Feature

Alicia Henry, 17, rainshadow High School

Jessica Sellers, 17, Innovations High School

A Mother’s Life

Iradian Verdin, 15 If you cry or yell, I’ll be there. If you want a friend to stay until the end, I got you. Craving a slice or two, Don’t worry, I’ll buy it for you. A walk in the park or a late movie, I’ll be there in the quickness. When it comes to you, I’ll put you first! My pride and joy, you’re my first son born. You’re my life! You have much to learn, But your daddy and I will show you. Watching you grow will make me smile, You’re my little boy. Alexander Angelo, Your name is so cute, I love you. March 12, 2015 is the due date But I told you’ll be here sooner! I wonder what you look like, What smile you’ll have. What colored eyes? I wonder! You’re mine and your dad’s baby. If you need me, I’ll be there for you.

That One Boy Ashley Pelletier, 17 He was that kid who sat in the back of the classroom Quiet as can be Never caused problems in class Outside of the classroom he was a terror He lit trash cans on fire Threatened a whole student body Got mad over a cigarette Was expelled for lighting a bush on fire When he was really trying to put it out He never went back to school He lives his life struggling Says he’s stupid for not graduating He will get his GED when ready Knows to get his shit together if he wants to go anywhere in life His girlfriend is counting on him

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Roxanne Fonseca, 15, Rainshadow High School

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Unknown

Valerio Kostka, 19 The unknown is a creepy state trying to scale it, and find the rate ima find it out before its too late trying to get away from it but its coming up with more space laced with emotional terror and distrust in the air but at the end you’ll be caught in this rare state

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Tristan Mathew Fisher, 17 As I walked through these empty halls I started to feel this creeping feeling It was only a slight feeling but as I kept walking it grew more and more It went down my back like a cold sweat When it reached my feet I suddenly lost the urge to stand I fell to my knees and I had the sudden urge to scream As I was screaming a cold white hand landed on my shoulder When that happened I felt my vision blur and suddenly I was gone

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Being a teenager isn’t easy, especially when it come to approaching adults. Teenagers can find it particularly difficult to approach adults because of the increased fear of rejection that comes with adolescence. I have struggled with this fear ever since I was a little girl. It’s held me back in everyday life, and has kept me from achieving many goals in the past. This year, at age 13, I decided to take a big step in overcoming this obstacle. Instead of shying away because of fear, I reached out to a famous adult, Cleve Jones.

Jones is a human rights activist specializing in gay rights, union/workers rights, and AIDS activism. He works toward the overall goal of world peace. He founded the famous AIDS Quilt, a 54-ton patchwork quilt commemorating those who have died of AIDS. This is why I chose him as the subject of my National History Day project.

National History Day is a competition in which students from all around the United States compete to create the best project relating to a central, yearly, historical theme. I have been doing it for three years, and

How one I believe it is an excellent way to learn about historical research and discover a topic you’re passionate about. teen met For a month, I researched my topic. After discovering Jones was alive in the Castro District of San Francisco, I a famous decided I had to make a bold move: I needed to contact him about conducting an interview. After all, who would activist be a better primary source than the man himself? I hesitantly emailed Jones requesting an online interview. After a few days of waiting, he responded. The results were better than I could have hoped for. Instead by Kate Reese, 13, Clayton Middle School of an online interview, he offered to meet in person, in San Francisco. My dads, my brother and I traveled to San Francisco to meet him. Jones was able to take us on a walking tour of the Castro and provide excellent footage and quotes for the project. It was one of the most memorable days of my young life. I have no regrets about facing my fears of approaching this famous and important adult. If there’s anything you can take away from this, I hope it’s that you, a teen who may feel overwhelmed by the idea of possible rejection, can find encouragement that reaching out despite your fears can pay off. If you start now, you will find that shooting the moon gets a little easier every time. Who knows? Maybe you will even get to meet someone famous, like I did. Middle-schooler Kate Reese profiled Cleve Jones for National History Day.

PHOTO/EMILY REESE

Tanya Marquez, 18, Rainshadow High School

Cody Olsen, 16, Rainshadow High School

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Pride

Anthony Guillen, 17, rainshadow High School FroM pAGe

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Kiana Van Valkenburg, 17 You sit there being gay, Come out to play, Rainbow everything, Bells ring a-ling, At the pride parades, Drag queens wear braids, Everyone’s so happy, Today isn’t even crappy, Even kids have fun, No one will run, Everyone is welcome, Guys are wearing denim, There’s so many colors, There’s tons of dollars.

Invisible Friend

Kiana Van Valkenburg I am tall and small, I wonder who will see me, I hear yawns, I see shadows, I want to have friends, I am tall and small.

I pretend I am normal, I feel lost, I touch fur, I worry about wilting, I cry when you toss me around, I am tall and small.

I understand that you can’t see me, I say I wish you could, I dream about us playing, I try not being scared so you can see me, I hope you can see me someday, I am tall and small.

What am I? Ω

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