MARIN HUMANE

By Lily Leone Marin Academy

A leader and her team with a cause close to their hearts

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icture a team of intrepid volunteers driving from Marin to New Mexico, across highways, and through deserts to bring a lost dog home. Imagine the journey it must have taken for one dog to travel so far and the joy felt of reconnecting it to its family — “tears all around” for all at Marin Humane who helped make it happen. At Marin Humane, the joy of animal-human connection drives a dedicated staff of remarkable people like Lisa Bloch, Director of Marketing & Communications, helping animals and people alike.

For Bloch, this work is in her blood. From an early age, the importance of giving back to the community was instilled by her mother, who served as the executive director of the LA food bank. Bloch “was always aware of the importance of helping others and even the possibility of making a career out of it.” She can’t imagine working anywhere else. Able to channel a lifelong passion for community service and love of animals, Marin Humane is a natural fit. After all, Bloch adopted all her pets. She notes, “I always had this fondness, but I didn’t think I could make a career out of it.” In the process of doing communications and marketing for other nonprofits and moving to Marin, Bloch saw the job available at Marine Humane, and the rest is history. For Bloch her work is “the best of both worlds. And it’s much easier to do a job when you believe in what you’re doing. For me, when I believe in something, I do a better job marketing and communicating about something close to my heart.” Every day Bloch is moved by seeing the connection between people and animals— how they enrich our lives. From animal-assisted therapy, providing dogs during finals or after a crisis, helping struggling pet parents, to disaster relief, the shelters provide essential resources that benefit both humans and animals and provide a voice for the voiceless.

Gathering support is the backbone of what Bloch does and the foundation of a successfully running humane society. In recent years, social media has been key to generating buzz publicly and reaching out to those who might not otherwise be aware of the Marin Humane’s mission. Working at Marin Humane requires flexibility constantly readjusting, but the work is rewarding.

Bloch notes of her workplace, “There are so many amazing, wonderful, happy things that go on. I think we’re lucky because we have a lot of animal lovers. And we have a lot of people who respect animals and treat them well. We see that with students and kids. It’s amazing to me.” Marin Humane takes in dogs, cats, birds, turtles, snakes, and other reptiles, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, and more, making for a bright and welcoming community for all creatures. Lisa sees many powerful stories, animals going to amazing families, finding forever homes. She notes, “It’s a place of hope, a place of sort of new beginnings.” Bloch’s marketing work perfectly captures the immense value and infinite opportunities Marin Humane provides in their new tagline, “Lives made happy,” emphasizing their work helping animals and people connect.

Now more than ever is the best time to understand the pet adoption process. With surging adoption rates occurring during COVID-19 lockdowns in spring of 2020, continuing forward, the shelters. So many people wanted to adopt, and there weren’t enough animals, a historic first in Marin Humane’s history. During the lockdown, they could not get animals transferred in, which required collaboration between regions, transport vans carrying pets across the state and country, a phenomenal demonstration of teamwork between different shelters in a time of great struggle. High interest in behavior and training classes persist, with still more people wanting to adopt.

When most people think about pet ownership, they think first of pet stores but informed consumers need to challenge that preconception and always check the Humane Society first. Bloch gives an inside point of view to the adoption process. Most people adopt from their website, but another option is petfinder.com, which shows animals available in shelters throughout your region. Those looking to adopt then work with an adoption coordinator, which provides more information about what type of household in which the pet would best thrive. After adoption, Marin Humane offers a session on what to expect and check-in after, in addition to one free behavior consultation and training.

A key thing to remember throughout the adoption process is to have an open mind about the type of pet you imagine for yourself. If we get so caught up in how an animal looks, we may overlook other animals who might be a perfect fit. Bloch told us, “I’ve always had big dogs my whole life. And after I lost my last big dog, I happened to meet a little dog. I thought, I’m not a little dog person, but he’s a sweetheart and has been wonderful. I’m so glad that I didn’t turn him away just because he didn’t fit the criteria.” When it comes to pet adoption, having an open mind is essential. While the process requires patience, Bloch added, “If you wait, you know that that perfect animal will come along.”

Even if you’re not adopting an animal, there are always ways to get involved with Marin Humane. Bloch and other remarkable employees of this nonprofit are proud to make a difference for people and animals. At any level, there are opportunities for people from all walks of life to engage with Marin Humane and its pets, including fundraising drives, clubs that focus on advocacy, and special events. Bloch notes, it is “amazing; little kids doing a lemonade stand to older kids working on projects.” Young people can also work with Marin Humane in legislation around domestic and farm animals, an area that many shelters don’t serve. Marin Humane also supports less well-funded shelters. Check out the Marin Humane website or their social media and consider making even small donations to help keep this amazing network running to provide essential resources to pets, pet owners, and wildlife alike. In the constant ebb and flow of the natural world, Bloch describes, “Things are always brewing about animals and people and how we coexist. You can rely on us to be a resource.”

Visit: www.marinhumane.org

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

Garden Observations

“I like the garden because you can put pretty things in it.” — Alexi “Gardens look beautiful. I like flowers and the bees. It is relaxing to lay down and calm yourself.”— Rio “Gardens feel magical.” — Teagan “I like gardens because butterflies and bees come.” — West “I like gardens because bees get honey from the flowers.” — Grayson “I find cool things to eat in gardens like sourgrass and vegetables.” — Hannah “I like gardens you can make fairy houses.”— Emma Rose “I like gardens because they have horses and pigs.”— David “I like gardens because I like butterflies and the bees and I also like flowers like daisies and roses.”—Lilah “I like gardens because sometimes there are rainbows over them.” — Larkin

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

White Hill Middle School

Charles Smith, 8th Grade

FastForward visited Katie Frank’s 7th Grade students to conduct a writing workshop.

Drawing By Keira Flores

When I draw, I create lives, worlds, and stories. I draw people and give them identities. I draw what they’ve been through — their stories, their personalities, and their emotions. I think of worlds, worlds set in different dimensions and different timelines. I think of their relationships — who they love, hate, or envy. When I draw their lives, it’s like seeing flashes of missing memories. It’s my job to put the memories back together.

Mountain Biking By Jax Lamott

The sun is beating down on me. I must shift gears to make it easier to pedal the long steep mountain. I can hear the rocks and dirt hit my bike as I stall on the trail. My fingers are blistered as I clamp the handlebars, and my legs are killing me. At first, I feel like giving up, but I am going to make it to the top. Finally, I reach the top. I feel the cool breeze in my face. I can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the beach. I can hear the waves crashing into the rocks. Now for the downhill. The wind is blowing past as I zoom down. I can’t lose focus for I could fall and crash. I flow with the trail, twisting as it twists, and turning as it turns. Then..screech! I come to a stop. I’ve made it to the bottom safely.

Dance By Evelyn Rose

That burst of positive energy that fills me is a feeling like no other. Dancing gives me an opportunity to have this feeling. Dancing allows people to be free and express themselves. When I dance, I feel like I can do anything, like I’m unstoppable. I think that is what keeps me going. Dance can be hard but that feeling is unbeatable.

Baseball By Griffin Stuart

Crack! The sound the bat makes as the ball hits it. I run to see the ball travel farther and farther. It hits the ground as I turn to second. It’s like I had put wheels on my feet. My coach is yelling at me to go to third. The ball is whizzing past my head. As I dive into third, I hear “Safe!” Joy goes through my whole body.

Ballet By Annie Ehm

A wooden bar frames the room, mirrors reach from the ceiling to the floor. Pins are pushing into my scalp and my ankles are tied with ribbons. I take a breath as the music starts. My steps are exact and repeated. I fill in between the big movements with small transitions. I jump, extending into poses captured in air. As I descend, my feet fall into place as my heels hit the floor. The light is bright around me, and the music provides me with a waltzing rhythm. My arms push the air away from me as I turn. I finish at last. Feeling good, I dance.

Ceramics By Molly Ehrlinspiel

I’m sculpting my imagination with my hands. It’s very exhilarating. I can smell wet clay. I can see the sculptable substance obtaining a new formation — my choice of formation. I can hear people giggling and talking at other tables. I can feel the squishy wet clay in my hands. I love every part of it. From the dry cracked clay on my hands, to seeing my pieces all done.

Lacrosse By Royal Safanda

I’m on the field when I hear the refs blowing their whistles on the play. I can feel the sweat dripping down my neck and onto my back. I see my ball bouncing into the net, splashing as it hits. I can smell the hot turf. It isn’t pleasant but when I smell it, I know I’m going to have fun. When I play this game I always get butterflies even though I’ve been playing for four years.

Tennis By Graham Meredith-Scharf

Bam! The ball hits the racquet ricocheting back from where it came over the net. It flies like a falcon. A falcon being hit back and forth. The stomp of my shoe on the ground as I complete a perfect backhand. The ball twirls in the air, spinning. It hits the court, almost out. A clean shot. I won the match!

Friends By Sloane Korty

Screaming and laughing until we can’t breathe. Walking around town at night, running from store to store. The brisk cold air whipping past our faces as we sit talking for hours. The secrets run around like mice going through a field. I’m happier than I could ever be with my friends. Our late-night walks feel like hours. I can smell the cold air and dead silence of the neighborhood. Nothing feels more adventurous than hopping on the bus and seeing where it takes us.

Taryn Creedon, 8th Grade

Swimming By Cole Taplin

The freezing plunge into the ice-cold water; for a second you feel free as you glide through the water, then you surface and the race starts. As you forget your surroundings, you push yourself through the water to get to the end and win. As I hear the sound of the water, I feel the power to push forward and swim as fast as I can.

Skateboarding By Olmec Estrada

I try to balance my body as I get ready for my trick. I test my board by wiggling my toes. My board is loosening up so I can get a good flick. The raging flooring vibrates as my wheels hit each rock. I push my back foot down and pop the board up. My foot rolls to the left and my board does a barrel roll. I jump as high as I can, and more. Then I put my feet down on the board and land in style.

Theater By Agnes Shimon

The roar of the crowd lifts my adrenaline off its feet. The thoughts of doubt weigh me down, but I hit them out of the way. A smile comes across my face, I jump on the stage, sing my loudest voice and glare into the blinding spotlight. I run off the stage breathless. The satisfaction and accomplishment I feel is therapeutic.

Skiing By Millie Oelman

It’s freezing, slightly icy, and I can’t see five feet a head of myself. The snow is making my mask wet and my breath is making fog. I slowly go down, sliding on the slush. Looking down, I see rocks on each side of me. Now I only have one option down the slope. I carefully watch where I am going.

Basketball By Cara Peel

Flying down the court. I feel the air parting to make way. The ball leaving and greeting my hands once again. I stop and

Esme Charles, 8th Grade

look at my options. Who shall I pass to? I see an open teammate. Letting go of the ball, I pass it. I continue to fly down the court to the basket. I get the ball passed to me. I shoot for a three-pointer. I jump just in front of the line and the ball shoots out of my hands. My feet meet the ground. I stand back and watch the ball fly towards the basket and land in the hoop. The silence is no longer. I hear my family screaming and my coach’s silent cheer. My team flings themselves on to me.

The Golden Ticket By Zoe Chiaramonte

The excitement is burning up like batteries in my stomach. I put on the last details of my costume, going over my lines for the last time. I hear those three words...”Places in 5”. I rush out of the dressing room to hear Tech reminding us to turn off our phones. I take a deep breath. There are a hundred people out there waiting to watch the play. I hear the music starting, and with a big smile, I run onto the stage. The bright lights hit my face like a thousand suns, hundreds of eyes watching. I’m usually nervous around people but all of that disappears. I open the fake candy bag in my hand, smiling, and pull out a piece of golden foil. Holding it up in the air, I shout “I have a golden ticket!”

Just Kidding By Allie Pack-Kelly

I hate the phrase “Just kidding.” It’s what people say after they say something that hurts. But you know they meant it. Deep down, they did. But it’s okay because they were “just kidding.”

In life you have to work hard if you want success. Nothing lasts forever. Hard work beats talent. Social Media causes kids to feel bad sometimes.

I have some good friends.

I would rather be optimistic and fail than be negative and succeed. Dogs are the best.

War tears apart families.

Practice makes perfect.

Success will come if you work for it. People think differently. Everything is possible.

Darkness is the parallel of light. What you put out in the world will in some way come back. True friends will try to listen no matter what. I am in control of only what I affect.

If I give it my all, I will get a grade I deserve. Scoring an impressive goal in soccer feels so good. Her smile lights up when I see her.

If we listened to each other more, the world would be better.

Friendship requires trust.

Leaving is hard.

Pushing your limits allows you to get better.

Cate Burch, 8th Grade

Continued from Page 25...

Coding By Aiden Podesta

When I’m coding it can be really challenging. I can get stuck trying get one thing to work for hours, and maybe, even days. Eventually I will run the script and it does work. It’s the most rewarding feeling ever. Coding is also just a lot of fun. You can make anything you want. It feels good to finish something you’ve been working on for months.

Swimming By Chandler Mar

Diving into the water, I feel that cold shock all over my body. I swim like a bullet under water, low drag, high speed. As I finish the first lap, I do a flip-turn off the wall to go into my second lap. I push off the wall and gasp for air. Then I notice no one’s beside me as I touch the wall and finish the race.

Cooking By Teya Strong

The oil sizzles on the pan. The knife slices in one singular motion. I reach for the salt and sprinkle it into the pan. New ideas whip around my mind – cinnamon, onions, cumin, rice. The smells swirl together. It becomes a rhythm. The smell of garlic fills the room as I mix it with the onions. The rice goes on the plate topped with a red and yellow sauce, with garlic chicken on the side. I step back and admire it. Then it’s gone.

An Old Obsession By Hank Jackson

Once an old console is turned on, I can’t help being glued to it. Its old charm hooks me and other geeks into a whole new reality outside the one we live in now. Games that embrace creativity, games with edge, games with strategic puzzle-solving problems, soothing and calm games, games with adventure and exploration. This feeling I know. This feeling, its nostalgic. Some of these games were around before me. But this feeling…I feel like I was there. These magic boxes have been around for 50 years now. So, you should at least try it. I’ll be waiting.

Reading By Gipsy Gregor

Flipping through pages leading me into the mind of another. Characters talking to each other, going to different places. I’m interested to read the next chapter to find out what happens. Something dramatic happens. I’m hooked. Reading the pages, waiting for the reactions of the characters. Finally, a solution. I’m intrigued by how the character handles the situation. Things aren’t going too well. Oh no. The book has ended. I feel satisfied and start the first page of a different reality.

Skiing By Sophie Macdonald

As my ski’s pick up speed, I fall. I fall into the zone. I hear nothing. I don’t register how fast I’m going, only what’s in front of me. My body goes on auto- pilot and I feel like I’m watching myself from above. In that moment my body is one step ahead of my mind making decisions for me. I know how to avoid a rock before my mind does. I know how to get the right amount of air to land a perfect daffy. When I hit the ground, I feel the shock reverberate throughout my body, starting with my shins, stinging from impact. Then, ending with my head as I re-enter the zone. Only does this moment end when I stop at the lift, ready for more.

Art By Juliet Stucky

I have a picture planted in my mind of what I want to create. I make a sketch with my pencil flying across the paper. Then I go in with my black and red pencils. Everything is going great. But now, the hardest part is blending. The black is too dark. I hate how it’s turning out but before I give up, I remember the most important part… highlights! I grab my white posca pen and my hand is tingling with pain. I’m too close to stop now. I finally add my signature at the bottom. I could explode with happiness because I think this is my best drawing yet!

Ballet Shaiya Michelle

I move to the rhythm of the beat, blocking out everything else in my mind. The music softly unfolds as I point my toes. Then the music gets faster, and I turn to the sharp beat. I see a whirlwind of colors as I spin. I don’t stop. I can’t. My breath gets more rapid. And then it ends. I land and everything is clear again.

Skiing By Logan Thrush

Standing over the cliff, deciding if I should jump. Finally, feeling I had been standing there for over an hour, whoosh! I feel it on my legs and then I lose my balance. I get up off the snowbank and feel the adrenalin pumping through my body. I keep on going, trying until I finally land it. I love skiing.

Basketball By Keaton Thongnopeus

Bzzzz… it’s the end of the 3rd quarter. Our team was down by 15. We all knew we needed a big comeback to win the game. I knew that soon it would be in my hands. My heart was pounding harder than the ball hitting the floor. Down by 2, 3 seconds left, coach drew up the play – I had the final shot. I get the ball, my hands are shaking with sweat. 3, 2, 1, bzzzz. Game over. We won. The crowd roars. But all I can think about is how good that burger will taste.

Cooking By Keane Olshansky

A fire burns, small and hot, concealed by a metal pan ensuring the light and sea of flames doesn’t get out of hand. The knife glides effortlessly through fruits and vegetables, puncturing the skin and revealing the inside. Different textures and unique patterns push against my skin as I pick up the ingredients and set them to the side. Oil crackles and spits in a hot pan trying to escape but rightfully fails and calms down as more ingredients are thrown in.

Tessa Davis, 8th Grade

ComAcad Communications Academy

Front, l to r: Greg Doherty (teacher), Izzy Brisco Schofield, Kino Redfield, Finn Wayland, Evajoy Sotnick, Sasha Yovino, Percy Daunell, Jac Craig, Izzi Lipari Maxson, Francie Salle (teacher) and Morgan Paar. Second row, l to r: Cole Laroche, Angel Amador, Jake Witchell, Finn Corr, Leandro Coppolla, Bella Faye, Indigo Herrera-Meade, Abby Cochran, Tristan Swain and James Lavaroni. Back row, l to r: Simon Holt, Dexter Hixon, Olivia Pananides, Oliver John, Eli Whitman, Karim Al-Jamal, Tony Heffernan, Wiley Raffael, Achiles Das, Sascha Nikolai, Dyson Lapre, Bonnabelle Powell. Not pictured: Reina Bolaris and Briana Woods.

The Communications Academy at Archie Williams High School, better known as ComAcad, is a two-year program for juniors and seniors, which combines courses in Digital Communications, English and Social Studies. Students work in production teams to create two to three projects a year, ranging from Political Advertisements, Original Shorts, A Showcase of Community Non-Profits, and Documentaries. Students work on their projects in all three of their courses. From script development to audio engineering, blue-screen recording to audio/video editing, our slogan keeps us going: Everybody Teaches, Everybody Learns.

“I really like this program because the teachers are really good and they give lots of freedom with the assignments. Making movies is also surprisingly fun. If you don’t like being on screen you don’t have to be. There is something for everyone in this fun, accepting community. — Kino Redfield “ComAcad is an amazing program that has made my junior year joyfully chaotic.” — Jac Craig “ComAcad is the perfect class for developing the ability to work with others and understand industry standard film making skills. The teachers are the best at Archie Williams, with a curriculum that flows well and keeps you engaged. ComAcad teaches mandatory skills for existing in the modern media productions space while also tackling US history, economics, the humanities, and AP Composition. ComAcad accomplishes so much more than other classes by facilitating a consistent and fantastic group environment with shared classes and great teachers. — Dexter Hixon “ComAcad is a wonderful community with some of the best teachers physically possible. In joining ComAcad you guarantee that you will have a good community of like minded students and three awesome classes taught by three powerful bastions of the land who will teach you not only the subjects associated with them but also countless other vital or useful life skills like how to do cartwheels and take notes.” — Karim Al-Jamal