A CELEBRATION OF THE LITERARY & VISUAL ARTS OF HARBOR DAY SCHOOL
OUR MISSION
Harbor Day School provides an academically challenging, well-balanced education in a nurturing and inclusive family-centered environment. Our faculty inspires curiosity and a desire to learn, and cultivates in students the confidence, strong moral character, and perseverance to thrive. We celebrate diversity and traditions, value collaboration and innovation, and cherish our community and the lifelong relationships developed.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Angi Evans ‘75
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Noelle Becker
EDITOR
Amy Meyer
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Chatom Arkin
Noelle Becker
Justin Kerr
Kelley Otis
Moujan Walkow
ART DIRECTORS
Dayna Sable
Leslie Yagar
Courtney Zarrilli
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sargeant Creative
DESIGN
Born Primate Co.
THE COVER
Hillary Wilks Grade 8 ON
Ms. Hogan’s Kindergarten
AIR
By Luke Johnson
You can’t see me
But I am there I blow wind at you Woosh!
I can blow you Off a tree
Oh, no!
Ouch!
HALF BIRTHDAY
By Sophie Osborn
No presents, but family. No party, but a special day. Not your birthday, but your half birthday. No cards with presents, but you can draw. No cake, but a call from grandparents. No balloons, but trips. No new pencils, but you have pencils. No things, but birthday wishes. You can do whatever you want!
PEPPERMINTS
By Zoe Makhijani
Sweet candy
Red, green, blue, yellow Swirly like a rainbow Crunch, munch In kids’ mouths Yum! Yum!
I love peppermints I smell the flavors
Strawberry, blue raspberry, Yellow lemon Yum! Yum! I want peppermints
RAINBOW
By Morgan Trumbo
I shine in the sun. I am rainbow colors. I am red, orange, yellow, Green, blue, purple. I shine in the sky. I show pretty colors. I come after rain. I shine down on everyone!
Luke Johnson
Hu
CUTE PUPPY
By Clara Zou
Oh, little cutie pie. You are so cute. Cute puppy, Your eyes look so sparkly In the sunshine. I want to have you, but I can’t
Because my mom said so. But no matter what My love will always Be with you.
VOLCANO
By Justin Hu
Crash!
The volcano is erupting.
The earth is shaking.
The lava is very red And orange
Like a meteor. Fiery hot. Oh, no! Rumble, rumble. Better go home.
BIRTHDAY CAKE
By Graham Young
I watch kids have birthdays They stick candles on me
Light the candles
Red flames
My frosting is chocolate Sprinkles
Munch! Munch!
They eat me
I am chocolate in your belly
Justin
Clara Zou
SCARED
By Thomas Foster
When I am alone in the dark, I am scared.
When I am on a roller coaster, I am scared.
When I am on a boat, I am scared.
Wait a second!
I am not scared Of the dark.
I am not scared Of roller coasters.
I am not scared Of a boat.
I am not scared of Anything!
AMERICAN FLAG
By Thomas Fike & William Barker
I stand for America. I am skinny and striped. I stand tall in the air.
MARBLE
By Ford Watts
A marble is like a big Drop of water. Like a blowing flower. Spin, spin, spin. Spinning in the wind. It looks like
There is a feather Inside of it.
Smooth as ice.
THUNDER
By Maven Ghalambor
Sun, sun
It goes away Rain, rain Boom, boom Lightning, flash, flash
Like a flashlight
Leading the way Splash Rumble, rumble Boom! It bams Shush, shush It can be quiet Drip, drop Rain, rain Pitter, patter
Shhh, quiet, shhh
I can go up and down. Wavy like a wave.
William Barker
Thomas Fike
HAPPY
By Malia Malikowski
Happy, happy Vanilla ice cream.
Happy, happy Cake on my birthday.
Happy, happy Special time with my mom.
Happy, happy Playing with my brother.
Happy, happy Spending time with my dad.
Happy, happy Smiling with my friends.
EXCITED
By Katie Kerns
A donut makes Me happy. And a cupcake, and a candy cane, And a cake. Yum, yum! And peppermints, Presents, A birthday, and cotton candy. I jump up and down. Fireworks. Excited.
THUNDERSTORM
By Bridget Kappler
The thunder goes boom! Drip, drop. The rain is falling. Oh, no! The thunder and lightning. Boom!
The lightning looks like A zebra’s stripe in the air. Rumble, rumble! Bam!
HAPPY
By Franklin Sabaugh
A new toy Trains And monster trucks
When my mom Gives me some cookies Yummy! When my dad Plays with me I laugh I jump up and down Happy
HEY, HEART
By Arthur Baracco
Hey, Heart, Are you pink?
I think you are Red Do you like me? You have my mom And dad
Hey, Heart, You are filled with my love Boom, boom, boom!
Katie Kerns
CUPCAKE
By Paloma Farmer
Cupcake
Your frosting looks like
Whipped cream
Splish, splash
What is your flavor?
Vanilla
Your sprinkles are on top of me
Crunchy rainbows
Candles are lit
People come
Sing “Happy Birthday”
Num, num, num!
SHELL
By Aria Shi
A shell looks like a tornado
And an ice cream cone
Inside, I sound like
Ocean waves
Across the ocean
Woosh!
I come from the sea
Ocean waves
Bring me to the sand
When you pick me up
I feel bumpy
I feel special
When you choose me
DOG
By Ryder Davis
Hey, dog, sit.
Hey, dog, can you shake?
Hey, dog,
Will you go on a walk?
Hey, dog, will you run With me?
Hey, dog, will you Jump with me?
Hey, dog, you are
My best friend.
Paloma Farmer Ryder Davis
VALENTINE
By Elliott Block
You make us happy
You bring happiness
Fun to make cards
You have pretty colors
Cookies
Valentine’s Day
Makes me happy
Get gifts from my family
Lots of hugs
Happy I love you
ANT
By Woody Webb
I am as tiny as a tiny rock. I am strong. My friends help me
Carry a gigantic Piece of cheese.
Sugar falling down. Tip, tap.
I climb up the house. Smoosh!
FOOTBALL
By Wyatt Hasson
Practicing before the game
I see the folks on the sideline
Whistle calls start
Offense
I smell the salty air Gulp, gulp
Red cherry Gatorade
Set, hike
Run forward for the catch
The ball spins towards me
Reach up to catch it
Run as fast as a motorcycle
Touchdown!
I jump up and down
Elliott Block
Woody Webb
Mrs. Escobar-Vu’s
Kindergarten
LOVE
By Eve Vanderhook
I see hearts
Floating in the air
I hear a butterfly
Flying in the air
I smell pink blooming flowers
I love the taste of cookies
I feel the love of my family
I feel love from everything
THOMAS
By Hank Foster
Thomas
Foster
The best cousin
In the world
We laugh, we play
We have fun
Wooo!
I like when we play Basketball Swish
We scored!
We had fun
You are the best
Thomas in the world
ZETA
By Madeline Lissia
I flap my wings
Going to my island
I wanted lava balls
Not lava puddles
Make the lava balls!
She has three umbrellas
In one drink
What kind of lunatics
Are we dealing with?
I love Zeta!
Eve Vanderhook
Hank Foster
SOUR PATCH KIDS
By Clayton Robinson
The sour
Feel it
It is so sour
Sticky, sticky
Yum, yum
They taste like lemon
I’m at a game eating them
My jaw is tight
Everyone smells them
I get crowded!
PIZZA
By Olivia O’Donnell
I see pizza
I want to eat it
I hear it cooking
Sizzle, sizzle
I wish it was done cooking
I smell the pizza
It is done cooking
Yay!
I taste the pizza
It is yummy
I feel the pizza
It is so soft
SOCCER
By Jack Spanos
Gulp, gulp
Kick, score
Yay!
The crowd goes wild
Gulp, gulp
Sprint, sprint
Kick
My teammate scores We win
Yay!
TEDDY BEAR
By Angela Wong
Hi, I am a teddy bear
Soft like a blanket
Please give me a hug
I love hugs!
I want another hug!
Thank you for all the hugs
Hug, hug
Cuddle, cuddle
I want another hug!
Yay!
I am so happy
Yay!
ORCA
By Vaughn Rattet
An orca is like a zebra
Black and white all over
Swimming in the ocean
Splashing and gliding
Up and down
An orca squirts water out of the top
Whoosh!
I see an orca
Splashing in the water
Clayton Robinson
Kamila Cheng
KIRA
By Kamila Cheng
Kira, Kira
A sweet hug makes me feel happy Makes me feel calm and safe
I love her
She is my little angel
She gives me a sweet hug
I can see her blue eyes
And she is so cute
Kira
FISH
By Ava Zhou
Hi, I am a fish Blub, blub Plop, plop
Pebbles drop in Oh, lunchtime?
Crunch, crunch
Thank you for feeding me
I am full
Sleep, sleep, sleep
This is the best day ever!
My friends swim by Oh, hi
Bod and Bill and Leo Oh, hi
Pam Lam Blub, blub
RAIN
By Teddy Stone
Drip, drop
The rain falls Boom! Crack!
Our house sounds like it’s breaking Pop!
Pop! Pop!
The window is wet
We need to stay dry!
STORM
By Dev Pai
Boom!
Thunder
Like drums banging
Rain pouring on the ground
Drip, drop
Drip, drop
Lightning flashes
As bright as the sun Yeoohh!
I am scared Blackout
DESK
By Hayes Holland
I am a desk. What kind of math are you going to do on me today?
Are you going to do subtraction, or times, or division, or addition?
Wait a second. What?
Oh, no.
There are new kindergarteners. Noooooo!
SKYLER
By Summer Rivera
Skyler is cute
She is peaceful and calm
As I read to her
She likes being pretty Dressing up and putting on makeup
Hugs from her make me happy
She is five and a half
She likes dresses
Skyler is kind
We are happy together
Yay!
PERI
By Maude Kurzeka
Peri is so sweet
Like cotton candy
I love Peri
And I will forever
She is nice to me
We do homework together
We play and have fun
She is kind like me
Hi, Peri!
I love Peri
And Peri loves me
SNAKE
By Jack Kingsley
Slithery Sliding
Across the ground
Oh, no
Watch out!
Here comes a red cobra
Slithery Sliding
Oh, no Hissssssss!
Jack Kingsley
CUPCAKE
By Keira Nelson
A cupcake is…
Like a Christmas tree
Decorated with sprinkles
SLIME MONSTER
By Christopher Laks
Oozey
Awww
It is a slime monster
Gross
Gooey
Watch out!
Stay away!
Splat!
Run, run, run away
Now, now
You are safe
Like a sugary cloud
Like a tiny cake with frosting
The cupcake is yummy
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
I ate it
And it was so yummy!
PIZZA
By Paolo Schumacher
I see pizza on my plate
I hear the pan sizzle
I smell the great smell of cheese
Crunch, crunch
I taste the great taste of the pizza
And the ooey, gooey cheese
I feel the warmness
Of the pizza in my mouth
Keira Nelson
UNICORN
By Pamie Pavlovich
My tail is like a rainbow
Magic in my horn
Fast like a horse
As fluffy as a stuffy
I love unicorns so much!
MONKEY
By Declyn Soni
Ooh, ooh, aah, aah
What is that sound?
It is a monkey
Swinging in the tree
Ahhhh
It jumps at me
What do I see?
Ahhhh
Two legs coming at me
Ahhh
I run away
STINGRAY
By Mia Vinck
Woosh
Swoosh
Do not step on me
I may sting you Sting!
I am in the sand
Now I am under the dock
On a paddle board
AAAHHH!
ASPEN
By Leopold Pieter
Fluffy like a rabbit
Pees on the floor when he is excited
Blue eyes like the sky
Jumps on me like crazy
Soft like a pillow
Likes lots of treats
Licks me a lot
My dog
Aspen
Declyn Soni
Pamie Pavlovich
First Grade
1
A FAMILY TRIP
By William Chapman
On Sunday, my family and I went to Steamboat, Colorado. There were lots of ski hills. I went down one of the hills. Why not? There were bumps. I fell. After that, we went on Rudi’s Run. We got hot chocolate. The next morning, we played Monopoly. My coach let me have root beer with lunch! At night, we played spoons and got more hot chocolate. We had a snowball fight and I built a snowman. The next morning, it snowed a lot! There was even snow on the gondola. It was so much fun!
HOW TO TRICK-OR-TREAT
By Chloe Knapp
Materials: Bag Costume
Candy Shoes
First, walk up to a door. Next, ring the doorbell. Then, sing “trick-ortreat.” Last, let them give you candy and do it again. Don’t forget to say please and thank you. Remember to bring your trick-or-treat bag! If it gets dark, go home.
Brooks Khalili
Chloe Knapp
A DAY AT THE BEACH
By Kenda Jafar
I went to the beach with my family. My brother and I were having a great time jumping over the waves in the water. We went on some very big waves. Then I took a walk with my mommy. We stopped on the sand and we did a workout right on the beach. Everybody came to join us. Then we played football with my baby sister. We finally got our shoes and went to the car. I dusted off my feet and got in the car. We drove home. At home, we took showers while my Dad went to get Fresh Brothers. The pizza was so good! It was a great day.
GROWING A PUMPKIN
By Connor Quinn
First, you need the seed. Plant it in the soil and water it. It will grow for ten weeks underground. Next, it will sprout, and the sprout will grow. Then the vine will grow very long. After that, the flowers will bloom, and the bees will come. Then, the green pumpkin will appear. It will start to grow and grow. Finally, it will turn orange. The orange pumpkin will grow.
PLAYING THE MARLINS
By Henry Meyer
I had a baseball game. I’m on the Padres. We played the Marlins. I was waiting on deck. Then it was my turn up at bat. I hit the ball and ran to first base. I was out. Next, I put on my baseball sunglasses, hat, and glove. I was shortstop! I got the ball. I threw it to first base… he was OUT! It was our turn up at bat again. I hit the ball, but it slid into first base. I was out. We were outfield again. I put my shortstop stuff on again. They hit the ball, but it went past me. The coaches yelled at me. I was sad. We lost six to two! That was my first game in Single A. It was a hard game, but it was fun!
Josie Sun Kayson Paydar
Lily Krasinski
Maya Weston
Scottie Welch
Ayla Dorriz
HOW TO THROW A TOUCHDOWN PASS
By Scottie Welch
Materials:
Football
Flags
Your hands
Field
Friends
First, put your fingers on the laces. Only use one hand. Next, place your other hand where you want to aim. Put the hand that is holding the ball behind your head. Last, throw the ball. Tip: Pigtails are good luck!
HOW TO GET READY FOR BED
by Giselle Best
Materials:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Water
Towel
Books
Pajamas
A bed
A brush
Some stuffies
Shower
First, brush your teeth. Don’t forget to brush in circles! Next, take a shower. Don’t forget to take your clothes off! Then get your pajamas on and choose a story. Last, get snuggled into bed and fall asleep.
Oliver Lee
Chloe Lopez
RECIPE FOR NOT TEASING MY SISTER
By Mikey Constantiner
Ingredients:
10 gallons of respect
1 dash of kindness
1 sprinkle of helpfulness
5 gallons of self-control
1 sprinkle of effort
Mikey Constantiner
Connor Quinn
RECIPE FOR LEARNING TO DO A CARTWHEEL
By Pauline Arkin-Horowitz
1 gallon of joy
1 dash of teamwork
3 cups of fun
4 drops of love
4 handfuls of focus
Emmy Hasson
Harvey Thomson
Second Grade
2
It’s okay to feel strong because it allows me to keep trying when things are hard. That’s what my grandpa used to tell me. To become strong, you can eat your veggies, work hard in P.E., and do sports. If you have a pull-up bar at your house or near you, use it! You can also ride a bike. I hope you get strong, too!
By Dean Hackett
It’s okay to be a swimmer and a reader. I love to sit under the window, curl up with my soft blanket, and fall into a book. I also love to swim because I don’t just swim in the pool, but I like to buoy swim. I like the feeling of cold water when I’m not wearing a cap and how the water pulls my hair. I especially like lying on the warm sand after I swim.
By Annie Erlinger
Dean Hackett
Thomas Shepherdson
Luke Stoecker Annie Erlinger Jad Jafar
Drew Kappler Harper Lingenfelter
Eloise Chen
The holidays make me think about the people I love. This Christmas, I think my dad deserves a special gift. One reason my dad deserves a gift this Christmas is that he always takes me to fun places whenever I ask. For example, when I ask him to go to Dave & Buster’s, he always says yes. Another reason my dad deserves a gift is that he always cooks us his favorite food. I remember when I tried his favorite Nigerian food for the first time. The last reason I think my dad deserves a gift is that he always takes care of me. One time, I jammed my finger in the door, and my nail fell off. He was very helpful and caring.
By Penelope N.
It’s okay to like cats. Cats are cute and cuddly. When they scratch you, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you. It means that they just want to play with you. Playing with cats is fun. I have a remote control mouse and my cat runs around the house chasing it! Sometimes having a cat is hard work and if they get bored, they start scratching up furniture! You also have to clean out their litter box, which is not fun at all. Also, your cat might not get along well with your dog. Sometimes your cat will chase your dog’s tail, and sometimes your dog will chase your cat’s tail! When I brush my cat, he thinks he’s getting a massage. I love my cat.
By Eloise Money
Penelope N.
Eloise Money
Aiden
I jumped out of bed and tiptoed down the stairs. My favorite holiday tradition is trying to catch Santa Claus. Here is some advice on how to see him. First, get a camera and put it in your tree. Keep it hidden and connect it to your tree. You can watch the camera in your bed. Then, you can set up a trap by saying, “Hello” and asking him to give you a hug. Who can resist a hug? Next, give him more cookies and milk and wish him a Merry Christmas!
By Madison Barker
Micah Margolis
Naomi Nelson
Roshdieh
Madison Barker
MY NAME IS LILY
Today I feel like a happy horse prancing in the field
Sometimes I am a tired sloth
Sometimes I am a persistent wolf
But I am always strong
I ask the world, “What is happiness?”
And the answer is a happy horse prancing on the field
By Lily Young
MY NAME IS JAD
Today I feel like a polar bear playing in the rain
Sometimes I am active
Sometimes I am bored
But I am always playful
I ask the world, “What will be next?”
And the answer is a polar bear playing in the rain
By Jad Jafar
MY NAME IS ISLA
Today I feel like a cute kitten purring on a soft blanket
Sometimes I am frantic
Sometimes I am fearless
But I am always myself
I ask the world, “What’s sweet?”
And the answer is a cute kitten purring on a soft bed
By Isla Shifflett
Madelyn Wang Reese Foster
DEAR FRIEND,
Are you looking for a book series that will keep you reading all summer long? You will enjoy Mercy Watson to the Rescue. It is book number one in the series. In my opinion, Mercy is a loving character. The first reason she is loving is because she snuggles her parents in bed. Second, Mercy lets her friend Eugenia sleep on her back. Lastly, Mercy is always looking after people. For example, she shared her buttered toast with Eugenia and her mom and dad. You should read Mercy Watson today!
Love, Gemma Yi
Peace is waking up from a good dream.
Peace is reading a long book in a cozy place.
Peace is listening to the waves washing up on the sand.
Peace is watching a movie with a blanket and hot cocoa.
Peace is playing a game with your family in pajamas.
By Bianka B.
Allison Jin Bennett Watts
3 Third Grade
DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
By Nick Donnelly
My body is shaking as the cold crisp air whips against my face. I’m at the top of a snowy mountain. As I push off with my shiny blue poles, I slide down the steep mountain. I hear the breaking of the snow underneath my skis. I can smell the pine trees as my mouth is filled with fluffy cold snowflakes. My gloves are warm and sweaty. I look up to see the old chair lift creaking along. My chest is pounding as I jump off the ramp. Then, everything stops. Plop! I fell. My skis unlatch as I tumble. I won’t give up. With my skis back on, I try again. I keep going. As I get near the bottom of the mountain, I start to see the lodge in the distance. I smell the hot chocolate and feel the excitement about finishing as my heart pounds in my chest.
Riaan Pai Bradley Gooding Gia Ressler Claire Irwin
Ainoor Tariq
Gemma Ward
Oliver Olson
Nick Donnelly
THE SKIING ADVENTURE
By Lizzie Stone
I stood at the top of the snowy mountain. I could feel my hands start to go numb in my mittens. I was standing at the top of a very tall mountain that I was about to ski down. The scent of pine trees filled the air around me. I could hear my ski instructor, Colin, say, “You got this! Believe in yourself!” I took a deep breath and slammed my poles down into the snow like a hammer. Woosh! I was off. I could feel my cheeks becoming cold as ice cream as the wind blew past me. When I looked down the mountain, all I could see was all the people who looked like tiny little ants from up here. Suddenly, I saw a bump coming up in front of me. I could feel my heart start to race. I was so scared to ski over it, but I had no choice. I held my poles tightly and bent my knees. My skis started to wobble. When I finally reached it, I tried my hardest to get over it. Swish! I made it over! After the bump, I raced down the mountain. I was so proud of myself for getting down the mountain!
GRATITUDE
By Catherine Gray
Instead of being jealous of what others have, be grateful for what you have! It’s very important to be grateful. Three things I’m appreciative of are my friends, my teachers, and my family. I’m thankful for the friends that greet me in the morning like a big cup of coffee. They also stand up for me and help me when I’m hurt. I love my teachers because they push me to do my best in hard subjects and help me when I need it. Without my teachers and education, I wouldn’t learn as much as I do now. Lastly, I’m grateful for my family. My dad always takes me to my sports and cheers me on, even when I don’t win. My mom makes awesome dinners and goes to the store to make sure I have what I need at the right time. She also takes me where I need to go when I’m sick or hurt. That’s why I’m so grateful for my friends, teachers, and family because they help me grow, and learn, and they are very kind.
Lucas Wu
BRACES
By Brooklyn Tsai
My hands felt cold and sweaty. What is it like to get braces? Does it hurt? I wondered. Today was a big day. I was finally getting braces. I sat in the orthodontist’s chair. I wanted to get out of the building and run back home. I gripped the seat as tightly as I could. Clink. One brace went on. Clink, clink, clink.
Well, this isn’t that bad, I thought.
“I’m going to put the brackets on, Brooklyn,” said the orthodontist.
“Okay,” I said back. Another rush of nervousness came over me.
Plunk, plunk. The brackets went on. That was just as easy. Now it was time to put the rubber bands on.
“You’re almost done,” said my orthodontist.
Yes! Don’t worry, I told myself. Just a little more. Tink!
“Alright, Brooklyn, you’re done,” my orthodontist said. I used my tongue to nervously touched my bottom teeth. They felt spikey on my tongue. Then I touched my top teeth. They felt the same. Afterwards, I looked in the mirror. I looked carefully at my new self.
FRACTIONS OF ME
By Benjamin McDonald
2/6 of me is a football player
Catching, throwing, snapping
Scoring touchdowns is what I do
1/6 of me is a soccer player
Scoring goals, shooting, passing
Brings me lots of fun
1/6 of me is a runner
Drinking water, sore legs, getting tired
I love running
1/6 of me is a brother
Lots of fun, some fighting, family time
I love my brothers
1/6 of me is a friend
Lots of playing, helping, getting competitive
My friends are the best
All the 6th’s of me
Make me whole
Bianca Pieter
WE ARE GRATEFUL
By Rohan Prasad Murphy
You should take time to be grateful for everything. I take time to be thankful for my family, my friends, and my skills. I am grateful for my family because they support me all the way through. For example, they cheer me on when I play competitive sports. I’m also grateful for my friends because they help me get through tough situations. For example, they helped me overcome a really tough defeat. Lastly, I am grateful for my skills because they help me push through hard things. For example, they really help me to do hard math. I can give a big thanks to my family for that. That is why I take time to be grateful for my family, my friends, and my skills.
Emma Chapman
Benjamin McDonald
DON’T GIVE UP!
By Clara Chan
Getting on the rink is harder than you’d think. I start to tremble in fear, even though I have my jacket to keep me warm. A shiver runs down my spine. As I slowly step onto the rink, I try to remember how to skate from years before. The smell of apple cider in the hut calls my name. I push forward and start to skate, still shaking. My hands grip the rail while my heart pounds more than ever before. Finally, I let go and glide on my own. I feel cold, excited, and nervous all at the same time. Cheers from my family and friends fill my ears. And then, as I skate— THUD! I fall! Tears form in my eyes. Whispers in my mind tell me, “Don’t give up!”
I get back up and see Troy cheering for me. The cheers are so loud I can hear them from a block away! I take a deep breath and try again. I’m so scared I can barely breathe. But then—I’m finally getting the hang of it! I make a whole lap!
“Hooray!” I shout. “Yippee!”
Connor Townes
Clara Chan
Fourth Grade
4
THE PERFECT WINTER DAY
By Clinton Hackett
“Tweet, tweet, tweet!” The sound of the birds woke me up. I jumped out of bed and I looked out the window at a soft blanket of snow. I felt a burst of joy. The birds were chirping a sweet melody, and small, fluffy snowflakes were falling. My brothers and I dashed downstairs. The smells of peppermint, hot chocolate, and warm blueberry muffins filled my nose. The hot chocolate tasted so creamy I felt I would fall over. I ran upstairs to change into my winter clothes. When I opened the front door the sweet smells of pine and mountain air hit me. I looked out at the marshmallow landscape, and I got so excited that I fell into a bitter cold and fluffy pillow of snow. Even the clouds looked like marshmallows. Silently perched on a barren tree was an owl. It flew so gracefully and silently away into the afternoon sunshine. After hours of playing in the snow, it was finally time for dinner. With a warm cup of hot cocoa and fluffy marshmallows, the cold snow outside, and a crackling fire inside, I felt so cozy watching a Christmas movie. That is a perfect winter day.
A DAY IN MONTANA
By Emery Werner
Is there anything more fun than doing whatever you want for the whole day in Montana? As you get out of bed you see the beautiful view, and the cold, crisp air blows softly in your face. The delightful cotton candy sunrise pulls your gaze to the mountain sky. A sweet smell of wildflowers tickles your nose while horseback riding. The musical sounds of birds tweeting and horses and deer grazing reaches your ears. The feeling of refreshing lake water crawls onto your feet while you sit on a rocky beach. The confident feeling of getting up on a wakeboard fills you with joy. The blazing, rich hot cocoa warms you up from the cold mountain air as you watch deer creep out from the shadows. You lie in a warm bed as you watch the sun set. The moon rises as it shines into your room, and you drift off to sleep.
THE DAY I JUMPED
By Leo Graham
Isn’t jumping off tall stuff fun? Well, I jumped off a 30-foot pier! I remember it felt like my stomach went into my mouth. My legs were weak, and my mind went pitch black. As I plummeted into the water, I said to myself, “I’m fine. This is fun. Let’s do this.” Then my toes hit the water like I was a needle breaking glass. It felt like I was under for a year. I came up as a rush of joy came over me. I slowly moved through the chilly water like an angel gliding through the air. I went to my friend and said, “That was so fun!”
Imogen Marble
A PERFECT WINTER DAY
By Celestine Pieter
My eyes flick open as I whip around to check my clock. It’s 7:00! My brain is a switch turning from tired to energetic. Like a cheetah, I speed to my window hoping to see white covering the world of brown. I slowly open the window, and I notice I was correct. Letting the cold air seep into the room, an image pops into my mind. Hot cocoa. It only takes a few seconds for me to realize the image was real. I walk slowly, allowing my feet to relax. Heel, ball, toe. Heel, ball, toe. The moment I step down from the stairs, I spring to the kitchen, grab my hot cocoa, and spring back. My legs, burning from running so early in the morning, start to calm down. My hands tingle from holding a cup of sunshine, sweet and warm. I carefully bring the mug up to my mouth. Taking my first sip is like sunshine on a rainy day. As I drink the cocoa, I silently wish that tomorrow will be as good as today. And today is spectacular.
A PERFECT WINTER DAY
By Grady Root
Yawning in a warm, fuzzy blanket, I go to the window and see a soft white blanket of snow. I hear the birds chirping up in the trees. I go outside, and the cold breeze moves down my face as snowflakes fall on me. I can see my breath just like if I was a dragon breathing out fire. I go inside and taste a perfect, steamy cup of hot cocoa. I watch a movie with my cozy red blanket. I pet my fluffy dog and look at all the colorful bright lights. I smell the smoky fire slowly rising into the chimney. I look outside at the beautiful deer that walk by. I go outside, and I see evergreen trees with snow on every single branch. I taste a sweet peppermint candy cane. That’s a perfect winter day.
Aiden Bierman
Valentina Beaton
I DROOLED AS I STARED AT THE ICE CREAM.
John Wang
Everly Wang
Ryan Swope
Emery Werner
SO MANY FLAVORS
UNIQUE AND INTERESTING
VARIETY CRAVE
ICE CREAM
By Esme Tran
I drooled as I stared at the ice cream. Tasting so delicious, it melted down the ice cream cone as I licked it. It melted in my mouth dreamily. The sticky, soft ice cream slowly dripped down my chin. The creamy, smooth treat was heavenly. Ice cream is the best because of the flavors, topping and sauces, and all the different stores.
The first reason ice cream is the best is because there are many flavors. Some classic ones are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Many people enjoy these flavors, so if you want a simple treat, get those. Also, you like traditional treats better, those are the way to go! But if you want to be more adventurous and want more flavor, try something like Chunky Monkey, cotton candy, or pistachio. You can be more creative if you want to switch it up and you are a little bored with the plain ones. They are all delicious. There are so many flavors, so there will always be one you like!
Another reason ice cream is the best is because of the different toppings and sauces. Toppings you can choose are fruit, nuts, and candy. These can add some extra crunch, flavor, and sweetness. Sauces you can choose are hot fudge, caramel, and melted marshmallow. If your ice cream is not sweet enough for you, add some sauces. You can also add sauce to create different flavors. Toppings and sauces can make the plainest ice cream (like vanilla) taste so much more unique and interesting!
Although ice cream is the best because of flavors, toppings, and sauces, it is especially the best because of the different stores. If you like smoother treats, get some from Yogurtland, Golden Spoon, or Menchie’s. These places are great for soft serve. They also make softer ice cream. For harder, more creative, and cold ice cream, you can eat from Baskin-Robbins and Cold Stone. Their ice cream is more frozen and chunky. It is good if you also like original flavors. No matter what you crave, there’s always a store for you!
Clearly, ice cream is always and obviously the best dessert. From all the flavors, toppings, and the variety of stores, ice cream never disappoints. Next time you want dessert, ice cream should be your first choice!
DELICIOUS
CLASSIC
STICKY, SOFT
EXTRA CRUNCH, FLAVOR, AND SWEETNESS
Sebastian Paydar
Miranda Ji
Clinton Hackett
Haven Brigham Sloane Smith Blakely Johnson
Everleigh Parkin
Charlotte Stone
Jayden Sun
Celestine Pieter
Mia Flesher
Esme Tran
5 Fifth Grade
BOX JELLYFISH
By London Best
Welcome to the vast ocean. Creatures are dwelling in shallows and depths. Watch out for box jellyfish, though. They are pretty, but don’t be fooled. A box jellyfish can kill a human with its sting within only two minutes. The main things to know about box jellyfish are their physical description, hunting and eating habits, and habitat.
Box jellyfish have unique bodies like no other creature. Box jellyfish have large bodies with unusually shaped bells. A bell is a jellyfish’s major system. They have up to sixty tentacles with a size of about ten feet long. They weigh over four pounds and can be over ten feet long and ten inches wide. Their bell is cube-shaped. Also, box jellyfish are the only cnidarians that have eyes. They have twenty-four eyes that all can do different things. Their eyes are located around their bell. The jellyfish are pale blue transparent invertebrates, which makes them nearly impossible to see in water. Box jellyfish have features specific to their bodies that are hard to find on any other creature.
The box jellyfish also has interesting hunting and eating habits. Box jellyfish are excellent hunters and know exactly how to lure prey. Box jellyfish actually do not hunt for food; instead, they take food as they swim. Their method of attracting food is to twitch their tentacles. Once their food comes close, they paralyze it with venom while drifting along the current. Box jellyfish are carnivores and only have one predator. They prey on things like fish, worms, shrimp, and other crustaceans. Their one predator is the sea turtle. Sea turtles’ shells are very thick, so a box jellyfish’s sting does not affect them. Box jellyfish use their tentacles to catch their prey. They trap their prey with their tentacles, hauling the prey up into their mouths. Box jellyfish hunt their prey well. They definitely know what they’re doing.
Box jellyfish live in a tropical habitat. Warm, tropical water is the best place for a box jellyfish. They love hanging around in the Indian Ocean and the warm, shallow waters of the Pacific. They occupy marine habitats in Northern Australia, New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam, Hawaii, Japan, and Polynesia. In fact, box jellyfish are in oceans all over the world! Although they are rare in nontropical areas, sometimes they wash ashore. Box jellyfish are located most commonly in warm marine waters.
A box jellyfish’s physical description, hunting and eating habits, and habitat are the most important things to know about this animal. Box jellyfish have pretty unique bodies that all do interesting things. They also are excellent hunters and usually dwell in warm and tropical marine waters. But remember, these majestic and angelic creatures swaying in the water are deadly.
Cammie Suplizio
Asha Sharma Dempsey Olsen Coco Geiler Allen
Aiden Zhou Cassin Tippett Eddie Chapman
Harper Lee Emily Lopez Ryder Workman
Kaley Tiwari
Charlie Suplizio
Arya Prasad Murphy
Cooper Stern
MOVING HOUSES
By Aiden Zhou
I wake up knowing that today is my last day sleeping in this house. I hear all the birds chirping and the wind blowing. I try to savor this last morning here. We are moving today and I am really, really excited, but I am also so nervous. I remember all the memories I have made in this building. All the happy, sad, exciting things from living here. I like this house and don’t want to move. I am so accustomed to this house and it is like I am a part of it.
Walking downstairs slowly, I drag my feet. My whole family is cranky from waking up this early. My sister is the first to greet me.
“Hi, Aiden,” she says sleepily.
“Hi,” I say back to her.
Two hours later, while packing up, I hear a sound coming from the driveway. Vroom, vroom! I see an enormous truck pulling up into our driveway.
NOOOOO, I think to myself. I begin to hyperventilate as all the moving people come in. It’s going to be okay, I tell myself. I know it’s not, though. I don’t want to move. But I have to! I hide myself in my closet. I try to relax, but I just can’t. I feel the walls closing in on me. I start panting hard, and my anxiety is kicking in. I don’t know if I will like the new house. I feel like I am being sucked into a gigantic black hole. I’m falling down and down into the vast hole as my mom comes in.
“I know you’re nervous Aiden, but it’s going to be ok,” she says. “Come on, we are going to move your bed.”
I just can’t watch, I tell myself. I also want to watch, though. It feels like a whole eternity before the movers begin taking it apart. I am so nervous. This is it, I tell myself. There’s no turning back now.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! I hear them taking apart my bed. I can’t stop them now.
“Aiden,” my mom tells me, “It’s going to be fine.”
I am still breathing rapidly. My heart is pounding so hard I feel like it will make a hole through my chest. My mind is racing, and I am shaking. I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. I think of how nice the new house will be. I try to think about all the new memories I will make in our new house. I breathe deeply over and over again. I try to feel like I just let all of my stress flow down to the bottom of the ocean. As I open my eyes, I know everything is just fine. I am proud of myself for doing that. Now I know I am braver than I think. I feel a lot better, and I finally get to breathe in some fresh air. We go check out the new house and it feels okay. I am finally happy and feel so light.
“We’re done!” my sister yells out loud.
Feeling so excited and energetic, I imagine I could run a marathon. I sigh in relief. It’s over.
Connor Slavik
Nathan Ronaghi
Bella Peterson
THE TIME I LEARNED TO SKI
By Max Hoover
I started putting on my skis in the lodge with a nervous look on my face. I asked my brother if he felt scared. Can I really do this? I thought.
I hoped this winter break of skiing would be worth it. I waddled to the instructor with my brother, who had a smile on his face like nothing in the world could go wrong. My friends had blank looks on their faces, almost as if they were still waking up. And then there I was, my mouth wide open in awe as I saw the enormous Deer Valley mountains I was about to ski down. I took a deep breath of the freezing, crisp air. I was almost ready. The instructor taught us to lean to the left if we wanted to turn left, do the opposite for the right, and make a triangle shape when we needed to slow down.
I was about to go down the first level of the mountain. Swoosh! I started skiing down. I tried to remember what to do if I was going too fast and how to turn. What if I fell and faceplanted going thirty miles per hour? I pushed forward, feeling surprised I even got into this situation. I was actually kind of enjoying this, but still very fearful about what was to come. After a couple of minutes, my instructor said, “Great job! Time to go to the next one.”
Fear stabbed into my soul when I realized I had to go on the ski elevator. I was extremely afraid of the elevator. With no other choice, I went on. What if I fall? It looked like the fall would be twenty feet down. Whose idea was it to make a rickety chair on a pole with questionable safety? All the bad thoughts of what was going to happen in the next few moments climbed into my brain. By the time I had to get off the ski elevator, I was still wondering if I could do this. I took a few seconds to contemplate if I should opt out or not. I figured if the first level was fun and easy, how hard could this be? I decided I would go down.
I started down the mountain, slowly picking up speed as I descended. The instructor had said there were going to be hoops I had to ski through. I bent down and went through the first one, then the second. Splat! I wondered why I had wanted to do this. I was now much more fearful of going down again. Still, though, I wanted to be with my friends and brother. Maybe I should give skiing another chance. I persevered even though I was still frightened. I was a lot more fearful at this certain level. I now had to go through smaller hoops, which meant I had to bend down more. I told myself this was simple.
Off I went! Hoop after hoop, bending down on each one as the snow flew under my skis, I felt like a professional skier even though I was far from it. This was easier than I thought it would be. I was very close to the end. I told myself that I had done it and all was going to be well. After that, my instructor congratulated me for my impressive performance. I felt on top of the world at that moment. I tried to jump in the air even though I could not because of the skis. I was very proud of myself.
I PERSEVERED EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL FRIGHTENED.
HALEY AND HONEY SAVE THE DAY
By Nathan Ronaghi
“WAKE UP!” Haley barked at Honey. “Let’s go study for the math test tomorrow. You know we failed the last test and our grade is really bad,” Haley whimpered softly.
“How about we go study for the test in Mrs. Stockstill’s classroom?” Honey suggested.
They walked through the hallway and swung open the door to Mrs. Stockstill’s classroom, but lo-and-behold, there was a jar full to the brim with candy sitting on her desk. As they munched and crunched on the Jolly Ranchers, they heard a loud noise coming from downstairs.
“What was that?” Honey fearfully questioned Haley.
“Something probably just fell from a table,” Haley said confidently.
But then they heard the same noise again. That was when they both ran back to 5-H. Honey started whimpering while she was hiding under a desk, but Haley still wasn’t too fearful. But that all changed when they heard it getting louder. Now they were both whimpering.
“I think the noise is coming from the stairs,” Haley stated.
That made Honey whimper even louder. Being the good friend Haley is, she was trying to comfort Honey, but Honey wouldn’t calm down.
“If it is a ghost, what is it going to do to you? And worse, if there is a robber trying to rob the school? If that happens, we could just bite them and they will leave,” Haley explained to Honey.
And finally, this calmed Honey down. But that didn’t change the fact that the sound was getting louder and louder and closer and closer to them. They peered out the window and suddenly they saw a man in all black with a ski mask on. Haley and Honey froze. That is when they realized a robber was going into 5-H.
“It’s a robber!” Haley and Honey exclaimed both in fear.
As the robber approached and squeaked the door open, Haley and Honey were in shock. They couldn’t believe it. A robber had entered the classroom, and they were the only dogs there to stop him.
“Bite him in the ankles!!” Haley barked at Honey. “I’ll bite his right ankle and you bite his left!” exclaimed Haley.
They were both in great fear, but they knew what had to be done to save this school from being robbed. At a full sprint, they jumped to his ankles. The robber yelped in pain. But that still didn’t make him leave.
“He is going for the iPads!” Honey shouted to Haley. “I am going to guard the iPads, but you keep biting him.”
Haley bit him even harder. The robber needed medical attention immediately. This crippled him and forced him to crawl out of the classroom.
“We did it!” Haley and Honey said with lots of excitement. “We just saved the school from getting robbed!”
The next day, the faculty discovered that there was a hole in the fence. Mrs. Evans checked the security cameras and found out what Haley and Honey did. As a reward, Mrs. Hahn and Mrs. Kelly let Haley and Honey skip the test and automatically get a 100 percent on it. This made them jubilant because it switched their math grades from B’s all the way to A’s.
That day they slept soundly asleep knowing that they saved their math grades and the school.
Once they woke up that night, they found out their report cards were sitting right next to them. They both took a deep breath as they ripped open the envelopes. The next thing they knew, there were screams echoing in the room. This time, though, the screams were joyful.
Sixth Grade
6
Hendrik van Akkeren
Savannah Turner
Hadley Davis
Jacob Wang
THE HEAVENLY WHEEL OF ADAPTATION
By Alex Xia
A dharma wheel infinitely spinning. Circle of life moving with it. The circle showing the perfection in Buddha’s teachings, making way for new beginnings.
The hub for moral discipline, staving off desires.
Achieving this state of mind, elevates your soul higher.
The rim of the wheel shows understanding. The students’ ability to learn. Concentration is needed, but much will be earned.
When this heavenly wheel spins, adaptation will occur. Whoever adapts to the challenges of life ascension will they deserve.
Lily Jin
EMMA’S FIRST (AND LAST) TIME IN DETENTION
By Zoë Zimmermann
“Did you cheat on that test?” Emma’s mom asked.
“Yes,” she admitted. After two guilt ridden days of lying and hiding the fact she had cheated, she finally owned up to her disastrous mistake.
“Emma, cheating on a test?!” her mom yelled in disbelief. Emma didn’t reply and was breaking down in tears.
“Oh, my gosh! Emma, this is so bad.” Without even giving her a chance to explain, she shouted, “Why the heck would you do that?!”
“I don’t know, Mom. I didn’t get the best grade, and I was scared you’d be upset, and that you’d yell at me!” she screamed back. Emma buried her face in her pillow and sobbed helplessly.
Days later, Emma was standing, waiting impatiently in the hallway after class. Emma felt like she’d been standing there forever. She peered down at her watch. It was two fiftyeight; detention started at three. How did I get myself into this mess? she thought. However, she knew exactly what she had done wrong. Emma had cheated on a test and lied about it to her mom, dad, teacher, and associate teacher. She had just admitted it to her parents a couple of days ago and got into a ton of trouble. It’s not like she didn’t deserve it, though.
“Is this everybody for after school detention?” Mr. Robertson asked. Although no one answered, everyone followed him into an empty classroom. Emma walked slowly behind everyone to try to blend in. The looks from all the older kids are penetrating me; this “blending in thing” isn’t working very well, Emma thought. Emma’s eyes managed to look down at her watch once more; it was officially three o’clock.
Slowly, she found her way to a chair on the other side of what looked like a discussion table. She sat down in a cold, gray plastic
chair and placed her bag beside her. Timidly, she started to talk to the much older kids.
“I have a missing assignment,” said Tommy.
“I talked back to a teacher,” offered Scarlet.
Shamefully, Emma slumped back in her chair, knowing what she did was ten times worse than both of those problems combined.
“You may work on your homework while I hand everybody a form about what they did wrong,” said Mr. Robertson in a serious, somewhat intimidating manner. He quickly started to walk around the room, doing that thing where teachers lick their fingers in order to pick up each paper quickly. Gross. That made shivers go up Emma’s spine. She grabbed her pencil and pretended to do her homework, but she was actually counting how many more kids would have to get their form before her.
Mr. Robertson gradually approached Emma. Emma was supposed to fill out the paper, then talk with Mr. Robertson privately. Start with the first question and take your time to complete the form. That was what Mr. Robertson had told the children to do. It was that simple, nothing challenging; however, Emma’s brain was covered by a fog and couldn’t concentrate, no matter how hard she seemed to try. Emma slowly completed the paper and walked outside to chat with Mr. Robertson. She was just starting to sit down in the chair when she felt all the children’s gazes from the classroom across the hall.
“Did you cheat on the test?” Mr. Robertson asked as if he was trying to startle Emma. Her stomach churned in loops, and her lips quivered.
“Y-y-yes,” she rep lied. “I cheated.” Reality sunk in. This was truly the worst thing Emma had ever done. I’m never going to cheat or lie
again. Emma promised herself this.
“You know what is good?”
Mr. Robertson asked brightly. What in the world could be so good in a situation like this? Emma thought.
“What?” She asked reluctantly.
“At least you made this mistake now because if you had done this any later, you would have gotten into way more trouble.” Although Emma didn’t want to admit it, he had a point.
“I guess,” Emma replied. The bell finally rang, and it was time to go home. Emma picked up her bags and said thanks and bye to Mr. Robertson. She made her way to carpool.
She saw her mom’s car and felt a feeling of relief surge over her to see the familiar color and messy backseat.
“So, how was detention?” Emma’s mom asked inquisitively.
“It was fine,” she answered abruptly. “I-I, look I’m really sorry.”
“You know what you did was really messed up and dishonest, and it’s going to take a long time to earn back your dad’s trust and my trust.”
“I understand,” Emma replied.
As Emma lay in her bed later that night, a single tear fell down her cheek. It was as if she didn’t know she was going to cry and as a result, she couldn’t prevent it from happening. She had simply ruined everything with just a snap of her clumsy, disastrous fingers. Years of establishing trust with her school all had gone far down the drain. Years of trying to be perfect and polite wasted. Now they will view me as a completely different person, a cheater and a liar, Emma thought. And most importantly, Emma’s parents had lost trust in her. How could they ever trust her again? Emma wanted everyone to see her as a polite, trustworthy person again, but she knew she would have to work hard to earn back their respect.
SWANS IN THE SKY
By Ophelia Wu
Swans are out in the sky
They spread their wings and fly
I see the one that’s distinct
However, it doesn’t bother me
The swan flies higher and higher
Until it reaches its desire
To see all the others
Flying together
They say they’re friends
But all different in the end
But it doesn’t bother them
In fact, that’s what bonds them
Instead of seeing others as different
They see others as equivalent
KINDNESS, A FAMILY MOTTO
By Cecilia Arkin-Horowitz
Kindness floats through the air
Her blindness makes me feel elsewhere
Even though people sometimes are greedy
They can always become a sweety
Kindness floats through the air
Kindness soars into the night
It roars when bites are quite ripe
Its harmony conveys throughout our lives
A sing-song that sways and chimes
Kindness soars into the night
Troy Chan
Kara Chen
PERSEVERANCE TO SUCCESS
By Evan Costanzo
Authors use imagery and symbolism to further themes in their writing. In A Long Walk to Water, Linda Sue Park uses imagery and symbolism in her writing to further the theme of perseverance. Symbolism is the use of symbols, such as objects, characters, or images that represent separate ideas or concepts. Park uses symbolism, such as mosquitoes, to develop the theme of perseverance in the story. Imagery is the use of different devices to create a mental picture for the reader of the setting and characters. Imagery includes similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeia. Park uses imagery, such as making the canoes, to develop the theme of perseverance in the story. Park uses symbolism and imagery in the story to further the theme of perseverance and determination.
The symbol of mosquitoes is used in the story to develop the theme of perseverance and determination. Mosquitoes swarm on a tiny island where Salva’s group is staying at night. “Thousands, maybe millions, of hungry mosquitoes massed so thickly that in one breath Salva could have ended up with a mouthful if he isn’t careful. And even if he is, they are everywhere, in his eyes, nose, ears, on every part of his body” (49). Mosquitoes symbolize hardship, evil, and annoyance. Salva and the group persevere by not giving up and getting past the obstacles in the way. Even though the mosquitoes are evil and keep drawing blood, Salva and the group know that in order to survive, they have to put the mosquitoes aside and have determination to get past this obstacle in order to make it to their destination. The symbol of mosquitoes shows determination, endurance, and perseverance.
Likewise, the imagery of making the canoes in the story demonstrates perseverance and determination. Salva and his group need to cross a dangerous river on their way to Ethiopia. They see people making canoes to cross the river. Salva is fascinated when he sees “the long reeds are laid out in neat bunches. Each end of the bunch would be tied together tightly. Then the bunch of reeds [is] pulled apart in the middle to form a hollow, and the two sides [are] tied all along their length to make a basic boat shape. More layers of reeds [are] added and tied to make the bottom of the boat” (44). This imagery furthers the theme of perseverance because they have to hand make canoes to cross the lake, which takes hard work and a lot of effort. This effort helps them cross the lake and get one step closer to safety. In addition, when more layers of reeds are added to the boat, it is like what Uncle Jewiir said: “A step at a time.” Adding more layers to the boat step by step is getting them closer to success. The imagery of making the canoes furthers the theme of perseverance and determination.
Symbolism and imagery are used in A Long Walk to Water to further the theme of perseverance. Like Salva and Nya, people of all ages can persevere to success and never give up hope. Maybe someday preserving will help someone survive and get to safety, just like Salva and Nya.
Rita Li Beckett Johnson
Colin Costanzo
James Wang
BRAINIAC SANCTUARY
By James Wang
Escape room. A sanctuary for brainiacs—filled with puzzles, logic, and surprises. Love and happiness fill my heart when I hear these words today: “Escape room.” I beg my dad to take me. Yet, once upon a time, fear and anxiety rushed through my blood as I entered an escape room. On that first dreaded day, the room we had picked to escape was called “The Heist.” The first room, well-lit, had a modern museum style. Four paintings, a sculptural bust, and a dark oak desk with a digital keypad occupied the room. The beige clay bust of a Roman warrior glared at me with his stone-cold eyes. I held my dad’s hand tightly. My heart throbbed as we watched a video about the rules of conduct on a giant television.
The television displayed the timer. Once a big 60:00 started ticking down on the TV, I started scanning the room with hesitant eyes, unwilling to be the one to make a mistake. My dad leaped into action, removing a coat from the chair near the desk. He sifted through the pockets and found a small notebook.
“James! Come help me. I found a clue,” my dad exclaimed. His expression revealed surprise and anticipation, but I just stood next to him with anxious eyes.
I observed the room quietly. With the same anxious eyes, I mulled over the four paintings. One painting showed a pencil sketch of a ballerina dancing, full of smudges and stray marks. Another displayed an oil painting with a somewhat blurred perspective. Another bore a duck with a cartoonish outline, but extremely intricate details. Finally, the last painting presented a red Vespa with multiple other red objects, like apples and Formula 1 race cars scattered around it, as if the Vespa itself had a red “aura.” Slowly, numbers disguised in the paintings appeared. A five camouflaged in the connection of the ballerina’s dress to her leg; a jagged three hid inside the duck’s intricate fur; a one disguised itself as a tree’s detail; and a nine took the place of the connection of the Vespa’s wheel to its chair.
“Dad! I found a clue!” I exclaimed.
He walked over to me as I pointed out the numbers in the paintings. He quickly keyed in the numbers I found, leading him to find another clue. Slowly, I solved that clue, a trick where a marble figure of an ancient Easter Island statue stood, shooting a laser light out of its forehead, and a statue of an ancient Aztec god with a single eye. The Aztec god was made of clay and had a stony texture that was spray-painted gold. It had the face of an Easter Island statue and had two bald eagle wings were attached to its sides. The trick was to use a mirror hidden in the room to reflect the light back into the Aztec god’s eye, which would then cause the Aztec god’s mouth to open and drop a key; however, if the wing was hit, the god would spin in a circle to no benefit. And another one. And another one. And another one. I navigated the room, trying every trick, from the “key in a bottle” handkerchief trick to the SCRABBLE point calculator trick. Worry no longer existed as puzzles consumed my mind.
I started relaxing and solving clues by myself. I no longer hesitated. I confidently completed the room with nearly ten minutes left.
As we walked out of the room, I asked my dad, “Can we do another one next week?”
As he smiled and laughed, nodding his head, I prepared our strategy for our next escape room challenge.
7 Seventh Grade
ADVICE TO MY OLDER SELF
By JP Kirkowski
When I think of older me
There are some things I hope to be Although I don’t know for sure The values I’ll have at my core
I hope I lend a helping hand To everyone from every land I hope that I will never give up And always have a halfway-full cup
I hope when life shows its claws I don’t end up a lost cause I hope I wear my heart on my sleeve And allow others room to breathe
I advise my older self at the end of the day Keep these values, don’t let them fade away
Lucas Jones
Eden Horne
Ayla Mohtashami
Angel Zhou
TO MY YOUNGER SELF
By Quinn Root
Dear younger self, Remember my words
Because you are still young
Let’s play make believe You are the princess I will be the guard
To protect you
I have built a castle for you
For your dreams to come true
But don’t worry
Because I am here to protect you
When a villain comes to take you down Don’t fall for his tricks
Stay strong
Because I am here to protect you
You are kind
Your are strong
You are brave You are young
You are loyal
When you see a princess in need Help her Treat others the way you want to be treated
You’re still young And I used to be, too So take my advice with you As I might not be there anymore to protect you
Because one day
The castle will be gone
Your princess dress won’t fit And your crown will be lost
Cici Xu
Paige Whitten
Reese Paolone
THE PERILOUS JOURNEY OF THE GUCCI SHORTS
By Sierra Taketa
Sixty dreadful days have passed since I last saw the light. Hidden underneath the cabinet in an unfamiliar room, only darkness around me, suffocating my every thought. The days blend in an endless cycle of nothingness. My name is Joe and I am a pair of shorts, but not just any pair of shorts. I am a pair of Limited Edition Gucci technical Jersey Shorts.
The first thing I ever saw was my owner’s smile when he unwrapped me on Christmas Day. I can still picture the day: the room filled with colorful lights and boxes scattered around the floor. My owner, Bobby, has worn me every day since then. Well, until Bobby’s dog brought me to this disgusting place.
What room am I in? I do not know. But one thing I do know is that I have to escape this void. When I first got stuck in this place, I was eager to get out quickly, but I was arrogant and naïve, thinking it would all work out somehow. Now I know the way things work around here. Every Wednesday at 1:15, cleaners come to clean the house. From around 1:30 to 1:35, the cleaners put their vacuum underneath the cabinet. That’s where I am. Catching a ride in the vacuum is a difficult and risky task. I’ve tried the vacuum before, but every time I have failed. It’s already 1:31. The vacuum is coming soon.
Vrmmm. The vacuum emerges, growling and scratching its wheel on the wood floor. The vacuum is now in front of me, sucking up dog hair and pieces of trash. My body begins to enter the vacuum. I need to stay alert and ready for action to avoid a catastrophe. Even the slightest mistake can have me trapped in the vacuum for eternity. Based on my calculations, in approximately fifteen minutes, the maids will be done.
“Ugh, that little boy is so annoying. I had just cleaned his room up, and then he went and threw everything around!” complains one maid, shaking her head. Bobby could be a brat, but he used to treat me so tenderly. He always folded me neatly, unlike his other clothes, and made sure I got my favorite scent, Italian Bergamot, in the washing machine. The tangy scent of black currant, the energetic spices of ginger root, and the crushed pink peppercorn of Italian Bergamot always seemed to calm me. I was so looking forward to being in the washer and dryer again.
Awakening me from my daydream, the first maid turns off the vacuum and heads upstairs. I hear the maid’s footsteps as I try to wiggle myself down in the vacuum. It takes a couple of tries, but I am almost there.
“Guys, I think we may have missed a few spots. I’m going to vacuum over here because it looks like there’s some dog hair. I’ll meet you later!” shouts one maid. Oh, no! I’m so close! Quickly, I wiggle as fast as I can! My mind races with thoughts, and I try to motivate myself even though I’m exhausted. I try to tell myself, panting heavily, Come on! You’re so close! Don’t. Give. Up!
Finally, I see the glimmering light! And… I’m out! After days and days of sitting in the dark, I have finally escaped! Suddenly, the door swings open, and I hear vigorous stomping. Their stomps sound oddly familiar, and then I hear a voice. “MOM! I’m home!” Bobby shouts. Suddenly, Bobby’s blue eyes turn to where I am lying. Finally! After sixty days of torture and a long and tiring journey, Bobby and I have finally reunited! My invisible eyes start to water, filled with happiness. I look up at
Bobby expecting an energetic laugh and smile, but his expression is neutral, annoyed even.
Puzzled by Bobby’s numb expression, I search his face for any clues. Maybe he didn’t see me, or he’s had a rough day. This doesn’t seem like Bobby, though. Not the Bobby I know. The exhilaration and upbeat energy that usually radiates from him have disappeared into thin air.
“Uhm, Mom, why are those shorts on the ground? I don’t really want those shorts anymore. They probably don’t fit, anyway. Yo Sammie, my brother, do you want these? They probably will fit you. I already have my Prada shorts anyway,” shrugs Bobby. He says it like I am no big deal, not knowing how important he is to me.
“Bro, those are my dream shorts! Thanks, bro! Best day ever, dude!” Sammie yells enthusiastically. Astonished, I lay there like a deer in the headlights, not knowing what emotion I should experience. Simultaneously, a wave of depression and jubilation overcomes me. I want to cry and jump with joy at the same time. I have been replaced by Prada shorts, discarded like yesterday’s news. Yet, being chosen by Sammie is like winning the lottery–unexpected and sensational, almost making up for the fact that Bobby has abandoned me. I look down at Bobby’s lower body, at the replacement… the Prada shorts. But this time, I do not feel as sorrowful as before. Instead, I feel grateful for the times I had with Bobby. I know that everyone can grow and change, just like when a sand crab outgrows their shell. I am the shell, and now Sammie is my new crab. We are ready to experience our new adventure and whatever hardships or triumphs it will bring.
HONEY AND RAIN
By Lilliana Aali
I don’t remember the first time I met you, When I was just a bud, not yet bloomed.
But I imagine the hug was like warm honey, The kisses like the first droplets of a warm, silent rain.
Though, I did not know you yet.
I did not realize the happiness you would give me. Or the worry.
The worry I try to drain when it floods the pool of calm. Like I try to now,
While I hold your heart of glass in my palm.
So if this is the last time…
I will give you the hugs of honey and the kisses of rain.
I will help you remember the woman who danced in the flowers. And I will help you remember her name.
Because if this is the last time, I will hug you like warm honey and kiss you like the first droplets of a warm silent rain.
Julia Chapman Caroline Alston
Hudson Williams
Pierce Kleiman
Luca Nami
Teddy Liljestrom
Caroline Gross
Baron Dear
Anton Rowe
YOU ARE...
By Brigitte Wallin
Dear Brigitte, you are wonderful
Even though you know your hand is red
Or your eyes are hazel
Or that your name goes on forever
You are compassionate
You are loving
You are wonderful
It’s not a burn
It’s not a scar
It’s who you are, Brigitte
Your own little world
Your own unique friend
And even though you will decide
To one day erase it from your life
Always remember
You are intelligent
You are heavenly
You are wonderful
Your eyes are like glistening planets
A lion would submit to your gaze
It’s not weird, different, or odd
It’s you
No matter what another girl might say
Always remember
You are divine
You are eternal
You are wonderful
Your name, so beautiful
It glides off the tongue
like a star skating in the sky
It rings like a bell tower’s song
It’s not too long
It’s not too hard
It’s not Bridget
Smiget
Or Midget
You are Brigitte
And you are wonderful
Ford Stiefel
Liam Shepherdson
Sawyer Peykoff
Quinn Root
Pax O Hill
Sierra Taketa
Cooper Liljestrom
Cece Cudzil
Luca Bedekar
Eighth Grade
8
MY LAUGHING NANI
By Leela Tripathi
Death is something I could never really grasp. On one hand, some people say that when you die, you reincarnate as another being. On the other hand, people believe in life after death, where one lives in a peaceful heaven or a chaotic hell, depending on what he or she did with his or her life. I’m not sure I believe either. But I do know what death brings to people, that lingering sorrow every time a deceased loved one surfaces in your head. Death is the killer of peace.
I remember the exact day: September 21, 2024. My mom had left to pick up a birthday cake for my grandma as I relaxed on my couch, home alone. After an hour, I heard the familiar sound of my mom’s key unlocking the front door and the shuffling of shoes coming off. I sat up, wanting to see the cake, only to find my mom coming into the living room, empty-handed, with a blank look in her eyes.
I looked at her for a second, then naively asked, “Wait, where’s the cake?”
A single tear ran down the side of her cheek.
I immediately knew what had happened. My mom’s aunt, whom we lovingly christened “Laughing Nani,” had recurring cancer on and off for a few years. Recently, it had gotten much worse, and she fell very sick. The kind of illness that eats one from the inside, until one falls into Death’s nimble fingers. And on that September morning, Death stole her from us. Death stole her laugh, her smile, and her amazing cooking.
I remember when we went to visit her for my cousin’s wedding. I groaned when I had to get out of bed, and when we got there, I immediately went to go play with my cousins, not taking five minutes to treasure her laugh. I would miss it years later.
So when I saw my strong, brave mom breaking like this, I knew what we had expected had ultimately come.
I quickly got up and gave her a long hug because I could not do anything else to ease her pain. I hated that feeling of helplessness, but it inevitably comes with death.
As much as I long to, I can’t bring someone back from the dead. I can only press on with love in my heart and memories in my mind. Even though love makes us hurt and cry and mourn when we lose someone, it preserves every moment with them and reminds us daily to cherish every second before Death takes its next victim. I wish I could go and spend more time with Laughing Nani, but I cannot. So, I will just cherish the few and far between memories with her to the best of my ability, and I will hug my mom, and I will get hugged by my sister, until all the love outshines all the darkness Death brings to this world.
Leela Tripathi
Harper Morgan
Sienna Hernandez
Aubrey Lee
Sarah Rosing
Hillary Wilks
MY LOVE FOR STARBUCKS
By Shea Natland
Starbucks motivates me to get up in the morning. Starbucks inspires me to go to school. Starbucks makes my day better. Each and every morning, I get Starbucks. Morons argue over the price of Starbucks or the quality, but they will think differently by the end of this speech. In fact, Starbucks is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
I take pride in my Californian citizenship because California has the most Starbucks in the U.S. In Newport Beach alone, there are thirteen Starbucks.
Over the two lovely years that I have had the Starbucks app, I have racked up 3,366 points. With so many points, I can get sixty-seven free Starbucks drinks.
One morning, I woke up to find my throat dry, my nose stuffy, and my head heavy. The fog hung low on the streets, and the dew made the plants smell crisp. Although the air smelt like rain, I had to bike to school. I opened the garage and began to get my bike into place. To my surprise, my bike had no battery. Due to my sickness, I contemplated not going to school. But then I remembered. I remembered what would make me instantly feel better. I remembered my friendly Starbucks on the way to school.
With determination in my eye and Starbucks in my heart, I began the uphill trek to Starbucks with my seventy-pound dead electric bike. I arrived at the store, and my mood instantly lightened when I shared some joyful banter with the Starbucks employee. After receiving my dexterously crafted iced chai, I took a sip. WOW! I felt like a new person who had a pristine immune system.
I put my drink in my cup holder and started biking to school. The condensation from the humid environment collected on my helmet, sending water drops on my school sweater. I could not see more than five feet in front of me in the bike lane. My school uniform did not provide me with sufficient warmth for the 49-degree weather. But all was well because I had Starbucks. I eventually arrived at school and aced my math test, due to my delicately constructed, extraordinary Starbucks drink.
The CEO of Starbucks told me on November 13, 2024 that Starbucks loves me back. Ever since, I walk into Starbucks knowing that this store truly cares about its customers and takes time and care to welcome every shopper and meet their needs. At the Starbucks I go to every morning, the workers recognize me and greet me with a warm smile. With delightful small talk as I amble to the mobile orders, the workers ensure my well-being. If I was having a bad morning, I would have forgotten about that by the time I asked the worker for a straw. Thank you, Starbucks.
Shea Natland
By Kiernan Kappler
I think it happened accidentally
But every time my mother had a child
All of their names were someone else’s
My mother’s old name, Hagan Mary McCurdy, They changed to Hagan McCurdy Kappler. So she gave me her old middle name.
I think she also liked it when my mother’s mother
Called her Hagan Mary Endearingly
Sadly
Furiously
Sorrily
Happily
And now “Kiernan Mary”
“Come downstairs.”
“Come give me a hug.”
“Come here this instant.”
“Hey, Kiernan Mary.”
My first name used to be My mother’s cousin’s name. They were best friends, I think they would still be today.
My first name, When you look it up, Means the son of a lord. Well, I am not a son or a lord-to-be, But I think that means it’s a strong name.
My mother thinks it’s pretty.
I think
It sounds like the crunch of leaves And the crash of the ocean
I think
It looks sharp and pointed. It looks like swirls of purple And pink
With streaks of white And splatters of yellow
I think
It’s not just Beautiful and different and strong, But all of it at the same time.
Kiernan
Kappler
My middle name, when you look it up, Means bitter, rebellious, beloved, and drop of sea. It is a name that’s pretty.
Mary is not strong or pointed or crashing.
It’s dainty and pretty; It’s a field of flowers;
It’s pretty ribbons and bows; It is rounded and soft.
My name together is a rose
A flower with thorns
Together, it is a masterpiece
My mother’s masterpiece. Both names I love and cherish.
YOUTH IS INVINCIBLE
By Aubrey Lee
September 24, 1942,
The day my hardships began in the midst of strife
My sister and I stayed to work, While my parents left on a bus, sealing their fates to be gone forever.
“I don’t know how we managed, the only thing I can say is because we were young” (Timestamp 28:49).
Youth
It should be playing outside Instead it was working outside, barely alive while my heart cried.
Youth
It should mean cherishing time with my family Instead of having my parents ripped away from me.
My brother decided he couldn’t go on anymore, And I witnessed my sister suffering endlessly.
Youth
It should be making fun memories of childhood with friends Instead it was watching them starve and suffer to the end.
Youth
It should mean learning life lessons from those older than I; Instead it was being dehumanized, enslaved, condemned by grown ups. Shouldn’t they have known better?
Youth
Yet it has also saved me even when I was beyond saving. It has shown me the light in the darkest people. Like that Nazi who saved me, a young girl, from death’s dark hand. He saw that I was young, and he decided to be merciful, to act like someone else entirely.
Youth
The one thing I carried with me through those dark times when I wasn’t free. The one thing the Nazis couldn’t rip away from me.
Youth
Preston Decker
Luca Zahoul Sans
Coco Alagband
LET’S WALK
By Mia Brigulio
Suddenly, I’m sitting on a chair
I can feel the soft material under me
I can hear my sisters playing with each other in the living room
I can see my father walking up the driveway with a handful of presents for us
I can smell the aroma of savory food my mother is making
I can see my “very, very happy home” (1:25)
And then everything comes back
I shudder at the fact I’m not there anymore
I see the Nazis walking along the path
One of them looks at me in disgust
Their guns loaded and ready to use if anybody gets out of line I see the black, ugly swastikas on their uniforms
The small symbol that killed millions
The small symbol that killed my friends and family
The small symbol that killed my loving community
The small symbol that made my people turn on each other
To the Nazis, we were a challenge to overcome
To them we were wild animals, needed to be put in cages
I turn to look at my mother “Come, ma; you wanted to survive. Let’s walk.” (31:35)
She sobs, “No, you leave me here; you just continue to walk.”
