Photograph by Lucy Biolchini
Literary Magazine Staff
Sponsor: Shannon Fitzpatrick
Editors-in-Chief:
Lucy Biolchini & Sydney Lehman
Social Media Editor: Cici Yao
Staff Members:
Charlotte Boedeker
Olivia Brophy
Berlyn Cowan
Mazie Gibbons
Zoe Gingerich
Ava Houde
Julia Hulver
Olivia Hulver
Julia Kennedy
Reese Mankin
Everley Masso
McKenzie Mercer
Meg O’Connor
Gracie Rucker
Anna Simon
Kamryn Tewis
AJ Turner
Millie Tuttle
Table
Photograph by CiCi Yau
The Funniest First Day of School
Photo by Mazie Gibbons
First Place Winner
Quinn Daniel
My funniest first day story is probably my first day of sixth grade. I was understandably nervous but had already met a friend or two at the swim party before school started. It was a relatively normal day. I was finding my classes, meeting teachers and soon-to-be friends. As I was walking to my third hour, I was moving things from my backpack to my locker (when I still used lockers), and was struggling a bit because of my height. It was a top locker, and I was kind of short in the sixth grade so I had to stretch to reach it. Just as I was grabbing my Chromebook, my hand slipped and it came clattering to the floor. I was mortified, looking around to see if anybody had been looking. Nobody had, so that was good. To this day I still have the same old Chromebook, with a big dent in the corner and a gap between the screen and the metal case. It serves as a bit of a reminder of that day, how far I’ve come, and the memories I’ve made since.
Second Place Winner Alexander Waite
I forget why my first elementary school didn’t work out. Probably some discord between myself and classmates, or a feud between my mom and the teachers, but that’s just speculation. However, I do remember why my second elementary school didn’t work out…
I climbed the stairs to the entrance and held the door for my mom, then I followed in after her. She talked to some other adults, one of which walked over to me and shook my hand. She smiled, and told me to follow her to my homeroom. The halls were about what I expected: devoid of happiness but filled with construction paper and inspirational quotes. We eventually got to the classroom and walked in. I stood in front of the class while the lady introduced me to my snot-ridden classmates. I say snot-ridden because a few of them had whole fingers up their nose, which to an extent is impressive. If there ever were a competition for that sort of thing, these kids would wipe the floor. After a minute, the teacher of the classroom beckoned me to my seat, so I went and sat down right next to one of the nasal-scooping mongrels. Lucky me.
The next hour or two consisted of some vocabulary and basic math, which was easy enough. Though all of a sudden, the teacher told us it was free time, meaning we could play with toys or go clog the toilet; you know, kid stuff. Anyhow, I was drawn towards a typewriter on a desk. I went over to it and sat in the armless chair in front of it. Examining it, I felt as if I was uncovering a fossil. Where was the screen? Could I watch YouTube on it? Could it play Minecraft? I had so many questions. But just then, the snot-shoveler on Elm Street waddled over to the desk. I cocked my head to the side and asked him if he needed anything. It looked like his whole hand was up his nose, scratching his brain. Was he a serial killer? A question I would never get an answer to, because as I was fearing for my snot-free life, he unsheathed his hand from his nasal crypt and slammed it onto the typewriter keys. I think this is what war calls shell shock. I watched the perpetrator rape the fine clean tips of each of the keys, before planting his fat taint next to mine in the chair. The chair had no armrests or boundaries, so he began to push me off the seat. I felt like Woody during the trash-burning scene of ToyStory3, except I had no hand to hold. Before I knew it, I was falling from extreme altitudes, the wind searing my face. I dropped one foot, and on the floor I thought I had died. Figuring out I was still alive, I stood up quickly and stared at my assailant. Fat fingering every key he could. The once sleek black keys became bound by mucus, and I could swear they were screaming for help. I looked in what little I could see of his eyes, to see if there was any remorse behind them… but nothing. Just the
hollow gaze of someone without a single thought of the present. Anger grew within me. I walked behind him, my mouth forming a slight frown; my eyes all but open. I put my right foot behind my left, shrunk my form and reached my right arm far behind my torso. My eyes shot open completely, and I snapped my right arm forward and into his right cheek. He toppled over to the left, hitting the ground with a thunderous crash. The whale’s bellowing soon followed. I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. It was the teacher, who looked like she was ready to hurl me out of the window. “Office. Now.”
I had never heard the sound of a watch, or a clock before that day: that meagre tick, tick, tick. But the pure silence in that office made every tick seem like a gunshot. I avoided the headmaster’s attention for as long as I could, but curiosity got the better of me and I took a peek. His gaze pierced my eyes. I waited for him to attack me; throttle my everything, but it never came. Then my mom walked in, flamed me, and dragged me back to the car to go home.
It was a quiet ride. When we parked back in our driveway, she turned off the engine and stared out the windshield. “So… what the hell was that about?!”
Third Place Winner Brennan Loader
It was the start of this school year, and I was in History class. I had set an alarm over the summer for 12:00pm, so I would know when lunch time was. In History, I had my phone on silent, but for some reason my alarm went off! It was all so embarrassing. To make matters worse, Mrs. Goen was missing a sticky note that was on one of the desks, and it was stuck to my butt!
First Day of School
Olivia Hulver
As an excited and nervous freshman, Cascia seemed like a maze to me. Making sure I knew where all of my classes consumed my thoughts. So much was up in the air- what friends would I have? Is the teacher nice? Where should I sit? Luckily my first day was going smoothly until I got too ahead of myself. I walked into math confident in my navigating skills and glanced at the seating chart to see my name nowhere on the page. Panic filled my brain when I realized that I was supposed to be in the Old Testament! Embarrassed, I ran out of the classroom and made it to my 5th hour just as the bell rang, I was so disoriented but looking back, my friends and I laugh about how stressed I was! As a junior, Cascia seems more like a home than a big confusing maze!
Halloween Haiku Olivia Hulver
Purple and Orange on the walls, Pumpkins and candy
Halloween is fun!
Halloween Haiku Meg O'Connor
Foggy, Moonlit Skies
Children Running Door to Door
Tricking and Treating
The Ghosts’ Song
Sydney
Lehman
The ghosts wander
Down dark quiet alleyways
Wailing trick or treat
Hidden
in the dark
They rummage
through kids' candy
While singing boo
boo
Halloween Night Lucy Biolchini
The vampires they creep
The ghosts haunt the empty streets
The children can’t sleep
Houses filled with fright
They can’t contain their delight
On Halloween night
What the Holidays Mean to Me
Photo by Zoe Gingerich
Christmas Meg O’Connor
The countdown to the end of the year, when I am so happy I could shed a tear. The day that is full of joy and is bursting with happiness at the seams. On this day, the thing that comes true is my dreams. Halls decorated with red and evergreen, for softly-lit lights I am oh so keen. Presents under the tree contain incredible gifts, but don’t forget the real meaning of Christmas, for its real reason is that the holiday uplifts.
Drawing by Ava Houde
Ode
to What I Love
First Place Winner
Ode to Tennis
Mallory Sturdivant
Drills and Lessons and hearing the ball bounce off the S
G S from chases and hitting aces.
Forehands and Backhands, slices and dices
Feeling F R E E on the court.
Feeling the power through the H I
Putting out a lot of G
Knowing the player and finding their game Is the key to the hall of FAME. Using the Head and slamming it
From breaking glasses to to taking classes, Winning a set then placing big bets. Down in a B
Second Place Winner
Ode to the Gallant Grapes
Brenleigh Coplin
Sweet and CRUNCHY
Purple and greenish-yellow makes me feel anything but mellow
Round and perfect
Green and sour I could eat them for hours
Munching and crunching on
Nature's candy that grows via vine
Not just yummy I love grape-flavored candy
Grape-flavored Kool-Aid Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE
MethylAnthranilate the artificial grape
The flavors dance and glide so smooth like a slide
At night when I close my eyes purple grapes fill my mind L O N
Green V N I
Purple this Round and confection Luscious don't come from no oven
Third Place Winner
Ode to my Sports
Brecklyn Hill
Mysportspushmetomylimits.
Theyteachmediscipline,hardwork,andteamwork. Iplaymysportseveryday, theymakemetiredbutIstriveanyway.
Iplay4sportscurrentlybuthavedonemanymore, aftereverypracticeorgameIalwaysendupsore.
Sportspushmetomylimit
theonlywaytowinistocommit. Shooting,running,settingarethejobsImustcomplete, sometimesevenintheheat.
Myteammatesaremorethanjustmyfriends, wewinandlosetogetherandthentheseasonsadlyends.
Welaugh,fight,sweat,andplaytogetherasateam.
Winningalongtournamentfeelslikeadream. Sportsaren'tjustagame.
TheymakemewhoIamandIwouldn’tbethepersonIamtodaywithoutthem.
Ode to Chips Paola Chiquin
The room fills with the magnificent scent when you first open the bag to reminiscing your last bite everything about them wonderful, hot or not, sweet and spicy, all types of shapes and sizes. They're just wonderful.
When people swallow chips, you see their faces glow as the color and crumbs get on their fingertips.
Cool ranch, dill pickle, and jalapeno there's something to fill everyone's needs.
Some people disagree with chips and say they are unnecessary, but not me oh not me I think chips are a diamond in the rough and snack to be recognized as a classic, everyone's go to snack when they are indecisive.
Adults can stay with their organic fat-free whole wheat non-gmo chips but I am staying with all the good stuff that Cheetos and Doritos bring to the table.
Ode
to my Phone Brady Garrett
In the palm of my hand, A bright rectangular screen. The surface is gleaming in the night, Technology looming in the air.
With a touch the screen awakes, Reaching for entertainment, Colors and Light, Time to take flight.
Enjoyment awaits in the palm of my hand, For its screen having endless free, Reality, Sarcasm, enjoyment, In the depths of the endless social media where do we begin?
But still, I hold this beacon bright, A key to realms, both day and night. For in its heart, a universe gleams, My phone is a constellation of dreams.
Ode
to my braces
Will Collins
I just got my braces. They kind of hurt
But it's fine
Cause I’ll make it work
But it will be fine
You know why I will look divine Not going to lie It's going to take some time Like a nickel And a dime
With a lucky chiem
That is why I am Writing this rhyme.
Ode to Absurdism Alex Waite
Wretched an’ vile, Cruel an’ outspoken; A forlorn diatribe where Brutalityis the answer…
Righteousness in aught, For tears ought bear kin In heckling, an’ forsworn
Misery…
Why ought thy rivers an’ claws, An’ wallows an’ shrieks, right Any greater podium than our Laughter?
An’ for whom claws wrought
Disparity, an’ borne an aristocracy
Of loathing an’ depravity… I pray thy Find substance in thine morsels…
An’ for whom dogmatic salvation
Forsakes; for whom wrests the Convenienceof virtue, I see our death…
Sans life everlasting, In wantonness.
Ode to Fortnite Tommy Klein
Oh Fortnite, Dwayne Johnson
collaborations And DC Comics too
Even skins of the National Basketball Association
Also, Star Wars for which I love you
DOOM and Marvel
Tik Tok and WWE
All of the cosmetics are great And guess who has all of them Yes, it’s me
Oh, Fortnite you are my favorite game
The fact that you are not the largest Is really a shame
Ode to Fishing Lincoln Gross
I love my new lure
Hopefully, it will ensure
That the Marlin fish
Will come and eat this 5-star dish
I have some new line
It's pretty fine
It's in a braid
But the fish aren't afraid
He ate the bait
Oh no, now it’s too late
He has been caught
Even though he continually fought
I love my new lure
Ode to Books Sawyer Ayers
There is no escape like a book
I heard someone once say
The problem with women
Sitting in their homes
Waiting for the next meal of gossip
To fill their stomachs
Make the content of their minds Is ever-occurring because
Theydonotread
If we were to consume our minds with books
We’d find that drama lives in the pages
Each chapter fulfills our thirst for knowing
What love is, what pain feels like
What drama consists of And perhaps, we need to shift our focus
From people to the crisp pages
To feel staggering emotions jumping
From one chapter to the next
From one book to another
Ode to My Xbox Clinton Pyatt
When you first get one you never turn back.
The speed of the processor,
The color of the opening screen.
The joy of playing with your family,
The sound when one of you gets downed.
The endless number of games and apps,
The joy of seeing that your family is online.
Playing Fortnite with your Grandpa and Dad,
Bringing back memories of playing board games with your family,
That is why Xbox is the best.
Ode to Music Quinn Daniel
There’s music all around
For every mood a different sound
For every person a different beat
Music pours out on the street
The rhythm catches on
People dance until the dawn
And they leave feeling lighter
Every color looking brighter
The world is glittering gold
As the complex beat unfolds
Life feels sweet as molasses
Music speaks out to the masses
It’s a language spoken by all
With no borders and no walls
Photo by Mazie GIbbons
Ode to Spring Sydney Lehman
Watch the Snow melt
The chill begins to fade
The feeling I felt,
Of the sun as I laid
O Spring how I love you
The promises of flowers
And sunshine too
As Spring reigns, the winter will cower
Ode to What I Love
Lydia Murphy
golden grasses, shimmering oases of the wild, opaque oceans, crushing and caressing each soul, wild winds, whipping away everything rumored to be stable, these are the things my heart beats for. emerald environments, home to life unknown, sapphire seashells, bejeweling sandy beaches of paradise, fearless freedom, riding on the wings of eagles to my restless home, these are the things my heart beats for. brave birds, taking flight in painted skies, flowering freedom, blooming in the confines of concrete, lively love, igniting the coldest hearts into burning flames, these are the things my heart beats for. hued hair, highlighting hidden personalities, righteous rings, signaling a loving promise, erratic earrings, glittering human skin, these are the things my heart beats for. quiet quills, writing stories to found in the complex mind, powerful passion, driving steely love, Bleeding ballrooms, echoing the beating of my heart, these are the things my heart beats for.
Accomplishment Sophie Lauinger
The most substantial joy I feel is when I accomplish a goal
It could be anything
But usually, it makes the people I care about proud
When I make people proud, I feel the greatest amount of joy you can feel
Accomplishment makes me feel bubbly inside
Accomplishing something
Winning a match
Acing a test
Excelling in your sport
Accomplishment makes me feel like I am a part of something great
So, accomplishment is my true love
I love the feeling of being accomplished
The greatest love a human can feel
ODE TO CHARLIE NORA SHIFLET
Charlie is amazing. He loves his ball.
Charlie eats anything he can see.
He gets E X C I
E D when he sees my face.
I get excited when I see him. He LICKS Me. He LOVES Me. I LOVE Him Too.
Charlie is my dog. My best friend too.
Ode to my dog Lucy Doyle
Small cute funny
tenacious loud Weird
Thinks she owns the house
Lola is revered
A big fluffy tail
A curly copper mane
A little button nose
A genius doggy brain
She likes to eat
And take a nap
And go on outside
And sit on my lap
Lola is my best friend
We love to walk together
I’d spend everyday with her
We’re friends of a feather
Ode to Xbox
Trevor Toole
To my Xbox,
You are my cure for sadness. You allow me to hangout with friends Without being in person. You make me so happy, When you help me
Eliminate my brothers In Fortnite or Beat them In Madden. You allow me to meet new Friends. You make me so mad sometimes. You make me break stuff.
You make scream in joy And sadness. You give me the Opportunity to make my brothers mad
Ode to New York Bay Saunders
I picture the S
And the sidewalks
And the bright lights of Times Square
They show the way home
I can hear the sounds of the city
Echo through my ears
I walk through the crowded streets
And while it’s D I R T Y
And L O U D and C R A Z Y
There’s no city I’d rather be in
Ode to Candy Kelsey Lee
You fill my mouth with flavor, Like FIREWORKS bursting in my body
Every piece I want to
When I see a piece I go CRAZZZZZZY
Every biteAmAzEs me
The sweet candy cures my sadness
If I had to rank candy it would have VERY high status.
When I have candy I feel like I’m on CLOUD NINE!
When I eat something other than candy I feel nothing but just fine!
Ode to My Bed Barrett Roller
Where my day ends
Where my day begins
Where I see dreams
Dreams of love and screams
When the slipper slides off my feet
And I dream of more things to eat
Listening to the earbuds go out
I think what I am going to dream about
Will there be green grass?
Or me throwing a pass?
A monster eating me
Or weird whompy wombats chasing me.
My head hits the pillow
And I am hoping I see chameleons glow
The lights are out And so am I…
Ode to My Braces
Will Collins
I just got my braces. They kind of hurt
But it's fine
Cause I’ll make it work But it will be fine
You know why I will look divine Not going to lie It's going to take some time Like a nickel And a dime
With a lucky charm
That is why I am Writing this rhyme.
Ode to Cheer Reese Sterling
I love cheer, And I hate cheer.
I LOVE competing And seeing the bright L I
But I HATE The conditioning And time away From my friends.
I LOVE getting to travel to new P L A C E S And the friends I have met From cheer.
Photographs by CiCi Yau
Ode to Wrestling Hudson Daily
Where size doesn't matter
The adrenaline before the match
Shaking your appoints hand before the match
Where strength meets skill
Form takedowns to pins
2 points meet 3
The colorful shoes and singlets
The soft matt on your knees
Tournaments all over the place
Dubble legs to single legs
Long practices to short matches
Your coach in your corner
Your heartbeat in your ears
Ode to Wildlife Alice Newhouse
So wild and diverse
Yet so united
It works in perfect harmony
Its natural charm and beauty shines through
Always beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and fierce
Nature’s vast embrace holds countless creatures
Both big and small
Every one little or tall
Listen to the sweet song of the bird
Or lions that roar so mighty they just want to be heard
Protect our wildlife
So untamed and free
They are exactly
Where they need to be
Ode to My Socks Quinn Livingston
I love my socks
They are so cool
They are so comfortable
On my feet
They feel so nice
So comfy
Like pillows
On my feet
They are the best
Teal and blue
Like I’m dancing on clouds
On my feet
I love my socks
They are so cool
Like awesome all together
On my feet
Ode to Math Ethan Crowley
The language of the universe
A straightforward answer
Fun to do while you’re bored
Increases your IQ
Much Better than English
Takes us to the Future
Both Sweet and Sour
As old as time
The click-clacks of a calculator
All the pages of work to do
The basis of anything
The writing and scribbling of the pencil
Oh, I love math
You should love too
Ode to the Lake Zoey Daniel
A long hot summer day
Feeling burnt from the sun
Sitting out by the water
Makes you wonder how life could get better
Jumping in the cold refreshing water
Trying not to get splashed
Looking for fish beneath your feet
Rushing out of the water to try and beat everyone to the boat
Feeling the wind on your face
Looking out at all the waves
Seeing all the other boats fly above the water
Kicking your feet up, Relaxing back
No need to wonder because I know life doesn't get better than this
Ode to Summer Mia McCurry
I love summer
I love the feeling of the sun on my skin
I love being tan
I love hearing the birds chirp outside
I love the sun being a blazing furnace
I love being surrounded by friends and family
I love the smell of fresh summer air
I love the freedom and joy summer brings
I love the adventures that happen during summer
I love watching the summer sunsets
I love seeing the smiles that summer brings
I love the happiness that floats in the air
I love the peacefulness of summer
I love summer
An Ode to Friendship Dominique Crittle
Friendship is an amazing part of life.
When I see my friends i feel a warm summer breeze.
A breeze that passes me by everytime i'm with them.
Friendship is something to cherish to hold and to love.
Friendship is like eating a sweet treat you have been longing for.
Some friendships come and go.
As time passes and people grow friendship do to.
The love you share with those people can last lifetimes.
The simple symphony of a conversation with a friend can brighten a mood.
Friendships can blossom from acquaintances to being the best of friends.
I know this from experience.
Even you worst enemy can end up as you best friend.
Friendship is a journey and you just have to keep chugging along.
Friendship is something everyone should share.
This is my ode to friendship.
Ode to Pickles Kennedy Bartmess
Oh! Pickles how I love you!
The taste is Immaculate,
The tangy, crunchy, bumpiness of the first bite, Hits every SINGLE time.
Pickles are the best of both worlds, They can be sweet or sour, Hot or not, But it is still the same old amazing pickle.
But the juice is the best part,
You can make pickle juice popsicles, MHM, how that reminds me of summer. I got to start buying them in bulk, I love pickles and you should too.
Ode to Running Ford Colvert
I enjoy running from point A to point B.
Running makes many people feel free.
I love running in a cross-country meet, But running can really hurt my feet.
With each meet I decrease my time, each decrease I feel sublime.
I go foot after foot, mile after mile.
The further the distance, the bigger my smile. I step outside, and go out for a run.
Now it’s time for some fun, step after step I feel my heart pump. As my shoes pound on the ground with a thump, thump, thump.
Ode to Books Grayson
Jennings
Books are amazing things. Archives, records of most of humanity .
The feeling of excitement, Opening up an unread book, Anticipating the journey to come.
The best feeling in the world, When you get to the end of a page And cannot wait To flip to the next, Just to satiate Your fervent curiosity. Those times when: You cry with the characters, You laugh with the characters, You feel happy for their accomplishments And sad for their failures.
Ode to Grand Lake Elise Phoenix
Oh dear Grande Lake, How you bring me such joy. I wish I never let those summers fly by. You sparkle in the sun, When I see you I smile.
I love T U B I
N
G with my cousins, And seeing them laugh.
I miss those long boat days, Where all we do is jump in and splash.
I love all of the memories
Of my grandma's birthdays, And all the Fourth of Julys It seems like a haze.
Sketch by Jackson Lyon
“An Eternity is a Long Time”
Sofia Hess-Leviano
Your eyes I long to see for an eternity Yet you don't even turn your head to me I know we don't know each other
But it sounds like the perfect time to start don’t you think No? that’s okay
Having your own opinions is important and a great trait to display Yet I still long for your smile
Well not your smile per se but rather your smile directed my way
It's funny when I talk about you I pretend I’ve known you for so long. Still, our relationship hasn’t changed, it's not wrong Lover and the loved, a melody sung
At least that's what I would call us, among the young I’m 18 and I’m trying to be perfect but screw perfect Words aren’t meant to be held, let them intersect They should flow like a river, Carrying thoughts and emotions, that make us shiver
But with you, I find myself stumbling, Tripping over my own tongue, endlessly fumbling Caught in the whirlwind of my uncertainty. Yet, despite the chaos I crave serenity
I find solace in the mere thought of you, In the possibility of what could be true In the anticipation of a shared moment, A stolen glance, a whispered sentiment A connection yet to be fully realized. So I'll continue to dream alone, never criticized
To imagine a reality where you and I Are more than just strangers passing by, Where our smiles meet, under the golden sky And our souls intertwine, as if in reply, In a dance as old as time itself, where hearts comply. And you and I live together for an eternity
Drawing by Maddie Westbrock
Second Place Winner of The White Rose Essay Contest
For Middle School
“The
Current
Rise of Antisemitism All Over The World” Dominique Critle
The current rise of racial hate, especially antisemitism, has gotten so much worse over the past few years. Throughout history, we have so many examples, like the boycotting of Jewish businesses and the Beer Hall putsch, which are both events that have led to the Holocaust. Even after the Holocaust was over, Jews still face racism all over the world every day. Currently, in 2024, some events still parallel the holocaust. Luckily we have so many amazing people who stand up for antisemitism like Clarence B. Jones.
The Beer Hall Putsch is just one of the horrific events that led to the Holocaust. The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed takeover of the government in Bavaria. It lasted from November 8th to November 9, 1923 (“Beer Hall Putsch”). Hitler and the Nazis created a plan to where they would
kidnap the leaders of the Bavarian government and force them at gunpoint to accept Hitler as their leader. The Nazis put this plan into action when they figured out that there was going to be a large party of business executives in a Munich beer hall and the honorable guests were going to be Bavarian leaders that they wanted to kidnap. Even though this was a failed attempt and Hitler went to jail, this still was just the beginning of the soon-pre-planned mass killing of 6 million Jews.
Leading up to WW11, many antisemitic events took place. One of these events was the boycott of Jewish businesses. In 1933, when Hitler was appointed chancellor, he had Nazi stormtroopers standing in front of Jewish businesses. They held signs saying things like “Don't buy from the Jews”. This first happened on June 1, 1933. It was the first nationally sanctioned attack on Jews. The boycott was meant to be a peaceful protest, but it turned out violent. (1933
anti-Jewish boycott) Windows were shattered, and the owners of businesses were attacked. Many of the businesses closed during this trying time. Jewish lawyers and doctors had guards blocking their businesses, which cost them money. Some lawyers were kicked out of courtrooms. This was only the start of the antisemitic actions being done by the Nazis. By April 7th, Jews were banned from working for city and government jobs. (anti-Jewish, boycott, 1933 Nazi, Germany) By the end of the year, new laws had targeted Jewish lawyers, doctors, dentists, professors, artists, journalists, and other professionals. The prohibition of Jewish businesses turned into Threats, Desecration, Vandalism, Arson, Assault, Rape, Murder, and Terrorism.
In our world today 2024 we are still seeing so many aggressive antisemitic crises. Jews all over the world are feeling on edge because of the intense rise in antisemitism. From shootings in synagogues to violent attacks on Jewish
people and Jewish cemeteries, this increasingly large number of violence just gets worse and worse day by day. (“What is behind rising anti-Semitism around the world?”) There are so many stories from young men and women experiencing antisemitism. Maya Satinick, a young Jewish college student, experienced an incident where she had on a ring that was a gift from her grandmother with the star of David on it showing her faith (“Tired of hiding: Jews at US colleges face rising antisemitism from left and right”). Someone came up to her saying, “I noticed your ring” Maya innocently took this as a compliment, unaware that this remark would lead to something so harmful. This interaction soon led to a group of students surrounding her saying, “You don't belong here,” followed by a Jewish slur. During the Holocaust. Jews were forced to wear the Star of David. For Jews at this time, the star did not only put a target on their back, but it signified that they were Jewish, whether they wanted others to know or not. For Maya, she wore her ring proudly by choice to show off her proud Jewish heritage. This still put
a target on her back for antisemitic people to diminish her faith, as the Nazis did to Jews during the holocaust. Actions like these can only make genocide easier. Luckily today we have so many people in our world who speak up for antisemitism. People like Clarence B. Jones is involved with speaking out against antisemitism. Clarence B. Jones is an African American man, who was a former lawyer and advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. Clarence felt compelled to speak up for Jews after finding out that many Jewish people were taking part in the civil rights movement. Years on. Clarence made it his mission along with many other things to maintain the Black-Jewish alliance (“‘Silence is not an option’: Super Bowl ad on antisemitism to feature MLK speechwriter”) on Superbowl Sunday Clarence took the stage to spread the message against antisemitism and other forms of hate on a broadcasted ad on television. People like Clarence in our world make life so much better. Having the courage to speak out against such a hard topic like antisemitism is something we don't see a lot in our daily lives. Clarence knows how it feels to be a black man in America, facing racial ignorance by others.
Even after all the hate that Jews have faced and are still facing now, they are still staying resilient. Jewish people have undergone so many horrific acts throughout history.
Actions that can tarnish the communities and cause unchangeable trauma. As a human society, we have to work to protect all people, no matter their race.
Photo by Lucy Biolchini
First Place Winner of The White Rose Essay Contest
For High School
“Echoes of Atrocity”
Elliot Peters
Winston Churchill once said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” (Corey). Although knowledge of our past is not enough to steer civilization alone, historical awareness and caution are necessary to keep mistakes from repeating themselves. This has always been true, and if we hope to call ourselves a civilized society, this must remain true now, especially for what is widely regarded as the greatest systemized crime against humanity: the Holocaust. Sadly, it seems as if the lessons we learned from it are already being forgotten, even though it ended a mere lifetime ago. A 2020 survey found that 36 percent of Millennial and Gen Z Americans thought two million or fewer Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust, compared to the actual estimate of approximately six million. Even more shockingly, the survey found that 20% of young US citizens believe Jewish people actually causedthe Holocaust, a horrific instance of victim blaming (“First-Ever 50-State Survey”). Even now, we can observe current events and hear echoes of history repeating, haunting our present. We watch events occur today that resemble ones that led to the Holocaust. We watch on as businesses are boycotted because of their Jewish affiliation, a tactic the Nazis used to set the stage for the Holocaust. We watch as Israeli actress Gal Gadot is insulted for voicing support for her homeland. We must stop watching and start working to diminish hatred and ignorance towards Jewish people.
One of the tactics the Nazis used to sow the seeds of the horrors to come was orchestrating a boycott of Jewish businesses on April 1, 1933—the first prepared attack on Jewish people that spread across all of Germany. Nazi Storm Troopers positioned themselves in stations to intimidate anyone considering ignoring the boycott. Thousands of Stars of David with discriminatory slogans such as “Kauft Nicht bei Juden” and “Die Juden sind unser Unglück” (“Don’t Buy from Jews” and “The Jews Are Our Misfortune”) were painted and hung (“Crowd in Berlin”). Jewish people suffered through violence at the hands of perpetrators while the police looked on. Despite the fact this first boycott lasted for a mere day, and many people ignored it and proceeded to shop in Jewish businesses, this snowballed into what would become the avalanche that was the Holocaust (“Boycott of Jewish Businesses”). This was the first time the Nazis made their antisemitism clear; the boycott signaled that they planned to hurt Jewish people in any way they could (“Boycott of Jewish Shops”). It is too easy to claim that the apparent hatred the boycott demonstrated is in the past, and although it certainly was horrific, society has improved and moved past such savagery. One may even argue that there is no point at all in remembering it, since the events of 1933 are irrelevant to today’s world. However, we must be vigilant in continuing to hear the echoes of this inhumane situation today rather than simply lamenting and then dismissing how monstrous and racist it was.
Unnerving parallels emerge when comparing the obscene acts of then to events of now. After the terrorist group Hamas’ massacre on October 7, we saw a resurgence of efforts to marginalize Israel. One of the most prominent tactics they used involved boycotting “Zionists” of all kinds – be they “institutions, businesses, or individuals.” Boycotters believed these so-called Zionists were complicit in how Israel responded to what Hamas did. Although some of their targets are not actually Jewish, the majority are, indicating that antisemitism underlies these boycotts (“BDS Activists Are Refocused”). Not unlike in 1933, people are boycotting Jewish businesses today in an attempt to vilify supposed Zionists. These boycotters usually lack proper knowledge of the situation and comprehension of the true consequences of their actions. In January 2024, there were fliers hung in San Francisco calling for the boycott of six Jewish businesses–some of which had nothing to do with politics and merely sold food. At least one store was even vandalized (Lee). The ADL (Anti-Defamation League) found over 2,000 reports of harassment, vandalism, and other antisemitic incidents, including against Jewish businesses, a 337% rise since October 2023 (“ADL Reports”). On discussion boards online, I have witnessed boycotters shame and pressure others who are not taking part in the boycotts, an echo of Storm Troopers intimidating German citizens. Many people have fallen into a black-and-white mindset, demonizing Israel and anything or anyone associated with it, even going to the extent of shaming Israelis voicing support for peace-seeking in their own country.
For example, Gal Gadot is a beloved Israeli actress known for playing Wonder Woman, a powerful and unapologetically outspoken superhero. Gadot herself is a sort of Wonder Woman, an advocate for her home country and peace. Back in 2019, after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a controversial claim that Israel is “only of the Jewish people,” Gal Gadot was quick to respond, “Love thy neighbor. It is not a matter of right or left, Arabs or Jews, secular or religious. It is a matter of dialogue, of dialogue for peace, and of our tolerance for each other. It is our responsibility to shine hope and light for a better future for our children” (“Gal Gadot”). People have not always responded positively to her candor. In October 2023, popular Israeli media personality Ofira Asayag publicly wrote to her, saying, “But this time, you've crossed a line… It's best for all of us to remain silent. You live in a Hollywood movie, switching your Israeli identity on and off at will” (Walla!). The people have also spoken up against Gadot’s actions. When she attempted to organize a screening of footage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, people accused her of being an Israel apologist and not addressing the Palestinian casualties. One X, formerly Twitter, user wrote “Gal Gadot, the propaganda girl of Israel-sponsored terrorism. She may have played a superhero, but she's nothing more than a propagandist and a genocide enabler” (Venegas). It is an ill omen of what is to come when society accepts criticism of a public figure for calling for peace and attempting to acknowledge complex realities of the conflicts in the world around
us. The question is, does this reaction foreshadow complicity in barbarous acts, similar to the way many Germans during the Holocaust and the 1933 Boycott became passive accomplices to these crimes against humanity?
Worrying percentages of society, especially younger generations who can do the most to stop these horrors, do not appear to know how to help. Many, in their attempt to do good, may actually contribute to anti semitism. All the while, the number of Holocaust survivors who can tell their personal stories and warn about the dangers of ignoring the past lessens as more and more pass from this life. A mere 245,000 Holocaust survivors remain alive today, with a median age of 86 (Timsit). I have seen Holocaust deniers met with consensus on social media platforms, something that is especially hard for me to comprehend since I have lived in both Israel and Germany, where the effects of the Holocaust are pointedly present. In Israel, many have no choice but to remember the wickedness inflicted on their parents and grandparents, and solemnly commemorate them with memorials, traditions, and museums such as Yad Vashem. In Germany, homeschooling is banned, partly because they have learned the dangers of extremism and indoctrination. As time passes, the amount of living eyewitnesses of the horrors Jewish people everywhere suffered through during the Holocaust dwindles. We must amplify the echoes of the lessons our ancestors taught us as they become quieter, and we must do so now before they go silent.
Collage by Juanpablo “JP”Avelar
