FastForward | September - October 2022 by FastForwardReporters

+“SIX”—BROADWAY IN NYC AN INTERVIEW WITH SAMANTHA PAULY OUTSIDE LANDS AN INSIDE VIEW AS PRESS SCHOOL OF THE MONTH MILL MIDDLEVALLEYSCHOOL FastForward #32 VOL 1 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 Time to care BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE ON THE FRONT LINES WITH MARIN SANITARY DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TRASH GOES?

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of your total grocery receipts. KIDDO! Helping Kids reach their potential through Art, Poetry, Music, Drama and Teacher Grants Mill Valley Middle School— Kim Tran’s Art students

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SPONSORED BY: Kiddo! is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. As the fundraising organization for the Mill Valley School District, Kiddo! provides 100% of the funding for district-wide art, music, dance, drama, and poetry programs. Students say, “KIDDO! makes it possible for us to have opportunities to explore our creati vity.” “Art makes the world a better place.” — Bella, 7th “Art is calming for me it helps me focus.” — Carter, 7th “Art means imagination, art means style, art means freedom. Art means to me, most of all, a happy place.” — Logan, 7th “Art is ﬁlled with fun and enjoyment. When you get a pencil, marker, paint brush or crayon you feel free.” — Elisha, 7th “In art, anything is possible for you to do.” — Eloise, 7th “What art means to me is being myself.” — Piper, 7th Check out our Shop & Give Donations — 2%

Program

FEATURED REPORTERS For our cover story, we visited Marin Sanitary and got a first-hand view of what happens to our trash. We created our special cover for this story because we know it is TIME for all of us to care and take action. We also interviewed broadway actress Samantha Pauly from SIX, a broadway musical that captured our minds. Talking with Samantha inspires and motivates us as she shared her humble begin nings and how she started out later in high school acting, telling us, “We all begin when it is time.”

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 3 ADVERTISERS/SUPPORTERS Mount Tamalpais School Mill Valley Film Festival Mill Valley Market Ongaro & PAAM-PerformingSons Arts of Marin Saint Hilary School San Domenico School Sloat Garden Centers Soloquest School & Learning Center St. Isabella School The Good Earth The Marin School United Markets SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 Amici’s HeadlandsFrameCraftersBransonPizzaSchoolGalleryPreparatory School La MarinMarinMarinMarinMarinMarinGinestraAcademyCatholicHighHorizonSchoolHumaneSocietyTutorsPrimary&Middle School Marin Waves & Track Club Montecito Plaza , PUBLISHER: Winifred MacLeod winifred@fastforwardweb.com Published by KidSpeak, Inc., Vol 32 #1 www.fastforwardweb.com O: 415-256-8920 M: 415.272.3569 ADDRESS: FastForward 775 E.Blithedale Ave #388 Mill Valley, CA 94941 ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Britta Esmail and Maxine Duzgunes STUDENT EDITOR: Emerson Swift CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS/WRITERS: Sam Adkins, Allegra Andreoli, Aidan Andresen, Zoe Bailey, Tessa Bailey, Sabine Barringer, Tristan de Baere, Rourke Blignaut, Elsa Block, Izzy Brodsley, Nicholas Chin, Tessa Cohen, Cameron Collman, Ronan Corbit, Malhar Dev, Keira Eisenbud, Logan Eisenbud, Anya Esmail, Chase Faber, Michelle Fleck, Mia Fort, S J GiustiCantan, Eva Hart, Deke Hulquist, Harita Kalvai, James Kneafsey, Nate Liebrman, Audrey Lowell, Ellie McEvilley, Finn McMullen, Sarah Mondesir, Brianna Nguyen, Charlotte Perrin, Brady Richter, Miles Radcliffe, Van Selph, Elvis Shillum, Marguerite Waldman-Kaufman, Emerson Swift, Semira Robinson, Fabrizia Sihra, Izzy Vanetta, Chris Vargelis and Daphne Yurch.

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Tatum Buoy, Simone Carr, Tessa Davis, Kiera Flores, Kaitlin Gasser, Josie Hohenreider, Sabina Hwang, Emereld Lin, Sage Niehaus, Lucy Sauber, Sadie Snipes, Cayman Stein, Daniella Talavera, Celia Tolmie, Camilo Urbano, Brooke Wegner, Carter West and Alexandra Zak.

CONTENTS

Lastly, with press passes, we visited Outside Lands to get the stories, including shooting lots of photos! learn, expand Faber

Chase

Walden-KaufmanMarguerite Tessa Bailey KieraChrisEisenbudVargelisElsa AudreyBlockLowell Sarah Mondesir Malhar DevAnya Esmail Semira Robinson EmersonHaritaEDITORSwiftKalvai Zoe Bailey Nicholas Chin Camron McDonald PHOTO CONTEST Call for Entries... Email three (3) Filewinifred@fastforwardweb.comentriesformat:JPG,PDForPNG (High Res) 1st Prize $300 2nd $200 3rd $100 + (TEN HONORABLE MENTIONS) $50 Due November 1st... Contest to be published in FastForward FEATURE STORY: DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TRASH GOES? MARIN SANITARY — 4R PLANET EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS “SIX” — AN INTERVIEW WITH QUEEN KATHERINE HOWARD-SAMANTHA PAULY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PAGE — OUR GROWING CLIMATE MOVEMENT THE ART GALLERY — BRANSON OUTSIDE LANDS — GETTING THE STORY AS PRESS ACTIVIST ACADEMY — THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CONNECTIONS GARDEN PAGE — STRAWBERRY POINT SCHOOL GARDEN MILL VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL — OUR PASSIONS MARIN POSTER CONTEST — ISSUES WE CARE ABOUT 100-WORD STORIES — MILL VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL OPINION: TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE? MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY P. 4 P. 7 P. 8 P. 12 P. 16 P. 18 P. 20 P. 21 P. 22 P. 25 P. 26 P. 27 P. 28 P. 30

yourwheretrashgoes?

By Christopher Vargelis Redwood High

Do you know

School We are fortunate in Marin for the insight and dedication of the Garbarino family who arrived in Marin and, with partners, formed Marin Sanitary Service in 1948. MSS cur rently services more than 33,000 residential and cycleMarinsucceededoverfamily’sMarinbarinosgenerationsaccounts.commercialTodaywiththreeofGarworkingatSanitary,thehardworktheyearshasingettingCountytoreover 74% of all waste.

FUTURE

The average American produces 5 pounds of trash EVERY DAY, without much thought of where that WASTE goes and the IMPACT it has on the global environment. Unrecycled waste does not just disappear into the air without any tangible effect on the EARTH. Instead, it lingers in vast, crowded landfills, indiscriminately packed together in the lengthy and highly detrimental process of decomposition. The heavy methane odor that this waste emits is a reminder of the role landfills play as a major polluter of our environment. Landfills rank as the third-largest source of human related methane emissions. It is CRUCIAL to EDUCATE ourselves — to understand how recycling and reducing waste can prevent us from reaching a environmentalcompletecatastrophethatloomsinour .

—ChristopherVargelis

Cardboard, an item that should be in the recycling but is some times mistakenly placed in the trash, only takes two months to de compose. Some plastics can take hundreds of years. Then there are some materials in the landfill that do not biodegrade. These items, generally highly processed materials like Styrofoam and other pe troleum based products are the greatest threat to the effort to reduce waste. In these cases, it is best to avoid using the materials at all. If you do have to use non-recyclable items, it is very important that you ensure that they end up in a garbage can and not as litter on the ground. There are many obvious problems with littering, such as en dangering animals that can choke on plastics and creating run-off that pollutes waterways. A less widely known but increasingly concerning and insidious consequence of littering are microplastics. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have been detected in marine organisms, seafood and even drinking water. Microplastics enter the ecosystem through either a primary process — microfibers shed from commercial products like mi crobeads, or a secondary process — the breakdown of plastic items like wa ter bottles. According to earth.org, there are “500 times more microplastics in the world than stars in our galaxy, a clear sign that the plastic pollution epidemic has spun out of control. We are producing, using, and throwing away more plastic than we ever did before and, whether we like it or not, most of it will stay with us forever.”

Marin Sanitary has a dual stream recycling program, which means that cardboard and paper are separated from containers (bottles, glass, metals). This system prevents cross-contamination between recyclables, maintaining the quality necessary for recycling. When preparing your home recycling to be picked up, it is important to similarly Despite the fact that America’s waste problem is ever-growing and requires greater attention from both policy-makers and the general public, recycling education and action has significant ly improved in the past decades. In 1980, only 21 percent of paper and paperboard waste and less than one percent of plastics were recycled. Today, 70 percent of paper and paperboard waste and nine percent of plastics are recycled. This remarkable progress, while still inadequate in the big picture, proves that the public has and can continue to change to combat the detrimental effect that solid waste and other pollution has on the environment. Educating yourself and others on the situation can help to curb America’s increasingly concerning waste problem. For non-recyclables, reduction and re-using are the best solutions. For recyclables, recy cling in the proper way and in accordance with your sanitation service’s standards is the best course of action. The threat of environmental catastrophe is a daunting one, but we stand a much better chance if we take action both as individuals and a community to make a change for the better.

ensure that there is no cross-contamination.

While the best course of action for non-recyclable and non-biodegradable materials is to reduce and reuse, there are fortunately many materials that can be recycled. Recycling can be a tricky process, however, so it is important to educate yourself on the specifics of what can be recycled and how to ensure that those materials are properly categorized.

dauntingThethreatofenvironmentalcatastropheisaone,butwestandamuchbetterchanceifwetakeactionbothasindividualsandacommunitytomakeachangeforthebetter.

6 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

n large parts of Marin, the trash and recycling you produce is transported from your home to Marin Sanitary Service. Items that are transported as recycling are carefully processed through a complex system that separates paper, glass, aluminium and plastics. Items that are transported as trash, how ever, end up in the desolate domain of the ever-growing dump, doomed to later be compacted and stored at local landfills. A metal conveyor dispenses heaps of trash into the wide expanse of the dump, creating hills of waste. The tallest hill reaches half way to the ceiling of the building. Bulldoz ers help to move the trash around to pre pare it for transportation to our county’s landfill. The dump’s stench, a mix of com mon filth and rotting food that should have been originally placed in the com post, emphasizes the increasing severi ty of our waste problem. Marin Sanitary is set up to sort through the recycling it receives, but unfortunately cannot do the same for trash. There is simply too much. This means that when you carelessly mis place items that could be recycled or composted, like plastic water bottles and fruits, you are sealing their eventual fate in the landfill. That bruised banana peel you threw into the garbage without a thought could have been used to fertilize soil. Both Marin and our country have a waste problem. Out of the nearly 300 million tons of municipal solid waste that Americans generated in 2018, only 69 million tons were re cycled, and 25 million tons composted. On a local level, 15 huge (72 feet long) semitrucks transport Marin’s trash to a landfill every day to take care of all the waste.When it comes to trash, there is not much we can do other than reduce waste. Once the garbage is in the land fill, we must wait out the specificdependingbeprocess,decompositionwhichcanaverylongone,onthematerial.

DON’T WASTE A CHANCE HELPEDUCATEEDUCATETOSTUDENTSYOURSCHOOLSAVETHEPLANET Check out our Free Educational Programs! 4R Planet Educational Programs help districts, schools, and classrooms to develop comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs with virtual and in-person resources. We can provide you with the tools you need, free of charge, to implement successful school recycling programs and comply with California state law! • Virtual and In-Person Training for Staff and Students • Virtual and In-Person Tours of our Recycling Center • Guides, instructions, and worksheets for Waste Activities • Compiled lists of articles, games, and lessons that can be done in the Classroom or at Home Scan to view our EducationalFreePrograms!

REPORTERS: ZADIE WINTHROP, ANNA GINESTRA, ELSA BLOCK, TESSA BAILEY, CAMERON LINEHAN FROM: Mill Valley Middle, Tamalpais High, Redwood High and Sidwell Friends Schools

An Interview with

Samantha Pauly — Katherine Howard

Samantha Pauly plays Katherine Howard in SIX. She shared her journey into theatre with insights and stories about the hard work she’s accomplished to play this role.

In a live performance you are seeing real live human beings sing, dance, move and perform. You’re in the same room, breathing the same air. You care for the performers and feel the experiences they are going through.

We were all very aware of what a special show and what a special op portunity we have been given with the show from day one. We had workplace meetings, harassment training —all the typical stuff. We had a break before we started rehearsal— all eight of us because we only had two understudies. We all had moments where we were very candid with each other. We were aware that we are an all-female cast of a female director and all female band. This is something really special. People are ex cited to see this show. But it’s not going to work and we’re not going to work if we’re not able to fully be ourselves every day when we come to work with each other. If I’m having a bad day, I want you to know. If something is wrong, and I feel like a fire-breathing dragon, great!

Any lessons you learned be fore SIX that impacted your development of your version of Katherine Howard? My director Jamie Lloyd was a fa vorite. He pushed me a lot to come out of my shell of thinking I’m a certain kind of character. He pushed me to not worry about being prettier or sounding good. He said, ‘This is ugly and messy.’ I did this for four months. And then when I came back to SIX, I felt like I was a whole new person. Even my music director said ‘you’re like, totally different. I don’t know what happened over there. But you’re so uninhibited.’ I believe working with so many different types of people brings out many different things in us.

Let’s just lay it out on the table now so that we recognize each other as humans first— then co-workers, then artists. We kind of had a running list — first, you are a human being. I’m going to see you as that. Whatever you’re going through, whatever you bring with you to work ev ery day, don’t feel like you have to leave that at the door, which is very typical in most workplaces. Usually if you’re deal ing with personal stuff and go to work, you turn it off. I think setting that prec edent from the beginning allowed us all, to connect on a much deeper level. To always, again, fully be our authentic selves, onstage and offstage. Musicals can be a gripping way to educate audiences. How do you see SIX increasing awareness for stories and breaking stereotypes? One thing that’s great about SIX is that there’s so many moments within it. People see the show and think, ‘this was happening long ago. But it’s still happening today. Women are still dealing with this stuff.’ We all consider what’s going on, [in our country] with many things burning to the ground around us. That’s informed how we’re telling our stories. And it’s really wild. So much has changed and not a lot has changed with what women have had to deal with what we’re still dealing with. Particularly, for Katherine Howard. I wanted to make sure in creating my version of the song that I was never

“Being my truest self is what has informed how I bring Katherine (Howard) to life every night”…

10 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 KATHERINE HOWARD (Approx 1524-1542 SAMANTHA PAULY (PLAYS KATHERINE HOWARD)

Having the shutdown for a year and a half, also changed how my role as Katherine Howard has developed and grown — and what she’s become. This is true for all of us in the show. When we came back after the shutdown, we all had individual work sessions with our directors, and talked about what our 18 months were like. We explored new things we’d discovered about ourselves, because now, it’s a new version coming back to the show. We’d all been away for so long. Our directors asked, ‘What’s different about you that now you want to bring to this because we always want you, we want your truest self to be the character, we don’t want you to trans form into someone else. For me person ally, I was l back in therapy regularly during the shutdown, because I had time. I dug through some messy stuff and uncovered a lot of trauma that was awful, but really informative. I’ve been able to bring that back to the show and my character and now have my fullest version that I have now. Over the last four months, this is my favorite version of Catherine that I’ve ever had.

I think everybody is always exactly on time and is where they’re supposed to be in their journey. I didn’t start doing theater until the end of my junior year of high school when I was 17. I was really into art, drawing and painting. I tried out for the spring musical on a whim because I thought it would be fun. My choir teacher suggested I try out, telling me, ‘I think you would be good at it.’ I auditioned and I got a part in the show. I had so much fun and really loved my high school drama department like fam ily. That summer before my senior year, the choir and drama departments took a trip to New York City together and we saw “Wicked.” I remember watching defying gravity in “Wicked” and being so mesmerized, but having a moment, thinking ‘Oh, I want to do that. That’s it. This is what I want to do.” How do you create such synergy amongst you all?

Samantha Pauly How did you begin?

Young people in the audience see people that look like them. Theater needs to continue to be that so it doesn’t continue to be this elitist or unobtainable idea or thing to go see.

The Marin County Free Library’s Mission is to provide welcoming, equitable and inclusive oppor tunities for all to connect, learn and explore. A core strategy to achieve our Mission is providing resources and information that will help our community learn about and more deeply engage in racial equity. Visit: marinlibrary.org doing a ‘bit.’ I was never making all these sex jokes and whatever, just as like an ‘a-hah’ kind of moment because, she’s me for a long time. And even still, a lot of people will say, ‘Oh, you’re playing Kath erine Howard. She’s a slutty one, right?’ It’s a fine line that I walk when I do the song every day. But I think again, being able to fully have a breakdown on stage every day, being ugly and crying and talking about stuff after we came back from the shutdown has really helped me craft a version of my song that is, I hope, an accurate and respectful representa tion of what women have experienced. Then I know that I’m doing my job. SIX serves to inform people of what these women went through, from what a child went through. Katherine Howard was 18 or 19 when she died. Her experience is what a literal child went through. It’s also important that we are a reflection of all of the young people that are coming to see the show. We’re also doing a good job of being that representation for young people that come see the show. They see Brittney Mack up there who wears her own hair every night and they say ‘that girl has locks.’ I have locks like that. She looks like me. They see beautiful female identifying performers every night changing what music theater has looked like for so long.

Many productions have casting instructions corresponding to the race, gender and other identity markers of actors. SIX characters have been portrayed by women and non-bi nary people of different racial identities. Could you give us some insight on whether this is built into the play, and inten tional casting choices or something else entirely? How do you think this diversity has affected the development of the musical and the stories being told?

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 11

It’s important for theater and TV and film to be a representation of what is actually out there. Especially a show like SIX. Our main demographic is young teenagers between 10 and 16. These are the people that are just losing it over the show. Young people in the audience see people that look like them. Theater needs to continue to be that so it doesn’t continue to be this elitist or unobtainable idea or thing to go see. And those are the people who it’s important to impress upon, ‘Hey, this is what theater is like. Isn’t this cool? The arts are important. And you don’t have to look a certain way or sound a certain way to be able to do this.’

It might seem harsh at first, but upon further inspection, it’s not easy to deny the fact that Marin’s climate movement doesn’t always take steps to include minorities. A culture built around sustainability is not a bad concept at all, but not everyone has the resources to buy sustainable products, shop from sustainable stores, or even make eco-friendly food. Low-income communities in Marin County are targeted by envi ronmental organizations all over the state for carbon emissions, despite the fact that more affluent areas in the county are responsible for overconsumption. This divisiveness, especially in a community built around positive change, should not be present. How can we all work together to unite different environmental com munities in Marin? And how are people already taking steps to make that vision a reality? In a world where people divide themselves based on class, language, race, and community, one of the most uniting things is the power of art. Art transcends all these barriers, and is universally understandable and loved. Many organizations in Marin County are taking the steps to break environmental barriers with Art, such as the organization Green Change, a major con tributor to Earth 2050, one of Marin County’s biggest environmental fairs.

Even youth are getting involved, using art to break barriers and showcase their thoughts on environ mental action. Organizations based in Marin, such as Marin’s Sunrise Chapter and Youth Action Through Art, are painting murals and hosting art galleries to make their voices heard.

PROUD TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 36 FASTFORWARD MARCH 2020 Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District l Central Marin Sanitation District l Novato Sanitary District Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin l Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District l Tiburon Sanitary District

Member

polluter call 1-800-SAV-R-BAY — A More Inclusive, Artistic Future

Meggie added that although the local environmental movement isn’t always perfect, it is getting better, and she sees a lot of potential in it. “For those who want to become involved in environmental advocacy, I would like to let them know that they can make an impact on our future . Often times in environmen talism it can feel like what you’re doing won’t be enough to make any mean ingful difference. It sometimes can feel like you have no impact, which pushes you to inactivity. If we all ignore the climate crisis, leaving it for other people to handle, nothing will happen. It’s easy to lose sight of all of the positivity and optimism in the face of climate change, but if you look around, you can see all of the exceptional work being done across the globe by inspiring leaders. Fighting climate change is a collective effort, and we can all do our part to make change.”

in art, and it can really be made with anything. I think art is a perfect vehicle when it comes to sharing thoughts from all backgrounds.”

Is Marin’s environmental movement perfect? It’s far from that. But is it get ting better? Absolutely. And as Marin’s environmental organizations continue to break barriers with the universal language of art, we can start to see our future becoming more equitable, more welcoming, and most of all, perfectly sustainable. t’s undeniable that Marin cares about climate action. It’s a huge part of life in Marin County, whether you’re actively involved or simply a supporter of environmental efforts. Stereotypes aren’t always real or true, but one can’t deny that Marin is home to outdoorsy individuals, about a million mountain-biking trails, surfers, and hiking enthusiasts. Marin’s core identity revolves around loving nature and spending time soaking in your surroundings.Sowhyis it that Marin’s environmental justice movement can sometimes be so unwelcoming? To report a CCL Maddie holds up a poster THEME: What will the World Look Like in 50 Years? Mill Valley’s Earth 2050 brings together dozens of climate organizations from towns all over Marin County, to discuss the future in a pos itive and uplifting light. I

Our Growing Climate Movement

at a tabling event at the San Rafael Farmers’ Market

By Harita Kalvai Senior, Marin School of Environmental Leadership Youth ThroughActionArt member arecommunity.anyone.becomebecausemovement.thebreaks“InStenbackMeggiestates,myopinion,ArtbarriersinenvironmentalThat’sartcanfrom,andmade,byreallyFromanyTherenomistakes

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 13 12 Corte Madera Avenue Mill Valley 415-388-3222 Check out our Shop & Give Donations Program — Select your favorite charity and we’ll donate 2% of your total grocery receipts. MON-SAT 7am - 7:30pm SUN 9am-7pm SPONSORED BY: GreenPlay campers make a difference in our community. We work on restoration projects that connect us with the place we live and strive to leave every place we visit better than the way we found it. This summer, we worked on projects close to home, such as maintaining our Meadow Garden at Terwilliger Marsh and litter clean-ups at Bothin Marsh in Mill Valley and many other locations. Every day is an opportunity to explore, make discoveries, and protect our local ecosystems. Helping make the place where we live better for us and all of the other creatures who live here is fun! GREENPLAY Helping Kids Make a Difference in Our Community Everyone deserves to be looked at like that. Find the one who makes your heart skip. Feathered, furry, u y, or scaled. Find the one at marinhumane.org/adopt BFF’s ForeverCMYCYMYCMK HumaneEd Ad.pdf 1 8/25/21 11:51 AM Need For Speed? MARIN WAVES TRACK CLUB GROUPmarinwavestrack.comSignUpTodayOPENREGISTRATIONSESSIONSnowAvailableFALLXC/Track&FieldCongrats!USATFJOAll-AmericanEllieMcCuskey-Hay Saint Isabella K-8 School provides a wholesome nurturing environment that establishes a foundation for lifelong learning. We are a parent involved school located in Terra Linda on a private campus close to Hwy. 101. Our programs promote the academic, social, and spiritual development of our students. School Tours are offered by Appointment 415-479-3727 x112 or admissions@stisabellaschool.org 1 Trinity Way Terra Linda – San Rafael www.stisabellaschool.org in-home pods/microschoolstutoringorremote

JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 16! Visit marincatholic.org for more details or email jrockett@marincatholic.org with questions. Admissions Application Deadline: November 1 18 College Prep that Goes Beyond the Classroom Small by Design to Individualize Curriculum Book your tour today! 14 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 15 SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL 415.258.1905 Independent, K-12, Day and Boarding Founded in 1850 Upper School October 22, 2022 December 3, 2022 Grades 4-8 December 10, 2022 andKindergartenFirstGrade November 5, 2022 Join us for a Preview Day! MTS MOUNT TAMALPAIS SCHOOL K-8 School in Mill Valley | mttam.org REGISTER FOR A TOUR Serious SeriouslyLearning.Fun.

16 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 Art Gallery Sadie Snipes, Junior, Branson Kaitlin Gassner, Senior, Branson Eric Oldmixon’s, Allyson Seal’s and Noelle Anderson’s art students at Branson School Camilo Urbano, Sophomore, Branson Mirabel Arlander, Sophomore, Branson Cayman Stein, Junior, Branson Celia Tolmie, Sophomore, Branson

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 17 Alexandra Zak, Senior, Branson Carter West, Junior, Branson Sabrina Hwang, Junior, Branson Josie Hohenreider, Junior, Branson

18 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

LIL UZI VERT

hen I first stepped foot into Out side Lands, an aura of free-wheel ing spirit could be felt as Festi val-goers flocked to the polo fields in masses, a breath of fresh air from recent times. The sun shined brightly all three days, a rare occurrence as you get closer to Ocean Beach. Harsh tan lines were visible as the days went on. A young crowd, ranging from kids fresh out of middle school to millennials, dressed their part in extravagant costume attire. Banan as and park ranger costumes were popular choices amongst larger friend groups. Outfits inspired by the latest TikTok trends fueled fashion choices, with Shein graphic tees, beach cover-ups, and over alls running rampant. Summers’ bests were out on full display. The most abundant food & drink lineup enriched this year’s Out side Lands, with more than ninety local restaurants and food trucks. From loaded mac and cheese to ramen burgers, you could really have it all. I tried something new every day and nothing disappointed besides the hefty prices. Lil Uzi Vert kicked off the weekend with a banging performance late Friday afternoon. A seven-teen-year-old kid highlighted the set by running up on stage, stopping the show. Just as the mosh pits started to close up in disappointment, the artist took the high road coming to his fan’s aid, taking a selfie, and hugging things out. Hun dreds of phones were quickly ripped out of pockets capturing this

By Chase Faber Senior, Marin Academy

Earlier that day, I caught up with Dayglow shortly before his performance. During the interview, he explained how he condenses his vision for festivals, mix ing “greatest hits” into his sets for a show that caters to all. This strategy was a good choice, amassing one of the weekend’s biggest crowds. But, hands down, this performance set the standard for the rest of the OtherFestival.notable performances on Friday included Oliver Tree’s cringe-worthy show, riddled with corny jokes like “I’ll try to make a f**kin earthquake like the one in 1987,” inciting boos from the crowd.

On the other hand, Washed Out and Del Water Gap joined Dayglow putting on stellar performances of a lifetime. Friday night presented the hardest decision

Photo Credit: Joe Cornett of the weekend as fans had to choose between seeing Phoebe Bridgers or SZA. People were heard throughout the crowd angsting over which choice to make. Saturday came in full force, as the Polo Fields were overwhelmingly crowded. Seeking out smaller stages when festivals become busy and claustrophobic is always an option, and the Outside Lands Panhan dle Stage often made for a more enjoyable time. Wilderado and Maxo Kream both put on excellent shows for more intimate crowds. However, the day’s highlight came when Bay Area rap phenomenon Larry June gave an effortlessly classy performance, all while sipping orange juice and rapping about financial literacy. To cap off the night, Kali Uchis and Green Day’s headlining acts literally lit the night on fire, making a notable distinction from Jack Harlow’s mediocre set beforehand. Despite a brilliant night’s rest, all the walking and standing started to get to me on day three. Fortunately, Briston Maron ey kicked off the day with many feel-good jams to keep me feeling alive. Weezer capped off the weekend, followed by the headliner, Post Malone and his rockstar energy. A bitter-sweet night ended with the smashing of acoustic guitars accom panied by fireworks. Ashes rained down on saddened eyes — a perfect metaphor for how we were all feeling.

wholesome moment.

SAMPA THE GREAT

ROSTAM WASHED OUT THE MARIAS

Photo Credits: Joe Cornett

Activist Academy attendee India was a strong voice in the conversation of the intersectionality between being a girl and neurodivergency.“Asagirlinpublic high school I’ve seen the gross disconnect for access to resources and testing to get proper accommodations to help ease learning. Being a high per forming student hasn’t helped it either. Teachers have laughed at me when I’ve tried to discuss how assignments meant to take thirty minutes take me on average 3x the amount of time, and I’ve been called lazy and unmotivated when in reality I needed and asked for “Properhelp.”access to mental health re sources should not be determined by my so cioeconomic status or whether I’m in public or private school. This problem in our schools highlights the fact that education and success has become mone tized. Everyone should have fair and equal access to testing as well as any accommo dations to help them learn the way that’s best for them.” India stated passionately, and as she spoke about her personal experi ences, it was like all the girls in the room sub consciously connected her experiences to theirs. We all had experiences of being mis understood, trying to explain to teachers that there were certain things we couldn’t control, things we couldn’t explain. It was an intersection, a connection — one I had never realized that so many girls shared.

Activist Academy — The Significance of Connections

Activist Academy was an amazing expe rience. From the seminars to the friends I made, I would not trade those four days for anything. Activist Academy helped me realize the importance of striving to make connections — even when you can’t imagine those connections being shared experiences.

20 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

By Harita Kalvai, Senior, Marin School of Environmental Leadership — alwayshavetoday,agersteenmanylike been interest ed in the con cept of connection. Whether this is through expressing myself through poetry, listening to music, or even having discussions with peers, creating connections has always been important. My interest in creating in terpersonal connections led me to join the organization Beyond Differences. Originat ing in Marin County, Beyond Differences is a nonprofit that aims to end social isolation by teaching students about the ways that our differences can be harmonizing, rather thanThroughisolating.

Beyond Differences, I was able to attend Activist Academy — a four-day retreat at Dominican University. I was able to meet like-minded teenagers all over the country was nothing short of a life-chang ing experience. In those four days, I learned so much about the world around me and experiences that people in my communities face. I connected with teenagers, many whom I now consider close friends. And yet, one of the most eye-opening realization was to understand that connec tions change the way that a person faces the world around them. When connections are made, an intersec tion is created. Activist Academy opened my eyes to how life-changing these inter sections can be. For example, feminism can mean different things to different women, and the movement works differently for white women and women of color. Being queer looks different for different people, and other parts of someone’s identity, such as a cultural identity or disability, can affect the way that someone interprets and and faces queerness. Activist Academy helped me see how intersectionality is so important to the identities of people, and how different parts of an identity are so significant to creating people with diverse backgrounds.Duringoneof our discussion groups, we discussed microaggressions and experienc es we’ve faced in school, with friends, and in professional settings. One of the most prevalent issues we discussed is the way I that neurodivergency affects girls, and how hard it can be to receive a diagnosis due to a lack of understanding as to how certain conditions, like ADHD or Autism, look different for men and women. For example, while ADHD might lead to more impulsive behaviors in men, it might lead to more inattentiveness in women. Even though the symptoms are wildly different, both forms are still ADHD - but one form is far easier diagnosed than the other. It was one of the most impactful conversations we had, and really taught me so much about the expe rience my fellow peers had surrounding diagnoses and learning disabilities.

“I like garden because you are free to do anything.”— Everette “I like the garden because it is peaceful and we get to do fun crafts. There is a lot of fresh food and all of the herbs calm me down.”— Josie “I like the garden because we get to make food.”

Today in the garden... “I like the garden because it takes me away from all of the stress and there is nature all around me.” — Livia

To learn more about our work with Bay Area school gardens, visit

“I like the garden because it feels like you are in nature. and it makes me feel calm and happy.”

— Oceana “I like the garden because Miss Melissa is sweet and kind and we get to do cool things.” — Maia “I like the garden because it is a place that I can relax when I feel overwhelmed.” — Cante

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 21 Mill Valley: 401 Miller Ave. 415-388-0365 657 E..Blithedale Ave. 415-388-0102 Kentﬁeld: 700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 415-454-0262 Novato: 2000 Novato Blvd. 415-897-2169SPONSORING STRAWBERRY POINT SCHOOL Each month Sloat Garden Center offers a $250 garden grant to a new Marin County school.

Melissa Gayle’s Garden Students

— Allie A “I like the garden because it’s fun and I love nature.” — Daniella

www.sloatgardens.com

— Allie T. “I like the garden because we get to do and learn cool things about plants, animals, and nature.”

Tchaikovsky’s exuberant music began to whirl around me, blanketing my tension with a soft array of instruments. I automat ically stepped on stage, as if it were a sixth sense. Angelically, I began to dance, com pletely forgetting my haunting worries as if I was in Neverland. As the music took me away, I attempted a double pirouette, a step I had been practicing for a while. Sweat cautiously formed on my face, but instead of despising it, I captured the moment in my memory bank. The music crescendoed, bringing me back into my consciousness. Tennis by Aristotle Lin-Hurtubise I hit the ball, sweat dripping down my face, a nice “whack” and I am exhausted. Back and forth we rallied, adrenalin pump ing throughout my body, feeling a need to win. I had been practicing for years and this was the time to show off my skill. the games are tied up, two for two. Both of us are tired and striving and not giving up until we win. My arm is tense; the motion of hitting the bright green sphere getting increasingly more exhausting than the last. Each of the final matches are lengthy

Reading by Allegra Andreoli

Mountain Biking by Brady Richter As my panting breath became heavier and my legs started to scream with pain, I caught a glance of the beautiful town below. My heart was pounding through my chest. Though my bike was doing fine, I was struggling to get up the rocky dry slope. As the burn felt like a volcano erup tion in my body, I knew it would be worth the pain. At the top would be a breathtak ing view that would be worth every single pedal.Asthe wind brushed my hair, I flew off the dirt ramp and through the sky. I flew like a bird over the ocean, my knuckles white and my feet grabbing onto the ped als as much as they could.

nose. Out of the corner of my eye, I swear I see the barbell bending down. One, two, three, my fourth rep. Oh’ …so dreadful, my legs could not stop shaking. My face turns ripe as a tomato as I start to ascend my fifth rep. Finally, I would be done with the first set. Big breath and down. “Up” my mind said, but my legs were far behind. My mouth opened without me realizing and my voice came out loud for all to hear, a violent scream. Now my entire body was shaking, but finally my first set done. Only four more.

Olympic Weight Training by Van Selph

The weight on the barbell was so heavy, my knees bending under the pressure. My face had sweat dripping into my eyes, my glasses slipping onto the tip of my FastForward visited Suzy Anderson’s 7th Grade students to conduct a writing workshop.

The crinkling thin paper slides off my fingertips, each page revealing more scenes and pictures to the movie in my head. I am absorbed, laughing, crying. I am reading.Iwalk the halls of Hogwarts, laugh over butterbeer in Hogsmeade, fly through the air on a broomstick, lounge by the lake watching the Giant Squid swim by, talk with Ron and Hermione on a cozy arm chair by the fireplace, play exploding snap with the Weasley twins. Harry Potter takes meWhenthere.the sun shyly peeks behind the mountain on a crisp Saturday morning, its radiance piercing through my heavy blinds, filling my room with a soft glow, it finds me burrowed under the covers, a book clasped in my anxious hands. My Chase Violich, 7th Grade Lyla Stoelting, 7th Grade Marcella Taboada, 7th Grade

22 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

Ballet by Keira Eisenbud

Mill Valley Middle School

eyes pour over the inked paper, hungry after twelve hours of tantalizing sleep, for more.

Traveling by Deke Hulquist Chirp, chirp, croak- croak, the trees waving in the wind…the warm sun and the jungle are so different from what I am used to. I’ve spent months looking for ward to this trip and even though it will only last a few days, the memories will last forever. Is it because they are differ ent? It begins with sitting in the back of a car driving through the dark morning to the airport. The jets of the plane drown out all other noises causing a sleepy feel ing to take over. Stepping out of the plane, the cool air is refreshing.

Music by Miles Radcliffe Music has changed my life. Whether I am making it or listening, I feel as if the rest of the world does not exist. When the drums and the bass mix together to create a sound I feel fully immersed in the music. When I add a sample from a song I like, it makes me feel very happy even if I feel the opposite. In that moment, I feel as if my emotions are in the music not myself. It feels like I am in the world of the album or the artist, not in my own. The emotions of the album or the artist convey how I feel. When I listen to a happy or a sad song, I feel the mood of that song as it takes over my soul. That one song can change the feeling of the entire day. I listen to music every single day of my life and I have for many years. I believe I have inherited my love of music from my father. This is why music is so important to me.

Swimming by Sabine Barringer Beep! The horn blares and the swimmers push off the block and fly through the air just before crashing into the sapphire wa ter. My arms, moving like a rowing boat’s oars, push the water in front of me. As I breathe, I see people cheering from the side, like kids when they get candy. The wall ap proaches and I take my last breath of steamfilled air before I flip under the water, then push off the wall, starting my second lap. The wall, smooth with tiles, waves goodbye when I leave. Come on… Come on… I take an other breath.

Horseback Riding by Charlotte Perrin My heart pounded with the beat of my horses’ hooves. Each step, sweat dripped down my back like a stream sticking to my white-mesh shirt. 1-2-3- jump! Locking my fingers around my horse’s plaited hair, I’m Sienna Moglen, 7th Grade

Skiing by Mia Fort As the cold wind blows by me, I feel the coolness spreading throughout my body as my skis lead me down the hill and to the bottom. I traverse over to the chairlift and as the chair hits my legs, excitement and adrenaline build up inside me. The chill of the winter wind gets stronger, and I hear it howling beside me. As I reach the summit of the lift, I look down into the valley of white I see before my eyes. I notice the real sparkle of the freshly fallen snow and drop in to de stroy it. My skis glide over regular snow, but today it is different. The thickness of the powdery snow makes me sink. As the trails merge, more and more people begin to appear. My skin feels numb from frostbite, but who cares?

War is killing millions of people. Practice makes perfect. Winning isn’t everything. People think differently. A good friend is loyal. We learn from our mistakes. The sun rises every day, calling us from sleep and shattering the night. Some people haven’t eaten a meal

Friendsday.and family are there to care for Nothingyou.isever perfect. COVID hurt everyone in some way. Sometimes the most fun moments in life are spontaneous. Space is big and cool. Hard work leads to success. Kind people make me happy. Friends are always there for you. To reach your goals, you have to work for it. I dream to be on broadway one day. Different genres of music make you feel different Asthings.soon as everything goes your way, life will throw you onto a new path. Coconuts are a fruit. Smoking can kill you. Hard work always pays off.

Books can be a window to a different world. Life is not always fair. Music makes me feel. There is no sea without waves. Life is filled with struggle. My friends make me happy. You can’t do everything, but you can always do something I want to help people.

and powerful shots turn into weak and slop py swings. We are both tired and ready for this to be over. I serve a powerful shot in the furthest corner which he returns. I try to overpower him with a clean shot right to the back, but again he fires back slightly stron ger. One more shot in the middle, and it goes through! This is a great victory. This is my passion.

Things We Know to be True

Everyone deserves knowl edge. Ms. Suzy Anderson’s students

Readingtoday. immerses me into a different world. In life you fall a lot, but you always have to get up. School can be hard but it is Theimportant.sunisout for longer in the summer.Oneevent can make or break a

Continued on Page 24

Coconut by SJ Giusti-Cantan A brown, hairy coconut, perfectly round. A smooth crack appears as it lands on a rock, revealing its meaty goodness. The coconut milk is coconutty. A fruit that is called a nut, one of the best fruits that man could have discovered. A coconut tree with its palm leaves blowing in the wind on a peaceful island with waves hitting the rocks below. There is a large bunch of coconuts. Coco nuts are amazing; they need more respect. If you take a coconut, you should leave an of fering. This is the way of the coconut, one of the best fruits ever.

ready for the impact. It came swiftly, land ing in a canter with the feeling of having wings. More jumps, using my core and legs, feeling the weight of gravity. Feeling like I might collapse, I walk off the arena feeling a weight lifted from me, proud of myself and my horse. Robots, Physical and Digital by Elvis Shillum Robots in the present day help you wake up in the morning, or they can clean the floor. But as simple as they look, they are extremely hard to make. With your fin gers throbbing, sweating like a raincloud, robots are a nuisance to make on both the physical and the digital side. If you screw up on one of the sides, it messes up both. If you make a coding error, it has the poten tial to break the physical robot, and if your robot accidentally triggers a sensor, then multiple codes running at the same time could break the robot. I love building robots, but they are not easy to make. Drama by Izzy Vanatta I’m standing on that stage thinking that people are watching me. The adrenaline is pumping, and my heart is beating fast. I perform better each time. I look at the audiences’ smiling faces thinking, ‘I know this is what I love.’ I hear people talking and laughing at the performance. I think to my self I can do this. Back stage everyone en courages us. When it is over, I am so proud and feel the rush ending. The final bow is the best of all. Everyone claps. Theater has always been a big part of my life.

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 23

“Need help?” My table partner asked. My mouth watered with happiness, and I swallowed my smile. “No,” I answered.

Olive the Dog by Aidan Andresen A black blur shot past me at the speed of a fast dog because that’s what it was. My dog Olive has large, brown eyes, black fur except for her white chest, the tips of her paws, and her chin. She has a fluffy neck and never runs out of energy. I’ve never seen another dog out run her. Sometimes she goes on her back with her paws up in the air and we know she is having a dream. She sleeps in a red bed, just the right size for her. When we come home, she jumps around, leaping on all of us in turn and showering us with licks. Even when oth er dogs are mean to her, she never snaps back. Once, she was in the back yard and she spotted a squirrel. Instead of chasing

Anxiety by Izzy Brodsley

“Are you sure?”

24 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

into my chair. Back of the classroom. I felt my hand sweat and my paper stained with drips. Just ask her, just ask her, you’re clue less. Again, my stomach hurt and that’s where my words stayed.

I can feel the sand all around me. There isn’t much wind as I wait for the ball. My partner yells and I see the ball hit her arms. The other team served hard. It flies through the air and before I can think I’m running after it. The ball gets closer and closer to the ground, but I’m also close. My partner yells and I dive. I feel myself hit the sand, but I also feel the ball hit my arms. The ball flies back towards my part ner as I jump up quickly. She quickly gets under the ball and passes it over, saving us from losing the game. At that moment, the wind picks up, and the ball becomes more unpredictable. It’s our turn to serve. I can feel myself tensing. Come on, come on. We are so close. It’s just one point. She sets it for me as I hop up. I do my approach, and swing. The ball hits the sand. We cheer and hug each other. We won. The joy is almost overwhelming. We say good game to the other team. It was close. Nothing feels bet ter than winning a close game.

it, like many other dogs would, she grabbed a tree branch and went up to the squirrel as if she wanted to play with it. Whenever we are out walking and see wildlife, she stops and stares at it, wagging and smil ing a doggy smile. Whenever one of my family members is hurt or feeling sad, Ol ive goes up and licks them. She leans into that person’s side and lets them pet her.

Sometimes, when I’m eating dinner, I feel something in my lap, and it is her. This is comforting after a long day to just look into her puppy eyes. When we adopted her, af ter just looking at the picture of her, I knew she was the one I wanted.

‘How do you solve for x? Can I use a cal culator?’ I did have questions, so many. Words never came to me, and I sank lower

Basketball by Sam Adkins “Tweet! Tweet!” The referee blew his whistle with a sharp sound and the orange round ball flew into the air as if launched by a cannon. Our team’s tallest player jumped higher than the other team’s tallest player and tapped the ball with precise touch into my hands. After a few dribbles and moves against the opposing defense, I passed it to a teammate close by and tried to get open. The team assigned a swift player to guard me, so it was challenging to try to break through the defense. My timing had to be immaculate, and I had to move as fast and agilely as a rooster running from humans. One of my teammates set a screen on my defending player and our point guard passed the ball to me. As I stood at the top of the key, I glanced at the shot clock which showed just three seconds. I started on the right side before weaving to the left and laying the ball in the hoop.

No emotions, no thoughts, No worries, no darkness, no light, Just the plain feeling of nothing. Simply a trance, with no reactions, Not sad, nor happy, no jealousy Or anger, no fear and no love. Only the feeling of not bad or good, Simply there, no colors or thinking. It’s a good feeling when you Don’t have to worry or think. Some like this, but some don’t. You might experience this, It’s a neutral emotion with little Meaning, it’s simply plain, like sleep Without dreams, an unwritten story.

“Um actually, how do you solve for x, and can I use a calculator?” Her eyes brightened and ears perked up. “I’m sure” was all that came out.

My hands shaking, I wipe the sweat onto my jeans. I can feel my heart begin to beat faster as I get closer to the hospital. I feel my long blonde hair wet with tears. I can’t believe my sister who I haven’t seen in years, Jennifer, is about to give me one of her kidneys. What if my body rejects the organ and she’s left with one kidney and I die? I try to slow my breathing as my mom parks the car.

EMOTIONS Students picked an emotion and wrote an imaginary story about the emotion. Excitement by Finn McMullen

Their discussions are much more in teresting than anything I had to say. They talked about rabbits and celery, and I hadn’t even started writing. I meant to fin ish. This could prove problematic. I didn’t talk about the beginning of what I want to say. Well, sorry. I apologize for the nothing that I have made. It is blustery in my head and so forgive my lack of anything said.

Continued from Page 23... Mill Valley Middle School Volleyball by Eva Hart

Nervous by Ellie McEvilley

He heard a knock at the door. “Come in!” he yelled, and his mom stepped into his room. “It’s almost time to eat, Bud,” his mom said as she tousled his hair. “I know,” he said, without looking up from his “Alright,”computer.hismom replied, “just ten more minutes,” and with that she left the room. He sat on his bed with his keyboard on his lap. He pressed record on his com puter and started playing a melody he had been working on all night. He stopped, blood rushing through his veins. He jumped up and yelled ‘YES!!’ He pressed play and started dancing around. His mom walked in and said, “Finally did it, huh?” Anxiety by Daphne Yurch Trapped. Bounded by his mind’s un known laws. He can’t say this. He can’t do that. His mind can’t stop spiraling. He wants to protect those he loves, but he can’t even protect himself. Humor can’t hide everything. A band-aid will only hide a scratch, not wounds that run bone deep. He’s too scared to rock the boat because he can’t make a mess again. Sadness by James Kneafsey Rain hit the windshield as I drive on Lake Shore Avenue, and tears splatter my already wet face. I take a hard right and my car slips as I lose control. I’m fall ing through the consequences of my ac tions. I’ve lost control of my life, just going through the motions over and over, in a world full of friendly faces, always alone. But deep down, there’s still someone that cares. Someone getting out of bed in the morning. Shyness by Tessa Cohen Raise your hand if you have a question.

On the fifth day of the movie making project, it was time to film the final scene, a very cringey video of a poster, a missing child, me. As the poster was hung the pho to of my fake smile and unwashed, tangled hair behind my ears like a cloud. It was pet rifying knowing my teachers, friends, and classmates would see that. As the wind made the poster flutter, a loud noise was generated, bringing attention from many to see the disappointment of a poster. My face turned red as many tried to hide, wait ing for a moment where they can look away and laugh their hearts out. Nothingness by Tristan de Baere

Embarrassed by Brianna Nguyen

Art Tatum Buoy, Hall Middle School Simone Carr, Archie Williams High School Sophia Spinella-Blum, Miller Creek Middle School Marin Poster Contest Marin’s students created posters on issues they care about for the Annual Marin Poster Constest. Lucy Sauber, Davidson Middle School Booker Wegner, Marin School of the Arts Tessa Davis, White Hill Middle School Daniella Talavera, Kent Middle School Emerald Lin, San Marin High School Kiera Flores, White Hill Middle School ...PROUD TO SPONSOR STUDENT ART MON-SAT 10 - 6 SUN 11- 4AM PM AM PM 1138 FOURTH STREET • SAN RAFAEL • WWW.RILEYSTREET.COM415-457-2787 PROUD TO SPONSOR STUDENT ART MON—SAT 10AM - 6 PM Sun 11AM - 4PM 415-457-2787 1138 FOURTH STREET SAN RAFAEL WWW.RILEYSTREET.COM HUMAN GREED

Hiding From a War by Michelle Fleck 6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School

Before the summer Assistant FastForward Editor Britta Esmail challenged Mill Valley 5th graders at Strawberry Point to write a 100-word story. No more, no less than 100 words. “100 words to take a reader’s breath away and create your complete story.” Britta told the students. Brevity seems easy (after all we live in a hashtag world). But it’s not. Over the course of five writing sessions these young writers earned their spot as finalists. Congratulations to our junior creative writers now starting 6th grade!

The battlefield is peaceful, almost. With the setting sun, the dog army approaches from the right and the cat battalion from the left. The ground shakes as each side rushes closer to the middle of the battle field. Face to face the two sides stop. The enemies glare at each other. The Dog Lead er’s broadsword glints in the light of dusk. The Cat’s Commander carries a hooked sword. Its sharp blade flaring in the cat’s eyes. The last bit of sunlight hides behind the hillside. The world goes dark and quiet again, almost. CLANG! Swords strike each other. The battlefield erupts WINNER!

26 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 Oscars First Night Out by Rourke Blignaut 6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School Yawn! It’s around 7:23 pm and it’s hot everywhere, the palm trees sway over the beautiful sunset. Soon I head home and it’s around 9:00 pm. I run home because I will never EVER dare to face the danger at night. I arrive at 9:34 and hop on the AC to go in through the window ..but.. It’s closed! And Jack’s sleeping! He’s my owner. It’s midnight! And the crocodiles are scanning the area for cats! And… they notice me! I scatter over all the ACs and make it to a safe spot and wait till morning.

Haunted House by Nate Liebrman 6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School Hi My name is Gabe. I’m in my worst nightmare except for one thing: it’s not a nightmare. My friends convinced me to go to a haunted house. What was I thinking? I was trying to be cool just like when I tried to be cool and broke my dog’s nose when I tried to make him fly. I’m so scared they control the entire haunted house. What will happen? I keep trying to find the exit but then I find out they control the exit! I yell at them to let me out. They respond they haven’t even started. WINNER!

100-word Story Contest

The First Strike By Anya Esmail 6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School

Have you ever had to hide from evil under a desk? I have. Being RussianUkrainian has ruined my life far worse than anyone. I grab my diary and write, “I’m hiding from one of Putin’s gun-holding uniform-wearing peasants. Now I see this is a bad idea. And once again, I’m on nobody’s side. I’ll always betray the other side when I choose, no matter what.” I hold my breath as the soldier in the room yells, “Nobody’s here, boss!” with the top of his lungs in Russian. “ Дякувати Богу,” I thought in Ukrainian, which means “Thank God.”

Pill Courage by Fabrizia Sihra 6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School I’m Apolonia, I love parrots, hate being on the spectrum. Today, I’ll be normal. Exciting, yes! Nerve-wracking, definitely. Mom says, “It’s time.” Grins blos Atsoms.the hospital I hear, “I’ve got an antidote. Come to my office!” On our way, I clutch Isadora’s hand. She whispers, “No matter what, you’ll always be my smart, sweet, and kind sister.” I look at her, whispering: “Prove nothing?” Tears Then,roam…I smile at my gold-hearted Thesister.doctor gives me a pill. I breathe and swallow it with water. Everyone stares. I look at Isadora and say, “Hi Isadora.” We hug.

The Expedition of a ByLifetimeLogan Eisenbud 6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School

One fresh sunny day, everything would go according to plan… hopefully. I was the leader of an expedition that would start today in the frigid Antarctic. We wanted to prove that the stories passed from generations of Kayu aít, the dragon slaying man who lives in the Antarctic. It is said that he slayed the dragon of Mercury and saved the world. Today, the snow was fresh and the ice wasn’t slippery, and according to our map, the statue was just over a close ridge. Once we crossed the damp, cold hill, everything became dark, and I never saw anything again.

FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 27 10th Grade

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United Markets congratulates all the actors, teaching artists, and parents who help make it possible for students to discover the magic of Shakespeare Marin Shakespeare Company brings Shakespeare from the page to stage for thousands of students ages five and older throughout the North Bay. Year-round classes for youth, teenagers, and adults help students delve deeper into Shakespeare’s world while providing instruction in a variety of performing arts skills. Students learn about Shakespeare, but they also learn self-confidence and have fun with their peers. Camps and classes are taught by professional actors, often seen in our main stage productions at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre. At Marin Shakespeare Company classes and camps, our students make theatre and make friends. We make Shakespeare FUN!

Marin Shakespeare Company

Front: Lucy Noble, Owen Maher

Marin Shakespeare students share: “I think theatre allows students to step out of their comfort zone... being different personalities on stage helps them grow as individuals.” — Khari Haynes, Teaching Artist, Director

“My favorite part of being on stage is making people laugh.” — Lisa Noble, 10 “I like all the different characters and how they’re all playing their parts.”— Maddie, 12 Back, left to right: Coralanne Spake-Canote, Ophelia Sears, Lisa Noble, Laila Norenius, Clara Rose, Brooklyn Cooper-Schnell, Ella Ervin, Zoe Haas-Tate, Ava Baker, Sydney Lin, Anastasia Egli and Mihira Rajan.

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