Roots Literary Magazine: Ignite the Flame

Ignite Flame roots

the

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold; though your faith is far more precious than mere gold” 1 Peter 1:7

Table of Contents

04

About the Judges: Tom Virgin

05

About the Judges: Mrs. Plyler

06

Winners

08

Spoken Word Night 2022

10

Shalya Stewart: The Unforgettable Adventure

12

Sezin Dieleman:Can You Feel it if its Not in Your Soil?

13

Sebastian Rumpel: Revolution

14

Nina Castro: Different Candles to Choose From

16

Sophie Lamelas: The Power of the Holy Spirit

17

Natalia Pineda: Passion

17

Sara Boulris: Love, Forever A Flame

18

Valentina Stromeyer: A Flicker of Life

19

Raines Knight: See You on the Other Side

22

Sophie Lamelas: The Abyss of the Flame on Miami

23

Nina Farrell: Enlightenment

24

Tiffany Merille: The Flames Beneath

25

Camila Valdes: White Burn

26

Eduardo Bolanos: Responsibility Through Nobility

27

Alexa Torres: Engulfed

28

Bianca Battistini: The Moon Reunited Once More With the Sun

31

Anna Luiza Alvarenga: Punta Nares Sunset

32

Carlos Arellano: Run Away

33

Bridget Haller: Ignite the Flame

35

Ariel Brown-Ogha: Fatalism

36

Christian Garcia: Ignite

37

Diego Olivo: A Cream-Colored Camry

39

Dylan Valerio: Ah Oooow

40

Dax Rubido: Ignite the Flame

42

Gabriella Prado: Sparking a Dream 2

43

Eddie Holly

44

Charles Bauer

45

Ella Tabe-Santurio: When Fire Burns

46

Ella Pelligra: The Red One

47

Gabriella Albareda

48

Isabella Sierra: Ignite the Flame

49

Morgan Dunagan: From Spark to Blaze

51

Lili Nunez: Bio Fire

52

Julia Almirall: That Special Guitar

53

Lauren Brandon

54

Maia Domenech: Ignite the Flame

55

Morgan Deville

56

Meghan Scarpatetti

57

Hannah Ramirez: Habits

58

Maria Del Valle

58

Madeline Diaz: The Fire Before Twilight

59

Matthew Handel

60

Sydney Miranda

60

Isabella Bomnin

61

Andy Whitby

61

Ana Konrad

62

Charlie Kallaher

62

Anthony Avino

63

Gaby Baez

64

Nicolle Zedan

64

Victoria Ibanez

65

Mrs. April Sharpe-Shirk

66

Nicolas Torres de Navarra: The Flame at the End of the Tunnel

67

Bianca Diaz-Silveira: 3:37 A.M.

68

Reese de Moya: CandleMan 3

Miami artist Tom Virgin’s work spans a range of media from prints and book arts, to sculpture and public works. Two degrees in printmaking, over a decade of residencies in artist’s communities/National Parks, and a parallel career teaching art in Title I Public High Schools for over 20 years have nurtured a desire to make his work

Tom Virgin

Judge: Art & Photography

accessible to a broad range of people, and supportive of the communities that he is part of. By making multiples, Tom is able to spread his own community around, while leaving pieces of Miami in the communities he travels to.

For over two decades, Tom has had 17 solo exhibitions and site-specific works. He also has work in over twenty public collections from the Perez Art Museum in Miami to the Iraq National Library in Baghdad.

Tom incorporated Extra Virgin Press, LLC in early 2016, after receiving a Knight Arts Challenge Grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in November 2015.

Extra Virgin Press also received a Wavemaker/ Long Haul Grant from Cannonball Miami in 2016. His award winning books are included in two surveys of book arts. His books and prints are in public collections including PAMM, Walker Art Center, UC-San Diego, Jaffe Center for Book Arts, Wells College, and the Bienes Museum of the Modern Book.

Virgin’s most recent collaboration was creating letterpress posters with the Brooklyn-based artist Dread Scott.

4

Mrs. Plyler teaches AP Literature and Composition.

In her thirty-three year career, she taught music, English, and journalism for sixteen years at South Dade High School, and she spent the past seventeen years teaching AP Literature at Coral Reef where she founded their chapter of the National English Honor Society, assisted the choral music program,

Scholar, earned her Masters of English Education from the University of Miami, earned her National Board Certification and served as a mentor to other teachers in the process, and participated in the Symposium on the Study and Teaching of Shakespeare, a collaboration between FIU and the Folger Shakespeare Library. She is pleased to be spending the final phase of her career at Westminster.

5

Mrs. Plyler

During her career, she has been a Rockefeller Humanities

Judge: Writing, Essay & Poetry

and developed an elective called Literature and the Arts.

Winners Sara Boulris ‘23 First Place Love, Forever A Flame pg. 17

Poetry

Ella Tabe-Santurio ‘24 Second Place When Fire Burns pg. 45 Ella Pelligra ‘23 First Place The Red One pg. 46

Prose

Nina Farrell ‘24 Second Place Enlightenment pg. 23 Nina Castro ‘22 First Place Different Candles pg. 14 Maia Domenech ‘24 Second Place Ignite the Flame pg. 54

Essay

Ariel Brown-Ogha ‘23 First Place Fatalism pg. 35

Art

Camila Valdes ‘23 Second Place White Burn pg. 25 Gaby Baez ‘25 First Place pg. 63

Photography

Ana Konrad ‘25 Second Place pg. 61 Nicolette Foschini ‘24

Cover Photo

Spoken Word Night 2022 On February 16, 2022, Roots Literary Magazine and the National English Honor Society hosted the first annual Spoken Word Night. The night was dedicated to the individuality and beauty of writing original literature. Students were able to share personal works of fiction and non-fiction prose, and poetry in the Nature Center, surrounded by the serenity of the Wild Acre. Together, the Westminster community was able to form a loving and unique evening where everyone was welcome to share their writing and listen to others. In addition to the high school students that participated, the audience was also happy to enjoy the work of elementary students from the Author Academy, a joint program that encourages high school students from WCS’ National English Honor Society chapter to mentor and support aspiring young writers. The night was filled with an array of presentations, from a story told wholly in sign language to a poem written on the tragedy in Ukraine. Guests enjoyed tea, coffee, and snacks in a calming, chill environment. Thanks to NEHS, the Author Academy, and, of course, all the attendants and student speakers, the Roots staff members were able to create a memorable night that we hope to continue on for many years to come.

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The Unforgettable Adventure Shayla Stewart ‘24 During spring break of 2019, my

facetimed each other almost every day.

family and I decided to be adventurous

As soon as I realized it was her, my

and take a camping trip. I was ecstatic

heart stopped. I was in shock. Never in a

because this would be my first time ever

million years would I have expected to see

going camping. We planned to fly to Utah

her face again. My heart jumped for joy, and

and camp out there for a week. A little

she suffocated me with the warmest hug.

while after we arrived at the airport, I was

I then found out that my parents had been

talking to my younger siblings and as I was

planning this surprise for months with her

checking in, I suddenly felt a tap on my

behind my back. We both were surprised to

shoulder. At first, I thought it was just my

find out that we would be taking a luxurious

mom trying to ask me a question. But as I

private jet to Utah. The flight was amazing.

turned around, I heard her voice scream my

We had a chance to catch up on the lengthy

name and I realized it was my childhood

plane ride and the servers treated us like

best friend, Jordyn, whom I haven’t seen

royalty.

in four years. Several years ago, she had to

Time passed and finally, it was the

move away to another country because of

third day of our camping trip. Everything

her father’s job. We were devastated when

had been going according to plan. The

we found out that we would soon have to be

previous days were filled with adventurous

long-distant friends after spending almost

days and cool, relaxing nights.

every day together. She was like a sister

We spent quality time with our

to me. We continued to stay in touch and

families, and I was able to make new

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memories with my best friend all throughout the trip. The third day started off nice.

melted inside my mouth.

As we were enjoying out sweet

We found a lake nearby, and we decided

treats, suddenly, we hear a scream coming

to go swimming in the lake since it had

from the direction of our tent. It turned

been burning hot outside. After we left the

out to be my little sister. We could hear

lake, we went hunting with our dad’s and

her repeatedly screaming, “FIRE!” in the

brothers which was one of Jordyn’s favorite

distance. We immediately stopped what

activities. But since the thought of killing

we were doing and bolted over to the camp

animals made me squeamish, I decided to

site. There was chaos everywhere. Max

go back to the campsite and spend time with

was barking and my little sister, Chloe was

my mom and little sister.

crying, terrified that she would never see her

When she returned, the sun was

family again. The fire began to grow, and we

beginning to set. There was an unforgettable

quickly dialed 9-1-1 since they were trapped

sunset that night. The sky was a breathtaking

in the tent. Our brothers were able to quickly

sight, consisting hues of pink and it looked

escape but Chloe stood there as if she were

as if the sun was lit bright orange. After

frozen. Her body wouldn’t move, and she

Jordyn returned, it began to get cooler, so

didn’t know what to do. Max stayed close

my dad decided to light the fire. The flames

to her and tried his best to protect her. When

were warm and felt comforting to be around.

the fireman finally arrived, they quickly

We all had a great time and told stories

went in and carried out my sister. Ashes

around our fire. My little sister has a phobia

completely covering her skin and tears

of fire and gets super anxious whenever it

streaming down her face. We were relieved

is around, so she stayed in the tent with our

that she was finally rescued. The paramedics

dog, Max, and our older brothers. Max was

checked Chloe out and she turned out to be

a Doberman with a beautiful coat, so she

okay. That was an event that I will never

felt safe to be around him. As it got darker,

forget. I truly thought that that was going

Jordyn and I began to make smores. The

to be the last time I would ever see my

warm, soft marshmallows and chocolate

precious little sister ever again.

11

Can You Feel it if It’s Not in Your Soil?

Sezin Dieleman ‘22

Revolution Sebastian Rumpel ‘2 Every strike of the smith’s hammer infuses a sword with the determination of its creator. It’s in this determination that we find the power to rise against oppression, and ignite the flame of revolution.

Different Candles to Choose From Nina Castro ‘22 FIRST PLACE WINNER: ESSAY There are very little things I am

look at it. I look at how the roots have dug

passionate about. My whole life I have seen

into the ground and how they stretch thin the

people find what they love to do, know what

further you get from the base of the trunk.

major they want to go into, and have their

I look at the individual pieces of bark, each

lives figured out from the age of 13. I am a

with their own color schemes and ridges,

17-year-old who is expected to know what

covered is moss and ferns. I stare at the

they want to do with the rest of their life. I

branches swaying in the wind, their leaves

have been thinking it over since I was in ele-

shuddering against the force. I take note of

mentary school, but for some reason I could

the different organisms who have made that

never find something that I truly wanted to

tree their home, from small beetles to chub-

do. I am still on the fence about what major

by squirrels. Everything about every aspect

I want to go into when I get into college, but

of nature has been fascinating to me. Sitting

I know the two things that really spark a fire

cozy in an armchair while I look outside of

of emotions deep inside of my empty heart.

an enormous window, watching as the rain

The first is nature. Nature has been

falls towards the earth, giving life back to

one of those things that intrigued me even

the plants. The droplets of water clinging

when I was a toddler. Magnificent trees

to leaves and the reflection of the street and

looming over me, flowers of vibrant colors

car lights on the wet pavements and roads

scattered in a field, animals in every corner

has always made me see that the world is

of the world, all of it has had some sort of

beautiful in so many different ways. Staring

grasp on me. When I look at a tree, I really

at a crackling fire, embers soaring into the

14

night sky, blending into the stars. When I go

from literature. I read Pride and Prejudice,

hiking up a mountain, I venture off on my

and I was never one for romance novels but

own, feel the sharp rocks poking through my

with this piece I was fully invested in the

tennis shoes, slip on the slick leaves cov-

relationship, seeing how fiery one’s love can

ering the floor. I turn my head towards the

become for another. I then hit a dark time

colorful rocks and crystals that I pocket to

in my life, and in order to cope, I learned

take home with me. I go up onto precarious

that I loved to write. If I wrote my emotions

ledges, and stare off into a forest, feeling so

down, my train of thought, then I would be

insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

able to access why I am feeling the way I

I glance up at the sky, the long-lasting blue

do. I could write poetry or intricate concepts

void that swallows up my thoughts. When I

that would only make sense to me, and I

am in the midst of nature, I can truly feel at

would feel better after I put a period at the

peace. With nature, there is a burning desire

end of my sentence. I find myself interested

to live longer, love better, and preserve what

in things that many of my classmates find

is so gorgeous about the earth.

irritating. Trying to find the deeper meaning

My second is literature. When I was

to each line that a writer has to offer is like

younger, people knew me as someone who

trying to solve a puzzle, and my mind was

always had a book near them. It was what

delighted with the challenge. Understanding

comforted me, and because I did not have

an abundance of literary pieces is a goal of

many electronics in my childhood, I cher-

mine, from historical to mythical. I especial-

ished the words on the pages of my favorite

ly love mythology, and have a great interest

fiction books. I was glued to every syllable,

in studying the triumphs and woes of Norse,

and I absorbed the story from each novel.

Greek, and indigenous gods. These sources

They were the perfect escape from my life.

would help me broaden my understanding of

I saw just how much literature could be

different cultures, and learning more about

something that I could be interested in in the

the world around me has been something

future. I read pieces of poetry and short sto-

that I have set myself out to do.

ries from Edgar Allan Poe, who was able to bring back the life that had been lost to me

15

With literature, I have found a way to embrace the various customs around me and express myself in ways that I had never done so before, burning a bright flame of passion through my whole being.

Though I know that I can try to do something with the passions that I have, I have never been able to choose what exactly my life should be geared towards. I have realized that having a couple things that I am stuck in between should be a part of everyone’s lives.

When a candle is lit, the flame does not stay bright the whole time, but it flickers, back and forth, becoming dimmer and shining brighter at different intervals. With this in mind, there may be several passions that one person cares about, but that passion is not always the main thing that they are interested in their whole lives. I have several flames flickering at different points in my life, and deciding which flame I believe is the strongest can be extremely difficult, but just knowing that I have some different scented candles, different sized candles, and different colored candles, I know that with whichever flame I choose, I will be fulfilled in life.

Power of The Holy Sprit

Fire is a power like no other.

Fire shines through the Holy Spirit.

It also lives throughout my brother.

However, many people fear it.

I want it to reach my mother.

It is unfortunate that you cannot hear it.

It creates a close relationship to God like no other.

Sophie Lamelas

And Jesus and Mary are also near it.

They want to be able to smother.

‘23

With their love and witt that will make you lit.

16

Passion Natalia Pineda ‘23 Indescribable, isn’t it, to love In that moment: beating, my heart would be Some thing I have yet to experience To be looked at with eyes full of glee Not with logic, reasoning, or science

But pain me my heart has shattered in two Feelings that never seem to go away 10 months of my life have made me feel blue Why couldn’t things just be the same. Just stay.

Although it hurts, I’m who I was before Time please put out this fire in my heart, and this I Implore

Love, Forever A Flame Sara Boulris ‘23

FIRST PLACE WINNER: POETRY Love resembles a flame It starts as a delicate spark, Susceptible to destruction Its fate ever-wavering

Without proper care The ember dissipates, Fading into the background Never reaching its full potential

With excessive stimulant It becomes a roaring, blazing inferno, Reaching calamitous levels Destroying everything in its path, leaving devastation in its wake

Given ample fuel It builds into a flourishing glow, Shinning in perfect candescence, Providing comfort for all

Like a flame, love can be fragile Like a flame, love can be damaging Like a flame, love can be magnificent Its destiny forever resting on the source.

A Flicker of aV lentina Life tS romeyer ‘24 This piece is about how in a world that seems dead and disconsolate all around you. Then you meet someone or see something that reminds you of the world around you and how we have to notice and praise the good things, whether big or small.

--

See You On The Other Side Raines Knight ‘24 One day I arrived home from school,

mask, and a Face Shield, my mom flew up

and my mother received a call from my

to take him to the appointment. The proce-

grandfather. She calls him Dad. I call him

dure revealed that he needed double bypass

Papa. Nothing concerned me about the call

surgery; a simple stent was not an option. In

at first because he always called, but this

double bypass surgery, the surgeon cracks

time Papa complained about a pain in his

open your sternum and replaces two heart

heart while exercising. My mother raised an

arteries with arteries from your legs. That is

eyebrow because he had some issues with

where the journey begins.

his heart in the past. We told him to visit

“What’s next?” I would always ask

his doctor in Tallahassee right away. He

my mother during this long and challenging

said he was not overly worried because he

process. She told me the next step was for

had experienced this kind of feeling before.

her to fly back to Tallahassee to be with my

He thought he might need to have a small

grandfather for the surgery and maybe a few

device put in his artery, like the spring in

weeks after that while he recovered. Just a

a pen, that helps hold arteries open when

few weeks before this, I was in Tallahassee

they become clogged. It is called a stent,

with him. Papa loved anything from FSU,

which he had done many years ago. He

football, baseball, womens’ basketball, and I

visited his doctor, who scheduled him for

love anything Papa. My mom always said he

an angiogram, a procedure where they put

thought I hung the moon. I thought he hung

a die in your artery with a catheter and see

the moon.

what is blocked. Armed with a Covid test, a

Just a few weeks before this, he

19

had taught me how to drive through his

also thought this doctor’s approach made the

neighborhood in his garnet car with small

most sense. How could you fix the lung and

gold Seminole spears on each side. On this

leave the heart for later when that was the

trip, my mom did not want him to mow the

first problem?

lawn, like he usually did, for fear it would

At the end of October, Papa drove

hurt his heart. He took the mower out of the

from Tallahassee to The Villages, where

shed and taught me how to do it. I pulled the

his girlfriend lives, which is just northwest

chain, cranked it up, and started running it

of Orlando. From there, they made their

line by line across the yard, feeling the grass

way to an Airbnb we rented for the month.

on my hands and smelling fresh-cut grass in

We did this, thinking my mom would be

a way I had never smelled so closely.

with him for a week while he recovered in

Before my mother boarded the plane, again

the hospital. Then he could stay nearby in

prepared with a Covid test, a mask, and a

Miami until fully back in shape, strong as a

Face Shield, she received another phone

Seminole Indian with his girlfriend by his

call from my grandfather. The doctors had

side. He would typically stay at my house,

done a preoperative chest x-ray only to find

but because I was going to school and Papa

a spot on his lung that looked like cancer.

was at high risk for COVID, we decided

This was the first of many setbacks. The

it was best for him not to stay with us. We

doctors in Tallahassee wanted to postpone

also planned for me to stay with my dad for

the double bypass operation and do the

as long as my mom was in contact with my

lung cancer surgery first. My mother, who

grandfather. This felt comfortable for me

is on the Baptist Health Foundation Board

because it would only be for a few weeks,

in Miami, decided to get a second opinion

but as time passed, I felt tired of this and

from a doctor down here. The doctor told

angry, knowing that I did not have coronavi-

us that he could do the bypass surgery and

rus. I felt locked up for something I did not

remove the cancerous spot in Papa’s lung all

even do, punished for doing nothing wrong.

in one shot. We agreed that this was the right

I could not see my mom when I was feeling

way to go because he had family down here

alone.

to stay with him during the process, and we

20

He went in for surgery on October

22nd. The four-hour surgery was a success,

gery. On November 26th, my grandfather

so no one was stressed. He was making sig-

recovered from the second pneumonia and

nificant progress. The cancer was removed;

was working to regain strength. Unfortu-

it did not spread, and he did not need any

nately, on December 3rd, I received a call

further treatment. No chemo, hooray. His

from my mother saying things are not going

biggest issue was getting FSU football on

so well. As much as he tried, he did not

the hospital TV. Right about when he was

have enough strength for his rehab work and

set to get out, on Halloween, he contracted

needed more nutrients. We used a feeding

pneumonia. This setback took eight days to

tube to help solve this problem, and things

resolve and, by that point, the Airbnb was al-

were more optimistic again. Sunday, De-

most over, so my grandfather asked his girl-

cember 6th, my dad and I asked if we could

friend to go home. He wanted her to have

help in any way. My mom told us to bring

the support of her family in The Villages.

dinner to the hospital Monday night, and I

On November 13th, he was released from

looked forward to seeing my mom.

the hospital, and I was overflowing with joy.

The next day was a typical day for

However, when home, he developed a sec-

me. I started the day off in science and went

ond pneumonia. He returned to the hospital

through my regular odd day schedule. I have

on November 17th. At this point, I knew we

a free period last, so I decided to venture to

were in this for the long run.

Starbucks with a couple of friends. On the

On November 20th, a test identified

return, I walked to Grove Garden, a building

a condition called dysphagia, which caused

where I had lived across the street from Ran-

a delay in my grandfather’s airway closure

som. This is where my dad had picked me

allowing thin liquids to enter his lungs by

up every day to avoid the Ransom line. This

accident. After I heard this news, I asked,

time there was something different. When I

“What’s next?” like I always did. My mom

turned the corner, I saw my mother’s car. I

told me this was treated by only drinking

was extremely confused, thinking maybe she

thick liquids. Long-term exercises would be

needed to get something from our old house.

done to restrengthen the area, which could

I was extremely confused, thinking maybe

have been damaged during the initial sur-

she needed to get something from our old

21

house. I walked up to the car and opened the door to hear, “Papa went to heaven today.”

He had unexpectedly passed away in his sleep due to pneumonia. That day I lost my best friend. I thought to myself, “wow, no more football games, no more Thanksgivings, no heated arguments about sports or him telling me not to look for what I wanted in the refrigerator while I left the door open, no more trips to Brooklyn to visit his hometown.”

The Abyss of the Flame on Miami 22

Sophie Lamelas ‘23 I captured this image because I thought about how the new variant of Covid is infecting many people rapidly. I used the fire to symbolize the Covid virus affecting people in the city of Miami, which was pictured in the magazine.

Enlightenment Nina Farrell ‘24 SECOND PLACE WINNER: PROSE I ponder so vividly about the day

floor with a hot mug of tea in one hand, and

you left. I had put my heart in a glass jar to

a book in the other. The sound of pitter-pat-

keep for you. I did it just so that you could

ter from rain reminded me of my aching

know my heart, my flame, my love would

heart. The beats would start off slow, but

be yours. It was kept safe on the top of my

dangerously sending a message that a storm

shelf collecting dust for ages. You walked

is rolling in, then they would progressively

into the door that led to my life. You prom-

get more violent, soaking and drenching all

ised you would be gentle, honest, and true.

the pain. I felt as if my body, mind, and soul

With that, I gave you the jar. “Hold it tight”

were not capable of love by anyone.

I said. “Hold it knowing the flame I have

The sunlight drifted through the

only burns for you.” But you did not care for

window, it’s warm and healing rays of yel-

the choice you had. So, you dropped the jar.

low glistened on my face. It was somehow

It shattered and splintered all over my heart.

comforting. I felt a snug feeling that my

All that was left were the shards of glass

heart had not felt in a long while. I had seem

displayed all over the ground. I was broken.

to be watching the same episode repeatedly

I had no clue what to do. Where do I begin

in my mind. A constant vision of sadness,

to pick up the pieces? My flame had died out

loneliness, and despair. Reality had set in.

so briskly, I had no one to fan it. The dread-

I loathed the days that I had a permanent

ed long-lasting days went by me so steadily.

smile on my face, my eyes sparkled when

The agony was brutal.

the sun would hit it just right, and my laugh

For months, I would watch the

would be like no other.

storms roll in. Grey clouds would drift

I needed to escape the danger of self-doubt.

through my window filling the room with

I told myself, “Quiet that voice for a mo-

nothing but darkness. I sit on the rug on my

ment, and breathe the oxygen of life.” I

23

made my way outside. The green grass had fresh raindrops laying on each blade. I could feel every drop burst between my bare toes. Closing my eyes, letting the sun soak up all my tears, I had put all the pieces of my heart and mind back together. Enlightenment. I had fallen in love with my solitude. The sun in my chest set alight. A flame re-kindled letting me know that I must want to spend the rest of my life with myself first.

And so, after all, this was a tale of two lovers. Myself and my flame.

The Flames Beneath Tiffany Merille ‘22

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White Burn Camila Valdes ‘23 SECOND PLACE WINNER: ART Oil and tissue paper on wood Igniting the flame is not always a controlled burn. My piece represents those who feel as if the light is too bright for them; for those who feel hurt or alienated from it.

Responsibility Through Nobility Eduardo Bolanos ‘23 Dreams embrace all responsibility, and Responsibility creates Dreams.

Work to the best of your ability and don't forget It’s like swimming up streams.

Like the crow that is perched inside the hearse, follow what's dark and what's dark will follow. unfortunately, it's the biggest curse to end up dead because of your wallow.

So, indulge on only what's truly right, if not would we say it is right and just?

Know that he who is might, is also bright, Illuminate your new life with your trust.

Put your faith in what is nobility, and you grow with responsibility.

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Engulfed Alexa Torres ‘23

The Moon Reunited Once More with the Sun

Time passed like it always does, and she searched for the fire she lost. She searched high, low, above, under, and searched, and searched, and searched. She even sought help

Bianca Battistini ‘25

on why her flame was gone and how to get it back, to be precise every cold and foggy

I cannot do this anymore, she thought to herself while trying to light a small simple match. Tears flow down her sorrowful face as she throws the matches to the ground, watching as some of them scatter along the thick forest-like grass, never to be found again. Sun never shines for this poor sorrow-filled soul, for she resembles the dark midnight-lit moon.

The moon is her parallel, yet they have one single difference that makes them so entirely different. The beautiful introspective moon which brings us night has a dear companion, the sun who she can call her friend. The sun, a deep burning sphere of flames, brings a warm and will-powering glow to the gloomy emotion-filled moon. A fire, all she needs is a small fire to keep her warm and yet her match will not light.

Her life recently has been about trying to light a fire she once had when innocence and pure euphoria overflowed inside of her. That beautiful flame was stolen by the dark and twisted world that corrupted her and stole her sun, her will, but most importantly her flame.

Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 pm sharp in a therapist’s office. It was nice to speak about the feelings that were crammed deep inside of her but yet she still felt empty for her flame was still gone.

Fire, when in a person, works miracles, it gives a person a passion and an inspiration to live a life meant for them, their destiny.

To live each day fully as themselves and show their glowing flame to the rest of the world.

But when the fire is gone, life becomes an obstacle we must face, a game to survive and not to live. Her caterpillar-set mind won’t allow her to see beyond the dirty, awful, pain-filled, meaningless place she is in. She tries once a day to light her matches and if they don’t work then she gives up and goes back to her average day that’s eating her alive. All this fire-missing soul needs is at least a spark, not a huge flame, but a spark to prove to her that there is hope in what seems like a hopeless situation.

28

The moon shines brightly over her tent

Then going to her local park and rolling down the

that she set up in the lonely woods. A retreat in

grassy hills giggling while soaking in the bright

the woods to better herself is what she calls this

sun’s rays, not thinking for one minute about

isolation. A time to focus on herself and connect

the things going on around her. Nowadays she

with her inner flame, she tells that story to her

woke up and would eat nothing, then get dressed

family and friends and sadly enough, even to

in week-old clothes that she would sleep in. She

herself, although she knew it wasn’t true. Isola-

would pass by the bathroom and stare at herself in

tion, (something she knows best) can be good,

the mirror and a tear would roll down her face as

when in a healthy way. But for her it is killing

she saw her reflection. Her reflection showed her

her slowly, the moon who has no sun getting

little, delicate self, looking at her, not being upset

further from her supporters who can show her

at what she became or even disappointed, but sad-

what having a sun is like and why having a

dened. She slams the mirror with her fist breaking

flame inside you is worth it. Her family has tried

it, making tiny shards of glass fly everywhere and

to help her, but you cannot help a person who

cries as her little self looks at her from the other

does not want to be helped. The hardest part is

side of the mirror and cries as well.

One very blue day she decided she was

having to watch somebody destroy their life and not being able to do anything, because as much

done living how she was and took a retreat to the

as you want to be the author of the book, you’re

woods to really focus on herself. The facade of fan-

just the reader.

tasy soon wore out and she was back to her normal

So, there she is walking back to the little

habits but now she was in a spacious forest, alone.

tent she set up. Tears roll down her cheeks as

Hope wore away, as did the little fire she had not

she remembers the sweet days where she did not

yet lost. She used to be a fresh sheet of paper and

struggle to light a simple fire. The days where

now that paper was crumpled and thrown away.

innocence and unawareness filled the aura of her

The mistake she was making was that her page was

life. Waking up and having a peanut butter and

already crumpled and as much as she wanted to

jelly sandwich and a glass of chocolate milk;

make it like it was before being crumbled, it would

getting dressed in a pair of overalls that were

never be.

stained from grass and dirt on the knees.

29

through her. She alone ignited her fire, and

One cold November morning she woke in the middle of the night and had a sudden

never again would she go back to the old self

urge to try and light the fire she had been try-

she was before her powerful, inspiring, coura-

ing to light, for she didn’t even know how long

geous, unique, and beautiful flame ignited.

now. She grabbed one of the last matches and took a deep breath and suddenly there was a spark and she tried again and there was another spark. She suddenly dropped to her knees and cried of joy, joy something she had not felt in quite a while. A spark of hope and courage had been activated in her.

Her life forever changed, for the fire inside her was back again and this time it was stronger than it had ever been. She stopped trying to uncrumple the piece of paper and instead got herself a new book, a fresh start to a life filled with a burning beautiful flame.

She stopped isolating herself from people who were her sun, her happiness. Family reunited once more and stronger than ever.

Her mindset was no longer that of a caterpillar but instead of a butterfly who accepted the fact that she was not perfect. Flame filled her insides like it once did and the rays of it spread out into the world.

Flame, such a simple little thing, yet so complex. Fire changed her life for the worst when it was gone and for the best when it was reactivated. Till this day her flame shines

30

Punta Nares Sunset Anna Luiza Alvarenga ‘22

Run Away Carlos Arellano ‘22 This piece symbolizes the cleansing necessary to move forward into exciting, new beginnings...as a phoenix rises from the ashes.

32

One of my favorite parts of my sport is

“Ignite the Flame

meeting so many different people from all over the country with many different backgrounds and experiences sharing the common goal of the love for the sport. Talking

Bridget Haller ‘23

and learning about people's backgrounds has always been a big part of my life as well.

When I first moved to Miami my sport was

My sport was my outlet to get to know more

just a small experiment of my life to see if I would

people and learn more about the different

continue playing or stay with ballet. If you know

places around the country. Suddenly, the

this story continues with the sport you guessed

spark grew stronger. After my first year of

correctly, my liking for ballet faded as I realized

club sports, I tried out for an even better

dance was not for who I was going to become.

team and got cut, and I had to go back to the

When I started playing my sport in Miami, I real-

bad team I was on. Even while I hated the

ized how serious it was taken down here and that

team my spark was still lit. I worked harder

if I wanted to keep playing, I was going to have to

than ever on the bad team and finally I made

step up my game. This was immediately when the

the good team. My coach on the good team

spark was lit. I started on the track of the 10,000-

lit the fire for my sport and is still one of

hour rule at age 11, and today I continue over

the most influential people in my life. He

10,000 hours. Practicing daily started to become

made this flame burn so bright and made me

part of my routine so I could jump up to this higher

love this sport with my whole being. I loved

level of play as fast as possible. Over time with

going to practice, I love playing, and I will

the help of many coaches I was starting to slowly

never take those lifelong relationships I built

see the results reciprocate on the field. Practicing

for granted. After an amazing few seasons

has only grown my love for the sport because I

on his team, it was time for me to move

know in the long run all my hard work will pay off

up to the next level, I had to switch teams,

to help me reach the climax of my playing career.

which made me sad but brought me more

As I became better, I tried out for my first club or

amazing friendships. Now six of us get to

travel team.

play high school together after a long time on separate teams.

33

As I excelled at a higher level my confidence

With this in mind, we had to find a way to

and my skill took off, this was when my flame

continue to play my sport competitively so I

started to shoot up and out, this sport is my life.

wouldn’t lose my skills. I luckily found my

The next year I moved teams to a team from

way back to my old team and got to recon-

Broward. This was a long haul for practice but

nect with so many of my first friends in my

being able to build even more friendships got

sport. This boosted my love for the sport to

me through every night. I didn’t have the best

the highest it’s ever been. I will never take

experience playing Broward, my friends were

the love of my sport for granted after expe-

amazing, but the coaches just put me down.

riencing the best seasons of my life with my

My flame for my sport kept burning bright but

oldest friends and teammates. We travelled

it wasn’t until I moved back to my old team

the country, played amazingly together and

from where I used to live that my flame grew

enjoyed our sport and each other every single

the brightest it had ever been. When covid hit

second. After overcoming much adversity in

my family retreated to where we were from

Broward and in high school sports my flame

because we felt safer there.

of love for my sport still burns brighter every day as I think of the little time I have left playing. This sport has given so many life lessons, friendships, coaches, mentors, and aspirations I am in debt to everything it has done for me. This sport will always be a central part of my life, a defining characteristic of myself all because of the flame that burned brighter than anyone else's love for the sport.

34

FIRST PLACE WINNER: ART

Fatalism

Ariel Brown-Ogha ‘23

The autonomy of the girl within the tv is subject to the choice of the game player holding the controls. The red button is representative of evil, while the green button is representative of good, the choices of which relate to the girl's fate. In clicking the red button, the player is "igniting" vile fate for the girl, indicating that, for her future, evil will ensue. Ultimately, this piece sheds light on the power of choice, demonstrating that our choices have the ability to ignite, or initiate, that which may largely contribute to our destiny in due time.

Ignite

Quickly she ran back into her shell. She locked herself up in her room for weeks. After making

Christian Garcia ‘23

friends she was experiencing hate for the first time. She didn’t know how to handle it. A week later she had rebuilt her courage to try again and

I have a friend that had a very hard time

face those who didn’t like her. She went back

communicating with others. She was scared to

to school and stood tall in front of those who

talk to anyone because she was worried that she

were jealous of her ability or those who just

would be ignored. Ever since she was little, she

didn’t like her. Eventually, those who opposed

has been scared to talk to others even though

her gave up and put their interest elsewhere.

she wanted to make friends she was never able

Once again, she had conquered her fears. She

to build up the courage to put herself out there.

was very proud of herself. She has come a long

She could not have persevered if her family did

way a couple of months back she couldn’t even

not intervene. Her family put her into drama to

hold a conversation but now she is the talk of

help her break through her shell and show her

the school. So many students and teachers are

true self to the world. At first, she did not like

finally recognizing her for her talents in drama

this new change. Eventually, she grew fonder

and academics. Her parents couldn’t have been

of drama and wanted to try to get one of the

prouder than they were since she told them about

lead acting roles. This new passion drove her to

her accomplishments with her new friends and

discover new friends allowing her to open up to

in the school drama club. When she grew older,

those around her. The more she tried to commu-

she wrote a novel talking about these strugglers

nicate the more she succeeded. She eventually

in her childhood so that others like her can also

got a main role in the drama, but little did she

guidance through those difficult harsh times.

know that this made people jealous. She was

Never will she let someone suffer as she did with

now being hated and she didn’t know how to

no friends.

respond.

36

A Cream-Colored Camry

But during this time, despite his weakened state and being told to rest, it seemed that my grandfather was not yet ready to give up on

Diego Olivo ‘23

his working spirit. In the driveway of the house my grandparents

When I was told in September of 2020, not much more than

were living in, there sit a 1999

a year from now, that my grandfather had been diagnosed with pan-

cream-colored Toyota Camry. He

creatic cancer, I could not have imagined the flame that this ordeal

bought it a couple years prior for

would ignite around him. I had always heard about how devastating

just around $500. The family called

battles with cancer could be, but I had never seen it impact someone

it “Cuquita”, and although it was

so close to me. My grandfather from my mother’s side of the family

not the prettiest looking vehicle on

is one of the hardest working men that I know. Just that summer of

the road, it got the job done for all

2020, well into his seventies, he was helping my parents construct

the work he needed it for and all the

a new office space within our house, dedicated to cleaning out the

tools he carried around in it. It was

old garage, laying down wooden floorboards, and hooking together

the car that my sister and I learned

the electrical wiring. It pained me to see him gradually lose energy,

to drive in, the one that took endless

insisting that he should finish the job while also seeming to be-

trips to the Home Depot, and the

come more tired by the day. It became clear that something out of

one that seemed like it would never

the normal was wearing him down, as he began to work in shorter

die, until it sat stagnant one day in

periods and take more breaks than ever. But when pancreatic cancer

the driveway. After a solid twenty

was revealed to be the root of the problem, it was a blow that took

years of use and abuse, Cuquita had

everyone in my family by surprise. Why was it that one of the most

finally decided to no longer start.

diligent, dedicated people that I know had to be struck by such a

Before my grandfather was diag-

debilitating disease?

nosed, he started working on it, as I

Obviously, this generated panic within my family. What

remember seeing the car sitting on a

would the next couple months look like for my grandpa? No one

jack with one wheel taken off in the

quite knew what to expect, but it was clear that he was going to be

driveway every time that I would

the center of care and attention for this period of time.

go to their home to visit.

37

He had already tried replacing the spark plugs, so

But soon after he became sick, he had to put a pause on his work. I remember some 2 months

the process would usually consist of him cranking

passing by, and although he had replacement parts

the timing belt, my cousin spraying starter fluid at

to do the job, the Camry still sat on the driveway

the air intake, and me turning the ignition. I remem-

on the same jack and with the same wheel taken

ber when we would try to start the car over and

off. But my grandpa never felt like giving up on the

over again to no success, my cousin would say that

car, and he would always claim that he knew what

attempting to repair the old car was hopeless, as

exactly was wrong with the car. He ordered new

he believed that the engine had simply reached its

spark plugs and a timing belt, and I remember he

point of no return. My grandpa acknowledged this

started putting his hours into the car again, against

possibility, but just wanted to keep tinkering around

my grandmother’s wishes for him to rest. I found it

under the hood to see if there was any life left.

incredible that during a time when he was supposed

Then, one day when he was working on the

to be in the weakest state he has ever been, and with

car without me, he finally got the engine to awaken

everyone around him feeling newfound worries for

and ignite itself back to life. The car was finally

him, all he wanted to do was put work into his car.

running after so long. When I went to visit, he

Why? I was never exactly sure, but I guess he just

shared his excitement at being able to drive the long

wanted to know he could do it. This ignited a flame

dormant Camry once again. I found a flame of in-

within me, and all I wanted to do what give whatev-

spiration in the fact that my grandfather was able to

er support I could give.

stay persistent in such a difficult time for him. The story of the old Camry, Cuquita, eventually ended

When I would visit my grandpa in the mornings and he would get motivated to work on Cuqui-

with my grandpa selling the car for parts for $1000.

ta, I would go out to the driveway with him and my

He was sad to see it go, but I attempted to cheer

cousin, open up the hood, and help him get to work.

him up by reminding him that in the end, he sold the car for $500 more than he purchased it. Today, my grandfather continues his fight against cancer, and although he is unable to do work as intensive as fixing a car, his hardworking spirit is still igniting others around him. I could not be more grateful for the flame he has created.

38

Ah Oooow Dylan Valerio ‘22

“Everyone Relax! The fire is beginning to

Ignite the

settle down.” He knew this wasn’t true, but he didn’t want to bring the world down upon them. “The First

Flame

Responders will find us and we will get out of here.”

“Shut Up! You don’t know what you’re

Dax Rubido ‘25

talking about! The only reason we are still alive is because of this darn room! Everyone else in this building has probably already burnt up! The First

Theodore Bander stood, with fire blazing

Responders probably don’t even know we’re here!”

all around him, and his neighbors cowering in fear

As much as it pained Theo to think about,

behind him.

The Old Man was probably right. There was no

The building that Theo lived had gone up

telling if the First Responders even knew where they

in flames while the residents were asleep. Fire-

were. The likely answer was that they didn’t. Even

fighters and Police officers were crowding the

then, Theo couldn’t handle the Old Man’s screams

streets, but there was no way of getting inside the

of frustration. Theo knew what he was doing. As

building without sealing their fate. The best they

evil as it was, he was just trying to scare everyone.

could do was shower the building with water,

On and on he went about how they aren’t going to

although this didn’t seem to do anything. Heli-

be rescued. He had had enough. Theo reached back,

copters circled overhead, showcasing the blazing

and let his hand fly, hitting the old man straight in

building on the national news for everyone to see.

the jaw, sending him to the floor. The Old Man sat in

Headlines on every news station read, “Building

awe. He stared at Theo with rage and yelled, asking

Burning Down in Southern Manhattan; None Res-

what he thought they should do.

cued as of Now”.

“Enough! I will make sure we are rescued if

Theo sat near a small hole in the wall, big

it is the last thing I do! I am going to travel across

enough for some amount of smoke to exit, but too

the floor to the balcony at the end of the hallway.

small to crawl through. He did his best to calm

Once I get there, I can let the First Responders know

the panicking people around him. They were all

where we are, and where other survivors might be.

crowded in the laundry room on the seventh floor.

Anyone who wishes to come, raise your hand, if not,

This was the only room in the entire building rein-

sit here and wait for us to come back.”

forced with concrete because of a recent collapse.

40

Theo looked out upon the group of survi-

He sprinted down the hallway, being grazed by the fire

vors. Only 2 people raised their hands, a 23-year-

falling from above. Seth and Jessica ran back to the laun-

old man named Seth and a 29-year-old woman

dry room as the roof above collapsed.

named Jessica.

The first step out of the laundry room was already devastating. The floor where Theo put his

Theo made it to the balcony and screamed, “Hey! Up here! Survivors in the seventh floor Laundry Room!

Hurry, before the-”.

foot crumbled, but this led to opportunity. He put

The balcony began to crack. The wooden sup-

his face as close to the hole in the floor as possible,

port beams for the concrete balcony had been destroyed.

without melting it off. He could see what re-

Theo ran back inside the building as the First Responders

mained of the support beams underneath the floor.

extended the ladder to the seventh floor. The building was

Stepping on the floor above the support beams

collapsing in on itself. Theo sprinted to try and get back to

wouldn’t guarantee their safety, but it was better

the side of the building where the laundry room was with

than nothing.

the floor crumbling behind him, but it was too late. As

“Follow my footsteps exactly.”

Theo passed the stairwell, the roof above him collapsed,

Slowly, Theo put one foot in front of

and he was consumed by the burning building.

another, making sure to stay light on his feet. All was well until they came to stairwell. Fire blocked

Six Days Later, he sat in a hospital bed, finally waking up.

their path on all sides. Theo knew there was no

“You’re finally awake.” Said a Police Officer

way around it, and if they traveled through it, 3rd

standing on the other side of the room. “That was an in-

degree burns or worse would be guaranteed.

credible thing you did back there. Many lives were saved

“What do we do now? We can’t go through the fire, it’ll kill us.” Seth panicked.

“Stomp on the floor in front of you. Do it now.”

because of you. When we began evacuating the people from the seventh floor, more yells for help came from inside the building. People were hiding in pockets of air, too afraid to move. When we moved in on the building,

“What are you talking about, that will send

we heard them yelling for help.”

you the floor below us. You won’t be able to get

“Did everyone get out?”

back to the safe room.” Jessica argued.

“Yes, because of you. Great Job kid, get some

“Trust me.”

rest.”

Seth stomped on the floor about 3 feet in

The police officer walked out of the room as Theo

front of him. The ground beneath Theo vanished

turned on the T.V. The news began playing with the head-

and he landed on the burnt wood below.

line, “Theodore Bander: Ignite the Flame.”

Sparking a Dream Gabriella Prado ‘23 Last night in my dream I dreamt That I was no longer dreaming.

To wake up and realize, You’re killing the dream I love most, Why are you waking me?

Why should I settle for the life you give me, One where my hopes and dreams are simply that, Hopes and dreams and nothing more?

I won’t let you take them from me.

Your actions ignited a flame in me, And your words can’t put it out.

Last night in my dream I dreamt, That I continued dreaming.

To wake up and smile, My dreams will be reality, You cannot wake me.

42

Eddie Holly ‘25

Charles Bauer ‘25

When Fire Burns Ella Tabe-Santurio ‘24 SECOND PLACE WINNER: POETRY Crimson embers burning aglow, a warmth in my heart only He could know.

His spirit fills me with abundant grace, my soul is on fire yearning to see His face.

The world needs the savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, to renew our beliefs and bring restored hope as reward.

So, as you can clearly see, there is a fire burning deep within me.

This flame is a symbol of what faith can ignite, and the quest to show others the meaning of His light.

45

The Red One Ella Pelligra ‘23 FIRST PLACE WINNER: PROSE My heels tapped sharply on the tile floor

and as I continued the walk to the car, the sky car-

as I walked into the silent church. The stained-

ried a reddish tone. Even the birds were glowing

glass windows gave the pews a blue-toned sun-

red on their dark wings. I had never seen anything

burn. The heel tapping sped up as I passed the

like it. I ignored it and drove home. My door had

dedication candles. I noticed the red poppy flower

a red poppy flower tied at its handle. As I walked

placed in front of the stained-glass window. It was

to the front door, a cardinal appeared to me on my

nowhere near the traditional time which the old

rug.

widow would come and share her husband’s story

Although freezing, I returned to my car. I

of his service. The poppy flower, now laid slight-

drove to the cemetery and did what I had avoided

ly blackened on the edges, was said to represent

so intentionally, visiting my father. The cold wind

death and remembrance. I continued to walk alone

blew as I tried lighting his candle. It blew through

to my usual pew. A man in red sat in my usual spot

the threads of my jeans, and the strands of my dull

so I went to the substitute spot. Although the sky

gold hair, through strains of snow coated grass,

light was covered in frosted windows in order to

and the gaps between my fingers, I covered the

reduce the light, sun still shined on my face. As

right side of the flame lit candle, but my trembling

the choir lead went up to sing the weekly psalm,

hands were not enough. The flame continuously

the sunlight struck her face as she hit the high C.

blew out. It was now that I understood why my

So perfectly timed. Perfect timing was not the

father never liked winter picnics. I always begged

speaker’s specialty. It was ten minutes passed time.

him for a father-daughter picnic in the snow, but it

My heels were less noticeable as everyone walked

was cold, the sky lost its summer color and looked

out. “Aura, Aura” someone cried. I turned around

like a faded painting. Winter no longer brought

although my introverted self would have preferred

me a city of stars and the signs of red faded away.

not, but no one was behind me. I turned forward

The red of the sunset, the red of the flame, the red

cardinal, and the man in the red shirt sitting at my pew replayed in my head. Although the navy night sky and the blue sunburnt church instilled faith, I could not hold through. When I saw the cardinal, he brought me hope and joy along with the power of the bright red, I knew it was him.

As I retuned home, the red tones followed me. The stop lights and stop signs, the red birds and red flames, the painted sky setting onto the white snow. The purity of the snow was now colored in by the red glow of the sky as it glimmered. My father had always called this the illusion of life itself in nature. The sunset represented wildfires setting in our lives as the moon rose anew representing a new start since every night more and more of the circle was filled. The moon never rose they same nor did us as people. Everyday, we never know what signs are awaiting, he was the man in red.

Gabriella Albareda ‘22

Ignite the Flame Isabella Sierra ‘24 In my world, I can go on and on

okay. Whether it’s with an act of kindness,

about things I love, or things I’m passion-

words, gift giving, anything she can do

ate about. But the one thing I love to do is

to brighten someone’s day. Watching her

make sure everyone is where they need to

throughout the years made me realize how

be, make sure everyone is the happiest they

it was possible to change someone’s mood

can be, or just make sure everyone is doing

so quickly. I would always hear people

okay. That may sound cliché, but it’s true.

say, treat others how you would like to be

What made me begin caring for others’

treated, but never really took it into consid-

feelings so much could be described as a fire

eration. Until I saw it going on around me.

going off in someone else’s life. My cousin,

Could it really make you feel good to make

for example, will not let a second of her day

someone happy? You never know until you

pass without making sure everyone is doing

try. I never knew until I tried. I’m not saying

From Spark To Blaze Morgan Dunagan ‘2

A Christmas tree, once dried, basically becomes a huge skeleton of matches. Besides being a very unnecessarily dangerous house attraction, a dried Christmas tree makes for the perfect candidate of a bonfire. Only thirty seconds after igniting the smallest needle the entire tree is set ablaze. this often reflects our own natural human tendencies. Every skill that you have started with a small spark of innovation. Sometimes the fire runs cold, and sometimes it takes a few sparks to get the fire going, but once the spark turns into a blaze there is very little that can stop it from leading to something greater than yourself.

I was never kind to people, I just never

desire to want to do something so bad. “One

really put effort. But seeing how kindness

needs to focus on their feelings, thoughts,

can affect people makes you want to spread

vibrations, actions/reactions, and results.”

it 24/7. Ask someone about their day, when

Someone can want to do something so bad

you notice someone who looks sad, just

in their life, all you need to do is to take the

ask if they’re okay. Trust me, it can make a

extra step. To be able to take that step, you

bigger difference than you think. When I do

can trust in God. For my journey, I decided

something for someone else, the feeling I get to put my faith and God and see how and is almost undeserving. The joy, fulfillment,

where he would take me. And I’m not disap-

and pureness are something I believe every-

pointed to where he’s lead me. All you need

one should experience. In my opinion, when

to do is put your life in God’s hand and let

you go out of your way to treat people with

him fulfill that fire desire.

kindness, you never know how you changed

house.

their day. They might’ve really needed to hear something sweet that day, and there you are, giving it to them. I am not here to tell you to change your ways of living, but if being kind isn’t in your priorities, take a step back, rethink about how you can change someone’s day, and go ahead and change it.

Seeing my cousin do acts of kindness has ignited a flame in me to do the same, not only for them, but to change my view on life. A happier lifestyle never hurts anyone.

So, before you say something, think. Am I going to hurt them, or brighten their day, how would you like to be treated?

This could also bring me into another topic, something called fire desire, the

50

Bio Fire Lili Nunez ‘25

That Special Guitar Julia Almirall ‘25 I have something for you, my abuelito said one day. It was getting late, and we

learn. I could make him proud. Mijita, he told me, enjoy it.

were about to leave. The rusty old apart-

This present, this regalo as he told

ment. The spiderwebs on the ceiling. The

me, it started something. Like a fire, just

creaking of his closet. Ven aca, and I fol-

kept inside all locked up. The only way I

lowed. He had tears in his eyes. I had never

could ever let it out would be to learn. To

seen him cry in my life.

play just like he did. I tried to play it. I really

He reached out to grab something.

did. But strumming the six strings, discord

He was obviously very sentimental. Para tí

erupted. The dissonant sounds of the vibra-

he told me and handed me something big.

tions clashing together. I fixed it the best I

Something so big, yet light and empty. With

could. Harmony broke out. The peace, the

a case like a mask. Hiding the beauty with-

satisfaction. Now I could tell my family.

in. With a big hole and six strings. Polished

I brought abuelo back to his living room

perfectly with smoothened curves. A golden

where my family stood. I revealed my new-

hue to the brown wood. He plucked the gui-

found prized possession.

tar.

We all arrived home. I got into the It’s mine? I grabbed the guitar from

comforts of my room. Searching up a guide,

his fragile shaking hand. I wrapped my arms

tuning the still somewhat horrid sounding

around him and embraced him. It once be-

guitar. It was a hidden treasure in the dust of

longed to him years ago. When he was in his

my abuelito’s rusty creaky crunchy closet.

prime, strumming the guitar. Now I could

Because of him, because of my grandpa I

52

gained this skill. Now I’ve grown into his

can flaunt my spark, my skills, my guitarra

younger self displaying his skill all around.

and one day present it to my grandkids. I

For everyone to hear. To see and remember

think of my grandpa. I will make you proud

how capable and brilliant he was. Abuelito,

grandpa. Proud enough to remember me and

you didn’t know it then, but in that moment,

hear me play your gift to me all for you.

on that day, you unleashed the fire.

Now one day I can share. Share my passion, my love. Just like abuelo did. I

Lauren Brandon ‘25

Ignite the Flame Maia Domenech ‘24 SECOND PLACE WINNER: ESSAY My whole life has revolved around

was the worst possible thing that has ever

dance, I have danced since I was three years

happened to me. Ever since I was little, my

old and have not stopped. It has always ig-

biggest fear was tearing my ACL. I would

nited a fire in my heart, with a burning pas-

never expect this day to come until I was

sion every time I stepped on stage. I could

lying on the floor, unable to move. Paralyzed

never imagine doing anything other than

in shock, I got dragged of the dance floor

dancing. I trained hard every day practicing

by my coach and some teammates. With no

until I had the routine perfect. I have always

school trainers around and nowhere to get

naturally been able to pick choreography up

ice, I sat against a wall watching everyone

quickly and preform it effortlessly.

else dance while I drowned in tears waiting

I love every aspect of dance, flip-

to be picked up.

ping, moving to the beat of the song, and

I will never forget the moment when

turning. There was nothing that could stop

I sat at the urgent care waiting for the doctor

me when I danced, and it was an escape

to come in with my MRI results. My doctor

from the world. Whenever I felt down or

walked in, head hung low and said, “I have

unhappy, dance would relieve my pain and

some bad news, you tore your ACL.” The

take it away. I never had a care in the world

moment I heard those words, tears filled my

while moving to the music. Until one leap

eyes, and I did not stop crying until I got

changed it all.

home. I could see the pity in my moms’ eyes

On May 18th, 2021, at my school’s

the whole car ride home, I have never seen

dance team auditions, I tore my ACL. This

her more torn.

54

Lying in bed all of summer as I watched all my friends go out every day and

really helped me overcome the physical and emotional pain I had been impacted with.

have fun tore me apart. After praying every night that the horrible pain would go away, It slowly started getting better. I am now on month six of my recovery process and almost ready to get back on the stage. When my flame got blown out, it was one of my lowest times, but without the help of God, I would not have been able to make it through this terrible injury. Praying every night

Morgan Deville ‘22

Meghan Scarpatetti ‘25

Habits Hannah Ramirez ‘23 Some call it a heavy power The fire that stirs and conjures your desires The light that ignites your spirit from the Heavens A cold ice that is shaped like the beautiful moons’ crescent.

Warms your soul making you smile like a fool But deep down, you hope it devours you And when it devours you, it towers you And when you pray for it to stop, you have no power to.

A suffocating, melting hug, securing peace from the world Takes you up into a place, into a somewhat dream-like world Then comes the realization of the lack of warmth in the unreal world Like a carrot to a rabbit, addicted to the unseen world.

57

Maria Del Valle ‘23 I can feel it in the warmth of a burning fire I can feel it in the cold ocean water I can feel it when the raindrops fall on my cheeks I can hear it in the sound of children laughing I can hear it driving through the busy Miami streets I can hear it in my grandmother’s voice, telling me where I come from It sounds like your loved ones telling you how much they love you It sounds like catching up with your childhood best friend It sounds like a choir, singing hallelujah I can hear it in the hush of a silent night I can hear it in the sound of a newborn baby crying I can hear it in the final breath of a loved one passing I can hear it in the words “I do” as the bells start sounding I can see it in the sunsets I can see it in the moonlight Its like the first day of summer Its like a drive through movie Ice cream trips with your sibling Sometimes it’s the simple things Igniting the flame of our lives is knowing God and embracing his presence in all the simple yet beautiful things in life.

The Fire Before Twilight Madeline Diaz ‘24 The ignited fire No longer gleams bright tonight The death of twilight

Matthew Handel ‘23 To be a man, one must have certain features To be a man, one must be loving To be a man, one must be caring To be a man, one must sacrifice To be a man, one must put others before himself To be a man, one must be willing to run to the fire To be a man, one must be willing to ignite the flame To be a man, one must be willing to love and care for their brothers and sisters in Christ so much that nothing else matters To be a man, one must care for their neighbors with such passion that they are put above everything else Most importantly however, to truly be a man And to truly love And to truly care And to truly sacrifice And to truly put others before their self And to truly run to the fire And to truly ignite the flame One must be a man of Christ One must understand that all he does is for God’s glory One must understand that God loves each and everyone one of us unconditionally and eternally One must be a man of faith and know that God has a plan for each of us One must understand that God allows us to ignite the flame

59

Sydney Miranda ‘25

Isabella Bomnin ‘24 60

Andy Whitby ‘25

Ana Konrad ‘25 SECOND PLACE WINNER: PHOTO

61

Charlie Kallaher ‘22

Anthony Avino ‘24

62

Gaby Baez ‘25 FIRST PLACE WINNER: PHOTO

63

Nicolle Zedan ‘25

Victoria Ibanez ‘24 64

Median

Mrs. April Sharpe-Shirk Median is an abstract visualization of dancing on the edge of success, and the drive to produce that extra degree of effort necessary. At 211 degrees you have hot water- at 212 degrees...water boils...so ignite the flame!

The Flame At The End Of The Tunnel Nicolas Torres de Navarra ‘23

66

3:37 A.M. Bianca Diaz-Silveira ‘24

CandleMan Reese de Moya ‘24 The Candleman was an exhibition.

and stared forward.

His skin was made of wax, his eyes flickered

Beyond the glass are other boxes

like flames, and where a head of hair should

similar to his own; a woman covered in

sit was a curved wick. Dressed in a black

feathers stood in one, a child with claws for

trench coat and slacks, he sat upon a stool,

hands in another. Countless others filled the

blank faced as people gawked and pointed

area, some sleeping, some leaning against

at him through the thick glass. A girl who

the glass, gazing at the door on the oppo-

could be no more than six years old grasped

site end of the room. He doesn’t know any

her mother’s hand and stared at him with a

of their stories, nor do they know his. But

face of terror. He stared back.

he had a feeling they were all similar. He

He was accustomed to being beheld

assumed they once had families, before they

with fear. How else were people meant to

were taken and forced to sit in this place like

see him?

displays. This place they call a carnival, a

The day ended as it always did, with sneering, disgusting looking men counting

gallery of strange beings, mutants to nature.

Not humans.

the cash in their grimy hands. Tormenting

The only sounds were occasional

him through the glass. And the Candleman

soft sobs that came from a cowering, little

sat.

girl.

As the lights went out, he finally

This place was a prison.

moved, however stiffly, towards the cot in

As the night grew, and people started

the corner of the room made of glass. A stiff

falling asleep, the CandleMan sat still, eyes

mattress and thin blanket. Putting his hands

unblinking. His mind strayed towards what

on the edge of the bed, he lowered himself

his life used to be. When he had a family,

into a sitting position, elbows on his knees,

a wife. His wife, a human with long brown

68

hair and green eyes. A smile that made him

Was this, this excuse of a life, worth

forget about every bad thing, every insult

staying for? He wasn’t living. He hadn’t

thrown at him as a child. The only person

been for a long, long time. His life ended

that ever loved him, and he lost her after one

the day he watched the love of his life fall

year. To illness. After everything, he lost her

asleep and not wake up.

to nature.

For the past five years, he has lived

She had a disease where her lungs were filling with fluid. She drowned from

in this cage, this life that was not a life. Are

the inside out. The universe had a sickening

you even living if you have nothing left to

sense of humor.

live for? No, he doesn’t think so. There was

He rose, moving toward the center of

no living in this place. There was only sur-

the glass box. He retrieved one of the match-

viving.

es. He stared at it for a moment before he lit A common misconception is that

it with the friction from the box. In the glass,

they were the same thing. Living and sur-

the fire lit his reflection. He saw his face,

viving. They were not. In order to live, you

a face that was wrong and disgusting and

had to want to live. You needed a purpose in

monstrous. He saw the way his eyes burned

order to live.

a little brighter with the flame near. And

But surviving . . . Surviving was

then, he saw the lady covered in feathers.

breathing but not getting any air. Your heart

She was standing, looking at him.

was beating without anything to beat for.

She smiled a sad smile. And he knew what

Living is a gift. Surviving is a curse.

she was saying.

The Candleman had survived all these years.

It’s okay.

The Candleman brought the match up to the

And he didn’t want to anymore.

wick atop his head. It swallowed the flame,

At some point, when everyone had

burning, finally, finally burning.

finally succumbed to exhaustion, the Can-

He sat in the center of the ground.

dleman moved. He reached under his mat-

The lady covered in feathers watched

tress and grabbed a small box. Sitting back,

as the Candleman burned away into nothing

he stared at the rectangle in his hands.

but a pile of melted wax.

A box of matches.

69

Staff Austin Jones ‘22 Editor-in-Chief Bianca Diaz-Silveira ‘24 Art & Formatting Director Nicolas Torres de Navarra ‘23 Art & Formatting Editor Christopher Bobson ‘23 Art & Formatting Editor Isabella Del Valle ‘24 Assistant Editor

Charis Davis ‘22 Writing Director Reese de Moya ‘24 Writing Editor Isaac Jimenez ‘23 Writing Editor Caroline Schaffer ‘24 Writing Editor

Ms. Mary Lopez Faculty Supervisor

roots Created by the Literary Magazine staff at Westminster Christian School.

Roots is the high school literary magazine of Westminster Christian School, publishing unique works of fiction, non-fiction, photography, and art created by current and previous Westminster Christian School high school students and faculty. Roots is edited and designed by an all-student staff, sponsored by the English Department, and funded by Westminster Christian School. ©2022 Roots. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. No reproduction or use without permission.