2025 Tournesol

Tournesol 2025

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May MMXXV Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 560 Sproul Road Villanova, PA 19085 ndapa.org

Editor-in-Chief: Natalie Ioannidi 25 Editors: Sunny Peterman 26 Megan Sully 27

Moderator: Mrs. McGuiness

Cover Artwork: Alyssa Meakim 25 Back Cover Artwork: Kara Dougherty 25

Editor’s Note The theme of this year’s literary magazine is “Come Together,” after the Beatles song of the same name. The Beatles, a huge inspiration for me and almost everyone exposed to their music, really knew how to get a message across with their lyrics and song titles. Although most of their songs were not written with the intention of making any sort of point at all, the importance of love, unity, and friendship are woven throughout their discography. The pieces in this magazine, submitted by members of the Notre Dame community, are all certainly capable of speaking for themselves, but when you flip through the pages that lie before you, it’s just as important to remember the love and community inspiring these artists as it is to appreciate the art itself. In a time where technology is advancing faster than we can figure out what to do with it and progression reigns over human experience, this art and the culture inspiring its production truly matters more than you could ever understand without seeing it. I would like to thank everyone who submitted their writing or art to this magazine and everyone else who contributed to it in any way.

Although this is “The End” of my time editing the Tournesol and as a student at Notre Dame, it was a pleasure to see and edit the work of these talented, young writers and artists, and I have no doubt that the Arts will continue to thrive at ND in years to come.

Sincerely, Natalie Ioannidi

Middle School As we live a life of ease (a life of ease) Every one of us (every one of us) Has all we need (has all we need) Sky of blue (sky of blue) And sea of green (sea of green) In our yellow (in our yellow) Submarine (submarine, aha)

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Megan Korchack 28

Lila Davey 28

Phoebe Chambers ’24

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Lindsey Cooper 28

My feet move me closer and closer to the mountain.

It grows before my eyes and looks down on me.

It is so much more than rocky and steep.

One step on- challenging but strengthening.

I finally reach the peak.

Exhilarating!

Olivia Demeo 31

Ella Simko ‘25

Nieve Morrison 28

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H orses

Lions Golden ghosts of the Savanna Powerful, with starlit muscle Beautiful, draped in sun-drenched Grace Roaring, hunting, in the moon’s glow

Beautiful, manes kissed by soft breezes Galloping, thunder wrapped in velvet Silent spirits Jumping,over the Earth Beautiful decorations of the open

King of the Jungle, Jewel the Kennedy of Palmer 31 African twilight!

field Powerful like a storm and soft like silk

Vivi Burrell 31

Eyes like wild skies that show God’s Grace

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Sofia DeVeaux 30

My Surfboard Is waxy and wet I’m gliding, not sliding

My Bike Smooth and sturdy

I

I am ocean skateboarding!

It’s my foam chaser It’s my sea rocket and I’m the astronaut Reese Riley 31

Riding and gliding I am a wind dancer With pedal powered freedom!

Maggie Dwyer 31

McDonalds Delicious, salty Predictable, soothing Drive- through blissful waiting Crunching, chewing King of convenience Calla Davey 31

Dance Graceful dedication

Grace Fullem 28

I’m moving, turning I’m a whirling flame, graceful wind in motion Dance is Joyous, silent thunder Ancient language of love Anika Byrne 31 9

The Beach T o me, the beach is a marvelous place of freedom To me, the beach is assuring calmness and comfort at all times To me, the beach is prosperous with charmed memories and cheerful times To me, the beach is an astonishing sky with colorful umbrellas as stars To me, the beach is like a safe haven where you can be whoever you want

To a refugee, the beach is a finish line marking the end of a tough journey To a refugee, the beach is a significant place to reunite with loved ones To a refugee, the beach is whispering in your ear that everything will be safe To a refugee, the beach is generously giving all its love and care To a refugee, the beach is the entry to a new world Norah Pellacchia ‘31

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Lauren Walton 28

Relationships are hard They can make you want to cry Even if that person Gives you unlimited joy Even if they protect you and show countless love But if you apologize and show your love back The consequences will be outstanding Sometimes we all feel embarrassment We feel a need to be silent and left alone We have the thought of missing something others have

Bryce Ballard 28

Although we feel this way we must take a stand And never forget

how special we all are Norah Pellacchia 31

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To me, the ocean is graceful, moving, large, calming Towering, crystal clear, shades of blue Shifting, shimmering, shining As vast as the night sky As clear as a sheet of glass To a refugee, the ocean is endless suffering, large, grueling Harsh, traumatic, pain and death Barrier to freedom, stressful mystery Angry and unforgiving as the war they left Waves beating like a drum to an endless song of exile Christine Mattox ‘31

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Audrey Bitting 25

She felt abandoned all alone in the world Her heart was wrecked like a flag unfurled She wanted to be happy but sometimes she'd cry Searching for fun and always asking "Why?" She felt embarrassed and maybe a bit shy But she was grateful each day for her family always nearby In the silence of night, she'd dream of things pretty Not wanting to leave, despite feeling some pity Once feeling quite lucky now something was missing Finding pleasure in small things, sometimes wishing Though feelings of guilt made her think she was wrong She found love inside, which made her feel strong.

Through moments of hate something special she'd find Running toward her future, with peace in her mind Zushmalene Bilal 31

13 Halle Alexander 25

A Word Thanks

Thanks is not a word used enough Not a thanks to your mother for being with you during those hard days Not a thanks to your relationship with others, and how they will be with you through the moon and back

Try to send others the love they have given us It could be apologizing if you have done something unfair Being the nicest you can be Now we don’t even realize how many people suffer How many silent cries that are hidden behind the wings of even the kindest angel Some days these people can even cut into people’s confidence, so deep not even anything can fix it or comfort it.

Melissa Alvim Branco 31 14

Standing there alone and Guilty Mesmerized by the mother and daughter relationship Knowing mine is Wrecked

Remembering is Excruciating , I just want to stand there and sit in my Pity Abandoned trying to stay hidden in Silence Norah Johnson 30

I wish my parents would notice me missing, I wish they would go Berserk over me like other parents Looking serious and concerned Kyndall Harris 31 15

Weight of Words

Anika Byrne 31

Words leave cuts so deep they leave a hole Until you iron the wrinkles out of yourself to be like others Then you abandoned and beaten by the hate of others Eventually the pity and guilty faces set in And suddenly company would be a pleasure Until you have to do yourself a favor Even though your spent and completely wrecked You have to do yourself a favor And be grateful for all you have And pick yourself up

Ella Simko 25 16

Such a lucky girl they say She gazes into a blinding reality She's so perky and polite but inside she is all shadows and and sorrow Only when she dances She feels as if she Disappears into the breeze The beats being her guide Now she is facing a silver world, or is it grey?

Em il

yK lein

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She tries not to stumble through the disapproval But a feeling washes over her A feeling of being so unlucky She is known for being a lucky girl 1 7

Such a lucky girl

Olivia DeMeo 31

Lucky clovers decorate the tall, soft grass

Bright bugs wade along big flowers The light breeze of air kisses a bud, its roots going deep into the ground A tall, red maple has branches that twist and turn A swing hangs from the stiff branches A perky young girl sits there, reading a book about a fearless hero She opens her lunchbox, eating bread and honey She smiles up at the blinding light of the sun She sat against the tree trunk She was at peace Christine Mattox 31

Ella Simko 25

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I’ll Be Fine

As we danced I turned to different shades.

Time to play. As I turn around, I swing.

Sweet and smooth as honey.

I have a vague memory of you.

I remember wondering if I’ll be fine.

Are you kidding?

The placement of me, below the low.

I think about how lucky I am, but yet treated so badly.

Palindromes race through my mind. I calm down.

In my mind I grabbed a suitcase and you kissed me goodbye.

My mind clears.

Is it lucky or unlucky?

66 false reasons why I’ll be fine.

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Caroline Wehreberger 31

Kate Ganley ‘29

Lucy Salvucci ‘29

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Nieve Morrison ‘28

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I am kind and caring I wonder how the world will change in ten years Hearing chatter and laughter filling the hallways I want world peace I pretend that I am brave in hard situations I feel happy when my friends and family are happy I touch my heart when I pledge allegiance each Morning I worry about all the “what ifs” And cry when someone hurts my feelings If people are having a rough day I say words of encouragement like I’ll always be there I dream of a cancer -free world

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I try to be the best person I can be And greet each new day as a possibility to shine and grow As I’m guided by my teachers, friends, Family and God Hannah Friedman 29

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Gianna Cacciutti 25

Ky’lee Barcus 29

I am Brave I wonder how deep is the Mariana Trench I hear charms jingling among The trees and flowers that I see I want to be more peaceful, like them I pretend words don’t hurt sometimes Which makes me feel tired I touch my cat’s furry head As I worry that I won’t succeed I cry when I can’t explain how I feel But I am brave I understand people’s stress I say “I’m Batman” I dream of traveling the world As I try to be patient and learn I am Brave

Halle Alexander 25

Gia Novelli 28 23

I wonder what is next in life I hear kids laughing And I see the future I want good grades I pretend that I am funny Because sometimes I feel like I don’t belong I touch my dog’s fluffy hair As I worry about grades I cry when I’m sad But understand that others struggle too So I say “Bye, I love you” whenever I leave As I dream to be a star I try to listen because I am honest and caring Julia Trunfio 29

I wonder about the world around me I hear others’ opinions And I choose to see the good in people I want people to understand me So I pretend to be confident I feel for others I touch my dog with a gentle hand Because I worry about everything I cry when I’m angry I am loving and smart So I understand people easily I say my opinions As I dream often I try to be the best version of myself I am loving and smart Kate Ganley 29

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Aileen Curtis 28

Gianna C acciuti ‘’

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25 Gianna Cacciutti 25

Beads I built my worth out of numbers, threading test scores like beads on a string— not bright enough to blind, but maybe bright enough to turn their heads.

There were always others louder, others faster, others who caught the sun without even trying.

I chased what I could— small glimmers, small nods, a scrap of pride if the paper came back clean enough.

I stacked my quiet victories, careful and trembling, laying them out like offerings at their feet.

Sometimes they smiled.

Audrey Bitting 25

Sometimes they clapped— but only when the world was looking.

Most days, I stayed busy, stringing more beads onto the same worn thread, hoping if I made it long enough, 26

it might finally reach them.

Zahra Uhmer 29

Gianna Cacciuti 25

What would you think if I sang out of tune?

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song And I'll try not to sing out of key … Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends “With a Little Help From My Friends”

The Actress She will do whatever you ask, Smile, laugh, or cry she will complete the task.

Although it may hurt sometimes to constantly to smile or sneer, It is the path she chose for a career.

She thinks of the two hundred different roles she has been, And still can’t figure out where she fits in.

Her money drained and her smile faded, She has to put on a show that gets top rated.

Outside of her shows do people know how she feels, Or do they think it's all for the awarded seals?

As the millionth tear rolls down her face, She wonders how different this one will taste.

Will it be salty or a considerable feat, Will this one finally be sweet?

But like always it tastes the same, And she finishes another show yet not another ounce of fame.

She wonders how long she can keep on the mask, How much more can they possibly ask?

She's been here and there, But back to her home she would not dare.

It's dark and small and oldly.

But worst of all, it's lonely.

Monica Feeney ‘’27 28

Shelby Parker 26

Audrey Bitting 25

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My Dad

I remember when it hit me.

When I realized every second with my dad was now precious.

It didn’t dawn on me for a while.

It’s normal for a young child to ignore feelings they find confusing.

But I am not a child anymore. I can’t ignore these feelings.

I can no longer push them to the side. I realized I had grieved him long before I could accept that he may not make it much further than my high school graduation.

He made a promise to me that he would at least make it until then. I don’t know what I would do without that promise. I think I would be in a lot worse state than I am now.

But every second with my dad is a precious memory.

We may fight over stupid things, but without him I doubt I would even be half the person I am.

I’ve always been a stereotypical “Daddy’s Girl”. The first 18 months of my life, it was just us against the world. My mother worked, so dad stayed home. After that, they kind of switched off.

Mom would work from home, and dad was away on tour.

He played a warped tour the year I was born, which is honestly really cool.

But for a while, I would see my dad less and less as tours got longer and longer. Even before 2012, I cherished the time with my father. And then he got sick. I didn’t know how to handle it. I wasn’t allowed to even go near my dad for around a week. He caught a really bad illness that then led to a much worse one. Then it hit me. My father was not immortal. My father was not this huge pillar of marble that I had painted him to be. He was sick. And in a way, I was now sick too. Consumed by a horrible, seemingly perpetual sadness. I would have nightmares about his funeral.

Seeing my dad pass was one of my biggest fears. I became so scared that I would randomly cry just thinking about it. I mourned him. And he still isn’t dead. Today when I get home, I will hug him tight as I always do. I’ll smell the Lucky Boy hair gel and Nautica Voyage cologne, and I’ll be happy.

That smell won’t ever leave my head.

I remember how it feels to be near someone whose time is fleeting, and to make every moment precious.

Gwen Miller ‘27

Ella Simko 25

The Sun Should I compare you to the sun?

Gleaming with radiant light.

So bright and so beautiful That if one were to look at you, Your image would be burned into their eyes.

You give life with your honeyed rays, But at the same time, you scorch the earth with your heat.

Yet still, I must rely on you For no one else will provide me with warmth.

Even if I can only feel the faint memory of your rays, That would be enough.

If you are the sun, then I must be a sunflower.

Hopeless to follow anyone but you.

Staring at you from afar.

Bearing your image despite our differences.

But, one must wonder, Does a sunflower envy the sun?

The Moon If, in your eyes, I am the sun, Then you must be the moon.

Shining like silver in the night sky, Solitary but not alone.

Acting as a faint mystery, Changing yourself each and every day.

And sometimes, if I’m lucky, A fleeting memory of you appears during my time.

Not as beloved, but you are still needed, Casting a path through the deepest dark.

Though you are thought of as my shadow, I think you are of equal value.

Elegant is ways I could never be, A luminous illusion compared to my blinding light, It would be remiss to say I was not a shadow of thee.

Still, we are compliments of one another.

Would the moon shine as bright without the sun?

Megan Sully 27

Anika Byrne 31

The Modern Artist He wakes up in his Brooklyn studio apartment And is ready for his day's embarkment.

Although people rave and claim that his art is divine, One can argue that selling a single squiggle for 10 million is a crime.

The Modern Artist certainly has no care, For he most definitely has enough money to share.

Flying private only for what he calls his “vocation” Is all really just one big fabrication.

He has never gone to art school, even though he claims so, But why would he care when the outcome is fame- that's low.

The artist is all but five foot four, a little man, And when stopped in the streets of Soho he would never sign for a fan.

The artist goes to charity events all around the city, posing for the paparazzi.

When he is only there to judge the others as entertainment for his posh acquaintances, apparently.

He goes home and can finally take down the facade For now, no one can see he’s genuinely just an utter middle-aged fraud.

Not having any art experience at all, or the littlest background, But why should he care if no one’s around?

Climbing back into bed, he sighed with his only companion, a furry friend.

Ready for tomorrow when tasked with drawing yet another line and selling it for a million again.

He seems to enjoy what he does thoroughly, but at the end of the day, The artist just feels gloomy and gray.

The money and the fame have proven not to be worth it, But when you dig a hole so deep for yourself, you’re bound to eventually take a big hit.

Shelby McGowan 27

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Audrey Bitting ‘25 34

What is a man?

What makes us people?

What makes a person?

Is it the fact the we breathe, Eat, and sleep?

But by that case, Any animal could be.

Is it our intelligence?

A one-in-million chance bestowed on us by luck?

If that is true, then is our personhood based on a good-roll?

A win in the evolutionary lottery?

What if we failed that chance?

Would we even know what a person is?

Is it our feelings, personality and love for one another?

Then, what separates natural feelings from those manufactured?

What are the qualifications for having a personality?

Are those of us who starve themselves from thought and love still people in that case?

Or are they just human-shaped?

What makes us men?

What makes me real?

What am I? Megan Sully ‘27

Alexandra Mafoddda 28 35

Shelby Parker 26

Living is easy with eyes closed Misunderstanding all you see It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out It doesn't matter much to me “Strawberry Fields Forever” 36

My brothers packed their bags, think they’re hotshots now, My brothers packed their bags, think they’re hotshots now.

Off to college parties, but I’m stuck here, oh wow!

They’re off to find their fortunes, get a degree or two, They’re off to find their fortunes, get a degree or two But I’ll be the one eating all their leftover food.

With their dorm room tricks, I can’t wait to hear, All the wild college tales they’ll bring back from the year So I’ll sing these silly blues, with a grin on my face, “Cause in a year or two I’ll be in their place.

Paityn Kehoe 26

Alexis Burke 28

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You know we've got to find a way hear my plea We’re all the same, can’t you see?

All we’re askin' is for peace to reign No more battles, no more pain Just a little bit of love, come on and stay Give us a future, take the past away It’s not about the power or the fame, It’s about the hearts, not the game.

Too many voices shout and scream, But we’re all just chasing the same dreams.

So let’s stand together, no more divide Love’s the answer, put hate aside Revolution, evolution, all the ways to make it right But all I want is peace tonight

Bryce Ballard 28

Hear my plea We’re all the same, can’t you see?

All we’re askin' is for peace to reign No more battles, no more pain Just a little bit of love, come on and stay Give us a future, take the past away There’s a voice inside, it's calling loud, We don’t need to fight, we don’t need the crowd.

Just a little bit of kindness, that's all we need, From each soul, let the hearts bleed.

So take your guns and put them down, Let’s build a world that wears a crown Of peace and love, not war and hate Together we can change our fate We’re askin' is for peace to reign No more battles, no more pain Just a little bit of love, come on and stay Give us a future, take the past away

Claire Quinn 28

Paityn Kehoe 26

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Shelby Parker ‘26

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They lock the doors and hold the keys

We wanna break out, we wanna be free

We wanna live our lives, so please let us be free

We’re not prisoners we’re not confined

If they won’t let us out, the future won’t be bright

I’m waiting for school to be over so I can be free

We’ve got places to go

We’re the future we’re the light

We’ll stand together and take our stand

We will be demanding our freedom while holding hands

Let us out let’s find some time

The bells ring out loud but it’s just a tease

we’re stuck in here with no release

we’ve got voices, we should have a say

Let us out and have our time

We wanna break out, we wanna be free

We wanna live our lives, so please let us be free

We’re not prisoners we’re not confined

Let us be free; let’s find some time we are gonna shout and sway Hear our voices hear our plea We wanna break out, we wanna be free I’m waiting for the day I can be free We wanna live our lives, so please let us be free Unlocking my car door set me free We’re not prisoners to be confined Ella Simko ‘25

Sienna Lavelle ‘26

Wish You Were Here Let the crashing waves on the sand repeat at my feet.

Let the seagulls swarm above and fly so high.

Let the hot sun gleam down on my tan skin.

Let the fun, games, laughter, sandcastles, and family begin.

Let the seashells fill my tin.

Let the memories of my younger years rush in.

Let the smell of the sea air heighten my senses.

Let the lost loved ones be remembered on the benches.

Let the footprints on the sand remain, A place to think of you until we meet again.

Grace Albert 26

a‘

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az M lla

Be 28 41

Once, there was a way To get back homeward Once, there was a way To get back home Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry And I will sing a lullaby “Golden Slumbers”

12TH GRADE 42

Blossoms gently fall, Springtime whispers in the breeze New life starts to bloom You ask, “What comes after this?”

The answer is the silence

Summer’s golden sun, Dragonflies dance on warm breeze Whispers of frost come.

You reach for the light again It slips, and the night is here

Syd Sherman 29

Frost clings to my skin Wind cuts like an old whisper The world stands in pause You blink, the ice cracks beneath I smile, and then it’s gone

Leaves swirl in the breeze Orange and gold kiss the earth Autumn’s quiet song Crisp air brings a sharp scent You blink, and it's winter now Reese Dougherty 30

Spring whispers to life Summer’s warmth fuels the green bloom Autumn leaves drift down Winter speaks in frozen breath Each season holds what we forget Reese Reilly, Eloise Murphy, Avery Balitsaris, Caitlin McFadden, Emma Strid ‘25

Isabella Mazolla 28

Winter Beach Sonnet Silent and cold, perfectly cooled sand The beach in the winter living so still It stands so solus it could appear bland You seem so alone you almost feel ill Yet you entertain this solitude chill You have the company of the cool breeze This freedom reminds you of your own will With nothing else moving you are at ease Nothing bothers not even any kind of freeze single on the footprintless sand you are free to do anything within the degrees then figures appear and it is bizarre

You think of people here in the summer and the loneliness is now a bummer Katie Barth ‘25

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Nieve Morrison ‘28

Surrounding all things

Water covers me

Flowing through all life

Mountains rise from underground

forces

Used for many things

I fill emptiness

Home to all but loved by none

Always encompassing mass

Contains all other forces

Powerful enough to flame Four parts to this world

Air fuels my flame There is no one else to blame I burn red hot Despite my strength there is

They all work in harmony Though all opposites All interact to create This gorgeous life we endure Isabella Everard 25

One Who always ruins my fun

Bethany Morris 25 Bela Palladino 25 Cat Fitzhenry 25 Temperance England 25

Fire extinguished Water’s gust powers over The cool waves roar on Wrapping the earth in currents And drops from clouds in the Sky 46

Audrey Bitting ‘25

Sonnet Wind, though cold and dry, brings life to the trees.

Deceived, my eyes believe this to be so But my heart does know the lies of the breeze.

For soon the leaves will brown and they will go Down to the earth, with the worms and the soil, Watching the leaves sway, from left then to right, They slowly descend, their final recoil, Making their way to rest. Then all the might Mustered by wind, knocks more leaves to their end.

Though this time more harsh, they find the same rest With familiar worms and soil, they befriend In the earth with leaves from trees, east to west.

Again it seems my eyes have been deceived And too, my heart, the trees aren’t who I grieve.

Bela Palladino ‘25

Taylor McCann ‘30 47

Yellow Springs, PA The water here has a soul.

Natalie Ioannidi ‘25

The tired town now built atop

A heart that beats, holds

the living springs

a rhythm that brings

sinks into the ground.

life everlasting.

Drags itself down

Shiny water pumps

to a life renewed.

through veins underfoot.

Dark and soft, the deepest soil’s

The ground is soft,

still damp with shiny water.

the grass so green,

It seeps into

it slightly sparkles in the sun.

the ruined walls.

This place is sacred,

A leak is sprung,

almost clean

the hospital rinsed

‘til

of sin and soldier’s blood;

leather boots and rubber tires

now a shiny, new facade.

scrape and tear

Pilgrims seek the mythic water,

moss from stone.

gulp with greedy mouths.

A rushing stream turns to

Clear and cold and slightly sweet,

trickle,

it parches those who sip.

ground is broken,

The water spills from hands and

trees are downed,

lips,

the water’s lost its sheen.

drips onto concrete.

Dim and eerie, in silence, it

A rhythmic thumping can be heard,

dries

the water gleams again.

‘til there’s nothing left to 48

take.

Ella Simko .25

Oda a un Ducha El agua cae suave y claro, Despierta mi piel.

El vapor es como una nube, Mientras clara mi pensamiento. Las gotas de agua bailan por mi cuerpo, Y el jabón lo limpia. Desenrollando de la tensión, Una ducha es la mejor parte de mi día. Agua reanima a mí, Mi alma reinventa el mismo.

Rosa Morroney 25

Oda De Mis Tenis El movemen to yo ato mis cordones Representa el principio de un nuevo día Pasando de buen humor Como el sol brillante en un día soleado Aún en el día lluvioso mis tenis cantan en cada paso La estabilidad de mi vida

Lexy Patton 28

Comienza con la comodidad que mis tenis me proporcionan El constante de mi vida Mis tenis siempre esperan para mí Emocionados ir en algunas aventures nuevas Gianna Cacciutti 25 49

“Estoy Orgullosa de ser de Philly” Estoy de equipos de deportes porque ellos ganan.

Estoy orgullosa de nuestra comida.

Estoy orgullosa de la actitud de las personas.

Estoy orgullosa de Jason Kelce porque es divertido.

Caitlin McFadden ‘25

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Gianna Cacciutti 25

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ti ‘25 Gianna Cacciutti aciut25 Gianna C

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