FVS Athenaea - Spring 2024

ATHENAEA

SPRING 2024

of Contents

1. What Happens When You Order a Large at Starbucks...............................Will Garza

3. Untitled.................................................................................................................Harry Wu 4. Untitled...............................................................................................................Stella Rhee 5. 3rd Grade Autobiography...........................................................................Annie Wrubel

6. Haiku.........................................................................................................Various Authors

7. Untitled........................................................................................Diego Rivera Compillay

8. English Translated Spanish Oral Exam.................................................Naomi Edwards

Haiku........................................................................................................Various Authors 11. Untitled.................................................................................................Willoughby Delisle

Four-Year-Old Theodore............................................................................Tanner Mason 13. Gummy Bears.....................................................................................................Mei Sather 14. The Commentator.......................................................................................Annie Wrubel 15. Haiku...........................................................................................................Various Authors 16. Nope...................................................................................................................Ena Huang

17. Bird Family.........................................................................................................Will Garza 18. Untitled.......................................................................................................Maddie Soteres 19. Untitled...............................................................................................................Ena Huang 20. Untitled........................................................................................Wawa Vachirajindakul 21. Mother’s Generation................................................................................Molly Friedman

22. Athenaea City-Wide Poetry Contest

23. English First Place: Drowning.............................................................Charlize LeClaire

26. English Second Place: Dear Future Me,.........................................................Stella Rhee

28. English Third Place: Drifting.............................................................................Lucy Kim

29. Bilingual First Place: El Grafito de Mi Corazon..............................Lily Christofferson

30. Gummy Bear...................................................................................................Malia Sherer

31. Billingual Second Place: Yo Soy un Pedazo de Papel.............................Adeline Butler

32. Untitled................................................................................Rocio De Francisco Noguera

33. Billingual Third Place: ¿Quienes Son?........................................................Tarek Murad

35. Untitled...........................................................................................Wawa Vachirajindakul

36. Untitled...............................................................................................................Ena Huang

37. Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................

Dedication

I dedicate this spring issue of Athenaea to slowing down and to stopping.

There are far too few moments that school, or life itself, affords us to stop and take in our surroundings. We collectively march to the routine of day-to-day work. The rush to meet deadlines, the anxiety of hectic schedules, the stress we frequently put on those around us, and the pressure we consistently put on ourselves. Modern life, in more ways than not, discourages stillness.

But like the silence of the ripples from a rock skipping on water, or the precious attention of watching birthday candles being lit, take pleasure slowing down. From writings about kids’ soccer games, haiku about death, and still lifes of gummy bears, the works in this issue are observations of our oftentimes chaotic and fast-paced lives. Observations made possible only by slowing down and recording our thoughts. Art, in a sense, forces us to slow down, both as its creators and its consumers.

I dedicate this issue to all the times I accidentally bit my tongue, dropped my phone, or spilled a drink on myself; to the times I read and re-read a Frost poem or stared at a Monet. I dedicate this issue to whatever takes us out of our routine, and makes us stop and pause, no matter how momentarily.

- Athenaea Editor, Will Garza

What Happens When You Order a Large at Starbucks

A well-distinguished woman, a frappuccino connoisseur, and a less-coffee-inclined young lad, Steven, walk into a quaint Starbucks store. A rather determined 35-year-old businessman types furiously in his laptop. “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac, is playing on repeat for the 31st time that day.

Woman: Hey, can I please have a caramel frappe with 2 pumps of hazelnut syrup with java chips, add caramel and mocha drizzle on top, and inside of the cup, 6 cubicle ice cubes, and made with the essence of falling in love?

Barista: Ah, sure thing! Can I get a name?

Woman: Jannine

The barista spells out Jannine in purple swirly letters on a label with biodegradable straws. Steven is amused by the woman’s -Jannine’s- monstrosity of an order. He tries looking at the large display of coffee flavors and frappuccinos, but ultimately to no avail. Giving up, he steps forward to order in line.

Steven: Oh, hey, can I have, like, ummm… a big coffee?

Barista gasps, not losing eye contact with Steven. Music in the store cuts out. Everyone stops and stares coldly.

Barista, stammering: Well…. Ummmm ... we don’t have…. That size…

Steven: Oh, sorry, I meant can I have a, uhhhh, oh! Grande? No that’s small isnt it? Wait isn’t grande Spanish -wait no Italian- for big-

Barista, deathly stare, loud interjection: DON’T SAY IT AGAIN

Steven: Oh, I’m sorry, don’t say what?

Barista: I’m afraid it is too late!

Eight FBI agents, in black trench coats and armed with smoke grenades, suddenly surround the Starbucks complex. Four break in through one of the windows on each side of the room.

Security agent #5: Neutralize the target!

Steven: Wait, what in the world! The flip is up with yaaaa- why the flip you running.. OH WOOAH WHAT THE FAAAAA?!?

One muscular and large agent -comparable to the figure of Jason Mamoa- charges towards a befuddled Steven and tackles him -no, pancakes him. Spectators will recall the quickness of Steven standing to being flattened like a spatula elapsing 0.2 seconds; essentially stop-motion. As Steven croaks out the “faaaaa” in “what the faaaa,” he slips into unconsciousness as he consumes several knuckle sandwiches from the JasonMamoa-security-agent.

- Will Garza

3rd Grade Autobiography

I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I switch between two houses, my mom’s and my dad’s. it’s been this way forever.

My favorite things are rising above the world becoming level with the mountains while on my trampoline, creating French masterpieces with strawberry and whipped creme-filled crêpes, and playing games with my family. soccer becomes intense. me versus them. me versus the world. I’m scared of being alone. I don’t want my parents to leave me. I have a brother and a sister, Benjie and Sarah.

I wish my brother still talked to my mom. Sarah and I like to have dance parties. Benjie and I have pillow fights. I never win. sometimes, when I am alone I talk to my dead best friend. I ask her how she is.

I tell her how things aren’t much better here.

- Annie Wrubel

fireworks booming no one knows around the her smile buck moon hiding behind it

- Malia Sherer - Molly Friedman

new year moon colorful another reunion - Nicole Wang

baking cookies an old hoodie alone reminiscent of her scent another breakup winter solstice

- Charlie Epstein - Tashi Gawa

English Translated Spanish Oral Exam

Teacher: Hello! How are you?

Student: I’m good, how are you?

Teacher: I am doing well, thanks. Can you tell me about your family?

Student: Yes! I have three fathers, one mother, and five cats.

Teacher: Okay… do you have any siblings?

Student: I have a brother named Ape.

Teacher: Can you tell me what you like to do on the weekends?

Student: Sometimes I don’t think I’m good enough. Every night, I cry myself asleep because I don’t think my parents love me. I also really like to ride the train.

Teacher: Oh… What’s your favorite color?

Student: Yes, I like Colorado. It is my favorite, I swim often in the mountains.

Teacher: Okay… What is today’s date?

Student: It is the 14th of December.

Teacher: What do you want to do tomorrow?

Student: Can you repeat the question?

Teacher: Yes. What do you want to do tomorrow?

Student: Yes.

Teacher: No, What do you want to do tomorrow?

Student: Oh, yes, I understand. It will be on the 15th of December.

Teacher: Okay, this is the last question. What is the weather like today?

Student: The sky is blue? No snow. I will be walking Ape.

Teacher: That concludes your exam. Can you come see me after class? I am a little concerned about your performance today.

Student: No, thank you. Grassy-ass!

- Naomi Edwards

nine

her soft lips hit and run make contact with mine while driving at night I wake up garbage

- Tashi Gawa - Tashi Gawa

talking to the moon rainbows glisten what phase on a lake is she in? oil spill

-Arthur Araujo

- Tanner Mason

-Naomi Edwards

lettuce rule Caesar salad

Four-Year-Old Theodore

Ice cream man - That’ll be 12.57 please, cash or card?

Daddy - We’ll do card today, thank you

Theodore - Daddy, what is that thing you always take out of your pocket?

Daddy - That’s my credit card; now go eat your ice cream; mommy is waiting for us at the table.

Theodore - What does it do?

Daddy - It lets us do fun stuff, like get ice cream!

Theodore - Can I have a credit card?

Daddy - No, son, you already have too much fun.

Theodore - But what if I want more ice cream?

Daddy - Just eat your ice cream.

Daddy and Theo go sit down at the table with Mommy. As they are enjoying their ice cream, the 22-year-old ice cream man goes behind the parlor to smoke weed.

Theodore - Daddy what’s that smell?

Daddy - The ice cream man is just having fun.

Theodore - Is he using your credit card?

Daddy - Yep.

- Tanner Mason

The Commentator

Andddddd NUMBER 21 TAKES THE BALL UP! HE’S GOING HE’S GOING HE’S GOING. HE SHOOTS. Oh, he tripped over his own foot. He’s crying. He didn’t even get kicked, he literally just fell on his own butt. This is ridiculous. How can someone be this bad at soccer? Like, I get that they’re only six, but, seriously, this is embarrassing.

Let’s move on, the crybaby is finally off of the ground.

It’s a goal kick for the yellow shirts! The keeper takes the ball. She places it on the line. Good form. She runs back winding up for the kick of her life. She’s running. She’s running. She approaches the ball. She picks up her leg AND SHE MISSES THE BALL. INSTEAD OF KICKING IT IN FRONT OF HER SHE KICKS IT BEHIND AND SCORES AN OWN GOAL. She’s crying. GET HER OFF THE FIELD! This, my friends, is why women shouldn’t play soccer. I have never had more second-hand embarrassment.

I can’t watch any more of this. I’m signing off. These idiots will never play professional ball, and that is just something they need to accept. Do they think this is how Neymar or Messi plays?! The answer is no. None of this would fly in the World Cup.

The final score was 2-0 for the red shirts. Catch you all next time on my segment “I’m Unemployed So I Commentate Kids Soccer.”

- Annie Wrubel

cutting seashell the tension held up to my ear fallen friendship bracelet the latest app

- Trayee Reddy - Samantha Hewetson

painted nails breakup season same as my grandma lasts a little too long on her deathbed Alaskan spring

- Annie Wrubel - Lea Mossanen

sweater embroidered * a candle replaces * with grandkids’ names the urn

$2.99 at Goodwill cold moon

- Naomi Edwards - Tanner Mason * Will appear in Summer 2024 issue of “Modern Haiku”

Bird Family

Yaeda, a member of the Hadza tribe, began climbing up a looming Baobab tree ahead of us by pinning wooden pegs into its trunk. Tashi and I could only speculate his task as we resumed picking out the spurs and needles that coated our shoes from hiking through miles of serengeti. After half an hour, Yaeda returned cradling something -three pink chicks chirping in his hands and one larger black-and-white striped mother bird with its neck slowly suffocating between his belt loop and jeans. He extended the doomed bird family, soon to become an inevitable meal, to us. Even with the dumbstruck surprise that blanketed our faces, without knowing the nuances of Yaeda’s culture nor him having much insight to ours, and even without speaking the same language, we innately understood. It was an offering of friendship, a giving of trust. It was the assurance that the simple act of sharing, no matter what that may be, can go a long way. Having care for others can transcend any and all differences; it is only dependent upon our lack of hesitation to reach out our own hands to share and receive our own bird family.

- Will Garza

Mother’s Generation

Ladylike smile

Don’t laugh too much. Don’t talk unless prompted Never have too much fun. Your opinion is always second-best. Oblivious is likable. You know your place. Don’t push the boundaries. His actions are my wrongdoing. Cry quietly.

And If I do these, If I comply with the rules Someday they will love me. But they didn’t love me When I told the truth. My story was destined To be silenced.

-Molly Friedman

Athenaea City-Wide Poetry Contest

Fountain Valley’s literary magazine began in 1930 as The Fountain Valley Magazine. In the 1950s and 1960s, however, it published work by students at other independent schools in Colorado, and it changed its name to The Fountain Valley Literary Review. In 1966, under the direction of Hunter Frost, it became Athenaea and resumed its focus on intramural writing.

As faculty advisor for the magazine, I thought it would be rewarding and stimulating to publish poetry from other high school students in the Colorado Springs area. Hence, in 2010, we joined forces with the Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Project and created the first annual city-wide poetry contest.

This year, the city’s former poet laureate, Ashley Cornelius, judged both the English and bi-lingual categories. She chose the three finishers in each category. We received over 100 entries in the two categories.

English Winners

1. Drowning, Charlize LeClaire, Cheyenne Mountain High School

2. Dear Future Me, Stella Rhee, FVS

3. Drifting, Lucy Kim, Pine Creek High School

Multi-Lingual Winners

1. El Grafito de Mi Corazón, Lily Christofferson, FVS

2. Yo Soy un Pedazo de Papel, Adeline Butler, FVS

3. ¿Quiénes Son? Tarek Murad, FVS

twenty-two

English First Place: Drowning

My back against the wall, the room fills

I hear the ringing in my ears

Counting me down like a ticking time bomb

Five…

Five red roses bundled up, tied with a white silky ribbon

Your hands reach to gift them to me shaky yet excited

My heart thumps in my chest counting down the moments untilFour…

Four cute dates walking through the woods, the crunch of the leaves under our heavy steps

Your blue eyes stare at me as I smile nervous yet content

My eyes analyze your face memorizing

twenty-three

it hoping to see it again untilThree…

Three honest talks, the sound of your soft voice comforts me

Your salving words hold deeper meanings worrisome yet calm

My mouth spits out phrases I have told no one praying you understand, waiting for the minute you don’t untilTwo…

Two hands locked together promising to never let go of the trust we build

Your strong tendons squeeze my weak ones troubled yet silent

My brain runs through scenarios ones I wish will never happen Wondering if and when they will occur untilOne…

One last “I love you”

twenty-four

I swore to never leave you here, cold and alone

Your mind has no idea this is the end

Yet I know, I know I will never see you again I fight back the cold tears that swarm my body filling the room in which I lay

My pain replays equal to the scenes in movies I in no way want to feel this pain again untilZero… My back against the wall the room is filled with my misery

I no longer hear the ringing in my ears, in fact I feel nothing nothing at all

I still count

Five…

Four…

Three…

Two…

One… - Charlize LeClaire (Cheyenne Mountain High School) twenty-five

English Second Place: Dear Future Me,

Dear Future Me,

I have been swimming

In the same pool as you

For my whole life.

I have been drowning In an attempt to catch up to you.

Every gasp for air

Every stroke

Every kick

Every flip turn

Every push off Has been for you.

But somehow I still find myself

On the deep end of the pool.

Swimming toward your approval

Pulling toward your success

When I know

That I will never catch up

You are always one body length ahead

Looking back on me

Watching me flail

Watching me scramble in an attempt to BE you.

twenty-six

I’m done trying to be you.

Because if I spend my life

Swimming in your wake

Then I will never get to you.

But if I can swim

Without the disruption of your kick

Without the constant feeling Of having to catch up to you

Then I will meet you

That is when I will swim the fastest.

In calm waters

Only thinking about the present. And next time my foot leaves the block

I will break through the surface

No question of whether or not I will reach you

Because I am immersed

In the current of today

And not the waves of tomorrow.

- Stella Rhee (Fountain Valley School)

English Third Place: Drifting

We are lying on the sand together

Hand in hand

The warm waves hitting our feet

Our sun-kissed faces beaming

We are lying on the sand together

Hand in hand

But you want to venture

You want to venture out into the ocean

The moon’s bedight glow on your face as you head toward the sea dragging me along with you

I pull away and stay

But you persist alone

The cold waves shocking your feet

I can feel you getting farther I can feel us drifting apart

There is no more sand under your feet

As you get pulled out to sea

Tonight the shark will hunt alone

I look up to the sky and see no stars

For tonight the stars will shine from the bottom of the ocean

You made it

But you made it without me.

- Lucy Kim (Pine Creek High School)

twenty-eight

Bilingual First Place: El Grafito de Mi Corazon

En química, aprendemos sobre el grafito

Una de las cosas más fuertes de la naturaleza.

Sus niveles se apilan, una por una

Enlace irrompible encima de enlace irrompible

El grafito es fuerte

Cuando lo empujas abajo

Pero cuando lo deslizas de lado al lado

Está desmoronando en pedazos.

El amor me ha roto

Nivel por nivel

Cómo el grafito

Está rapado.

Pero estos fragmentos de grafito

Dispersos por toda la página

Deletrea un mensaje secreto de mi corazón: “Te amo, para siempre por siempre.”

Graphite of My Heart

In chemistry, we learn about graphite

One of the strongest things in nature. Its layers stack up, one by one, Unbreakable bond on top of unbreakable bond

Graphite is strong

When you push it down

But when you slide it side to side

It crumbles into pieces.

Love has broken me

Layer by layer

Like graphite

It is shaved away.

But these shards of graphite

Scattered across the page

Spell out a secret message from my heart: “I love you, always and forever.”

- Lily Christofferson (Fountain Valley School)

Bilingual Second Place: Yo Soy un Pedazo de Papel

Yo soy un pedazo de papel.

Una vez que esté arrugado, nunca volveré a ser el mismo Pero aún estoy bien.

Soy un pedazo de papel.

Tengo espacio en tu bolsillo, y pueden reciclar me una vez que haya perdido mi propósito.

Soy un pedazo de papel.

Estoy feliz de contener tus pensamientos y miedos para que tu cerebro no tenga que hacerlo.

Soy un pedazo de papel.

Soy un trozo de papel. Cuanto más escribes, más me marchito

Soy amado, dado por sentado, y valorado.

Soy un trozo de papel.

I am a Piece of Paper

Once I am crumpled, I will never be the same But I am still good. I am a piece of paper.

I hold space in your pocket, and you can recycle me once I’ve lost my purpose. I am a piece of paper.

I am happy to hold your thoughts and fears so your brain doesn’t have to. I am a piece of paper.

I am a piece of paper. The more you write, the more I wither I am loved, taken for granted, and valued. I am a piece of paper.

- Adeline Butler (Fountain Valley School)

thirty-two

Bilingual Third Place: ¿Quienes son?

El Niño soy yo

Yo no soy El Niño

El Niño vivió para que yo pudiera pararme más alto

El Niño creció para que yo pudiera vivir por mi mismo

El Niño anda despacio

Descolorido en el parte posterior Crescendo

gris

Mientras que yo estoy creciendo luminoso

Yo maduro

Recordando lo que vivió el chico

Para que pueda continuar

Pero

no lo olvidaré

El está allí por mi

Pero

no puedo estar ahí para el

Como

él ha pasado

Y yo estoy hora

Who Are They?

The boy is I

I am not the boy

The boy lived so I can grow taller

The boy grew up so I could live for myself

The child goes slowly

Fading in the back

Fading gray

While I grow brighter

I grow

Remembering what the boy lived

So that I can continue

But I won’t forget him

He is there for me

But I cannot be there for him

As he has passed

And I am now

- Tarek Murad (Fountain Valley School)

thirty-four

Acknowledgements

Faculty Sponsor

Dave Reynolds, English Department Chair

Editors

Will Garza

Brynn Jensen

Sofia Bedoya-Correa

Athenaea Members

Emily Safyan

Stella Rhee

Emily Macdonald

Trayee Reddy

Printed by On Target Marketing

Athenaea is a publication of Fountain Valley School of Colorado.