Perspective 2024-2025 Final Size Edited

Perspective

NOTRE DAME Preparatory High School

Literary Magazine 2024-25 Vol. 18

Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Alyse Odinet ‘25

Art Editors Caroline Isgar ‘25 Nathan Schlarb ‘25

Poetry Editors Elinor Adams ‘25 Ava Stine ‘25

Teacher Moderators Mrs. Maureen Treadway

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Perspective Notre Dame Prep Literary Magazine 2024-2025 Volume 18 Notre Dame Preparatory High School 9701 E Bell Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 634-8200

Vision Perspective shines light on the artistic and poetic talents of Notre Dame students and strives to unify the school community through creativity.

Cover art by Kaleigh Sanders ‘26 A Magical View ii.

Table of Contents Literary Casey Byrne Bianca Belle Savannah Katz Sophia Church Dane Rutti Avery Katz Rex Twibell Colton Holling Connor Helm Jason Samis Fernanda Aragon Chris Misselbrook Aileen Paul Drew Jacobs Julia Kelly Julia Kelly Haley Wilkum Briar O’Donnell Briar O’Donnell

Sibling Tides Track The Cape of a Hero My Haven Out Back Kate He Home A Poker Tale To Mom Craving a Book The Sound For My Brother Yanko’s Game Music of Heaven The Crying Candle Happiness Lingers You’ll FInd (Love) What You Seek is What You Find Ava Stine The Poet & the Painter Angel Oukosavanna Ganesh

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Table of Contents Literary Cont.

Ally Isgar Nathan Schlarb Alexa Hall Katherine Taylor

Don’t Grieve For Leaves That Are Yet to Fall The Adaptive Emotion The Last Bell Bright Summer

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Table of Contents Visual Lily Bryan Tyler Schlarb Aubrey Kremer Sophia Church Betsy Brown Caroline Isgar Penny Ponterio Graysen Torczon Chloe Handel Kaleigh Sanders Kaleigh Sanders Diego Gomez Jack Stacey Josh Hammond Mia Brooks Brooke Davis Krissy Goodwin Sofia Pastrana Diego Gomez Katie Pezzuto Diego Gomez Jamo Cox

Ocean View Buck in the Sky Rogue French Cafe Desert Landscape Breakfish Jesus Christ Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lillies Bond, James Bond Glance of Light Living in a Submarine Canyon Bizzare World George Bailey Hammond He Is Risen Light Lost Self Flowers Puffin Marilyn Monroe Ocean Autumn Tree

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Table of Contents Visual Cont.

Alyse Odinet Ava De Blasi Caden Wright

Leia Best Chill Chameleon

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Perspective

Ocean View Lily Bryan ‘28 1

Sibling Tides Casey Byrne ‘27 We’ve always been like waves pushing, pulling, never quite still.

I remember you at ten, pushing your limits with a smile I couldn’t read.

We fought like we’d never stop the way the ocean never stays calm, crashing against the shore, but always, always coming back.

Now, you’re taller than I ever imagined and quieter in a way that feels like change.

I still see the way you laugh, the sound that rolls in like thunder, and the way you always knew when I needed a quiet place to sit beside you in silence, no words, just the rhythm of us breathing in the same space.

I wonder where we’ll go next -in different directions, but forever connected by the tides we once knew.

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A Buck in the Sky Tyler Schlarb ‘25 3

Track Bianca Belle ‘25 The track is where I feel the most alive, With every step, my worries fade away.

I push myself, I fight, I jump, I strive, And chase the wind with every passing day.

The starter’s gun, a burst, then run, The world is quiet except my breath and speed.

The race is tough, but still, I won’t be done, I push ahead and give all I need.

My legs may burn, my lungs may beg for air, But still, I race, no matter what it takes.

Through highs and lows, through triumph and despair, I run because I love the path it makes.

No matter where my life may choose to go, The track is home, a love I’ll always know.

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Rogue Aubrey Kremer ‘26 5

The Cape of a Hero Savannah Katz ‘25 When life’s rope becomes tangled, my perception of dance becomes angled.

Reality dims, falling into courage and grace, My leotard, my cape is what I embrace.

My second skin becomes my shield, as materialistic worries start to yield.

In a space so free I want to soar, with each pirouette I long for an encore.

Stepping into light of peace and healing, the moves, the beat give me a persisting feeling.

My world remade has become iron-willed, My cape, my escape, the hero instilled.

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French Café Sophia Church ‘25 7

My Haven Sophia Church ‘25 Summer in Flagstaff was all that mattered to me.

All good things came from the cabin in the pines.

I can still feel the warm hug of the summer sunshine on my back.

Still hear the buzzing and chirping of the critters as they go about their day. Still smell the fresh-cut grass and sweet scent of the forest as a friendly breeze sweeps through the branches.

If I close my eyes, I can see my blue bike with the white basket leaning up against a wooden post, patiently waiting for me to return.

If magic were real, it would’ve surrounded that little community, Would’ve patched up every scraped knee, Would be heard in every laugh and felt in the very essence of that haven -Those trees, that house, my people.

That is what I lived for.

I never wanted to be anywhere else but with those trees, that house, my people.

But like all good things, it had to come to an end.

I became too big for that blue bike with the white basket, and the wooden post no longer stands.

The magic remains, but it welcomed a new family, shared new memories and brought new people together.

Yet summer for me will always be those trees, that house, my people.

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Desert Landscape Betsy Brown ‘26 9

Out Back Dane Rutti ‘25 Take me to a place out back One the rich boys talk about The beach that lives within your dreams A mountain with no bliss or gleam A simple tree with a tire swing On the old front porch where we all sing; Back in the valley with a friend I know Who doesn’t mind laying low Getting back with our old band Saying hi to my old man

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Breakfish Caroline Isgar ‘25

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Kate Avery Katz ‘25 In every universe, I am with you, I the poet and you my muse, And you the singer and I the blues.

Together we make one marvelous tune One so connected like the stars and the moon Our sisterhood is a tapestry, Our souls are like threads sewn together, I want to be with you forever.

There would be no me without you, Without you, the flowers would stop blooming, The birds would stop singing, And the world would stop spinning, In every universe, I am with you, I the patroness and you the art, And you the strings and I the harp.

Together we make one whole heart One so connected, we can never be torn apart.

For you are my darling sweetheart

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Jesus Christ Penny Ponterio ‘27 13

He Rex Twibell ‘25 He made the earth, ocean, and sky He hears us when we laugh and cry He watches over us and will forever care He shows us love and is always there He gives us strength to stand up tall He catches us when we may fall He walks with us when times are tough He says His grace is more than enough He died on the cross for our sins Jesus Christ will always win

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Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lillies Graysen Torczon ‘25 15

Home Colton Holling ‘25 I fear, I cry, I stress, I lie Yet on this Lake I feel no fear I bleed, I stain, I dread, I pain Yet on this Lake I cannot bleed I feel alone like a lonesome stone Yet on this lake I know I’m home In the wind, the earth, the sea, the sky, It calls to me where I lie From its lulling waves to its rocky coast I know this place I love the most For no matter the fear and stress above This place I know, this place I love

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Bond, James Bond Chloe Handel ‘26

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A Poker Tale Connor Helm ‘25 The chips fall.

The rockets hidden under my thumbs Seem unimaginable in the mind of my opponent.

The eyes widen, but quickly relax As the Ace flips on the river “I’ll shove,” says my victim I smile as I show The boat I have under, And he sighs as he picks up his bag and goes.

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Glance of Light Kaleigh Sanders ‘26

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To Mom Jason Samis ‘25 She used to wear the badge, late nights, long days, always answering the call.

I never understood how she carried so much— the weight of others’ pain, the pressure to always be strong.

At home, she was simply Mom. The one who held me when I cried, laughed with me until we couldn’t breathe, and showed me what it means to love without limits.

She’s retired now— no more radios crackling in the night, no more rushed goodbyes at the door.

But strength doesn’t retire.

It lives in her words, her kindness, and the way she still shows up for everyone who needs her.

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Living in a Submarine Kaleigh Sanders ‘26 21

Craving a Book Fernanda Aragon ‘27 Easy to devour, hard to put down It’s as addicting as a candy bar You wish for another one, Despite having read only a bit so far Tasting every single one, The healthiest choice is not always the initial Your eyes shift to your favorite flavor, Like characters that are merely artificial The twist is in the middle Like sticky taffy that’s hard to chew But also like sour candy Pungent at first, but the sweetness comes through The wrapper keeps the sweet fresh and tasty Stating the ingredients and when it was made Whether the setting be vibrant or dark, The aromas just cannot fade

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Canyon Diego Gomez ‘25 23

The Sound Chris Misselbrook ‘27 A cold, brisk wind Following the sounds of the forever; gone A boy walks, slowly as he drifts to a sound Was it the call of his mother, calling home Or the sound of the lost, heavens far Was it angels warning him to stop Or the Creator calling him Although the answer is never clear, It once was The sound of better times Lush, full The grace of our lives dives deep No more can we see, touch; hear the sound of liberation

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A Bizzare World Jack Stacey ‘26

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For My Brother Aileen Paul ‘27

For my brother, I know sometimes we fight,

How you think I am always wrong And somehow, you are forever right But you are the greatest gift that life has given me, So always know that I love the little things about you.

The way you get excited at the smallest gifts, How you jump up and down with joy watching the people you love succeed The way that you smile at almost anything and everyone, That you come into every game with compassion and heart How you look up to those that others view as insignificant The look on your face when we pick you from school The way that you still act as if you are in 3rd grade How you are determined to be the world’s best basketball player That you see the bad as something quite good The way you treat your friends with kindness and respect How you ask questions you already know the answers to That silly little laugh you have The way you call me your best friend.

From every sister to their brother, No one loves you more than me.

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George Bailey Hammond Josh Hammond ‘26 27

Yanko’s Game Drew Jacobs ‘25 The board is set, squares worn and wise.

His hands, steady as old oak roots, move the knight with quiet grace, a lesson woven into each step.

I mirror his gaze, deep as night, reading the game, the years, the love.

Pawns march like echoes of his past, while bishops whisper secrets long kept.

Checkmate comes with a knowing smile, not a victory, but a memory in the bank.

How I miss that game.

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He is Risen Mia Brooks ‘25

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Music of Heaven Julia Kelly ‘25 The voice that raises up the word Can strengthen still the word alone The life is weeping for the world Until it finds the better home Existent only to be shared Out of the darkness I’m delivered Through the beauty of the Baird And the hope cannot be withered Through the voice, through the song, through the flowing melody We are healed, we are brought to the joyous symphony Of the light, of the Lord, of the valiant kingdom of God The music of heaven is here

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Light Lost Brooke Davis ‘26 31

The Crying Candle Julia Kelly ‘25 As the candle cries and I close my eyes I open my heart to you As the candle cries and the twilight dies I give my whole life to you As it burns down deep And I cannot sleep I hear your whispers calling me As the candle cries, I realize That my life belongs to you As the wind blows strong and I hear your song It’s your voice I long to hear As the wind blows strong and I sing along I feel your presence near Where your river flows And your people know That you’re calling us right here As the wind blows strong, where I do belong?

Since my life belongs to you

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Self Krissy Goodwin ‘26 33

Happiness Lingers Haley Wilkum ‘25 Like the smell of campfire smoke in my hair, from the moment we met, we’ve been a perfect pair.

Whenever we’re together, our conversation flows like a river after rain.

Your laugh is as sweet as the sound of Aspen Trees when it’s quiet and there is a strong breeze.

Your smile is whiter than the clouds in the sky; it melts my heart like snow when you cry.

My sister by choice and my best friend by fate, never will I need to seek more, my favorite person I’ll forever adore.

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Flowers Sofia Pastrana ‘25

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You’ll Find (Love) Briar O’Donnell ‘27 you'll find love is hard to find if you have none inside what i mean is like attracts like: moths to a flame bees to flowers to keep warm to make sweet a light in the dark a sweet in the sour what i mean is: love is not something someone else needs to give in order for you to have it what i mean is: love is an act of giving (do you see? with the flowers and the bees?) what i mean is: be the flower be the flame and the bees and the moths will find their way and you will find honey and warmth (and what is love, if not honey and warmth?)

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Puffin Diego Gomez ‘25

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What you Seek is What you Find Briar O’Donnell ‘27 i never liked the color orange and what you seek is what you find but i could never find a reason to hate the things made of orange sunsets and bonfires and butterflies and oranges and all my favorite foods even my favorite flower i thought there was something to be said about hating the thing that made up so many things i loved. in comparison, i hate you. but i love our memories (streetlights casting an orange glow music humming through the air the warmth of your hand like a flame laughter and smiles and summer) and maybe there is something to be said about nostalgia and distance bringing fondness and memories i love made up of someone i hate but although i am learning to love the color orange i don’t think i can learn to love you (not again)

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Marilyn Monroe Katie Pezzuto ‘27 39

The Poet & The Painter Ava Stine ‘25 you don't understand what we could have been with my pen and your paintbrush we could have immortalized each other but you're the only one who's going to live forever every letter echoes your name the words form every facet of your face these lines chisel your form verse runs through your veins my poems breathe life into you until the end of time but your brushstrokes don't strengthen me the colors aren't right the rush of artistry doesn't fill my arteries that's how I know death is the end for me my love bestowed your divinity and I still crave you, more than I'll admit but I am only a mortal and you are the idol I created

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Ocean Diego Gomez ‘25 41

Ganesh

Angel Oukosavanna ‘25 Pluto takes 248 years to complete one revolution— yet it feels like my rebellion won't surface against the tyrannies of an unmade bed, uncut hair, choices that aren't mine, shame that exists only within my mind, “What if’s” that keep me up as if I get a second chance, or a cursed reflection in a cracked mirror with a leery conviction to never meet my eyes.

Pluto takes 248 years.

248.

Change takes 249 years.

I fear change.

This primordial trepidation set in motion by our ancestors, inherited only by our descendants.

Change is the absolute prosecutor 42

and we’re its star-crossed defendants.

Change is as inevitable as Charon, Pluto’s moon, is to stay in his orbit.

Change is as inevitable as Charon, Pluto’s son is to cry, break, plunge, crater, into Pluto’s cracked surface.

Carrying the weight of his self-image— held by others, he carries the weight.

Boundless, gravity.

Inexorable expectations, indefinite indecisiveness, a cadent finality.

In turn, his back buckles, his vision and judgement is clouded.

I fear change, But I loathe Charon.

Autumn Tree Jamo Cox ‘28 43

Don’t Grieve for Leaves that are Yet to Fall Ally Isgar ‘25 Don’t be a tree with leaves of green In a grove of amber, yellow, and red Lingering on the past cannot change time Or slow the march of winter ahead For when the snow clears, the grove will blossom And shade the soil below But now your leaves have only just fallen Purely time will make them grow The other trees will wave in the wind While you can only bow Because you are stuck in yesterday and worried about tomorrow So don’t grieve for leaves that are yet to fall Or wish for their return If you heed the present’s quiet call Trust is what you learn

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Leia Alyse Odinet ‘25 45

The Adaptive Emotion Nathan Schlarb ‘25 Every emotion is defined by a distinct color.

It becomes a part of their identity, makes them recognizable.

Yet Empathy doesn’t fall into this standard.

It is not an act of rebellion or a cry for attention, but merely the meaning of her existence, her essence.

Empathy feels what others feel.

Therefore, her color is not fixed but adaptive.

Her look shared by what she empathizes with.

She turns blue when one is faced with sadness.

She appears red when one is consumed by anger.

And she looks yellow when one is filled with joy.

Yet her color can’t define her, for it is ever changing.

Her slow walk and gentle demeanor make her recognizable.

Her voice is as soft as the fluffiest cloud in the sky.

And when you are lucky enough to exchange words with her, You’ll feel the peace, the love, and the compassion That radiates off her adaptive skin Her heart-warming eyes make you feel seen, The warm touch of her hand on yours makes you feel supported, and something about her makes you want to sit with her for eternity Knowing all will be well with your good friend Empathy.

Because when sadness steals from your soul, Empathy provides.

When anger needs to vent, Empathy listens.

And when fear is amplified, Empathy comforts.

She exists not for herself or for her own goals, Not for what you expect her to be, Not to be adaptive, to change, or to break the norms.

She exists for others, She lives for you.

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Best Ava De Blasi ‘26 47

The Last Bell Alexa Hall ‘25 The halls once echoed with laughter and dreams, Four years felt endless—at least, so it seemed.

Lockers slammed, footsteps raced, Now I walk slower, trying to embrace.

The countdown began before I knew, The final chapters, the shrinking view.

Memories pressed like ink on a page, Moments of joy, heartbreak, and change.

The last bell rings, a bittersweet sound, I step forward, yet look back around.

Goodbyes are heavy, but futures are bright, A journey ends in morning light.

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Chill Chameleon Caden Wright ‘26

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Bright Summer Katherine Taylor ‘25 The bright sun reflects the round Honeycrisp apples, bright red with hints of yellow that catch the light -smooth, vibrant skin against the green leaves of a tree standing tall in the sky.

Each one is uniquely selected.

The air is cool, and when you take a bite -it is a fresh burst of sweetness.

The juice drips on the scorching summer pavement -it shimmers on the ground for only a second before its gone.

Summer is a bright red apple in your hand.

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Letter from the Editor To see from another person’s perspective is to put oneself in their shoes – to see from their point of view.

The poets and artists showcased in this magazine have given not just their art and writing, but a peek into their fears, dreams, desires, hearts, and experiences. It’s through the sharing of art and poetry that we are able to view another person’s life through their eyes, and to come to understand one another better.

I, along with the rest of the staff of Perspective, have had the privilege of bringing these viewpoints together in one publication, and we hope that this edition does justice to the immense artistic talent present on the Notre Dame Preparatory Campus.

I’d like to extend a special thanks to all of the artists, authors, teachers, and staff whose effort makes Perspective possible.

Alyse Odinet

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