Islamabad College of Arts & Sciences

THE MUSE ISLAMABAD COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

2023 - 2024

A PROJECT BY THE DEAD POETS SOCIETY

SECTIONS: ARTICLES POETRY PHOTOGRAPHY INTERVIEWS REVIEWS CULINARY CANVAS STORIES SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING

THE TEAM President/Editor Zabih-e-Zahra Assistant Editor Zara Fatima Poetry Head Ayesha Hafeez Articles Head Rameen Tanveer Stories Head Aroush Khan SEL Head Fatima Khan Photography Head Midhah Saleh Culinary Canvas Ibba Shah Book Reviews Juweriah Shuaib Movie Reviews Haniyah Ahmed Head of DPS Zahra Hasan Barlas

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CEOs Message Our life is a journey. My life, in particular, has been a journey of learning and discovery through the eyes of young children. When my students win an award or approach me with an idea, it is almost as if I was already a part of their creative and learning process.

We, at Islamabad College of Arts and Sciences, strive to provide maximum opportunities and sufficient resources to our students in a disciplined and organized manner so that they may learn to become risk takers and overcome challenges in a healthy and happy environment. Therefore, I take great pride in my students’ achievements and find comfort in helping my students grow and bloom into groomed and informed young individuals, always bringing a positive change in their community.

A special thanks to our caring parents, all the dedicated teachers, and our hardworking administration under whose guidance, the enthusiastic team of students of ICAS Literary Society managed to produce an exciting digital edition of The Muse for our parents for the session 2023-24. Since COVID also made everything go digital, in line with UN SD Goal 12, ICAS is also joining paperless education.

Looking forward to another rewarding year ahead. I wish my students all the best for their future endeavors and pray that they scale new heights, bringing more accolades to the school, their families and themselves.

Mrs. Nusrat Tahir

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SCHOOL ELECTIONS By: Rameen Tanveer

The discussion of equal and fair elections is strongly tied to women's fight for voting rights, also known as the suffrage movement, which began in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention, in New York. It spanned decades and faced numerous challenges.

Conducting fair elections can serve as a reminder that progress can be achieved through peaceful means and that every voice deserves to be heard, regardless of gender.

Elections are conducted at the school level for this very reason. School elections serve as a microcosm of this democratic process and play a vital role in nurturing future leaders while fostering democratic values among students. It not only allows them to engage in civic and political participation but also provides an avenue for personal growth and development, helping them become engaged citizens.

Elections at the school level foster a sense of responsibility and accountability, promoting qualities that transcend the classroom walls.

Through the election week, we witnessed students actively taking part in the election campaign whether it was voting or campaigning for their friends.

This year’s O1 students, who experienced election for the first time at ICAS, were the keenest in campaigning for their seniors who were either their friends or older siblings. The decision for the Head boy had everyone on the edges of their seats. It was between two best friends Ahmed Arshad and Areeb Naseer - both well known by the student body. The two candidates were equally worthy of the prestigious responsibility of Head Boy bestowed upon them, however, the final decision was up to the student body who chose Ahmed Arshad.

School Council elections took place at ICAS on the 8th of September, which were preceded by roaring student crowds at the candidate speeches on the 7th of September, for all the very diverse and hardworking candidates. The decision for the future Head Boy, Head Girl and deputies came down to the election day, in which all students actively took part, especially, when we saw the students keen to vote, as a sign of how the students of ICAS value democracy and freedom of speech. The new leadership for the school year was announced on 11th September.

The positions for the deputies also received a thundering applause as Fatima Naveed and Sarandaz Tajukhel had been quite popular amongst the students, and won their new titles fair and square.

There was a close competition between the candidates for the Head Girl as well, but as there can only be one winner - Heba Jahanzeb was elected as the Head Girl for the upcoming year.

The Dead Poets Society, on behalf of the entire school, congratulates the new leadership for the school year of 2023-2024 and hopes that they will perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

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"IST (Institute of Space Technology) has been an advocate to endorse the importance of space and technology in the minds of youth in Pakistan. IST meets this goal by organizing a wide range of events in which educational institutes all across Pakistan participate. Each year, there is a new theme for the World Space Week; this year’s theme was 'Space & Entrepreneurship'.

There were 10 categories and DAY 2: This time, twenty-seven over 75 modules that students students made their way to IST. It could take part in, varying may seem as though the students from letter writing to were fewer as compared to Day 1 rocket launching but do not worry as there was the and story same amount of havoc caused by telling.

DAY 1: Thirty-two students the ICASIANS; luckily they were DAY 3: The final day of the hopped on the bus making separated due to their competitions event: competition day, result their way to IST. Upon their so not too much damage was day, and award ceremony day. arrival, they were awestruck caused. ICASIANS gave it their all, Students got on the buses on by the colossal and really trying to go for the prize. This their way to the institute, mesmerizing campus, but day was a bit different as this day where some students were before they could gather the rocket launch was going to take going to compete while others themselves, they were place which was arguably the most received their awards. As the escorted to their respective interesting and engaging module. day went by, the competitions classrooms within the As the different schools cheered for came to an end and it was institutes where their their schools, ICAS roared for award ceremony time. The competitions would be held. theirs. The other schools’ rockets award ceremony took place in It was a long day for the only covered about 10 meters while the humongous auditorium. contestants. The modules ICAS' Barood Khan 2.0 (yes that First and foremost, the results took place from 9 am - 5 pm! was the name of the rocket, thanks of the remaining modules If you think 7 hours of school to Abdullah Tariq) soared above the were announced, then the is long then you are going to others covering an astonishing 220 actual award ceremony took hate this. Contestants meters. With that, came the end of place where shields and knocked the other Day 2, but the students did not go certificates were distributed. competitors out of the park; home and instantly hit the hay as In the end, everyone gathered they were determined, many results were going to be for a group photo bringing an creative, and most of all announced. Butterflies were in the end to World Space Week charming, and by the end of students' stomachs as they stared 2023. the day, the students were upon their screens waiting for the exhausted and dragged news of their success to arrive. As themselves home where they the clock hit 9 the results were went straight to slumber land. announced and many students had won, but some of the results were H yet to be announced and they were ha s e to be revealed on the third and last Ay : day - the award ceremony day upon By ICAS was one of the many which other competitions took institutes that took part in this place. event. Students submitted their online applications throughout the week, eagerly waiting for the results of the qualifiers of the final round. The event took place over the course of three days, and on each of the three days, our students went to IST representing the school.

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Not only was it a learning experience for them but a fun one also. Firstly, they got to miss school which was a big win for them (or as Gen-Z would say a big W). Moreover, they got to hang out with their friends, and visit a beautiful institute while still learning a thing or two about space and technology.

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By: Ayesha Hafeez

It is the most awaited time of the year packed with fun, joy, and excitement. The fun fair has everything for everyone from little kids to full-grown adults or as we call them: Boomers. This year, ICAS outdid itself with stalls and plenty of entertainment for days.

The fun fair took place on a beautiful spring morning on Saturday 9th March, from 10 am-3 pm ( but knowing ICAS the fun never ends so the fun fair was stretched till 4). The fun fair was open to the students and parents of ICAS and welcomed the general public as well and oh boy, people did show up.

The teachers and students who were to set up their stalls came around 8 am to prepare for everything and make the fun fair as enjoyable as possible; the stalls were set up in the ICAS ground. Around 10 am people started rolling in roses in spring, and after a few minutes, the ground was filled with people. Everywhere you looked, you saw the radiant faces of the smiling students, the tired parents who had to chase their toddlers around and let's not forget the hardworking teachers. All you could hear was laughter and chatter of the people around us. There were so many stalls to visit so you would never get bored. There is always a compulsory stop to get brownies from one of the stalls because what is a fun fair without brownies?

My personal favorite was the 'Pirate Ship ' ride. Though it looked like the ship was falling to the brim, you know: YOLO, so we After that, the people head out to play games like pin all decided to risk our lives and the tail on the donkey, spin to win, and an ride the ship. As you get onto the intellectually challenging game of chess. However, the wobbly ship you are seated and angsty teens seemed to be interested in something else, the ride starts it slowly rocks you something more mischievous. There was a stall where back and forth, but do not be one could send anonymous messages to people, you fooled, because as it sways you in your cradle, it could ask the person working at the stall to deliver a slowly pushes back, and the next thing you know you note you had written to a particular person and without reading your note or disclosing your identity are levitating in the air with your stomach coming up to your throat and your heart doing cartwheels. Each the message used to be sent, fun isn’t it? time the ship sways back you feel as though you are about to die but that brings the adrenaline rush.

Another big hit was the ICAS 'Jail' where you paid other people to lock your friends up (not in an actual Though we all trembled while getting off the ride, it was worth it! Surprisingly no one puked but still, I jail but in a tent) and the only way to get out was to pay the bail, so if you didn't have the money you had would not advise anyone to eat anything before hopping on. to wait for someone to bail you out.

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05 The day went on, and the lucky draw winners were announced near the end of the fun fair. People had purchased vouchers to get a chance to win one of the three bikes which were the prize for the luck draw. The names were withdrawn from the basket and as the names were announced, the winners' faces lit up with euphoria. The Magic Show was also a major success as students interacted and actively performed with the magician. Tricks like making a bird appear from his mouth left the students flabbergasted and wanting to understand the mechanics of the tricks while basking in their wonders.

After 6 hours but too soon, the fun fair was officially over. People started heading home with fond memories of the day and regret that they couldn’t try all the delicious food. Nonetheless, there is always another fun fair for you guys to spend your money on, until then keep saving up because you know the moment you enter the fun fair the money will vanish right before your eyes!

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The Dead Poets Society created the book club and was open to all students, even those not members of the society. It held its first meeting on the 20th of January in which they explored the poignant world of Hazel and Gus’ heart-wrenching journey through John Green’s ‘A Fault In Our Stars’.

Delicious, warm tea fueled their discussion, and laughter as they shared their thoughts and emotions on a lovely Friday afternoon.

In the second meeting, the topic of discussion was Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, the classic of gothic novels. It’s a work of humanity and horror that blurs the line between man and monster. Shelly works through her loneliness and can even be considered Frankenstein’s monster as he expresses the same sentiments after being abandoned by his creator. Despite having written a masterpiece at 18, Mary could not take credit for her work due to the gender norms of that time.

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was discussed in the most recent meeting in which the famous movie star Evelyn Hugo finally reveals the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life described as ‘a compelling dance between love and tragedy.’

I present to you all the sins you will never have the courage to commit

I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book

Time: 1 pm - 2 pm Place: Art room “How long is forever?”

“Sometimes, just a second”

It was comforting to know that I had fallen and could not fall any further

Comments from the members: “The Book Club meeting was a wonderful way of communicating our thoughts, opinions, and emotional attachments to the books, characters, and stories.” - Zara Fatima “The Book Club was an opportunity to spend time with people who shared similar opinions and mindsets as my own. It was a fun experience and purposeful spending of time.” - Midhah Saleh “Honestly joining this club was the best decision I’ve made because books are my life and what’s better than discussing them with the people I love? Amazing vibes, very therapeutic” - Zainab

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ICAS hosted its annual schools Debating Championship from the 26th of January till the 28th of January. The event, originally planned to be carried out physically had to go online due to unpredictable and unprecedented security circumstances.

The first two days of the conference which included the four preliminary rounds and the quarter finals were held online, with 16 teams from different institutions participating and praising the organizational heads for ensuring a smooth and timely competition. The students and adjudicators displayed their great enthusiasm by recording cherishing moments and posting them on their respective social media accounts. Our media team ensured that our social media account remained interactive and prompt.

The semi-finals and the grand final were held in person with Westminster Academy being crowned champions of the ISDC 2024. The ceremony concluded with a lunch and a heartfelt note by the ICAS CEO Mrs. Nusrat Tahir.

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Amidst the spirited exchange of ideas at Karakoram Talks 4.0, our brilliant students of ICAS O and A level sections emerged with two awards.

The interschool discourse competition had 18 teams participating and ICAS was the only school that had both their teams make it to the final round, leaving an indelible mark on the May their voices continue to resonate, inspire, and shape platform of intellectual a future where articulate discourse is not only celebrated discourse. So here’s to our but also serves as a catalyst for positive transformation. eloquent trailblazers, the harbingers of change and The Urdu Declamation Contest at progress.

Beacon House Karakoram Campus was held on the 24th of January. The auditorium echoed with riveting debates, marking a rounding success.

Full participation of invited schools: ICAS and BMC were appreciated.

ICAS won the Best School Senior Award shield.

Another notable achievement of our students, from O-levels, was the excellence they showed in linguistics when they participated in the IKLC and won two gold medals. Mustafa Masood Tajukel and Haniya Ahmed were the esteemed students who brought this honor to the school.

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Here’s to a well-deserved recognition of Yash Rangwani’s talent and dedication. Also congratulations and well done to his Accounts Teacher Mr. Bilal Kiyani for his excellent contributions.

Atiya Moin earned a spot in the prestigious BURAQ Space Camp.

Buraq Planetary Society is the first and foremost organization completely dedicated to giving the next generation of Pakistan a chance to experience new concepts and ideas in an open and dynamic environment. As you embark on this incredible opportunity, embrace every moment, soak in the knowledge, and cherish the connections you'll make.

You've earned this chance to delve deeper into your passions and explore new horizons.

Heba Jahanzeb received the Best Speaker' position at the DSP Regional Debating Championship 2023.

GSIS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Under 14 & Under 16 Football Winners

LUMS NATIONAL SPORTS FEST 2024 Badminton (Girls) Runner up Volleyball (Boys & Girls) Runner up Swimming (Boys) [100M Gold Medal] , [50m Runner Up]

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SPORTS CHAMPIONS ICAS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 Football Under-14 (Winners) Football Under-16 (Runner Up) Football Under-19 (Runner Up) Table Tennis Boys (Winner)

WESTMINISTER OLYMPIAD Football Girls Runner Up

THINKING SCHOOL SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 Volleyball (Boys & Girls) Winners FIFA (Boys) Winners Table Tennis (Boys & Girls) Winners Badminton (Boys & Girls) Winners Football Under 16 (Boys) Winners

NFA INTERLEAGUE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Winners and Runners-up

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POETRY Fret Not Anaya Ali Fret not, mine dear You are, in the end, not your own to keep The very own self, over whom you despair The very eyes, reddened shall you weep My dear, never were they yours to keep.

Fret not, mine child For she was never made to last How long shall you attempt to hide, This unsightly feeling devouring you from inside?

Mine child, this too, shall soon come to pass.

Hush now, mine dear Rid yourself of this mere burden As well as this fleeting despair Mine dear, in the end, you must learn That never were you yours to keep.

Fret not, mine love Think not of her cold hands and feet Calm your aching heart, mine love You are but who has always remained buried deep.

The Changing Tides Ayesha Hafeez The leaves falter to the ground to make a bed for Mother to rest.

The bears hibernate in their caves while the dead lay in their graves.

The animals quiver and our bodies shiver.

And farmers garner the farthest crop to fill the hunger before great depression falls upon a new transgression The seasons change from warm to cool, The students head out for school - following the same old rule.

The leaves wrinkle from edge to edge change colors from green to orange.

While we sit across the window, hot cocoa in our hands, staring at the lot behind the shack.

Our lives move on, but at a different pace, our life moves on while the seasons change.

This time of the year is beautiful with all its glory But this time may be a little gory.

Yet we find strength in the changing tides, as autumn is where hope resides

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Buried Reveries Zabih-e-Zahra This is an elegy For all that could have been And all that did become It's our time now To relive what we've done Though the ending and start may be One As the cosmos moves the stardust in our bones For a moment we view the horrors we have of our home We try to outlive ourselves, Outsmart the universe His footprints left on the moon And a sudden thought launches Would he be remembered?

When the proof remains on another orb?

When the proof remains yet he does not?

Star Cluster Zara Fatima Who could have thought?

That there exists a world above us A faraway world with uncharted expanse A distant, dreamy abstract that evokes romance Above the sky which paints the ocean blue What are these sparkling dots we compare diamonds to?

How do we know that it is real And not an ideological illusion?

Who could have thought?

That there exists a silent realm above us Which, as we believe, is a bridge separating us from heaven A powerfully intriguing existence in which people make their profession

I hope you realize That when dear Earth moves faster And days become shorter It's because of the disasters, of the chaos we designed That the universe shrinks time for its masters How long will it take?

Taking - always taking till the Earth would break Living like we always fake There is no change Oh, do be brave, or the entire universe will shake This is an elegy For our ending has begun

A blazing red ball of fire, eight spheres of colored hues Flashing lights, rarely aligned moons, and comets that diffuse Fill our galaxies and Milkyway, yet we question furthermore What else is there to explore?

Who could have thought?

That a man would travel lightyears to walk on the planets That this existing force of natural occurrences would compel Generations of races to be able to tell If the stars can truly predict our fate and we can believe Either they are just a math or are themselves lost at sea Perhaps these violent, outrageous entities of explosion Are nothing more than just another hallucination

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Caged Aroush Khan The ground beneath us is not our humble earth; The bare, rigid concealment above us, was never our sheltering sky.

Metal bars - truly cruel and firm, surrounding us from all sides a confined animal’s abode - forever.

Not a touch of freedom, stuck with unbearable pain.

What is happiness? We only know vain.

How to run? How to play?

We do not know to this day.

We are biddable; we forgot how to complain.

We feed on what is given; we, lifelessly, cooperate.

What is love and what is care?

We’re deprived of them; they think it's fair Lonely for eternity, imprisoned with no escape, We are insignificant; we live just to entertain.

Some say, ”Come out to play!”

Others compel, ”Please them well!”

We do as we’re told; we act as they desire, For those creatures who don’t, beware of their fire!

Every day, new faces arrive.

Hoping to be amused, expecting much delight.

Hundreds visit and enjoy the sight.

We envy how they are alive.

Then they return, and we do too.

Back to our prison, nothing new.

When we cry, we show it not.

When we wail, we unveil it not.

They all have fun when they look at us, But none will take our agony from us.

They stay hushed as though they don’t know, What we feel and what we forego.

It’s the same, every day and night, It will never change.

What is home? We do not know; We are forever caged.

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Echoes of Neon Fiza Shahzad From the neon glow of yesteryear's embrace, A time traveler arrived in a future place.

The '80s vibrancy in his soul retained, Yet, the present's rhythm, he strained.

Synth beats echo in a world unknown, His parachute pants, a fashion overthrown.

At first, the marvels of today delight, Smartphones, internet, a futuristic sight.

But amid the glow of screens so bright, He yearns for the past, where his heart took flight.

Rubik's cubes replaced by algorithms cold, Mixtapes forgotten, now digital and bold.

He dances through time, a lone silhouette, Yet the '80s melodies, he can't forget.

The world whirls faster, he's left behind, His past, a treasure he longs to find.

In a flux of change, he's a relic lost, A time traveler stranded, a heavy cost.

No DeLorean to carry him back, Through future's tide, he's forced to track.

In this era, he's a ghost unseen, The '80s fading, a distant dream.

So, he wanders, a time-worn rover, Longing for the past that's over.

The '80s whispers in every refrain, A time traveler lost in a future's domain.

Nostalgia's echo, a bittersweet song, A dance with time that feels so wrong.

In this era's grip, he can't survive, An '80s soul struggling to stay alive.

Words and Ink Aroush Khan An urging desire, break free from silence through pen - fly free.

A cure to sorrow and rage – diseases not boxed by some.

For a candle is present. Light a match.

Let the wax singe in the palms of your hands.

No burn cannot be uncured; Acquire your need to the very full.

For verses can never be enough When due silence is unheard.

Fate against those who have no more ways To hear, be heard, understand the world’s play.

The ink stays put, a faithful acquaintance – Never to abandon; hope’s maiden name.

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Blessings Ayesha Hafeez The foaming flowers in the ocean The twinkling stars in the sky Blessings upon blessings, yet the world sees its demise.

The smiling faces of children Yet the sorrowing lives of adults.

So many things to be grateful for The only thing we can see is grey skies.

Laughter becoming my sanctum Yet the silence becomes home.

Blessings upon Blessings they say But there are so many people left astray.

Soft beds to rest People in the Promised Land remain unfed ‘Blessings upon Blessings’ say the rich They have not yet spent the night in a ditch.

Fancy clothes to wear and shiny cars to drive They don't have to worry about where the money is derived Blessings upon blessings say the white They have not yet lived a life of spite.

Evil world, evil people, evil words Wonderful souls, magical moments, and a story untold The glass is both half empty and half full Only if you take time to look.

Blessings upon blessings, I hope to send a message to all evil and all fine I long for us to reside in a happy life.

Scrumptious foods to eat Some people are out there lying in the streets.

Blessings upon Blessings, showing fortitude above all But they never help us when we fall.

PHOTOGRAPHY

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01. Something as simple as the evening sky on the car ride home can be considered a work of art; the sun dwindles to its final form, a fiery flame to a mere gold, tawny sphere protected by the armour of a sea of clouds as the sky subtly transforms from its usual azure to pink.

-Midhah Saleh

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02. Nature's Canvas; a masterpiece so grand. An autumn tree; a sight that'll always stand.

- Haniyah Ahmad

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03. The bottles suspended from twisted twine from the towering tree's branches signify the presence of human life in the area and add an almost whimsical effect to the surroundings when the sun's rays shine through them.

The younger kids even theorized that fairies resided in them. They clinked together with each gush of wind, threatening to shatter at every instance.

-Midhah Saleh

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04. We find so much beauty in something that isn't real.

-Zabih-e-Zahra

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05. From the balcony of a lodge residing in the high summits of Pakistan's famous peaks, the fog disperses at the crack of dawn, unveiling the mountainous terrain that concealed itself behind it.

-Midhah Saleh

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INTERVIEWS The Transformative Power of Music

By Eaman Faisal Music has been a best friend to me all my life, it has understood me better than anyone, it has supported me all my life, and it has consoled me like no one ever has. It has acted like a protective shield between me and the world, and I could not be more grateful.

Music can play a significant role in students' lives, contributing to their overall development. To me, music means life; let’s see what some other students say.

Atiya Moin

Nosherwan Ali

Aroush

Sumaima Ilyas

”Everything! It means the moon, the stars, and the planets; it is everything to me. My earliest memories are those of music. My entire family is very musically inclined, and I found myself in the midst of that at a very early age. Music has been with me through every single day of my life and, sometimes, is my biggest comfort.”

”I play music whenever I feel a surge of creativity. I have music playing practically every moment that I'm awake; it doesn't matter what I'm doing - the music is always on. I consider it to be a hobby or a pastime, but pastimes mean a lot to me.” ”In my opinion, music is something that helps us categorize our feelings when we can't do it ourselves - it helps clear up my mind. For example when we're sad, we listen to sad songs or melodies, and it feels relatable. It doesn't help me study, but I often listen to instrumentals or melodies which help me focus.”

”Music is like an escape for me, I put it on and dance to it sometimes or just sing along and do whatever, purely to relax and have fun. It doesn’t help in studies because I never do both simultaneously but it’s a great way to just have fun.”

Music gives us a way to express and explore our feelings and emotions. Kids, unintentionally, use music to understand specific developmental themes important to them such as love, loyalty, independence, friendship, and authority. Music is important for students as it contributes to their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. It provides a holistic learning experience that goes beyond the realm of traditional academic subjects, nurturing skills and qualities that are valuable throughout life.

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Interview with a Game Animator

By Zabih-e-Zahra

Q. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Muhammad Ahmed from O-1 and I am very interested in scripting, game-making, 3D designing. My parents encouraged me to explore this field, and the creativity involved in all of this captivated me.

Q. What kind of cooperation are you working for?

I work for a private company that will be made official after we release the game we are currently working on. This can take up to five years because we are still deciding on two game platforms. One of them has been completed but still has some contradictions and the second one needs a few years to develop.

Q. How did you land the job? Did they recruit you?

I was on a Discord server and there was this random channel that I joined which was posting artworks of different animals and how they design the models. This sparked my curiosity about these animations so I submitted a few of my works as well. After a few days, the owner of the server contacted me saying that he had been overviewing my submissions and wanted me to join him. That’s how I started working for him.

Q. Can you please explain what your job entails?

I create 3d designs and plan how they progress forward. Let’s say you’re designing a 3d model, now you have to import it to a game, you are going to add scripts, and you’re going to have to animate it. It’s just about how you create that kind of combination, import it into a source engine, and make it work. All of this adds up to what my job entails.

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Q. Can you tell us about a few scripts you have written so far?

I wrote a couple of scripts. The most recent one I remember is the one I wrote when I tried out this new story mode which depended on the game's platform. A character named MA-1 goes searching for his head commander and some important shards that threaten the community. Upon his search, he comes across a dangerous camp that kills innocent animals from where he saves a little wolf pup. He names him Shadow and raises him. One day he goes out for a meeting while Shadow stays at home. Despite being trained by his caretaker to stay inside away from all the dangers, Shadow’s curiosity gets the best of him and he immediately leaves the house. Shadow, continuing his stroll, comes across a deathly shard that can turn anyone into a zombie upon a single touch.

He touches the shard and since we decided that we did not want him to become a hellhound, we made him a Zombie werewolf. So he started getting scars on his face, blood started to whip off from his body, his claws started to emerge and he started developing fingers. He gets bulky muscles and turns into a large shadow figure, almost as if he were a human because the shard possessed the attributes of turning an animal into a human like it would turn bats into vampires.

Shadow starts haunting the forest and when his owner starts a journey looking for him, he gets attacked by his pet. However, despite being unrecognizable, MA-1 recognizes Shadow and Shadow acknowledges his caretaker. After this interaction, Shadow starts to fend off enemies who are after MA-1. Nonetheless, he meets his demise by the end as he has become an extension of all the dangerous entities. For the second one, we were aiming to create a zombie game so the platform had to be much creepier.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration from?

I mostly get it from my childhood self who was very interested in robots. I started by watching Transformers and Jurassic World which made me wonder how they created this stuff. After watching a few behind-the-scenes, they explained how they 3D designed something which they put into a 3D printer. It fascinated me to learn more. Even when I played Call Of Duty, the 3D designs made me dream my dream to create similar designs one day. My parents have been my major supporters on this journey as they have encouraged me to pursue this for as long as I could draw.

Today I have created the Shadow Werewolf design and many WWII tank designs.

Shadow

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REVIEWS The Maze Runner by James Dashner "The Maze Runner," penned by James Dashner, is a captivating science fiction novel that plunges readers into a mysterious and perilous world. The narrative unfolds with an air of suspense, introducing a protagonist who wakes up in a maze with no memory of his past.

Dashner skillfully crafts a gripping plot, propelling readers through the twists and turns of the maze alongside the main character, Thomas. The suspenseful atmosphere is sustained throughout, as Thomas and his fellow inhabitants navigate challenges and unravel the mysteries of their confined world. The pace is well-maintained, ensuring a constant sense of urgency that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

"The Maze Runner" is a thrilling addition to the science fiction genre, offering a compelling narrative, welldeveloped characters, and thought-provoking themes.

Dashner's writing style and ability to maintain suspense make this novel a standout choice for readers seeking an immersive and unpredictable adventure. Overall, it successfully captures the essence of a dystopian world, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

The characters in "The Maze Runner" are intricately developed, with each inhabitant of the maze contributing to the overall narrative. Thomas's journey from confusion to leadership is compelling, and the dynamics among the characters add depth to the story. The author masterfully explores the psychological impact of the maze on the characters, enhancing their complexity and reliability.

The novel delves into themes of survival, teamwork, and the consequences of an unknown environment. The maze serves as a metaphor for the challenges one faces in life, and the characters' resilience in the face of adversity highlights the strength of the human spirit.

By: Juweriah Shuaib Karim

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" stands as a gripping dystopian novel that transports readers into the ruthless world of Panem.

"The Hunger Games" unfolds in a post-apocalyptic society where survival is pitted against sacrifice. The plot, centered around the annual televised spectacle of The Hunger Games, is a tense narrative that follows protagonist Katniss Everdeen and the deuteragonist Peeta Mellark. Collins masterfully crafts a compelling storyline that seamlessly weaves action, suspense, and social commentary. The intricacies of the plot are expertly unveiled, keeping readers engrossed in the fate of the characters

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins is a triumph in dystopian literature, blending a riveting plot, welldeveloped characters, and thought-provoking themes.

Collins' skillful storytelling and engaging writing style make this novel a standout choice for readers seeking a compelling exploration of societal issues within the framework of an intense and unpredictable narrative. It successfully transcends its genre, leaving a lasting impact on readers and prompting reflection on the societal dynamics portrayed within its pages.

The characters in "The Hunger Games" are thoughtfully developed, with Katniss Everdeen emerging as a resilient and multifaceted protagonist. Collins explores the psychological impact of the Games on the characters, providing depth to their personalities. Katniss's evolution from a reluctant participant to a symbol of rebellion is a testament to Collins' adept character development.

The novel explores themes of oppression, rebellion, and the consequences of unchecked power. Collins deftly navigates the complexities of a society divided by class and explores the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. The Hunger Games serves as a metaphor for the disparity between the privileged and the oppressed, inviting readers to reflect on issues of justice and inequality.

By: Juweriah Shuaib Karim

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Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca is a haunting masterpiece that unfolds against the backdrop of Manderley, a grand estate shrouded in mystery. The novel, published in 1938, has become a timeless classic, captivating readers with its atmospheric prose and psychological depth.

The narrative commences with an unnamed protagonist's whirlwind romance with Maxim de Winter, leading to their hasty marriage. As the new mistress of Manderley, she grapples with the looming shadow of Maxim's deceased first wife, Rebecca. The plot takes unexpected twists, exploring themes of jealousy, identity, and the indelible mark of the past.

"Rebecca delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly the impact of the past on the present. The theme of identity intertwines with the characters' struggles, while jealousy becomes a driving force that shapes their fates. The novel prompts reflection on societal expectations and the constraints they impose.

Rebecca stands as a timeless work of literature, seamlessly blending elements of romance, mystery, and psychological drama. Du Maurier's ability to craft a gripping narrative with richly developed characters and a haunting setting cements the novel's status as a classic. A compelling exploration of human nature, the novel continues to captivate readers across generations, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Du Maurier crafts characters with complexity and depth. The unnamed protagonist undergoes a transformative journey, evolving from insecurity to a woman determined to unravel Manderley’s secrets. Maxim de Winter's brooding demeanor conceals layers of vulnerability, making him a compelling figure. The enigmatic Rebecca, though absent, permeates the narrative, leaving an indelible impression on both characters and readers. Manderley serves as more than a backdrop; it becomes a character in itself. Du Maurier's vivid descriptions evoke a sense of foreboding, adding to the novel's gothic atmosphere. The estate's grandeur contrasts sharply with the secrets it conceals, creating a tension that pervades every page.

By: Juweriah Shuaib Karim

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CULINARY CANVAS

TODAY, WE’LL BE MAKING A SIMPLE YET NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST THAT WILL KEEP YOU FULL AND ENERGETIC THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY. START YOUR MORNINGS WITH AN EGGCELLENT MORNING SANDWICH!

YOU WILL NEED:

1. EGGS (Quantity to your preference) 2. CHEESE (Quantity to your preference) 3. 1 RIPE TOMATO 4. 2 SLICES OF BREAD 5. 1 TBSP MAYONNAISE (optional)

HOW TO MAKE THIS EGGCELLENT AND EGGSQUISITE MEAL: STEP 1: Heat a flat pan, add a few drops of oil, and let it heat up. Grab 2 slices of bread and place them on the pan to heat. Cooking your bread is important as opposed to using it cold and raw because it makes the bread more stretchy and solid so that it holds in all the components that will go in the sandwich.

STEP 2: Grab a small bowl, whisk your eggs and add all the spices of your preference (preferably a pinch of salt and pepper). Place the chewed bread on a plate, carefully pour your egg mixture on the pan, and let it cook fully. Once you see the sides cooking up, carefully use a flat spoon (spatula) to flip the egg to let the other side cook. Meanwhile, place one slice of bread on the cooked side of the egg and wait for the egg to properly cook.

STEP 3: Flip the egg, place a slice of cheese, and let it melt. Remember to keep the flame low to prevent anything from burning and for safety purposes! Once you feel all the components of the sandwich are cooked, place some tomato slices (remember to not let the tomato cook and keep it cold and fresh for an additional crunch and freshness to your meal). Spread some mayonnaise on your last slice of bread and place it on your sandwich. Flip the sandwich a couple of times to ensure that the sandwich remains solid and intact and remove it from the pan.

STEP 4: Finish up with selecting your beverage of choice. Now it’s time to enjoy your hearty, simple, and nutritious meal.

HAPPY COOKING AND ENJOY! By: Zaryab Kamal

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- Ibba Shah

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- Ibba Shah

Harry Potter Recipes Bat Cookies, Rock Cake, Frog Pudding!

I will teach you how to make a three-course dinner.

Appetizer: Slimy salad: A salad with the nose of a frog.

Ingredients: Frog nose (obviously) Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Lemon Salt Slime (as per needed)

Steps: 1. Fill the bowl with lettuce and broccoli 2. Season the salad with salt 3. Add carrots 4. Put frog noses in a separate bowl and zest the lemon.

5. Now mix everything and you are done

Main Course: Goblin Gutter: The meat of a goblin perished in fire.

Ingredients: Goblin meat (take just one medium-sized goblin) Crow jelly Bat oil Lemon juice Extra bacteria to ferment

Steps: 1. Ferment your goblin in bat oil and wait for the bacteria to do their magic.

2. Cook the goblin for 20-30 mins 3. Get a bit of crow jelly and mix it with lemon juice.

4. Spread the sauce all over and you're done.

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Drink: Fish juice: fish fermented in water Steps: 1. Put your fish in a glass with bat oil and leave for 20 mins 2. Add water and you're done

Dessert: Petal Pudding Steps: Ingredients: 1. Make your pudding as instructed on Petals and store-bought pudding the back of the box.

2. Put petals on top.

3. You’re done 4. Think smarter, not harder

Do NOT Try This At Home!!!

By: Zainab Hasan Fun Fact: Zainab started her blog at just the young age of 8 and came up with these recipes herself!

The blog is called ‘Zen Space‘ and you can check it out through this link: The Zen Space

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Lazy Cookies Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup unsalted melted butter 3/4 cup brown sugar Chocolate chips (as many as you’d like!)

Step 1: Prepare the dough!

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, and butter until a paste forms with no lumps.

2. Whisk in the egg and vanilla, and beat until white ribbons fall off the whisk.

Step 2: Let it rest!

1. Sift the flour and baking soda, then fold the mixture with a spatula.

2. Fold in the chocolate chips and let it chill for about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Bake!

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C).

2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper 3. Bake for 12-15 minutes or at least until the edges begin to brown.

- Ibba Shah

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- Ali Hasan

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STORIES The Great Escape - Ayesha Hafeez We have all wondered about a life beyond our dimension, into the intergalactic.

We have watched clips from outer space through our T.V. screen wondering ‘When will we be able to witness such majesties?’ But most of all, be able to meet extraterrestrials. Well, have you ever wondered, if the extraterrestrials think the same but instead of hoping to see us, they own us?

In the year 3057, the flying cars and life on Mars fantasy becomes true, but this progression is not done by humans but Aliens, who took us humans under their wing after Earth became nothing more than a wasteland. However, we were not equaled but treated as strays, as showpieces in their zoos. They profited in tearing us down, we were kept in cages and fed what aliens called ”globnorgs”.

They kept us like we were animals in human zoos but with the roles reversed.

The leader of the Homo-Sapien zoological garden was none other than Elon Musk, who due to his deal with the aliens, exchanged all humankind for eternal knowledge. Betrayed by our kind, the story of how he managed to execute such an intricate plan to trap humans is still unbeknownst. You may be wondering how Humankind could stay silent on such an act of horror but the truth is, they were silenced.

However, nobody could keep Nathaniel silent. The most rebellious of them all and also the most punished, he was the Edward Gibson of the oppressed. He used to rally up the humans to rebel against these acts and all that he got in return were days of starvation. No longer could he take this treatment but instead of giving up, he tried a different approach, a possibly genius one.

It was already known that the aliens would move from Milky Way to Andromeda so that they could ‘recruit’ other beings to be a part of different zoological grades that would open up on multiple planets. The aliens could not leave the humans all alone so they left Elon with them. Nathaniel has always been extremely hard to deal with which caused him to be punished but the other humans were allowed to go out from their cages for a while. Instead of being someone hard to deal with, Nathaniel became a perfect angel to get some free time. He always complimented Elon whenever he went by and never caused any ruckus. So after a while, he was allowed to be released from his cage.

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This free time was not just a chance to roam around but the first phase of his plan. Elon always had an interdimensional gun on him all the time in case the humans did succeed in overthrowing him. This gun helped them jump from one galaxy to another. You think he might have kept it somewhere away from the Human pets but, alas, his genius fell short. After Nathaniel came close enough to the gun - he grabbed it and broke away from Elon. All of a sudden, as though lightning had struck him, he went towards his Homo sapiens brothers and pointed the gun at them adjusting the trigger, and the next thing they knew there were swishing lights around them and each of their body parts were being ripped into pieces, from limb to limb. ”What is happening!‼” Nathaniel bellowed.

It turned out that their intertransmission was being compromised by the aliens and if the humans were captured, they would be severely punished.

Nathaniel did not come this far to be defeated by mere aliens so he immediately changed the settings on the gun to help teleport the humans to a safer place.

A tricky thing with space science is that it is space science, so even a slight fault can alter the course of an entire life form. So when Nathaniel changed the knobs on the gun, it combined the Human body parts with the alien body parts. Again he tried different combinations but this time the genders of each creature were swapped, he tried again but to no success, as this time each species intermingled with each other and the final combination came, which was their last hope.

This time the aliens and humans switched bodies, just like Freaky Friday.

Ohhh, this might have been viewed as a mishap but in reality, this was a blessing for now the aliens which were humans were to be kept in cages while the humans which were aliens were now able to torture them. Oh, the taste of revenge tasted ever so sweet in the mouths of the humans but would taste so bitter in the tentacles of the aliens.

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The Desperate Pact -Midhah Saleh As if humans were not an immense nuisance to each other, add supernatural beings to the mix, and you get a Great War between numerous realms.

For once, humans did not cause war. On Sunday, December 30, 2700, the earth was utilized as a battlefield for myriad realms and paranormal beings were introduced to its inhabitants. Creatures such as angels, demons, ghouls, giants, and others fought on multiple areas of the earth to dominate the planet. The power of advanced technologies and weaponry was humiliated against them as they killed off the human species in great magnitude around the globe, forcing the rest to go into hiding.

The Great War lasted one year, two months, and three days, during which angels and demons emerged victorious with the souls of humans under their reign.

Angels and demons were not like the ones in stories; they were two kinds of the same species, and angels were not virtuous.

We, the humans, had our development pushed back several centuries due to the chaos. We communicated through smartphones despite the strain of maintaining signals, radios, and walkie-talkies. As is human nature, there was a lack of unity, every man for themselves. Meanwhile, the new overlords of the earth were selling us at the highest bid, enslaving us to a life of rebuilding the planet and serving them.

Now that you understand the circumstances, let us get to the story. My name is Andra, one of the magnitude of humans struggling to survive under the governance of the newly established leadership. The neighborhood I lived in came together to help one another. Every child in our neighborhood became orphaned due to the war, including my older brother and I. My brother, Zade, and I were amongst the kids in their late teens, making us and the few adults in the community responsible for departing the area to collect food and other supplies

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Then came the catastrophic day when angels and demons showered down on our neighborhood, looking for their prey. Everyone rushed inside, doors jammed with as much furniture as possible as the creatures tried breaking them down. It was pandemonium: children cried and screamed, the roars of demons sounded from every direction, and the overpowering strength of the angels forced us to push back the furniture with all our might, bruising our ribs.

Through the gap in the curtains, I looked outside. The monsters prevailed, but there was a lesser amount. I saw a pair of sage eyes peek out from behind a tree, Zade's eyes. What was he doing outside? Unfortunately, I was not the only one who noticed; a towering angel opened its wings and grabbed Zade, flying off immediately. I had to clasp a tight hand over my mouth to prevent my screaming. My entire world came crashing down; my whole family was gone. *** "Are you insane?" Lucas nearly yelled at me. "You can't go into their city to look for him. Consider him dead; that's easier."

I wanted my brother back and would do it, even if it meant dying.

The following day, to restock food, I went out with a couple of others. Halfway there, I abandoned them, taking the route to the city I used to live in before hell broke loose.

The war had reduced the city to a predominance of rubble, and a mass of human slaves worked tirelessly in reconstruction. I pulled a hood over my head, trying as hard as possible to avoid getting noticed. I passed by an influx of mahogany-skinned demons unnoticed. I had walked a considerable distance before being pulled into a dark alleyway by freezing bony hands from the waist.

When I set foot on the ground, I tried to open my mouth to speak, but a skeletal hand drew itself over my mouth.

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"Did you escape from somewhere?" The voice was feathery, tranquil. Looking down at me was an angel, his silver wings folded and his blonde eyebrows furrowed in concern. I had never seen one up close, and they surprisingly had many human features. The angel's pale skin complemented his platinum mane and amber eyes; I would have considered him attractive if my life was not potentially at risk.

"I'm sorry?" I hoped my fear did not transpire in my voice.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you, so don't worry. The problem is that you were about to run straight into a group of angels without looking, and they're not as nice to humans.”

"I walked past demons, and they didn't notice.”

"That's because they only have one pair of eyes.” His wings unfolded, revealing at least ten extra pairs of the same amber eyes.

I realized two things: I did not know where I was going, and this angel had saved me. Out of pure desperation, I told him about what had occurred.

He was sympathetic to my situation and told me how guilt-ridden he was about the human situation. He introduced himself as Declan and gave the glad tidings that he knew where they had taken the humans from the raid on our neighborhood.

The place where my brother was most likely to be was Rosemond, previously a courthouse now utilized as a place for the bidding of humans. Astonishingly, it had not suffered the effects of the war, and the building was still intact. The plan was simple: I would pose as Declan's slave, and after we would get to Rosemond, I would make a run for it with Zade.

Declan and I sat in the front row just as Zade came, his arms in shackles and an overpowering demon at his shoulder. Creatures sat around us with a small sack, most likely filled with their currency. To them, Zade's athletic build and height made him valuable. His high demand ensured the smooth going of our plan.

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Declan made ridiculously high bids for him, leading to the agitation of the rest. I did not listen to them, instead focusing on the right opportunity to launch into action. My brother's eyes were wide, terrified, and on the verge of tears once he realized my presence there. I wanted to tell him the plan, that we would go back home, but I restrained to the cold, hard wooden seat beside the kind-hearted angel.

Once the bids became unreasonably high, aggravating but also unsettling all angels and demons in the room, I quickly sidled up to Zade. The guard had abandoned his duty, more intrigued by the ongoing dispute. With his hands still chained behind his back and my heart threatening to pound out of my chest, we tore hell for leather out of the courthouse without knowing what awaited us, hoping to escape with our lives.

The sound of fiery, powerful, scurrying claws and the vibrations of vast wings hunted us out of the main entrance onto the rugged road. I felt the hot breath of a demon tingling my neck. Suddenly, Zade and I felt a strong tug from behind as we flew into the air; it was Declan holding one sibling in each hand, saving us again.

Our guardian angel was victim to torture in the ether by spheres of burning flame tossed at him and silver arrows piercing his porcelain skin. Despite his state, Zade and I were untouched, protected by the shield of Declan's feathery wings.

He dropped us in what used to be a park concealed by a bulk of tall trees and desolation. His hair and silk tunic had burned, his skin seared and penetrated, showcasing shimmering gold blood.

One of the numerous eyes inhabiting his wings had fallen in the struggle.

"Run. I can't take you any further." Declan's energy deteriorated right there as he allowed himself to slump down beside a tree.

Zade tugged on my arm, calling me to leave him, but how could I? I had forced this fate upon him, and he would suffer all the repercussions of it. Declan had been lacerated and would likely succumb to arrest for providing us with the gateway to escape. What gave me the right to walk away freely?

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"Give me a minute", I told my brother, who hid behind an oak in waiting. I sat down next to Declan, and he turned his face towards me, producing a weak, painful smile "Leave", he could only manage a whisper.

Nothing could stop the tears from blurring my vision, "Not with you in this condition.”

"Knowing I protected you two, my condition is finer than ever." His eyes met mine as he said, "I'll visit you." It was an empty vow I knew would never be fulfilled. I squeezed his frozen hand, coated with a layer of honey-gold ichor, before returning his weak smile and leaving when I heard the sound of other angels and demons approaching.

When Zade and I were far enough not to be noticed by the ruling creatures, I looked over my shoulder and saw a horrific scene that would feed into my guilt for the remainder of my years: Declan's arms were in chains, and his wings clipped as the others hauled him away. The worst part? He still wore his weak smile.

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What happens to someone when they die -Haniyah Ahmed That’s all you can think of as you walk into the funeral room. True, religious beliefs may provide an insight, but you still can’t help but wonder.

There are people clothed in black and grey everywhere. Some are sitting with tear-streaked faces, their shoulders shaking as they struggle not to break once more. Some are talking with the others in hushed voices, probably concerning the affairs of the funeral. A small child, probably 7 or 8, runs past you with a gleeful and broad smile.

“How can anyone be happy at this moment? How can someone, a child, be so oblivious to the grief and pain surrounding them?”

The question lingers in your mind as you sit down in a corner. You cover your ears, attempting to drown out everything. The service is about to start any minute now; then, after that, one last goodbye.

You stay silent as the service goes on. You were the closest to them. Why aren’t you up on the stage, muttering words of grief for them, reminiscing over all your memories for them? Maybe you were scared or tired; perhaps both.

The final viewing takes place after 30 minutes of people going on about their memories with them.

First, the family. They look tired and shaken. Some carry an aura of grief while some of disbelief.

People after people, and finally your turn arrives. You feel a sudden rush of emotions course throughout your entire body. Each step feels as if your legs are made of lead. Shaky breaths escape your lips as you walk towards the casket.

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How did they die again? Oh yeah. Late night, walking home alone, a bullet to the head. That’s what they told you. Or, at least that’s what you remember from what the detective told you.

You arrive at the casket. There they are. There they are, clothed in white. There they are, a small grin on their face, almost as if they’re about to make a joke. It’s almost as if they’re smiling at seeing everyone’s state, a sick type of joke. You want to grab them, shake them, and keep doing so, a desperate attempt to wake them up. You want to scream, to shout, to do anything.

Anything.

But nothing comes. Nothing happens.

You stay standing there, arms limp by your side, your eyes slightly squinted, and a frown on your lips There are flowers on one side of their forehead. You let out a bitter chuckle, the laugh coming out strained. The flowers cover their bullet wound. Despite the flowers, you can still see it, can’t you? Traces of it.

You stop your hand as it almost brushes the flowers out of the way. Maybe, this time, not knowing would be better.

Why does their face look so peaceful? More than it did while they were alive.

They look so…beautiful. Beautiful. You feel disgusted for thinking like that, but it feels….right, in a way. To admire someone that lays so blissfully, so peacefully.

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Two Windows -Zabih-e-Zahra I stepped towards my desk and stared out the window it was backed up against. I opened the window and the plethora of noises hit me like a sudden gush of wind. Even if the scenery I saw in front of me sounded lively, I could feel the pollution as it entered my lungs as if the flaws, secrets, and sins were carried along with it; everyone could feel it but no one wanted to do something about it. The buildings stood up like giant soldiers, enough to brush against the clouds reaching towards the sky.

The scenery before me was that of a room full of people but still feeling alone if I stared long enough. Everyone was too busy living their own lives to care about anything else. I guess that was why I put my desk there, it was no place for relaxation but rather put me in a work mode so that I completed all my tasks.

The roads, no matter how new they appeared to be, somehow reflected the ruins of all the historic empires that crumbled upon it hoping to last forever. I always thought the cracks that would appear on the roads even after a few months of carpeting was an attempt of all these empires trying to leave one last mark of existence.

A deafening car horn snapped me out of my thoughts. I closed the window and turned. Exactly opposite of this was another window. This time instead of a desk, I had my book corner. I could see the shelves almost bent under the weight of the information my books held. They were about the empires that perished on the ground I stood on today, not knowing whether I deserved it. I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts and walked towards the window.

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The difference with this one was that it felt like it was stepping towards me rather than the other way around. The scenery invited me in just as much as the previous one pushed me away. I opened the window and the air was the cleanest that I had breathed in a long time, like it had no secrets ugly enough to hide. I lived on the outskirts of the city so this view allowed me to stare deep into the forest.

Even though I knew no one lived inside the forest, I felt a presence much bigger than the tiny thousand ones in the city. It made me feel safe. The trees close to my home were smooth enough for someone to polish them with shine but the ones heading into the forest became sharper and more crooked. I knew that the trees probably stood up there long before I was born but they did not make me feel old, unlike the city.

Impatiently, I wanted to run inside the forest - live there forever. I knew it carried life inside it; I wanted to live each one of them. My imagination was limited by the room I stood in, wasn’t it? Humans did not have wings but when I stared at a view like that, I experienced a loss of them.

My room was the sober middle ground that stood dividing both the views. I felt stuck inside it but knew I could not let either one consume me wholly. I felt empty and one all at the same time. Nonetheless, I would never be able to change where I lived as I had grown too fond of having the best of both worlds in the same lifetime.

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Social-Emotional Learning SEL; many of us are unfamiliar with this abbreviation or do not know the proper definition. I admit I did not understand it clearly when I came across this term, but as I researched it more, I understood its true importance. SEL stands for Social Emotional Learning, which loosely translates to the process through which individuals learn and apply a set of social, emotional, and related skills. It may seem as though it does not have any significance but trust me when I tell you it is IMPORTANT!!

WHY IT MATTERS? SEL helps us in different areas of life such as problem-solving, self-control, empathy, academic improvement, and reduction in negative social behaviors such as; bullying, and creates a positive environment.

From an academic viewpoint, students who took part in SEL programs saw an 11 percentile increase in their overall grades.

Moreover, youth who are better able to deal with their problems are better able to traverse through the pressures of adult life.

IMPLEMENTATION You may be wondering how SEL may be implemented in our lives. There are many ways one can do this and it does not involve much effort. Try calming down exercises which can be as simple as breathing in and breathing out. One can also try to nurture a culture of kindness. Moreover, trying reflective writing for it can help ease the mind and put the body at rest. In conclusion, one should try to incorporate Social Emotional Learning into their daily lives, especially when they are young, as it can help them tackle challenges in their daily lives and better equip them for adulthood.

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Different people have different ways they can practice SEL. Adopting healthy hobbies and learning how to control negative emotions and stress are types of SEL. People should be able to find their regions of interest such as music, art, sports, or nature. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness in terms of meditating also come under SEL and can help an individual reduce stress and be able to perform their daily activities (like school) more easily and efficiently.

Schools should also help students understand SEL, its importance as well as how to practice it. An example is for schools to teach coping skills to manage stress. All kids and young adults experience stress even when we don’t see it. It is important to teach them actual strategies that they can use when they are feeling overwhelmed.

BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH TEAMWORK For class projects and assignments, having students work in larger teams to complete a task and teaching students to assign different jobs when working in a team is another way of practicing SEL. This way, all students have important responsibilities and feel engaged in the assignment or project. If an individual is interested in practicing SEL on their own, they should try hobbies like journaling, reading, making music, gardening, or whatever suits them! This will not only help identify their interests and passions, but it will also help them learn new skills and relieve stress by doing something they enjoy.

- Zaryab Kamal & Ayesha Hafeez

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Dear Universe, You are not beyond, infinitely beyond... you are infinitely within.

You are not a part, you are the whole of me... and I am the whole of you. Your every speck, every orbit, every entity resides within me, as a whole. You are not distant, you are near, very near. You do not intimidate me, you comfort me. Your dawn from destruction and your demise that brings annihilation... it all comforts me.

You are not confined by or related to time. You are not quantified or explored. Your beauty remains hidden. Your silence resonates within me and beyond me. You are a string. You do not consist of different pieces of different things. You start where you end and everything within you is connected.

You are clay. Clay, created from different spirits, merged to form existence as a being.

You are a fragment of my reality. You reside within all that resides within you. Your emptiness is whole, tender, and fertile, a mother that bore all of creation. Emptiness is an essence. The essence that births more essences. Your every speck is empty.

You are love. Love as a being. Love as an entity, as a cry in awe.

You are a mirror. You reflect the beauty of your Creator, of your Origin.

You are the visage of His idea, a mere thought of the Unknown.

By: Aleha Ali

This was an end-of-term personal project by the Literary Club.

We hope this version serves as a gift to bid a heartful farewell to the batch of 2024.