ECA Literary Magazine- 2016 Edition

Early College Academy 2016 Literary Magazine

Cover Art By: Kyla Fridenmaker

Table of Contents

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Success By: Daniel Hang Page 6 Silver Sky By: AJ Matteson Page 7 Humans VS Wolves By: AJ Matteson Page 8 Creative Writing By: Jujuan Strickland Page 9

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Mom Gets Surgery By: Salem Binmakhashen Page 10 Creative Writing By: Tatyana Royal Page 11 Artwork By: AJ Matteson Page 12 The Willow Tree By: Morgan Lapinski Page 13-14 Artwork By: Kiara Lee Page 15 Poetry By: Josh McGowan Page 16

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Artwork By: April Hicks, Page 17

This anthology is a collection of student work from the 2015-16 school year at Early College Academy.

Students were allowed to express their creativity with minimal censorship; therefore, some explicit language may be present.

EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY 345 E. FIFTH AVE COLUMBUS, OH 43201 (614) 298-4742 EARLYCOLLEGECOLUMBUS.COM

Table of Contents 

Haunted House By: Melissa Khan, Page 18-20

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Planet Ares By: Kaci Oliver, Page 21-24

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Poetry By: Shaquib Islam, Page 25

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Fortune Teller By: Skylar Biggs, Page 26

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Masked By: Tamia Simmons, Page: 27-28

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Makings of You By: Jamillah Whaley, Page: 29

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Poetry By: Aidorus Mohamed, Page: 30

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He’s Yours By: Jordan Smith, Page 31

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The Garden By: Morgan Lapinski, Page 32

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Roots By: Morgan Lapinski, Page 33

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Change By: My’Tiauna Draper, Page 34

Table of Contents 

Four Skinny Trees By: Jordan Smith, Page 35

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Comic Strips By: Fred Williamson, Page 36

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How Could I Do This?

By: Tyeisha Porter, Page 37

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Untitled By: Godwill Tettah-Mensah, Page 38

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What I Wish I Could Have Said By: Morgan Lapinski, Page 39

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It Happens By: Jordan Smith, Page 40

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Artwork By: Kyla Fridenmaker, Pages 41-44

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Connections By: Stephan Quattlebaum, Page 45

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Inside Me

By Morgan Lapinski, Page 46

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White Lines By: Jordan Smith, Page 47

* Teacher Spotlight! Works by Mr. Green, Pages 48-51

Table of Contents 

My Eyes Deceive Me By: Abdi Yerrow, Page 52

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Human By: Abdi Yerrow, Page 53

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The Power of Man By: Jordan Smith, Page 54

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Comics. By: Skylar Biggs and Fred Williamson, Page 55

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Untitled By: Kyla Fridenmaker, Page 56

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Speech of Introduction By: Krystal Carey, Page 57

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Truth By: Darron Cruise, Page 58

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Poem By: Cameren Mitchell, Page 59

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Artwork By: Faisal Darod, Page 60

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Two Sons By: Jonathon Charles, Page 61

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Artwork By: AJ Matteson, Page 62

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Untitled Prose By: Amina Yerrow, Page 63

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Challenging the Model Minority Myth in the Cambodian Community and other works By: Sonsophal Ann Pages 64-73

Success By: Daniel Hang They say things aren't free so you gotta work hard and evaluate, evaluate the form of an idea that you have in your mind, bring it to life and find ways to make it shine, make it shine brighter than the sun in the sky, I'll open up my imagination so my ideas will fill up all the lies and I'll replace it with my subconscious, to keep me going instead of being knocked unconscious, by all the hateful words being thrown at my face, but I gotta pass it all up like I'm in a race, fighting my way through the thick crowd trying to make it to first place, what I mean by first place is goals that I really want to achieve, But I know that it'll take time and effort and I just have to believe, Believe in what I can do, I can pass anything in life if I put in hard work, instead of hanging with the crew, Five years of high school is not what I expected, My family and I just finally accepted it, I myself didn't mean to fail, But at least I'm not locked away in jail cell, Education is what I really strive, I gotta do whatever it takes to stay alive, If I sleep too late I won't be awake on time, If I sleep early I can get up and get on the grind, Nothing ever comes free in this life, So I gotta work harder and harder for what I strive, Graduation is only a few months away, Maybe I'll graduate in December or maybe in May.

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Silver Sky By: AJ Matteson I sit down and look at the man next to me at the bar. Hey , would you like to hear a story…well then, once there were thousands but then the sky fell and now there is only me. But I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Warren and this is my story. It started on a hot day in May; that is when it happened. It's been five years since humans first discovered the existence of werewolves.

I was the king of the werewolves and I only want my kind to survive. But humans wanted more; they wanted the powers we had. So secretly they sent hunters after uswe were hunted, captured and dissected. It became a war- humans vs. werewolves; many died that day. But what the humans did next no one expected. My lord the humans are calling for a truce; should we attack, my lord. No I am king I will handle this. I wanted this war over I couldn't live with all the dead bodies of my friends. I transformed into my werewolf form, running as fast as possible. when I made it to the humans’ camp. Their leader, Emanon, was waiting for me. “You have two choices , Warren: your werewolves and you surrender and live or we kill everyone.” I told him I wouldn't surrender and the soldiers ran at me. I smelled their fear . I saw their fear in their eyes. I stayed in my human form and made them all fall to their knees. I turned around and transformed and ran back to my camp. as I ran I looked up and I saw the way Emanon planned to kill us all. he was going to make the sky drop a meteor of pure silver. I was the only werewolf able to stop it, so I ran as fast as I could. But the meteor was moving very fast. I could see the camp. I ran faster, praying that I would make it. I saw the werewolves running to me and then the meteor melted into super hot sliver and dropped on the werewolves. They screamed out, begging for me to help but I couldn't; the sliver killed them by hardening inside and outside their bodies.

I instantly lost it. My eyes turned red, my fur had black smoke coming off of my body and I ran toward the humans. My mind was gone; I only saw one thing: kill them all.

While running I pulled out two tomahawks out of the black smoke that surrounded me.

I cut them all down, looking for one man. I wanted Emanon. But he wasn't there; he had fled the battle. I never changed back to normal; I stayed werewolf. I've been tracking Emanon for five years and now I've finally found him. I pulled down my hood, showing that I was a werewolf. “Emanon, your face holds so much fear I want it to stay like that forever.” With one bare hand, I ripped his head off so the expression would stay there. Then a red light shined on me and released the curse; I was back to my old self. I ran to the ruins of the old werewolf city, sat down and I let my soul leave my body so I could join all the other werewolves on the hunting grounds.

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Humans VS. Wolves By: Aljunius (AJ) Matteson

Why are humans compared to animals everyday? That answer is very simple. The human race, in my opinion, is flawed. Animals act better than us. In

every country ,every state people die for stupid reasons. Whereas to animals they kill because they need to. They kill to survive and never take more than needed. Our race, the human race, should strive to be like wolves. Why you might ask and that answer is simple as well. Wolves are the ideal family, the goal of the human race. Wolves form packs ;these packs are families. Packs are strong and formed with bonds. The pack is run by the alpha, the father of all the pups. The alpha does not abandon his children or hurt them. He protects them and feeds them, like a father should. Everyone in the pack looks to the alpha for guidance and protection. The females are never hurt by the alpha, never disrespected and loyal to a fault to their alpha. Now compare a wolf pack to a family of people. Humans abuse their children and wives. They leave their families; they aren't loyal. It is wrong and it makes me feel horrible to be human. We are supposed to be superior to animals but we aren't.

Wolves do not take what is not needed , they do not stuff themselves till they’re fat, no- they take care of each other and themselves. The work is fairly given to all in the pack. If anyone knows how we are superior to animals -show it. Stop the wars. Stop the fighting. How can animals have peace between each other but we as the “superior race” can’t? We put each other down, kill each other for wearing certain colors. We strive to be perfect when it is impossible to accomplish. We label each other, hurt, kill, torture, and hate one another. Whereas wolves and other animals don’t. If there is such thing as aliens then think how they see us. Because I know they don’t see us as superior beings. Humans are majorly flawed in my opinion but that doesn’t mean we can’t fix that. Because we can. Together as people we can be better than anything and accomplish anything. But that won’t happen if we don’t change and learn from our mistakes and fix ourselves. We can do this; we are superior- we just need to show it.

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Creative Writing By: Jujuan Strickland

It had been one week, two days, four hours, and 15 minutes since my wife was pronounced dead after she’d been murdered in cold blood by a low ranking officer of the local oligarchy; who did it is still unknown or better yet I'm the only who’s searching. I could still hear my grandmother's words in my head as I knelt down in front of the altar, praying to God to bring her back and begging for revenge on the man who did this, “When plotting revenge you dig two graves, one for your enemy and another for you.” I never understood how she could pose difficult concepts so simply. As an odd blue and black glowing shooting star fell amidst the night sky, to God knows where, I looked up from within the roofless church and wished upon that very star for my sweet wife to return to the world of the living with anger in my heart; then I stood up and turned my back to the altar and began walking down the aisle towards the exit when suddenly I heard her sweet voice, my neck whiplashed and I did a complete one-eighty and broke down in shock as a skeletal figure in my wife’s dress that I’d bought her for our anniversary with the same hairstyle as she wore so gracefully walked towards me with open arms. Blinded by my love for my late wife, I embraced the creature as my wife; she hugged me, then leaned in close and whispered something in my ear… a name. That very night I appeared by the bedside of my brother and doused him up and down with wine; then he hopped up and looked at me. He seem not to pay the creature behind me any mind; it soon became apparent he could not see her. Before he could react the creature threw a lamp on him and he burst into flames. I couldn’t believe my own brother would do this to me but I had feelings for him no longer; me and the creature stayed and watched him burn in satisfaction for a while. Afterwards I grabbed the creature's hand and began to walk away, when my brother’s ashes began to rise and began to attach to the creature’s skeleton; the creature began peeling the ashes off like a layer of flesh until the creature was manifested into the living image of my wife. I began to cry tears of joy and embraced her even harder than before. Then the creature whispered three words in my ear… “Go to Hell.” Then stamped the mark of the beast on my forehead and wrapped her arms around me tight and pulled me under.

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Mom Gets Surgery By: Salem Binmakhashen

It was a nightmare; it was a really bad day. When I wake up from sleeping everything was beautiful but I felt that something bad will happen. I get up from my bed, and I walk to the bathroom to take a bath and brush my teeth; when I’m done with that I get out of the bathroom and I was looking for my mom and my sister. I didn’t find anyone at home; I heard someone screaming- my heart started to pulse. I heard the voice was from my neighbor, which is my mom’s parents’ house. I go ((running)) to my mom’s parents; when I entered the house I heard the same voice screaming again, and I said “that voice sounds familiar for me.” I go to living room and I saw my mom’s parents and all her brothers and sisters looking down. I saw my mom laying, and screaming she looked at me and passed out. My grandpa ((Quickly)) takes my mom to the hospital. It is the real nightmare in front of my eyes; my mom’s sisters thought that my mom died; they were screaming so loudly they let all the fear control my body. I froze. I can't even move my legs from the fear. It was the worst moment in my whole life. My sister was crying; she didn't stop crying until the sleep time comes. She slept next to one of my mom’s sisters. She choked from screaming. I thought that she’ll die. She choked for two and a half minutes. After one hour, my grandpa called us, and said that the doctor said that my mom had to have surgery and said “maybe if she didn’t do the surgery quickly it will cost her life.”

They did the surgery after two days. My sister started to lose hope. She didn’t go to school for four weeks and didn't eat food. I thought that I was dead.

Out of everything in the past 20 years, it was a real nightmare. After five weeks my grandpa and grandma came to me and my sister, and gave us a flower and said “get in the car, kids.” He drove us to the hospital, and said, “Follow me, kids” and he opened the door of my mom’s room. My mom looked at me and smiled at me and my sister and I gave my mom a big hug and I gave her the flower and she gave us a candy, and everything went back to normal. ((Note: this story happened before 10 years ago when I was 8 years old))

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Creative Writing By: Tatyana Royal There was a little girl name Anna; she was sick with cancer. She was only eight years old when she found out that she was diagnosed with it. Her family was heart broken; they didn't know what to do or say. Anna was at Children's Hospital when she found out the bad news about her situation. After a month of Anna being in the hospital, her family slowly but for surely stopped coming to the hospital to see her. Little Anna started to get sad even more. She felt like her family didn't care about her. But it wasn't the fact that they didn't love her; they were just too hurt to see her in the situation that she was in.

One month went by and little Anna’s cancer has spread even more. She was at stage four cancer already. Anna was sad and hurt that she was so sick and couldn't do much. Even though Anna smiled all the time to cover her pain, she was still hurt. Not only that she knew that she was dying, she was also losing her new friends due to they had cancer.

After three weeks of Anna having stage four cancer, one of the doctors came into the room with her and her mom. Anna’s mom was the only one to still visit her every single day. The doctor came into the room and said “Hey Anna and mom, I have some bad new…..”. Anna’s mom went on and said “How much more worse can the news get doctor?” The doctor took a pause before he went on with the bad news. He said “I'm sorry to tell you this but Little Anna only has two weeks left to live.” Little Anna and her mom busted out crying. Anna was scared, she didn’t want to die, she wanted to live her life that she never got to do.

After the two weeks, Little Anna told her mom she loved her for her very last time. Anna’s family was sad that she past away from cancer. Three weeks after Anna’s funeral, something strange started happening. It was storming late at night, and somehow, some way, little Anna had come back from the dead. Her body was decayed; all you could see was her bones and skull and her hair. After making her way from out the graveyard, little Anna made her way back to Children's Hospital. Didn't nobody pay attention to her when she entered the hospital. Somehow, someway, she made her way back to the room she died in.

She just stood there looking around the room. It stilled look the same but it was one thing different about the room. There was a picture of Anna hanging on the wall. Anna walked to it and just stood there in silence.

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Artwork By: AJ Matteson

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The Willow Tree By: Morgan Lapinski Alone she sat under the willow tree. Thirty minutes had already passed, still no sign.

“I’ll wait all night,” she thought to herself.

If he said he was to be here, surely he would still come. She couldn’t bare to think that he could leave without her. She knew it would be tough, but she believed in them and truly believed they could create a family. Shane, their baby that she carried yet just a bean in her stomach, and her. She was so scared to even tell him of the pregnancy in the first place. She had never slept with anyone else, so she knew he was the father; she just dreaded having to come clean and tell him. The sickness the morning she decided she could keep it no longer was more intense than any previous.

She knew it was only a matter of time before he figured it out for himself anyway, so why not be the one to tell him. She was shaking and her voice trembled and she barely had gotten out the speech she had prepared when he grabbed her in his arms and just held her. She knew after this, she would not be worried that he truly wanted to be a family. Well at least she hadn’t been worried but now as she sat under this willow, she became more and more perturbed.

She wrapped her shawl around her as the air began to chill and nestled closer to the tree. She awoke with a start still under the tree, still no sign of Shane. She pulled the shawl to her cheeks just as the tears began to slide down. She knew not the time, but was knowledgeable in the fact that Shane was not going to be arriving. She pulled her shawl around her tight and began to stumble home, tears streaming down her cheeks from her red puffy eyes. She knew she had to stop crying before she reached home. Her father could never know what she was doing out so late, so she would have to be careful sneaking back in. Her father was a very protective, and some would consider an overbearing man. She knew he only cared for her, but others thought slightly differently. She was always protected by him, even now having graduated five years ago.

She still had a curfew, and strict rules about boys. She was unlike any of the other 23 year olds around her town. She did not go out drinking, smoking and partying every night. She never went home from the bar with any guys, or even go to the bar for that matter. She enjoyed mostly staying at home and reading and occasionally she would leave only to see Shane.

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The Willow Tree (Continued)

Now as she neared her front porch steps, all she could think of was Shane. She wiped her face as best she could, turned the key over in the hole and turned the handle of the door.

Her father greeted her with a smile at the door. She knew it was late considering the amount of light outside, so she was shocked to find him smiling, waiting there for her arrival. He greeted her with a warm embrace and she slowly felt her facade slipping as she felt him hug her tighter. She couldn’t tell him what a stupid thing she had done. That she had gone off and slept with a boy five years older than she, got pregnant and now he was nowhere to be found. She knew what she had to do but couldn’t share her burden with anyone. Tomorrow she would go to the local clinic and have the problem taken care of.

There would be no buts about it. She made up an excuse of a stomach ache and told her father it came over her while at a friend's so she had to lie down.

He seemed to believe her and when she asked to go straight to bed, he had no quarrels with it.

As she headed up the staircase he walked slowly backwards towards the sink which contained the once bloody knife. He cleaned it best he could with dishwashing detergent and put it back in its rightful place. He moved towards the basement steps thinking of the long night he would have destroying the body. He knew it would be worth it though so in the end his daughter would never find out.

She could never find out. He had to make it seem as though Shane had really run off without a trace left behind. He had to make her see the only man that would ever truly be there for her, was him.

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Artwork By: Kiara Lee

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Poetry By: Josh McGowan In a world where egos are measured with tabloids Where your wealth is determined by Jordan Retros Instead of getting a job and dress clothes The modern young mind is struggling between popularity and happiness You should try to find a style that fits Instead of having a personality that’s counterfeit

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Artwork By: April Hicks

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Haunted House By: Melissa Khan “You have to go and sell the Thorne Manor.

People have been just driven out of the house within months. No one really stays,” my father said.

“Fine, I’ll get right to it.” The next morning, I got a phone call from one of the servants from the hospital.

“Sir, our caretaker was found dead this morning!”

I rushed to the hospital and the doctors had told me that he suffered from a heart attack.

I had to go and I.D. his body. It was him, Benjamin Porter. I left to go make a phone call to my father but I was interrupted by the servants who worked in the manor.

The servants had quit so I decided to stay a few nights by myself at the manor. The first night wasn’t bad at all. Everything was peaceful up until I heard an intruder breaking in through the kitchen and running off.

I yelled, “Hey you, stop this instance!”But he kept running; I chased him all the way into the forest until I finally caught him.

“What were doing in my house?’ ‘I was looking for matches.’ ‘You could’ve asked.’

‘No,’ the mysterious man said. I needed you to come all the way here far from the house so he wouldn’t hear us.’ ‘Hear us?’

‘Who would hear us?’ ‘The professor.

You’re the only one who can do it. You need to stop him. It’s your destiny.’ ‘What are you talking about?’

“Sir, Sir, wait! Have you talked to the doctors?’ ‘Yes I have, they said it was a heart attack.’ ‘No, it wasn’t sir. It was someone in the He was slowly starting to walk away, ‘It manor. Someone has murdered him, a has to be done by you.’ ghost.’

He finally left leaving me very confused, ‘You’re crazy; he died because of a heart atfull questions. The next night I woke up in tack, and it clearly states it in the docuthe middle of night and heard a woman's ments.’ scream. I rushed downstairs and the door ‘No sir. You’re wrong. Every night I would to the living room closed. I saw a shadow, hear him walking, pacing all throughout the through the clear glass window of a manor and then screams. The manor is woman being choked by a man. I was haunted sir; it is haunted.” banging on the door as hard as I could but I left thinking that they were absolutely init wouldn’t budge. I ran towards the winsane and went to phone my father. dow and saw a woman wearing a blue “What is it Henry,’ my father asked. silky night dress hanging from the ceiling ‘Benjamin has died.’ ‘What? How?’ ‘The doc- swaying back and forth in the darkness tors are saying that he had a heart attack but with her hair falling in front of her face. I the servants are saying he was murdered.’ left the manor from horror just looking at ‘Murdered?! Well that is absolutely mad.

Henry you have to sell that manor immedithe house and camped outside. The next ately!’ Yes father.” day I went to speak with a person who studies about spirits and ghosts. I walked I did some investigating for myself to see into one of her discussions and she sensed what was going on in the manor.

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Haunted House (continued)

that I was there.

ever do is torture me.’

Professor Gomez asked, “Who here has come from Thorne Manor?”

‘I am his captive and he will never let anything or anyone get in his way from freeing me.”

I was very amazed and curious about how she did that and responded “I have come from Throne Manor.”

That night we went to the Manor. I explained to her what I saw and she believed that the manor is haunted. We walked around throughout the manor and went all the way up to the attic. We came across some videos and started to watch. One of the videos had a girl wearing a white hat, playing the piano. She played it so beautifully and she herself looked marvelous. As I was watching the video, I saw Professor Gomez shiver.

She started crying out, “There he is!” She started running downstairs, screaming. I went running downstairs chasing her. As we were standing at the end of the stairs she was breathing very loud and hard, looked up and screamed, “there he is!’ ‘He is laughing at us’ ‘He wants us gone’ ‘He wants you gone’ ‘You need to leave this house now!”

She didn’t give me a chance to say anything or ask a question. All I did that night was go to sleep. However, this time, instead of being interrupted by a woman screaming, I heard music, an instrument, a piano and a wonderful singing voice. As I was following the music and the singing I came across a room. I saw through the curtains on the clear door a woman playing the piano and singing. It was scary as it was beautiful. I went to push door open and as I did she disappeared. The singing stopped and the music stopped. Then the screams started happening again.

The woman came from a white light talking to me saying, ‘You can’t save me.’ ‘All he will

I then went to bed when a book fell and inside the book there was a letter. It was a letter dated from 1934, about 200 years ago from a girl to her parents explaining how sorry she is to decide to leave the world by hanging from the ceiling.

It all started how her parents went away for a few weeks to London to visit their other daughter. Alicia told her piano instructor that she could not attend his classes anymore up until her parents get back. The instructor suggested that he come visit her since she is getting better day by day with the piano. She agreed and thought it was a perfect idea. One day her nanny had to go to the market and the instructor had come at the same time for his lesson with Alicia. The nanny had no problem with Alicia staying with the instructor alone in the manor by themselves so she left.

The instructor suggested she play one of the songs he taught her. As she was playing the song the instructor started getting closer to her. First by slowly touching her hands and holding them and then started to kiss her neck. Alicia pushed the instructor away and yelled, “What are you doing?”

The instructor had crazed eyes and started saying that he loves her and no one else can have her besides him and tried to attempt rape but before he could Alicia grabbed a lamp and hit him on the head.

He started to walk slowing and one by one, rows of blood started to drip of his head.

He fell on her and Alicia threw him off.

Alicia’s nanny came and saw what

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Haunted House (continued)

happened. She already could tell what happened between her and the instructor. She called the police and searched his home and found pictures of Alicia. Everyone then knew the instructor’s intentions were not good at all. Everything seemed to frighten Alicia. She couldn’t sleep. She asked her nanny if she could stay up and watch her go to sleep. She was fine with that. However, she heard voices and felt chills. She went to go and use the restroom and then Alicia woke up looking for her nanny. She felt a sense. Something was calling her towards the restroom. She went and found nothing but then she turned and looked into the dust bin and found her nanny’s severed head. Alicia screamed and ran in the opposite direction and ended up in one of the rooms. She was breathing loud and hard, not knowing what to do and out of no where she dropped to the floor and was dragged to the table. It was a spirit of the instructor in ghost form from the dead. He tortured her for several days, never let her out of the house, and locked every window and door. She couldn’t handle it anymore and her parents were not coming back for another few weeks so she decided to end her life and write a letter to her parents explaining why and what happened.

Reading the letter made me think how can someone be so despicable? It was night time again. I was trying to go to sleep and all the screaming started again and I saw the instructor hurting her. The instructor had thrown me out of the house and I could not get in anymore. The lights in the manor kept flickering and the screams were growing louder. I had nothing to do but just to watch. I slept outside that night and woke up to the mysterious man next to me saying “It’s time.” I then go back to the house go in the room where the piano was and set my head down and then I heard a woman yelling to get the car out and then yelling at Alicia to hurry up.

I was confused on where did all these people come from? I looked at a newspaper on the table it was the current events and the date on it was 1934. I thought to myself I have traveled back in time. This is what the man meant. I was destined to change the past. My only plan was to make sure Alicia doesn’t end up killing the instructor. I came into their home as a traveling guest and stayed with her when the instructor came and the nanny left but the instructor did not want me in the same room so I was in the next room listening. But suddenly, I heard Alicia screaming; the instructor was trying to rape her! I yelled at Alicia to not kill the instructor but the damage was done. The next morning the same mysterious man came at our door he told us that she has to destroy the necklace the instructor had gave her; if they succeed to destroy it the instructor will forever be gone. We both went on a journey to go and destroy the necklace; we had to throw it down a well. This well had special waters flowing under the ground that can destroy anything.

Getting to the well was a challenge; the instructor had followed us and tried to hurt Alicia but the holiness that the mysterious man had brought upon us kept us safe. The well itself was inside a temple where it blocked out all the evils.

Finally got to throw the necklace done the well.

But as I was throwing the necklace I slipped and fell inside the well with it and woke up back in 2134. I went back to look for the letter and see if I did change the past. The letter was much more positive and happy. It was a page from her diary explaining how she met me and how I changed her life and she could never think of a way to repay me. At the end of the night, all the screams, music, and singing had finally disappeared and I got to sleep through the night.

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Planet Ares By: Kaci Oliver Dr. Mary Beth Newberry was in the office; tons of scientists were working there to find new planets that could possibly contain life. Earth has slowly been falling apart, the weather has been very hectic; hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, hundreds of people have died. So one day all the world leaders came together and decided to get the top scientists and have them search for planets that could possibly contain life; then they would go with a team and search the planet. They hope to find a planet that could hold life with the smallest amount of Terraforming as possible.

Many of the hand picked scientists have already left to check on the planets they found. Each time a scientist left they hand picked someone to carry on their search. Mary was actually picked by her teacher, Dr. Evan Roy. Dr. Roy is the scientist who has won the nobel prize for his inventions for the past twenty years.

His first prize was in 2101.

Dr. Roy left for his search and Mary now got to search for a planet for herself. How exciting! A new planet where life can start a new.

“Dr. Newberry?” a voice called.

Mary glanced behind her to see another scientist. His name is Dr. Twigg; he has been working with Dr. Roy for years. He started out as Dr. Roy’s intern, then moved up to his student, and finally he became Dr. Roy’s business partner.

“Yes sir?” she asked.

“There’s been an accident.”

“What happened?”

“Dr. Roy and his crew. We were suppose to hear from them seven days ago, but nothing. They are missing as of now.”

Mary was shocked; she just nodded her head. Dr. Twigg nodded back and left.

Mary glanced around sadly. Dr. Roy was lost out there in space. Who knows what has happened! Was he okay?

Could he be found? Or would he be lost to the world forever?

She sighed before turning back to her work. She knew she was going to make a breakthrough. If Dr. Roy disappeared for his world, his job; then she would finish his work! She stood from her chair and left her station and headed over to Dr. Roy’s. She set in the chair and looked around his desk. She was hoping to find something, anything to give her a clue to where he was. She opened his draws and began searching.

She grabbed a piece of paper from the bottom of the draw and looked it over.

It was written in pencil but some numbers and letters were written in pen and some was in bold.

She turned on the computer and clicked “Forgot Username”. The hint was ‘It helps hold clothes you need to sew.’ She thought for a minute before smiling. She looked back at the paper and began typing in the letters and numbers that was written in pen.

‘P.L.A.N.E.T.1.0.A.I.’ was the username. She looked over the paper before typing the bold in the password.

‘S.T.A.R.Z.0.A.2.0.4.’. The screen went black for a moment before going to the main screen. She looked around for a few minutes before finding what she was looking for. The information about the planet Dr. Roy went to. She looked at the information Dr. Roy had

21

Planet Ares (continued)

gathered. As she looked at the information she noticed that there was another planet that looked just like Mars. As she looked at the planet she noticed something odd about it. She grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down the sector name.

She logged out of the computer and cleaned Dr. Roy’s desk off before walking back to her area. She logged back in and searched for the sector. It came up and she looked around at the planet; she zoomed in and looked around. She found that there were large pools of what looked like water. She quickly grabbed her desk phone and dialed the number for Director Frank.

“Hello Director, it’s Dr. Newberry; you might want to come down here. I found something.”

Mary hung the phone up and waited.

When the Director showed up she pointed out the planet.

“What are you doing looking at Mars?” he asked, “We already found out that Mars would be a little harder to terraform.”

“No sir, this is not Mars; this is a different planet from the Red Sector.”

“Why are you looking at the Red Sector?

We found that the Red Sector is a very dangerous place, there are many comets and asteroids and the way there from Earth are filled with Black Holes.”

“I found this planet on Dr. Roy’s computer. It is next to the planet that he was looking at.”

“What? Why were you on his computer?

That is suppose to be classified.”

“I know sir but I just wanted to see.

And I did find a different planet.”

“We are not sending anyone out there; it’s too dangerous.”

“But sir there are signs of a liquid substance on the surface of the planet, meaning it could contain life.”

“Fine I will gather a crew to check the planet out.”

“Sir I won’t let you down.”

“What? Newberry you're not going. You are only looking for Dr. Roy. I can’t send you. I am afraid you are not in the right state of mind for this mission.”

“But sir,” “No buts, Newberry.”

“Sir please I discovered the liquid on the planet; I have the right to go on this mission.”

Director Frank sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose knowing that she was right. Law stated that the scientist who discovered a planet is allowed to go. He looked over at her before sighing once more.

“Very well, you may go.”

“Thank you sir!”

“But if I hear that you abandoned the mission to hunt down Dr. Roy when you return to Earth you will lose your job and go to jail for disobeying an order. Got it?”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t make me regret this. You leave in two days.”

22

Planet Ares (continued)

Mary exited the building. She walked down the path and towards the spaceship. She noticed Director Frank with a few people. She walked over and waved to the Director.

“Hello Director Frank,” Mary greeted.

“Hello Dr. Newberry this is your crew; Captain Rodgers, Dr. Stevens, Ms. Butz (Boots), and Mr. Jed.” “Hello Captain.” Mary greeted.

“Hello Dr. Newberry.”

“Captain I need you to tell me if Dr. Newberry leaves the mission to search for Dr. Roy.” “Yes I have heard about him. It’s a darn shame.”

“Yes,” Mary sighed.

“Okay director I’m going to prepare the ship.”

The crew and the captain entered the ship, leaving the director and Mary to speak among each other for the last time for a while.

“Newberry be careful; stay with the group.”

“I know Director Frank. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me until you return home safely.”

“I will come back, bye.”

“Bye.” The Director waved and walked a safe distance away for take off. Mary smiled before she walked into the spaceship. She found a seat and sat down before snapping in. When the ship started, she closed her eyes, held her breath and gripped the armrests tightly in her hands.

Only once the ship was in space and leveled out did she open her eyes and release the armrests.

“Gravity on!” Captain Rodgers ordered the AI system.

There was a ding and the crew removed their belts and stood. Mary did the same. The crew walked out of command center and into the cryo chamber room. Everyone picked a chamber and climbed in before shutting the lid. Mary slid in one and watched the lid close before slowly falling under.

When Mary awoke the ship was shaking and alarm was going wide. The chamber door was opened and she climbed out before she collapsed on the cold ground. She slowly pulled herself up and used the wall to slowly walk to the command center. The door opened and she found Mr. Jed saw her and rushed over to help her.

“First time in the cryo chambers?” he asked.

She nodded, “What’s going on?”

“Landing. Here let’s get you seated.”

She set in her seat and snapped her belt. Everyone was snapped in and the ship started descending quickly. Mary held her breath and closed her eyes before gripping the armrests again. The ship was rocking back and forth. Her ears were popping. It reminded her of a very fast airplane descending to the runway. With a hard thud and jerk everything stopped. She opened

23

Planet Ares (continued)

her eyes to find they landed.

“Okay everyone let's suit up,” Captain Rodgers ordered.

Everyone pulled on space suits and helmets before grabbing weapons. When Mary grabbed one it was taken and a bag was passed to her. She glanced up to see the Captain. She gave him a questioning look.

“It’s full of things for your science mumbo jumbo,” he said.

She nodded and thanked him before pulling the shoulder strap over her head. The two left the spaceship and found the rest of the crew. Mary stuck with the group as they moved through the odd red foliage.

Mary was collecting samples of different plants, and the dirt. When she walked towards an oddly colored fruit she spotted something shining. She pushed the leaves out of the way.

“Captain!” she shouted.

The captain and crew quickly made their way over to her. She pointed to the ship.

The ship was covered in dust and foliage.

The crew slowly walked towards it. They found a hole in the side of the ship and entered through there. They looked around before Ms. Butz (Bootz) gasped.

“This is one of our ships!”

“Dr. Roy!” Mary gasped, “This must have been his ship.”

“Look around for survivors!” Captain Rodgers ordered.

She walked over to the captain; the rest of the crew returned.

“We didn’t find anything sir.”

“Okay let’s go.”

The crew slowly left looking around.

Mary was behind everyone looking around hoping to see something. There was nothing, no clues or anything. As soon as she went outside she found everyone frozen on the ground. Surrounding the ship were odd looking humanoid aliens. They either had spears pointed at them or arrows.

“Outsiders!” one cried out from the front, “Destroy them!”

The crew looked around and Mary walked over to the counter and started looking through the draws for anything. She didn’t find anything in the draws.

24

Poetry By: Shaquib Islam

Untitled Inhaling a lot of smoke lately Bright glow of red cherry But inside you're just a little baby On the quietest month of January Better to be hated than loved for what’s not The phony is everything but themself It's okay to say you got a weak spot Believe in yourself Hot love and cold fears The chains begin to simmer our skins Laying in the transparent ocean it becomes clear My demons help me with my deadly sins Dead dreams in blue Hawaii Black hole know where to find me

25

Fortune Teller By: Skylar Biggs My friend Sadie thinks she is a fortune teller. She says she knows what will happen to people. I was excited and believed her until she read mine. She told me I would live a long time, I'll never get married or have kids, and I will own 13 cats when I am older. There is no way that was true. That's why I think she was just pretending. I would believe if she said I'd be a singer with a famous husband and a billion dollars. That's when I'd believe.

Her mom tells her to cut it out and that the dollar store tarot cards don't do anything. She told my friend Luke his. She said he'd fall in love with a red haired girl from his past. It was her obviously. She liked to watch YouTube videos too. She said it helped strengthen her psychic abilities. I didn't know a five minute tutorial did that. I don't say anything because it's her life and she can do what she wants.

Whether she is really a fortune teller or a lady who just works at a fair. It's up to her. I've never told her that I don't believe her because I want to be her friend still. It's not just her I don't

believe. It's every fortune teller.

How can your life be figured out by random cards and hands? She wants to be a famous fortune teller with her own television show. I'd be on it to start my famous career.

Millions of people seeing me. I would be acting since I don't believe in that. She let me know she's getting a crystal ball online. Oh boy. Believe. It's every fortune teller. How can your life be figured out by random cards and hands? She wants to be a famous fortune teller with her own television show. I'd be on it to start my famous career. Millions of people seeing me. I would be acting since I don't believe in that. She let me know she's getting a crystal ball online. Oh boy.

26

Masked By: Tamia Simmons She wore a mask, a mask so beautiful, so angelic it had the ability to fool all that she encountered. A mask that made everything seem okay, that made others wish to live the life she had. She found power and strength in the mask to help and carry her on throughout the day. But what she didn’t realize about the mask is that it was merely a cover up, a veneer, a part of her that was a lie told so well and so consistently, she would often be able to fool herself. Thing is living a life hidden by veneers is not a life at all and because of which she will soon have to come to the realization that every mask with time will surely dissolve.

To inwardly be in a place so dark and lifeless, feeling as if the world as you know it is crumbling and falling apart right before your eyes, yet outwardly portraying yourself as one with it all put together, is to constantly be in a state of denial. This is the state the she often found herself in, just until she got behind closed doors and somehow would be back in the place that caused her to pick up the mask in the first place. Hearing about her makes you wonder what could be so bad, so painful, that it will cause a person to have to make themselves someone else, just in order to function. This is the life of Sally Jean.

Sally Jean lived a life of repetition, on her job, in her home, and just on a day to day basis. She knew when to get up, how to do her work well, and how to do what she felt was best for her and her family. It seemed as if she had the best life, she was stable in her job, had an amazing husband, and a son whom she loved very much. She was really one to be envied, but when it comes to a marriage or even just a household the same thing can get very dull. The love and drive that at one point in time brought their whole family together in a way that made them seem inseparable, became the very thing that

tore them all apart.

On her job she was the best at everything she did and became the go to person to every other employee because she seemed to be the one with all the right answers. Her work gave her constant promotions which constantly kept her out of the place she knew as home. Eventually she became numb to the fact that her family needed her, thinking it was alright because it enabled her to supply the needs of the household. Though it was really killing her marriage and breaking her family apart.

She heard many times "elevation causes separation" but she would have never expected it the way it took place.

It was a day, that seemed like every other day but was very different. Sally raised out of bed and proceed to do her normal routine. Yet she walked in the kitchen and noticed something different, a cake was sitting on the table that read "happy anniversary"! She realized that she totally forgot and her husband, Jim knew it just by the look on her face. He stood there a minute with an impudent face of disappointment and hurt. Sally didn't know what to then do but she went on doing what she normally did, though she knew she messed up.

Most of the day had went by and Sally found herself still sitting in the workplace, thinking of something she could get her husband at the last minute. She went to the store and got him a nice watch and his favorite flowers hoping to make up for what had happened earlier, but when she came home and simply looked into Jim’s eyes she instantly knew her night wasn't going to go as planned. She looked into his glassy eyes and saw that he couldn't really form his words, which wasn't normal for him, when suddenly an officer walked in and said in a calm voice "Mrs. Jean, I'm sorry."

27

Masked (continued)

Her husband was standing in front of her so she instantly knew it was about her only son.

He was gone and she couldn't even think of the last time they spent together. It was a loss that would always be remembered though his presence was constantly forgotten.

When losing a child it often times does one of two things, it either brings the parents closer or tears them apart. With an already broken marriage and the loss of their only son the marriage was bound to fail, though it could have been savaged. Instead of putting her all in her marriage, and trying to get through it together, Sally threw himself more and more into her work allowing her marriage to shortly drift away. Soon the day came where Jim just couldn't take anymore so he decided to pack up his stuff and leave, placing the divorce papers neatly by the door, making sure to do it while she wasn't home because he couldn't bare seeing her reaction. As she came into the door seeing the house a little emptier than when she left, she looked over to see a paper and all she saw in bold letters was the word "DIVORCE" she instantly broke down. Over the course of a month her life, that she spent years building, had fallen apart. As before instead of dealing with it she reverted to what she always did, her job. Going out to face a world more corrupt than she was.

Because they just didn't know That her husband and son Abruptly had to go" She would then on have to put on a mask to make it throughout the day. It would help her suppress the brokenness she would always have to face in her alone time. When she wore it she realized something. That with the cover up she could be and do anything she desired. In the mask was power to be happy and make people around her happy. She found in it a disguise that could fool the world.

"She went back to work With no time to grieve The death of her son Her broken family But she still did her best Did all they'd plead Wearing a smile That would fade quickly They over worked her

28

Makings of You By: Jamillah Whaley

These are the makings of you Great expression of happiness Can’t forget the dozen roses The joy of children around you Theses are the makings of you It’s been a miracle for what you’ve done Please stay right by your own side Two couldn’t be one for the righteous way to go You’re second to none Anyone would know Or they’ll believe me if I told them so Life of all mankind should reflect some sign Other folks they’re close but not quite Almost impossible to prove Love yourself These are the makings of you

29

Poetry By: Aidorus Mohamed

I dream too much and I don’t write enough People don’t want to hit the gym And yet they want to get buff Life is hard But you have to stay tough This is my first poem So it’s going to be kind of rough

30

He’s Yours By: Jordan Smith

The Life You Live Is soon one to give Just pass the bib 9 months after you commit a sin A little angel has been Beautiful baby boy conceived with grins Cherishing through all the grims Will result in A successful kid Who’s yours

31

The Garden By: Morgan Lapinski

Feet sway through wet grass As the tree swing pushes me skyward And I reach the top Only to be swung backward How I wish I could stay there Up at the top of the sky But gravity soon painfully reminds me I’ll never be up for too long Life is like that garden On my tree swing Wishing only to be on the high And never to experience the lows But little do you know It’s those “lows” The make the “highs” Just that much greater of a rush

32

Roots By: Morgan Lapinski Where he stood he grew roots and from those roots grew the hate the hate of the world around him but still he grew his roots Where he stood he was a small boy whose father just couldn’t bare to stay sober, for himself or his family but still the boy grew Where the boy grew he could still hear the names that they chose to call him at school and in his roots, an angry fire ignited As he grew there were limitations as his father was a constant reminder

that the swift strike of a fist could both cut down and ignite his roots Those who loved him as he grew slowly became few as they realized that his anger was burning inside his roots Now his roots took hold his heart and so the boy not only felt angry but sad and the fire burned a bit brighter His roots remained forever charred at the school that day where he stood and fired the hate from his roots

33

Change By: My’Tiauna Draper

Changing the world takes more than one Creating a difference is what needs to be done Offering the time, everyone give some Together we’d rise, we could overcome So many different struggles, faces So much selfishness, unequal paces Change is needed everywhere, so many places Everything’s average, everything’s basic Not just in one place, the world itself Needs so much attention and also much help People are “better” because of their wealth No one’s together, it’s all about self All can stand up, all can raise voices We have enough united to make the best choices

34

Four Skinny Trees By: Jordan Smith

They are the only ones who truly understand me. And I understand them.

We have this kind of circle thing going on. But these trees are strong and rooted. Their bark is rough on the outside, but have soft yet durable insides just like me. Four tough, ever-growing trees that came from many different places and have been planted in the same city. Their strength is no secret.

They send extremely damaged roots into the earth's back and grab hold of its spine to control it and make it bend to its will. They grow upwards and tear at the sky with unending energy to reach a new level of understanding.

If one of them forgot their reason for being, it would bend like a flimsy stick in the wind, but would be soon caught by the other three and nursed back to health. They teach me those things, how to be a family and how to remain strong together as the wind blows harder. Four trees who permanently stand without worry and fear of the world, they are my family. They have names. Jason, Tyler, Jonathan, and Austin. They are my brothers who, when I have fallen, have brought me back to full life so that I can remain a tree. Everlasting, strong, and full of wisdom. Four who try and will. They are my role models, as I am to them. They will be forever planted on my heart.

35

trips S c i m Co n liamso l i W d e By: Fr

36

How Could I Do This By: Tyeisha Porter How could I do this This wasn't me I never would thought it would be me Sitting in the back seat With these handcuffs on me Blood on my hands No shoes on my feet It all happen so fast All heard was a Boom and A blast He said it involved some cash One of his friends

Not saying I wasn't money hungry But I had to eat something I was there I seen it all I seen that poor ole young man fall I'll never tell what I seen or saw It was like a dream where you start to fall In shock I couldn't do nothing at all Falling over and over and over again That's all I saw Tired to help him out

Got rich let him in the pass

But all I could do

They say money is the root

was make a phone call .

of all evil How did I not see this coming He used me And I let him like a dummy

37

Untitled By: Godwill Tettah-Mensah Hello girl, Can I lie to you, tell you that you wear the most beautiful smile Like I never saw my mother wear a priceless one watching me grow up Can I tell you your face holds that happiness, like I just discovered the Mona Lisa Just to keep your ego high, and make you want to hear another lie I can see that smile, Am I getting there?

Am I close to being your Mr. Right? The one you dream about when blink an eye Hold on, I just want to be your friend right, even though we both know I’ll be lying Plan is to take the T from tRUTH and make you stay with me like Ruth Now I can brag to my friends that it was easy to get you You gave all your heart darling but there’s still a tight corner I got to make more room, so I’ll need another See babe; what a man cherish is what he never had.

Mona Lisa was attracted to a skillful thief For a party girl, fake guys clap, they want a ride Now you worn out, your brake paddles are all out, that’s why you’re crushing Fake guys are there laughing and no one cares, but for only Christ could save you with any damage incurring But you not even looking cuz’ your focus is another man, you’re pathetic This is no Disney world girl, get your contacts and stay focus.

The world is full of snakes and deceptive magic Now you’re feeling all uneasy; to yourself you’re asking “is he talking about me?”

That’s a definite no!

I’m only revealing the world on lying bastards to my unborn children In case they come across a lying tongue.

That’s my selfish truth

38

What I Wish I Could Have Said By: Morgan Lapinski

I remember waking up that morning Hoping it wasn’t real That you were going to be there today I remember everyone getting up to speak And how I just sat there Crying because I didn’t have words Over the past few weeks it’s been tough But I think now I finally have the words to say You were always there for everyone And in return You never asked for anything from us You put everyone else before yourself And in return You let us all prosper while you suffered in silence I wish we could have been there Most of all I wish you would have let us But now I just wish We could have more time

39

It Happens By: Jordan Smith

It happens..

Whether it’s today or tomorrow Revolutions always follow, Tearing through and striking down Leaves you feeling hollow Or like a leaf with a second stem that was borrowed Wanting all these earthly possessions that never stay Like a kid in a playground that can’t even go play You feel moved in a way that just calls for disdain Yet all you want is for things to go your way The grass ain’t always greener And the girls ain’t always meaner Sure your home is cold cause you got no gas, but you can always go get a heater Life just happens, and there's nothing you can do about it Except accepting the requests and Dealing with days full of peasants until returning to the place of residence

40

BY: KYLA FRIDENMAKERj

41

BY: KYLA FRIDENMAKER

42

BY: KYLA FRIDENMAKER

43

BY: KYLA FRIDENMAKER

44

Connections By: Stephen Quattlebaum

Connections happen every day In every way.

Even though one may not say, There’s still a connection.

Many times it’s not seen But they are keen Nothing like this can be foreseen Life is full unexpected expectations

Cherish them always, Keep them all day, No matter what others say, Love to the fullest and always stay connected.

45

Inside Me By: Morgan Lapinski Ours was a love for the ages. A story for the greatest Nicholas Sparks novel ever to be written. When we met on that chilly autumn night, the warmth of your fingertips was the only thing keeping me warm. The electricity between us could have lit up a football field. It’s like that moment your mom tells you about as a little girl. The one where you meet the guy and you instantly know, he’s the one. While most don’t believe, I would say we were true loves. One, cut into two, separated for the first part of their lives, but destined to find each other in the end. That was us.

You couldn’t have known, and that’s my fault too. I never told you. I thought you might look at me different. I couldn’t bear for those eyes to gaze upon me in any other way. I thought I was getting better. I thought you were making me better.

While it wasn’t your job, and you didn’t do it on purpose, you fixed me. And then I broke you.

That evening as I walked into the room graced with rose petals I knew it was you. The feeling of a hand on my back sent a shiver down my spine which awakened the sleeping beast inside. I should have known it was you, and part of me did, but he didn’t know. The demon living inside didn’t know you. He had never met you, and you had never met him.

That night you did.

As I write this now, I realized these are all the things I should have said before. All the things I should have warned you about. About the fact that I am a real life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

That I should have known Hyde would never let Jekyll truly live a free and happy life. That was too much to ask. My selfishness destroyed you.

I hold on to the fact that you would have looked at me different if you had known the truth. Would you?

Now we will never know. I thought at least I would have that. The memory of your eyes, looking at me in that same adoring fashion. But now, I’ll never be able to erase the memory.

That one last memory I have of you.

The fear in your eyes. Your fear of me, as I tore you to shreds Of course no one believes me. I don’t know that I want them to. I should be punished. They should show no mercy for the animal who tore her lover apart, all because she was never a whole person. I tried to hide him, and that’s why he came out. I tried to hide the animal inside and he ripped through me, like he ripped through you. While I had no control, I did and did nothing to stop it. I ran from him and he found me, and he found you, and I let him.

46

White Lines By: Jordan Smith Lost within a daze of played games that continue to phase from one side to the next Lifting all the weights of psychological states t rapped within the crate you call your brain, Problems created by you, broken down into powder you sniff through a tube, relieves the stress All too soon, twisting your mind and making your words swoon, unlocking the gates holding your inner nature which is beyond the reserve, out of itself and overall new to you Seeing a side of yourself that is unfamiliar, weird, almost makes you tear at the fact that the end is near.

The chains of logic and reason begin to resuscitate your brain back into reality, haphazardly snapping your mind into two Nothing left to do except find the little tube to revolt against the noose you tied around your own neck Better make it two nooses that can’t be loosened with a little pull You don’t try hard enough cause you're “too cool” Expecting everything to come to you Like floating in a pool Except the pools deep Steeper than the rivalries of Greeks Within the reach of freaks Who tweak so hard, they begin to freak The lines don’t rescue you, take it from me I know what it's like to be the meaning of the word “fleek” Although I can’t guarantee a safe return I hope my words get to you like eggs and sperm

47

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Green “He” Ring! Ring! Ring!

I answer the phone wearily And hear the frantic screams Of a female voice I know so well.

“He’s dead. He’s gone” He was a student of promise and potential.

He had a straight A ability but a D+ drive.

He would sit at my desk and we would have conversations.

We would share life and share truth “Man, I want out. I can’t be like this anymore.”

His potential became kinetic on the streets.

His mind went into overdrive because He lived in what was familiar.

It was second nature but Nature was killing him.

I would see him less and less.

When I saw him, he was lost.

When I talked to him, he was broken.

When I listened to him, he was dejected.

When I persuaded him, he was too committed.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

I answer the phone wearily And hear the frantic screams Of a female voice I know so well.

“He’s dead. He’s gone” He laid in the middle of the street A cold body embracing the cold ground.

Everybody claiming they knew him.

“He was my brother. He was my cousin.”

Even people claim him for their gang.

If you knew him, you would have stopped him.

If you knew him, you would have embraced his dreams.

If you knew him, you would have stood up for his life.

If you knew him, you would not have allowed him To be another young man lost to the streets.

48

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Green “I Met A Girl” I met a girl while I was sitting in class.

She seemed the intelligent type. You know, She had on glasses and used big words like Antidisestablishmentarianism Even though it was art class.

I mustered the strength to ask her out to the Pizza place. She talked to me about how she viewed Life and the world, including her views on black people.

“I usually do not date some who is (pause) like you. But You are not like the other ones.”

Like what other ones? (Choose your words wisely) “Like those… those…”

Check, please.

And we are splitting.

49

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Green “Nerdy Swagger” Bottle-sized glasses, big suspenders, High-water jeans, pocket protectors, Large clunky shoes, ugly bow tie, Face full of acne, hair gelled to the side.

Planetarium groupie, no social life Einstein’s your friend and Marie Curie’s your wife.

Spiderman fantasy, Peter Parker reality Mild-mannered kid without a spider bite.

When I walk in the room, you would never expect The head full of knowledge that is hidden inside.

As we engage in discourse, you perceive advantage And attempt to manipulate the words to your favor.

I lean back in my chair and listen to you mangle meanings And masticate the minuscule murmurs of new found mastery.

You laugh at dirty jokes from Family Guy But don’t grasp the intelligence behind the gag.

Every word you speak is foul and filth that Glorifies the limits you have placed on yourself.

You sit back like Scorpion after a Fatality Satisfied with the bloody win.

I nod my head and ruminate, Letting each word process through my mind.

I open my mouth and begin to expose my thoughts Unveiling each one like a prize.

I clarify the cacophony of conversation that just happened While still stimulating stagnant curiosity.

Then I turn the tide with new knowledge From politics to Pokémon, NFL to NRA, The latest games to the latest music, and How the past built the future we live in.

As we share wisdom and information, I am fixing your computer.

What people fail to realize is The nerdy kid at school usually Becomes the successful adult.

The picking and teasing teaches them Perseverance and, in time, Creates a deeper sense of self.

Eventually, they learn to hone their knowledge And use it to help shape who they are as people And shape others in the end.

The title that caused them shame and pain Is now their badge of honor.

It is their swagger.

Flashy sunglasses, no suspenders The newest pair of jeans, owning projectors, Nice dress shoes, rarely wear ties, Face so clean, hair tapered on the side.

Planetarium groupie, undercover gamer life.

Have a lot of friends and a pretty fly wife.

Michael Jackson fantasy, Prince Nelson reality Creative genius in the making with nothing to hide.

50

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Green “These Weapons” We say “Hands up! Don’t Shoot” We cry “I can’t breathe” We blame our consistent defeat on the man we perceive We launch our missiles and constantly misfire Calling blatant truth fiction and wise men liars.

We use three weapons- violence, megaphones, and hate And wonder why our brothers die at a consistent rate?

Hatred out of control is like a sideways glock- no aim A loud voice spitting emptiness is like Charles Manson- insane Directionless passion is like Tiger Woods vs. Steph Curry- no game In our haste and weariness of an unfair system, We block roads, cause disturbances, and use catchphrases While the rest of the world watches in horrid anticipation.

“Black Lives Matter!” “Police are the enemy!”

But aren’t the streets your god and the game your king?

We worship the trap and kiss the feet of lean And so easily surrender to the army of things.

Music tell us jump, we scream “how high” And curse the world saying all good must die.

Did the black life matter when your gun gave judgment?

Or were the police your enemy when you wanted justice?

Our logic is looney tunes We blaze and get like Pepe LePew Stinking, chasing and lusting for anything that looks good Or talk fast like Daffy Trying to be slick like Bugs And confuse ourselves into thinking it is Duck Season And we call society the enemy?

But there are three weapons That will cause more damage than an atomic bomb And bring freedom to a captive world.

First is the mind.

Knowledge of past and present collide And fuels wisdom to engage the future Encourage the next generation and give clarity To the fog of today’s world.

Second the heartA wind of passion for truth and justice Strengthen the weakest men to stand tall And become David to every Goliath that comes To destroy the peace of his land.

The third weapon is two-fold.

Hands and mouth work together to Incite incendiary change.

The pen is the stick that rubs the paper And sets fire to the revolution while The mouth shoots bombs of truth Across vast distances.

These weapons create a fire of change That causes new life New growth New hope And changes the world.

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My Eyes Deceive Me By: Abdi Yerrow

My eyes deceive me, if it weren't for them, the message of evil intentions wouldn't be sent to my heart.

My eyes deceive me, if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be judging people based on their looks, I would understand great character.

My eyes deceive me, if it weren't for them, I would see deeper spiritually and mentally. now that I have them, they are taken for granted.

My eyes deceive me, If it weren't for them, I would see true value.

My eyes deceive me, if it weren't for them, my mental state would be wiser.

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Human By: Abdi Yerrow I’m forgetting what it means to be a person.

I look down on others, maybe because they’re young, or maybe they have less than me.

I forget I'm human.

Being human doesn’t mean having a nose, hair, ears, feet, hands.

That just makes you a figure.

Being a human is being able to put others before you.

Doing things that they wouldn’t even do for you, being able to forgive them, knowing they wouldn’t forgive you.

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The Power of Man Jordan Smith The power of man…

Don’t look for scapegoats and settle for crack Play your part cause life hits you like a smack

Unthinkable, limitless, and unspeakable

Before you know it, you have a knack for getting in trouble

Built up through years of appeasable fees and trials

Set in the spin cycle with tumbling boulders of rubble

That tests and detests, more or less demands respect

Inflicting damage on the psychiatric hunger of dreams, Hopes and rolled up sleeves

Prideful, spiteful, insightful, yet is surrounded by a black blight

Setting anyone back with a heart that bleeds

Full of negative energy, twisting the light bulb the wrong way And replacing it with unseen thoughts of calamity and pain Broken hearts and sliced veins Until the light flickers into life, revealing and exposing the blight Seeing it’s hideous flaws and nature Truly evil, beaten by those were dreamers Dark as the blight, but searching for the light Defines a man regardless of age, gender, race It’s all worked out through a change of pace, Which brings a change of face, and heart Purifying your scent to roses as opposed to fart Strength isn’t just strength, it’s smart And the ability to play others parts The power of man comes from within

Planting seeds of doubt and false needs Pleading for the world to just give you some ease..

All you have left is a bottle of childhood dreams That you held for years And almost gave up on Strength is what held on to the dream, trapped within a dream Like a bowling ball attached to a pole held up by a string Then it comes to you, in the sound of a ding ringing within your head Opening your eyes to the reality of nothing but tragedy that you, yes you, Have overcome using strength A man is not defined by actions, but by strength Pardon the length, was just trying to have our minds synch In order to ensure that I made you think, and realize, that your strength is great.

Desired power and flings and whyms Will not propel the worthy forward

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I used to walk this Earth, no care supporting my frame Roaming to find the endless road of destruction, and I'm the only one to blame Living each day as if I would pass, a lonely devil Trying to find a purpose, someone strong to resemble I don’t remember much, just the blood racing through my veins Resting communication, a wall built to block the pain That wall became shattered, once the slap of reality left me weak Searching through souls to find the answers that I seek No force, no mass, no human can possibly control The things that I've witnessed, the secrets foretold With respect finally regained, followed by a feeling of hope Changes from mind to body, turning, helping me cope I don’t recognize myself, the girl in the mirror was not meant to be She’s far more intelligent and graceful than I'd ever hope to be Maybe it’s all an act, or maybe I've really changed Or maybe I should just reevaluate some of the choices that I've made But without you this wouldn’t have happened, I'd never notice, never realize, never see That the girl in the mirror has been there all along, I've molded her from my past memories But not a girl, rather a women in the making Anxiety starts to settle, eyes reawakening She has goals, hopes, and a bright future followed by a dream This women is still building But this women is me - Kyla Fridenmaker

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Speech of Introduction By: Krystal Carey

Columbus Ohio, born and raised the person I am introducing a 2016 graduate, who also sometimes does not do work for days. She's smart and talented so she always finds a way. She loves reading and children. She even has one of her own. She has a beautiful little girl who is only 3 years old. Patience and hard work are too things that she knows. She works at chipotle so she can always crack a smile. On her worst days she makes it her mission to make you laugh, simply because. She loves her friends and cares for everyone around her. She is a fantastic listener with even better advice. She gives love, hugs and compassion at no price. She does charge you for Chipotle, her manager isn't too nice. She gives her last in any situation... Just not when it comes to extra rice. She loves animals and even has one of her own. She is always teaching her dogs new tricks. Like how to fetch a bone. All her animals are trained, so responsibility is something she thrives on. This girl hates vegetables and loves sweets. Her friends wonder everyday why she hasn’t gained 20 pounds that week. She eats all day and her body stays the same, with little to no exercise it’s a wonder and a shame. She loves pizza and chicken a little too much. she can be lazy after eating all that food , but that still doesn't stop her from being 2015 student of the month. She excels at everything she does. That is most likely when she wants to. She wants to become a cosmologist so everyone can feel good too. Although she doesn't wear makeup that often, she makes the boys turn they head and break their neck when she actually decides too. She loves fashion and clothes and hair too. She loves online shopping And her credit cards are usually maxed out.

She has plans on getting a good education, so that leaves her with no doubt that she can pay all her bill and have good credit once more. Until then she'll be buying tank tops from the corner store. She is loving and caring and everything above. Her name is well over due, Krystal Carey and with a little more effort you can be like me too.

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“Truth” by Darron Cruise Truth is in you Truth is what you can live Don’t live the lies you are living The truth is truth is what you can live The truth is in you The truth is what you need to be The lies is already who you are The truth the truth is your life The lies have already taken your life The truth is in your heart The truth is in you Let the truth out and finally know freedom The lies have your soul You have become the lies The truth is coming out The lies are fading You are becoming the truth The truth has your heart The truth has your soul The truth has your body The truth has taken control

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Poetry By: Cameren Mitchell

Beating my family in a good game of Yahtzee Now they all getting mad like some Nazi’s Everyone getting lil crazy Things getting just a bit hazy All of this chaos just cause I won It’s not my fault that I’m the one Everything I’m seeing makes me go wow Oh well guess I gotta CALL 911 NOW!!!!

-RedStarC

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Two Sons By John Charles

There was time a mother gave birth to two sons, two twins who she believed they would have a fantastic future. These two different people will walk different paths in their lives. When growing the boys did everything together; they were the best of friends. Eventually that all changed in high school when the oldest started to distance himself from the family, started to hang with other people instead going a different direction not the same as his younger brother any more. While the youngest would stay in class learning, the oldest would be outside skipping and smoking, while the youngest would be working and striving, the oldest would be selling and buying. When the youngest would be eating with his mom, the oldest would always be gone.

One late night when the oldest was coming home, he saw his young brother sitting on a chair.

The youngest spoke and said “Please come over here brother and sit down for a second.” The older didn’t know what was going on and was annoyed and just wanted to sleep but he decided to listen and go sit down and talk. When he sat down the young brother started talking and had no intentions of stopping; he was telling what he was doing with his life is affecting his family, telling him how he makes his own mother depressed that he does crazy stuff and risking his own future she never wanted for him.

But instead of listening to his own brother he ignored him thinking what he is doing is best, so he got up from the chair and left again leaving his own brother in pain.

The next morning that young man who left came running home scared and in fright he did something truly stupid this time. When inside he told his family to take cover and hide cause a

BOOM”

gang is outside, “ the window shattered from bullet that was fired. Everyone was in cover, scared, hoping nothing would happen; that's when the younger brother decided to be brave and go to phone and call the police. The mother tried to stop him...but it was too

Bang!

late…

That was when it happened a bullet straight in his back, and as the older brother saw this a lot went through his mind, questioning why did this happen to him and asking why didn’t that happen to me. After that everything seemed slow down for him and was just looking at his brother on the floor dead.

The real question to ask was it fair for someone to go out and act fool and have fun all the time and not care about the future and thinking that what they're doing now will make them have a better life. The answer in this story is no because someone who was selfish about their own life could take somebody else's life in exchange and that is something that should never happen to any one. Before you act think about the consequences of the actions.

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Artwork By: AJ Matteson

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Amina Yerrow

Who are you? They always asked me. I am the definition of diamond. I rawrr through any given obstacle like a lion. Hidden in the core is my beauty. Protected by my hijab. (hijab meaning what I wear on my head everyday) it is part of being modest, only the man who marries me is allowed to see what is underneath this hijab. I would tell you like a tiger I am fearless. People ask me why are you so fearless. I am fearless because of my tough skin, these legs that can walk through any given distance, This heart that can survive any given obstacle. So if you ask me again who am I? I would tell you I am the definition of gold. Or maybe I should introduce myself correctly, I am Aa-MEE-NAH. A bold minded almond eyed African Queen but Won’t you describe me? Won’t you say “Her beauty, fierce yet powerful Adorning like starry nights on a dark moonlight. Her beauty, speaks louder than words but whispers gently as poetic winds.” Won’t you say “A stranger she is, but a beautiful one.”

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Challenging the Model Minority Myth in the Cambodian Community By: Sonsophal Ann One of the greatest problems surrounding the Asian community is the “model minority” myth. There is a stereotype that exists in the United States that says that Asian Americans are well educated, financially stable, and don’t have significant needs. While this may be true for some Asian Americans, this generalization has hurt many subgroups within the community, including Cambodian Americans. For example, when resources are directed away from Asians, because they are perceived to be doing well, Cambodians get lumped into the Asian American category, and miss out on greatly needed opportunities. Many colleges exclude Asian applicants from minority scholarships, and a lot of government programs do not address the needs of the Cambodian community. In reality, Cambodian Americans are some of the most marginalized minorities in the United States, facing pressing issues such as poverty, high dropout rates, emotional trauma, and language barriers. The debate as to whether Asian Americans are model minorities with no problems should not even exist; Cambodian Americans are a prime example of an immigrant group that has endured, and continues to fight a number of significant challenges.

There is some truth to the idea that Asian Americans are thriving in the United States.

They are the most educated group in the United States, boasting half of all adults holding a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. However, this data is misleading, since there are 24 different ethnic groups within the Asian population, each with different cultures, experiences, and circumstances that brought them to the United States. While some groups have excelled, others have not shared the same success. For example, Hmong drop out of high school at 32.4%, Laotians at 30.6%, and Cambodians at 35.5%. Cambodian Americans have had a particularly rough transition to the United States, with 32.4% still living in poverty, opposed to 14.9% of the rest of the U.S. population (over two times the national average).

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These numbers alone demonstrate that the model minority myth does not fit all Asian communities, especially Cambodian Americans (Hinojosa).

One of the main reasons for the Cambodian American struggle originates from their experiences as refugees. Following the end of the Vietnam War, a radical communist group called the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia and enforced strict and brutal regulations on the people.

During their reign, nearly two million Cambodians were targeted and killed in the most atrocious ways. Many refugees experienced torture, malnutrition, and disease while under the regime, leaving them wounded or disfigured. Nearly all survivors lost family members, causing even more unfathomable pain. When the Khmer Rouge regime was toppled, and droves of Cambodian refugees arrived in the United States, many brought their emotional distress and mental strain with them. Khmer Rouge survivors often experience a wide range of posttraumatic symptoms, including panic attacks, sleep paralysis, startle syndrome, sleeplessness, nightmares, and prolonged grief, among other symptoms (Hansen). According to the American Medical Association, only 3.6% of the U.S. population suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; in the Cambodian American community, however, 62% struggle with PTSD (Hinojosa).

The tragedies that Cambodian refugees experienced have also had a devastating effect on their children. With parents suffering from post-traumatic stress, many Cambodian American youth have been left with little or no supervision and support (e.g., homework assistance, emotional support, etc.). Forced to take on adult responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and taking family members to the doctor, Khmer youth have been known to become emotionally uninvolved, often turning to drugs and gangs to deal with their lost childhood. Clinical psychologist and California State University lecturer Sam Keo calls this transfer of PTSD from parent-to-child an “intergenerational transmission of trauma� (Woo).

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Moreover, such challenges facing Cambodian American children have created larger, longlasting consequences for the community, as shown in the latest report by the Asian American Federation: Cambodian Americans have one of the highest numbers of “disconnected youth” in the United States, defined as 16 to 24 year olds who are neither in the labor force nor enrolled in school (Shi and Xu). As stated by Sophya Chum, an employee at a Cambodian community organization called Khmer Girls In Action, “As I got older, I realized that there were a lot of problems in the community. My sister was involved in a gang, so that was really hard for me to see her involved, getting into fights, and things like that. That’s when I realized that this wasn’t normal, because I was around violence, a lot of violence, a lot of friends and family members who got into drugs and gangs. It was how people got by, because of the challenges. It was kind of like this cycle” (Hinojosa).

Along with emotional and mental trauma, Cambodian Americans have faced other obstacles, including language barriers, lack of education, and difficulty in securing jobs. Coming straight from the refugee camps to the United States, many Cambodians were not familiar with the English language, causing great challenges in communicating with others and finding quality jobs. It is estimated that 38% of Cambodian American households are “linguistically isolated,” meaning that all household members 14 years old and over have at least some difficulty speaking English (Ohio Governor’s AAPI Advisory Council). In the latest U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, it was also reported that 39.2% of Cambodians over five years old spoke English “less than very well” (SEARAC). To make matters worse, the U.S. Census found that 26% of Cambodians have no formal schooling, much higher than the total United States population (1%) and other major groups (e.g., 2% of African Americans and 7% of

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Hispanic Americans) (Niedzwiecki and Duong). All of these challenges have contributed to academic failure, difficulty in joining the workforce, and continued struggles in assimilating to American society. Another Khmer In Action organizer, Seng So, explained, “You have a lot of refugees who have come to the U.S. without high school level degrees in education, so that in itself creates a barrier for parents to really help their young people navigate the education system, let alone an education system that is foreign to them.”

Last but not least, Cambodian Americans were victims of bullying and racial discrimination in the United States. Many Cambodian Americans suffered at the hands of members of larger society, and as a result, banded together for protection. One Cambodian refugee, Ricky Muth, explained in an interview, “I can’t even go to the store and get milk for my brothers and sisters, because when I come back out, I get picked on by the blacks and Latinos and beat up for my money and stuff. It’s like, I keep telling myself, I survived through the Khmer Rouge war and came here for a better life. They’re not going to put me through this. That’s when me and my peers decided to stand up for ourselves” (Hinojosa).

In light of these challenges surrounding language barriers, racial discrimination, widespread poverty, post-traumatic stress, and academic failure in the Cambodian community, it is unfair that they are grouped with other Asian Americans and denied resources due to stereotypes. Certain Asian groups are in dire need of assistance, and their stories should be told to the greater powers to leverage resources for their communities. It is time, once and for all, to debunk the model minority myth, and address the plight of marginalized Asian populations in the United States.

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Challenging the Model Minority Myth in the Cambodian Community By: Sonsophal Ann

Works Cited Hansen, Leshia. Mental Health Trauma among Cambodian and Cambodian Refugees after the Pol Pot Regime Conflict: A Literature Review. Rep. Washington DC: George Washington U Institute for Global and International Studies, 2014. Print.

Hinojosa, Maria. "Pass or Fail in Cambodia Town." America By the Numbers. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). N.d. Television.

Max Niedzwiecki and TC Duong (2004). Southeast Asian American Statistical Profile.

Washington D.C.: Southeast Asian Resource Center (SEARAC).

Ohio Governor’s Asian American Pacific Islander Advisory Council. A Report on the Status of Ohio's Asian American and Pacific Islander Community. Rep. OH: Columbus, 2010. Print.

Shi, Howard, and Peiyi Xu, eds. State of Asian American Children. Rep. New York: Asian American Federation, 2014. Print.

Southeast Asian Americans At A Glance. Rep. Washington DC: Southeast Asian Resource Action Center, 2011. Print.

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Artwork By: Sonsophal Ann

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Artwork By: Sonsophal Ann

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Artwork By: Sonsophal Ann

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Artwork By: Sonsophal Ann

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Poetry By: Sonsophal Ann

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Cover Art by: Kyla Fridenmaker