Oracle Literary Magazine Fall 2021 (Bishop Canevin High School)

THE ORACLE Poetry - Art - Photography - Short Stories

Fall 2021

FROM THE EDITOR Hello and welcome to the fall 2021 edition of the Oracle. The Oracle is Bishop Canevin’s literary magazine, where students can showcase their poetry, art, photography and short stories. Two editions are published yearly: fall and spring.

I would personally like to thank all of the contributors; without you the Oracle would cease to exist. In addition, I send my gratitude towards Mrs. Charlotte Smith, and her dedication to her students.

As English department chair, she encourages the students to become their best selves. Thank you!

Thank you, Jillian Frosell, for the cover image of Venice, Italy. This painting is a part of a collection of cities which are featured throughout the magazine.

EDITOR

RENEE LAGROSSE

CONTRIBUTORS Maslen Anselm, 10 Willie Banks-Hicks, 12 Jonathan Bernotas, 10 Carolyn Bigley, 12 Braehm Brown, 12 Maria Cicchino, 10 Trey Champine,12 Alysha Cutri, 12 Isabella DeMark, 12 Madeline Dillon,10 Katie Drauch, 12 Katherine Duca,12 Cole Evans, 10 Molly Frick, 12 Jillian Frosell, 12 Jaden Gales, 12

CONTRIBUTORS Abby Gerchow, 10 Mason Glover, 10 Michael Holloway, 9 Mark Ingold, Jr., 12 Julian Jalkh, 10 Mac Johnson, 12 SaniAnne Jones, 12 Justin Gmys, 12 Lauren Kirsch, 12 Ian Lecker, 12 Alexis Leppert-Bell, 9 Sophie Maida, 12 Abbie Maziarz, 12 Megan McCartney, 12 Aniya Mike, 12 Gabe Miller, 12 Ben Ondrejko, 10

CONTRIBUTORS Michael Pastirik, 9 Maura Pechin, 12 Alex Petrak, 12 Dominique Panza, 9 Anessa Preteroti, 12 Nicholas Preteroti, 9 Alex Reick, 12 George Shorthouse, 12 Theresa Skindzier, 12 Ainsley Smith, 12 Tayah Swanson, 12 Jaiden Torres, 12 Jameson Vicario, 9 Aiden Vogelsberger, 12 Ella Whalen, 10 Vivian White, 10 Hayden Wigle, 10

LABSY AWARD WINNERS Megan McCartney

Every year, the annual Labsy Awards through the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh invites teens in grades 6-12 to submit original creations, inventions and works of art for the Teen Media Contest.

“Each year the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh sends me promotional material about the Labsy Awards. I distribute to faculty members who teach classes in the contest categories such as 2-D and 3-D art, music and photography. I make sure they have the guidelines for submission and the information about deadlines,” Bishop Canevin Librarian Suzan Rakaczky said.

“My part in the Labsy Awards is to encourage students to enter the contest, and suggest pieces of art that I feel are done very well and worthy of competing against art work done by the students in other schools in Pittsburgh,” Bishop Canevin’s art teacher Karen Kennedy said.

This year BC had four winners: seniors George Shorthouse and Cecilia Sciullo and sophomores Sydney Morningstar and Julianna Umalin.

“It is so amazing and such an honor to have my artwork in the library,” Umalin said. “I love how everyone is able to see my creation and hard work!”

“I feel that it is very cool to have one of my creations to show the school,” Sciullo said.

When Kennedy and Rakaczky were asked if they were going to continue promoting the Labsy Awards all year around, they both agreed, encouraging students to enter.

ALYSHA CUTRI

RENEE LAGROSSE

A TROPHY’S LIFE

By Alex

Reick

Paintings by Jillian Frosell

When I woke up, I first began to sneeze. I dropped my bowling ball to cover my mouth. When it fell, a big grey puff of something like smoke flew up. I began to sneeze profusely because of this. I then realized that I had not been cleaned in awhile or even seen the light of day. My dark surroundings were now a constant in my life. Once the pride of my owner in his younger days, I have been reduced to a life in a box. As he grew older, he chose to forget his former glory at the lanes. Realizing my sad predicament, a life covered in dust and never being seen, I decided to take matters in to my own hands.

I jumped up and down on my pedestal, each time touching the lid of the box. I did this until it opened. It must have taken an hour or more, but I did not care because I was on a mission. Once the box was open, I climbed my way to the edge and pulled myself over the top. I jumped down to the floor but hit my head. I was knocked out cold and my lifeless body lay on the floor for hours. When I finally came to, I raised myself to my feet, which did not have much grip with the bowling shoes I was wearing. I ran across the floor of what appeared to be the attic, face planting a couple times before I reached the stairs leading down. I went down the stairs, being more careful this time. The amount of care took a long time, but I did not care. I was determined.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and climbed my way up the wall till I reached the doorknob. Once there, I jumped on it and I used my weight to turn it until the door swung open. I was not expecting this and I fell again, with the same result as last time. The difference was that, this time, I woke up, not on the floor, but in a bag of trash. I was on my way to the dump. I can only imagine that my owner saw me, assumed his trophy was broken and worthless, and threw me out. Ever since, I have lived here in the dump with the rest of the human world’s lost possessions. Let my story be a lesson. Do not let your human allow you to lose interest or value; otherwise, you will end up like me—the guy in the bowling trophy just sitting in the dump.

Mixed Emotions

Jameson Vicario

ANIYA

MIKE

I am a young girl hiding my life away Maybe one day I’ll be able to come out and play.

For 3 years we survived and had to stay inside.

Then we were found and taken away.

I died in a camp, But my father lived to see another day.

My father managed to survive And he will publish my diary to keep my story alive.

(Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl)

MAURA

PECHIN

Running through the woods, curious to find a friend Not knowing what this place was is what he misunderstood.

Helping his friend find his father in camp But they both didn’t make it to the end.

(Bruno and Shmuel: Boy in the Striped Pajamas)

JAIDEN

TORRES

Jack will do anything for power Even if it means he must be sour.

He killed his close friend to get on top.

Luckily Ralph was the only one who could make him stop.

He was reckless and a maniac to be superior So he used the beast and found his old friends lacking He was a tyrant, just like Hitler.

(Jack: Lord of the Flies)

ALYSHA

CUTRI

YELLOW STARS

Renee LaGrosse

The earth was covered in a thick, cotton-white coat; Such a beautiful day, Yet laced with sorry and dismay.

On the frozen ground lay the petals, the leaves, everything but the sorrowful trees.

The water was frozen in crystalline shapes, some even portraying an intricate face.

The story they tell is not one of their own, But for the flowers, the leaves, and those sorrowful trees.

If you ask very nicely, they’ll sing a soft song, But you must truly be listening in order to sing along.

The story of mine is not one for the lighthearted.

Sit down my children, hum real slow, for this is a story of someone you NEED to know.

I was just a wee sapling when war ravaged my home.

The Warsaw Ghetto was built, a tomb-like dome.

The apples from my tree weren't even enough to set them free; I pleaded and I hoped and a baby appeared from under her cloak.

Some nights it was one, and others, two.

They were smuggled out in more ways than I knew.

Under my roots were a few special jars, With names of children who wore yellow stars.

Yellow Stars is a poem from the perspective of an apple tree. This apple tree was not far from Irena Sendler's house. Irena Sendler was a Polish social worker, nurse, and humanitarian. She worked as a nurse in the Warsaw Ghetto. Once inside the ghetto, Irena would try to convince Jewish families to surrender their children in hopes of a better life and safety for them. The children would then be smuggled out in various ways: in a toolbox, a suitcase, through the sewers, etc. Irena and her team smuggled 2,500 Jewish children from the ghetto with the promise that they would one day be reunited with their families. Each child’s name was written down on tissue paper and eventually the names were put into jars and buried under the apple tree that inspired this poem.

Duke | 102

ALYSHA CUTRI Jillian Frosell

Ian Lecker

Music Music makes one feel happy and alive.

Different noises hitting on strong beats, Harmonization makes all people thrive.

The sounds are written on black and white sheets.

There is excitement for the next full song, Instruments creating melodic art; Where all the cohesive notes get along, The piece of long work inspires the heart.

Your mind can drift off and daydream in space.

Music making you feel fulfilled and glad, The harmony takes you to a new place.

When it doesn’t work, one gets stressed and mad.

The beautiful and pretty lyrics rhyme.

And the music makes you lose track of time.

Nautilus I lie here, atop the crackling wave I am the sailor, holding love of sea I hold no fear, for the sea guides me brave I am the captain, no one I’d much be Stare, love, cherish her, lie there and ponder The sea bore us, set all life in motion She is our first home, start of our wander Even Venus emerged from the ocean The sea is our teacher, we’ve much to learn Nothing more sweet than her knowledge hidden Her secrets, her stories are what I yearn It’s finding of her with what I'm smitten The sea is my love, the only truly Go find your sea, I implore you duly

Mark Ingold, Jr.

Carolyn Bigley

Soccer Playing the champs it’s time to dethrone The game is starting now I have no fear Hearing the crowd’s noise gets me in my zone I am quick and smart when the ball is near Striking the ball in the back of the net There's no other way I would want to feel During rain, feeling the ground soaking wet Celebrating feeling like the real deal The game is all tied, the clock is ticking My adrenaline is taking control I’m passing and everything is clicking Giving my whole body even my soul I strike the ball and hear a wave of roaring Game ended and my heart is soaring

Seasonal Sonnet As all but evergreen begins to fade And the bloody clouds of crimson arrive, Deep ruby erupts from the verdant jade As green tea is exchanged for smooth red wine.

Death grips the leaves in a beautiful song, Singing melodies of crunching below.

Their soft, elastic skin ages like dawn; Fast yet clear is the seasonal deathblow.

The star retires to her hibernation While her fever dwindles by the second.

The breeze cups my cheeks with adoration; My happiness was what Autumn beckoned.

Sick and twisted that when she slowly dies Is the only time that I feel alive.

NOMADIC

| 24

Lauren Kirsch George Shorthouse

Renee LaGrosse Willie Banks-Hicks

Mac Johnson

Alysha Cutri

Sonnet 23 Ode to the Fall Autumn is an important time of change Colorful fall, you inspire me to write.

September 23rd begins it all How I love the way you look, shine, and soar.

Sunlight fades and shorter days are exchanged Invading my mind day and through the night.

Summer temperatures begin to fall Always dreaming about the charming leaves.

Deciduous trees shed all of their leaves Let me compare you to a light clover?

After shifting from green to orange or red You are more charming, dreamy, and bright.

Clear dark skies are prevalent in the eve Blind storms whip the twilights of October.

Stargazers view while laying on their heads And autumntime has a slight oversight.

Pumpkin and apple are now fav flavors How do I love you? Let me count the ways.

Orchards, haunted houses, and corn mazes I love your right leaves, sunsets, and colors.

Jackets and sweaters are used as layers Thinking of your bright sunsets fills my days.

Football and camping can make joyous days My love for you is fundamental.

As December the 21st approaches Now I must lie with a fearful heart.

The days of fall end and winter encroaches Remember my white words when we’re apart.

Sonnet 18 Sonnet

147 Upon the water a great beast had just rose When October’s autumn breeze will arrive.

Rotund and wallowing, weird and stark Comes along fairies on the fallen leaves.

From what depths it appeared from no one knows They laugh and collect new seeds soon to thrive.

The foul beast took appearance of a shark They all complete their many jobs with ease.

Swirling around the famed port of terrace While dancing to a beautiful fall day.

Terrifying all people who sailed Rose, the youngest fairy, paints foliage.

Being there quite a legendary menace From green, red, to orange it’s on display.

A hero to fight the monster they hailed She peeks at you from an overgrown hedge.

Hearing their call one swift boat knew to rush You smile with the breeze. “It’s sweater weather.”

Swift as a bird and as red as wine A small drop of green falls on your sweater.

Once they’d make it there the fish they would crush It’s alright, you have had it forever.

The boat made it there and my it looked fine And this green dot will make it much better.

On the seas a vanquishing crew had realm Autumn's breeze, music, and leaves set the stage.

To all sea fiends by the captain at helm.

For autumn fairies that are not quite staid.

Ode to Winter Sonnet

1 O most detested of seasons hear me Playing football never tires me Thou art not given enough veneration Friday nights under the lights Allow me to portray the truth of thee Always make me feel free Thou art a season of great elation My talent shines so bright Delicate white snowflakes fell from the skies Football is like chess Kids stand outside with their tongues out wide Have your plan ready Drinking hot cocoa always satisfies Or this game will be a mess Snowmen and reindeer can be seen outside Good plays keep us steady Sitting by the fireside keeps me warm This game is fun to win I feel alive sledding down the hills of snow But you have to know how to lose A clear night sky creates the perfect storm If not it’s almost like a sin Having a snowball fight is quite the show Which is always bad news This is all why winter is so much fun I am thankful for my team And it will last until spring has begun I’ve waited four years to live my dream

On Top Of A World Made Of Color

Theresa Skindzier

Untitled SaniAnne Jones

Something scuttled under my skin, although it wasn’t an unfamiliar sensation, as I’ve felt the jolt before. However this time was different, it was longer. It was as if it was vibrating. With nothing I could do, I brushed it aside and went on with my day.

“Let’s take the dog to the vet, I want him chipped before he runs off,” exclaimed my mum. Groggily, I follow.

We arrived at the vet and they had us wait only about five minutes. We were then called into a room where the vet explained to us how the chip worked.

“It’s a simple procedure,” he explained, “with a vibration feature the dog will feel when its location is being searched. Here, hold it.”

Not thinking too much about it, I hold my hand out and expect a light buzz. What I got was much more terrifying. While almost dropping the chip, I had felt the same vibration I did prior to coming to the vet.

“What do you think sweetie?” Asked my mum “It’s-it’s great…,” I responded as my words trailed off I quickly handed the chip back and waited for my mum to finish talking to the vet.

“Why am I chipped,” I asked myself, “and who needs my location…”

Untitled Katherine Duca

The rash was spreading, pulsing, hurting. It was just an ordinary day until a massive explosion devastated the school.......

It had only been fifteen minutes since the bomb went off in the lower section of the school. As I pick up my phone I notice that I have no service which means that I have no way of contacting anyone for help. There is so much debris from the explosion that it is hard to see anything around me. My ears have been ringing for what seems like a lifetime and my skin continues to burn. “What was in the bomb that is making my skin feel like this?” Little did I know that this rash would change my life forever. All of the students that were in the building were infected with a deadly virus. No one knows who did this or why but all we know is that we’ve been stuck in this building for over a year. I haven’t been able to see any of my family members. The school has been under military quarantine and no one is allowed outside the walls of the school. I don t know how much longer I’m going to last....

MOMENTS IN TIME TRITYCH

THERESA SKINDZIER

Time is of the Essence Bella DeMark

​Every day starts at 6 a.m. I scream forever until I am smacked to be quiet. Once I am silent, it’s peace and quiet. I sit on the table while looking at the ceiling, waiting until I get to scream again. As my hand hits 6:16 a.m. I start to scream. Again, I am sitting and screaming, waiting for the random hand that always tells me to shut up. I always remember that I only get a little vocal rest because I start screaming once again. After this round, they all finally wake up. I am left alone, thank the Lord. I just sit back and watch from behind the screen as they check all their social media. When the clock strikes 7, I scream for the last time. This yell only lasts a few seconds and then I am done. For the rest of the day, as they go to school, I stare at their pockets until the next day. The next morning it is the same routine of yelling all over again. This is my day as an alarm clock.

The Great Storm

George Shorthouse

Many sailors will recall their first encounter with the Great Whirl. It always begins as the day starts, each sailor aboard seeing the long arm-like tendrils of the storm slowly as if sauntering, surrounding the ship. By breakfast the tension of what will happen next is palpable as if the storm’s mist was the breath of an assailant behind them breathing down their necks. Then, as soon as everything seems calm, a large strike of lightening will blast the ship’s rear just as a tamer’s whip cracks a lion. The crew will be unready and the storm will take advantage, blowing winds in every direction around the ship as a teetotaler blows to cool his tea. Hysteria will ensue as the ship’s members deliriously see figments of a man’s face in the clouds above, whose great grey bear thunder emanates like the shout of a stern father whose children have angered him. For every sailor who passes across the seven seas must answer to his judgment, for he is the one who allows them to pass through his domain. By noon, the great storm will be ready to render its judgment on those below. There are but a few ways in which one can make it across safely: one is that you should never encounter the sovereign father of the seas. The second is you should show pure heart and true intention of your cargo; and third is to brave the storm and earn the respect of the master. By that, all crews who encounter it will remember these verses: With any crew that deals in the slave trade, the whirl has no mercy; it be better for every soul to perish than to be held in slavery. With those that carry common folk or pilgrims on a journey, the ocean will show restraint and allow them safety surely. And, finally, for pirates or navy and the rest, the sea will chomp and chew you out and spit out only the best. So the sea at 6 o’clock will put on each ship its wisdom just as every judge delivers proper sentences. So finally as he dissipates and his OMADIC | 24 great form flows away, the sun will shine as bright as ever and the sailor will be ever gratefulN for the sun’s rays.

MICHAEL HOLLOWAY

MICHAEL PASTIRIK

ALEX

PETRAK

I always thought the world was mean Back in those days when I was fourteen The mean old landlord, Lynch, I would describe as the Grinch.

As the days went on, so did our hunger So we had to resort to the plunder.

For this, they took me into jail.

It was just like I heard -- those terrible tales.

People talked about the work houses Those places they sent the widows of dead spouses.

Despite it only being a heart attack, It was me the Lynch’s began to track.

They tracked me down to the dock.

I had to blend in like a rock.

Eventually I got on a ship And, only then, began my trip.

(Kit Byrnes: Greener Grass)

JILLIAN

FROSELL

ANESSA

PRETEROTI

I am unconventional, with a bit of mystery about me, Happy, resourceful and funny but nothing, if not free.

I drive a big yellow bus, almost something magical.

Some would describe my teaching style as radical, theatrical.

Walkerville Elementary is my home.

My curly, wild locks could use a good comb.

“How does she do that?” is the name of the game.

“The Friz” is the one; she will never be tamed.

My imagination is so artful, my humor poetic.

I must be off to class. I shall bid you goodbye.

Take a look up; I’ll see you in the sky.

(Ms. Frizzle: The Magic School Bus)

KATIE

DRAUCH

Judy Moody is fun to be around.

In the summer, she plays on the ground.

Her brother, Stink, always listens Even when there are dresses that glisten.

Her goal is to have a great summer And do everything she can to not have it be a bummer.

She’s sometimes happy and moody And her creativity is a real beauty.

(Judy Moody)

Feeling unwanted, she finds comfort in a book.

Unknown to her, inside was an evil crook.

From now on, most will look at her in a different way, With the exception of the handsome boy who always saves the day.

She grows to be someone who is admired Because when angered, a curse she will have fired.

Still treated like a kid, she makes a mistake with a consequence so big, By fighting for a cause, a loved one lost a life.

A I D E N V O G E L S B E R G E R He is gone while she became a wife.

Always scarred from her evil past, I like to spread the love and fun She will live, haunted until her last breath.

I break some things and ruin some clothes All she wanted was her family’s love, I try to be seen by kids and not parents But all she got was a mess from the stars above.

They get mad when I am there (Ginny Weasley: Harry Potter) And sad when I come again I clean it up and fix my wrongs Then move on to the next home.

(The Cat in the Hat)

ALYSHA

CUTRI

Lauren Kirsch

Alexis Leppert-Bell

HYMN

Nicholas Preteroti

I have always had astute senses, particularly a keen sense of hearing and an impressive perception of noises. I fear now that it has become too apt, as periodically I have been hearing simply awful sounds. Sounds of amalgamated shrieking and whining that is like jagged glass forcing its way through my ear and out the other. Previously the terrible noise would be so potent to my senses that I would faint, later to reawaken in pure agony. As of late, however, the sound has gotten an almost refinement to its tone. Still it sounds imperceptibly unearthly, mangled, and horrible.

With each passing day the shrill screeching gets more prominent yet rhythmic and organized, sometimes holding the effect of multiple unthinkable voices. The surging sensation of inexplicable thunderous sounds became debilitating to me however calmingly as if inducing a state of languor. I have tried to take prescribed sedatives but even they proved more than lacking in halting the intoxicating ringing. Still, with each passing day the otherworldly echoes continue to beckon me to allow myself to truly listen to this bewildering cacophony. Now to me it feels as if days are passing in mere seconds, heralded and dismissed by the haunting anthem that has attached to me. All my thoughts have been clouded, with the only straight focus I can retain is on my great burden. In my fleeting moments of rest and sleep I can feel otherworldly manus caressing my organs and my awareness, sending me into bottomless profound fits of pure terror.

When gazing into a mirror I appear only as a coalescence of horrific mangled eyes and tendrils, so misshapen I become sickened and weak as my mind continues to spiral endlessly in awing dread. Has this incomprehensible music profaned or invoked an unthinkable higher power with me as its catalyst? Have I suddenly achieved new insight on a previously concealed corporeality that I have no possibility of beginning to understand?

I am aware by this point that all I have in my power to do to quell my pain at the hands of this blaring dissonance is cease my resisting and release my control over my own ears so that I may truly listen to the cruel arrangement that has been so generously bestowed to me. With one simple action of releasing myself and surrendering I finally correctly interpret the pungent melody that has been affecting me for so long. Now, in my moment of grand melodic revelation, I cannot just hear, but listen to the ethereal orchestra wringing its way through my entire being and soul, and relish in the wonderful agony that I have embraced. I easily forget all my memories, thoughts, and habits to become a being of only this transcendental quintessence that has freed me from my worldly shackles of mundaneness and voicelessness. Now with the feeling of my life force vacating and my terminal memories of who I formerly was fading, I lay in my final stillness to enjoy the coda of the great cosmic symphony of madness, my hymn.

Conflicted

Dominique Panza

A Day in the Life of a Shoe Ainsley Smith

I woke up one morning but it was very dark and I couldn’t see anything. Then, all of a sudden, clothes were lifted off me and I saw a bright light that turned out to be sunlight beaming through the window of my owner’s room. I guess my owner was looking for me because she started to clean up her room, but then stopped once she found me.

Yesterday my owner and I had a very boring day because all we did was go to the grocery store and buy food. I’m hoping that today we will go on a more exciting adventure and see new things. Suddenly, I heard my owner’s mom yell, “We are going to miss our flight!” I put two and two together and figured out I was going on a trip with my owner. I was beyond excited and started to think of what place we were going to while we were on the car ride to the airport. My first thought was the beach but then I thought about how my owner only brought me a pair of tennis shoes. Who brings tennis shoes to the beach? After that, I was all out of ideas because I’ve only ever gotten on an airplane that landed at the beach. We then got on the plane and I was mad because I was put under a seat so I couldn’t see much and I couldn’t get any clues on where we were going. When I felt the airplane shake and come to a stop, I knew we landed. As soon as my owner stepped off the plane, I was covered in snow. I couldn’t see anything for a while until we got into a car that was very clean. The car turned out to be an Uber and thanks to my amazing listening skills, I overheard the driver talking about mountain trails. As soon as I heard that, I had a feeling I was going to be put to use if we were climbing mountains. We then got to our hotel room and my owner took me off and I had an awesome view of mountains through the window. Before it got dark out, my owner and her family decided to go hiking. I was then put back on and got ready for adventure. My owner and I hiked for miles. After our hike, we went and had dinner at a fancy restaurant. While my owner and her family were eating, I could smell delicious food and was a little jealous I didn’t get any, but, then again, I am a shoe. After dinner, I was very worn out and tired and so was my owner so we went back to the hotel room and got a good night’s sleep so we could prepare for more hiking tomorrow. Overall, my day was very fun and much more exciting than the grocery trip we went on yesterday.

ABBIE

MAZIARZ

KATHERINE

DUCA

Cinderella is very sad Her stepmother is mean and mad Cleaning the house from morning until night Not a speck of dust in sight Wanting to be free She imagined her life with good company Will her prince ever appear?

Yes, he’s got her shoe right here!

(Cinderella)

The box is where it all started W.I.C.K.E.D. put me in here and I’m trying to get out.

Making friends, trying to survive.

Go past the walls in fear But I know the exit is near.

I’ve lost a lot of friends, But we eventually made it out.

I know I was going to, without a doubt.

(Thomas: The Maze Runner)

GABE

JUSTIN

MILLER

GMYS

I was born with my dad a god Since then, my life’s been odd.

I fight to live For my friends anything I’ll give For I am their chosen hero For friends I never want zero.

This is my life And while it has strife I long for a future and a wife.

(Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief)

He is the knight, master of darkness, protector of light Hero of Gotham. For the city, he fights.

Some think he’s insane. Yeah, they think he’s a bad man.

His name is Bruce Wayne. You can call him the Batman.

(Batman)

TAYAH

TREY

SWANSON

Poor little rabbit So lost in time You lost track of everything Including your mind.

You are shaking and shouting You need a break But you must keep running Or a beheading awaits.

(The White Rabbit: Alice in Wonderland)

CHAMPINE

Sometimes I sit and wonder What being popular is like.

Is it fun or is it overrated?

Sadly, I’ll never know because I’m just a nerd who plays videogames.

All I want is to be popular.

Is it because I’m scared of spiders Or is it because I have an imaginary monster?

I guess I’ll never know.

All I want is to be popular.

(Greg Heffley: Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

ALYSHA

CUTRI

Untitled Ainsley Smith

The rash was spreading, pulsing, hurting. It was unlike any other rash I’ve had before. I spent the whole day trying to get rid of it, but it seems as if it was here to stay. I thought that maybe if I could think of what caused the rash that I could get rid of it, but nothing came to mind. Then I decided to retrace my steps. In the morning I got up, took a shower, and then ate a banana for breakfast. Next, I went to Starbucks and got a venti iced caramel macchiato and from there I picked up my little cousins from daycare. We drove back to my house and played on my trampoline for a while. Next thing I know I got off the trampoline and the rash started. It spread pretty quickly, but it didn't hurt, my skin was just spotted and red. I went to lay down and I got a call from my aunt; she was on her way to pick up the kids. As my aunt walked in the house she saw me and gasped. She proceeded to freak out, but I calmed her down when I told her I wasn't in any pain. Then the next thing I know, I woke up sick in a hospital bed with the rash still all over me. My aunt told me that I had an allergic reaction to something I drank. I told her that couldn't have been true because the only thing I drank was water and a Caramel macchiato, but I’ve never had a reaction to either drink before. Then my little cousins came up to me and told me they put glitter in my drink while we were in the car because they thought it looked pretty. They both felt horrible and bought me caramel macchiatos, without glitter in them, for the rest of the month. It was a crazy day, but definitely one I will never forget.

Test Subject A Molly Frick

Test subject A is unaccounted for, the announcement went over the loudspeaker. When the lab got word that the scientists had lost one of their subjects the testing only got more intense. I was walking my dog one October morning, we were on our usual route, then some man came up and asked me for directions. That's the last thing I remember about that day. Now I am here, strapped to a table with 10 other people beside me enduring the same torture I am every single day. The doctors don't call us by our names. It’s either in alphabetical order or by number. So when subject A’s straps, tying him down to the table, one day were loose he tried to make a run for it. He could only get so far in that condition, but they didn’t bring him back yet. Subject A is our only chance at our survival. Without him, no one knows we are here and no one is coming.

A Day in The Life of the Sun Aiden Vogelsberger

I was keeping up on making sure the planets are still moving and evolving. I do this every day because I am supposed to give them light and warmth. My favorite planet is Mercury because it is almost as hot as I am, and I can have conversations with him since he is the closest planet to me. My least favorite is Earth because it is always having the most issues with the things living on it. I do not like it because it is polluting my space with those machines and weird free-floating things. Sometimes these things are looking at me and I do not know why they are. I put on little shows for them by doing solar flares and messing around by going in front of their moon. I’ve heard rumors that this can make the living things on earth lose sight. I have no proof that this is true, but I am going to continue doing it anyway. I check up on the rest of the planets and every once in a while, I lose Pluto; he is the very small one in the bunch of planets. He is also the slowest to go around me and is the coldest planet since he is so far from me. It also amazes me how some of the planets have rings and can keep them close without flying away. I would have thought by now they would have lost them in one way or another. Lastly, I finish my day by making sure everyone is on track and in the right place. This is important so the planets do not crash into each other and start a fight. I repeat the process every day to make sure all the planets are alive and ready to work.

A Day in The Life of a Fan Braehm Brown

​ he life of a fan is pretty cool. Normally I just hang around and, occasionally, I’ll go for a T spin. I usually don’t have to do any hard work. I get to just chill all day. When people turn me on, it gets pretty crazy and I get dizzy. I enjoy the winter months the most. That’s when I don’t have to do anything at all except collect dust. Although I also enjoy when summer starts again and I get dusted off; that feels great. Being a fan is awesome. I highly suggest giving it a whirl.

A Day in The Life of an iPhone Jaden Gales

I​ start my day face first on the nightstand, alarming my owner that it’s time to wake up and go to school. Sometimes he gets mad and hits the snooze button hard and sometimes he gets up and uses me to check what the weather is like and who texted him. After he gets dressed, I alarm him that it’s time to leave and drive to school. Once we’re outside, he connects me to his Bluetooth speaker in the car and I play music for him. Once we’re at school, I go in his pocket and stay in there until lunchtime. Sometimes I get food crumbs on me but he wipes it off and watches his YouTube videos during lunch. After lunch, I go back in the pocket until we get back to the car and drive and go to training. When he’s training, I keep buzzing because people keep texting him and calling him but he never answers until training is over. Afterwards, he uses me for music in the car on the way home. Then he puts me in the charger and I go right back to sleep.

ALYSHA CUTRI

LAUREN KIRSCH

HAYDEN

WIGLE

COLE

EVANS

Fishermen go fishing In a Small lake in hope of Hooking a big fish.

Hat trick Overtime Checking Keep possession of the puck Enthusiastic teammates You need to work as a team.

VIVIAN

JONATHAN

WHITE

BERNOTAS

Fast casting Into the water Sailing on a boat Hoping for a bite In spite of the blazing sun Never getting bored Gasping at the fish that I caught.

Bouncing balls down the lane Only one pin will remain Will you hit it? No one knows.

Line up the shot and let it go.

It hit the mark.

None remain. It was a Great day for bowling.

ELLA

Sun-kissed skin, lying Under the shade Making memories Moonlit strolls Enjoying and Relaxing in the summer.

MARIA CICCHINO Showing up to practice Oatmeal bars before games Choosing to play my best Composed during kickoff Eager to play Ready to score.

ABBY

MASON

WHALEN

GERCHOW

Washes away dirt Always needed Thirsty for more Ever refreshing Represents life.

GLOVER

Hustling On the ice Catching the opponent Keeping the lead Every second counts You’ve won the game!

ALYSHA

CUTRI

MEGAN MCCARTNEY

RENEE LAGROSSE

A Day in the Life of a Pumpkin Sophie Maida

I woke up early in the morning from a farmer who was harvesting some fresh apples.

Today is Saturday so I plan on watching people of all ages coming to see my pumpkin friends. It starts at eleven in the morning. There are many people crossing back and forth between the pumpkin patch and apple picking. I hope that today is the day that I get picked to go back home with my family. I have always wondered what they do to my friends when they take them home. I hope to find out today. The day passes and I am starting to lose hope when suddenly, a small girl picks me up and says, “I like this one.” I go into their car and the girl holds me the whole way home. When we get there, she starts cutting into me with a sharp knife. I am very confused with what is happening. After cutting me up for about an hour, her mother pulls out a small device and takes a picture.

When she shows us the picture, I see that she has created a smile for me. She puts me on her front porch and I sit and watch as many kids go past in fun costumes. I am very happy with my life as a pumpkin.

Untitled Ainsley Smith

Mr. Gatsby was a man of great sorrow.

His heart was not full; therefore, it was hollow.

A woman named Daisy Buchanan was a desire he followed.

He fell in love with her from the day they met, So he threw massive parties for her, which put him in debt.

She was married, but that did not make Gatsby break a sweat.

Daisy was his ex, or as he called her, someone he would never forget.

Her husband confronted Gatsby and, quickly filled with regret, Gatsby turned angry and decided to make a bet.

To win Daisy back, he had to show her his love.

He bet that he would do whatever it takes when push comes to shove.

But it wasn’t enough which almost gave him a heart attack.

He never won her over and died from the lack.

He was a good man, just misunderstood, But he refused to live without her, even though he could.

(The Great Gatsby)

A Day in the Life of Frank Sonata Tayah Swanson

You would probably think a car’s day cannot possibly be interesting, but come with me through my day and see just how wrong you are. I’m Frank, a 2013 Hyundai Sonata with a dream. I want to be a race car. I take Tayah to school every day but, unlike the other cars in that cramped lot by the smelly football field, I waltz right out of there and practice racing. Why do I want to race, you may ask? Well, taking Tayah to her track practices and watching the kids zip and zoom around the bends and across the straightaways was quite inspirational, and it made me a little jealous I wanted to do that.

I began racing on the highways with the other cars from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. I zip and zoom around the bends and across the straightaways and then I have to pick up Tayah. She looks so tired; she must have been learning a lot. We’ll take the fast way home today, which is my favorite. Once I take her home, I have to sit in her cramped driveway next to the other family cars until all of the neighbors and Tayah are asleep. Today she just can’t seem to get to sleep as it is almost 2 in the morning. Once she’s finally asleep, I notice my gas tank is low. I go to fill it up before heading out to race again. The cars at night go faster on the highway which is super fun and more of a challenge for my engine and tires. I could use new tires actually. All the other cars are talking about a new Budd Baer tire sale. Maybe I’ll get some for winter! That’s my day. You must never just think your car is sitting around all day because you never know where we could go.

A Day in the Life of My Glasses SaniAnne Jones

It’s pitch black as I lay against her pillow. Suddenly the alarm turns and I know I still won’t be used for another ten minutes. Eventually Sani rolls over and grabs me from my resting spot. I wonder what things we will see today. She grabs her phone to check the time and I see it’s 7 in the morning. I’m then grabbed and thrown on the bed while she rubs her eyes and heads downstairs. After awhile she finally comes back, rubs my lenses and I help her see the world that much clearly. We drive to school on the normal route. I begin helping her with depth perception and knowing how far she is from other cars. We get to school and somehow I already feel a layer of oil on my frames. We walk into school and greet everyone as normal. I keep falling off her face but it’s so cold she doesn’t want to remove her hands from warmth to adjust me. As classes begin, I’m continually pushed up against her face. Having to look down at her iPad so much causes her to take me off her face. I sit on the desk and observe her peers. Eventually the bell rings and the day goes on.

After school we go to volleyball practice where I’m constantly mangled. Again, I help her see the ball and understand her placement with where to set. It seems as though I’m constantly being grabbed from her face to be cleaned. All the sweat really builds up. After volleyball we head home on the normal route then we sit at home to eat dinner. She takes me off her face to make sure I don’t fall into her food. Afterwards, I lay on her bed as she takes a shower. I help her do homework and, when she moves me from her face to rub her eyes, I know that rest can’t be far away. Soon the lights move the room to pitch blackness and I await the following day to come.

MADDIE

DILLON

Surprised by the aMazing sound I hear, Like I’m Under a spell when it is near, I feel Safe when I’m surrounded, One sIngle note and I’m astounded.

Can I put this song on replay?

MASLEN

ANSELM

Separated by dark and light Turmoil throughout the galaxy Authority enforced by the Empire Rebellions putting up a fight.

Which side will win?

Avenge your fallen friends Resist the evils of the dark side Save the galaxy and bring forward the light.

BEN

ONDREJKO

Hopping the boards Onto the ice Catching the pass Keeping it wide Easing past the defense Yanking it through the goalie’s pads.

JULIAN

JALKH

Please let me fall asleep.

I want to go to bed.

Let me fall into my dreams.

Lounging in bed sucks.

Oh, I hate not sleeping!

Why can’t I go to sleep??

Lauren Kirsch

Toppling Tea Tower

Theresa Skindzier