Literal Impact Fall 2019

Literal Impact Prospect High School’s student-run Art and Literary Magazine

Fall 2019 Vol. 1

Literal Impact Fall 2019

LITERAL IMPACT Welcome to the first issue of Literal Impact: Prospect High School’s Art and Literary Magazine!

This publication is dedicated to the amazing creative abilities of Prospect Students. Our magazine’s goal is to, twice-a-year, call attention to the fabulous artwork and creative writing skills possessed by our students.

We are a student-run art and literary magazine. All Prospect students are welcome to submit their creative work! We publish a variety of art and literary works: ● ● ● ●

Painting Drawing Cartoons Graphic Stories

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Short Stories Poetry Six-word Stories 280-Character “Twitterature”

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Photography Photos of Sculptures or other 3D Design work Scripts for Short Plays

Do you want to be featured in our next issue?

Literal Impact will be accepting entries for our Spring 2020 publication. To learn about the submission process, please visit our website prospectalmagazine.wordpress.com and click on the menu item ‘How to Submit Work’.

The work featured in this magazine is the intellectual property of Prospect High School students. All ownership rights are retained by the student artists and authors. Literal Impact is primarily an online magazine; however a limited number of print editions will be made available. Please contact us through our website if you are interested.

ProspectALMagazine.wordpress.com

Fall 2019 Impact Award Winners In every issue of Literal Impact, the editors work together to choose four pieces to recognize with an Impact Award, one in each of the four categories: Art, Poetry, Photography, and Prose Writing. Each of the award winners also receives a small scholarship. The award selection uses a blind submission process, whereby the editors do not know who is the artist or author of the piece, until after the winner has been chosen.

We had so many wonderful submissions and it was a close race in several categories. However, in the end, certain entries stood apart. It’s our honor to announce the first ever recipients of the Impact Awards:

Impact Award for Art: Akshay Thakur, ‘America Behind Bars’ Impact Award for Poetry: Rohini Banerjee, ‘White Picket Fences’

Creators and Producers Meet the producers, editors, and designers of this magazine who helped showcase and represent the artists of Prospect High School!

Co-Editor and Founder Lucas Daney Co-Editor and Business Director Keerthy Reddy Co-Editor and Publicity Director Brooke Grabbe Graphic Design and Layout Editor Sydney Lindman Co-Editors Safa Ahmed Kajsa Morse Laxmi Cspur

Impact Award for Photography: Alden Hughes, ‘Tunnel’ Impact Award for Prose Writing: Alexa Marie Gonzales, ‘Memories in Polaroids’ Congratulations to the winners for their extraordinary creative abilities! You will find these award winning creative works, along with many other beautiful pieces, on the following pages.

Production Team Valeriia Pak Isabella McCord Ishan Garg Joshua Chavan Club Advisor Mr. Fisher

Dear Readers, Welcome to Literal Impact, Prospect High School’s art and literary magazine!

We aim to take you on a journey through some of the amazing pieces of art and written works that Prospect students have created. We hope you will find these works as beautiful and creative as we did, and that the impact they make will inspire you to see new possibilities in the world —and, perhaps, to find your own creative side.

We’d like to thank to our entire staff and production team for all their help. A very special ‘Thank You’ also goes out to our advisor, Mr. Fisher, without whose support, Literal Impact would never have made its debut!

And with that, we are proud to present our magazine! Enjoy!

—Editors of Literal Impact!!

Table of Contents Artwork Breakfast at the Parthenon, Rohini Banerjee

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America Behind Bars, Akshay Thakur

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Idle, Joshua Chavan

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African Dance, Laxmi Cspur .

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The City House, Lucas Daney

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The Anger Within, Laina Lubeck

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Poetry and Flash Fiction White Picket Fences, Rohini Banerjee There are Eyes in the Trees, Sid Banerjee Six-word Story A, Ishan Garg

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Six-word Story B, Ishan Garg

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The Portage Glacier, Keerthy Reddy

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Tunnel, Alden Hughes

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Untitled, Alden Hughes

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White-crowned Sparrow, Alden Hughes .

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Shadows, Alden Hughes

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Photography Montana, Alden Hughes

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Short Stories and Autobiographical Reflections Memories in Polaroids, Alexa Marie Gonzales .

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The Roach, Marcus Mislang

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Inside My House, Ishan Garg

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Breakfast at the Parthenon, Rohini Banerjee ‘20 8

(Painting)

White Picket Fences, Rohini Banerjee ‘20 (Poetry) Impact Award Winner for Poetry White picket fences Protect freshly trimmed lawns Stiff wooden houses Standing silent— Waiting— Watching.

Bright Red signs Mar the whitewashed walls Beware of dog” In thick, bold strokes.

Dogs frolic on the laws Joyful, carefree, playful Twisting and Turning Yipping and Yapping.

But other dogs have a bite Bark mean and hateful With hints of betrayal Draw blood and wounds Seen only by the innermost eye.

Protected, sheltered, hidden— By the white picket fences And the stiff wooden houses The houses are marred

By Bright Red signs “Beware of dog” In thick bold strokes.

But nowhere do I see The sign that warns “Beware the dog that bites” ❖ 9

1010

Montana, Alden Hughes ‘21

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Memories in Polaroids Alexa Marie Gonzales ‘23 (Autobiographical Reflection) Impact Award Winner for Prose Writing

July 13, 2018 - Philippines Looking back, I learned that life is all about endings which come with new beginnings, and I had come to my

I was born and raised in the Philippines and living

ending. I received the news about me having to go to the

there for the rest of my childhood was probably the best

United States, needing to go there to accomplish my goals

memory I can bring anywhere I go. I always imagined living

and be with the people that provided life for me all

there for the rest of my life, pursuing my dreams along with the

throughout the years, my parents. That sounds really fun,

people that raised and loved me all throughout life's journey.

right? It seems like a piece of cake and an experience of

The simple joy of being with the people you love as you

greener pastures. Upon realizing what would happen my

achieve all your dreams together is probably the only wish I

throat grew arid and tears welled up in my eyes, but they

have for myself. Nevertheless, we all know that good things

abstained from falling - I have to leave everything behind to

comes to an end, and there it was: I saw the end of this

start something new.

beautiful journey last year.

Through that journey, I have met a lot of wonderful people that loved me as a family. I grew up with my

I had school work piling up in front of me. I had lots of things to do, yet it felt like moving a muscle would break me down. Leaving wasn’t easy.

grandmother, aunt, and cousins, and they are the best people

I threw parties to say goodbye to the people I met in

you’ll meet; they are the embodiment of love. They molded me

the Philippines. Those parties are the happiest days of my

into who I am today. They became my parents and guardians

last week of staying in the Philippines, I got to bond with the

because my parents needed to work abroad to provide my

people I love.

needs as a growing kid. I also met my friends, the home that gave me the warmth I would seek during dark and lonely nights. They are such amicable people; they can be a little

We went to a pool to swim and had fun. We had lots

harsh when telling the truth but they never led me to the wrong

of food and sang our hearts out every time my friend played

way. They were my supporters especially in times that I need

songs. We were so happy. We did not even think of going

all the cheer that I can get.

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February 23rd, Saturday - Philippines

home because going back to our houses meant we ended a day

remind me how much they care for me, it made my heart so

filled with happiness and laughter.

happy and full. The day is ending way too fast, and this is the

They all said sweet

messages, and I will never forget all of them, but one holds a

day I never wanted to end.

special place in my heart. She said: [Ano ka ba!] Hindi ka

Saying goodbye and giving each other hugs like it’s the

namin malilimutan, lalo na yung pagmamahal na kaya mong

last time you’ll see each other is a different kind of pain - they

ibigay [sa ibang tao]. Sana pag-alis mo, hindi ka na masyadong

were my home and departing from it was felt like you are

iiyak at patunayan mo sa sarili mo na matatag ka. (We will

leaving a piece of myself behind. We took lots of Polaroid

never forget you and all the love you are capable of giving. I

pictures to keep, to promise that we won’t forget one another.

hope when you leave, you would cry less and prove yourself

Staring at the sunset by the bay near the airport, I took some

how strong you can be.)

more pictures and thought about how much I would miss the view, the feeling of home. Time went by so fast, and here I am:

We took lots of pictures and polaroids to keep and treasure for

standing in front of the airport carrying memories and getting

the rest of our lives.

ready to start a new beginning.

February 24th, Sunday - Philippines

March 1st, Friday - USA

I met my best friends and a despedida or farewell

A 14 hour flight, 15 hour time difference, and 8,207

party for me was prepared. Everyone that was part of my life

miles away from home. A much colder air and a much bigger

were there. My relatives, family, even my cousin’s friends were

place to explore. Now, I am here - starting a new chapter of

there. We ate all the food prepared and took lots of pictures that

life. I cannot stress enough how difficult it was opening my

we would keep and treasure. After all the reminders and hugs,

phone after we landed in the USA. It was filled with texts from

they all bid farewell to me and hoped to see each other again.

my friends telling me how much they miss me and how they wish we could spend more time together. It was frustrating to

March 1st, Friday - Philippines I went to my school to say goodbye, for real. We ate lunch together, and they all started giving me messages to

talk to them in text but never in person. I can’t give them hugs and make small talks. It hurt me so much.

The change of environment wasn’t easy; it pained me 13

emotionally, but looking back to everything I’ve faced, I realized that giving up was never part of the choices that I was given. I knew that I will get used to it and know how to work with everything, everyone around me. And leaving a place doesn’t mean that I have to leave the people that comes with it, I can bring them in my life’s adventure.

I remembered once, I asked them, “If there comes a time when I have to leave, will you still welcome me back with open arms just like now?” There was silence. A deafening one. They hugged me and said “Yes, we will welcome you with the same love and warmth we have now.”

After all of these, I realized that you should never be dependent on others. You should let yourself grow and explore the things that would help develop the best version of yourself. We should never say no to growth and the challenges life gives, because all of the things we face now will give us the strength and wisdom in continuing the path we decide to take.

America Behind Bars, Akshay Thakur ‘20 14

Impact Award Winner for Studio Arts

The Portage Glacier, Keerthy Reddy ‘21

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The Roach, Marcus Mislang ‘23 (Short Story)

The incessant humming of silence surrounds me.

My brain activates my fight or flight response and

My bed cradles my limp body as my sight slowly fades

I flew like Superman. My casual aura abated. For a split

away. Darkness engulfs me. Then, I feel it. Little

second, shots of messy sections of my room are placed

twitches crawl up my leg. Immediately, my eyes free

into my head. I see my laundry, scattered across the

themselves from their lids. I realize my fate. My hands

floor; a variety of candy wrappers on my desk; and

tear my blanket off my body. I ascend from my nest like

empty water bottles as far as the eye can see.

a baby bird and land on the floor like a kitten. All of a

“There aren’t any spilled drinks, no exposed food,

sudden, my eyes dissolve into an 80's television show

no leftover bowls or plates. So why? Why is this

and my feet hesitate to move. But my bladder shouts to

scoundrel wandering around my habitat,” I ponder.

the control center, "I must go."

The Flash zooms across my room and hides in

Step by step I move across my room toward my

the arid space behind my dresser. My body shutters and

door, around my socks, and over my fallen hamper.

my mouth releases an “ugh”. I sigh and ask myself how I

Then, I maneuver myself around my wooden-gaming

am able to live like this. I manage to traverse through

chair, and I caress the wall for my light switch.

my jungle and reach my bed. I pick up my phone and

Immediately, my eyes cower. As soon as my eyes

with its remaining power, I summon a great light. By

adjust, I get back to my mission. Unexpectedly, a brown,

pointing the beacon behind the dresser, a lost world was

oval dart flew from under my door frame. I assume it

discovered. Colonies of paper and villages of wrappers

thinks my room is its haven. I spiritually soil my

ridicule me. My jaw drops in awe and my eyes tremble.

undergarments.

Then, your favorite athlete, Usain Bolt, sprints up my wall toward the light. My hand collapses and my phone descent towards the floor. My heartbeat amplifies

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constructed a plan. If I could just reach the nearby and my vocal cords snap like violin strings. But instead of making a twang like a violin, they made an, “Oh my

plastic cup and quickly cover him, I could slip a piece of paper under and carry it outside. There, my perfect plan all in my head. Now I just needed the right time

god!”

Usain stops halfway up my wall. This is an

to execute it.

What I forgot is that the roach is alive and can

aberration from his speedy manner. From my peripheral vision, a plastic cup emerges from the shadows. I chug the bad boy in an instant. Inch by inch, my quivering hands reach a foot away from the beast. My logical side of my head, Murphy, told me that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. The cup grazes the roach’s antennae and he FLEW. In slow motion, I fell backward

move. With the time I gave the roach, it began bolting toward me. It was too late to get the cup. My knees were weak; my arms were heavy, and my eyes were locked onto the roach. I thought, “So, this is how I die huh.” But then the anime protagonist in me screamed, “Shut up!”

Anticipation and confidence surged through my

and my cup ceased to exist. Batman glided to the corner behind my blanket rack. I pause but then I crouch down and shake the rack like there’s no tomorrow. Thud thud thud. The assiduous roach wouldn't budge.

A sweatdrop slid down my forehead. I was breathing faster and faster. I had no plan for what was to come, but I persisted. All of a sudden, he started running to my door to escape, but my clothes blocked the crack. I manage to stand up. A staredown has now commenced.

During the period of us sharing eyes, I

head. I take a sock from the floor, I roll it into a ball, and with all my might I threw the sock ball at the roach. I gasp for air and stand at ease. My accelerated breathing calmed down. Sweat glistened in my ceiling lights and my heart settled. The battle was over. I peeked under the sock and there was Usain. He was no longer moving. I located the plastic cup and I carefully put the roach inside. I went to the kitchen and sealed the cup with saran wrap and carefully disposed of it. After, I went back to clean my room.

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From this experience, I learned

that

if

you

own

something, you need to take care of it and make sure it doesn’t go to ruin. If the roach never came into my room, I would’ve never learned that. Now, I maintain my room and make sure if I have trash I put it in the respective waste bin. If I’m responsible for something

I

need

to

be

responsible for everything that happens to it. Also, I have a wacky anecdote to tell my friends or a horror story to warn my brother if he makes a mess.

Tunnel, Alden Hughes ‘21 Impact Photography Award Winner 18

Untitled, Alden Hughes ‘21

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There are Eyes in the Trees, Sid Banerjee ‘23 — There are eyes in the trees.

I do guarantee.

I’ve realized I’ve lost most of my credibility and audience in my first lines of this.

But I assure you, it’s true.

This is written in pen.

I don’t trust the pencils. After all, they’re made of wood, aren’t they?

The branches they sway, In the bright of the day But at night, they see.

Ever so Quietly.

I try to convince myself that I was just seeing things. I try to convince myself that the trees don’t have eyes.

But I can’t.

Because they know.

And they can’t know unless they saw. They would never have known.

So innocently breathing, as if they are nothing but unthinking entities.

But they are more!

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There are eyes in the trees.

And with them they see.

The unspeakable and unquestioned truth.

There is no filter that covers the eyes of the trees. What they see is true.

What they see is pure, unaltered footage of the reality, regardless of the nature of it.

How much do they see?

Are you questioning me?

Do you still believe that in the heart of a forest you would be alone? Do you believe that what you commit will be a secret?

Secrets do not exist in the forest. The trees will find out. They will not talk, they will not listen. No matter how much you beg and plead and implore, they will simply turn away.

They see and they watch, they observe and they judge, they think and suspect, consider and object, but they will stay silent.

The trees are silent.

But they do not listen.

From before I had done it, they were noisy. Leaves bristling and twigs snapping. The true sounds of a forest.

And when I had done it.

The forest went silent.

Nothing moved at all.

I stood there in silence, unmoving, listening.

A crimson pool below me glistening.

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And on my hands there he was.

The remains of a man that once was.

But now it is over.

The trees have eyes.

Now do you believe?

That they watched and they saw and now they won’t let me Be free?

My insides are churning, my conscience is burning The tables are turning In favor of the forest.

And now I am caught In a tangle of knots.

While I weep, while I grieve, These merciless leaves I have tried to escape And I have tried to flee But no one can hide from The eyes in the trees. —

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White-crowned Sparrow, Alden Hughes ‘21

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Flash Fiction The Six-word Story is a genre of flash fiction (very short fiction) that attempts to convey the emotion of a dramatic event using only (and exactly) six words. The most famous example is often attributed to Ernest Hemingway: For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

Literal Impact welcomes your six-word stories to our publication! Below are two examples that our staff had a lot of fun with.

He did it, he regretted it.

Ishan Garg ‘22 “Peace? What’s that?” they asked continuously.

Ishan Garg ‘22

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Shadows, Alden Hughes ‘21

Idle, Joshua Chavan ‘21 (Drawing)

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The City House, Lucas Daney ‘21 (Sculpture and 3D Design)

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Inside My House, Ishan Garg ‘22 (Short Story) I tried to forget it, but it happened again. I went to the

I was frozen in place. I tried to run, but I slipped on the

kitchen for a snack - and everything was gone. The fridge door

tiles and lay there, shocked and afraid. The monster came to me

was hanging out, cupboards were open, and the basket of fruit

and dragged me back into the jagged hole, where it had

was raided. To top it off, it seemed to be getting worse. The first

originated from.

time it happened, only the fridge was open and raided.

I clawed at the tiles, trying to escape from the clutches

I couldn’t even call over my parents - they were both on

of this beast. I suddenly broke free of its grip and started

business trips and didn’t have international data. I was

running towards a nearby place. I threw the knife at the

confused. What kind of creature did this? It had to be a creature,

creature, but it easily dodged it. I kept running until I got

obviously. I would have noticed a human in our kitchen. The

through the gate and approached the grass area. I tried to hide,

problem was, we lived right in the very center of San Jose. I

but the creature was too smart. The last thing I saw before I

was pretty sure no monkeys, birds, or raccoons caused this. It

blacked out was the creature’s teal, giant head.

would be impossible for any of those creatures to get inside,

“Wakey, wakey little one. Time to get up!” The voice

except for birds - who wouldn’t be able to open all the cabinets

rasped from above me. I tried to rise and was immediately

and doors anyway. Besides, I locked and bolted the doors and

restrained back on some kind of fence. “I’m waiting for you.

windows every night.

Let me show you my companions, little one.”

I picked up a sharp, long knife and started moving, but

The blindfold was pulled from my eyes, and I

then, I saw a familiar creature. If familiar comes in the form of

screamed. There were these two creatures with green masks

a human - with the head of a tealish blue snowman and only

walking towards me with a blade. I was very scared. I thrashed

four fingers with talons on each hand.

around trying to break free of the chains to no avail. The creature who had kidnapped me started to laugh in a villainous way.

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The voice rasped. “Do you like my friends?

They have killed so many, but you are special. You won’t be killed.” I tried to speak, but a white gag was stuffed into my mouth. I squirmed again, trying to get free of my bonds. “Don’t do that, little one. Just ask and you shall receive.”

My bonds were cut, and I sprinted away. I didn’t know where to go - I only had one thought in my mind: Get away. I tripped over some severed legs and fell to the ground. “Did you really think I would let you go, little one?” The beast laughed maniacally, “You’re going to stay with me. Stay with me forever and ever - for eternity.”

All that escaped my mouth was a scream until reality faded and everything became black.

African Dance, Laxmi Cspur ‘21 (Painting) 28

The Anger Within, Laina Lubeck ‘21 (Drawing)

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Thank you for reading the very first issue of Literal Impact, Prospect High School’s Art and Literary magazine. We hope you enjoyed it!

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