Applewild

Golden Apples

2014
"
Table of Contents
!"# %&'() %*+(), '--+). /
'001%'1+ 02 &'23*,( 4 5
'30&' 02 )6', 0 !
4',*)1,% '" 4#)7*,81 02 ,)#' ' 9
4#)7*,81: "#) %;+4# 02 )+1',,' & <<
4#)7*,81: "#) "#;,()&."*&3 02 ,'"'.#' ; </
=*&*>', 02 ?*#, + <!
%1,* 02 '3'1' 1 <9
?*,'"', 02 ('-#,) 7 @5
3';&1". 4*&,)+1. ).4#)& 02 .'332 3 @A
3)"#*'"'.8) ',"#*, 02 ,'.1# " BC
"#) 0'&, 4+130 02 .1)&&' 4 B@
"#) );+*' 02 ,'.1# " BB
"#) %;+4# 02 4*++)), % B5
"#) "#;,()&."*&3 02 '+)D > BE
7#'" "#) =+*'"1,% 0&*44*+1 ."'&")( 02 *+161' & BA
E"# %&'() %*+(), '--+). //
0'.8)"0'++ &*,()'; 02 #*,%2; - /5
0)1,% 4*,=1()," 6. 0)1,% .4'&)( 02 314'2+' 0 /!
4+)', 02 ',%)+18' # /E
(*%. 6. 4'". 02 '6)&2 # /9
(;&1,% 4*,4)&". 02 ('8*"' 3 /A
"#) #'&()." -'&" *= 7&1"1,% 02 #',,'# & /A
32 ='6*&1") .)'.*, 02 +1++1',,' # 5C
4+)', 02 0)"'3) ( 5<
' #';,"1,% -',"*;3 '0*;" &;,,1,% *;" *= 31+8 5<
02 1', 7
#)&* 02 F;1,, 2 5@
81(. *, "#) 1,")&,)" 6. '(;+". *, "#) 1,")&,)" 02 4#&1. 3 5@
.)'7))( 02 ?*+),) + 5B
3"G 7'.#1,%"*, 02 3181) " 5/
,*" ' 4&13) 02 .)&)2 8 55
32 0&*"#)& 02 8)1"# ( 5!
32 #)&* 02 44 4 5E
,*"#1,% 0;" "#) "&;"# 02 )"#', # 59
*7+H %),"+)3', *= ,1%#" 02 ',?1 + 5A
-',4'8). 6. 7'==+). 02 .#&12' 0 !C
-;0+14 6.G -&16'") .4#**+1,% 02 '00)2 0 !<
&'4)I"* 02 7).+)2 4 !@
&)( 02 )+1.1' 3 !B
.31+1,% 6. =&*7,1,% 02 4+'&' 3 !/
#
.,*7('2. 02 8'")+2,, 0 !/
"'81,% &1.8. 6. #*+(1,% 0'48 02 '++1.*, * !5
"#) *;".1()&. 6. &*3)* ',( ?;+1)" 02 #'&&2 ? !!
;,,'3)( #;&&14',) 02 0&1',,' 4 !!
2',8)). 6. &)( .*D 02 4*+) " !E
2*; 4',J" ?;(%) ' 0**8 02 1". 4*6)& 02 ?'4*0 3 !9
9"# %&'() %*+(), '--+). !A
'++ "#) 2).")&('2. 02 )31+2 ' EC
';"*,*32 02 ?1331) # E<
0*."*, %'>)"") "*'." 02 ?'48 4 E@
1 0)+1)6) 1, "#) -*7)& *= "#) 7&1""), 7*&( 02 '1(', > EB
1 0)+1)6) 1, 4#',%) 02 )33' & E/
4*;&'%) 02 4*++)), = E5
.41),4) +'0 02 0&)"" 4 E9
)D4)&-" =&*3 K4&'>)(L 02 +1+2 " E!
#*+( "#1. 3*3)," 02 4*4* - E9
1 0)+1)6) 02 ?'48 ? E9
1 0)+1)6) 1, "#) -*7)& *= '(6)&"1.1,% 02 (', . 9C
"#'" -+'4) 02 1.'0)++) & 9<
.)+= 4*,=1(),4) 02 '2+' ( 9@
.1+),4) 02 ?'3). 7 9B
"#) #'++7'2 *= 4#'*. 02 %&'4) + 9/
"#) 3'&.#'++ 4'-) #*;.) 02 ?'4*0 0 95
"#) -*7)& *= #;3*& 02 ?'48 # 9!
"#) -*7)& *= 3*"#)& ,'";&) 02 ',"#*,2 3 9E
"#) "&)) *= 7&'"# 02 +;61',' 3 99
"#) >*301). 02 31+). 0 AC
7'2. *= 3*"16'"1*, 02 ?'3). " A@


$













6th Grade Golden Apples

%
Abbigail
by Raymond C

I stood in front of my dad saying, I dont want to leave, Dad.
Sorry, Abbey, but we have to because we dont have all the money in the world.
I am still not leaving this spot without Rick and Maricella. She is always so nice to me.
Fine, Abbey, he can come with us. My father grabbed the phone. Hi, Rick its Dad. Do you mind
coming over for a bit? Because Abbey is upset that we are moving to Arizona all the way from the U.K. Ok, I
will see you in 20 minutes.
Abbey, Rick is on his way here. In the meantime how about you go make some lunch for him. After
all, he is probably hungry since he hasnt had lunch.
Oh, fine, I said.
Sometimes I dont like my dad. He can be bossy. So I started to make Ricks favorite sandwich, tuna
fish. I honestly hate tuna fish, but didnt mind making one. When Rick got there, I was so excited to see him
again.
I said to Rick, Are you going to come with us to Arizona? His response was simple: I cant.
I stormed up to my room and started bawling my eyes out. We were leaving tomorrow, so after I
calmed down I went to sleep. It was only 8:00 but I didnt care at the moment.

Abbey, its five- lets go. Our flight leaves at 6.
Oh fine.
I hate getting up early but I had to. As soon as we got to the airport, our flight was there. It was a 13
hour flight. I was on the plane thinking about why Rick couldnt come, but my mind was blank. When we got
to Arizona, it was hot and dry, but I looked around and there were some gardens.
I asked, Dad, can I plant these poppies I found at home in the public garden near our house?
That sounds like a great idea, honey.
Thanks Dad, I have been wanting to start a garden for a while. I went over to the garden and found
someone named Sam. He told me where my garden plot was. It was right next to my house.
Ever since we came to Arizona, my dad has been less bossy than normal. My dad and I had talked to a
woman named Ana. She was an elderly woman who was very nice. She was handicapped, so she couldnt
plant anything.
Im surprised that it only took 7 days for the poppy to sprout. That was a very short time, but they tend
to grow pretty quickly. In about 60 days everyone was admiring my poppy. I love Arizona and Im glad that
we moved here.
&
Ambra
by Evan B

All my life Ive lived in Italy. Then my father got kicked out of his job and we were forced to live in this
excuse for a city. People said that the city was named Cleveland. I was skeptical. This place looked like a
wasteland. I was sad. Then I realized that I could get us out of here with money. When I found this out, I was
so happy, I just wanted to jump for joy. Then I realized something. I would have to work to get myself enough
money to buy us out of here. One week passed. Then another. I was starting to lose all hope. I began to feel
powerless. I was only 11, and I still had to go to school, though the school system here is awful. Thank
goodness it was summer break.
As I sat in the kitchen, I could hear my mother talking to my father about maybe having figs; perhaps
in a white bowl atop the fireplace, which was the same place that we had it back in our house in Italy, and my
mother seemed a bit homesick. However, the real reason I decided to grow figs for my mother was a simple
conversation that I had overheard. It consisted of my mother talking to my father about maybe having a little
white bowl of Italian honey figs right above our mantle. My dad agreed, but they were very costly over here in
Cleveland, and she didnt know how we were possibly going to get enough money. When I heard this, I made
it my goal to get my mother a basket of figs before she blew the whole budget on a decoration.
Now there was a motivation. I called Wendell, my schools janitor and asked him if he had a shovel
that I could borrow. He did. I got to work that very evening. I had never planted anything before, and I was
completely clueless. I chose a spot near the apartment building at first, then realized that figs prefer full sun. I
chose a new spot, but this time made sure that I had chosen a spot near the center of the garden, near the
little patch of lima beans that Kim had planted. I was proud of my work. I went to bed, then I realized that I
had to water them. I got really panicky, then went back to the garden and tried to lug a two-gallon jug of
water over to my plot.
Hey!
You new?
Yeah
Are you having trouble getting water?
Yeeessss!
Can I help you at all?
Please.
A woman came over and told me about the water contest that a man named Sam had dreamed up a
few weeks ago. Then she helped me get my jug out to my plot. She introduced herself as Leona, and I told
her that I was Ambra. We talked for a bit, and I found out that she swears by a cup of goldenrod tea every
morning. She asked me what I was growing, and I told her that they were figs to bring to my mother as a
surprise gift. To give her a little background, I told her that I heard my mom telling my dad that she wanted
figs. I then found out that they needed growing zone 7-10, and then it struck me. I hadnt known that they
would need a greenhouse to grow! I went back to sleep, but I didnt get much of it that night. I was too
worried that they would die. The next day, I went to the local department store, bought some canvas and
wooden supports, and got to work. It took all day to put the thing up, but I would not quit. Not until every
'
last seed was relocated. Finally I finished. Then I realized I was going to have to water them. I got some water
out of an old garbage can, then spilled it all over myself trying to carry it. I got fed up on about the forty-fifth
try and decided to go home and sleep. I had been working from sunrise to sunset.
I got a well-deserved break that night, but awoke to find that all of my family was already at work.
There was a note taped to the refrigerator. It read: Please eat anything that you like for breakfast, then do
whatever you want for the rest of the day. I will be home late, so I am trusting you with the house. I was
delighted. Now I wouldnt have to keep my project a secret anymore. Quickly, I devoured a bagel, downed a
glass of root beer, and scurried out the door. A couple of minutes later, I spotted the garden. I ran up to it,
and wasted no time gathering water for the figs. Boy, would my mom be proud when I brought her a big
basket of em. Then, I went straight to the store and bought myself a granola bar. I was quite hungry after all
that work.
On my way back, I spotted a man strolling down the street. Big man. Large muscles. I tried to walk
past him, but he stopped me and did two things: he asked me if I had any ideas for growing beefsteak
tomatoes (I was clueless) and he also told me that I was so pretty, he couldnt help liking me.
The man introduced himself as Curtis, and gave me a history of his life. It ended tragically.
I felt sorry for him, and then realized that this city was kind of a hub for disappointment. When I got
home, my mother had put some olives, bread, and pasta on the table. We ate happily, then realized all of the
problems that our family had faced, like unemployment, moving and other problems.
My father came home some time later, then went straight up to bed. He looked very tired that night,
but I had to keep my hopes high when those figs sprouted up. I was very hopeful on the very last day before
school started.


(
Canoeing at Chewonki
by Neha A

I didnt think they would remember me. I was in a camp in Maine called Chewonki at Inlet Bay when I
saw my friends from the school I used to go to three years ago. Would they recognize me? Would they
remember me? I pondered. They werent even in the same grade as me, I assured myself. They were now in
eighth grade and I was still in sixth grade. The boat careened from side to side.
Keep on paddling Neha, my canoeing partner Sam said. The bright orange life vest was slightly
cutting off my circulation as I shoved the oar deep in the water as hard as I could and pushed. Our boat had
been going in circles rather than going straight. When the stern of the boat rode over the water, I looked
behind me and noticed, it left ripples that disappeared in less than a second.
The bay we were canoeing in was surrounded by trees and giant rocks that were reflected in the
water. The reflections were exact replicas of them, but taller. When the boat created ripples in the water, it
caused the shadows to deform making them look like oil paintings of nature. The shadows also provided us
with some shade from the boiling sun as we canoed along the shore.
Good job Neha and Sam! yelled Natasha who was canoeing perfectly straight and was far ahead of
us, in her bright blue canoe with her partner, Nasih.
Their canoe was the exact opposite of ours, which was colorless and dull. It looked as if someone had
deliberately peeled all the paint off. It probably used to have a giant word printed on it in cursive, but it was
now unreadable.
Thanks, you guys are doing great too! I yelled back politely. I kept on pushing the slightly heavy
paddle hard in the water in the direction we were supposed to go. My soft skin kept on scraping against the
oar while I paddled. I was paddling on the right side of the boat and Sam was paddling on the left.
Go on the right side, I told him, because the boat was starting to go in the wrong direction.
As we started to go straight again my mind wandered back to my friends from Oak Meadow. I knew
that they were at Chewonki but I never thought I would see them.
When I examined the water I noticed it was clear and in some instances it looked turquoise. When the
sun shone on the water it sparkled and looked like gems were hiding just under the surface. Although I didnt
see any fish, I was able to spot a shadow of one swimming in the opposite direction of the boat.
As I heard a scratching sound on the bottom of the boat, my attention snapped back to the canoe.
The canoe had started to go in the swampy area that was full of green plants, but no flowers. My partner Sam
screamed playfully, and I started laughing. The plants looked like they were dead. They looked like they badly
needed to be watered, even though they were underwater. Most of them were a mix of olive green and the
green on the Pakistan flag, a color combination I realized I didnt really like. The leaves were oddly shaped
and sort of looked like little hammers, but none were alike. I pushed my paddle deep in the water and rotated
it around. With Sams help we were able to turn the canoe around and get out of the swampy area.
Then I heard from the left side of me a loud shout.
HI NEHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didnt quite recognize the voice from anyone in my class.
Could it be? They were my old friends. They all remembered me and were happy to see me.
In my excitement I had stopped rowing.
)
Neha, pay attention. Sam said, but not in a mean way.
My friends and I said our goodbyes, and Sam and I started rowing again.
Who were they? Sam asked casually.
Friends from my old school, I answered.
I have friends from my old school that I like to see, he replied.
My arm was getting tired so Sam and I switched sides of the canoe. Sam and I had gotten the wooden
canoe forward, yet we still hadnt grasped how to go straight. Since we were going against the current, the
water would push us back when we stopped rowing even for a moment. I decided to push faster thinking that
might make us go forward. Sam, go on the left side, the boat is going the wrong direction again I told Sam.
Ok, Sam said. He paused and then continued, Everyone is so ahead of us.
I started paddling faster just hearing the words.
The waves crashed against the giant rock, turning the water over and creating white foamy water that
snuck past us in clumps. The rocks that were creating the foamy water were quite big and were all gray and
dull. They looked as if the water had sucked the color out of them. They were covered in little slashes and
marks, probably made by the water and some had plants growing on them too. As I paddled, I realized that
the giant rocks were getting bigger and that we were going towards them. The canoe was going forward and
the water was going with us. We were going so fast that we couldnt stop!
Oh no! Sam said unenthusiastically. I had already guessed that this was going to happen eventually,
at the pace we were going. We tried to stop the canoe by pushing our paddles in the water to stop it. I
pressed my feet against the bottom of the canoe. I did it so hard the bottom of my purple and gray sneakers
slightly ripped. I didnt really care because the previous day I had completely covered my sneakers in mud.
I glanced at Sam for a moment and noticed he was itching his legs!
Sam, why are you itching your legs right now!? I yelled at him.
Its really itchy! he exclaimed while itching it rapidly. This is just great, I thought sarcastically.
I started to let my mind wander. Concentrate! I said to myself.
Sam gaped at me like I was someone from a strange new planet.
The canoe had started to slow down! I stuck the paddle so deep in the water my whole hand was in
the water. I felt like a hero. Then I thought of the fish in the water and quickly pulled my hand away from the
water. So much for being a hero. The canoe had started to stop. I heard the rattle of my water bottle rolling
to a stop as the canoe came to a halt. I pressed my tired hands against the rough side of the boat. As soon as
I touched it, I pulled my hand away because it was so cold. Instead of rowing, Sam and I gave up and let the
current take us.
I heard Mrs. Gregson say something but I couldnt quite catch it. Mrs. Gregson was our advisor and
our math teacher. She came to us in her canoe with her two partners. We are going to pull you for a little bit
until you guys start to get going, Mrs. Gregson said while trying to keep her hair from blowing in her face. I
tossed the red and yellow twisted rope to them. I had underestimated the heaviness of the rope when I threw
it because it landed right in the middle of the two canoes splashing water everywhere. I slowly lifted the now
wet rope and threw it with more force this time into their boat. I tried to take a deep breath to stop myself
from laughing, but my blocked nose stopped me from breathing properly making me laugh even more. We
all sat there silently as Mrs. Gregson and her partners pulled us through the water.
*+
... So, Sam...what did you do... over the summer? I asked trying to break the awkward silence.
Sam answered, talking about his summer while lying down in the canoe.
I nodded my head making my hair tie slip off. I bent down in the boat to pick it up. It had landed right
in a spider web with about five other insects trapped in it. The previous day my watermelon flavored
toothpaste had exploded on my hair tie too, so I was fine if the oversized spider that was crawling towards it
wanted to keep it.
Our supervisor besides Mrs. Gregson pulled his canoe next to ours. Theyre having a little trouble
starting up, Mrs. Gregson said to our supervisor, Mikey.
Maybe we should switch partners with people who are getting it, Mikey said, pointing to Natasha
and Nasih.
Thats a good idea, Mrs. Gregson said agreeing. Natasha and Nasih! Come over here!! Mrs.
Gregson yelled to them. They obeyed immediately.
We are going to switch you with Neha and Sam Mikey said.
Ok, Natasha said cheerfully.
To keep it boy/ girl, Natasha would be with Sam and I would be with Nasih. We pressed our canoes
together so that Nasih and Sam could switch. Sam climbed out of the canoe and into Natashas boat.
Bon Voyage! Sam said to me.
I just knew that this was going to be a great year and a great trip. I was sure I would be as good
friends with my classmates as I was with my old friends. I will never forget the day I tried to canoe.
Bye. I said laughing.

**
Chewonki: The Gulch
by Elianna R

OMG! Wasnt that so fun? Colleen asks me.
Yeah! I loved that so much! I say, feeling so joyful after being able to cross the Gulch. My heart is
racing so fast I feel like I cant even breathe. After I went on the Gulch I knew that my comfort zone had just
expanded yet all I kept thinking was Wow! I cant believe I just did that and I never thought I would
survive!
Before I get any further into details about crossing the Gulch, here's what happened beforehand:
Everyone was ready to depart for Chewonki except for me.
I told my mom in the girls bathroom with tears streaming from my eyes, But mom I really don't want
to go to Chewonki! For some reason, I wonder why, I decided to sob at that moment but I did.
My mom said Its only for 4 days, and you wont even remember me by the time you arrive there.
Anyway, think about how you are going to be able to go on the Gulch and have the experience of camping.
I think I was being a little dramatic.
While I was still crying, I thought to myself that what my mom is saying is true, but I was worried about
going 4 days without seeing my mom or dad because I have never been away from home this long and had
never been on a camping trip without them. At this point I felt like running away because I didnt want to go.
I know you. You will have so much fun! You are such a trooper and will be just fine! my mom told
me.
Finally, I decided to be a trooper and get on the huge bus. As I hesitantly walked to the bus, I felt like
a baby bird learning how to fly for the first time: nervous. I gave my mom a hug goodbye and got on the bus.
When I got to the top of the worn out stairs, I glanced at my classmates on the bus and thought, The Gulch
better be worth this.
Colleen yelled my name and points to the vacant seat next to her. I rush to my seat and she asked me
if I was ok.
I replied, Yeah. Its just camping is new to me and Ive never been away from home this long. I
waved goodbye to my mom. From my window, I looked at her with a really sad face and noticed that she was
getting teary eyed. Thats how I knew my mom was proud of me and knew that I would be fine.
The moment we arrived at Chewonki and I stepped off the bus, I wanted to do the activities and leave.
But first we had to get all of our gear off of the bus and into the pack shed. We sat down and had a
conversation about how it is going to work this week. My ears were waiting for the word The Gulch to come
out of her mouth, but the greeter mentions nothing. By the time we got to our camping ground all I can think
about is the Gulch and that I want to go now, and am I going to chicken out?, and how am I going to show
my mom if I don't have a camera? Questions kept popping up in my head, and they didnt stop.
While I was in my tent with Livvy and Daphne at night, we talked about how we couldnt wait to do
things like be bathroom buddies, and if we needed a hug or needed to talk to someone, just talk to either
one of them. While we were talking about how we cant wait to do things, I immediately said, I cant wait for
the Gulch because I want to feel like a bird sort of.
*"
The next morning Matt our instructor explained us how breakfast would work. Once cook crew was
done cooking, we sat down and ate. While we were all eating, he explains our schedule. I heard nothing
about the Gulch today. I heard nothing about the Gulch tomorrow. Which means I had to wait 2 whole days
to visit the Gulch! Every morning, all I thought about is the Gulch.
When we woke up the morning we were going to go across the Gulch, it was a very unusual morning
for me. I felt like I was in a dream because of the fog in the middle of the trees. The fog was a light grey color
and was spread all through the trees and over the water. The fog made it impossible to see beyond the edge
of the land we were standing on. The tall trees looked short because of the fog. It looked almost like a perfect
cloud floating in mid air, but I knew it wasnt a cloud because of the temperature. It felt very eerie, not a good
way to start the day.
After we all finished eating breakfast, Matt said that despite the weather, we are off to the
Gulch. When he said this I felt like I was about to have a heart attack because my heart was pounding so
rapidly from my excitement. While I was walking on the rocky trail, for about a second or two I went into my
own world. The only things in my world were me and the Gulch, and the only thing between us was my fear.
When I snapped back to reality, I was already at the site. Colleen was laughing with Alex and John, Ray and
Eric were talking about Apple products, Daphne and Livvy and Emily were chatting, Ms. Caldwell was talking
to Matt, and I was sitting on the rock staring at the beautiful view. The Gulch looked like an imaginary place in
a fairy tale book. Like one of the stories where the beautiful girl is on the edge of a cliff about to die and the
hunky, buff man swipes her off her feet and saves her. It also reminded me of the the Grand Canyon. There
was a huge open space between both sides of the rocks. There were rocks and water down below us. The sky
was still grey with a hint of blue, and the Atlantic Ocean was at the end of the rocks with a tremendous
amount of sand. Everything was connected: the trees with the sky and the sky with the ocean, and the ocean
was connected to the ground and the ground was connected to my feet.
At the Gulch, there were two trees with a wire line between them... the wire and my gear were the
only thing that would protect me from falling to my death. When I began putting my heavy gulch gear on, I
realized why I had been thinking about the Gulch the entire time I was at Chewonki: I knew this was going to
be "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
As I was watching my classmates cross very confidently, I could feel my anxiety level beginning to rise.
In a way, it almost looked like they were all fearless. I wasnt super scared, but I wasnt fearless either. I
thought that the Gulch would be scarier but really it was like a small step forward in my life.
It is amazing how vividly I can see myself crossing the Gulch.
Who is next? Matt said.
Me, I said while my heart raced. I began pulling myself across the line as my feet dragged across the
rough rock. All the girls were cheering me on, and to my surprise, the boys too! It felt so good to have people
supporting me in this big step. When I got off of the platform and saw my feet dangling off of a wire that was
holding all of my weight, my mind began to wander off. I started to worry about falling, dying, getting injured
and never walking again. But then I snapped back into reality and realized that I was already half way across
the Gulch. I told myself repeatedly, right, left, right, left, right, left" as I collided into a little side branch.
"You can do it!" I heard a voice screech, but I didnt bother to look back because I didnt want the joyride to
*#
end. In 5 pulls I was at the end and feeling sad that this experience had come to an end. I wanted to cross the
Gulch again.
Crossing the Gulch was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. It pushed my comfort zone
beyond what I thought was possible and I conquered my fear of falling to my death! Even though I didn't
enjoy other parts of the trip I felt it was worth taking because of the Gulch. The Gulch was fantastic!


*$
Chewonki: The Thunderstorm
by Natasha U

At Chewonki, we had a lot of fun for almost everything except for the second night, when the
thunderstorm came. At first it was a distant sound, so we got into our tents. We got dressed, went to the
bathroom and waited, and waited, and waited. I dont really like thunderstorms. I always get nervous about it.
Ill get nervous anywhere, whether its Massachusetts, Florida, or even Michigan, but this time, it was different.
I wasnt really scared at all. Once I got used to the sound, I felt better. It made me think of when I went to
Cape Cod for the first time. Nice, loud, and peaceful.
At first it started to drizzle and then it got harder. That was when my tent mate, Neha, went to sleep.
As it went on, I heard Sierra, Erin, and Amaia go to Nasih and Michaels tent. They went into their tent and
woke them up. They said that Mikey, our counselor, wasn't in his tent and then decided to go to them to get
Mrs. Gregson.
Nasih said, Really? Why cant you do it yourself?
Because were too scared! Just please do it for us!
Fine!
So Nasih went to Mrs. Gregsons tent and woke her up.
He said, Mrs. Gregson, Sierra, Erin, and Amaia went to my tent and said that Mikey wasn't in his tent
and asked me to get you because theyre scared.
Mrs. Gregson then said, Ok. Ill get them back in their tent.
When she went outside she started waddling towards the girls because her shoes were so wet. When
she got out there she was soaked, even though she had a raincoat on.
After she got the girls back in their tents, Mikey came back. Mikey was talking to somebody to see if
we could go into cabins since most of us were awake and scared. But we couldnt because if we went then it
would be even worse if we started to get closer. After a couple of minutes, I heard the others talking from the
inside of their tents. They were really loud. They stopped when they got too tired to even talk anymore.
After a while of silence, Neha was still asleep, but while she was in her sleep she turned upside down
and used my leg as a pillow. I was thinking to myself, Why would she think that my leg was her pillow?
After a while, my leg was about to go to sleep because Nehas head is a little heavier than I thought.
When I finally got her off of my leg, I got cold and went to sleep for an hour or so. When I woke up it was very
early. I thought that it was around five or so, and the others were talking again. I couldnt believe it. I thought
to myself how could they still be talking?
After a while they stopped talking. When I was listening to make sure they did stop talking, I heard
footsteps. It felt like it was one of my friends, but I thought that it could have been an animal, too. I heard
slow, gentle footsteps and snap! A stick cracked. Then I heard slow, gentle footsteps again, and another snap!
The same thing happened. I open the back tent window while trying not to wake up Neha, who slept through
the whole thunderstorm, to see if it was an animal or not. I could barely see anything through the window
unless I stepped on Nehas head, which I didnt.
After looking for about five minutes, I decided to stop looking around and make sure that our things
werent wet, or at least were dry enough. When I was looking at our stuff I saw a shadow through the tent. It
*%
looked like a person who was a little shorter than me. I knew for sure that it was one of my friends. I looked
through the tent door window, but then the person went the other way, so I crawled back to the back tent
window. I heard a voice. It sounded like Evans. He was talking to his tent mate Sammy. I couldnt really hear
what they were saying because they were whispering, but when they were done talking I heard footsteps
again. One of them was walking toward our tent. They were slow, and knew that someone in the area was
awake. They went to our tent first, and they guessed right. I was the only one besides Sammy and Evan that
was awake.
I heard the person say, Is anybody awake in there?
I knew that voice. It was Evan, but why would he be up this early, out of his tent walking around?
Yes. Its me, Natasha, I answered in a faint voice.
He came to my tent.
I asked, Why are you wandering around out there? Its wet and muddy.
I had just gone to the bathroom and I decided to enjoy the Chewonki morning.
Oh, ok. I was just wondering because it seems like its really early and I thought to myself who would
be up this early.
Oh, sorry about that.
Thats ok.
As we talked a little more Neha started to wake up. She looked tired. When she asked what I was,
doing her eyes were squinting. I told her that Evan was wandering around outside and it was making me
nervous.
After Neha and I talked a little more, I could hear Mikey say that we could change and come to start
making breakfast. But Neha and I had already gotten changed when we were talking. That meant that all we
had to do was put our shoes on and we would be good.
When we got outside, we started to do our special job to prepare breakfast. I was on the wood team.
We would gather wood and then chop it. When everybody started to get their food, Mikey had talked to us
about where he was. After he told us that, we told him what had happened when he was gone.
At the end of the thunderstorm we all survived and we lived happily ever after.




*&
Forozan
by John L

My family came to America because we wanted a better life. My father is a teacher and he wanted us
to have the opportunity to learn more. My father wanted my family to get a better education because
Afghanistan is not a good place to get an education. Father said that another reason why we left Afghanistan
was because many girls are prohibited from going to school by the Taliban. The Taliban is a militia which
enforces strict Muslim rules and is condemned internationally for their brutality. Father says that in my country
teachers can violently punish children with physical actions but he has never done that. He thinks that brutal
punishment is not necessary. Only 50% of children go to school in Afghanistan and most of them are boys!
In Afghanistan there was not enough food, water, or electricity. There was poor housing also. My old
house used to be made of mud and cement but now I live in a real house with food, electricity, heat, and
running water. My father said the Taliban groups were coming back to terrorize our country. Many children
were caught in roadside bombs between the government and the Taliban. For all these reasons my father
decided for us to move to America.
One day when my siblings and I were walking home from school, we saw children playing in some sort
of garden. We stopped and asked if we could play. After we were done playing, we wondered if we could
plant something in the garden. When we got home we asked our father if we could plant something in the
garden. He said that on his way home from looking for a teaching job, he would buy us something to plant.
He asked us what we wanted to plant, and we all agreed on pomegranates to remind us of
home. Pomegranates are delicious, pinkish fruits that grow on small trees. When they are ripe you eat the
small red seeds. Father came home with four seedlings for us. He said they were pomegranate trees. He told
us that when he got a job we could all plant them in the garden.
My father decided to apply for a job at my middle school and he got the job, so that meant that we
could plant our trees. The reason he got the job is because he knows a lot about Afghanistan and he could
teach us Afghan history. My father can also speak excellent English so he can communicate with his students
without them asking what he is trying to say. My father wanted to teach me at my school, which I am fine with.
He likes teaching history, which is my favorite subject. I am the oldest one in my family because I have a
younger sister who is six and two younger brothers who are eight and seven. I, on the other hand, am eleven
and Im going to be turning twelve.
One sunny afternoon, my father took us to the garden to plant our trees. We met a lot of really nice
people in the garden. The first person we met in the garden was Sae Young, and she explained that she came
from another country too. She said her country was Korea and she shared that it was hard to adjust to
America, but after a while you get used to the surroundings and the people. She stated that she had been
robbed and she was afraid to go on the streets until she got involved with the garden. She remarked that she
grows hot peppers to remind her of Korea, and we said that we were planting a pomegranate tree to remind
us of Afghanistan. She told us that it was hard adjust to a new country but you get used to America sooner or
later. Now, she was technically the first friend that I made in America. I got very excited because now I had
going to the garden to look forward to after school. I looked forward to going to the garden to see my
pomegranates and to see Sae Young.
*'
We had to find a spot first before planting our pomegranate trees, which took about an hour because
there were so many people in the garden and not enough space. We learned that you had to plant the
seedlings in a cube for them to grow well. We met Leona while we were planting. She is an African American
woman who was planting goldenrod. She said she was planting the goldenrod to remind her of her granny
who drank goldenrod tea that kept her healthy. She outlived every doctor that she ever had, and every time a
doctor died she would lay goldenrod on their gravestones. Leona asked if we wanted help and we said yes.
She showed us how to dig holes and place our trees in the holes. She taught us how to cover the roots with
good fertile soil filed with minerals and how to water them.
As the summer passed our seedlings started to grow really fast and they got pretty big. When we
planted the seedlings they were small shoots with three or four leaves. Now they are almost three feet tall and
there are dozens of branches and hundreds of leaves. One day we were mulching our young trees and a lady
asked if she could help. She said her name was Florence and she has arthritis. She could not plant because of
arthritis in her hands. All summer she watched us plant and she told us to come back next spring
It was a cold Saturday later that fall. It was so cold I think there was a little snow on the ground. I went
to check on my pomegranate trees and I observed they needed lots of water. I ran back to my house as fast
as I could and got water for them. Before I left to give the pomegranate trees water my father asked where I
was going. I said I was going to water the pomegranate trees. He said he wanted to come with me and I said
he could as long as he helped water the plants. After we gave the pomegranate trees water we went home.
When we got home Mother had dinner ready. It was a typical Saturday so we ate while we watched television.
Even though we were from Afghanistan my father is a very big hockey fan. Every night hockey is on we watch
it until the games are done. On Saturday if there is not a hockey game on we watch a movie which is my
familys favorite thing to do besides watch hockey. I am a big hockey fan myself, but if it was not for my
father, I would not even know the sport existed because as a girl I was never allowed to learn how to play
hockey in Afghanistan. We did get to watch it on our small TV.
To grow pomegranates you have to be patient like a fisherman. It takes time to grow the trees and
fruit does not come until the trees are three years old. Like a fisherman that has to be patient for the fish to
bite, we have to be patient while our pomegranates grow. I cant wait and I am excited for next spring so I
can be back in the garden watching the pomegranates grow and seeing my new friends. Hopefully Ill see Sae
Young planting her hot peppers, Leona planting her goldenrod, and Florence watching it all happen.


*(
Gino
by Amaia I

I never knew that I would have to leave Italy, until one day my Mama called me from downstairs.
Ginoooooo! I have something very important to tell you!
As I walked down the old stairs, all I could think about was what my Mama was going to tell me. Mama
had a sad and worried look on her face. I knew that my school was not very good, but I didnt know that it was
so bad that I had to leave my home just for a better education!
Gino, I have some very bad news. You are going to have to leave home to go and live with your Aunt
Mona in Cleveland, Ohio; to the United States. Im sorry I never got the chance to tell you sooner but I didnt
want you to be too stressed out for even longer. I felt a weird swishing feeling in my stomach and decided
that I had had too much dessert. I absolutely did not want to leave my home, school, friends, and family! My
instinct was to cry. I ran up the stairs and flopped onto my bed. I would probably only get to sleep on my old
bed for a couple more nights.
The next morning, my Mama started packing my bags for America. I didnt talk to her the whole
morning and didnt even want to. She made me feel really worried last night, and I didnt want to talk to her
about it anymore. I finished up with the last of my undies in my room. I could smell the fresh hot bacon as I
walked slowly down the creaky stairs. It was a really sunny day, but I definitely was not feeling sunny inside. I
plopped down at the table as my mom came over to me to serve the bacon and eggs to me. My papa was
not home from working in the little shop we had which ran for what seemed like the whole day.
Im sorry that you are so upset, but I cant do anything about it now. I know that you will have lots of
fun there and you will come home many times a year to visit me and your papa, but I know you will love it as
soon as you get there.
It was time for me to leave. I felt so full from all of the delicious breakfast my Mama had made for me.
As soon as I scraped the last egg off of my dish, and brought it over to the sink to wash it, Papa came in with
a happy look on his old face.
I made lots of money from the shop this morning and finally have enough money to buy that new
boat we wanted, he said looking at me. His face went serious after a few seconds of me not answering him, I
guess he knew why because he quickly ate his breakfast and told Mama and me to get into the car, for we
might be a little late to the airport. My Papa drove all of us to the airport, my Mama in the front seat almost
about to cry but holding it in.
Youll have a really great time in Cleveland, Mona is really very great with children and especially with
ones that she is related to. I didnt believe him though, there was a weird tone in his voice that told me
otherwise.
An hour later we got to the airport. I was scared to death. My Papa took me to the Child Care Center
in the airport. A nice lady behind the desk looked over at us through her slim glasses. At the moment she was
calling the names of children who were being called to go to a bunch of different gates. I just stood there
waiting for her to notice my Mama and me when suddenly she flicked her skinny head up to look at me,
smiled, and grabbed hold of her little microphone. Then she called my name.
*)
Gino Botticelli, to the front desk, please. My Mama grabbed my hand and had to drag me up to the
desk. The lady, whose name was Jemma, told me that it would just be a moment until my flight attendant
would be with me. I nodded, and she gave me another smile. So we sat back down and waited for about five
minutes.
A tall lady with dark brown hair and an excessive amount of makeup on her face was walking towards
me. I noticed then that my face was turning almost as red as her blush, mostly because I was nervous.
My name is Katherine, and I will be your flight attendant, Gino, said my new flight attendant. I didnt
want to go with her, but I got up from my seat, hugged my Mama and my Papa, and said goodbye for the last
time.
Be strong, son, Papa said. I started to cry a little bit. I looked at my Mama, who was crying too, as
Katherine and I walked toward the gate entrance. I looked away before Katherine pulled me towards the
door.
It had been about five hours since I had boarded the plane and only one hour left to go. It was very
cold where I was sitting: up near the front, Katherine sitting next to me, drinking her coffee. As I opened the
window, all I could see was the bright light of the sun. I twitched my eyes, and looked away.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DURING LANDING, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SEATBELTS ARE
FASTENED AT ALL TIMES. THANK YOU.
I walked out into the airport, feeling nervous.
Thank you for assisting me on the flight, Katherine. I said, but not really feeling grateful.
You are very welcome Gino, you were a pleasure to be with, I hope you have a good time with your
aunt! Katherine gave Aunt Mona some papers to sign, and then walked away. I walked towards a small sized
lady with a tired looking face, and a bag in her hand. I had only seen her once three years ago when she came
to visit my family in Italy. I started to roll all of my suitcases over to her, and smiled. She dropped her bag and
quickly wrapped her arms around me. I didnt know what to do. It seemed like she hadn't seen me in one
hundred years, and now for the first time in so long, she has.
How are you Gino? I missed you so much! I cant believe how much youve grown! she said teary
eyed.
Im okay Aunt Mona. I am a little sad. I felt sort of bad that I probably wasnt showing her as much
love as she wanted, or as much as she was.
Well thats understandable. I guess we should get to the apartment now! Cmon, she said kind of
cheerfully for me right now.
I got out of her small car. We hadnt spoken the whole way there. Then I walked up to the front door
of the big apartment building. A couple minutes later, Aunt Mona rushed out of the car with her keys hanging
from her hand. A girl about my size came sprinting past me, and opened the door. I dont even think she
noticed me standing there right next to her as she whipped by.
Gino! I finally found my keys! They were in the back of my trunk, and covered with grocery bags,
Aunt Mona huffed I see that you met Kai, she is the youngest, sweetest little one in the building. A minute
later, an older looking girl was walking past me as well.
Thats Kim, she was the one who started the garden. For some reason, as soon as Aunt Mona said
that, I was suddenly very curious.
"+
What garden? I asked, scratching my head.
The one that Kim started, it is really nice. Tomorrow you can go and check it out, it is behind the
building. Aunt Mona said. I was very interested to see who would show up to garden since my Papa and I
used to grow potatoes all the time behind our house back in Italy.
It was early afternoon, and I was tired from so much traveling the day before, but I needed to get out
before school started after this weekend, so I took Aunt Monas dog, named Shaily, out for a walk. Just right
around the garden. All I could smell was the smoke from the factories right next to the apartments, but
besides that, the city was pretty quiet except for the police car noises that bothered me a lot. I decided the
city wasnt the safest place to be when you dont have an adult with you. My eyes grew bigger as we walked
around the corner, and Shaily started to yip.
It was huge! This was the first thing in Cleveland, that didnt lead me to think about Mama and Papa,
back in my old town. But really, the garden was filled with people from everywhere, people who probably
came from far away just to take care of the plants. Even Kai and Kim were there. I was going to plant
something too, I just didnt know what yet.
I hadnt done much after coming home from the garden, but as I walked into the kitchen to greet Aunt
Mona, and then brought Shaily to her little spot in the living room, I could smell something delicious. I
smelled hot mashed potatoes. I got it. I was going to plant potatoes, just like I used to do with Papa.
I went back to the garden the next day hoping I just might meet a new friend. I asked Aunt Mona if
she would take me in her old car to the store to see if there might be any potato eyes to plant. She agreed
happily and grabbed her purse.
I got out of the car at the same time an old man with a straw hat walked out of his old pickup truck. I
walked into the little fruits and vegetables store, a little bell ringing at the top of the doorway. I was the only
one in the whole store, which made me think twice about buying my seeds there.
I asked the man behind the counter, Hi, sir, I was wondering if you might have any potato eyes for so-
He stopped me there, as if he didnt care about the rest of my sentence.
Stop At the back of the store, there is a rack on the left, with every kind of underground vegetable
you could think of, he said to me kind of harshly.
Okay, thank you. There wasnt much else to say, not that he would want to hear anything else from
me. I chose a packet that was closest to me and headed for the counter again. The man scanned the packet,
took my money, stuffed the packet into a bag, and handed it to me. I walked out to the car and returned the
change to my Aunt Mona.
Thanks Aunt Mona. Can I start planting when we get back to the apartment? I asked as she turned
the corner to the little parking lot next to the apartment building.
Sure, I need to get to my job soon anyways, so when I finish up, I can come straight home and pick
you up so we can go to lunch. Does that work? she said.
Thats fine, thank you. I opened up the door to the car, and grabbed my seed packet, and started
walking toward the garden. It wasnt the greatest day to be planting since it looked like it might rain today,
but there were still about ten other people in the garden. There was an old man in a wheelchair being pushed
by a lady with short brown hair who grabbed something from the garden and put it in a plastic bag. She sat it
in the mans lap, and they both walked away behind the building.
"*
That girl, Kai, that I had seen the first day here was at a spot that appealed to me, so I walked over to
her and asked her what she was planting.
Potatoes, she said. Im not having much luck though, she admitted as I came up with a good idea.
Im going to plant potatoes too! I could help you. Before I moved here, I lived in Italy and I loved t-
She stopped me there, I guess people here really dont let you finish your sentences.
Thats so cool! Ive always wanted to go to Europe, she said sounding enthusiastic. I looked at her
and smiled.
As the sky got darker and I felt one huge rain drop fall onto my forehead, I noticed my Aunts car
pulling up in the lot and honking.
She rolled down the window and yelled, Come on Gino, Im almost out of gas and my break is over in
half an hour! she yelled so loudly that I thought the whole garden was going to look over at her.
Okay, let me just toss the packet in the apartment, then Ill be right down! I said as I ran over to the
apartment door.
I climbed into the little old car and we started to drive away. Out of the corner of my eye I could see
Kai staring at me as we left the parking lot.
When we got back to the garden, Aunt Mona told me to go and start planting before I had to start
school in a couple of weeks. So I did.
I started by opening the packet I had bought at that little store down the road. I chose the spot that
was not even close to the building so that my plant would get full sun and rain all the time. I went over the dry
dirt with my pick five or six times before I could even work with it. I watered the soil so that my potato plants
would not die right away. Now my soil looked good. I dug ten little holes across, and five down. By this time,
my fingernails were filled with dirt to the point that it looked like I had painted them brown. I took out a single
little eye and stuck it into the hole. This was so easy, just like back in Italy with my Papa. We used to plant
every other day there. I loved to, and there was nothing better than getting dirty.
Hey! I thought you said you were going to help me with the potatoes! Kai said with a frowny face,
but I could tell she was really kidding. I walked over to her spot, and started her off by digging just one little
hole,
This is how you are going to do it. Now, I cant help you the whole time so just do exactly what I did
and you will be fine. She looked at me sort of funny. I guess she couldnt really understand my accent. But
she smiled anyway and started digging her own little holes. I turned and whistled as I walked back to my own
planting spot. I remembered that it takes the potatoes 100 days until the are grown up. I decided to go up to
rest for a little bit, since I had filled up all of the holes and re-covered them. I took my sleeve in my arm and
wiped a huge sweat glob off of my face.
I got up to the apartment and said, Hi, Aunt Mona. It has been a really long day today. Is it okay if I
just rest for the rest of the day? I said staring out the window.
Sure. I saw you and Kai talking. Were you showing her how to garden? She said giving me a smile.
I guess so I didnt know what else to say, so I grabbed my gardening gloves and dragged myself
out of the kitchen.
The next morning was dark. Out of my window only a little bit of sun shone through. But I was
determined to have some good potatoes before I started school in September. It was too early for me to tell
""
whether it was going to rain or not. I was fine here in Cleveland so far though. Nothing horrible had happened
to me yet.
It was my birthday in one week and I thought maybe I should have a small party with Aunt Mona, and
Kai, and maybe even Kim. I hadnt really had a conversation with her yet, but she was the only other person I
actually knew. I sat up in the little twin size bed and yawned. I grabbed one of the shirts from my suitcase, and
then yawned again as I put it on. Once I had my dirty planting jeans on, I grabbed my gloves and rushed into
the kitchen where Aunt Mona was making waffles.
Good morning, Gino. Did you sleep well last night?
I examined her sunflower dress then answered, Great, how about you? Do you mind if I go and get
an early start on planting because Uhhh? I couldnt really think of a good enough reason, so I just told her
because I liked to plant. A lot.
As I raced down the stairs, I noticed that Kim was going towards the garden, which I realized because
of the open window. She called out to me,
Good morning. I was just going to the garden, do you want to come see what Im planting? It was
like she was desperate for company.
Sure! I yelled back to her. I saw a little smile right before she turned around to go to her planting
spot.
As I walked over to her spot, I saw her pull a carrot out of the ground. It had the most orange color I
had ever seen. It was so long and big, and looked so healthy.
Thats amazing! You must be an expert gardener. I said as I stared at the carrot with my eyes wide
open. She giggled.
Thanks! Ive been planting since May and had no luck, but I got some help from a lady whos name I
think was Mona. I stared at her while she was taking out some more carrots.
Mona is my aunts name! My Aunt Mona probably helped you. I said happily. She smiled and gave
me a handful of carrots.
Thanks. I have to go tend to my potatoes, but I was wondering if you wanted to come to my birthday
party next weekend? I said looking down at my shoes.
Sure! I guess Ill show up at your house Saturday morning then. She said as she walked
over to grab her watering can.
Okay! Bye, I will see you on Saturday.
I strolled over to my potatoes feeling successful. I noticed that they were starting to grow the tiniest
bit. I walked up to my aunts apartment as I saw Kim wave to me. I waved back. I grabbed the handle of the
door feeling joyful. I opened the door and everything was silent.
Aunt Mona! Aunt Mona? Im home. Are you in the house? She wasnt home, but it was fine because
I wanted some alone time anyway. As I slouched down onto the couch, and turned on the T.V. , I started to
doze off. I had had a really long day even though it was only one in the afternoon. It turned out I slept
through the night.

It had been about two weeks since I had planted my potatoes. They had been doing great and I tried
to go as often as I could. My birthday party had turned out pretty fun. Aunt Mona bought a bunch of
"#
decorations, presents for me, and even personalized my own cake. A couple other people from the apartment
actually showed up too, I guess Aunt Mona probably invited them.

It was Thursday, and the week before school was going to start. I had gone to the garden every day
since my birthday party. My potatoes were healthy and I had gotten to help out Kim and Kai a lot. I was
taking Shaily out for a walk when we passed by the garden, and I could hear small sobs coming from the back
part of the lot. I raced over and out turns out it was Kai.
Kai! Whats wrong? She had her face in her hands and was kneeling down into the dirt.
My plant Its dead. I came this morning and tried to help them but I just dont know how, she said
as she looked up at me with a face as red as a tomato.
Dont worry I might be Uh oh! I took one look at her potatoes and realized that they were not
saveable.
It looks like someone has dug them out of the ground! Sorry, Kai, I cant do anything to help them.
This just made her cry even more, but then she calmed down and said with a hiccup:Listen Gino, its
not your fault, and its okay I just wanted to try something out and now I know that I cant do it so, whatever.
She got up and started for the building without even saying goodbye. I felt badly and didnt really know what
to do, so I decided to give her a couple of my potatoes.

It was Sunday and tomorrow I had school for the first time in America. I was nervous about school and
friends, and Kai. I went down to the garden after I had had my Boats of Oats cereal. My potatoes were fully
ready to be picked and looked so good. I gripped one potato gently, twisted it, and pulled. I put it to my
nose. I smelled so good, just like the mashed potatoes my Mama made in Italy. Mama I missed her and
Papa so much. I dropped the potato, ran up to the apartment and grabbed a plastic bag from underneath the
counter, and ran back to my spot. I took about four potatoes out from underneath the ground, and put them
in the bag.
As I was washing my potatoes I heard a knock on the door. It was Aunt Mona, who had forgotten her
keys again. I was done washing the potatoes and put them back into the bag. I scooched over to the door
and opened it.
Oh, thank you Gino I thought I was going to have to- This time I cut her off.
Sorry Aunt Mona! I yelled as I raced over to the nearest elevator. I have to go give these potatoes
to Kai. I will be back in ten minutes, I said as the elevator door was closing on me. I knocked twice on Kais
door.
Who is it? she said sounding really unhappy.
Its Gino, I have something for you. She didnt answer but I could hear her unlocking about three
locks before she opened the door.
Hi. Here, I said, giving her the bag.
Omg, Gino! Yes, she actually said that.
I got them in my spot this morning, and I thought you might want one or two.
Yeah! Thank you so much, I know you probably dont have many more anymore right? She said
looking sort of guilty.
"$
Kai, its fine, I know you really wanted yours to be like this so it doesn't matter. We can always plant
more some other day. She smiled and gave me a hug.
After I got home I realized that it wasnt going to be too hard to make friends at school. Maybe not
right away tomorrow, but I have tons of time. Living here is not horrible, its just a matter of getting used to
everything. I like it here, and soon enough I would be on vacation back in Italy. I wrote to my parents a lot
over e-mail, and just letters too. I miss them very much and my home too, but here it was sort like a second
home for me.


"%
Jonatan
by Daphne W

All my life, Ive never felt whole. Well, more like hidden all the time, under a mask everywhere I go,
that I cant take off. I have never known my real given name, as it was changed when I came to this country of
America when I was about four years old. My parents wanted to make a completely new start, and slowly
started call me Jonatan Smith, and my old last name slowly faded in my four year old brain. Now, I realize this
was similar to brainwashing, without any violence.
It has been eleven years since then. Ive also have never had the time to learn anything about myself,
only that I should grow up faster, make money and bring it home so my father can buy liquor.
Once, in grade four, everyone went around the room, saying their favorite color. When it got to me, I
had no idea what to say. I finally had to mutter, Black, because that is the color of night, when I escape the
even darker world. Grade four was the last year of school I attended before my father signed me up for paper
routes and dog walking.
I remember hearing stories from my bedroom, of my parents friends exclaiming that the streets in
America would be paved in gold, and it rained diamonds. The only things on these streets are shiny black cars
that whiz away when you glance at them, and the rain that actually falls from the sky gives the whole city a
sad, weary and tired appearance.
It was on one of these depressing days that I saw a hint of green out of the side of my eye, a color I
seldom enjoyed in my gray world. My patched olive green raincoat that went down to my knees made it hard
to move fluently, but I eventually made it to this empty lot-- or I thought it was empty-- when I realized was a
garden.
In late July all the plants were thriving, waving in the wind. It felt like they were waving at me. No one
else was here, just me in the rain in the garden. I was drawn over to a yellow plant, with long green stems. I
reached out to see how they felt when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Be careful, boy, dont hurt em.
I spun around, and a woman with skin the color of chocolate wearing a red raincoat similar to mine
was eyeing me.
Oh, Im sorry, I didnt know--- I stuttered. She smiled, an assuring smile that I hadnt seen on any
face since we moved to America. On the face of mother, I had seen that smile many years ago, when life was
happy and it seemed appropriate to smile.
Its fine by me. Its just this garden means very much to very many people. Its the only thing in this
city that brings us together, like a family. Youd be welcome to join. The woman turned away, and fingered
the yellow plant, inspecting the blossoms like they were her diamonds.
I am Leona, by the way, and this is goldenrod, she acknowledged her plant and I nodded.
I observed more of the garden: there were planters everywhere, flowerpots scattered, but the sides of
the garden were lined with the edges of huge buildings. As it was like a dream until I saw the Lego-like
structures, bringing me back to reality. I realized that the paradise of the garden needed a border to protect it
from the outside world.
"&
Thunder bellowed from the sky, and Leona advised me to go home. If there is one thing I have
learned growing up, it is how to follow an order. I fled from paradise, and returned back to the street. I kept
moving until I approached a red brick apartment building, my home, as sad as it was to say.
Jonatan, you are late for dinner, My mothers stern face echoed her disappointment. There was not
much on the table, only an old Swedish soup that my mother always made when my fathers paycheck was
late. Ive seen her make it by emptying all the extra soup cans into one pot. For some reason, I remember it
tasting so much better before we came to America. It tastes now bitter, like sorrow.
Poised in the largest chair was a dark figure, hiding behind a damp newspaper. Raindrops dripped
down the articles, like the black tears my mother cried when she wore mascara, except these were from the
ink.
More soup, Karin, the figure muttered, slurring his words. My mother passed the bowl silently
around the table, until it reached the worn hands of the figure, who was my father. Our dinners were usually
like this, silent and in our grungy old apartment, which my older sister Adela called authentic. I always
wondered why our house back in Sweden wasnt authentic enough for her, why a dorm room in Ohio State
University would be better.
Jonatan, eat your soup. Yar mother worked very hard to put this food on our table, My father
muttered. I knew he was drinking again, by the aroma of liquor on his breath after he spoke.
She works hard, while you sit around like a slug and drink your body weight in beer! It infuriated me,
why he would not work hard to put food on our table, or not even tell me my real old Swedish name, just to
make it easier for him to make a new start, to deprive me of my true heritage. I pushed my chair back, and
quickly exited the room.
I flew down the stairs, back outside, to the spotted sidewalk, and I started running. The rain made it
hard to run, and I immediately realized I forgot my raincoat. I was like a wild man, and I suddenly felt I was
bumping against something.
Im so sorry, I uttered. I caught a glimpse of her face; young but weathered in a way only hardship
could weather, and her arms enveloped a young boy with dirt-caked hands. She was struggling to grasp a
large shovel in her hand, and I knew then she was coming from the garden.
Im sorry as well, she said, lifting the little boy higher on her hip. She looked too young to have a
son. I felt both sets of eyes studying me.
I am Jonatan Smith, I live in building forty-five, I stammered, and she looked surprised I introduced
myself to a stranger on the street.
I am Maricela, and this is Manny, she smiled, and the little boy looked blankly at me. He had a small
shovel hanging out of his pocket too, and raindrops were dripping down the side of his head.
Well, I wont keep you from finding shelter from this storm, I exclaimed as a giant bolt of lightning
flickered through the trees in stealth. She smiled again, and continued up the sidewalk. Again I was alone, no
one to protect me from the rain. That reminded me of the garden, and how it needed something to protect it
from the world. I suddenly knew the perfect plant to border it: Ferns.
Ferns had grown heavily near our first home, sprung all over the yard, the only thing green about the
home. That was before my father spent my trust fund on beer and gambling. He drowned my future in cards
and bottles.
"'
I hid under a marquee featuring Shirley Temple in old sparkly letters until dark. I realized reluctantly I
would have to return home at some point, but not until midnight did I walk inside my apartment to see
nothing but a fire in the fireplace alive. I assumed my mother and father were asleep. I grabbed a forlorn
blanket of the back of the ripped and sunken sofa and fell asleep on it in seconds.
That night I dreamed of a mansion, with ivory gates and windows, and gardens and ballrooms and
kitchens and parlors. I dreamed I was clothed in a velvet suit, and I was approaching a royal looking woman,
enveloped in a gold gown. As I drew closer, I realized the woman in my dream was my mother. And she was
smiling. I awoke with a sudden determination to make that a possibility, or anything better than my current
lodgings.
The next morning, I left early with a few coins in my pocket to the garden supply store two miles away
from my home. It was a long walk, but all I could think of was the poor vulnerable garden.
I finally trekked all the way to the store, and entered to hear a ding from the door. There were so many
rows of seeds, shovels, hoes, wheelbarrows, pots and belts. I couldnt see any employees in plain sight, so I
navigated myself around the aisles, and after about twenty minute of struggling to read the names on the
packets, I found one marked ferns. I dug in my pocket, and pulled out the needed change to buy the seed
packet, not a penny more. I hoped the person who owned the store, who left it unlocked, would find the
money.
As I turned to leave, I saw a rack of pieces of cloth with pockets sewn on, and a woman on the label
smiling and wearing the belt, and shovels neatly tucked in the pockets. My mind flashed back to when I
bumped into Maricela and Manny, and her having to balance many on her hip and still carry shovels. I added
a few more coins to my pile on the counter, and I took three belts as they were on spring sale. I hurried out of
the store and ran as fast, belts hitting my knees, as I could move all the way across town to the garden.
The sky had cleared up, and the sun was just starting to poke through. I dug in my pocket for the
packet of seeds, and again was faced with the challenge of reading the directions. The ink was smudged so
that on each line only a couple of words were visible. Following the directions carefully, or what I could read
of them, I planted each seed in the dirt piled on the sides of the garden. After fifteen minutes, I had had the
entire border seeded.
Oh, so you are joining the garden as well.
I spun around to see a little Asian girl hunched over a green plant that was sprouting. She looked no
more than twelve, and was wearing a straw hat.
Um, yes, I am. I stuck out my hand to her, and she gently grasped and shook it. Her eyes were deep
brown, the color of the chocolate I used to get on Christmas.
I am Kim, and I started this garden, she remarked. My eyes widened, to think a small little girl was at
the helm of this wonderful operation. This paradise could be created by someone who wasnt half the size of
a sunflower.
I am Jonatan. If I may ask, how did you, a little girl, start something so magnificent? She smiled, and
angled her watering can again to quench the thirst of her plant, which looked like a bean plant.
Back in my homeland, my father was a farmer. He died before I ever got to meet him. I planted
beans to show the spirit of my father that I am his daughter. She looked vaguely off into the distance, her
eyes filled with whistfulness and sorrow.
"(
If Kim planted the garden to show her fathers spirit and get to know him, I could plant my ferns to get
to know me. I maybe would again feel whole, without the impediments of a broken famiy and a drunken dope
as a father.
What are these? Kim acknowledged the belts with pockets that I had set on the ground. She
examined one in her hands.
I saw a woman coming from here, and she and her son were both holding heavy shovels in the rain. I
thought it would be easier for everyone to use them for bringing the tools, so no one would be weighed
down. At that moment, I spotted a water can, and I spontaneously grabbed it and filled it up at the garbage
can filled with water. But even with my back turned, I could feel Kim smiling.
Every day I went to visit my ferns, watering them carefully, and they grew vertically against the
buildings, and then sloped over the side, covering some of the weathered brick. The garden was an escape
from home for me. My father had yet to find a job by the time summer rolled around. We had the same soup
day after day. One day, when I came back from the garden, wearing one of the many belts I had purchased
which I had seen many people using, I found my mother standing in the doorway of my apartment, a look of
satisfaction on her face.
Mother, what is going on? I asked cautiously. A smile broke out across her face, one I was so happy
to see.
I have found an old bank account from when you were just a boy. Tis not much, but enough for a
new apartment, closer to the college where Adela lives. Her smiled became to reflect in her eyes.
That is wonderful, but what about--- My mother already knew what I was going to ask.
Your father will not be accompanying us. He is to not know about this, Jonatan. And an unspoken
agreement was made, that Father was not to be told, under any circumstances.
We moved out two days after that, with nothing but smoother sailing ahead of us. As I helped load the
moving truck up, I saw Maricela and Manny watering some broccoli that was tinted white called in America
cauliflower. When they saw me, they both smiled and waved. I had asked them to take care of my ferns, as
the dorm was many miles away. I had no doubt that they would be in good hands.
As the garden kept shrinking as we drove away, I realized something. Unlike back in the spring, I knew
my favorite color, and I had a favorite memory and most of all a favorite safe place. I am Jonatan Smith, I do
not know my real name, but I do not need to in order to feel whole. My favorite color is green, my favorite
memory is hugging my mother, and the safest most wonderful place Ive ever been to is the garden.

")
Maurits Cornelis Escher
by Sammy M

Maurits Cornelis Escher (better known as M.C. Escher) was born in Leeuwarden, located in the
Netherlands. He was taught by the artist Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, and he was enrolled in the Haarlem
School for Architecture and Decorative Arts. He was married to Jetta Umiker in 1924. He made optical
illusions. He also made some postage stamps, illustrated some books, designed tapestries and made murals.
Primarily, though, his work was with optical illusions in paintings.
My sculpture is based off of Drawing Hands. The dog was made by creating a sort of exoskeleton
out of foam and cardboard tubes, then covered in paper towels. The paper towels were stuck on with papier-
mach. I then painted the dog with a beige mix of white and brown. I made the painting by sketching out
what I wanted and then painting it in. I had this idea after looking at my dogs paws and thinking about how
interesting they were.

#+
Methoataske Anthon
by Nasih T

When I started this whole crazy corn-growing thing, I soon regretted it. I mean, the corn did not even
grow at first. I hate my stupid dad for making me do this. No, I hate my life. My name is Methoataske Anthon,
what type of name is that? It means turtle laying its eggs. It is so embarrassing when the teacher calls my
name. Everyone in my high school class says Hey Turtle, or Hey Eggy. The garden did not seem so bad
at first, but when people learned that I was Native American they did not talk to me. I was an outsider. I hate
my life.
When I went to buy the corn, I bought it when it was premature, not a good idea. You see, it was the
only corn plant left at the garden place, clearly nobody wanted it. Its leaves were wilted and sad looking. My
dad told me Adems, mejorar. Yeah sure. I thought. My great-grandfather emigrated from Mexico to
the United States. My dad was born in Texas, but he does not speak good English. He then moved to
Cleveland, Ohio, where I was born.
When I went to play in the baseball field across the street one day, I saw that farther down the street
there was a gathering of people. I decided that my father would not care if I went over there. When I went
over, I noticed that it was a public garden. I went home later that night and I told my father that there was a
garden down the street: Hay un jardn en la calle.
Bueno, tu debes sembrar maz en el jardn, he said. Meaning, Okay, you should plant corn in the
garden. You see, when my dad tells me to do something, I obey him.
The next day I went to the store and met this dude named Curtis. He was buying some tomatoes
called beefsteak tomatoes. He said he was trying to get his girl back. I told him good luck, and left. I got, as
you know, wilted nobody-wanted corn. After that, when I was walking down the street, you would never guess
what I saw: a crook with a purse running away from the garden and an older women, with two people on his
tail. I decided that this dude stole the purse from that woman, and I dont like when people steal stuff from
older people using their age against them, so I also decided that I may as well participate. The African-
American boy was named Royce. I had to drop my corn to run, and when I did the pot broke and the corn
landed straight up in the dirt. When I caught up to the crook, after Royce caught him, I talked to him. He said
that he lives in the garden and that Curtis was giving him food. I told him that once my corn grew, I would
give him some. He said thanks. Then he said that he lives in the garden because his father beats him. I told
him that that is awful. I felt quite sympathetic for Royce. When I walked back to my corn I saw that my corn
had landed straight up in an area for my corn to grow.
Thats perfect! I exclaimed. I then decided that I could just cover up the corns roots and then let the
corn grow. I watered the corn, and since I was bored I went and leaned against the wall. I watched as the
birds flew by and the sky got dark. Then I decided just to go home. When I went home my father was waiting
for me at the door.
Buenas tardes, he said.
Good afternoon to you too, I replied.
Que? He asked me.
Buenas tardes a usted tambien, I said. I yawned, said goodnight and went to sleep.
#*
The next day I woke up before anyone. I wrote a note for my parents and left for the garden. When I
got to the garden it was just getting light out. I went to my corn and I knew it wasnt shrinking but it looked
like it was. I was quite angry with that, but my hope was still there. I watered it and put more of that compost
soil stuff. I stared at it for a while and after a while the plant didnt look as bad. I loved the garden in the
morning. The sky was just getting light with the pink and blue sunrise. The dirt smelled fresh and free. I stayed
there the rest of day, watching people come in and out of the garden. I tried to talk to someone, and then I
told them that I was Native American, and the word spread around and no one talked to me. When I went
home, I bumped into this person Maricella. She looked about my age.
Sorry, I mumbled.
Its fine, she replied. Then I noticed that she was young, but she was pregnant. I guess she noticed
that I noticed and said that it was just a little incident.
Where are you coming from? she asked.
Oh, there is the community garden do- I said when she cut me off.
I know, I had some bad experiences there, she said. I looked at her stomach again. She laughed.
This wasnt one of my bad experiences there, she said.
Oh good, I said. I felt relieved.
Maybe I will see you later, but I gotta go, she said.
Okay, bye, I replied. I watched her continue to walk down the gum-covered sidewalk, wondering if I
liked her or not. By now it was sunset, but it felt like lunchtime.
The next couple of days I didnt bother to leave a note but just left for the garden. I saw when I got
there that my corn had grown quite a bit and ears of corn had started sprouting off of the stalk. I spent nearly
my whole day in the garden now.
The next month, when I went to the garden I saw a human-shaped dent in my corn. I immediately
suspected Royce. That whole day I sat around waiting for Royce, but he did not show up. I even asked Curtis
if he had seen Royce, and even he hadnt. I felt bummed and angry, but kept those feelings to myself. I
decided that tomorrow, no matter what, I would find Royce. When I went home I sat on my bed thinking of
punishments for Royce, but in the end decided that Royce had had a hard life and that he did not need
anything worse. The next day when I went to the garden, I saw Royce. I walked over to him.
Por qu duermes en mi maz, I asked.
Uh, what was that? Royce asked.
Why did you sleep in my corn? I asked angrily again.
Oh yeah, sorry bout that. Can I help with your corn or somethin? he asked nicely.
No, you cant, I snapped.
Geez. Ah, sorry, he responded.
Yeah, no duh, I snapped again. That is when I stormed away. Later, though, I felt sorry for being so
mean, because he has to sleep in the garden. Just before I went home, I went to Royce and told him that I
was sorry for being so mean. He said that it was his fault for sleeping in the corn and that he was sorry.
A mere two months later, my corn was mature and I harvested it. A day later our family had a feast
with my corn. That is when I realized that growing corn helped me meet many new people with many new
ideas. I was finally satisfied with the whole crazy corn-growing thing.
#"
The Barn Climb
by Sierra C
After we ate our delicious crunchy Cheerios, we headed for the barn. I expected the barn to look just
like a barn but it didnt, it looked like a brown old barn and it didnt have horse or cow stalls. We tromped
through the splashing mud and everyone lifted up their feet.
When we arrived at the barn, we waited patiently for Mikey, our barn master, to get back so we could
start our climbing. It wasnt what I expected it to be. I was extremely nervous. I thought I would never be able
to do the highest beam that they had. When we were just about to start the party as some people say, we
had to go over a few instructions, like how to put the harness on and how not to go into your yo yo panico,
but I did go into the Learning Zone. The Learning Zone is basically like who or what made you want to do
that specific climb. Then we started to get the groove, which means to settle down and get focused on what
Mikey wanted us to do. When our barnmaster Mikey was done giving us instructions, he gave us our partners.
With our partners, we started putting on our harnesses and our helmets so if we were ever to fall we wouldnt
get hurt or hit on the head. Then we all went to whatever station we wanted to and we all had the best time, I
thought.
My partner Amaia and I started off with the Window Washers, then we waddled to the Spider Web.
Things started to get very hard. I was getting really tired and frustrated like I couldnt take how hard it was! I
dared Amaia to do the Cormorants Walk, and she told me that we would have to have lunch after because
she was hungry but she said I have to do it first in order for her to do it. It was amazingly high! Like thirty feet
in the air!!!!
I walked past the first post and said to myself that I should try to go as far as I can. I did and I went to
the second post and turned around and I really didnt like that part one bit. I was extremely scared and I
couldnt go any farther. I really thought I was going to fall off or slip, but my nose knot was higher than my
nose so that was good so I wouldnt fall thirty feet in the air. I was so nervous about falling off that I was
holding on for MY DEAR LIFE! As I got off the railing I thought that it was really fun being up that high, but
when you get up there you really are not going to like it one bit. I really didnt want to end my life so
young, I said.
After I got off the railing, Amaia said Im ready to hit the road, baby, as in Im ready to eat. Then
Amaia walked the Cormorants Walk and she didnt want to go that far so she went to the first post. Amaia
was extremely scared, like her face was completely red as blood, maybe even a little lighter.
We also did a couple of extra climbs because we had to stay out of the thunder and lightning. Finally
when Amaia and I were done with most of our climbs, we decided to have lunch. I had a thin sliced turkey,
baby lettuce and juicy tomato sub.
When we headed back to the campsite, I said to myself, I cant even keep my eyes open! because I
was that tired and I didnt want to do any more climbing or I would have fallen asleep in the middle of the
woods, like plop, right in the middle of the path where everyone would walk!

##
The Euloa
by Nasih T

I was stuck in the middle of two wooden support beams whenwait, I think I should start at the
beginning of the story.
I pulled up hard on my harness slipping my feet into what felt like ten different loops.
Ugh! This is so hard, I said.
Sure is, Sam said. Getting my harness attached for the Euloa was harder than I thought. When I
pushed my left foot into the red and orange harness, I tripped over yet another loop on the harness. Before I
hit the ground, I saw a hemispherical yellow object move into my vision. It was my helmet.
Sam was handing it to me.
Whoa, I am not ready for that quite yet. I said in an aggravated voice.
Sorry, Sam said sarcastically, as he stood as still as a pine tree in winter, staring blankly.
I glanced up at the long, high, frightening climb ahead. It was a high flying climb I hoped to complete.
Hey, ah, Sam, should I do this? I asked.
Of course you should, why not? Sam asked.
I started climbing up the wooden pole with the foot grips in it and Sam held my rope. I lost my footing
and slipped off the grip and splat, blood splashed everywhere. No, just kidding there was no blood, but I did
fall.
Ow! I yelled out.
You okay? Sam asked.
Yeah, Im good, I said. I quickly recovered and started my climb again. I got to the top of the pole
where I had to walk on a small wooden ledge, which was about the same width as my foot.
I now had to transfer one of my lobster claws that supported me to another cord on the ceiling of
the barn. Then again transfer the second after the first.
Barnmaster, can I transfer one? I asked one of the many Chewonki counselors.
You may transfer one, he replied. He said once I transferred one claw I could transfer the other.
I came to the first bend in the path and when I transferred one claw, I slipped in slow motion and back
flipped into a corner hanging like a bat from the ceiling.
Whoa! I exclaimed loudly to try and get Sams attention.
Sam, you watchin this? I asked so loud everyone in the barn heard.
Yup, pretty cool. Sam said in an unenthusiastic voice. I pulled up on a piece of wood and got back
to my feet and kept going.
That was scary. I said under my breath.
I got to a part of the course that had two wood beams in the way and I had to transfer the lobster
claws. When I got there, I sat in between two wood pieces that met in a v-shape. I went to rest and I got
stuck. Literally!
This is just great. I whispered frustratedly, Ah Sam you noticing this? I asked.
Yeeesss. Sam said.
Any tips? I asked anxiously.
#$
Nnnooo, he said with a giant smirk on his face.
Great tip, Sam, I replied sarcastically.
Wasnt it just so amazzzshing? he said sarcastically with an accent. I ignored Sam and thought about
my problem of being stuck. I pulled up hard on the ceiling cord that I was still attached to and was close by.
As hard as I pulled, I was still held rock tight between the wood beams.
I asked the barnmaster what I should do and he said that I should wriggle and writhe like a
snake. With a silent determination, I wriggled and escaped the woods grasp.
PHEW, I thought, though I still had the rest of the climb to go.
I resumed shuffling around the barn. I eventually came to a part where I had to transfer and step onto
a plank that was knee high above my feet. Just after stepping up on the higher plank, I would have to go
around a tight corner.
I can do it, I told myself. I stepped up onto the plank and pulled up on the ceiling cord with all my
strength. I had made it!
What now? I asked to no one in particular. No one answered, but I gained momentum and kept
going. I got to the end of the climb and I transferred onto the finishing platform. The barnmaster told me to
wait to unhook myself. I waited until he said it was okay to unhook myself. Then, I sprinted down the stairs,
slid down the railing, and jumped off onto the sweet ground.
That was awesome! Sam exclaimed.
What now? I asked sarcastically.
Are you serious? Sam asked.
Yup. I said, and I now, I had the huge smirk on my face.


#%
The Gulch
by Colleen G

Imagine standing on a 35-foot high cliff, knowing that you are about to cross it yourself. With one
cable, and three clips strapping you in.
Everyone step back. Matt (our instructor) said. Everyone moved back to the safety zone.
That looks really scary, Elianna says immediately after seeing it.
No, it doesnt! I lie.
Truthfully, I was petrified! What if the cable snaps? What if the harness clips break and leaves me
spiraling down helplessly to my death?!
Colleen! I hear Matt call out.
Its my turn. With my heart pounding in my ears I almost didnt hear him. I walk over to the harnesses
area. Every step nearing closer to my impending doom. I step into the yellow and red harness, looking at all
the trees surrounding me, closing me into a tight confinement. I envy a cute little squirrel running far away
from the gulch. I hold back tears. I knew I would have to act brave. Being the first one to cross, everyone will
be watching. As the crossing time was drawing closer, I tried to calm myself down.
Okay, Colleen, listen up, and listen good, I thought. You are going to cross this death trap whether
you like it or not, you are going to make it all the way across, and you are gonna be glad you did. (My inner
self is quite abrupt and to the point). Now go over there, have Matt connect your harness to the stinkin
cable, and get pulling.
It felt like an angel-devil sort of thing you see in TV shows. You know, like when the main character
has to make a decision and on one side an angel is sitting on their shoulder telling them to do the selfless,
right thing to do. Whereas on the other shoulder, a devil is sitting telling them to the the selfish, wrong thing
to do. All strapped in, I made the courageous decision to cross. I pulled on the cable. Lying upside down
pulling, pulling, pulling. Not much later, I feel my feet lift of the ground like an angel picking me up. I feel a
surge of confidence and safety.
I pull faster. Before I know it, Im halfway through. I look down. My heart races. Realizing that I am
flying high, I flail my limbs. Soon I hear laughter, including my own, and my muscles immediately relax. All
that time I had been freaking out was wasted.
Three quarters of the way now, my heartbeat was quieter, less intense. I felt on top of the world. Even
though in cheerleading I fly, this turned out to be way less scary and stressful. I see a family of birds in the top
of a tree. They look so happy! Well, as happy as a bird can seem. At that moment I realized how much I
missed my mom, dad and my sister. To me, missing someone is the worst feeling ever. You could cut off my
finger, and missing someone would still hurt more.
Youre almost there! Elianna and Emily yell in unison.
Hearing everyone cheer for me made it all worthwhile. I pulled the last few pulls and finally I made it
across! The entire Chewonki trip, I was convinced something bad was going to happen. Whether it was a
psycho killer kidnapping Emily and me in the woods, or withering away into the perilous state of dehydration.
Or my personal favorite, a bear attacking us in the tents. I didn't feel safe without my mom or dad here. But
#&
strapped in that harness, with everyone around me, watching my every move, I felt the safest I have been all
trip.

#'
The Thunderstorm
by Alex Z

It all started on the second night at Chewonki. After Ms. Caldwell was done reading, it started to rain a
little bit. At first, I didnt think much about the rain. There was some lightning before it was time to get into
tents, but it didnt make any noise so I assumed it wouldnt rain (although Matt, our counselor, said there
would probably be a thunderstorm). If it did rain, I wouldnt be that concerned because I have been in worse
thunderstorms, but not in a tent. Of course, I was wrong. It started to rain and it was one of the worst
thunderstorms I have ever been in.
After a few minutes there was a little bit of thunder, but it wasnt that loud. Then suddenly a huge blast
of thunder ripped through the sky and it started pouring like crazy! The rain got really loud and the thunder
got more bright and it woke a few people up. We could tell because John and I saw Eric and Raymonds
lights go on inside their tent. Then I tried to go back to sleep but the rain and thunder were really loud and
John wouldnt turn his light off because he was reading a book and I hadnt slept very well the other night
and I wanted to get more sleep. After a few minutes our tent started leaking all over the sides of the tent and
John and I had to get our rain gear on because there was a lot of water in our tent. We then realized that
there was going to be a problem when we had to go to the bathroom and, well, can you guess what
happened next?
We had to go to the bathroom 5 times! It was really annoying when we had to keep going out of our
tent to go to the bathroom because for example we just went out to go to the bathroom and we were
soaking wet and then 20 minutes later one of us would say I need to go to the bathroom! It was pretty
annoying. In fact it was so annoying that I didnt even bother to take off my rain gear! After about 20 minutes I
asked John, How long do you think this rain has been going on ? He didnt know and I didnt either. We
then guessed probably about 1 or 2 hours.
For the next 10 minutes we talked about random things:
Im bored.
When will this rain stop?
What time is it?
Im hungry.
I JUST WANT TO GO TO SLEEP! Then John and I heard the girls in the tent to the left of us talking,
which I found surprising for 2 reasons. 1. I thought they were asleep, and 2. I couldnt believe that I could hear
them with all the rain and thunder going on. But anyways back to the story. So we heard them talking and
were wondering what was going on. John went out to check, then he said Theyre standing outside their
tent.
Really are you sure? I said.
Yup.
Ok Im coming out to see, too. When I went outside of the tent I saw that he was right, they were
standing outside their tent. At first I didnt know why, but after a few seconds I understood.
#(
It collapsed or it broke, I couldnt tell which one. Matt then came out to help them and he told John
and me to get back inside our tent. After a few minutes passed, the wall of the tent on my side came loose
and started to touch me.
Dude, help me, this wet wall keeps touching me! I said
Ok lets go fix it I think it came loose, John said. We went outside to fix it and we realized that the
metal hooks that we attached to the wood on the platform where our tent was came loose. We tried to
reattach them, but its not easy when everything is soaking wet.
We managed to attach three of the four hooks, but the last one we just couldnt get on. Luckily Matt
was still outside so we asked him for help.
We cant get the last hook on our tent could you help us? I asked. He agreed to help us and he got
it fixed. I told him that I couldnt go to sleep because, even though we fixed it, there was still water in the
tent. He told us that we should just sleep in the middle of our tent so that the water wouldnt bother us. We
did what he told us to do, and so our clothes wouldnt get wetter than they already were I piled them on top
of me and went to sleep. It was the best amount of sleep that I had gotten throughout the whole trip. Except
for the time on our last night of Chewonki when we got to sleep in cabins.


#)
What the Floating Broccoli Started
by Olivia R

Splash! I looked over the edge of the rock jutting over the water that I was lounging on. A lone piece
of broccoli was floating on the water. I turned around to face my classmate Eric, who was smiling guiltily, a
little farther back with Ray and Daphne.
Eric! I exclaimed, How did that piece of broccoli get from your bowl of macaroni, over the rocks,
and into the ocean?
It flipped off my fork. Kinda, he replied as Daphne and Ray started cracking up.
Im sure.
I set my bowl of macaroni to my side and looked past the still-floating piece of broccoli to the other
side of the canal leading to the ocean. The opposing shore was densely wooded, with a few rocks sticking
out, looking much like the shore my classmates and I were sitting on. The greenery reflected distorted
shadows off the salt water, and every time a bird would land, or a fish would jump on it, the water rippled
away, making the trees look like you were peering at them through a funny mirror from a circus.
We were with the rest of our grade on an outdoor classroom adventure orientation trip in Maine.
Yesterday, after walking for about 15 minutes, we had topped the hill, seeing for the first time our home for
the week. We were the only 11 people within yelling distance, and it was a time set especially for getting to
know our classmates. We had left in the morning to drive 4 hours from our school in Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, to a campsite called Chewonki, where wed be saying for the next two days. It was about 6
p.m., but I couldnt be sure, I hadnt brought a watch. As well as not knowing the time, another one of the
wonders of camping were the lack of bathrooms. Otherwise known as none. Nobody had brought any
electronics, so we couldnt contact our families, who would stay in Massachusetts enjoying the TV while we
were roughing it.
We were just finishing up our dinner of macaroni and cheese that we had cooked over the fire. Along
with the oregano, pepper flakes, and basil, we had broccoli to add to the macaroni. Eric and Ray climbed
back up the steep slope, away from the water. Taking my final bite of macaroni, I stood up bowl in hand,
stepped to the side, and slid forward on a sled of pine needles. I saw the tree coming, its moss-covered
branch looming ahead of me.
Ohh snap, Im gonna- I never finished my sentence. The entire side of my body slammed into the
tree at full force.
I caught a branch so that I didnt fly into the water. I shook my head thinking, Yikes weve only
been camping for a day and a half and Im already bumping into things.
Oopsy Daisy good thing I didnt hurt anything. I sat back down.
Livvy, you need to be a little more careful than that, Daphne said, jokingly.
What I really need is to go to bed.
We had been moving around all day cooking, gathering water, chopping wood, doing group
challenges, and climbing in the barn. We were all exhausted from the activity as well as our lack of sleep last
night. Because it was our first night away from home, and for many of us it was the first time sleeping in a
tent, none of us got a really good nights sleep.
$+
I leaned back and looked at the sky, waiting for Daphne to finish her dinner. The clouds were dense
and the sky smelled faintly of rain. Then, I thought it would just sprinkle. I had no idea what was really in store
for me.

Camouflage! Matt, our leader from Chewonki, yelled. I ran behind a woodpile and sat down
peeking around as Matt counted down from 20. We had just finished washing our dinner dishes and were
tramping through the woods.
Olivia, I see you. Matt said. I stepped out of my hiding place, groaning. Of course it doesnt help
that Im wearing a lime green shirt. I was pretty disappointed I was caught, but I was still determined to be a
finalist some time.
After a few more rounds, we kept on walking through the woods. As we approached the other side of
the peninsula, it started to get misty. We walked down the path, to a rocky ledge on the water where we sat
down to rest for a while. The water was fairly calm, with foamy swells and waves lapping the rocks. The water
was surrounded by trees on three sides, and on the far end, the bay emptied into the ocean. The crescent
moon was out lighting up the blue sky, and puffy clouds streaked with orange. We all shared our Yahoo
Snapshot Hero: our funniest moment of the day, a mental picture of a memorable moment, and someone
who helped us that day. Mine was Yo yo Paneeeco! in the barn, when Daphne read a sign wrong and
ended up saying it in a funny accent. Jumping off the balance beam at group challenges was a great
snapshot because when the rest of us were jumping straight up, John jumped directly out, and did a belly
flop. Emily and Daphne were my heroes because they convinced me to climb up on Cormorant's Walk, a
climb that is a balance beam 25 (AHHHHHH!) feet in the air. After sharing our Yahoo Snapshot Heroes, we sat
for a couple minutes in total silence. You could hear the waves gently lapping the shore, a few crickets and
cicadas, and some sea birds calling to each other.
We played one last round of Camouflage and I thought I had a really good spot, but it turned out it
was a bit conspicuous. Sweaty and exhausted, we sauntered down to the fire circle to hear Ms. Caldwells
announcement.
Boys and girls, she started, Now we are going to have some quiet time if you all go up to your
tents now, well have lights out in half an hour. Little did she know, the next 3 hours would be the most
exciting of our trip.

I sat up and closed my journal. I could hear people talking outside my tent, so I climbed out to
investigate. John, Eric, Ray, Alex, Matt, and Ms. Caldwell were standing around John and Alexs tent. I didnt
acknowledge that the girls in my group werent there yet, so I didnt question why.
Whats going on? I asked. Matt pointed silently at the sky over the water. I said something really
intelligent, like oh. The darkening sky was swollen with wispy grey clouds. The last signs of day were gone.
Mid shiver, I froze. A fantastical purple and orange light show ripped the sky in a hundred different parts. The
sharp, jagged bolts of lightning seemed to disappear into the water, close to the opposing shore. I left my
journal on the ledge of John and Alexs tent and walked down to the fire circle, where the rest of my group
was sitting. I took a seat next to Emily and watched the sky. Im not sure how long we were sitting there. It felt
$*
like hours, but it could only have been minutes. Matt came down and told us it was time to get into bed, as
we should have a half an hour ago.
Back in the tent, my group lay, chatting lightly about the lightning. We werent worried; Matt had said
the lightning probably wouldnt turn into a storm, then
BBBBOOOOOMMM CCCCRRRAAASSSSHHHHH SSSHHHAAAKKKEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sat bolt upright.
Please tell me Im not crazy- THAT definitely was thun-
SSSSIIZZZLLLEE CCCRRAACCCKKKK!!!!!
Looks like we are in for a long night. Daphne said. Just then, a strange light covered our tent. Spider
webs of golden light slide across the our green tent wall. I sprung up, and speedily unzipped our tent
window. I couldnt see through the dark completely, but I COULD see a bobbing light retreating into the
darkness down the hill.
Livvy, did you see that? Daphne exclaimed, slowly rising.
Yeah, Im gonna check it out.
Olivia, dont! We arent allowed to get out of our tents unless theres an emergency.
I shrugged and unzipped the next layer of our tent. Sticking my head out into the humid air, I called,
Whos out there?
Its just me, replied Matt.
The dark sky flashed purple and for a moment, you could see the tall trees dancing and swaying and
the grey and black clouds mixing with the September wind.
Whats with the lightning? I asked, gaping at the sky.
Theres a storm coming. It shouldnt be too bad. Itll probably be over within the hour.
Okay. See you in the morning.
I pulled my head back into the tent, and zipped up the layers. We lay in silence for a while, each lost in
our own thoughts. BBBBBbbbbzzzzzz A mosquito swirled around my head. I swatted it away and kicked off
my sleeping bag I had turned into a blanket. For a moment I wished I was at home with the air conditioner
on and I was the only one in my dark, cool room. It was awfully stuffy in the tent, and I longed to open the
flap again, but I knew I couldnt- if it rained everything would be soaked. All of a sudden as if I had
summoned it by calling its name, the rain came crashing down. I jumped and looked around. Both Daphne
and Elianna were looking right back at me.
Now dont panic. Its just a drizzle. I said sarcastically, as Elianna and Daphne giggled.
If this keeps up well never fall asleep. Daphne said, suddenly serious.
Everything in the middle!!!! I screamed, to be heard above the noise.
BBBBBBOOOOMMMM SSSWWWIIISSHHH
The sides are soaked through!!! Daphne exclaimed.
Whose socks are these? Yelled Elianna.
The wind blew furiously and I could hear the other campers yelling from tent to tent.
Its too wet in here we need to get new somethings whatever you do to fix a wet tent in the
middle of the night. I said, calmer now that our gear was in the middle, out of the reach of cold, wet fingers
scratching and pounding at the outskirts of our tent.
$"
I sighed and surveyed the mess. Three sixth grade girls sitting in the middle of nowhere, in a dripping
tent, in the thunderstorm of the decade, in the middle of the night. Ai yi yi!
Livvy, why dont you and I go tell Ms. Caldwell about our ...er TENT situation. Nows a time to
panic! Elianna said, giddily.
Admittedly, I was scared. This was the biggest thunderstorm Id ever been in, let alone in a tent.
Yeah wonderful idea. I replied.
We pulled on our raincoats, and struggled into our rain pants.
Hey, this might not be safe. Maybe we should stay in here. Elianna said timidly.
All right.. but I started, then stopped. Its possible that shes right. We could get hurt struck by
lightning, be skewered by a falling treeCut it out, Olivia, I said to myself.

Okay Elianna.. We really need to get a teacher. I said, wringing out my sweatshirt sleeve, They
wouldn't let us be out here if it was dangerous, but seriously this is freaking me out.
I think you're right lets do this. Elianna said confidently, as she pulled on her rain gear for a
second time.
I grabbed my headlamp, and slapped on a baseball cap.
Well be right back Daphne, I whispered, not sure why Id suddenly quieted down.
I unzipped our tent and plunged into the buckets of torrential rain.
This way! Elianna yelled, as thunder crashed. I ran after her, and stumbled up the slick pine needled
hill. Lightning flashed, and for a moment the sky was as bright as day. In the split second it was light, the trees
shown as tall and sturdy as mountains, their regal branches looming above. The tent ahead of us shone
evergreen and shiny, little streams of muddy water running its course down the sides. That was the only
moment I saw how truly soaked the path ahead was. Rivers of pine needles slid their way down the hill Elianna
and I labored up. Then it was gone.
Ms. Caldwell!!! Ms. Caldwell!!! Elianna and I yelled pounding on her tent but to no avail. The slick
plastic material would not withstand the harsh, tired thumping of our fists. We must have been making an
awful lot of noise, but I was sure no one could hear us over the roar of the thunder- including Ms. Caldwell.
Finally, I couldnt take it anymore.
Ms. Caldwell! I screamed, as loud as I could.
One moment I heard a faint voice over the stinging wind and slashing rain. The tent groaned as
Ms. Caldwell unzipped it and stuck her head out into the rain. Girls, whats the matter?
Our tent is flooded! We put our gear in the middle, but Im not sure its gonna last too long, I
exploded.
Daphnes there all alone and we are getting soaked just sitting in there, Elianna added
desperately.
All right, why dont you go back and Ill get Maa what the?
I spun around to face the water that I knew was there, but I couldnt see. I shut off my headlamp and
peered into the darkness. I bobbing light slowly approached, and I was immediately reminded of the glow
fish in Finding Nemo. The pine needles under the bobbing light glowed golden brown, and the trees
above shown eerie gray-purple. Who is that? I thought with a completely bewildered look on my face.
Girls? Matt said, as he slowly struggled up the treacherous hill. I sighed with relief.
$#
Matt! Elianna yelled, The inside of our tent is getting soaked and we came to find Ms. Caldwell to
help us.
We left Daphne in there though, so we better get back quick, otherwise she might get worried and
come looking for us, I added speedily.
Alright I can put extra tarps in there for tonight, and we can get everything settled in the morning.
Its getting late, you know! Matt said as we began to descend again.
Thanks so much Ms. Caldwell! Well be fine from here. I hollered over my shoulder.
Yes, goodnight girls! she answered sleepily as she zipped up her tent.
We tramped down the hill in silence as lightning revealed the treeline above. When we arrived at our
tent, Matt went down to his tent, and told us he would be right back with new tarps, and that we could wait
inside. I scrambled in to get out of the pouring rain, with Elianna close behind. I gave a detailed, slightly
exaggerated account of our journey to Daphne, and even as I said it, I shivered at the thought of the day light
glow the lightning produced. We shared stories about other times we were caught in the rain, but none
were quite as exciting as this. I lay back down in a soggy, exhausted heap and almost laughed. Even being as
disoriented as I was, I knew I would laugh about my situation later, when I was no longer in a dripping tent.
Hello? A thin voice called through the clatter of the storm. Im here with your tarps. HELLO?
Anybody home?
Oh, that must be Matt! Daphne exclaimed after working hard to decipher his voice through the
noise. She stuck just her hand out of our tent, and yelled, Thanks! What do we do with it now?
You put the tarp around the edge of your tent, so that any rain that makes it through the tarp I just
put at the top of your tent will be caught on it.
Okay got it. Thanks again. See you in the morning! screamed Daphne.
She pulled the tarp into the tent, and with our help, wrapped it around the interior edges. I sighed and
leaned back into my covers,and fell instantly asleep. No matter what the situation was, I knew that Id make it
through, and I was ready to greet the morning with an enormous cup of hot cocoa.

$$

















7th Grade Golden Apples


$%
Basketball Rondeau
by Hongyu P

I like to play basketball more than other sport
I play basketball well, easy on court
Watching NBA can let me learn to play
I want play basketball everyday
Lebron is my favorite star

I play center in real game all the same
But I like three point in real game
They said I play like Bosh, its my pleasure
I like play basketball more than other sport

ONeal is an awesome center
But my Dad is my best mentor
I started to play in grade four
I dont want play center anymore
But center is a game center
I like to play basketball more than other sports





$&
Being Confident vs. Being Scared
by Micayla B

In the beginning of the school year I was always scared of the teachers, mostly the new teachers that I
had never had any classes with and barely knew. I would go into class and sit down and try to be in the back
of the room so that I wouldnt get called on. I wouldnt raise my hand even if I knew the answer because I was
so scared that the teacher would get mad at me if I said the wrong thing.
By the second half of the year I had gotten over my fear of the teachers and became more confident. I
could go up to the teachers and ask them a question without being afraid. It feels better to be confident than
to be scared all the time. There comes a point in everyones life when they have to face their biggest fears,
and that can be scary but they have to have confidence in themselves and believe that they can do anything.
If a person is always scared of something they will never be able to get over what they are scared of.
Someone who is confident is a person that can stand up for what he or she believes is right or wrong. They
can go up to teachers or students or anyone and tell them how they are feeling or whats on their mind.
Anyone can be confident in what they do, but at the same time, anyone can be scared. People who are
confident can do anything without being scared or constantly worrying about their fear.
I think that everyone should have confidence in himself or herself because when you are confident you
can believe in yourself and that is one of the most important things in life.


$'
Clean
by Angelika H

For some people, being clean is really hard. They always forget to put things back where they need to
be. For me, it is rather easy: I just clean my room every Saturday. Most of the time when people clean their
rooms, it is because their mom yells at them until they do. My motivation to clean my room is that it looks
good after I clean it. I put on music and rock out while cleaning my room. It sounds weird but it really works.
My mom and I are much happier when my room is clean because she wont have to hound me all the time to
clean my room. I am happier because I always know where everything is. For me clean is Friday, when
everything is organized, and when things smell like a crisp fall or summer day.
Friday is clean because Mary cleans the house on Friday. When I come home, it smells like cleaning
stuff. You can just let the smell envelop you. The kitchen isnt messy like it normally is and sometimes the
family room is full of laundry drying on the racks. So obviously Friday screams clean.
When everything is organized, it is hard not to be clean. Organized can also be when there is
nothing on the floor (i.e. books clothes, etc.). It gives the room a very clean look. If your laundry isnt put away
and just laying around in piles that slowly fall down, it doesnt look like you care. You probably dont care
about whether or not your laundry is put away. It just looks much neater. You know those bookshelves at a
library or bookstore, when all the books are falling on their sides? For some places that gives the place a
charm and coziness. Well, in my room it just looks disheveled. I like all my books to be standing up and
straight so the paperbacks dont bend or rip.
Clean can also be when things smell good. I really like how my sheets smell like my backyard, or
compost and breeze. At night it is very relaxing to smell the outside while Im falling asleep. Outside always
reminds me of clean because nature has its own way of keeping itself clean. It would be the cleanest planet,
but we humans messed it up.
When it rains in the summertime it smells like... I can't describe it but hopefully you have smelled that
before so you know what Im talking about. Its nice to just open your bedroom window and stick your head
out. That also reminds me of clean: when you open a window and let the fresh air in.
So you see, anyone can be clean, they just need motivation. And the motivation can be because you
like being clean. Everyone really is happier when things are clean. Your dad wont be yelling HAS ANYONE
SEEN MY FAVORITE TIE?! Or your mom wont be saying, I gave that to you yesterday, where did you put
it? Its much better to just be clean. That is what I think of when I think of clean.



$(
Dogs vs. Cats
by Avery H

The "cats versus dogs" debate has raged for quite some time. I have always been a dog lover and
never understood the mentality of cats. I have three dogs myself, so I always know that whenever I don't want
to eat vegetables, the dogs always be waiting underneath the kitchen table. Dogs can be trained, they've
been trained for as long as their existence, and thankfully, my dogs can be trained too. Cats normally don't
learn much, plus they dont have much knowledge or talent to begin with.
One of a cats talents is landing on their feet every time they fall, but I've never heard a situation
where someone says, "I want my pet to be dropped from dangerously tall heights but still look majestic while
doing it." Although dogs cant do that, there are many other ways in which a dog would be best. An owner
can know that their dog will listen whenever you talk. They probably won't understand, but they will tilt their
head and do their best to listen to you. Cats will look at you like you're crazy and walk away not affected by
you or what you said.
Dogs will also serve as very good watch dogs, who knew?! If there is a fire or burglars, dogs will bark
until you are aware of it. Cats will notice something bad happening, and normally keep it to themselves.
There is a reason theyre called watchdog and not watch cat! Dogs are a mans best friend. I know that
some people prefer cats, but that phrase exists for a reason.


$)
During Concerts
by Dakota M

Singing so loud
You have no voice in the morning.
Dancing so much
It hurts your feet to stand.
Being near the stage
You can hardly contain your excitement.
Jumping up and down
In hopes you might get noticed.
The music is so loud
You pump your fists in the air.
This is why
Concerts are the best



The Hardest Part of Writing
by Hannah R

The hardest part of writing, for me, is coming up with new ideas. This is so difficult because I usually
know exactly what I want to write about. Then, when I finally have an idea, I usually end up writing about
about that idea for more than one piece. Another difficulty in writing for me is punctuation. I always get
confused where I put a comma or put in a semi-colon.

%+
My Favorite Season
by Lillianna H

My favorite season is fall. It is fall because my birthday is in fall and gymnastics and field hockey start in
the fall. I can go on our trampoline, and when I flip or jump, leaves go everywhere. I can go outside with
friends and family. We get to put up our Halloween decorations. Everyone in our family all goes outside and
helps rake and clean up our yard. I get to help my dad get ready for winter. Our cousins come over. That is
why fall is my favorite season.
A Haunting Pantoum About Running Out of Milk
by Ian W

I pour my cereal.
There is no milk.
I am left to starve.
Where is my milk?

There is no milk.
What should I eat?
Where is my milk?
Why me? Why me?

What should I eat?
Should I eat toast?
Why me? Why me?
Who drank the milk?

I pour my cereal.
Should I eat toast?
Who drank the milk?
I am left to starve.


%*
Clean
by Betame D

When people think of clean, they may think of many different things. What I think is clean may differ
from another person. I believe that clean can be colors, such as blue and white, and it could be an object like
glass. Clean, I believe, is blue, white, and glass.
Blue is a very fresh and emotional color. It reminds me of a crisp summer's morn when dew drips from
grass like a broken faucet. The sky is a light blue and the sun is on the horizon. The blue complements the
orange and red from the sunrise. These colors bring emotion to the sky.
Blue also has many shades. It can also be stormy. It can show darkness on thunderstorm days. The
dark blue can bring out the white lightning flashing down on the earth. It can also be a color of sadness.
People say that they are blue, which means that they are sad. This light blue can remind people of their
sadness. It also can show them not to sulk but to fight the sadness off.
White is also like blue in many ways. They both are fresh and clean colors, but they are different too.
White is a very bright color. It can be like a streak of lightning flying to earth from the heavens. It can also be a
bleached shirt coming out of the wash, wet and dripping from the hot water that was pounding its surface.
Like blue, it has shades, but white is more of a textural color. White is soft and warm like clothes out of the
dryer. You cant not like the warm feeling of putting on warm white shirt on a cold winter day. I believe it is
one of the best feelings. Many people think of white like sheeps wool because its so soft and cuddly. I often
dream of counting sheep as I lie down on their coats. People can also interpret white like a fluffy cloud in July.
You can't beat the feeling of being so light and weightless when you're flying in a plane over white clouds.
They make you feel as if you're invisible.
I also think that clean can be an object. Glass has a clean look. Glass can look very metallic and shiny.
If you see a building in New York for instance, you can see how shiny it is. The sun and lights can reflect off of
it, making the glass shine. If the sun hits the glass the right way it can look like a red shiny building. Glass can
also be very daunting and astonishing. When you look up at a glass building it can overwhelm. It looks as if
the building is going to take you over. Glass can also clear the hardship of your day. Looking or even feeling
glass can feel calming and relaxing. It can relieve stress and make you feel better.



%"
Hero
by Quinn Y

What is a hero? People may have different ideas about what a hero is. Some people may believe that
a hero is a strong and courageous person who saves a person through a brave act. I believe that there are
heroes all around us. Some may be firemen, police officers, or teachers, while others may be our friends,
neighbors or even strangers we pass on the street. Heroes can be everyday people who are caring,
compassionate, and willing to help others. My great-aunt is my hero because she is kind, humble, and
selfless. Her name is Susan, but almost everyone calls her Kiki.
Kiki is kind because she is always there when others need help. When my mother and other family
members had young children, Kiki swooped in to help care for the children when needed. I have many
memories of special times with her. When I was young, we would sneak off to the store and she would buy
me a toy. She also took me to exciting places. We went on walks, to the library, and to the town beach.
Because I loved trains, she often took me to a special museum where I would play with a wooden train set for
hours. She played with me. I always enjoyed when Kiki took care of us. Being with her was always an
adventure. Even now when my parents are busy with work or other things, she is the first one to offer to stay
with us, drive us to our activities, and make sure that we are cared for. One of the best things about Kiki is
that she treats everyone, not just me, in a kind way.
Kiki is humble. She does not seek attention from others. In fact, she is uncomfortable when the focus is
on her. She rarely buys new things for herself and does not need expensive material possessions. She is
happy enough with the things she has. I remember, a few years ago, when she was excited about getting a
new car, a Nissan Sentra, because she could pick the color she wanted and it had automatic windows.
Kiki is selfless. She spends most of her time helping others. For most of her life, she worked as a
physical therapist helping patients recover from illnesses and injuries. Even though she is retired, she keeps
finding ways to help others. Right now one of her good friends is living with her because she needed a place
to stay. When I was little she spent each day taking care of her ill husband. Before that she cared for several
other family members who were old or sick. She has taken care of many people in her small house. She even
takes in stray animals and makes sure that the birds in the neighborhood are fed.
The idea of a hero can be different for different people. A common hero definition is one who performs a
heroic act. Kiki is my hero because she is kind, humble, and selfless. No matter the definition a hero leaves a
lasting impression on you. Kiki has left an impression on me because she makes me and everyone who knows
her feel special.
Kids on the Internet vs. Adults on the Internet
by Chris M

When I was little, the Internet was a scary place, a place of vast uncontrollable knowledge where I had
to hide as much of my identity as I could. When I was younger my parents always told me dont talk to
strangers online or sign up for games that made me give a name. But now, I feel like I can do anything I want
with the Internet including things like join online games, have things like Facebook and Twitter, and even help
my parents with problems.
%#
Now, I know the majority of social networks sites are for adults, but who are the ones who showed
them the sites? Kids. Adults are required to have things like e-mail, or even things like Facebook for work, but
kids can sign up for things like this whenever they want.
Picture this in your head; the Internet is a huge highway with a lot of exits. Adults tend to stay on this
highway of things like Google, Facebook, and Twitter. Kids tend to take these exits and go to websites that
adults wouldnt. When I do things like research projects, and I tell my parents a fact, they ask, Where did you
hear that? I tell them a website that they never heard of, and they have to go look it up.
Kids see the Internet in many different ways; we see it as a place to escape reality, or as a place to do
work, or as a place to talk to friends without any awkward silences. Parents see the Internet as a place to work,
or a place to talk to relatives or friends and thats about it. But its more than that, at least to kids.
As Bill Gates once said The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.
Eventually we will all be taking the exits off the highway.





Seaweed
by Jolene L

Seaweed
Is a green plant
Grows on the ocean floor
It sways in the water and is
Healthy


%$
Mt. Washington
by Mikie T

Very strange weather pattern
Frigid temperatures below zero, howling

Peaceful, serene, tranquil
Miles from civilization

Frigid temperatures below zero
You must prepare for
Miles from civilization
My lungs burning

You must prepare for
A difficult hike
Full of many challenges

Very strange weather pattern
A difficult hike
Full of many challenges
Peaceful, serene, tranquil.

%%
Not a Crime
by Serey K

Fishing is fun in the warm weather
There is no need to wear a sweater
The cool blue water surrounds me
As fish jump around in the sea
I almost fall out of the boat

And straight into the big moat
My pole falls in the water, it can float
It is hot and no need for a sweater
Fishing is fun in warm weather

I saw a big fish jump in the air
I will catch it this time, I swear
The line flies into the big sea
A hook in its mouth the fish comes to me
I take the fish home with me its mine
Fishing is like killing, but not a crime


%&
My Brother
by Keith D

There are many people in my life who have had an effect on me: my dad, my mom, my friends, the list
goes on. Some have had negative impacts on me, and others shape my good side. Some of whom you might
not believe the change they have brought upon me. My brother is my hero because he is kind,
compassionate, and a wonderful person.
Chase has always been kind, showing me what it takes to be a good person. He is a leader by
example and always has time for me. He is a quiet, understated person whom I look up to. Whenever he has
time to get away from school to come visit us, he does it without hesitation. He has always been kind,
whether it be helping me with homework, or playing a game (even if he doesnt want to). He will kick a soccer
ball in the yard with me, even though he would much rather do something that he actually cares about or
something he likes. He helps me with yard work, even if he doesnt have to and he would rather watch tv. He
never complains.
Chase is very compassionate; he has always been like that. Hes always aware of what is going on
around him. If he sees that someone is uncomfortable, or is unhappy, he will do his best to help. I am very
proud to be Chases brother. He has a friendly disposition about him that makes him easily approachable. If
you have a problem with him you can say it right to his face, one, because he has thick skin, and two, because
he is understanding of others views.
Chase is a wonderful, athletic, smart, gentle, person. He made the varsity hockey team at Middlesex
School as a freshman, and missed high academic honors by a B+. I always strive to emulate my brothers
positive actions, though sometimes it is difficult, because he is so intelligent and benevolent. He has always
been fascinated by natural things, like marine biology. He always has a good argument whenever we are
debating something, and that is another testament to his intelligence.
I am very fortunate to have someone like Chase in my life. He is always looking out for me, and
showing me the way to go. He has always been my best friend, and has always found time for me, no matter
what he would rather do.


%'
My Hero
by CC C

Out of all the people I know, my grandfather is my hero. My grandfather, Dee Rowe, was the head
mens basketball coach at the University of Connecticut and the assistant coach for the 1980 US Olympic
mens basketball team. He is my hero because he is kind, loyal, and shows integrity each and every day.
My grandfather is kind for many reasons. He treats everyone with a great level of kindness even if it is
someone he does not know. He is polite and never argues with anyone. Also, he helps and supports anyone
that needs help, especially those in times of need. For example, he is always willing to help people get into
certain colleges and find jobs whenever asked by a family member, friend, or former player. He also makes
you feel special and cared for no matter who you are and how long he has known you. For instance, he and
my grandmother have given money to an underprivileged boy and his family in the Philippines for many
years.
My grandfathers loyalty is without question. He still stays in contact with Worcester Academy, where
he went to high school and later was the head basketball coach and athletic director. He also has worked at
the University of Connecticut for 44 years and he still works there today. He has stayed loyal and supported
his former players as they have struggled with problems such as substance abuse and troubles with the law.
Sadly some of his players and friends have landed in jail, but he always gives them his loyal support. Lastly, he
has remained in contact and supported all his friends from his childhood. For example, he just drove to
Vermont to say goodbye to his best childhood friend in a nursing home who is ill and about to pass away.
My grandfather has great integrity. He never sways from his morals or values. For example, he was the
first college basketball coach in New England to have a starting lineup of all African-American players. That
shows integrity because he did not succumb to peer pressure, and he didnt let racial barriers come in the
way of what he believed.
Those are just three of my grandfathers great qualities. He is an excellent role model for anyone. I am
very lucky to have him as my grandfather. Dee is my hero.


%(
Nothing But The Truth
by Ethan H

This book is about a boy in ninth-grade named Philip Malloy. He loves running and wants to make the
high school track team. He is sometimes arrogant and thinks very well of himself. The only thing that prevents
him from making the team is that he has a failing grade in English. Philip Malloy hates his English teacher. Her
name is Miss Narwin. Philip thinks that she has it in for him. One day during the regular announcements
when the National Anthem plays over the speakers, Philip decides to hum along. While he doesnt admit that
he is trying to get on Miss Narwins nerves, he is. Miss Narwin asks Philip to stop and, very reluctantly, he
does. The next day Philip hums, more loudly now, again during the National Anthem. Miss Narwin kicks him
out of class and sends him to the principals office. At home, Philip tells his parents and they are outraged that
he would get kicked out of class for humming the National Anthem. So the next day Philip does it again. This
time he is suspended. His parents are really mad and take Philip to talk to their neighbor who is running for
School Chair. A reporter is there and takes Philips story about getting suspended for humming the National
Anthem. The next day his story is in the newspaper. After that there is chaos. The school tries to cover it up
and there are more publishings of Philips story. Soon the whole country is talking about this. Miss Narwin is
despaired and confused. Philip is upset and all the students act weirdly around him and some are mad. Philip
doesnt want to go to school anymore and Miss Narwin quits and moves to Florida to live with her sister.
Philip has to use his college money to go to a private school and therefore cannot run in the Olympics
because he used his college money.
I do not like the ending because Philip does not get to do what he loves - running. Philip is also not
happy, and there is no track team at his new school. It didnt surprise me because he ends up like his father
did, not going to the Olympics. I always knew it wasnt going to be a happy ending but I was hoping it would
be. I was not satisfied. I expected much more about what happened to all the other characters like Allison or
Miss Narwin. I wanted to know what happened after Philip changed schools. The story seemed realistic
because both of the characters affected, Philip and Miss Narwin, moved away. I think the ending ruined the
book because I wanted to see Philip run like he wants to and go to the Olympics.



%)



Owl: birds of the order Strigiformes, include about 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by
an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision and binaural hearing, and feathers adapted for silent flight.
(Wikipedia)
Owl, Gentleman of Night
by Anji L

Owl, the gentleman of night
flies through the cool air
mice are scared of him
his big wings and eyes

flies through the cool air
to catch his fresh food
his big wings and eyes
helps to find his dinner

to catch his fresh food
he uses his sharp talons
helps to find his dinner
his friends came

Owl, the gentleman of night
he uses his sharp talon
his friends came
mice are scared of him




&+
Pancakes vs. .Waffles
by Shriya B

Its a Sunday morning; would you rather waste the time making a batter and waiting for the pancake to
cook, or take out the trusty toaster for some yummy waffles? I know there are waffle makers, but even the
waffle makers are faster than cooking pancakes. When you cook pancakes they could come uneven or get
roasted.
But with waffles you don't have to go through the hassle. Usually people top waffles with syrup. Maple
Syrup was originally a sweet drink, discovered by the Algonquin Indians who collected sap from Canadian
sugar maple trees and then boiled it to produce the delicious beverage.
A few facts about waffles: waffles are descended from the flat cakes baked in ancient Greece. These
cakes were prepared with cheese and herbs and cooked between two metal plates. The waffles we know
today were actually born in the Middle Ages. Waffles were cooked over a fire using two metal plates with
wooden handles. The plates often had the familiar grid pattern we know today. Waffles were so popular that
they were even sold from street carts. March 25 is actually International Waffle Day. Waffles are perhaps one
of the most loved tasty treats in the history of mankind ever. Belgian waffles are probably one of the most
popular types of waffles because they are fluffy and delicious. So, if someone asked me if I could choose
pancakes or waffles, I would choose waffles because you can decorate them and they are just delicious. Even
though I would take a pancake any day, I would choose waffles.


&*
Public vs. Private Schooling
by Abbey B

When I was in public school, I thought that was the normal quality of all schools. The first thing I
noticed that was different was the interaction between grades. That was new for me. Private schools allow you
the opportunity to get to know your classmates. Extracurriculars, academic classes, and school structure are
some other ways that private school is different from public school.
I spent five years in a public school. I have been at Applewild for three years. Extracurriculars are a
major difference in schools. At Applewild, there are many extracurriculars. In most public schools there are
fewer extracurriculars. During one period there is an extracurricular, which they call a special. At most
schools the specials are library, art, health, gym, and music. At Applewild there are multiple extracurriculars
everyday. We have art, shop, band, drama, health, chorus, sports, and mini courses. We can play on sports
teams and we have a time during the day for sports. Only our games are after school. In public schools, their
practices and games are after school. Applewilds extracurriculars are more entertaining than public schools.
Academic classes may vary, but the most usual are English, math, science, language, and social
studies. In public school, they do not have the opportunity to take a language. We have language options,
which I believe all schools should have. In public schools, English students have an amount of points they
must get a term. Books are worth different amounts of points. They take a general test after each book they
read. We read the same book, and we a take the test at the end. We also have extra help where we can check
in with teachers, which is very helpful. Public schools have study halls.
The school structure is very different. At our school it is K-8 with K-5 Lower School and 6-8 Upper
School. For Fitchburg, elementary is K-4, and middle is 5-8. We have small advising groups, but public has
large homerooms. Class sizes in public schools are huge, more than 25 kids in every class. Thankfully, in our
school there are about 15 in a class. There is no dress code in public school, so people wear whatever they
want. We have one at our school.
Public and private schools are different in many ways, but I like private schools better. They give a
better education, and also have entertaining aspects of the day.



&"
Race-To
by Wesley C

Three, two, one, GO
The roar of paint
That lonely flag
That one huge goal
The roar of paint
Someone yells OUT
That one huge goal
He runs for it
Someone yells OUT
He grabs the flag
He runs for it
Paintballs hit him
Three, two, one, GO
He grabs the flag
Paintballs hit him
That lonely flag


&#
Red
by Elisia M

Red is a very interesting color
It might be bundles of roses
Or puddles of blood
Maybe holly berries at Christmas time.

It might be bundles of roses
Or stripes on a flag
Maybe holly berries at Christmas time
Red can be happy or sad.

Or stripes on a flag
A strawberry in summer
Red can be happy or sad
Like the sunset in the west

Red is a very interesting color
A strawberry in summer
Like the sunset in the west
Or puddles of blood


&$
Smiling vs. Frowning
by Clara M

I had a friend who went through a rough time. She felt hated and didnt think that anyone cared about
her. I talked to her about all her problems, but it never seemed to get much better. One day, I went to go see
her to talk face to face. She seemed so sad and it killed me to see her like this. So I looked at her and said
Its going to get better, and gave her a little smile. Thats when she smiled back and I knew that she felt
better again.
Smiling makes everything okay when things go wrong. Just smile and youll feel happy again! Smiling
is the cure to sadness, it can calm you down when you are angry, and it is also a gesture of joy. If you frown, it
doesnt feel right. It feels like something is wrong and you just want everything to be okay again. All you have
to do to make that feeling go away is to smile. If you ever see someone with a frown on their face, smile at
them. Give them a sign of hope and that everything is going to be alright again.
One of my favorite quotes is Let your smile change the world. Dont let the world change your
smile. I personally love this quote because your smile is the best thing youve got in this world. Never let
anyone or anything take control of your smile and turn it into a frown. Take a look in the mirror, and smile.
You may not like the way your mouth curves upward into that silly smile, but everyone else does. It may not
seem like it, but a smile is so powerful
Snow Days
by Katelynn B

Everyone loves a cold winter snowstorm
Those are the days I dream of
Sleeping in waking up to fresh snow
Going out and playing
Watching the snowman roll through the yard
Maybe you'll even get to go skiing
You can fly down the hill on a snowboard or skis
Then you come back inside and sit by the fire
Do I drink hot cocoa or watch a movie?
The possibilities are endless
Snow days are the best days ever.

&%
Taking Risks vs. Holding Back
by Allison O

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. If you want some adventure in your life, you have to
take risks. I think that taking risks is better than holding back because when you take risks, it leads you to new
things. Sometimes you are stuck in a tough situation and end up holding back, but then you realize you
should have taken a risk and done the better thing.
When I was about 6 years old, I got invited to my first sleepover with my two best friends and I was so
excited to go! Then, the night of the sleepover, my mom and I were packing my bags and I told her I was
nervous and I didnt want to go anymore. She told me it would be fun and that I should go. I decided to go,
and I ended up having one of the greatest nights ever. I wouldnt have had that amazing experience if I didnt
take a risk and sleepover.
Thats also like when I tried pizza for the first time. I used to think it was the grossest thing in the world.
but one night I decided to try it and now it is one of my favorite foods. When I took gymnastics for first time I
was really scared. I thought I would fall and break all my bones when I tried to do a cartwheel. At first, I did
fall, a lot, but it was all worth taking that risk because now gymnastics is one of my favorite hobbies.
Taking risks is something everyone should do in life. If you hold back and never take a risk, you will
never be able to learn and experience new things. I think everyone should take risks and not hold back
because if there is no risk, there is no reward.



&&
The Outsiders vs. Romeo and Juliet
by Harry J

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, Or, if thou wilt
not, be but sworn my love, And Ill no longer be a Capulet, or Ponyboy, I guess you got into some trouble,
huh? Darry and I nearly went nuts when you ran out like that. Which do you like better? These quotes are
from Romeo and Juliet and The Outsiders. We just finished The Outsiders and Romeo and Juliet. Those are
both famous and well-written books. Some people like Romeo and Juliet better than The Outsiders. However,
I like The Outsiders more than Romeo and Juliet. The Outsiders is much easier to understand. Romeo and
Juliet is written in ancient English. Also, Shakespeare, the author of the book, used his own English. He
created his own words and format. For example, you remember what I said at the beginning, Romeo,
Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? If you didnt learn or know about Shakespeares English, you are going
to have a hard time understanding what this means. But, The Outsiders used modern English and is more
straightforward. It is about the past but not ancient times and the main characters are similar in age to me. So,
It helps me to understand their thinking and mind. I believe that you can understand modern boys better than
two ancient lovers. Neither The Outsiders and Romeo and Juliet are happy stories. The Outsiders is much
better because Ponyboy, who is the main character of the book, is still alive at the end. However,
Shakespeare killed both Romeo and Juliet, which is kind of mean. He likes to kill his characters! For these
reasons, I like The Outsiders better than Romeo and Juliet.


Unnamed Hurricane
by Brianna C

It was a dark and stormy night as the small boat fought for its life. Tumbling to and fro on the high
waves, twirling around in a dizzying pattern. Rain and fatal waves tormented it. Larger ships had already given
up and sunk, yet it held on, fighting to stay on the surface. Those on the shore searching for the boat will
never forget that night, watching the tiny speck that was just out to sea. Over and over again, it looked as if it
had lost, but still it bobbed up and down, up and down, barely gripping onto existence. As the hours passed,
as lightning bolts looked like the sun surrounded by the blackest ink, the boat stayed aloft, steadily resisting
the pull to be lost, and to never be found. Then, the tempest relaxed and died, calming the oceans again in
the vast land of water, and the boat, the tiniest boat of them all, had survived the worst hurricane the world
had seen yet, the Unnamed Hurricane.


&'
Yankees vs. Red Sox
by Cole T

You know that feeling when you turn on a random game, and you kind of choose a team without even
knowing who the teams are? For example, you walk into the living room and a Yankees-Red Sox game is on
the TV. You do not know anything about baseball whatsoever, and you don't follow it at all. But there is
nothing else to watch, so you decide to watch the game. Remember when I talked about choosing a team
when you turn on a random game? Well, I would not be surprised at all if you started rooting for the Yankees
because deep down everyone knows who the better team is.
We live in Massachusetts, and that means many people are Red Sox fans. However, all Red Sox fans
should stop liking the Red Sox because the Yankees are clearly better. The Yankees are better because their
program is more professional, they win more, and they have won more World Championships.
One reason that the Yankees are better than the Red Sox is because the Yankees just have a classier
and more professional program. For example, the Yankees players are clean-cut and look good. They have
neat haircuts and no facial hair. In contrast, the Red Sox are grubby and look like animals with their nasty
looking beards. If you wanted to think about it a different way, the Yankees are like clean-cut adults, and the
Red Sox are the unshaven, rebellious teenagers.
Another even bigger reason is that the Yankees have better overall winning history. The Yankees have
a career winning percentage of .564 and the Red Soxs is only .516. That is a 48-point difference. Another way
to say that is the Yankees have won over 9000 games and the red sox have won about 8500 games. This is
yet another reason that the Yankees are better!
A huge reason would be that the Yankees have had way more World Series wins than the Red Sox.
The Yankees have twenty-seven World Series wins and the Red Sox only have eight. The Yankees have won
the World Series in every decade since the 1920s, except the 1980s. What makes the number of World Series
won so important is that if a team wins the World Series that team is better than every other team in Major
League Baseball. And the Yankees have been the best in Major League Baseball twenty seven times and the
Red Sox only eight.
For all of these reasons, it might be smart for Red Sox fans to consider rooting for the Yankees. They
would root for the Yankees so that they can witness the joy of their team winning the World Series, and
winning in general much more than they did when they were Red Sox fans. They would also be rooting for a
classier, more professional program.


&(
You Cant Judge a Book By Its Cover
by Jacob M

The phrase you cant judge a book by its cover applies to the themes of The Outsiders because
when someone sees a Greaser they automatically think that hes a bad guy, just because of what he wears. Its
not the Greasers fault that they cant buy better stuff, but the Socs dislike them anyway. After Ponyboy met
Cherry and they were going their separate ways, Cherry told Ponyboy that if she doesnt talk to him in school
dont take it personally. She said that because of his social status and because of what Ponyboy wears, if she
did talk to him at school none of the other Socs would want to talk to Cherry because she talked to a Greaser.
What I mean by what he wears is that the Greasers only wear bad guy clothing because thats all they can
afford, and if Ponyboy got some money and bought a pair of nice pants and a plaid shirt and wore it to
school, he would probably get beaten up because people would think hes a wannabe Soc.
The phrase also applies to the book The Outsiders by showing that people can be different than
what they look to be like. After Johnny, Dally, and Ponyboy saved the little kids in the fire, Randy (A Soc) was
impressed and told Ponyboy that he wouldnt have saved the little kids. That shows that people who wear all
bad guy clothes and look like a mean person arent necessarily mean, they could be a heroic person. Also
Socs wearing their Im perfect clothing could actually be a criminal and not so nice at all. So basically, the
phrase you cant judge a book by its cover demonstrates that a person with all goody goody clothes
could be a lot worse than a person with all bad guy clothing.




&)











8th Grade Golden Apples

'+
All the Yesterdays
by Emily A

There you are.
Four barren walls staring back,
one staircase going up.
Standing on the first step,
You are at the bottom.
This is life.

Imagine a cat and it will appear.

The wall is no longer white-
they are blank canvases,
you paint them.
This is life.

Run up a few steps,
you are victorious.
Slip,
skin your knees.
Fall,
you feel it.
This is life.




'*
Autonomy
by Jimmie H

I believe in the power of autonomy. Autonomy is the feeling of having many choices and knowing that
those choices matter, and many people believe it is necessary. Especially people involved in video games,
like me.
When I first played Minecraft, a new video game I had gotten for my birthday, I felt free. Instead of
slowly leveling up, or killing hundreds of enemies to get a rare drop, Minecraft was all about choice, freedom,
building anything you want. I was sucked in. I would play and get bored of building houses, so I started
building machines. When I got bored of that, I started exploring. When I got bored of that, I started mining.
While I got bored of individual experiences, the choices in the game kept me playing. Had the game not had
any choice of what I could do, or had the game had these options but I could only do them at certain times in
certain ways, I would have become bored. The autonomy in the game kept me playing.
A similar thing happened to me during my first time playing a game like Minecraft: Terraria. I was
playing for the first time, and it was almost night time, so I built a tower up and built a makeshift house on it
to hide from the monsters that appear at night. I left that house in the morning, and continued exploring, and
ended up building a better house somewhere else. A few real life days later, when I was much better at the
game, I found my old house again by accident. It turned out to be right under a floating island, a very rare
sight! I still run into that house sometimes, and I often use the floating island above it to get certain materials
that are necessary to continue with the game. My choice to build that tiny ice and snow house seemed
meaningless at the time, but I realized that with my freedom to build that house, I made a big difference in
my play of that game, and that's exactly what autonomy is. I had the choice to build that house, and that
choice mattered.
Many people have now realized that autonomy matters in games, even the game designers
themselves. Many games now include false choice, where the player is given a choice, but the choice does
not actually matter. For example, in a game, a player might meet a person on the side of the road and have
the choice to help them or rob them. At the end, if the player helps the person, a person watching pays them
one gold coin. If the player robs the person, they steal one gold coin from them. This choice didnt matter at
all, but game designers realize that people want autonomy and are willing to go so far as to fake it.
By playing video games, and just living every day in real life, people feel autonomy, which makes them
feel good. Autonomy makes people feel they are free, like they can make decisions, like they matter, just like I
felt my decision to build the snow shack mattered, and just like the choices I could make kept me playing
Minecraft. This I believe.
'"



Boston Gazette Toast
by Jack C

I was in my local tavern the other night when I was inspired by the enthusiasm of my fellow patriots
there. The talk among the people in the tavern was that of the Battle at Bunker Hill. Everyone seemed to have
a more positive outlook in defeating the British and being free of their control over our colonies. It was this
that compelled me to stand and raise my glass of ale and declare out loud, Addition to Whigs, subtraction to
Tories, multiplication to the friends of liberty, and division to the enemies of America.
The editor of the Boston Gazette was so fascinated by my toast that he wanted me to elaborate to all
who read this, the meaning of my statement. In that statement, I was trying to emphasize the importance of
freedom and liberty in this new land. We need to gather together as patriots and outnumber the loyalists who
want us to stay under the control of Britain. It is in our power to be a free nation with our own set of laws and
governors to oversee us. We are facing a very difficult period in all of our lives, but it can be so worth our
efforts to gain liberty by joining together. We must continue to pursue our goal by staying close to one
another in our hearts and minds and also being strong.
We must not let our enemies destroy our dream. We have come so far, so many men have lost their
lives, and we must not let it be in vain. Let us all continue to join together in ending the British reign over our
colonies. It will take all of us and many more of our countrymen in the continuation of the fight for freedom
and liberty in this beautiful land called America.


'#
I Believe in the Power of the Written Word
by Aidan Z

I believe in the power of words written on plain old paper. They are the most essential means of
communication in nearly every culture across the globe. The connections formed based upon the written
word are stronger than any others. The written word is a means of unification, releasing complicated emotion,
and the best glimpse into the heart of another person.
Written words have been bringing people closer for centuries. Anyone who has received a handwritten
letter knows that the personal care and touch that is conveyed by such a letter is irreplaceable. The diligence
required to write out these words on paper is unique, and the feelings they inspire are far longer lasting than
even the spoken word, for they are forever emblazoned upon that sheet of paper. The eternal aspect of the
written word is why it is so much more powerful than any other form of communication. Written words will
never fade, at least not during the span of a human life, and will in fact most likely outlast those who have
created them by a long time. The sentiment behind them is not worn down by time, age, or changing trends.
When I was younger and used to get really mad, or feel somewhat depressed, I would write stories
and simply channel what I was feeling into what I wrote. It lifted a weight off my chest and was a fun exercise
that helped me to become a better writer. I sometimes miss those days, but now reading books can help me
to vent some steam. I can go up into my room when Im mad, read a chapter or two of almost any type of
book, no matter if its peaceful and calming or action packed, and when I come back down I feel relieved and
much more relaxed. Sometimes, I wish that I just had a quiet place I could go to read at any time, or
anywhere, because my room isnt always an option.
People can connect so much more deeply over the written word. I have a family that reads quite a bit,
and we always discuss what we have read afterwards. This led to us bonding and gaining some insight into
ourselves as intellectuals and as people. We understood each other more because of Harry Potter, the
Hunger Games, and Game of Thrones. I found out that my mom was just as obsessive-compulsive as I was
after we talked sympathetically about a character that was. That is one of the many unique things about the
written word. It always evokes different reactions with different people, and their reactions reveal a huge
amount of information about them. Also, sometimes you feel real, tangible connections to characters in the
books, and you can see parts of yourself in them. Books can be the basis of a great, long-lasting friendship, or
just a great conversation. They are a monumental testament to the power of the written word.


'$
I Believe in Change
by Emma R

I believe in change. Change is something that happens to everybody, for better or for worse. Change
shapes the person you are today. Whether its little things like picking out an outfit for school tomorrow or big
things like switching schools, change happens. Sometimes change can be good or bad, but sometimes we
dont have a choice, we have to deal with it.
I remember the day my mom told me I was going to Applewild. I told her I didnt want to, that I loved
the school I was at now. But she said I had to go. I didnt want to change schools because I thought my
school was perfect for me. I had all my friends there; I thought that if I went to a new school I would lose
connection with them. I begged my mom over and over again to not let me go, but she said I would get to
keep my old friends, make new ones, and get a good education. I thought I didnt want new friends, my
friends at St. Anthonys were all I needed, but the more my parents convinced me, I finally got over it and
decided to go. I knew my parents wanted me to have a good education, and my sister Gwen said she loved it
there, so I was excited to go.
I remember walking into school on the first day of seventh grade. I was really nervous; I was going to a
new school where I knew nobody. Would they like me? Would they want to be friends with me? When I got
there everyone was so nice to me, and I made a lot of friends. I thought if I went to a different school I would
lose connection with my other friends, but I still talk and see them all the time. Im glad I switched school
because if I didnt, I wouldnt have the wonderful friends I have today. I look back at videos and pictures of
that second week of school when we were in seventh grade, and went to AMC. I laugh and laugh about how
we all have changed. C.S. Lewis once said Its funny: day by day, nothing changes. But when you look back,
everything is different.
Sometimes people think change is bad, but later it could turn out to be better. We face our ups and
downs in life, but we shouldnt be afraid of change. Change happens whether its a little or a big thing. It can
affect you in different ways, but I say everything happens for a reason. Whether its in a good or bad way, its
change.



'%
Courage
by Colleen F

Sometimes people dont realize how much courage you need to take on everyday life. Sometimes it
can be the simplest things, like raising your hand in class, standing up for someone, or even reading a speech
in an auditorium filled with relatives, peers, judges, and teachers. To be honest, I am using all of my courage
now, by standing in front of all of you, because public speaking is not a strength of mine. But I am doing it
and I believe in the power of courage. Courage can help you get used to new things, become braver, and
you might find that you will actually enjoy what you have been afraid of for so long.
New things are always intimidating. I, personally, hate trying new things. Especially if it is a sport. I am
always afraid of being a let down and driving the team into Losertown because I might not be as good as the
other people on the team. The only sport I am confident in is softball, which I have been playing for nine
years. It takes courage to try a new sport for me, and unfortunately I haven't yet found that courage within
me.
Being brave about anything is tough, but you have to find the courage to try something. Being up
here while my face is burning, while my ears turn into a lovely shade of red, and while my knees shake is
making me braver considering how public speaking is one of my biggest fears of all time; that and spiders.
But this is making me braver and more used to the setting of public speaking and it was courage that got me
on this stage.
Courage can make you try things that might seem daunting, but really arent that bad, and you might
find that you enjoy some of these things. One thing I enjoyed that I wish I had tried doing sooner was the
monkey bars. Even though it took me a few more tries and gave me a few battle wounds, I had fun. Through
kindergarten till the second grade, the monkey bars were always nerve wracking for me, especially the tall
narrow ones so when you look down it feels like a 500 foot drop to certain death. One recess in the second
grade, my friend Abby and I jogged to the monkey bars and saw a third grader mastering them. She crossed
to the other side without a problem and I wanted to try, too. So I climbed up the short ladder and gripped
the first bar. Come on! Its not that bad, the third grader yelled from the other side. She looked blurry and
far away. You can do it! Just dont look down! Abby cheered, but unfortunately I did look down, and I
realized how high up I was. But I tried my best to push that aside and I slowly let my feet slip off the ladder
and I started swinging my body back and forth and I was doing it! But once I got to the fifth bar my hands
started to slip and I fell right on my hands and knees. It didnt hurt much and even though I fell, I was proud
of myself for having the courage to try. And so I got up off the ground and tried again.
There are hundreds of ways in which courage comes into play and it isnt always easy, but the more
you build your courage you will soon always want to try new things and you will discover how those scary
things werent all that scary.




'&
Excerpt from Crazed
by Lily T

The dream started with a simple, black spiral-bound notebook. All of a sudden, its pages started
flipping wildly until it settled on a blank page near the back of the book. A pencil dropped from the north of
my vision and began sketching out a scene on the page. The drawing became more and more detailed as it
progressed, and once the frantic pencil finally fell through the bottom of my vision, I could see the picture in
its entirety.
It was a girl, lying on her back in the middle of a huge grassy field. The sky was pitch black and filled
with massive clouds. The sun was nowhere in sight, and it looked like it was a torrential downpour. The girls
eyes were closed and her palms were facing up. A young man kneeled at her side. His hair was dark and his
build was very muscular. The more interesting part about him, though, was the detail that he was crying. Tiny
droplets were forming right under his eyes, and more tear streaks were already down his cheeks. His hands
were under hers and his face was upturned into the rain. He looked like he was screaming something. I could
only guess it was something such as the girls name, or NO! The girls hair was scattered around in the
grass, matted, and unkempt-looking. She wore a long sleeved dark shirt, and dark pants with combat boots.
He was wearing something similar, as far as I could tell.
Suddenly, the notebooks pages started flipping to the front of the book, and every page held images.
Each one was different, but of the same two people. Some were happy, some romantic, some sad. The
notebook finally closed to the front cover, where it now read Life.
I woke up in a cold sweat in my room. My pillow was soaked, and I had managed to unravel myself
from my covers. I sat up and breathed heavily. Slowly becoming aware of my surroundings in the dark room, I
faltered as I stepped out of the bed and onto my floor. I worked my way into the living room of the apartment
and into the bathroom a room over from mine to the left. I flipped on the lightswitch and the elements of the
bathroom sprung to life. I pulled the chair in the corner of the room to the mirror above the sink and finally
screamed once I saw my reflection staring back at me.

''
Forgiveness
by Jamie A

Forgiveness is a tough thing. Its hard to forgive someone. But when you forgive someone, it shows
how strong you are. Forgiveness is not something to be bought or taught. It can be earned, but that doesnt
guarantee that youll receive it. It takes courage to ask for forgiveness and sometimes it takes courage to
forgive. Oftentimes when you forgive someone, it feels like youre showing vulnerability, because you have to
admit that someone hurt you or let you down.
When I was younger, my brother was dating someone. My brother has never been very open with our
family about relationships. Being the curious young kid that I was, I texted my brother and pretended that I
was a mutual friend of his and his girlfriends. I had downloaded an app on my iPod that gave me a new
number that my brother wouldnt recognize. I asked my brother about what he and his girlfriend had done
that day, stuff that he would never discuss with his pesky little brother who wanted to know everything. After a
while, my brother got suspicious about who was texting him and started to ask me questions about the friend
I was pretending to be. I couldnt give my brother the right answers, as I didnt know this girl well. Eventually
my brother figured out it was me and he was furious. He told my parents and I had to write an apology to the
girl whose identity I had borrowed. Although my brother, his girlfriend, and their mutual friend all forgave me
eventually, I learned a lesson about not impersonating people and asking for forgiveness.
The late Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison, 18 years of it in a prison on Robben Island where he
was forced to do hard manual labor. He had little contact with his family during this time other than through
letters. When Mandela was pardoned years later he said, As I walked out the door toward the gate that
would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.
Mandela could have easily stayed mad and felt resentful for years, but instead he forgave his jailors and
moved on with his life. He later promoted the Springboks, South Africas national rugby team, a symbol of
Apartheid, as the team was predominantly white and privileged. Many people of his race didnt like that he
rooted for the team. When they advanced to the World Cup championship, the entire country rallied behind
them. He didnt have to promote the team, but it showed how strong a leader he was by forgiving his
oppressors.
Honestly, I probably forgive someone everyday, whether its for taking my pen or spilling milk on me.
When I was in first grade, and my neighbor Sam was in the second, we always hung out together. I got
accepted to Applewild and broke the news to him. The different schedules of our two schools meant that we
wouldnt get to hang out as much anymore. Sam told me that he never wanted to see me again. This really
upset me as he was my best friend. After no more than a week, I forgave him and he forgave me. To this day
Sam is still one of my best friends.
At first its hard to forgive someone, especially for a big offense, but then you realize that its not worth
staying mad, and you move on. Only then can you truly be free from bad memories. So, next time youre mad
at something someone did, think about forgiving them. After all, its probably in your best interest. Youll
probably end up a healthier person with less stress and a brighter outlook.

'(
Hold This Moment
by Coco P

Time is a thief
Stealing everything away from me.
I hope there really is a kind of forever.
The things I held before would never be broken.
Let life and death forever be distant.
Those who loved me and who I loved deeply
Are all gathered by my side.

I hope there really is a kind of world
Where the sky never goes dark,
Where the stars and sun are always around me.

I hope there really is a kind of moment
When the young forever stay in our time.
The boys have guitars,
And the girls have dancing shoes.

I hope I really can find a tomorrow.
Let me live in yesterday again
And I will never waste time.



Science Lab
by Brett C
First hypothesis
Then experimentation
Last we summarize

Testing chemicals
Observing many changes
Happy with results




')
I Believe
by Jack J

I believe very strongly that every person should have a pet. Depending on what you like and dislike,
there are many different pets for you. Most popular and what most people have are dogs or cats. These are
awesome pets, but there are also many other choices like horses, fish, hamsters, and even baby pigs! People
should choose the pet that best fits their personality, and the time they can give to their pet. People who
dont want to exercise their pet should think about a fish or a cat. These two animals require almost no care;
all you have to do is feed them. They are independent; you can even leave them with enough food for a few
days. These pets may not be as much fun because you cannot really play with them.
My pet of choice is the dog. There are many different kinds of dogs, which is great because people
can choose the one they like the best. You can choose a small dog, a big dog, and even a hypoallergenic dog
if you have allergies, like me. Pets are great for many different reasons. Having a pet is like having another
member of your family. They are always happy to see you, and best of all they make you happy when you are
sad. Pets can snuggle and follow you around wherever you go, and if you have a dog, think of all the cool
tricks you can teach them.
If you have a dog for a pet it comes with a couple of downsides. You have to take the dog for a walk
every day, and you have to take it out to the bathroom constantly (I have a small dog so I have to take her out
even more.) Another reason to have a pet is that having a pet teaches kids responsibility. Some studies show
that having a pet makes you live longer. For our family it was a dog, and she makes our house so much fun.
I remember the day we went to pick out our puppy. We went to the breeder and picked the runt of
the litter. She was so little she fit into my hands. I went to visit her every week until she could come home. We
had to pick out a name for her, it took a long time to figure out but after a while we decided to call her Pippa.
Pippa came home with us and our house has not been the same since. She has ruined quite a few things in
the house like magazines, books, and my homework, but we cant stay mad at her for long because you cant
say no to a face like hers.
Having Pippa has made my life better, Its always nice to come home and have her happy to see me .
There is always something fun to do with Pippa whether it is winter or summer. My family and I are always
laughing when she is around, and I cant imagine not having her.
Even if you cant have a dog, I believe having some sort of a pet is something every family should do.
Your life will be so much better having a pet!


(+
I Believe in the Power of Advertising
by Dan S

I can say, With only 15 minutes and 99% of you will echo, you can save 15% or more on car
insurance because of the renowned Geico commercials. Advertisements are meant to seduce viewers. We
see them everywhere: in magazines, TV commercials, infomercials, web sites, billboards, even underneath the
ice on professional hockey rinks. We cant open a browser or read our email without seeing the ad off to the
side: Tips to cut down on unwanted belly-fat. And do they really think we want to run out to McDonalds
and get a Big Mac because we see the Golden Arches symbol every time there is a faceoff?
We laugh at the TV commercials that have products with ridiculous names like ShamWow and
NoNo, but everyone knows what these products are. We can almost recite the commercials by heart
containing the words But wait! And why does it seem that everything is always priced at $19.99, and you
can always double your order and only have to pay additional shipping and handling?
Advertising is suggestive. Drink this diet drink and you will look like the model. Buy this car and
beautiful women will want to go out with you. Use this product and you will look 10 years younger. How fun is
it to watch the perfectly sculpted bodies of Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley in tight spandex on a Total
Gym Exercise Machine? And why dont they ever sweat? Beauty and weight loss products are especially
enticing because no woman wants to look over 25 and flabby. And what about the magical transformations
that ProActive offers? How do we know the before and after shots havent been edited in PhotoShop?
We dont, but maybe we dont care because even if it is false advertising, we want to believe that we can also
look as perfect as the after picture on the righthand side after using this product.
There are even awards for the best commercials of the year. And to be a sponsor whose product is
shown during the SuperBowl is an exceptional achievement (an honor that the advertiser pays dearly for, of
course.) By accepting ads for products from other companies, any website or television channel can actually
make money because they are getting paid to put up these ads.
Some ads are so successful, they can be seen for years, which of course is what the advertisers want.
The images and songs stick in your mind years after the advertisement stops being shown. Companies think
the more that people see their advertisements, the more they will eventually grow to like them. Advertising
works because it appeals to our basic desire to feel good about ourselves.
If you hear someone say, Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there, or Every kiss begins with Kay,
you know exactly where it came from and what the product is they are trying to sell you. And who can forget
the animated personality of Billy Mays singing the praises of OxyClean? That is the power of advertisement.
So the next time you pull into the drive-through of your favorite fast-food restaurant or reach for a particular
brand of toothpaste off a store shelf, ask yourself, Was this my idea or am I a victim of subliminal
advertising?

(*
That Place
by Isabelle R

That place where many things happen.
We have been there many times before,
But its not the same as before.
This time is the last time we will be in this room.
This place has a different meaning than before.
Its our turn to be up on stage in our nice suits and pretty white dresses,
Talking about the whole year and what we as a class have accomplished.
It has a different meaning than before because its our turn now,
To say goodbye to everything.
Because this ending leads us to a new beginning,
But this room has a different meaning than before
We have a different view on this room than before.
We looked at it as a theatre, a concert, an assembly, and even a public speaking room,
But this time we look at it as a room where we all come together one last time.
Its our turn to say goodbye.
No matter how much you want to stay or no matter how much you want to leave,
You never wanted this day to come because deep down you didnt want to go.
No matter what you say its going to be hard to leave the people you spent years with.
All those memories will repeat in your head while you sit there up on stage thinking why did this day have to
come.
Its our turn and its now our time to say goodbye to all these years we spent with each other,
in this place that felt like home.

("
Self Confidence
by Ayla D

I believe in the importance of having self confidence. I think that self confidence is the root of all
personal success, and that you cant succeed in anything unless you can imagine yourself doing it. When you
believe in yourself, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. When you gain self confidence you
become more successful, and the more successful you become the more confidence you gain. Its a never
ending cycle of being positive. This is why you should focus more on positive reinforcement then the
negative.
I had my first competition as a gymnast at the age of nine. I was beyond nervous, my knees were
wobbling and I was afraid I would make a fool out of myself. The first event was the floor exercise and we
were the first group to compete. When the time came for our coach to ask O.K., whos going first? no one
even looked up, they were just as nervous as I was. Although it took nearly all the self confidence I had, I said,
I will. And I performed one of the best routines in my life in front of dozens of people. I got first place at
that meet, and all because I competed with confidence.
Everybody already has self confidence in them, just some refuse to use it, or dont recognize that they
have it. I believe that self confidence leads to a more successful, and an overall better life. I have heard
people say that it is not good to be overly confident, and that it comes off as arrogant. While in some cases
this is true, as long as you are fighting toward something of value, overconfidence is good. Dont let people
put you down for being overly confident; it doesnt affect you negatively.
The problem with a lot of people is that they dont know how to build their self confidence, or even
realize how important having confidence actually is. There are ways that you can build your self confidence
though. First of all, identify the successes you already have. Are you good at sports? Can you play an
instrument? Do you have a good sense of humor? You should also try to stay positive as much as you can, try
to avoid too much self-pity and being overly sympathetic toward others. Also, accept compliments! When
some people receive compliments, they just shrug it off or say yeah, right. Respond positively, and take the
compliment to heart! Also, be kind to the people around you: you will be making a positive difference in their
life, which will boost your self confidence. And lastly, avoid being a perfectionist: dont point out little flaws in
yourself or your work, because this will limit you and prevent you from achieving your goals. As Norman
Vincent Peale once said: Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable
confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. This I believe.


(#
Silence
by James W

Silence can be as powerful as the strongest voice on earth. Silence is one of the most useful things,
even though people dont get enough of it in this loud generation. Between loud music concerts, music
devices, television, and playing instruments we are exposed to a lot of noise in our lives. When was the last
time you lay down and cleared your mind in silence?
I am a loud person who likes to play guitar and bass. Like any other human, I watch sports on TV and
converse with everyone. The result of doing all these things is that I dont get much silence in my life. I am a
very loud person, between laughing, playing guitar, and making music on my computer. Being in a busy
family of five, my life is always loud. Whenever I get free time to be quiet, I usually think about happy things
instead on focusing on all the stressful and sad things going on around me. When you are relaxing in peace,
you can think in peace. Sometimes, I think about things quietly and I get more out of it instead of thinking
with my headphones on.
When you are alone, if you start thinking about how little control you have over stress, you should just
lie down and worry about it later. People are always moving and talking and making noise, and nobody
realizes when they need some down time to get away from all of the noisy things that can stress them out.
We humans do not get enough silence because we go from one thing to another without silence.
Think of a busy city with business people walking around on their phone with the noisy construction sites.
That is what causes stress and other problems. Studies show that if people dont get enough self time in a
silent environment, they will get stressed. Too much noise can also cause health problems physically and
mentally. Have you ever had complete silence for at least two hours during the day? Try having a day with
complete silence to regain some sanity lost from all of the noise.
No matter what, we all need a little down time to create less stress in our lives. Unplug those
earphones and lie down and think about happy things. Next time you are in a car looking out of the window,
turn off your music and phone and enjoy the silence while you have the chance. Now I ask for ten seconds of
complete silence.



($
The Hallway of Chaos
by Grace L

Opening the green doors at the top of the stairs,
Late as usual.
Entering a world well known to me.
Friends greeting friends with a tired smile.
Arms reaching like spiders into bags unpacking books.
Many running by, printing feverishly to avoid deadlines.
The clinking of lockers opened and shut.
Space filled with awakening voices and laughter.
Racing through and dodging others,
Heading to their final destinations.
Bodies mope into classrooms delivering goodbyes to friends entering other rooms.
Latecomers rushing to join.
Again and again students emerge,
Heading from class to class.
Tossing and grabbing papers,
Through this hallway of chaos.


(%
The Marshall Cape House
by Jacob B

Ever since I could remember, the family beach house has been my favorite place in the world. It has
belonged to our family for at least fifty years, has been a huge part of our family traditions, and has hosted
many Marshall gatherings. Our dogs loved to play in the ocean water, and after they died, their ashes were
scattered into Cape Cod Bay. By this description, you can guess why I became extremely sad and depressed
when I found out that my childhood sanctuary had been sold to another family, and that this might be the last
time I could ever go there again. This is the story of our beach house.
Each summer, our family would go to the Cape at least three times, and each time, rain or shine, there
was always something special about that old house. When you walked inside, the wooden walls would smell
of the sea mist and the musty smell that is given off after the tide goes out. The building itself is a two-story
building with a basement, a garage, a living room with a TV, and three different bedrooms. One bedroom
was for our grandparents, one for the kids, and one for our parents. It doesnt sound like much, but it was
good enough for me.
The tiny little house on the Cape has had some huge changes over the years. First, after a big rain
storm, with tons of wind and downpours, the house porch had rain damage and had to be rebuilt. We
decided to add an extra living room that was up a flight of stairs-- the remodeling took close to two months.
After that, we kids had our own little secret sanctum where our parents let us be while we watched our
favorite cartoons and TV shows on the old VCR/DVD/movie player that I swear has been around since the
dawn of time. Yeah, it seemed that old to us then, but now that old dinosaur looks like its going to fall apart
if you even blow on it.
Every morning, my dad would go out early for donuts at the local donut shop, which was only an
eight-minute drive by bike. After breakfast, we would go out and travel along the Cape, snack on saltwater
taffy, and go to the nearby pizza place/arcade to play a round of mini-golf while we waited for our pizza to be
ready. We would then either go down to the ocean, or go to the local freshwater lake for a quick swim. Then
we would go to a local restaurant called Stewards, and finally it was off to Nauset Ice Cream before going
home.
The house was originally a fishermans old fishing shack, then it was bought by his brother, along with
two other houses on that road. Then, in 1961, my grandmother bought the house from him (since they had
once been neighbors and food friends), and used it as a summer home for her family and friends. He lives in
his first house during the winter, and has gone down there each and every summer since. Now, after fifty-two
years, my grandmother, being 80, finally decided to sell the place to a new family, thus starting a new family
on an exciting adventure at the Cape.

(&
The Power of Humor
by Jack H

Im reading a book about anti-gravity right now. Its impossible to put down. I used to be addicted to
soap, but Im clean now. I believe in the power of humor. Humor can help people in many ways. It can help
heal a person, it can be a pick-me-up for someone, or it can just be a way to pass time. I know that humor is a
way that you can help a person who needs it.
A good example of a time that humor has helped someone is a little more than 14 years ago when my
parents were at the hospital, because my mom was going to give birth to me. The nurses at the hospital had
done this at least a thousand times, so they knew exactly what my mom should do and how my dad should
help her. One thing that they suggested was walking around the area of the hospital they were in. Normally
they can hear the soon-to-be-mother screaming, but they didnt hear that coming from my mom. They were
very concerned because what they heard from down the hall was howls of laughter. The laughter was because
my dad was telling jokes and puns as if it was his last day alive and and wanted my mother to know all of
them.
Ive seen a show called Comedy Warriors: Healing through Humor. In the show there are five war
veterans that have been wounded or are addicted and trying to forget what they saw when they were in
action. The people worked with well-known writers and comedians, like Zach Galifianakis, and created their
own stand-up comedy routine, and then performed at a club, and ended up getting jobs with the club. The
whole routine was centered on the veterans and their experiences, and them making jokes about it.
With humor you can help a person forget about almost anything. Whether it be something small like
scraping your elbow falling off a bike; or something more serious, like the fact they are and will be in a
wheelchair for the rest of their life. If you just stay with the person and get their mind off whatever else may be
going on, just getting them laughing, youre helping them a lot. If Im hanging out with my friends and one of
them does something, stupid or not, and actually hurts themselves, I go over to them and say or do anything
funny that I can think of that will get them to stop worrying about their new injury.
Humor is a way to cheer yourself or someone else up. Whether it is a video, a story, or anything in
between, it can do and help much more than people usually give it credit for. This is why I believe in the
power of humor.

('
The Power of Mother Nature
by Anthony M

Will it be a dud or a blockbuster? Are we going to get ice, rain, or snow? December 12th, 2008. A
normal day: my grandmother was picking up my cousins and me from school. It was a warm day for
December, and when we got home it started to rain. As always, she cooked a homemade Italian meal, and
when I stepped outside to walk back home, It was noticeably colder outside. At this time, I was like any other
third grader; I didn't really pay attention to the weather, so I totally disregarded the colder temperatures.
Once I arrived home, just a little ways from my grandparents, I was baffled as to why some ice was on our
walkway. My understanding at the time was that if it got cold enough that it would turn into snow not ice. So I
went inside, finished my homework, changed into my pajamas, and got ready to go to bed. Just before I went
to sleep, I heard very loud, snapping sounds. At first, it sounded like my dad downstairs shuffling pots and
pans. When I walked downstairs, my dad was nowhere to be found. As the night slowly progressed, the
noises did not subside. When the power went out, it struck me that it must be ice.
I scuttled to my door around 11 pm. Swaying power lines, snapping trees, and ice covering the grass were all
unexpected sights to my curious eyes. This would end up being the longest night of my entire life.
Experiencing no power for two weeks, pipes bursting, and living in temperatures inside your house
below freezing, you experience the power of Mother Nature. I believe in the power of Mother Nature. Not
only do I just believe in the power of Mother Nature, I also believe in her danger and beauty.
Meteorology is one of the most exciting fields of science because the weather is so wildly
unpredictable! Even a minor change in the jet stream can change the track of the storm in a very short
amount of time. This makes Mother Nature dangerous and unpredictable, but beautiful at the same time. You
never know exactly what is going to happen until the storm is at your doorstep, waiting for you, to cause
devastation or beauty. Will it be a dud or a blockbuster?
One day, I hope to be a meteorologist, making discoveries in this exciting field of science. I hope to
warn people of unpredictable storms, and save lives. Because of what happened the night of the 12th, in
2008, I understand the power of the unmerciful Mother Nature, and I hope now you do as well.


((
The Tree of Wrath
by Luviana M

A sheer luscious fruit
Adorned on an aged gnarled tree
Pure yet unvarnished.

Perceived by a child,
It is plucked with great caution
Blissfully devoured

Limbs extend outward,
The wind roars with wrath,
Clouds veil the suns rays.

Out of murkiness
Silent small creatures emerge.
The child shakes in fright.

You dare disturb us?
Asks a creature with great dour
Depart now with haste.

Nay! the others shriek.
He must atone for this deed.
They say in fury.

Prithee, I knew not.
Utters the child in alarm
Set me free, I say.

You must be punished
Responds the small dour creature
He then incants this:

Due to your actions,
Nevermore will you relish,
a single prime fruit.

()
Now go, says the creature
Begone and never return.
At this the child left.

So now when the child
Tries to partake of a fruit,
He merely tastes naught.


)+
The Zombies
by Miles B

As Joseph crept up to the door, the scratching got louder. He unbolted all of the locks except for one,
and waited to get his nerves back together. He decided that he would look out the window first and see if
there were a lot of zombies. He slowly opened the windows shades, and peered out of it. He could see only
two, but the two looked very fierce. They writhed about, poking and prodding at the door. As he was closing
the shades, one of them saw him and rushed over. Joseph was frozen, he couldnt move. Once one of the
zombies got there he ran as fast as he could. The zombies hands broke through the glass at amazing speed.
Joseph rushed up the stairs to his attic and closed the trap door leading up to it. He then put a large concrete
block on the door to keep it shut. He realized that he was trapped. He looked all over and found a small
window. He crept over, trying to make as little noise as possible. He was doing well until the floor creaked.
The zombie pushed and groaned at the cement block. He could tell that they were going to get in. His only
hope was to get to the window before they got to him. He got to the window and peered out. There were 3
more zombies clawing at the door, not realizing the window had been broken. Joseph opened the window
silently. He looked down and took in his surroundings: the window, the ledge, and the zombies. He made a
plan. He slowly lowered his legs out of the window, just hanging there. He looked back in and saw the
cement block at the far edge of the door, and thought, only one more push and theyll be in.
They pushed once more and Joseph leapt. He landed on the ledge awkwardly and painfully. He
stayed there until the zombies were looking out the window. The zombies saw him and pushed their way out
of the window towards him. The adrenaline rushed through his bloodstream, and his heart pumped. He
jumped and ran toward his neighbors house. If he could get there, he would be safe. His leg was terribly
hurt. He hurried, twisting and turning to get away from the zombies, but when he got to his neighbors house,
there were more zombies blocking his path. He knew he couldnt run too much longer.
He saw a little flicker of light in his neighbors window. CRACK! A zombie fell and Joseph ran. He got
to the front door, used the spare key to get in. He was quick with the key, but not quick enough. As he was
hurrying in a zombie scratched him. He cried in pain, and fell to the floor. He lay there until his neighbor came
downstairs.
What happened to you? Are you hurt? his neighbor said, as he kneeled by Joseph.
Im alright, Im just tired from all the running. I also sprained my ankle, but it doesnt hurt anymore,
said Joseph.
He got up and limped over to the familiar living room, one that he had been in many times before, but
none of them like this.
What are those things? Are they really zombies? his neighbor asked.
I dont know, I was watching the game instead of the news, but whatever they are, they arent on our
side, Joseph said.
They then sat down and grabbed some water. Joseph felt woozy, but expected it was just from
running so fast, so he thought water would make him feel better. The water didnt help at all. Joseph was
starting to get worried. He felt hot and jumpy. He couldnt stand still. His neighbor saw this and asked if he
was alright.
)*
Yea, I just had a burst of energy, must be adrenaline, he replied.
Oh alright, but could you sit down, we need to figure some plan out. We cant stay here forever, his
neighbor said.
Im hungry, I need to eat some sort of meat, Joseph said.
He didnt know why he was so hungry, or why it had to be meat. He went into his neighbors kitchen
and grabbed whatever meat he could find. He ate it all, even the uncooked beef. It helped, but it didnt
satisfy him.
Woah, that was all the meat we have, and youre still hungry? I dont think we should be eating all our
food right away, his neighbor said.
You know, I dont like what you are saying. Im hungry and I need to EAT! Do you have any more
meat in this house? Joseph asked in response.
Umm, I- I dont think so. We have bread though, his neighbor answered skittishly.
I dont want bread, I need meat! If you are going to hold out on me, maybe you can be my
nourishment! he shouted back.
What are you talking about? What happened to you?
His neighbor backed away from Joseph, knowing that sometimes Josephs anger could get out of
hand, but he had never hurt anyone. He tripped over the coffee table and stayed down, getting ready for
Joseph to cool off and have a seat.
I need meat. I know there is more meat in this house because some is lying helpless on the ground
right in front of me.
His neighbor quivered in fear as he realized that Joseph was not going to just cool off. . .


)"
Ways of Motivation
by James T
I believe that all injuries lead to harder work, because once that person is able to, they want to get
right back into the swing of things. When you get injured, you feel like a newborn baby because you have
others helping you. Three years ago, when my uncle, Tin, got in a catastrophic motorcycle accident, which
didnt surprise us that much. Before you say, Oh my gosh, that is terrible! hear me out. My mom has this
weird sixth sense of hers where if her eye twitches, something bad happens, and the more it twitches, the
worse that bad thing is. Either that, or she has a bad dream about that bad thing. In this case, both things
happened; she had several nightmares and her eye twitched twice.
In Vietnamese culture, you have certain years that are good and bad. Dont quote me on this, but I am
pretty sure that every five years you have a bad year. The year before, Tin had just received a job promotion
and had just bought a house that was closer to friends and family for a very good deal, so we figured that bad
year hadnt come yet. Sadly, we were wrong.
I remember that night as if it were yesterday. I woke up later than usual for school, I got some grades
that were below my average, I had seemed to lose my favorite pen, and basketball practice went horribly. I
was missing easy baskets, simple passes, and forgetting the plays. All I wanted to do was go home and relax.
After I had finished yet another rigorous night of homework, I was ready to go straight to bed. At around
three in the morning, I heard my family in a big panic so, being a young and curious eleven year old, I got up
and went to the living room to see what was going on. Sure enough, I saw my parents crying and my
grandparents having a sorrowful look on their face. Keep in mind, the only other time my dad has cried was
when his grandfather died and he wasn't able to be there.
Anyways, when they saw me on the stairs, their expressions changed completely, for reasons I still
dont know of today. Thats when they started the whole speech about how things in life aren't always fair.
This made me start crying whether or not it was because I knew something bad had happened or because it
was just an emotional time for me. After saying that, they gave me the bad news; my uncle was in a
catastrophic motorcycle crash and the EMT was lucky to even find him, so there was a good chance he wasn't
going to survive. At that point, I sprinted up stairs and just started bawling my eyes out. The only thing I
remember from that point on was not seeing my parents for the next three days because they were in the ICU
visiting him.
After he had gotten better, he was put in a wheelchair, but he had no feeling from this chest down.
Once he started physical training in the hospital, he was moving along so fast. After he realized that being in
a wheelchair would make life harder for not only him, but for those closest to him, he wanted to become as
strong as he possibly could so that he wouldnt have to be a burden to have around. After months of training,
he was able to lift himself in and out of bed. After that, he was able to wheel himself around, then finally, he
was able to get a drivers license.
Motivation can do miracles. Now, the only thing we help him with is lifting him up and down staircases
because his ramp only works for front doors, but it is very inconvenient. Within just under a year, he was able
to get a drivers license and lift himself in and out of bed. As he was pushing himself, it made me believe that
proving yourself to others is the best way to be an independent and outgoing person.