Mindprints 2023

Mindprints 2023 Jackson Preparatory Middle School

We’re more than a home . . .

Volume XV

Mindprints 2023 The Literary and Art Magazine Jackson Preparatory Middle School Volume XV

mindprints@jacksonprep.net 3100 Lakeland Drive Flowood, MS 39232 601-939-8611

We’re more than a home ... | Front Cover Art and Staff Page Detail Allison Mason | 7 | Watercolor We’re a Family | Back Cover Art Frances Hollingsworth | 7 | Watercolor

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editor’s note editorial policy

A major change occurred this year—we became a true middle school housing fifth through eighth grade students. Saying goodbye to our ninth grade and hello to our fifth grade brought fresh, young talent to our publication. As you experience our stories and voices, join us on our journey as we discover There is No Place Like Home. Several of our students travel the world—seeing exotic places, different cultures, and famous landmarks—only to realize that their return to Jackson Prep Middle School brings them home to a family filled with love and support. Come join our family as we share who we are and why we are so blessed.

All selections submitted are from students who attend Jackson Preparatory Middle School. The following selections for this magazine are chosen based on artistic merit, creativity, and style by Mindprints staff.

The views represented in Mindprints are those of the individual students and do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, the advisors, or the Jackson Preparatory School Board of Trustees. Student members of the Mindprints staff conduct the design, layout, and proofreading of the magazine, and the works published are solely those of Jackson Prep students. Each student work in this volume is labelled with the artist’s name, grade level, and genre of work.

The mission statement of Mindprints is to inspire and empower students to express themselves creatively through art and composition.

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ASSISTANT EDITOR Adrianna Wang GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR Brianna Wang WRITING EDITOR Kennedy Buchanan STAFF Stella Barbour-Matthews Kendrick Rogers Mollie Stansell Liam Sullivan FACULTY ADVISOR Mrs. Kimberly Reedy

We are thankful to our Head of School Lawrence Coco and Head of Middle School Reta Haire for their continued support of our talent, voices, and opportunities that enable us to share who we are with our Prep community. We are blessed to have dedicated writing, art, and design teachers who encourage and inspire us to excel. To our fellow classmates who submitted their work and to our faculty and administration, we say, “Thank you!”

mindprints staff

EDITOR Catherine Hawkins

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poetry

We’re Only Kids Anacristina Gutierrez | Free Verse....................... 13 Fall Mamie Marshall | Lyrical Poetry.......................... 15 The Masterpiece Catherine Hawkins | Free Verse........................... 23 Burning Bright Kennedy Buchanan | Haiku ................................. 29 Crackling Fire Anna Impastato | Haiku ...................................... 29 Spewing Flames Adianna Wang | Haiku ........................................ 29 Blissfully Alone Kennedy Buchanan | Free Verse .......................... 32 Poetry, I Love Miriam Caballero | Lyrical Poetry......................... 34 Ornaments Elin Fowler | Concrete Poem................................ 39 In Between Adrianna Wang | Found Poem ............................. 44 Sadness Adrianna Wang | Free Verse................................. 47 The Death of My Love Catherine Hawkins | Free Verse........................... 48 Grief Brianna Wang | Free Verse.............................. 50-51 A Miracle: Something I Learned During Cancer Hensley Hardy | Wisdom Poetry.......................... 53 Volleyball Catherine Hawkins | Acrostic Poem..................... 54 Spring Adrianna Wang | Acrostic Poem........................... 55 Joy Brianna Wang | Free Verse................................... 56 4 Mindprints

Candy 59....................................Mary Louis Russ | Couplets

Love, a two-sided word 63.........................................Aili Leggett | Free Verse Summer Days 65 ................................ Owen Brown | Lyrical Poetry

The Rehearsal 18 ...................................Lilly Walton | Flash Fiction Backstage 20 ....................Lily Frances Garner | Six-Word Story The College World Series Scandal, Part 1 24-27............................... Stewart Russ | Short Story She Thought 31.............................. Adrianna Wang | Flash Fiction

fiction

Vanquisher of Worms 16-17...................................Iane Zhu | Flash Fiction

poetry

Lovebug 60........................... Kennedy Buchanan | Song Lyrics

Weeping Wisteria 37.................................Memary Yates | Flash Fiction The College World Series Scandal, Part 2 40-43............................... Stewart Russ | Short Story Who Am I Now? 68.................. Stella Barbour-Matthews | Monologue Home and Family 5

The View of the City Addison Dungey | Photography........................... 10 Tower Bridge Colter Wineman | Photography........................... 10 Stonehenge Stands Colter Wineman | Photography........................... 10

photography

The Busy City Catherine Hawkins | Photography....................... 10 Nature Showing Off Addison Dungey | Photography........................... 11 Majestic Glory Addison Dungey | Photography........................... 11 Ocean Kisses Catherine Hawkins | Photography....................... 11 The Hallway Catherine Hawkins | Photography....................... 12 I See You Bailey Bryant | Photography................................ 16 Waiting for the Perfect Touch Stella Barbour-Matthews | Photography.........18-19 The Beautiful Array of Colors Catherine Hawkins | Photography....................... 22 Waiting to Gather Around Mollie Stansell | Photography.............................. 28 Staring Beyond Kennedy Buchanan | Photography................. 32-33 The Silver Bell Catherine Hawkins | Photography....................... 38 Kerplunk!

Catherine Hawkins | Photography..... ................. 45 Ominous Signs Gray Hawkins | Photography...........................46-47 Sea of Fog Bailey Bryant | Photography............................50-51 6 Mindprints

A Swirl of Blue and White 54..............................Catherine Hawkins | Photography Spring Flowers 55 ................................Brianna Wang | Photography Come to Me, Oh, Bees!

57 ..............................Adrianna Wang | Photography All the Lights 70 ........................ Catherine Hawkins | Photography Honor and Remembrance 70 ...............................Joseph Chaney | Photography Looks Scary but Cute 71......................... Catherine Hawkins | Photography There Is No Place Like Home 71.................................Brianna Wang | Photography

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Leaves of Whispers Kennedy Buchanan | Digital Art ..........................14 Backstage Ballet Shoes Lily Frances Garner | Watercolor ......................... 21

art

The Broken Ball Kennedy Buchanan | Digital Art.......................... 27 Temples of Progress James Gauthier | Mixed Media ............................30 Love Hate Relationship Liam Sullivan | Digital Illustration...................... 35 Remembering You Lilly Walton | Drawing......................................... 36 The Dead Gravestone Catherine Hawkins | Digital Art........................... 49 An Amazing Discovery Kennedy Buchanan | Digital Art........................... 52 Candied Out Elise Hawkins | Mixed Media ........................ 58-59 The Color of Music Celeste Adams | Mixed Media ............................. 61 The Hand that Feeds Kennedy Buchanan | Digital Art.......................... 62 Be Happy Wesley Teague | Digital Art ............................64-65 Farm-scented Rain James Gauthier | Watercolor................................ 66 Mother’s Smiles Carlin Johnson | Colored Pencils.......................... 67 Sea of Emotions Lela Beth Waterloo | Mixed Media....................... 69

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Adrianna Wang 14-15, 30-31, 46-47, 56-57, 70-71 Brianna Wang 36-37, 52-53, 54-55, 62-63 Stella Barbour-Matthews 20-21, 32-33, 64-65, 68-69 Kendrick Rogers 18-19, 48-49, 50-51, 60-61 Mollie Stansell 28-29, 58-59 Liam Sullivan 16-17, 34-35, 66-67 Kennedy Buchanan 44-45

spread design ers

Catherine Hawkins 10-11, 12-13, 22-23, 24-27, 28-29, 38-39, 40-43, 48-49

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Leaving Our Home Jackson, Mississippi

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The Busy City Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography

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Nature Showing Off Addison Dungey | 8 | Photography

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Ocean Kisses Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography

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We’re Only Kids

Anacristina Gutierrez | 8 | Free Verse

“We’re only kids,” I think as I stare at the news report saying something horrible has happened yet again.

“We’re only kids,” I think when an attack happens once again.

As my little brother asks me, “Why do bad things happen?”

I answer with, “Everything happens for a reason.”

Even though I have no idea why.

I’m staying up until 4 am for the third time this week studying, doing homework, and overworking myself to meet the impossible standards I set.

I think I’m only a kid.

As I drive to school, I think, staring at my phone. Already tired, stressed, and overworked. I run my hands through my hair, wondering, “Is it all worth it?”

Eleven dead, and seven injured Pulling up to my school in fear it would be my last time.

If it will be the last time I say “I love you.” to my Dad as he drives away.

We’re only kids worrying about adult problems, tired, stressed, and scared.

We’re only kids hoping it will be better for our kids for our future. We hope for something we don’t know will ever happen.

We’re only kids for now.

The Hallway Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography

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Fall

Mamie Marshall | 6 | Lyrical Poetry

Fall is a time with both cool and cold With autumn leaves both orange and gold.

Every year when fall comes around, Crisp leaves will fall on the ground.

Sweaters and coats are what to wear, But if you are still cold, light a flare.

Pumpkin spice will fill the room, When it is time to wear a costume.

The colors of fall are yellow, orange, and red, But fall is nothing to dread.

Maybe some people despise fall, But I think I love fall most of all.

Leaves of Whispers Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Digital Art Home and Family 15

VANQUISHER OF WORMS

Iane Zhu | 7 | Flash Fiction

I See You Bailey Bryant | 8 | Photography

I was a worm. A simple, long red worm that lived in the backyard of a family of five, tending to their plants. I had learned long ago to steer clear from the footsteps of 16 Mindprints

the two young boys. I had heard the backyard gossip about the story of my older brother and sister after they had been captured and preferred not to end up like

they did.

I burrowed my way through the earth, the dirt soft and wet from the gentle spring rain. I must’ve been at the base of the fence when I felt a sharp object poking at me from above. Then again.

And again. Until I felt myself being lifted up from the soft dirt. And then I saw it. The robin had a bright crimson breast and soft brown feathers on its wings, face. and back. It had caught me in its beak. Suddenly, I remembered something one of the old worms had told me. It was a story of how she had watched her brother be taken out of the sanctuary of the earth and into the air by a robin. She had heard his cries for help mingled with the happy chirps of little robins before she heard a splat as he was eaten.

All this flashed through my mind in a matter of seconds, just long enough for the robin to fly through

the air and into a tree. The nest sat between a crook of a branch and the trunk. “Help!”

I screamed, writhing around frantically, doing anything in my power to try and escape this terrible fate. But the robin’s grip on me was too tight, preventing me from slipping. I continued to scream and squirm helplessly as I came closer and closer to the nest of baby robins, but deep down I understood that there was no escape. Just before I was dropped into my inevitable death, I wondered if this was really better than the fate I had been trying to avoid for so long, the fate that had led to my older siblings’ early death. I felt everything the old worm’s brother must have felt before he died.

Hopelessness, despair, agony, and fear. The last thought that ran through my mind was the hope that this would end quickly.

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The Rehearsal Lily Walton | 7 | Flash Fiction

I was standing on the auditorium stage.

Tonight, hundreds of people had flooded in, filling every seat. But right now, only one man sat in the very front row. The lights dimmed slightly as a spotlight appeared over my head.

A little girl walked out. She placed the papers in her hands on my music stand, pulled the stool closer to sit down, and took a deep breath. She pressed down on my keys and a harmonious hum filled the room. It was a weird feeling, like I was being tickled. The shake in her hands made it an even stranger sensation.

What was only minutes felt like hours as my voice grew sore; my humming didn’t seem to be affected. My voice finally died out as her hands slowly lifted and then fell into her lap. The lights awoke and the spotlight faded. The girl walked off the stage and the man followed soon after, leaving me alone once again. If everything went well, a golden trophy would sit atop my lid.

Waiting for the Perfect Touch Stella Barbour-Matthews | 8 | Photography 18 Mindprints

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Backstage Lily Frances Garner | 7 | Six-Word Story practiced pirouettes agonizing angst determined dancer

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Backstage Ballet Shoes Lily Frances Garner | 7 | Watercolor

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The Mas Master terpi piece ece Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Free Verse

A warm light soaks into the carpet of the earth The colors sink into place causing a stunning array of colors Staring into this mesh of pink, orange, yellow, and purple always makes me smile.

This reminds me that God’s grace is plentiful.

It looks like He painted the sky.

I keep watching as light is dimming down and the night is soon to come.

The night arrives and paints a black canvas with some lights placed in all directions.

I go back inside happily like a child with her prize, knowing the Artist will create another masterpiece tomorrow.

The Beautiful Array of Colors Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography

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Stewart Russ | 8 | Short Story

Part 1

The College World Series Scandal

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op! “Let’s go!” I cheered. That was the pop of a hard-hit baseball into the glove of Tim Elko. He had just made the winning catch for the Ole Miss baseball team against Southern Miss. Ole Miss was now headed to the College World Series for the first time since 2014. I could not wait to take the trip to Omaha with my family, who are all huge Ole Miss baseball fans.

The next day, Arkansas was playing Oklahoma State in the last game of Super Regionals to determine which team would be the final team to play in Omaha.

I was excited to watch the game; however, I did not think it would be such a crazy experience.

Halfway through the game, the score was tied 3-3 when an Arkansas baserunner attempted to steal home.

The sports announcer and I all thought the runner was out by a mile, but the umpire called him safe, causing Arkansas to gain a lot of momentum.

Arkansas scored another run. Despite the favorable calls, the Razorbacks were down by three runs when the ninth inning came. The Oklahoma State pitcher continued to walk batters, loading the bases. The umpire would not call a strike, even though most of the pitches looked right. The next batter up singled, and the runner on second came around to score. The runner was clearly out according to everyone except the umpire who called him safe. The umpires were awful; it was almost as if they had been paid.

On Friday, my family jumped in the car just before daylight with lunches packed and made great time getting to Omaha. My brother, Henry, and I could not wait to see Will and Thomas. They are like our little brothers because they are the sons of my mom’s best friends. Both of them are in 4th grade, athletic, and big Ole Miss fans like us. Will, whose dad is the Ole Miss pitching coach, gave us allaccess game passes so that we could watch all the games, not just Ole Miss. The four of us watched baseball while our parents hung out at the Hilton Omaha, the Arkansas team hotel. We chose this hotel because it was right across from the stadium and had a really fun lobby with televisions and a band.

After that suspicious Super Regional game, we decided to follow Coach Van Horn.

I knew the week was going to be fun and very exciting.

What I could never have expected was the mystery that would be left for the four of us to solve.

Our first morning in Omaha, we woke up ready to explore Fanfest at the College World Series. Will,

Thomas, Henry, and I met in the lobby thrilled to begin our adventure. We immediately discovered a new game called Buffalo Pong. The object of the game was to shoot the basketballs in a large trash can. We loved it, and we had a perfect four-person team to play in the tournament. The winner of the tournament would win gift cards to Buffalo Wild Wings. Unfortunately, we lost in the last round, but we were determined to win the gift card, so we signed up again to play another day.

Still talking about our near win, we left the Buffalo Pong contest and had a very odd thing happen. We saw the Arkansas baseball coach, Dave Van Horn, and he was looking around nervously like he was somewhere he should not be. Sneakily, he disappeared towards some abandoned warehouses in downtown Omaha.

“We need to be careful while following him,” I said quietly.

Every once in a while the coach would look around with a worried look on his face.

As he came to a stop, a man appeared. The man wore a distinct neon hat that hid his face, so we could not get an identity.

“I wonder what they are up

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to? asked Thomas.

“It looks like something against the rules to me,” Will said.

“Agreed, especially since the man was clearly hiding his face,” Henry added.

“It looks like they are about to leave. Let’s head out,” I said.

We left as quietly as mice making their silent escape. As we arrived at the hotel, our parents asked us how Fanfest was. We explained how much fun it was and how excited we were for the game tomorrow, but we did not give away our secret about following Dave Van Horn.

We had a lot of food and fun that night; however, deep in our minds, we knew that we had to find out why Dave Van Horn was sneaking around.

When we woke up the next morning, we were thrilled it was gameday.

Ole Miss dominated the game and won 7-0 against Stanford. It was a great pitching performance, which made Will happy since his dad is the Ole Miss pitching coach.

After the game, our parents went back to the hotel while we stayed to watch the game between Arkansas and Texas.

We had plans to keep a close eye on Dave Van Horn throughout the game, so we sat on the opposite side of

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the Arkansas dugout to get a better look.

Throughout the game, we never took our eyes off Dave Van Horn. We noticed that he had given looks to the umpires quite often throughout the game. Then, we spotted a fan in the stands close to the Arkansas dugout that looked exactly like the man in the neon hat. I decided to move closer to take some pictures of him so we could try to uncover his identity. Right before the game was over, we caught the man signaling at Dave Van Horn. Arkansas won a close game against Texas because of some more terrible calls by the umpires.

This meant they would play Ole Miss in two days.

“Something was not right,” I thought to myself.

Therefore, we only had two days to solve this mystery.

The next day, we got up early to go play at the Buffalo Pong tournament again. Luckily, Will made a miraculous shot, and we won the tournament this time. After about an hour of fun at the Fanfest, we came back to the hotel to think about the situation and all its possible conclusions. There

were many possibilities, but we needed more evidence!

Although it might be nothing, we remained curious. As we left our room, we ran into two people who looked like umpires that had been calling games in the College World Series.

“What would umpires be doing at the Arkansas team hotel?” asked Thomas.

“I do not know, so let’s follow them,” suggested Henry.

“He is right. This could be our lead to what Dave Van Horn is doing,” said Will.

“Yeah, especially since we can just pretend to be going to our room! Let me do the talking if we get caught,” I said.

To continue reading this story, turn to page 40 for Part 2.

The Broken Ball Kennedy Buchannan | 8 | Digital Art Home and Family 27

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Burning Bright

Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Haiku The wood is ablaze Smoke will choke out the dead trees Flames engulf the night

Crackling Fire

Anna Impastato | 8 | Haiku Look out the window Crackling with red and yellow Smoke slowly flows in

Spewing Flames

Adrianna Wang | 8 | Haiku Trees looming above I see a bright fire outside Spewing flames in air

Waiting to Gather Around Mollie Stansell | 8 | Photography

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She Thought Adrianna Wang | 8 | Flash Fiction

Mom has a new job in a big city where busyness lives.

She thought this move was the perfect opportunity for me to start a new life. Enjoying living in the countryside, I disagreed.

But when we arrived at our destination, I was dazzled by the skyscrapers and city lights.

Temples of Progress James Gauthier | 8 | Mixed Media

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Blissfully Alone

Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Free Verse

Cool water seeped into her shoes while autumn air pushed against her jacket.

Fall had arrived at last and granted her one last adventure into the creek before winter came to freeze her joy.

She stood silently still, taking in the lovely feeling of being alone in her sacred space.

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Staring Beyond Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Photography

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Poetry, I Love Miriam Caballero | 7 | Lyrical Poetry Poetry, I hate.

That much is clear.

The rhyming of words I hate to hear.

The cadence is off in my ear and so I’ve decided I shall never go near to the books of haikus or ballads or sonnets, whose meaning is lost whenever I’ve thought it.

I shall never hear the beautiful rhymes of people who wrote, in lost times, or the cadence and flow of a thousand years sung in ballad of an army’s tears.

I will never endure the sadness that comes with reading a sonnet of love that can never come true, and all that it ends in is sadness and blue.

I shall never sit and ponder over cup of tea and biscuits the meaning of some random, favored limerick or think for long hours about the meaning of the colors of the flowers in a class that will go on for hours to talk about two lines in a ballad.

But now that I think and ponder these things they all have such pleasant rings to which I have never heard the pleasantries which poetry beholds, and so now I shall think and ponder over the nearest poem and wonder what made me so averse to the sound of a rhyming verse.

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The Raven

Love Hate Relationship Liam Sullivan | 8 | Digital Illustration

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Weeping Wisteria Memary Yates | 7 | Flash Fiction

Two girls sit underneath a weeping wisteria tree. One is real, one is imaginary. Or is she? Who says your imagination can’t be real? The real girl, Mallory, planted the willow tree with her late older sister. After her sister passed, she spent a lot of time at the tree. Eventually, she developed a “new” oldersister in her imagination. This make-believe sister was named Willow.

They spent all their time together underneath that tree.

One day, Mallory fell ill with hay fever. The doctors said she was allergic to wisteria, and being underneath the tree had made her more susceptible to the illness. Her parents stopped allowing her to go to the tree. Willow, her spirit tethered to the roots, was unable to leave the area of the wisteria tree.

They never saw each other again.

Mallory forgot about Willow as she grew older, and her imagination grew weaker. Over time, the tree began to wilt, and Willow with it. She didn’t have enough strength to stand up or swing on the swing that hung from the tree. Mallory still had some weird feeling in the back of her mind, accompanied by a strange sadness when she saw wisteria flowers, but she couldn’t ever recall why. Imaginary friends have to be completely forgotten to disappear, so Willow was forced to stay with the corpse of her tree until both the tree and her happiness decomposed to support the next generation of plants and animals.

A wisteria may forever weep, with its slouched branches and faded colors. What lies beneath,however, is a mural of colorful, dancing emotions, just waiting to grow and flourish.

Random WordsRando, serosfn Remembering You Lilly Walton | 7 | Drawing

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Ornaments

Elin Fowler |5| Concrete Poem

A warm scene Cozy, icy, cinnamon aroma Ornaments dangling, dancing bright Sparkling spheres of vibrant radiant light, The beautiful scene being red, blue and white Hung by hands, last warmed by the red firelight Winter designs, snowballs of slippery silver surfaces Christmas decorations, all hung on a mountain green.

Strings of popcorn, circling around a welcoming scene These wonderful balls of silver are like a dream And the tree is decorated with ribbons all amiss Making my steadily beating heart full of joyful bliss I can only think about this wonderful red and green array December’s dream, winter’s wonderland, peppermint palaces A welcoming place to call Christmas my favorite scene

The Silver Bell Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography Home and Family 39

Stewart Russ | 8 | Short Story

Part 2

The College World Series Scandal

W

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e followed the two men down the hall, but kept our distance, as we did not want to look suspicious. Will accidentally tripped and tried to stay quiet, but the two men turned around. Thankfully, we were able to hide around the corner without them seeing us.

“Whew, that was close!” Thomas whispered.

“Yeah man,” Will said.

The men continued down the winding hallway and knocked on a hotel door.

As we walked past the men pretending we were going to our room, we could not believe what we saw! Dave Van Horn opened the door and let the two men into his hotel suite.

“Come on! We have to listen to the conversation in that room,” said Thomas.

We quietly piled outside the door, and I turned the video on my phone so we would have evidence of the conversation.

“Dave Van Horn just offered each man one hundred thousand dollars to cheat in the game against Ole Miss,” I whispered.

“Be quiet! He is talking about the meeting location and time,” said Henry.

The talking became quiet as we heard footsteps. The men were headed back towards the door so we ran around the corner and hid again!

“We have all the evidence we need to take Dave Van Horn down,” I said.

“Not yet. We need to know their names,” Will said.

“Yes, we need to research and learn about them like you would learn about a team before you play them,” Henry said.

“You’re right. Let’s follow them out of the hotel,” I said.

We followed them slowly, listening for

their names.

As they were leaving the hotel lobby, we heard one of the men say, “Joe, I’m headed to see Nick now.”

“Alright, see you later, Chris,” the other man answered.

“Yes, we have all three of their first names,” Thomas said.

“Let’s go back to the room and do some research,” I said.

The day to take down the cheating coach had finally arrived.

Since it was the winner’s bracket game, it was the night game, which meant we had all day to gather evidence. Last night, we found out that all three people were Arkansas alumni.

“No wonder, they were so willing to take the money to cheat for their school to win,” said Thomas.

After listening to the recording again, we learned that all four would be meeting at 12:00 o’clock that day at an old warehouse. However, the recording was a little fuzzy, and we couldn’t hear the exact location.

“How will we know which warehouse, and how will we get there?” Will questioned.

“We are going to have to look at a map and, hopefully,

it is within walking distance,” I said.

Originally, we planned to tell our parents about what had been going on, but the risk of getting in trouble was too high, so we decided to take Van Horn down by ourselves.

After looking at the map we found online, we decided on the most desolate warehouse that was within walking distance.

Our guess was that Dave Van Horn would have to walk since there was so much security around, and he did not want an uber driver witness. The risk would be too much.

We arrived at the warehouse at 11:30 with plenty of time to set up.

“We need to be extremely careful and stick together,” I said.

“He is right, guys. One false move could blow our cover,” Henry warned.

I had my camera ready to go just in case I needed to record the exchange of the money. Out of nowhere, the four men appeared earlier than we had expected. They almost caught us sneaking around the place before we were ready. Just in time, we hid inside an old boat. The men and Van Horn made sure

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nobody was in the area by turning their heads cautiously. We had to get closer so that we could hear their conversation, so we moved to the front of the boat and peered over the edge.

“Alright, men, now that nobody is here, we can make the exchange. Thank you so much for doing this because I am tired of losing to Ole Miss.

I am glad you want to win as badly as I do!” Dave Van Horn exclaimed as he handed them an envelope each.

“You got it!” they all replied.

From our hiding position Will whispered, “Now, it is time to stop this once and for all.”

After we were sure the men were gone, we sprinted straight to the stadium to find the NCAA officials and show them the recording. We had all the evidence we needed so what could go wrong?

Little did we know, Van Horn spotted us and came running after us. We took a quick turn and hid in an alleyway. Van Horn passed us as he was looking everywhere for us, but we stayed hidden.

Once we were in the clear, we continued our sprint to the stadium. However, when we got to the stadium Van Horn was standing with the NCAA

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security guards.

“How are we going to get this evidence to Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner?” cried Thomas.

We knew they would not let us in because we were kids, and they would think we were just looking for trouble.

We also had another other problem; Van Horn was onto us.

“I know,” Will said. “I am going to tell them I have a package to deliver to the SEC commissioner from my Dad.” “Good idea,” I agreed.

We waited patiently for Van Horn to leave. We knew we had little time left so we headed over to security. After a lot of convincing, we were finally able to get Greg Sanky, the SEC commissioner, to come down and pay us a visit.

We introduced ourselves very politely like we had practiced on the way. Thankfully, he remembered meeting us with our parents in the hotel lobby.

We told him how much fun we were having in Omaha and then got straight to the point.

As we explained the full story of what we had witnessed, he looked doubtful.

As he turned to walk away, I said “Please sir, you have to believe us! We have proof.”

He turned back and smirked “Really? Show me.”

We showed him the pictures, the voice recording, and the videos we had. His expression changed to fury and concern, and he told us that he took matters like this very seriously. He assured us that the situation would be handled by the NCAA and the SEC and that the game was going to be played fairly.

“Thank you, boys, I am proud of how you handled yourself. How about some seats behind home plate?”

Sankey said.

“YES,” we all chanted.

Taking the tickets, we told Mr. Sankey thank you and walked back to the hotel room.

were safe, and Will’s dad was very thankful we had solved a mystery that all the teams in Omaha were questioning.

Now, it was time to watch Ole Miss beat Arkansas.

“Hotty Toddy,” we cheered as the Rebels ended the game with a victory.

Because of us, Arkansas was out of the tournament; they would have huge consequences for cheating; and the College World Series would be a fair event. We felt accomplished.

I was sad to go home, but I will never forget this amazing trip that I just experienced.

At last, we had figured out the mystery of the lucky wins the Arkansas team was having!

“It all makes sense now,” Henry said.

“Agreed, and now we get to watch a fair Ole Miss game tonight to cap off the great weekend,” Thomas said.

“Yeah,” Will shouted.

It was time to go to the game and we couldn’t wait. Our parents loved our mysterious story so much that we had to tell it a second time!

They were so thankful we

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In Between | Based on C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces Adrianna Wang | 8 | Found Poem 44 Mindprints

Kerplunk!

Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography

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Ominous Signs Gray Hawkins | 8 | Photography 46 Mindprints

Sadness

Adrianna Wang | 8 | Free Verse

I think of what I long for, dreaming of a beautiful face.

I remember days with her, walking on the beach and holding hands on a sweet summer afternoon.

We would play until the crickets started chirping away into the night.

As she left the earth, tears welled in my eyes.

Darkness swallowed me with despair, every last hope gone.

What was left were pieces of myself, a watery reflection of who we were together— My heart crumbling into a thousand shards of glass.

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The Death of My Love

Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Free Verse

My heart is filled with loneliness He was my other half I can’t be complete without him I knew that he wouldn’t live forever A battle rages in me On the verge of sinking into despair Wanting to crumble and sink into the grave Memories of him— rolling down a hill into a creek pushing me in too walking hand in hand down the sidewalk sharing our last kiss I can’t stand the joy in this depressing time All these memories need to go Too much light is a burden too heavy to bear piece by piece memories fade like a sandcastle washed away by high tide Then all goes dark as I wake up to the dull and dark grass next to the new, clean gravestone

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Here lies my love 1989-2023

The Dead Gravestone Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Digital Art Home and Family 49

Grief

Brianna Wang | 8 | Free Verse

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I felt trapped Darkness surrounded my entire body Tears rolled down my cheeks and dropped softly to the floor Each breath I took was agonizing My body wanted to crumble into a million pieces I longed to see her I remember those days outside laughing and smiling Running around on the fresh green grass covered in dew Throwing and catching the bright blue frisbee I remember that day when she just left She disappeared without a word One part of me believes she’s still out there That one day she will come back to me as the same loving person she has always been to me.

Sea of Fog Bailey Bryant | 8 | Photography Home and Family 51

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A Miracle: Something I Learned During Cancer Hensley Hardy | 5 | Wisdom Poetry

When life puts you to the test, always remember: You are stronger than you seem, Better than you think, Braver than you have ever thought, And don’t let anyone tell you wrong, Because miracles can always happen.

An Amazing Discovery Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Digital Art Home and Family 53

Volleyball

Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Acrostic

Vicious hits zooming by Out of control passes spinning high Loud middles slapping and blocking the net Loveable outsides who are easy to set Ear-piercing screams when we win a point Yelling frantic coaches when we mess up Boisterous exhaustion after endless running Afterglow of sweat blinding our vision Looking up as we are one point away Last point is flipped as the scoreboards play

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A Swirl of Blue and White Catherine Hawkins | 8 | Photography

Spring Flowers Brianna Wang | 8 | Photography

Spring

Adrianna Wang | 8 | Acrostic Swarming with butterflies and bees Pleasing wind cooling my rosy cheeks Rain washing away the pollen In a grassy meadow filled with dandelions Numerable colors of flowers Greeting days of sunshine Home and Family 55

Joy

Brianna Wang | 8 | Free Verse The world turned still Soft imaginary voices spoke soothingly in my mind Everywhere throughout my body relaxed I felt free after being trapped in a bundle of feelings A spirit of delight emerged from me In every direction I looked, colors seemed brighter The guilt building inside me washed off in violent waves My sadness flushed away leaving a forever emptiness Slowly my lips turned into a huge grin Every movement felt easier to do Bubbles of energy surfaced spreading in all directions It was a quiet feeling of peace

Come to Me, Oh, Bees!

Adrianna Wang | 8 | Photography 56 Mindprints

Home and Family 57

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Candy

Mary Louis Russ | 6 | Couplets Candy is yummy Candy is sweet Candy is the perfect treat Especially when you feel beat Candy is colorful Candy is wonderful If you are at your worst It will burst your energy You can get candy from a nurse But make sure it’s not cursed Because it could make your thirst A whole lot worse

Candied Out Elise Hawkins | 7 | Mixed Media Home and Family 59

Lovebug

Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Song I hate love and the way that it’s perceived It’s called a blessing, but I call it a disease I’m told I need to feel it just to be called human So what am I if not a living person?

Why, oh, why must I waste my time?

Trying so hard just to please your type And why oh why must I satisfy Every preconceived notion you have hidden in your brain I’m told it’s a “phase” A depression maybe “You just haven’t found the right person, baby” I hate love and the way it’s seen Made to look like some fairytale dream It’s supposed some unstoppable force And maybe it would be if I cared You know you need someone to make you happy?

Well, I guess I’m just not that sappy So when are you gonna get a ring on that finger?

When are you gonna get your own life?

How many kids do you think you’ll want?

I’m good with none, so how about that?

How can you not love me? I’m right here!

You’re sweet, but no. Just No. Why, oh, why must I waste my time?

Trying so hard just to please your type And why oh why must I satisfy Every preconceived notion you have hidden in your brain I’m told it’s a “phase” A depression maybe “You just haven’t found the right person, baby” I don’t understand this stupid Lovebug And I don’t think that I ever will I don’t wanna know, and I’m not gonna leave I’m here alone, it’s just me, myself, and I.

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The Color of Music Celeste Adams | 7 | Mixed Media

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Love, a two-sided word Aili Leggett | 8 | Free Verse

Love, a meaningless word— A word we use in comparison to objects rather than actual human beings.

A word that used to be how your fairytale came true now simplified to a paycheck resulting in what many thought was love, yet ended in tears and torn families.

A word many use as an excuse to escape the horrible world we live in.

Love, a corrupted word— A word used to sell movies, cards, and chocolates A word teenagers text in unthoughtful messages to one another It has not only lost its power to many, but many have lost their hope in its power A word many say why they lock themselves up from the loss of it in their life A word society brought down along with their own damaged and mortified hearts.

Love, a hopeful word— A word that is timeless and unique to those knowing it exists A word that very few can say they have A word that brings only the truth, showing how people choose life instead of money and fame A word that cannot only be identified for its terrible parts but also for its hopeful and heavenly side.

The Hand that Feeds Kennedy Buchanan | 8 | Digital Art

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Summer Days Owen Brown | 8 | Lyrical Poetry Golden sun, warm and bright Summer days, pure delight Lazy mornings, no school bell Beaches, friends, stories to tell Late nights, blue skies, and endless fun But all good things must come undone As summer fades, and autumn nears We say goodbye with bittersweet tears Memories made, etched in our hearts Until next year, when summer restarts.

Be Happy Wesley Teague | 6 | Digital Art Home and Family 65

Farm-scented Rain James Gauthier | 8 | Watercolor

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Mother’s Smiles Carlin Johnson | 6 | Colored Pencils

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Who Am I Now?

Stella Barbour-Matthews | 8 | Monologue Today, I walk the hall not knowing who I am. Yesterday, I thought I knew myself, but I didn’t. I thought I was the weird kid that no one liked. I went home and cried because I felt lonely and misunderstood. I didn’t think that anyone really wanted to be my friend. No one seemed to like me. I never felt included in anything.

Why do I still feel so alone? Why do I not know who I am?

If I can’t live happily one way, I try another and another and another until my energy is gone. I have been torn down too many times. And all this time I blamed the world for my dilemma, but I was the one who caused my pain in my world. I think so many times that people would be better off if I just leave. Not leave this world, but run away.

I always fight. Maybe I should just take flight for once and see where it gets me.

Will I be better or worse, and better yet, will the people in my life be happier without me? Who am I now if not a broken picture with no frame? Who am I if I run from my problems and leave more of a mess for my family to clean up? Why can’t I be normal? But whoever wants to be normal?

What is normal anyway? Maybe normal is being broken into many pieces, maybe normal is a dream beyond reach but still achievable, maybe it’s my insecurities that actually give me strength and purpose.

Who I am now is a broken, little girl who is constantly picking up the pieces of my heart and using them to reach my goals. What I have discovered is that I am an independent young lady who now knows what she wants.

I walk proudly because I have realized I am so much more than a face. I’m smart—that isn’t weird, that is an advantage to life. I have been told I am mature for my age. Who I am now can never be taken away because this is the life that was planned for me—written in the world before I was born. I was born to be me and if that means I get knocked down a lot, so be it. Whoever I may become is determined by what I do today. I am learning to like this new me.

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Sea of Emotions Lela Beth Waterloo | 8 | Mixed Media

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Paris, F

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Washington, D.C.

Honor and Remembrance Joseph Chaney | 8 | Photography

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Yellow st

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Looks S cary bu ine Ha wkins | t Cute 8 | Pho tograp h

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Jackson Prep

There Is No Place Like Home Brianna Wang | 8 | Photography

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selection process

Mindprints is published by Jackson Preparatory Middle School and distributes 320 copies, with 231 copies for students and 89 additional copies for the Prep community.

Printed by Dallas Printing of Jackson, Mississippi, this volume is designed on iMacs with Adobe InDesign CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, and Adobe Illustrator CC. Our primary font families used are PT Sans Serif Caption 2 and Lie to Me. Mindprints is printed on partially recycled paper with soy-based ink that has no animal byproducts.

Jackson Preparatory students, grades five through eight, are encouraged to submit works of art, creative writing, and photography to mindprints@jacksonprep.net by March 1st for the current year’s publication of Mindprints.

The staff collaboratively reviews, selects, and uses the student submissions to design the spreads of the magazine. In the front of this publication is a listing of spreads designed by specific individuals from the staff.

Jackson Preparatory students, grades seven and eight, who are interested in joining the Mindprints staff for the 2023-2024 school year should mark Creative Writing I on their subject choice cards the year prior to application.

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Columbia Scholastic Press Association International Critique of Student Publications Crown Awards and Medalist Competitions Gold Crown 2022, 2021, 2020 Silver Crown 2019, 2018, 2017 Gold Medal 2021 - 2017 National Scholastic Press Association National Critique of Student Publications All-American with Five Marks of Distinction 2021, 2020 Pacemaker Finalist 2022, 2021, 2018 First Class 2018, 2017

All-Southern 2022, 2020, 2019 Superior 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016 American Scholastic Press Association Annual Magazine Competition Most Outstanding JH Literary-Art Magazine for 2020 - 2018 First Place with Special Merit 2022 - 2017 Outstanding Use of Color 2021 Outstanding Variety of Literature and Art 2017 First Place Award 2016

awards

Southern Interscholastic Press Association Evaluation of Student Publications

National Council of Teachers of English Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines REALM First Class 2022, 2019, 2018 REALM Superior 2021 2020 Recommended for Highest Award 2017, 2016 Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Excellence in Journalism Awards Literary Magazine, Design, & Theme Finalist 2022 - 2016 Best Literary Magazine in Mississippi 2017

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Mindprints Staff 2023

Back Row: Liam Sullivan and Kendrick Rogers Front Row: Brianna Wang, Kennedy Buchanan, Mollie Stansell, Catherine Hawkins, Stella Barbour-Matthews, and Adrianna Wang

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We’re aFamily