go to bed.

Come back to yourself. You’ll feel a little more stable.

Dream

Ihave a dream. I dream of holding hands.

Antonella Sanchez Mejia Jackson-Via Grade K

Laine Honeycutt Buford Grade 7

Sunny Harris CHS Grade 12

I See Her

Her words and feathery laughter I fear she feels not light enough crossing the floor as if it were a window pane she whispers because they’re watching I fear she’ll fall through the glass if she starts to skip

Be careless child Death is better than living, frightened to fly

Sephira Ainsworth CHS Grade 12

Ne’Orah Brown Walker Grade 5

Elsa Coffey CHS Grade 11

Love is True

The day of love is the day

That all lovers are waiting for.

When it comes,

We all celebrate this day together.

Enjoy it and all your sorrows Disappear.

Valentine’s Day is not only a day

For boyfriends and girlfriends

Valentine’s Day is when we all

Fall in love with something that is

Most precious to us

We can’t get it out of our minds

The feeling we have,

Masiullah Amin CHS Grade 10

That the precious thing will never disappear, that the precious thing will always be eternal,

Love is not a lover

Love is a friend

Love is a family

Love is the best friend

That will never leave you

A true lover is someone who Puts his love first in everything

Not everyone is worthy of this pure love

Someone will understand that They are truly in love when a person feels reborn by love.

Now everything in this damn world is money

When you don’t have money

You have no value in this world , When you work

You make money

When you have money

You have everything

But there is really only one thing that we can’t get with money

You can’t buy true love.

This world is not worth worrying about We will all die one day We should do good deeds

Not fight with anyone

Not hate anyone

We are all the same

We have good and bad. Let’s not be racist, but treat each other well, because we will all die one day.

Nora Erkelens

Buford Grade 8

The Great Fall

HeyWalker Grade 6

Savannah, do you want to play outside?

It is a nice and sunny day and I am tired of playing inside,” I suggested.

“You’re right. Let me get some drinks and meet me at the front door.”

As Savannah went to the kitchen to get some stuff, I was putting on my shoes and waiting.

While I was waiting for Savannah, I saw her dog jumping up and down with a ball in her mouth and a lot of drool all over her ball.”Can I let your dog out with us?” I questioned.

“What!?”shouted Savannah.

“Bro, I said can I let your dog out with us?” I yelled.

“Oh yeah she can come outside, she

looks like she wants to play anyway,” said Savannah.

Immediately I opened the door and a cool breeze went across my face, hearing the sound of birds chirping, rushing leaves left and right. I walked out the house, and the dog ran like she saw 100 squirrels. Hmmm… What should I do while Savannah was getting some drinks I thought to myself.

To save myself from boredom, I walked to the concert stairs. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. My arms were out like I was on a tightrope. I probably look so cool I thought to myself.

I was doing great, until I finally missed a step. I flew like a bird, as I finally hit the ground with a crash. I looked around like I lost my car keys, my lips, knee, and elbow were covered in blood. Some little rocks were on my right cheek. That day I learned to think before you do things.

The Fire

Tanyia Napper Walker Grade 6

Tiny, I’m about to go play my numbers. Are you coming!?” Grandma asked.

“No!” I said.

“Ok! See you when I get back,” said my grandma.

“Ok!” I said. I’m bored. Oh, I remember there were some matches in my grandma’s room.

“How am I going to get in here?” I know that there’s tubs full of old stuff in there, so maybe I can get in there? But I don’t know. I tried pushing the door open, but it’s like someone had super glued it shut.

“Dang!” I even tried running into the door to try to get it open but that didn’t work either.

“Ok. I need to think about this. I know if I keep pushing the door maybe that would work.”

So I tried it, and surprisingly it worked. There is a tiny gap almost like a french fry but it’s

Anari Sanchez

big enough for a tiny 6 year old to fit through. As I squeezed through the tiny gap it felt like someone was pulling the strings to a corset. Alright now I know there’s some matches somewhere in here. It’s so dark it’s like you were looking at an endless tunnel. The only light is coming through the tiny gap in the door.

“Oh! Here they are.”

“Now that I’m back in my dimly lit room, what should I light on fire?” I thought to myself.

“Oh!” I forgot about my empty goldfish bag. I reach as far as my little arms can go and feel around underneath my bed.

“There it is.” As I put the goldfish bag out from under my bed, I think about what I’m about to do. Should I? Or shouldn’t I? I stare out into the darkness. My mind fuzzy and my stomach turning. I take a deep breath

Flight of Injustice

“Meh, what’s the harm?” I’m slowly opening the matches, making sure I don’t spill them. I pick up the match carefully. Now I light the match. I hold the lit match right in front of me, the red, yellow, and red mixing all together. It’s almost like you’re staring at the sun. I take a deep breath and light the goldfish bag. I’m sitting there watching the fire engulf the goldfish bag. I jump as the fire alarm is going on, I try blowing the fire out, when that didn’t work I try shaking the fire out, but that didn’t work either.

I grab the goldfish bag and bolt to my bathroom and throw the goldfish bag in the sink. I turn on the cold water and watch the fire fade away.

That day I knew to never ever play with fire again.

Leela Valdez Buford Grade 7

The dull hum of the plane matched the mood of its interior. Even though we got a nice cabin, with comfortable bedding and way too many shows, movies and games for me to even consider possible to count, I was definitely more excited for what was to come, rather than the dry monochromatism of the plane.

It was 7 in the morning, and 10 minutes until we would be in Paris, probably making our way through crepes and hot chocolate. It had been my dream to come here for years and years, and pretty soon, I would be in the city of love. I looked over at my mom, sleeping peacefully with her eye mask, which she had received from a Delta flight, with the words ‘None of your business’ - an obvious favorite of hers.

Suddenly, the cabin lights blinked on and a flight attendant announced, “We are preparing for landing soon. Please make sure your tray table is stowed, your seat is in its upright position, and all baggage is put in the overhead compartments, or under the seat in front of you. Thank you.”

Mom wearily lowered her eye mask and, sleepily grinning from ear to ear, turned to look at me.

“Can you believe it kiddo? We’re in Paris!” she exclaimed. “Are you excited?”

“You bet!” I answered.

Soon, the familiar Bump-Bump-Screeeee… was the only noise in my ears as we touched down. I opened the window and the brightness blinded me. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I couldn’t stop marveling that we were actually in France.

The plane came to a stop, and the seatbelt sign turned off. People started jostling to grab their bags and lined up to get out of the plane. Mom and I stayed in our seats as people rustled noisily past us. My mom has a severe tendon disability, which prevents her from being able to walk for very long periods

of time without experiencing massive flares from her joints, and being unable to walk for several days. Despite this, she loves to travel, so whenever we go together, I am always willing to help out, whether it’s pushing her wheelchair, or carrying all of our shopping bags back to the hotel. However, her body cannot take being pushed around, so we always wait until everyone gets off the plane before leaving. Also, we have to wait for the wheelchair we asked for to arrive.

Several other people do the same thing, most of them elderly, with a couple middle aged people and a pregnant woman. Soon most everyone is off the plane and the cleaning people start to move around. This is strange. Usually someone announces when the chairs and assistants have arrived, but there was silence on the plane. My mom started to get worried.

“Leela, could you please go out and ask the flight attendant up front if my chair has arrived?” she asked. “This is taking too long.”

“Of course. I’ll be right back,” I confirmed. I climbed out of my seat, and dropping my backpack, I approached the flight attendant. A middle aged woman, with dirty blonde hair tied back into a messy bun and lines under her eyes.

“Excuse me,” I started, “could you please tell me when my mom’s chair will get here? I-”

“Ma’am, please just wait in your seat.” She briskly said, eyeing me coldly. As I turned away I heard her mutter something in French, and whatever it was did not sound very polite.

I made my way back to my chair, and abruptly blurted out what had happened to mom. As I was talking, the voice of the lady to whom I had just been talking to, boomed through the plane;

“All passengers requiring special assistance must wait in their seats until further notice. I repeat, all passengers requiring special assistance must wait until further notice.”

I glanced over at mom, who was moment. I understood why, everyone else had left 10 minutes beforehand and they were taking forever.

After another 10 minutes of waiting, we were called to the front of the plane. Once I had grabbed all of our luggage, we made our way to the plane exit and spotted two wheelchairs on the bridge, one of which was probably ours. The only problem was that there was no one to push it. Two people stood at the side of the bridge. One of them came up to my mom and said something in French. A frustrated look came over mom’s face, and she argued back profusely in French (she is fluent). All of a sudden I understood why. As I looked past the two of them, I saw that they were making all of the other disabled people WALK up the bridge, and into an elevator going who knows where.

A quiet bitterness bubbled up inside of me. Didn’t these people understand that they can’t walk? And since they are being forced to now, they could be injured for who knows how long. Why didn’t they just use the chairs that were literally right over there? It was outrageous.

In the end, my mom had to walk, from the bridge, all the way to a transport 3 floors down. By the time the transport reached its destination, the airport people had called in for a wheelchair to meet us at exit. They all looked pretty perplexed, because throughout the ride and as she struggled to walk, my mom had continued to fight with them in both French and English. “Wow,” I thought, “she really knows how to make a scene.”

“Are you happy now ma’am?” one of the assistants asked my mom in disjointed English. “No,” she firmly stated, “what about everyone else?”

No one answered her, and as she got in the chair and the airport personnel guided us away, I couldn’t help but look back at all of the other people who still were forced to walk, just because for whatever reason, they couldn’t advocate for themselves as forcefully as my mom did. And if the city of love can’t show compassion when it is actually needed, then what kind of world are we truly living in?

The Scooter

Emanuel Gomez-Perdomo Walker Grade 6

Do you want to go outside?” my friend asked.

“Sure,” I said, putting my shoes on. We put our shoes on and then ran outside. When we get outside the cold breeze hits us like a boxer in a boxing ring. As I see the beautiful glossy red scooter I feel like it’s calling my name.

“I want the scooter!” we both say at the same time. We pulled the scooter at the same time as if we had the same thought.

“I want the scooter!’ I repeat.

“No, I want it!” he said.

He looked me in the eye with an intense look and pulled it from me. At that moment I was not feeling it, I felt like saying something about it but instead I tried pulling it back but he had a strong grip on the scooter and didn’t let go of it. Since he didn’t let go I said, “Give me it or I’ll tell your mom.”

“Bet you won’t,” he answered me. Then I started to annoy him by talking about him and how he sucks at sports.

Again he looked at me and said, “You can’t be talking, you always miss when you

shoot in soccer.” To be honest I was definitely bad at soccer at the time.

“I bet I can beat you in any sport and destroy you,” he said. I then thought to myself what would bother him. DING! An idea he does not like when people just start talking bad about him. Whenever people talk bad about him he gets really angry. So you can imagine what I did. I talked bad about him. And to be honest it was not the greatest idea because I knew he hated it, but either way I wanted that scooter.

As soon as I talked about him the first thing he did was push me. At his house he has like some sort of grassy little hill so when he pushed me I went rolling down the hill. While I was rolling down I thought I should have just rode the bike. As I rolled and rolled down I bangged my head on a big piece of metal. Then he came towards me with a nervous look and asked

“Are you ok?” My head was hurting but I received what I deserved. He helped me get up and then after that I changed my mind and decided to ride the bike. As we rode on the bike and scooter the wind blew on our faces, we had so much fun.

That day I learned what goes around comes back around.

George Love CHS Grade 10

Big Fall

Lily Grover Walker Grade 6

The wind rushed through my hair as my dad passed me.

My mom and sister are behind me. I can smell summer air and hear bees in the flowers. We were almost home from going down town. The smile on his face makes him look like a cowboy, and his bike is a strong and sturdy stallion. He gets near the big hill, the breeze ruffling his jacket. He stopped at the top of the hill ready to go down.

My dad kicked off from the ground and started down the hill.

“Wait up!” I yelled “I can’t stop, just meet me at the bottom!” my dad replied. I decided to speed up so I could catch up to him. I went faster than I have ever been before. It was so fun. Suddenly my mouth open in shock I lost control of the scooter. I started to breathe hard as the scooter started to shake.

“Lily slow down, you’re going to fall” my mom shouted.

“I can’t!” I screeched. “Help me!”. The scooter swerves out of control. Hands shaking, panic bilding.I try to gain control again but I can’t. The only thing I can see is the ground I am about to hit and my fear, swallowing up the rest of the world. I fall on the ground next to the sidewalk. The pavement scrapes all the skin off my knees, blood trickling out of the cuts. I open my mouth in shock then my lips trembling I start to cry. That day I learned to go at my own pace.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a very special place for me. Kuman Province looks like big mountains and mosques.

It feels like my grandma’s hug.

I smell spicy kabobs and sweet grapes.

I hear the sounds of goats, chickens, and noisy cars.

I taste grapes from the mountains and chicken and rice.

This is why Afghanistan is special to me.

Leo Brennan Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Ussman Mashwari Greenbrier Grade 3

Flying to America

WhenLeticia Sabato

Walker Grade 6

I was seven I was living in a refugee camp in Uganda, a country in Africa. My dad worked hard to get us to go to America. My parents had to sign papers and give it to people to see if we could go. We lived in the camp for many years before.

I was so excited that we got chosen. I was so excited to see the world away from camp.

The day came that we were leaving. We had to say goodbye to all our friends. They came to our house to help us pack up and get into the white van. It was sad but happy at the same time. We got inside the van and the driver started driving. It was a long hour drive but we we got to the hotel they showed us. They taught us how to behave in America.

One of the things he said was, “Don’t be rude to people.”

They had some music on the radios and we danced and had fun. Some people there left before us. There were people from Somalia too and some from Uganda like us.

One day a beautiful bus came to take us to the airport. We had to take many buses to get there. We waited

Cadel Bryan Walker Grade 6

and waited. When we got to the airport I was so excited because I had never seen an airplane. My parents had to talk to people with translators. They checked all of us to see if we were sick. Finally we went into the airplane. I liked the soft seats, the good food, and the TV. I sat near my siblings. They brought us food that I had never seen before. They gave us candy that we liked so much. I looked out a window and I wanted to touch the clouds. I couldn’t believe it was real.

I was little so I wondered if I could eat clouds. The trip took a long long time. We had to change to another airplane in a New York City.

After we finally got to the next airport we met people to see if we were okay and ready for the next plane. The next plane was good too. I slept because it took so long.

Finally we arrived in America. People checked on us and someone picked us up. They drove us to our new house on Michie Drive. I couldn’t sleep because of all the stuff and how beautiful it was.

The next day mom cooked some tea and some African food on our new stove.

I started second grade at Greenbrier School. I met many nice teachers. It was hard because I didn’t know English but now I understand so much more about the world and how to behave and be my better self. That day I learned to try new things and work hard and if you do that things will slide into place.

Afghanistan

Ibrahim Andish Greenbrier Grade 3

My Home is far away, but I love it here and play.

Here I feel safe

Like a superhero with a cape My grandparents are there. Sometimes I see them when I fly through the air.

The Metros

Gabriel Sender Johnson Grade 4

1is rusty

2 is clean

4 is the same

3 IS GREEN

My favorite is 4 so shiny for you it takes you to Sebazac and through the Danube I rode 3 twice it was really fun I was bringing up the rear near its fiery bunns

Dana Khalil Walker Grade 5

LeeLee Keevil CHS Grade 10

The Farm

Vivien Grover Burnley-Moran Grade 3

My grandparent’s farm house is one of the most connected places on the planet. When I go there I don’t only smell hot dogs and apple cider, but I also smell farmland and people. I can see shimmering gold hay when I go to the barn, and at night I hear crickets and see the moon shining. One thing I remember it most for is the river. We go tubing on it, we hike up a tall mountain, climb down a steep cliff, then throw our tubes in the river and jump on. Sometimes it’s a smooth ride, but usually we go twirling and whirling around rocks and on currents. Then we stop in front of the farm house and get out of the river. When I really take a look at the barn I see a face with windows for eyes and the big gate as the mouth. I imagine the face is watching every animal that crosses its path, wishing them good travels. Inside, I play or just hang out with friends and family. But what I love most is that it feels like home.

The Best Place on Earth

Kiara Demaio Espinosa Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Ilove my dad’s yard because I can see the birds in the sky and the butterflies are all around me. I pick the flowers and I can feel the petals. Sometimes they’re as soft as a pillow. Ladybugs land on my arm and crawl up. It tickles. I love to go to the garden and I eat my favorite herb: rosemary! I also eat the red and green leaf lettuce. It is really delicious! My dad is a great gardener.

“Hey,” my dad says, “Do you want to help me plant cucumbers?”

I say, “Of course. I love cucumbers, they’re my favorite.”

I come out of the house and the dogs bark loudly. The birds are chirping. I love when the birds sing, it is peaceful. I can smell the pollen and it makes me sneeze. When the dogs come I can smell their stink. They love to go to the pond. They go to the grass and they rub on it and that’s how they get smelly.

Annabel Anuszewski Buford Grade 8

Be Sure to Visit

Elise Thompson

Venable Grade 2

You must visit Australia to meet the smallest continent on earth. When you are there you might hear people call Australia, “The land down under.” Don’t get scared, people call it that because it’s right below the equator.

Be Sure to Visit

Asha Sukhtankar

Venable Grade 2

Ithink you should visit Antarctica, there are so many cool types of animals! Penguins, seals, to mention a few. In the summer more than 40 types of birds nest in Antarctica.

Ava’s House

Ryn Stott

Burnley-Moran Grade K

Iknocked on Ava’s door. Ava told us to jump on the trampoline. Then we went back home.

The Park

Iamat the park. I slide down the slide. Then I sit on the bench.

Mylah Taylor Burnley-Moran Grade K

Busch Gardens

Anton Kiessling Clark Grade 2

The important thing about Busch Gardens is that it is an amusement park.

You can ride the Verbolten which boosts you 50 miles per hour.

It has the Alpengeist which is one of the top 100 craziest rides. It has pretzels.

But the important thing about Busch Gardens is that it is an amusement park.

Emma Wells Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Going to the Fair

Noel Angel De La O Greenbrier Grade 4

In 2018, I was 4 years old. I went to the fair near Charlottesville with my Uncle Rudy and my sister, Brismar. There were a lot of people, games, and rides.

As soon as we got to the rides, Brismar locked her eyes on the dragon ride. She told my uncle, “I want to go on the dragon ride!” I knew this was going to be fun and entertaining.

The seats fit two people inside. It was very curvy with parts that went up and down. We watched to see how it was going to be while we were in line. A lot of people were yelling and having fun.

When it was our turn, I was nervous and scared because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I was worried that I would fall off the ride when it turned on the curves. I got in the seat and put on my seatbelt. The ride started and I was yelling to stop the ride, but no one heard me. The ride kept going! My sister sat with me to show me to not be scared and my uncle was in front of us.

Brismar helped me to feel calm. I closed my eyes and took some breaths. After two laps, the ride ended and we got off. I was so happy that I made it alive.

My Day

Marjayah Johnson

Burnley-Moran Grade K

Iwas playing with my kite. I go home. I went to go eat. It was a good day.

Rocky Top

Mrs. Durrer said Rocky Top is the best because it is inside. Rocky Top is closed on Friday. It has several rooms if you like climbing. It is amazing!!! You don’t have to bring the shoes. They have them for you.

William Valladares Venable Grade 1

Everett Ribelin Johnson Grade 1

The Outer Banks

Beckett Suttle Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Isee the worn down houses as I drive by. When I step out, I immediately see the awesome Atlantic Ocean and the grainy sand on the beach. I walk down to the house. It seems super cool. It has a cold pool with a view of the ocean, a few rooms and an outdoor eating space.

I walk down to the beach and start smelling salty air. On our second night there, we order a pizza! When it arrives, I run to the house and start eating. It’s super good and super cheesy pizza! The next morning, I go canoeing with my family to a small island. I get on my snorkel and go under water looking for animals. I find a few hermit crabs, some cool shells, and a crab. I, also, see a lot of weird bugs.

After two weeks I leave and see a lot of cows in fields on the way home. When I get home, I feel joyful even though I was sad to leave the Outer Banks.

The Beach

Winta

Gabramedhin Jackson-Via Grade K

Isee shells at the beach. I hear the ocean. I feel the hot sand. I taste pizza at the shop. I smell yummy food!

The Beach

Isee the ocean. I hear seagulls. I feel water.

I taste my dad’s snack. I smell saltwater.

Iris Hathaway-Showalter Jackson-Via Grade K

Mary Emma Thompson Johnson Grade 3

Kenadie Rankins Buford Grade 7

DREAM

Aubert Rolin

Jackson-Via Grade 2

Deep oceans

Ready to go in the submarine

Exploring

Animals

Marine biologist

Seth Brinton

Venable

Grade

2

Shark

Deitrick Coles

Jackson-Via Grade 1

Sea

White and blue

Fins help to steer it in the water

Hunting fish in the ocean

Roman Schroeder

Jackson-Via Grade 3

Dear Sea,

How are you so calm when there’s trash on you?

You’re still so blue and still so nice. You give us high fives with your waves. You let us play with you all day and don’t get mad. How, Sea, how?

Black Tip Reef Shark

Greg Bohannon Greenbrier Grade 4

Haveyou ever heard of a shark with a black tip? Well if not, then you are in for a treat! The black tip reef shark can smell its prey 6 miles away. Some other sharks can only smell 5 miles away. It can smell so far because its sense of smell is enhanced. They will eat mostly fish but will eat anything in the ocean they can fit in their mouth.

Black tip reef sharks are not aggressive to humans and pretty harmless. They are social animals and gather in large groups in shallow water.

Black tip reef sharks have a black tip on every fin. They are small sharks with a short, round snout. The black, white, and gray parts of their body help them to camouflage to stay safe.

A Hike in the Cold

Levi Conklin Buford Grade 7

Idid

not want to spend my day in the cold of winter fishing a grown man out of the river. I was standing on a river bank extending a long branch to my friend’s dad . He was a moment away from turning blue. He grabbed on and I pulled him up.

I wasn’t even planning on leaving my house. Then my mom walks in and tells me: “Your friend Noah wants you to go over to his house.” I had never been so I accepted and got ready to leave. I walked to the coat closet and realized I was without a jacket. I asked my mom what I should do. “Take dad’s. He is not your size but it is better than nothing.” So I suited up and hopped in the car.

Noah and I met at a soccer training camp. He slide tackled me and he had asked if I wanted to hang out sometime. We had spent time at my house once before but were still getting to know each other. We both loved to play video games and hang around doing absolutely nothing.

When I arrived I realized how rich he was. His house was massive and had a sauna, five bedrooms, and a living room big enough for a tennis court. We did not know what to do so we played Roblox until his dad told us he was going on a hike with their dog. We only agreed to go because we knew there were a lot of rocks and rough terrain we could climb on. Their dog was super small and was very energetic. It was very cute and was always begging for attention. Noah’s mom saw the jacket I had and gave me one that was my size. I thanked her and we set off into the woods.

We hiked for a while and climbed some boulders. After a while we found a river and sat down for a break. Then a piece of ice floated by with a dead animal on it. The dog went crazy and jumped into the river forgetting that she can’t swim. “Well, I guess I’m going for a swim.” says the dad. He jumps in and manages to grab the dog and toss her ashore where my friend grabs it and wraps it in his shirt. The dad tries to get out but is having trouble because we were standing on a large slippery rock. He started to turn blue.

Gigi Slaughter Buford Grade 8

I then realized that I had to get him out of the river before he got hypothermia. I looked around for something I could use to get him out of the river. Then I saw a tree that was rotting and falling apart. I broke a branch off and told him to grab on. He did and I dragged him ashore. We just sat there for a minute. Then the dog started to walk home. We followed and did not speak until we were home. At that point the dog was nearly frozen and had icicles growing out of its chin making it look like an old man. When we opened the door the mother walked up and started to welcome us. “How was your walk? Are y’all hungry?” Then she saw three frozen people and a bearded dog. She led us to a room that turned out to be a massive sauna. We stepped in and turned up the temperature. We stayed there for half an hour.

After a while the doorbell rang and my dad greeted me. He asked how was the day? “Cold.” On the way home I told my story and how glad I was that I was going home. “Did anything bad happen?” he asked me. I told him about the hike and the dog jumping into the river. I told of how the dog and Noah’s dad had been saved. After I finished telling my story he told me how glad he was that I had not been the one in the river because I could have gotten hypothermia. I agreed. I preferred to not be frozen.

Poem

The river’s water flowed in harmony

Birds chirped

And the town was silent

Even the noises from the mill

Silence

But when a horse’s hooves were heard

The wind picked up

The noise started to rumble

And the water was more violent than before

Breaking the harmony and the birds flew away

Afraid of the mysterious man

And his horse

Animals ran into hiding

And water bugs skipped away

And as the man stayed

The animals became thirsty

As the water had nourished them

To comfort them

And the man took it away

The Old Man Down by the Mill

Lennon Nardone Buford Grade 8

Inspired by the Artwork of George Inness

By the Hudson’s flow, the mill house stands, Weathered timbers, tales in its hands. I’m the old man, keeper of time, A witness to life’s rhythmic rhyme.

Creaking timbers, whispers of old, A tapestry of memories unfolds. Mighty river, reflections of days, Ghosts of laughter in the sun’s warm haze.

Whirring wheels turned by hands now still, I’ve weathered time on this quiet hill. In the silence, as night descends, The mill house’s story never ends.

Guardian of history, twilight’s friend, A relic of the past, where memories blend. In these walls, the past reprieves, A tale of a life lived among the pines.

Evan Jones

Buford Grade 8

River Spirit

ITayah Shanks CHS Grade 10

t was sunrise, the wind whispered through the trees surrounding the smiling figure. The wind swept xer hair to the side as it rushed around.

Xe watched the flowing river rush over rocks near xem. The rocks glistened silently, under the new found light. Xe smiled still.

It was morning, the birds sang their song. They swooped and stole licks of water from the bubbling spring, unaware of the river spirit watching them. Xe watched never far, never close. Alone. Xer listened to their chirps as they went from sweet to sickening, too much all at once. The spring slowed ever so slightly, unnoticeable. Xer smile cracked like the clay of the river bed.

It was noon, the sun bore down, harsh, unforgiving on the leaves above. The warm air caressed xer sun kissed skin, a soft breeze wrapped xer figure. Soon a deer came along, the sun shining on its red brown coat. They drank from the water, taking for granted the work xe did, unknowing of xer works. Xer smile faded to a cold line of neutrality. The river slowed again, more drastically this noon, to half its flow.

It was evening, the shadows growing long letting the river lap at them. A small spectral rabbit emerged from the shadows, scurrying unseen to the river’s edge. As the shadow spirit came upon the river it was met with xer companion, together the two sat noticed at last.

Even as shadows crept closer, the river spirit was unhappy, the corners of xer mouth curved down ever so slightly. The river stopped its run.

It was sunset, the first stars shined down greeting xer companions. Finally in the peace of night xer tears broke, filling the river again.

As they ended the spirits settled on the river’s bed to sleep as the morning would bring a repeat, and so they slept, with only each other hoping to never wake. Forever overlooked, never recognized, but surrounded with each

other, cursed to continue this cycle forever. So they hoped and hoped to never wake, to live in dreams forever.

It was sunrise, the spirits woke alone without each other’s warmth. Cursed to continue and never stop. The river spirit did xer duties as did the others. Pawns in a game they didn’t want to play. Pawns to the world around them. Cursed to repeat forever.

The Old Man Down by the Mill

Thewater is loud.

It is quiet as the reeds in the river yet its presence is proud. proud to be there, it seems.

I can’t relate.

I deflate when I realize I am alone.

For most people, it would be known

But I forget in the wind, I forget in the trees.

But without the breeze my brain freezes, and I cannot see the way my greatest friend is the perfect river.

The yellow house is gleaming but even it can see It would take day-dreaming to take my life beyond the river, beyond my little paradise.

But who knows what would happen if I go yonder, but that is neither a dream nor a nightmare

Madeleine Irani Buford Grade 8

(Inspired by the Artwork of George Inness)

Maeve Hutchinson Walker Grade 5

I Am a Tree

Willa Gazin and Julia Jackson Burnley-Moran Grade 4

Iam a tree, As tall as could be, My branches dance across the sky, Birds flit and fly, Throughout the sky, I have seen many a doe, Prance playfully across the prairie fields, I grow with each mistake, That takes me to a better place, Dogs romp and play, Throughout the day, Around my trunk and roots, I am a tree, As grand as could be.

Summer

Ian Mook

Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Wewent to the beach. First we played in the ocean. Then we went to a restaurant. Finally we went back to the hotel.

Londyn Randolph Buford Grade 8

4

Grass

The important thing about grass is that it is the color green. It has two types of green: Lime green and dark green. It can grow. It is ticklish.

But the important thing about grass is that it is the color green.

My Favorite Season

Aspyn Brown

Greenbrier Grade 1

Ilike summer the best. I go to the pool. I get ice cream. I go to my cousin’s house. That’s why I like summer best.

Edilson Oliva-Fuentes Clark Grade 2

Sophie Goyne Venable Grade

Raindrops

Raindrops

Mya Butler CHS Grade 11

Heavy tears from a long grieving sky

Little drops of tragedy and sorrow

With a bellowing cry

Falling peacefully, yet desperately

Purifying the sorrow and shame in its path

Landing upon rock and steel

Making peace from a disgraced wrath

But upon the rock sprouts dreams of green And daffodils and roses, lilies and orchids

Yet above all else, those tears bring hope

A hope for life to spring and bring beauty and bliss

Monster

Willow Silver Burnley-Moran Grade 4

Istare out the window of my car at the dark and stormy sky, wishing, hoping I would be somewhere else, anywhere else. I am terrified of storms! It’s as if it was a monster, just waiting to pounce on me, a small human being, afraid. My belly starts to squeeze up into one big tangle of ifs and I can’t make it stop

The car slowly comes to a halt and I realize we are here, finally. Perfection, even though it’s just a restaurant, it’s something. Something more than nothing. There is no water falling down but by the look of the sky, I know the rain is coming.

Another car, my friend’s car, pulls into the parking lot and the knot in my belly untightens just a little bit. I very, very, very slowly open my car door, afraid of what will jump out next.

My Bad Day

My bad day started just like always. The problem started when I went outside. A giant thunder cloud was right above me! I yelled, “OMG!” Next, I went where nothing could stop it. So I went under my bed. While I was sleeping, the Earth surrendered to the storm and was destroyed! The moral of the story is to know when to hide under your bed.

Fall: A Haiku

Leaves fall from the sky

Hear cracking under my feet Wind facing towards me.

Derrell Minor. Clark Grade 3

Alex Mason Walker Grade 5

Eman Shehzad Clark Grade 4

Four Seasons

Wenyuan Wu

Jackson-Via Grade 3

In spring, the geese return to the valley and begin again, I beg for rain in the scorching summer heat. Autumn fruits fly into the sycamore tree, Wild geese are looking for a new home in winter.

Apple Picking

Isaiah Gillikin

Jackson-Via Grade 3

The apples gleamed in the sun. The wind blew the apples toward us Like they were begging to be picked off the trees.

Fall Haiku

Nicholas Keh

Jackson-Via Grade 3

Leaves are falling down. The birds are migrating south. Winter is coming.

The Fall!

Ruth Jordan Johnson Grade 3

In fall I can see the brightly colored leaves fall down so slowly. I can hear the whoosh of the cold wind moving across my face. I can smell the sweet aroma of my mom’s sugary pumpkin pie. I can feel the rough leaves crunch under my feet in the giant leaf piles. And I love when I get to taste my mom’s savory turkey casserole.

My Favorite Season

Alivia Covington

Johnson Grade 3

Ilove

fall because I can smell the moist air. I can feel the fall breeze and I can look up in the sky and watch the orange and yellow leaves falling softly to the ground. I can see the hazy and misty fog as I ride up the hill. When the breeze stops flowing, the leaves become still. I can feel the bumpy leaves under my feet. My birthday is in the fall, and that’s why I love fall.

Alan Morales Perez Greenbrier Grade 1

Winter Feeling

Sufi Brewer Johnson Grade 3

The first day of winter when it starts to snow I rush to my neighbor’s house and invite them to sled. I see snow falling and sleds quickly rushing down the hill with a WOOSH! I hear my friends screaming as they slide down the hill on sleds. I smell the warmth of hot cocoa. I can touch that warm hot cocoa’s thin skin layer and carefully pull it off.

Ellie Johnson Greenbrier, Grade 1

Snowmen at Night

Mya Tickel Greenbrier Grade 1

If I were a snowgirl, I would go to the park to play with my snow friends. We would eat snow cones with hot cocoa with marshmallows.

Snow

Kristian Glascoe Jackson-Via Grade K

Ican ice skate in the snow. I can build a snowman in the snow. I can have a snowball fight in the snow It’s fun to play in the snow..

MITTENS

Carolina Meyer Jackson-Via Grade 2

Me and you in the snow

I love it!

Tis the season to be jolly

The snow is falling

Eating cookies

Next, drinking hot cocoa

Singing carols

My Favorite Season

Ashlin Guerra Maldonado Greenbrier Grade 1

Ilike winter the best. I want to build a snowman. I want to eat snow. I want to throw snowballs. That’s why I like winter best.

Snowmen at Night

Virginia Luzar Greenbrier Grade 1

If I were a snowman I would….have rootbeer floats and watch a movie and play in the snow.

Snowmen at Night

Dorian Lanza Maldonado

Greenbrier Grade 1

If I were a snowboy I would play in the park. I will go down the slide. I will go on the swings.

My Snowman

MSnow

Ruby Weaver

Greenbrier Grade K

y snowman loves to eat carrots. My snowman likes to drink hot cocoa. My snowman likes to make snow angel.

Ican play with my brother in the snow. I can do gymnastics in the snow. I can make a snowman in the snow. It is fun to play in the snow!

Alexandria Carey-Cook Clark Grade K

Aulani Dean Jackson-Via Grade K

Snow Day in Massachusetts

IopenedRisa McWhorter Buford Grade 7

my eyes, and I didn’t hear anything. No Mom making coffee, no Dad getting ready for work, no sister eating breakfast before school. I looked at the clock in my room, not quite registering that it was nine thirty in the morning. Laying down again, I realized something. It smelled like snow. The crisp, sharp smell had seeped in through the cracks in the windows, and it woke me up like a slap in the face. I climbed from the bunk bed, grabbing a sweatshirt and racing out of the room I shared with my sister. Skidding to the window looking out over the street in front of our house, I saw my Dad, hard at work shoveling snow from the sidewalk to our tiny front yard. The snow fell, sparkling from the sky like mist, covering everything a white dust.

I quickly shoveled down my cereal, yelling to my sister, “Wake up! It’s snowing!” She sprinted out of the room, almost falling over as she turned the corner.

“SNOW!” She yelled, grabbing her coat from the hook and putting on her snow boots. I jumped out of my seat, getting ready to go outside.

As we opened the back door, the smell of the fresh snow overwhelmed us, and we ran to the playhouse, both of us wanting to be the first one to go down the snow covered slide. My Dad came around from the front yard, he was done shoveling the sidewalk.

“Do you want to build a sledding course?” He asked, already heading to get the shovel.

Over the next hour, we constructed a sledding course that snaked its way around the whole back yard. It started on the stairs, we had put a long piece of plywood over the five stairs leading down from the back porch. Then, coming off of the stairs, we had turned a table on its side, making a curved ramp, leading to a windy path we had carved out of the foot and a half of snow. I trudged up to the top of the course, I had been chosen for the trial run. I set my sled down, took a deep breath, then pushed off. The wind blew my hair back as I went down the stairs, over the side of the table, through the windy paths, and into the giant snowbank at the end.

Jimmy Meriwether Greenbrier Grade K

My Snowman

Saoirse

y snowman is a girl.She likes ice cream. She throws snowballs Christmas at Home

Leila McElwain

Greenbrier Grade 3

Mornings are usually boring except the one on Christmas morning. I wake up all cozy and warm in my bed elevated high. I jump into my slippers and run downstairs and open my stocking and peppermints fall out. I feel the fire breathing on my back and I see the tree all glimmering and green. I smell my breakfast being made. I hear the crackling fire and warm welcoming silence. Christmas at home truly is the best.

MThe Night Before Christmas

Itwas the night before Christmas. Our dad tucked us in our bed as we fell asleep.

When we woke up we all got in the hallway and pulled down our stockings.

After we got up we ran into the living room and open up our presents. I felt happy.

Mullins Greenbrier Grade K

Veda Hutchinson Burnley-Moran Grade K

Aila Esposito Clark Grade 4

Penguins

Black and white

Good swimmers

Honking sounds

Slips and slides in the Antarctic

If I Lived in a Snowglobe

I’m Katie and I live in a snowglobe. I love to build snowmen and make snowballs. One time I was wearing a sharp hat and someone was shaking me and the glass broke, I thought it was all my fault. She said it was nobody’s fault. She fixed it. I love living in a snowglobe. One day she plopped a dog in, her name is Snowflake. You can play with him while we drive to Colorado. You will love him.

Katherine Howard Johnson Grade 3

Ella Meadows Jackson-Via Grade 1

Aubreigh Booker Clark Grade 1

Myra Williams Greenbrier Grade 3

Yuliana Ferreira-Lopez Clark Grade K

COLOR GALLERY

Faye Lorigan Buford Grade 7

Alvaro Retana-Maldonado Buford Grade 8

Flora Moon Johnson Grade 4

Genevieve D’elia Johnson Grade 1

Courtney Millard

CHS Grade 10

Kate Davis Buford Grade 8

Kes Rodgers

CHS Grade 11

Fiona Straight Greenbrier Grade 1

Etta Goodall Jackson-Via Grade 2

Gwenyth Benedict Jackson-Via Grade K

Desiree Warnstorff Clark Grade 1

Ginger Craghead-Way CHS Grade 10

Mel Russell CHS Grade 9

Quinn Connaughton CHS Grade 11

Lucy Spittler-Driver Walker Grade 5

John Roblero Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Aiden Edgecomb CHS Grade 9

Ava Smith Buford Grade 7

Marlow Van Yahres CHS Grade 10

Estelle Mathews Jackson-Via Grade 1

Kathryn Lenert CHS Grade 12

Cy Keesecker CHS Grade 9

Rosalyn Connor CHS Grade 12

Noelle Nguyen Jackson-Via Grade 1

William Tucker CHS Grade 10

Grant Patterson CHS Grade 10

Molly Hicks CHS Grade 11

Brenaisha Johnson CHS Grade 12

Isaac Benusa Greenbrier Grade K

Riley Walker Clark Grade 4

Luke Chapman Venable Grade 4

Jinho Park CHS Grade 11

Sophie Chen CHS Grade 11

Sophia Brissett CHS Grade 12

Taygan Gentry

CHS Grade 12

Wenyuan Wu Jackson-Via Grade 3

Grady Soland Greenbrier Grade 4

April Scott CHS Grade 12

Sofie Swift CHS Grade 12

Maci Dorman Jackson-Via Grade K

Evelyn Pickle Walker Venable Grade 1

Isaac Tabony Clark Grade 2

Kai Leonard CHS Grade 9

Kristian Glascoe Jackson-Via Grade K

LeeLee Keevil

CHS Grade 10

William Attard Johnson Grade 1

Rosemary Rempfer Greenbrier Grade 2

Essa Amin

Venable Grade 3

Cool Cats

Ifeel its fuzzy fur and fluffy fur. I hear it meow.

Tamjeed Zaki Clark Grade 4

Cats jump, eat, learn, drink, and clean. Cats are cute like squishmallows.

The Black Cat

Jack Barron Johnson Grade 3

Acat as black as black can be is sitting outside and is waiting for me. The cat as black as black can be. He knocked on my door and said softly come play and I said no thank you now please go away.

But the cat as black as black can be. is still sitting outside and is waiting for me.

Annaleigh Yoder Walker Grade 5

Georgia Clickner CHS Grade 11

Olivia Taylor CHS Grade 10

Do Not Play with Random Dogs

Glady Muguma Walker Grade 6

Iwas walking home with friends and minding my business. I saw two large dogs guarding these cars at a garage. I started barking quietly at them, “Woof, woof.” The dogs just looked at me and stood up. I felt scared since they stood up and I ran home. I thought, “You just never know what’s gonna happen with a dog when the owner isn’t around.”

That night, we went back to the dogs. “Go do something outside!” our mom said hastily. When we got back to the dogs, we saw that the owner was sleeping. When we saw him, we knew it was a good time to mess with the dogs. We started screwing around with the dogs.

“Growl, bark, woof!” We screamed at the dogs. As soon as we started making the noises they chased us right away.

The dogs growled. I started running a different way than my brother. Since it was at night, the dogs couldn’t see very well. I hid close to my house trying to lose the dogs. After what seemed like hours they left and stopped chasing us. We were both very shaken up by the scene.

“Let’s never do that again,” my brother says nervously.

“Agreed!” I say.

“Mom!” I shouted in a loud voice.

“What, what!?” she said, confused.

“We got chased by mean dogs!” my brother interrupted in a deep voice.

“What happened?”

“We went to the house where the dogs were at and we started barking and making noises at them,” I said abruptly.

“Then they got out and chased us home!” my brother said in short breaths.

“Because we were barking they felt threatened.” my mom said. That is when I realized that, my actions have consequences.

I Am

Lila Eshenour Greenbrier Grade 2

Iamas quick as a light.

I am as happy as a dog.

I am as nice as a friend.

I am as crazy as a monkey.

I am as strong as a tiger.

I am as quiet as a mouse (when I have to be).

I am as tough as a warrior.

I am as brave as a knight.

I am as funny as a clown. Put it all together and you’ve got ME!!

Ethan Caton CHS Grade 10

I Am

2

Iamas quick as a dog.

I am as happy as a sunflower.

I am as nice as a picture. I am as crazy as a bee.

I am as strong as a piece of paper. I am as quiet as a mouse.

I am as tough as a cat.

I am as brave as a tiger.

I am as funny as a kangaroo. Put it all together and you’ve got ME!!

Coraline Cooper Greenbrier Grade

Dogs

Thea El Akel Johnson Grade 1

Ithinkdogs are the best because they are smart. They do smart things. They can help people if they are bullied.

I Am

Iam as quick as a fox.

Andy Sancken Greenbrier Grade 4

The Howling of the Wolves

Adeline Jordan Walker Grade 5

In the heart of the forest, the pale moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. In a small clearing, two figures huddled around a crackling campfire. Luna, a fierce huntress with wild, untamed hair, crouched next to the fire, her keen eyes scanning the darkness.

“Hmm,” Luna murmured, her hand instinctively reaching for her bow. The distant howl of a wolf echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down her spine.

Farhad Habib Greenbrier Grade

I am as happy as a fish.

I am as nice as a cat.

I am as crazy as a tiger. I am as strong as a lion. I am as quiet as the sun. I am as tough as a football player. I am as brave as an army guy. I am as funny as a goat. Put it all together and you’ve got ME!!

Dogs

2

Next to her, a young man named Aiden nervously fidgeted with his dagger. “Do you think they’re getting closer?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Luna’s eyes narrowed, and she gestured for Aiden to stay quiet. Suddenly, a twig snapped in the distance, and a low growl rumbled through the night.

Aiden’s breath quickened, and he gripped his dagger tightly. “What do we do?”

Luna’s lips curled into a fierce smile as she notched an arrow.

Annabelle White Burnley-Moran Grade

Dogs are not wild animals. You can buy dogs in a pet store. Dogs are the cutest pets. Dogs eat dog food. They have four legs and a long tail. They like to play fetch.

1

“Stay close to me. And when I say so, RUN!” The forest erupted with the sound of pounding paws and snapping jaws, and Luna and Aiden sprinted into the darkness, their breathless laughter mixing with the relentless pursuit behind them. Luckily, Luna and Aiden managed to climb some tall fir trees to escape the wolves.

Amazing American Bison

Andrew Scott Greenbrier Grade 4

Whatis that creature lurking in the plains? It’s a bison! I think the American bison are great because they are strong and muscular. Bison use their amazing senses like their smell to stay alive so they can smell out their food or they can smell out a predator that is hunting them. Along with their amazing sense of smell, they also have a powerful sense of hearing. Their hearing helps them hear predators that are hungry for bison. They also use their hearing to hear moving waterways like streams or rivers. To protect themselves and the herd they use their strong, sharp curved horns that can grow up to two feet long. That is the same size of two footlong Subway sandwiches! When bison herds get startled they start up a stampede with the herd. They use it to keep the calves safe because it hurts the predator if they get run over by a one ton bison. That would cause it to die instantly. The bison herd causes so much commotion that it makes it really hard to get a kill for a predator and the bison is surprisingly fast carrying their feet 25 to 35 miles per hour. Now that’s fast for a big and heavy bison.

A bison has a tough coat of skin and fur. When a predator hooks on to a bison it doesn’t immediately die because of the bite force. When winter comes around bison don’t migrate like butterflies or some birds. They simply stay in their territory and just eat, walk some more, eat, and walk some more. That is what their daily routine basically is. Bison are picky eaters. They will only eat plants. That’s why they are herbivores because they don’t eat meat. Bison may sound like they just mind their own business but bison play around with each other and will tackle one another. In the 1800s, bison were almost extinct with only 1000 left, but somehow the bison have rebounded into the 200,000s. Bison are raised on private ranches and then slaughtered for their meat. Bison have a little fuss about what they eat but they are totally fine living with other

hoofed species like the pronghorn deer.

Bison stay in groups of 45 to 50, keeping each other safe. Long ago, hunters would poach bison so they could claim the big heavy horns and use the furry fur for a blanket, coat, or rug. While bison and buffalos are both mammals within the bovidae family, the two species of hoofed animals are not as close as you think they are. There are numerous different things about bison and buffalo. One of those differences is that bison have a hump on their back, but buffalo don’t. Another one is that bison have a massive muscular head while buffalo just have a smaller head. The hump on the bison’s back consists of powerful muscles supported by the long vertebrae that allows them to shift their head side to side pushing the snow layers in the winter.

Bison are the most awesome animals that live in the world.

I Am...

Isabella Bowman Johnson Grade 4

Iammarkers against paper.

I am a flamingo in the water.

I am a quiet bunny eating a carrot.

I am the waves at the beach.

I am melting cheesy, crunchy, yummy chips in a bowl

I am pages on a book, the colorful paint, the leaves soaring through the sky.

I am a 5k race.

I am a sister, niece, cousin, daughter, granddaughter, friend.

And without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved.

Red Panda

Taylor Fortune

Venable Grade 3

Red furry and fast

Put big claws up when threatened

Very cute but mean

All About Chimpanzees

King Banks Venable Grade 1

Do you want to learn about chimpanzees?

Read and find out! I like chimpanzees because they are funny. Chimpanzees are mammals. Chimpanzees like to swing on trees. Chimpanzees live in Africa. Chimpanzees eat nuts, fruit, and seeds. Chimpanzees are really neat!

How the Koala Got its Pouch

Termeh Tavakoli Dastjerdi

Venable Grade 1

Once upon a time there was a koala named Eva. Eva got into a fight with an elephant named Ellie. Ellie pulled on her tummy and that’s how Eva got her pouch.

Giraffe

Zoe Halbert Jackson-Via Grade 1

Yellow, brown Long neck

No sound it makes Walking on the grasslands

Echidnas

Douglass Alencar Jackson-Via Grade 1

Brown, white Spikes protect No sound In the forest

All About Frogs

June Streeter Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Question:

Do you think that frogs are tadpoles at first?

Answer: Yes, indeed! Frogs are tadpoles at first!

Question: Do you think frogs say ribbit?

Answer: Noooooooooooo! A lot of people think frogs say ribbit, but they say croak.

Question: Do frog eggs look like jelly and feel like jelly? Hmmm…

Answer: Yes! Yes! Oh yeah! Frog eggs DO look like and feel like jelly!

Wil Cannon CHS Grade 10

How the Chicken Got its Feathers

Wren Jordan Venable Grade 1

Chickens don’t have any feathers. They’re born without any feathers! One day, a chicken went on a walk. He found a monkey. He found a bunny. He found a penguin and even found a lion! “Roar” said the lion. All of a sudden, the chicken’s feathers popped out! He was SO scared and brave. He loved his new feathers. He thought it was cool! He was so proud that he went into the field and said, “Cock a doodle do!”

Star

Alison Ruckman Buford Grade 7

Star looked around her pen. Honeybun and Raisin were by the gate, as usual. It seemed like a normal day. But Star felt like something was going to happen. Something that shouldn’t happen. Ignoring her misgivings, Star walked toward the gate, hoping that maybe one of the people who took care of her would come soon.

Honeybun turned her head away from Star, as if she couldn’t even be bothered to look at the little black goat with only little stubs for horns. Raisin held his horns toward her in a menacing way.

Star sighed and began to walk back to the comfort of the shelter.

* * *

Star woke up as soon as she heard a cluck in the distance. Sure, she saw chickens occasionally, but she had never heard one so close to the pen. If it had been the dog, Cooper, or one of the cats (probably the one named Ninja), she wouldn’t have been so surprised. Honeybun and Raisin were asleep nearby, so Star carefully walked closer to the gate, trying not to make a sound.

And to her surprise, the gate was open! She hesitated, and asked herself “Should I really do this? What if Honeybun and Raisin wake up before I’m back? Then who will be their voice of reason?”

Although Honeybun and Raisin couldn’t stand her, they listened to her. It was the greatest prank Star had ever pulled. She had told them that because of the star on her forehead, she was able to see the future! And they believed her! Star wandered into the woods.

* * *

Star stayed on the trail for 10 minutes or so, and then got distracted by a bush with fruit on it. She was about to take her first bite when she remembered what she was doing. She was trying to save a poor little chicken from Ninja! Star got back on track.

Star stopped a second time, or, more accurately, was stopped, by a fence. A fence with a little gray feather resting on a post. And claw marks beneath it. Taking a deep breath, she backed up, ran at full speed, and jumped over the fence, which, luckily, was only 3-4 feet tall.

Carrie Orban CHS Grade 9

Star saw something orange on a swing, and ran toward it.

“Ninja!” she called. “What are you doing?”

When she got there, it was too late. The chicken, and the cat, were already gone, heading for the other side of the fence. * * *

Once Star was almost back to where she started, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The chicken was on the zipline with the cat, hanging onto the rope beneath it. Star ran as fast as she could, trying to keep up with the zipline.

Too late, Star realized something. She tried to shout out a warning to Stripey, but the poor bird was flung into the air and back into the woods. And Ninja, too!

So Star followed them, sighing. She was supposed to be saving the chicken from the cat, not saving them both from a zipline!

* *

When she finally caught up with them, Star saw a little gray chicken walking back toward the woods, being stalked by Ninja. Star didn’t wait. She followed the pair into the woods, and stopped Ninja in his tracks.

Ninja sat, and said “Ah. Star. What are you doing here?”

To which Star replied “Drop the act. I saw you following Stripey.”

“I don’t believe you’ve answered my question.”

They had a staring contest. Ninja won. Star looked away, and mumbled “Just don’t do it again.”

Ninja stalked off.

Then Star remembered the entire reason she had come out here was walking into the woods. She ran until she found Stripey, who had been just about to step into a stream.

“Baa,” Star said.

Stripey stopped. Turned around. And started walking back toward her coop pretending she had every right to be there.

Star shook her head. She followed Stripey the rest of the way, and then, once she was sure Stripey was inside, walked back to her pen, and curled back up on the hay.

And no one except Star, Ninja, and Stripey knew anything had been wrong. And the entire chicken coop. Chickens are terrible gossips.

How the Fish Got its Tail

Along time ago, there was a fish with no tail. That was normal. One day, the fish went on a swim and found a clam shell. He got his nub that was for his tail stuck in the clam shell. His nub stretched out! That’s how he got his tail! The fish was happy. He showed his family!

Levi Nowaczyk

Venable Grade 1

Dulce Valina Zaragoza

CHS Grade 9

Bearded Dragons

Clio Koenig Greenbrier Grade 4

Oneof the reasons that I think bearded dragons are amazing is that they run really fast. Really fast. Their main predator in the wild is a dingo (a wild dog) so they need to run really fast. This writing piece is going to be about beardies.

Beardies live in the Australian outback. They use their sense of taste when they eat worms, bugs, and scrubby plants (ew!) The sense of touch is used when trying to find a warm enough rock to be on. They’re picky when it comes to comfort. They will flatten out their belly and puff out their throats to soak up the heat. That is called “pancaking.” They will also puff out their throats and hiss when they feel threatened.

See what I mean? bearded dragons are cool! Beardies have some disadvantages, too; they aren’t really good smellers. I mean, they live in the desert. Would you be a good smeller? No! But, what they lack in their sense of smell is made up for with their sense of sight. They are really good at seeing! If you were to, say, do jumping jacks from, like, half a mile away from a beardie, they would probably see you!

Now, last but not least the sense of hearing. beardies have ear holes like snakes and other reptiles. Their ear holes are really sensitive and have a thin layer of film over them. Just don’t stick your finger in any dragon’s ear anytime soon!

And… that’s why I think bearded dragons are amazing animals!

All About Squids

Marina Campbell Venable Grade 1

Doyou want to learn about squids?

Read and find out!

I like squids because they have blue blood. They have an eye as big as a basketball. A squid has ten tentacles. Squids are invertebrates. Squids live in oceans in deep and shallow waters. They eat fish, shellfish and even other squid!

Anna Guseman

Buford Grade 8

Leopard Geckos

Luca Rosenbaum-Baumann

Johnson Grade 1

Leopard geckos are adorable. Leopard geckos will play Red Light, Green Light with you. You can hold your leopard gecko. They will eat mealworms. If you have a leopard gecko you have to feed it or else it will bite you. Leopard geckos are friendly. You should like leopard geckos too.

Amazing Animals

Gabriel Maupin Greenbrier Grade 4

Ithink king cobras are amazing animals. The king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world.

Did you know the king cobra can expand their jaws a lot to swallow large prey? They use their sense of taste to eat snakes, birds and mammals. The king cobra has small eyes to see the dry forest that they live in and to see their prey and predators. They also use their eyes to see if their eggs are in danger. The king cobra uses their sense of hearing to hear prey and predators coming. The king cobra’s enemies are the mongoose and the human. The king cobra uses its sense of touch to feel the dry leaves on the forest floor.

That’s why I think the king cobra is an amazing animal.

Our Snake

Burnley-Moran Grade 1

2PM: I got a snake. He eats two mice per week. He has a tree fort.

3PM: My snake is awake right now. His name is Slithery. I really like him.

4PM: The snake is eating. I think that is gross!

Walter Peacock

Shakila Mukhlis CHS Grade 12

Addison Keller Buford Grade 8

Explore the Jungle!

The Music of Nature

Delphin Walignamina Buford Grade 8

Imoved quickly through a jungle filled with thick trees a water full of leaves and my horse galloped never stopping I heard them call out, “Where did he go?” Ahha! I’ve lost those fools My horse slowly stopped I rubbed her to indicate she’s done an amazing job

Slowly my eyes started to wander around the place I happened to stop Green filled my eyes leaves all around the ground and on trees this mother nature had a gloomy blooming. A muddy river filled with…well we will never know

My eyes continued to scan around where I randomly stopped Green was no more but a bright yellow it wasn’t the sun but an old run-down building no noises were heard from the building only the music of nature

Yuzu Diehl

Burnley-Moran Grade K

One day a panda lived in a jungle but he had no friends.

Then he explored the jungle.

Turtle: Do you want to be my friend? Panda: yes

Let’s go find more friends said Panda.

The Zoo

Pearl Evans

Burnley-Moran Grade K

Me and my brother Beau, my Grandma and Grampa walk to the zoo.

We walk out of the zoo with a zoo map.

We go to the zoo. We look at the cheetahs and Walrus

And some more animals. Then we leave.

Agnes Throneburg Jackson-Via Grade 2

Ibrahim Mohamed Buford Grade 7

A Smile Poem

Lucas Groff Buford Grade 8

Etta Goodall Jackson-Via Grade 2

The flower is as beautiful as a butterfly. The butterfly is as detailed as a painting. The painting is as special as me.

Bird

Zenat Hashimi Jackson-Via Grade 1

Beautiful Butterfly

Ben Moulder Venable Grade 3

Butterflycolorful, beautiful floating, flying, migrating Fly far to Mexico

Monarch

Red, black Flying Chirping In the sky.

Owl Shape Poem

Lauryn Miller Greenbrier Grade 3

California sun. Owls hoot loudly on lamp post. Their majestic wings soar through the sky. Their eyes glimmer like the stars in the sky. The owls swoop at prey and in the morning they fall asleep. They don’t wake up until the night. They come out to eat the mice at night.

Blue Morpho Butterfly

Charles Harper Jackson-Via Grade 1

Blue, black and brown

Small scales

Drinking water with its proboscis

Woodpeckers

Black and red

Beaks to carve wood

Pecking sound

Flies from tree to tree

Bald Eagle

Estelle Mathews Jackson-Via Grade 1

Brown with a yellow beak

Nash Meade Jackson-Via Grade 1

Talons helping it catch prey

Flying in the forest

Night Owls

Dear Night Owls,

Mohammad Ali Haidari CHS Grade 11

I hope this letter finds you well-rested and ready to tackle whatever adventure life throws at you. Speaking of rest, I’m here to talk about something very near and dear to my heart: the magical, mystical, and often elusive world of sleep.

Imagine this: You’re cuddled up in bed, your head settled on a pillow so fluffy that it’s practically a cloud. The room is lit dark, the sheets are soft, and the only sound you hear is the gentle rhythm of your breathing. Ahhh, what a blissful moment. Now imagine waking up from this amazing drowsy feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to attack whatever the universe throws at you. Sounds pretty sick, huh? Well, my fellow night owl, I’m here to tell you that this dream can be your reality.

Now I know what’s going through your head right now: “Sleep? That’s just downtime for my brain to dream up weird scenarios involving aliens and UFOs, right?” Wrong! Sleep is much more than your subconscious mind getting creative. It’s like hitting the reset button for your entire being. It’s like giving your body and mind a spectacular spa day every single night.

But why care about sleep, you ask? Well, let me tell you, my sleepless night owl, sleep is the ultimate multitasker. It’s like the Swiss Army Knife of health and happiness. Need to boost your brainpower? Sleep’s got your back. Want to get rid of those grumpy pants and replace them with a sunny disposition? Sleep can do that too. And let us not forget the physical benefits too. Sleep is like a magic potion for your body, boosting your immune system, lowering your risk of heart disease, and even helping you maintain a healthy weight. Move over, yucky veggie smoothies, sleep is in town!

But here’s the twist: despite all the previously mentioned benefits of sleep, many of us still struggle to get enough of it. Whether it’s due to work commitments, family responsibilities, or those inevitable late-night Netflix binges, sleep often gets relegated to a lower priority. Yet, the ironic part here is that by neglecting sleep, we are undermining our ability to succeed in other areas of our lives.

So what can you do to reclaim your right to a good night’s sleep? Fear not, o’ night owl, for I come bearing solutions. It’s time to unleash your sleep prowess and reclaim your sleep. You can start by setting a consistent sleep schedule, creating a bedtime routine that signals to your body that it’s time to wind down, and banishing those pesky sleep-stealing villains like caffeine and blue light from your sight. With a little bit of effort and a whole lot of dedication, you can transform your nightly struggle into a delightful highlight of your night.

In conclusion, my friend, I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity and embrace the power of sleep. Trust me when I say that the benefits are well worth the effort. So go ahead, tuck yourself in, and let the sweet dreams of sleep carry you away to dreamland. Wishing you many sleepful nights and many dreams of conquering dragons!

Your brother in sleep, Sleepy Mo

DREAM

Dream of the planets and stars

Rocket

Enter space

At a space station

Millions of stars Air

The important thing about air is that you breathe it.

It is invisible. It is everywhere. If you don’t have air you will suffocate. But the important thing about air is that you breathe it.

I Am...

Iam energetic

I am a fireball swooping through the SKY I am the ocean rushing through seaweed. I am the shadow in the morning before the sun rises I am a bird singing in the tree I am the frozen, cheesy pizza that people buy from Food Lion I am the doll my sister plays with I am the monster truck my little brother plays with I am the fun and easy run outside I am a favorite sister.

And without a shadow of a doubt I am worthy to to be loved

Matter

The whole world is made of matter! No matter where you are, there is matter all around you! You are matter!

Myanna Taylor Johnson Grade 4

Ronan Shannon Jackson-Via Grade 2

Satayiash Qazikhail Clark Grade 2

Courtney Clare Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Zoey Morton Greenbrier Grade 3

Scarlett Beaver Walker Grade 5

QQColors

Aveion Walker Buford Grade 8

Inspired by artwork by Sheila Isham

The colors come together and cloud, The clouds block out the sun, And the day looks sad. People want to get out of this cloudy day, But the sun isn’t shining, People don’t know if it will But it’s good to hope, That one day it will be bright, shiny and happy. People hope because nobody wants to be sad It’s good to be happy,

Because it makes your day brighter, And if only the clouds would shift another way, So the shiny sun could pop out, And make a lot of people happy, Smiling as bright as a light. When it’s cloudy it rains, When it rains it brings pain, For the people who are sad, And for the people who are mad, But when the painful, bad, and sad clouds finally move,

The sun comes out and brings people back into sanity with no more pain, And nothing but joyness, Happiness, And merry.

The cloudy days can be sad, The cloudy days can be bad, But once the sun finally comes out, Hopefully everything will be okay. Cloudy days are popped balloons at a child’s party,

The sun is a beacon of hope.

Yellow is a color you see on a traffic light, And yellow tells you, “slow down, be mellow.”

Red is a color like a fire, Also a color on a traffic light. You can see it while driving, It says, “STOP! Don’t go anywhere” But you don’t wanna be mad to the point where

others see the red in your eyes

And you see nothing but red. Blue is a color that you can see in the sky, Blue is almost everywhere

The sky, and half of the earth is blue, The world is a smooth blue with the blues.

Orange is a color but it’s also a fruit and it’s the color that beams in your eyes as you wake up “The Sun.”

Terry Buford Grade 8

What Could Be

Inspired by the Artwork of Silencio con Rayo

Aonce

lively classroom

Gleaming with possibility

Now inhabited by the dust

Light peeking through broken glass

Dancing across the room like feathers falling from the sky

Broken floorboards underneath pounding feet

Blackboard empty

Colors muted

Dirt crawling up the walls like a hungry animal

A moment’s silence in exchange for opportunity

The silence fills the room with feelings of what could be

Drew Silvers Buford Grade 8

Jah-Ziera

The Princess and the Witch

OnceMay Shafer Yount Burnley-Moran Grade 2

upon a time there was a beautiful princess that loved being outside. But her dad would not let her. So every night she would sneak out her window and peacefully sit on the roof of the castle.

The castle is a wonderful and colorful place. It has butterflies and flowers and the evil witch lives in a hidden cave. However, the forest is a dark and gloomy place.

One night the princess climbs out her window, slips when she lands, and faints. The witch moves fast and turns the princess into a gingerbread girl.

When the queen finds out that the princess is missing she asks her fairy godmother to magically turn her into one of the evil witch’s goblins.

When the queen gets there the witch gives her the key to the princess’ cage. She tells her to go hide it but instead of hiding it she frees the princess.

And they all live happily ever after.

The Black Death

Serita Barzun Burnley-Moran Grade 4

Darkand deadly, People dying in a slow painful death.

Bodies at the edge of the road as people carry their possessions out of the town to escape the horrid disease.

But there is no way to escape the disease because they have been exposed to it.

One whole third of Europe GONE!

Even the fortunate ones are mourning because they have lost many friends and family.

The graveyards are full, there are no more private graves, there are only mass burials.

The end will come soon to many, TOO many.

Good-bye

Willow Richardson Jackson-Via Grade 4

Josiah Banks Walker Grade 6

This Old Man

Lydia Johnson Buford Grade 8

The Creepy Clown Hotel

Mohammad Rezwan Subhan Clark Grade 3

It all started on a dark night in the creepiest hotel you ever saw. You wouldn’t be caught dead checking into the Creepy Clown Hotel, but on this night, the scary YouTube group and a couple friends found themselves staying in the Creepy Clown Hotel. First,when Sam opened the door Spiderman was there. Next, Spiderman and Sam were best friends and Spiderman said,“Do you have an extra bedroom?” Sam said, “Yes, I do.” Spiderman said, “Ok, that’s good. Thanks.” Knock knock knock “Oh no who is that?”

There’s this old man

Stubby in structure, Built for comfort not speed, His form, Torn and tattered, Care worn, Beloved, Layers overlapping layers, Mismatched, color blind, Over the line, All sorts waistcoat and whatnots, Patched up, sewn and repaired, His old man’s beard Hedgerow finds.

Eyeglasses, dimly see through, Frame cracked and taped.

Sandals, rubbed and ruined, taped and tethered

You may say, oh he’s so poor, But look once more.

Spiderman said. Spiderman checked the door. Momo busted through the door and said “the treasure is mine! Get out my way!” 10 minutes later an even worse Syren head had come with a big huge syren! Sam and Spiderman were crying because Momo was trying to take the treasure! Granny, Momo’s friend, and Ghostface came. Granny, Momo, and Syren had startED chasing Sam and Spiderman. Sam asked Spiderman “Why are they chasing us?” Spiderman says, “They want the treasure from us! We have to run! Let’s goooooooooooo!” Sam said he forgot his phone at the Clown Hotel. He needed his phone to call an Uber to escape! Find out next if Sam and Spiderman get away!

Black

Black is the hazy night

Black is when the bright light goes out

Black is the shadowy forest

Black is the howl of the wolf at night

Catherine Maeng Johnson Grade 3

Sofie the Ghost and a Scary Park

Neda Massoudi Clark Grade 2

Once upon a time there was a ghost named Sofie. She is with her friends and at a park. They are going to swing and slide and do the monkey bars.

“This is going to be so fun!” said Sofie. But Sofie hates the grass and flowers. Sofie tells her friends that she is going home because she is scared of grass and flowers. Sofie’s friends say that grass is normal and flowers are fine. “Oh!” says Sofie, “All this time I was scared of grass and flowers, silly me.”

“Yeah, you were, but it’s ok to be scared,” says her friend.

“You guys are the best friends,” says Sofie. “Thank you, no you are,” say her friends. Sofie stays in the park.

The Infestation

Nosheen Saidal Jackson-Via Grade 4

There was a woman named Juliet, and she had severe allergies to mice and rats.There was an infestation of rats in her city, so she spent the week packing.

When she woke up, she said her goodbyes and left. After 3 hours she arrived. She was unpacking until she heard squeaking. She opened her luggage and saw rats! She had allergies, so she passed out.

Soon she woke up and saw her neighbor above her. She stood up and asked, “How did you get in?”

The man said, “I’m Romeo and I’m sorry I busted through the door. I removed the rats.”

Then Juliet said, “Thank you for saving me, Romeo.”

And Romeo replied, “You’re welcome, but I also wanted to say will you marry me?” Juliet said, ”No, sorry, I don’t know you. Bye!”

The Day’s Brew

Moran CHS Grade 11

Nilbog was having a wonderful sleep until the exact moment the clock struck eight. “BOG, GET DOWN HERE, SHOPS JUST OPENED UP.” The waking call came so suddenly that Nilbog found himself jumping out of bed and rushing down the stairs before his mind could even process that he had left the room. He paused a moment to get his head on straight before another call from Grevold reminded him why he had left his room in such a hurry. Grevold wasn’t a bad boss by human standards and the fact that he had even considered hiring a goblin, let alone letting Nilbog live in his shop, was to be considered fortunate, even if Grevold did order him around a lot. Nilbog arrived at the brewing room just as Grevold finished prepping the cauldrons. “Ah, there you are, Nilbog,” Grevold remarked. “I hope you’re ready for a long day. We’ve had eighteen orders come in already.” Nilbog donned his apron as Grevold waved his hands around like wands, ingredients magically levitating from the shelves and lining themselves up neatly next to the many cauldrons spread across the room. Nilbog brought over a stool, climbed up on it, turned to Grevold and spoke: “What’s the first brew, boss?” Grevold snapped his fingers and a fire lit under the cauldron. “Two parts healing, three parts mana.” The shop soon filled with fantastical smells as the Potion-Maker and his assistant went to work.

Jude

Radioactive Inactive

Charlotte McCready Buford Grade 8

They say a war is going on but the commercial break just ended

I’m okay where I’m at

I don’t want the life they made outside

Don’t tell me I’m wrong because I don’t want to look up

Because I’m fine with how things are now

And the reality is I don’t know how to deal

The reality is that this is the world they gave us

Not the one we made

They made the mistake

So why should we pay the price

Why should we care

They say I should, but I can’t, I won’t

Because if I do, then it’s real

So I’ll keep watching TV

And I’ll keep looking down

I’ll keep pretending that the world is fine

Because that’s what I’m best at

Ignoring this world

The one worth ignoring

Through the bombs exploding

The fires blazing

And the castles being stormed

I’ll wait

Wait for the adults who made this mess

For them to fix it

Because this is not mine

It’s theirs

Pray CHS Grade 10

Made of Metal

Coretta Coco Powers Buford Grade 8

Iammade of metal

Bits and scraps welded together

Held together by loose screws and bolts

My heart is pair of cogs and gears

Glowing softly and beating uncertainly

My bones are rusted and bitter the joints creak and cry at every step

My legs clunk and clatter on a cold tile floor the muscle a simple aluminum spring, heavy and tightly wound

I am forged of silver

I have been made for war

And I have been made for peace

Pain cannot pierce my tin skin

I’m wired with gold and held together by a hinge I do not hear the agony we brought My veins are copper coils, sparking below my skin

My beauty is my armor, dancing across my hollow body I am built of brass

I am not hurt by what I do

All that I break and all I create

The suffering I inflict

I do not know, and I cannot care

I am shaped of nickel

A solemn attempt

A sadder success

I do not ache

I do not suffer

The world rushes by me

Moving quickly with life

I can only stand still

I am made of metal

Inspired by the Artwork of Melvin Edwards and Deni Maklick

Inspired by the Artwork of Patrick Nagatani and Andree Tracy

Arlo

The Distracting Dimension of Ones and Zeros

Radioactive Inactive

Zaki Farhat Buford Grade

Inspired by the Artwork of Patrick Nagatani

In Sioux City’s canvas, a blaze in the night, Atomic explosion, a silent fright, Within the dwelling, a soul appears calm, Tech’s allure, a shield from harm.

Midst the turmoil, the figure stands still, Entwined in pixels, reality to distill, Beyond the screen, chaos takes hold, A stark reminder of truths untold.

Lost in codes, ones and zeros dance, Escape to illusions, a fleeting trance, Reality slips, time dissolves, Vitality traded, as the digital evolves.

In the realm of distraction, media’s sway, A departure from now, a price to pay, Seize the present, break the spell, True life thrives where realities dwell.

8

Inspired by the Artwork of Patrick Nagatani and Andree Tracy

Theroom was still and calm

The smell of toluene burned my nose

I could be blissfully unaware of the horrors surrounding me

I live in a peaceful irony

My radio playing slowly as I drown the sound out

Harsh, hot air burning through my thin windows

I can only ignore the fiery explosion through a glossy shine

I refuse to acknowledge it hoping it would go away

I think of my mother Is she alright?

The burning house where I once lived

Now a pile of ashes

I want to say my grievances

I miss my old house

I miss my old life

Ellie Neal Buford Grade 8

Jasaun Hamilton-Godfrey Clark Grade 1

The Cracks

Mira Figueroa Buford Grade 8

Inspired by the Artwork of Juan Manuel Echavarria

The cracks on the wall were built

Not by builders

Not with hammers and saws

Not by a mistake

But by us

The people who make the fights

The wars and battles that we start

The cracks on the wall aren’t just cracks

They’re a permanent scar on society

They’re a reminder to end the battles

The wars, and the fights

Because it can cause more damage than the cracks

The damage is done when,

Lives are stolen,

Minds are frozen.

There were cracks on the foundation

The foundation where we built our future generations

But the root was the problem

The problem we indulged

The intimidating future we hold is not honorable.

Our intimidating future we hold is disintegrating

So, what are you waiting for?

To change the wrong

To patch the cracks.

To mend the wounds.

Our cracks can be filled!

But don’t leave the cracks, the past behind

Because the cracks are us

And the scars accumulated are us

And the wounds are us

And our yesterday can make a greater tomorrow.

So, what are your cracks?

The Rose That Bloomed, WWII

Elle Turner Jackson-Via Grade 4

September 1st, 1939, Around Dawn..

The Jones were sleeping. But then[** BANG!! **]

6 year old Rosemary woke up.

“MOTHER..!”

Her dad and mom appeared, mother holding her fussy little brother, Thomas Jones.

[** KNOCK **]

Father ran to the door, just to see their neighbor, Mr. Charles Letts. He had an anxious and stern look on his face, also covered in smoke and sweat. “Germany has– We’re under attack...” Mr Letts cried.

Mr. Jones changed into his father’s war clothing and disappeared.

Father never came back home, but there were other problems too. Germany had an empire, Schools served terrible lunches and, worst of all, Rosemary lived through a world war! She really missed her father dearly. Even Thomas asked “...

Do I have a father?”

“Well...” Mother and Rosemary responded. Aug. 27, 1945, Around 5:00 PM

One day, Rosemary had enough. So she went outside and yelled “STOP!” and everyone looked at her.

September 4th, 1945, Nighttime

Rosemary sighed. “It’s been 4 days since WW2 ended and father is not home…” she thought.

[** KNOCK**]

Rosemary went to the door. “Father?!” she exclaimed.

“Hello guys...” Thomas looked confused but went to hug him like everyone else.

Booker CHS Grade 10

Look at Us

Jasia

Taraskiewicz & Emily Collins

Buford Grade

7

Look at us, and what do you see?

Little girls? Who wait patiently for you to tell us what to do?

We look into our mirrors, and think: shh! no. We see beautiful, strong, bold, intelligent, independent young women

No matter what size, culture, or color, we know we all are specialNo matter what you say.

We have grown up, being told in some way: “You can’t play with us! You’re a girl!” or “She can’t possibly be smart enough…”

Look at Malala strong as steel, She stood up for our rights

To read, to learn, to be equal.

Look at us, and what do you see

We have struggled for centuries

Told to wear certain clothes

And not allowed to make our own choices

Hidden behind a veil.

It is time to put our past behind us

We need to change this now.

I’m stepping out.

I’m gonna wear what I want

We’re going to choose our own lives.

Listen to us! Don’t you pay attention?

I’ve been asking you to pay me the same as him!! Is it because of who I am that you refuse?

My gender?

What I look like?

Now listen closely, This is important.

It has been 247 years since the United States of America became a country.

247 years, and there have been almost no widely known women here in charge.

But that all changed in 1848

Because of Women’s Suffrage!

Here is the proof, the outcome. It is here whether you like it or not

Look at us.

See the change.

Watch us be the spark that lights the fire. We’re coming out.

And there’s nothing you can do to stop us.

Made in America

Charlie Dontanville Buford Grade 8

Inspired by the Artwork of Patrick Nagatani

American born

Lipstick carefully applied

And ripped off moments later

In a passion-filled frenzy

Half-empty bottles strewn across the house

Drowning out the problems that consume the waking mind

But for now, it’s all gone

One with the makeup and booze

On a cold Oklahoma night

Made in America

Kyazia

The Drain

Jahmira Fortune CHS Grade 11

She sees the lives of others portrayed on a screen

How amazing, she checks her social media often clean room, good grades, many friends “the perfect teen”

The numbers of views and likes doesn’t even rise; her feelings of self worth slowly decline. Not thinking about what is unseen. As an aesthetic routine, you probably wonder why some base their worth off of something so Stupid, so silly

Rising early and being productive

Their trendy clothes and blue denim jeans

Here, she is wishing it was her. I ask why?

I truly don’t have an answer for you

Maybe it’s because she wants the acceptance social media shows others

Maybe the validation, or maybe it’s something more simple, less complex

Just wanting to be seen like those girls

All the comments speaking of their impeccable genes

Relationships with other perfect people always

Embarking on some adventure.

She finds herself stalking their page, watching the sequel:

So believable, yet so deceitful

It’s not true

No one’s life is as perfect as it seems

What’s behind the mask? If only we knew we’re scared

That someone will see through?

Our facade sewn with flawless seams

But this social media thing is so draining

You post and post, try and try

But even when you put yourself out there

She never feels like it’s her so is social media worth the hype ?

A Woman’s Journey

Amelie Zawhorodny Walker Grade 6

In a world where men are worshiped by all, A woman’s journey, a tale to recall.

Bearing burdens, silent and unseen,

A symphony of strength in the face of routine. She walks with grace through a world unkind, Navigating hardships, a complex bind.

Glass ceilings and whispers, echoes of disdain, Yet she rises, undeterred, through her pain.

A canvas painted with societal strife, Her resilience, the brush that colors life.

Balancing roles, a delicate art,

A woman’s journey, a resilient heart.

Spencer Boggs CHS Grade 11

Black Woman

Gabbana Yancy Walker Grade 6

Inspired by won’t you celebrate with me by

Lucille Clifton

Akind of life?

I had no model. born in the wild both nonwhite and woman

I live my life wondering what people will say

Thinking about me in a bad way

They push me into something I don’t want to be

That I’m not

So I plead

Please don’t force me to be what I don’t want to be

I want to be free

White people were mean to people who look like me

All we wanted was to be free

Free from judgment,

Free from pain

Free from suffering

Free from depression forced upon me

Free from anxiety

Free from hate

That everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.

Dream

Harrison Hise Jackson-Via Grade K

Ihave a dream.

I dream the world is safe.

I Can...

Ican be kind.

Liberty

LibertyFreedom

Independence

All these words

One and the same

Respect

Kindness

Unity

All these words

Identical

Available for all to use

No matter their race

Nor their gender

Let us rise up and fight for unity

And peace for all

In this everlasting world

For we fight for unity

Not for anger nor suffering

For we are people

And people no matter our race

Nor our gender

All deserve kindness

So I’m asking you to fight for equality

To rise up and join the fight

Don’t do it for pride

Do it for humanity

For people can do anything

No matter the race nor gender we as a people

Are all equal in everything

So let us pull the sword of unity out of the earth’s

crust

For we as people can do anything

If only we put our mind to it

So let the light no longer shine on the worthy

Let it shine on all

Levi Jones Walker Grade 6

Cora Lyons Venable Grade K

Equality is More

Kyra Gibson Buford Grade 7

Equality is more than you think it is, Because yes,

It’d be nice if the gender wage gap was eliminated Or if there wasn’t a bias for those who were incriminated

Or if people of different colors didn’t have to feel so discriminated Equality is much more.

Equality is being able to walk home late at night without being in fear, In fear of the worst,

Not having to have each. and. every. situation rehearsed.

Not having to look over your shoulder every. Single. second.

Start to walk a little faster if a man seems to be within 10 feet of you.

Equality is being able to feel like you’re loved, regardless of who you love.

It’s not having to hide who you truly are

Equality is being able to walk into a job interview and not wonder if they see you or the pigment of your skin.

It’s knowing you wont be judged based on your looks instead of your skills.

Equality is being able to go to school and not have to wonder if you’ll be told to cover up. Its not being told to put a jacket on, though the boy next to me is wearing the same white tank top.

Equality is much more than you think it is

Equality is not having to wonder if I’ll get a semi-truck full of death threats because of what god I believe in.

Its being able to practice my beliefs without a single doubt.

Equality is not feeling like an animal trapped in a cage, while everyone else is outside, going along with their day.

Equality is much more than what you think it is.

Change Maker

Ican make the world a better place by opening the door for someone.

Aliyah Barahona Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Alana Renshaw, Nicholas Keh, Carter Curry Jackson-Via Grade 3

Speak Up

Reece Harris Walker Grade 6

Iwant you to imagine something for a moment. It’s 1941 and you’re in German-occupied Latvia. You’re hiding in a barn from the Nazis wondering if they will find you. Nazis patrol the area looking for Jews day and night. If they find you, it’s certain death. This was the experience of my great-grandmother. She had to stay in that barn motionless and whispering for 2 years. Now, you may think that that kind of stuff doesn’t happen anymore, but fast forward 76 years and I can tell you otherwise. When I was 5, my family moved to Charlottesville. Within a month of moving here, Nazis came and chanted, “Blood and soil!” and “Jews cannot replace us!” After all this time, anti-semitism is still happening.

These hate crimes are not just Nazis marching in Charlottesville. In 2022, more than half of Jewish workers reported dealing with discrimination at their jobs.

The Jewish people make up only 2% of Americans. And even though they make up only 2%, 60% of religious hate crimes in America target Jewish people. Since the Israeli/Hamas war began in October, antisemitism has been on the rise.

Jewish kids at Cornell University couldn’t even eat together after death threats were posted online. Multiple studies have shown that over 70% of Jewish college students have experienced antisemitism recently.

Even if you don’t agree with what’s going on in Israel it’s not ok to be antisemitic.

What can we do about it?

Don’t look the other way. Speak up if you see or hear it.

Get to know a Jewish person. More than 1 out of 3 Americans do not know someone Jewish. People who know a Jewish person are more likely to view antisemitism as a problem.

Shaelyn Kelty Walker Grade 6

Davis Jackson-Via Grade 3

Kennedy

Writing is Stupid

School

Livia Jin Sy Sadeghi Venable Grade 4

The world is full of knowledge as far as the mind can see. With such good friends, we will learn til the end, so come and play with me.

My School

Brendan McHenry Jackson-Via Grade 2

My teacher is fun as a fair. My friend is as creative as a builder. My school is as awesome as popcorn!

All About Me

Emit Tillack Walker Grade 6

I’vebeen told 1,000 times I have to write today

I think writing is stupid and I don’t want to do it

You say just start writing words on a page doesn’t matter what

But that doesn’t help me when I GET STUCK

You say just writing words will pull me out of the muck

Oh look now I’m rhyming

Is this a poem?! UGH!

Everyone else is writing but I’d just like to say that writing is stupid

Oh. I just wrote a whole page!

Carol Chick Clark Grade 2

Iam special. Here are three things that describe me.

The first thing is I am fun because people like playing with me at recess. The next thing is I am smart because I know third grade math, because I know times. The last thing is I am cool because I have two grown up teeth behind my first two grown up teeth.

I am funny, smart and cool, and these things make me unique.

Sharing

Sandas Venable Grade K

Iwant to share my toy Spiderman.

Ethan

Natalia Salazar Fraire

Buford Grade 7

Art: A Haiku

Aila Esposito

Clark Grade 4

How to Draw a Sauropod

Clement Keifer

Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Draw the head. Draw a long neck. Draw the body. Draw the feet. Draw the tail. Draw the eye. Draw the mouth. Now, draw anything you want like lightning bolts, zig-zags, etc. How did you do?

I Love Math

Luca Guler

Venable Grade 4

Math,

math wonderful math

Wherever I go I see math I see angles and lines galore I know it will always open a door. I can see to infinity and back So don’t cut me any slack. So when I think back All I see is how math is all around me.

We see beauty

We watch the colors shine bright

Paint the wonderful

My School

Jerry Lorenzana Munguia

Jackson-Via Grade 2

My teacher is as helpful as my friends. My friend is as nice as my brother. My school is like my home.

The Evil Tape Dispenser

Hazel Varner

Clark Grade 3

Once upon a time there was a tape dispenser. One day Felix was using it and he scraped his finger on the pointy end. The end went into the tape dispenser’s mouth. But what the tape dispenser didn’t know was that his Great Great Uncle twice removed was actually A VAMPIRE! So in Art Class beware! It is lurking in the shadows just waiting for the chance…

Book The Original

Jack Gillikin Walker Grade 6

This is about book. Book is greater than all. Book is greatest invention. Book beats ball. Book is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Book will help in darkest hour. No book, no world. Book is read. Read book, get power. Book undead. Book dies, all die. Human need book. Without book, no human. Just go look. Book will enrapture you for hours. Book won’t let you take a shower. Book is masterpiece. Book is all. Book holds world in its thrall. Book will take you on a trip. You might as well be on a rocket ship. Flying through worlds unknown. Get from library, or maybe own. Book will die with all knowledge And humankind falls off the edge.

Poem

Byrams Walker Grade 6

Iwasin a library and I picked up a book and the book said I was in a library and I picked up a book and the book.....

Books

The important thing about books is that you can find story adventures. You can also learn new things. You can go through magical pictures and find your place to rest. The important thing about books is that you can find story adventures.

Wengo Opombo Jackson-Via Grade 2

Paxton Nguyen Jackson-Via Grade 3

Jakaylah

My Dream Playground

Evan Riley Greenbrier Grade 2

Welcome to my dream playground. It has a fish roller coaster. There is a river you can fish in or you can go to a pond near my dream playground. There is a really long football field. It is 100 yds. I play on it every day of the year. I go fishing and there are some really big fish in the pond and in the river. If you win a challenge you will go to space and see most of Earth and other planets in space. In space there is also a fish tank.

My Dream Playground

Jane Polifka Greenbrier Grade 2

My dream playground has a crazy water slide that is blue and green and that leads to the track. The track is red and orange and has first, second, and third base.

My Dream Playground

Ilyas Alazazi Greenbrier Grade 2

Imade my own dream playground because I love water slides and crazy slides and swings. But I want a bigger playground with hydraulic lifts or spinny things and monkey bars. There is also a small playground with rocket swings, seesaws, and normal slides. Also, playgrounds can be dangerous so keep safe. If you break it apart you can’t play on it until it is fixed and checked.

My Dream Playground

Lindsey Morales Vazquez Greenbrier Grade 2

This is why you should go to my dream playground. It has a BIG roller coaster. For the ones who don’t like extreme, there is a calm garden, swings, a slide, a spinny thing (my favorite), and a football field. Basketball also has a welcoming sign. That’s why YOU should come to my dream playground.

Jacob Smith Clark Grade 2

What You Don’t Remember

Jasmine McGhee CHS Grade 11

She did not remember the uniqueness in the voice that came from an actor stage left of her, nor the tense feeling in the pit of her stomach. The smacking of her heart to the chest, the pounding echoing through her body. She did not remember the way the fluorescent light touched her skin or the audience’s applause. She did not remember the dozens of roses gifted to her in praise of the performance. She did not remember the curtains closing before her as a sigh of relief exited her mouth.

She did not remember the essence of the character still haunting her existence, even off stage. She did not remember the vague absence of the laughter and cheering that once filled the room, still lingering in her ears. She did not remember seeing her makeup-smudged reflection in the mirror or the fallen glitter from her uncomfortably tight costume. Nor the bloody blisters that were revealed after taking off her kids-size jazz shoes.

She did remember her first steps, heel-toe, then eventually a pas de bourrée. Innocently gliding across the freshly polished floor, movements as light as a petal dancing through the wind. She did remember the crisp smell of new ballet flats, semis still intact. Piano notes danced across her arms, keeping them light in motion. She did remember the euphoric feeling of stepping on stage, doubt mixed with adrenaline clouding her thoughts, often leaving her perplexed for numerous nights. Why does she do it? That she does remember. Every melody, delicate note, and weightless step is remembered. Every mistep and bruise is remembered, every joyful stride is remembered. What she did remember kept her balanced.

DREAM

Dance on stage

Remember modes

Everyday I will practice Athletic

Moving gracefully

Pride Quatrain

4

3

Judges watch with close eyes

Gymnasts do their flips, they go for the prize

For a surprise

All of them rise

But only one wins the prize

Grier Bernard Jackson-Via Grade 2

Zoey Morton Greenbrier Grade

Jacoriana Jones Johnson Grade

Will Jones CHS Grade 10

Dance

Lucrecia Mullins-Aviles Jackson-Via Grade 2

The important thing about dance is that your body tells a story. It keeps your body in shape. It is fun! You are moving your body. The important thing about dance is that your body tells a story!

I Am

Cricket

Aseel Shirzoy Greenbrier Grade 3

Cricket

is a little bit like baseball but has more differences, too. A cricket match can last a big FIVE DAYS or a few hours! The object in a cricket game is to score runs when at bat, and to stop the other team from scoring. Cricket was first played in England. Learn these steps and you might turn out a star!

My opinion about cricket is that I think it is the best sport to learn other than soccer. You only need to learn some very easy steps to play. If you know how to play baseball, you might enjoy cricket as well! Cricket might be a little bit tricky to learn, but it is also fun! Anyone can play cricket and that includes EVERYONE! It is also very cool to play, watch the ball “dance” through the air, and take action and hit the ball with your dear helpful bat! Another reason is because you can trust your teammates like they’re your best friends! Make sure you have fun when you play.

Iaman athlete of greatness who can achieve great things.

I am an artist like a bird soaring through the sky. I am kind like spring’s pink and yellow flowers I am a big sister of one. I am Rory.

The Olympics Day

3

Karen was in the backyard swimming, doing an amazing breaststroke in her pool. Her dad came out to get her to come inside. She needed to get ready for the Olympics. She was competing. She went to get her stuff when she recognized that her goggles were gone. Then her dog walked in with the goggles hanging out of her mouth. “Martha, get back here!” About 20 minutes later she got them back. They were a little chewed up but that’s ok. Then she went to the Olympics and came in second place.

Rory Fabio Greenbrier Grade 3

Katherine Mackey Greenbrier Grade

The Injury

ILamar Brown Walker Grade 6

took a deep breath in. My mom and dad cheered me on. The play before was done and the crowd was cheering each team on.

The lights of the stadium made a slight buzzing sound as I lined up beside my friends and my fellow linebackers preparing to read this play. The ball snapped and I glanced at my surroundings.

The QB handed the ball off and as expected I rushed at the running back. The turf rustling and the sun casting the area in shadows. I had a drop of sweat coming down my face as I got nervous.

“HIKE!” We all rushed off the line but I didn’t see the running back. I felt a speck of sweat drizzle down my face to my chin. The helmet made my face feel warm. Followed up with the sound of random cleats stomping in the grass.

“On your left!” one of the linebackers said to me. I saw someone with the ball and running up the sidelines. However, I wouldn’t allow that. I ran after him and easily outran the linemen who tried to block me. All but one.

I took one dash for it…SKR..BAM!

I hit the floor with heat building up in my face.

The excruciating pain in my leg made me open my eyes instantly.

Immediately my body was fighting back tears. I saw my coach, my mom and my dad run up to me on the floor.

“Are you okay!?” my mom asked me.

I could only give out painful groans as I was carted off the field with my parents following behind.

I was doing good until this happened. I’ve never known what a severe injury felt like besides paper cuts and scrapes on your skin. The bittersweet taste in my mouth knowing I won’t be able to play for a while now. “But at least we won,” I said in my head, trying to cheer myself up. And my dad would tell me it didn’t hurt so much but I digress. And from this moment forward I learned to not get cocky in my own strength.

Basketball

My favorite sport is basketball because if you get there early then you get to go on the court and do a few shots! Some basketball courts throw out shirts and you can get cotton candy! You can also get Dippin’ Dots! You can also get popcorn! There is one in Charlottesville! Do you want to go there? It will be fun! I love going to basketball games!

Mila Haynes Johnson Grade 1

Camden Balser Johnson Grade 4

Game Time

GoodJack Jones Buford Grade 7

luck Jack,” my dad yelled from the stands. Right before I take my freethrow in warmups. Swish! As the ball went through the net.

My coach called my team over so he could tell us the starting lineup and hype us up. “Jack, you’re starting as our shooting guard,” my coach stated. “1,2,3 Bruins,” my team yelled. My team was the VABA Bruins and we played in AAU.

The game started. Jay won the tip off with an amazing jump and hit the ball to Crew. I yelled, “Shoot it!” and Crew swished an amazing corner three. Their team was playing very rough and fouled Freddy hard while he was going up for a layup. He made both shots and the crowd cheered loudly. I made a great steal and made a dot through pass to Cam who made a reverse layup. The ref blew his whistle, “Tweet” and the half was over 22 to 20 - them.

In the second half we started off good with a 10-3 run. I scored 5 out of the 10. It was a 5 point game and both teams really wanted to win. Both teams scored another 12 points and the score was 42 to 37 us going into the 4th quarter.

The other team scored 7 points in 5 minutes and there were 8 seconds left. My teammate stole the ball and passed it to me at half court. There were 3 seconds left, 3.2. 1. I chucked the ball up with one second left. As the ball was traveling through the air it felt like everything was in slow motion. The ball went in and my team had won.

Soccer Tryouts

Last year, my dad suggested that I should try out for a harder soccer league. He really thought that I was playing well in my rec league, so he signed me up for Tuesday and Thursday at the professional soccer field. I was very nervous.

When the time came to go, we went after school on Tuesday. We got to the soccer field and hopped out of the car. My dad and I went to check in at the desk and I got my group number that they would call out. I had to leave my dad to go to the beginning of the tryout. There were lots of older and better kids in my group. When I started playing on the field with my group, I felt like I didn’t fit in with the older kids. By the time I finished the first tryout, my whole group (including me) were sweating. I went home, still feeling nervous about the next tryout.

Time flew by and… all of a sudden it was time for the next tryout. When we got there for the second time, I was separated into a different group again. When I got on the field and started playing, my dad was encouraging me by cheering, “Go, go, go! Don’t give up!” That helped me a little bit.

I was playing so well on the field that the coaches moved me to the hardest field. By the time I got on the next field, my dad was really cheering me on by saying, “You got this! You’re doing great!”

When it was time to leave, I felt like an amazing soccer player thanks to my dad’s support.

Ophelia Azzam Greenbrier Grade 4

Cake Book

Iopen the book

Tamia Morton Jackson-Via Grade 3

To find what I could cook

I think that I’ll bake This chocolate cake!

Candy

Zoe Eldridge Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Cupcake

Alden Lee Venable Grade K

My cupcake is yummy. My cupcake has 5 cherries and it is brown.

It

could have a wrapper or in a box. It can make you have a sugar rush. Some candies are hard and some are soft. At holidays we eat a lot.

Strawberry Bun

Maurice

The bell rang and a sticky sweet, glazed, round bun of my dreams was awakening my taste buds. The strawberry shiny glaze made my mouth water just thinking about it. The rainbow sprinkles covered the strawberry glaze in confetti. As I picked it up, my brain unfolded the intense excitement and I had to eat it. Taking the first bite felt like heaven. That is a treat I will never forget.

Eating Healthy

I’m eating healthy, as you can see.

Joshua Wells Johnson Grade K

Tyree Johnson Grade 4

Chloe Moore Walker Grade 6

Lila Eshenour Greenbrier Grade 2

I Am Every Good Thing

Saniyya Cusano Johnson Grade 4

Iam the sun that brightens your day. On a rainy day, you can hear the rain going pitter patter but then the sun comes out and I dry up all the rain, so wipe those tears away.

I am the colors of the sunset in your life. I am the mix of chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

I am the morning song of the birds I am the seaweed from the sea. I am the rice from Chinese food and I’m the fish from the pond.

I am the person that you’ll see on stage, shining bright as a star in the sky. I am stronger than you’ll ever be. You’ll never bring me down.

I am a person you will see with a million people around me because I have friends and because… without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved.

Lisa Wuenschmann-McCoy CHS Grade 11

Dream

Ihave a dream. I dream for food for all.

Marin Pohl CHS Grade 11

Raymond Chapman Jackson-Via Grade K

Thankful

Iam thankful for each day

Thankful for the good times, bad times And even the sad times.

I am thankful for the sun, giving Me light, the moon and stars for welcoming Night.

Thank you for every drop of rain, Every blade of grass, every flower. Thank you for all of nature’s beauties. Thankful for learning from mistakes.

Thankful for family

Thankful for life

Maisy Sweet Burnley-Moran Grade 4

Jane Friesen CHS Grade 9

Edy Perez Morales CHS Grade 10