Chrestomathy, Winter 2018

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)

THE POWER OF WORDS

-Saying Goodbye-The Meaning of Life-The Sound of Silence-What I Want My Words to Do to You-If I Could Change-

Writing from the 7th Grade – Winter, 2018 THE CALHOUN MIDDLE SCHOOL 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Saying Goodbye ………………………………………… 3 The Sound of Silence ………………………………… 20 Philosophies: The Meaning of Life …………… 25 What I Want My Words to Do to You ………… 44

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SAYING GOODBYE Nandi Loizzo Dear Reader, My old cat, Tom, died when I was three. He was twenty years old. One of my mom’s co-workers found a kitten stranded on the pier where my mom worked and put him in my mom’s office. Eventually, her boss said to everyone working there, “Either one of you take care of this cat or I will.” Over time, my mom developed a soft spot for this cat, so she took him home.

I was two, so I didn't really understand how to have a pet. This meant I held him wrong and I pulled his tail a lot. I feel really bad that I did that to him, even if I didn't understand animals very well. I also took one of his toys, a rainbow fish, and played with it day after day. It had catnip in it, so I’m not entirely sure how Tom didn't take it back. The only thing I remember about him dying was when we poured his ashes into a Central Park lake. I’m quite sure I didn't know entirely what was going on and I remember wanting to get a turn pouring his ashes into the lake.

Now that I think about him, I feel really sad that I didn't have him for longer and I don’t think I gave him a proper goodbye. My parents say that every day when he was dying he got thinner and thinner until one day he lay down and never got up. Then we took him to a vet and he cremated him and we poured his ashes into the lake. Three years later, I said that it had been three years since I hadn’t had a cat and I wanted a new one, so we decided to get one. On a Sunday, we went to get a kitten from a shelter, only to learn that she had been adopted twenty minutes earlier. So then, on a Wednesday, when a new batch of kittens arrived at the shelter, I got out of school early and we got two kittens. I wanted to get a cat named Ginger and a cat named Sparkles and Trey wanted to get a cat named Juniper and a cat named Sparkles, so naturally, we both got disappointed when we got Ginger and Juniper.

Eventually, we decided that we had made good choices on our kittens.

I am sad that Tom passed away and wish he was still here, but if he hadn’t died, then we wouldn’t have had Ginger and Juniper, so this tells me that when something bad happens, it can be replaced by a good one. My parents told me that I was sad when Tom died, but I don’t remember the moment, so I don’t

know if I was sad or not. Tom is the reason that I am so happy today because without him, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to let Juniper jump onto my lap, knead my belly for a few minutes, and then circle around on my belly a few times to finally lie down on me. I wouldn’t have the opportunity to pet the over enthusiastic Ginger who always rubs her cheek on me, purrs like a motor and sheds all her fur around. I wouldn’t have the privilege of having a living motor and a cuddly furball in my house.

If I could meet Tom right now, I would say thank you, for sparking my love in cats and giving me so much happiness when I was little. I would not say thank you because of his death, but because of all the things that he has done to bring happiness into my life.

Without him, my life would be boring. It would have no living motor to meow for attention and then knock her head into me in affection. I would not have a cuddly furball to walk and sleep on me. So thank you Tom, and I hope you have a great time in Heaven.

With blessings, Nandi

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“Olivia, you're not good enough to dance on pointe.”

Instead of hearing the four words I glorified for so long, I could only hear these instead.

“You’re not good enough."

My heart fell and shattered in my stomach.

The worst part wasn't hearing those words come out of her mouth; it was having to watch the rest of my friends glorify over the fact they all got on pointe.

Olivia Ruiz I remember the day I decided to say goodbye to you.

It was October 27, 2015 It was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my dance life The day that determined if I could be on Pointe or not.

I remember training vigorously for you for years just to get that achievement.

“Olivia, did you make it”?

“Yeah, I did.”

I tried to say those three words with having tears and embarrassment breakthrough.

For the next six months, I decided that it wasn't worth it to work as hard as I used to.

So while I watched every other girl dance on pointe expect me. I was planning my goodbyes.

I stayed hours after class training for those four words

When it was time for the new semester, I made my decision; I was going to "officially" say goodbye to dance altogether.

“Congrats, you’re on pointe!”

And so I did.

I remember after rehearsal while I was gathering my things, my teacher called me over and told me to stay a few minutes after class to speak to her.

Although I did return to dance this year, I don't really feel that I will ever go back and dance with the same passion the way I used to.

I walked over with all of my pride and stood there strong with my head up high as I heard these exact words come out of her mouth.

I do regret quitting. In those moments. I felt weak and broken, but I should have persevered and kept dancing until I got on pointe to 4

provide to my teacher I am good enough.

I want to know something before I fully say goodbye.

I do not miss my palate expander. Still, I was happy to have the palate expander because of the benefits of it.

One of the benefits is that it expanded my mouth, which made more room for my teeth to grow.

Why wasn't I good enough?

Was it because I loved you too much.

Was it because I gave my all.

Or was it because I had to work ten times harder than the other white girls in my class, but that still wasn't enough?

I want you to remember all the joy and laughter you brought me, and many how many friends you gave me that have forever changed me.

You were a part of my life and always will be, but now I think it's time we both part ways and say our goodbyes.

Max von Boetticher In February of this year, I said goodbye to my palate expander. My palate expander was very annoying. It was dental device used to expand the roof of my mouth. It did this by using a key to push my mouth apart.

The separation occurred in late February when I went to the orthodontist. There it was removed from my mouth by being pulled out.

Surprisingly this did not hurt that much.

I was very happy to have it removed.

One of the reasons I was happy was that I could not eat crunchy or sticky food.

It was also very uncomfortable to have in my mouth. It was most uncomfortable right after having the key in it turned.

One question I have is if there is another way to expand a palate without a palate expander? Preferably one that is less annoying.

I appreciate what you did for me, palate expander, but even so I am happy to see you gone!

Leon Jonsson Fernandez Say Goodbye to my Zach (Devastator) It all began when I was living in India back in 2008, that was when I got my first pet. When I was sleeping, my mother came into my bedroom and surprised me with a huge box that was moving. I looked inside and I couldn’t believe my eyes; I found tiny two rabbits! I was so excited and I began to pet them and feed them carrots.

The next day when I woke up, I realized that one rabbit was missing.

My mom told me that it had escaped, only to know seven years later that it had died overnight.

We named the surviving rabbit “The Devastator”! We had a blast together. I enjoyed feeding him carrots, petting him, and taking him into the wilderness. I was living with “The Devastator” for about 4 years until I finally gave him a good name, Zach. I have some really good memories with Zach, like when he pooped around the whole house. Those days would eventually come to an end because we decided to move to America.

When we moved to America, we couldn't take our rabbit because it would smell too much in the 5

apartment. We decided to bring our cats instead. Oh yes, I didn’t tell you, but we also have two Indian rescue cats. They are Cosmos and Sai. My rabbit still lives in India. He is safe and sound and being taken care of by our maid.

Willa Hart I had this stuffed animal named Knuffle Bunny. I had it for when I was 2, 3, and 4 lost it when I was 4. I had a book called Knuffle Bunny and it was my favorite book. There were three books Knuffle Bunny, Knuffle Bunny Too, and Knuffle Bunny Free. It was about a bunny and I really wanted that bunny in the book... I thought it was the coolest thing and if I had it, it would make me look so cool. It was a soft green bunny with green and purple ears. It had some purple parts in other places. The purple was velvety and really soft.

I got it for my second birthday. I was overjoyed and would not let go of it. I took it everywhere: to preschool, to the park, to bed and everywhere I went. I could not say Knuffle bunny so I called it Knuffy. Knuffle was my best friend and I loooooooooved it so much.

My friends in preschool were so jealous of it. My mom says that whenever it was a preschool friend’s birthday I would get it for them.

so we left the park. I did not notice I lost it till we got home and I wanted to play with it. My mom said that she did not have it and that she thought that I took it. I was really upset and started crying.

My dad got home from work and I told him what happened. He decided to go back to the park because he knew how much I loved it. I was hopeful that he would find it so I stopped crying.

When he was at the park he could not find it. He spent so long looking for it but it was not there. He came back and said that some little kid probably took it. I started crying again and would not stop till my mom read me the books.

I took so long to go to bed without it. I missed it so much. My mom knew that it would be a problem without it. She went back to the store and got me a new one. She gave it to me after preschool one day. I was so happy to have one but it was not the same as the other one. It did not have the same smell and the same stains. I was not attached to this one the same way. I gave the new one to a kid in the park who was crying and I thought that it would help. The mom said the kid was really happy. I got over it and I knew that the kid wanted it more than I did.

I also loved going to the park. I would take it to the park and push it on the swing. Once when I went I was pushing it on the swing. I was getting tired, so I started to pack up and head home. My sister was eight then and my brother was a really little baby.

I had to go run and get my sister, so I left Knuffy on the swing. I said to myself to come back and get it. I thought that my mom had grabbed it 6

Kate Wattenberg

imaginary friend, especially one that is a giant pink bear.

Dear Big Pink Stuffed Bear, I hope you are in someone else’s arms, making them happy. I am sorry that I gave you up; you took up way too much space in my room. I donated you to someone who is less fortunate, because you would make her so happy.

Maybe I will buy another one of you for someone else. Maybe I will not. You served very well in my bedroom, and I always had something to hug when I was sad, something that I could hug when I was happy, and something that was so incredibly furry! I miss you but I hope that you will make someone very happy and thanks for being an awesome stuffed animal!

But why am I writing this if I am not going to say what was so awesome about you? First, you were from F.A.O Schwartz, which is a legendary toy store. Second, you were pink, which was my favorite color when I was little.

Third, you were incredibly furry which is SO AMAZING! Fourth, you were really cute and it was awesome having you in my room.

You meant a lot to me, because you were really cute and you were great for anything, anytime, anywhere. Not many people could connect with a stuffed animal like you, but you brought joy to my life. There’s just something about stuffed animals that makes people happier, and I hope you are giving it to someone else. Someone who would love everything about you, and you are really huge and awesome!

Although I had to move you off the foot of my bed, it made the end more comfortable. But I still acknowledged your presence in my room and it was great having you with me! Although you aren’t real, you can be imaginary, and some little kids may like having an

Tori Ashton Dear CPE 1, You were the place that shaped me to be who I am, and I never got a good chance to say goodbye. For that I'm sorry because I had the best years of my life while I was there and I never thanked you for that, so I am here to do that now.

You taught me how to meaningful question things and explore my creativity. You taught me how to debate and contradict, which is why I think it is important to reflect. CPE, you have taught me to how powerful words can be and how to be a leader.

When I first came to CPE, I hid behind my mom. I had never been in a community where teachers and students learn together, and at the beginning of the week we all sang together, I was also excited to learn through play and discussion. Until a girl my age took my hand and brought me into the classroom, at first I tried to pull away, but something in me told me to let go of my mom and explore everything in the classroom.

When I went to school everyday, I thought all I was doing was playing and dancing and building with cardboard and Legos, Now that I’ve left CPE, I realized how much I’ve learned from those experiences.

My favorite year with you was 4th grade, I had a philosopher as my math and English teacher who taught me the importance of words in our society through song and play. Each and every subject was related in some way. I understood things in math because I 7

realized ways that it connects to dance.

I learned how to get my point across when we had debates because each person at that school had a strong opinion and creative ideas.

We learned from each other rather than from a textbook. This is how I learned that each person has a different perspective on things because we all have different experiences in life that shape our opinions on things. This is how I learned to listen and respect people’s opinions because they have different outlooks on life.

CPE, thank you for giving me opportunities to express myself and for teaching me how to learn and question.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you.

Katrina Lester I’d like to say goodbye to one of my really good friends, Allison. She used to go to Calhoun, and we would see each other all the time. Then in second grade, she moved permanently to Connecticut, and when she told me, I was upset about it. After that, we saw each other a few other times, but now I haven’t seen her in two years. Now, I don’t really know how I feel about it, but it can be upsetting at times.

Sometimes I don’t even remember her at all, and then once I hear about her again, I feel bad about it. The separation was hard at first, but over a while, it’s gotten easier.

I remember a while ago when she lived in New York, I would come to her apartment sometimes, and we’d have a lot of fun. We would play in her room, sometimes make crafts, and just do a lot of fun activities. We’d do everything together instead of doing separate things in her apartment, which was mainly why we were such good friends because we’d work together. We would always have the same interests in what we can do in her apartment. Another good memory I have being with her is when she had her pool party in Connecticut. She has one every year, and it’s always a lot of fun. We’d go swimming a lot, and then she’d take me, and some of her friends from Connecticut into her room, and we’d just talk about anything that someone brought up. I remember she introduced me to this one girl, and now I’m pretty good friends with her.

I want to apologize to her for not really communicating with her for a while now. I feel really bad about it because we were such good friends, and now it’s kind of like we don’t know each other anymore. Since I haven’t really been communicating, she hasn’t either, and I keep asking myself if we are still even friends. I just have no idea and I just wish I knew.

I want to ask her many questions and these are a few: Are we still friends anymore? Can you still communicate with me (by text or something like that)? Do you ever think about me?

How is your life going in Connecticut?

I really miss having her going to the same school as me. We had a lot of fun together doing projects in school, and hanging out after school. I really miss her a lot. Goodbye, my friend.

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Lucy Weinstein Saying a Brief Goodbye Watching you bolt through the driveway every single time, you never cease to plant a smile on the face of everyone but your mother. Your tiny wagging stub of a tail, your constant smiling face through mud and bugs.

You got yourself into a lot of trouble, little buddy. You were even featured in Connecticut news; getting yourself stuck under the ground. I can’t believe we found you. Frisco: The dog that lived! It wasn’t all that exciting, but you worried us a whole lot. You could have died. A creamy white cockapoo turned nearly all black from being oh so dirty. You were the sassiest little dog I’ll probably ever meet. I think sometimes you even thought you were human. I had known you since I was only about three years old. It was hard to give you up, even if you weren’t exactly my dog. We would joke about you, and I always found myself asking cousins and aunts what kind of predicaments you had participated in most recently. Somehow you had become such a part of my life.

Things are calmer up there now. Frisco is replaced with Cosmo now. Cosmo is sweet. He’s small, but apparently all of the breed is meant to be small. Maybe you were just unusually large. Even when at eight years old, you were still like a puppy. You deserved more years.

You should have gotten to grow more gradually old. One day you’re playing, continuing the routine of ruling the house, and the next you’ve gone blind.

Then within what felt like a matter of minutes, you’re gone. Miss you.

clear within my mind? Maybe because I see you everyday, and because you were one of the only people I felt enjoyed my company, and because I still miss you. I overreacted. You didn’t leave me alone like I accused; I was scared you would. I was so afraid that I thought you did. I wish it never happened. We turned out more similar than you think, but I’m just completely stupid. That time you offered me to go to get a snack with you, and I reluctantly accepted. I would have stayed, if I had the money. I felt scared once again. It was like before. Me and you. Us. But we weren’t laughing and joking, or even gossiping or talking. It was silence. What would I do when we got to the end of the line without anything to pay with? I left. I just walked out with a simple excuse. I’m sorry.

--------------------------------------------Nicole Rengifo ICCA, You had a nasty kindergarten teacher Who screamed and shrieked When we’d mess up Because we were 4 or 5, Who threatened to pull A girl by her Pigtails, Who tore creativity And curiosity Away from us, And replaced it With fear and meanness

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Alongside an angelic one, Who baked cookies for us To decorate and bring home, Who never once yelled, And taught us to just Be nice,

Goodbye second grade best friend.

Goodbye trust and goodbye love.

Dramatic, but I missed you. A lot. I was only seven, so how have you stayed so

You had judgmental kids Who laughed at others With quirks And even at autistic ones 9

As if it made them less of A person, You had “morals” That no one ever listened to, Not the staff And certainly not the kids You didn’t tell us About all of the horrible things That were going on And how to stop them Because you were too busy Repeating mindless Formulas (To no avail) You taught us To keep our mouths shut And listen to the person Who was “More powerful” You taught us To be afraid Of conflict Because we’d always Be in the wrong You taught us To put our passions, Our troubles, Our anxieties, Our emotions, Our thoughts, behind us And the next “A+” in front, Because A letter would always determine success And self worth.

That’s why I left.

Theodora Lyne I don’t like saying goodbye, nobody does. I actually don’t have to say goodbye a lot. But I have had to say goodbye to a few homes, and while I can’t remember saying goodbye to most of them, one was really hard.

I had to say goodbye to an apartment that had been my home when I was six months old. However, I was probably too little to be able to comprehend that I was leaving it, let alone remember leaving it. I lived in three homes in my time in London, none of which I can remember saying goodbye to. But the last one must have been especially hard because I was also leaving London. And while I can’t remember saying goodbye, I have some great memories from that house.

After I left London, I moved into an apartment on 79th street, and I loved it there. There was a girl, who lived in an apartment in a different part of the building, but on the same floor as me.

Her bedroom window was across from mine, and my sister and I used to talk to her. Her name was Gracie, and I even remember how we met.

When I was eight, we moved out of the apartment. It was hard, as was saying goodbye to it. On the day we were leaving, Gracie left a letter on our doorstep. It said that she was miss us, and I knew I would also miss my friend.

There are many things I miss about that apartment: my room, the library, our couch, those wonderful French doors around the library. I miss my sister’s and my play space in the living room, and the office, and Gracie.

If I could, I would still live in that apartment. If I had what I wanted, we never would have moved. But if I could say goodbye to that apartment again, I would say thank you.

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Thank you for all these good memories, and thank you for Gracie.

Thank you for Bobby dressing up as Santa every year, and giving us candy canes. Thank you for the man with the adorable dogs and Hawaiian shirts.

Thank you for hosting my birthday parties, and for my parent’s room just down the hall. Please never forget me.

I love you. Goodbye.

Harry Rosberger You were the only thing I cared for a long, long time. Jamie, my favorite and only invisible friend, I can still remember packing your invisible suitcase and taking time to have a conversation about random things like what crayon to use or what we should get our dog for his birthday right after his birthday.

I know you are always with me because whenever I am going through something, whether happy or sad, I always think of your name. I think it was two years ago when my brother started to call his favorite stuffed animal “Jamie.” I will admit I got a little emotional because I hadn't thought or talked to you for years. I can't remember the year we started to split apart, but I think it was a good time in my life because you were so special to me.

It was probably fourth grade because that was the year I went to a school for dyslexia. I don't think I ever said goodbye to you because when I was younger, I thought you would always be with me but in the end that didn't happen. You know you were important to me so I'm going to say a few words.

To me, Jamie, you were the whole world. I can only remember a few amazing discoveries we had, like realizing you shouldn't jump off a ladder into a tub. Also we found out

that there are no monsters under our bed. I know we haven't talked to each other in a while, but I want you to have a good goodbye.

Ava Carter My great grandmother died 3 years ago. She lived in Maui in a big beautiful house in the top of the mountains.

Since I was a little girl my family went to Maui 2 times a year. Now that she’s gone we only go once. In the backyard of my great grandmother’s immense house lay a big tree. When I was little I climbed that tree every time we went to her house. It always reminded me of a fairy garden. In the middle of her blossoming garden grew wild strawberries.

My sister, Vella, my cousin, Leila, and I, would make a fairy cafe and serve our parents and my grandmother, Momo, who came with us to visit her step mother, my great grandmother. My great grandmother had two dogs named Eipo, and King, and her cat, Ginger. The view from her front lawn was the most amazing sight I have ever seen. An ocean floor with islands standing upon it and big fluffy clouds that sat on top of them. Looking down at the sight made me want to fly. I knew my great grandmother for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories of her matched my latest.

She sat in a large brown chair in front of the TV with her two dogs on either side of her. She had people waiting on her hand and foot and it was very hard for her to communicate.

The rooms were big and the echoes made my tiny little voice seem loud and heroic., and the smell made me feel warm and safe. We would run around her property with her dog King getting swept of in the feeling. Now all 11

we have left from those special days are the pictures sitting in my house, frozen moments. Being at her house was like living in a fairy tale. From reading books with colors I didn't know existed, to living in the books my mother read to me every night before the expected goodnight, and I love you. A little girl's dream come true.

Nathalie Christman When I was four years old, my dad announced that we would be moving from our little yellow house in Connecticut to a apartment in New York City for his job. I didn’t understand at first, thinking that this meant that we would be getting a second house. Even after my dad explained that we wouldn’t be coming back to Rowayton moving out seemed to be in a far off, distant future.

I was partially right. The moving out took almost a year, between decorating to put our house on the market, to biweekly trips up to NYC to look at houses, to arranging everything with the mover service. About a month before we officially moved out, the movers came to start putting things in storage. Despite my protests and crying, most of my room was packed up into boxes or put into a truck parked in front of our house that I could see from my window.

I ran across my yard and through the gate connecting my yard to my best friends James's yard.

“The movers are stealing my stuff!” I cried running up to him, “Huh?” he said.

About an hour later we had a series of plans named “Operation: Stop The Movers.” STM had various different ideas, such as using a sparkle that had been strategically placed on a table so

sunlight hit it and it temporarily blinded the movers so they would give up and leave, taping all the furniture to the floor, and even hiding in the closet so the parents couldn't find me and would decide to not move.

Of course, these plans didn't work. All that they did was get the two of us in trouble for pouring sparkles on the table, getting tape all over the floor, and getting James stuck in the downstairs closet.

I never officially said goodbye to our house, but I do remember sitting in my car seat, holding my stuffed animal and asked if we would ever come to visit my friends and our old house. My parents responded that we would until the house was sold. It took a year to move out and over three years to finally sell the house. Now the house is distant memory but every so often there will be certain snapshot or smell that reminds me of it. I kind of miss the house sometimes but I've lived here in New York for most of my life and I hope to never leave.

Thomas Vicente The one time I really did not get a chance to say goodbye was to two of my family members, my uncle and aunt, Christian and Hans Peter. I never really had time to come and spend time with them, and when they were both diagnosed with cancer, I really felt terrible. My fondest memory of them was when I was four, and with them I experienced riding shotgun for the first time. They drove us over next to a castle in Denmark, where they lived, and brought out a picnic blanket.

We ate until it started to rain and we hid and reset our picnic under a guard’s post. Since this was an old castle, there were no guards and we had the whole place to ourselves. It was amazing.

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After that, I only had dinner with them once when I was five and six. But that was it. I really loved them, and always wanted to see them again. I’m sure they must have felt the same. My whole family never saw them again.

After they got cancer my parents and I really wanted to visit them, but we had so much stuff going on here in New York that we just could not. They passed away without us even being there, without anyone being there.

And for that, Christian and Hans Peter, I’m sorry I did not get the chance to say goodbye. I missed you, and always will. You never really saw me grow up, but I hope somehow you can now. But there is one thing I want to tell you. If I could freeze time I would freeze it so that I could sit next to that castle, watching the sunset, with mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and you.

Palmer Pyles There a lot of things I wish I could have done. Most of which, are things I regret, things that I think about every day. The thing I think I wish I did the most is heartbreaking.

In third grade one of my good friends, Cooper Stock, passed away. He was hit by a taxi driver making a turn on 97th Street. This taught me a number of things. One was how to get through tragedy, how to accept that something happened, and you cannot reverse it, but you remember it forever. Another one of those things is the principle of living life while you have it. Living life to the point where you are at the maximum capacity for happiness.

Cooper was taken from me, his family, the rest of my friend group, and so many others, in a matter of seconds. I wish I could be with him, even today.

He would have played on the basketball team with me. He would have done so

well in middle school. But alas, I cannot change what happened. I think about what scenarios would be like with him every day. How he cut someone off when they are wrong (in a good way).

How he would tell you any basketball fact ever. He even predicted that Lebron James would go back to the Cleveland Cavaliers the season after he died. He was correct. Everything about him made other people happy. He made you laugh and smile, he made you ponder what you think you knew, and he made you want to be better.

The event happened on a Friday night.

I had spent the day with him, laughing, joking around about Shirley Temple. I went to the park with him, and played football with a few other friends. After school, I was waiting in my cluster area with Cooper to be picked up. His babysitter picked him up before my Grandma picked me up. I saw him again in the lobby, sitting on one of the inside benches. I don’t know what he was waiting for, but he sat there with his babysitter talking and eating some candy.

I did say goodbye to him, but it was a lazy goodbye. I feel it wasn’t good enough. I wanted, and still want today, a proper goodbye.

I had no idea anything happened until the next morning. I had just gone home normally on that Friday. I played some video games, then went to bed. I woke up the next morning, and began to watch some videos online. My dad came down the stairs, and beckoned me to go back up with him. I went into my parents’ room and they said they had absolutely terrible news for me. When they told me, I thought it was a joke, so I started laughing. But then they said it was real, and they would not joke about this sort of thing. Then it dawned on me. I slid myself under my parents’ covers and began to cry.

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I don’t remember when the funeral was in relation to when Cooper was killed.

But I do remember that there was at least one day of school in between both of those days. At the start of that day, everyone went to their cluster area, like usual. Some of the people in our grade hadn’t been told that he was killed.

In third grade, Anthony Yacobellis was my cluster teacher. He began the conversation with, “As some of you may know, our friend Cooper has been killed.” My reaction was much different from others, as I had been notified of the event previous to the dialogue.

After that he went into detail about the incident, but I had completely tuned him out. It seemed to me like I couldn’t express emotion for a number of days after his death. It was very hard to focus on anything in my classes. Every single teacher wanted to address the matter. But by lunch, I had gotten so tired of being lectured about things “coming and going.” I was so tired of being told that he was in a “better place.” He may have been in a better place, but I didn’t care, I wanted my friend back.

At the funeral, I sat with a bunch of Cooper’s and my friends. The tone and mood of that situation was much different, as you can imagine. He had all his family come and talk about him.

Different things that made him happy, his favorite music, his obsessions with basketball and Shirley Temple, what he did that made everyone else happy, things that they should’ve said while he was there.

His family was inconsolable. They were hysterically crying. Just watching them made me want to fall onto my knees and cry a river, as they say.

Before the service started, every single person who came gave a strong hug to

the parents. I thought that was very meaningful to me because that was one of the only connections I felt I had.

Every time I played basketball from then on, I thought of him, and do so to this day. His passion for basketball in general was immeasurable. You could literally ask him anything, he would answer. I once asked him how many points he thought Michael Jordan had in his career, and he answered without hesitation. Off the top of my head I do not remember the number, but it was somewhere from 32,000 to 34,000.

Honestly, I do not know the lengths I would go to get him back if I could.

But if did get him back I wouldn’t be able to speak, I would just cry and hug him. If I were able to speak in that moment, I would say something along these lines: I love you. I never said that to you when you were alive, and I should have. But you have made my life exponentially better. I remember one time when we were in the park playing football, You, Zach Colosimo and I were on a team, and I wanted to play quarterback, because Zach was having an off day of a sort. Zach said no. You stuck up for me. You said give Palmer a shot and he gave me a shot. I threw the ball to you downfield and you scored. I was so happy.

You should be cherished, because I know now that anything can be gone just like that, when you don’t expect it.

I am a more evolved person, because you are my friend.

Every year we still, just my grade, hold a celebration in Cooper’s name. We call it Cooper’s Troopers Day. On that day we walk to 97th and West End Avenue where he was hit, and we stand next to his street sign and talk. His mom comes every year, which is important, because I know it is the hardest for his parents.

No matter who you are, their pain is so 14

much greater. I get to hug his mom so hard on that day and remember him.

That is one of the most important things. What is really beautiful about that day is once a year, everyone who was here when Cooper was is probably crying. Although the people who weren’t here at that time didn’t know Cooper, they still console the people who were, or at least try to. I believe that is almost as equally important as the parents being there. Our first Cooper’s Troopers was school wide. We were put into groups and we all did something related to Cooper, whether it was basketball, traffic safety to prevent more accidents, or making cards to send to the mayor to make that street safer.

We walk up to the street named after you Some people make speeches Some people cry, I know I always do When we think about you, we think of as a hero Even though you are in heaven right now, you made a difference in this world The day that you died is now coming up And with every day you are gone, we know you are watching over us You are watching over your parents You are watching over your sister You are watching over your dog, Clark You are watching over anyone who has ever cared about you And all I want to say is goodbye and thank you Thank you for showing me that I should be thankful for what I and who I have And for what and who I don't have Hilary Barkey

Zoe Litt Cooper, I miss you I wish you would have gave some sort of warning I wish that taxi driver wasn’t there I wish that you were still here There were so many things you haven’t done So many memories to be shared with your friends, and family If you were here again, just for one day, I would tell you how much I miss you How hard our lives have been without you At Calhoun we have a ceremony to remember you

August 2014. Edward Cruz. I just want to say goodbye, tell you things that I never had the chance to. That night, the night before your passing, I told you goodnight. I told you that I would see you in the morning, but I never got the chance to.

I remember telling you a lot of things, but never a full goodbye. I told you that I loved you, but I never knew that that was the last time I would say that to you. If I knew, I would have said so much more. I would have stayed with you that night, not gone up to bed early. If I had the chance to, I would have told you so many things, like how I had always thought that you would get better.

I would have told you about Michelle, my cousin, and how she would have a baby in 2018. I would have told you 15

about the day that we were called, when the doctors told us that the cancer had won. That the trials had failed, even though a year later, they would have a cure. I can tell you every detail of those ten minutes, every detail of every time I visited you in the hospital. I would have told you about that time you gave me the Russian Nesting Dolls, and how I still have them today.

I remember when you gave them to me. You lined them all up on the foot of the bed, in the same place I was sitting at when I told you goodbye for the last time. I can still tell you today about the Fourth of July, and when we celebrated that year. I remember you watching us set off fireworks from your room, just peeking out to try to catch some of our happiness.

That was mere days before we said goodbye. Even after everybody said that you weren’t going to make it, I had a feeling that you would. I mean, you survived cancer the first time! You meant so much to me. If I had known, I would have said so much more.

I love you, Papa.

Demie George Saying goodbye… My Grandpa (Papou in Greek). My Papou died the day before my brother was born. His name was Mark and my parents named my brother Markos in honor of him.

My Papou was an immigrant who was born in Yugoslavia later moved to Istanbul, Turkey for a better life. His father passed away and he later moved to Montreal, Canada and later had a child named Stephanie, who is my mom. He loved Montreal and he lived there till he died. My Papou and I were very close. Even though I was four when he passed away, we were very

close. I had to visit my Papou two times every six months, plus vacations there.

When my Papou died, everything was so chaotic because my brother was being born so much of my family was in New York and I really didn't realize.

I’m sure my parents talked with me but I didn’t really realize that he was gone.

I noticed that we hadn't been going to Montreal anymore and I hadn’t been on the phone him. Later I learned that he was not there anymore.

I have been back to Montreal. I really miss my Papou. My Mom tells me many stories about him and how he played tennis with famous Canadian leaders and how he had the most famous restaurant in Montreal, which all of the Montreal Canadians ate at.

I miss you, Papou. If you could see what Markos and I are like today!

Anonymous Her name was Celeste. I loved her.

Everyone did. She was the nicest person I knew. By far. She was very smart and fun to be with. I loved traveling to California to see her when I was younger, even though at my age it was a long plane ride.

She had a stamp collection. She loved to share it with people. She also had a piano. She used to be a great pianist.

My brother and I were terrible … but she loved it.

The last memory I have of her is the day before I left her house to go back to New York. She decided to share her stamp collection with my brother and me. Each stamp was more interesting than the last. Everyone had a story for her to share.

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She was already sick when we left her house the next day, but from then on her condition got worse. She had cancer. She smoked for a lot of her life too, so she had problems with her lungs. A couple of months after that trip, I got the news that she died. I was so sad. I miss her. She was buried in Brooklyn.

Goodbye, Grandma.

Jade Martin

Isaac Cohen Maxie, I barely remember you, but I am sad you are gone.

Almost ten years ago, Xyresic claws and all.

I’m sorry for all the times I tortured you.

Eons ago it seems.

Maybe one day I’ll see you again, after I leave.

Jason Liberty Dear Cowsy,

I had to say goodbye to my first dog, Kode. It was probably the most heartbreaking experience of my life.

However, it was also a touching moment. It taught me not to get attached to something because it can disappear faster that I can blink my eyes.

It’s a very tough way to learn, especially when you’re just eight years old and beginning fourth grade. I remember crying for long periods of time throughout the weeks that came after. However, I’ve learned to live my life through that loss.

Sophie Crystal You are half of my heart My adventures and sorrows My friendships and loves And the clothes that I borrow A hot summer day in the freezing cold lake A big blue sky where happiness awaits One month and it’s done It’s time to go

You were my first stuffed animal that I truly remember. I got you on my first birthday at Hershey Park. I remember after going on a little roller coaster I saw you and you were the cutest cow I had ever seen. When I brought you home I snuggled and played with you so much. I loved you so much with all of my heart. I had so many great memories with you. One of my favorite memories with you was making stuffy kingdom. You were the leader of all of the other stuffies. We went on so many missions to beat the evil Monkey Manny.

I remember every morning waking up to your cute little face. You always made me feel safe if I ever got scared at night. I would hug you and close my eyes, and know you were there for me.

I could never sleep without you. I would play with you for hours and hours. You were my favorite stuffy out of the other two hundred. You made my imagination go wild. Thank you for always being the best cow, stuffy and friend in the world.

Love, Jason

Ready for next year Not ready to come back home No words to explain how I feel Well, camp, I’ll tell you, it’s been real.

Sam Kind The day Bella died was probably the saddest day of my life. She had cancer 17

in several places and we all knew she was in pain. I wish she could have told us if she wanted to die. What if she could have recovered from the cancer?

She could have lived but we lost hope.

What if she didn’t want that? What if she wasn’t ready? I wish I could have said I’m sorry. I wish I could go back in time and spend more time with her and let her know how much I loved her.

She used to get so jealous when we first got our cats. One time, Toby, one of my cats, was sitting on the dining table and my mom and I started petting him.

Bella (95 pounds) got so jealous that she started to jump onto the table. The table started tipping over and a plate fell off and shattered. She stopped jumping, made eye contact with us, and ran under the piano because she knew she was in trouble. We weren't angry; we went over and started petting her. I hope she knew that we would never stop loving her just because she made a mistake.

We got Bella when I was five years old.

I was living in my old apartment then.

We had an old retired couple, Richard and John, living next to us that would always walk Bella if we couldn't. They would spend hours on a bench with her just sitting and watching her. They were an old gay couple that never had children. Even after we moved they would still come over and spend time with her. It was sort of like we were divorced parents, she would live with them for a few weeks and then she would come live with us. They still call us telling us about how much they miss Bella - she was like their child.

Bella had always been kind of lazy but all of a sudden she started to become very lethargic. When we found out she had cancer I was shocked. Bernese Mountain dogs are basically prone to cancer, but I never actually expected Bella to get it. She got it in her liver

and then spread to her bones. During Christmas vacation my family went to North Carolina while Bella stayed with Richard and John. On Christmas Eve we got a call from them saying that Bella is at the vet and will most likely die that night. She wasn’t doing well the whole night but on Christmas day they called again and said that she healed overnight, like nothing ever happened.

It was a Christmas miracle!

Ava Rose Mendelson It all started at the Costa Linda in Aruba when I brought my stuffed baby doll, Eva. I was eight years old and I couldn’t sleep without it. It was everything I loved and more. My fouryear-old sister had a similar stuffed animal she called Wally. They were named after the characters from the movie “Wall- E.” I had always had Eva since I was born in the hospital. In Aruba, I slept with her every night. We had a fun trip but then it was time to go. I packed up and we were ready to leave but I couldn’t find Eva anywhere.

After looking around the room for a while, my Mom said it was time to go and Eva was probably in a bag. I wanted Eva on the plane ride but she wasn’t in my carry on. When we got back home I tore apart every bag looking from Eva. My parents exchanged glances and I knew that something was wrong. EVA WAS GONE! Dear Eva, I wish you were still with us and you could’ve seen the person I have become. I hope that you’re somewhere great. If the hotel did ever find you then you would be with a great kid who needs you more than me. I wish I could’ve said goodbye though. I love you Eva. I’m sorry I lost you and I miss you every day.

PS: My little sister chewed up Wally’s face :( Love, Ava Rose, 11

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Anonymous Dear Aviv, I miss you, I’m sorry we lost touch, I’m sorry we can’t connect anymore, I sure wish we do though.

I’m saying goodbye, Not forever though, I hope we can make more memories, Just like those ones that we won’t lose.

Some like our swims at the beach, Or all one million of our sleepovers, Our talent show performances, our baking tutorials, And our makeup ones too!

We should talk, Call me...

the most from her is when she always needs to do the things I do; even though I hate it, I am going to miss it.

Another thing that gets on my nerves is when she has to take my phone and sees all of apps that I have so she can get the same ones. I’m going to miss Eva’s dog, Rufus, too. Whenever I go to her house, he always jumps on me. I’m going to miss taking him on walks in the morning and giving him his daily treats. When I visit her it’s going to feel weird because I never thought that she would belong in California.

Kamille Brewster Goodbye Goodbye you deserted me you left me in such an uncomfortable state I thought I could trust you, you choose others over me I would have been there for you but what's the point in trying if you won't be there for me you made me cry you disappointed me you lifted me up like you were a giving tree I miss you I want us to talk more but your other friends just made you get lost more I thought you were goofy and you made me laugh and now I see you as my other half

Nyla Crespo My cousin, Eva, is moving to Los Angeles in a year. She is like a sister to me and I’m going to miss her looking up to me. The thing I am going to miss

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THE SOUND OF SILENCE (writing based on listening to the original song by Simon and Garfunkel)

Engraved in your mind No one knows the answer That you will want to find

Sam Kind Lucy Weinstein My Sound of Silence.

Ringing sounds on either side, filling me with the thoughts that linger near, the stress the fear, things I hold dear.

Lightning bolts erupt from every end of my head, sending off whirlwinds of breath. Each breath is an unspoken word. I hold it in and listen to the pangs of mysterious sounds within the walls, the trials of the other end. I let it go. At the simple parting of my mouth a flood of ideas pools outwards, blowing through the unseen and unheard breeze that passes by every second of every day. My sound of silence is a flushing of the face, the blood rushing to my head with every happy thought my mind can manage to produce, like lace strings trying to tie in the midst of one large knot. The sound of silence is a myth our minds use to cope with. Noise punctures through every crevice that finds itself in our world. We can’t escape it, really.

Forever there. Forever everywhere?

Maybe.

Silence whispers In the moonlight Leaving questions

There’s an outsider, someone who doesn’t know what we’re currently like.

This is how he sees us, and how some people in the real world see us.

He sees girls and boys starving themselves just to look like what society wants them to look like, hating themselves and hating how they look.

He sees people brainwashed, like robots looking at their phones. He sees people so self-absorbed, trying so hard not to think about what's going on in the world and just focusing on themselves.

There is fire and war in the girl’s eyes, just because of her religion. Innocent people going to jail or even getting killed because of their race. There are X’s over their eyes because it’s like they are blind - they can’t see what’s wrong and what right or what's actually happening right in front of them.

Katrina Lester Silence is a word.

Silence is a noun.

People associate it with something that has no sound.

No words are ever said during silent times.

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Well, maybe it does have sound.

Something doesn’t have to make noise to be a sound.

We can see that sound with our own two eyes.

Silence is something that we can see, and we know it’s happening.

When you are walking outside by yourself, you are absorbed in silence, and you can hear that silence in your head.

You may be silent, but there is a whole lot of sound and words inside your head.

Silence is a sound going on inside your head.

Just acknowledge that it’s happening.

It is a great sound, so just let it happen.

Tori Ashton There are people who love each other but don’t know how to tell one another because they never learned how.

We are all humans who feel love, but we can’t share those emotions with other people in the age of technology, because we have forgotten how.

Technology has made us more selfish than ever,. People claim that it brings us together when it really pushes us further apart. We have turned human connection into cell phone connection and let social media make us more antisocial.

I have a theory on why most parents wait to give their children cell phones: It is because they want us to develop social skills and learn how to share our feelings with people, to really truly connect with each other before we get a cell phone in our hand and ruin all of that. They want us to understand how to care for each other and build connections with people before we don’t know how to anymore.

Palmer Pyles The sound of silence is nonexistent.

The sound of silence is quiet to a point beyond earshot. The song seemed to have an underlying message about lack of communication between humans.

How that communication is so important to feel real. To know that you exist, that you aren’t invisible to the others around you. It talked about saying hello to the darkness, as it is your old friend that never seems to leave. It also talks about observations of other people’s communication. “In the naked light I saw ten thousand people, maybe more. People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening.” That talks about how other people aren’t having meaningful conversations either. Then later it references a “Neon God” that everyone praises, while they should be talking with others, but instead they praise technology.

I feel it may have had a personal touch to it as well. “In restless dreams I walked alone, narrow streets of cobblestone, ‘neath the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp.” That passage from the song has the most personal touch. It was a dream in which they remember vividly. It sounds like they are recounting that dream using 21

beautifully detailed remembrances. I do not know the situation of the songwriter, but I do know that Simon and Garfunkel must have been thinking about these thoughts because this sort of song doesn’t just come up. Every lyric seemed to speak meanings that are overlooked by many.

Max von Boetticher AND NO ONE DARED (The story) At PS4 in South Los Angeles, Sam Tucker was sitting at a lunch table. He was all alone. He would have preferred to have been sitting at a table with other classmates but there was one problem. He could not communicate with other people in the school.

At PS4 there were very few rules. The school was filled with tech lovers and people who played video games. Food was one of the many loved things about the school. The food there was made every day and there were a variety of options. They even allowed you to use your phone during class.

The only rule at PS4 was the one listed below: Students may only communicate via text and email You may ask why this was a rule. It was because many kids at the school lost their hearing when they got older.

This was due to high noise levels in the school. Thus the rule was made. So now all you heard in the school was the sound of silence and the clicking of several devices.

This was the only reason Sam could not communicate. It was because he did not have a phone. This caused many problems such as not being able to communicate. It was a well-enforced rule and no one dared break it.

If you broke the rule one of the punishments was having duct tape put over your mouth for three days. One time, little Jimmy in class 3D audibly groaned because it was too hot. This did not end well.

In a tech school you would think everyone would have a phone. Indeed, everyone should have a phone but one time Sam was getting bullied and he got his phone stolen. He never communicated in school again.

And no one dared disturb the sound of silence. So he sat there and ate his luscious Caesar salad and caviar alone.

Leon Jonsson Fernandez Silence It is in the peace of Nature Where I feel safe away from the noise of the city The loud sirens Cars passing by the crowds of people Walking like zombies Holding their phones as their life support Silence It is the true key to happiness And my body holiday resort Silence is a free holiday where wisdom is found Nobody owns silence Silence is for free Silence Its color is golden 22

The gold of happiness Silence is always here It is easy to find Silence is in you and I A power Which will never end Nicole Rengifo She helplessly watched as her friend was swallowed up by the never-ending crowd that seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. His yelling was about to drive her mad before they suddenly stopped, also being drowned out by the too-loud silence. She slowly lowered her hands from her ears, staring off into the crowd where multiple bright spots flashed and swayed as the people moved around pointlessly.

Coming back to her senses after pitying herself briefly, she took a step back, hoping to escape the madness, the “Silence” as he had called it. She abruptly spun on her heels and sprinted the opposite direction into the dark and looming forest; anything was better than that ocean of ignorance. Once she felt like she’d been running forever in emptiness, she stopped, wheezing to catch her breath which came out in broken puffs of white in the cold darkness. The soft croaking of toads and the chirping of crickets sounded softly and painfully in her ears, reminding her of the absence of the voice of the friend she’d lost only moments before.

Briefly, she returned to her original wondering of the “Silence.”

Why did people even want to join the group in the first place? It was so obvious that it was just meant for people who wanted to be living useless lives of ignorance and obliviousness.

None of the people in the crowd ever talked to each other, despite there being so many of them and how close they were together. Perhaps that was why they were so incredibly dumb, and therefore stuck together...

She continued wondering, lost in her own mind, and didn’t realize she had gone in a circle and was going towards the crowd again. In fact, it was more like the crowd was pulling on her rather than her wandering. She only came to when she was already in, everyone pushing her farther into the crowd. However, she couldn’t find her voice. It felt like she was talking, and she was using all the things she normally would to do so, but all sound just drowned out into silence, until she started to panic and shove her way past each person, anxiety and desperation clawing at her chest; and she could feel the burning sensation of suffocationShe jolted awake, sitting up immediately. Her whole body was covered in cold sweat that the morning sun couldn’t help and her breathing was uneven with fear. The girl took in her surroundings before swallowing and calming down. She sighed in relief and reached for her phone instead, switching to her social media and announcing her waking; she didn’t even notice the familiarity of the light nor the deafening silence that was only split by the “ding” of her phone when one of her friends responded.

Sammy Meltzer-Thometz Found amongst a concrete jungle Through a pluralism of humankind Predictions and prognostics say That one day, linguistics will cease to stay Trapped in a beam of light Like insects in the night Going closer till they hit the bulb 23

An avarice and greed to great Tricked into a ploy They accept their demise slowly, Mourning is not of use When communication is hanging from a noose Skye Battino In the air In the water And in all of us While some people fear it Some people need it Silence may be calming Or it may be frightening Silence can occur clearly While we don’t even hear it Thomas Vicente All alone over the landscape, As you travel from room to room.

As you walk past a row of flowers, They never wilt nor will they bloom.

As you travel through the world, One pace at a time, You think you see someone, You get closer as you climb.

As that person looks at you, You can’t decipher what they said, They disappear, And you jump out of bed.

And as you spent the night, Looking for guidance, You are finally comforted, By the sound of silence.

Nathalie Christman The music is loud but I don’t hear any sound They stare, not watching at all They speak, not explaining Closing in on me but never moving We all sit together, but alone With 20/20 vision but no sight Walking down the sidewalk, not stopping Standing, admiring the view, not looking up Light piercing our eyes, blind to it all Telling stories without words If we ever stop, what will become our reality If we ever stop, will it all be over No, it won’t stop We won’t stop It may not ever stop The sound of silence is too loud

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Hilary Barkey The sound of silence makes me think about loneliness. It makes me think about a bleak, barren land, far away. I think about lots of people, huddled together for warmth. Silence feels like a rainy day. Silence feels cold, weird.

It is people walking past each other, silent. The glow of electronics lights up this barren wasteland, making it eerie, in a way. That is the only light; the sun is blocked by the ocean of clouds. Silence is not something that you can touch, but it is an experience.

It can be good; it can be horrible.

Sometimes, it is because of phones, because of our overstimulation. It can be because you are mad at someone, or even sad. Any way, though, it is not because you are happy. Silence is a sad place that you do not want to go to. In the image in my head, there are so many people there.

Most people are not talking, and the ones that do talk are ignored. The ones that are brave enough to speak out are shunned. In a way, there is still silence because nobody acknowledges sounds.

No, none of these people are deaf. They are just ignorant.

They don’t think about the world around them, just about what is good for them right now. That means that they don’t talk, they don’t try to make friends. In this land, nobody is happy.

They are so consumed with themselves that they don’t enjoy their lives.

Daniel Stone The sound of silence can be pleasant. It can be soothing. It can be just what you need to calm down … if you aren’t restricted to it.

If you are restricted to it, it can be fatal. It can be harsh. It can be deafening. The sound of silence can make your ears hurt, yet not cause damage to your hearing. It can cause damage to you, but not your ears. It can cause damage to you, but not your friends and family. It can cause damage to you, but not your brain.

The only part of you it affects is you.

This is the land of the future.

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qualities make my life more meaningful and happier.

PHILOSOPHIES: THE MEANING OF LIFE Julian DeLaszlo My life will be meaningful by having a purpose or goal, being musical, being truthful, and helping others. As I get older, I realize the importance of music in my life. Creating music, singing, playing musical instruments, and researching about people before me who are musicians makes me a better person. That is because it helps me to focus, appreciate others’ talents, and emotionally music brings me happiness. Sometimes, I will listen to a song, and I think that the lyrics reflect how I feel about my own life. At times, I am better able to cope with my own life, because music brings me joy. If someone is truly interested in me as a person, that someone just has to get to know my music collection.

Being truthful and respectful are qualities that are important to me and that define who I am as a person. I want to have friends and get along with others in society. Being kind, complimentary, and showing people I care keeps the focus off of me and shows that I am interested in others.

Plus, others will be attracted to me, and treat me the way I treat them. These

I have always enjoyed helping others. I feel that I have so much in life that it gives me pleasure to give back. Not only have I donated my own money to charity, but, also, I give of my time. If someone I know looks sad or confused, I help him or her out by giving that person advice or by trying to make that person happier by complimenting him or her. My goal when I am older is to help younger children, who can’t afford music lessons. I will provide those children with instruction in music. No matter how busy I am, I will always find time to be of service to others who are less fortunate than I am.

The advantage of leading a life of meaning and purpose is that I am the one who benefits the most. I feel good, and I am rarely sick. I look forward to getting out of bed in the morning and starting a new day. Of course, having nice things and money to spend on what is wanted makes people happy, but that is not the most important thing in life. I feel that people place too much importance on “things”. I place importance on people in my life, my art and music.

When I get older, I hope to get married and have children and meaningful work. I know that having others in my life will mean that I have to put my family first, and, often, I will need to compromise. Compromise means that I will look forward in my life. If I don’t compromise, I will be stuck in the past.

I would never compromise on my values and principles. What I will do is negotiate with others on things that will make us all happy. For example, if my family wants to have more family time, I can make a good compromise.

This is what makes life meaningful and gives me purpose.

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Zoe Litt My philosophy is “Be Kind and Never Give Up.” Every day I wake up and try to be happy. When I am happy I feel good and I feel very excited about the day ahead. I don’t like being sad because then I feel dreary and upset.

Sometimes I get very angry. I do not like being angry because then I feel negative. There are many things that make me happy. Tae Kwon Do helps me relax and feel positive even while kicking and punching. When I use my iPad to play a game or watch TV. It helps me feel calm and like I am taking a break from reality. My dog Winnie also helps me be happy by snuggling with me and giving me puppy kisses.

I am preparing to test for my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I have been training since 2nd grade. There are many times I thought about giving up along the way. The forms kept getting harder and harder. With each new belt I became more and more determined.

Seeing that determination in myself made me happy and proud. I try to have that same determination in every part of my life because I know that even when things get hard and I want to give up, in the end giving up will not make me happy.

Staying true to my philosophy of being kind and never giving up is not always easy. It takes strength to treat people kindly and to persevere but in the end it does lead to happiness.

There are two things that guide me in trying to be happy when I am out in the world and living my life: Being Kind and Never Giving Up. Being kind leads to happiness. To be a kind person is a good thing, but it is not always easy. It can be hard to be nice all the time. There is sometimes a struggle when it comes to being kind. If someone asks to borrow a pencil and you know that they always steal your pencils and never give them back, it is hard to be kind and help them out by lending them a pencil. It is also hard not to give them the pencil because they are your friends and you want to be kind. Kindness pays off, but not in money. When you are kind it can make other people act in a kind way and little by little that helps to make the world a more positive place. If you know you helped a person then that might make you smile because you did the right thing. Kindness is like yawning - it’s contagious, in a good way.

Never Giving Up is also a path to happiness. To never give up is a hard task, just like being kind. To never give up on something is a big commitment.

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Pepijn Oosterhuis Philosophy is thinking, about what you want to know.

Why life exists, how far the universe can go.

Life is full of questions, that not everyone can answer.

But if someone really thinks hard about it, they just might find out, that everyone has opinions.

Like ice and fire, rain and drought they just never figure it out.

People will always fight over who is right.

Some questions might never be answered.

By spreading your ideas the people find new initiative.

And the world gets a bit better every day.

Making people think differently about each other.

Even a simple hello every morning can make people's day.

Making them want to be themselves and keeping it that way.

Jason Liberty The meaning of life to me is being the best person that you could bring yourself to be. There are so many ways to do this and you can work on it your entire life. Life is not only about you; it’s also about what you do and how it affects others. Having good morals helps guide you to make the best decisions in your life. Knowing your purpose in life is about looking at how you treat yourself and others, making sure that you are being truthful and respectful, while living life to its fullest.

Being kind and caring to others is an important part of living a meaningful life. You should treat people the way you would want to be treated. You

should never judge a book by its cover.

Treat everyone equally no matter what they look like or believe in because deep down inside they could be a kind person. You want to be there for the people you love and always have their back no matter what people think about it. You should be an upstander and protect the people you care for, even if you don't feel like you have the courage to do so. Doing these actions help you become a better person by showing people that you are thoughtful and loving. You will feel good about your life by treating others with kindness.

It is important to be respectful to everyone and everything you come across. Respect your family and friends by showing them that you love them and that you care about their feelings and opinions. Being considerate to our environment is helpful to the world.

Our world gives us so many amazing things that we need to live, so we should take care of it. Recycling, not littering, conserving water and composting are all ways that we could respect our planet. Appreciate and respect what you have, even if you think you don't have much, because there is always someone that has less than you. An important part of life is being happy. If you don’t respect and appreciate what you have, you will never be happy or satisfied. Being a respectful person allows you to be fulfilled and closer to those in your life.

Honesty leads you to live a meaningful life. Don’t cheat or lie because when you do so you are not being the truest version of yourself. You won’t achieve anything from cheating or lying that will help you in the future. When you are honest, you are more trustworthy and dependable. This will lead you to more interactions with others and closer relationships.

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When you express your emotions, it allows you to experience a more meaningful life. Stand up for what you believe in. When you do, it builds your confidence and can help make a change for the better. Saying you're sorry and forgiving people makes them aware that you care about them. It takes lots of courage to apologize to someone because it's hard to admit when you do something wrong. Allowing yourself to forgive others will help you move on and you will then be at peace. Tell those you love that you love them. If you allow yourself to express your emotions your life will have a truer and deeper meaning.

Being a responsible person is an important part of living life. Taking care of your responsibilities and achieving this will lead to you feel proud and accomplished. Knowing right from wrong, and not letting peer pressure change you in a negative way, will affect the type of life you live. Be responsible for how you treat your body by staying healthy through exercise and good eating habits. Think positive thoughts instead of negative ones to live a healthy and happy lifestyle. Being organized and getting things done in a timely fashion reduces stress and anxiety. The more responsible you are, the more alert you are to make good decisions. Taking your responsibilities seriously will help you achieve a meaningful way of living.

control what you do and accomplish in life. Overcome that fear and be the greatest person you could ever be. If you live your life in this manner, you will never look back on your life with regrets.

Striving to live a full and meaningful life is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Your life will have many different situations where you will need to make an effort to make the right decision. It will be challenging and hard at times, but if you try your best to live life the right way, it will be worth it. Taking care of yourself and the Earth is important. Being aware that your actions can affect others in both positive and negative ways is an essential part of achieving a happy life.

Living a life with true purpose and deep meaning is something the world should try and achieve everyday so that we could all live remarkable lives.

Living life to its fullest will help you live a more complete and fulfilling life.

Dream big and take risks so you can have once-in-a-lifetime experiences and achieve your goals. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Be happy. Do the things you love that bring you joy.

Be with the people you love to feel appreciated. Make a change in the world to show yourself how brilliant and thoughtful you are. Don’t let fear 29

out there for you to do? Why not go sledding, or swimming, or play a game or do something entertaining? Time passes and once you miss the window of time to do something fun, you won’t be happy. Also having fun can take your mind off something that happened to you that you didn’t like.

Life is short, so do all you can with it!

Overall, the meaning of life is just to live it. Stick out (in a good way), be kind, and have fun. Just live your life and do everything you can with it.

Kate Wattenberg What is my meaning of life? Is it one way, practicing beliefs? Or is it like another way, to let free and have fun?

What could my meaning of life be? To stick out? Or to blend in? My meaning of life is to stick out/be yourself, to be kind, and to have fun!

Why should you stick out? If you blend in, it probably equals boring. Why would you want to be like everyone else? If everyone wears all black, wear blue or red or green! Why would you want to be like everyone else when you can be yourself, and you have a whole soul inside of you that is you, so why not be yourself? Why blend in, when you have the opportunity to stick out?

Always be yourself, because you should never do something that’s not you.

Why should you be kind? Being kind is a very important factor of everyday life. If you are a kind person, nobody should really be your friend because of how you look. Also, if you are nice, you are being the bigger person, and you can show people who are mean that being kind is the better choice. Always be kind.

Why should you have fun? Why sit around all day and stare at the wall when there are so many good things

Liam Barkey One of the most important things in life is to be happy. If you are not happy and always stressing over tiny details, you would not be able to have fun. If you can't have fun, what are you working towards or trying to accomplish. If you are perfectly happy with what you have, you should probably donate so other people can be as happy as you. It is also important to do something in your life that will help others in the future. For example, if someone cures cancer or even just makes advancements towards the cure that is helping people in the future because it means people with cancer will live longer lives.

The meaning of life can also be different, for some people. Some people do want to make advancements like what I just wrote about and some people want to worship their god(s).

Some people also like to help others.

For example, some doctors are doctors because they are happy when they help someone or save someone's life.

Another example are teachers who helps others because they teach kids so they are successful in the real world.

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My goal in life is to do something amazing like find a cure for cancer. If you ever want to get anything done, you cannot be constantly stressing over the future or focusing on the past.

You can only get things done in the present. If you don't ever get anything done, you will never feel accomplished.

You would also not be helping the world, if you don't ever do anything.

Then you would be sad and the world would be sad because you didn't help anyone.

Sam Kind The candle represents your life. The wax that drips down is a part of your life. Once the wax gets to the bottom, that era in your life is over. The fire is your personality and who you are. The fire is fierce and can be calm or wild.

The older you get the smaller the candle gets, until you reach the bottom and the fire goes out.

You can't just wait around and expect everything to work itself out, because the world needs everyone to try.

Another thing that can be satisfying is learning more about yourself. This can be satisfying because when you learn about yourself you learn what your flaws and what your strengths are so you can work on your flaws and maintain your strengths. I know some people don't think you can learn more about yourself even though you can because you don't just know everything you do and don't like as soon as you're born. Not everyone always has the same meaning of life, because some people enjoy certain things more than other people. For example, if you are extroverted you are happy and relaxed when you are around a lot of people. If you are introverted, you are happy and relaxed when you aren't around a lot of people.

Overall it doesn't matter what you do in life as long as you are helping the world and enjoying yourself while doing it. If you are doing something good for the world but don't enjoy it you should probably switch what you are doing because you matter just as much as everyone else.

Palmer Pyles People I’ve met, people I know, All part of me as I grow.

Thinking of things as I go, Talking and pondering, walking and running, Maybe thinking of rain or snow.

On, and on I free flow, Moment by moment I create the dough That I bake when I want to know The answers to life I call memories.

The meaning of life, Does not mean getting a house or a wife.

It is a frame of mind, That allows to you to be kind, Gracious, grateful and full of intertwined

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Rhymes that trick your brain to grind its gears, Using your ears, hearing others cheers and tears.

You cannot tell their emotion, devotion, or commotion because it is their meaning of life that commands Their ability to understand What they need to crash land into the waves of society.

It is challenging to explain the meaning of life through poetry.

It’s extraordinary that it is so present, Yet we cannot describe it.

In our lives, we know it as a way of life, Not just a meaning, Yet we still cannot describe it.

It is possible to describe the indescribable.

For it is our meaning of life that explains that.

To a great extent, people believe destinies must be pursued, But I believe you create how your life is viewed.

Knowing your future pertains to certain confusion, Because you will try without a doubt, To change your destiny and be done.

That is not what it is about.

Live your meaning of life.

Not someone else’s.

Because, yes, It would be yours.

But it would be like giving a tour of another's decor in which you seem to adore.

If you do not like your destiny, do you live it?

If it is your destiny, is it bound to happen?

If you do not act upon it, what will change?

“It”, “happen,” “change.”

All words that seem to finesse the way you hear things.

Changing it to an unappealing phrase that you don’t really want to hear.

Because you may not like your life,

but you are still afraid of change.

All of which talks about intimidating divergence.

Daniel Stone My philosophy is to live my life. Go to school, go to work and have a happy life. I will make my life better by making other people’s lives better. I will live my normal life but along the way give to people who need it more than me. While I will help other people I won’t want to sacrifice my life for someone else. Because as I am normally a bystander. I hope to change that a little bit but not enough for me to ruin my own life. I will help a little bit in that type of situation but I will hope other people will contribute to helping them out. I will go the rest of my life happy knowing I spent my life making people happy.

Deacon Brayshaw This is my philosophy: This world is broken, and what do we do to help it… nothing! We keep on making it worse, by smoking and hurting people for their money or something like that.

Can we help it… yes but we don’t. Not a lot of people realize what we have done to our world and the people of this world but we need to realize it.

Also I realize that when I say this people will ask “Why don’t you do something?” and they’re right and my response is because I feel that I won’t make a big enough change or I won’t make anyone hear me. I’m asking people bigger than me and that people will listen to do these kinds of things because I know I can’t. If we don’t start this puzzle of a world will always have its pieces scattered and will never be complete because of war, violence, drugs etc. We need to help this world 32

and the people in it before it gets destroyed to much, and that will happen soon very soon so we need to speak up and help.

because I am small. I play catcher, shortstop, second base, and pitcher, I play a lot of positions but my favorites are second base, and catcher. My whole team counts on me when I’m playing my many positions on and off the field.

Tori Ashton There is no true answer to the meaning of life, because it is different for each person that answers the infamous question. Each person has a different reason for being on this earth, because each person has a different dream they were born to live out. Some people never get the chance to live out their dream, regretting the things they didn't do rather than the things they did.

The meaning of life for me now is to learn all that I can. This will probably change as I get older and continue to experience things. Our views on life are constantly changing. When I was five, I thought the meaning of life was candy. These were much simpler times, making it a much simpler question.

Now the meaning of life is too intricate for me to put in words, mostly because I haven't quite figured it all out yet. I hope that one day when I think I have learned enough, I can inspire others.

Ari Litt My philosophy is to work hard and not to judge people by how they look. I am small for my age and I always try to work hard. I play baseball, I do Tae Kwon Do, and a little bit of tennis. I always try to work hard because I want to make my friends and family proud of me. Working hard is important because if you don’t work hard then you won’t ever progress and reach your goals. One reason I always work hard is to prove people wrong about size judgments. Most people probably don’t expect me to play baseball

I don’t want to judge people because I know that feels. I am usually mistaken for a 5th or 6th grader because I am small. Kids that are younger than me think that I am their age. At lunch I usually get mistaken for a 6th grader and get a smaller portion of food even though all of my friends around me get more. I don’t want that to happen to other people because it can be annoying when that happens to you.

That can happen to other people for other reasons. Some people look like they are homeless just because of their skin color or you can think that they are scary looking and dangerous. That is based on a stereotype. There are a lot of different stereotypes that are misleading and prevent us from knowing people for who they are.

My philosophy has made me who I am and it makes me act the way that I do. I try not judge people based on how they look and I always try to do my best. If everyone in the U.S. did not judge people based on how they look then I think it would be a much better place. I hope that I am not the only person with this philosophy. I would like to live in a world where more people think like I do.

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one of the questions was asking if wisdom is more dangerous than ignorance.

Katrina Lester While thinking about philosophy, I’ve really started to realize everything that I’ve done looking back in my life. I started to realize that life is something that you live, and it’s not a mystery to be solved because it goes on and on, and nothing that you’ve done has really resolved. I’ve started to really discover who I am, and what I believe is right in every aspect just by doing this project. I’ve really gained an understanding of where I stand in this world, and what things really stand out in my life that make me, me. I was able to have deep thoughts about my life leading up to this project, and I learned a lot more things about me that I ever thought I could.

While I was writing this, I learned that I really am wiser than I thought I was.

Usually when I’m writing, I just write really fast in order to get it over with, and that’s not the case when I was writing the answers to the questions. I noticed that I really took the time to answer the questions carefully and wisely, and I didn’t just rush through them just to get them over with. I also noticed how much I actually remembered events in my life that have been long gone in my memory, and I wrote them as examples when

While I was doing all of the groups of questions, I really thought about what life really is all about. It’s all about obstacles and challenges, and some that you don’t always overcome. For me, life is just a mystery that has no end to it, it just keeps on going and going. There’s a saying in a movie that I really like, which is, “Life isn’t a puzzle to be solved; it’s a mystery to be lived.” The reason I like it is because it’s true that life is not supposed to be solved, it just keeps going on and on with all these mysteries that you will never know the end to. You shouldn’t plan your life ahead - you should let it run its course.

Life just simply has no meaning, and it’s just a waste of your time to keep asking what the meaning of life is when you are the answer to that question. It has no meaning because everyone likes certain things, and that’s their meaning of life. If someone’s an artist, a dancer, a writer, then that’s their meaning of life. My personal meaning of life, is writing, which is what I do a lot, but that could change overtime. Everyone is so different that we couldn’t possibly know what the meaning of life is for everyone in the world.

Life is just what you make of it, and you just have to wait and see what will be the next chapter in you life. Don’t plan ahead in your life because you are just ruining what is already set for you to do, and you’ll feel very stressed out if you plan ahead. Life is a hard thing to deal with sometimes, but just let it happen, and let your life run the way it’s supposed to run. The next chapters in your life matter the most, and don’t get carried away with all of these plans for the future that don’t matter. The

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meaning of life for me is that it’s a mystery to be lived, so just live it.

Max von Boetticher This is my philosophy.

Something that is important to me is my cottage. My cottage is in Toronto, Ontario. From my house, it is a 2-hour drive to the cottage. When I lived in Toronto I went there almost every weekend. We do a lot of things there a few of them are, swimming, watching movies, water skiing, tubing, tennis, and playing games on the projector.

What my cottage represents for me is a place beside my house that I can go to and feel at home.

Technology is important to me because I use it a lot in my everyday life. I use it for work and I use it to play games.

Whenever I'm bored I can play on my IPad or PS4 and I can just play on them and enjoy myself. When I'm working my computer allows me to work from home. When I'm at school I also have my own computer so it is easier for me to save my data all in one place. For me, technology is sometimes like a friend when I have nothing to do because it will give me something to do.

In section 4 the "is the glass half full or half empty" question really caught my attention. I like it because it is a way to find out if you are optimistic. When I looked at the question I answered saying the glass was half full. This means you are a more optimistic person.

That was my philosophy; you may have a different philosophy but this is mine and yours is yours so it is okay if we do not agree.

Theodora Lyne There is no meaning of life It’s plain and simple because there’s nothing to see Nothing fits everyone Who’s wondering what it could be Searching for the meaning of life With me.

It can’t be divine Because nobody agrees The imam argues with the bishop Who proceeds to argue with me And it can’t be to help people Because if everyone lives for others Where on Earth can the end be?

So we’ll keep on searching But there’s nothing to see Life has no meaning That must be the key!

But there must be a meaning If we’re here on this Earth If we breathe, if we walk If we go to work There is something it’s for I just haven’t found it yet It’s just out of reach Hiding in my head.

In my head! Mine alone!

Eureka, that’s it!

One simple word Now I can see What is the meaning of life for me?

Well, if it’s for me Then no one else can decide There’s nothing pre-ordained No idea I can ride I’m back to square one, unless…

If it’s all mine, can’t I choose what’s best?

I choose happy To smile everyday That’s the only right answer If I do it my way So I’ve finally found it 35

The meaning of life for me I get to choose, So I choose happy.

A pen is wiser than a pencil Its ink lasts longer than lead.

It’s seen more minds Knows more truths Graphite is no match for its head.

A clock is smarter than a calendar Which only gives me a date A clock tells the time With rhythm and rhyme Makes sure that I’m not late.

Clouds with their white Clouds with their mass Have no competition at all A sunset’s colors fight for first prize Pink wins at blue’s fall Science is fact Its rhythm I can’t deny But still literature promises Me that It will fight until I can fly To open my mind You need just water it To open my heart You must plant a seed Nurture it, grow it Until I concede Push me into reality I’ll thrash and I’ll kick Let me imagine A carrot, not a stick In my own world Let me be In a comforting land Of my dreams It is easier to teach A question than an answer Because an answer needs facts All a question needs is a mark So best teach me that

Look in a glass All you’ll see is a drink Look in a mirror Tell me what you think A legend in the making, Doesn’t it look like some hero From your old storybook The new fears the old like the old fears the new For what is to come cannot pass If what has doesn’t want it to The old fears the new like the new fears the old For it knows In the future it has no control Equal fear equals balance To sustain the present time Their fear is what allows The clocks to chime Revenge You think you’ll feel better But then you feel worse Justice Is fairer Even though it hurts

Olivia Ruiz and Mimi RosenblumMartin How Dance Explains Our Philosophy We are on the ground, sprouting/hatching. Olivia hatches first because she has to go out and find my fate. When she builds my fate I am being born. I believe that when someone is born they have a purpose.

Olivia dances in the future, and I, in the present, follow my footsteps that were laid out for me by god/future me. I also believe that fate follows us. We make decisions based on our fate, and fate readjusts to our decisions. We show this by Olivia signaling me to follow

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her, but I make my own decision and go my own way. Then fate follows me.

Then, we transition into the love part.

We go to the middle of the floor and then separate, but never break eye contact, because though love can be far away, if we are willing to try, it will never break.

When we meet in the middle for the last time, we do something we call the human chair, that represents the soul and body separating/dying, when the soul is separated from the body. The soul is now free, and it remembers all the lives and the bodies it has inhabited. The soul then realizes that it needs to move on to the next body and the next life.

Jake Ulrey The meaning of life to me is to have a full life. To have a full life is important to me because it allows you to do and have everything you “want.” The meaning of life to me is where you can be yourself with no one to live your life for you.

You can have a full life by living in a world that suits you most. In sixth grade we did a project called the Utopia Project, which was where we could either choose to work alone or work with someone else. I chose to work with Jackson. Together we

created our perfect world called BrinVale. A perfect world that would suit me most is if everybody could express their feelings to the whole world peacefully.

To live a full life to me is to have everything that you desire come true.

Things that I would like to see come true in my life is to see every person, every animal and everything have some sort of place that they can consider their “home.” I would also want to see that everyone is happy and can enjoy and live their lives the way that would make them feel happy.

You can live a full life by letting all your feelings free. You can let all your feelings free by expressing all your emotions to the world. Let the world know what you think about how the government is managing the world.

Don’t be scared to stand up for what you think is right because you will regret your decisions if you don’t express your feelings. If you really believe in something strongly you shouldn’t let the idea of embarrassment stop you.

You can live a full life by doing what you believe is right for you. Things that are right for me to do are to help everyone realize that they are all the same even if they think they are “different.” For example, if you think you're different than white people just because you are black you are but you are still a human. It doesn't matter what your skin color is because we are all people.

You can live a full life by being whatever you want. Your parents can’t make all your decisions for you so when you are an adult you get to choose what you want to be when you grow up. Your parents won’t always be there to stop you. You can get the freedom that you want only when you show that you are responsible. You can 37

be anything you want to be when you grow up like a teacher, cook, doctor, lawyer, actor, dancer, or musician.

To me, living a full life means that you got to do what you wanted and to have your ideal lifestyle come true. For example, being able to accomplish everything on your bucket list will give you a full life. To me an empty life would be one that you don’t control, a life that you didn’t plan or a life that isn’t your own. For example, if your life isn’t your own, you could be living in a prison. Every day you get bossed around, treated unfairly. Even though you did something bad you don’t need someone to tell you how to live your life.

Living a full life to me is to not have an empty life. An empty life can be sad and depressing, but a full life can make you happy and feel good about yourself. For example, if you leave for sleepaway camp you might feel sad that you are away but you also could be happy to have a break from your family. It is a very bittersweet feeling.

The meaning of life to me is a life where you don’t get bossed around, where you live your own life, where you can be yourself, where you are yourself and where you are free.

Alec Jordan My Family, My Mom My mom is caring, supportive, and loyal.

She is helpful, kind, and encouraging.

She works hard at work and at home.

Her guidance on homework helps me be a good student and my travel experiences with her expands my knowledge.

so my reading and learning is continuous, allowing me to be a well-informed citizen of the world.

She helps me learn to play the viola and read the musical notes.

I practice with her encouragement so I can become a dedicated musician.

She keeps me organized With a weekly schedule of activities and events, so I can see my friends at parties and work hard at home and school.

We have fun together.

Going to movies, traveling, and getting take out cuisine.

We visit family and friends during the holidays and on weekends to have meals and good talks.

Waffles, my dog, is another big part of my family.

He is loyal, loving, and cuddly.

Waffles is a good protector and companion, even though he likes to sleep a lot..

Waffles and I go to the dog part all the time, But he doesn’t play with other dogs.

Instead he sits by my side and watches the other dogs play.

He knows when I am cold and sleeps on me like a blanket to keep me warm in the night.

I miss him when I travel far away, and can’t wait to get home to be with him again.

Both my mom and my dog are family.

Without them, I am incomplete.

Without them, I would not be the same person I am today.

Without them, am not me.

Every day we read together Family is everything to me!

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Ava Carter For part two of my philosophy project I decided to base it off of dance, especially ballet because it’s one of the most important things in my life right now. I got some pictures of me dancing and also some videos to show as part of this project.

For as long as I can remember, I loved to climb the furniture and balance on objects around house. My parents would get so scared and worried that I would fall but I never did. Even now my parents, grandmother, and family tell me that I never fell. That I would climb on the doors when they came to my house for dinner some nights and I never fell. Everyone in my family thought that I was going to become a gymnast or a rock climber. When I was three I took a toddler ballet class and I didn’t like. I don’t remember it that well now, but I do remember that it wasn’t fun and I refused to take another class.

My mother took ballet classes when she was very young. My grandmother never danced ballet, but would always

go and watch it. She understood ballet even though her body didn’t. My mother was slender and tall like me.

She went to SAB (the School of

American Ballet) until she was 11 or 12 years old. When I was five, my grandmother and my family tried to convince me to take a ballet class even if it was just once a week, but I still refused and said that my mom could teach me because she took ballet. She taught me the basic ballet positions, and I had the fundamental understanding of what ballet was, but I still didn’t want to take a class. I didn’t like ballet that much because I needed to be in a real studio with a teacher who could help me better. I finally agreed to take a class when I was seven years old. My mom found a ballet class at Ballet Hispanico for me on Wednesdays. The first time we went I was so nervous and not prepared. I had a white leotard that was too small for me when everyone else had red ones that fit perfectly. My hair fell over my eyes while everyone else had theirs pulled up tight on the top of their heads. I felt different like I didn’t belong there, but as soon as I got into the studio, said goodbye to my mom and the music started playing, I knew that ballet found me and I found it. I realized that I was wrong, I didn’t just belong there I found who I was there.

For all the years I have been dancing, I have always loved it. There have been days where I didn’t want to go, or I had an ache or a pain, but as soon as I hear the music and I lay my hand on the substantial wooden ballet barre, I don’t

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want to be anywhere else. I don’t think I will ever be able to describe the way ballet makes me feel. It’s almost as if gravity disappears and just for just a moment, a blink of the eye I can fly.

Samuel Meltzer-Thometz A Perlustration on the Philosophy of Sam's Epoch 1. Amidst a universe destitute of questions, the very study of philosophy as well as independent exploration would cease to exist. We would forever remain in our lowest primitive state of mind, as inventions and scientific advancements would never occur.

Social atrocities and miscommunications would be rather frequent, for we would not question the thoughts and feelings of others.

The world would be lost in one scene amongst time.

2. A question must be established off any given cache of knowledge, as well as the realization that there is something you don't know. You quite simply can't inquire when you don't know what you are inquiring about.

3. No question can take on the properties of an answer, as you will find yourself in an interminable spiral of examination leading nowhere. Such contemplation is useless for a method that simply generates more disorientation. Moreover, the same path will follow for an answer that is presented as a question. Albeit, a cryptic answer is not identical to that of an answer portrayed as a question.

4. Such topics akin to math are investigations with tangible answers, even if in the near future political or gubernatorial arguments differ.

Although, matters in the likes of governing a nation or handling any

cataclysmic event do require immense contemplation that may never reach a perfect conclusion. An answer may be considered right in the present, though years later, through a change of conditions and knowledge, will be substituted by a different elucidation.

Thus, this is how humanity progresses.

5. Put into that of a succinct manner, you know you have answered a question when you have exhausted its content and nuances. Moreover, you begin to formulate new questions that branch out into different fields of study.

6. The term "too curious" is derived and coined from the framework of any civilization. We must compile to the rules and boundaries that have been established in our own manufactured society. From which plays the role of an ersatz to an untamed and uncharted land. Anarchy and a world devoid of rule comes across as unnerving, although is perhaps the best venue to learn and practice interest. There is no such thing as being too curious, although one must go about it with morality and thought.

7. It is of the very human nature and cognition that we are prone to inquire on the environment that is present amongst us, the behavior of others, and much more. As for me, I see knowledge and a healthy perception as intrinsic to fixing every problem and debacle. We go about our generation surrounded in a constant scene of calamity and chaos, not understanding why such things occur. To build a great structure of apprehension can help us grasp understanding on such affairs, as well as be able to cope with them in a more composed and methodical manner.

8. Perhaps the most crucial and paramount question you can ask is about the well-being and morality of 40

another being. The dexterity and skill of being able to emphasize and grasp another individual's state of mind is a decisive element in bettering the world for all.

9. A good question is one that evokes and surfaces more questions, as it is a reflection on refining your knowledge.

Many chase wild ambitions and leaps of logic their whole lives never questioning its worth. Some questions should be kept in their place, and may never be curtailed, for that is what drives the human hunger for knowledge, it is what keeps the world spinning life and culture.

10. Pens consist of no eraser, and are permanent. Just as a human who is unwilling, stubborn, and aghast to grow psychologically and build from previous blunders. A pencil possesses wiser and more acute characteristics, due to its erasable writing medium, similar to that of a human who is passionate and amenable to learn and mature through experience.

11. Since its initial creation and presence amidst city streets and rural roads, the automobile has introduced a whole new quandary: street safety. With that being said, most fatal calamities or atrocities take place betwixt a street. A sidewalk is more forgivable due to its seldom accident rate.

12. New generally comes across as being apprehensive, even might I say terrifying to commonality and the public, especially to that of older generations. For an idea or ideology to become inflated and basal in society can come as a shock to many. Fog of war has and will always be an ordeal when put into that of a bureaucratic spectrum. There will always be people who are obstinate in what they believe in, as many have witnessed the faults we have made in history.

13. Dreams are comprised of profound and cryptic messages that are often subconscious. With that, nightmares are usually more blunt and consistent, due to the aftermath of absolute consternation and horror that is experienced by its recipient. Albeit nightmares are horrific and loathsome, our minds move on from such fantasies.

It is dreams that I find are more difficult to endure, as it can takes days to decipher and depict their true meanings.

14. An entrance is comprised of opportunity and dignity, to materialize within any environment, adding your own unique aura to the scene. Whereas, an exit is erratic and unpredictable, being able to be executed in that of a negative or positive light. Overall, I believe that an entrance has more pride, as it portrays a clear conscience and slate.

15. History can be pretentious and an artful deception, just as our country has utilized forms of propaganda to enlist men to fight wars, and manipulate the masses. Albeit, poetry is in first person, an art consisting of opinion, and is a work of humanity. Of being able to rely on the thoughts of another being, and not a masqueraded remote source. Therefore, poetry is more trustworthy.

16. To devote your life in search for something to fill the gaping hole of your conscience or mentality can feel like a lost cause. Although, to find is tangible, and satisfying to your hunger, no matter how sad the conclusion may be, it is more fulfilling.

17. Such bureaucratic and governmental bedrock in the likes of our country is built off of lies. It is inevitable for all of these gargantuan empires that keep on appearing to have their faults. Just 41

as history is made up of dishonesty and fabrications that go right under our noses. It is rare that any paramount act of truth makes it on the front pages.

18. Especially in this current political climate and the turmoil that is occurring in various parts of the world, imagination is a necessity to keeping sanity. Although such bad things seem subtle, they really are toxic and can deeply affect your morale. To be able to lose yourself in a macrocosm comprised of fantasy and utopia can get you through arduous times.

19. Of this era notably, ignorance is perhaps the worst state of mind you can be in. As anyone should know better than to follow credulously into what could very well be a pit of despair. Aforementioned, knowledge is power.

20. Put into that of a religious spectrum, god is of the begetter and the courier of life, although such radical views and sentiments in the likes of nihilism differ. Furthermore, our very evolution and origin is also explained by science. It is not one view but many; it is a pluralism of human manifestation and thoughts on our very existence and presence in the universe.

21. To play the role of a cog in society, no matter the significance of your profession, has a direct influence on the lives of others. The echelon of any civilization when dissected is a plethora of individuals benefiting and achieving ambitions off of each other.

To have a strong passion and love of life is of a small piece in the bigger picture.

22. Often I define a reason as an action of galvanization or a shock that brings a call to action. Whereas a purpose is of being more profound and acute, of

relating to your core passion or dreams in life.

23. Obligation is something or an action that is forced upon you, often being against your will. Responsibility is a portrayal of freedom comprised of discipline; it is a behavior that one may never be able to completely harness, thus obligation is introduced.

24. Such social conformities and hierarchies found within school environments are that of diluted portrayals on real world obedience. I for one often separate myself from such acquiescence, though I often am alienated due to this. With that I stubborn on my beliefs, though stand up for others who are heckled by the honcho or top dog leading an entourage.

25. Through my own experience and practice, to defend and advocate for other's beliefs is an action that always has two perspectives. Although many may frown upon what you support, it is of your morals and conscience that you decide with whom you want to be represented. Even fanatical things may happen to you, in the likes of civil exile and disaffection.

26. To be born into a belief or conviction is of the natural order.

Albeit, to truly love something you must love it more than yourself and the realization of your very existence.

To sacrifice your reputation and even dignity may even be necessary for any belief of yours, for that is what keeps you pure and not humdrum.

27. The two predominant just causes in my life are homelessness or aiding those stricken with poverty as well as curtailing forms of prejudice and racism. Such passions of mine are often carried out through some form of charity or philanthropy. Racism 42

especially is of my biggest resentment, as some of my best of comrades and family have had racism and bigotry interfere with their lives.

28. Generally people concur that changing the world for the better happens through vast reformation and monumental affairs. Although it is seldom that we think that small acts of humanness and magnanimity bring ample change. Through own experimentation, to see an itinerant or displaced person be able to feed themselves or become financially stabilized due to your support is perhaps the greatest feeling of gratification you will ever have.

29. Succinctly, family, good friends, independent exploration and my interests are of the core and very structure of my life. With each category, a dissectible aspect would go on forever in an endless vault of thoughts. For me, love is the heart of the matter.

Nyla Crespo The Meaning of Life for Me Each Life is different.

Never the same.

We all get one chance, and there’s no one to blame.

Even if life is just a game, Life is something you can’t tame.

Photo by Sammy Meltzer-Thometz

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WHAT I WANT MY WORDS TO DO TO YOU

stand their ground. To perhaps lose, but to try. To not just be silent.

Theodora Lyne

I know that when you tell me “No,” that I will understand later, when I’m not in the heat of the moment.

I want my words to make you believe in the impossible. I want my words to make you happy. I want my words to make you sad. I want my words to make you express everything you’re feeling. I want my words to make you ask. About the world, about you, about me, about anything and everything. I want my words to leave you empty. I want my words to fill you up. I want my words to make you feel, to make you love, to confuse you. I want my words to make you want to understand.

I want my words to lift you up and drag you down. I want my words to make you sink and fly. I want my words to make your soul bleed. I want my words to make you be and die. I want my words to hide you and find you.

I want my words to make you cry.

I know I have won at least two arguments. Not higher than five, though. A well-known fact: arguing with a lawyer is difficult.

Hope Coven I want my words to make you smile, to make you laugh, and to inspire you to do better.

I want my words to heal the sick and injured.

To make new friendships and to heal broken ones.

What I want my words to do to you is to help you realize that I may be a happy girl in New York City and go to this amazing school called Calhoun, with a happy family, but I have my ups and downs too. I can understand what you are feeling.

Anonymous I want my words to burrow into your brain, not stopping, not listening to excuses of “because I said so” and “because I’m your dad.” Those aren’t reasons. I want my words to have a fighting chance. To argue my case, to

My words should make you understand that I get sad, too. I have sad days and angry days, but I always think on the happy side, and that is what I want my words to do to you.

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They should make you smile if you are down, if you are mad or even lost in life.

I want my words to help you.

My words should put happy pictures and thoughts in your mind. The should give you the eyesight of a happy person, so that you can understand.

I want my words to knock on that door in your head and say to you, “Why are you sad when you can be happy?”

Your brain has most definitely been happy before, so it can be again.

It can bring back that feeling of warmth and love. You just have to listen.

My words should knock down that door to make you think …

“What have I been doing, wasting my time, my oh so precious time, being said – when I could be happy?”

Anais Guzman I want my words to change a person’s life.

I want my words to open up people.

I want my words to bring people back to life, like my grandpa and my uncle.

I want my words to blow people away.

I want my words to bring happiness to other people, like my parents.

I want my words to push my mother away from the TV. I want my words to make my family proud of me.

I want my words to give my dad 36,000,000,000 dollars so he doesn’t have to work so hard.

I want my words to make people younger, like my mom and dad, so they do not die.

I want my words to push my grandpa, who lives in Equador, all the way to New York City.

I want my words to keep my brother from getting sick all the time with tonsillitis.

I want my words to bring my brother and me together so we don’t fight so much.

I want my words to bring happiness to my family.

I want my words to make me loud.

I want my words to make me “unshy.”

I want my words to make people think before they do something.

I want my words to make everyone kind, like my cousin.

I want my words to make everyone equal, like men and women.

Mireia Rosenblum-Martin I want my words to get inside the heads of the people who think it’s okay to hurt others.

I want my words to bring them to reality that they can’t just go killing people like they are dolls who have no souls.

I want my words to go back in time and into the future, break the boundaries of space and time and let people know they can’t treat others who seem different from them like they’re nothing.

I want my words to knock some sense into people who treat animals like they don’t have feelings.

I want my words to put love in the hearts of everyone and especially to strike love into the hearts of people who just want to strike fear.

I want my words to make love the one thing that every being in the universe should share.

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I want my words to make your mind go wild.

Make it go crazy.

Your mind could be thinking of one monkey marching for all I care.

I just want it to create a place where your mind does its wonderful thing that makes humans one of the greatest species on Earth.

Kate Wattenberg Palmer Pyles I want my words to make you think.

About everything, from memories to knowledge of those memories.

I want them to inspire you and everyone you know.

I want them to put an image in your head without you knowing.

My words are special.

As are yours, your friends’, and your friends’ friends.

Everyone’s words are different and they all have goals, but mine are this.

I want my words to show you something unique.

Each word shows a meaning expressed by my personality.

I want my words to bend your mind, to light a new path for your meaning of life to go down.

I want my words to make you believe something you didn’t already believe in.

I want my words to have quintuple meaning, yet you can still understand everything I am trying to say.

I want my words to go in a new order that can display a sense of creativity.

I want my words to change the way you see something you’ve seen a thousand times.

I want my words to change you. I want them to change your way of thinking, so you can be optimistic. So you can think in a fair way. I want my words to make a difference for the better. I want my words to change your mind so you can know how the world really is.

We are all so absorbed in cell phones and fake things.

I want my words to change your mind so you can get to know the world a little better.

Zoe Litt I want my words to make you believe that anything is possible I want my words to change your perspective I want my words to solve problems I want my words to speak the truth I want my words to share my feelings I want my words to speak out loud I want my words to give equality I want my words to make people fight for what is right in the world I want my words to give people the answers they have been looking for I want my words to make sure that people know what is happening in the world I want my words to give you faith

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Sammy Meltzer-Thometz I want my words to break the divide of race and ethnicity.

To echo urban lights and rural skies.

To find the origin of a criminal mind.

To decipher the melancholy that haunts a nation like a disease.

To deliver a message through an hallucinogenic vision.

If I Could Change Racism Olivia Ruiz

I would be able to eat watermelon, chicken and yellow rice without connecting to the harsh stereotype that has been forced on me since birth.

I would see myself in TV shows, books, movies and every other positive aspect of life instead of seeing myself being shot, in prison, homeless, dealing drugs, or worse.

I would be free.

If I could change racism …

I wouldn’t be viewed as different when I walk down the street with my mom in a “white neighborhood” or if I admit that I like to wear the latest fashions and watch the newest TV shows or if I say I live in Harlem.

I wouldn’t have to walk on eggshells almost every moment of the day just to try to be accepted by my peers.

I wouldn’t be judged on every single think I do or say.

I would have to be afraid to admit that I celebrate Kwanzaa or Juneteenth, while everyone else brags about celebrating Hanukkah.

I wouldn’t be socially ostracized by others.

I wouldn’t have to watch my people being spat on and cursed at.

I would be looked at as normal.

I would be proud to declare I am black and I have learned to embrace my culture in every way.

I would be happy to just be myself and not be afraid to have someone look at me in an unusual way when I want to be me.

Hilary Barkey What I Want To Change I want to change the job system in the world. I want to make it so that people like me can have whichever jobs they want without being criticized in some way. I want to be a scientist and work in medicine when I grow up, but I don’t know if I will be allowed that job.

Considering what’s happening in our country, I believe that when I am older I will have to choose a job that I don’t want. I am trying to tweak what I want to be when I grow up so that it will be a possible job for a woman to actually get.

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I want to make sure that I can spend my life doing what I want to do. I don’t want to give up my job to someone purely because of the way they look. If I could change the job system, I would make sure that people of different genders and cultural backgrounds would get the jobs they want if they work hard enough. My first step: getting our current President out of office. That would ensure that there is (a possibility that) someone in office will be open to more equality. White women make about 82 cents on the white man’s dollar, and women of color make about 64 cents. Our government tells us that there is equality in pay, but how could this ever be true? When I grow up, I want to be a scientist, but I’m not sure that’s a possibility anymore. I want my words to make people understand, really understand that you should be able to get the job you want! It might seem like a small problem, but it could be the start of something bigger. I believe that changing the job system can change the world.

If I Could Change the Way People See New York City Sam Kind If I tell you I live in New York City, don’t ask me if I’ve ever been kidnapped. Not everyone has that stereotypical New York accent. I’ve actually met only a few people who have it. I’m not extremely aggressive and I’m not extremely spoiled. Yes, there is pollution, but it’s not as bad as you think. Don’t tell me how dangerous it is, especially in the 60s and 70s. That was decades ago! Let it go! Don’t say that my parents are bad because they let their kids grow up in New York City. We do have freedom, but that doesn’t me they don’t care what we do.

I don’t care what people say. I will always love New York City.

If I Could Change Something Max von Boetticher If I could change something, I’d change the way some people think about global warming. I would do this because if people do not recognize what we are doing to this planet, then there is no way to stop it. I want Donald Trump to recognize it so he can help as the President of the United States to stop or slow down global warming.

If I Could Change …

Demie George If I could change the world, I would change the way people stereotype others because of the color of their skin, not the content of their character.

If I could change the world, I would change how we handle climate change.

Climate change is a huge issue happening this very minute and if we don’t work together right now to solve it, it’s going to become an even bigger issue.

If I could change the world, I would change the way people think violence is the answer. Violence is really terrible and many people use it to cope with their problems at home or something that is going on. Violence is definitely not the answer.

If I could change the world, I would change the way some men say they are superior to women. I want to be a woman in sports, in one that is played by only men now. That sport is baseball.

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Where I Come From Ava Carter Where I come from, there’s artistry and music.

Where I come from, there’s kindness and love.

Where I come from, you can dance all day and night.

Where I come from, there’s less darkness and more light.

Where I come from, you tell stories in bed.

Where I come from, risks are worth taking.

If You Really Knew Me Dylan Lieberman If you really knew me, you would know that my anxiety eats away at my selfesteem slowly.

If you really knew me, you would know that I am terrified that I will be alone.

If you really knew me, you would know that I say I don’t care, but I really do.

If you really knew me, you would know that I may seem very cool and happy, but when I go home I change into a different person.

If you really knew me, you would know I care a lot about friends.

If you really knew me you would know that life is an unfair game that I have to play.

If you really knew me, you would know that music is a happy place for me.

If you really knew me, you would know that school is my safe place.

Why Ballet is My Life Ava Carter Because I can express myself without using words.

Because ballet is the friend that is always ready to cheer me up.

Because ballet makes my heart glow and my body tingle with joy.

Because ballet lifts me up and never lets me fall.

Because ballet is that melody I will never stop singing.

Because ballet is the closest thing to flying.

Because ballet gives me a voice where I need it the most.

If you really knew me, you would know that I dream what life would be without friends.

Jade Martin What I Want My Words to Do to You (Room 603, English with JayQuan.

Brent, Chad, Kenny, ShaRonda, LaQuia, Pam, and Jenise are all in the same class, ironically all sitting next to each other. Jenise’s best friend La’NayNay is giving Chad the stank eye for cheating on Jenise. Chad can see her his can see her in his peripheral vision, but he doesn’t give a crap.)

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JAYQUAN Ok, take out’ya homework. (Everyone except for Chad takes out their homework) Chad, where’s your homework CHAD (lying) I went to my grandmother’s house this weekend, and forgot it there JAYQUAN Mmhmm, can I see you after class…

CHAD Sorry, I have a club after this JAYQUAN Oh really, what club?

CHAD Jazz? Yeah, jazz club JAYQUAN Yeah, okay. I still wanna see you after class CHAD (under his breath) Damn…

JAYQUAN So, anyways, who wants to share first.

LAQUIA ShaRonda does!

SHARONDA Uh, no thank you JAYQUAN ShaRonda, come up SHARONDA Ugh, fine. (She walks to the front of the class) I want my words to heal. I want them to be brutally honest. I want my words to mend the broken pieces of a relationship. I want them to inspire. I want my words to get my family enough money for a stable living. I want my words to provoke thought and philosophical questioning. I want my words to make you question life.

(END SCENE 6) Sophie Crystal I want my words to make you love I want my words to make you cry I want my words to drown you in emotions I want your tears to make your skin dry I want my words to cover you up In questions you have yet to answer I want my words to make you listen I want my words to fill you up until your skin starts to glisten I want your thoughts to slowly change From my words that have been thrown in your range I want you to speak your words too Because like me there’s got to be someone there for you

(The entire room erupts in applause) JAYQUAN (teary eyed) That’s beautiful…

SHARONDA (rushing to her seat) Thanks…

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