Wild flower THE
TEMPLE, TX
Letter from the Editor
Highschoolisanexperienceunlikeanyother:agroupofpeoplewhohavenothingincommon besidestheirageheldincloseproximitytoeachotherforsomeofthemostformativeyearsoftheir lives.Becauseofthis,thereisanunbelievablydiverserangeofpersonalities.Howwebehavein highschoolisoftendeemed“justaphase”inourlives somethinginsignificantandfleeting. However,Iarguethatthisisthenatureofhumanity;weliveinaconstantstateofgrowth,even beyondourteenageyears.Thisiswhyourstaffhaschosenthetheme“Phases”forthisyear’s editionofTheWildflower.
Phasesisareflectiononthenecessityoftransformation.Likethetide,themoon,andtheeverchangingseasons,peoplemovethroughcycles,constantlyshiftingandadaptingtotheir environment.Thisthemeinvitesartistsandwriterstoembracewhateverphasetheyfind themselvesinnow.Whetheritiscapturingamomentofprofoundrealization,reflectingonpast formativemoments,orlookingtowardsthefuturewithhope,Phaseshonorschangeinallits forms.Inthisway,weareembracingthediversenatureofourstudentbody,wherenotwoartists areatthesamephaseintheirlifeorhavethesamegoalincreating.ThisissueofTheWildflower hassoughtoutworkthatreflectsthephasesoftheself thosemomentsofclarityinwhichwecan conveyanaspectofourmultifacetedidentities.Wehopeyouenjoyit!
Sincerely,
Editor-In-Chief
Genevieve Allen
WILDFLOWER
2024-2025 Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Genevieve Allen ‘25
Prose Editor
Ava Jade Fritz ‘26
Business Manager
Nevaeh Tobe ‘26
Poetry Editor
Julianna Morris ‘25
Chief of Public Relations
Rania Ahmed ‘25
Submissions Managers
Greggory Abney ‘26
Noor Arif ‘28
Shelby Flores ‘26
Rebeka Johson ‘28
Kadijah Kamara ‘26
Art Editor
Moises HernandezArias
Fundraising
Giselle Navarro ‘26
Preston Myers ‘26 & Isabel Moerbe ‘26
Staff
Zoe King ‘28
La’shaiyah Leverette ‘26
Malachi Mejias-Treadwell ‘25
Summer Nguyen ‘26
Emily Rodness ‘26
Kamry Rodriguez ‘28
Faculty Advisor
Laura Betik
Printer
CenTex Printing, Temple, TX
Garrett Seholm ‘26
Junius Thompson ‘26
Amari Traylor ‘26
Kyra Williams ‘25
Jane Wood ‘28
The Wildflower is Temple High School’s celebrated literary and arts magazine, a publication rooted in tradition yet driven by the creative spirit of today’s students. First established in the 1970s and revived in 2022 after a long hiatus, The Wildflower has quickly grown into a dynamic platform for student voices and artistic expression.
Now in its third year since its revival, The Wildflower continues to flourish as a nationally recognized publication. Most recently, it earned a “Superior” designation from the National Council of Teachers of English REALM Award for the second consecutive year, as well as First Class with two distinctions from the National Student Press Association. These honors reflect the passion of our contributors and the dedication of our editorial staff, who carefully review and curate hundreds of submissions from our school’s vibrant community of over 2,200 students.
More than just a magazine, The Wildflower is a living showcase of imagination and talent. Within these pages, you’ll find an inspiring collection of poetry, prose, photography, and visual art that captures the diverse experiences, ideas, and emotions of Temple High School’s student body
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POETRY AND PROSE
WhatisLove,MaribelDavis‘26
Sun&Moon, Zy’lahBlackman‘25^
TheLanguageofDaises,TaylorSkipper‘25
WinterAir, StevenJones‘27
TruthsAboutLove,TeminaBinoy‘26
LostatWhatCause,Nino,‘27
MeadowsofRehearsal,JasmineMoreno‘27
WhenIGrowUp,JacquelineOrtiz‘26
IamHere,RaniaAhmed‘25
Life, APastiche,LaurenGreen‘27 *
TheBenchbytheLake,TaylorSkipper‘25
TheUnitedStatesThroughtheEyesofYuri Guglielmana,Ava-JadeFritz‘26
DiscoveringJoy,IubanaCruz‘26
WhereDidMySunshineGo?,EvelynLeBel‘28
IsThisWhatYouWant?,JoeyDeLeon’25
DearHonorableImmigrationJudge, Giselle Navarro‘26
TheBrothersHills,JoshBastin‘28
ARTWORK
Untitled,AddysonBates‘27
ColorStudy,IlanaDesales‘25
TheSnowQueen’sPersuasion,Carene
MyeishaUy‘28*
Camellia,LillianBowker‘25
BrainsforLife!!,EsmeraldaMaldonado‘26
Ihsan,RaniaAhmed‘26
Dragonfly,IlanaDesales’25
Prophet’sMosque,RaniaAhmed‘25
Butterfly,AlexaGreggory‘28
WildflowerMan,MariahProctor‘26**
MyHeartBloomsLikeFlowers,TrinityHunt‘27
BlueInkPen,AddysonBates‘27
Hues,GiselleNavarro‘26
RawHumanity, LaurenGreen‘27
AManDowncast,LaurenGreen AmericanEyes,AlyshaOsbourne‘26
TrickorTreat,YulinYe ‘26^
Untitled,JonásBaez ‘25
^ denotes winner of the Shadow & Ink Contest
*denotes winner of the Wildflower Winter Bloom Contest
**denotes winner of the Spring Wildflower Flourish Contest
Maribel Davis ‘26
It's very difficult to put a label on love, but there are many versions of people's definitions. I believe love is more than just a word; I believe love isn't something you can describe but only something you can feel.
Although I agree that love is beautiful, I also agree that love can be dangerous. I grew up in a house full of toxic love, so at an early age I thought love was full of anger. I was shown multiple times that love is something you shouldn't desire. The author in the article “Why I Keep a Toxic Family Relationship in My Life” states how he kept a family member in his life because he thought he could change himself to fit into their standards. In specific words, “I could keep hoping and forcing and changing who I am to make a different pathway forward.” Although I can not put a word on love, I can tell you this is not what love looks like. Love doesn't come with disrespect and shame; it comes with trust and affection.
Love means being able to look at someone and see past their flaws, being able to see someone at their worst and still loving them for them. In the article “The Best Article on Love & Relationships,” the author states, “It’s a constant commitment to a person regardless of the present circumstances.” This statement indicates that love is a permanent choice and not something you look for when looking for something temporary. By the author stating “constant commitment,” he also suggests how love includes promises and loyalty. This here demonstrates how love is patient by pointing out howlongloveforeveris.
Not only a word but also a feeling, a feeling most couldn't describe.
Untitled by Addyson Bates
Sun & Moon Sun & Moon
Zy’lah Blackmon c/o 2025
Through the deep starry darkness of the world
And the shiny, radiant sky
There exist two partners in crime
One who comes to welcome the grassy, sandy, and rocky landscapes
With its brightness and beautiful rays
Who shines above the rest
In the face of the living
Giving us a reason to seize the day
And the other
Who gives us a reason to rest our heads ubles to bed of tomorrow ahead erizing pitch black sky he next coming light he true mastermind kinds
By Taylor Skipper ‘25
The Language The Language of Daisies of Daisies
My grandmother never told me she loved me. At least, not with words.
She wasn’t heartless, just realistic. She was a woman of few words, raised in a time when love was demonstrated rather than conveyed verbally. But she had a garden a wild, beautiful place with tulips in spring, roses in summer, and chrysanthemums in autumn. In that garden, I learned everything I know about love.
“Daisies mean loyalty,” she said one afternoon, kneeling next to me while I was pulling weeds. “They always turn toward the sun, even if it’s hiding.”
I was twelve when I came home from school with a scraped knee and a bruised ego because my classmate told me I was too quiet. My grandmother did not ask questions. She just left a wee bouquet of violets on my nightstand.
“Violets mean strength,” she said and quietly left the room.
My first heartbreak came at sixteen. She gave me a single yellow rose for breakfast. “Friendship,” she mouthed, reminding me that love comes in many forms
It wasn’t until I was twenty-four, waiting beside her hospital bed, that I knew I had understood her all along.
Her voice was barely audible, and her hands were brittle, but she gestured towards a small table where a daisy stood in a chipped glass.
“Loyalty.”
Even in the end, she was still teaching me how to seek out the light.
She died that spring, when her tulips were just coming up. I returned to her garden, which had gone wild in her absence, after she was buried. So I knelt down in the dirt, desperately wanting one final lesson.
Then I noticed them tiny white petals pushing their way up from the edge of the yard, toward the sky.
Daisies.
I smiled through my tears.
“I love you too.”
Color Study
by Ilana Desales ‘25
by Carene Myeisha Uy
The Snow Queen’sPersuasion
By Lillian Bowker
Camellia Camellia
‘25
Truths About Love Truths About Love
Loveisdifferentineveryone'seyes. I believe that there are no two people that view love the same way. This is because everyone has their own versions and definitions of love with different life experiences to compare it to Although I may not have the most exciting or eventful experiences in my life, I am certain that I know love I know what it is, what it isn’t, and everything in between This essay will diveintothetruthaboutloveandhow itisnotwhatapersonalwaysthinks
Every person has their own definition of love. To an old couple, lovecanmeanforgivingandforgetting to stay with each other for better or worse. A young couple may picture lovetobeanidealisticfantasy,thinking it is the affection they give to each other. Meanwhile, a group of childhood friends can think love is when they are always there for each other. There is no direct definition of love, as it is a feeling unique to everyone.
Likeeverything,lovehadanorigin. An article written by BetterHelp explains how love originated from Plato’s love myth Plato relates a tale concerning the beginning of human love in his Symposium The tale described humans as two-headed, four-legged, upright-walking beings Zeuschosetopunishthembydividing them in half because they were strong creatures who posed a threat to the gods.These"creatures"feltincomplete andyearnedfortheirotherhalvesafter being divided in half. Betterhelp says, “Their longing for completion was what we know today as ‘love.’” This demonstrateshowtheideaoflovehas existed since the beginning of time, emphasizing its importance to humankind.
Lovecanoftenbemistakenformany things. Some examples include infatuation, lust, attachment, obsession,fantasy,anddesperation.
However, these feelings are not arbitrary;theydependonhowaperson treats another. Whether it is friendly, flirty, or uninterested, the way a person treatsyouaffectsthewayyoufeelabout them. An example of this is love bombing, when someone shows immenseinterestinyouwithouthaving genuinefeelings
AnarticlewrittenbyKristenFischer states, “Love bombing is an emotional manipulation technique that involves givingsomeoneexcessivecompliments, attention, or affection to eventually control them. You may not be able to spot love bombing until you ’ re in the midstofitbecauseitmayfeellikebeing swept off your feet at the start of a new relationship.” The sudden affection can overwhelm a person, making them believe that they are in love. These ingenuineemotionscanconfuseoneto believethataffectionislove.Sometimes one likes the attention they get from a person rather than the actual person. Loveisnottheexcitementapersongets from affection. Another thing is love is notinfatuation.Infatuationiswhenyou feel very attracted to someone without havinganactualreason
People often “fall in love” with a personbasedonanidealizedversionof them Oftentimes when you have a crush, you think about the person all the time This leads to fake scenarios and altering their personality to your dream person, causing you to like an idea of a person instead of the person themself.
I have never been roma lovewithsomeone.However, apointwhereIthoughtIwas. gavememoreaffectionthanI experienced in a very short a time.Ididnotknowhowtofe confused with my feelings. It after we broke up that I rea was not love. In other wo person love-bombed me an veryfondoftheattentionIwa
andnottheactualperson.
There is a longing everyone asks, “Howdoyouknowifyouareinlove?” Thetruthis,loveissocomplicatedthat it is different for everyone. However, there are some very obvious signs. Loving someone means prioritizing them, giving them time and energy strengtheningtheconnectionyouhave with them It means wanting what is best for them even if it may affect you negatively Love is steadfast, being there for them in every phase of their lives, whether it is joy or adversity. On top of everything, love is having a genuine connection that is not based onlooksbutinsteadonthepersonthey are.
I understand love because I experience it daily, even beyond romance. A prime example of love is my best friends, who I consider my family. I will, without hesitation, put them before me in any situation. They've stood by me through every phaseoflife,helpingmegrowintowho I am today. Every time I think about love, I think about them. They are the standard that I have for love In my definition,loveisaboutmutualgrowth and support To love someone, they have to have had an effect on you that probably no one else could have done
A person that you love should be a personthatisirreplaceabletoyou
Inconclusion,loveisanintricateand elusiveemotion,onethatdoesnothave one permanent definition. Developed from experience, time, and feelings,
By Nino ‘27
I almost reached for you, almost let the words spill from my lips, but hesitation was quicker than my courage. All that was left were rips; Of my heart, full of my tears
You stood there, eyes full of something I was too afraid to name, in my eyes; fears And in that silence, the moment slipped between us like sand through open fingers. Those words now lost
Now, I see you in passing, your laughter belonging to someone else, your hand resting where mine never did.
I tell myself it wasn’t meant to be, but some nights, I still wonder what we might have been if only I had said your name just once the way I meant it to be.
Page Fourteen I The Wildflower Page Fourteen I The Wildflower
Rania Ahmed ‘25
Meadow of Meadow ofRehearsal Rehearsal
Jasmine Moreno ‘27
Wmputate m I were to owly away p, and I re nd a foot-l d, I didn’t o from run sks as wal dn’t matte uck in bed uth and goal I had to achieve.
he hardest truth I had to learn was I had to walk again. Your and my life could change at any oment. We can’t take what we have for granted, ever. We must be grateful for what we have.
by Ilana Desales
‘25
Prophet’s Mosque │ Rania Ahmed ‘25 Prophet’s
[February23,2025]
ismillah Alhamdulillah Allpraiseandthanksare due to Allah. How extremely lifechanging these past 10 days have been and how desperately I needed them so. How honored am I, me, a random teenage girl in the middle-of-nowhere, Texas, to be invited by Allah to perform Umrah: a divine opportunity for a humble sinner to find strength in faith. Clingingtightlytomywayoflife,Islam,I visitedtheplaceIfacefivetimesadayin prayer, where I am reminded of the oneness of Allah, His final messenger (peace be upon him), and my true purposeinlife
“Bythemorningsunlight,andthenight when it falls still! Your Lord ˹O Prophet˺ has not abandoned you, nor has He becomehateful˹ofyou˺ .”(Quran93:1-3).
Performing my first Umrah, I found myself retracing my journey, reflecting onhowfarIhavecome.Iwasraisedina smalltowninTexas,walkingthroughthe hallways of public school, neighborhood parks, downtown shops Even so, along the way, I walked towards and away fromchoices,opportunities,andlessons. I learned from my experiences and mistakes, and noted to myself certain paths I will do my best to avoid Nonetheless, every turn, every step has broughtmetowhoIamtoday.
Ultimately, alhamdulillah, I walked away from my microbiology class and headed towards the airport From plane to plane, destination to destination, I journeyed toward something worthwhile, something essential.
Obtaining Ihram, I entered a state of concentration to prepare for my first Muslim pilgrimage. Then, only time separated me from the Kaaba. Standing in awe, I absorbed the might of the Kaaba, comprehending the impact and meaningithasleftonthisworld
Now, I stepped back in the land of the “Americandream”,anditishardforme to get over, difficult for me to move on, toughformetoacceptthatthisUmrahis now kept safe in between time and memory.InshaAllah,Iwillgoback.
Nevertheless, alhamdulillah, I did not leaveempty-handed.Ihavebeengivena life-longgiftinwhichIseetheworldina different, clearer light. This has recently left me with two concepts I have been reflectingover.
First,Idon’tneedanymorethanIhave, andsecond,thingsthathaveleftmewere nevermeanttobekept
Attachment can be a tricky thing because of the temporary nature of this life. Hear me out. I am most “happy” when I am content. When I need nothingmoreorlessthanIalreadyhave However,thisworldlylife,dunya,canbe shiny and loud, making you blind and deaftotheblessingsrightinfrontofyou. Obtainingamellownatureandquietlife hasallowedmetolearnthatIreallydon’t need as much. However, bound to happen eventually, in a sneaky way, I slightly felt the consequences of attachment after my umrah trip. Desiring more time, perhaps a different life, so maybe, there is a possibility I could relive those past 10 days over and over. My Islam grounds me by reminding me Earth is not heaven for a reason Earth is not heaven for a reason because it was never about the blessing, buttheBlesser,Allah.
Alhamdulillah, the pain that comes with loving has shown me the immense protection loving for the sake of Allah brings. By the protection of Allah, the onlythingthatwillneverleavemeismy relationshipwithHim.
My Rabb my Sustainer, Nourisher, and Cherisher tells me, “Remember me; I will remember you. ” (Quran 2:152) Therefore, I will strengthen myself by doing everything for His sake. As I can only control and own my actions, nothing but my Islam can truly define me; therefore, I am learning to accept what life brings me. This guards mefromtheficklenatureofthisworldly lifeandremindsmewhyIdoanythingat all:forthesakeofAllah
Another aspect of attachment is change. I always tell myself I am not afraid of change because it's proof that nothing is finite The bad will soon pass, aswellasthegood Nothinginthisworld is forever. It’s a balance of reality. Alhamdulillah, as Muslims, this conclusiondoesnotleaveusindespair.It does not leave us in despair because we know our end goal is everlasting. It’s Jannah. It’s reuniting with Allah and thosebelovedtoHim.
It’s something that will always be infinitely better than anything we could ever imagine. With that reality, the challengingnatureofthisdunyaisi
inevitable. Even though everything I once loved will eventually fade away, I know it is only the creation that is temporary, while the Creator remains eternal. Therefore, my love for Allah growswitheachthingIfindtolovehere. Asmylifegrowsold,though growing out of high school, relationships, and time I’velearnedthateverythingIonce believed I owned was never truly mine. Nothing was ever truly mine because of the consistent quality of its ability to change and eventually end. “Indeed, all belongs to Allah, and indeed, to Him all returns.”(Quran2:156)Truthfully,there isalwayssomuchtobegratefulfor:one’s ability to see the sun rising, a healthy bodyfunctioning,foodtocomehometo. HowcouldIhavebeensounaware,so oblivious, to all the blessings I never did anything to deserve? How can I encapsulate my gratitude for the blessings I can see, as well as those my human nature fails to notice? Islam teachesmetomakeaconsciouseffortto stay aware, to appreciate every moment before time passes by, and to remain resilientinthefaceofpain,knowingthat itistemporary.Insteadoffeelingentitled to what comes in and out of my life, I now see these experiences as steps towardmyultimategoal
Furthermore, I've finally understood theconceptthateveryendisthestarttoa newbeginning.Witheverynewchapter, witheveryendofaseason,Istepforward onmypath,gettingclosertomyultimate goal. Remembering my purpose in this life and death often wakes me up and allows me to find comfort in knowing any stress this dunya can put on me is simplyneverthatdeep Asofrightnow,though,Iamsad.
Notupset. Justsad
Thisfeelingisheavy.Thefeelingachild gets when they get dropped off on their first day of kindergarten. The daunting Sunday anxiety The feeling of having to takeresponsibility.
Thistripsavedmefrombeingdilutedby this dunya. Where doubts and shame consumed me, this trip cleansed me There is so much I am determined to cherish and keep safe within my memory.SeeingtheKaabaforthefirst
timeandhearingtheadhan. Witnessingsomanywalksoflifeyetall standing in unison, worshiping the Oneness of Allah As I hiked the mountain where revelation was sent down, it was funny and almost surreal to think that, due to time change, I would be in my environmental science classrightnow BeingsurroundedbyMuslims,onlyto returnbackasthelonehijabi,deepened my appreciation and sincerity in my relationshipwithAllah,knowingHehas honored me immensely to be a part of this Ummah, those who follow in the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace beuponhim).
Wearing abayas and drinking karak chai. The carpet, the fragrance, the cats. It was all simply life-changing. I got to hear the comforting voices of Islamic teachers right in front of me, when usuallyit'sthroughmyheadphonesasI walk down the chaotic high school hallways. I had the pleasure of meeting incrediblepeoplewithwhomI'veshared this blessed Umrah journey I am extremely grateful to gain a community that loves me as I am and continually inspiresmetogrowandreachwhoIcan become And! The! Knowledge! I had theopportunitytoimmersemyselfinan environment I had only previously imagined through lectures and connect withtheQuranandSunnahonadeeply transformative level that impacted my wayoflife.
Ya Allah, how grateful I am for it all to havebeenreal.
As life returns back to normal, I am abletosmileas,alhamdulillah,it’sanew kindofnormal.Anormalthatcanrecall memories in front of the Kaaba and Masjid Nabawi. A normal that unconditionally loves for the sake of Allah A normal that has full trust, tawaqal,onAllah
Now,myjourneycontinues,andI’mnot sure what forks in the road I may encounter,butIfindcomfortinknowing itwillleadmetomyultimategoalbythe will of Allah This world can be exhausting, but I’m learning to manage as I work to represent Islam faithfully, holding on to resilience and keeping consciousness of Allah While the dunya maymakeitseemlikewe’regoingtolive forever,inreality,Ihavemuchtoimprove on,andfrankly,notenoughtimetodoso. So, I will keep enduring and worshiping by day, praying and seeking refuge at night, and doing my best to make the mostofthistime,asIdon’twanttowaste theopportunityknownaslife. Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk. Here I am,OAllah,hereIam.WhetherIamin MeccaorinTemple,Texas,IknowAllah ishere.★
Rania Ahmed ‘25 Rania Ahmed
Alexa Greggory ‘28
by Evelyn LeBel ‘28
Life, Life,A Pastiche
By Lauren Green ‘27
Life, that loves to change and shift, With cunning quickness, brutality swift, Extracted from people as they grow old
Or before their story is ever told, To me it is a beautiful thing
It is, always was, and always will be
Life is a mentor, hero, villain—
A gift, though never once a guarantee
By the grace of God it can last long, Not quite for those who do much wrong.
Compare it to a flower
Beautiful while it does last Life has no time for idle cares
I think, because the possibilities are so vast
And when comes a time with calmer wings
You’ll know, life had plans for greater heights
No, not always with a rhythm or rhyme
Much too rough too much spite!
Perhaps, though, with gentle time
Unless He fiddles with the strings.
Mariah Proctor ‘26
Wildflower Man
he first time I noticed him, he sat alone on the old bench by the lake, gazing at the water. He seemed as though he were waiting for something. I had recently relocated to a small, tranquil town in the hills filled with pine trees. My walks in the morning had become a very structured and normal thing in a life that felt like it was getting a little bit crazy
I didn’t notice him at first. He didn’t stand out, like the geese flying overhead or the ancient willow tree bending down to the water. But after driving by for a week, I noticed he was there all the time. Same time, same spot. One day, I just didn’t.
“Morning,” I said slowly.
He turned toward me, his face creased with age, but his blue eyes bright. He nodded, but he didn't speak.
I was at the other end of the bench to give a little space We sat and watched the lake for a time in silence. As I was about to leave, he spoke.
My wife and I used to come here every morning,” he said, his voice ragged but resolute I sat up straight. He didn’t look at me.
“She loved this place. Made everything feel quieter, even when it wasn’t ”
I didn’t find out what had happened to her. I already
The The Bench Bench by the by the Lake Lake
Taylor Skipper ‘25
knew. The next day, I made another stop. He gave me a nod. Finally, a few days later, he said, “Morning.”
As time moved on, the conversations got deeper. He told stories about his life how he built houses for forty years and how things were fixed back when, not thrown away He spoke of his wife, Margaret, as if she were still in the room with him. He recalled how she hummed when she was happy and that she always had peppermint candies in her pocket.
As time moved on, the conversations got deeper. He told stories about his life how he built houses for forty years and how things were fixed back when, not thrown away He spoke of his wife, Margaret, as if she were still in the room with him.
He recalled how she hummed when she was happy and that she always had peppermint candies in her pocket.
She died last winter,” he told me one morning, his voice gentler than usual.
Sixty-two years. First winter alone.”
My throat tightened.
Now more like travel companions sitting side by side in silence, sharing our lives, we continued on that bank. When fall arrived, he
would bring coffee and always prepare a cup for me without asking. It was always really good.
He recalled how she hummed when she was happy and that she always had peppermint candies in her pocket.
“She died last winter,” he told me one morning, his voice gentler than usual. Sixty-two years. First winter alone.”
My throat tightened.
Now more like travel companions sitting side by side in silence, sharing our lives, we continued on that bank When fall arrived, he would bring coffee and always prepare a cup for me without asking. It was always really good.
But one late November morning, he didn’t come. I thought he was just going to be late. But day after day, nobody occupied the bench. The weight of it sank into my chest
A week or so later, a neighbor arrived to inform me that he had peacefully died in his sleep.
That day, I went down to the lake, sat on our bench, and stared at the water like we often did. The world was quiet still, but it felt different.
As I left, I laid out a tiny tin of peppermint candies on the bench and murmured, “Good morning.”
Ava-Jade Fritz ‘26 / February
“At 17 years old, exchange student s
My Heart Blooms Like Flowers by Trinity Hunt ‘27
Leaving home to find yourself and build your own routine is one of the most significant building blocks of a young person's adult life: to venture outside of what you’ve always known into a whole new world.
An exchange student is a scholar in an academic program who temporarily studies in a foreign country, typically for cultural and/or credit benefits. Yuri Guglielmana has chosen the USA as his home for the next year—why the states were his top choice will be heavily discussed in this conversation. While Yuri has heavily enjoyed American culture in his short time here, he has been working hard by taking extra classes to earn enough credit to graduate with the class of 2025 as a senior, making him the first exchange student at Temple High School to graduate with a diploma.
In his interview, Yuri will talk a little about Italy, the key points of his experiences in America, why he decided to study here at such a young age, and his interest in potentially pursuing higher education in the states.
Q: What part of Italy are you from?
A: “I’m from Lombardia, Italy, near Lake Como”
Q: Why did you decide to become a foreign exchange student? Did you get to choose where you went?
A: “I didn’t choose to come to Temple; I decided to go for an exchange program when I started high school. It was my dream, and I wanted to explore a new country be around a new language, new people, and a new culture, learning a little bit more about it. And the United States was one of my options, actually, because there are a lot of opportunities in the states, so I decided to come here. I didn’t really know till June when I saw the notification that a family chose me because it’s the family that chooses you; it’s not that you can decide where you go, but based on the application that you send.”
Though Yuri is a senior at THS, he has one more year to complete in Italy, as the education system in Italian high schools typically has 5 years. After returning to his home country after the 2025 graduation ceremony wraps up, he will complete his last year at ISS Marcopolo High School in Italy to get his diploma in information and technology, as his passion is in videography. Once he obtains both his diploma in America and Italy, he’ll be able to pursue a higher education in both countries.
Q: What were some big culture shocks for you here?
“There are a lot of things different; there are a lot. It’s much bigger because I came from a small town. I showed the pictures [of] where I live to some of my friends, and they were like, “Why [did] you come to Temple, TX? They were surprised by the nature and towns of Italy—they also told me that Temple is a boring and quiet town, but since I’ve never been in America, everything is new and fun for me, from the small to the big traditions.
What to know
more? Finish Yuri’s interview here →
L a u r e n G r e e n ‘ 2 7
Where Did My Where Did My Sunshine Sunshine Go? Go?
Evelyn LeBel ‘28
Wherever you walked, Bright rays of warmth lay in your wake. Whenever you talked,
The singing birds quieted to listen. Their attention for you to take. Wherever you ran,
The most beautiful of Mother Nature followed.
Yet, where you now stand, The once gorgeous rays that you are no more.
As the world grows darker, And your light weaker, The lights of others begin to shin
Yet not as bright as yours. Where did you go?
Where did my sunshine go?
For you are taking too long a res
And now I stand here,
Waiting, waiting, waiting...
Waiting to see your light once ag
A Man Downcast
Lauren Green ‘27
Lauren Green ‘27
“I will forever blame the adults that gave us national fear as our heirloom.”
Is This What Is This What You Want? You Want?
byJoeyDeLeon‘25
Ihave nothing to write about, nothing educational that is. Our system is burning and everyone iswatchingtheembersspread.If you were to listen to anyone, it should be us. The students that walk through the flames firsthand. Instead of extinguishing the fire, they fed it wood from trees already rotting. I will forever blame the adults that gave us national fear as our heirloom. In the name of manifest destiny and the pursuit of happiness, they destroy, take, and conquer. For centuries, America has operated this way with no one to interject. This is because fear is their weapon. They use our lack of money to turn us against each other. Without a green bill, we would descend into madness. Man against man over paper that was given momentary value. They have pushed the American dream so far that the people believe it is realistically attainable. I have found that adults still believe Uncle Sam is on their side, that a million dollarsfordecadesofworkisfair, while the human race grovels for changeonthesideoftheroad.
thehigherupslaugh,milkingthe working class for everything they are worth. What's worse is this is tame. We are the lucky ones. Around the world, people are being bombed, deprived of education, trafficked, and modern-day slaves just to line the pockets of those who were supposed to protect us. Our rights were not given to us by asking nicely; we need to talk, resist, and band together. They want this; they want to divide us, whether it's through money or politics, but truly the root of it all is the billionaires. They overconsume, then blame it on the public. They are hurting our planet and our people, and no one blinks an eye. They lie, and everyoneacceptsit.
Never believe they care for you, or we would not be witnessing what we are today. The exploitation of our people and our land will only get worse from here. They will continue to take because they know we will do nothing. They are banking on distractions such as the “American Dream” to keep us docile lap dogs. It's working. Don’t let the riches blind you, don’t let them tell you are overreacting. This is happening in real time. We can see the corruption with our own two eyes.Wehaveplayedtheirgame for far too long. Is this what you want? To be a piggy bank for a manthatbarelyliftshisfinger?
Dear Honorable Immigration Judge Dear Honorable Immigration Judge
by Giselle Navarro ‘26
To
Trick or Treat by Yulin Ye ‘26
The Brothers Hills The Brothers Hills
The hot summer sun shined down on everything it could touch. One thing it seemed to especially beat down upon, was two figures One had curly, blonde hair which nearly blinded anyone who made eye contact with it The other had straight, brown hair It was so dark, it made every flower wilt The 2 boys sat together in a parking lot, outside a semi-large building. Semi-dirty windows were on the front of the house.. Crumbling bricks were the structure for the building. If you were to touch the house, the building would collapse like that.
Concrete in the parking lot had been cooked well by the sun, which made it painful to sit on. They were both wearing backpacks that looked like they would burst at any moment.
“You okay, Mike? " said the blonde kid. Mike looked up at the person who had spoken, then looked back
“I’m fine,” he replied in a monotone voice The blonde looked at Mike He smiled “Oh come on!” he said, wrapping his arms around Mike’s neck, “Don’t be so gloomy!” Alex looked up at the sky.
“This heat is the WORST!” He flipped his blonde hair back so he could see clearly again. Mike only sat in a curled ball, slowly becoming a rocking chair. Alex knew something was up, but he didn’t have time to ask. Two vehicles pulled up to the side of the sidewalk. One was a clean, red SUV. The other was a beat up old Explorer. A windshield that had small cracks on a corner shielded the figure inside. The window to
by Josh Bastin ‘28
the SUV rolled down.
A brunette-haired woman was sitting in the driver's seat. She wore a lime green shirt with a minion on it saying ‘I Need Coffee’ on it
She was wearing a pair of denim jeans, despite it being the middle of summer She called out in a cheery tone, “Alex! Get in the back!”
A window to the Explorer rolled down. Inside was a skinny, blondhaired man. His nails were covered with grime. His hands were covered in dirt. His hairy legs sat firmly on the floor of the car. His face showed a meanlooking scowl, also covered with a dirty substance, and he yelled, “MIKE!, GET IN! WE DON’T HAVE ALL DAY!” His voice was a hoarse gurgle. He wore a dark red, blue, and green tie-dye tank top, exposing a tattoo of a fire extinguisher wrapped in a fire hose Before Alex could step a foot towards the SUV, he felt a tug on his red shirt
“Alex ” Mike whispered, “Don’t make me go He’s gonna KILL me!” Alex broke free of his brothers’ grip and loomed over him.
“Listen!” Alex said sharply. “I’m not up for your stupid games!” Mike stood back a few inches away from his older brother. He looked to the cooked parking lot. He had no other choice. He sighed as he entered the almost fallingapart Explorer. Alex went to the strawberry-colored SUV and opened the door. He threw his bag in and clicked the seatbelt around him. “Aren’t you excited?” The woman said. Alex stared out
the glass into the trees. “I guess, Mom.” Alex sighed. “It’s just that we can never do anything with Dad anymore. ” The woman looked sorrowfully at her son
“Well, you know, with his record it’s very hard for him to find a job “I know ” Alex replied The car traveled for about 10 minutes before arriving at the destination It was a large house
The bricks were painted blue. Clean windows with lots of luster stood motionless in the house. The door was a nice shade of tan. Overall, it was your average house on the block. Alex grabbed his bag and waited at the front door.
His mother grabbed a large bracelet of keys and fiddled with them until she found the right one. She inserted the key into the lock and turned it. A second later, the door opened, and Alex and his mother went inside. The interior was just as good as the exterior. There were pots of flowers that sat nicely on a small round table There was not a speck of mold or dust or anything to be found A large coffee table sat in the middle of the room
“I’ll show you where you’ll be staying for the week.” Alex’s mother said, leading Alex to another part of the house.
Tocontinue sreadingJosh’s tory , scanthecode
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Untitled by Jonás Baez ‘25