StudentsXpress Winter 2019

ART classes Camps Birthday pARTies Paint & Play Kids’ Night Out ...and more!

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www.studentsxpress.com Publisher Rachel Switall Magazine Group, NFP Rachel Switall Editor, Art Director, Production Manager rachel@studentsxpress.com Ethan Switall Social Media Manager

Cover art by Ngosse M.

Friends come and go like waves of the ocean But the true ones stick around.

Like the sand on your feet.

—Kelis R.

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Contact rachel@studentsxpress.com if your school would like to participate in StudentsXpress.

Sponsored by Constant Contact

While showcasing art and writing from students in Chicago Public Schools, StudentsXpress promotes creativity and literacy, encourages alternative expressions, creates positive self esteem and opens discussions.

Dear Readers, This issue is all about Friendship, and I’m so happy to welcome back some of our old friends to the print edition (Alcott, Dubois, Evers, Manierre, Nettelhorst, Westcott) as we introduce some new friends this year (Evergreen Middle, Greene, LaSalle Language, Mays, Ogden, Sandoval, Sor Juana, Chicago Youth Centers). I received so many wonderful submissions, that there was no way I could print them all. Even after editing many down (this was necessary in order to include the most students as possible), I still had many wonderful entries left. If cost allowed, I would print them all. This digital version of the magazine includes six additional pages of student work.

Also on our web site, you will find artwork, games, student blogs and video blogs. I love having our printed version back this year, but don’t forget about all the great work you can find on our web site as well! I hope you enjoy this issue! —Rachel

StudentsXpress is partnering with Porchlight Music Theatre to promote its MainStage production of Disney’s Freaky Friday, a New Musical and Freaky Friday—one act edition with child performers on the MainStage set.

Find more info at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org!

Next issue: Freaky Friday!

What person (alive or from history) would you like to switch places with for a day and why? What would you do as this person?

What animal would you like to switch places with for a day and why? What would you do as this animal?

Draw a picture of yourself as the person/animal you would like to become for a day. What are you doing in the picture?

What are the advantages to being this person/animal?

What are the disadvantages to being this person/animal?

What would you miss about being yourself?

Please turn in your submissions to your teacher or rachel@studentsxpress.com by January 24

www.studentsxpress.com

Can you find these pictures throughout the magazine?

FRIENDSHIP Word Search E

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Can you find these words?

CARING CONSIDERATE DEDICATED DEPENDABLE

ETHICAL FORGIVING FRIENDS FUNNY

HAPPY HELPFUL HONEST KIND

LOVING LOYAL NICE PARTNERS

PLAYING RESPECTFUL SLEEPOVERS TEAMWORK

M Hanani

Kathryn

...playing pat-a-cake together! ...going to the store together! ...football.

—Jaylin

...playing on the slide at recess time.

—Amazin

....we build castles together during choice time.

—Jamir

...playing with toys on the table!

—Ariana

...playing outside hide-n-go seek.

—J.B.

...we go on walks together!

—Lianna

...me and mommy going to the zoo to see a zebra!

—Zariah

y friends are helpful, daring, and clever. They are my friends because we really like to play with each other and do sports.

I think that I consider myself a friend because I’m always there for my friends. I am a good friend because once I tried to convince my friends to keep up the good work.

What makes a good friend is when I’m sad my friends come and make me happier. Friends are important because if you don’t have any you won’t know anyone’s name, you will be lonely for the rest of your life (maybe not).

Some ways I can make new friends are be nice to them, and help them if they are not ok.

My friends helped me get through a tough time by convincing me to stand up for what’s right! I help my friends by helping them reach their main goals!

—Marko B.

S

Alicia

Kennedy

ome ways you can make some friends are when they are just doing nothing ask them if they want to play then when you get along ask them to be your friend or when they’re struggling help them out then ask them if they want to be your friend.

—Samuel S.C.

Orlando

F

irst, the girls were playing tag. A new girl came, she had colored hair purple and blue, so then, she made friends with the other girls. In conclusion, she was happy. Friends are nice. —Ailyn

....play on the swings.

Pareese

...are playing duck, duck, goose.

Meagan

...are watching movies. ...play basketball.

—Ernest B.

2

...are playing tag.

Mecca

....are playing tag. ....are playing hide and seek.

...play Aliens.

—Amari

A

ndrea and Aubrey and I like to talk to each other. Last time Andrea went to my house. She is fun. We act like we are sisters. I went to Aubrey’s house last time. I love them.

—Temariya C.

I

consider myself a good friend because I know how to vibe with other people. I can be funny and get work done also. Finally I know how to understand people’s feelings.

—Jaylen H.

M

y friends are funny and kind.

They play exciting games with me at recess, like Structure tag, Forty forty homey, Sardines, and football.

I normally have school events, parties, cross country meets, flag football games, block parties, and much more things with them. My friends are very kind, and helpful, because they help me in tricky spots.

We always have fun together, and we work on many projects together.

—Amilo R.

F

riendship is a good thing to have your whole life because they help you get through bad things and overcome them. Friendship is super important to life because you make so many memories with your friends.

Some great personalities a friend could have is energetic and crazy because whenever you are feeling tired or bored your energetic crazy friend would hype you up! Another good personality you could have is trustworthy and understanding because if you had something super important to tell a friend they would understand and not tell anyone.

Another personality you would want a friend to have is funny because if you’re ever feeling upset or sad a funny friend could cheer you up. Another personality a friend could have is kind because if you are sad they could be so nice and make you happy again!

—Sheri W.

F

riendship is about being nice and making friends feel happy. It’s also about having fun and making your life better or easier. You can make new friends by talking to new people.

Friends help me by making me less shy. —Blake G.

M

y friends are kind, loyal, caring and always have my back. They are also supportive and stand up for me when I am being teased. A good friend would be all of these. But I think that it would be a way better friend to be all of these but more. —Antara W.

Winter 2019

New Student

Kaliah B.

Me and my friend Ariyonna and my sister.

Roses are red Violets are blue You are new How are you I see you need help I know because that’s how I felt.

I am Ameri What is your name?

No need to feel a shame Because we have all been through that lane.

Let me help you Let’s get to know each other and join forces with one another.

Let’s start this homework and do teamwork.

—Ameri H.

F Brionna S. Me and my little sis and my friend was playing with my LOL doll. We had fun together.

F

irst of all friends are fun and funny. Usually friends that want you to laugh and play with them are good.

Particularly some thing to play like hide and seek. After all friends are like your cousins. —Adriel D. True friends are by you through it all.

True friends are there to catch you when you fall.

—Tania T.F. Emore’j S.

Me and my friends like to play tag together.

Winter 2019

riendship is very important.

Some of my closest friends are Drew, Sheri, Maya, and Dani. I like my friends because we all try and stay positive and staying positive is the key to friendship. If you want to have good friends try not to fight and if you do then work it out with a teacher or adult.

Trying to make new friends is great. This year I am trying to find new friends. If you want to make new friends maybe ask if they want to play with you. If you see someone that’s lonely ask if maybe they want to sit next to you at lunch. That’s what I think about friendship. —Eve F.

Nariya P.

This is me and my friend watching TV.

S

usy is a good friend. Susy is a good friend because she helps me when I need help. Susy is a good friend because makes sure everything is alright and the last reason is because Susy doesn’t care what I look like, she’s still going to be my friend. —Emily C.

H

i and my name is Lila M. and I consider myself a good friend because: My very best friend’s name is Henry S. (I’ve known him since preK) He is sweet, funny, loving, caring, brave, and so much more. Sometimes he gets sad just like anyone which makes me want to jump off a cliff because I hate it when I see anyone sad especially my best friend.

So I always try to cheer him up. I tell him jokes, show him memes, and sing weird and funny songs and dances. Pretty soon he’s as good as new and he’s happy, not sad or mad, but he’s happy. When he’s happy that makes me really happy because 1. I cheered up my best friend and 2. when other people around me feel better and happy it makes me feel better and happy. That is why I would consider myself a loving, caring, sweet, brave, loyal, especially funny good friend.

—Lila M.

I

was playing in the park solo. Then, my friends came and we played soccer and basketball in the park. In short it’s how you make friends. In the concluding you could be friends with everyone.

—Angel P.

London

Me and Aniyah like to play at my house.

Alexa E.

Friendship helps with everything!

Friendship Diary

My friends are cool, yet they aren’t all that. I’m usually alone or left out because they don’t care. I’m sad half the time because my friends treat me like trash…

God, if only some of my friends actually “WANTED” to be my friends.

I don’t vent usually, so this is what I’ve been hiding. I’m not trying to involve people in my problems, because I don’t want them to worry.

Sometimes, I wonder, why I call them my best friends. Why do I even have friends? Aren’t I a good enough person to be a best friend?

I’m weird, a crybaby, and ugly. But the way I treat people is different.

I sit by them if they’re alone, I treat them with care and respect, I CARE. And all I get in return is the opposite.

No one wants to sit with me, no one cares if I look sad or hurt, no one seems to care at all.

I know I act weird and may be ugly, but above all of that, I am kind and some people just judge before they get to know me, they don’t see the crazy, the funny, stupid side of me. In which I only act with certain people.

Therefore, if I can’t find it maybe you can help me…What is a best friend?

What are they supposed to do?

How are they supposed to act?

Please tell me. (Maybe help me too.)

I don’t think I have any best friends…I don’t think I am material for all of that. —Anonymous C. Sanders

This is a picture of me playing basketball with my friend.

3

Fatima M.

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y friend Tanya would meet me at recess when I had no one to play with. And when I was sad she would cheer me up. At recess we would play tag and hide seek. She would sometimes get mad at me. But we were still friends. She would make me smile and laugh. Once she fell when we were playing and I helped her up. —Jany R.

grateful • thankful happy • motivational • kind • leader trustworthy • listens • positive • sweet joyful • funny • full of energy • cool hard worker • honest Antonio R.

oom my friend falls down his stairs when he went to school he was having a rough time walking so me and my other friend helped him walk to the classroom. After class we helped him get to the lunch room when he got to recess he was a little disappointed but we helped his feelings by playing a game with him and each day we kept helping him a couple weeks later he was better he got a little better but still couldn’t play but we still played with him no matter what. —Jacob S.

O Me and Stefon are at the park playing together and we are playing tag.

Armani H.

This is a picture of me and my friend.

We enjoy watching movies and eating snacks together.

Keari S.

I like to play outside with my friends.

Me and Jaryah and Kasey play together.

4

ne of my friends is Valery. She is really kind and funny. This year that we’re in 5th grade we are not in the same class so me and her walk to school together. It’s okay because I can go to her house whenever because we live close to each other. Also our moms are friends too. We have sleepovers a lot we play Roblox every time when coming back from school. —Kate C.

F

riendship is being there for someone if they get bullied, if they feel upset, or if they’re hurt help them out. Friendship is something you have in common, but sometimes they don’t have that much in common. If we didn’t have friendship we would not like other people, or we would always fight with each other. —Suenelly V.

E

rnest and I are best friends. He is in 3rd grade. He’s my friend at school, but at home he is my brother. I love him so much. We play tag at recess every single day. We love playing tag on a hot day. —Mariah B.

F

riends are important because they help you when you’re down and when you want to play with someone outside. —Christopher R.

think my friends are cool because when it’s recess time we can play. Also they are smart because they know how to solve problems. And they know how to play soccer but the best part is that all of us play soccer and have fun usually we played video games but we still have fun playing soccer and games.

—Israels B.-E. aylan and I have been friends since pre-K. We always had fun on the playground. When Taylan left the school that did not stop me and Taylan from being friends. We talked once a week. He came back to my school. We will never stop being friends. —Robert S.

I

consider being a good friend because I always tell them what’s wrong and what’s right. Because if they’re trying to do something bad I will tell them not to do it or to stop doing it because maybe he will get in a lot of trouble with the teacher or the principal. And if it’s me trying to do something wrong my friends will tell me to not do that and to not say that because it will maybe be something bad to say or something bad to do. —Alfonso G.

M

y friends Leo, Jaiden, Angel, Anthony and Alex always support me. A good friend should never ever lie.

A good friend does not make fun of you.

A good friend should always be there for you and never ever make fun of you.

My friend Angel always is next to me. We planned jokes and more. Leonardo and I always like to play soccer me and him make a good team. We like to do funny dances. —Luis N.

M

y friends are, Nicholas G., Edison H., Lincoln W., Henry F., and Noah P. I consider myself a good friend because I am funny, smart, and good at acting.

Friends are important because you need people to play with and hang out with to have fun and people to talk to when you are feeling upset. A way I can make new friends is trying to find people that have stuff in common with me like if they play video games. —Maxwell H.

W

hat makes a good friend is they are still your friends even though you do bad things but they will just tell you to not do it ever again and also what makes a good friend is that all of the friends that you have be loyal and if they’re not loyal they are not real friends and you should talk to them but if the friend is not loyal he shouldn’t be your friend until he’s loyal also what makes a good friend is that they don’t hurt you and they also tell you the truth they never lie and that’s what makes a really good friend. And also what makes a really good friend is that good friends always help you like when they are bullying they tell the teacher or they tell the bullies to stop and when you get hurt they also help and that’s what makes a good friend. —Jose R.

M

y friends are kind, funny, and helpful when I’m stuck on a problem or hurt. I think I’m a pretty good friend because sometimes when I tell a joke they laugh. You can make a friend by talking to them, hanging out with them and play games and always include them. —Noah P.

F

riendship is something very important because you have to be a good person to have good friends that are not a bad influence on you. I think that what makes a good friend is someone that is honest, considerate, loyal, and kind. A good friend is always willing to stand up for you no matter what and someone who you can feel like you can trust. My friends are kind, loyal, honest, and caring and those are the things that I think make up a good friend and I think that I am very lucky to have such an amazing group of friends.

—Idaly G.G.

A

good friend should always care about their friend and help them in what they need. A good friend is also protective when sometimes they are in trouble like if someone is bullying them.

A good friend has to do a lot of kind things so they can be a good friend and a trusted friend. —David D. Winter 2019

W

henever I am struggling, my friends help me. Like when I don’t understand a word they are saying, I say “what does that mean????” They tell me what it means. “it means” whatever they tell me I say “OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.” So that’s how they help me.

Make sure that you treat other people how you want to be treated. And they do the same thing to you. Maybe you can say hi or good morning to someone you know or maybe a random person like probably your parents do. Don’t every morning your parents say “Good Morning “ to someone? Or is it just me?

Also make sure that you have good friends. Or maybe even best friends.

—Veronica J.

Keayla S. My friends and I like to talk at lunch.

We share our lunch and snacks.

We play at recess. I love my friends.

F

riendship is about when two people play or do fun things with each other you can share stuff with your friend.

Friends can help each other. You can also have more than one friend sometimes a friend can stick up for each other when there is a bully and you can hang with each other plus you can go to other places than your house but not far places you can only do that when you are 14 or older with your friend. —Christofer F.

Y

ou can make new friends by being positive and being a nice person. You can share your things. —Artez O.

Monique M.

M Me and my friend play ball.

I

had a bad day because someone from my family had an accident and my friend was there for me. She was saying cute stuff to me so I could feel good.

She was a good friend. When my mom was better my friend was super happy because my mom got better. But my friend was still a good friend like she is all day long. When my mom got better and better my friend got more happy because my mom was better than the last time —Juliana M.

y friends are nice because last time I was walking down the hall and my shoe was untied and I almost tripped and they told me that you are going to trip and fall and hurt yourself then she told me my shoe was untied then she said you should tie it.

I am a good friend if I know my friends are going to get in trouble I tell them “stop doing that because you are going to get in trouble” and they listen because they don’t want to get in trouble and if they don’t they will get in trouble and I let them go to my house if they want to go and if they want to go to the park or Target we will go.

Good friends are people who don’t care about how you look are loyal and don’t talk bad behind your back.

—Liliana C. London F.

F

riendship is not lying to your friends you might lie to your friends like 1 or 2 times but I lied to my friends like 4 times and I learned not to lie it was bad and it’s bad to lie to your friends like really bad.

I have one very good friend and his name is Benjamin we met each other in the middle of 4th grade, but we don’t have that much in common but we are really good friends I went to his house 3 times and he has a brother and we are friends and I don’t mind him talking with us but sometimes we ask him if we can talk alone and he does let us talk alone. One time Benjamin invited me to his b-day, and I went to the party. The party was at his house. —Abigail C.

I

like my friends because they are nice.

I share my toys. —Kacey

Jamiyah

My friends teach me how to swim backwards. I treat my friends nice cause they treat me nice.

My friends shop together.

I

think about my friends as sisters. Why well because they are always there when I need them and I’m always there when they need me. More importantly we tell each other our secrets. Which we need a lot because that’s how we girls are.

Remember to choose “FRIENDSHIP’’ and be respectful of one another. Forever.

Who wants to hear some jokes “What did the traffic light say to the car? Don’t look I’m about to change!” —Marisol S.

S Good friends will always stick up for you, even when they are really sad.

This is a picture of me and my friend making slime in my art room.

I

am a good friend because on my friends’ birthdays I give them gifts.

—Tamiah C.

ome people aren’t true friends and they don’t really know you and they make fun of you or don’t talk to you and are mean to you, now that’s a fake friend. Here is how you know they are your true friends, first they are always by your side if anything happens, they give you compliments, don’t keep secrets, worry about you and if something happens or something bad happens they know you very well, and are kind and that’s how you know your good friends.

—Lluvia C. Rayshon A.

Diamond C.

Monserrath V. Deante

Riley

Winter 2019

I can make friends by helping them. Me and Nariya play ball.

Me and my friend Nariya are playing at the park.

5

Javereon C.

I am a good friend because when my friend is hurt, I always help him.

H

aving a friend that’s close to your house is great. A good example is Lincoln W., who likes a few of the things that I do, like Minecraft and Roblox. I have known Lincoln since 2nd grade and both of our moms are good friends. Although I may be a bit of a pushover sometimes, and Lincoln can sometimes be annoying, we still are really good friends. I’m also inner circle rank in his club, and that makes me happy. —Jared W.

F

riendship means to be kind and be truthful and don’t tell other people mean stuff behind your friend’s back because they can find out then you are not going to have friends. Nobody is going to want to be your friends because they are going to think that you are going to talk bad about them when they are not with you. —Mariana L-G. Antonia H.

M

y friends in 308 are Henry, Levi, Eoin, Noah, and Amilo.

They are super kind, athletic, caring, brave, and outstanding. They are my friends because they are super nice to me and care if I have a bad day or if I’m hurt or if I don’t feel well. I hope to stay friends with them forever. I try to be the best friend they can ever have and try to not argue with them or get in fights.

I like to play with them, be with them in classes, and share funny stories with them. They are also really supportive to me. —Braden M. Akyra R. hello

hola

My friends are singing on the stage singing the hello song. dodododo dododo

I

met my friend Britton this school year he welcomed me to Alcott he is a really nice friend it was perfect because he really loved sports just like me and he was also really good at it especially football.

Our friendship has only improved since. I think Britton is a good friend because he loves sports and he is friendly. —Max C.

M

y friends like to play sports and fun games just like me and they are kind and will stand up for me if anything happens. They are also funny and fun to hang out with. —Maxwell C.

M

iguel, and Javier, and I were playing soccer outside during recess. We are like brothers playing soccer. —Christian C. Londen B.

F

riendship should never be rough or it’s not a good friendship. Friendship won’t last long or be a strong friendship if you always fight and hurt each other. If you want your friendship to last long you both need to pay each other with love and respect. Without love and respect your friendship is not a true friendship. —Sasha G.

F

riendship is something you should never be mad about or fight about ever in your life. If they start fighting first just do nothing back to them because it could ruin your friendship. If they start ignoring you just be like ok I will not talk to you only if you talk to me then maybe something good will happen and she/he will talk to you and not be mad anymore.

Friendship should be nice for she/he could maybe buy you a present for being kind.

Remember give her/him a present for their birthday or else just make them a friendship bracelet or make them something you want them to wear or have as a friendship day you should never be upset of your friendship if you are just take a little nap and relax. —Michelle G.

My friend Miracle and me take turns on the slide.

M

y friends are Lily, Jazmin, Kate, and Vale they are my friends because they make me laugh and they are really funny but sometimes they could get a little grumpy but they are always there for me when I need them and they help me when I need help. —Valery L.

6

Marquise L.

This is me and my friend watching a movie together.

Arieona K.

M

y five friends that are really kind of fun and trustworthy are Erick, Abigail, Benjamin, Elizabith, and Alisen. We play a lot and we talk and sometimes prank each other and tell jokes.

Friendship is a good deed and by knowing each other more like what subject that they like. It’s a great time knowing people and playing together.

Friends are one of the most important things on EARTH. —Americo P.

Me and my friends are playing Tickle Monster at the park. They tickle me...I am it. So I tag them. Me and my friends are a community.

I love my friends.

Jamileth E.

I

know friendship is important because friendship is like a good team. A good team works together and is kind to each other just like friendship. Friendship is not bullying just kindness. A friendship means you talk to each other and understand what you are feeling or what you are going through. In a friendship you can count on your friends to be there when you need them, so when ever you are feeling sad you can always count on your friends to be there, that’s a good thing about being in a team/friendship.

—Jiselle G.

This is a picture of me and Truvaun playing football outside on the playground.

Simon M. We all could be friends.

Friendship could be made anywhere.

There are some people that want to talk to you and you can talk to them also and in school there are so many friends.

Friendship is about kindness and friendship is to help each other and to be nice with each other not like fight each other and to help each other with their homework.

Winter 2019

Zakyah S.

This is me and Tamiah playing mom and sister outside.

Friendships are like long road trips on a bumpy road.

No friendship is perfect, every rose has its thorns.

It can be a beautiful thing but if handled carelessly, it can hurt.

Friendships aren’t just about being there for each other in the bright, sunny days, it’s about being able to lift each other up even when it feels like the world is against us.

It’s about staying even when the rest of the world walks out.

Friendships are something I’ve never been able to place my finger upon and say: “I understand” Because it’s something that feels so delicate in my hands, yet, it’s so indestructible.

—Rosaura M.

L

ast year, when I was in fourth grade it was our fourth gym class of the year, on a Monday. We were playing dodge ball. There were two teams. I had not been hit for the whole game, I dodged all the balls thrown at me. I was dodging and helping my teammates when this boy from the other team saw me, he then picked up a dodge ball and threw it at me with all his strength. I tried to dodge it, but I led myself into its path. He threw it so forcefully, it went so fast, then I could not stop it. It hit me right in the open eye.

I screamed and started to cry. The gym teacher said I could take a break, on the bench. I sat down, he asked someone to get me an ice pack, I took it and put it on my eye still crying. Then during the game a new girl, I had not really known, was coming over to me! She sat next to me and said, “Hey, I wanted to check if you were alright.” Then she told me her name.

At that moment I knew I had a new best friend forever. She grabbed my hand and I got up. I crushed through the pain and got up ignoring my eye. After that she helped me dodge the balls. She invited me to sit with her at lunch. Then after that we played at recess and then ever since we have had play dates, sleepovers, and more. Every day we play together we even have a secret hand shake.

—Jessica L. Aniya M.

Q. Johnson

My friend and I we like to play football. We go to NFL games together. We play football on a team and we win. My friend and I go to my house after the games.

We play outside then go back in the house. He calls his mom to come and take him home.

Winter 2019

This is me and Aniyah C. having a sleepover watching Sofia.

H

i I’m Julian I’m going to talk about friendship. Once my very good friend helped me because I fell on concrete. I was bleeding a lot but my friend helped me get up off the ground. Me and him liked to climb trees a lot but we got hurt a lot. —Julian Z.

I

like my friend Keira because she is nice and when we go outside we play and are best friends. —Latiana S.

Micah C.

A

good friend treats you with kindness and respect, they also try to make you feel better when you’re upset. That’s what makes a good friend. Friends make you happy you should feel glad when you’re with your friend. I love to play with my friends at recess because sometimes we play tag. —Yaretzi T.

F

riends are important because they help us on work we need help on and they are very loyal sometimes they are very hardworking. They always care for you no matter what happens they are there for you, even if you’re not there by them they are still hoping you are doing the best you have ever done. —Iris B.

Myra B.

This is a picture of me and my friend Ariyonna F. playing ball.

F

riends need to be treated kind not mean. Friends do not just call themselves friends. Friends also don’t do mean things to you or others. Friends also don’t go with other kids and ignore you unless they’re ditching you. Friends that are really friends don’t let you get bullied or picked on they stand up for you. Say your grandmother passed away well, your friend will make you feel better about it and that is friendship if they don’t do one of these things they are not real or good friends. —D’vyne B.

I

think that what makes me a good friend is that I give good advice to people that have to do with moving also boy problems. Also, what makes me a good friend is that I stand up for people and that makes me feel good about myself also they make you laugh.

—Stephanie V.

M

y friends and I like to play at the park. I have known them since I was a baby. They are so nice to everyone.

—London W.

M

y best friend from Pre-k knew gymnastics she was pretty good at it. And I wanted to learn gymnastics. So I asked her if she could teach me and she said ‘yes.’ I was so excited to learn. She said ‘The first thing we’re going to learn is handstands.’ I knew I was kind of good at it but at a wall and I did good. I was very proud at myself for doing that. And it was the next day.

She asked if she could clean my pencil case and use some of my stuff I said ‘Of course because you taught me gymnastics.’ —Layla C.

Kassidy P.

A

good friend is someone who says nice things to you or does something to make you happy instead of letting you down by saying something mean.

Another thing a friend would do is be by your side when something happens, or they will be there for you. —Sierra V.

7

M L S

Dawon S.

M

e and my friend like to race at the park. —Aubree

y sister is my friend. We spend time together. She doesn’t give me food though or help me with my homework.

—Tarrlean

atiana, Keayla and I play at the playground. —Keaira G.

M

e and my friend play jump rope.

—Nivea M.

ome friends are like colds they don’t stay for too long. But mine are like my family. Here to stay. —Kiazia L.

F

riendship is important to me because my friends are always there when I need them. Friendship is about caring about your friends or someone you know that is kind, caring, and nice like my friend Brianna she is kind, caring and nice that is why she is my friend.

Friendship is also about helping others when they need it.

What friendship means to me is when you have a friend that is always nice to me and other people. My friends are not perfect, but I still like them as my friends.

If I didn’t have friends, I would be lonely no one would help me or play with me and nobody would be there for me.

—Alizee R.

M I

e and my friend have fun at the park. —Jamari

got my friends when we had playdates before school started and we talked about history, video games and planes.

Then my friends invited their friends to come and they became my friends too.

—Lincoln W.

a friend is like a blossom in the air. being in a friendship means you will never glare having friends is like a ray of light in the middle of the night —Phoenix L.

S Michelle S.

A

Shamaya O.

friend is someone who should stay with you through your ups and downs but my friends mean the world to me even when we go through our ups and downs. —Lakisha C.

F

This is a picture of me and my friends playing nail shop and watching TV

J

adence is a good friend to me because he always has my back. —Kingston F.

M

y friends are the best because they help me do things like helping me in math class. —Edwin P.

riendship is not something you earn it is something you give or get you can be a friend by doing anything like anything it is so easy to make a friend just go up and say hello and you will become good friends in no time I assure you. I have lots of friends but that does not mean that you or me can not make some more just be confident and I know you will be going up to everyone and saying hello. —Isaac D.

Mckenzie M.

I

n the first place you can be friends by being nice to other people. To put it differently to make friends by helping people. To sum up my thoughts I have many nice friends by being a good kid.

—Erick O.

Beloveth M.

London

ofia helped me when I was feeling like I had to throw up I had to I run to the bathroom then she ran to the bathroom she knocked on the door and asked are you ok I opened the door and said ”yes I’m fine I didn’t throw up it works when my mom rubbed my back you don’t have to”“it’s ok” she said “if it helps you I will then. She started rubbing my back “no luck it’s ok you didn’t have to” I said “I did it because you’re my best friend” said Sofia” thank you Sofia.”

“You’re welcome” she said.

Friends are people who care about you not push you away. —Emely T.

Mayrin L.

Me and my friend Makiyah like to play dress up.

Javae H.

Ivan

Friends are for loyalty and what we like to do is play ball.

8

To have friendship you have to have kindness.

Winter 2019

M. Polk

I was outside with my friend.

We had the park to ourselves. We got on the merry go around and my friend Iynaria was spinning so fast.

I had to hold on, then she got off and left me on there by myself. I was so scared because I almost fell off of it.

F

riends are important because when you get hurt they help you get up or do something to help you. And they are really helpful when it comes to doing something that you are afraid of. Some ways to make new friends is to when they are lonely you should talk to them or do something to keep them company.

—Ronan F.

W

hen you are feeling bad you should always have a friend by you to help you. Always when I was at school my friend helped me out and when I fall, and teachers can be your friends, because they help you learn and help you out when you’re sick and let you go home so you can get better friends are all about helping you out and when your kite is in the tree ask someone and they will help you out.

When you go to the park and you don’t have anybody to play with ask someone, they will help you out and play with you and don’t be shy because they will never know. —Arturo V.

W

hat it means to be a good friend is to help your friends when they don’t know what to do, but don’t do all the work for them or they won’t learn anything.

I consider myself a good friend.

—Giovanni V.-R. Derrick D.

F

riendship is important because friends can help you feel better when you’re sad or mad. An example is my best friend Emely T. She made me feel better when I was mad because my soccer team didn’t win by making me laugh. She made me feel better and that makes her a good friend. —Sofia D.

F

riends are very caring and also very kind to you, also if someone is bullying you they might stand up to the bully and be very brave. —Victor K. Kaiden

My friends’ personalities are good.

My friends are in my family, and my friends like the same stuff as me.

I am a good friend, I am a nice person. A person that is nice is a good friend. One of my friends helped me with setting up a private gate for my house. I helped my friend when he had girl problems.

I I meet my friend at the swimming pool.

I am teaching my friends how to swim.

My friends share their drink with me.

Winter 2019

was playing in the playground with my friends and I tripped on a rock and I was bleeding and I was crying my friends said what’s wrong I said I am bleeding I went to the bathroom to wash it off then I put a paper on it then an ice pack and I went back outside to play again but then we chose to play a different game. —Michael C.

V

Mekhi S.

M

My friends are trying to catch and tag me.

y friends helped a lot of times they got me out of tough situations like when I was locked outside my friend came outside and said that I can hang out in his house. My friend is also honest he always tells me the truth and I do that’s a rule in our friendship.

Honesty is a big thing in our friendship because one of my friends accidentally broke one of the houses in my Lego set since I build Lego sets and he didn’t know what to do. So, he told me, and I wasn’t mad because it’s rebuildable I just wanted him to help me rebuild it because it isn’t a small house. Another time was when my friend told me that somebody was making fun of me and he didn’t know that my friend was sitting with him and the bully told my friend to laugh at me but my friend told the kid to stop laughing at me and if not he was going to tell the teacher. —Jaiden D. What Friendship Is A trusted advisor A sly partner A pat on the back A smart ally A silent reminder Truly human A Best friend —Samuel W.

M

y friends are sporty. They are my friends because I have known them for a long time and I hang out with them.

I will help them when they need it and I will play with them when they want. A good friend should play with them and do what they want when they want. My friends play football, soccer, and other sports. You can ask them what they like and you can tell them what you like.

—Blake P.

eronica is a good friend because she is funny and nice. When times are hard or there’s a problem she is there for me when I am not at school, she still has fun she is like a sister to me because she’s there for me.

Valerie is also my friend and I met her when I was little so now I met her at school because she was in my classroom but she had to switch to the other classroom and I was sad but we’re still friends, my best friend is also Emily because she helps me when I need help she is nice and smart and cool awesome she is a friend you want in your life she is loyal to me and everyone that is nice and treats you how you want to be treated Emily is so nice.

I am happy that she is my friend.

—Susy C.

B. Chambers

I was playing basketball with my friend. My other friend sat in the tree and read a book.

I

smael is probably the only friend that would not snitch on me on things that have happened in the past. I was a bit of a troublemaker back then. I am a better person now I try to avoid trouble as much as I can. I wouldn’t know how I would be in school if it wasn’t for my best friend and if I would even be the way I am now.

One day I got in trouble for fighting it’s for sure not the smartest thing I have done but I was speechless when I was called up to the counselors office and he had nothing to do with this and he took most of the blame and I almost got suspended but he has taken more blames for me that nobody would do and he would always get in trouble for my actions but I stopped being a troublemaker so he doesn’t get in trouble. —Oscar A.

9

Terrell Q.

This is a picture of me and my friend.

We enjoy swimming together.

And we enjoy watching movies.

Myaire W.

Me and my friend at the park for my birthday party.

I

have a lot of good friends and I knew them for around a year and a half or even more and sometimes we fight but we always forgive each other. We help each other when we need help and when we just need someone to talk to. We also make inside jokes and we are alike. When we ever had a problem then we try our best to forgive or help each other. I also have learned that you should try to make new friends too. I know not all friendships are like this but this it mine. —Lillian B.

M

y friends are a good influence. Now, Emily she’s one of my best friends I could ever have. She’s kind, and funny and well… I guess you could say very smart. Though sometimes I wish she wouldn’t scare me from behind. The reason they are my friends is because they are kind to me and treat me like a true friend! —Sara A.-V.

F

riends are good because you can trust them and you’re always not going to be with your family like school there’s going to be kids maybe the same age like you so when you talk to a person and you know things about him and he knows things about you that’s called friends.

—Edgar S.

I

share my toys with my friends. My friends come to my house and read a book together. My friends always hug me. —Tamara

M

y special friends are Valeria and Karen they are soooooooo funny we’re all great friends we all like to draw.

I love my two best friends they are the best of the best. That is why they are my special friends. —Elizabeth M.

A

good friend will share with you because if they’re good friends they have to share like for example they share their toys with you because when you’re good friends and if you do not share that means that you’re selfish and that means that you’re not a good friend.

—Pamela L.

Me and my friends are playing tag.

I

think that a good friend is caring and loyal and always by your side. Friends know when you are not feeling well and when you are sad. They know when to stop and when to start, when to stick by your side and when to just leave you alone. One of my good friends is Sam. He is nice and funny and makes me happy when I’m sad or feel alone. Another one of my friends is Eva she is also very funny and kind and she makes me laugh all the time. These are only two of my friends in a little group of friends from my grade who are all awesome in their own way.

—Ayden S. e and Londen and Javereon play Fortnite. —Truvaun W.

10

Me and my best friend Robert love to play basketball at recess.

We pass the ball to each other then we talk about the next day how we are going to play.

Stefon W.

Me and my friend Emore’j like to play video games.

M

Taylan

y friend is Elizabeth because we have been in kindergarten, first grade, second grade. Danett is my friend because in second grade she used to help me and went to my house. Finally, Natalie is my friend because she is funny and nice. —Ariana

Cincere W.

Justus W.

o begin with, Emanuel, Josemaria, Dilan, Israel, Miguel, Javier and I were playing soccer in the gym. So then, we all did very good. Above all, we all scored one goal each in the game. As you can see, the best thing about soccer is to have fun with your friends. —Angel C.

M

Jamoni N.

This is a picture of me and my friend.

We enjoy swimming together.

T

K

aren is one of my bffs also Abigail, Alexiana they are funny and nice to me they are good friends to me they make me laugh and help me every time and I feel happy that I have friends like that and I also make them happy I help them when they need help and I also play with them outside too I don’t have many friends but at least I have Alexiana Abigail Karen. —Litzy L.

O

ne of my best friends is Valeria she is funny, smart etc. she’s much more.

Another best friend is Karen she and me been best friends since preschool I even call her grandma abuelita her mom and my mom are good friends. She’s also my neighbor! Another best friend is Elizabeth when I need help in math she helps me understand what I have to do and how to get the right answer. Valeria Elizabeth Karen and me are like a little squad.

—Yaretzi M.

I

love to play basketball with my friends.

They help me clean up. It is nice to have friends to play with. —Jaiden Aniyah C.

M

y friends are good. If they are bad they are not my friends.

—Samuel H.

I

am nice to people in my family. I am gentle. That’s what you do for friends.

—Cornelius

M

e and my dad roast marshmallows.

—JaHari

Winter 2019

Runiyha G.

I helped my friend when we were outside and she fell. I asked her if she was ok and she said yes.

T

here was a new kid at our school last year and his name was Kristen. He didn’t have a lot of friends and sometimes other people made fun of him. I’m glad I wasn’t in that group! So when people made fun of him, I decided to go over to him and ask him if he was ok. I’m glad he was ok, then he told me that people made fun of him for no reason. I asked Kristen if he wanted to sit next to me at lunch and he said yes. That made him really happy, so we became friends. I went home and felt really proud of myself. I hope people in the world can show kindness and be friendly!!!!!

—Xochi I.

Sincere G.

Friends come and go But true friendships glow and show You’ll never lose a true friend Because friendships never end My friends are my family...forever They’ve been with me through thick and thin.

And together we’ll always win.

—Jayla J.

I This is me and my friend playing my XBox 1 and my mom baking cookies.

Zairion N.

share my candy with my friends at school. My friends help me clean my locker out. Me and my friends have lunch together. —Janiyla

T

o be a good friend is to respect others even though some students are bullies we still have to respect. Respect is fun and nice. —Luis F.

Friends.

Me and my friends enjoy playing tag and Arieona was running fast. And then we all were tired because we were running a lot.

Mia O.

This is a picture of my friends at the park.

Winter 2019

What thought comes to mind when you hear the word friends? For me it’s someone who will be with you your entire life, someone who you can depend on no matter what. A friend is a very precious thing that we have to take advantage of while we have it. Because one day something might happen that could take that whole thing away from you unexpectedly. That’s what I’m writing about. We might not notice it but a friend is a key item in our lives, a friend is what keeps us happy, a friend is someone we know we can trust during dark times, they keep us occupied. And unfortunately some of us don’t have that key item that one thing. So while some of us are wishing as hard as we can to get a new phone or a new Xbox, some of us only want one thing....... a friend.

And I know it’s not just me, it’s all of us who see that one kid on the bench waiting for someone to play with them every day, so next time you see them invite them to play or eat lunch with you.

Because it might not seem big but to that person you are the best thing in the world to them.

—Lilly K.

O

kay, so here is an easy recipe for great friends. First you need the funny one, the one who can always make you laugh no matter what. Next you need the friendly one. Then you need the one you can trust, the one who you can tell stuff to and you can trust they won’t tell anyone. Next is the one who can cheer you up if you are sad or upset, and they have great energy. Then when you mix them all together you get a great friendship. —Maya R.

I

n my opinion friends are complicated it takes resilience and bravery also make sure you be kind if you are trying to make a friend ask them what they like to do and play with them. I like talking and communicate with my friends I tell them everything so they know I truly trust them. The problem that could happen is that you and a friend might get in an argument or disagreement and you might not be friends anymore so I advise you to be careful and calm as it happens. An example of this is that in fourth grade I got into a big fight with a friend and we are not friends anymore. Yes if this happens I guarantee that you will miss them. But you will make more friends that is friendship in my opinion! —Liam B. Dear friends, Thank you all for being my friends. Fights we ever had never lasted more than a day you guys always know how to make me feel better.

I would never have you guys any other way. You guys make me feel better even on my worst days I know this is really cheesy but you guys need to hear it.

From, Connor E. My friends are like my family They’re like my blood family like I just love them so much.

Jayla J.’s personality is just crazy and all over the place.

Kelis’s personality is chill and laid back.

Jayla F.’s personality is just weird.

Dejuan is just really crazy but I don’t think he knows it though Brendon is like my brother he is always there for me They are my friends because no matter what they will always be there through thick and thin. For better or worse!

—Zakia C.

M

y friends in homeroom 308 are Noah, Braden, Eoin, and Levi. All of these people are my friends because they are kind, smart, and brave and I am very happy that these people are my friends. I hope these people are my friends for a long time. —Henry S.

A

good friend is nice and caring they are also there for you through your bad times. A good friend is understanding. Good friends have fun and care for each other. —Eliana H. friends are people you can depend on. friends are people that stick with you to the end.

—Jerry O.

Oh what a joy it is to a friend like you for giving me strength the way you do!

—Syria W. My friend Micah is nice.

—Chase V.

11

Lakenya

I

had a friend and his name was Logan and one day I saw him playing soccer at recess. And then I started to play with him. Then I started talking to him and helping him when he feels sad or mad.

Hey Logan I said do you want to play tomorrow? That’s when I started playing with him every day and even helped him when he got hurt or bullied.

I stood up for him every day and even played with him. Days when I feel sad or mad or when I’m getting bullied.

—Liam T.

F

riends are important because when you get in a fight your friends can help you. When you get stuck in a question on your homework they can help you so you can figure out the question or when you’re stuck in a question in school you can ask your friend for help. Last year sometimes when I would get stuck on a question Marcelino would help me or I would help him. When I would fall and he would play with us he would help me up. —Sebastian R.R.

T

o begin with Erick and I were playing tag, in the park usually we got ice cream vanilla. Later we went to slide, and still playing tag after all we went home but we played roblox in the phone or a computer. It took 10 minutes to play in the park. —Yande F.

Y

ou can make friends by just doing a kind act. Also you could ask to play a game with them. Running and playing tag are fun games. The easy way is just to ask if they want to be your friend.

—Nicholas G.

Leonel T.

T

he last two birthday parties I have had I invited my best friends and played video games for two hours! And also last year one of my best friends left this school and moved farther away so I don’t see him much any more.

—Edison H.

Kevin J.

Me and my friend working together at school.

12

M

y friends are Mya and Hayden and Julianna they’re always there for me. Me and Mya we are in the same class and Hayden and Julianna are in another class then when someone cries, we said what happened and Mya and Hayden give her a hug and I said it’s ok stop crying and let’s play tag or another thing. —Maireli A.

I

have a friend. We became best friends just over sharing lockers. We have been each other’s partner, best friend, sidekick, partner in crime for ever until last year. She started hanging out with my other friend because they were together in a class. But I never realized it because I was in a different class. This year we are in the same class but then I realized it more and more I was losing her. She would run to our other friend in mid transition and when she left at the end of the day she would run to her. My feelings threw me back and forth. Am I jealous? Why am I worrying? Does she still think of me as her best friend?

I care about her so much and whatever happens I know I will never lose her.

—Elsa C.

I

wanted to tell you about friendship and why it’s important. A good friend is usually happy, helpful, and kind. Friends can help you through tough times because they make you feel not alone and that’s what makes friends so good to have. —Kristian M.

M

y friends come to the park with me.

Also, we played tag and games. I especially love when my friends come to my house. Together with my brother and my friends we love to play soccer. In conclusion my friends are good guys and we always love to watch movies.

—Emanuel R.

Jayden B.

I

consider to be a good friend because I want to help other kids that don’t understand English or Spanish. I want to be a good friend because they are sometimes lonely and they need someone to play with them or need help with something they’re confused of. Also I want to be a good friend because I want to be very nice to others that need help or are lonely. —Kevin B.

Ariyonna F.

Me and Brionna and Arieona are playing with LOL dolls together.

Joanna G. Dear Future Friend, I hope you are nice and funny. I hope we will have many fun times together, laughing and talking. I hope we will be friends forever.

Love, Lexi —Lexington B.

Kadence P.

This is me and my BFFs in the hot tub having a party.

Winter 2019

Chanelle M.

Aubrey L.

D. Simmons

This is a picture of me and Tamiah at the carnival and we are both eating cotton candy. Hers is pink and purple and mine is crystal blue.

F

riends are important because if you are down then you might need someone to talk to you or play with you. Friends are important because if you’re lonely you might need someone to play with you. Friends are important because if you are stressed then they can make you feel better. For example, if your friend thinks he/she did bad on a test then you can say you probably rocked that test, or you can say you will do better next time. Another example is that my friends always make me laugh or they make me feel better when I’m down or do something else when people are down. Friends will always be important in people’s lives. —Julian F.

I

love to go to hotels with my friends on my birthday. There, we go swimming and eat pizza. —Aurelius T.

My friends and I play basketball. We like to play football too. It is also fun as well. My friend Tyron and I like to go to the park. We like the water park the best. We also like to go out of town together. To visit downtown Chicago.

M

My friend’s name is Keayla. She is so smart.

My friend London is a tomboy. We like soccer and we like playing it. I will be a good friend.

I am nice too. Keayla and London step for me.

It makes me brave.

I

y friends and I like to go to the movies. I met them when I was playing outside. —Iyiana L.

D

avid is my best friend since kindergarten. And he is like a brother to me. And I like playing with him because he is my best friend. He has been there for me since kindergarten when he comes to my house. He plays with my Xbox. And we jump in our trampoline and play soccer and other stuff. I always get food for us. Sometimes he comes to my house after school. We both know each other well. We both have things in common like we both like pizza. And we both like playing soccer. We’ve been in the same class every year except 4th grade. —Angel M.

M

e and my friend like to ride scooters. —Damon

made friends by talking to people at school and getting to know them and if you talk to a group of people they most likely will be your friend because people in that group may like the same things as you.

Friends help you make good choices in life and even help you go through the right path and not the wrong path.

Friends are really helpful but if you have a toxic friendship it probably won’t last long and you should not be friends with them. —Andrea C.

A

kind of friend I want is to be nice and lets me play his game. My brother does so he is kind of like my friend but he doesn’t act like one. —Juan A.

M

e, Kassidy and Courtney and Aubrey and Andrea like to chase Kingston. —Cielo C.

Irany T.

Journey W.

Marquis Jerryana S. Share

Winter 2019

Use kind words. Share.

Share

Take care of materials.

M

y friends’ personalities are awesome, funny, crazy, and they’re amazing friends. They’re my friends because they’re so sweet and funny and they help me a lot and we trade scrunchies because we’re bff’s and I love them so much they’re like my sisters to me and they’re amazing friends.

—Valeria F.

I

help my friend learn how to swim.

My friends help me clean up my room.

—London S.

M M

e and my friend like to play tag.

—Amarrion J.

y friends want to play outside with me I did play outside my friends were happy. We play monster trucks and we use toys my sister told me to go inside because it was cold outside.

—Jonathan E. A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.

A friend is someone we treasure, for friendship is a gift.

A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace, A friend makes the world we live in, a better and happier place.

Thank you for being my friend, Amari C., Kaliah B., Mijzion F. —Jewel W.

13

Natalie E.

Dear ex-best friend…

Think ‘in bout the day when we first met Said I loved you, then you left I guess that’s what I get Tried to make it feel somewhat the same Are you mad or am I going insane?

Sometimes I wonder if my name has ever crossed your mind You said you loved me, I’ve never been so blind I feel like it was all my fault that we are no more What were all the I love yous for?

I know it’s been hectic Maybe I should’ve said this And I’m not stupid I saw it in your eyes There was something there you couldn’t deny Remembering when we were in the playground Just our two voices were the only sound There was nothing we couldn’t do as long as we were together Now I’m left alone in the stormy weather A best friend is someone you can trust and known since the beginning of time... and will always have your back.

Olivia: Diva, singer, funny, sassy, middle sister, nice Courtney: Ms. Hollywood, extra, lovely, tries to cheer you up (me)Natalie: Bossy, kind, smart, creative, funny, oldest sister

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y friends are nice and loud and playful and joyful and they are awesome. —Marc P. aving friends is about helping one another, not like helping other people if they fall down or got hurt, but if someone is calling names at someone, and he or she is your friend, and they are not telling the teacher you should tell them if they are ok, and tell him or her that you are going to tell the teacher or someone from the school what happened, and once you tell the teacher what happened, the person that called the kid names, he or she will stop telling names at people.

Having partners is almost like having friends, if you are in math class, and the teacher said to work together, and the person needs help, you could help him or her, but not when it’s a test because if you help or give the answer, the person you help, he or she won’t learn anything.

—Zoe M.

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e are best friends. Always remember that if you fall I will pick you up after I’m done laughing. Life is better with a true friend. —Chiyah B. ll my friends are understanding. They don’t judge unless we are teasing each other in a friendly way, joking. All my friends are funny, kind, smart, and they all have talents I don’t have, which makes us teach each other things. They are super supportive. We are friends because sometimes we don’t have the same opinions, but we have so much in common that makes me and my friends really close and open to each other. I know I have someone to trust when I tell them about anything I want. Most of all, I’m really comfortable around my friends, and I don’t have to fit in around them. We’re all weird in our own way, and sometimes in the same ways. My friends are some of the most important people in my life, people I will not forget.

—Christina M.

What if it was all just the wrong time?

It felt like me and you not together was a crime Maybe if people weren’t involved in all our problems we tried to solve Would everything look differently or would we even be involved?

What if I had used my head instead of walking out?

What if you never had your doubts?

Would we still even be friends Or would have it still been the end?

I know it’s been hectic Maybe I should’ve said this And I’m not stupid I saw it in your eyes There was something there you couldn’t deny Remembering when we were in the playground Just our two voices were the only sound There was nothing we couldn’t do as long as we were together Now I’m left alone in the stormy weather I hope you know I will always love you Sometimes I may seem like I have no clue But there will always be a special place in my heart for you I hope you know it’s true Remembering when we were in the playground Just our two voices were the only sound There was nothing we couldn’t do as long as we were together Now I’m left alone in the stormy weather Know that I will always remember the good times in the end And that you’ll always be my best friend —Vanessa S.

Winter 2019

presents

FOR FAMILY AUDIENCES

Photos by Austin D. Oie

A bear. A button. A place to belong.

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y best friends are Yaretzi M., Karen C., and Elizabeth M. All of them are amazing friends! I wouldn’t want to wish for any other friends. Anyway, I have my own meaning of Friendship.

What Friendship means to me is true friends become one whole group.

Friends are important because they are always there for you (that’s all I can think of Lol). The reason why Yaretzi, Karen, and Elizabeth are my friends because we are almost the same, I mean not like same, same but all of us are weirdos, crazy, sometimes lazy and more. I consider myself a good friend because. For example, I taught Elizabeth how to draw some stuff like wolves and kinds of animals! Another example why I’m a good friend (Wow, I feel proud of myself ) is that I try to keep secrets for my friends like if they tell me their personal secret, I keep in mind to not tell anyone. (Btw, They are not bad secrets because if they were, I wouldn’t have been friends with them.) Some ways I could make new friends is by trying to talk to them and hang out for a little while to get to know them better. So like, I still have more to say about my friends and what they do when I’m sad.

They try to make me laugh and whatever they do, they make me laugh a lot. Though, I still wish I could do something better for them you know?

—Valeria M.

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ou can make friends by letting them play with you and talking to them.

Friendship is important because they keep you company and when you’re older they will help you out a lot. A good friend stands up for you and helps you whether it’s homework or regular work.

My friends and I would help each other when we’re hurt. —Gavin J.

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y friend Veronica is funny she’s kind and she’s much more! Like in the mornings we sit in the cafeteria and she tells me funny stories. She even shows me funny things that she makes up, like the Peppa Pig dance.

Susy is also my friend she is kind but shy. At recess we all get together and joke around and tell each other dares!

Like one time she dared me to go around and tell people hi sisters!

Anabel is very funny. That’s why she is my BFF! She is like the queen of funny.

We have sleepovers a lot and we stay up till five in the morning. Playing Roblox and making forts! And we jump on the bed but then her mom comes and gets mad at us. But we still have fun!

One of my best friends is my cousin we do so many fun things together!

Sometimes when I sleep over we stay up and watch videos! And eat all the food.

Or we just text each other when we’re right next to each other.

I have one more friend to talk about and I’ll be done. Emily is so understanding like if we had plans to hang out and I had to cancel them she’ll understand. She is also great because she is very kind like one time, she said I should help her make posters to save the planet. And so much more!

I am so grateful for all my friends. And thank you for listening to me about friendship! —Victoria E.

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f you want friends you could have friends if you don’t want a friend you don’t have to get a friend like if there’s someone that you don’t like then you could still be nice to them. Some people are smarter and it doesn’t matter all that matters is that you have a friend someone you can talk to and someone you can do anything with someone who can talk to you and be nice to you if you ever want to do anything you know who to call or text your best friend or your friend you can do anything you want with your friend but mostly when you’re older because that is when you can go anywhere mostly a lot of people can go anywhere they want with their friends.

—Leah N.

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nce my friend Kayla broke her leg I didn’t know she broke her leg until one of the helpers in the office brought her up in a chair she couldn’t walk so me and my other friend Hayden were carrying her stuff from class to class I was pushing Kayla in her chair that the office gave her. Hayden was carrying Kayla’s things. Kayla’s leg hurt really bad whenever she tried to move her leg she would say ow.

Then my other friend Sofia stated to help Kayla. Sofia would try to cheer her up and tell Kayla that it was ok it would heal up soon. Then a week passed and Kayla got her crutches so nobody had to push her in the chair because she had crutches but she couldn’t carry her stuff so somebody else had to carry her stuff and Julissa a girl that sits at Kayla’s table had to help her carry her stuff to each class also when she was in her chair she had to go down the elevator she was always the first to lunch and the first to recess but for recess she had to sit out and in gym she had to sit out.

—Brian A.

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think I’m a good friend I’m always helping Aariona with something. One time me and Mya and our table were doing math and I helped Yaretzi with her math. I also waited for Mya because she was with the teacher and we were supposed to work with each other.

Well we always help each other.

One time I was in small group and I was solving a problem, but I got it wrong and then I started crying. Then Yaretzi and Hayden were cheering me up. Hayden gave me a hug and Yaretzi gave me a hug also. Then Aariona made me laugh as well as Mrs. Abbasi. Friends will always be there for you like my friends. They will make you laugh at least. They will always be there for you no matter what. They tell you if something or if your hair’s messed up, they will tell you. Friends are family.

—Daisy L.

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y friends are different. Instead of them being like “OOH LOOK AT …

ISN’T HE CUTE!!!” or like “MAKEUP AND DRESSES!!!” they’re not like girly girly, they are different. They don’t care if someone has the face of a rhino. Heck they don’t care if they are a rhino. All they care about is if they are nice.

That’s all that matters. Friends are like a poem. They don’t have to rhyme, they don’t have to make sense, all they have to do is matter.

When you’re nice you don’t feel something bad. If you get a bad feeling in your stomach, that means you don’t feel good with the people you’re being friends with. Think one day you and your friends are walking and someone trips and falls. Books, papers, and supplies all flying in the air. Your friends laugh at him/her and keep walking without helping them. Then that bad feeling kicks in. That means this isn’t right. If you know your friends are bullying someone stop them. —Charlotte M. Winter 2019

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hen you have a friendship with someone your goal is to not break the friendship up, unless they are being disrespectful to you, if that happens you should probably break the friendship up or they will continue to hurt your feelings. What a good friend means is a friend that cares about you, that helps you out, and makes you feel happy and proud. Almost everyone in this world has a friendship with someone that’s nice to them.

Sometimes friendship can make you a better person and make you have a better life because a friend can help you out when you’re in a problem that you can’t solve. Sometimes you can have a fake friend that’s always being mean to you and doesn’t care about you.

Sometimes a friendship can make you get in trouble, those kinds of friendships happens when you’re a teen, some teens have friends that they think they are good friends but they’re not, they always do things that are not good and they will always get in trouble. A friendship can also make you be a nice person cause they will always get your back, just like best friends. A best friend is like a friend but they are BEST friends.

—Yohan C.

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hat to do with friends? The always hard question. It depends on what you and your friends like. Let’s say you all like football, you could all play football.

Let’s say you like fiction you could read books or play games and role play and L.A.R.P. Let’s say you don’t like any of that stuff, then you could play card games and talk about stuff you do like like Star Wars or Marvel. And those are just some of many options to do with your friends and remember always play something you all will like! —Tobias S.

Winter 2019

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riendship is a sign of love in a way that makes you feel safe but, friendship has side effects as in fights, and weird moments like you have not seen your friend for a while. But everyone loves friendship even if it causes drama. People feel alone and that is not a good feeling. Everyone wants to feel supported. —Zoey S.

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eople who are friends to me are people who understand situations that I go through, make me laugh, and make me a good person. My friends have all helped me throughout the years in my best and my worst days. They have shown me my rights and my wrongs even when we have had ups and downs, but they have never stopped caring about me. They are my friends because they have kept me from going down the wrong path, and shown me the positive way to look at things.

Yes, I may not be a good friend sometimes and I’ll make mistakes, but we all make choices that we aren’t proud of.

But sometimes you go through obstacles for a reason. A good friend is someone that checks up on you to make sure you’re okay, doesn’t tell all your family and personal issues to everyone, doesn’t let others talk about you when you’re not around, and doesn’t backstab you. Friends will come and go as you grow older, but you know you have a true friend when they never leave your side.

Your friends can either be a lesson or a blessing. —Arely E.

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riendship is important and I will tell you why. Friendship means something like when you trust someone with your secrets. A friend is someone who will have your back till the end.

A friend is someone you get along with. Your friend and you might have differences, but your friend will get along fine.

I like to call myself a good friend because I don’t want to do anything to hurt my friends. I want the best for my friends. Also, I think my friends are good friends because they help me when I need help. We argue sometimes but we always get through it. We sometimes disagree with each other. We need to step away. Sometimes it’s ok to step back for a bit. —Alexiana C.

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good friend is someone who is always kind to you and helps you out. If someone makes rude and mean remarks to you, they aren’t a good friend. They could be the class bully instead of somebody to spend your time with. It is important that you have good friends instead of bad ones, because bad friends can pull you down. They can lead you to make poor choices that aren’t good for you, they can even influence things like how to spend your well-earned money and to not go to college when you’re perfectly capable.

That is why you should choose your best friends carefully, so that you don’t get dragged down to the depths of bad choices by people who should make your life better, not worse. You should also have good friends because they help you out, play games with you, and overall make your life better, not worse.

Make great friends. —Delfa U.

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!

riends are important because they can make you laugh, and you won’t be lonely if you have friends to play with you.

You will have someone by your side to play with. You will be happy. You can share facts with your friends and talk to them! They can help you with homework.  They can tell you if you’re doing something wrong. They can help you with work if you get confused. They can lead you to do something good. They can give you crayons or coloring pencils if you don’t have any. Friends are also important because you can have sleepovers with them and play.

Friends are important because if you are lonely you are sad but if you have friends you are happy. Friends can support you if you’re feeling sad. Friends are also very helpful if you were absent from school, they can tell you what you missed.

Friends can also inspire you. Friends can teach you stuff you don’t know. Friends can come over to your house to play with you.

Friends can help you if you have problems.

Friends should make you happy. Friends can take you to fun places like an ice cream place! —Azul V.

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nce me and my friend were on the same team of soccer. It was going all good until she was going to kick the ball to block it and the other team kicked the ball at the same time and hurt her leg. She was ok for a few seconds but then I noticed something was not right and I saw her limping so I helped her to the bench.

She started crying so Mr. Mugavero blew the whistle so now it was the boys’ turn to play soccer and she went to the office and to the hospital and she was there in the classroom and she was wearing a boot and I heard she fractured her bone. Three weeks later she was wearing a cast and now she is still wearing a cast. And now she is feeling better. She is not using crunches.

—Julissa R.

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e and my friend London take turns sliding on the slide. —Brysen

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ome people have many friends, but some just have one friend, and that’s ok. Because some people have no friends and that’s also ok because you will find the one later and maybe you will find many friends you will see. Other people have shy, funny, weird friends and that’s okay too. All that matters are if you find the best friend.

A good friend will give you kindness.

And if they’re actually a nice friend they will respect everybody with kindness not only some people. And another thing if they’re a good friend they will never go with the popular girls and just leave you all alone. So, if you have one of those friends just ignore them and get some new friends. And when they see you making new friends that person will realize how good of friends you were to them.

And friends are important because you won’t have to do things alone. Like if you’re going to a mall and you don’t have friends you will go alone and with friends you will have so much fun. So you should go and make some friends and if you have friends you can make cake you can make cupcakes and do funny pictures and other really fun stuff with them.

You can have a boy or a girl that’s a friend because either one is ok because they both are really fun to have. All friends are sweet nice cool and the best.

Because I have a friend that’s a boy and he is sweet, cool, and the best of the best of friends he is also kinda strong not really lol. —Magdalena P.

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i my name is Cedy. I don’t necessarily consider myself in a “group.” One of my friends is Maia she is nice and cool. She tries new things like all the time. Another one of my friends is Briar. Briar is really excited and pumped. She loves dogs like they’re her own. A third friend is Antara. She is new to our school and has some friends that proves she is friendly. She’s a good friend and that’s all that matters. There is a girl named Mehr. She is also new to our school. She is caring, fun and really nice. My last friend is Kate. She is sporty, meanwhile she is funny. If you come to our school, I hope you’ll smile.

—Mercedes G.

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y friends are Sara, Valery, Karen because they are always there when I need them. I am going to tell the story of why they are my friends.

First Sara it all started when I was really stuck on my work because the teacher was explaining what to do but I was tying my shoe and I wasn’t seeing the teacher then I was done then I saw my class doing what the teacher told them to do then I told Sara that if she could tell what the teacher said and she told me she was so kind. Next is Valery one day at kindergarten I had no friends then a girl walked up to me and she said hi and I was scared because it was the first day then she played with me then we became best friends. Next it’s Karen one day I was signing up for volleyball classes I was practicing for volleyball and Karen said “wow you’re so good at volleyball I know you’re going to make it, “ she said then my heart felt good then I said “Thank you “ and guess what I made the team she Karen also made the team those are my stories about friends.

—Jazmin R.

A real friendship never fights A fake friend trusted nights fold it up make a heart pass it around and fright and night enemies around your best friends trying hurt their feeling fight them with kindness with a little joy!

—Tanasia L.

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riendship to me is that you need to be kind, nice and thoughtful to them.

For example, one of my friends is very funny and very kind to me. Me and her always talk to each other so then, when she’s going through a rough time, I’m there to help her and make her feel better. I have another friend and she’s a very great person. She’s a very good artist. She’s very caring. She’s a very good helper. And also one of my other friends is not one of my friends...because she’s like my sister. And we call each other sisters a lot! She makes me laugh a lot also. She is just like me. She wears glasses. But, she hates her glasses a lot, but I wear them a lot. I’m already used to it. Anyway, friendship is kinda important to me because you could spend time with the people you love! —Karen C.

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wouldn’t have known what I would have done without my friends, Edwin, Edgar, Julian, Brian. My friends are really important to me. What makes a good friend is that friends respect other friends, because if you don’t respect your friends, then they might just not be your friend anymore.

Some ways I can make new friends is to be kind to them, so they can accept being your friend. Also I can talk about what we like and what we don’t like, so we can get to know each other. Edwin and I talk about what we like and what we don’t like. Especially when it’s lunch time, we’d talk about what is our favorite food. What isn’t our favorite food. We also talk about what kind of food we should get at lunchtime. At lunchtime, I would like it if we got more fruit, like watermelon. —Ulises S.

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t all started on a dark and stormy night in a dark forest where two best friends were camping in their tents. When they were about to go to bed one of the best friends woke up and noticed that the other best friend was not there so he grabbed his flashlight and went outside to look for him he started to hear a rustle in the distance it was his best friend but he was stuck in a hole. First he tried to make a rope but that didn’t work so he tried pulling him out it was no use. Then he thought to himself that he could jump in the hole and try to get him out.

So he jumped in the hole and hugged the friend and he gave him a boost to get out and when he was out he pulled the other friend and gave each other a big hug and decided they were always going to be friends and they would never go camping again.

—Benjamin H.

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good friend would give good compliments and play together, my friends are Blake and Victor. They are my friends because they play outside with me and talk, sit by me and make funny jokes with me. But most of all they are my friends because I was new to the school and that they helped me get comfortable with the school.

—Damian T.

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he friend song (there is this one song that makes me feel like my friends are actually my real friends) Count On Me by Bruno Mars and now we are playing Would You Rather: Would you rather...

1. Would you rather have one close friend or a bunch of not close friends?

2. Would you rather have your best friend be mean to you or your enemy be nice to you?

3. Would you rather play one game with a bunch of friends or play a bunch of games with one friend?

—Matylda L.

Winter 2019

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Don’t miss Porchlight’s Youth Programs taught by award-winning teaching artists!

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Build Skills In

ACTING! SINGING! DANCING! AUDITIONS MARCH 7 REHEARSES APRIL 4 - MAY 17 AGES 8 - 17

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Perform on the same set as Porchlight’s Mainstage production of Freaky Friday!

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JUNE 29 - JULY 10 JULY 13 - JULY 24 AGES 7 - 13

JULY 27 - AUGUST 7 AGES 13 - 17

Chicago’s favorite summer camp returns!

SIGN UPS & MORE AT

PORCHLIGHTMUSICTHEATRE.ORG

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y older sister, Isabella has been friends with a girl named Sarah since the day she was born, literally.

Isabella was born on April 20th, 2005 at St. Joseph Hospital as was Sarah. One day as my mother went to pick up my sister from my grandmother’s house where she was being babysat, my mother ran into my grandmother’s neighbor whose wife had just delivered a little girl too. The neighbor’s name was Randy and he asked my mother if she knew of a babysitter in the area. My mother told him that she would ask my grandmother since she was babysitting my sister after all. The following day Randy, his wife, Florence and their newborn daughter Sarah came to meet my grandmother and as they began to talk, my mother realized she had met Florence in the maternity ward at St. Joseph Hospital on the day my sister was born. It turned out that both Sarah and my sister were born on the same day and hospital! My grandmother babysat both my sister and Sarah for 5 years until my parents moved to Wisconsin and Sarah’s family moved to Indiana. My sister and Sarah learned to eat, walk and speak at the same time. It has been 14 years and they still remain a very close friendship! —Olivi G.

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am now going to tell a true story about friendship. Last year in fourth grade I had this friend named Riaan, but he now moved to Naperville, so he wasn’t here this year. We were friends for a long time and one day before school he started saying mean stuff. I didn’t know what was happening so, I asked my friends for some advice but it didn’t help. We started fighting a lot that year. Finally at the end of the year the fight started to get a little softer. After he left to Naperville I realized how much a good friend he was. —James C.

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here was a girl. Her name was Molly.

One day Molly thought she needed a friend. So she walked to school and bumped into a girl. Her name was Vannesa. “sorry!” said Molly. “Um okay weirdo” said Vannesa. Molly needed a friend, so she thought she would spend the day with Vanessa. Though Vannesa was not very nice to Molly, Molly didn’t know what the characteristics of a friend was. When Molly went home that day, she felt left out, bullied, and hurt by Vannesa. The next morning, she was walking to school when she bumped into someone. “oh sorry Vannesa are you--” “OH MY GOSH, I AM SO SORRY! are you okay?” Molly looked up to find a girl her age that she had never seen before.”Y- Yes thank you” said Molly. “No problem” said the girl. ”So what’s your name” said Molly. “My names Lilo.”

So Molly and Lilo spent the whole day together. When Molly went home she saw that Lilo was caring, sweet, kind, friendly. and then Molly found the true meaning of friendship. —Briar B.

Friends should be thankful Friends should be giving Friends should have fun together Friends should be helpful Friends should argue once and a while Friends should be friends —Britton P.

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s the sun rises and sets we have beautiful times ,some with our friends and the rest with our families.

Today I want to talk about friendship.

Friends are people who come into our lives either by luck or because we make efforts to include them in our lives.

Friends motivate, teach and help us in any situation that we need them in. It is common to have fights with them but if everything was so easy in life then why would God send us. We are here to learn and improve from our experiences and friends help us to learn the easier way than the harder way.

We have friends to entertain us, play and learn with and have loads of fun together. Having friends can inspire us or we can inspire them. As students we learn a lot from teachers, parents and elders but friends can also teach us so many things. God chooses our families but we choose our friends. We should take advantage of that and learn from our friends. Making friends is sometimes easy and other times difficult, all we have to do is be open and not picky.

Friendship is about trusting each other and not just sharing our joys but also our sorrows. During our bad times we can share our problems with them and they can comfort us. We just need a hug from our friend to feel better when things are not right. This is why, I think friendship is truly important.

—Mehr M.

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am at my pool with my friends, my mom and my dad. My name is Kamyra.

My friends love sunlight and splashing in the pool. —Kamyra

Friends Friends can be happy Friends can be sad Friends can be nice Friends can be rude Friends can be dogs Friends can be cats Friends can be chickens Friends can be ducks Friends can be just your regular man walking around Friends can be anything or anyone Friends —Oliver G.

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riendship is when a friend is there for you and always helps you that’s a friend. Some of my friends help me and they are real friends. Some friends are there if you have something good happen to you but if something bad happens to you see if your friends are real friends. Real friends help you and who cares if they are different they just care about the heart. —Anonymous

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s a friend you should tend to help out. As a friend you should be loyal and also be joyful. If you get in a fight do not have a fright for what you should do is ascend to your friend and apologize for the distress you may have given her.

Try not to be mean because kindness is key. So to be a friend you have to be the best self you can be and always remember that kindness is key.

—Naava S.

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y friends like hanging around and also talking around. My brother is important as well because we play around but, I don’t see him that much because he is in high school and he goes to Kelly High School. My brother likes going to the park and he takes me to the park and it’s fun and we play soccer. Sometimes I see my friends after school and it’s fun.

Hanging around with friends is fun also you could hang around at recess and after school and also at your friend’s house and hanging with friends is so fun. I also trust my friends because they help me a lot. Some other kids from my class I don’t trust them because they probably hurt me that’s why we all have friends that we trust. —Jose T.

Winter 2019

“A HOLIDAY CARD COME TO LIFE!” – DAILY NEWS

TM and © Paramount Pictures and TM and © The Estate of Irving Berlin. All rights reserved.

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y friends are Jerry, Levi, Amilo, Britton, Vance, Sam, Ben, Noah both Henrys, Liam F., and Lila. The first one I met was Noah. One of the reasons we are friends is we all like football. Another reason we are friends is we like being active plus a lot of my friends are nice and support each other whether we’re being bullied or hurt that is why I have chosen these friends. —Dominik G.

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riendship is about being a good friend. You can be a good friend by being nice to your friend then they will be nice to you. If you are mean to your friends then they will probably not want to be your friend. Make sure you pick the right friends so you have a good friend.

Help them with things that are hard. If you don’t have any friends, when you are sad you will have nobody to cheer you up. —Levi A.

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riendship is a special thing that you have between you and another person. For me, this is with my best friend Alison I have known her since kindergarten.

She has helped me through the hardest times known as when I was in third grade my great aunt had passed away Alison helped me through it by comforting me. For some people, it is easy to make friends and for some people, it is not easy to make friends.

—Jacqueline B.

Recipe to a good frien

d:

1) Grab a bowl 2) Pour the base (water. if you want your good frie nd to be a girl put pink if boy then blue food co food coloring and loring) 3) Pour sugar to make the m sweet!

4) Pour helpful powder to make them very helpf ul 5) A pinch and warning : ONLY A PINCH of fight sal t because every friend ha or disagreement in their s an argument life.

6) Some confident clay to make them confident in you and themselves.

7) Last but not least som e colorful crushed crayo ns if you want them to ha clothes and just any cru ve colorful shed up colored pencils for casual clothes.

8) Take the magical mixtu re and spill it out on the sidewalk and your good 9) HAVE A NICE AND FU friend is formed!

N DAY WITH THEM! 10) Find them parents.....

—Dylan H. family. are like your second ey Th g. in az am d d makes g an . Being a good frien to me they are carin em ng th hi on yt t er un ev e co s ar s ay Friend u can alw n you are down. Yo They help you whe . you a better person new friends: Recipe for making -3 cups of smiles ds don’t deny it) -6 cups of kindness hard making frien is it es im et m (so don’t worry) -2 cups of bravery kes time, it is fine ta it es im et m (so -1 cup of patience by its cover) (don’t judge a book e nc ra le to of ps -8 cu then...Enjoy!!

-Give it some time —Maia B.B.

22

M

aggie is my friend because she is kind in her own way and never backs out whenever she’s doing something challenging and she’s really kind. Leah is my friend because she’s sweet kind and amazing with me.

Stephanie is my friend because she’s always making people laugh and has almost everybody’s back, she helps me a lot with homework. Adrianna is my friend because she’s always optimistic to other kids. —Nadya R.

Recipe to a good friend 1. Say “Hi! What’s your name? I’m Emerson! Do you want to play with me?”

2. Be nice/kind/sweet to them like if they need help, help them. If they get hurt or cry, try to calm them down and say, “It’s ok.” If they struggle because of a loss, tell he/she to think of some happy times that they spent with that person. If someone is bullying them at any point of time, stand up for them and say to the bully, “back off.” If they have bad grades, tell them what they should do better next time,or help them fix that mistake/error.

3. If things are going well between you two, invite he/she for a play date or a sleepover and bond with them.

4. Be positive with the person like if there is negative things between the two people, forget about that and start saying positive/happy/joyful words.

5. Don’t be mean to the person. If you don’t have anything nice to say to he/she, DON’T say anything at all. If one person says bad/rude things, everyone says bad/rude things.

6. Share with them. Sharing is a great way to be friends with someone because if you want people to share with you, you have to share with them. Treat people the way you want to be treated.

—Emerson K.

Winter 2019

ALL SEVEN HARRY POTTER BOOKS IN SEVENTY HILARIOUS MINUTES!

Ngosse M. B-best friend since 5th grade F-friends will always stick together F-forever and ever Dear BFF: She’s been my bff for one year going on two. My bff is loyal, helpful, caring, and funny. I really love her and she makes my day when I’m feeling down. Thank you.

—Danielle W.

First friend Really nice Icy pit Engaged in conversation Nice shoes Dance nice Life is better with friends —Ricky C.

Forever Really fun Intimate Energetic Nice Dependable Special Happy Instant Peaceful —Drew S.

Friendly Rad Intelligent Excellent Nice Different —Reid K.

Firm Responsible Inventive Easygoing Neat Dedicated —Brianna C.

Friendship is all about being kind and nice and friendly. —Cynthia G.

B-Best friend since the 5th grade F-friend. She was always there for me and helped me when I needed help. She was the one I can turn and talk to about my problems.

F-You will forever be my BFF and you can never be replaced. #BFFS4L Dear BFF, I want to thank you for staying by my side and being there for me when I’m going through problems and for having someone to talk to when I needed it.

Love your BFF Jael For my best friend.

Red is love and love is friendship.

I love that when I am blue you make me happy.

End of the day we play in the park.

Never lie to your friend.

Don’t lose your friend.

—Destiny V.C.

Friendly Reliable Innocent Ethical Neat Dedicated —Ian M.

Friends do not lie Remember happy moments I love my friends Ever forever friends Never forget friends Don’t let friends down —Janell L. Fight your enemies!

Respect you Include you Encourage you Need you!

Depend on you!

—A’jewelise S. Forgiving Respectful Inventive Excellent Nice Dedicated —Jonathan G.

Fight for you Respect you Include you Encourage you Need you Deserve you Stand by you —Marquell D.

For my best friends Remembering funny moments I wish we can be together forever Especially I never forgot when we first met Never lie to best friends Don’t be fake friends be real friends like true friends —Miley S.

For my best friend Reliable,I can count on him Intelligent,I need a smart friend Easygoing, he says yes when we play video games Nice, my friend is nice because he helps me a lot he is loyal a good friend Dedicated, we never stop trying to win —Josemaria G.

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Winter 2019

800-7 75-2000 • GROUPS 10 + 312-97 7-1710 • T ICKE TS AVAIL ABLE AT ALL BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BOX OFFICES

THE 2018 TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL FROM THE WRITERS OF ANASTASIA AND RAGTIME ®

“A BEWITCHING, BEAUTIFUL REVIVAL

THAT CELEBRATES LOVE, RESILIENCE AND THE SPIRIT OF HOPE.” JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ,

Photo by Joan Marcus

JANUARY 21–FEBRUARY 2