Edda 2014 by FPD Communications

The Edda

2014 First Presbyterian Day School

Editorial Staff Co-editors Paul Young Katie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Quinn Staff Caitlin Odum William Roddenberry McKenzie Peterson Megan Huggins Samantha Bellomo-Skvasik Meghan Chamlee Art Editors Sara Walsh Lizzie Lisenby Factulty Advisors Andrew Katzer Elizabeth Young Nancy Butler Stephanie Garrison Cover Art Tia Ouyang

On Nature and Its Beauty...

Hannah Colquitt, 11th grade Farewell, Farewell Eukaryotic Cell by Katey Griggs, 12th grade Mitosis, reproductionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proud trend, Is only the beginning of the end. His insides squirm, wiggle, and fight, Until in the middle they sit just right. Poor, poor eukaryotic cell The fingers come and take their grip, Knowing later for him only to RIP. Inside his magnets begin to roar, Tugging and pulling at his core. Poor, poor eukaryotic cell

Away, away, they separate, Then finally revealed is his fate. Now in the shape of a peanut, Cytokinesis does the deathly cut. Farewell, Farewell our eukaryotic cell!

Sara Parker Ware, 8th grade

Harsh Winter by Kyle Bradley, 9th Grade All has turned to Ice Inside the cold black darkness The loud howling winds

Wimberly Thigpen, 8th grade Coal Mine by Kyle Bradley, 9th grade The cold dark black death Your life is nothing but coal Withering away 6

Seasons by Austin Emener, 7th grade Fall I see the leaves falling and blowing in the wind. I hear owls hooting in the night. I taste the sweet pumpkin pie in my mouth. I touch the dying leaves in my hands. I smell the sweet smell of turkey, ham and corn. Winter I see the snowman I built in the backyard. I hear my sister talking to Santa Claus about what she wants for Christmas. I taste the warm hot chocolate in my mouth on a cold morning. I feel the freezing cold snowballs hit my face. I smell the warm chili that we are having for dinner. Spring I see the trees starting to come back to life on a warm day. I hear the yelling of people in the streets of the Cherry blossom festival. I taste the ham from the feast my family has every spring. I touch the pencil that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m using for my final exams. I smell the chocolate for the homemade cookies that my mom makes. Summer I see the excited kids sprinting to the beach. I hear the waves roaring and crashing into the beaches. I taste the cold Coke in my mouth. I touch the shovels to make the sand castle for my younger sister. I smell the red steak over medium.

McKenzie Bakkar, 11th grade

Trees Beauty by Ethan Scott, 9th grade The leaves on the trees Glistening in the sun Shine a shade of green As they slightly spun Sky becomes dark Here comes the rain Wetting the trees bark Storm begins to fade Everything is wet Out comes the sun The trees now shine you bet This beauty will amaze

Driving through Winter by Jonathon Canipe, 9th grade Passing through the hills Rolling down the mountains Driving around finding my way Crisp frozen lakes on the side Crunchy snow settled on the trees Cars and trucks lightly powdered Children with red cheeks and snowballs Family`s bundling by a fire It was finally Christmas time And I was finally home.

Cherry Wang, 10th grade 9

Lizzie Lisenby, 12th grade The Walk by Mary Persons, 9th grade

I awoke at the stroke of dawn. The sun not yet glowing, but it will soon arise and make me shine. Animals in the shadows, awaiting for light. Out in a field I go, as the sun is coming over the horizon The Sky full of color as I walk along the grassy road Birds’ chirps I hear in the cold winter wind. As I walk without a sound to the edge of the cold dark forest, Looking back to see a flock of geese high in the sky. The fall crisp leaves under my feet awoke the pack forms their long night’s hunt. Their howls sending shivers down my spine. I hear their footsteps getting closer and closer Rushing out from the brush they came a-flying Stopped dead in my tracks, them the same I could hear their hard breathing rushing from their mouths. Their eyes are like death, looking through my soul Afraid and scared I was not knowing what to do They took a step towards me and off they went. As my walk comes to an end I thank God that I’m alive.

Luke Thomas, 11th grade

Earth Day by Daniel Cardis, 6th grade God is so great He gave us this earth. So let’s take a moment And see what it’s worth. The roses are blooming The violets are, too. God made these things For me and for you. God is so great He’ll show us the way. So enjoy this creation, And have fun on Earth Day!

Easter by Riley Davis, 6th Chicks, carrots, eggs everywhere Sweet little bunnies with very soft hair. Easter egg hunts with your cousins Picking them up by the dozens. Yes, it is fun, but that’s not what Easter’s for If you look you will find so much more. Easter is a special day Not for play, but all for pray. God gave his one and only Son For all of us, and that’s a ton. Jesus went through so much pain So that we wouldn’t live in vain. He came back to life in three days That is why to God we praise. We looked a little harder don’t you see, Jesus died for you and me. 12

Fern and a Vine by Skow, 12th grade It is on beat Walk up to a fern and a vine Look at it closely How can you leer in my eye And tell me that those-things Weren’t designed? It takes a level Of rebellion To look at the world and deny. If you’re yearning to find Like most people You could look at the world and decide.

Springtime by Andrew Cohen, 6th Grade Spring is finally here. This is my favorite time of the year. I’m going to St. Simons with my fishing gear. I’ll meet you all at the pier. The rest of the season I’ll be playing ball. If you need a player Just give me a call. The pollen is my enemy Because it causes me to sneeze. But I am really torn Because I love the cool breeze. As the end of school draws near I have realized it really has been A great year. 13

On Leisure and Enjoyment...

Caroline Stroud, 12th grade Dream Hunt By Hunter Boyle, Grade 9

As the sun came down, I was ready to pack my bags, and go back to town When all of a sudden I heard a rustle And out shot a deer, in a frantic hustle I picked up my gun, and aimed down field Then the deer came to final yield I took one shot Then put down the gun, barrel still hot I walked down the road Passing frogs and toads Then I got him, and threw him on the bed He had nine points on top of the head

Turkey Hunting by Anonymous Thunder sounds in the ridge top Turkey gobblin’ in the tree tops Gotta ease up the hill and sit real still Nothing else can give me this thrill Wings flappin in the bottom At least that’s where I though I saw em Now he’s 75 yards away That’s where he was when he flew away…… I cut and purr with my mouth call And he finally saw My hen decoy in the pine straw He saw that hen and flew right in Right in front of my loaded gun He was walkin up tall With his feathers out flaw A couple more seconds till he would fall I’m a turkey hunter from the break of the sun Gotta call em in and get in front Sometimes I wonder About my never ending hunger For turkey hunting

Rett Elliot, 8th grade

16 Hannah Shuman, 9th grade

Partido by anonymous, 9th grade Stitched and sewn with thickened string, Our souls are tightly knit. With grass aflow in fallen wind, As one we all unite. We knit ourselves in cases Ourselves with instinctâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massive drive. A yellow daub lay in blue skies Combining with darkened weather. A throw away with an out We all will probably shout, So when you see it's not me, You'll see us as a team. We will spur on and carry on In the partido all day long.

Poem by Jansen Oliver grade 9 It was on a day like today It was sunny with a little bit of a chill When I first conquered a giant hill And climbed it. This giant hill was located at the old place I used to live I used to start to climb Instead of wasting anymore time The first rock I climbed Was bigger than the last one but twice the size. I got to my second rock and to my surprise I fell but I was fine The second time I tried I got to the fourth section, almost to the top But once again I tumbled down the hill and landed on my side The last time I tried I made it to the top And screamed out yes! For I had done it!

Copeland Ammann, 8th grade

Tennis by Juliana Hawkinson, 9th grade The ball shoots across the court As our bodies sway in motion When people hear the scores, They wonder what is all the commotion Running back and forth, staying in the lines Everything that we were thinking of Is pushed out of minds We focus on the score, whether two to one or one to two Our forehand, backhand, is all we were trained to do The volleys, serves, and overheads, are also accounted for 18

Gracie Jean Joiner, 6th grade March, the start of spring Light pink blooms and the sun shines Cherry blossom day. Emily Cox, 6th grade

Bryce Woods, 6th grade

The rain falling down Thunder roaring in the sky Lightning strikes again.

Water at the beach Playing football in the sand Picking up seashells.

Wyatt Wilson, 6th grade

Brooks Roper, 6th grade

The leaves are falling They float in vibrant colors I love fall time.

Cherry blossoms bloom While buzzing bees flying around It is finally spring

Noah Takac, 8th grade

Gabriella Lindau, 8th grade

My Puppy by Alan Carlton, 9th grade My puppy is as sweet as a cupcake A cupcake that barks My puppy is the Obama of our house She is the boss of us all She licks my face a bunch She isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too fond of my brother He is mean to her so she is mean back Some people believe dogs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have feelings I believe mine does though My puppy loves me and I love my puppy 20

Music by Samantha Bellomo, 9th grade When all words seem to fail, Music’s something that’s always there Near or even far away, Music is there anyway. Smooth jazz is another classic, But no matter what kind it’s just fantastic. Notes that sounds just too sweet, Especially when it is on beat. Music gives us another reason, To gather and celebrate every season. Even if it’s just once a year, Music makes us want to cheer!!

Sara Walsh, 12th grade

SWEET TEA acrostic by Paul Jerles, 9th grade Sweet ham! Oh sweet ham! Why must you Entice me? Everything I do reminds me of you! Though I refrain for dessert The hand I possess betrays me! Excluded from the table All the ham now in my arms. NO REGRETS!

Elbert the Bunny, by Caitlin Odum, 12th grade Once upon a time there was this bunny and his name was Elbert. Now Elbert was a very strange bunny. He kept to himself mostly, but the strangeness shown through whenever he climbed trees. Something about being so high and afraid made Elbert go a bit psycho. One day Elbert was climbing the largest male ginkgo tree in the forest, and for a small woodland creature that isn't supposed to climb trees, he climbed extravagantly fast. When he reached the very tippiest top, he crouched down as far as he could and sprang into the air. You see... Elbert had no friends, no commitments, no family, no beliefs; all he had was the intoxication he got from climbing trees, but he had climbed all the trees in the forest and no longer found satisfaction from climbing even the tallest tree. So he sprang into the air, with all his might, in order to receive that last moment of electrical happiness before he plunged to his death. The end.

Caroline Stroud, 12th grade

Megan Sparks, 12th grade

Chocolate Delight by Kyle Bradley, 9th grade Chocolate so warm The rich taste is a delight Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as fine as wine. 24

Bubbles by Kyle Bradley 9th grade Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so colorful With shapes of variety They soar like balloons

Rachel Buckland, 10th grade

Megan Sparks, 12th grade

Sara Walsh, 12th grade The Teenage Dilemma, Anonymous, 9th grade My alarm sings the song of its people I thank it with a grateful whacking Two slices of ham will be ample When of Chic-fil-a, my house is lacking I grip the responsibility of driving But shortly I’ll ask to use the head The teenage dilemma forces you into maturing, While laying you down in a sports car bed Adults have forgotten the struggle And children are in serious denial Most teenagers don’t realize what “it” is “It” is the teenage dilemma 27

On Our Fears and Courage... Stress by Caitlin Odom, 12th grade My life is full of so much stress And countless things I forgot I’m lost in a hazy mess I always come up with less Oh the plans that I have sought My life is full of so much stress I thought to visit your address But against that my heart fought I’m lost in a hazy mess I tried to come but with little success My brain took no time to become distraught My life is full of so much stress My apologies I do express I never wanted to not But I’m just so lost in this mess I’m sorry! I love you! I do confess. But honestly I ought to naught My life is full of so much stress I’m so lost in this hazy mess

Sydney Bradley, 11th grade

Bullying by Torree Theodore, 6th grade Agonizing pain burning inside of me. I try my best to hold it in. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. I must keep a close eye before the attack. Heart beating fast, wrenching in fear As I see him turn the corner. I try to run But there is nowhere to go. A bead of sweat dropping down my cheek. He sees me with his eyes full of hatred. He comes running toward me. I’m backed up into a corner. His dark shadow hovers over me. Terror fills my eyes. I can’t take it anymore! He has gone way too far. As he is about to throw a punch of pain He stopsFeeling the hand of a caring teacher Rest upon his shoulder.

Show Me Why by Sam Anderskow, 12th grade Show me why The only time I’ve ever been a lonely guy Is when I ask and then they don’t reply Show me why

Megan Ingram, 11th grade Scared of the Jungle By Torrian Bradley-McSwain, 9th grade In the jungle, Don’t walk alone, Lions, tigers, and bears, They might get you if you are frightened, Don’t act scared, Roar like a lion, In his jungle, Run like a tiger, On his turf, Walk like a bear, In his territory, Act strong, So they act weak, Don’t act weak, Or they’ll be strong.

Labels by Anonymous, 9th grade Our whole lives we are labeled, we are just stories to be told Defined by actions, characterized and controlled. Remembered for our failures, our past, our pain, and mistakes. Surrounded by our opponents waiting for us to break. Described by the bad, occasionally the good. Dreaming one of these days youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be understood. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the definitions that lead man to stress And what hinders one from success. A definition excludes the possibility for change And staying the same forever is nothing short of strange. So be indefinite, vague, and unclear In hopes you can evolve and not live your life-Labeled by your fears.

Mackenzie Kortrey, 11th grade

Sydney Bradley, 11th grade Discomfort Acrostic, by Bowen Powers, 9th grade Forced to be with strangers Aunts and Uncles Mom and Dad Injured with hugs Loved by all Yourself surrounded with humans 33

Sydney Bradley, 11th grade

Found Poem by Taylor Burns, 12th grade Name had never once been sounded, the Quick, smitten glare Smash of a pane of glass. The imposing cry, Uttered over my violence—the shriek of a creature scared “She’s there, she’s there!”

Found Poem by Daniel Nelsen, 12th grade Are you mad? Madness were easy to Bear compared with truth like this I hate you I wanted Death I expect you To Harm That child I felt Nothing

Sam Bass, 8th grade

I’m a Gun by Paul Jerles, 9th grade I’m a gun Why am I what I am? I cannot speak for myself Nor can I move Who am I? A gun I don’t like my purpose Some think I’m good Most don’t care Who am I? A gun I don’t like to shoot All I cause is pain and sadness What am I? Just a gun For There was a Day by Dane Wiggins, 9th grade For there was a day When Stephen took a picture Happy as can be For there was a day Where there was bliss The world was calm For there was a day When Stephen’s smile would fade When the world would turn And he would change For there was a day When Stephen would run And never look back Where he would be free And the pain would be gone 36

Grace Ford, 12th grade Stephen’s Escape by Wade Snow, 9th grade Smile Young Jewish boy, You need not fear. Your bags are packed You shall escape from here With your dapper little suit, And your curled little hair, You have no reason to frown For you are almost there. To Britain’s sweet soil, Where you will be safe, Nothing could possibly spoil, The shining smile upon your face. So toot your screeching horn, It’s time to celebrate! For all your friends are here, The times will be great.

The Smiling Boy by Adam Young, 9th Grade Fear not my son, Freedom has come. Your smile has rarely been used, and has waited long, It is as beautiful as a melodious song. The time to say good-byes and pack your bags is near, There is new life ahead of you, one without fear. The din of war will soon be far behind, This will be a remembrance of life past, and may ease your mind. You wear your best tweed coat, and carry the cone of hope. You wear a brilliant smile, one that people see for a mile. Though you may be frightened for a while, There is a better life ahead; One where that smile will oft be used. If you ever feel scared and alone Just look at this picture, and know that you are loved And have a home.

Dylan Lister, 12th grade

Hope by Hanny Marone, 9th grade The urge to escape As I sit down An American flag A click and a flash The smell of ink fills my nose And the feel of rough paper I look at dark grey, brown, and black This piece of paper Is my hope

The Story of Ginaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Survival by Cassidy Pearson, 9th grade Everywhere I look, there are soldiers Here to save us from this disaster that has hit us today Every minute I hear troops walking by, As their boots scrape through the rough, dusty dirt. I heard a loud scream as a gun went off nearby, As if a child encountered an army of men with weapons. I walked toward the sound, while I heard gun shots blasting from all directions, Only to find out that someone has been shot and killed. Seeing the dead body and blood on the ground, And smelling the awful smell of the gun smoke Only makes me worry about what is yet to come And if my husband, my friends, and I will survive through this tough time. Every day when I go home, eat dinner, and lay in my bed, I fear Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be trapped again, Which brings as much terror into my mind as anything could or ever will. 40

Gabriella Lindau, 8th grade You Are Brave by Hannah Shuman, 9th Grade Small and excited to leave, Feeling joyous and happily free, You are brave, Stephen Adler. Jumping like a Jack rabbit, Eager to leave your past behind, You are brave, Stephen Adler. A smooth white wall behind you, The smell of the airport engulfs you. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re next in line to have your photo snapped, You are brave, Stephen Adler. Smile for a stranger, Look into the camera flash and see your bright future, You are brave, Stephen Adler. Afraid of losing of your family, And not hearing stories every night in bed. Your world is changing, You are brave, Stephen Adler.

Unapproachable, a rap by Charlie Zero, 12th grade I can understand why they avoid me. I’m the dopest rapper and it can be intimidating. Dragons hate me. I speak fire that brings forth envy from the entire reptilian race. Warriors wish that they could wield with their fists the potency with which I speak. And I’m just like... Nah. Never. And I don’t move mountains. No way. Mountain step aside and beg me to have a nice day. And I’m just like. Don’t tell me what to do mountain, don’t make me come up there. I’m the very best. Period. I’m the absolute greatest. Exclamation point. One could make the argument that I am rap itself. Of course I’d chuckle and be like... Nah. I’m absolute music. A masterpiece for your ears and a perfect melody to your eye. Do I overuse the word I? Does Luke walk the sky? I don’t know. But I do, whenever the weather is nice and they tell me I should be more down to earth. But whatever. I shake stages till I’m the only conscious soul in the building and plan to do it till the room capacity reaches zero. They try to tell me I am sick but mid sentence gag on their own vomit and spit to which I reply ya better swallow it, don’t you dare chuck it up, in fact you should buckle up, shut your trap and equip your listening cap when I’m fixing to rap. I can have you clappin’ and prove I’m a better rapper than your favorite rapper without even havin’ to rap as it happens. I could do it without speaking but I’m cocky. I’m Tyler’s creation. I’m Florence’s machine. Your favorite artist is going to hate me. I’m any secret that Victoria’s been keeping. I’m the future. The leader of the revolution. A conspicuous implication. A silent exclamation. I’m the sound of one hand clapping. The same sound found in the forest after the crashing of a tree to the ground when nobody’s around, I’m the reason for it too. I’m every boyfriend’s girlfriend’s crush. If this were a job interview I would have hired myself for walking into the building I’m the boss. And then they say I’m childish… Are you kidding me? You don’t get it I’m imaginations Padawan. A Jedi of words plotting a machination of awesome collaboration. The epitome of literacy, the captain of connotation, the dictator of diction. Master of contemplation. The semantic samurai and a pro with the prose. Sinister with the synonyms although, not that good at adjectives. Super Duper cillious, seriously stupid. The greatest of all time hopefully I have proved it. My swag is unapproachable. That’s what it is. I’m unapproachable.

Kelly Shimp, 11th grade

On Love, and Perseverance... Why do we ever persevere? Katey Griggs, 12th grade Why ever do we persevere? While falling apart, still we try. All for a hidden purpose none can hear. To easy living, we strive to steer Though every limb be bound by tie. Why ever do we persevere? Immense control to hold the tear. Given no time, no place fit to cry. All for a hidden purpose none can hear. Expected to carry on by those who are dear. We find a spark to push us by. Why ever do we persevere? The reward and peace is very near, And that last, we delight in a sigh. All for a hidden purpose none can hear. The beautiful meaning does finally appear As we proclaim â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stronger am I!â&#x20AC;? Why ever did we persevere? All for a hidden purpose none could hear.

The Eye by Savannah Phillips, 12th grade The weathered eye aged and old Has seen the facets of life For one only sees what seems to LIVE She has seen her newborn baby boy cry Her baby girl skin her knee, have her heart broken, make mistakes, Fall in love, become a wife The weathered eye aged and old To be taught is to teach, she knows this full well, As systematic education lies To grow a garden, burn casseroles, spoil her grandchildren. Mcflurries, Sprinkles, Playgrounds! Rife with contentment and lazy days in the pear tree; One only sees what seems to LIVE Milky blue, opaque to clarity. Many years of memories. Decisions. Faded Perspective. The light dies. To let go of her past, and remember future glories. The sting of regret. My Back! That Knife! The weathered eye aged and old But Summers turned to Autumns, And the new life of Spring grew old and sighed Children left and flowers died, Only did the music of abundant memory remain. The beautiful fife. Swaying and basking in the sweet nectar of sunshine: One only sees what seems to LIVE. “Much have I seen, but my wisdom is kicked to the dust,” Whispers the Eye. Don’t discount what I have seen, my beautiful child. You are loved, my baby, my whole life. The weathered eye aged and old To the most magnificent of choices, her choice! She only saw what seemed to LIVE. 45

Untitled, by Mary Helen Douglas, 12th grade Blank spaces consume my empty thoughts. Random words in a clutter True to oneself writing can be a unique challenge, one that’s often overlooked It’s true we don’t always know the right words to utter What are emotions? The art of expression on a page, I feel my heart flutter A good writer once whispered where the secret lies, now I’m hooked Blank spaces consume my empty thoughts. Random words in a clutter Do I be myself? Do I be someone else? The questions make me shudder I tread my dusty tracks to the library, throw me an old book It’s true we don’t always know the right words to utter I might have found the answer but I can’t seem to stop this stutter The glass, who might it be? I think it’s time to take a look Blank spaces consume my empty thoughts. Random words in a clutter It’s me, it’s really me, I know I’m becoming a nutter I see them all standing there, I don’t know really whose time I’ve took It’s true we don’t always know the right words to utter Ah, Alas, I think I know finally what to say I’m not sure if it’s time to overtook Blank pages consume my empty thoughts It’s true we don’t always know the right words to utter

Blake Spires, 11th grade

Love by Katlyn Smaha, 9th grade Love is there even when you don’t know it It can change your life in a matter of seconds It will sneak up on you when you least expect it Love is like a blanket that keeps you warm at night It comforts you when you need it most And in the middle of darkness It is your bright and shining light Love is like a roller coaster that throws you around It means facing your biggest fears But once you get on, you can enjoy the ride Love isn’t always a fairytale Like Cinderella and Prince Charming It’s real and it’s patient It may cause heartbreak But in the end, love is worth fighting for

Catherine Smith, 8th grade

Freedom by Ruth Samuel, 9th grade Freedom. Something others would die for And something most of us take for granted. Most of the time we forget how Incredibly blessed we are to Live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Your freedom is precious and never forget to thank God, Who loves you best.

Sara Walsh, 12th grade

Destiny’s Door by Rebecca Leigh, 9th grade Anticipation to get there We’ve come a long way just to be here Expectations and dreams Become two crossed paths The forked road to surpass So let’s ink our hearts with courage Imprint W I N in our brains White out the set backs And straighten our backs up Fight to finish the race they drew for us “No you can’t” doesn’t exist anymore One two three four Don’t slam Destiny’s door

Grace Ford, 12th grade 50

What is “It”? by Anna Claire Stietenroth, 9th grade It conquers all and is said to be kind. It is a many splendid thing and is often hard to find. Only fools fall into it according to song, But most who’ve experienced it would say this is wrong. The feeling it gives one is hard to explain. The warmth it brings one is a mysterious thing. It can be taken for granted until it dies, So to appreciate it would certainly be wise. It can break one’s heart, or bring great joy. It can fulfill one’s life, or even destroy. To some it’s a mystery, and to some it’s a quest, But for all a journey that brings out our best. Like Bonnie and Clyde, the “It” is tough, but look around, There is never enough. I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now, the “It” is love, That of which God has given from above!

Lizzie Lisenby, 12th grade 51

Prom, a rap by “Charlie Zero,” 12th grade I like my hair long. Like way out there. My bed head looks awesome. I feel like Mufasa. I like sneakers and songs you gotta dance to at maximum volume. I hate buttons and bow ties and your friends with their gossip. I hate empty conversation with your parents about my plans for the future. I hate all the questions you get, and the stares I get. I hate the fake smiles for the selfie for your Instagram posts. I hate the double dates and the competition of Valentine’s Day. And I really really hate the empty conversations with your parents about the future. I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing or what they want me to say about where I’m going or doing. And I hate that. But I like you.

Bentlie Grice, 12th grade

Untitled by Emily Rutledge , 9th grade Like Tigger and Pooh Are me and you Our friendships as sweet As a cow’s meat Our love laughs and cries, And seems like it flies, And without one, we aren’t complete Our friendship is a flower, Growing more each day. It’s the new girl at school, Trying to stay out of everybody’s way. It’s quiet, then loud, When no one`s around, And I wouldn’t want it any other way. Replay, a rap by “Charlie Zero,” 12th grade …She got me on replay 3 days later got me on a heat wave 4 locos lookin’ for a high 5 Eyes closed while I’m lookin’ for the bright side 6 months after everything I tried Soon as I LEFT you decide I was the RIGHT guy And you was always boastin’ ‘bout ya man And finally ya get it like I told you that you can About a year ago and here we go and here we go again I just wanna meet up You got meeting your demands You ain’t that fine, if you don’t mind me sayin’ But somethin’ ‘bout that dime got my dumb mind replayin’ like Rewind, please bring it back one time I’ll be here kickin’ what you call dumb rhymes, so Lemme know if you ever feel like usin’ me I’ll be here wishin’ we can get back where we used to be 53

Irish Blessing By Graci Ward, 6th grade May you have a happy life, May you cherish all of your memories May you learn from your mistakes And don’t do them again. May you heal from your injuries. May you pray for your family. May you go to church and learn more about the Bible. May you honor your parents, for they do everything for you.

Main Dish by Anonymous, 9th grade It’s been 40 days but my eyes are still agaze Why do I still go and look And wind up shook Why was it so short As if I just didn’t have much torque Why did it hurt so bad and make me so sad It’s like it was a dare Because I was so scared But I know what I learned What to say and what to yearn How to touch and how to hold That when my wife is in my life I will most certainly know She will flow and definitely glow She will love like a dove And hold me like a glove Separate from all this bliss Is that God will be her main dish 54

Gabriella Lindau, 8th grade 55

Katherine Bolles, 12th grade 56

The Whisper by Christiny Reeves , 9th grade It came slowly in the vastness of night Your words cloaked in darkness Though your face not seen a voice was heard The lifting of your tongue From which came a light never seen Your words are like a drop in the ocean The love for something so small Which brings together the evanescence of the deep, dreary water You are a sound But I picture a king, a knight, a love My heart jumps The sound of your râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as they roll off your tongue I imagine your smile Wit the voice of an angel This must be what Mary felt In the presence of Gabriel The words though I try Stay in Stuck in my throat I could not bear to disturb the dialect I take part in though I have not spoken The silence speaks for me Letting itself take the time to listen I would give myself to you This sound I have never seen I would be the confessor And you would speak to my good and evil Your words of silk Full of wealth, but slip out with such ease I would hold you in my heart forever But you would never know me For I am just the wind And you are an echo I forever must drift away And you just a whisper 57

Trust by Christiny Reeves, 9th grade Look at us standing there in black and white Hand in hand, side by side The darkness captures events from the past The white of the future ahead We know the struggles we face We know the commitment we are making But how can we trust Our family is here But never complete They are gone Their rights were taken So how do we trust For the star you lived For the star you died Your cries unheard How did you trust Though we laugh We often cry Not only for you But how you died Here we are smiling There is still a pain Deep sorrow And shame Why could we not save you Why was your time so short Though we laugh at memories The pain still hurts Why did you trust us 58

We now must trust each other To stand man and wife To live in unison From this point on The rice has been thrown The vows have been said But should we trust We now must live in a world We thought we would never see Though grim and dreary Filled with beauty

Dylan Lister, 12th grade

Swiggidy Swag Sauce by William Roddenberry, 12th grade I look over the rainbow and there’s only sky to see The journey looking up is the part enticing me Like how does something we can’t touch and that’s so far above Remind me of a thing that is as close to me as love? The first time that I saw her, I knew that she was a queen Draped in robes of purple, amethyst in her crown gleams Back when all I knew about her was about the beauty That she sports in and out, and it was gently but profusely After I saw her leaving, leading off into the distance I shrugged and then I told myself it doesn’t make a difference But later it was only me and only then I knew That her not being with me only’d leave me blue Later I was green with envy; she knew someone else And this is when I thought I had a chance to prove myself This feeling was so new to me, I thought it was from mars It was a brand new kind of hatred, so strong that it made me see stars But over time I’d see her and still make myself feel mellow A certain sort of calm I feel whenever I see yellow But beyond that the jaundice makes me feel a sort of joy That comes when there’s connection with a girl and a boy Orange in the sky I see in the morning, in the dawn And dawn is the beginning like what I feel going on It’s something, that like citrus is a natural sort of sweet That you can feel through your body, head above heart beneath Then there’s red. Red’s the color of the love and of the passion The color that’s the climax of the story that has happened The story of the time you just let go, abandoned reason The story of the time you really thought you would lean in 60

Red, the color of the lips you longed to kiss The blood that’s moving faster when you think about the bliss Your eyes move down the rainbow, for you’re looking down to try But all the colors that you see leave questions in your eyes Sunrises are orange but orange is sunset I wonder if I’m someone she ever would forget And if that is the case, do I really want to kiss her? My mind tells her to stop, and then my mouth utters the word I’m yellow now again because I fear my chance is lost But I fear even more what would have happened if the gloss Had touched me on the lips, I think I fear it even still On the other hand I want it, but I fear I never will I’m green with envy for the one who would have gone ahead and done it ‘Cause I want it in my stomach, but my brain really doesn’t I’m jealous of her, who’s so emotionally driven I don’t even think the consequence was part of her decision The blue just intensifies what I already knew How sadness just so happens to be a part of what is true And why are people always saying water is blue When my tears and my emotions are just so easy to see through Now I’m back down at the bottom and I linger on the purple Just to think how going through so much, I finally come full circle And when I finally realize this is for another day Then purple is my shadow when I finally step away So now that I’m back down on earth and not up in the sky I realize I may never truly love before I die And now whenever I look up at rainbows from beneath I am constantly reminded of the things I’ll never reach.

On Life and Its Struggles...

Everything I Am Not by Anonymous, 9th grade You are strong and sure and everything I am not If I gave you up, I would be among the foolish and the blind Because you are the sweetest of all that I have sought Before I met you I was trapped in a web of lies, caught In the pull for my soul like the rest of mankind Yet you are strong and sure, and everything I am not Same old same old until you stirred my story’s plot To all the prayers and all the cries your ear was inclined Because you are the sweetest of all that I have sought To thank you for all that you have done for me, oh I cannot For the bad and the ugly within me you have refined For you are strong and sure, and everything I am not To give my life for you, oh I ought Shame on me if I get struck in the world’s daily grind Because you are the sweetest of all that I have sought To capture the King’s eye would be a long shot But you never wanted to leave me behind Because you are strong and sure, and everything that I am not For you are the sweetest of all that I have sought

Roller Coaster by Joshua Harvey, 9th Grade Life is a roller coaster You may get sick of it Or enjoy all of it No matter what there will always be another hill You will pull through until the end Some parts are great While others can be a struggle You might get sick and want to give up But you can see the finish line just ahead Life is a roller coaster

Sydney Bradley, 11th grade 63

Scrooge’s Version, a parody By Kennedy Cauley, 7th Grade (Sung to the tune of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel and Albert Hague) You’re a great one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a thrill. You’re as delightful as paycheck, You’re as charming as a meal, Mr. Grinch. You’re a bag of coins with a hundred dollar bill. You stole Christmas, Mr. Grinch. Your heart is made of coal. Your spirit is full of hatred, There’s no Christmas in your soul, Mr. Grinch. I wouldn’t touch Christmas with a Thirty-nine and half foot pole. You’re a bright one, Mr. Grinch. You have ideas in your mind You have all of Whoville’s presents packed in your homemade sleigh Mr. Grinch If Christmas better die, it better do it And decrease the surplus population. You’re a sly one, Mr. Grinch. You’re a sneaky, weaky fox. Your brain is full of Christmas spite. You stole every single box, Mr. Grinch. The best words that describe Christmas, Are as follows, and I quote “Bah! HUM! BUG!”

Scrooge’s Wonderland, a parody by Bree Luther and Karsten Herron, 7th Grade (Sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland, by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith) Scrooge was mean, Are you listenin’? There was a girl, She was glistenin’ Her name was Belle, She was in a spell, Because he liked money more than her. She realized she was his honey, He didn’t love her as much as money. So she said good-bye with a twinkle in her eye, Walking out Scrooges’ wonderland. Then Christmas past came at twelve, He said come with me we’ll visit Belle. Scrooge said “Are you kidding?” He said, “No man” But you can come with me she’s doing well. When they arrived and he saw her, He didn’t know she had a daughter. And not much less, A hubby at best, All cuddling right beside her. When he realized what he had done, Scrooge said let me leave this isn’t fun. The ghost said, “Are you kidding.” Scrooge said, “No man.” I knew I shouldn’t have ran. He was sad, Now he’s listenin’ His personality is now glistenin’. He change his ways, Now he’s out of the daze. Walking in his new wonderland. Walking in his new wonderland, Walking in his new wonderland.

Megan Sparks, 12th grade

Neal Tolbert, 12th grade

Dark, a found poem by Grace Ford, 12th grade Dark shattered his hopes Still very crushed Quite forgotten; Pale and dim And yet not far enough. Suddenly Go back? Go sideways? Feeling the patter pitter Certainly a tight place Not quite ordinary Quite different Still not not Also wonderfully wise Broken, a found poem by Tucker Braddy, 12th grade God Almighty! Would they actually die? Would they disappear? Where society had never been broken

The Wedding , a found poem by Callie Wilson, 12th grade Her wedding day White clothes They painted her with powder Prepared her for marriage A proper maid Burst with pride There is a marriage A merry day

Taylor Chapman, 12th grade

Comatose

A Short Story by Gabby Lindau, 8th grade

My name is Jackson, and I died today. It’s a whole lot different than I expected. I could think, I could talk, I could even feel. But I’ll get to that later. You’re probably wondering where I’m gonna go with this, but just listen to me. I, I have a crappy life. At least I thought I did, before I almost lost it for good. You see, I grew up in the projects, and I got mixed up with some bad company. I was what a lot of old ladies would call a hoodlum and who a lot of people in the suburbs would imagine carrying their TV out of a window. I’m just fifteen, and I’ve belonged to the Black Blood society for two years. The Black Bloods are a large gang of teens and a few adults here in the gut of Boston. I don’t even want to tell you half of what goes on in the place. It’s not like anyone cares, though, especially my dad, well my mom tells me he’s my dad. Bless her heart, my mom herself ’s an angel, but my dad, ha, I have no words for that-- Well, anyway. I was actually desperate to join a gang as I grew up. I remember crying myself to sleep behind the couch in my living room, listening to my mom screaming and my father on a drunken rampage, smashing plates and knocking over chairs. Now, whenever I don’t want to fall asleep listening to my parents, I hike over to another member’s house or one of our small hideouts hidden along streets whenever we run into the cops, and crash. Well, now that you know the nutshell of my life story, I guess I can tell you about what happened. Eleven forty-five: That’s when it happened. I rode up to my house at ten-thirty, I saw a single light on inside. The driveway is empty, missing my dad’s crumbling, old Ford. I roll up and stash my bike in the overgrown, withering shrubs on the side of the house. Reflexively, I take the spare key out from under the rock below the porch. After opening the door I walk in and lock it back, I’ll put the key back later. I make out he silhouette of my mom sitting facing the TV. “Hey, mom,” I say half expecting an answer. “Hey, baby,” she says, not looking away from the TV.

“You’re dad went out.” I’m glad I can’t see the bruises and scrapes on her face and body. I quietly start to make my way upstairs. “Jackson?” she says. “Yeah?” “I love you.” “I love you, too.” I walk up to my room, kick off my shoes, then just crash onto the sofa. I’m aroused suddenly after what seems like a second. I look at the clock, eleven forty-five. I had fallen asleep, and there’s more screaming downstairs. But this time the commotion is different from before. I creep out of my room to the banister and look down. I can see shadows on the walls, one large and swinging, another smaller and frail. “Oh, what’s the matter Racheal, am I too loud for you?” I hear my father’s infuriated tone, his words are slurred. “Charles, II can just take Jackson and go.” I want to dismiss what I’m hearing, but something doesn’t sit right with me about this fight. “No! This chair, this TV, this whole house is mine!” “Charles, please, you’ll get the neighbors to call the cops again!” Suddenly, I see the shadow pull something out and point it at the other. My heart sinks, I hear a bang and I’m blinded by a flash. I can’t stop myself from letting out a short but loud cry. “Jackson?” I hear my dad. My heart drops again. “Come here, boy!” he barks. I don’t waste any time leaping back up the stairs and getting into my room. I hear quick footsteps coming up the stairs behind me. I reach for the doorknob of the door to my room, but that’s as close as I come before a large hand clamps around my forearm. Even though he’s drunk he is still stronger than me. He drags me out to his truck and throws me in, slamming the door. He hops in, and after fumbling with the keys with some words I don’t care to repeat, he tears out of the driveway and down the street. “The neighbors probably already called the cops,” he thought out loud, “but we won’t be there when they come.” After speeding down the streets and running a red light, I hear a siren and look back, seeing a police car approaching. Dad speeds up, and we rip 71

down the streets through intersections, and I see cars zipping past trying to avoid our two ton projectile. The police car tails us for a good few minutes, but then we reach the entrance of a highway. We make a wide turn and slide over the blacktop. I see another black and white draw up on us-- the lights are flashing and the sirens are whirring. On the highway traffic is denser and my sense-deprived parent serpentines over the road. I don’t think before throwing my hands up on the steering wheel and try to pull the car over, until he pries my fingers away and barks at me to quit. Somehow a police car comes up to my side of the car. I see a silhouette turn its head and look at me, then pick up a radio. Ten minutes later we’re still speeding, and I’m getting more scared than before, and I knew the only reason they hadn’t taken out my dad yet was because I am in the car. Suddenly, our speed increases tremendously. I look over to see my dad slumped over the wheel, all the alcohol and sleeplessness have caught up with him, but at both our expenses. I grasp the wheel again, but it won’t budge with all the weight pinned to it. Dad had collapsed with his foot on the gas pedal and all his weight forced it down. We slowly careen to the guard rail. Sparks fly as metal meets metal. I’m going deaf from the screeching. Suddenly, the rail gives way, and I lose all feeling in my stomach as the truck dips to the side, and we capsize. There’s a sharp pain in my neck as the air bag deploys, slamming into my body. We continue to violently tumble until we land upside down. I land like I’m standing on my head, the pain in my neck grows tremendous, and as I see headlights shining as the cars pull up behind us, the darkness comes. Suddenly, the weirdest thing happens. I wake up. I’m in a tunnel, like a mineshaft. It’s sloped upward and I hear multiple, whispering voices. I see a bright white light shining at the end. I look down, I’m still in my clothes from the crash. I can’t help but wonder where I am, how I got here, and what happened? I take a step, my leg feels like it has invisible weights tied to it, but walking gradually grows easier as I near the light. 72

I reach the end and am almost blinded. I hesitate before continuing, but then I take a deep breath and walk through. What I see next, I cannot accurately describe. The cave that should have been behind me was gone, I look down and I’m standing on a cloud. The light all around me is so bright I can barely see, it’s like standing on a star. I hear the voices from the cave grow even stronger now. But eventually my eyes become adjusted to the light, and my heart flutters at what I see. A humongous man sits on a throne made of pure gold, his robe the most pure color of white. He stretches up into the sky so high I can’t see his face. The sky is the most beautiful crystalline blue, more gorgeous than I’d ever seen it back home. On either side of the throne are large, golden stands that you’d see for a jury in a courtroom. In them are several people wearing white robes tied with gold ropes, pure white wings project from their backs, and rings of light shine around their heads. They stand singing songs with the most beautiful voices. Behind the man are storm clouds, lightning leaps from cloud to cloud, but the thunder’s roar is soft. I look up, and above the top of the throne are four creatures flying back and forth. They all have up to six wings and are covered in eyes, they would have been horrifying on Earth, but here they seem remarkably beautiful. One looks like a lion, the other like a bull, or a horse. Another looks like an eagle and the last one has the face of a man. They all circle back and forth over the throne, pedestal to pedestal, and cry with echoing, angelic voices, “Holy, holy, holy Lord God almighty. Who was and is, and is to come. The Earth is full of thy glory!” When I look around and begin to process what I’m looking at, there is a shooting pain in the back of my throat, I feel tears in my eyes. I want to cry, everything here is so beautiful and intense. I’ve never felt so happy. Every bit of stress, pain, fear and anger is gone, in my heart I feel undoubtedly free. Suddenly, I’m yanked backward, clean off my feet. I quickly and uncontrollably retreat from the sight, the force like going down a roller coaster hill. I close my eyes and hold my breath. 73

Denny Deng, 10th grade Suddenly, I no longer feel the invisible force. I open my eyes. I’m back in the tunnel, only this time when I look ahead of me it’s aimed downward, and at the end I see flickering red light and hear screaming. My heart sinks, and I freeze, but at the same time there’s something in my brain. A renegade impulse that forces me to walk forward, like a puppeteer pulling his marionette’s strings. As I near the light I grow more and more terrified, and against my own will I walk over the threshold. I open my eyes and I’m standing in front of what looks like the inside of a prison. Caves in the rock like cells run the walls which stretch as tall and as far as I can see. Suddenly, a cloaked figure, which comes up to stomach height, walks up to me. He gestures me to follow him and I find my strings being manipulated again. He pauses outside the first cell and points toward the inside of it. Inside is a woman who is walking through a meadow. I’m confused, if this is the place I thought it was, something isn’t right. The woman comes upon a house, and on the front porch sits her grandmother in a rocking chair. But I saw what the woman 74

couldn’t--the woman on the porch wasn’t her beloved elder, but a demon playing her part. She greeted her by saying things like, “You made it to heaven! Honey, welcome home. I’m so glad you’re here.” I feel my heart sink for no reason, and before I can see any more my robed guide is off again. He walks me further down the infinite row, and he stops at another door. Inside is a man who looks from the twenties. He wears the pin-striped suit and hat of a mobster, and he is in a pool house. He believes he is on some kind of break from his torments, and he is just shooting his cue stick. Then comes along a demon disguised as a mob boss, and begins to assault him. I feel terror start to set in and my guide goes again. The next cell holds a woman, who instead of God, worshipped the trees and the sun, psychedelics and the earth. It is night in her cell and she, along with demons disguised as others, are dancing around a fire. She looks scared and suddenly the demons walk up. One picks up a rock, and says, “How about this rock? Will it save you?” it jeers, then strikes her on the head with it. Another picks up a thorn tendril. “Or these thorns?” and they drag them down her arms. I don’t hesitate to hurry along as my guide starts on his way again. The sound of their disturbing laughter lingers in the back of my head. This time we stroll for what seems like several minutes, and come to a cell of someone I recognize. One of the most infamous men in history, Adolf. He’s screaming, trapped inside a gas chamber like the ones he’d used to execute millions of innocent people. And he’s burning, I can see in his eyes that he’s feeling tremendous pain. The pain he put all of those weaker than him through while he was on Earth. One last time my guide moves on. We pass by multiple other cells, and the whole time there is a voice in the back of my head. It feels powerful and sweet, almost alluring. It says things like, “Why would such a good God allow all this suffering? Half of these people don’t even really deserve it! If he really does always forgive, why does this place exist?” It was trying to get me to curse God, the being I saw just a minute ago. The demon ahead of me suddenly stops, and to the side of me is an empty cell. The door is open, and he points inside it. Suddenly, I hear 75

screaming of a familiar voice, and I see two large beasts carrying my hateful, waste-of-space father. “No, no!” he screams over, and over. He yells several vulgar words and lashes out desperately, then he sees me. “Let go of m-Wait, Jackson?! You’re here, too? Quick, vouch for me!” I’m frozen as they come closer toward us. “Do something!” They carry him over to the cell and literally throw him in. The door is slammed shut, a metal bang that echoes in my ears. I start to back away. I don’t know where I’ll go, but anywhere away from here. The hooded figure who was my guide slowly starts to turn towards me. I’m ready to turn tail and run. The demon faces me, his face hidden. It’s like I’m staring into an abyss of death. The demon starts to grow exponentially, and so does the volume of the screaming around us. I want to scream, too, but find the breath caught in my throat as two bright red eyes appear in the shadow of the hood, like burning coals. Suddenly, I feel a presence behind me, two hands clasp my shoulders, but I can’t take my eyes off what is before me to see who it is. The giant horror suddenly dives forward, the eyes quickly falling to crush me. I clench my eyes shut and whatever’s behind wraps around me. I wait for something. I don’t know what I am expecting, but whatever it is never comes. I brace myself and open my eyes. I see one man standing in front of me. He looks at me expressionless, his eyes look as if they have a literal fire burning behind them. I see obvious scars on his face and neck, some light, but some very deep. I look up, and sitting on top of his head is a sparkling golden crown. And he wears a red robe, it’s been soaked in blood. A silky purple sash drapes over his shoulder across it. I look down, on the backs of his hands I see large red scars, and on the tops of his feet I see the same thing. I pull my eyes away from him and look at our surroundings. We’re perched on a cloud again, white mist rolling all around us. The sapphire sky stretching in all directions, and the glowing sun in the distance. I return my attention to him. He blinks, and the fire recedes from his eyes. Revealing a kind, nurturing gaze. My lip quivers, tears start to build up in my eyes. I fall to my knees and start crying my eyes out. The reality of everything I’d just seen--heaven, hell, and the

man standing in front of me, had devastated my heart. I feel joy and sadness bash together in my spirit. There’s an unidentifiable feeling in my soul. Oh, my soul, what all have I done! I feel a hand on my shoulder again, and I look up through the tears. He smiles at me, and I struggle to return it. He helps me to my feet and pulls me into a hug. I just stand there and close my eyes. The same darkness I saw in the car wreck finds me again, and I distantly hear the rhythmic chirp of a heart monitor. There is a bright flash of light, and a second later I snap my eyes open and draw a sharp, painful breath. The joyous feeling has suddenly left me. I want to move, but find that I can’t. I roll my eyes to check out my surroundings, and I realize, I’m lying in a hospital room.

Tesch Jerles, 11th grade

On Texting and Driving An Essay by Casey Kilburg, 10th grade

Do you think it is safe to be driving the roads with a blindfold? No, that’s crazy! Then how is it any better to be using a phone while driving? It is not worth the risk of endangering yourself and others just for a phone call. Drivers should be banned from using cell phone because they can cause you to swerve off the road, crash and severely injure yourself, you could hit another person because of lack of focus, and you could break the law by speeding or getting a ticket. Swerving off the road is just one of the many life changing things that can happen to you while using a cell phone and driving. Your brain is not capable of talking or texting while driving, says David Slayer from the Huffington Post. This type of multitasking is near impossible for people to do safely. Besides a close to death experience you may encounter when you swerve off the road, your car can be seriously damaged. You will also be facing fines since texting while driving is now illegal in the United States. Sirens are the last things you will hear before being locked behind bars. Besides being extremely dangerous, texting while driving is a felony. If you get lucky enough for a police officer not to notice you texting while driving, he will surely notice you speeding recklessly. Not being totally focused on driving will cause you to speed. The payment for a ticket is getting more costly by the day. Is it really worth going to jail and wasting money just over a text you could have waited for? Texting while driving means you are not looking a the road, therefore you wouldn’t be able to see if a person walked in front of you. Even if you have extremely fast reflexes it still wouldn’t be enough. Death is one of the worst subjects to think about. Just talking about it upsets people. Could you even imagine how you would feel if you were the one responsible for taking another person’s life? It is not worth the risk of killing a person 78

just to look at a text you couldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve waited to see. Furthermore, the risks of seriously injuring yourself, speeding, and killing an innocent person are not worth it. Unfortunately, most people do not make the responsible decision to put down their phone to wait until they are safely off the road. Therefore, cell phones should be banned from the driver. Roads will be much safer for the people driving and the people walking without distracted drivers.

On Being a Senior...

Caroline Stroud, 12th grade Ballad of a Senior by Paul Young, 12th grade As I wander the halls I think, To what have we contributed as a class? At first I become doubtful, Thinking that we’ve been merely pains in the…..neck. On further reflection, though, The grandeur of our experience, it begins to grow. Memories of friendship settle in my thoughts, Of pain, of sadness, by classes mutually wrought. I remember friends old and friends new, All the relationships, the good and the bad, we’ve accrued. As I wander the halls I think, To what have we contributed as a class? And then it dawns on me, As a class we have affected things not bound by the school. We have affected things not bound by this town, Things not bound by this nation or anything but God Himself. The answer to my question, To what have we contributed as a class? One another.

Where Do I Go? by Megan Sparks, 12th grade Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m done with this place but where do I go? All the people and good times are just memories now. What if my life isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Great? What if I get lost? Where do I go? The obstacles might defeat me, and I will fail How do I learn to prevail? People will lead me astray I might lose sight of what I want Where do I go? My dreams may fall through, and my goals might Be unattainable. Boredom and loneliness are not an option. Where do I go? FORWARD.

Bentlie Grice, 12th grade

Baccalaureate Speech by Bentle Grice, 12th grade

When I first walked through the doors of FPD as a kindergartner, I had no clue what God would have in store for me. It is hard to believe that after 13 years, FPD will no longer be a place I attend on a regular basis; however, I know I will always be able to call it home. As I look back on my time here, I can see how God showed His faithfulness to me not only in the big picture, but in the details—every day, every teacher, every coach, and every friend. I will forever remember my second grade teacher, Mrs. Albright, who was one of the main influences that led me to Christ at such a young age. Not only did she foster what was already going on in my heart, she went out of her way to come to my baptism and gave me a gift and personal note afterwards. I have been blessed to have teachers like her that care about me beyond the classroom all the way through high school. In AP Euro, Coach A taught me more than just history. For the first time, I learned how to actually study. His class was tough, but he pushed us to always do our best in all areas because he truly loved us and wanted to see us succeed. In multiple art classes, Mrs. Butler challenged me to get outside my comfort zone and really hone skills I didn’t know I had. She took time out of her personal life to invest her knowledge of art in us. Bible classes taught me to apply Biblical standards to current issues and deepened my faith. FPD is full of teachers who live and breathe our mission statement—“to educate and equip students to change the world for God’s glory.” Coaches, like Amy Kenney, have shown Christ-like love by graciously pouring their time into me and doubling as leaders and great listeners. Amy will stop whatever she’s doing in a heart beat to have a conversation with one of her cheerleaders about anything that’s been on their mind. People like her at FPD have taught me to genuinely care about others and to love like Jesus does. Unforgettable friendships have also been made along the way. I can remember countless times when friends have picked me up when I’ve been down and celebrated with me in some of my happiest moments. 82

Because God placed me at FPD, I have been impacted by some pretty incredible people that otherwise, I might not have ever encountered. As the year has drawn to a close, I have been flooded with lots emotions, but mostly thankfulness. I am so thankful to have spent my kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school years surrounded by people who loved me and encouraged me to chase after God’s plan for my life. For most families, sending children to FPD is a sacrifice, but I think it is one of the greatest gifts parents could ever give because it is something that can never be taken away from us—a solid education, and more importantly, an upbringing in Christian values. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for the love, instruction, and support I’ve received from my school. Because of the fine Christian examples that FPD has chosen as faculty, God’s faithfulness has been shown to me through His people. During the fall semester of my senior year, I got sick with mono. Coming back to school was stressful for me because I had so much work to make up. I can remember one morning that was particularly rough for me. As I was walking down the hallway, Mr. Hall stopped me and said, “Hey Bentlie! It’s so good to see you here! I’ve really been praying for you and I hope you are feeling better.” I don’t think he even realized how much it meant to me, but it was so awesome to see that someone at school cared that I was there and wanted to see me doing well. There have been numerous times when I have felt that my day couldn’t get any worse, or that I really just wouldn’t make it and God has used someone at FPD to remind me that He is holding me in His hand. A day doesn’t go by that a faculty member doesn’t stop to show Christian love and concern to a student. Though the Christian walk is full of high and low points, FPD has always been a firm foundation for me to stand on and has been a constant reminder of Philippians 1:6—“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.”

Sara Walsh, 12th grade