Mindprints 2
0
2
0
Jackson Preparatory Junior High School
Arise Volume XII
Dedicated to Mrs. Trudy Powers Mindprints Arise, Volume XII, is dedicated to Mrs. Trudy Powers, our Head of the Junior High. Mrs. Powers has faithfully served Jackson Prep for over thirtyeight years in a variety of education roles: teacher, counselor, and principal. She has influenced countless students, parents, and teachers during her tenure. We are truly grateful for her support of Mindprints, ensuring students have a creative outlet to express their voices and talents. We love you, Mrs. Powers, and thank you for your leadership and service to our school.
Mindprints The Literary and Arts Magazine Jackson Preparatory Junior High School Volume XII 2020
mindprints@jacksonprep.org 3100 Lakeland Drive Flowood, MS 39232 601-939-8611
Arise · Cover Art Megan Tang · 9 · Painting
Arise
1
Editor’s Note Arise: v. to find our voice, our place, and our value; to ascend expectations. Despite COVID-19, virtual classes, and self-quarantine, our staff was able to put together a magazine of which I am most proud. Being editor, I feel compelled to express how much more difficult it was to put the magazine together this year. Each staff member has learned about independence and work ethic from the task of creating a magazine with little to no physical help. Emerse yourself into the various stages of our students from a place of melancholy, to a place of acceptance, to a place of victory. As you turn the pages of Mindprints, please witness the beauty of being able to arise over challenges and the beauty of being a survivor in such harsh times. Chloe Reynolds
Editorial Policy & Mission Statement All selections submitted are from students who attend Jackson Preparatory School Junior High. The following selections for this magazine are chosen based on artistic merit, creativity, and style by the staff of Mindprints, the junior high literary and arts magazine. The views represented in Mindprints are those of the individual students and do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, the advisors, or the Jackson Preparatory School Board of Trustees. Student members of the Mindprints staff conduct the design, layout, and proofreading of the magazine, and the works published are solely those of Jackson Prep students. Each student work in this volume is labelled with the artist’s name, grade level, and genre of work. The mission statement of Mindprints is to inspire and empower students to express themselves creatively through art and composition. 2
Mindprints
Mindprints Staff 2020 Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chloe Reynolds Assistant Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mason Deas Graphic Design Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Megan Tang Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anna Blaire Bryant Teddie Carroll Katherine Cole Kennedy Cleveland Elizabeth Head Meredith McClain Piper McGraw Hannah Polk Regan Sites Betsy Walters Faculty Advisors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Kimberly Reedy Mrs. Kathryn Shuff
Selection of Staff and Submission of Student Work Jackson Preparatory students, grades six through nine for the current year’s publication of Mindprints, are encouraged to submit works of art, creative writing, and photography to mindprints@jacksonprep.org by March 1st of the current school year. The staff collaboratively reviews, selects, and uses the student submissions to design the spreads of the magazine. In the back of this publication is a listing of spreads designed by specific individuals from the staff. Jackson Preparatory students, grades eight and nine, select Creative Wrtiting I on their subject choice card to join the Mindprints staff for the 20202021 school year. Arise
3
Table of Contents Fiction
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flowers|Short Story 68. . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Isolation|Reflection Mason Deas
Chase Thompson
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hope|Six Word Story 94. . . . . . . .Legends are Forever|Reflection Staff
30-33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cerberus 9|Journal Benjamin Tiller
Teddi Duckworth
Poetry
42-51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Little Red|Comic 16 . . . . . . . . . .A Painting in the Sky|Sonnet Katherine Cole & Samantha Johnson
Harper Johnson
55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Rainbow|Short Story 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Green Parade|Sonnet Katherine Cole
Madison Lee
62-63. . . . . . . . . . . . . Life Changes|Speech 20-21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Still|Free Verse Elizabeth Head
Kennedy Cleveland
78-80. . . . . . . . . . . The Ribbon|Short Story 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Routine|Cinquain Thomas Gough
Hannah Polk
86-89. . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mute|Short Story 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nostalgia|Haiku Meredith McLain
NonFiction
Chloe Reynolds
24. . . . . . . . .I Miss Your Touch|Free Verse
Chloe Reynolds
8. . .The Story of Two Best Friends|Reflection 29 . . . . . . . . .Blue Tendrils|Concrete Poem Kelsey Clay
Megan Tang
14-15. . . . . . . . . . . .Home|Personal Quote 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Invisible | Free Verse Nehir Baser & Megan Tang
4
Mindprints
Hannah Polk & Piper McGraw
38. . . . . . . . . The Outdoor Memories|Sonnet 82. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error 404|Free Verse Tyler Reeves
Chloe Reynolds
39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No Water|Free Verse 83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Voicemail|Cinquain Mason Deas
Chloe Reynolds
40. . . . . . . . . . . . Calm in the Chaos|Couplets 84. . . . . . . . . . To My Brother|Lyric Poetry William Walker
Hannah Polk
52. . . . . . . . . . . . Rapunzel, Rapunzel|Sonnet 85. . . . . . . . We Were Wrong|Lyric Poetry Elizabeth Mitchell
Harper Johnson
54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Naive|Free Verse 90. . . . . . . . . What About Me?|Free Verse Kennedy Cleveland
Kennedy Cleveland
56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Who Are You, Letter B? 93. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Something|Sonnet Experimental Couplets Piper McGraw
61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Unknown|Haiku
Caroline Ingram
95. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Statues|Lyric Poetry Meredith McLain
Regan Sites
64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gone|Free Verse Sara Kate Rula
66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodbye|Free Verse Kennedy Cleveland
70. . . . . . .Don’t Be Afraid to Fail|Free Verse Raylei McKinney
72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Fire Within|Free Verse Hannah Polk
75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brave Saviors|Free Verse Teddi Caroll
77. . . . . . . . . . . . .Six Feet Away|Lyric Poetry Jillian Holman
Arise
5
Table of Contents Digital Art
Film
18-19. . . . . . .Summer Colors|Mixed Media 9. . . . . . . . . . . The Story of Two Best Friends Katherine Cole
22-23. . Form & Freedom|Vector Drawing Mason Deas
Short Film Kelsey Clay
Mixed Media
25. . . . . . . . .Don’t Let Go|Digital Illustration 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Just Chillin’|Mixed Media Chloe Reynolds
Chloe Reynolds
28-29. . . Purple Porcelain|Vector Drawing 10,13. . . . . . . . . .Kindergarden Flowers Megan Tang
52-53. .Once Upon a Time|Digital Collage Chloe Reynolds
54. . . . . . . . . . Story Book|Digital Illustration Chloe Reynolds
55. . . . . . . . . . . . . Airplane|Digital Illustraion Katherine Cole
56. . . . . . . . . . . . . B Colorful|Vector Drawing Hannah Polk
82. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Webpage|Digital Illustration
Chloe Reynolds
83. . . . . . . . . . . . . Still Ringing|Vector Drawing
Chloe Reynolds
6
Mindprints
Mixed Media Mason Deas
34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shadow|Mixed Media
Hannah Polk
67. . . . . . . . .All Beauty Fades|Mixed Media
Chloe Reynolds
69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trapped|Mixed Media
Chase Thompson
76-77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .So Close Yet So Far Mixed Media Megan Tang
92. . . . . . . . . . . Look Through|Mixed Media
Megan Tang
Photography
Physical Art
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Home|Photography
26-27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arise|Painting
16-17. .Parting with the Light|Photography
42-51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Little Red|Comic
36-37. . . . . .Getting Close|Photography
58-59. . .Building Blocks|Colored Pencil
Nehir Baser
Betsy Walters
Georgia Doty
40-41. . . Clear Reflections|Photography Teddie Carroll
Megan Tang
Samantha Johnson & Katherine Cole
Katelyn Bowling
65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confidence|Charcoal Megan Tang
60-61. . . . . . . . . . . . . Malibu|Photography
86. . . . . . . . . . . .The Mute|Pencil Drawing
71. . . . . . . . . . . .Rolling Stones|Photography
94. . . . . .Kobe and Gianna|Pencil Drawing
Regan Sites
Teddie Carrol
Meredith McLain
Teddi Duckworth
73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Flames|Photography
Hannah Polk
74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1120|Photography
Teddie Caroll
81. . . . .1967 Private First Class Keith Head
Personal Family Photo United States Military
91. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abloom|Photography
Kennedy Cleveland
95. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abloom|Photography
Kennedy Cleveland
Arise
7
The Story of TwoTherter Best Friends Kelsey Clay ¡ 9 ¡ Reflection
The first major way the Coronavirus has affected me is through my social life. I am an extrovert and find my energy by being around other people, but because of the quarantine rules and strict parents, I can no longer see my friends. This has left me feeling lonely, lost, and most of all, bored to death. I tried to exaggerate these points in the video by making my best friend a soccer ball. A girl should obviously never be best friends with an object in reality, but this is where the comedy comes into play. The second and more specific way that Coronavirus has affected my life is by cancelling my soccer trip to Germany. Over spring break, I spent two days packing for the trip, and on the second night, the head of Rush Select called. Two days before we were leaving, they told us the trip would no longer be happening. Many negative results came from this. For example, my family is out eight thousand dollars because neither Bravo Sports nor United Airlines will refund us yet. In 8
Mindprints
addition to this, because of the loss from our investment, my parents decided they would never let me go on an international soccer trip. This is why the soccer ball and I mourn over the canceled flights to Germany. The remainder of the video shows some of the activities I have been doing while in quarantine. Even though my soccer ball and I have done a decent job at entertaining each other, we both look forward to the end of the spring soccer season. Overall, the comedy shows that I am in desperate need of seeing some real friends. Because now, my best friend is my soccer ball.
The Story of Two Best Friends Kelsey Clay · 9 · Short Film
Just Chillin’ Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Mixed Media Arise 9
Flowers
Mason Deas · 8 · Short Story
Momma walks with me to the Walkers’ front door; when she hugs me goodbye, I hug back extra hard because I know I won’t see her again until tonight. I always miss her when she’s gone, but Aunt Maddie always makes me feel better. I’m going to see Aunt Maddie now, she’s cleaning the Walkers’ house today, she always does on Thursdays. When Momma lets go, I smile at her and turn around to run inside. Mrs. Walker changed the big ‘W’ they always have on their door. It used to be bright red, but now it’s white with tiny pink polka dots on it. Why’d she change it? I liked the red one. Everything is changing colors this week: all the decorations around town. I wonder why they do that. I walk inside and start my hunt to find my aunt. Not in the kitchen. Not in the pantry. Ooh Oreos! I grab some Oreos before I continue my search. Not in the living room. I finally find her in the dining room standing on the table to dust the chandelier. Standing on 10
Mindprints
the table looks fun. “Aunt Maddie!” “Oli, you found me! You get quicker every week I swear!” Every week I hunt for Aunt Maddie in the house. She says I’m a pirate on a voyage hunting for treasure. “I’m just about done here. Why don’t you head to the kitchen, and when I get in there you can help me dry the dishes and put them away?” “Okay! See you in the kitchen!” Wait, the Oreos! “Auntie can I eat more of the Oreos in the pantry?” “You already got into the pantry, did you? Sure honey, Mrs. Walker told me you could eat them, but don’t have too many. It’s too early to be having too much sugar,” she tries to sound stern, but I can tell she wants to laugh. Momma says Aunt Maddie gave me my sweet tooth. What’s sweet about my teeth? And which one is it? Still wondering about how much sugar is in my teeth, I run to the kitchen and sit at the breakfast table near the window while I wait. Huge windows line the wall
behind the table, and I can see the houses across the street from my seat. A few cars drive by while I’m watching, but my main focus is on a squirrel that keeps trying to fight a neighbor’s dog through a window. Silly squirrel, the dog is obviously going to win. I giggle at my own thoughts, before turning my attention to the house the dog lives in. It has a colorful basket on the door and pretty flower beds that line the path to the door. All the houses on this street have flowers. Flowers smell nice; I like them. I’m interrupted from my review of the neighborhood’s gardens by my Aunt’s return to the room. “Oliver, are you ready to help me with the dishes?” “Yep.” I hop up from my chair making sure to push it back in because Auntie gets mad when I don’t. I run across the room to the dishwasher. Aunt Maddie and I spend the next few hours cleaning up the Walkers’ home. She told me I was a really good assistant when I helped her carry our lunch in from her car. When the house is finally spotless, Aunt Maddie and I drive home to her house. I watch out the windows as the flowers surrounding each home slowly wane in number. Why don’t these houses have so many flowers like the ones in the
Walkers’ neighborhood? Before I know it, we park outside Aunt Maddie’s house, and my older cousin Caroline is walking out of the front door towards us. “CareBear! Are you watching me today?” “Hey Oli, yeah I am, but I gotta talk to my mom real quick, but go ahead inside and get settled on the couch, okay?” “Okay!” I start running towards the house, but as I go I hear CareBear ask her mom how bad it is this time. What’s bad? The bad thing has happened before? Sounds scary...Ooh, cookies! I struggle trying to reach the cookies sitting on the counter. I’m practically hanging from the cabinet by the time I manage to reach one of them. Taking a bite out of my cookie, I run over to the couch and plop down in my usual spot right in the middle. I love their living room; it’s always cozy in here, and the orange pillows are really soft. Plus, orange is my favorite color; it’s bright and looks like fire, so I like it. Once CareBear gets inside she sits down next to me and tells me that her mom had to go get groceries, but she’d be back soon. I pass the time by watching TV shows as Caroline does her homework next to me. School sounds so fun! I can’t wait to go with her! Arise
11
When Aunt Maddie gets home, she brings dinner with her. Since Uncle Jack is away for work, we eat our spaghetti sitting on the couch, still watching the TV. When we finish eating, I hear a knock on the door and immediately know who it is. I get up and sprint to the door to fling it open. “Momma! You’re back!” “Hello to you too, Oliver. How was your day?” She bends down to hug me, and I squeeze back just as hard as I did this morning because I haven’t seen her in so long. I missed her. “It was good! Aunt Maddie brought home spaghetti for dinner, do you want some? It was reeeally good!” “I’d love some, but I have to talk to your aunt, so how about you go watch TV with Caroline?” “Okay! Bye, Momma! Caroline, I’m coming, don’t sit in my spot!” Caroline sits in my spot anyway, but I just sit in her lap, so I’m basically in my spot. We watch TV, but I can still hear Momma and Aunt Maddie talking behind me. “Madeline, I got an offer.” “...fantastic, Lauren...enough… house?” “... dream job… great… one issue…” “... it’s far… too good not to take… miss you…” 12
Mindprints
“... can’t stay… house… rent… bills…” Focusing on my favorite show and a conversation at the same time was proving to be a challenge. I didn’t understand any of the conversation at this point, so I decided to focus on the TV. But what were they talking about? It seems serious. Once Momma finished talking to Aunt Maddie, she told me we had to get home before it got too late. We hugged Caroline and Aunt Maddie before walking out the door. I held Momma’s hand on the walk home and told her all about my day. There are almost no flowers in sight by the time we get home. Aunt Maddie’s neighborhood at least had some flowers. Why don’t we have any? Our house is in a stack of houses on top of each other. We take an elevator to get up there. Momma calls it an apartment. Our house also doesn’t have so many extra walls like the other ones I’ve been in; I like it that way, because there’s less stuff to run into. Running into walls hurts. As usual, I climb into bed with Momma and lay down like a starfish on my belly. I liked all the pretty flowers today… and the pretty colors around town… When I feel cold lips on my forehead, I jolt up immediately. My eyes open, and I look up to see
Momma smiling at me. “Morning, Oli.” “It’s too early, Momma. I wanna sleep.” I grumble, turning to face the wall. “I know, Oliver, but I have something to talk to you about. How about you come eat breakfast and I’ll tell you.” “But it’s cold! Make it warm!” “I know it’s cold, Hunny, and I wish I could.” After much persuasion, Momma convinces me to get out of bed and go eat breakfast, so now I’m wrapped in a blanket eating pancakes. Momma doesn’t usually make pancakes. “Oli, I have something I have to tell you.” “Okay, Momma.” “I got a new job-” “That’s great, Momma!” “-but it’s in Chicago.” “Where’s that?” “A long way away. We’ll have to move.” “Move?” We’d still be able to see CareBear and Aunt Maddie right? And all my friends? We’re supposed to go to the park tomorrow. “What about the park with Jackson and Eliza tomorrow?” “Oh, Oli, we can still go. We aren’t leaving for another two weeks.” “But I don’t wanna move,
Momma.” There are tears in my eyes at this point. Momma has them too. Leaving everything just seems like the worst thing that could ever happen. “Me neither, Oli, but it’s for the best. I promise you. It’s for the best.” But, I don’t want to leave. “Momma? Will there be flowers in Chicago?”
Kindergarden Flowers Mason Deas · 8 · Mixed Media Arise 13
“Benim köklerim yok edilemeyecek kadar.” “My roots are too deep to remove.” Home Nehir Baser · 9 ·Personal Quote & Photography 14 Mindprints
“
My
Ev O
H
R
I
O
≠
G
M
I
N
E”
家
Ev： Turkish for home 家：Chinese for home Home Megan Tang · 9 · Personal Quote
Arise
15
A Painting in the Sky Harper Johnson · 9 · Sonnet
How gorgeous is the sunset up in space, With its bright strokes of pink, purple, and blue. My friend said, “Would you like to sit and gaze?” We sat below it to stare at the hue. Fuschia, Plum, Indigo filled our eyes. I am reminded of those cool summer nights, How lucky I was, I never realized. How lucky I was to see the gorgeous sights. To watch the mighty sun sink out of view, Until the sky became dotted with stars Like grains of sand on a shore to run through If we looked hard enough, we could see Mars. Since those nights, I have children of my own God paints the sunset for them on His throne.
16
Mindprints
Parting with the Light Betsy Walters · 8 · Photography
Arise
17
Green Parade
Madison Lee · 9 · Sonnet
My green parade, that we wait for all year. Watching for the large green bus to come talk I dreamed of the awesome day I would soar– Throwing joy for people to catch while they walk Thousands of awaiting people packed tight Vendors hawking bubbles and fresh popcorn Beads launched in the air, hands raised, locked in fight Crowd’s frenzied cheers upon the bus’s horn– Dad walks over and it’s all coming true I’m handed beads and invited to throw With each bead excited smiles continue Everyone united in joyful glow. As the bus slows and the green parade recedes, I realize it’s better to give than to receive.
Summer Colors Katherine Cole · 8 · Digital Collage
18
Mindprints
Arise
19
Still
Kennedy Cleveland · 8 · Free Verse
The room is quiet, Sound choking on its own breath. I want to scream and so I try, but despite my attempts nothing seems to come out. The room is still. The room is dark, Light whispering the simple words, “Find me.” I decide to squint, maybe make out a shape, but even with my eyes narrowed to slits I see nothing. The room is still. The room is cold, Heat taunting me relentlessly. I make an effort to warm myself, but despite my brain telling my body to move, to shake, to do anything, I am stuck. Almost as if I am paralyzed. The room is still. Why can’t I scream? Why can’t I see? Why can’t I move?
20
Mindprints
Suddenly, I am surrounded by white and I understand why.
Arise
21
Routine
Hannah Polk ¡ 8 ¡ Cinquain
Long days Too much to do And many sleepless nights All this leads to another Long day
22
Mindprints
Nostalgia
Chloe Reynolds 路 9 路 Haiku
Can we go backwards in time, to a place before dark overtook light?
Form & Freedom Mason Deas 路 8 路 Vector Drawing Arise
23
I Miss Your Touch
Chloe Reynolds ¡ 9 ¡ Free Verse
If I had known when I held your hand that it would be the last time... my fingers would have lingered a little longer, my grip would have been a little stronger. If I had known when I hugged you that it was our last embrace... my head would have rested on your shoulder, my arms would have held you much closer. So I will relish in that final touch, until I am able to hold you again.
24
Mindprints
Don’t Let Go Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Digital Illustration
Arise
25
Hope Staff 路 8 & 9 路 Six Word Story
Smiles
Flying
among angels,
She
路 ng
ise Ta Ar gan Me 26
9路
down
Mindprints
g
tin
in Pa
Arise
27
28
Mindprints
Purple Porcelain Megan Tang · 9 · Vector Drawing
Blue
Tendrils
Megan Tang ¡ 9 ¡ Concrete Poem
we were born in this era old things collapse thousands of memories hyped vintage shops meaningless deadness decaying dirt becomes Useful ceramic vases in Our hands
wondered who vouchsafed beauty on this cynical spirit time never shatters graceful posture under the sun. crowned with buds of life. Our souls entwine with the Maker and only deep blue eternity curving, blossoming glows to glisten till all colors fade.
Arise
29
Cerberus 9 Benjamin Tiller · 9 · Journal
#1 entry October 37th, 3212 Dear Diary, This is my first diary entry. If anyone should read this in the future, my name is Wendell Hanlon. I live on Cerberus 9 with my family. We just moved here from Vulcan 12 three months ago, and I am shocked by all the different customs of this new planet. They have new holidays and traditions, but they’re more or less based on our original planet, Earth. In history class, the other day, we learned about Earth’s colonization; it’s funny to think that 1000 years ago we were living on an overpopulated planet with no means of traveling beyond our solar system. With all the different conventions of this new planet I have to learn, I also have to adapt to this new climate. Cerberus 9 is closer to its sun than most other planets are, so we have to live through a sweltering heat. Cerberus 9’s star is called Ferox Feram; it is a young star that is above average in mass. Due to Cerberus 9’s hot climate, it is nearly impossible for snow to fall, a circumstance which places it in opposition to the climate I knew on Vulcan 12. The other day something caught me completely off guard. Meteorologists are expecting a heat wave to appear in the next couple of days. How could it possibly even get any hotter here? I’m beginning to miss the severe blizzards on Vulcan 12.
30
Wendell Hanlon
Mindprints
#2 entry November 6th, 3212 Dear Diary, It’s been 12 days since I last wrote, and so much has happened since then. The heat wave that was expected was actually solar flares, and it’s now hotter than expected. Besides the heat, the solar flares are starting to emit a strange radiation that makes people sick, like a virus. Some of the symptoms include regurgitating, fever, and headaches. There has been one death so far; this was from an elderly man, so scientists hypothesize that it affects the elderly and the young most. The radiation also stays with the person who absorbed it, so people with the radiation have to be quarantined in a hospital so the radioactivity will not spread. The government of the United Coalition, or U.C., has ordered a quarantine of citizens; restaurants and small businesses are shutting down. Most of us are just spending our days at home waiting for this to be over, if it will ever end. My father is a doctor, so he’s one of the few citizens still working. My family might be financially safe, but that isn’t the case with everybody. The quarantine is quickly starting to anger people. They’re demanding a way to earn money while in this seclusion. The government is trying to find a way to solve all these problems at once, to find a way to support the unemployed population, find a cure for the radiation illness, and to stop the sun from endangering people with more radiation. I’m currently learning at home on my holo-screen. We’re all trying to adapt to this new situation, but it’s going to need some getting used to. Staying at home is making me realize how scared I am of this situation. We have no way to determine how long this will last. Wendell Hanlon
Arise
31
#3 entry November 39th, 3212 Dear Diary, I’ll try to explain what’s going on, even through all my pain. My father came home with the radiation virus the other day, and since it shows symptoms only a few days later, we were all exposed before we knew it. I wake up in the middle of the night every night, writhing in spasms and blood-stained sheets. My nose hurts. We’re unable to leave the planet, even if we weren’t contracting symptoms. All the intergalactic harbors are shut down so the radiation won’t spread to other planets. We have to live off of our own supplies, which are diminishing due to the heat destroying our crops. The only thing we have left to eat is stale food packets, mostly tasteless, with a rough aftertaste. Not only are we not allowed to leave, but also we don’t even have the chance to leave. The flare’s radiation fried the chips of our vehicles. We are sitting ducks to the continuous onslaught of this merciless heat. The government has taken more control of the problem; they’re closing off more businesses and creating more strict rules to follow. It still feels weird to see my father at home everyday and a man in a black suit going down the road once a week, giving an envelope full of money to every house. The cause of the radiation remains a mystery. Scientists have no solution to this new disease. All we know is that it’s here and it is a major threat to life. I was ecstatic when I heard, on the news, that Cerberus 9’s top scientists are developing medicine to control the radiation and are experimenting with technology to stop the sun’s production of this harmful radioactivity, though the news hasn’t released the details on how the scientists are progressing. I wish that this never had happened. I wish that I had never left Vulcan 12.
32
Wendell Hanlon
Mindprints
#4 entry December 4th, 3212 Dear Diary, If anything, it’s gotten worse these nine days. We were moved to a hospital where we’re being treated by either a multitasking nurse who’s too busy to care for each patient individually, or a doctor with dark circles under his eyes. I wish that I could help or at least cheer up more patients, but I’m barely able to stand. I should count myself lucky. My mother and father are unable to get out of their beds. The solar flares are getting worse; they’re becoming more frequent and prolonged. Some buildings are not able to protect their inhabitants from the constant danger. Deaths are becoming a frequent occurrence these days, a portion coming from young adults who are in the prime of their lives. All I do now during this cruel time is watch the news, rising death counts, with every passing minute. When I don’t see the statistics of depression, I see reporters wearing protection suits against these unnatural forces, doing interviews beside a lab with one of the scientists. I admire their willingness to brave these dark times and give the world the news they direly need; I’m even surprised that they’re willing to get out of their rooms in the first place. The scientists were making headway with combating this issue, but to make matters worse, a freak accident occured. They were halfway through building a device to control the radiation of the sun, but there was a sudden explosion. We don’t know what the cause of this explosion was, but we do know that the lab was destroyed along with the machine, its blueprints, and the experimental pills, which might have removed some of the radiation damage. That lab was our best chance to survive this disaster. I don’t think we’ll have another. I have little to no hope of living to see the end of this torture, if this torture will end. The only joy remaining in my life is the memory of Vulcan 12, the cold air coming from the environment, the first fall of snow, but these memories are nothing more than dreams I will never see again, dreams that will probably never come true.
Wendell Hanlon
Arise
33
Shadow Hannah Polk ¡ 8 ¡ Mixed Media 34 Mindprints
Invisible
Hannah Polk & Piper McGraw ¡ 8 ¡ Free Verse
Unnoticed Unapparent They look this way. Then they turn away. No acknowledgement No appreciation I am ignored. I am alone. Nothing I do is ever enough. Never are they content. No siblings to comfort me. No friends to stand up for me. How much longer must I last? How much more must I take? What if I ended it here? Would I finally be seen?
Arise
35
36
Mindprints
Getting Close Georgia Doty · 7 · Photography Arise 37
The Outdoor Memories Tyler Reeves · 9 · Sonnet
Seven days it took for this creation The pretty sky with all its colors shown From one land to another vacation The world changes greatly and has since grown. The little creek with many memories our childhood remains in the sand still there, Our “island” remembered for centuries Not quite normal but extraordinaire. Now at a new place, new ones shall be made The great garden surrounded by a gate. The world looking in from the outside shade But me looking out and seeing my fate. For now, I sit and think about it all many new things await in the long haul.
38
Mindprints
No Water
Mason Deas · 8 · Free Verse The beginning was like jumping into a swimming pool and quickly realising it had no water It was shocking It hurt but the water began to flow and that pool became an ocean. The waves crashed It seemed that they could drown me at any second Comfort was only to be found in their calming noise Slowly the oceans drained and Once again I was sitting at the bottom of an empty pool. This time it wasn’t shocking or painful It was still It was quiet but my only comfort was gone.
Arise
39
Calm in the Chaos
William Walker · 9 · Couplets
Sometimes it’s good for us to pause whether it’s forced, self induced, or from any one cause. From it, comes a time of peace The constant stress on our life will decrease. You can spend time with your family like me, you’d be fishing, hunting, or watching tv. Finding out new things you had never known before– reading has suddenly become something to adore. I sit in silence on a lake or in some trees watching the fish and turkeys, unaffected by the Chinese. Sitting in this full family house during the day, too quiet to arouse, A wonderful time to meditate to look in the future, deciding my fate. I wish I could be like animals, unconnected from society and live with consistency, to cure my anxiety.
40
Mindprints
Clear Reflections Teddie Carroll · 9 · Photography Arise 41
Little Red Katherine Cole & Samantha Johnson ¡ 8 ¡ Comic
42
Mindprints
Arise
43
44
Mindprints
Arise
45
46
Mindprints
Arise
47
48
Mindprints
Arise
49
50
Mindprints
Arise
51
Rapunzel, Rapunzel Elizabeth Mitchell · 9 · Sonnet
You tried to undermine me, my sweet love but all I was doing was helping you I ran my brush through your hair, my dear dove to try to get back my youthful glow. “Coo” I said to you every night before you slept You said “I love you, Mom,” and it was kind. Recall the times I was there when you wept, but little did I know you’d undermine me. Mumsie feels so hurt, my sweet angel, I gave you what was required to thrive O, I told you I knew best, Rapunzel. I’m scared you won’t live and I won’t survive but Flynn Ryder took you, and now I cry I’ve lost my flower and I want to die.
52
Mindprints
Once Upon a Time Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Digital Collage
Arise
53
Naive Kennedy Cleveland · 8 · Free Verse
ever turn your back on a friend, or it will Nag you forever and ever. Not only that but Naive little girls Never know when to stop. Narcotics injected with Needles will make them stop. Nosebleeds may be a side effect. ‘Nother side effect will be Nostalgia. After that your Neighbor will ask, “Nathan, are you okay?” You will say “No.” And she will look Nauseated. Then she will supposedly die of Natural causes and Nobody will know that you broke her Neck. Something to Note is that she was your friend. A very Novice friend she was. Now she is dead because she didn’t Notice that you Never turn your back on a friend.
54
Mindprints
Story Book Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Digital Illustration
The Rainbow
Katherine Cole · 8 · Short Story Another plane ride, always being so deprived of emotion that going back and forth. Waking up smiling feels unfamiliar. A simple at 4 in the morning to take a few normal occurrence brought me pictures of a drab football game. I sincere joy. I know that’s a bit odd. used to be excited to go to work,but I felt like there was a ball in my now it’s more like a chore. It was stomach, something trying to push my third trip of the week! Monday out of me, something exciting. it was New York; then Wednesday, Another thing I’m not used to. Florida; and now it’s California. I was actually excited because I These are all beautiful places that haven’t felt that way in so long. A are so unique, but now I am a little deprived of what other people ragdoll being thrown across the seem to experience every day. I had country day by day. Photography forgotten that there was so much used to be my dream. Everybody natural beauty in the world. Nature said I would never succeed, is different from people. People let even my own family. I’m very you down, even when they have a successful in my field though. beautiful heart. An aurora of color Life’s just not the way it used to can only make you think of happy be. In my twenties everything was things. I believe I miss happiness. brand new and exciting. Now, My concrete, business-world it feels like everything’s just so surroundings never really allow me monotonous. I have just been to take the time to look around. so numb to things nowadays. It Maybe all the concrete around me sounds very somber when I say made my heart harden with it. One it outloud—nothing much wrong day, joy might come back to me, with me, fine physically, still carry enthusiasm to wake up may come. a 15-pound camera stand and run It was a short fleeting moment, but to a groundbreaking event, no I think that rainbow will be a longdepression or anxiety or anything— lasting memory. When I’m going I’ve just been so far from myself. grey and recalling my extensive I wish what I felt was as simple as work, that will always be the hope “sad”; I’m just not here. that brought me back. When I saw the rainbow next to me that day, I started to smile, Airplane an abnormal feeling. Imagine Katherine Cole · 8 · Digital Illustration Arise Arise 51 55
b
B b b b b bB b B b B
B
B
bB
B
b
Mindprints
b
56
b
B Colorful Hannah Polk · 8 · Vector Drawing
Who Are You, Letter B?
Piper Mcgraw ¡ 8 ¡ Experimental Couplets
Who are you, Letter B? are you something that lives By the sea or mayBe even in a tree are you young or old are you Being read or a story to Be told are you Beautiful like the morning dew or are you something never seen, something new This remains a mystery to me.
Arise
57
58
Mindprints
Building Blocks Katelyn Bowling · 6 · Colored Pencil Arise 59
60
Mindprints
Unknown
Regan Sites 路 8 路 Haiku
the unknown ahead gloomy with clouds in the sky the fog fills the air.
Malibu Regan Sites 路 8 路 Photography
Arise
61
LIFE CHANGES Elizabeth Head · 9 · Speech
William Brown: Welcome students and teachers to today’s forum. I am very pleased to welcome our speaker, Olivia Davidson. She graduated from this school several years ago and is here to tell her amazing story. Please give her a round of applause. Olivia Davidson: Thank you for the kind introduction. I am here today not to tell you my story so you feel bad for me, but to show you that sometimes you will never expect what can happen in your life. I walked down the empty hallway on a Monday afternoon, reflecting on how I ended up there. Just the Friday before, I lived in a small town in Virginia, but there I was, sixteen years old, walking in my new school that I didn’t even know existed until Sunday. Friday started out completely normal until around lunch when I was called to the office. I’m normally a quiet and well-behaved student, so I knew I more than likely wasn’t in trouble. When I sat down in the office, the secretary told me that both of my parents were in an
62
Mindprints
accident, and my grandparents from North Carolina were coming to pick me up after school. I have never been a religious person, but all I could do at that moment was to pray that my parents were going to survive. I got up to go to lunch and tried to act like nothing was wrong, but my friends noticed. I refused to speak for the rest of the day. When I got in my grandparents’ van, they told me that we were going to their house for a little while. When we got there, I asked if my parents were okay. My grandmother immediately broke down crying. I knew at that moment that both of my parents were dead. I didn’t need a medical report or confirmation from the news to tell me that my life would never be the same.
Change is a scary thing sometimes, but God has a plan and a purpose for you. My grandparents showed me around the town and enrolled me in the high school nearby. I didn’t know what to expect, but I just had a sense that everything would work out.
We went to my grandparents’ church, and everyone very quickly learned the situation. Everyone was so welcoming, and some friends invited me to their house if I felt up to it. I thanked everyone for being so kind, and I was truly grateful. I could feel God moving in my life, but I wasn’t aware of it.The next morning, I woke up for school early so I could receive my schedule and get a tour of the campus. The friends from church were there, standing by my side the whole time. They did their best to make me feel welcome. So many changes in so few days. I went from living in Virginia with my two loving parents to an orphan living with my grandparents in North Carolina. I am starting a whole new life with new people and surroundings. Sometimes, tough things happen to provide you a new perspective. Change often leads to growth, which, I believe, happened to me. I am very grateful for these new opportunities that I have been blessed with. Thank you, faculty and students, for giving me the opportunity to come back to the high school where I began
my new life to tell my story. I hope you will use this story as an example of change. Change is a scary thing sometimes, but God has a plan and a purpose for you. Again, I cannot thank you enough. Principal Keedan: Thank you so much, Olivia. Everyone give her a round of applause. Your story is one that reminds us that change, good or bad, can make us stronger. If we surround ourselves with caring friends and family, we can rise out of a difficult situation together. Students, I hope you have had the opportunity to learn something today. Junior High, you are dismissed to lunch. Senior High, your next class will begin in five minutes.
Arise
63
Gone
Sara Kate Rula 路 7 路 Free Verse
The deal was done Nothing I could do What about friends What about memories How could I tell them That I would be gone
64
Mindprints
Confidence Megan Tang 路 9 路 Charcoal
Arise
65
Goodbye Kennedy Cleveland · 8 · Free Verse
I have begun to realize you use me. I wanted to ignore it at first, the realization, I mean, but slowly it set in deeper and deeper. It was like a knife, and when I tried pulling it out, the blade became sharper. I made it as clear as I could that you caused me pain, but like a child you cried and compained. There is a saying, it goes, “If you love something let it go, and if it comes back, then love it forever.” I am letting you go, but I don’t want you to come back. I want you to find someone else to turture, so this is my goodbye.
66
Mindprints
All Beauty Fades Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Mixed Media Arise
67
Total Isolation Chase Thompson ¡ 9 ¡ Reflection I think I have left my house four times since the end of spring break. The major shutdowns due to COVID-19 have definitely given me the opportunity to take a minute and get to know my house. August, when my family moved in, was the busiest time of the year for us with school starting and football season moving into full swing. Football season drifted into deer season, and we were gone hunting every weekend of November, December, and January. Hanging around the house for the past month has allowed me to enjoy every aspect of the house. When Prep began remote learning, I decided to take my personal classroom to the bonus room upstairs. Before now, I had watched several movies up there late at night, but I had never spent much longer up there than a few hours. After spending many days upstairs during my remote classes, I have learned that I love it up there because of its seclusion from the rest of the house and the natural light that comes in the window. I enjoy looking out the window toward the street and watching as strangers walk past with their dogs on leashes. Another angle I have been able to examine my house from has been through this project. I love watercolor painting, so I thought it would be perfect to paint my house. I first had to sketch my house, which helped me intentionally notice each 68 Mindprints
line and angle that makes up the place where I have been spending all of my time lately. On a different note, the chains over the painting of my house symbolize my trapped feelings. Even though no one is going to school, this does not feel like an early summer. Some of my favorite summer activities include swimming, shopping, and going on vacation, but with all these places being closed due to quarantine, all I can do is sit around the house and jump on any opportunity to go to the grocery store or ride along when my parents go to pick up dinner. Although my artwork contains opposing ideas of a newfound connection and dreaded captivity in my house, I think they work together as a deeper metaphor. The heaviness of the chains will wane from the painting, just as the eventual confinement to my house. However, the beauty in the colors of the art remains on the paper, just as the bond I now have with my house.
Trapped Chase Thompson · 9 · Mixed Media Arise
69
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail Raylei McKinney · 9 · Free Verse
Are you afraid to fail? There are steps that lead up to success. Are you afraid you’re not enough? You are who you are. So bid if people reject you. If you love success and love who you are, you will be okay. You have to fail many times before you succeed. Are you afraid to fail? You WILL fail no matter what. Are you afraid you’re not enough? Stay positive darling, you are. Are you afraid to fail? Don’t be, failure is not a loss. You learn You change You grow Don’t be afraid to fail.
70
Mindprints
Rolling Stones Teddie Carroll · 9 · Photography Arise 71
A Fire Within
Hannah Polk · 8 · Free Verse
It’s the fire burning within A bright, livid flame A passion that can drive one To name something not yet seen So bold, it can be overwhelming Trapped in the black abyss Nothing else seems to matter except it A desire, sharp as a knife A motivation, bright as a beacon The faith that leads men Through pain and grief Just for a taste of justice and freedom Yet also the darkness that corrupts a man And brings down death and destruction By his own guilty hands Or the determination not yet discovered That will drive a man or woman To change the future for worse or for better It’s a passion as bright as a livid flame, The fire in our souls, burning within
72
Mindprints
Flames Hannah Polk · 8 · Photography Arise
73
74
Mindprints
Brave Saviors
Teddie Carroll 路 9 路 Free Verse We need them putting out the fires trying to protect us never knowing their last day running to front lines saving strangers America needs every one of these brave saviors. running home to loving arms smiling, they made it through the day.
1120 Teddie Carroll 路 9 路 Photography
Arise
75
76
Mindprints
So Close Yet So Far Megan Tang · 9 · Mixed Media
Six Feet Away Jillian Hollman · 9 · Lyric Poetry I’m feeling down and gray and that’s when I choose to say: “I want to see my friends.” The text to my mother sends. As I ask her if I may, I see my mother say, “You cannot see your friends until this pandemic ends.” “That is, of course, unless you stay at least six feet away.”
Arise
77
THE RIBBON Thomas Gough · 8 · Short Story
It was a warm, spring evening in the small town of Wynne, Arkansas. Ben Hendricks just returned home from a long day at school, welcomed by the affection of his two dogs, Maggie and Lucy. His mother, Nancy, welcomed him home with a big hug around the neck. When she released her hold, Ben said, “Mother, I want to join the army and fight for the country.” She appeared to be frozen, looking him dead in the eyes. “No! I can not bear to lose my son in this wretched war,” Nancy replied. “Your father would feel the same way, and I will not allow it!” Ben walked up the rickety stairs with his head hanging low. The next day at school Ben walked up to his best friend, Johnny Coleman, and said with a sigh, “I can’t believe my mother won’t let me join up!” “My parents won’t budge either,” Johnny replied, “I’m just going to run away to Fort Bliss down in Texas.” Ben agreed with him and they made a plan to meet up that night at the old dairy farm at 2:30 a.m. to walk to the railroad tracks. They planned to hitch a train to Fort Bliss in the dark of night because they would not be seen. 78 Mindprints
As the grandfather clock in the hallway struck 2:00 a.m., Ben jolted out of bed and pulled his pre-packed bag from under the bed. Carefully, he walked down the stairs making only slight creaking sounds. Right as he was about to turn the knob on the door, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. Startled, he turned around only to gaze into his mother’s kind eyes.
“Get a hold of yourself, Johnny, we’ll be fine. Just do as we were trained and we’ll make it out. Think about all the people back in America depending on us to protect them,” “Son, I beg you not to do this, but if this is really what you must do, I’ll have to understand,” she softly spoke. Untying the pale blue ribbon from her hair that she wore every day, she slowly placed it in his open palm and closed his fingers around it. “I know you’ll do what’s right for you, but please keep a part of me closeby at all times to remember me.” Ben gave a soft nod and slipped out
the door, without a sound. After Ben and Johnny hopped the train car, they fell fast asleep. The boys awoke to the sunny Texas skyline. Ben exclaimed, “I can’t believe we’re about to enlist, Johnny!” “Me, too, but I sure hope they don’t find out we’re sixteen,” Johnny said with a doubtful expression on his face. As the boys arrived, they were greeted with groups of sergeants shouting and men running across the fort. There was a lengthy line to get to the Sergeant Major to enlist, and when the young boys stated their names and fake ages, everything went smoothly. Luckily, they were assigned to the same cabin. Ben and Johnny trained for a full month and were shipped out to Europe on August 12, 1943. Although it was short, their time at Fort Bliss prepared a small number of troops needed for this specific battle. They set up camp in Sicily, a few hundred miles from their target, Salerno. Every night Ben would pray, holding the ribbon his mother gave him. One morning, while the troops are boarding the plane and preparing for the battle, Johnny nervously approached Ben and said,”Man, I don’t know if I can do this. I...I...I just don’t think I can take another man’s life, Ben.” “Get a hold of yourself, Johnny, we’ll be fine. Just do as we were trained and we’ll make it out. Think about all the people back in America depending on us to protect them,” Ben replied.
“I guess you’re right,” Johnny replied uneasily. The boys landed in Salerno to help set up tents and retrieve supplies from the plane. They were scheduled to leave for battle in approximately two days which seemed like an eternity. The day had finally arrived after much anticipation from all the men at camp. Looking like old men, the young soldiers started off for Naples, hoping to seize land from the Germans. The boys’ group was walking along the foothills trying to scout out the area for possible enemy forces when Johnny said with a deep breath,” I think I can do this Ben, America needs us right no-... BOOM!…” “GET DOWN, MAN YOUR STATIONS, MEN!” the sergeant barked over the gunfire. Johnny and Ben took cover behind a nearby boulder. The gunshots were louder than anything Johnny had ever heard before. “Johnny, we must fight back,” Ben remarked. Johnny took a swift glance from behind the boulder. His fear had taken over and all of the training he had undergone was now wasted. He hesistated. Too long. One shot zoomed through his jugular, blood drenching his unifrom. Ben stared at him, paralyzed from shock. After a moment or two, he realized what was going on and picked up Johnny. Johnny muttered his last words and went limp. With Johnny’s lifeless body in his arms, Ben sprinted Arise 79
away from the battle. He planned to return Johnny to camp to make sure his body would not be left on the battlefield, but properly laid to rest. He said a silent prayer to make it out alive. Looking down, Ben saw the blue ribbon his mother had given him. He would make it home to honor his fallen friend and to return the ribbon to his mother. Courage had returned. He dashed back to the battlefield. The gunshots were louder than before. He took cover behind a large oak tree and fired four shots at the Germans. The soldiers beside him dropped dead, and the Americans were officially outnumbered. Ben was starting to feel the pressure, and he boldly shot in the direction of the Nazis. On his way to the backside of a large bush, he was shot in the thigh. With few men on the American side, no one even looked at Ben. He was losing blood at an alarming rate, vision blurred and sounds muttled. Everything was getting darker, and it seemed like time was slowing down until everything went silent. Ben was unconscious on the battlefield, and the Germans were slowly advancing down the hills. All of a sudden, American backup had arrived, coming from behind the Germans. The Nazis were caught off guard and started losing men quickly. The U.S. medics entered the battlefield to search for any sign of life. Ben, covered in mud and rubble, was hidden behind a large bush. One of 80 Mindprints
the field medics saw the pale light blue flicker of a ribbon. The medic curiously walked over and saw the ribbon slightly moving up and down. He leaned over and saw Ben. He felt his pulse and called for a cart to pick him up and take him back to camp. After three weeks in the infirmary, Ben was medically discharged to go back home. He was relieved he was going to see his mother because he knew she did not want him to end up like his father, a casualty of war. Ben walked up the front porch to his house with a slight limp. He knocked three times on the old red door. His mother slowly opened the door, fearing the unwanted news. When she realized it was Ben, she fell to her knees and wept. Ben scooped her up in his arms and hugged her like she had embraced him every day after school. Pulling away from her loving grasp, he reached in his back pocket and pulled out the pale blue ribbon that she had given him the last time he saw her. Confused, she looked at him and said, “You kept it?” “You saved my life on the battlefield because of this,” Ben said.
1967 Private First Class Keith Head in United States Army Airborne Image is the property of the United States Military, 1967
Arise
81
Error 404
Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Free Verse
The page is loading Half an hour passes by the page is still loading Browsing the mind’s search engine A total of zero results The page reloads and tries again Error 404: The Requested Webpage Was Not Found There is no inspiration here As if all of the folders on the computer have been dragged into the trash and the trash emptied Error 16: Access Denied I have been blocked from my own imagination
Webpage Chloe Reynolds · 9 · Mixed Media 82 Mindprints
Voicemail Chloe Reynolds 路 9 路 Cinquain
I called, but you, however, did not answer the phone. I just wanted to talk to you. Call me.
Still Ringing Chloe Reynolds 路 9 路 Vector Drawing
Arise
83
TO MY BROTHER Hannah Polk · 8 · Lyric Poetry
Dear Class of 2020,
I have to say I’m sorry.
This was supposed to be your year,
but now we’re at home living in fear–
A girl with a dress escorted with no date
The guy in a tux can’t even see her pretty face Stage with no sets, a track not yet run
Canvases unpainted, a bat left un-swung Can’t walk the busy halls one last time
Can’t hug your favorite teacher a final goodbye “Graduation postponed until further notice
Have to drive through to receive your diplomas.” Dear Class of 2020,
It’s quite a year, and times are crazy. Just know, we’ll see you through,
and all of Jackson Prep says we love you! 84
Mindprints
WE WERE WRONG
Harper Johnson · 9 · Lyric Poetry
Look at this news article. Have you heard?
Reports of a virus spreading in China. Who cares about a virus? It’s absurd.
I bet it won’t touch us, we will be fine. Maybe they will cancel school, fingers crossed.
No homework? I can just sit and be calm.
We thought it was nothing, but we were lost. Everything canceled, including the prom.
“This is now an emergency,” they said.
Stores became barren; people took it all.
School is now done from within students’ beds
to slow the spread of the virus to a crawl.
Some say God is letting Mother Earth breathe; The humans who hurt her are left to grieve. Arise
85
The Mute
Meredith McClain · 8 · Short Story · Pencil Drawing I guess really anything interests me, science or English, sports or songs. There is barely anything that could make me not speak. Say my thoughts. I don’t really like my thoughts anyway. It makes me feel lonelier, as if the only person I have is me. That’s why I speak. Or I did. You never really know what you’ve got, ‘til you find yourself one day without it. I for one, can live by that. And this is how.
86
Mindprints
The beautiful autumn afternoon, in our sunny Alabama, is always like having pie at Grandma’s. It’s sweet, crisp, and enjoyable. Just how it should be. There are barely any leaves left on the trees, and a golden sun can be seen peeking out behind them as it begins to get closer to the earth. While I was walking home, the warmth on my back should have comforted me; but instead, I felt the chill of loneliness, which I didn’t mind. I just needed someone. That’s why I called my friend. Her name is Sue. An older name, not as usual these days, nothing like Sara or Caroline (which were more popular names). She talked fine and listened even better. I dialed her number on the phone and put it next to my ear. “Hey, S.A,” her voice said through the phone. “Heya. I’m walking home from school. Carter’s got baseball. Are you home?” I asked her, pushing my curly, brown hair away from my ear. “Yeah.” “Well, you gotta come over when I get home. My momma texted me and said she made cookies for a snack. You know, she makes some good ones. Anywho, did you get the quiz done in time? It felt like forever until I got done!” I walked a little faster, thinking she’d be there soon. “Uh-” The call cut off. A cool wind breezed over me. I shivered and warmed my hands together. I slipped
my phone back into my jean pocket and hiked up the rest of the way. The street looked to be newly paved and smelled like wet cement. The leaves were still falling but were swooping to the right, pushing me slightly to the end of the sidewalk. I walked a bit on the soft, green grass, and then straightened myself back up to the middle of the sidewalk. I was only a short distance from my house when my phone rang again. “Hello?” I said casually. “Hey, it’s me. My phone died and I’ve now gotta walk my brother to soccer practice.”she said hurriedly. “Oh, okay. Walk safely!” I hung up the phone and walked about twenty feet to my house. I opened the door, and the smell of fresh cookies met me in the doorway. I could tell instantly what type they were, chocolate chip. My momma makes the best chocolate chip cookies. Just thinking about their warm, smooth chocolate melting out the side of the cookies and the satisfying crunch of the edges were enough to make my mouth water. “Momma? You home?” I called toward the kitchen. “Yes, sweetie. Will you please take the garbage out? I forgot to earlier,” she called back to me, leaning from the door smiling at me. I rolled my eyes and set my backpack down. I grabbed the trash bag, already tied. I brought the bag out onto the curb. Then, it caught my eye. Something shiny. I looked across the Arise 87
street to Mr. Cooper, our neighbor, and waved. I skipped to the shiny object, almost half way through the road. I heard Mr. Cooper’s lawn mower kick start. I tried to zone it out, but there were more sounds coming. There was an annoying beehive somewhere. A dog barking. A child yelling. A boy shouting. A car zooming. Tires screeching. As soon as I bent down to grab the shiny attraction, Mr. Cooper yelled, “Sara Archer!” Asphalt burning. Sideways sky. I looked to see Mr. Cooper running toward me one moment, but then it was black the next. I woke up in a room that smelled like hand sanitizer. I tried to get up, but I was too weak and slumped back down. I looked to my left to see my mom, her face buried in her hands. Next to her was Carter, who was sleeping on her shoulder. I looked over to my right. There was Sue, her face shiny with wet tears still falling. She was closing her eyes and listening to music. I opened my mouth and said, “Hey, what’s going on?” None of them looked up. I said the same thing again, but then I noticed it. Nothing was coming out. Nothing was making the slightest noise except for the heart monitor beside my bed. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. None of them noticed anything. I fisted the bed angrily. My mom looked up. We met eyes. In a second, her arms were around me, then were Sue’s, and then 88 Mindprints
finally Carter’s. We stayed like that forever. “I’ll go get the doctor.” My mom said and rushed out of the room. We stood looking at each other until Carter broke the silence.“Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. Practice ended early, and I wasn’t paying attention. I feel awful, I … I..” His voice trailed off to something I couldn’t even understand. All I understood was that he was upset, and nervous. The doctor came in with my momma and my dad. He asked if anyone would like to tell the story for me. My momma said she would. “Um, sweet heart, you got in a little accident. You were in the street, goodness knows why, when a car came by. You didn’t see it.” She bent down beside my bed and looked me in the eyes. Then she continued. “Mr. Cooper was there, and he was able to take you to the hospital. I...I would have taken you myself, but I was trying to calm down Carter. You see, baseball practice ended early and he was driving home. He didn’t see you in the road.” She looked over at Carter, his eyes filled to the brim with tears. She turned back to me. “He feels awful. Everyone does. We’ve all been praying since the moment this all happened, sweet heart.” Everyone looked at me. I really didn’t want those words to sink in, but they did. My eyes filled with tears, a continuous stream. The doctor finished up the rest. “The nerves in her brain are damaged for the rest of her
life. She will be able to hear and such, but not talk. Does that make sense?” He looked around the room. Everyone nodded, except me. It didn’t make sense. One moment I’m in the street, happy and curious. Next, I can’t even say what I’m thinking. Now I’m stuck with them. All my thoughts, swimming around in my head, and I can’t tell anyone? It feels as if my world is crumbling apart, starting from the top to the bottom. I would have been there thinking about how sorry I am for myself, if it wasn’t Carter who interrupted me. “It’s all my fault.” Carter said to us, tears falling. “No. Don’t say that. It’s mine. I should have taken the trash out myself.” my mom said. The room started vibrating with sorrys, could haves and should haves. “No, it’s mine.” “Don’t blame yourself. It could’ve been any of us.” “Hey, I shoulda just driven her home.” “I should’ve gotten out of work sooner.” Through all those voices, one of them stood out and made me want to faint. “I shoulda called. Made sure she made it home. Came over. Walked with her, forgot my brother, or took him along with me. I am responsible because I was supposed to be with her. I was supposed to be her friend.” This stopped everyone. It was Sue. Sue said it. And then it hit me. All
those times going on about quizzes, gossiping about friends, fighting with my parents, making fun of someone, talking nonsense, and… I didn’t talk one time. About others. I noticed for the first time that I am selfish about my words. Only thinking of myself. And now I can’t go back. I can’t say anything, and this is when it really matters.
Arise
89
What About Me?
Kennedy Cleveland · 8 · Free Verse
When thinking of spring, you may see the radiant flowers that bask in the light of the Sun, or maybe you imagine the rain that pours relentlessly the month before. When picturing summer, do you feel the warmth the Sun gifts to us like I do? or Do you feel the burns it curses on us? I imagine the joy of Christmas when I think of winter, but some might envision the cold the night brings. When I think of you, I feel all the good things that come with the seasons– The flowers. The Sun. The joy. What am I to you? Am I the warmth of summer? or Am I the cold of winter? Do you think of me as the flowers in spring? or the rain in April?
90
Mindprints
Abloom Kennedy Cleveland · 8 · Photography Arise 91
Look Through Megan Tang · 9 · Mixed Media 92
Mindprints
Caroline Ingram · 9 · Sonnet
I cannot do this coarse isolation, It cuts through sharply, leaving but nothing, By teasing me with the thought of something. It leaves me with nothing but flirtation, Filling me with dread and aberration. I can see them disassociating, They say leave the feeling of that something. They say it won’t last for a time’s portion, But we have to cleave onto memories, We have to know this is just a moment. In our time, this is just a thought. One day they will make documentaries, Ones with fearful eyes, and many comments. We have given up all that we have bought.
Arise
93
Legends Are Forever Teddi Duckworth 路 9 路 Reflection The natural human condition convinces us to stay with what makes us comfortable. Because of this, we push death out of our minds, start to believe we are invincible, and ignore the grim realities of this world. With the death of Kobe Bryant and his beloved daughter Gianna, millions of Americans awoke to realize one of their icons had passed away. It was then that death first really showed itself to us in 2020. The pandemic known as COVID-19 that plagues
us even now does not give us the chance to forget or move on. Now, we have become comfortable with death. Death of close friends and family. I hope that we will not forget this specter. So many victims will be remembered as dying too soon, so young and innocent, because that is how their stories ended. This piece is a gentle reminder of heroes forgotten in the face of tragedy, a pattern that shows itself in society whenever the horror of mass death reaches us all.
Kobe and Gianna Teddi Duckworth 路 9 路 Pencil Drawing 94
Mindprints
Statues
Meredith McClain · 8 · Lyric Poetry Could you ever look back before time was frozen--the past only a track of what could’ve been chosen, a connection off radar lost only in one’s mind standing still--they are just hearts combined. Stopping still, they call but no one can hear, standing high and tall no one to lend an ear. Just pieces of stone trying to tell the other a story of their own and what became of another. If a new age is to come and the old replaced, let us keep them from the forgotten, the waste.
Humanity Meredith McClain · 8 · Photography Arise
95
Colophon Mindprints is published by Jackson Preparatory School Junior High and distributes 425 copies, with 341 copies for students, grades 6-9 and 84 additional copies for the Prep community. Printed by Dallas Printing of Jackson, Mississippi, this volume is designed on iMacs with Adobe InDesign CC, Adobe Illustrator CC, and Adobe Photoshop CC. Mindprints is printed on partially recycled paper with soy-based ink that has no animal byproducts.
Spread Designers Teddie Carroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pages 72-73 Katherine Cole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 14-15, 38-47, 51 Kennedy Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 16-17, 62-63, 88-89 Mason Deas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 6-9, 18-19, 60-61, 68-69 Elizabeth Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 66-67, 76-79 Piper McGraw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pages 12-13, 36-37 Meredith McLain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 86-87, 93 Hannah Polk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 26-29, 34-35, 52-53, 70-71, 84-85 Chloe Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . pages 4-5, 20-21, 38-39, 48-49, 64-65, 80-81, 92 Regan Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 32-33, 56-57 Megan Tang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 10-11, 22-25, 54-55, 58-59, 74-75, 90-91 Piper McGraw & Hannah Polk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 30-31 Chloe Reynolds & Betsy Walters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 50 Hannah Polk & Betsy Walters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pages 82-83 96
Mindprints
Columbia Scholastic Press Association International Critique of Student Publications Crown Awards Competition Silver Crown 2019, 2018, 2017 Columbia Scholastic Press Association International Critique of Student Publications Medalist Competition Gold Medal 2019, 2018, 2017 National Scholastic Press Association National Critique of Student Publications Pacemaker Finalist 2018 First Class 2018, 2017 Southern Interscholastic Press Association Evaluation of Student Publications All Southern 2019 Superior 2018, 2017, 2016 American Scholastic Press Association Annual Magazine Competition Most Outstanding Junior High School Literary-Art Magazine for 2019, 2018 First Place with Special Merit 2019, 2018, 2017 Outstanding Variety of Literature and Art 2017 First Place Award 2016 National Council of Teachers of English Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines REALM First Class 2019, 2018 Recommended for Highest Award 2017, 2016 Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Excellence in Journalism Awards Overall Literary Magazine, Design, and Theme Finalist 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 Best Literary Magazine in Mississippi 2017
Arise: to find our voice, our place, and our value; to ascend expectations.