2013-14 Diversions

diversions — presented by —

diversions

table of contents

Middle school diversions is a compilation of poetry, narratives, book reviews and artwork by Norfolk Collegiate’s sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. We invite you to enjoy these original works and celebrate the creative expressions of these young Oaks.

norfolk collegiate middle school administration and faculty Scott Kennedy, President and Headmaster Chuck McCormick, Head of the Middle School Shelby Vanak, Assistant to the Head of the Middle School Lindsey Belle

Julieanne Hastings

Elizabeth Bicehouse

Lonice Kenley

Garrett Booker

Lisa Lain

Dana Carr

Jake McDonald

Nancy Corriveau

Val-Del Ortiz

Anne Curtis

Jessica Hennig

Claire Fornsel

David Smith

Cathy Francis

Alan Stell

sixth-grade page 3

seventh-grade page 11

mission The mission of Norfolk Collegiate School is to educate a diverse body of students to thrive in a college setting and beyond. Each student learns through traditional and innovative teaching within a warm and caring community.

eighth-grade page 23

Middle and Upper School, 7336 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505

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757.480.2885

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www.norfolkcollegiate.org

Norfolk Collegiate School is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Norfolk Collegiate School admits qualified students without regard to race, color, ethnic background, national origin or religion.

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A New Star I know I can’t be copied I should work hard and nicely Soon to become a new star

By Archana Menawat

Love Passion, it’s what keeps me going Finding something I love every day Every day, I see my best friends

By Emily Scott

Life’s a Journey Living life in my wildest dreams Personality, honors, fit perfectly in life College, dentist Are my goals

By Bren Coakley

Will Life Ever Change Don’t be like someone you’re not Just be normal not someone else There is way too much homework

by Annabeth Cary

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By Alex Thibodeau

I think school is the best I try to get the A’s Be careful Hopkins here we come I love lacrosse because it’s awesome I get so nervous before tests As long as I’m trying, I think school is the best I try to get the A’s Be careful Hopkins here we come I love lacrosse because it’s awesome I get so nervous before tests As long as I’m trying my best

Perfection Soccer my passion, cleats my fashion.

My unbiological sisters are my team.

Professional soccer players give me hope.

By Alexis Sisino

Success Interests can lead to a fun future.

Grades don’t affect everything, your choices do.

Success is what I’m striving for.

By Abe Musselmani

By Andrew Hair

What am I

Anna Flynn

I am what you think I am Seven Crazy Hours Of Our Lives Tennis is my game what’s yours

By Annabeth Cary

By Elliot Baccanari

Graceful Flipping and leaping, Working hard, doing good, Excepting imperfections.

Me I am athletic and I like sports.

I am smart and really nice.

Must excel at all sports.

By Isaiah Boyd Norf olk C olleg i at e

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I’m Me, Deal With It

Different from you

Sixth Grade, Straight A’s, Mixed Up Days.

Track and Piano are my thing Eat, breathe and sleep.

Work hard, stay strong, be you!

I draw, I write, I create I’m never serious, I’m very different I’m traveling, I’m seeing, I’m helping.

By Ashley Stack

By Coral Bowman

Baseball

The Poem About Hippos, Everything and the Future

Baseball is cool so is basketball School is bad and its sad Baseball and basketball are amazing

By Emmett Jefferson

Sailor, soccer player, and athletic girl Great student and friend to all.

Honor roll, store owner, and more.

Ella Bashara She Loves surfing, track, and family.

At school she strives to get high honor roll.

She wants to work with special needs children and be a hand model.

Reach for the Stars Keep your head Up never down Happy, Weird, Funny Never a frown I’m just a Doctor all around

By Alexis Blackwell

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Personal At least it’s not raining hippos School It’s filled with anything and everything Future No one will tell what happens

By Chapman Holt

The Perfect Personality Lacrosse will be there for me School is always better on Fridays I hope to succeed in something

By Chas LeHew

Me and My Big Life I sing and sing all day School I learn the day away Hopes and dreams I act away on stage Ending Till’ the day is gone away…

Dylan McCavitt

Be Happy

My Life as a Kid

Friendship

My Life

I’ll never be without an animal I never really liked being corrected I want to grow up happy

Expected to be smart and get A’s Favorite subject is math It has fractions and decimals Loves hearing and playing violin Poems are my most unfavorable literature ever

I would help anybody in need.

Especially when friends need me most.

Then everyone would return the favor.

Home Loud, rowdy, hockey, and Admirals number twenty-six scores!

School Eat, sleep, and study hard Hopes and Dreams Chemicals, tests, DNA and lab reports

By Brooke Rogers

Dylan P. Closed Box My life is a closed box No door, no window, no opening Always to slink in the shadows Closed Box My life is a closed box No door, no window, no opening Always to slink in the shadows

By Dylan Pausch

Able to Fly Dance to the end of life, The in-between moments are most important.

The soundtrack, too slow for her, The time runs out before goodbyes.

Cool…Not…Cool…Not… It’s confusing, Able to fly, afraid of heights.

You know, I have feelings too.

Life is a playground, enjoy it.

Girls are strong; boys are fragile.

Two girls, one boy: a problem.

See the green grass beneath you, Never give up and you win.

Change what you see is wrong.

By Antonio Gao

Odd One Out Passions Drawing, creating, animal loving, funny girl, ever since an infant School The weird one with honor roll and never forgets to indent Future Always traveling from place to place to help the innocent

By Evelyn Gardner

Grayson Blake

2014 Life is full of many excitements Begins with studying, ends with excellence Happiness is family, father, lawyer, judge

By Tyler Hamlin

Life is full of Life

Beginning Middle End

Piano my passion, Music is happiness.

Works too hard, Worries too much.

Just wants a good, Contented life.

By Austin Doyle

By Emily Hastings

My Journey

Ella Bashara

Talent Drums are meant to be hit Teachers, friends, grades respect the all.

I strive to get High honors.

Andrew Renstrom, Illuminated Letter, MS Graphics Class

By Grayson King 2 013 -2014

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Basketball is for Real You might find me playing basketball NBA is my future career, hopefully Quiet in class, noisy with friends

By Jake Reaghard

(HUX) This me!!!

Unique? That’s me, strong?

No doubt!

Its hard but we’ll make it My choice, My say, My way!

Referring to…

J

I’m in the way, way back.

Somewhere between the shores and slopes.

Seems like you don’t care anymore.

Do I have to go back?

Dancing: my pain, passion and endurance I’m not smart, I just think The future kinda scares me now

By Mary Pembroke Kahler

Doing it Right Quiet with others, loud with friends.

Whatever you do, do it right.

I think I’m doing it right.

By Jordan Familant

By Juliet Lancey

Mirroring My Life Moments Life is a camera, capture it.

School Life B’s are cool, A’s rule.

Hopes and Dreams Never stop shooting for the stars.

By Jon Krueger

By Hailey Hux

My Life My soul lives in the theatre Norfolk Collegiate is my new family I want a life on stage

18 Words to Describe Me I love hanging with my friends, I don’t like to learn English, I want to go to college

By Isabel Anglin

By Elizabeth Hughes

Life goes on…

I’m stuck between the past and the future I don’t know which one to choose I know that Life is better when you’re laughing But I also know that society expects us to be perfect.

I think I think too much About things like this But always remember Do what you want to do Because Your past doesn’t define your future.

By Jesse Mirman Pottery first quarter, Under the Sea

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My Viewing Point of Life Life’s amazing, I capture the moments Love goofing off with friends People are mean, so make people smile

By John Livingood

Me in 18 words Personal Dreaming leaves my problems on Earth School Talk to friends, Do my work Weekends Cooking is a way to enjoy

By Marlin Adams

Student Athlete Confidence, Effort, Practice, Commitment, Describes Me Honor, Honesty, Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Effort I study and I practice daily

By Jonathan Peck

School Life I struggle in Math, and English I strive for the best grade Runner, cheerleader, athlete; nothing more said

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Friends

ME

My Life

In School I am smart with many friends At Home I play alone and with friends My Hopes and Dreams Successful and happy is my goal

On honor roll and loving school Want to be Like My dad Love summer California, Here I come

My friends always make me happy.

Without school childhood would be boring.

In my spare time I bike.

By Peter Francis

Wondering about myself?

Can’t wait to go to Cooperstown School is fun, I’m just kidding V.M.I. baseball is the win pal

By Brandon Pettrey

Forever Friends

EFFORT

Pottery Second Quarter, Monster Pots

Pays Off Kevin Dietsch

Luca Bruno (sking)

Nathan Bilow

Kevin Dietsch

by Sarah Ellen Smith, Effort, MS Graphics

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When you get too close, it becomes dark inside But always remember that you’re not ugly, society is And fake friends will leave you but your real friends will always stay

By Olivia Petty

Sand is Awesome Nice Days Big Amazing Radiant Social Colorful Handy Overjoyed Obedient Laboring you can if you think the positive [Sam J] Be happy with who you are Being different and being unique are different, so Who really cares about what others say, because It’s the inside that really counts…

By SARAH kim

By Will Frankenberry

By Zack Stack

Looking back

Unwritten

Way back where it all started That goal post was meant for hitting An average is just a number

I’m still scared of a b +.

My story? It’s still being written.

Forget heels, this princess wears cleats.

By Rachel Cooke

The Poem School is great; it provides education With quite a lot of sophistication.

I really enjoy the medical field.

Dream: Superman with antidisease shield.

I am quite passionate about soccer.

The authentic football, beautiful game.

Though sometime soccer appears very tame, When defensive teams apply the locker.

By Raymond Tahhan

Hope At school, I go for grades But I act careless for fun I just want to fit in

By Skylar Tessler

Memoir Trouble Poems are fairly hard to make Friends are the backbone of me I really love to climb trees

By Spencer King

Famous School I like you, lots, best friends?

Home Let’s jump this, show them, together.

Hopes and Dreams You made my dream come true.

You said I could do it

By Victoria Jones

Tabitha Thornton I Love swimming, horseback riding, and surfing.

School helps you go far.

Later I’ll be a photographer and coach of a sport.

By Tabitha Thornton

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seventh-grade

by Maxwell Vooss

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Trust

Have You Seen It?

Choose who you trust wisely For if you don’t you will be troubled.

And it will hurt you Some may kick you, Some may punch you, And some may bite you.

Choose who you trust wisely For if you don’t you will be troubled.

You will have bumps You will have bruises, And you will have blood All over you if you aren’t wise With whom you trust.

Choose who you trust wisely For if you don’t you will be troubled.

Would you like to be used up?

Then balled up and thrown away Like a tissue with no use?

Choose who you trust wisely For I know, I have learned my lesson The hard way, I have been Hurt on the inside, I have been Used, and I am trying to prevent this From happening to you.

Have you seen the other side?

Have you looked around the wall?

The wall separating infinite cycle and freedom?

Time moves forward, we cannot stop it.

We cannot reverse time.

When we go to the other side.

This is where we need to go.

The side where the cycle breaks.

Once we make it there, Our happiness grows, Enjoy freedom while it lasts.

Our happiness grows, Once we make it there, The side where the cycle breaks.

This is where we need to go.

When we go to the other side.

We cannot reverse time.

Time moves forward, we cannot stop it.

The wall separating infinite cycle and freedom?

Have you looked around the wall?

Have you seen the other side?

Have you seen it?

Don’t be afraid to…

Inspired by the Legend “Trilogy”

Stand up, Stop your silence, If actions speak louder than words, It’s only a matter of time before we turn to violence, And do something about what we have already heard and thought, Stand up, Control your OWN fate, Speak your OWN mind, Before it’s too late, And leave our destiny to be shaped by others, Stand up, Don’t be afraid, If others before you have failed, Make yourself an exemplification, a role model, for those to come, So that they will look back, and see you as an inspiration, So ponder on what I have told you, And don’t be afraid to be too bold, Or to speak your mind, Or to be the first, To stand up.

by Alex Potter

By Michael Gilday

By Chase Wallace

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Pandas Tale I wake up I eat I sleep Next day We used to find the best streams We used to do more We used to climb mountains We used to but no more There is no place for us now It is all dead There is nothing now You took it all away You killed my home You killed me You killed us We are dead You will pay for this and when we are gone You will mourn On the outside you will blame others but in your heart you know it is your fault You will cry because you know it is your fault That future generations will not know my name You will cry They will not know my face It is your fault You are the People We are the Pandas You will know our name.

Not Mine.

By Rachel Perdue Sutelan

by Justin Silverman

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The Light of the Future I grovel in the corner, Alone in the darkness, Frightened to leave the wall.

How frigid the wall feels, It lurks up my back, Like a poison gradually killing me.

A sliver of light enters the room, Blinding my eyes.

Though it was miniscule, It was the brightest.

A hand emerges from the light, With a couple of words, “Follow the light.”

The voice echoed, Chills circulating through my veins, As I ditch the wall.

I gently take my first step, Anxious to take the next The hand beckons to me saying, “Don’t be afraid, just follow the light.”

Black permeated the room, The light getting dimmer.

I close my eyes, Coordinating my thoughts.

Unconsciously I sprint to the light, Wind penetrating my hair.

I ponder at the size of the light.

It flourishes, Displaying a figure.

That figure was me, Oh how exceptional it was, Seeing what was in store for me.

It all happened in a glimpse, Fast enough for me to see, That this was my fortune.

I shuffled to the light, Then jogged, Then sprinted.

The light was right in front of me.

As I closed my eyes, I dashed into the light.

By Jacob Roth

What I Stand For Faction before blood?

That can’t be right.

My family is most important.

Why do they try to control and manipulate?

No! None of this will happen.

I’ll tell them where I stand and belong.

I am strong. I am brave. No one can stop me.

No one.

What are people thinking?

I can’t give up.

They are always trying to control others.

As if they were so powerful.

Make others do what they want them to do They might think they have power over everyone, But not me.

I’ll do anything.

To express who I am.

Courageously and dauntlessly, They will never take my courage away.

I am strong. I am brave. No one can stop me.

I am one person who can stand up and fight.

I won’t be scared, won’t be misled My life will never lose focus.

I’ll give all my strength and conviction.

I am strong. I am brave. No one can stop me.

Who I am now I will remain, until I die.

No one.

By anyone.

To be who I want to be.

No one.

Inspired by the novel “Divergent”

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by Rachel Suletan

Dust and Bone She is made of bone just like you and I. A piece might be missing or misplaced but that’s alright.

There is one large difference

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between you and her.

She is the bullied and you are the bully.

Words like bullets pierce her skin, never exiting her mind.

They rumble and roll inside her

head, yet you are too blind.

You cannot be stopped because you simply don’t care how much your words may damage.

You pummel her and beat her down ‘till there is no hope,

giving you the advantage.

Day after day the routine continues and day after day you raise the bar higher.

You hide her away and trap her below so that she cannot escape the barbed wire.

The barbed wire you created becomes longer and longer ‘till she is unable to handle it no more.

So she created a mask for herself, to hide the hurtful words that she wore.

Something silver, something sharp, is hidden away in her dresser for safe keeping.

It can cut through skin lickety-split and cause a lot of bleeding.

Now see what you’ve done?

You’ve taken it too far, driving this poor girl to depression.

The sharp tongue is aligned with her skin and she will cut, soon it will become an obsession.

She looked up at the cracked ceiling and began to cry.

“This wretched world doesn’t care. So what if I die?”

All she had to do was work up the courage to get a one way ticket to wonderland.

The last thing she thought before fading away were all the words she could not withstand.

She is made of bone just like you and I. A piece might be missing or misplaced but that’s alright.

There is one large difference between you and her.

She is the dead and you are the killer.

Inspired by “Legend” by Marie Lu

By Logan Michelon

The Mighty Wolf The Mighty Wolf stood in the night, His stomach growling with an insatiable appetite.

However, he no longer hunts for sustenance, Now the Wolf seeks blood to perpetuate his drunkenness.

Down in spirals into a state of delusion, Falling deeper into his own illusion.

The Mighty Wolf stood in the night, His glaring eyes searching for a fight.

Quickly he spied his innocent prey, Then vanished into the heat of the fray.

The chase raged on as the Wolf sought his victim, His heart beating to a murderous rhythm.

He drew nearer to his long awaited raven, Yet, just then it escaped into its much needed haven.

However this chase was not futile, The Mighty Wolf had found a foe whose battle promised to be most brutal.

The Mighty Wolf stood in the night, His heart lacking an ounce of fright.

His robust adversary stood shimmering in a still pond, With a mighty roar the wolf felt to respond.

So began a vicious war, The winner’s prize being one of honor.

At the end there was no victor, Neither competitor was allowed to drink the sweet nectar.

The pool had darkened with blood, And both foes fell with a thud.

As the Mighty Wolf took his last breath, His competitor faded into death.

By Max Golovsky

Vacant The place we call home And the presence of dread.

The room fills with silence, No words are said.

When joined together.

Drinking away, to fill their despairs, While the chiefs are downstairs.

Ours rooms where we hide.

The table stands alone, with no one around.

No soul to be found.

The table stands alone, with no one around.

Our rooms where we hide, While the chiefs are downstairs, Drinking away, to fill their despairs.

When joined together, No words are said.

The room fills with silence And the presence of dread.

The place we call home is Vacant.

By Meg Lockhart

Don’t Judge You think she is like you, She’s not You don’t know her, She’s not the same as you Once you find out she’s different, You judge her You didn’t judge her before, Why now?

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Just because she is different, You are different too She’s not the only one, Everyone says you are perfect You’re not You might not have a disease or a disability, But we all have imperfections Maybe not obvious ones We are all different, Remember that

By Megan Silverman

Embrace, Embrace, Embrace It’s happened deal with it Embrace it, live through it It’s over and that’s fine Just keep growing like a vine Remember them, keep them Put memories around you That will fill you with joy It’s okay to cry Look ahead at what’s next Don’t look back at the past Future is bright Past is dark So keep your chin up And always embrace the past Things can get rough But you just got to be tough Bad or good it’s over So you can move on and always remember Embrace the past It is here to stay

By Austin Fattizzi

Needing Help

by Alexander Pitts

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No roof to sleep under.

No food to eat.

No career.

Trying to survive on the streets.

Unable to trust.

Curl up into a ball of fear.

Going insane questioning human nature.

Live your life in unbelievable pain.

A small child alone on the side of the street crying.

Spare a few dollars for someone less fortunate.

See that man who looks fine of the outside?

Yeah, he’s dead inside.

You need to give these people a helping hand.

You’re the person with the power to help somebody Be the wind beneath their wings!

Use empathy, put yourself in their place.

Aid these people, give them hope.

The only thing you have to do is care enough to help these people and families in need!

To do your part and end poverty, stop it in its tracks!

If you can do that then you have won a war!

By Bryce Whitlock

A Little Misunderstood She comes to school, Straight A student.

Gets pushed around and oppressed.

Comes home Diagnosed depressed.

She’s moved 2 times.

Then she finds out she’s leaving one more.

6 houses, 8 schools,

21 teachers.

They all call her adorable, Sweet, Amazing, Smart.

She can’t trust anyone.

But that’s ok, they won’t understand what it’s like to be pulled back by Experiences Struggles Memories Anyway Or trying to be something you’re just not.

They don’t understand Never have Never will Her life is a grey sky but all everyone ever sees are the specks of sunlight.

By Kailey Hengesbach

Deep Sea Girl Fell in the Sea Sea water surrounded Surrounded by black Black concurred my world My world twisted Twisted in the water I cried but the tears disappeared Disappeared in the misery Misery of sinking Sinking to the bottom I reached out Out white hands appeared Appeared closer Closer I was to drowning Drowning in the sea of misery Misery loves company though I drowned Drowned in the Sea of Misery Misery nobody will find me Me? I drowned already.

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Faith, Hope, and Love Being able to trust without proof, faith The ability to believe, hope Affection for a person or thing, love A passion for sports, love Giving a teammate a major responsibility, faith Being down in a game but never giving up, hope Believing that they won’t leave you, hope Trusting that they will always love you, faith Having a special feeling for someone, love Faith and hope are great thing to have but the greatest is love.

made embarrassment engulf me.

I carry the burden of your name, branded angrily onto my back.

No sorry was said.

These memories are like scars, big, bad, ugly at first.

As we grow, it fades, never disappearing from sight in the end.

I have many scars, when I look they scream out, memories of you and me.

I can’t forget.

After all the burdens you put me through, I still love you.

Keep our lonely house, keep all our memories.

Keep all the days of you and me, let this scar be.

By Olivia White

By Allison Casper

Mona Lisa

Our Scars Let the rain wash away every single memory.

Clear away, every single day.

Let the wind sweep our house down, it was never ours to keep.

No more infinite pain, from the fact you left.

I’ll forget.

You’ve always wanted to save a life, you have left me here to die.

Reaching for the stars, you pulled me back, locked me up in a prison.

I’m in misery on the ground.

I’m taking the pain, the shame, the blame.

The way you act,

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I have no reason to smile But I am beautiful I show people the truth of what it was like years ago I watch many people From all over the world They come close, In awe of my eternal beauty I can’t smile Because my emotion is dry I didn’t want to crack and devastate the world I’m not ready to tell you my secrets I might seem outdated But I am frozen in my own era Of the day Da Vinci created me

By Emma Wentworth

Don’t Blame Her It hurt to see her hurt Hurt from her own pain Pain she caused but wasn’t her fault Faults of addiction Addiction she tried to stop Stop what she was doing to herself Self control she didn’t have Haven’t got a clue Clues about what to do with her life Life she didn’t have much left of Of love she needed Needed comfort, compassion Compassion she didn’t get at home Home was just an empty house House with empty people People with empty hearts Hearts that didn’t care Care that she needed Needed help Help she would never get

by Frannie Simkins

Need for Freedom They came in fast screaming and yelling Defenses were put up We got ready They got bigger and bigger Marksman got steady Boom was all you could hear They reached the wall and started to attack The Defenses had fallen We ran towards them No fear, but with courage We stood our ground when the front forces had fallen That didn’t stop them We looked at each other

“For Freedom,” we said They started to look worried We were relieved They would not stop coming We were defenseless Unless a miracle had saved us we were done We were brave They could see it in our eyes They will not put us in graves We pushed forward They started to retreat For Freedom

By Chris Bunch

Gone Before Dawn Gone, Gone, Gone before dawn, You’re gone forever, And I need you more than you’ll ever know.

Pictures of you decorate my wall.

And the memories of us, Are fresh as can be.

Every last laugh, smile, tear, and fall.

I hope you take pleasure in knowing, I still have them all.

But it doesn’t help.

Instead, It makes it worse.

They say, “Be happy.”

And, “He’s in a better place now.”

But, it burns at my soul, as if my hearts a hearth, and it pains me, knowing you’re up there, While I’m down on Earth.

We’ve been together since birth, We were like two peas in the same pot, What we had

could’ve never been bought.

Now we’re farther away than I’ve ever thought.

Because you’re gone, Gone, Gone, You were gone before dawn.

By Jordan Laster

Mistakes Come Back Trying hard But you fail It’s been leaving a big trail It’s been haunting you forever But now its come back You thought you could get away You thought you could hide You thought you could run But you didn’t know It wasn’t done How would you know?

It came so slow But no matter how enormous And no matter how humble It comes back Now you will fumble It’s what you deserve But not to you You thought it was small But no, no not at all Now always remember It’ll come back to bite

By Thomas Chatman

Full Speed I am running Down the field The ball is at my feet Dribbling, passing, and getting the ball back I have the ball with me Past the half field marker

Past the opposing team’s midfield players I see the open space This is my chance I remember This is my chance I see the open space Past the opposing team’s midfield players Past the half field marker I have the ball with me Dribbling, passing, and getting the ball back The ball is at my feet Down the field I am running Full Speed

By Christopher Sarris

Worlds Ago Worlds ago When you left I fell straight down Hard on the ground In the dirt In the sand Off of a cliff Holding by strands But you still let me fall Holding by strands Off of a cliff In the sand In the dirt Hard on the ground I fell straight down When you left Worlds ago

By Gabby Allen

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Surrounded By Pollution Temperatures are getting warmer.

Sea levels rise.

Humanity wonders why.

When we run our cars all day and night.

Get more fuel and keep driving.

The effects on the earth show.

The skies turns gray and never go back.

The water is filled with things that don’t belong.

The plants and trash are in a head-on clash.

To see what will dominate the planet.

We can cut down pollution for a little while.

But then it returns to normal.

The factories keep on pushing out grayish-black smoke.

The air goes gray.

It is as if the world is made blind by their own creations.

Cars, planes, and trains.

Sea levels rise and cities are underwater.

We will not be able to do anything about it.

Our houses, cars and everything in between, underwater.

Pollution.

Pollution.

This poem was inspired by “The Maze Runner’s” theme of environmental collapse.

By Matthew Wright

Lacrosse Stick I sit there in the garage Hanging from a little hook in the wall Lonely

Betrayed Waiting, hoping to be used again But knowing it will never happen The other day I saw him walk through the garage He whose name shall not be spoken I yell out to him But he never responds I spend my time remembering the games we used to play in All the shots we stopped I imagine new games Games that were never played But this time there are no people Just sticks Without people I’ll never be left again And then I realize My lonely life will never end because I’m never leaving this hook

By Chris Robertson

Brianna Zaitoun, Illuminated Letter, MS Graphics Class

by Bryson Pettrey

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eighth-grade

Best Season on Earth Our father takes us for the first time and we fall in love We will take our children For the cycle to continue We wait for the season to come every year You make the best beginning and end of the year For you are the reason we smile For some people it is their first time and others it is their last You fill us with excitement with our first deer And every year to follow This excitement fills us for four months During school work, school, and every moment during hunting season Old men share stories and think they know everything about you You are filled with happiness You are energetic You are fast paced There is never a slow moment during you, deer season You are the best season on earth

by Ellie Maus

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By Grady Fitzwater

Whales Whales once flew in the sky, they did not swim the ocean.

They were proud animals that were also very selfish. They disrespected all animals and thought there were better than the gods and goddesses. They were grand and extravagant animals that were satisfied with themselves.

Their wings were huge and magnificent. The large animals looked out of place in the sky but they soared through the air like eagles. The whales were also covered in beautiful white feathers with spots of other colors like blue, pink, yellow, green and orange.

The whales had a strict diet for fish and other small sea creatures like krill and shrimp. They would dive down to the water and scoop up the tiny animals like pelicans.

One day the whales began to act even more selfish than usual. They were jeering the gods and started to riot. They were worshiping themselves and stopped praying to the gods. This irritated Uranus since he was the god of the skies. He warned the whales to return to normal. They

did not listen and they continued to cause trouble and annoy Uranus.

After this the irate Uranus met with his good friend Poseidon to discuss what to do with the whales. After a long and hard discussion Uranus and Poseidon chose that they would curse the whales. The curse would last forever and make the whales unnoticed.

Uranus’s curse took away the whales flying power so they fell into the ocean. It also made their beautiful feathers. The ocean turned the whales blue which showed their sadness. They continued to breathe air so they had to come up for air. They also still ate krill and shrimp but they weren’t fast enough to catch fish.

The whales lived for a long time still despising Uranus and Poseidon but eventually they came to their senses and apologized to the two of them. Both gods accepted the apology but unfortunately since the curse lasted forever Uranus could not uplift it. The whales were fine with it because they had gotten used to life under water. Poseidon gave the whales the power to Norf olk C olleg i at e

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help him rule the seas and the whales lived prosperously doing just that.

By Josh Hutson

Why Eagles Have Eyes

An Artist’s Dream, By Lily Berz

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One day, Zeus and Artemis were sitting under a cypress tree, it was getting really hot outside, so they decided that they were going to leave soon to go cool down. Before they could leave an Eagle came, swooped down, and stole the towel that Zeus and Artemis were sitting on under the tree. When the Eagle didn’t come back for a while, Zeus started to get really worried. He had never told anyone that the towel he had, was actually stolen from his ex-wife. Zeus had to get it back to her because if she found out that he had stolen her towel, she would be furious especially considering Zeus new girlfriend was an accomplice to the crime.

Artemis had to tell Zeus that they couldn’t wait for the towel to come back because it was too hot to stand out in the summer sun that long. Zeus then decided that it was a good idea to tell Artemis about the towel and thankfully Artemis said that she would help him find the towel, but only if they went to the river just on the other side of the forest to cool down.

Zeus and Artemis walked up to the river on that super hot day and they saw the Eagle sitting there with Zeus towel about to drop it in the river and let the current take it away. Zeus screamed to try to distract the

eagle, but instead it scared him and he accidentally dropped the towel in the river and off it went.

Artemis told the Eagle that if he doesn’t go search for it, then he would cast the worst of spells on him. The Eagle complained that he feels bad and wanted to go search for it, but he doesn’t have any eyes to search with. Artemis tells the Eagle that he will give him eyes, but they will only last long enough for him to find the towel and come back.

When the Eagle gets his eyes, he says that he doesn’t like them because he had always imagined everything to be so great, but it isn’t. Zeus used the Eagle’s hatred for eyes as an advantage. Zeus said that if the towel wasn’t back before two o’clock then he would never return the Eagle back to the way he used to be and would have to have eyes forever.

The Eagle immediately went to work trying to find the towel.

When he found it, he also found something else out. He was told

by Zeus ex-wife that the towel was made of pure gold and she demanded that the towel be given back to her.

The Eagle obeyed her orders, so when he came back to Zeus and Artemis he said that he had given the towel back to Zeus ex-wife. Zeus was so furious because he didn’t want his wife to know that he had taken it. The Eagle begged and begged for his eyes to be taken away, but Zeus demanded that Artemis not do as the Eagle said. Zeus was so mad the he reprimanded and cursed the Eagle with not only

eyesight, but with the best eyesight of all birds.

Zeus then made the Eagle his sacred animal to symbolize what he had done and to show to the world that he want shameful. Artemis took the cypress tree to symbolize that he had helped Zeus so that he wouldn’t be forgotten.

By Riley Block

Animal Abuse When you look upon a horse Or a horse’s shoe Do you see a creature of God? Or manmade glue Crossing the line of ethics and good taste Who turns a horse?

Into an adhesive paste And what of the dog’s On whom we test shampoo What do they care?

For the sheen of their do And what sort of vanity Would any dog entertain?

Would a beagle mock the nappiness Of the Shiatsu’s mane Nay, we are the benefactors Of Marmaduke’s pain We who profit from plight Turning loss into gain And do not forget Our brothers with beaks Whose breasts we have mutilated And grinded for meat So while the human collective Swallows gluttony’s pill Our wallets grow fatter While our bellies are filled

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Hope I have a family member Who’s been lost for a long time She slipped In between the cracks And slowly lost her mind Fast forward to now Years passed And she refuses to see care But it’s not like We can do anything about it The state won’t recognize that She’s sick, needs help, doesn’t belong They won’t do anything until She’s too far gone We can’t force her to see a doctor And get a diagnosis Until she hurts herself or Becomes a threat to those around us She’s like a ticking time bomb Going to implode at any second She doesn’t understand what she has done To her own family Her sons, my cousins, Have grown up without a parent’s guidance And my grandparents have had To take care of two sets of generations She has stolen our thoughts, Our time, And even our money And it has been wreaking havoc On my family No one can take her in So she has nowhere to go My parents have had to give her A roof over her head, and A sense of security But why do we have to take care of her?

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What has she done for us?

And what did we do to deserve this?

This is dedicated to all of the messed-up people out there Whether you’re on the streets, alone Or in the rocking chair in your local mental hospital Or if you’re staring at the white wall, trying to figure out if the Loud voices and dancing shadows are really there Maybe you’re at your wit’s end, trying to find your way out, Instead, You find yourself in a muddle of confusion and doubt Desperately reaching within but being shut out Talking to plants and fleeting creatures Losing sense of self and finding false alter egos Thinking the world is against you when everyone’s just trying to help This is dedicated to you Abstract: Mental illness affects people all over the world every day. It comes in many different forms and ranges, from seemingly normal to severe. Some people with a mental illness aren’t recognized because they appear normal. These people can’t be forced to see someone—they have rights. This causes a lot of distress in their families. This poem is about my experience with a family member that has schizophrenia.

By Phoenix Camacho

Just Because Just because I am a girl means I have to dress up, which I don’t Just because I am a girl I have to hang out with girls I hang out and talk to guys too People think I always have to act proper People expect me to do everything, I’m not perfect Just because I’m single Doesn’t mean I want to hear anything About your relationship or you nagging me About getting a boyfriend Just because I’m a girl Doesn’t mean I have to have a boyfriend If I do have a boyfriend I want people to not judge his appearance But his character and personality Just because I’m single Don’t judge my decisions Because if I want to stay single I’ll stay single, and that’s the end of it

By Erin Worthington

Just because I’m black Just Because I’m black Doesn’t mean I’m good at sports Doesn’t mean I can jump Doesn’t mean I’m good at basketball Doesn’t mean I am ghetto Just because I’m black Doesn’t mean I’m a slave Doesn’t mean I like chicken Doesn’t mean I like watermelon Doesn’t mean I like Kool-Aid

Just because I’m black Doesn’t mean I’m fast Doesn’t mean I have a bigger heel bone Doesn’t mean I’m from Africa Just because….

I’m black and I’m proud

By Kellen Marshall

Ode to the Gods The Gods upon your mountain, The sun that everyone sees Your stare is bright and defending They watch over thee.

Hades, ruler of dead.

The dead need aid As you decide damnation Or rest to be laid Poseidon, guardian of sea.

Decider of ship’s fate.

Bringer of quake Breaker of slate Zeus all-ruling.

King of kings And guardian of Earth For songs the people sing.

The sons of Cronos.

Protectors of man.

Guardians of peace.

For all you can.

Your reign everlasting.

And us your servants.

We give you gifts.

For you watch observant.

We give thanks to you.

Oh gods of lore.

Our love forever Deep to our core.

For you the great.

The Olympians.

By Dylan Cheek

Lost Lost In the darkness From which he came Lost Now homeless Once a great thane Lost Lost a wound in his arm Dealing a great pain Lost Seeking through memories only finding great shame Lost A bow in hand Ready to fight Lost Looking down at the land From a great height Lost Out in the distance A giants’ camp in sight Lost A giant comes near He accepts his fate with might

By Kennith Petty

Forever Closed Sitting there Alone She lost all of her hope She gave up on herself She once had a dream She dreamed about a life A life with no mistakes A life with no regrets That dream kept her alive It gave her something to fight for But because all good things must come to an end She said goodbye to her dream And watched it fly by

And so the dream died It faded away like a memory She let it slip through her fingers So now she’s out there on her own Stuck trying to face reality She lost touch with herself She forgot who she really was You see, her dream was the key to her happiness It unlocked the doors to life But because she lost the key, Her doors will remain forever closed.

By Aurora Sacks

War: Free Verse poem War is a plan of death.

War is a plan of destruction.

Whoever fights is burned like a red crucible.

It turns people into monsters.

It makes people feel mad.

It makes people release their hatred.

Knives destroy people, Guns kill cities, Bombs destroy happiness.

America was big and strong.

Then America fought WWII which was quite long.

Although Germany lost, The world died as the cost.

There may have been no one to fight, But there was no light.

War is horrible and is like a mop, Picking up innocent lives.

But it needs to stop, or we will become wasp hives.

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Have Roses Always Been Red?

by Parker

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One day Persephone was arguing with Hades in the Underworld as usual. They were fighting over something meaningless, but Persephone was unusually angry. She threw a chair at Hades screaming at him about not giving her a gift on her birthday. Hades retaliated by throwing a stalagmite at the chair, smashing it to bits.

Persephone, in her anger, stormed out of Hades’ castle, going past the undead guards and paying her passage out of the Underworld. Persephone was not allowed to leave the Underworld, but she did so anyway, not caring what Hades would do.

Zeus, feeling sad for his beautiful daughter, tried to cheer her up with three gifts. The first was a lovely smelling apple pie.

It, along with a table and chair, appeared in front of Persephone as she walked through a dense birch forest. The out-of-place beautifully crafted stone table caught her attention. She turned to face the fine work of art. You see, Persephone had a penchant for fresh pastries, so she thought to herself, “why not.” And with that she sat down in the majestic chair. With a slight nod to her father, a beautiful set of sterling silver utensils appeared in her hand. She slowly brought her knife down into the pie, cutting it into five equal pieces. She lifted the pie into the air and pulled it closer to her mouth. The pie

smelled of wonderful spices and cinnamon, Hades’ favorite smell.

The thought of her captor filled her with rage and she flung the pie to the ground and stormed off into the woods.

Her father, above on Mount Olympus, frowned with a sense of sadness and sympathy. He decided to cheer her up with yet another gift, though in another form. He looked to a great friend of his, Hermes. Zeus asked Hermes if he would travel down to Poseidon’s domain to retrieve an elegant piece of coral and a lovely pearl for his daughter.

Hermes agreed to help his friend and retrieved the items he requested, and delivered them to Persephone. When Persephone reached a clearing in the birch forest, she came to a small wellspring at the beginning of a stream surrounded by taiga trees. She knelt down to take a sip of the crystal-clear water. She cupped her hands together and splashed some water onto her face, vanquishing any trace of dirt residing there. Her porous face delighted in the pure fresh water and absorbed every drop.

In her peripheral vision, she saw an elegant pearl residing in the silt of the stream. Persephone reached her hand into the body of water to retrieve the sea jewel.

It was magnificent and flawless in every way. Persephone had never seen such a beautiful wonder in all her life; it reminded her of Hades’ Helm of Darkness, with its wonderful gem placed in the center. Persephone crushed

the pearl in her hand and threw it into the stream, not even noticing the coral that had been placed there.

She continued on her journey away from the Underworld. Zeus thought of one final way to cheer up his daughter, so he asked Pan if he would do him a favor. Pan agreed to do his bidding and made sure Persephone would find the gift. Persephone stumbled upon a field of flowers filled with tulips, daisies, water lilies, and flora of all different colors. She squealed with excitement when she saw a rose bush off in the distance. Roses were her and Hades’ favorite flower. Though she thought of the dreadful god at the sight of the roses, she cared not. She spotted a perfect rose; it had round petals, beautiful white color, and sharp thorns to protect it from anything that might attempt to endanger it. The ebullient girl rushed over and gracefully plucked the rose from its place on the bush. She breathed in all of its perfections and loved each one. Hades, down in the Underworld, became furious that Zeus was helping Persephone and not returning her to the Underworld, so he decided to take matters into his own hands and force her to come back.

Persephone was enjoying the time away from Hades and the fresh air of the Overworld. She heard the noise of a wild wolf off in the distance and turned towards it. She was surprised when she saw both the wolf and the trees trembling. Trees began to Norf olk C olleg i at e

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fall over and Persephone dashed out of the way. She tried to run from the groans of the earth, but she tripped over a branch and cut herself. She bled onto the pure rose she had taken and its petals turned a deep red. The trembling grew stronger and the earth opened! Persephone tried to hang on to the ground, but Hades dragged her back down to the Underworld. Zeus, feeling like a failure, asked Pan to make red the most beautiful color of a rose as a reminder of Hades’ rude actions, so all would know of what Hades had done. Pan did so with pleasure and thus, roses are red, violets are blue, watch out for Hades, he might come for you!

By Daniel Prohaska

A Flower Weeping In the end, Everything dies.

No matter how good, Or how bad, Everything must eventually Come to an end.

The most beautiful flower Must eventually wither Because all good things Have their limit.

The sweetest puppy, That you have loved forever, Eventually needs to bare farewell, For he will reach his end.

At the end of every storm, There will be a rainbow.

It will stay for a while but Not forever.

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So think about When you see the sun Hide behind the horizon, Will it arrive again tomorrow?

Because all good things must come to an end.

By Brianna Zaitoun

Ode to the Trees Towering above the world below Your numerous arms extended Seeking love that is not given Admiration that is not shown.

Your leaves turning all colors of the rainbow All signs of your sturdy everlasting love.

Losing your leaves as if you are crying Crying for the small children who fall off your branches Howling for the animals who seek shelter Weeping for the helpless souls who linger.

Then your leaves reappear Signs of hope That there is life after death Your roots make firm ground to walk on Your wood constructs homes Your twigs make kindling for the hearth Your leaves make shade for the hot Hope for the hopeless Company for the lonely Love for the unloved.

The branches of family The branches of love The branches that give us hope.

Your wonderful branches of life

By Anna Baragona

Ode to Baseball Your fresh, green grass and raked, tan dirt The new art you’ve made, on my clean white shirt The sound of my cleats, and glove in my hand Dirt on my hat, and all over my pants It sure brings me joy, like a baby playing with toys Or a team that’s finally won After a long, terrible slump Weekend after weekend, coming back to your home And going to your kitchen, without having to roam You throw me my seeds And wonderful blue Gatorade It gives me the energy I need After a long, 7-inning game There’s not a day I can’t imagine Without you by my side You’ve been in my life Ever since I was five So I could basically go ahead, and consider you my wife Thank you love, for everything you’ve done You will forever and always, be my number one

By Miles Edmond

“The Living” Book Review “And for a split second he understood how someone could be moved to jump.” A satisfying click must have resonated from the keyboard as Matt de la Peña typed in that last word, “jump,” to conclude the fourth chapter of

his dystopian novel, “The Living.”

The line would prove to be one of Shy’s moments, when his brain delved deeper than the surface of thought and he yearned to understand and make amends with the role he played in Mr. David Williamson’s death.

Now, for Chapter Five…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an author?

To be able to create your own story and to give life to characters you have only imagined about; to write the ending of your own story. Would it be difficult? What would your plot be? First, study the works of others before you begin and so, let’s go back to “The Living.”

Shy’s led a pretty ordinary life so far, born and raised in a mediocre town on the border of California and Mexico. He’s had his ups and downs, the chutes and ladders from the classic game everyone knows. When his teacher’s acquaintance was able to land him a job on a Paradise cruise ship, it seemed cool, even sweet, and he accepted the offer. He could raise money for his mother, sail across the ocean, and pretty much have twenty-four seven views of girls in bikinis. It didn’t sound too shabby for a teenager from the lower-middle class. This would give him a little time away from home, and he could perhaps move on and make amends with his grandmother’s passing from Romero’s Disease. But sometimes, the ladder that takes you to the top is quickly followed by multiple

chutes going straight back down, perhaps putting you in a position worse off.

The plot line in Peña’s book is complex, but not too difficult to follow. There are multiple plots that intertwine for simply one reason, Shy. Would you do that, have multiple story lines? Would you be able to? It’s not easy to make such an intricate, but comprehendible plot as Peña did and still produce an excellent book. In the first chapter, the book takes a steep dive and starts with a suicide. Add a mystery island, a rich man’s daughter, and a catastrophe that shakes the world and you’ve got a fight for survival with a love triangle on the side. Oh yeah, don’t expect Romero’s Disease to maintain latency in Shy’s life for long.

So, those are some things to ponder on before you begin your story. However, don’t fall for some of the popular writing traps.

Perhaps in “The Living”, the plot line could have started sooner, but it definitely had an explosive ending. It’s okay to have humor in your book, too. After all, what do you think runs through Shy’s, or a teenage boy’s, head each day? Remember, before you write your story, read a good book.

Try “The Living.”

By Georgia White

Ode to Laughter You add an extra minute to my life You bring smiles to everyone You make moments fun You make friendships better You You You You

are like a puppy make everyone happy make moments less weird are different for everyone

You make embarrassing moments funny You make being joked on funny You are what everyone needs to do You are the key to life Everyone has you And you are different for everybody You can be a giggle Or a full-blown laugh You can be loud Or quiet You can get us in trouble Yet you may be worth it You can cause us to be immature Or get us called the class clown You can make our friends feel better You can make us cry Or make our stomach hurt But none of that matters Because you are a good thing You are the best thing to have You can make a good personality Or you can make life fun

By Brianna Chatman

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Lonely Lacrosse Goalie

by Brianna Chapman

Don’t look away Things change in a flash Like a tornado coming in fast and fierce But then its gone You may be lonely Now Goalie But in a second you could be slammed Be ready Be alert Keep your eyes on the ball The Goal is your home You must protect Your stick is your weapon Like a sword at your side And your Mesh Is your shield Take care of your home and your stick like it’s your child Your stick has to be dialed in You have to trust your stick You must be loose You must be prepared for anything Communication is key Talk loud Call out shots Call out slides Make sure there is no defensive break downs Tell your defense where to be and what to do Like a captain of a ship Leading his crew Be Ready Be Alert To keep the ship afloat You must be prepared You are the team’s last resort

By Bryson Pettrey

by Erin Worthington

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Ode to the South Ode to the South For bringing the best out of people For having sweet tea For having camo to wear For creating country music Ode to the South For giving us southern accents For giving us cowboy boots For giving us mud to play in For making people feel at home Ode to the South For giving us hunting Fishing And Fun Beautiful stars to look down on us with their twinkling eyes Ode to the South For giving us church Amazing landscapes to visit For having friends feel like family Ode to the South For giving us beautiful sunsets that look as perfect as paintings For giving us beautiful people Beautiful friends Beautiful family And a beautiful life Ode to the South For having farmers For growing corn For growing crops So we can eat everyday Ode to the South For having back roads Amazing lakes and rivers And corn fields Just to go through Ode to the South Where there are trucks Tractors

And boats to ride Ode to the South For making friends your family For creating the best love to fall in For creating the best place to grow up in But most importantly For making the best people ever, Southerners

By Gabby Grinnan

I’m There for You You help the ones who have no one You mend the hearts of the lonely Everyone out there needs one to be by their side We search far and wide For you to bring someone to be by our side You’re a rare thing for someone to keep for long We all eventually move along You are with people from young to old You can never be sold You are the mold for all of our life You even earn a guy a wife The days where we are down We need you to turn our frown upside down You are like a burning fire that never dies down You believe in us when we fail to believe in ourselves You fight for us when we are in need You respect our need to be freed When I cry you are there When you cry I will be there You keep the secrets I tell You know me so well Even if drama will pull me under Norf olk C olleg i at e

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You will be there to save me from sinking under Even if I lose everyone else in life You will always save me from life You are the only thing I need You are friendship

By Sydney Hicks

Just Because Just because I’m American doesn’t mean I’m a redneck, It doesn’t mean I love NASCAR, It doesn’t mean I drink beer, It doesn’t mean I talk in a Southern accent, Just because I’m American doesn’t mean I yell “roll tide”, It doesn’t mean I have a lack of education, It doesn’t mean I love guns, It doesn’t mean I hate Muslims, Just because I’m American doesn’t mean I’m racist, It doesn’t mean I’m a hillbilly, But because I am American, I am free, And so is every other American

By Andrew Renstrom

H.O.P.E Everyone feels lost Like they have no one No one to talk to You’re not alone Everyone, once in their life Feels like they have no one Everyone is lost and lonely Those people are like newborn puppies without their moms Like no one cares about that When they speak, their words get swept away by the wind You feel like no one cares

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You act like you’re fine But on the inside you hurt Here’s to the people Who want to feel like they belong somewhere Someone to be by their side when they need a shoulder to cry on When you have no one You feel like the sun is always hidden behind the clouds You have thoughts that cloud your mind Making you wonder if you’re still alive Then you realize Pain’s the only thing reminding you, You’re still alive

By Brooke Walthall

Terrorism Spoken Word Poem Terrorism is one of the worst problems in the world today, You could ask why they do this, But they will have nothing to say, I bet if we killed thousands of their people, In their county they would feel the same way, That we feel, Every time the date September 11th takes place, People cry and pray, For their friends and family members that have passed away, They told us Osama Bin Laden was the one to blame, But he is dead, And nothing has changed, There has been over 20,000 terrorist attacks since 9/11, Isn’t that a shame,

They blamed it on religion, And tried to make us sound like villains, But they are the sinners in my opinion, Maybe one day we will be guaranteed, But not even that is certain, I guess we will have to wait and see.

By Jakeim Robertson

Some Things Can’t Stay Some things in life can’t stay They come and go by night and day Some of them cling on to a dream But soon enough it will recede Because in life accidents happen People die with no good answer of why But some hang on to a simple dream While others live day to day The people that have their dreams intact Know what to do in life And in their journey Through the accidents and what not With friends gone and some picked up The people with dreams know That one day they will come true Through days black and nights blue Through every bump in the plan And with friends and loved ones gone The people have one thing in their lives The hope that the dreams come true

By Parker Gross

The Sun was Created Have you ever wondered how the sun was created? Well I know how. It all started when Zeus and Hephaestus had a long rivalry growing up, and they used to always play each other in many types of games. They would hunt and tie, they would duel and tie, and they would even have an archery contest and tie. They became very frustrated with this and wanted to finally settle this rivalry.

So they decided to play a game that they created which is now known as “baseball”.

When Zeus and Hephaestus came together to play baseball they drew in a very large crowd.

Many other gods, and demi-gods also came to watch the game.

They played and played and no one scored until, Hephaestus being the vindictive person he is, decides to make his fastball faster by lighting it on fire before he throws it. This actually helps Zeus because there is no light in these times and you couldn’t even see anything, so when Zeus sees this pitch coming he waits for it and hits it so hard that it flies up into the sky and stays there. These two gods are praised for this act, but mostly Zeus who is made the main god of them all, and the Hephaestus who is made the god of fire, but is given the job of making all God’s weapons for eternity as a punishment for trying to cheat. So if you ever hear the story of how Hephaestus was kicked off of Mount Olympus for being ugly, that is not true. This

is also how Zeus came to be the leader of Mount Olympus.

So whenever you see the sun or can actually see things around you, thank Zeus for hitting that pitch and Hephaestus for well, cheating.

By Chandler Branton

Ode to my KitchenAid® ½ cup of flour 1 cup of milk 1 egg ¼ cup sugar That makes a cake You use a KitchenAid® Its red and round It spins at different speeds You make frosting Sauce Cake Ice cream You have different paddles Whisk A hook You can make pasta It’s so good you will want another KitchenAid® My passion My love To use the KitchenAid® The kitchen is as useful as a car I couldn’t live without it Savory and sweet items All different colors, pink, white Black Silver Patterned This is my ode to my KitchenAid®

By Hannah Anglin

Who Cares We are judged: looks, actions.

Never good enough, People expect us, To fit into society, Like a glove fits your hand.

We are judged but let’s fight on!

Our face smudged with the war paint, That makes us different.

We are judged but why?

Forget molds and gloves, Get to know someone.

Stop judging, Who cares if you’re different?

If people don’t except you, That’s their problem.

Stop judging and put yourself, In their shoes and Don’t be afraid to stand out.

By Maddie Foster

Short Just because my hair is short, Doesn’t make me bald.

And just because you think I’m bald, Doesn’t justify the names I’ve been called.

And those names are particularly scalding, For they cannot be uncalled.

Just because my hair is soft, Doesn’t mean you can rub my head.

A cat is what I sometimes feel like, A cat that is underfed.

Some people insult my short hair, But I simply laugh, For mine requires far less care.

You may laugh at the amount of hair on someone’s head, But I think people should be judged, On their personalities, instead.

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to let it go Friendship is also like relationships One day you hate him the next day You’re back together But that’s what friendship is Finding out who really cares about you And who doesn’t.

By Parker Banks

Clarity The water is clear, Crystal Calm and flat As if no one’s ever touched it.

As years move on, The water gets used.

Slowly getting dirtier, As time goes on.

But what about the water far from the land?

That water’s clean.

It sits silently.

As the years progress, The only clean water left Mixes with the rest, As time goes on.

by Elizabeth Jones

All the water is dirty, Impure.

It was so innocent.

What happened to it?

By Julia Bianchi

Friendship Friendship isn’t something you Find around the corner Friendship is something you feel When someone has meaning

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in your life Guy or girl Big or small Whatever A friend is a friend It doesn’t matter if you have one

or 100 friends All you need is that one friend Who can help you through Anything Friendship is like winning a medal Once you win it you never want

Why is the Sea Salty?

A long time ago the seawater used to be drinkable. The water was clear and pure. Poseidon, the king of the sea, was going to see someone for business. He

didn’t tell his wife, Amphitrite, where he was going. Amphitrite thought Poseidon was going to see another woman. She always had an irate temper with Poseidon.

The next day when Poseidon came home, Amphitrite started yelling at Poseidon but he didn’t know why. He tried telling her he went somewhere for business, but she just wouldn’t listen. Her behavior was very inveterate and she wouldn’t listen to what Poseidon was trying to tell her.

After that, Amphitrite was jealous and didn’t trust him. They kept fighting. Even after Poseidon tried to console her, she was still angry. She packed up all of her belongings and left. Poseidon became so sad and depressed that he began to cry and could not stop. He cried for three years straight. Tears contain salt water and his tears floated through the ocean. He asked himself, “Why can I not relinquish my love for Amphitrite? She obviously doesn’t love me anymore.” He thought she had moved on so he should, too. Poseidon decided to stop weeping over Amphitrite. What Poseidon didn’t realize was that he was still madly in love with Amphitrite. After the six years he spent without crying, it dawned on him that he was still in love with Amphitrite. This cycle kept happening for one hundred years. Then suddenly Amphitrite came back to Poseidon. She also felt the same thing Poseidon felt, they were too madly in love to leave each other. Although Poseidon stopped crying over

Amphitrite, he realized that he needed the ocean to have salt water for eternity. He came up with an amazing idea- he needed to find the Weeper of Weepers.

The Weeper of Weepers is always crying and never stops. This is how the ocean is salty all the time.

By Ashby Larkin

Ode to Love Your tenderness cannot go away You open my eyes to the good in the world Shining through the darkness Illustrating the most beautiful outlook Your happiness fills the room with joviality Your sweetness melts my heart Smiling at the radiance you render Trying to contain the ecstasy filling my body Making me go crazy with delight Your energy bestows the possibility to accomplish wonders Your aura of confidence shines through every missing piece Annihilating all of my fears Giving me a chance to believe Having my head in the clouds Opening me to the wonders of existing But still keeping my feet planted firmly on the ground Your strength picks me up Your hopefulness spreads from heart to heart Showing me the hilarity of life You’re like a cord Connecting hearts together Showing me the warmth Norf olk C olleg i at e

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of humankind Like a goddess’ glow Having the grace of an angel Suspending time Making me roar with cheerfulness Slowly escalating To a whole other level Until I can’t contain the happiness You bring me everything I require This is my ode to love

By Ivy Carpenter

Hear the shouts in your ears Can you see now? It’s far from bliss At this rant you may sigh But please tell me why You’d punish the innocent You preach “treat all living things with respect” Yet you go home a hypocrite So just hear what I say Come on change your ways ‘Cause no animal deserves it

By Cecilia Innis

Animal Abuse Playful and sweet is what they are But somehow they are mistreated Because they can’t speak and defend themselves Is that why they’re constantly beaten?

If you shrunk to their size Would you realize?

That what you are doing is wrong And that the death of animals everyday Has been going on for too long That the BOOM of your voice And the SLAP of your hand Can turn their hearts to stone Whether a cat or a dog or a horse or a cow Don’t hit Just leave them alone But sometimes alone can turn to neglect So don’t be gone for too long Because food, water, and loving care to a dog Are just like a bird to its song Maybe you can’t understand What I’m trying to say So, just imagine this Smell blood on your hide from the belt

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It Never Remains Innocence is like the first snow Sitting there But bound to go.

Innocence is like the leaves on a tree Come winter And off they flee.

Innocence is like the rain pouring down In an hour It’s out of the town Innocence is like my faith in you Broken promises But we can’t start new.

Innocence is like lost hope Dwindling down Until it’s hard to cope.

Innocence is the sun in the night It never remains Though you try with all your might.

By Simran Rijhwani

Four Steps Dream it Be creative with it Look through your mind Look at everything you wanted to do with your life Pick the one that fits your kind Believe it Know that you can do it Because it is meant for you It is made for your life It is something you can do Chase it Now go after it Like a rainbow in the sun And whatever you do with your life, Never slow your run Catch it You have it You can’t say no This is your life Never let it go

For she speaks every time But never to say a sin When she arrives every one leaves Not all to the same place Or at the same time But for when we awake we try to get back and chase.

By Jackson Burke

Just Because I am a Straight A Student Just because I am a straight A student Doesn’t mean everything comes easy Doesn’t mean I am prudent Doesn’t mean my work is not cheesy

Just because I am a straight A student Doesn’t mean I get things wrong Doesn’t mean I am the teacher’s pet It doesn’t mean I am an angel in the sky And doesn’t mean I can’t do sports Can’t I just be a normal student?

Do I have to be treated differently because I get good grades?

Just because I am a straight A student Doesn’t mean I am a nerd Doesn’t mean I am good at homework And doesn’t mean I like school any better than the rest of us.

Just because I am a straight A student doesn’t mean I am any different from the rest of you.

By Brett Goldman

Ode to Night I’ve lost my sense of worry And sense of wrong or right The end is near so let’s all sing an ode to the night.

Pitch black…

Where am I? Outside, under the starry skies?

That shines bright light in the darkness, through my glowing eyes.

As I gaze up at the stars, There’s nothing left to cumber, When everything falls into place At my deep and cozy slumber.

Oh, my starry night, My starry night, How much you mean to me, I often wonder how it is That you have come to be.

As red is to roses,

By Sarah Ellen Smith

Night Sky I look up in the sky It is so dark yet so bright There are things like diamonds That have such a seductive might With a glow from the gods That dreams are formed from And mysteries that grow here But all dreams are not dumb Some of our world’s greatest ideas Spawned here with glee For the sky holds many secrets That she does not tell not even to me Her eyes shine so strong Every night she pulls me in

Florian Bingel, Illuminated Letter, MS Graphics Class

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as white is to doves, You light my heart From heaven above.

For Hemera’s out to get you, The goddess of the day But when the clock strikes six o’clock, The day has gone away.

Treasure what you have, Despite the time of day, Because at some point it will Forever go away

By Grace Georgo

Living Water WavesYour soft liquid fingers Crawling up the beach Everywhere, yet just out of reach You soak up the sun Follow the moon Over, over you sing a sweet tune You’re there in the horizon You’re here in the sand First home water, second home land The tide keeps rising Then begins to fall You leave to answer the oceans call WavesA storm changes your mood The sky turns dark and gray You hit the beach with a salty spray.

Some shells or sea glass, You bring with pleasure One man’s trash, another’s treasure

Pottery First Quarter, Food For Thought

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I played with you when I was little I am now not a child But please stay around for a just little while

By Ellie Maus

Just Because I am a Gymnast Just because I am a gymnast Doesn’t mean I have an eating disorder or take steroids Doesn’t mean I have a big ego Doesn’t mean I look down on other sports Doesn’t mean I can do a flip when you ask Just because I am a gymnast Doesn’t mean all I care about is winning Doesn’t mean I have no social life Doesn’t mean I flip like a monkey Doesn’t mean my parents pushed me into the sport Just because I am a gymnast Doesn’t mean I am purposely short Doesn’t mean I am obsessed with my body image Doesn’t mean I am a perfectionist Doesn’t mean I want to go to the Olympics Just because I am a gymnast

By Madison Harris

Spoken Word about Racism I hear “nothing’s more American than immigrating in” “Working hard is more important than the color of your skin” But if that’s true Why do faces like mine seem like they’re always associated with drugs, gangs, or villains?

We wear the same clothes and do the same things but apparently we’re still “not the same” Did I have a choice to be born this way?

No, I didn’t

I didn’t have a say And yet you discriminate against me?

Call me names and obscenities And yet you still claim you’re not racist Do you even know what that means?

According to the dictionary, racism is discrimination or prejudice based upon race And that is how I would describe you I feel sorry for you Being so ignorant, inconsiderate, and illiterate Go read a book of world issues And if you have a heart, You might need a box of tissues Now go on Get out of my face I don’t care to listen to what you have to say anymore Because I’m proud to be my race Abstract: The reason I chose to write my poem about racism is because I am tired of people discriminating against other races. You did not have a choice to select your birth when you were born so why are you being judged? Racism is an important topic to me because I believe in equality; equality between sexes and equality between races.

While researching this topic, I found a website that gives statistics about racial differences. For example, African Americans are paid less than Caucasians for the same job even if they had more education.

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Stereotyping Why do we do these things to our peers?

Nasty little lies, And lots of evil jeers.

What is the point of hurting possible friends?

These people are good, Don’t hurt them because they don’t follow a trend.

This isn’t a joke, It’s real and sincere.

Don’t make these people choke.

Your words have power, These people can’t stand, Don’t make them jump from their tower, Don’t act like a coward!

These people don’t deserve your harsh, harsh words, That you hide behind and cower, In fear that they’ll see past your curtain, See that you’re a fake.

One in seven people get hurt by these cruel mistakes.

Nerd, retard, dufus, face ache, and many I can’t say.

Think before you talk, Would these words bother your heart?

If they would, don’t say them, Don’t think it at all.

Because these things come back, Everyone will know, That you and that person that live down the street, Are foes.

If you hear these things don’t walk away, You take it to an adult, It may seem stupid, immature and tattle-tale might be your new name, But in the end most will see that

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you saved another’s life.

And still when you grow up you will reach back in your file, And think about how you DIDN’T walk away.

Because by then you will see, That these things are for real.

Don’t walk by and think “It’s great that that’s not me!”

Instead remember these words And think about the people Who hurt themselves, Because they don’t fit in.

Do you want to be the person who put them there?

Or would you like to put an end to it all?

Because honestly it needs to stop, Don’t let this hatred grow.

Say good things not evil ones, Don’t push these people too far, Because if you look close enough you will see How amazing they are.

By Abby Hellman

Friends Need Friends People need people, Enemies need enemies, Family need family A person needs a person And of all friends need friends What would life be without a difference?

All the same And no different appearance No one would have a name Everyone needs that special person That person is reliable And listens to everything you say A person who is available For every thought you have A friend you can share your

happiest thoughts and dreams A friend who would save you from the dark A person that feels like someone who you have known for ever When you meet this person there will be an instant spark A friend who will be standing next to you forever That’s why Friends Need Friends

By Florian Bingel

Why Turkeys Can’t Fly Once upon a time, hunters were skilled at killing deer, bear, and moose. The hunters used bow and arrows for their hunt given to them by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. The game they hunted were large, easy targets for the hunters. These animals also provided ample food for a family. However, these particular animals were dormant for half of the year. This made it hard for hunters to feed their families year-round. The hunts became stagnant.

During these dormant times, hunters began to pursue another type of animal. They decided to hunt birds. However, the birds were very small and hard to kill.

All the birds would fly away very fast when they were startled.

Hunters had difficulty aiming and hitting their intended targets.

When hit, the birds were often annihilated by the arrows the hunters shot. This made it very hard for the hunters to supply an adequate amount of food for their families. It was paramount

that the hunters find a new food source.

The hunters gathered to discuss what to do about their food supply.

They decided to pray to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, to ask for help. That night the lead hunter had a dream. He saw an open field with several large, brown animals walking around. When he awoke, he organized a hunt for the day. He led the group to the field he had dreamt about. It was there he saw the animals.

The hunters knew Artemis had helped them find this animal. It was a very large, feathery animal with a beak, but it did not look like a bird that they had seen before. This bird must be the answer to their prayers. The tail feathers looked like a huge target so it should be easy to aim at and hit with their arrows. The hunters also noticed an area of bright red making this brown bird easy to see. As they approached, the birds stood still. Even when startled, the birds did not fly away. This was perfect for the hunters. Artemis also made these birds very loud. Their call would lead the hunters towards them.

Every hunter shot and easily killed one bird. Each hunter was able to supply food for their families with just that one bird.

This bird was the most delicious any of them had ever had. The hunters even found use for the large plentiful feathers that this bird had.

Artemis facilitated every hunt with the creation of this new bird.

From this time on, every hunt

became easier and successful.

This bird changed their lives and was the turning point for the hunters. It became their key target for every hunt. Thus, the hunters named the new bird—turkey.

Blake Cummings

“Lone Survivor” Book Review “Redwing is a go!” The landing controller was calling the shots!

“Ten minutes out… Three minutes out… One minute… Thirty seconds! Let’s go!” These were the orders that were given right before petty officer Marcus Luttrell (Marcus) and his three SEAL members, Danny Dietz (Dietz), Matt Axelson (Axe), and the team leader, Michael Murphy (Mikey) set out to take down the infamous Taliban leader, Ben Sharmak in the rugged, unforgiving mountains of Afghanistan. This is the story of “Lone Survivor”, The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, told by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson.

There they were, the four U.S. Navy SEALs who were just dropped off in a vast wasteland, what is better known as Afghanistan. The SEALs developed a plan to conceal themselves in the mountainside with a clear view of the village where Sharmak was located. Just when they were in a perfect spot, they were surprised by, out of all people, a group of Afghan goat herders. The mission was now compromised. The team knew that if those goat herders

had chance to kill them, they would. However, they couldn’t harm them because of ROE (Rules of Engagement). The team took a vote and decided to cut them loose and let them go.

That’s when everything went wrong. Right when the goat herders were cut loose, they immediately alerted the whole village about the unknown attackers. The SEALs stepped around a corner and found themselves prone to anyone who could be watching due to the moonlight. Just then they looked up on the ridge and saw the 100 Taliban warriors ready to fight at any second. Luckily, the terrorists hadn’t seen the SEALs yet, but right when Marcus fired that first bullet and blew the head off of one of the fighters, a war had begun. Dietz, being fatally injured, never stopped firing at the enemy, but fatigued as he was, he tripped up and fell. Once Marcus picked him up and spun him around, a bullet went straight through his head. Danny was now dead. Mikey was desperately trying to get the comms up, but couldn’t find a good location.

Mikey risked his life out on the battlefield to find a good location and call in reinforcements, no matter if that meant death. Now it was only Marcus and Axe that were left. They were both huddled up together until an RPG blew them in different directions off the precipice. Marcus was now alone.

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because it is a very touching and heartfelt novel that shows what our troops actually go through on a day-to-day basis. It made me realize that we all take it for granted and that our troops don’t nearly get as much appreciation as they should. If there was one thing that this book taught me, it’s that you’re never out of the fight, no matter what the situation is.

By Hunter Flora

Stars Aligned A white flash beamed out from the dark woods, and a branch creaked with each blinding flare.

Sounds of a stag’s grunting filled eardrums along with hooves tapping the damp ground.

“Selene, oh great goddess, she is here!” nymphs cried out.

She was a magnificent being.

Her pale skin was clothed in a pearl’s soft white and bright eyes filled with the outermost galaxies.

Her lips were a slight tinge of blue, from the kisses and caresses from the navy ocean below.

Ebullient male dryads conversed about how attractive the great goddess is. “Calling the goddess alluring would an utter affront to her,” a mysterious voice purred.

The voice seemed to transform into the sublime god, Helios.

Bright marigolds and bold vermilions garbed the towering god, his once petty voice turned into a booming one. The dark forest became a bit brighter because of the radiating god.

When his eyes met the goddess’ they seemed to breathe faint hatred into each other, but it

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seemed to be only a competitive feeling. They drew their weapon of choice, Selene, a fragment of the crescent moon and Helios, a sun flare. On a nymphs count, they assailed on their opponent, each other. Why each other you may question? The two siblings fought over their rightful place throughout the day, the sun or the moon?

Helios pulls back his arm and throws with all the might he has, while Selene quickly jumps to evade the attack, but it happened to be too late. The sun flare wasn’t fatal, but it was enough to cut great portions of the goddess’s hair. The silver follicles floated down below the heavens, and seemed to glow and make drawings in the mortal’s evening sky. Helios surrendered and bowed before the goddess because of the tragedy he had just created and graciously left the moon to Selene. Pulling his locks back and swallowing, he allowed her to make an injury upon him. Selene winced at his request, but followed through and slashed at his throat. Helios’ breathing quickly hitched at the crescent slicing his skin, gold blood trickled down his neck and puddled in his collarbone.

The blood festered with light and joined with the drawings in the sky below them.

The two immortals strode towards each other and came hand in hand to descend below to see the miraculous lights they’ve made together. Once the two dissembled into modest attires, hiding their supernatural

abilities, they went into the island of Cephalonia. The island’s waters blue and beaches white, they settle upon them and gazed to see the bright connected lights.

Selene’s unmanned chariot flies across the raven sky, carrying the cream moon. “The bright against the dark are beautiful contrasts” Selene breathed. “They wouldn’t be without us.” Helios smiled a million-watt smile, and that was how the constellations and stars were created.

By Milan Brooks

Just Because Just because I’m a jock Doesn’t mean I’m stupid.

It doesn’t mean I don’t practice or work hard, I still have to try hard to succeed.

Just because I’m a jock Doesn’t mean I’m good at every sport.

Just because I’m a jock Doesn’t mean I don’t have time to study.

I don’t get a free pass, I still have to get everything done, Sometimes late at night after practice.

Just because I’m a jock Doesn’t mean that I don’t have other hobbies, I play guitar, surf, and hang with friends and family.

Do you think that you know me?

Do you know everything about me?

There’s more to me than my jersey number.

Just Because I am a Tennis Player…

Just because I am a tennis player Doesn’t mean I am quiet You know that is not true.

Just because I haven’t played in over a year Doesn’t mean I am horrible.

Just because I play tennis doesn’t mean I have to grunt I might not look like a tennis play That doesn’t mean I am not good.

Just because some guys don’t think That tennis is fun Doesn’t mean they have to change my mind.

Why do we have to go by these things?

That’s why I play tennis Differently than everyone else

By Mia Mathas

Camellia Sinensis You are as natural as you can be Which most people detest But what prattles in my mind May not suit you best Your aroma fills the air, like constellations fill the sky Your aroma is so distinguished, like a newborn baby’s crown I could consume you everyday Not regretting one sip Although iced is my fancy Couldn’t you predict?

No other drink, can compare to you Although that’s my opinion Isn’t it true?

You speak to me, like I speak to you You’re my tea

My Camellia Sinensis

By Claudia King

Ode to the Stars Tiny dots of glowing light, Lanterns glowing in the night, Sylvan glow flowing down so pure, Such beauty, showing graceful grandeur.

Like silver beacons in the black sky, Beauty so great, it could make men cry.

Always watching, seeing, listening, And through it all you remain bright and gleaming.

How long have you been there?

How long will you be there?

Were you just born?

Or about to expire, your long life to be ended and torn?

Are the stars upon which I set

Phoenix Camacho, Illuminated Letter, MS Graphics Class

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my gaze, The same ones my ancestors gazed upon during their last days?

Or could these be newborns, Upon which the future will look upon with love and awe?

Oh when you shoot across the sky, Oh what wonders you beseech upon my gazing eye, Oh what delight you bring to my blessed life.

Oh how holy, Oh how sacred, Blessed dots of pure light, Oh how you guide us through this life full of strife and plight.

Little beacons, Guiding home the masters of the sea for millennia, Lit by the sylvan guardian’s fire, Worshipped and danced to by the peoples of old, Guardians holding back the encroaching darkness and cold.

And chariots of sacritidy, Led by your great general the Sun, the golden chariot of Helios, Following the charge of your great leader, the God of Light.

Angry flames shot from bows at the armies of the Beyond.

My once dark path, now shining with white light.

Gleaming, now, the path so bright.

And now, clear of the blight.

By Sid Studebaker

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“Ender’s Game”

By Orson Scott Card You are 14 years old and in charge of commanding Earth’s interplanetary army against the enormous alien army who, 50 years before, nearly wiped out the entire human population. You are to leave your family, your friends, and your world behind in order to begin your training as quickly as possible. Time is running out and the world depends on you.

Your name is Andrew Wiggin, more commonly known as Ender.

“Ender’s Game” is a thrilling novel in which Andrew Wiggin attempts to save the human race from total annihilation. Everyone has teased and bullied Ender all throughout his childhood. Little does he know that ever since his conception, he has been monitored

by Galactic Commanders who believe he is the chosen one.

Once he reaches the age of 6, he is taken to Battle School where he, and fellow classmates who are all older than he is, play battle simulations. His reputation and career depend on his performance in these games.

Soon enough, Ender completes Battle School and moves onto Commander School. Every day, every month, every year is the same, one simulation after the next and after a while, this demanding lifestyle is taking a toll on Ender. Ender’s uncanny ability to overcome the impossible leaves the reader with such an intense feeling of anxiety after

each flip of the page that he very well might find himself clenching the covers of the book with perspiring hands. Though one question looms ever deeper in his mind after 8 long years: are these simulations more than just a game?

Masterfully chosen, with beautiful descriptions to match, the setting of this novel takes place in the picturesque void of space aboard the Battle School, the highly secretive IF (Intergalactic Fleet) headquarters on the barren asteroid of Eros, and Earth. The author doesn’t indulge on the exact time in which this novel takes place but we do know it is in the future because the humans are able manipulate gravity and disrupt molecules at will. Considering this book was first written in 1977, the pure imagination and creativity of Mr. Card’s impressions of the future is mind-boggling.

Orson Scott Card does a s tunning job with “Ender’s Game.”

His exhilarating description of the scenes during the simulations, like when Ender develops a new fighting technique and takes the whole school by storm, provides the reader with an incredibly detailed picture in his mind.

His clever idea behind training children in simulations like those used in Battle School, creates the illusion that maybe there is more to it than just a game. His free-flowing writing style incorporates action around every corner, while maintaining an intelligently devised plot that stirs up one

heck of a jaw-dropping finale!

I really do applaud Mr. Card on a splendid novel that will stay in your mind long after you read its enticing last page!

By Brian Gilday **third-Place Winner of the FNPL Book Review Contest**

Book Review: “Hollow City” (The Second Novel of “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”)

Peculiar children with extraordinary powers, fledgling romance, and monsters beyond the mind’s belief, could only mean one thing… “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is back! The second story “Hollow City” by Ransom Riggs, presents a whole new take on the peculiar. Jacob Portman returns and this time, while escaping the heinous wights in Wales, he makes his way to London where he is challenged to find a way to save Mrs. Peregrine. He does this against the backdrop of Nazi bombing raids on the city. Leading nine peculiar children into the deserted streets of London, hometown of the macabre hollowgasts, was not going to be easy. What would you sacrifice for the ones you love?

Pictures are worth a thousand words, and that is why Ransom Riggs incorporates disturbing new images in “Hollow City”, just like he did in the first novel. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is known for the odd

photographs that fit in perfectly with the story. Whether it’s meeting new people inside a dark ruin, bombs cascading from the sky, or even a nasty creature, the pictures capture every second.

Each one portrays a different and dark emotion that sets the whole tone for the book. The reader gets a better sense of the characters by observing each picture, and the author uses this technique to enhance his story.

The main character of “Hollow City” is Jacob Portman. Jacob is able to sense when danger is near, with a gut wrenching feeling.

Jacob’s right-hand woman is named Emma, a strong-hearted girl that can grow fire with her bare hands. Will Jacob and Emma find love, or will it be lost in the echoes of the destroyed city? This is where the romance comes into play. Many other peculiar characters are introduced, like Enoch, who can bring back the dead; Horace, who regurgitates bees; and Millard, the invisible boy. Riggs builds a strong bond between each peculiar child, regardless of their affliction.

Throughout their journey, it’s hard not to become attached to every character. Suspense builds because one character is concealing their true identity…

The story takes place in the 1940s during World War II. Bombs, planes, sirens, and a partially destroyed city sets the perfect stage for “Hollow City.”

In fact the title could refer to both London and its residents. The author keeps the reader engaged

from Wales to England, but also uses a “loop” that allows past and present to combine.

The children are stuck in the city battlefield during World War II. The only way to escape the explosions is to flee to the shadows of a church, even though they might not be alone.

“Hollow City’s” intriguing sense of mystery is its strongest quality. Riggs creates a fictional world with interesting characters, who always seems to be in a race against time. He keeps the reader guessing, and will have a third book coming out soon.

Will Jacob be able to save the peculiar lifestyle, or would it be left to ruin like a city in World War II. “Strange, I thought, how you can be living your dreams and your nightmares at the very same time,” says Jacob.

By Catherine Moore

Ode to La Playa Oh, the memories between us Will never leave my mind Your relaxing waves of blue and green Lapping on the sand The warm sun up above Warming heart and hand Oh, the memories we share Playing in your gentle waves Foam tickling my toes Or basking through the days The sunsets in your evenings Warm colors brightening my way Oh, the gentle flow you share Waves kissing the shore by night Gently lulling me to sleep Norf olk C olleg i at e

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Your peaceful sound Quieting all around Oh, your flow comes back again And we have another day Your strong waves carry me Over waves and crests Over creatures of the deep Away from reality To a place of rest and peace Oh, how I embrace your return To never have to leave you Your sands encircling me as I recline Couldn’t these days together Last forever Why must they end Oh, the fireworks are a sign To my heart You reflect the lights Just like you reflect the sun And make them more Better than they would be alone Oh, so you are to me You change my heart And make it more than it was before No longer alone We are now one And you abide in my heart Forever

By Carson McMonagle

Journeys with Friends A friend is a person you like and trust and someone you like being around!

A friend is a person that you can make plans with and make a fool out of yourself with and does not judge you; A friend is a person who knows

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and accepts us on the good, bad, awkward and sad days; Friends do not pass judgment; Friends do not talk behind your back; Friends will defend you even when you are not present!

Friends are like roller coasters; It is a lifetime ride.

Some hop on and some hop off; Friendships have their ups and downs.

Comrades, Cronies, Confidants, Pals, Mates; Whatever you call the person that is always there for you every step is a friend.

In life no friendship is perfect and it is important to be able to talk things out!

By Elizabeth Jones

Miss you You were my Friend Even though I didn’t know you For long Together We went fishing Together We went to the nursery I used to drive your Orange tractor You loved me Like you loved fishing You were like a flower Withering When you Died

By Hannah Anglin

Ike Davis Ike Davis Oh Ike How Ikeie you are How tall you stand How grand you are I love to watch you round the base In such a graceful manner How elegant you are Once you step in the box You Prep step Then you prepare To hit the ball I love when you hit the ball But usually the ball goes nowhere 90% of the time you strike out 5% Of the time you ground out The other 5% you fly out I would watch you play But that is a hike Because you were traded to the Pirates

By Griffin Hemmendinger

The brown boxes, not so big now, filled my house We began our 3,000-mile journey Although it felt like 3 million We arrived at this new place So warm and welcoming I stayed there for two years and made a lot of friends I enjoyed it here But as soon as that happened The process began again The brown boxes appeared again I grew to ignore them We then began our journey to the other side of the United States We arrived at a nice little place with people just like me Fathers who were in the military who came from different states They all understood me, as I understood them We had a lot of fun together

But that fun only lasted a year Before the process began again Brown boxes appeared I didn’t even notice them We arrived at a new location This place wasn’t like the rest I lived right next to the school As well as all my friends I stayed here for three years It was a very good time But as soon as it happened The truck came with the brown boxes The process began again I was getting tired of this I just wanted to stay in one place And so my wish was granted We arrived at this place but something was different I remember it This is the second house I lived in

Although I didn’t know anyone I was glad to be in a familiar place

By Ryan Moninger

Beauty What is beauty?

The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).

Is that beauty though?

An outside appearance?

A face just for show?

Everyone is fearfully and

Nothing Good Can Last It began when I was three years old I didn’t know what was happening Everything was in big, brown, boxes Some were small But others were three times my size!

We arrived at this new place I didn’t know where it was After a few years I began to learn more My father was in the Navy I made a few friends at this new place I really began to like them But as soon as that happened The process began again

Timothy Spooner, Illuminated Letter, MS Graphics Class

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beautifully made right?

Then why must we have this ongoing fight?

Why are we titled with unpleasing names, that judge how we look because we’re not the same.

How dare you decide who I am by my looks, didn’t you learn to never judge the cover of a book?

You have the audacity to tell her she doesn’t appeal?

Do you know that you cause the hurt that she feels?

We live in a world where this idea of beauty is all So there’s no way for confidence to be high, when everything around makes it fall We learn when we’re little to never judge and to always be kind But that lesson always finds some kind of way to exit our minds That one little word can determine one’s fate Not only eternally, but wrongly alter their physical state How is it the title is only granted to a few?

Enlighten me please, who gets to choose?

And who gets to take away what was already given Yes! You were beautiful from the day you began livin’ So what is beauty?

Something make-up can never create Look in your heart unlock the golden gate!

Eyes can deceive and eyes can lie Because what you see isn’t always beauty Why, because beauty is life

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And life ties us all!

Not a religion or a race, Not a color or a face!

Life So am I making a point, am I getting it through?

If they aren’t ‘beautiful’ Than neither are you, Because you’re life too

by Taylor Dews

Everyone Has Dreams Everyone has dreams They crave them And strive to reach them Dreams are what keep people going When something bad happens Dreams give them hope Dreams are the little light people try to reach Like the finish line waiting at the end of a race That’s all life is, a race Everyone has dreams One form or another When you reach one you aim for another Some dreams are set too high Too high for the dreamer to reach But they still push themselves That’s what dreams do They make people push themselves And if they don’t have to push themselves Their dreams aren’t good enough But the best part of dreams Is when you reach them I know Because I am a dreamer

By Natalie Jett

Some Day Some day The evil will spawn The good will be gone Everything we hate Will rise to be great And the ones we love Will no longer have power This day will end life, as we know it The evil will love to show it We all will hate this The evil will praise this We all will remember When the days were good When everything was perfect The evil had no power Until the dreadful day Some day But for the good We will always pray

by Davis Link

Cinthia and the Shell When Cinthia woke it was still dark outside. She dressed, and braided her hair. Although she was tired from waking up so early, she was used to it because she did this every morning. She slipped quietly out of the house, not wanting to wake anyone, and began walking towards the thing she cared for most, (besides her family of course) the seashore. It was quite a long walk, but she felt that the two-mile journey was worth it.

When she finally arrived at her destination, she was awed by the pigmented colors of the sunrise.

Even after the sun had finished

hoisting itself into the sky she stood there, admiring the water and the waves, and wishing she could stay there forever.

Every morning Cinthia would do this. She would walk to the beach just in time for the sunrise. She loved the sand, how it felt between her toes, the sound of the waves and the rich blue water, And every morning she would think to herself ‘Wow. I am so lucky to live near such beautiful scenery!’ Then she would sigh, breathing in another breath of the fresh, salty air and smile. Finally, after enjoying the shore for a few minutes longer, she would leave, walk home, and begin her day oblivious to the fact that someone had been watching her from the tall grass that grew on the sand dunes.

One day when Cinthia arrived at the beach, she seemed doleful, which was unusual for her.

Psamathe decided that it was time to show herself and emerged from her hiding place among the tall, straw-like grasses. She approached the obviously upset girl, and put a hand on her shoulder, which made Cinthia turn around at once. Cinthia recognized the woman in front of her almost instantly, it was Psamathe, the goddess of the beaches.

“You are Psamathe?”

Cinthia asked.

“Why yes, I am.” The goddess replied. “I have watched you come here for many days now.

You have never looked this sad.

What is wrong?”

“I love the beach, everything

about it. I love the sand, the color of the water, the waves, even the sound that they make. But I am moving to the mainland tomorrow, to a place with no beaches at all.

I do not know how I will ever be happy again.” Cinthia said with a dismayed look.

“You seem to share the same love for the shore that I have. And for your loyalty to it, I will grant you one wish.” Psamathe said.

“Choose wisely.”

“I wish that I could hear the ocean whenever I want to hear it.” The young girl said with no hesitation. Psamathe looked around and picked up a conk shell off the sand. She handed it to Cinthia. “This will play the music of the shores.” The goddess said. “Goodbye, it was nice meeting you, Cinthia.” And just like that, she disappeared. ‘But… how did she know my name?’

Cinthia thought.

When the girl got home from the beach that day she wondered if the shell would actually work.

But she couldn’t hear anything until she held it up to her ear.

Suddenly, she could hear the waves crashing into the sand.

And to this day, if you put your ear up to a shell, you will hear the ocean.

When We Were Younger When we were Younger We played like friends before life In the darkness and in the light When we were Younger We were all friends In the shadows and in the bright When we were younger Judgment didn’t exist Our differences, were out of sight Now that we’re older everything matters Things that didn’t matter before Now that were older People don’t see you They only see, what makes them sore Now that I’m older I wish I was younger And back to the land of galore

By Ashley Obermeyer

I didn’t do it

She did it

They Said it

He Said it

Don’t blame me I thought we were friends

by Morgan Ramsey D

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Real power comes when you stop holding others responsible for our pain, and we take responsibility for our feelings.

By: Melody Beattie

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diversions www.nor folkcollegiate.or g