FastForward | September - October 2022

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FastForward #32 VOL 1 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

Time to care DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TRASH GOES? ON THE FRONT LINES WITH MARIN SANITARY

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“SIX”— BROADWAY IN NYC AN INTERVIEW WITH SAMANTHA PAULY OUTSIDE LANDS AN INSIDE VIEW AS PRESS SCHOOL OF THE MONTH MILL VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

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

SPONSORED BY:

Check out our Shop & Give Donations Program — Select your favorite charity and we’ll donate 2% of your total grocery receipts.

Kiddo! is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. As the primary 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 creativity.”

“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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

FEATURED REPORTERS

CONTENTS

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 beginnings and how she started out later in high school acting, telling us, “We all begin when it is time.”

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

learn, expand P. 4

FEATURE STORY: DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TRASH GOES?

P. 7

MARIN SANITARY — 4R PLANET EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

P. 8

“SIX” — AN INTERVIEW WITH QUEEN KATHERINE HOWARD-SAMANTHA PAULY

Emerson Swift EDITOR

Zoe Bailey

Audrey Lowell

Chris Vargelis

Nicholas Chin

Camron McDonald

Elsa Block

Kiera Eisenbud

Chase Faber

Marguerite Walden-Kaufman

Tessa Bailey

Sarah Mondesir

P. 12 THE ENVIRONMENTAL PAGE — OUR GROWING CLIMATE MOVEMENT P. 16 THE ART GALLERY — BRANSON P. 18 OUTSIDE LANDS — GETTING THE STORY AS PRESS P. 20 ACTIVIST ACADEMY — THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CONNECTIONS P. 21 GARDEN PAGE — STRAWBERRY POINT SCHOOL GARDEN P. 22 MILL VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL — OUR PASSIONS P. 25 MARIN POSTER CONTEST — ISSUES WE CARE ABOUT P. 26 100-WORD STORIES — MILL VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL P. 27 OPINION: TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE? P. 28 MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL P. 30 MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

ADVERTISERS/SUPPORTERS Amici’s Pizza Branson School FrameCrafters Gallery Headlands Preparatory School La Ginestra Marin Academy Marin Catholic High Marin Horizon School Marin Humane Society Marin Tutors Marin Primary & Middle School Marin Waves & Track Club Montecito Plaza

Mount Tamalpais School Mill Valley Film Festival Mill Valley Market Ongaro & Sons PAAM-Performing 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

Harita Kalvai

Anya Esmail

Malhar Dev

Semira Robinson

, 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, SJ 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.

PHOTO CONTEST Call for Entries...

Email three (3) entries winifred@fastforwardweb.com File format: JPG, PDF or PNG (High Res) Due November 1st...

Contest to be published in FastForward 1st Prize $300 2nd $200 3rd $100 + (TEN HONORABLE MENTIONS) $50

FASTFORWARD

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

2022

3

Do you know

where

?

your trash goes

By Christopher Vargelis Redwood High 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 currently services more than 33,000 residential and commercial accounts.

Today with three generations of Garbarinos working at Marin Sanitary, the family’s hard work over the years has succeeded in getting Marin County to recycle over 74% of all waste.

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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 complete environmental catastrophe that looms in our FUTURE.

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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, however, end up in the desolate domain of the ever-growing dump, doomed to later be compacted and stored at local landfills.

Cardboard, an item that should be in the recycling but is sometimes mistakenly placed in the trash, only takes two months to decompose. 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 petroleum 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 endangering 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 microbeads, or a secondary process — the breakdown of plastic items like water 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.”

A metal conveyor dispenses heaps of trash into the wide expanse of the dump, creating hills of waste. The tallest hill reaches halfway to the ceiling of the building. Bulldozers help to move the trash around to prepare it for transportation to our county’s landfill. The dump’s stench, a mix of common filth and rotting food that should have been originally placed in the compost, emphasizes the increasing severity 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 mislis place items that could be recycled rge a V r or composted, like plastic water phe bottles and fruits, you are sealing isto r h —C their eventual fate in the landfill.

While the That bruised banana peel you best course of threw into the garbage without a action for non-recyclable thought could have been used to and non-biodegradable materials is fertilize soil. to reduce and reuse, there are fortunately Both Marin and our country many materials that can be recycled. Recycling can have a waste problem. Out of be a tricky process, however, so it is important to educate the nearly 300 million tons yourself on the specifics of what can be recycled and how to ensure of municipal solid waste that that those materials are properly categorized.

Americans generated in 2018, Marin Sanitary has a dual stream recycling program, which only 69 million tons were remeans that cardboard and paper are separated from containers (botcycled, and 25 million tons tles, glass, metals). This system prevents cross-contamination between composted. On a local level, 15 huge (72 feet long) semirecyclables, maintaining the quality necessary for recycling. When pretrucks transport Marin’s paring your home recycling to be picked up, it is important to similarly trash to a landfill every ensure that there is no cross-contamination. day to take care of all the waste.

Despite the fact that America’s waste problem is ever-growing and requires greater attention When it comes to from both policy-makers and the general public, recycling education and action has significanttrash, there is not much ly improved in the past decades. In 1980, only 21 percent of paper and paperboard waste and less we can do other than than one percent of plastics were recycled. Today, 70 percent of paper and paperboard waste and nine reduce waste. Once the percent of plastics are recycled. This remarkable progress, while still inadequate in the big picture, garbage is in the landproves that the public has and can continue to change to combat the detrimental effect that solid waste and other pollution has on the environment. fill, we must wait out Educating yourself and others on the situation can help to curb America’s increasingly concerning the decomposition waste problem. For non-recyclables, reduction and re-using are the best solutions. For recyclables, recyprocess, which can cling in the proper way and in accordance with your sanitation service’s standards is the best course of be a very long one, action. The threat of environmental catastrophe is a daunting one, but we stand a much better chance if depending on the we take action both as individuals and a community to make a change for the better. specific material.

is a e h rop hance t s a c l cat better a a t en h nd . c m a u n s l viro and a m ividua better n e of he e st as ind t t a w r e t o thr ne, bu both ange f e h n o T ing e actio ke a ch t n dau e tak to ma if w unity m com

6 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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An Interview with Samantha Pauly — Katherine Howard REPORTERS: ZADIE WINTHROP, ANNA GINESTRA, ELSA BLOCK, TESSA BAILEY, CAMERON LINEHAN FROM: Mill Valley Middle, Tamalpais High, Redwood High and Sidwell Friends Schools

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.

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.

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

KATHERINE HOWARD (Approx 1524-1542

SAMANTHA PAULY (PLAYS KATHERINE HOWARD)

How did you begin?

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 family. 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.”

Any lessons you learned before SIX that impacted your development of your version of Katherine Howard?

My director Jamie Lloyd was a favorite. 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.

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Samantha Pauly

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 transform into someone else. For me personally, 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.

How do you create such synergy amongst you all?

We were all very aware of what a special show and what a special opportunity 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!

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 every day, don’t feel like you have to leave that at the door, which is very typical in most workplaces. Usually if you’re dealing with personal stuff and go to work, you turn it off. I think setting that precedent 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

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 Katherine 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 representation 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-binary people of different racial identities. Could you give us some insight on whether this is built into the play, and intentional casting choices or something else entirely? How do you think this diversity has affected the development of the musical and the stories being told?

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.’

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 opportunities 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

FASTFORWARD

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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Our Growing Climate Movement

By Harita Kalvai

Senior, Marin School of Environmental Leadership

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— A More Inclusive, Artistic Future

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.

So why is it that Marin’s environmental justice movement can sometimes be so unwelcoming?

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 environmental 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 communities 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 contributor 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 environmental 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.

Youth Action Through Art member Meggie Stenback states, “In my opinion, Art breaks barriers in the environmental movement. That’s because art can come from, and be made, by really anyone. From any community. There CCL Member Maddie holds up a poster at a tabling event at the San Rafael Farmers’ Market are no mistakes 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.”

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 environmentalism it can feel like what you’re doing won’t be enough to make any meaningful 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.”

Is Marin’s environmental movement perfect? It’s far from that. But is it getting 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.

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 positive and uplifting light.

PROUD TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION..

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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 To report a polluter call 1-800-SAV-R-BAY

FASTFORWARD MARCH 2020

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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!

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Art Gallery Eric Oldmixon’s, Allyson Seal’s and Noelle Anderson’s art students at Branson School

Mirabel Arlander, Sophomore, Branson

Sadie Snipes, Junior, Branson

Kaitlin Gassner, Senior, Branson

Camilo Urbano, Sophomore, Branson

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Cayman Stein, Junior, Branson

Celia Tolmie, Sophomore, Branson

Alexandra Zak, Senior, Branson Carter West, Junior, Branson

Josie Hohenreider, Junior, Branson Sabrina Hwang, Junior, Branson

FASTFORWARD

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2022

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By Chase Faber

Senior, Marin Academy

LIL UZI VERT 18 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

hen I first stepped foot into Outside Lands, an aura of free-wheeling spirit could be felt as Festival-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. Bananas 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 overalls running rampant. Summers’ bests were out on full display.

The most abundant food & drink lineup enriched this year’s Outside 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. Hundreds of phones were quickly ripped out of pockets capturing this

THE MARIAS

Photo Credit: Joe Cornett

wholesome moment.

Earlier that day, I caught up with Dayglow shortly before his performance.

During the interview, he explained how he condenses his vision for festivals, mixing “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 Festival.

Other 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 Credits: Joe Cornett

SAMPA THE GREAT

ROSTAM

WASHED OUT

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 Panhandle 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 Maroney 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 accompanied by fireworks. Ashes rained down on saddened eyes — a perfect metaphor for how we were all feeling.

Activist Academy — The Significance of Connections

I

By Harita Kalvai, Senior, Marin School of Environmental Leadership — like many teenagers today, have always been interested in the concept 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 interpersonal connections led me to join the organization Beyond Differences. Originating 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 than isolating.

Through 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-changing 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 connections change the way that a person faces the world around them.

When connections are made, an intersection is created. Activist Academy opened my eyes to how life-changing these intersections 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.

During one of our discussion groups, we discussed microaggressions and experiences we’ve faced in school, with friends, and in professional settings. One of the most prevalent issues we discussed is the way 20 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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 experience my fellow peers had surrounding diagnoses and learning disabilities.

Activist Academy attendee India was a strong voice in the conversation of the intersectionality between being a girl and neurodivergency.

“As a girl in public 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 performing 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 help.”

“Proper access to mental health resources should not be determined by my socioeconomic status or whether I’m in public or private school. This problem in our schools highlights the fact that education and success has become monetized. Everyone should have fair and equal access to testing as well as any accommodations to help them learn the way that’s best for them.” India stated passionately, and as she spoke about her personal experiences, it was like all the girls in the room subconsciously connected her experiences to

theirs. We all had experiences of being misunderstood, 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 was an amazing experience. 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.

The Marin County Free Library’s Mission is to provide welcoming, equitable and inclusive opportunities 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

SPONSORING STRAWBERRY POINT SCHOOL Each month Sloat Garden Center offers a $250 garden grant to a new Marin County school.

Melissa Gayle’s Garden Students 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 “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.”

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

— 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 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. 415-897-2169

To learn more about our work with Bay Area school gardens, visit www.sloatgardens.com

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

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

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Mill Valley Middle School

Chase Violich, 7th Grade

Marcella Taboada, 7th Grade

Lyla Stoelting, 7th Grade

FastForward visited Suzy Anderson’s 7th Grade students to conduct a writing workshop.

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.

Reading by Allegra Andreoli 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.

I walk 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 armchair by the fireplace, play exploding snap with the Weasley twins. Harry Potter takes me there.

When 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 22 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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

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 eruption in my body, I knew it would be worth the pain. At the top would be a breathtaking view that would be worth every single pedal.

As the 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 pedals as much as they could.

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 forward to this trip and even though it will only last a few days, the memories will last forever. Is it because they are different? 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 feeling to take over. Stepping out of the plane, the cool air is refreshing.

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

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.

Ballet by Keira Eisenbud Tchaikovsky’s exuberant music began to whirl around me, blanketing my tension with a soft array of instruments. I automatically stepped on stage, as if it were a sixth sense. Angelically, I began to dance, completely 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 pumping 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

ready for the impact. It came swiftly, landing 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 fingers 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 potential 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.

Sienna Moglen, 7th Grade and powerful shots turn into weak and sloppy 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 stronger. One more shot in the middle, and it goes through! This is a great victory. This is my passion.

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 destroy 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?

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

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 myself I can do this. Back stage everyone encourages 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.

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. Coconuts are amazing; they need more respect.

If you take a coconut, you should leave an offering. This is the way of the coconut, one of the best fruits ever.

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 water. 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 approaches 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 another breath.

Things We Know to be True Ms. Suzy Anderson’s students

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.

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 today.

Reading immerses me into a dif- ferent world.

In life you fall a lot, but you always have to get up.

School can be hard but it is important.

The sun is out for longer in the summer.

Everyone deserves knowledge.

One event can make or break a day.

Friends and family are there to care for you.

Nothing is ever 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 things.

As 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.

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Mill Valley Middle School Continued from Page 23...

Volleyball by Eva Hart 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 partner 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 better than winning a close game.

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.

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 other dogs are mean to her, she never snaps back. Once, she was in the back yard and she spotted a squirrel. Instead of chasing 24 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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 smiling a doggy smile. Whenever one of my family members is hurt or feeling sad, Olive 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, after just looking at the picture of her, I knew she was the one I wanted.

EMOTIONS Students picked an emotion and wrote an imaginary story about the emotion.

Excitement by Finn McMullen 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 computer.

“Alright,” his mom 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 computer 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 unknown 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 falling through the consequences of my actions. 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.

‘How do you solve for x? Can I use a calculator?’ I did have questions, so many.

Words never came to me, and I sank lower

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 clueless. Again, my stomach hurt and that’s where my words stayed.

“Need help?” My table partner asked.

My mouth watered with happiness, and I swallowed my smile. “No,” I answered.

“Are you sure?”

“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.

Nervous by Ellie McEvilley 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.

Anxiety by Izzy Brodsley Their discussions are much more interesting than anything I had to say. They talked about rabbits and celery, and I hadn’t even started writing. I meant to finish. 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.

Embarrassed by Brianna Nguyen 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 photo of my fake smile and unwashed, tangled hair behind my ears like a cloud. It was petrifying 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, waiting for a moment where they can look away and laugh their hearts out.

Nothingness by Tristan de Baere 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.

Art

Marin Poster Contest Marin’s students created posters on issues they care about for the Annual Marin Poster Constest.

Tessa Davis, White Hill Middle School Tatum Buoy, Hall Middle School

Booker Wegner, Marin School of the Arts

Lucy Sauber, Davidson Middle School Kiera Flores, White Hill Middle School

HUMAN GREED

Daniella Talavera, Kent Middle School Simone Carr, Archie Williams High School

Emerald Lin, San Marin High School Sophia Spinella-Blum, Miller Creek Middle School

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100-word Story Contest 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!

Pill Courage

by Fabrizia Sihra

WINNER! The First Strike

By Anya Esmail

6th Grade, Mill Valley Middle School

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 battlefield. Face to face the two sides stop. The enemies glare at each other. The Dog Leader’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.

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 blossoms.

At 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 roam…

Then, I smile at my gold-hearted sister.

The doctor gives me a pill. I breathe and swallow it with water.

Everyone stares. I look at Isadora and say, “Hi Isadora.”

We hug.

Haunted House

by Nate Liebrman 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.

26 FASTFORWARD SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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.

The Expedition of a Lifetime

By Logan 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 Kayuaít, 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.

WINNER! Hiding From a War

by Michelle Fleck

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.”

10th Grade

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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.

Front: Lucy Noble, Owen Maher

Marin Shakespeare Company 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 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

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