Chrestomathy, Winter 2017

Chrestomathy Chrestomathy (from the Greek words krestos, useful, and mathein, to know) is a collection of choice literary passages. In the study of literature, it is a type of reader or anthology that presents a sequence of example texts, selected to demonstrate the development of language or literary style.

“Think higher, feel deeper.� (Elie Wiesel)

Seventh Grade Literary Magazine, Winter 2017 The Calhoun Middle School 1

Beginnings In this issue of Chrestomathy, several elements connected to make the finished product. There was the beginning of the year work on Malala Yousafzai and the power of words. There was the study of The Black Eyed Peas classic song, “Where Is the Love?” in both its 2003 and 2016 versions. There were the students’ varying takes on saying goodbye to someone or some thing. The seventh graders also did an extended project on their own philosophies. Finally, with Liz Murray, they worked on memoir prompts and the question of what they want their writing to do to their readers.

All of that is here. We hope we make you think and also understand the power of words.

-Larry Sandomir

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The Power of Words Cameron Sherman Words are powerful A weapon, a gift They can be stronger than an explosion or a jet They can be weaker than you wish they were It’s not just guns or knives Words have power too, They can decide your fate, Bring you up or down Words come in many different languages They can be used as a secret from you Some you can understand perfectly Others it could take years to understand Words can cause the world to change By laws, or by boundaries, They can decide who the next leader is Or they can tell you whether you live or die Silence is the lack of words It can be as powerful as words It can cause disaster Or it can make peace

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We Only Remember When We Don’t See Sophie Held Malala explains that we really understand how great something is when we have not seen it in so long.

We realize how much we need it. We realize how this specific thing makes the world, the world. It is just like a puzzle. If a piece is missing, we finally understand how much we need it, even if it is something that no one has noticed before or rarely notices. Even if it is something that we think is not important, if it is gone for a while, then we might realize how much it actually has an impact on our lives. Every little thing in the world has its importance; sometimes we just do not see it. Sometimes we are too busy with our own lives, or we just don’t seem to care about that specific thing.

Malala says that we are celebrating the voices of every girl, every boy and every woman who raised their voices for their rights. Those are voices that may not have been heard if they had the power of words.

Words Sophie Held Words can change us in many different ways. They can be strong words, or not so strong. It all depends on you – how you look at the words, how you take in the words, and how you experience them. Words can make us feel hurt, or words can make us sprout with joy. Words can bring people together, or set them apart. Words can make you happy or sad. Words can make you change who you are, depending on how powerfully you take them in. Every person in this world will come across some hateful words; you have a choice whether or not to listen to those words. Words can move you to do all kinds of things.

They can move you to do positive things or negative things. Sometimes we can think words are intended to be something that the person who said them did not intend for them to be. Words can make our emotions change really fast. Or sometimes we can hear words and we take them in really slowly. Be careful with how you use your words. That is the power of words.

Part One: The Power of Words Julia Petkov Words always have purpose Whatever their use They’ve been with us from inception They’ll stay with us as long as we choose They can brighten your day In the darkest of skies They can make one feel gloomy When darkness has come They can give one liberation They can give one constraint They can clip your wings They can let you fly They can make you see clearly In the haziest of skies

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They can give you inspiration They can open your eyes Part Two: Malala “If I keep silent, I think, then you lose the right to exist, the right to live.

If my rights are violated and I keep silent, I should better die than to live” - Ziauddin Yousafzai They took my books They took my pens With the aim to silence me A voice I still had They said I couldn’t With malice and spite With the aim to dismiss my ambitions A voice I still had They threatened my family With enmity and force With the aim to destroy me A voice I still had They pounded hard With savagery and disregard With aim to harm me A voice I still had They struck again Now they think they have won But little do they know A voice I still have Ingrid Wernstrom Something that has inspired me is the way people who are passionate about something never give up.

Sometimes if I get angry, I just give up. Some people believe in something and even if there are people threatening to kill them, they keep speaking up for what they believe in. That’s a hard thing to do and is really inspiring. It makes me want to make a difference when I see people who do that in the world for what they believe in.

I want to speak up now about something I believe in. Something that I believe in is equal rights. A lot of people speak up about that, and I want to too. I think that women should have the same rights that men do. It is so unfair that some people don't get treated the same as others. I am really inspired by Malala, because she didn't give up. It was so important to her that girls got the education that they deserved, so she didn't give up.

If you speak up about something, and other people agree with you, they might start speaking up about it too. Nothing is going to change unless a lot of people speak up for it. Malala said in an interview that you have to deliver your messages to the right person, or no change will happen, like how she told

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President Obama that he should stop using drones. It's probably really hard to say that to the President, but she wanted things to change, so she did it.

I believe that everyone should have equal rights. I think its terrible how women didn’t get the right to vote until 1920. It’s good how a lot of people are already speaking up about this issue. I would really want to speak up about this too. It’s a really important issue that needs to be heard more. Women can do things just as well as men can, and sometimes they can even do it better.

That’s why I think everyone deserves equal rights. It is not fair that people get treated differently. Malala is a big inspiration to me, because she speaks up about what she believes in. No matter how many people disagree with her, she speaks up about it. I think that’s really inspiring. If everyone speaks up for things, then these issues will get solved.

Malala Yousafzai Eliot Brown They hush us when we speak To make us feel weak If we question they say be silent When we refuse they get violent When you take away my rights My ambition flies high as a kite They use weapons to quiet us But I know I must Scream louder then before Because I know injustice will be more If I cower in safety I will hate me for not standing up for what's right So this is why I will bang my drum of equal rights For every girl who is killed or denied school as long as she fights Someday there will be equal rights The Power of Malala Hilary Vidal All of our childhood we have to be silent. Respect our elders, listen, pay attention, give respect. That’s all fine and great until it’s not. We need to speak up, speak out, speak our thoughts and feelings. We believe in the power and strength in our words. We know that our words can change actions, thoughts, and lives. We speak up for freedom, equality.

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We realize “the importance of light when we see darkness.” We always take for granted the things we have. Food, clothes, homes. People say this all the time, but it’s no joke. Most of the world doesn’t have water, food, clothes, or shelter. We only appreciate the things we have now, when they’re gone.

Malala Yousafzai is one of the many inspiring people in the world. She is fighting for the millions of boys and girls who can’t get an education, the men and women being deprived of their dignity, self-respect, and lives. She is going to help change the world. Every person who comes along, and does acts like Malala, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, will bring the world to peace, justice, fairness, and kindness.

Question Reflection Poem Hilary Vidal Thoughts Feelings Ideas Are sometimes the most powerful things of all We think, breathe, live ideas Using a pen We can see emotion Thoughts Caring Ideas can change the world Change isn’t something people sometimes want or live Using a pen to write down the ideas That will make change Is the most powerful weapon of all The pen is mightier than the sword

IT’S

PHILOSOPHICAL

How Do I Know?

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Ariell Haims How do I know?

Is a pen wiser because it’s been used for so long?

Is a sidewalk easier to forgive because there are no car crashes?

Is a clock smarter than a calendar because a clock counts time?

How do I know?

Is an answer easier to teach because it only takes memorization?

Is a sunset like a contest because some are better than others?

Is the new more fearful than the old because it is part of the unknown?

How do I know?

Is science like a promise because the answer never changes?

Is a dream more difficult because it takes more effort?

Is a year braver because more can happen in that amount of time?

How do I know?

Does an entrance have more pride because it shows someone for the first time?

Is a heart easier to open and close because it can be persuaded by words and actions?

Is a mirror like a legend because it tell the truth and cannot lie?

How do I know?

Is rain more suspenseful because it is more unknown and can cause more damage?

Does a signature have more meaning than an autograph because it is not for fame purposes?

Is history more trustworthy because it is information from our past?

How do I know?

Is an enemy more useful because they push you to do something better or work harder?

Is it sadder to find something than to seek because it may not turn out to be what you hoped it would?

Is music happier than art

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because they are more words to use to express it?

How do I know?

Is justice fairer than revenge because it is not out of spite?

Does a lie live longer than the truth because it can be interpreted differently?

Is a hammer stronger than a nail because one needs the other to serve its purpose?

How can I know?

Is reality more comforting than imagination because it says it like it is and there is a more simple answer?

Does responsibility have greater demands than laziness because it requires more effort?

Is knowledge more dangerous because it can do more damage and has more power?

How Do I Know?

Katya Deckelbaum I still don’t know my philosophy, my meaning of life, but I do know the basic rules. I know that you can never EVER have any necessities in life. The only way to need, is when you need to do blank to achieve blank. For example, in order to live you need water, food and oxygen, but that is only if you want to live; otherwise you don’t need to do anything. I also know that no one in the world EVER knows everything there is always more to learn, more to discover, because there is always something new being created.

It’s impossible to know everything, plus your brain would simply forget. It would be too full to remember everything, and you would have to relearn everything that you previously forgot!!! NOTHING is impossible. In your dreams and in real life, the only limits are your imagination, which, by the way, doesn’t have limits or boundaries. Whatever you can imagine, you can do or create so that you can allow it to be done. With every single thing you think of comes a new thing that you can figure out how to do.

Within my philosophy every person has many goals. Our most important goal is to find out who we are and how our inner selves can help with what we believe in. Everyone in the world has a reason to be on the Earth, whether they know it or not. Every person is smart and important. I believe that all people are born with their eyes closed and as they get older, their eyes open up and they can see the world as they believe it is, so when they learn who they are and what they are alive for, it all becomes clearer.

Think about these questions, and try to figure the answers out for yourselves: Why are we all on this world? What makes us need to be here? What is each and every person’s mission in life? What is our reason to live? Who decides everything? Is God dead relatives? Who controls us? What is beyond life?

What happens when you die? How was the world actually made? Is there anything beyond our life? Is life really how we know it or is it a big trick, illusion, plot or trap? Why is the world the way it is? What shaped the world to be the way it is? Can the universe ever end? What is beyond the universe? If the

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universe is always expanding, then what is it expanding into? Why is the world the way it is? What is life worth?

Cameron Sherman

Equality is the definition of equal, but equal is not always fair. That’s where equity comes in. Equity, unlike equality, means fair, not equal. In some situations, it’s equality that is only needed. In other situations however, it is equity that is needed.

This visual represents the difference between equality and equity. On both sides I see three boys, one tall, one average, and one short standing on boxes of equal height. On the left side, the three boys are all standing on one box, demonstrating equality, all standing on the same size box. While it’s great for the tall boy, good for the average boy, it doesn’t solve the problem for the short kid. On the right side, It shows the tall boy standing on his two feet, the average boy standing on one box, and the short boy standing on two boxes. That demonstrates Equity because all of the boys are getting what they need in order to see the game clearly.

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For some situations in the real world, equality is needed. For example, women aren’t treated as equals to men. Often they are not paid the same as men for the same job, and women aren’t offered the same jobs as men, even when they have the same or better qualifications. That situation should be treated with equality, because if men and women have equal rights, they will be treated equally. For other situations in the real world, equity is needed. For example: When a person has a disability and is in a wheelchair, they need ramp or elevators to access the same thing as non-handicapped people. It’s called leveling the playing field.

This is my philosophy because I believe in everybody having equal rights. No matter if you are male or female, Christian or Muslim, straight or gay, able bodied or handicapped, you should have equal rights to have a job, housing, access, relationships, and basically a place in the world. I feel very strongly about this - it frustrates me how some people are not treated fairly and as equitably as others. A personal experience of mine would be when I was in gym class, and I had this really mean teacher. He favored the kids who were strong athletically, but didn’t favor the kids like me who still tried, but weren’t that athletic. He treated us like less than a priority or less than a student.

Equality is the definition of equal, but isn’t what’s needed in every situation. Sometimes people need more to be equal to others, and if they get that, that would be equity. Our government can pass laws to change and guarantee that people have equal rights. It can start with one person, then It could be a small group, then a bigger group and so on. So all it needs is one.

Zoe Wohlman My philosophy about life is that we are all given talents. We are all given special things that only we can do. Our lives are just the cards we draw and not all of us get the same card. There’s a person out there with the same thoughts as me. The same values and beliefs as me. The same ambitions as me. The same hopes as me. There’s a person out there with the same views as you. Yet that person may not have all the privileges you do to pursue these thoughts. So I try my best, for that person like me, to use those thoughts as motivation, so that every person, similar to me or not, gets the same opportunities that I am given. My philosophy about life is that we are all equal, but not the same.

Every day we go through our lives thinking the world revolves around us. It’s not our fault; we live our daily lives through one lens through one camera: our own eyes. However, because we pay so much attention to our picture, we don’t focus on the bigger one. If we all just demonstrated a little more love, we could create peace. We’re all just a piece of the puzzle that makes up the world. It doesn’t matter if you're a little piece or a big one. For me, it’s important to try and be an influential character in other people's lives. I strongly believe that if we change one person for the better, we can change the world for the better.

If you know me, you know that I’m a very strongly opinionated person. I believe in equality of all the genders, equality of all the races, equality for all religions, and equality for all sexual orientations.

Because I am so strongly opinionated, I also believe it is my job to pursue these beliefs and to make sure the message gets around; to leave this Earth knowing I did something to benefit the world. As Michelle Obama said, ”There are so many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.”

Everyone is different. We all learn in different ways. Love in different ways. Hate in different ways. We all feel in different ways. Speak in different ways. Think in different ways. However, all of these different things are what we need to appreciate the most. All of our unique originalities are what makes us the

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individuals we are. For example, I’m Jewish. Being Jewish and growing up in a community of Judaism has taught me to appreciate religion. Learning about World War Two and the suffering my religion was put through, showed me I need to respect everyone’s religion and how hard people fought for survival, just based on their beliefs. Everyone’s beliefs matter and should be respected all the same.

My family and friends are very important to me - they make up who I am. They make up my basis of how I look at life. Without these significant people in my life, I wouldn’t view things the same way. All my opinions originate back to how I was brought up - who the people that surrounded me are. All the different people that I am so fortunate to have in my life make up all the different aspects of my life as well. For example, my dad lost his parents at a very young age. Learning about the difficulties he went through taught me to appreciate everything I have and not to take anything granted.

When I grow up I want to live in a world where we all love, respect, and accept one another. Right now, growing up, at least for the next four years, I am deeply afraid that my vision will not reach the minds of the rest of the world. Not only is our leader horrendous and despicable, half of my country believes and supports his words and actions. However upsetting this news was for me, I realized all I can really do is use my frustration as motivation. Someone once told me, “You have to be very fed up to make change happen.” Statistics show that the majority of people under the age of 30 voted for the opposite candidate, showing proof there is hope, that one day we can all stand hand and hand with all of our differences and not just live with them, but embrace them.

In the world there are only seven people who look exactly like you. That’s full proof we’re all not supposed to look alike. There is no other person in the world whose personality is exactly like yours.

However, this doesn’t mean one face or one personality should be given more or less opportunities than the next. Life is short and if we are so stuck in our perspectives and with such hate, no progress will ever be made. My philosophy is that we’re all equal, but not the same.

My Life, My Way Carter Patterson Run of the Unicorn The mystical Unicorn summonsLive Beyond Illusion Dream Sky Towers

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Vault Higher Sail Heavenward Capture the Light Beauty Erupts Greatness Awaits I am the Unicorn!

Carter Patterson Violence is the harming of a group (or a person who is often singled out) by the use of force. Violence is used as a way to control others by forcing behavior based on fear or a threat and it causes harm. Nonviolence is use of peaceful, often non-confrontational ways, without violence or force, to create change in policy, politics or any social change. The goal of non-violence is often to promote peace and love. It is an act to influence an idea or emotion in the minds of the people in power or others in general. Nonviolence avoids creating fear, but rather relies on calmly communicating ideas and sentiments. Nonviolence is a key to creating a safer environment to speak, learn, and share ideas instead of creating a forced resolve, without true understanding. Change happens through a real connection and awareness that happens with non-violence.

Violence is a way of making a change by creating fear and by using force. It often creates hate and mistrust in the world around us. Fewer people join a movement or are willing to accept an idea if they are forced to join. With the use of violence, agreement is not voluntary, but coerced. Unity, and often victory, is not gained by hate and fear.

Non-violence is a way of bringing about change to reach the goal of peace and justice. It is more effective than violence because it provides hope through the chance for reflection and possible resolution. Non-violence does not indulge in fear. It can make others really think of how their behavior affects others and see the true reality. People who use nonviolence and peaceful means normally win with affection and love. In a Bible story, Jesus speaks about the use of non- violence when he teaches that “if someone hits you on one cheek, offer them the other cheek.” He is making it clear that violence is not the answer. Non-violence should be our go to emotion and love must trump hate.

Change is a process of either making the world or a specific thing different in a way that might fit the needs of you or another group of people. Change is a thing that most people fight for and others try to ignore in the world around us. Some people want equality and rights and others might be fine about their stance. Change is a way of creating safer environments for everyone.

Violence could be seen in many forms. Violence could be in words or in actions. It is negative and spreads, making it is very ugly and harmful. It does harm and is hurtful whenever it is used. Nonviolence, on the other hand, is meant for peace and helps the heart and spirit of the ones affected and those observing. It helps because it satisfies the need of someone’s soul.

Andrew Goodgold The meaning of life to me is love - dreaming of something and accomplishing it for the world. For example, if you dreamed of being a teacher you might not think you’re going to, but you’re going to fight and push hard to accomplish what you dreamed of. Kids can do whatever they want if they put

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their mind to it. All we need in this world is love. We need nonviolence and that will make this world so much better with peace.

If someone believes he can do something we should encourage him to do whatever he wants to, no matter what someone says. If someone says that you can't do something, fight to make that not true. I hate when some people says you are not good at something or you're not going to become that. Do you know what that does to a kid who uses his imagination? It can destroy it.

Hilary Vidal My philosophy is equality for everyone. Everyone deserves to be treated with as much respect as you would treat someone else. No one should feel like they are hated because of the color of their skin, the things they believe in. People hate others because they don’t think or act the same way they do. No one’s the same; we all have our differences, our flaws.

Honestly, there’s no reason for people to act this way towards other human beings. We are all children of God. We are all connected. We are all apart of God’s great big family - We are the world. Life is too short to hate anyone else. Love everyone. We are all equal. You never know who may have an amazing impact on if you treat them right. Everyone should feel this way; there’s no reason not to.

Eli Deutsch My first philosophy is happiness because I am always happy. Even if I look like I am in a sad mood, I am always happy inside. I also love to make other people happy. A lot of my friends make me happy, which puts me in a good mood and then I make other people happy. If am doing something that I love, then I am especially happy, like playing baseball, soccer or video games.

My second philosophy is laughter because I always make people laugh and people always make me laugh. I usually watch things that make me laugh, like “Family Guy” or funny things on You Tube, like a cat running into a wall. If I had a super power based on my personality, it would probably be making someone laugh uncontrollably just by looking at them.

Bella Ulfelder 1.

I don’t think the universe is empty or full. All of us exist, our planet, our solar system, matter that takes up space, proving that the universe can’t be empty.

However, beyond the things we know, there might very well be some places in our universe that are completely empty. Take a black hole, for example. Logically, if no radiation or matter can escape from its pull, it can’t be empty because of all it has consumed. Still, we have no idea what might lie inside or on the other side of one because no one has explored it (and even if they could, they wouldn’t be able to

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return and tell the tale), so we don’t even know if logic applies to it; we simply can’t tell if it is empty or not.

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Though we are not physically filled completely with anything, we are full in other ways. We are full of ambition, aspiration, and dreams, balanced with the satisfaction we have already gained from both what we have achieved and what others have granted us. We are full in the sense that we are wellrounded people with layers, even if we choose not to display all of them.

Living a full life means completing many of the things you wanted to, realizing what makes you the happiest. It means surrounding yourself with loving, supporting people and helping others do what they dream of doing as well. It is possible to live a full life having made mistakes. Living fully means recognizing these errors and allowing yourself learn and grow from them.

On the other hand, living an empty life means not doing any of the things you had hoped to achieve, living without a purpose or goal. It means regretting many of the decisions you made and perhaps wishing that you had done things differently. Though it is an oxymoron, yes, you can be full of emptiness. Just as expressions such as “pretty ugly,” “deafening silence,” or “alone together” can mean opposite things but still make sense.

Nothing is a broader term than empty. Something can have nothing inside of it, thus using the word nothing for the same purpose as the word empty, but nothing can also be used in other situations where empty is not applicable. Something someone says can have nothing to do with the subject at hand, but can’t have empty to do with it.

The same goes for full and everything–everything is more of a general term. Something can have everything inside of it, thus utilizing the word everything for the same purpose as the word full, but something can mean everything to someone without meaning full to him/her. Someone can’t have literally everything or literally nothing, but they can have everything they want or nothing they want.

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Whereas the truth is based on knowledge, lies are based on false information. The truth is not always meant kindly and a lie is not always meant contemptuously. Some lies are told to preserve or protect, and these lies can certainly do good.

Truth is a solid fact, and is usually referred to as being such, but I think opinions can also hold truth.

Opinions are our truths and values; they are what we believe to be accurate. This doesn’t mean our truth has to apply to everyone–everyone’s truth is different.

Lies are seen as numerous, as they are referred to as “a lie.” The truth is seen as being concrete and shared, as it is referred to as “the truth.” However, there is a difference between the truth of my beliefs and the truth of someone else’s. Truth is a social construct, and my interpretation of that construct will of course be different from another person’s interpretation. Take religion, for example. Someone else’s truth might be in God, and just because that isn’t my truth doesn’t mean that it is any less theirs. Your beliefs equal your truth.

Cheating is a false act explicitly committed for self gain, whereas lying is not necessarily motivated by greed or gaining the upper hand. Cheating is a type of lying, though lying is not always a type of

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cheating. Yes, you can say something untrue without meaning to do so, but you can’t lie unintentionally–lying is a deliberate act.

Sometimes the truth is so painful that we can barely face it ourselves, let alone break it to someone else.

We either lie to shield them from a harsh reality or conceal something we did because we don’t want to disappoint them.

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We are here because of a mere cosmic coincidence, an explosion that allowed for us to be here today.

Beyond that, I don’t think that there is some “great meaning” to explain our existence, and there doesn’t have to be. What matters is the fact that we are here now, and we must make the most of our lives while they last. It doesn’t matter why we’re here so much as it matters what we do while we’re here.

You can certainly change the world for the better by changing yourself for the better. Even if the effect is small, change is still change, and kindness tends to have a chain reaction. Being good is proven to make the person you’re being kind to more likely to be better to others as well.

Reason is why something is there and purpose is what it is doing in that place. For example, the reason to have an anti-Trump rally would be to oppose his xenophobic, Islamophobic, LGBTQIA+phobic, and sexist speech. However, the purpose of the rally would be to promote love and tolerance.

Depending on the situation, I will either choose to be an upstander or a bystander. If I believe an issue is minor or harmless, I usually don’t feel like I need to upstand. However, if an issue is important to me and I feel very strongly about it, I will certainly upstand. If the situation is of great importance, then one should be an upstander. Although, if you don’t think it’s necessary and the issue is minor, you don’t have to intervene, and sometimes it’s better not to because you’ll simply be perceived as nosy.

In being an upstander, sometimes you’ll be alone. Sometimes no one else believes in what you’re saying or has the courage to stand by you. Sometimes you may weaken friendships because others are afraid of what will happen to them if they are seen supporting a dangerous idea. In being a bystander, at least in my experience, you are left with the guilt that is sometimes even more powerful than the fear of upstanding. You may not have risked your social standing or reputation, but you have lost some of your integrity.

I have been educated a lot about social justice by my parents and even educated myself on the matter online. It is a topic I have many strong opinions about and I am willing to upstand for it. To what extent, I can’t be sure, since I’ve never been put in a situation where I’d have to risk anything significant for my beliefs. I’d like to think that I would be willing to risk a fair amount for what I believe in, but I don’t really have a way to tell right now.

To me, a just cause is any type of equality or social justice. This country was built by white cis hetero men, and is thus catered toward white cis hetero men. We see examples of oppressive institutions everywhere, such as in the form of police brutality, the wage gap, and voter suppression. One simply can’t ignore these facts and think that the country is “equal” now. My worldview is also altered because I am a half Latina female, and because of my intersectionality, I have empathy toward others who are even more marginalized.

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To tell whether the world has become a better place, we just need to examine our history and how far we’ve come. Not too long ago, we still had slavery and segregation. Now, the first eight years of having our first black president are coming to an end. Not too long ago, women couldn’t even vote, and no one could even fathom the idea of a woman running for office, let alone presidential office and making it to the final two. True, our soon-to-be-president Trump is what white supremacy would look like if it were personified, but I think we can tell that the world has become a better place by looking at all the backlash against his hateful speech and actions, backlash coming from people of all kinds of genders, sexualities, religions, ethnicities, and races. For me, the heart of the matter is to make the world a better place in general.

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The Meaning of Life to Me The meaning of life, and, as I mentioned earlier, and the heart of the matter, is to make the world a world a better place by doing what you love, having respect for others, and by standing up for what you believe in. Art allows me the chance to express myself creatively, and to combine all three aspects of my meaning of life.

So ask yourself: Are you living life to its fullest extent? What does that mean to you?

Ella Gullickson The virtues that I think are the most important are as follows: bravery, modesty, kindness, and selflessness. I think that everyone should show these virtues in everyday life. All of these are things that I try to do daily because they not only make you a better person, but all of your friends feel good while being around you. Also, if someone were to execute these virtues daily, they have a better chance of success in their work life because if bosses see you acting with such confidence, chances are they will be impressed.

The secret to the way I like to live my life is to never give up, no matter what the circumstances because chances are, if you are kind and you work hard, things cards will fall into place and everything will work out eventually. If you give up before good things happen, you’ll never know what could have happened.

That’s why it is best to take the ride.

Working hard in life will get you anywhere. Anything you want accomplished can be done with a little elbow grease. When I moved to New York four years ago, I was trying to get onto a soccer team. I was good enough for the D1 team, but I had not tried out before the teams were made. Instead, since there were too many people on the better teams, they put me on the D3 team. The players on that team were, frankly, awful. I played every minute of every game for that awful team for a year. At the same time I was practicing with the D1 team. By the end of the year I had had it with that team. I was just about to give up, but I kept going. When the next year’s tryouts came along, I was ready. I made the D1 team. The feeling of pride I got when they announced it was the most I’d ever felt in my life and it was all worth it.

Bravery is a way of life. It is something you choose to do. Bravery is a state of mind that I use daily. At a soccer game I got kicked in the ribs. As you might have guessed, yes, it hurt...a lot! There was a bruise in the spot that her cleats made contact. I was lying on the ground and I had to make a decision, either cry

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and roll on the ground until my coach comes to get me, or get up, suck it up and keep playing. I chose the latter. I got up, said I was fine and kept playing. It definitely hurt, but it would hurt more to be shown as if I couldn’t handle a little blow.

My values, for me, are a way of life. They are the unspoken rules that my brain made up when I was born. They are the laws that, if broken, I feel a strange twinge in my stomach. I base all of my decisions on these values that others might not even think about. It’s, ”my philosophy.” My own little government and I am the President and the Congress.

Liam Harvey My values are unique to me. I feel like nobody can have the same exact values for the same reason.

Even if two people have the same values, they probably have them for different reasons. For example, one might value bravery because people who are brave push themselves or one might value bravery because they think it will get them farther in life. No matter what, people usually have different values and always have them for different reasons, because in the end, everybody is different. I value friends, bravery, and the military.

Friends I value friends because I think they help you so much getting through life. I think the part of life they help get you through most is school. School is one of the hardest things you go through in life. It can be mentally or physically hard. It can be mentally hard to stay focused or keep up with the homework. It can be physically hard if you are lacking sleep because of all the homework you get. Friends help you get through that so much. They can help you with homework, encourage you to try harder, and be there if you are sad for most reasons. Friends may come and go, but some stay. You can have one friend or many friends.

Friends can also help you outside of school. They help you be happy at hangouts or sports practices.

Even if you have just one friend, he can help you so much throughout your school years and even after that. He can help you get out of an addiction. He can be there if someone has passed away. He can help you get something you can’t get otherwise. There are so many things they can do; it is limitless.

Bravery I value bravery because of what it takes. It takes so much courage and will to be brave. For example, if you are going to talk to a girl/guy you like and you are really nervous, it takes so much bravery just to go do it, but once you do it, you feel awesome. That is another thing I like about bravery. You usually feel very good after you do it, unless you end up getting in trouble or getting denied.

The Military I value the military for so many reasons. For one, they have bravery, which I value as you can see in my previous paragraph. They have so much bravery to go out there and risk their lives for our country. Two, they leave their families, if they have one, behind and even though they love them, they fight because they know it is the right thing to do. Three, the training and workout they do out there is crazy. They train and do drills that CEOs could never even dream about doing. They do that hard training just so they can fight in a battle that can take their lives, their souls, and their hearts.

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All of these three reasons contribute to sacrifice. The sacrifice they make is so great. They sacrifice so many things that many people either don’t have the time to sacrifice or just don’t want to. They sacrifice their time, their lives, their families, their bodies, and their well-being. They don’t just go out their thinking they will survive; they know that there is a huge chance they will go down, but they do it anyway. Many soldiers come back with PTSD, which is very scary. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is when you experience something terrifying and then you can have flashbacks, anxiety attacks, nightmares, and even uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Soldiers go out there knowing that PTSD is very common, but they are willing to risk that to help out our country. I just think these people are amazing in so many ways.

These three values are very important to me. Different things are important to different people for different reasons. I think my values and why I value them are very different from the next person, but everyone has at least some values, even if they don’t realize it. To realize your values is amazing because when you realize your values you can chase them. You can follow your dreams and be the best you that you can be.

Nathan Smith The meaning of life is that everyone should work together and help each other. The world is so far from that right now and it frustrates me. It will take a world to get to work together and help each other, but I think that it will be worth it. I don’t know how to help the world to start to be like that, but I think that I have to start small.

The first part is working together and it is so hard to think like that when the world is so divided. The world is divided because of the presidential race. The Trump voters and the Clinton voters are still at each other’s throats. Eventually, situation will die down. The first step to help people work together is to think of everyone as equal.

The second part is to help each other and this backpacks on the working together; it is an add-on. I like to think that working together is the base and helping is additional. That doesn’t mean that it is any less important. It feels really good when you help someone or when you get helped. The first step to have people helping each other is to start small, like in your neighborhood.

Another big thing about making the world a better place is to be kind. It feels good when people are nice to you. It is the same if you are nice to someone else. Jono has a leadership course that teaches us to be kind and to notice kind and generous things around us. I really like it and it feels good to be nice.

The world is in a ditch and it is our job to help it. We need to start helping people and working together with the people around us.

Destiny Wilson 1. Our Emotions The dictionary has many words, but it doesn’t have enough to describe our emotions. No matter what race, sexuality, gender or lifestyle, everyone has emotions. Emotions are thoughts that determine our feelings. There are many emotions we can feel on a daily basis; you might even have an emotion right

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now. Whether you’re depressed, sad, upset, or angry, you will always have feelings that you are either aware or not aware of. There are times when I experience many emotions all at once, like being happy and sad. When I have both of these emotions together, I’m probably feeling bittersweet about something. I feel the dictionary is too small and there should be more words to describe my feelings. For example, when I’m feeling nervous and excited, I’d call it “nervited,” because this emotion would describe how I’m feeling before any swim meet or race I’m participating in. I think this word applies to me quite a lot and there should be more words to describe different feelings.

I don’t necessarily believe you can create new emotions, but I do believe that our vocabulary is limited in words that describe our emotions. There may be times when you think that you are feeling a new emotion and don’t recognize the identification for it, but our vocabulary can’t describe what we’re feeling at all times. There are also times when I want to stop having one emotion and overrule it with another. When I attempt this I always fail, because I’ve started to notice that you don’t always control your emotions; things can control them instead. When I started to think about this concept, it made me really consider what percentage of other things control our thoughts and us. When trying to control our emotions, we block out the thoughts that we’re truly thinking. Therefore, it’s impossible to decide which emotions we’re feeling.

When I get sad, it’s most likely caused by loss, unfairness, betrayal or self-pity. When I’m not feeling sad, I’m feeling the opposite: I’m happy. It’s smartest to be optimistic and think about opportunities and the fact that things can get better, which is why I try not to be sad at all. These thoughts end up making me feel happy when I’m sad, so I always end up forgetting why I’m sad and letting go of my previous thoughts. Whenever I feel happy, it’s usually triggered by enjoyment, forgiveness and agreement. I think happiness is an emotion that describes a comfortable state. Whenever I’m happy I’m always comfortable and am most enjoyable to be around. When you’re happy, other people become happy, and that’s what makes this world such a contagiously good place.

2. Truths and Lies Emotions are things that also contribute to decisions and truths and lies are a part of that category.

Truths and lies are opposites of each other. A truth is something that is told genuinely and a lie is something told with dishonesty. The difference between truths and lies is that one is false and the other isn’t.

There are such things as degrees of truth. Truth has it’s own spectrum, because there are so many ways to tell the truth and some truths can be more harmful than others. The first type of truth that I would place on the spectrum is a whole truth. A whole truth is a type that includes everything that took place.

The next thing I’d put on the spectrum is half-truths. Half-truths are truths that only include part of something that happened.

Lying certainly isn’t something to be done all the time, but doing so when you don’t want to offend someone is definitely appropriate. There are also times when I say something that’s not true out of ignorance. I’m not sure what to consider that type of lie; it’s not an intentional lie, nor is it a complimentary lie. It can be an uneducated statement, because I thought it was true.

Then there’s a deeper word for lying, like there’s a deeper word for sadness. It’s called cheating.

Cheating is very similar to lying, but it’s an act of dishonesty, rather than words of dishonesty.

3. My Beliefs

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Everyone has emotions, and our beliefs are incorporated in our emotions. Everyone has their own emotions and everyone has their own beliefs. Your beliefs can have their own meaning and importance to you, but not everyone has those same opinions. If you have a belief and someone else has a different one, of course there’s a difference between the truths behind each one. Having a truth behind a belief is having a structure and reasoning behind it. Not everybody has to agree with your beliefs and truths and that’s totally okay, because they’re your own.

Truths, lies and emotions are a part of our lives and we all live this life only once. Some people may say they don’t know why they’re alive, but they just may not have discovered their reasons yet. We’re all alive for a reason, but it may or may not be prominent just yet. There must be a reason why we’re alive, because if not, we wouldn’t have a purpose or a meaning.

The difference between reason and purpose is slight, but meaningful. Reason is the justification for doing something and purpose is the reason for something happening. Since all of our lives have a reason and a purpose, they change the world in some way or another. Our choice is if we want to change the world for better or for worse. To make the world a better place we can try to change other people’s actions, but changing our own actions is the easiest way to start. Of course, you don’t have to change your whole personality and lifestyle, but the small things can make a big difference. Making those choices is our responsibility, but are we obligated to make those decisions?

Responsibility and obligation are two very different things. Responsibility is something that someone may or may not have and it’s the power to do things that make sense. Obligation means having to do something. The difference between both words is that one is something that someone has and the other is something that must be done. Something you have the responsibility to be is an upstander or a bystander. I consider myself to be an upstander in most situations, because I stand up for other people and I’m not someone who lets bad things happen. There are definitely times when I’ve been a bystander, but for the most part I tell a superior when something bad happens.

I think it’s possible for someone to be both, an upstander and a bystander; it’s better to be both.

Whenever you have the responsibility to choose if you want to be an upstander or a bystander, there are pros and cons. The challenge in being an upstander is the fact that an upstander shares an opinion with someone who is being targeted and conflicting opinions can be dangerous when shared. The challenge in being a bystander is watching something bad happen and not doing or saying anything.

I have many beliefs because I have many opinions. A lot of them are important to me and I’m willing to stand up for them. I decide to believe in something strongly by being educated about the belief and thinking about how important the belief is and how it applies to other people. To stand up for my beliefs I’m willing to sacrifice my time, my dignity, my breath and even my safety.

Most of my opinions would be considered views for just causes. A just cause is one that is fair for everyone, like loving whoever you feel, no matter which gender they may be. That’s a just cause, because if you think that the opposite gender isn’t attractive to you, then loving who you want shouldn’t be illegal or frowned upon. All types of relationships should be applauded and only supporting one type of relationship is unfair, but doing so for all is just.

The world is always changing, but it has definitely done so a lot over the past years. Only sixty-two years ago there was segregation going on in the United States. Now we’ve just gone through eight years with

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our first black president. From the sound of that, I’d definitely say that the world is a better place. The heart of the matter is that not everyone thinks about other people when they consider their own important beliefs. Some people don’t consider other people’s life and lifestyles and if others were respected better, we’d have a better world.

Maria Gil I know the world has become a better place if everyone is happy, and if the environment has been preserved and taken care of as the years go by. If it is in a better condition than the beginning. If violence has decreased and with it the number of needy and homeless people. If the world is in more peace than before and people are less filled with ideas of power and control. The world has become a better place if children’s childhoods have become full of life and with no trace of even thinking of taking their lives. If money has lost its importance enough for people not to kill for the want of it. And if teenagers are able to find who they are without the pressure of growing too fast, or for children as young as 13 to not have to worry about supporting their family in money crisis. In other words, the world has not become a better place. It has actually become the opposite of that, and is still in progress as time passes.

My Meaning of Life Maude Weber Is that my life Is made up of Fragments and shards Of memories and bits Of days that I have While I’m busy doing something else They meld together Into my life Lomie Blum My philosophy is the similar to Søren Kierkegaard's, bleak but honest outlook on life. I especially enjoy this quote: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Learn from the past. Live for the future. Don't dwell on the past since you can't change it. Take the knowledge and wisdom you’ve gained and use it to your advantage today and tomorrow and always.

I try to live by that everyday because almost everything you do in the past will help you in the future.

History is prologue!

I also like the more optimistic and curious Baruch Spinoza. Only God, (and he thought God could not be defined by people or prayer) could be understood through nature and the universe and the study of what makes them tick.

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I like that because no one has a lock on God… but we all can do more to understand nature and the cosmos, and science… And through that study we understand the meaning of God! And life!

L’Chaim!!!

Hear me sailors, cast out to the unknown ocean While we voyage into to the melancholy!

Space will not define us We must look back to understand God But not the orders of our captain But the captain has no say of over us Only we can read this map To know where earth ends And it will lead to a glory and riches and life If not, we still have something from our journey We will have the past to look upon And the present to hope for And the understanding of the big bang A Starry night to read our way by A God to talk to But no one will answer this Not yet Until we hear the waves on the shoreline And the cheers from families welcoming us home.

Mysteries and treasure will not be ours Behold LAND! Life is my wine I drink it every night before bed And if I should get too drunk I’ll be happy instead With too many facts Of the cosmos And too little By way of cosmos Of dirt, family, love, Science, and happiness?

On this earth With others in a cosmic mass So should I never get to drunk?

Or ever know to much?

No of course not!

Why should we ever lose touch?

You told me too!

But I never did to say as I do.

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Ingrid Wernstrom A just cause to me is something worth fighting for in our world. There should be equal rights for everybody. That is something that the people in our world need to try to do. It will probably take a while to make this world completely fair for everybody. It is so terrible to me that people don't get treated the same. Everyone is just human. Nobody is better than anyone else. I strongly believe that everyone is equal, and it's awful that some people don't think that.

The heart of the matter is that this world is definitely not always a good place. I don't understand why some people feel the need to hurt their world or other people in it. People die a lot because of bombs or terrorist attacks. Sometimes our world is great, but a lot of the time it's not. People also don't always understand that just because bad thing aren't happening to them, doesn't mean they aren't happening at all. I hope that in the future the world will be a better place for everybody in it.

SAYING GOODBYE Breaking Free Sophie Held It was stronger.

It pushed me down and I could not get up.

It had me trapped in a cave where I could not escape.

I couldn’t breathe.

The pain was so unbearable that I could not say anything to anybody.

It dragged me down deep into the ocean and buried me beneath the sand so that I could not get out.

It had me in its hands Telling me that it would not hurt me.

It wasn’t true, but I believed it.

It was trying to hurt me.

It kept on trying to hurt me, over and over again, and I was in so much pain.

It would not stop trying to hurt me until I was in the grave.

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It was stronger, until I realized that I was the stronger one.

I found a way to break myself out of the sand and swim up and out of the ocean.

It wasn’t stronger. I was.

I was flying high.

Then it came and pulled me down to the ground.

I struggled and broke free.

Now, I’m flying even higher than before.

Goodbye Sokhnamai Kane Where do I belong I told myself daily I was swarmed with my ebony colored ¨friends¨ My ¨kin¨ A confiding, peaceful race In each other In this establishment A supposed sanctuary But to me it was a jail Where I was sentenced To academics and pundit bottom feeders who pretended that they actually wanted me To understand them and Be enlightened by Them All I endured was Pain Nine months Five days a week Morning to afternoon

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Nine hours.

All year round Then, I let go I said, “Goodbye” I won’t be missin’ all the name calling And fake smiles Goodbye I won’t be missin’ the Threats to give you my Snacks Goodbye I enlisted myself somewhere I felt wanted Finally captivated in a Light I couldn’t even fathom This place is heaven Anonymous Dear Vovo, I never got a chance to say goodbye to you. When I was told about your passing, it was a complete surprise to me. I barely knew anything about death. The only image in my head was when you built a swing set for my sister, who loved you so much, and me. I remember the glee, the pure glee I had when I sat in that multicolor seat of the swing made with some much care, swinging back and forth. I remember so vividly, because you were there, pushing me.

I was only little when you passed away. I wish I spent more time with you. Mummy talks about how much she misses you. She thinks about your every day. She says how you left her with man qualities – only a few bad ones. Sometimes she sees you in me.

The truth is, I didn’t know you very well. I had no time with you. Most of what I know about you comes from Mum’s stories.

However, you will always be in my heart.

Eu amo voce.

Eli Largent Goodbye home. I will remember all the tears shed in you. I will remember all the hugs and warmth and happiness that happened. Goodbye all the games and movie nights when I walked out of the office really scared that some monster was going to get me. Thank you for providing the light so that any monster in the closet would not get me when I was sleeping. Goodbye all the times we had a family dinner and you could hear the laughter echo through you. Goodbye to all the competitive times when

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we got so mad at the game you could hear the evil laughing of the winner and the silent anger of the loser.

Goodbye to the love that was built up inside you. Not even a knife could break that force field of love.

Goodbye to all the late night talks and the late night snacks where we would all learn something new about each other that we never knew. Goodbye to all the blood that was shed, like the time I slipped, fell and cut open my chin. There was blood on the ground and I had been rushed to the doctor.

Goodbye to all the great moments with Izzy. All the poops and pees that ruined the rug but we did not care. Goodbye to having all my baby moments. Goodbye to all the spilled cereals, the stain we tried to cover up so that mom couldn't see so that she would not yell at us. Goodbye to all the sleepovers with all the midnight snacks.

Goodbye to all the slips and falls that the only thing you could hear was the laughing. Goodbye to all the vomit spilled everywhere that we always had that contaminated the house so that no one else would get sick. Goodbye to your welcoming presence when I get home from a bad day at school. Goodbye to me running in on all those family moments where everyone was lying down in one bed. Goodbye to me crying late at night and coming into my sister's room to talk about my feelings. Goodbye to all the ruckus we caused that the bottom floor had to call us up to quiet down. Goodbye to everything any single human could ask for, a house where one family can share its love all in one place. I could never ask for something more than you.

Mateo Sucre I want to say goodbye to my old house. I faintly remember my old house. I moved about a year and a half ago in August. I feel fine now, but every once in awhile I wonder what it looks like now. Would I remember it if I saw a picture of my old house?

However, I do remember all the memories I had with that house, from getting sick to having myself locked in the house. I was there for 11 Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cups, 11 NBA Finals and 10 World Series Finals. I remember all the funny, sad and happy moments. Family members passing, birthdays, street fairs and carnivals. My Christmas tree falling down in our apartment. All the noisy games I would play and get yelled at for. My medium sized room. I remember my old fish named Larry. How I used to hide in the closet in my room. The view from my window. The rainstorms, sunny days, hurricanes and snowstorms. I’ll miss that house.

Goodbye, Mateo Zoe Wohlman Hello Grandpa. I remember you, but you don’t remember me. As soon as I grew a memory you lost yours. I remember when I was seven years old and my mom and I walked into the study, where you always were. She said, “Hi, Dad.” You sat there in your big chair with Cindy in your lap. Cindy was curled up into a fluffy ball wagging her tail, simply just happy in your embrace. You turned to your nurse and asked who my mom was.

“It’s your daughter, Judith,” my mom informed.

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You muttered a couple words that were up for interpretation.

“Hi Grandpa,” I said. I remember his stare, so distant. I felt like he was millions of miles away.

Another time I remember was when my family was on a ski trip in Switzerland. I couldn’t go to sleep, so I just sat in my bed quietly looking up at the ceiling. My attention span was expiring soon, but I heard my mom's voice on the phone.

“Dad always told me if things ever got this bad, that he deserved to be in a better place.”

I see pictures of us. I was so little and you were so confident and lively. You looked almost cinematic.

Your hair split into two sides with a bald patch in the middle. Your circular, clear, glasses that look like what all the vintage stores are selling now. Your classy suits and perfectly polished shoes. Your big blue eyes that resemble my mom’s, that resemble mine.

My mom always tells me stories about how you both used to go fishing. Or how you would take her to the club every month and let her have a soda. She tells me about how you ran that big store and when it opened you were all waving to the crowd and smiling. Mom tells me about how you used to ski together and on the ski lift you two would sing, “We’re off to see the Wizard.” To this day on the ski lift my mom and I do the same.

My mom tells me how we used to play in your garden. Play hide and seek and explore. I wish I remembered that.

I remember the funeral. I was eight years old. I remember crying to my mom, dad, and aunt. Feeling angry that I never got to really know you. That you were gone before you were really gone.

I never got to say goodbye, but even worse I never got to say hello.

You really did leave a legacy. Everyone tells me you were such a strong presence. That you were always strongwilled, self-assured, and independent.

Grandma still has a picture of you hanging in the dining hall. My mom says the two big things she wants me to know you as, is honest and generous. That sometimes you didn’t make business deals because it wasn’t honest, or that you sometimes donated money that people didn’t even know was from you.

Goodbye, Grandpa. To be perfectly honest I’m not saying goodbye to the relationship we had. I’m saying goodbye to the relationship we could’ve had. Goodbye to the chess games or card games we could’ve played. Goodbye to the drinking tea and trips to the beach we could’ve done. Goodbye to the winter break visits and overseas phone calls that would’ve gone on for hours. Goodbye to showing embarrassing pictures of my aunts and my mom from when they were younger. Goodbye to what could’ve been.

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Goodbye, Grandpa.

Afraid to Say Goodbye Ella Gullickson I’m afraid to say goodbye to someone. He is strong and almost indestructible, but still, I worry.

Something could always happen. I’m not ready for something to happen, even if it does. In the case that it does happen I have said “goodbye,” but not that kind of goodbye.

Everyone, including himself says, “Everyone will be fine,” or, “He’s very strong,” but the truth is that you never know and even steel breaks. This is why I cherish all the time I have with him, even the more dull moments.

There are some things that he says that make me angry, but I don’t care as much as I would if someone else were to say something like that. Since I love him and since I am afraid, it’s fine if he has his own opinion.

If I were to say “The goodbye,” though, I would listen to him yammer on so intently because I know that he would tell multiple stories and I would save every single one in my memory forever.

I love your fight, I love your stories of your fight, I love you. I would never want to say goodbye.

Liam Harvey My person is a kid named Julian. He left Calhoun in second grade and I have never seen him since. He moved to Amsterdam in the Netherlands where his mom and dad were from. He was one of my best friends and I was really sad to see him go. We used to read The Magic Treehouse together and it was really fun. When he moved away it made me realize that friends really do come and go and it is very hard to stay friends with someone forever, whether it is because of fights, moving, or just slowly drifting apart due to not liking the same people and things.

I feel that he was a very good person. Although he wasn’t always nice to everyone and nobody is, he was usually a very kind and helpful person. I specifically remember him being the one friend that I could rely on to cheer me up or hang out with me when I need someone to hang out with. That really means something to me now because those friends are sometimes hard to come by. While I do have a good number of those kinds of friends currently, I have not always had them and I know how bad it can be to not have any close ones. They are the best kinds of friends and most of the time really great people too.

My Message To Julian: Goodbye Julian. I really miss you and I don’t really feel I got to say a proper goodbye just because you left after school ended. We had some really great times and I really wish you were still in New York City.

Even though second grade was a pretty long time ago, I can still remember seeing you every day and being happy to hang out with you. I remember you as a kind and helpful person who was pretty much always there for me. I hope you are like that with your new friends at your new school in Amsterdam. I was just wondering how you are doing and what your experience has been like in Amsterdam over the past four and a half years and how you think of it. So goodbye, I hope you enjoy your life and live it to the fullest at all times.

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Goodbye, Liam Zoe Siller Dear Brother, I can’t put into words how much I miss you, and how guilty I feel every time I see your picture or hear your name brought up in a conversation. I remember when I was really little, and every Christmas we would make gingerbread cookies together and decorate the tree. I remember one year, especially for my Christmas gift, you got me a microphone and the rest of night we spent singing horribly - but it didn’t matter. It was laughing, smiling, and genuine love that brought us so close.

It was the summer before second grade and I was so excited. Mom told me since I was going to the camp that you were a counselor at, you would walk me home from camp every day. Most older brothers would find that a burden, but not you. You were different and special. One day I remember walking home from the park with Emily and when I got home, the minute I walked through the door I knew something was wrong.

Mom asked Emily to come to her room to talk and, being a curious six year old, I listened through the door. All I heard was mom saying, “Ben’s sick” and I barged in and opened the door. She told me what happened and we cried on her bed for what felt like a million years. You had cancer. I remember all the hospital visits and all the opportunities I had had to say goodbye and I never did. I was so selfish. I would ask mom why everyone was always paying attention to you and not me. I guess I was so little I didn’t really understand.

I knew you, but I didn’t really know you. I only barely remember your smile, the way you laughed, and your warm hugs that made me feel so safe. I hold on to those moments dearly, afraid one day I’ll forget.

I remember Mom telling me stories of you taking me sledding when I was little and the whole time shew was yelling at you to make sure I didn’t fall off the sled. I didn’t because I had you to protect me.

You were so kind, so sweet and so kind hearted. And I miss you so much. After all this time since you passed I haven’t felt like I've really said goodbye. I’m not saying goodbye to all our memories and our friendship, though. I’m saying goodbye so I can move on without feeling so sad every time I think of you, because when I do, I don’t want to think about the cancer. I want to think about my brave, strong, kind-hearted brother. I want to be able to go to our favorite restaurant without crying in the booth because I know you would have wanted me to be happy.

The times that we had I’ll keep like a photograph. I’ll hold you in my heart forever and wish I had gotten to know you longer.

Love, Zoe Martin Oka

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Saying goodbye can be a sad, hard or happy thing to do depending on whom you are saying goodbye to.

For instance, if you were to say goodbye to a tutor, you could be energetic, or if you were to say goodbye to a loved one, you would be very sad. Either way, your mind will be, at least in the beginning, clouded in thoughts.

Last year, I said goodbye to my last great grandfather and that was very sad. I started by reviewing all of my moments that I had with him. One special time I had with him when I was eight years old. My parents and I were celebrating his 90th birthday eating barbecue sticks in Texas and playing hide and go seek.

Letting go is a very hard thing to do, especially if the person is very close to you.

Clark Greene When I moved away from Chicago almost five years ago, I was heartbroken. I had lived there since I was two and a half. In third grade I had one of the best teachers and class I ever had. That was the year I met my best friend Cole. We hung out all the time. I haven’t seen him in over a year and we rarely speak to each other. Cole and I were like brothers. We became friends through Pokemon and basketball. We are both on our school teams and play pretty well. I really want to see him sometime soon.

Two years ago another best friend left me, Connor. Connor was my first friend here at Calhoun. Again we bonded over Pokemon and basketball. We see each other frequently and talk a lot. He is a friend I will NEVER forget. When he moved to Connecticut his family had some trouble. His mom got cancer and his dad lost a very high paying job. Today his family is better, which is great. The last time I saw him (in May) he had gotten a puppy. Connor is a very kind and caring person and was kind of the leader of our friend group (at Calhoun).

Last year a friend (who, if you met, you would’ve loved) left Calhoun. He joined in the middle of the year of the year I joined. We bonded because we fought to see who was better friends with Connor and just decided why not become friends, so we did. I talk to him every day but I may never be able to see him again. In fifth grade his parents divorced. His parents were extraordinary people: His father was a professional photographer and he goes to Antarctica. His mother was the United Nations representative from New Zealand. I want to see him when I have my B'nai Mitzvah.

I wish I had a chance to say goodbye.

Paloma Chapman I never got a chance to say goodbye to my grandparents. I was little and my parents didn't think I would understand what was happening. They thought I was too young to go to the funeral. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. They took that from me without considering the fact that I would have wanted to go.

I have memories I cherish and when I think about them, I smile. When I think of my grandma I see a warm glow. She was so kind and gentle. She never yelled at us and she always asked us how we were doing. She sat on her couch playing Sudoku. She was always so calm. I remember how much she loved to play Sudoku. I could usually find her on the couch relaxing with the game. She was so sweet and she

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loved us all so much. I also remember that she was very tall and skinny. I miss her so much and if I could see her one more time, this is what I would say: “OH MY GOD! YOU ARE ALIVE?! I have missed you so much!”

If I could send her a letter that I knew she would see, this is what I would say: Dear Grandma, I miss you so so so much. I am so sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye. I wanted to be there but I know for sure that I was there in heart. You mean so much to me and I love you so much. I know you have been watching over me and keeping me safe. I hope I have made you proud. There is so much I want to tell you. I want to tell you about how I started ballet again. I want to show you the progress I have made in piano. I want you to hear me sing. I just want to talk to you one more time. I just want to hear your voice one more time. Please remember you are so close to my heart and I will never forget you.

Love, Paloma I just want to say the goodbye I didn’t get to. Goodbye Grandma and Grandpa, I know you will always be watching over me and you will always be close to my heart. I love you.

Natalie Servodidio Dear Mom, I never got a chance to say goodbye to you when you were in the hospital. I remember the last time I saw you, almost a year ago. You were in the hospital and I sat beside you for hours. When I left, I said goodbye in a careless way because I thought I would see you the next day. I remember the softness of your hands as you gave me a big hug when I left.

Unfortunately, this separation was an unhappy one.

My favorite memories of you are when we saw a movie almost every weekend. With school, volleyball and other commitments, I got stressed out sometimes. It wasn’t just seeing a movie that made me feel calm; it was spending time with you. It didn’t feel like I was hanging out with a parent - it felt like I was hanging out with a friend. You had a way of speaking to me that I could always understand. We had a relationship that I don’t have with anyone else.

Weeks before you passed, I hadn’t seen you for six months. You called me twice a day, every day.

Sometimes I wasn’t in a good mood, so I didn’t tell you the things that would make you feel better. I didn’t understand why you always called me, but now I do. I didn’t appreciate you enough for all you did for me.

I always thought there would be more time. I thought you would be sitting there when I graduated or be there during my first volleyball season or be there when I was forty years old. You showed me to always keep fighting and never slack off and that’s what I did after you died.

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The night Daddy told me that you were gone I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was in a bad dream and sometimes I still think I am. Minutes after he told me you died I grabbed my phone and I called you.

I wanted to talk to you. When I heard your voicemail I felt like the wall that held me up my whole life had been knocked down.

After a while, I knew you wouldn’t want me to stop trying or to be depressed. I love you so much and I miss you dearly. Please know that I will never forget all the memories we had together. They aren’t memories; they are a part of me. Thank You for the one million kisses that I can still feel on my face.

The last time I saw you I didn’t say goodbye properly. If I had known that was going to be the last time I said goodbye to you, this letter is what I would have said. I love you so much.

Love, Natalie Ava Mandel Dear Lindsay, Let me start with this: You’re the best friend I could ever ask for. You always listen to me when I’m sad and when I’m so happy I’m not even speaking words. I also feel I am there for you and you’re there for me. When you’re not close by it’s sad. Whenever you’re in the city, and you live just six blocks away, I feel I can text you whenever to come over and we can just be silent sitting next to each other and we both understand that. Whenever I’m at camp and you’re at camp, I feel so far away. We live for four and seven weeks the opposite direction from each other. The only connection I have to you during that time is letters that come at least once every two weeks.

The first time I met you was in first grade. I’m pretty sure Julia introduced us to each other and I barely knew you then. After the years passed, we were in almost every single class together and that was so much fun. I will never forget our times in the schoolyard playing there for hours until we finally had to go home or times where we would have sleepovers and stay up late. Our times where we went sledding and I broke your sled by accident, our adventures in Bruce-camp and so on. We have met so many other friends along the way and they are fun, but we have stayed best friends the whole time, especially when we were in fifth grade and it was our last year at P.S.41. We had to say goodbye and go to other schools. Other people lost their best friends, but we didn’t. We stayed by each other’s side through our tough school years and new friends, some sticking and some passing by. I know I will always be so close to you.

Last year when we had to say goodbye over Facetime before camp, I broke into tears when we hung up. I knew it was my sixth year and I know we have done this six times before, but it still breaks my heart. Even when we don’t talk sometimes during the week, I know you’re still there. You’re my best friend and I love you.

Sincerely, Ava Gabe Shaub Clara is, no matter how much I loved her, gone. There is no way to say goodbye to the dead. I didn’t have the option when she was about to die. I didn’t know, no one knew. Dogs can’t talk. She was always loyal until she passed. She didn’t get buried nor do I know where her corpse lies. They think she had a heart attack, but who knows. One day you have a dog you love, the next day you don’t.

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I woke up one morning when I was six, smiling. I was on vacation. Then my parents came in with grim expressions on their faces. They told me that my dog had died while I was asleep. I was suddenly empty.

A second ago I was full, but now I was empty. I didn’t get to say goodbye. My parents told me that she started acting really weird so they took her to the vet and she died in my mother's lap in the car.

It was too much. My whole family was crying. My parents had Clara since before they had my brother.

She would go on walks with us almost every day early in the morning. We would go to this coffee shop across the street. I would sit on the bench outside with the dog while my dad would get coffee. I felt mature taking care of Clara. At the end of the walk when we got to the bottom of my block, my dad would let Clara off of her leash and she would race me to the house.

If I had the chance to say goodbye, I would tell her I miss her for her loyalty and her general happiness she brought to any room she was in. Now I have a new dog. I appreciate having a canine friend around to lighten up the room and to bring on walks, but she will never be Clara.

Kaya David I looked at a picture of two cats. In it, one of them wasn’t mine. I went to my mom, very scared, asking what happened. She told me. Ever since my cat moved to Florida with my aunt, because my dad was allergic to her, I never got to say goodbye. Tears were running down my face then. I couldn’t stand the fact that she didn’t make it and she was only three. No one knows what happened. The vet couldn’t even figure it out.

When I was little, I had to give my cat, named “Peek-a-boo” away. My dad was allergic to her, so we gave her to my aunt who already had another cat. I didn’t really know what was happening when we gave her away. I knew we weren’t keeping her, but I didn’t know her that well. I only saw her a few times after that. I saw the picture and felt loneliness even though I didn’t have her for that long. She was my first pet and I still loved her. When she got to my aunt’s house, she renamed her “Tessa.”

Right when I saw the picture, I knew she wasn’t my cat. I was so upset to know that I didn’t have her anymore, that I lost her and she was so young. Knowing that tomorrow I would wake up not having her, I regret I didn’t get to see her one more time. I thought about her all day and the next. Even though I won’t see her again, she will always be in my heart.

Axel Fonseca I am saying goodbye to my Jonathan. We were best friends and still are to this day. Both of us went to the same school and after second grade we both left. I came to Calhoun and he moved to Texas.

I am very sad he left, but I bet it is even harder for him to move to a different state and go to a new school, meeting new people.

I wonder what it was like for him to change to the time difference and the heat.

I still chat and play video games with him, so we are still in touch.

I would like to ask him if his school is fun and if he likes it.

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I am wondering what he will do for Christmas.

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if he did come to Calhoun with me and if we would still be friends.

I would like to tell him I hope he likes it there and I miss him very much. I can’t wait to see him this Christmas!

Ariell Haims For most people, saying goodbye can be a true struggle, whether it is a family member, a friend, a place, or an object. In all my life experiences with saying goodbye, it too often ends up being a sorrowful time.

Most people tend to not realize how often we must say goodbye. Saying goodbye can both start and end a chapter in someone’s life, but what people do not usually notice is that as human beings we need to say goodbye. It’s a crucial part of being.

We humans say goodbye hundreds of times a day. When we are walking down the street or riding the subway, we are always seeing new people. Once we think we have explored every corner or meet everyone in a building, it changes. As humans, we are always moving, always changing. Every day we see a different person on the morning ride to school or work. We are always saying goodbye, though it may be subconscious.

It is odd to think that out of the seven billion people on this planet, we may only “meet” 10,000. That means there are 6,986,990,000 that we will never meet. We must also say goodbye to 10,000 people that we actually know and many times more than that, would be how many people we see or walk past in a lifetime. It is nearly impossible to know how many people we will sit next to in a subway or order next to in the bagel shop.

This is what I think saying goodbye is. It is a constant behavior that defines our civilization and is what makes our system work. It is how we are able to obtain and sustain life as human beings.

Anijah Honeyghan Goodbye, Ma. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you once more before you left us. I hope you’re having a good time in heaven. I wish you were still here, but I know you’re in a better place right now. I wrote a letter to give to you when I found out about the thing spreading inside you. But I didn’t get a chance to get it to you.

Do you believe I will grow older than you were? I cried so much after I heard of your death. I’m sorry we couldn’t have more time together! I remember how, during the first few times in Jamaica, when I came to your house and was so scared of all your cats.

Do you miss us as much as we miss you? Do you miss your cats? Are you used to heaven by now? Do you like heaven?

Hugo Wernstrom Oh, Oscar, you were such a great dog!

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I remember for Halloween you were a frog.

We got you from Kentucky and we got so lucky.

You were my best friend I loved you so, You helped me get up when I was feeling low.

First, you were one, then two, three and four you died At five I wish you were alive.

The first time we met I knew there was going to be a connection, Then I felt a huge burst of affection.

I remember the day my mom told me you passed away, My tears hit my pillow as I lay.

I remember how you died - two seizures on the day you passed away.

I wish January 13, 2016 never came because that is the day you went away.

You had a great life, we had a great ride I wish I had the chance to say goodbye.

WHAT I WANT MY WORDS TO DO TO YOU Zoe Wohlman What I want my words to do to you…

I want my words to change your mind.

I want my words to paint a picture in your head.

I want my words to be more than just letters and what you say.

I want my words to scream and whisper.

I want my words to jump out at you. To scare you. To open your eyes.

I want my words to give you a realization: that if you don’t know me you can’t see me as anything else but a mere stranger.

You cannot look at me and see an opportunity.

You cannot look at me and see my age as vulnerability.

You cannot look at me and see a thing, not a person.

I want my words to mean something and I want my words to matter.

I want you to listen to my words and if I don’t say a word do not interpret that as a word.

I want my words to set boundaries.

I want my words to build an understanding.

I want my words to remind you of your words.

That you cannot say your words about what I look like when you don’t know what I feel like.

I want my words to make you see. I want your words to make you hear.

I want my words to make you understand that the world is not yours. You cannot grab something that’s not yours.

I want my words to stop you from stealing mine.

I want my words to make you think about what you do.

I want my words to not be dominated by yours.

I want my words to enter your mind. I want my words to enter your heart.

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What I want my words to do to you...

Natalie Servodidio I want my words to make you consider issues that don’t apply to you. A lot of men ignore sexism because they think it's not their problem, but they’re wrong. Some of the most passionate feminists I know are men. Women have made huge leaps in the last decade. We’ve gone from not having the right to vote to being able to legally speak on an equal footing with men. 16% of men in this country consider themselves to be feminists. That entire 16% of men put themselves in someone else's shoes.

People can’t just focus on things that only apply to them. The most effective way of helping people is empathy. If no one has empathy, issues will never be resolved. I am not affected by racism, but it doesn’t mean I don’t think about all the people who have suffered from society’s hatred towards the color of your skin. The people who voted for Donald Trump may not have thought about Mexicans, immigrants, black people, women’s rights or people who are LGBTQ. Because people didn’t have any empathy, we now have a horrible man in a huge position of power.

One of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quotes is, “What are you doing for others?” That is something we should ask ourselves everyday. If you're about to make a huge decision don’t just think about how it affects you, think about how it affects other people. Something that I am very passionate about is animal abuse. A big reason why I am is because animals have no voice. For years we have been using animals for labor and forcing animals to fight for the entertainment of their own spectators. 7.5 million animals die each year from animal abuse. All of the problems in this world aren’t helping anyone, they have no meaning. If you're someone who wants to stand up for all of these horrible issues, but you don’t feel strongly about it, do some research or talk to someone who does. It may not seem like it, but considering these issues for one minute can lead you to do such empowering things that can change the world. So think about it because there’s a big world out there with a lot of people that could use your help.

Maya Cook I want my words to make you see that age does not minimize my intelligence.

That I can have quote, unquote, adult conversations.

I can talk about politics and bombings going on in the Middle East.

I don't need permission to say my opinion or raise my hand when we are having a face to face conversation.

My height has nothing to do with seeing eye to eye. If my height does not meet your gaze, don't look down on me. Give me a stool so you can see. Just because I’m shorter doesn't mean you can't look down on me.

I want my words to make you see the only thing that has limits is how you see me.

Ethan Rogosin

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What I want my words to do is for you to be comfortable on New York City streets when you are in a disagreement with someone else. I have seen so many disagreements that lead to aggressive behavior on NYC streets. There have been disagreements about money, friendship, and priorities that I’ve seen.

One time I was walking down the street and I saw two older men who were fighting about wealth. All they need is to find the place where they are similar and think about their future behavior. All they need to say is how can we fix this? Also, sometimes these fights get to physical levels and you can be very injured. Next time you see these things happening, either get help or be the help.

Queen Carrasco I want my words to change you. I want them to travel inside of you and make you think.

I want my words to paint images in your mind. I want them to inspire you.

I want my words to transform you. I want my words to make you question reality and question if anything is real.

I want my words to cause you to rebel. I want my words to force you to fight against the system.

Julia Petkov What I want my words to do to you, is to grow in you To branch out in your imagination and broaden your endeavors To give life to your fiction To give intent to your wonders To show you light you thought hidden in the gloom To not change your ambitions, but rather lift them up To not omit your sorrows, but show them love Victoria DiGiulio I want my words to change people’s mindsets that men are stronger, better, smarter. Girls are just as strong as men; we can go equally well as men. We are not just people who can cook, clean, or do laundry. We are capable of so much more than that. People say things that they don’t even realize can be hurtful, like boys are faster than girls. I want people to forget about the past and look at the future and how a group of people can change someone's thinking. The past for woman hasn't exactly been easy, but people can change that.

Our grade struggles with accepting everyone in our community (mainly the boys). Last year girls were getting called names and being made fun of because of what they wore and how they came to school.

We tried to stick up for ourselves, but then we were called “disrespectful.” There is a difference between being rude and having an opinion.

This election plays a big role in feminism. I don’t think our new president (Donald Trump) is the right fit.

He has a lot of plans that I don’t think our going to make our country move forward. By watching his speeches, he doesn’t seem to be too fond of women; he has a lot of hateful comments about us.

Anonymous

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I want my words to show people that everyone should be equal and not be judged by their gender. I also don't want to be judged by my style or looks. I don't like how boys can judge us on our looks but if we judge them itś not fair. Itś terrible either way and no one should judge anyone. When they judge us because of our gender it makes us feel bad and want to do it back; I don’t, though, because it will make the situation worse. I don't understand how they don't get the message that girls don't like being judged, but they still do it. Sometimes to are face sometimes behind are back.

It is all very disrespectful for them to be making rude comments. They can just take advantage of us.

They don’t have the right say things like this. I want everyone to have equal genders. We’ve had some problems with this topic and they don’t ever really get what we feel. No one wants to be made fun of for their gender. Hopefully, one day everyone will think of everybody else the same.

Ethan Julien I want my words to inspire you I want my words to make you want to go farther I want my words to make you feel better I want my words to be heard I want my words to make a difference

RANDOM THOUGHTS Outside my Window Ariell Haims The crickets chirp, Yet not much louder then the, Silence The near emptiness of the parking lot staring back The cold, silent playground That only hours ago was filled With the sound of laughter that flowed Into the street that lies between us Accompanied by the rumble of the occasional car passing by, Though there are few For it is late The moon is floating above me How, I know it’s there Shining down on me

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Yet is not visible to my eye And the stars How I may not see them every night Yet, I know they are there and always will be there Ready to shine their light on me When I feel caught in the shadows How they sit, Just outside my window.

What If? Ethan Rogosin What if there is no peace at the end of wars?

What if I can never graduate?

What if time stops?

What if Calhoun gets shut down for whatever reason?

The Child Lomie S. Blum The Child picked up the pen and wrote The Child picked up a book and read The Child Went to the teacher and questioned Impossibility was not real at those moments it was a wonder Like a painting about to be revealed How does the child change the world Spinning. Excitement. Laughter. Joy. Love The Golden Book and Pen Olivia Lipman All I knew was that it was a job and that I was looking for a job.

When I saw the add in the newspaper, all it said was “Tutor needed for the son of Mr. and Mrs Ordake.

They were paying a lot of money. Well, I was a teacher, so I applied for the job, and somehow got it!

So the next day I caught the bus uptown. I arrived in the fanciest neighborhood I had ever seen; even the squirrels had bushier tails and walked like they owned the world. I even thought I saw one with a necklace. I followed the directions from the letter they sent and walked the few blocks to get there.

Number 23 was just as big and grand as the other houses on the block, trim and elegant. I nervously walked up to the door, picked up the stone knocker and tentatively tapped it against the tall oak door.

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No one answered. I knocked again, this time louder, then a little louder. Finally, I heard footsteps.

Smoothly, the door opened and a man in a dark suit stood in the doorway.

“Are you the new tutor?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“This way.” He gestured me inside.

I walked in. I tried not to stare at the crystal chandelier and the plush red carpet. I knew they were rich, but this was unbelievable. The man led me up five flights of stairs and into a small room with a bed and a desk.

“This is where you will sleep. You can put your bag in here.”

I did so and followed him down three more floors into a humongous room strewn with toys and video games and shelves filled with more toys and games and on one wall a gigantic T.V. with millions of remotes and DVDs. And there, lying on the bed, was a skinny little boy with mousy brown hair and dull green eyes.

“Give me cake NOW!” he ordered.

“And this,” said the man, “is your pupil, Allen.”

Later I learned that his mother and father were always too busy with their work to pay any attention to him. Mrs. Ordake was an extremely successful businesswoman and Mr. Ordake was a famous actor. I'm not saying they were bad people; it's just if they had paid more attention to their son he might have not been well such a brat. Allen was very spoiled, his parents gave him ridiculously high amounts of money and hired servants that would do whatever he wanted. But since his parents neglected him so much, I was sure he was a poor misunderstood child.

“So, how far have you gotten in math?” I asked Allen the next day.

“None of your beeswax,” he muttered.

“Yes it is. I am your teacher.”

“So.” “So you need to learn and I need to teach you.”

“So.” “Please stop saying ‘so’!”

“You’re saying it too.”

“No I’m not.”

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And that is how it went, over and over again. It was very, very exasperating. I missed my grandmother. I took out her last gift to me; her (now my) book and pen. When my entire family perished in a bizarre accident, my grandmother passed on the book and pen to me. I was alone in the world now with no money, that’s why I had to take this blasted job. The moment before she died, in the hospital, she told me to be careful and heed any warnings the book says. The book's cover was made out of solid gold, the cap and barrel of the pen were also gold. There were two pages torn out in the very beginning of the book. I could have sold the gold and gotten out of there. Instead, I had to open the book. Inside the front cover there was a short message: Be careful what you write, for it will become your reality.

That's strange, I thought, but I didn't really worry about it. It was probably just a quote. I placed the book and the pen on my bed and hurried downstairs to supper. I was down there longer than usual because Allen would not eat anything except for candy and when I asked him “please eat some real food,” he stormed upstairs. After I finished my meal, I went up after him. He was in his room, writing! I couldn't believe it! After all these weeks he was finally putting pen to paper and forming words; it was a miracle! Allen looked thoroughly absorbed in his work, so I left the room not wanting to disturb him.

The next morning looked to be a promising one. The sun was bright and there were just enough clouds in the sky. Allen did not whine once during breakfast. After breakfast for once he seemed eager to start his lessons. In fact, he asked if it was okay if he worked on his writing. It was amazing. He was abnormally focused.

“Can I see what you are writing?” I asked.

“No,” Allen said.

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Because what?”

“Because I don't have to.”

“It seems to me you don’t want to show me it. So why don't you want to?”

“Well, why should I?” “So I can help you.”

“I don't need help.”

I sighed; this kid was very stubborn. I glanced at the book he was writing in; the cover was solid gold the pen he was using was also gold.

“Allen,” I said, “where did you get that book and pen?”

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“I found it.”

“Where?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Because that is my book my pen and you need to give it back right now!”

I stood up and extended my hand. Instead of giving it to me, he took off running down the corridor. He was faster than me so he beat me to the door and ran outside.

“It’s too late!” he yelled. “When I am done you will never order me around again!”

This did not sound good. I wanted to run after him but he was already too far away. I searched for the rest of the afternoon. Then I told Allen’s parents, (they hadn't even noticed) who then called the police. I think they felt guilty. But who could be sure? They never said anything to me so I stayed at their mansion without their knowledge. After a week went by without news of Allen. I started to look for him again. I needed to stop him and I needed the book and pen back. I didn’t know what it did but I knew it had fallen into the wrong hands. I searched for around a week. I read the newspaper every day, trying to find news of him. Eight days after Allen ran off, it was reported that leaders from all over the world had started to go missing. I never thought Allen would be behind it.

One night when the air was particularly crisp I came back to my room to find the door open, through the door I could see the window, also wide open with the curtains blowing in an unmistakably creepy way. I rushed inside. I have heard that the simplest mistakes are the worst ones and I can definitely see that.

The person who had opened the window was still in the room. I had fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the book. Allen was behind the door. I turned around to face him, he was holding the golden book and pen, my golden book and pen.

“Allen,” I said with all the calmness I could muster, “what are you doing here?”

“You're the only one who can stop me, for this you will die. My parents never noticed me, I spent my whole childhood trying to get their attention. But this, ruling the world will get their attention.”

As he went on and on about what he would do once he ruled the world. I started to think. There was no way to stop him unless the ripped out pages. . . I wonder . . . Suddenly I understood how it all happened.

I had seen Allen writing in the book. What if what he wrote somehow came true? Or maybe the book and pen had taken over his mind. Back to the ripped pages, if I could somehow tear the pages out maybe, maybe everything would go back to normal. But how would I get the book and pen out of Allen’s hands? I decided to go with instinct. While he was distracted (yes he was still talking) I lunged at the book, I grabbed and as quickly as I could, opened the book and ripped out the pages. The world was spinning round and round, it was over.

The next week (after I had guilted Allen’s parents into paying more attention to him).

“So Allen where have you gotten so far in math?”

“Not so far.”

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“Okay let me help you with that then.”

THE END Maude Weber Leather shoes Splatting onto a wet sidewalk In the night Searching for something But you don’t know what And then you find it Happiness She is sitting on the curb The rain seems to fall in an invisible orb around her An invisible shield from the cold and sad Happiness turns her head towards me She has a yellow glow Her face is beautiful She takes my hand And leads me away On a dry street That is how I felt when I met you Katya Deckelbaum If I have a bad habit then... I don’t know what it is If I have a bad habit then I do not acknowledge it If I have a bad habit it better be good, Because if I have a bad habit, well... I don’t think I should.

Sokhnamai Kane There are three stages to being broken Snap….buckling…..disconnected Snap is when you hear a sharp cracking sound, pain surging you immediately The bonds I had gave in and gave up, They had snapped.

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Buckling is when you feel like a deflated balloon Diminished, devalued, an empty void has taken its place It buckled under pressure Disconnected everything has severed Parted ways I don’t what it is any more I am broken And there is nothing to it.

Ella Gullickson If You Really Knew Me, You would Know If you really knew me, you would know that I can’t be weak or take things for granted. Others might cry if they fall down, but that only keeps them from getting back up. Taking things for granted is dangerous because when you do you don’t realize how quickly those things can be taken away from you. Those who knew me would know that I could never allow myself to hold myself up on a high horse because it would keep me from staying grounded. I have to stay grounded to keep my head on straight. I need my head on straight.

Maude Weber The Power Of The Prompt If you really knew me you would know that I bake and cook. If you really know me, you have been on my fire escape. If you really knew me, you would know that where I feel most at home is on a set or on a stage. If you really knew me, you would know that I love to write. If you really knew me, you would know that when I am upset, I will find the most private spot around me (example, when I was in an arcade, I crumpled behind the ski-ball game and hid inside of it in front of the brooms). If you really knew me, you would know that I am a happy person. If you really knew me you would know that I am probably the only 12 year old on the planet that doesn’t like sushi. If you knew me you would know that I love reading. If you really knew me, you would know that my eyes are teary right now because I’m tired, not because I’m crying.

I have some strange habits, but they normally happen in my head. I think I have a lot of unique thoughts.

Sometimes I will think about something, then immediately in my head think ‘apples and mermaids’ then think for like a minute about how I had forgotten and not been aware of mermaids and apples. It’s super weird. Then I start thinking about this huge expanse of space, kind of like cyberspace. It’s thinking space.

Things just float around, things that nobody happens to be thinking about, and when someone does think about it, let’s say yorkie dogs, it gets pulled out of thinking space. I actually just came up with that.

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Normally I would just think about mermaids and apples one day, and then congratulate myself for remembering it, kind of thinking ‘hey, you can remember something in life’. Now that I am thinking about it, it is kind of super depressing. A lot of times I think, when you have these thoughts in your head that are just too strange to try to say in words, it seems so weird it is depressing. When I think about apples and mermaids, it seems so almost happy. I see a little cartoon aqua mermaid and a red shiny apple floating on a blank canvas.

It kind of reminds me of how in dreams, you will feel very happy, but in the dream something bad is happening, or something that would normally make you sad. What makes a dream a nightmare, is you being scared in the nightmare, it’s all about how you feel. Some random dreams of mine could have been terrible nightmares from a different point of view. I think that it is thinking like this that makes me such a space cadet :). I am realizing now that I have turned this into a paragraph about dreams and not strange habits, which is the prompt, but I guess prompts are supposed to set you off on a big train of thought. Ok, just so you know I will think mermaids and apples once every one or two weeks. This is not every day.

Also, another strange habit that I had when I was smaller was when I was walking on the street, I wouldn’t step on the lines in the pavement. When I say that, I am talking about the concrete squares, if you have any idea what I’m talking about. On the sidewalk, it is split up in squares. Anyway, I would not step on the lines, I would step over them, and that counts for any lines on any tiles or floors anywhere. I would forget sometimes, but I would do that when I was bored. The next few months, my game would morph into a game that is similar, but kind of different. For months I would try to step on as many squares as I possible could, while then being able to step on the lines, and remaining looking like a normal sane person. I don’t do this any more. I have to stop now, because I could go on forever.

Clark Greene When I close my eyes, I think about…

Me making a championship winning shot on my team.

The Zombie apocalypse.

Less hate in the world.

Living in a fantasy world.

My next creative story.

What will I do tomorrow.

WWIII? People.

My future.

What color am I going to dye my hair.

New Mangas coming out.

New video games coming out.

VR MMORPG. A Super Console. (can play anything) Homework.

Sleep.

Team Fortress 2

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WHERE IS THE LOVE? Lucas Link Right now the world is very crazy, with the election coming up and the countless small and large shooting and terrorist attacks we really do need the love. We all need to stand up and help someone out. It could be from picking up someone's dropped item, to donating to the poor. There are many other things you can do to help people around the world. But there are more small tasks you can accomplish every day without thinking about. Only you can change the world, there is no time to wait.

I think that we should all change the world, because it will benefit us all. Even if it is not happening to you, it is happening to other people. Everyone should just keep that in mind and the world can be and will be a better place.

Paloma Chapman Everybody starts out as a blank slate. They become who they are by the people they grow up around and the things they see. If they see racism and they grow up with people telling them that racism is okay, when they’re older they are going to think racism is right – and will become racist.

I think love has changed in our world, but it hasn’t completely disappeared. Just because some people don’t show the love in their hearts, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. There are also people who are just not good and they don’t care if they hurt other people or families. However, some of these bad people could have started out as good children. They could have had good families, but gotten mixed up with a bad crowd and gotten influenced badly.

Other people are filled with kindness and those are the kind of people we need. I don’t think we can return to the peace we had before fully, but we can definitely fix it a little bit. Everybody has a little bit of love in his or her hearts and we need to find a way to reach it. If we can help one person, then he/she might want to help another and so on. I do believe one individual can help because one person can always make a difference.

Loren Zorilla Where is the love? It’s in family, friendship and relationships – but there is a missing part to that love because of all the things that are happening in the world.

Natalie Servodidio The world is mostly peaceful, but that peace has been corrupted by terrorism, police brutality, illness and politics. I don’t know how a world as good as this one got so caught up in bad stuff. Some people were born with the wrong mindset and that caused them to do very bad things. Once a person starts doing something, so many other people start doing it too.

I feel the tears of the mothers whose sons were shot by policemen.

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I feel the fear of the victims of the Orlando shooting.

I feel the strength of the people who carry love in their hearts and try to spread it every day.

I feel the wounds of the people who were hurt in terrorist attacks.

I feel the loss of peace, civilization and love.

I feel the love inside the people who open up their hearts every time someone needs help.

I feel the talent of the artists who spread awareness to everyone through their work.

I feel the arguments that families have about politics every time they get together.

I hear the homeless beg for money as they struggle to harbor themselves.

I hear the voice of our protector, “Hillary Clinton,” fighting against a man who contributes to the absence of love in the world.

I hear police pulling out handcuffs as unnecessary arrests occur every day.

I hear the empathy that we have for each other when one of us is down.

I see the frowns on people’s faces on my way to school.

I see the fear in people’s eyes when they realize the result of the election.

I see the ill people when I go to the hospital.

I see the facial expressions every time someone says, “Donald Trump.”

I see the good and bad in the world.

Yet, As long as people have hope, something good will rise up and turn the question, “Where is the love?”

Into “Where isn’t the love?”

Queen Carrasco The love is silently fading away. It’s missing from our society and that has made a drastic impact on how others think. If everyone contributes to the world and makes it a better placed, then the love will come back.

There love is still there, but it’s buried deep in our hearts. If everybody lets go of his/her prejudices, the world would be a better place. Everyone would be equal.

Oshen Henderson I believe that love is everywhere. Even when people are angry or sad, there is still some love in them.

Love has changed in our world. People don’t always understand that love is a happy, wonderful feeling that you can’t gain in a week or month.

I don’t believe that love is lost. Love is never lost; even in the darkest of times there is always love you can find or will have. Love can never be lost. It’s like a boomerang – wherever it’s thrown it comes right back because it is a part of everyone’s lives that is meant to be with us through dark and bright times.

To regain the love that is far away deep in your body, you must show some love to someone else. You don’t have to do anything big. You can just compliment someone and that will start a chain reaction which will make love go around to everyone.

Luke Golub Fedor

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There is love inside of everyone, but some people don’t know how to share it sometimes. Love has changed in the world today. There was more love before and now there are more people who hate each other. There are more wars because weapons have advanced and the presidential candidates, this time, were not good at all.

However, love is not lost; it is just deeper down.

Charlie Adams Love is everywhere, but we cannot get to it because people will not let us. It’s not lost; rather it is wandering. We can get it back by trying to create world peace and do whatever we can most for each other.

Ella Gullickson Love is hiding in this world. I feel that if we can all be kind to each other, it will shed light on love and it will come out again.

Ariell Haims My picture represents one of the many people, including us, in our community, who need a little love. I purposeful decided not to draw a homeless person or a refugee because I noticed that they are not the only people who need love. I want to point out that the need for love does not stray far from the community around us.

The quote, “I was not kidding,” is one of the many ways that people in need of love feel. They/We are misunderstood and people either do not realize or choose not to help or give their love. The picture, for me, is an accurate representation of the key message of The Black Eyed Peas song, “Where is the Love?”

Maria Gil from “Where is the Love?”

New days are strange, is the world insane?

If love and peace are so strong Why are there pieces of love that don’t belong?

New days are strange. There is a lot of war, fighting and arguments, but the love is there. The problem is that it is hidden.

Olivia Lipman

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Only half of the love has gone from the Earth. The rest is slowly slipping away. Selfishness is causing it.

Money is causing it. People are not kind to each other and don’t love one another. We don’t have the same connection anymore.

In some cultures, there is an unspoken law that they have to be kind to strangers. Now people have decided that it’s not in their best interest to be kind or are just too lazy to do anything.

Happily, there are still some good people left in the world.

Kaya David The love is everywhere, but some people choose to use it and some don’t. Love is in our hearts. Love in this world has changed because now, in most places, there are women’s rights and more people are equal. Love is not lost, but more people could love by being honest, thoughtful, and friendly. For example, you could smile at the people on the street and be friendly or you could help people – for example, if an older person was walking on the street with grocery bags, you could help him/her carry them. We could be honest by telling the truth and not lying. Then love wouldn’t be lost at all!

Victoria DeGuilio I think of love as my family and friends and things that I value. It’s always been that some people are just against others who aren’t exactly like them. It basically says that they don’t like change, which is a bad thing because things are changing like crazy every day – some bigger than others.

I don’t think love is lost. It’s there. You just have to work harder to keep it alive. Everyone has to accept the fact that the world is not filled with people like them. Individual people can make an effort by getting to know other people who aren’t like them.

Ethan Julien A young boy went on a quest to find the love. His name was Youngblood. His father was teaching him a lesson. Youngblood was very confused about what love was and where to find it. His dad sent him out of the house and he couldn’t come back until he found what had changed and how to change it back.

What can we do and how can individuals help?

Youngblood then went on a journey to find the love. Back in the day, he had found a book about love, about how there were families, no fighting, and a nice, loving world. He saw that now the world had changed completely. There were bombings and people were hurting. However, he also realized that the world was not lost.

He did some research and found that people were trying to save the love in the world and help others.

A group called the White Helmets were helping people after buildings were bombed in Syria and saving them.

Youngblood came back to his house and showed his dad where the love was.

Sophie Held

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Not all the love in our world is lost. There is still some. The part that is lost is because of wars and police targeting black people. We as a country can stop this and bring all the love back. We can make a change and do what is right.

An individual police officer can stop and think about what has been going on with black people and stop doing it. Maybe other police officers will see that and stop too.

Anijah Honeyghan Where is the love? I think love has gone. There is more hate than love these days. We can get the love back by doing nice things, trying to stop bad things from happening or try to love more and hate less.

Individual people can help by doing nice things to bring the love back.

Liam Harvey Love is among certain people. It’s not visible for a lot of people who just think violently and don’t feel love towards people and concepts.

Love has turned into a good and bad thing. The bad thing is when people use someone they love as a punching bag for all their frustrations, mentally and physically. The good thing is when people love others or things with passion. When they honor and respect the things they love and would do so much for it.

I do not think love can be lost for anybody. There is always a choice for someone to start loving things again, but if he/she doesn’t want to, that is their decision. They will be loveless until they might have a change of heart.

We should start doing things as simple as loving each other. Anyone should be able to say, “I love you too,” to any friend and not have to think about romance. They will understand that it is a friendly love.

We can also do things like sending letters to people who are doing a great service for us or our community. In our Leadership course, we have to do a big act of kindness and I am sending a letter to someone in the military just to make his/her day and remind them that, even though there are people out there who may disrespect them, most of us respect them so much and have a deep love for them.

Julia Petkov In my artwork, I drew Earth and a heart. Everything in the artwork is covered in gray except for the heart. The connection to the “Where is the Love?” song is not only the drawing, but also, just as important, the colors. The world has been through so much violence lately, and it’s hard to find where

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love is. That’s why I drew the heart outside of Earth, since, in the song, love didn’t seem to be in the world. The two colors I thought of were gray and red. The reason the heart wasn’t covered in gray watercolor was because violence can never take over love.

Daniela Sarantis I have looked near and far I have seen phony, subpar My eyes ache from searching

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Where is it lurking?

Why does the love hide?

Where is it when hate and fear collide?

Maybe it’s waiting for us to Figure out how to talk to One another Without having to take cover Maybe the solution is simple It doesn’t take much to be blissful.

I suppose it knows It gets tiring stepping on each other’s toes How much is too much?

And how far is too far?

When push comes to shove Hopefully, we will find love.

Cameron Sherman While some people think love has been lost forever, it really hasn’t. Everyone has some love inside himself/herself. It’s just buried deeper than others for some people. People like the Pope and Malala have found their love and they spread it throughout the world.

However, for people like Isis members, however, there is way more hate inside them. Yet they must have some love; it’s just buried in hate.

Even though all these awful things are happening in the world, I don’t believe love is totally lost.

Sometimes you have to look really hard for the love and be patient to find it. I’m not sure how to make the world a more loving place. I would like to see world peace in my lifetime. Every day, I ask myself, “Why can’t we all just get along? How hard is it REALLY?” We all have to use kindness to create more kindness. If everyone in the world did one kind act a day, the world would be a much more loving place to live in.

I believe in hope.

Bella Ulfelder Though love is everywhere around us, there is certainly not enough of it. There are so many people committing atrocious acts of violence and discrimination that it would be enough to make anyone ask, “Where is the love?” My drawing represents the fact that we all have the capability to love each other,

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and we need to be open and accepting in order to do so. “The Love” is inside of all of us; we simply need to express it.

Ava Mandel Where is the love? To me, love is lost. Everybody in our world has changed and not for the better. Yes, we have made many great things in our past, but in our present, everybody around the world has wanted all things to themselves. Or they have disliked something so they have destroyed other people to get what they want.

We have to get along in the world so some people can be happy for a change. We can’t do much due to the state of where our world is at, but what we can do is give our love and donations to the world that needs it.

Nathan Smith The world has become too capitalistic and greedy. I don’t think love is fully lost, though. People could have more love. They have to share more because community is important. Everyone should be equal.

Zachary Hawkins Love is lost because of religion and race. Terrorism is mostly because of religion and police brutality is because of race. That doesn’t mean we should hate all white officers; most of them are great people.

The same is true of Muslims. Most of them are good people. It just happens that some aren’t.

Love is lost in the places it needs to be, with white policemen and refugees. A lot of people think they are bad; some of them have killed black people; most of them have not. Most policemen are here to keep us safe. 99.99% of them are great people who have family and friends. You cannot judge someone by their occupation, their race, religion, anything.

Jamie Bobigan Some of the world is happy, but if you really look outside the circle, you’ll see that much of the world is not happy.

Ethan Rogosin Love is somewhere. It is deep down inside of everyone – we just have to work together to find it.

Nothing has changed about our love in the world. We might have lost some, but some is out there. We just need to put it back by everyone being on the same page and agreeing.

I drew this picture because everyone has to work together to find love and be equal. As you see the drawing, the second part of the heart is on the bottom right. Everyone in the world has to work together to find love and be equal. As you can see in the drawing, the second part of the heart is in the bottom right.

Everybody in this world has to work together to connect the other half of the heart.

Trevor Black

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The love is in your words. When you speak, you can show love. It is the way we communicate and make friendships and … (I sound like a book) … love. Nothing have changed about love, except for how it appears in every single movie in the entire world.

I can assure you that it is not lost. All who think otherwise (including yourself) All who think otherwise, including yourself, then don’t believe them – or yourself.

Ariell Haims My picture represents one of the many people, including us, in our community, who need a little love. I purposeful decided not to draw a homeless person or a refugee because I noticed that they are not the only people who need love. I want to point out that the need for love does not stray far from the community around us.

The quote, “I was not kidding,” is one of the many ways that people in need of love feel. They/We are misunderstood and people either do not realize or choose not to help or give their love. The picture, for me, is an accurate representation of the key message of The Black Eyed Peas song, “Where is the Love?”

Six Word or Less)

Stories (More

Liam Harvey •

He never forgot her lovely iridocyclitis

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•

He never forgot his little face

•

Her failure only boosted her success

•

They couldn’t show their true colors

•

That moment when Lucas is there

•

He hated them for their support

•

They thought they knew direction but…

•

They never knew the dangers above

•

I didn’t think they would commit

•

They didn’t want any more silly change

•

The sign read: Don’t keep walking

Martin Oka • • • • • • • • • • • •

Traveled the world, never met parents.

Six word stories are really hard.

Broken Scraped skydiving suit worn once Worlds never collide but this one For one dollar go to Chernobyl Free teddy bear with red stains Traveled six broken world for free Free boat scraps already painted red Wallet` knife and gun on floor Home alone, Dog homework, cat catnip.

400$ jacket little hole/blast on back.

150$ bomb squad jacket worn one person

Charles Adams •

Never had friends, until I made new ones.

•

Was a loser, until he didn´t want to be.

•

Had a face only a mother could love, until he stopped thinking it.

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Gabe Shaub • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

All he wants, someone to understand.

No one in the same world…

The memory is happy. It’s over.

Is anyone really ever gone? Or? Sobs slip as the switch flips.

One word turned his world around.

He doesn't think so is he?

Fantasy, reality, separate - but the same.

The competition endless, no one wins.

He thought about tomorrow… He inhaled.

He ran and ran. No distance.

He was falling, until he flew.

No one can get time back.

They feed off fear, want more.

He is a caterpillar among butterflies.

He loves to hate. Bad man.

They call them names. They’re wrong.

Anastasia Theofanous • •

I had a dog, he left.

Keep trying until you make it.

• •

If you fail, just try again.

In every darkness there is light.

Ella Gullickson 1.Stones hurt, but not like words.

When I hurt it’s not because of injury.

People may push me down, but I can pick myself back up. It’s when people put me down is when I get hurt. Even if I don’t show it. That saying says that it won’t hurt, but that’s never true. Even when you are strong.

2.The strong tell others, “Be stronger.”

This is my Dad. Paloma Chapman Love, Your greatest strength, your biggest weakness

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Weak and old, yet Strong and bold.

My grandfather is ill but he won’t write his will.

He is a fighter and he won’t let go.

He says he loves us all too much and that is just so.

He will smile and stay for a while.

He will love us and always be dear for in my heart my grandpa is always near.

My grandpa is so smart and kind. When I tell people what happened they get a sad look on their face. But when I think about my grandpa I smile. He is funny and bright. He doesn't let what happened to him consume his happiness. I know that he is ill but he doesn't show it. He will always make me laugh and though all of the things that happened to him, his humor was never dented. He has the will of a bear and the personality of the best grandpa in the world. Mine. My family and I call him “Abuelo.” That means Grandpa in Spanish.

Egypt Ramos She’s gone, but I’m still here! ?

My mom left, I am still here ?

I was an only child. ?

I know who I am, thanks.

TO BE CONTINUED The Dead Girl’s Grave Bella Ulfelder Phoenix made his way down the city street, flickering lamp lights casting an eerie glow on the path that stretched out in front of him. His headache pulsed, and the wind whipping past his ears and nipping at his exposed fingertips was certainly not helping his dismal mood.

His uncle had suggested he leave the cocktail reception early, most likely so that would have a chance get closer to the female guests at the party. Though Pheonix had no interest in staying in the hotel lobby among the drinks and the gossip and the superior glances in his direction, he was indignant that his uncle would make him walk by himself in the biting darkness and cold. Really, Phoenix could have protested, but he had been too dazed by all the elegance and grandeur of the so-called “causal” congregation to form a coherent sentence, let alone a convincing argument.

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So here he was. He sighed, his breath materializing in front of him in the form of a faint cloud of mist before being swept away by the wind. He rounded another corner and entered a narrow alleyway, consumed in thought. For the first time all winter he wished his mother and father had taken him with them to the tropics instead of leaving him to rot in this miserable city. Though he thought he’d never miss them, he had felt desolate when they hadn’t even been there when he’d won an award for his taxidermy of a cottontail rabbit.

Phoenix cursed as he tripped over a loose cobblestone, falling onto his hands and knees. He wiped his scraped palms on his coat and scowled. As he stood up, he saw a scuffed black shoe out of the corner of his eye, peeking out from behind a dumpster. Intrigued, he drew closer. Behind the dumpster was a– –Oh no.

He stumbled backwards, face paling. He felt a wave of nausea envelop him and the world around him was spinning. His heart raced, and his headache, once a gentle hum was now pounding irrepressibly.

A corpse. Behind the dumpster.

Phoenix scrambled out from the alley. Oh no, he thought. Oh no. He could hear the vague noise of someone shouting and urged himself to move faster.

Phoenix rounded a corner, panting. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to regain his breath as he stood.

The image of the body announced itself in his mind’s eye, her cerulean blue dress torn and caked with blood. Her missing eyes were the most striking, gouged out and oozing. He slowly opened his own eyes and to his horror, he found that the ashen face of the corpse was staring back at him in the reflection of the puddle.

Slowly, Phoenix turned. And there she was. Well, a version of her. She was by some means out of focus and nebulous, her distorted image radiated in teal light.

Phoenix was frozen in place. And so was the specter. They held each other’s gaze (the eyeless ghost gave the impression of a gaze, anyway) for several long seconds. She advanced toward him, ever so slowly, opening her mouth as if there was something she wanted to say. Her movement shattered the connection. Phoenix tore away, her calls drowned out by the sound of his hammering heart.

Before he knew it, he had reached his uncle’s house. He ran up the front steps three at a time and fumbled with his keys. Upon unlocking the door, he made it inside and closed it as quickly as possible.

Though it was now bolted shut, Phoenix pressed his back against the door, arms spread out as if to protect it.

A shadow appeared from behind a shelf of china plates. Phoenix screamed, and the shadow revealed itself to be not of the apparition’s but of his uncle’s housekeeper, Gladys.

“And what was that?” she asked in her lilting Scottish accent. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. And oh, look…” she continued, dismayed. “...Your left pant leg is all torn and soggy. What in the name of God have you been up to?”

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“Oh, that,” Phoenix said, trying to remain calm. Was he losing his mind? Had the months of cold winter torture finally gotten to him? “I slipped, that’s all,” he heard himself say.

“Well, be cautious. That suit of yours cost your uncle a pretty penny.”

As if his uncle had to worry about money. Phoenix apologized for his carelessness and retired to his bedroom, locking the door, kicking his shoes off and sitting down on his bed. He stared at his sodden socks and attempted to collect himself. He retold himself the events that had just unfolded, trying to get his story straight.

So while Uncle Herman forced you to walk home and get frostbite, you saw a murdered girl behind a dumpster. You ran and her ghost? I guess? Followed you. Gladys got cranky and nagged you, and now– now you’re here. Safe. Probably.

Phoenix then realized that, as if on cue, the ghost was staring at him from the outside of his window. He jumped up, terrified. The ghost only drew nearer, slipping through the glass and floating into his room.

Phoenix grabbed the nearest object from his desk, a book, and hurled it at her. It merely passed to the other side of the ghost’s form without effect and hit the other wall.

Obviously, Phoenix thought. And still, she came closer, the darkness where her eyes should have been like black holes that would swallow him whole.

“What–what do you want?” he pleaded.

The girl stopped suddenly and seemed to shrink in size. She tilted her head, as if pondering the question.

Her next words were nearly inaudible. “A grave,” she whispered. “I want a proper burial.”

“What?”

“You heard me,” she replied, her voice now the low growl of a lioness. “I want closure.”

“Wh–why me?”

“You were the first passerby,” She shrugged. “I just thought…”

“I don’t know if I’m insane or dreaming or what, but get out. I’m not helping you.”

The ghost’s eyes wandered to a photograph of Phoenix and his parents. Just for an instant, a look of loneliness crossed her face and Phoenix couldn’t help but feel sympathy for her. He, too, missed his family. But unlike the ghost, he knew he would see them again come the end of winter. Still, what if someone saw him near the body and thought he had killed the girl?

“Please,” She said.

“I…” Phoenix frowned. “...All right.”

The girl smiled sadly, “What’s your name?”

“Phoenix.”

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“I’m Elise. And thank you, Phoenix.” She reached out to shake his hand, then pulled it back, eyes furrowed.

He nodded, still processing what he had just agreed to.

To Be Continued Daniela Sarantis My first instinct is to run. I don’t know why and I don’t know where to, but I need to run. I begin to move, but at this moment, everything stops. My body is unable to move. The lights have stopped flickering; everything is frozen. I try to blink and I try to breathe, but everything is lifeless. Unexpectedly, a petal falls from the dull white orchid in front of me. Something so still, so pacific, is now the only thing moving. It gives me hope. Another petal falls, but stops mid-air. Why is this happening?

I decide that I should close my eyes and ignore this situation. I can only blink. A strange thing happens after I blink. I am outside, there are runners jamming out to music, and there is a dog walker struggling with ten dogs. The sun is going back and forth between hiding behind a cloud and shining with nothing in its way. I take a cautious step, and everything freezes. I take another step, and sound fills the air whilst everything is back in motion. I run over to the dog walker and tried to make conversation. When they were frozen, they had a kind of fear in their eyes, the same kind I would imagine I had when I was in the frozen state. When I tap my toe, everything comes to life again. The dog walker says something.

“Can I help you?” she says skeptically.

“Sure. Do you remember anything that happened just now?”

“Hah, do you mean when you jumped in front of me?”

“No, like, did you feel anything, could you move?”

“I feel uncomfortable, and I can’t move, you’re blocking me.”

People are watching with worried eyes. I’ve embarrassed myself. It’s right now that I realize my curse has turned into a blessing. I can stop time, I can virtually disappear.

As an experiment, I go to a high end department store and I take the most expensive necklace they have, which is under close scrutiny by a big angry-looking guard. I tap my toe to make everything stop and I pick the necklace with dainty fingers, stuff the necklace in my bag, and casually walk away.

I walk around town, when I remember, I have to go to work! Since I’m late, I can stop time and walk there. When I arrive at the office, everyone asks me where I’ve been, and I tell them that there was a family emergency.

“For six months? Wow, that must’ve been serious, so sorry dude.”

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I’ve been gone for six months? I would have thought maybe all morning at most, not six months. Crap, what’s my boss going to say? I’m queasy as I approach his office. How am I supposed to explain what has happened to me?

“H-h-hi-hello r-Richard.” I say in my quietest voice ever.

“I know, you were AWOL because of a family emergency, I don’t want to hear the details, we don’t want another Martha situation, do we?”

“No, sir. We don’t.”

“Alrighty then, get to work on the McAllen file, Karen can brief you.”

“Thank you sir.”

I skip back to my desk, a huge weight now off of my shoulders. I then shuffle over to Coleene’s corner.

Coleene is one of my best friends. She stares at me with dead eyes, she’s really mad.

“Where the hell have you been? Why didn’t you tell me, I was so worried about you. I talked to your mom, and she didn't know where you were, either, so what’s this about you being gone for a family emergency? Hm?” Coleene likes to talk. A lot.

“Tell me what happened, or I’ll figure it out.” She adds.

To be continued...

Sara Bavuso It was horrible! The yelling the screaming, the punching the kicking. There was blood all over my shirt and face. I don’t understand. What did I do!

November 2, 2016 That morning I wake thinking the today will be better. Today I won’t be the one who gets bullied. Today I am not letting anyone get in my head and hurt me. I get out of bed, get my clothes on, brush my teeth, and brush my hair to get ready for the day. I grab my history textbook and my homework and head downstairs to the kitchen for some breakfast.

My mom is already in the kitchen making breakfast. Yum….. the smell of waffles fill the room.

“Morning, Mom!” I say.

“Good morning, Benjamin,” she says back. My dad is in the military so I never really get to see him. He sends letters and pictures. Sometimes we Facetime but only when it’s a special occasion. I go to sit at the table when I see that there is a letter from dad sitting on the counter.

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TO BE CONTINUED…..

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