The Unfinished Jigsaw 2024-2025

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

The Unfinished Jigsaw

2024–2025

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

Charlottesville City Schools

1562 Dairy Road Charlottesville, Virginia

Cover Art: Michael Casimiro CHS Grade

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

Brian Kayser, CHS

Courtney Saunders, Buford

Christine Esposito, Walker

Jess Scott, Burnley-Moran

Matthew Caduff, Burnley-Moran

Ashley Riley, Greenbrier

Victoria McCain, Greenbrier

Ida Cummings, Jackson-Via

Nathan Hipple, Jackson-Via

Megan Gilmore, Johnson

Amy Jamieson, Johnson

Caitlin Natale, Summit

Susan Northington, Trailblazer

Samantha Kayser, Trailblazer

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

Alissa Drolshagen, Greenbrier

Lily Brookman, Jackson-Via

Holly Tucker, Johnson

Evelyn Reid, Summit

Melissa Combs, Trailblazer

Photography

Copyediting

Rachel Wilson

Annette Kaufman-Horner

The Most Important Thing

Where I’m From

3

Christian Madanha Trailblazer Grade

The most important thing about me is, I’m me!

I love telling things about me.

I love to cook with my parents. I like to play games.

I love to play with my brother. The most important thing about me is, I’m me!

I Am

Skylar Cooper

Jackson-Via Grade 2

Iam cool and smart and sassy.

I love to be with my mom and sister.

My wish for the world is to be kind and nice. I want to learn how to do a double flip.

I’m good at gymnastics. I hope to go to Disneyland.

I Am Every Good Thing

Iam sassy.

I am the pink hibiscus flower hanging off the bush in the red sunset.

I am a dancer.

I am the loud crowd when Standbattle comes out.

I am alfredo and the soft bread.

I am the great dancing on the floor. I am trying to catch the ladybugs in the blue sky.

I am when I found out I was on the dance team. I was so excited.

I am my cousin Gigi - she always lets me sit with her.

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

Olivia Hendrick CHS Grade 9

I’m from a home covered wall to wall with family photos,

Sounds of children’s laughter echoing through my ears as I listen to old recordings.

I’m from connections thick as rope and others thin as thread, saying friends forever as children to people who are now strangers.

I’m from homemade Halloween costumes and ornaments collected through the years.

I’m from ice cream covered faces and big toothy smiles,

Piles of stuffed animals that were too hard to say goodbye to.

I’m from petting zoos and pumpkin patches. Hours after hours spent at the public library, One book after the other.

But in all those little moments put together, I forget the girl that was experiencing them was me.

I know she’s hiding inside me somewhere, I just need to find her once again.

What I Like About Myself

My name is Desiree and I’m going to tell you three things about me. I love myself so much. I believe in myself. When I believe in myself I feel happy. I am kind. When someone gets hurt I help to make them feel better by playing with them or doing something else. I am confident. When something is scary I become confident so I do it. Then I do not feel scared. That is all about myself.

Desiree Warnstorff Summit Grade 2

Phoenix Isabelle Johnson Grade 4

I Am

Sotoudah Sohail Walker Grade 5

Iam Sotoudah Sohail

I am what you call a princess

I am as happy as a dog

I am a good friend

I am beautiful

I am as crazy as dog

I am as brave as anything

I know how it feels to be bullied.

I say no to things I don’t want to do.

I am quiet and very shy

I am as pretty as a flower in the sunlight

I am unique

I like to help people

I have pretty hair

I am a daughter and a big sister.

I am a little sister

I am a bestie

I am me and no one can change it

I Am Every Good Thing

Gianna Brock Johnson Grade 4

Ego Trippin’

Iam perfect everyone looks up to me

I’m a celebrity like oprah winfrey

I move the sturdy trees with a sigh

I am a covergirl

I’m more dazzling than taylor swift

Iam

sassy, funny, kind.

I am the pink sunset that rises after the sun.

I am a dancer girl.

I am the loud music booming.

I am the creamy chicken alfredo on my plate.

I am stomping on the ground while dancing and thinking hard about math.

I am when I got in to my dance team, it was awesome

I am my relationship with my mom is like a mom bear and a baby bear

And without a shadow of a doubt,

I am worthy to be loved.

I strut down the finish line

With no one in sight and beat 200 older girls

What’s next? I ask

I juggle life so gracefully

And I balance 7 things with such ease it’s as if they were 1.

I’m never tired

I’m as awake as a bullfrog

Always as hungry as a hummingbird

I barely broke a sweat winning fastest in the state

What’s next? I ask

Yesterday when I floated to the finish line

Then banged in a goal in the same day

I ask, What’s next?

I am always improving

But I always find my way to a win.

Juliana Pierce CHS Grade 9

Lena Kilmartin Greenbrier Grade 1

Ego Trippin’

Iam slim and brown

I Am Every Good Thing

Alerah Harris CHS Grade

My beautiful golden skin shines like polished bronze

I walk across the sky with my head held high

My presence is a gift from God

I designed this confidence brick-by-brick

Strong like the Great Wall of China

As I cry my tears of joy watering

The flowers that later on sprout their colors

I am the seed of a Queen

It’s only right to acknowledge me as Royalty

My eyes are as dazzling

As two lone stars in the sky at night

With my smile as bright as a morning sunrise

I could silence a room full of loudness

And brighten a room full of darkness

I smell like a fall morning

Refreshing

I know she’s hiding inside me somewhere, I just need to find her once again.

I Am...

9

Lara Schlegel Johnson Grade 4

Iam shy, nice and sensitive

I am the rippling water in the ocean

I am a dolphin swimming in the sea

I am the call of birds flying over the waves of the ocean

I am warm hot melty cookies after they are out of the oven

I am the pages in a book, the smooth fur of my cat as I pet him and the waving branches of the trees in the forest

I am the feeling when I picked out a kitten I wanted

I am a sister, a daughter, a friend, a granddaughter and a cat owner

And without a shadow of a doubt,

I am worthy to be loved.

Nyla Baker Trailblazer Grade 4

Iam an artist, quiet, and independent.

I am an artist.

I am the sound of a marker sliding down a piece of paper.

I am the spicy pepperoni on top of the gooey cheese on pizza.

I am an artist, sister, and a world maker.

I am proud of myself working hard becoming an amazing writer.

I am a daughter, sister, and a granddaughter.

I am a kitty lover.

The Best Part of Me

Thebest part of me is my eyes. They look mysterious. They feel smooth. My eyes help me see.

Nadia Salazar Fraire Buford Grade 8

Avier Jackson Johnson Grade 1

I Am...

Dhakiy Anderson Johnson Grade 4

Iam a kid who likes football. I wonder when I was born.

I heard I was born when I was little. It will always be a mystery.

I see myself as a very nice person. I love my life. I want to be a great kid so l can get all A’s on my report card.

I am a kid who likes football. I live in Virginia, a great neighborhood, and I have 6 people in my life that I really need.

I’m a person who loves my family. I’m a person playing. I’m a very helpful person who likes math and I love my family and they love me. I want to be a great child and have a great childhood with my family.

I feel that I have to do something to be great. That’s how some kids are good in life.

I am the sun beaming on my family when I pass away. I will always keep them safe and be strong for them.

I touch my family with my light when I see myself caring about my family as I get older. I see my reflection in the light. I love myself and my family.

I worry about my baby brother. With my strength, he will be the older me the day I pass on my strength. As I share my strength he gets stronger.

I cry when a family member leaves me in the darkness, but with his or her light they will guide me through the hard and ruthless world of destruction.

I am a hard worker. I work for my mom to help her with other stuff. I am a hard worker. I’m a kid who likes playing with new people. I know I’m going to make it in life. I will be ready for anything.

I dream of myself getting ready to grow. As you grow, you get great rewards in life.

I try to help my baby brother. He has something wrong with him. I hope he will not pass away at that age, just a 1 year old. Before he passes I shall share my strength with him.

I hope to be a great kid when I get older as I get taller and bigger. You get more and more loved by your family.

I love my family and I love everybody I know. I am the moon. I shine my light in the darkness for my family as I guide them through the hard stuff in life. My family will need me through tough things in life, and then one will pass and the other shall leave too but no matter what your dead people in your life are in your soul.

Ego Trippin’

IwasDrew Silvers CHS Grade 9

born in a city surrounded by giant rolling hills

golden sunrises over a majestic horizon

I walked the tall green grass with poise

Giving every delicate petal on the dull swaying flowers a new shine

I soar above the enormous clouds I run faster than a stampede of rhinos

I swim like an elegant orca

Mother Nature is jealous of my garden

Vibrant and fruitful

Through rain and shine I overcome I am a ray of sun to this bleak world

Struggle shudders when it sees me

Stops in its tracks

The hope I give is like a sunrise

Each day a new opportunity for perfection

I can climb the highest peak in no time at all I can solve the world’s problems with a toss of my hair

I can go to outer space without a suit

I can go to Antarctica without a jacket

When perfection sees me it takes my hand

And offers me its throne

I Am

Vince (“Gabby”) Moreno Jackson-Via Grade 2

Iam kind and smart. I love to draw dragons. I dream about getting a pet cat. My wish is for everyone to reach their goals. I want to learn to be helpful to the world

Jet Co

Walker Grade 6

Where I’m From

Galen Mazzeffi Johnson Grade 4

Iam from tall sap trees

From the delicious smell of my food and fun electronics

I am from the comfy beds of my house

I am from the warm water of my bathtubs

I am from the garden my father has constructed

I am from my creek & beautiful pebbles

I am from the three cars my family have bought I’m from the beautiful sky watching white clouds go by and all of those beautiful holidays that are celebrated all around the world

I am from tall green grass and I am from the hard quizzes I take I’m from the cold or hot air

I am from all the sports I take,

The hard work my family have put in for me. I will prove to them that I can do it, because I am a dreamer.

I will impress them someday when I am on the big stage.

I will be a track runner and nobody’s stopping me ‘cause dreamers get it done.

I Am...

I Am One

Noyan Phulotsang Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Iam

one. In my community I can help people in need. One thing I can do is invite people to play! When we are finished playing we can clean up. We can take turns.

Nora Morsberger

Trailblazer Grade 4

Iam kind, stylish, and helpful.

I am a passion flower shining in the sunlight.

I am a cat lover, a reader.

I am the cold morning wind.

I am freshly sliced mango, straight from the tree.

I am roller skates riding past your door.

I am scraped knees and elbows

I am a little sister, a daughter and without a shadow of a doubt,

I am worthy to be loved.

Bahar Madad Yar Buford Grade 8

Honduras

En honduras yo nací, el país con el Río Bonito. En Honduras siento calor–el frío no entra al sistema solar allí. Tamales, baleada, sopa de camarón, y pescado son los sabores deliciosos de Honduras. Cada noche veo tiburones mientras estoy pescando. Me siento orgullosa de ser de Honduras.

Iwas born in Honduras, the country with Río Bonito. Honduras is hot–the cold never enters its solar system. Tamales, baleadas, shrimp soup, and fish are the delicious flavors of Honduras. Every night I see sharks while I am fishing. I feel proud to be from Honduras.

Where I Am From

I’mfrom laughter

From jokes and soccer

I am from the big white house

Crazy, loud Smells like pizza

I am from the universe Holes, creation, earth I’m from Eid And loyalty

From Ussman and Maryam I’m from dinner at the table

And birthdays

From never leave

And clean your room

I am from Muslim And Ramadan

I am from Afghanistan

From kabobs and chicken

From the photos in our room

I am from respect

The Best Part of Me

The best part of me is my face. It looks like beauty. It feels soft. My face helps me smile.

Ibrahim Andish Greenbrier Grade 4

Doris Viera Martinez Greenbrier Grade 3

Mahera Sherzai Johnson Grade 1

Where I Am From

I’mfrom the couch

Where I can’t sit around and relax

I am from the vintage, weathered With tons of dishes waiting for me

Sadaf Bana CHS Grade 9

To come home and get them done with

It felt like a never-ending routine with more and more dishes piled up

I am from the flower that never blooms fully in the garden,

Waiting to get out and see the world fully with other flowers.

I’m from the two Eids and Ramadan From Adela and Freshta.

I’m from the well-prepared, ready-to-go, and know-it people around me.

From the words that I’d heard as a child more than 1,000 times to; Respect your parents and elderly and Always study and pass your classes so you become successful.

I’m from I believe in Allah, who created the world, we Muslims have complete faith and belief in Allah.

I’m from Afghanistan where people have different stereotypes about what kind of a person I am, without knowing me personally,

From the delicate, bite-sized treats of different fillings wrapped around the dough, and small in size and shape, white, grains that are cooked in boiling water, maybe in different colors -If added-.

From the cousins whom I hang out with after

every five days.

Talking about school and how things should be, Going to downtown because it’s close by, Doing what we want to do,

Helping our mothers with chores, Going to places and playing games.

From the friends and family members who rely on me every other day, Whether that’s with chores, School work, or any other worries or concerns they want to ask me to do or listen to.

Listening every day to different voices, hearing different viewpoints, understanding the problem,

searching for a solution,

To help others.

Sadia Sadat

CHS Grade 10

Where I Am From

Karah Wingfield CHS Grade 9

Iam from many camping trips

From marshmallows and chocolate smores in tents or sometimes the RV

The outdoors is my home away from home

The taste of the chocolate melting, the squishiness of the marshmallows, and the crunch of graham crackers together feels like a party for my taste buds

A feeling of the cool breeze blowing my hair, the chirping of whistles of birds as I try to close my eyes, and days full of fun

Running barefoot in the grass and picking flowers from the fields

Countless flower necklaces that were worn until they broke

Always staying up late, telling jokes and sharing laughter

From all the crazy memories that I have never forgotten

Passed down from one generation to the next as far back as my grandparents’ parents

The outdoors is my happy place

All of my stress is no longer present, and the fresh air in my lungs calms me

Rain or shine, I long to be outside at the campground

As far back as I can remember, camping has always been my life

Where I learned the beauty of each and every day we are given in this world

This city may be special but to me, I love the country more

The peace of being alone in nature to enjoy its gifts has always meant more than sitting on a couch

Nature is God’s divine gift

No matter how crazy life can be I seek the joy that comes from the outdoors

Stargazing and cloud watching, naming what we think they look like

Stories of how my grandparents grew up with

the same love for the outdoors

How their childhoods were filled with sun, laughter, and happy memories

Bonds formed between us there that hold a special place in my memory no matter how much time went by

This life is too short to spend not admiring his astounding creations

Tonight when you go home, take a moment to take in the beautiful things around you

Listen to the birds sing their songs, the wind rustling the tree branches, the rabbits, or other wildlife that may come.

It’s never a bad thing to experience this kind of life

1

one.

One thing I can do is help the poor. One thing I can do is help blind people cross the road.

One thing I can do is pick up trash and banana peels off the ground. I can help.

Tymir Mayo

Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Carter Bouie Jackson-Via Grade

My Dad’s Store

Ilyas Alazazi Greenbrier Grade

My dad’s place is very special because he makes fresh homemade meals that he sells. When I open the door I always see the bright sign that says “OPEN” in white lights. My dad’s place is a store that has a kitchen. There are rusty metal parts in the machine that chops through meat. My dads kitchen also has brown and green frozen foods. Sometimes I do the small cashier and my dad does the big one. The cashier makes the CHING sound. And I also hear the refrigerator running. At the store, there is fresh food that can feel bumpy, smooth, and soft. There are two shelves. I help my dad put food on the shelves. Outside the store, I can see a big sign that says “Hummus Grocery” when I am looking up at the bright sun. That’s why this is a special place for me.

3

Afghanistan

Hekmatullah Haleemi Summit Grade 2

Ilike Afghanistan and Afghanistan is important to me. It has buildings and houses. My family lives there. My grandparents live there. I have 6 grandpas that live there and I have 2 grandmas. My grandma’s house looks abandoned, but inside it looks beautiful! My grandpa’s house is beautiful inside and outside. I care about Afghanistan because it is where my parents lived before. I was born there and my family was born there too! I moved to the U.S.A. when I was 4 years old! I like Afghanistan! I’m proud to be from Afghanistan.

Dress, Pets, and Curiosity

Like a snowflake, I am unique. I love dresses, clothing, dogs and pets. I dream to someday be a vet and have my own clinic. I also wish to have my own pets. Oh how I dream of these things and much more. I do have traits, though. Sometimes I am a chatterbox. I am thoughtful and kind. I am a very curious person. I do travel a lot for my family. I love open spaces and adventures. This is some of the stuff that makes me unique.

Bella Burton CHS Grade 12

Caroline Hill Burnley-Moran Grade 4

Mila Casterline Greenbrier Grade K

Dear Mom and Dad

Naseem Laldare Trailblazer Grade 3

Dear Mom and Dad,

I appreciate when mom makes me tea in the morning and dad makes me happy to come to school. I am grateful when mom makes me happy when I am sad. Thank you dad for driving me to my cousin’s home. I am grateful for my family, my mom and dad.

Love, Naseem

Family

River Henderson

Trailblazer Grade 3

Family loving, encouraging snuggling, cooking, reading always there for me lovingly Hendersons

Home

Charles (“Charlie”) Harper Jackson-Via Grade 2

HomeCozy, beautiful

Eating, Hugging, laughing

Cleaning my big room

Sleeping, playing, watching Gray, happy House

At Grandma's

Kanna Painter Trailblazer Grade K

We went to Grandma’s. We had a feast.

My Grandparents House

Jane Polifka Greenbrier Grade 3

Do you have fun at your grandparents' house? I do. My grandparents’ house is amazing! In the summer I feel stinging jellyfish because they live on the wavy water. They have a hot tub and I hear and feel the gurgling bubbles. I hear the rustling outside on the maple tree and I hear the crunching of the gravel. I also feel it when I am barefoot. I taste the delicious toaster waffles and whip cream and syrup every morning with my cousins. Then I jump into my bathing suit to go on the motorboat to go do some crazy water adventure. My grandpa is very into baseball so is my brother so while I am doing the dishes I constantly hear them talking and watching baseball. I feel my grandpa tickling me. I will definitely never ever ever forget the fun at my grandparents' house and they will always have a special place in my heart

Justice George

Buford

Grade 8

At the Age of 14, Ode to Myself

Leland Bragg Buford Grade 8

Siblings Free Verse

Coraline Cooper Greenbrier Grade 3

Siblings, Are like Pumpkins in a patch, Curved, but scraped, And they are all different Shaped.

My Birthday Party

Iwent to my birthday party. Once I got there, I was surprised. I jumped on the trampoline. I blew my candles out. I had some fun on the trampoline for a while. I went out the door.

At the age 5

I saw a Corvette Z06 and I fell in love with cars. But then I saw a GSXR motorcycle and I fell in love with motorcycles too.

At the age of 12

I experienced driving and riding a sport bike and a couple of cars, I found out i like motorcycles better because I like the feeling of the wind hitting me in the face. This realization took so long because I had to feel what driving was like.

At the age of 17

I know everybody is still telling me it is dangerous and not to get it, but I’m still getting my first motorcycle. In other words, I am being an adrenaline junkie. But I will, we will be careful riding bikes of any kind.

Lexi Dooms Summit Grade K

Violet Jordan Buford Grade 8

100 Today

Nilufer Yavuz Trailblazer Grade 2

Do you have a BFF? I have a best friend! We sometimes argue but that does not mean we are not bffs! Start by saying, “hello!” And say your name. You will get used to him or her and they will get used to you! And you will be BFFs! It might be scary at first but you will get used to it. The person in your friendship can end if you want, but my friend will never end friendship with me ever.

The Mirror

Whenyou look into me

Lucia Jackson

Walker Grade 5

You see my years of knowledge

You’re not just on my wall

But the rain drops dripping down your roof

The smooth lake

The choppy ocean waves

I am the gentle but fierce sky, The rearview mirror on your car

I am everywhere

Always watching you

I can not feel

But l can watch

And I will Till the end of time.

Worth It

Ellery Robinson

Walker Grade 6

Life can be an impossible math problem

A string of hazards thrown at you

The uncertainty of wrong turns

But it’s also a chain

Of happiness and fun

Of great times and love

CHS Grade 12

Onehundred years of thoughts

Things lost

Of cakes and cleaning

100 years of watching

Hearing big noise

Peoples ploys

100 years of feeling

Inward reeling

Sweet smells

100 years of sour hours

Jobs

And obligations

100 years of nods

Silent responses

Dogs

100 years of daisies

Hazy morning waking

100 years of chocolates

Walks, talks, Mary’s frocks

100 years of love

Of moments

Hugs

Elsa Coffey

Halima Talaso CHS Grade 10

Asia Azizi Summit Grade 4

Older

Sasha Kryzhanovskaya Marcopoulos CHS Grade 9

Playdates

turned into coming over

Learning numbers turned into geometry

Picturebooks turned into chapters

A hobby turned into my sport

Birthdays turned into any other day

Tablet turned into a phone

Wearing my mom’s lipstick turned into an everyday routine

Recess to BKT

Blink one eye

And it’s high school

Five years ago I was in elementary

Five years from now I’ll be in college

Wanting to take back all the times

At the Age of 13, Ode to the Depth They Try to Hide

Oriana Farill Buford Grade 8

At the age of 5

I thought of the sunshine that poured across a meadow of daisies. My head was turned away from the waterfall of sorrow and woe, Forced to see the light. Head turned away, I saw the sparkling clear water I once thought was life. My head turned from the animals fighting for a drink.

At the age of 10

Once oblivious to the dark of the night. The deepest depths were hid, just to save us from falling in. They hide, and run when you could just fall. The darkness of the world stains our hearts, our minds, our throats

At the age of 13

I know of the depth. I see the struggle to hang on to the light, yet they all fall, I was once 5 still clinging to the hope of sunshine, flowers, and trees lush and full of greenery, yet the trees will fall, flowers wilt, and sunshine turns to darkness, We all fall.

I will, we will fall, they cannot hide the beauty of the dark any longer. They are afraid we will shine through.

It’s

Why

Why?

Annie Waddell Buford Grade 7

Ilook out

I see the clouds and blue

Why is it blue

What are colors

But I realize nothing is real

Or is it just a dream

Are we in a simulation

How and why

How are we standing

Why

Are friends really friends or are they just people

Why do people enjoy the beach

Is it the sand

Or the rushing waves

What about the animals

They are just living

But what if they're not

What if they have a purpose

What is their purpose

Do humans have a purpose

“What are we made for”-Billie Eilish

We are just destroying the earth

How can we help

But we are helping

It’s not working

Why doesn't everyone want to help

Was earth made for humans or did it just appear

How did we become what we are

Why

I finally wake up

Wake up from contemplating life

I see the beautiful greenery

I don’t understand why

But we just have to keep going

That’s our purpose

To experience emotions

To experience rollercoaster or other things

Or sadness

I realized life is for questions

And its okay to not know why.

Ponder

Elouise Abrahamson

Walker Grade 6

Fire and Ice: opposites

Earth and Air: enemies

Humans and People: Family

So why do we fight each other?

Self Positivity

Jarmoni Elyse Nagle

Walker Grade 6

Self positivity is something great to have. Being positive about yourself is a great thing because when you are positive you can accomplish things that you would not believe you can actually do. Think, “I can’t do it yet.“

When you are being positive to yourself it makes you feel how much worth you have and you see what you can actually accomplish. The world needs more positivity, and it can help people in this world believe in themselves. When I think of positivity I don’t just mean to other people, I also mean to yourself and your brain. One of the things I wake up and say every morning is “Things get hard, but you have to keep moving forward.” In other words, even when things get rough you have to still keep pushing through and don’t give up.

Positivity is something that everyone needs in their life. Being positive is a skill everyone should work on. It is a great way to show love to yourself. Being positive can really make an impact and I hope it does for you. Never forget to be positive to yourself and others.

CHS Grade 9

Just Be You

Violet Jordan Buford Grade 8

In front of you are two doors. One iof which is blue. The other, red. Which one will you enter? Once you enter a door, you cannot go back. Once you enter a door, you will receive a gift based on what door you enter. For the first two doors, I will help you out. The blue door refers to a flower, and the red door is a thorn. Which one?

When will you decide? What will you decide? I see that you are having trouble. I will help you out once more. The door that you enter, will decide the fate of the person behind the door. Which will you choose?

You don’t have an option. You don’t have a choice. You will live with the regret. You are responsible for it. Think about it. DON’T TEST ME. YOU WILL REGRET IT. TWO DOORS. ONE CHOICE. AND JUST YOU.

I Don’t Understand Anymore

Noah Pasanek

Walker Grade 6

Idon’t understand why the sky is blue

I Don’t Know How to Make A Poem

Why the clouds don’t cry but it rains

Why the earth is moving but feels still too

Why rivers and rapids move like trains

But most of all

Why people don’t agree

Why no one gets along

Why we can’t just see

Why no one cares when people are gone

What I understand is that people are not alone

That we can learn to love

That we can call a place home

That we can be happy

Idon’t know how to make poems as I sit and stare

Wondering how can this be fair. I try to think about a rhyme But nothing comes to mind. I think to myself “I’m so bad” So instead of writing I sat there being sad.

Olle Nelson

Walker Grade 6

Luella Smith

Kiley Jones CHS Grade 11

Young Love

Saria Spencer

Lugo-McGinniss Academy Grade 10

Smile

Alana Renshaw Jackson-Via Grade 4

Iwas sad and everyone wanted me to smile. My teeth said they needed light, so I smiled.

The photographer said, “Say cheese,” so I smiled.

The dentist said, “Let me see those pearly whites,” so I smiled.

And then I was Happy again!

Break-up Flight

Coffey CHS Grade 12

There is a hole now

Where my heart used to be

It causes blindness

To The Beauty of the world

As cloudy eyes

Reminisce

Smiles fade and laughter drowns

And our hands

Which For so long

Were grasped

Trhough every memory, kiss, and fight

Began to release themselves

From our hold

As it became harder and harder to keep

As we lay blanketed by the night

The cedar swing beneath us rocks

And light from the other side

Peeks through the quilt

Forming a colossal constellation

Our arms and legs are tangled

Like the roots of a gigantic tree

Burying themselves for warmth

Your fiery lips brush my icy hands

Our hearts beat warmth which Permeates throughout our veins

The chill breeze cannot steal our fire

For so long I only saw myself

In you

And was defined by your hand

Our joined Hands

My wings are weak now

From little use of them

But my heart will grow back

And the hole will be filled

And my wings

My wings will help me

Fly high

To get over you

Elsa

Love Rules

Jasmine Talayia Lelanie Newton CHS Grade 12

It's not often that I come out to express myself

Not in the way I feel on the inside

Sometimes I wonder What happens when a boy. Falls in love with a girl?

When a boy falls in love with a girl

It’s like magic expanding from the eons

A feeling older than time itself

This isn’t just puppy love, this is that type of love where you remember at age 13 when he skinned his knee. The love that makes you feel alive. No, this isn’t just a crush, this is real love. This is that love you feel when you look across a crowded concert and see your forever standing there, looking right back into your eyes

Every time you think about that man, your cheeks flare and your heart starts to pound like a wild drumbeat echoing in your chest

This is that backward love, that forbidden love, that all-I-want-to-do-is-give-you-a-hug love, fill you from the inside out and kiss your lips until I can hear doves love.

He could read you like a book; if he had to describe you, he’d say you were like a fine wine.

If he could put you into words, he’d call you a symphony— complex, rich, and unforgettable

He would thirst for you like a wanderer in the Sahara, searching for the oasis that is you You are the very fire that lights his soul ablaze every morning he wakes up. When he goes to pray, you are the first name that he is to say

That man would move heaven and earth just to bring a spark of warmth back into your life.

Careful

Coretta Powers

CHS Grade 9

Iwasten when my mother first told me how my uncle died

A gun that was supposed to be not loaded

His hands were a bit too careless around the trigger

The bullet was anything but

Whenever I carry a glass I use both hands. I remember when my brother got glass stuck in his foot.

I’ve learned to only carry what my hands can hold

My perfectly painted nails chip and crack. But another layer is always there to cover it

I’m not reckless with the paint and it never smudges

I am so very careful

But my doodles of your face are messy and lazy

The hearts on my homework that makes my teacher raise her eyes

When I think of your name I’m rash and preoccupied

I trip over my laces and spill my drinks

I’m always vigilant to be careful, meticulous in my movements

And yet somehow I’ve made myself a fool

Boys and Cars and Cars and Boys

Amaya Scott

Lugo-McGinness Academy Grade 12

You always say that you listen to me

But your heart is somewhere else I can tell

Like there’s somewhere else you’d rather be

And you don’t hide it all too well

Because in my driveway sits your car

Your money and hard work went into that Jeep

And I know that’s where your mind is, by far

In that prized red metal heap

I could talk and talk about my day

As you stare out the window with a smile

But not for my sake, not my way

Maybe you’ll notice me someday, at least once in a while

Separation

Olivia Heimgartner

Walker Grade 6

An opportunity, A separation. A commitment, A separation.

You get home, I want to cry. You say you miss me, You tell me to get away.

I just want to see you, you’re never home. I see you, you’re tired and grouchy.

I offer hugs, you don’t accept it. You tell me things, I just wish on it.

Why oh why do treat me like this. I miss you, please come back

Mother Let Us Fly

Acaged bird am I

My mother my sweet captor Mother let me fly leashed dog I see Her mother thinks she owns her Mothers set us free

What Makes Me Unique

Yuzu Diehl

Burnley-Moran Grade 1

Ithink I am unique because of my style. I mostly like spooky stuff, even when it is not Halloween.

I am unique because I am pretty tall. I am unique because I am half Japanese.

Tavayah Pettis Jackson-Via Grade 3

Siena Mazzeffi Walker Grade 6

Tension, Meditation

Risa McWhorter Buford Grade 8

The mountain stood, majestic over the lake

Its shadow spread, like ink over the water

Moonlight cutting through the tones of the dark rock

Harsh colors

The moon smiled down over the mirror

That was the smooth, clear body of water

Ripples filled the surface, distorting the Reflection

A division, a contrast of shades

Calm, confident, optimistic blue

Bitter, aggravated, reckless brown

Anxious red

Worried, isolated, helpless

Coming back to the peace and calm

Undisturbed, quiet, untroubled

All is still

Bubbles foam on the surface

Revealing something, unknown

Tension, then the water is Unmoving

Starts to spiral away I don’t know how to get

Back in control over Who I am

It’s all wrong, nothing Makes sense to me and I can’t wrap my head Around it

I wish it would Stop and not come Back, to leave me

All alone

Sharp colors

Bleeding in Cutting me To pieces Tension Released I have Overcome I Start To Meditate

Ceres Shanks

CHS Grade 11

Where I Am From

Iam from waterways and woods.

Tate Santiago

CHS Grade 9

I am from a place overgrown and untouched except by us.

I am from a place where slivers of light reach through the leaves, And where we were “free to learn.”

I am from long lectures and caring clinics.

I am from a place of students and doctors.

I am from a place of professors and patients. And where people go to get their degrees.

I am from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I am from card and board games.

I am from running in the woods, and swimming in the lake.

I am the home of Dave Matthews.

I am from the stadium and the announcer eruption.

I am from libraries and historical buildings. I am from the campus of UVA.

Earth

The Rose

Iwas the rose that grew in the desert, I’ve survived through war and much more, For I am the rose that grew in the desert, I arose from anger, hope, joy, and dread, For I am the rose that grew in the desert, There’s ones who try to push me down but that only made me stronger, For I am the rose that grew in the desert

EarthHabitable, prosperous, Blackening, floating, spinning

Part of the universe

Planet

Nature

Nature changes when leaves fall off trees. Nature changes when it rains. When it gets cold it can snow.

Nathaniel Pelletier Jackson-Via Grade 2

Jayden Baraka Greenbrier Grade 1

Julia Jackson Walker Grade 5

Demareya Mosley CHS Grade 12

Behind

Dina Yousif Johnson Grade 3

Flowers are pretty

The shining leaves are budding

The wind is real cool

The Feel of Leaves

George Barling

Johnson Grade 4

WhenI step on leaves

I feel the crunch, crunch super satisfying feel brown or yellow They feel the same. then you feel the parts of the leaves prickly on your toes crunch, crunch Is how it feels on your toes.

Just behind. the last of the sun had gone shadows were gathering, The half-moon, shining through watery beams of light their gnarled branches but there was water and he was thirsty.

Plants Haiku

Plants are really cool. Spiny cacti hurt a lot. Tall trees touch the sky.

All

Astory, a lake

The grass The breeze it brings Some sky Some clouds Some ground In a wide world

A wide day

All

Nature

Naturegreen, peaceful growing, healing, trickling amazing helper, very needed Wildlife!

Adeline Jordan Walker Grade 6

Gia Carter Trailblazer Grade PK

Isaac Tabony Summit Grade 3

Niyaish Qazikhail Walker Grade 5

Silas Dumansky Trailblazer Grade 3

Whispers Of The Stars

Madeleine Belle Alimard CHS Grade 9

Above, the stars in a silence gleam, Flickering like a distant dream

Their ancient light, so cold and so bright, Casts shadows deep into the night

Each one a story, lost in time, A cosmic rhythm, pure and prime

Spinning far beyond our view, Yet so close, enough to pierce the blue

They whisper secrets, old and true, Of galaxies, of skies once new Of fires, born in endless skies, Of lives that bloomed, and met their ties

The moon, a witness, soft and pale Watches as their tales unveil In the vastness, they are free, A dance of light, of a mystery

And in their glow, I find my place, A fleeting thought, a quiet trace

For in the stars, I see the art, Of endless dreams and boundless heart

What is the Mystery

Vera Mills Buford Grade 8

The moon in the night Or the sun in the sky

In the water

During the summer Or the fall

But that’s not all Streaks of white

Maybe light

Go down deep

Into the sea

Where they are found

You can drown

What seems dark

May be art

Blue and black

It doesn’t lack What is the mystery

Where is the history Secrets a secret

Take it or leave it

Bahara Noori

Johnson Grade 3

It All Stands Out

Yasmine Arevalo Buford Grade 8

Vibrant colors fly through the light

As the sun set late into the night

They watch as the colors float away and say goodnight

As the shadows start taking flight

The bright green grass dark and light

From far away it doesn’t seem so bright

The grass Swaying in delight

As the wind howls in the darkening night

Black and white zebra-stripe

The bus that seems just the type

The fact that its all black and white

The black and white that stand out and hide in the night

The dark clouds starting to take flight

Casting shadows on everything in sight

The dark clouds daring to attack during the night

Causing terror and fright as they stray into the night

Their colorful hats hide them from the sun

The breeze that comes all so sudden

The night sky that’s just awoken

The words that are all unspoken

Noelle Ward Walker Grade

6

Meditation

Isee the sun changing from dusk to dawn

But I feel very relaxed

Water runs freely

The waves are splashing

I feel calm

In my mind

I feel the waves changing color

Blue, green, and brown

It looks like land

That I can walk on

And feel the wind

I feel meditated

Like I’m flying through the sky

With wings

I see land

Rough waves

Dark sky

I wonder what’s changing

The sun is going dark

I think my meditation is done.

Above the Clouds

Above the clouds is only a dream,

Above the clouds is the world we could never have,

Above the clouds is a place where there is peace,

Above the clouds is a place I someday wish to go.

Gabby Ayala Rivera Buford Grade 8

Clara McCready

Walker Grade 6

Spencer Mathews Jackson-Via Grade 4

Weather

Tomiwa Adekanmi

Greenbrier Grade 2

Weather

Weatherraining

snowing blowing hailing lightning flashing

Stormy

Stormylightning coming something happening shocking can’t be outside trees can fall over turn wifi off

Grace Carter

Greenbrier Grade 2

Weather

snow

summer

wind

rain

clouds

lightning

thunder tornado

outdoor

When it Rains

Bimon Rai

Greenbrier Grade 2

Hazel Lee Trailblazer Grade 4

Whenever it rains I like to go outside. When I am outside I see tiny raindrops falling from the dark and cloudy sky. I see puddles and earthworms. I see water on the ground.

I hear the pitter patter of the rain when it hits the roof. I hear the water trickling down the gutter and down the pipes.

I hear people walking past me me in the big puddles. I hear distant thunder and cars driving through the flooded streets.

I feel the cold rain on my face when I look up at the sky and the cool air. I see and feel the hard winds that make the trees sway. I feel the cold water going into my boots and soaking my socks.

Samrit Rai Greenbrier Grade 2

RainRain is fun to watch and rain is fun to listen to and you can drink the water soaking and flooding splashing

If I Were...

Summer Harlow Greenbrier Grade 2

If I were a rainbow I would shine down on the kids If I were a rainbow I would make people happy If I were a rainbow I would be colorful

The Storm

WorkingCourtney Clare Burnley-Moran Grade 3

hard and fast to escape the incoming danger of the storm.

Cutting up the prickly plant and almost cutting themselves again and again as the sky darkens up. While they rush…and rush… and rush.

Now the wind is howling and the plants are swaying and they are on their final cut… Now the work is done and they can wait out the storm in peace.

Maggie Fitzpatrick Jackson-Via Grade 4

Weather

Daniela Madrid Maldonado Greenbrier Grade 2

Weather

raining

shining

snowing

blowing

freezing

Floods in the World

Makenzie Hansberry Trailblazer Grade 2

Floods are dangerous. Floods can be bad. Floods can make us feel really really sad. Water can get in your house Water will go into your room. You better get out fast! Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!

Tornado

Bennett Nelson Greenbrier Grade 2

Tornadoes are strong like king kong they can be dangerous they are scary not like fairies they’re twisty they twist around with a swoosh! and crash on the ground it can flood really high stay inside go to a safe place so you don’t get hurt the windows can shatter like a platter they are not fun you better run

What I Feel in the Fall

Jaedai Johnson Trailblazer Grade 4

What I Feel in the Fall

When it’s fall I love the smell. It’s like a rose, such a beautiful thing, a blessing. It smells like cinnamon. It smells like angels coming down.

I love seeing leaves, the colorful ones are the best. You can almost see Halloween. One of the best things, the most magnificent sights of fall is truly one of the best of times, the change of colors.

I love the feel of fall leaves. If one were to jump in the leaves, they surround you like a warm blanket. I would say life is great truly so good. You can’t hate the leaves, they are so soft.

Flood

Dylan Koenig

Greenbrier Grade 2

The Best Season

Hazel Perkinson Greenbrier Grade 1

Fall is the best season. The leaves fall off the trees and I like to rake them. Also I love the red, orange, brown, and yellow leaves too. I pick apples all the time. The weather is not too hot and not too cold. I also love Halloween because we can trick or treat. I love to watch some fall movies too. Some of my friend’s birthdays are in fall. Sometimes I can see plays. It’s fun!

Fall

Isee leaves: red, yellow, and orange. I see leaves falling on the ground.

I hear black and red birds chirping and flying around in the sky.

I feel the wind blowing in the air.

Seasons, Not Reasons

Fall is the best time to rest

Then comes winter

The leaves will wither

Up next is spring

The warmth is coming

At last, here comes summer

The heat is here, that’s a bummer

Now back to fall

Time to play football

Here comes Jack Frost

Everyone else is bossed

Flowering is happening

Who’s ready for the raining?

Days in the sun are here

Time for adults to drink beer

These are the seasons

What are the reasons?

Well, that’s another rhyme

This is a bad time

Calvin Howard Walker Grade 6

Jasaun Hamilton-Godfrey Summit Grade 2

Ivy Miller Summit Grade 2

Snowy Days

Weather

Zooey Sanderson Trailblazer Grade

In the bitter cold when it snows, I see a white blanket.

Then when I walk outside the snow cracks, cracks, cracks under my feet.

While it snows, snows, snows, and snows.

I hear a crunch crunch of my feet on the snow. Such a nice sound.

When I sled down the hills speedy fast. And when I stop walking back up the hill and go again, again, and again,

So bundled up tight for a cold winter's day.

I Like Winter

Ilike to make snowman

2

Fabio Greenbrier Grade 2

Hali O’Shea Burnley-Moran Grade

I like to sled - AAAAAA! I like to throw snowballs at my brother I like to do snow angels.

My Favorite Winter Activity

1

Hazel Edwards Burnley-Moran Grade

My favorite winter activity is a snowball fight. First, me and my siblings get ready. We get snow pants on and jackets! We put on overalls and go outside. Then I make a snowball and I throw it at either Asa or Naomi. Freja can’t make a snowball yet so I have to do it for them. Sometimes Asa throws it at Freja and she gets hurt! We have so much fun. I find a bucket and I fill it with snow. I dump it on Asa and then he throws a snowball at me! We have so much fun!

1

Drew

Eric Immanuel Trailblazer Grade 1

Winter List Poem

Willa Chow Greenbrier Grade 2

WINTER

Winter

Soft and white snow

White and shiny

Cold

Frosty

White and gray clouds

Falling snow

Ice

Slippery

Freezing

Cold winds

Crunching snow

Ringing icicles

Days are shorter

Nights are longer

Leaves falling

Grass getting covered

Plants drooping

Bare trees

Shiny ice

Jeremy Lopez Portillo Jackson-Via Grade 2

With my family

I like to play snowball fights

Next to a friend

The snow is fun!

Even in the cold,

Running towards the sled.

The Mitten

ATenzin Seldon Greenbrier Grade K

puppy crawled into the mitten because it was cuddly.

Winter

Anson Schafer Burnley-Moran Grade 2

My favorite winter activity is to go sledding. When I go sledding I like to make jumps and try to jump off them. I like to sled on the belly with the sled my dad bought for me a couple of years ago. I usually go sledding in the afternoon and sled until sundown. I usually go down the steepest hill I can find!

I go sledding with my family and friends like Llewyn, James, Hawks and Graham. Once Llewyn invited me over to his house to go sledding. Llewyn has a HUGE hill in his backyard and he and his sisters build a track to go sledding on. The track has a curve that twists you sideways and it goes under a rope bridge. It ends at their fence.

Things to Do in the Snow

Julius Eubanks

Burnley-Moran Grade 4

In the winter I like to go sledding, have a snowball fight, and make snow angels. I also like to take my dogs out and run with them in the snow. I put juice in the snow and eat it. I give my dogs their own snowballs to eat. I slide down on the hills on my back. Then I shovel up all the snow and build a big tower.

What I Plan to Do in the Winter

Ameer White

Burnley-Moran Grade 4

When

it’s winter I like to drink hot chocolate. When it snows I try to make a snowman. If it’s just all ice I will throw the ice on the ground. I watch movies like Home Alone and Angry Birds. Also, in winter I just like to sleep a lot, or just chill in the bed.

The Mitten

Isaac Ruckman

Greenbrier Grade K

Adragon crawled into the mitten because it was warm in the mitten.

Winter

Mikaela Silver

Burnley-Moran Grade 2

My favorite winter activity is cross country skiing in West Virginia at White Grass. My family takes the ski lift at Cannon Valley West Virginia and then we ski some more. I like to go on the snow farm loop. It is really fun! There is a big hill on it and there is an even bigger hill after that. After we ski, we eat great homemade soup!

Snowflakes

Kingzdyn-Moku Puaauli

Jackson-Via Grade 2

Snowflakes falling

Near the big lake

On the branches in Winter

If I Lived in a Snow Globe

Lilah Thacker Johnson Grade 2

If I lived in a snow globe it would be themed “popstar” and I would have disco balls, Taylor Swift, and Cyndi Lauper. I would have a ginormous cake, little cupcakes, and snow. It is so much fun!

I Am Unique

IamLuna Allen-Massie

Burnley-Moran Grade 1

unique like a snowflake. I am unique because of my hair. My mom does my hair for me.

If I Were...

Silas Jordan

Greenbrier Grade 2

If I were a blizzard I would give the kids a day off If I were a blizzard I would snow so much that my snow melts two weeks later

If I were a blizzard I would make kids sled, sled, sled

The Best Season

Winter is the best season. I can make a snowman. You can wear a sweater.

The Cabin in the Woods

Yama Safi

Johnson Grade 4

The cabin in the woods spying on me. The trees became white after snow. The cabin glowed its shiny eyes through the white trees. The trees became heavier after snow. The sun shined inside the cabin.

My Winter

4

Every morning when I see snow out the window I tell my family. We do not go outside immediately. First we eat breakfast. Then we take my dog out. After taking out my dog we stay inside for a couple of minutes. Then when my parents say we can go outside we do snowball fights. My favorite thing to do in the winter is be with my family.

Willa Chow Greenbrier Grade 2

John Roblero Burnley-Moran Grade

Christabelle Lemus Morales Greenbrier Grade 1

Winter

Jude Meier

Walker Grade 6

What is fun in winter?

It is lots of fun!

Nearly zero things are bad!

The snow is so fun...

Especially the hot chocolate!

Relax in winter.

CHRISTMAS

Cold

Holiday

Reading Chrstmas stories

Icicles

Santa Claus

Tree

Merry Christmas

And Happy New Year

Snowflake

Winter

Cristian Meyer

Walker Grade 6

SLEIGHS

Vera Sheynkman

Trailblazer Grade 4

Sledding Let’s

Everybody In Good

Hanukkah

Spirit

Christmas

Warm under my covers

In my cozy bed

Next to my favorite stuffed animal

The snow falls softly outside

Evergreen trees slowly turning white

Reindeer hooves on the roof

Presents under the Christmas tree

A peppermint aroma hangs in the air

Festive music swirls around me

Chocolate melts in my mouth

A blanket wraps around me as soft as snow

Christmas

Ellie Mason

Walker Grade 6

Chance LIttlefield

Trailblazer Grade 4

Leeds Harmon Greenbrier Grade K

Gabriela Utz

Greenbrier Grade 2

Pick A Season

Kaleb Lampe

Greenbrier Grade 1

It feels warm. I see flowers. I hear birds. I smell flowers. I taste water. This is spring.

My Favorite Holiday Memory: Eid

Husna Azizi Summit Grade 1

My favorite holiday is Eid. I play with my friends, I get money, and we eat. One Eid, I played outside with my friends. It was fun! We ate food, we ate good food. We ate soup, rice, cherries, and healthy food. We got money from people and from mom and dad. I put my money in my piggy bank.

Spring

Ximena Rodriguez Castellanos Greenbrier Grade 2

Spring playing swimming splashing growing

Pick A Season

John Benusa Greenbrier Grade 1

My season is spring. I see babies being born. I feel the sun shining on my face. I smell flowers blooming. I hear animals. I taste ice cream.

Thankful Seeley Johnson Grade 2

Green

Lola Fisher Walker Grade 6

Greena four-leaf clover the grass on the ground spring leaves on my hand the rustling spring leaves the rippling grass the breeze on my face the mint cookie melting in my mouth those chives the green beans on Thanksgiving those pine trees that scarf I love the leaf I picked and the feeling of growing

A Beautiful Summer Day

Santiago Puentes Gutierrez Summit Grade 2

I’mlaying and the sun is shining on me. I see birds chirping in front of a tree. I’m playing outside. I look at the sky. The wind makes the leaves fly. The grass is itchy and an ant crawls on me. I shook it off and then I planted a tree.

St. Patrick’s Day

L1

ast year at school, on St. Patrick’s Day, my teachers and classmates saw the mess from the Leprechaun. There was even green in the toilet! After specials, we tried to find the Leprechaun but he ran away. He left notes all over the school for us. When we got back to the classroom, we found treasure that he left us. The Leprechaun left us chocolate coins and fake money. That was my favorite holiday memory because we went on a treasure hunt, it was fun, and my friends were there.

Summer’s Weather

Do you hear that? It’s the birds. Listen to them sing. Do you feel happy? Roll down a hill as you fill with joy. Go to a park and feel happy. Do you like popsicles? A cold treat to have in summer. Yum.

Green

Green is a slimy frog in a pond. Green is a sharp blade of green grass growing from the dirt.

Green is an emerald that comes from a rock. Green is a bitter apple that comes from a very tall tree.

Green is in a rainbow after it rains.

Green is a leaf on a tree in the spring. Green is seaweed that rises from the sea. Green is the color that is full of joy.

Lilith Sadacca Summit Grade

Lucia Cox Summit Grade 2

Nadia Salazar Fraire Buford Grade 8

WhitmanTurner

Johnson Grade 3

The Sun

Kasiyah Anderson-Sims Walker Grade 5

One day the sun came down from the sky like a human. He provided heat everywhere to the point people were burning so bad they were put in the hospital. But one day the Sun was asleep and the Moon came down to the point it was freezing. When the Sun woke up and saw his brother Moon, he was surprised. One day Moon went out by himself and people got frostbite. But if the moon and Sun went out together the temperature would be just right and it made Spring.

Sufi Zada Walker Grade 6

The Best Season

Imran Idris Greenbrier Grade 1

Summer is the best season. I like summer because I can watch T.V. Summer is good because the sun keeps us warm. I like summer because July 26th is my birthday.

Hay Fever

Rose Brennan-Wilkinson CHS Grade 10

Summer got going like a slick-greased wheel Sidewalks sweating cigarettes, your bright hair

Redder than the sun on a Monday morning.

The cows laid down that summer. I heard somewhere that calls for rain -

But we didn’t get any, and come September no cow rose from our yards.

Just onion grass, and it grew like carrots, waiting to close its mouth on the shaggy cattle. Even the well downtown went dry.

Hundred girls lined up on the rim of the Page County pool, posing for a beauty pageant and you ran off crying in jags, past the six blonde Avon evangelists selling blush from the snack bar on the way out, advertising like their lives depended on it, and maybe they did. Who am I to say?

I studied hogs, you learned to drive while an army of moths beat the side of your car, starving for that driver’s side light.

You know all this.

The bricked-up failure breaking into the high school on a dare, the hazy midnight you spent outside your father’s bar.

All this to say.

You weren’t the same after August, melting into somebody else in that red-bruise summer heat.

Murtaza

The Woman Who Weeps by the River

Safalani Opombo Buford Grade 8

Every winter she comes by the river. She sits by the river’s edge and weeps there for hours her tears are like pearls in Twilight’s tone. As the light in the sky disappears she admires the beautiful river.

. The moonlight reflection dances on the stream. The river whispers tales of old, of love and loss, of hearts grown cold. She listens to the water’s songs And wonders where she might belong. Her gown of silk was now drenched in tears.

By the river’s edge, once a woman who weeps by the river her tears like pearls in shadows deep. The willow tree bent over to touch her cheek, in a feeling of silent sorrow, her words grew weak.

But now summer has come the sun has found her face the summer warmth brings a sweet embrace The woman who once weeps her heart once heavy, now feels light, As days grow long and dream take flight. The flowers bloom where tears once fell, in fields of joy, and her spirit swells. Her laughter as she dances on the breeze, No more weeps by the side of the river, for in her soul, pure bliss resides. Now she finds her peace in the summer’s glow. Her days of sadness and sorrow have fled ,they’ve turned to cheer, in the summer’s light, her heart is clear.

Summer

Dreaux Robinson Greenbrier Grade 2

Summer chilling getting ice cream

cooling

relaxing

diving

melting

trying

Those Summer Evenings

Iris Bedford Buford Grade 7

Ilistened to the song of the waves crashing on the shore. The faint laughter of my family lingered in the air. I stared past the water and at the copper and gold sun slowly dipping into sleep. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, absorbing the last bit of daylight. A soft smile formed on my face as I turned to my cousins. They were all in their thoughts, eyes closed or distant. I sighed and lolled my head against my shoulder. I didn’t realize how much I treasured these little moments, even when I knew no one else would remember them.

The tough truth was that after each year, it’s never the same. I remember the old house. The dark greyish-blue one with the big balconies, right off of the beach. The one that fit our huge family comfortably. Our room, the one with all the bunk beds. I remembered the little things, too. The broken piece of plywood barely supports the mattress on the left side beds. The red fridge in the basement where the adults tried to hide the ice pops. The crabs we had to rescue from the pool whenever they crawled in from the sand. The last night we stayed there, we wrote little messages in the closet.

Waves

Waves Blue glistening

Shimmering in the sun

Crashing to the Floor and Disappearing in Bubbles

And white foam leaving Different treasures of the Sea. We ride you and play in you. You Climb up to a great peak then crash down With a splash. You tickle my toes and spray my body–Big, blue, shining, pretty, giant, frothy majestic waves

The Ocean a Two Part Haiku

Keep the ocean clean It shouldn’t be polluted We must keep it clean

Please, love the ocean It holds so many cool life forms They deserve to live

Zia Kamide and Lillian Walters Walker Grade 5

Olivet Nguyen Jackson-Via Grade 4

Justice George Buford Grade 8

Maggie

Bennett-McConnell Walker Grade 6

The Beach

Isee the blue ocean.

Amelie Zehmer Jackson-Via Grade K

I hear the waves and seagulls. I feel the warm sand.

I taste snacks at my family’s picnic. I smell sunscreen.

Summer Is...

Virginia Luzar

Greenbrier Grade 2

SUMMER IS…

Very warm

Very hot, and it sure is sunny a lot!

Birds Chirping Tweet, tweet, tweet!

Wow! Summer is very neat.

Rainy days, stormy days, cloudy days, sunny days.

Frogs jumping, owls hooting, butterflies flapping.

Green trees, fresh fruit, flowers blooming. Waterfalls falling, kids splashing in water, falling rain, blue skies.

Days are longer, nights are shorter, cool breezes, trees blowing.

Crabs

Tanayshia Wilson Jackson-Via Grade 1

RedClaws

Pinch, Pinch

In a blue ocean and on a tan beach

Surfing

Amelia Despot

Greenbrier Grade 3

Surfing is an amazing sport to play.

Surfing is popular in many countries including Australia, Brazil, France, and more. Boards less than 7 feet are considered small boards. Surfers use a surfboard to surf on with a string connected to their ankle. In surfing, the surfer lies, kneels, sits, or stands. Surfing is a fun sport to do. You have to move your arms and legs and that exercises your body. You will learn to balance really well. Surfing will teach you how to be tough.

Sandcastle Cinquain

Allen Jackson-Via Grade 3

Trying

To build a small Sandcastle at Disney Land and my brother knocked it down So mad!

Leia

Unsavable

Emily Collins Buford Grade 8

Far from the shore line

A cargo ship lays

The ocean sparkles with moonshine

But the tide grows with each passing wave

The sea turns thick

It is infected with muck

Strong enough to make you sick

Even enough to make you stuck

The sea turns against you

With not another ship in sight

Your brain fogs with mildew

As you start to become affright

Your stomach begins to turn

All around you goes dark

Your body is self-concerned

The sea makes its mark

A wave rises

You turn away

It comes at you in great sizes

This is no child’s play

You are engulfed by water

Air is no longer available

The ocean has come to slaughter

You are no longer savable

If I Were...

Miranda Perez Diego

Greenbrier Grade 2

Shipwreck

ItAbigail Kammauff Burnley-Moran Grade 3

looks like the ocean at night.

There was a strong wave that hit the ship.

The ship sank.

Everyone was safe.

You can see the light from the ship, shining under water.

You can see fish shining in the light.

The moon is bright.

The ship has been there now for over one hundred years.

Buford Grade 8

Seals

If I were hot weather

I would make kids go to the pool

If I were hot weather

I would make kids play outside

If I were hot weather

I would make people watch sunsets

Isee an Arctic seal. Seals have flippers to steer.

Jackson-Via Grade K

Marguerite Singerman

Olly Buckner

Dolphins

Emily Fragoso Rodriguez Greenbrier Grade 4

Dolphins are special creatures. They move their tail and flukes up and down to swim. They use two flippers and a dorsal fin to steer the dolphin. They use echolocation to find food. They use their flippers to find food and predators. Dolphin use blowholes on their heads to breathe family. A female dolphin gives birth to one calf at a time. Also, dolphins often leap out of the ocean. Dolphins breathe air in. It is known to be a quiet and intelligent mammal.

Dolphins use their sense of hearing to detect sound waves. The sound waves they produce bounce off objects in the water, which allows them to detect even a small fish more than 300 feet away. Dolphins have echolocation. Dolphins are mammals in the order of Cetacea. This is why dolphins are amazing creatures.

All About Orcas

Did you know that orcas can’t breathe underwater? And do you like cold baths? If you do, you are like an orca. Just because orcas eat dolphins doesn’t mean they’re bad.

Orcas are part of the dolphin family. Orcas are black and white. A male orca is 20-24 ft. long and a female is 16-26 ft., cool right? A female is much bigger. Orcas have a large fin on the top of their back and they have smooth skin.

Did you know that some orcas live in the Pacific Ocean, but you don’t have to go to the Pacific Ocean to see an orca because … ORCAS LIVE ALL OVER THE WORLD! But don’t get too excited because they are found in cold areas. If you think that they live on the shore you are wrong. They live at the bottom.

Are you still here? Did you know orcas can’t breathe underwater? They breathe with a blowhole. It’s kinda like your nose because they use it to breathe. Like you use a blanket to stay warm, they use blubber which is like fat. Did you know that orcas move in pods, or groups, to get food and they communicate by clicking sounds?

That was a lot! I learned a lot and orcas are interesting animals. All orcas are special because of all the facts we learned today.

Kaiya Anderson Summit Grade 4

Emily Collins Buford Grade 8

Horia Bakhshi CHS Grade 11

Environment

Animals get hurt

The fish eat plastic

Asraa Khalili Jackson-Via Grade

They get mistaken and eat the wrong food

The fish go on meals and get eaten by humans who never see

4

Blobfish

Matthew Kryzhanovski Marcopoulos

Greenbrier Grade

4

Did you know that blobfish are voted the ugliest fish in the world? Blobfish use their slimy mouths to suck up mollusks. Some people call a blobfish Mr. Blobby. Blobfish live between 2,000 to 4,000 feet deep.

Blobfish use their senses of taste and sight to thrive in the deep sea. Blobfish do not have bones or muscles. Blobfishes' soft tissue is toggled with water and fat which both protects the Blobfish from surrounding pressure and enables it to move easier across the sand. That’s why BLOBFISH are UNIQUE and SPECIAL!!!!!

Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos have dots and spots like polka-dots, their skin is bumpy and lumpy, like shells on the beach

Rain Frog

ILiam Bush

Jackson-Via

Grade 3

’m a rain frog, fat, and plump. My war cry sounds like this: reeeEEEEEeeEeeeeeeek!

My yawn is the same– really annoying.

they have big mouths to fit big bugs, as they eat them they start to screech, their tails are big to fit all their food it’s like having a fridge on their tail; it makes sure

the food doesn’t get stale, their legs are small, but still very fast, their bodies are small and not very tall, they’re still very cute, to me anyway, when I leave for school I tell mine, “Good day!”

Agnes Throneburg Jackson-Via Grade 3

Liam Adams Jackson-Via Grade 3

Deus Chatowsky

Johnson Grade 4

Alligators

Felix Lhospital

Jackson-Via Grade 1

All About Komodo Dragons

Alden Lee

Trailblazer Grade 1

Do you want to know more about Komodo dragons? Read this paper to find out more. Komodo dragons live in Komodo. Komodo is inland in Indonesia.

Komodo dragons eat anything they can find. Did you know that Komodo dragons can live for 50 years? Can you believe that Komodo dragons can smell 7 miles away? Komodo dragons are the world's largest lizards.

Green and long and spiky

One thousand pounds Silent

Floating in a swamp

How the Turtle Got Its Shell

Abdulrazaq Jimoh Trailblazer Grade 1

Turtles have shells to protect them. Turtles live in the sea.

One day the turtle was laying in the sun and with rocks and with sunglasses on. Turtle watched the sun rise then his friend came. His friend is a shark.

Turtle jumped up and caught a breath and the turtle went back down and ate. Then the turtle slept. Someone came and it was his friend shark. They decided to race. In the race the turtle fell on a shell it stuck to him. Shark won the race. Turtle was so happy.

Turtle liked his shell because it was pretty and protected him. From then on turtles had shells on their back.

Komodo Dragons

Lucas Dunaway

Greenbrier Grade 4

Did you know that Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world? They can be as long as 10 feet! Komodo dragons are amazing creatures because of how they use their senses. Thick hard scales cover their body. The scales can be gray, brown, or green. They live on islands in southeastern Indonesia. To stay nice and cool Komodo dragons hide in underground burrows. Young Komodo dragons live in trees to stay safe. They can live for 50 years!

Komodo dragons are very good swimmers. It helps them survive because some animals cannot swim very well. They use their forked tongue to smell prey. They can smell 7 miles away from their prey. Once they get their prey, they kill with a venomous bite. Komodo dragons are unique creatures and use their senses to survive in their environment.

Anacondas

Elliot Decker Summit Grade 4

Do you eat a large meal and then not eat for a month? Well, if you said yes you might be an anaconda. They have a large body because it stretches so the big meal can fit. Anacondas are really big and I like really big creatures. They are also very deadly and not cuddly.

Anacondas are 20 to 30 feet long and are 400 to 550 pounds. Their scales are very smooth, and soft. All snakes cannot see or hear very well. Some snakes have hoods, which are retractable and from the back it looks like a face, but anacondas don’t have one because they are already huge.

When I think of home sweet home I think of a house that has all the things I want but an anaconda snake might think about a forest with some water to swim in. They live in the Amazon rainforest really close to the water. They also sometimes live in meadows.

Anacondas are carnivores. Baby anacondas eat insects, frogs, lizards, and other small stuff. Adult anacondas are able to eat bigger things like caiman, deer, and capybaras.

Anacondas have many adaptations that help them survive. Some snakes bite their prey with fangs while others squeeze their prey to kill them. They have a big body to squeeze their prey so tight the prey stops breathing and dies. Anacondas love to swim in rivers to cool down. Snakes don’t have eyelids, instead they have seethrough scales that cover and protect each eye. Anacondas are cute and interesting creatures.

Cockroach

Ziggy (Joseph) Colston

Walker Grade 6

Iam a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Orange and Black as a Tiger

I Hiss Whenever I feel in danger or to mate I Carry A lot of Nymphs and I’m able to lay them all at once

I can be used as a rescue animal if people are missing.

I can protect myself by using my shell as armor I am a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

Daffron Hendrick

Walker Grade 6

The soothing hisses

The Heart of Madagascar

A cockroach is love

Halbert Jackson-Via Grade 2

Butterfly

Dominic Sinclair

Jackson-Via Grade 3

You are like a butterfly. You don’t need to be told you’re pretty because you already know.

Zoe

Blue Jays

Penguins

Blue, black and white

With crests

Squeaking

In the tall trees

Black and white

It’s a good swimmer

Feathers protect it from the cold

Living on ice in Antarctica

Owls

Owls are hunters of many places

They can turn their heads at a 360 degree angle always looking

Feathery eyebrows, giving you that glare of chills

Gathering food while winter is cooling

Beaks and talons as sharp as a sword

Having a party during the night

This is my purpose as an owl

Now it is time for me to take flight

If I Could Be an Animal for One Day

Duck

Green and yellow

Webbed feet

Quacking, quacking

In a lake

I think I would be a peregrine falcon. Peregrine falcons can fly 100 miles per hour. They are also predators and scavengers. They can be 100 years old, too. They have been around the world since the dinosaurs. They are one of the biggest birds in the world! They also can catch fish with their talons. Not all birds can do that.

Natalie Russo Jackson-Via Grade 1

Etta Goodall Jackson-Via Grade 3

Harmony Woodfolk CHS Grade 9

Enzo Comazzi Johnson Grade 2

Kailah Murray Jackson-Via Grade 1

Graham Dontanville Jackson-Via Grade 1

COLOR GALLERY

Vivi Vaughn CHS Grade 9

David Jaffe CHS Grade 11

Lisa Wuenschmann-McCoy CHS Grade 12

Kes Rodgers CHS Grade 12

Alainah Smith Walker Grade 5

Spencer Boggs CHS Grade 12

Kyrie Gregory Walker Grade 6

Pippa Schoenthal

CHS Grade 10

Londyn Randolph CHS Grade 9

Yashwin Gunda Walker Grade 5

Emmet Leclere CHS Grade 9

Bahar Madad Yar Buford Grade 8

Nathaniel Pelletier Jackson-Via Grade 2

Lyla Eicher

CHS Grade 9

Mila Haynes Johnson Grade 2

Elizabeth Bennett Buford Grade 8

Demory Bernard Walker Grade 5

Joana Lopez Saucedo CHS Grade 9

Zadie Maness CHS Grade 10

Pickle Walker Trailblazer Grade 2

Ellie Bleakley CHS Grade 9

Negeen Saidal Walker Grade 5

Amalia Hicks CHS Grade 12

Eve Shareck CHS Grade 11

Sofie Yoder

CHS Grade 11

Donovin Mundie

CHS Grade 10

Melody Layne

CHS Grade 10

Bianka Roblero Walker Grade 6

Arnold Opombo Jackson-Via Grade 2

Courtney Millard CHS Grade 11

Lilah Bentley Tobias

CHS Grade 10

Laela Bell

CHS Grade 9

George Love CHS Grade 11

Drew Fabio Greenbrier Grade 2

Kennedy Davis Jackson-Via Grade 4

Elena Speidel CHS Grade 9

Faye Lorigan Buford Grade 8

Van Miller CHS Grade 12

Axel Wendling Burnley-Moran Grade K

Nakiya Daniels CHS Grade 10

My Favorite Place

Madeleine Kohler Greenbrier Grade 3

In the woods on my way to school there is a creek, that creek is one of my favorite places in the world! In the woods I see the trees and lots of birds. Sometimes I see a bunny eating the grass. Once I saw a deer crossing the water! It was soooo cool! I sometimes see some fish in the water! It is so special! I always see clumps of leaves in the water with sticks. There is always a rock or 2. I have always wanted to touch the water, and this summer I did! When I touched it felt cold. The rocks are hard with a bit of moss to soften it. I usually hear the crickets calling to me as I walk by. The birds dance to their own song, singing to me. Sometimes when I cross the bridge I hear the grass saying bye to me. The squirrels are always chit chatting to me and I hear “what’s up!” When I smell the air I smell the maples' sap in the fall. In the winter I feel like it’s a bit dull without the nice smells filling the air. In the spring I feel happy with the nice smell of new baby animals filling the air. I have never walked in the summer because we are too busy. I don’t usually taste anything but air and when I do sometimes I taste fresh air and sweat rolling down my cheek and into my mouth which tastes salty and wet. When I leave I feel kind of sad so you can see why I love this creek.

Gorillas

Logan Guler Trailblazer Grade 1

Do you want to know more about Gorillas?

Read and find out more!

Gorillas live in central Africa. They live in the rainforest.

Gorillas eat fruit that grows in the rainforests. They also eat bamboo.

Gorillas weigh 66 pounds! They can smile. They can laugh. They get water from the food that they eat.

Cheetahs

Gwenyth (“Gwenny”) Benedict, Jackson-Via Grade 1

Tan and black

Fast

Growling

On the African Savanna

Travel

Omar Talaso Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Iam going to Africa.

I will drive in a car. I can see lions and zebras. I can visit the world’s largest hot desert.

How the Lion Got its Mane

TheLion is a meat eater. They eat antelope. Lions have very sharp claws.

His story takes place in Africa. Lions have very strong jaws and their teeth are very sharp.

One day Lion was walking and walking and walking. He was walking to get food. Lion saw food and took a bite. Then pop his mane came out! The food tasted good. But something didn’t feel right. He felt a mane on his neck.

He ran home. Mom, dad look at my new mane! How did you get that mane? I think it's something I ate! It was a piece of meat. It was a good piece of meat.

Calvino Canfora Trailblazer Grade 1

9

How the Giraffe Got Its Spots

Garrett Greenwood Trailblazer Grade 1

My main character is a giraffe. It has spots. My giraffe is my main character. Do you know how the giraffe got his spots?

My giraffe lives in the zoo. But he used to be wild, but now he lives in the zoo.

A long time ago giraffe did not have spots. He was yellow and he lived in the zoo and he had friends, birds and chickens. One day the giraffe was tired. Bird was feeding her baby and the chicken was sitting on her eggs.

One day the giraffe was waiting for food and water and it was 90 degrees and he was sitting. And then he was burnt and there was no shade. He kept getting burnt until he had been outside for too long. For a while he did not know that he had spots from the sun.

Until one day the giraffe knew that his spots were special.

All About Eagles

Elmer Chang Trailblazer Grade 1

My animal is the eagle. It is a large bird. Read this to find out more! They live all over the world, except in cold places. Eagles eat other animals. They eat small animals. The eagle is the United States' symbol.

Monkey

Brown and white Long arms Swinging In the jungle

Reindeer

Reindeer walking in the crunchy white flakes of snow, their fuzzy brown and white fur keeping them warm from the cold, their long brown antlers sticking out and reaching to the cloudy, snowy sky, cuddling their tiny, cute fawns to also keep them warm and protected.

They swarm into giant herds, following one by one as the sun goes down, down, down.

New days await, one by one, just like how they are walking.

Felix Stiner Jackson-Via Grade 1

Wengo Opombo Jackson-Via Grade 3

Iris Love CHS Grade

Wolves

Foxes

Gray and brown

Looking for prey

Howling

In the woods

The Wild Dog

Dog sharp teeth

Black and green stripes

Collar with spikes

Dusty sky

Big sand storm

Excited

Surprised

Barking

Teeth shining

Fighter dog

Faye Lorigan Buford Grade 8

Carter Bouie Jackson-Via Grade

1

Asher Connors Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Mountains made out of sand

Grade 3

Jane Josey Jackson-Via

The little foxes are listening

To their papa’s wise speech, They are eager to learn, And it is his duty to teach.

A fox needs to be cunning A wee bit sly… Use your wits, And you’ll get by!

Now a hare is swift On his four feet—You need to be likewise, Or you won’t eat!

Remember to watch out For the Dog and the Man And run for your life Just as fast as you can!

Beaver and Rabbit

Violet Eslocker Jackson-Via Grade 4

In a quiet little town in the center of the forest, Rabbit wakes up and hears a cluck, a quack, and a chirp out her window. She hops out of bed and goes to the kitchen. She grabs two bags, both filled to the brim with fresh fruit and veggies. She opens the door and sets off to feed the hungry animals. On her way, she passes many animals saying, “Hello.” Rabbit was one of the kindest animals in the town.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Beaver is just waking up. He groans and stretches in bed, but he does not wake up to pleasant bird sounds. Instead, he wakes up to hear laughter. Every day Beaver is bullied and laughed at because of his big teeth.

As he was doing his second lap around the neighborhood, he looked to the left and saw three squirrels wearing big wooden teeth dancing around and giving Beaver snide looks. Several animals stopped to watch. Beaver had finally had enough. He marched back to his house and slammed the door! Then, he started pacing. And then, he had a horrible idea. He marched up the waterfall.

Suddenly, all of the water stopped coming down the waterfall. Streams and rivers started slowing down. All the water was gone! Everyone was in a panic! Everyone except Rabbit. And she said, “Everyone stop! I know you are scared. I am too. I will go to the top of the waterfall and see why all of the water has stopped.”

When she got to the top, she saw Beaver swimming in a fresh pool of water. “What are you doing?” Rabbit exclaimed. Beaver looked surprised.

“What are you doing here?” Beaver asked.

“I’m here to find out where the water has gone… and I think I know,” she said.

Beaver scowled at her. “The water is mine and only mine. I suffer everyday, so everyone else should suffer too.”

Rabbit could not believe what she was hearing. “I’m really sorry to hear that, Beaver. How about we compromise? You break the dam and I get everyone to respect you,” Rabbit said.

“Deal!” said Beaver. And they did just that.

Flemish Giant

AFlemish giant is big the biggest bunny around adorable and relaxed

A Flemish giant is big the biggest bunny in town you can pet it if you want

A Flemish giant is big the biggest bunny around

Asher Richardson Johnson Grade 1

Sammy Brinson Walker Grade 6

Cats

Zoey Rush

Trailblazer Grade 2

Cats are the best pets. Cats are really easy to take care of because cats go to the bathroom in a litter box. They will chase the mice in your house. Cats purr when they are loved. It will make you feel good. Cats make the best pets.

Rabbits

Keith Josey

Jackson-Via Grade 1

Brown and white Hopping No sounds

Living in the tall green grass

What Pet Should I Get?

Odia Alindti

Greenbrier Grade K

You should get a puppy because it is fluffy.

Ode to Cinnamonroll

Brielle Daniels

Summit Grade 4

Cinnamonroll, oh Cinnamonroll!

Your fluffy white fur

Your iconic blue eyes are just so cute and perfect

Your pink cheeks are so cute your swirly lips with blue color

And your swirly tail long fluffy ears short cute legs and arms are just so cute and iconic

Your big heart makes me happy I love your cute sticker collection I mean what’s not to love?

You’re adorbs!

1

Ode to Kiwi

Summit Grade 4

Oh Kiwi, I love your soft black fur, and your bright green eyes. I love seeing your cute squishy face, And hearing your purr motor. I love when you curl up to me at night, And petting you melts all my worries away. I also love it when you snuggle up at my feet, And snore through the night I even love it when you jump up onto me to wake me up in the morning, I love you Kiwi!

What Pet Should I Get?

Sanga Ziar

Greenbrier Grade K

You should get a butterfly because she can fly.

Lemmings

Caleb Zwelling Wilson

Jackson-Via Grade 1

White fur

That makes it warm Camouflaged with a rock

Hazel Varner

Lucy Lopez Trailblazer Grade

If I Could Take a Vacation

Si’riyah Ross Johnson Grade 2

If I could go any place I would go to my friend’s house. I haven’t seen her in a long time. If I go to her house she will give me ice cream. Her mom will give me some money.

In Paris

Woodfield in Maine

Madeline Cole Greenbrier Grade 3

This is a place I go every year with my family, it’s Maine! As soon as we get there, I can smell the salty sea air. I can hear the excited yells of my aunts, uncles and cousins! I can see the forest next to the house. I can feel the crunching of the mulch and gravel when I step out of the car. When I go in, I hear the chatter of my family and puzzle pieces hitting the floor. I always go up to my room on the second floor first (after I say hi to everyone.) In my room, there are 2 beds, a bunk bed and a regular bed with a mattress as soft as horse fur. Maine will always be my favorite place on earth.

Anne Romano Trailblazer Grade 2

Hi, I'm in Paris. I can smell the pretty flowers. Look, I can see the Eiffel Tower and look at the pretty sunset. The Olympics were here too. Did you know that the Eiffel Tower lights up? Isn’t Paris amazing? I’m getting hungry, look at that yummy food! Let’s get some berries and croissants. I can see a bakery and we can get some. I want to go to Paris because it is pretty.

Travel Planner

Clement Keifer

Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Iwant to travel to South America. It would start with about a ten hour plane ride. Since I will go on a plane, I will look at South America from an amazing view! When I go to South America, I will first go to look for the rainforest. Many unique plants live there. I like cool and unique stuff so I will look for them. The animals in the rainforest are amazing! Poison dart frogs can be sooooooooooooo colorful! I also like snakes so I will look for them too!

Visiting D.C.

IwouldJack Courville Greenbrier Grade 1

like to visit the Washington Monument. It is cool. I could look at it a looooong time. I could look out of it. I could climb all of the steps. I could take an elevator too. I could see a lot. I love the flags around it.

Winta Gabramedhin Jackson-Via Grade 1

Continent Research

Greer Morse Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Iwant to go to Europe. I will ask my mom to buy plane tickets to Europe. I would love to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. I would also love to see a reindeer and they live up north in Europe. In Europe I would also like to go to Italy to see the Colosseum. On my last stop I think I would like to go to London to see the London Eye

A Daring Adventure

Sofia Jimenez Trailblazer Grade 4

Some people may think that the Grand Canyon is just some random, boring, old crack in the earth that people go crazy about, but I think it’s one of the most important things to visit in your lifetime.

For example, it’s very exciting to step on a part of earth’s wildlife habitat. On page 63, it says, “A lizard scurries off the trail. It climbs over fossils of prehistoric trilobites.” Many animals have lived in the Grand Canyon, and it’s a beautiful place to visit.

Another example is that I think it would be so fun to go on a daring adventure with the people you love! The five hour trip might be long, but the Colorado River is worth the trip.

The Grand Canyon

Aubrey Williams Trailblazer Grade 4

Some people may think that the Grand Canyon is not fun or peaceful. But I think that the Grand Canyon is beautiful and peaceful.

For example, wildlife is cool. You can see a lot of plants and animals such as beavertail cacti. The author says the wildflowers stand around them in patches of purple and pink.

Another example of natural wonder and history of the Grand Canyon is that it took six million years for the Colorado River to carve the canyon, creating a channel about one mile deep and more than 275 miles long. That is really deep and high up. I think it's really cool and peaceful.

People should visit the Grand Canyon because the view and wildlife and history is fun to learn about. The Grand Canyon is incredible. That’s why people should go to the Grand Canyon.

People should visit the Grand Canyon because it’s a great learning experience and an amazing trip for the whole group! All the bonding that could happen is sure to provide a great time to talk to new people. This is an awesome trip, and you shouldn’t miss out!

Nathaniel Orban

CHS Grade

12

The Good Things of Massanutten

Ana Cunningham Summit Grade 3

The sights of Massanutten are like no other. Twisting slides with flowing water. Sun shining on the waters like diamonds on the waters. Massanutten is a fun place to see crashing waves from the wave pool. Like caramel smells in the air. Flavory juice with cold ice cubes. Massanutten is a fun place to go.

The sounds of Massanutten are satisfying. Kids and grown ups scream with excitement. Rushing waters can be heard from the twisty slides. Squeak, squeak, squeak as the kids slide down the slide.

Touching things at Massanutten is fun! The rushing water is so good to feel. Water splashing on me like raindrops. That’s why Massanutten is a good place to go. Kids on floaties screaming with excitement to go down the big twisty slides. Massanutten is a fun place to go!

Cape Charles

Crash.

The loud waves slam against the rocks. Everywhere you look families and children are running into the water. Cape Charles is a beautiful and exciting place to be.

When you first get there, there is a corn field. The leaves are very crunchy and the leaves are very dry and right next to the cornfield there are some houses. Then you will go to your house and get settled. After one or two hours you can go to the water and run in (well that’s at least what my family does). When you are in the water, you can swim out and touch the buoys, little smelly things that float in the water to show you where to go.

There is also this very tasty place called the Shanty. The Shanty smells a lot like seafood. The Shanty serves a lot of types of seafood. At the end, you will drive back through the dark tunnels to go back home

Susannah Schetlick Summit Grade 3

Adeline Gore Walker Grade 6

Mountains

Caleb Schwellenbach Jackson-Via Grade K

You are not in the snow. You are in the mountains. The mountains are big.

Why people should stay in GrindaviK

Nosheen Saidal Walker Grade 5

The people of Grindavik should stay and rebuild because Grindavik has a lot to offer! Firstly, Grindavik is a gorgeous place to live in! In the passage I had read it said “The ocean is full of fish, and people can make a good living from fishing.” Another reason why people should stay is, tourists can learn about Grindavik, and Iceland’s wonderful culture! Even though there are many dangers, there are just as many benefits!

Liam Tickel Greenbrier Grade 4

The Colors of My Mind

Bailey Wilson Buford Grade 7

WhenI am falling asleep I see colors

Almost as if my eyes are trying to paint me a picture

Most nights its beautiful soft colors are like a sunrise at a beach

But some nights there are bright neon colors, those nights are like a gift

On those nights I try to stay up a little longer…

Sometimes when I’m exhausted, I see colors when I’m awake

Little dots and lines wherever I look

It was like my eyelids were trying to tell me something

But I could never listen

I don’t see those colors anymore I wonder if that is because I’m older or if I don’t find it as fascinating as I used to

But if I close my eyes and think about the back of my head

A place where you don’t think you just feel I can see them

I can see the colors and the colors form pictures

Pictures that morph from one to another

Like a beautiful crane craning its neck to drink from a pond at golden hour

The colors swirl and rearrange into a royal blue candle-burning

The wax dripping, the flame flickering

I find myself wanting to see it just a little longer

When I think too long they go away my mind unfocuses

I open my eyes

My vision is blurry

And I go back to this place I don’t understand And the feelings I don’t know why I feel

AUTUMN and the Haunted House

Sophy Erkelens Buford Grade 7

Autumn Jones was just walking to school on what seemed like just a normal breezy morning, when she saw something she thought she would never see, a ghost! “It’s Halloween, and I’m seeing a ghost?” She muttered under her breath, “Oh.” It’s Halloween, someone is just wearing a costume. She could now see how unrealistic this “ghost” was. They were wearing a white cloth over them with two eyes cut out. She could even see their eyes under it. Their shoes were not subtle either, they were bright pink with yellow laces. Autumn turned away, realizing that she was looking at the ghost for quite a while now.

During school all of Autumn’s friends could only think and talk about how they were going to trick or treat with each other but all of Autumn’s thoughts were how she couldn’t. Autumn’s parents wanted her to stay with her little brother, Josh, who didn’t want to spend the night with her either. So she felt both happy and frustrated when the final bell rang for the day.

Two hours later, Autumn went outside to trick or treat with Josh. “Let’s go to Ms. Montervinarigtainlyen’s house, she’ll have good candy,” Josh stated. Autumn knew that candy quality was not the real reason he wanted to go to Ms. Montervinarigtainlyen’s house, the real reason was that it was in the opposite direction of the “Haunted” house. Autumn wasn’t really superstitious so she didn’t think the old brick house at the end of Paine Lane was really haunted, but she sure knew her brother did.

Autumn was angry at her parents for not letting her go to hang out with her friends, and her friends for bragging about it. Although she didn’t really mean to, Autumn took out her frustration on Josh. “Well, I’m older, and I think we should go to Paine Lane.” She glared at her brother and he felt as if he had to listen.

Josh nodded, and his whole dinosaur costume shook. They walked in the direction of Paine Lane and got candy on the way. When they got there, Josh mumbled, “I don’t think we should go to the end of the street, I mean, it’s only a dead end.” He tried to hide his fear but it was revealed when they were really right in front of the towering house.

“No one lives here, let’s just turn around,” Josh pleaded, “Can we just go home?” But Autumn was determined to go inside the spooky house, after all, it was Halloween. “It will be fine, we’ll just knock,” she told him, though Autumn was going inside, and Josh was too. Halfway though knocking on the door, Josh froze. Autumn sighed, why was he so scared? She pushed past him and tapped on the door. Autumn didn’t know why, but she was starting to get a little scared herself.

“Ah!” A hand reached out from the opening for mail in the door. Josh forgot about his candy and ran. He thought Autumn was right behind him, but really, the hand had already grabbed her. The glowing green hand had let go of her and started opening the door. Autumn would have run but she was too scared to move. Had she run, everything would be all right. She could now see his face and it was clear… Autumn was standing in front of a ghost.

“Release me from my curse and you shall live,” cautioned the ghost. Autumn wore a puzzled, scared look on her face, “C-c-curse?” The ghost nodded. “I only need one thing." How bad could it be? Autumn thought, “I need your brother’s life.”

Lady Willow

IcanEmilia Regoli Jackson-Via Grade 3

feel her arms wrap around me Like she is taking me out of my world And into hers.

I can feel her tears running down her Cheeks and on to my head.

I can hear her sobbing and wishing she was Anyone but her right now

She… is lady willow

Jane Friesen CHS Grade 10

A Little Puppy in a Big War

Madelaine Honeycutt Buford Grade 8

Putting people in heaven homes, I eat berries like that dog eats bones. Its teeth covered in blood, I wonder what made it this way.

Devouring human flesh, Like it’s produce that’s fresh. The dog snarling and growling, While humans tarnish.

Watching as it leaped, While into the ground blood seeped. It fled from little movements, As if it was intimidated.

Objects and weapons flying to and fro, Oh, the pain this dog must undergo. In the tornado-like atmosphere, That dog was actually full of fear.

The dog smiling like it’s enjoying the high, When it’s all just a giant lie.

It’s a little puppy, In a big war.

The Voices

Iwalkedinto the room.

There she sat in her chair.

“Come here,” she said, giving me a stare. I sat down in the chair next to hers.

“What is it grandma?” I asked.

“The voices,” she said, staring out the window.

“What do they tell you?” I questioned.

“They tell me not to go in the woods.”

She replies with fear in her eyes.

“Did they give you a reason?” I continue to ask.

“It lives there wearing a mask.”

Elizabeth Wiest Walker Grade 6

The Lonely Old Man

Pickle Walker Trailblazer Grade 2

My neighbor lives alone, he is an old man. P.S. We are friends. One day I went to his house because he needed some company. We sat in the garden, it was beautiful. He let us have some tomatoes! But I didn’t eat any. I planted some flowers in his garden. Then I went to mommy and said, “can I give him some company by trick or treating at his house?” Mom said, “Now we go to his house every Halloween.” And every year I give him a hug.

Forever

Lobsang Dhondup Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Isee a sea monster that is black, white and orange.

I feel like the sea monster is eating me. I don’t want to escape. I feel dead.

I am happy to be in the belly of the beast. Underwater forever.

Warning

Warnings

of something evil and often ignored. Strange, because They speak about it across the world. Using different names and creating different stories. But the meaning is the same. They create warnings but do not listen to them.

The god of evil.

The god of death.

The three-headed dog guarding the entrance to The Underworld.

Spoken of in wary voices and whispers that no one hears and that are never listened to.

Wicked

Wicked. I like it when she flies.

Alison Ruckman Buford Grade 8

Jude Thomas Trailblazer Grade K

Isaac Ruckman Greenbrier Grade K

Zoey Deibler

CHS Grade 10

Greek Gods

Douglass (“Dougie”) Alencar Jackson-Via Grade 2

Greek gods

Powerful, strange

Looking, feeling, hearing

Hera, Zeus, Athena, Hestia

Peering, listening, sitting Immortal, ancient Olympus

Superhero

Adrian Schwellenbach Jackson-Via Grade 2

Special

Up you go and see the clouds

Pursue and stop them fighting

Enchantment

Respectful

Honor your citizens

Every time you save the day

Really good at flying

Over tall walls superheroes jump, they use their superpowers

Sora the Dragon

Flying high all night

Sora the dragon in moonlight

Her wings flapping high

The air on my wings at flight

The solar eclipse night

Pokemon

Nolan Bloomberg Jackson-Via Grade 2

Pikachu

Yellow, black

Helping, running, jumping

Pokemon are great pals! Fighting, winning, losing Orange, yellow Charizard

Estelle Mathews Jackson-Via Grade 2

No Fear

Ethan Vandever Buford Grade 8

There’s dirt all around the air

Did you hear about the girl who died?

They say she had boots and brown hair

Did you hear about the family that cried?

They say her death was too sad to bear. Don’t people say they have no pride?

The family seemed relaxed

But everyone knows that they were scared. Just knowing that their lifetime has been taxed I know it’s sad but at least they were prepared

Then they realized their life had waxed

Knowing their life would end with each other paired.

In that ranch, she played Kicking around on her playhorse

Or maybe that one time she prayed

After her parents got a divorce

Or maybe at her birthday party in the arcade.

But she never got to solve her biggest remorse.

People always say they have no fear of death

But they never know when they will have their last breath

Sometimes I did the same

Saying I have no fear of death

But when reality struck my breath

I realized I needed to stop playing this stupid game

These photos are just hopes and dreams

And they all follow the same theme I needed to stop overthinking this

People’s deathbeds always depend

Because they never know when they’re going to end.

Chacal (Jackal)

(Based on the lithograph Chacal (Jackal) by Rufino Tamayo)

On the streets of Mexico long long ago. Memories fade in and out as slow as they go. As he saw the other wild dogs walking by. Filled him green with envy and red in his eyes.

He wandered off to a cave to block him from the rain.

But he was growing so old he might need a cane. He left his collar on from the very first day. Gold spikes all over, with a black band he displays.

Searching for food in and out.

No luck to be found without a doubt. Green stripes and bitterness form. Blood red eyes from hallucinating under the lukewarm sun.

The breathless air he takes from afar. Waiting to be noticed but all of his emotions are just stuck in a jar.

Penelope Vito Walker Grade 5

Agnes Throneburg Jackson-Via Grade 3

Annie Jaspen Buford Grade 8

Last Minute

He’s gone they told you

No going back

Today they are lowering the casket

You will not see him again

He made you smile when he got dressed for work

A pen tucked in his pocket to write his story

You went through all the pages he wrote when he left

Trying to decipher a code saying it was all a mean joke

You dress in black afraid of the day

You get in the limo and are afraid to open your eyes

You know if you do it will be the last time you see him

You arrive and everyone thinks they know how you feel

The service was lovely

The minister delivered words all wrapped in a bow

But it didn’t feel like a gift

It just felt like sorrow

You stare down at the corpse

You can’t say goodbye

Everyone has moved on after your speech

For you, it just digs a deeper hole

You made a mad decision because you couldn’t stand the pain

The corpse of your dead husband is back at home

When no one was looking you put him in your car

You closed the casket no one will ever know

You muster up your strength and put him on the bed

His eyes start to shut and your tears are brought back up

You lay awake at night next to your husband

You kiss his cheek and finally, you drift off

You awake to him dressed for work

With a pen in his pocket ready to write

His eyes are still shut which doesn’t feel right

You grab the sunglasses on his side

You are ready to die

Jasper Pompano Burnley-Moran Grade 3

Imust accept my fate, My death, I am anxious, I am scared, I am uncertain, These are my last words, Even though, I am unabled, I am helpless, I am capable of speaking almost silently, “I can’t allow this to happen,”

In my mind, I am screaming, I am shrieking, I am full of terror, I am glancing and breathing at light speed, On the outside, I am frozen, I am not breathing, I am closing my eyes, And then, Blackness. My life has come to an end.

Annie Fruscello CHS Grade 12

I Was Your Princess

Zahra Safi Buford Grade 7

Iwasbroken into pieces, when you told me I was your princess. Oh now look, who should I believe? I was dressed in all black, laying on the ground, you see. Oh now look, who should I believe? Princess, birds are dead now, madness. Crying on the ground, sadness. Everyone is dressed in black, funeral. Oh now look, who should I believe?

Zephyr Chatowsky Buford Grade 8

Little Miss Terms and Conditions

Caniyah Scott Lugo McGinness Academy Grade 10

Her cigarette burned, sitting still between the fingers of her relaxed hand. Her legs were crossed and she sat on the hard wooden chair, leaning her right elbow on the matching table. She impatiently twirled her foot, kicking it up and down in the air and making her filthy black sandal bounce up and down on her foot. She wore jeans that were machine-washed…grungylooking.

Her white tank top was tight, and very low, exposing the top of her lacy black bra, and most of its contents. Her shoulders were slouched, and her greasy bleached hair fell upon them. She drew the cigarette up to her too-glossy lips, then wiggled her tongue around in her mouth, fidgeting with her tongue ring. She blew the smoke routinely out of her pierced nose, and closed her heavily made-up eyes. Her left arm was draped over the back of the chair where she sat relaxed.

Waiting.

The door to the small room opened and in walked a beautiful brunette woman wearing a smart grey suit and carrying a stack of papers. She walked gracefully over to the girl and set her papers down on the table.

“I’m here to set your community service requirements,” the woman said, not making eye contact with the girl.

“And you are…?” the girl snobbishly inquired. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Pamela Roque, founder and director of the Miss USA Pageant.” The woman extended a perfectly manicured hand, The girl didn’t accept it. “Wait. You’re not serious…” She set her cigarette on the table.

“Yes. You are required by the court to enter and participate in the Miss USA Pageant, starting with our private reform school.”

The Phone

Harmony Johnson Walker Grade 6

The phone was my favorite and yes, I did savor it I played it and I traded it and then I finally stayed with it we grew a close, long bond and sat down at the pond it became an icon and made sure I wasn’t gone so I stayed and we laid and had a picnic by the shade and no, i didn’t fade I was there for the parade then after that we prayed and that’s my story in nutshell

The Filter

Doyou want to find out how you were going to die? If you do, there’s a perfect Snapchat filter to tell you, although, it does come with consequences. Once you use it, the countdown to your death begins, only taking a few minutes.

One day a girl, at her friend’s house, overheard her friend’s brother scarily telling his girlfriend about this legend that started 10 years ago on the day Snapchat, a popular social media platform, was created. She wanted to try it out but didn’t realize what could happen.

As the girl walked through the Downtown Mall at night, she saw stores, smelled nighttime dew, and heard the creatures of the night as she felt a soft breeze blow by. She got to the Pavilion, opened Snapchat, and clicked on the “How You Will Die” filter. After a few seconds, her phone screamed loudly, the filter showing her burning in a fire. She got scared and tried to sprint away, but an invisible figure struck a match and the grass around the girl started to burn into ash. Each way she looked burned until all she saw were crackling flames. They eventually took over, and no one saw her again.

Legend has it that if you do what the mystery girl did, you will die after seeing her behind you on your camera engulfed by flames. You will have a different fate, such as drowning, suffocating, and so many more horrible ways to perish. Just remember that after 2 minutes you’ll succumb to death horribly, and meet the girl.

Kynzlee Reyes

Buford Grade 7

Aila Esposito Walker Grade 6

Values of Uniformity Over Individuality

Zaki Farhat CHS Grade 9

Section I: Time For The Test…

“Next!” The slouched Worker sauntered up to the wide, brown desk. I stood in line, reluctantly waiting for my Daily Duty. I exchanged a mutual glance with the other Workers. They all looked dead inside. It was as though their souls had been extracted; a void of nothingness behind their emotionless eyes. The System had stripped them of their human traits and instilled in them a work-first mindset, substituting inanimate characteristics for those of humans. I retrieved my Daily Duty and sluggishly dragged my feet to a cubicle.

“The Test is approaching, be prepared to display your mental competence,” a dull voice announced over the intercom.

One thing I knew for certain in this society of uncertainty was that The Test was rapidly approaching. The Test, which occurred once per generation of Workers, was a measure of mental capability used by The System to gauge the “intelligence” of Workers.

As I worked on my Daily Duty, my pale, skinny leg trembled restlessly. My mind drifted, lingering off-task on matters such as how I came to be part of The System. My Daily Duty consisted of a report on devotion and acts of commitment to The System. My hand fidgeted constantly, playing with my long, curly hair or tapping on the desk. Although I tried to concentrate, I kept getting distracted; the monotonous task was the least of my concerns.

The pitch-black camera in the corner of the dimly lit cubicle stared at my malnourished, frail frame. It was a system of control, a method in which the sheer fear of being monitored would deter forbidden acts. The System kept an eye on everyone at all times, forbidding its Workers from even defecating in the absence of surveillance. Despite being a method of control, surveillance in The System was portrayed as a

means of safety and order, one from which the Workers would supposedly benefit. The looming walls of the cubicles were a method of isolation as if to confine Workers like animals in a zoo. However, the walls were displayed as a means of privacy, one in which the Worker would benefit from the solitude they provided. Workers had chips implanted in them for tracking purposes, and microphones were as widespread in The System as seeds on a strawberry, all of which constantly monitored Workers in the name of maintaining a “perfect” society. The most effective method of control The System utilized was assigning a workload so significant that even thinking about prohibited activities, let alone the possibility of revolution, was impossible. Furthermore, personal identity didn’t exist; everyone was just everyone and someone was just someone within the pool of everyone. We were all the same. From sharing uniforms to personalities, it was an effort portrayed as an act of equality but truly one of conformity. Workers were not allowed interaction: from conversing to exchanging looks with one another, communication was prohibited. Sometimes I would forget I was human, with the only reminder of such being my physical construction. From contributing our Duty to acting according to our expectations, we Workers were living the “perfect” life; a life into which we had been brainwashed.

Despite my significant workload, The Test was all I could think about. Workers who failed The Test would be executed via electric chair. The Test consisted of critical analysis multiplechoice questions with a time limit, demanding a Worker who could perform mental cognition accurately and hastily. The Test was not tailored to everyone with varying strengths and weaknesses, but was rather part of The System’s goal of maintaining uniformity among its Workers, solely testing means regarded as intelligence. The Test ensured everyone was the same and that individuality was nonexistent.

As I finalized my Daily Duty, I proceeded to input a request to defecate. The System demanded its acknowledgment of every intended action, be

it going to the bathroom or proceeding to your dormitory. As I wearily waited for approval, a wave of self-doubt washed over me. Would I pass The Test or fail and succumb to the consequences of such? After all, The Test was designed to advocate for uniformity, not excellence, but would I be viewed as mentally capable as my comrades? As I returned from the defecation enclosure to my dormitory, an announcement followed via the intercom.

“Workers report to the eating enclosure. Workers report to the eating enclosure,” a monotone voice declared.

My heart raced as fast as a horse being whipped. Hesitantly, I put one foot in front of the other, slowly inching toward my fate. As I arrived at the site, the worst-case scenario had come true; now we were going to take The Test…

Section II: The Repercussions of Inequality

We were escorted to a confidential compound within the facility, where the status of my life would be decided. As the testing proctor handed out the examinations and scantrons, the other Workers began working promptly, ticking off answer after answer. I attempted to follow, but I couldn’t focus. My blue eyes darted across the page, scouring for hope. Reading one line at a time, re-reading, and eventually forgetting where I was altogether, it seemed as if my death was imminent. As the remaining time diminished, I could feel the chilling exhale of Death on my neck. I was a dead man with a mere consciousness…

I dropped the blank scantron on the table. My fate had been decided. It wasn’t a matter of if I would be executed but when and how. It was as if Death himself was ready to yank my soul, his hands twitching in anticipation. I might as well have gone to the execution enclosure instead of going back to my dormitory; I would have saved a few steps.

I was snapped out of my deep state of dread by the emergence of men in suits.

“Time to go, Worker,” exclaimed the taller of the two.

“I am not a Worker, I am a human,” I replied, hearing my raspy voice for the first time. As I was escorted to my slaughter, I began recalling the things I was grateful for. I had contributed my Duty to The System, the ultimate goal of any life. I was strapped into the electric chair, and the executioner stepped outside the room, hovering eerily over an ominous, blood-red button. My death was at the push of a button, the singular action of one’s fingertips. A single tear rolled down the freckled cheek of the executioner, his hands trembling as he pressed the button.

Section III: Our Reality

“Use the Pythagorean theorem when you encounter this ratio,” the teacher announces. “This will be on your course final, which is on Friday.” I rub my eyes vigorously, making everything go blurry.

“Finally back to Earth, ADHD Boy?” the class clown questions.

Arion Sy Trailblazer Grade 3

My Trip to America

Ysra Kazoul Walker Grade 6

My name is Ysra. I am a girl of Syrian origin. I was born in Syria but I lived there for only two months and I left my beloved country when I was a child due to the difficult circumstances we went through. I moved to Jordan. I lived and grew up there and the stages of my life began to develop and I entered schools and I learned the Jordan curriculum and ate from its goodness. It was my second country because when I realized the world I found myself in its arms and days and years passed and after ten years the international organization for migration contacted us in 2021 and they told us that we had a travel plan to America.

We agreed with all our hearts. I felt happy and sad at the same time. I felt happy because I realized that I would start a new and better life in terms of education and living but it is hard for me to say goodbye to Jordan after I spent years of my life there. I said goodbye to my best friends and relatives and told them that we would stay in touch and I took with me memories that I will never forget. I began to think about real things at that time and we started the interviews but they took two years. We traveled on 10/10/2023.

When I arrived in America and went to a school, I didn’t know how to speak English. I used Google translate to help me speak English and also my teachers and my friends in my class helped me. They used introduce me to the school like when I wanted to go to the bathroom they helped me to get to the bathroom. They used to help me with everything. So this was my trip to America and the reason for it makes me happy to be here and I hope to achieve my ambition and give back to this country as it gave me and be an active member of the society. All respect to America and its people.

Thank you.

A Trip to Safety

“We have to leave our home,” my mom and dad said. “No, I don’t want to leave because that’s my country,” I said. My family had to move from Afghanistan because there were bad people and it was unsafe.

We took an airplane to London. It took all night to get there. I wondered, “What does London look like?’

We stayed with a family friend in London. It was very different from my home in Afghanistan, but I was safe.

Bibi Ayesha Yousofzai Greenbrier Grade 4

Ilona Rihner Trailblazer Grade 1

Quint Van Yahres CHS Grade 9

The Bright Moon in America

Ziyao Huang Buford Grade 7

Iwas born in 2012 in Jiangxi, Nanchang. Of course, the little, just-born girl would find herself in the world’s first power after 12 years: America. She would see landscapes above the sea, a heap of snow.

When I first experienced life in my hometown, I still remember playing with my partner and waiting for the big, fancy lunch. There were many people preparing fancy things for the Mid-Autumn Festival. It was very grand and very lively. I loved the atmosphere, especially when we ate at the table, chatting and enjoying the food. Then we had free time. We went down to the small park and played hide and seek. We didn’t know when to stop, but we really had a good time in my hometown while our parents chatted with my relatives. Around 9 o’clock, we went out again and began chatting, going for walks, and eating snacks at night. There was so much food, and we had a nice ice drink. Then, suddenly, there was a big surprise that affected me. When I was in 5th grade, my family moved here because of my dad. He is very wise and calm. My dad got a chance to study in America for one year. It was a good opportunity, but my grandma said it was very dangerous in America.

When we arrived in America, I missed my cozy room, my relatives, and my best friend. We hadn’t even said goodbye to each other. I still remember the fresh air in my hometown, the birds singing, and the chestnut tree overhead that blocked out the sunshine. Sometimes, there was just a little warm sunshine shining on us, with a rare breeze swaying the plants. Then we would whisper, talking about lunch (which was, of course, now in my stomach).

I could not understand the words I heard here, so I needed to master them. At the same time, I needed to study Chinese to improve my vocabu-

lary. After a while, I adapted to life in America. I felt comfortable. My dad said the air here is very rare and fresh. I like it, although some Americans can be terrible and dangerous.

I have a dream: I want to go to a good high school and college. If I have another chance in the future, I may study in Charlottesville. I believe God won’t let me be disappointed, so I need to study hard in these last five months to improve my English. I also want to be an artist or an art teacher in high school. I hope my dream can come true. I believe God won’t give up on me, and I won’t give up on myself either.

Emme Shareck CHS Grade 9

If I Were President

Cora Racine Greenbrier Grade 3

IfI were President of the United States, I would make sure that everything is fair. Well, not everything but as much as I could. If I got a letter from someone then I would write back. I would travel around the country so that I could meet different people. Whenever something is wrong, I would try to solve it. Also, I would make everything in balance and make sure that everyone is happy. I would even make the cost of things the same for people who have different balances of money. I would go to court to see if people are innocent or not. If I were president, I would make my country happy!

Black History Month

Brandon Hatcher Walker Grade 5

Black History Month means learning about people who sacrificed a lot so that they could have their freedom.

Black History Month means learning about people who look like me.

Black History Month means learning about slavery and the unfair treatment of all of the people who lived before me.

Black History Month means giving credit to the people who were mistreated because of their skin color and helped create a better life for kids like me.

Clio Koenig

Walker Grade 5

Agroup of pictures are taken from a balcony in the countryside. A boy. A couple. Another, slightly older couple. An elderly woman. A girl in her late teens-Peggy. She is Capable, Majestic, Calm, Regal, Awesome.

She radiates a free vibe. She is my kind of girl. She is AWESOME.

I Am One

IamLuther Ogden-Parker Burnley-Moran Grade 2

one. In my community I can pick up trash. When I go on walks, if I see trash, I will pick it up. In my community I can also use kind words. How will I do this? When someone is sad, I will ask, “what’s wrong?” Then I can listen to what they say. I will try to help others.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Jay Cutchin

Walker Grade 6

Born

in Atlanta GA

Child of Alberta Williams King Martin Luther King Sr

Lived in Chicago

Studied theology, sociology. ethics. philosophy

Overcame depression

Worked as a Baptist minister and social rights activist

Challenged by urban poverty

Intelligence self-confidence and determination

Always courage and determination

Never chose fear

Best known for Dream Speech and the March

Fiona Bracken Greenbrier Grade 4

If I Were In Charge of the World

If I were in charge of the world ice cream would not be a thing neither would brussel sprouts.

If I were in charge of the world you could sleep in as long as you wanted.

If I were in charge of the world you could have any pet that you wanted.

If I were in charge of the world there would be no wars and we could all live in peace.

Dear Ms. Beverly

Dear Ms. Beverly,

We haven’t had a snow day yet and these are a few reasons why you should give us the day off:

I think you should give us a day off because we're not going to have a day off because of global warming. I think it's unfair that everyone before us gets like 67 feet of snow each year.

Another reason you should give us a day off is because I think we all deserve it. I think we deserve a break after being in school for 7 hours each day and only 2 days of weekend. It’s not fair we spend more than half of our week at school.

Lastly, we could definitely use a day off because I'm sick of being in these classes all day. I think we deserve a day off because we’re very smart Eagles. We learn a lot all day and know so much stuff. It can be really challenging being in so many classes each day and we’re halfway through the school year already!

Thank you for reading my letter. I hope we have a day off after considering my letter.

Sincerely,

Ben Wrightson, 3rd grader in Room 302 at Trailblazer Elementary School

Catherine Maeng Johnson Grade 4

Ben Wrightson Trailblazer Grade 3

The Imagination Pencil

IamFacts

Ezra Campbell Burnley-Moran Grade

unique because I am more imaginative than all of my friends. I can play with anything. Like sometimes I play with my pencil. I imagine it’s like a hand that has taken over the world.

4

Gabriel Hampton

Walker Grade 5

20 x 12 =240, 1776, Jamestown. Facts… Facts… Facts, so many facts. When we deal with artifacts we know we have Knowledge. But you don’t need to go to college to know these things. But you need to acknowledge these things, so we can act like kings.

The First Day of School

Mehrana Noori Walker Grade 6

WhenI came to America. I did not know much English. My brother was so lucky because he took an English class in Afghanistan. But I knew very little English and I was with my little sister. It was the first day of school. I was so nervous. When I get off the bus, I said, “What should I do?”

I was with my sister but we didn’t know English. The people were talking with me but I didn’t understand. It felt very strange for people to talk to me, and for me not to understand what they were saying. I was used to being the best student. Now, I don’t understand. One girl was in my class. She was also from Afghanistan. She said in Dari, “I can help you.”

I said, "Thank you.”

She helped me so much with my work and she showed me my class and…now I know more English. Everything is so easy. I’m so happy. Because I know more English. And I can do something else. Be strong!

Chance Littlefield

Trailblazer Grade 4

My Special Place - The Greenbrier Garden

Mohammad Usman Yousofzai Greenbrier Grade 3

Ilike the Greenbrier garden. It is special to me. You can grow food and smoothies. You can grow fruits and vegetables. And have fun! You get to dig a hole. It is fun to me. And more people like to do it. It is very fun to go to the garden.

Math Haikus

Kellan McHenry, August Thach, Tobias

Becker-Jones, and Alexander Shoch Jackson-Via Grade 4

Addition

We get the worksheet

To do the new addition

Then we turn it in

Subtraction

Today is special

We have a new math unit

It is subtraction

Multiplication

Multiply numbers

There is an algorithm

Multiplication

Division

Split different numbers

It’s very complicated

Division is fun

Kiera Davis CHS Grade 11

Albert Einstein’s Life

Roman Uhler Greenbrier Grade 4

AlbertEinstein was awesome because he was VERY famous! He invented lasers, the theory of reality, he also came up with the idea of atoms!

The theory of reality is Albert’s understanding of how gravity affects the fabric of spacetime! Atoms are what make up everything in the universe! Lasers are what make automatic doors slide open, and what makes the basketball games in arcades sense the ball going through the hoop!!

Albert Einstein is a world famous scientist!!

Thoughts on Ancient Greece

Meridian Benforado

Trailblazer Grade 3

IthinkGreek democracy was both a failure and a success. I think it was a failure because women slaves and non Greeks could not vote. So only men could vote! But I think it was a success because the Greeks had good architecture. And people who were able to vote could. And did you know? There are three different types of columns in Green architecture: Ionics, Doric, and Corinthian.

Jazz?

Leo Ripple Buford Grade 8

John Coltrane

Charlie Parker

Miles Davis

Louis Armstrong

JJ Johnson

Jazz

Giants Saints Gods

Immortal beings of music

I see Discover Wonder

Jazz?

Music, right?

Or…

History?

Storytelling?

Entertainment? Meditation?

Do they know?

Those… Saints?

Emily Garcia Johnson Grade K

I bet you they do

Bet you they talk of it daily

Spitting phrases

Chords

Melodies

John Coltrane

Up on the frame

¨Trane¨

Playing through his sadness

Through that great big bell… ¨Choo¨

¨Choo¨ ¨Choo¨

But,

What if there is no meaning?

If the saints don´t know?

I want to know

Want to be like them

Play

Like them

So I leave With wonder

Discomfort

Naive to my surroundings

This complex yet beautiful confusion… Jazz?

Can You Hear?

Can You Hear The Music

Can you hear the music

Making you want to sway

Singing out with joy

I love to hear them sing and play

Ruby Kenner Buford Grade 8

The music flowing through your bones

I could have stayed all day

Loving each and every moment

From a million miles away

Music playing on the stage

I don’t want to stray

I love to hear them laugh and joke

Singing til it’s light

I love listening to the music

Staying I just might

Play it again I love that song

Oh how it hits just right

Music staying strong

It might just last all night

Oh how I love to hear that music

I hope it was a delight

Bad Art

Estelle Sanders Greenbrier Grade 4

Ido art at home. When I was younger, I had bad art. It’s hard to explain, but as an artist I didn’t think my art looked good.

Mom said, "Your art is great." And my papa said, "Your art is great." And my brother, he said, "It was bad." And I said to my mama and papa “Thank you.” And then to my brother, “You’re rude.”

I slowly got better everyday, but it took years. I used guidelines and I got better. I think my art is way better now.

The Art of Arts

Artis an amazing thing

Some art is hideous

Some art is divine

All art is great

The jackal art is interesting

I think it has lots of expression

The art gives of very nice vibes

Its cool

its nice

It has lots of lines

The color

The senses

Buford Grade 8

U can see so much with just ur eyes

Look

Smell

See and believe

The green

The yellow

The orange

The white

U see all these colors

I think they look nice

Next time u go somewhere look at the art

Art is everywhere

The jackal is my favorite it looks like a surprise

Tanyia Dowell

Keza Rachelle Jackson-Via Grade PK

Basketball and Football

Cormac

Football

Ahmon Harris Greenbrier Grade 3

Football is the second most played sport in America. Rugby football is a fast sport played by two teams. To score, you need to get the ball and hold the ball tight so you don’t drop the ball. Then, RUN into the end zone. Football is a fun sport you can play with your friends. It is an action packed sport that is great!

Basketball Fun, bouncy

Playing, running, shooting

The ball, fouls, touchdown

Throwing, tackling, sweating

Teams, field

Football

Basketball Haiku

Dribble, pass, and shoot. Swoosh through the hoop- a bucket. CHEER for your teammates.

Ode to Football

Football, I wish I was on the team

On the field I play like a dream

When my family sees me they will scream I’m built different on the field

When players see me they will yield Because I’m strong and made of steel

Like Colin Kaepernick I kneel

Don’t Quit

It was my first time playing soccer and I was really scared. I kept losing. You should never quit and I didn’t quit. I was so good at soccer. Even if you want to quit, don’t quit.

Izarrah Brown Greenbrier Grade 3

Timothy Shaw Summit Grade 4

Edith Love

Johnson Grade 1

Fitzpatrick Jackson-Via Grade 2

Devin Coles Walker Grade 6

The Championship Game

Toravious Giles Buford Grade 7

At8:00 tonight be ready. It’s 7:30. We got bags and shoes and left out to get ready to play in the championship game. We got on the basketball court. I play shooting guard and my brother plays power forward. We both started the game and we won the tip off.

They passed the ball to me at the three point line, and I swished it in the net…..right in their face. All elbows were up because it’s a signature move for a player. And we got back down the court and they tried to lay the ball. My brother jumped up and sent that stuff to Africa!We got on the bench to take a break and we were cooking up. So we needed a break so once we got back on the court it was the 3rd quarter. I got down the court and go and I reverse layup on someone.

Jinho Park CHS Grade 12

I made my free throw and we got down the court. I stole the ball, and passed my brother the ball, and he laid it up. He scored again and we got taken out of the game. When we got back, there were five seconds left in the last quarter of the championship game. I received the ball set up for a three pointer clock ticking 5,4,3,2,1 — I shot the ball in all three players’ faces! Then, everyone ran out on the court with elbows up, because I made the game winning three pointer. I held the gold trophy in my hand, and everyone took a picture of me holding it in my hand with me with my trophy.

Then I got in the car to go home with my mom and brother. When we got home, we got dressed and went out to eat with the whole family because that trophy meant something to me, and my brother. I ordered Chicken Alfredo and pink lemonade. I will always remember this day because……………we won our championship and that meant a lot to us.

Mountain Bike Couplet

Tessarose Yoder Greenbrier Grade 3

Amountain bike is as fast as a car.

On a mountain bike you can go near and far.

Mountain bikes are not like shooting stars. Don’t go too fast, you might get a scar.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics

Beautiful, colorful

Flying, moving, stretching

Vault, floor, trampoline, bars

Jumping, playing, competing

Sparkly gold

Simone Biles

Zoe Halbert Jackson-Via Grade 2

Learning to Ride a Bike

Ussman Mashwari Greenbrier Grade 4

“Pedal harder!’ My brother yelled. This is how my brother taught me how to ride a bike and I listened to him. Now I can ride a bike. I’m so excited to ride a bike now that I can ride a big bike. I’m not scared. On the bike I go fast. I didn’t know how to get the brake so my brother taught me how to get the brakes to work. Now I can ride a bike with my friends everyday when I want to. I learned some tricks on the bike and now I love bikes.

Golf Rhyme

Dax Robinson Greenbrier Grade 3

You swing the club to hit the ball. You hope it doesn’t land in the waterfall! You hit the ball to win it all!

Dominic Herrera-Fonseca Jackson-Via Grade 2

Ode to Cheese

CHEESE

I like cheese.

But I can’t have it. It makes me mad.

All the ice cream, milk chocolate, pizza, crudite, and so much more!

I used to eat it with no problem at all!

It’s all so close yet so far!!

My mouth waters to the sound of “Cheese.”

But when I eat it, my arms and legs flare up with eczema.

At least there’s such a thing as cheeseless pizza.

Bubble

Falling down To the ground In the wind Becoming Thin

To the ground Down Down POP!

Calliope Hipple Jackson-Via Grade 4

Felix Wraight Summit Grade 4

Emerson Cook Greenbrier Grade 2

Chalk the Chunky Dragon

Oncethere was a teenage dragon named Chalk, he was a very chunky dragon. Also he was just learning how to fly (most dragons can fly by age of three). His favorite food was pizza and he was very, very lazy! His parents were trying to get him to eat less pizza, get into a normal weight, and teach him how to survive. He was very dependent on his mother and father. One day his mother said it was time for his first independent hunt. He had been coming with his parents on hunts for a while so he went out of their family cave and started to hunt. There was only one problem; he didn’t know how to hunt. He hadn’t been paying attention to the hunts he’d go on. Then he saw a deer. It was all ghosty and half transparent, but he didn’t know better so he followed it. Chalk turned a corner and he saw the most amazing thing in the world! PIZZA LAND! He smelled pepperoni pizza! He saw cheese pizza and he stepped on supreme! He thought everything was perfect. Or was it?

Maya Bell

Walker Grade 5

Eliahs Laurent Burnley-Moran Grade 2

Hunger

Maggie Bennett-McConnell Walker Grade 6

HungerLonging

pain

Growing inside me

I hear the roar appetite

I Am Every Good Thing

J’Mari Watkins

Johnson Grade 4

The Three Little Pigs

Ann’ylah Jones

Trailblazer Grade 2

Once upon a time the three little pigs and the big hurt wolf were in the woods. The wolf was hurt. He was cooking and got pepper in his eyes. So the three little pigs gave the wolf water. The moral is be careful when cooking!

Iam funny, a dancer, athletic

I am a bright juicy strawberry

I am a fun gorgeous girl who loves dancing

I am the rain falling from the night sky

I am a juicy seafood boil with egg, mussels, and corn, crab, noodles, shrimp, spicy sauces, with some sprite

I am a person that loves flipping

I am a trophy that won the best place in a competition

I am a daughter and also cousin and a friend And without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved.

Watermelon

Watermelon Delicious, scrumptious

Slicing, chomping, swallowing

The pink flesh in my stomach

Lux Smith

Trailblazer Grade 3

Natalia Salazar Fraire

Buford Grade 8

Have You Ever Eaten Sushi?

Tala Bishara

Trailblazer Grade 2

Have you ever eaten sushi? If yes, good for you. But if not, I have something to tell you. Have you ever looked at sushi? If yes you will see meat, a lot! I think sushi is the best! You can dip sushi in soy sauce. You can have shrimp with sushi!

Open Eyes

Open your eyes, what do you see? Is it good or bad? Can it be? Up or down? Left or right? You’re confused, filled with fright.

What you see could be bad, But it also could be good. Thinking deep, in your mind, Open your eyes, Open your life.

There’s good and bad, Ignore it all, Or make the most of it, Standing tall.

Open your eyes, Points will bend, So be happy, before it ends.

Joseph Blake Walker Grade 6