April 2018 issue 31 by Kids Standard

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Family Heroes page

Sports Heroes page

Motivate. Activate. Celebrate.

Historic Heroes page

F e at u r e

Everyday Heroes

Index: Feature..................................................2 Editorial Calendar...............................3 Family Heroes.....................................4 Sports Heroes.......................................8 Superheroes.......................................10 Historic Heroes..................................12 Poetry..................................................14 Fiction.................................................16 Friends................................................16 Non-Fiction........................................17 Food for Thought..............................17 Educators............................................18 Nutrition.............................................20 Author page.......................................22 Parent’s Corner..................................23 Volunteer opportunity is available for students and adults. Contact us info@kidsstandard.com Let us know if your school wants to partner with us. Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/kidsstandard Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/kidsstandard 248-410-3976 © Copyright Kids Standard Publication Inc, Michigan. All Rights Reserved

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Dear Readers and Writers,

he notion of heroism is an interesting concept that has greatly evolved over many years of human existence. The term itself - "hero" - was created and first used by the ancient Greeks. At that time, a hero was any mortal who had accomplished something out of ordinary - something beyond the human capacity to do. This accomplishment was indeed so amazing that an immortal memory of it stayed alive long after the person had passed away. As a result, the person was considered worthy of the same worship as the gods. What is quite surprising about this concept of heroism is that to the ancient Greeks, the nature of accomplishments didn’t matter as long as a hero expanded people's sense of human possibilities. The Greek heroes were not always good, but they were always extraordinary. Today, the concept of heroism has a very different hue. It has less to do with human mortality and more to do with human morality. Our heroes are people whom we hold in high regard and want to imitate. These heroes are symbols of the merits we wish to have and the accomplishments we aspire to reach.

Arina Bokas

Kids’ Standard Editor & Author of Building Powerful Learning Environments: From Schools to Communities

Thus, whom we choose as our heroes has a lot to do with us. We tend to equate our ideals with our heroes, and the qualities of these heroes (courage, honor, and selflessness, for example) shape us into who we are. It is a good idea for us to reflect on who our own heroes are and what they represent to us. Kids’ Standard’s April issue, Everyday Heroes, provided this opportunity to our readers and writers. Happy reflecting!

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Arina Bokas, Ph.D. Ø Author, college writing instructor, editor Ø Frequent contributor to national publications and instructional blogs – ASCD, International Literacy Association, NCTE, Harvard University’s Good Project and Out of Eden.

For more information or scheduling: arinabokas@aol.com

Phone: 248-330-2408

E d i to r i a l C a l e n da r

2017-2018 Editorial Calendar May 2018

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Kids’ Standard’s Camp “Writing through Learning & Learning through Writing” Using critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication will builds confidence. Camp Locations: (Bloomfield/ Bloomfield Public Library, Clarkston/ Renaissance High School, Lake Orion/ Sims Blanche Elementary, Auburn Hills/ Auburn Elementary, Rochester Hills/ Public Library, and Pontiac/ Public Library)

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Write about your personal experiences with music, whether it is singing, playing an instrument, composing, or just listening. Research music genres and musicians. Compose a song. Review songs or any other piece of music.

Whether it is telling your own story or doing scientific investigation, it takes much more than just sitting behind a computer. It takes slowing down, thinking, noticing, questioning, and exploring. We will get up and go! This five or 10 days camp will provide participants with an opportunity to embark on a first-hand investigation of their hometown. During the first two days, children will do preliminary research and, guided by thinking maps, explore the downtown, record observations, conduct interviews, and collect information for their stories. Days 3-4 will be dedicated to collaboration and writing. On Friday, all families will be invited to attend the last hour of the camp to walk through a gallery of stories and find out more about each story by talking to the writers. Students who attend the camp for 2 weeks, will practice art and will work on public speaking related to the project they worked on. At the end of the 2 weeks, we will ask the friends and families to come in and see the work the students have done. All stories will be presented to places featured in these stories and published in Kids’ Standard’s Camp electronic issue, shared with families and participants. The best stories will appear in Kids’ Standard’s September issue. Young journalists will need to bring their own lunch and snack. Bottled water, a notebook, pen, and small backpack will be provided. Please note that this camp will involve a walking trip downtown. Students will be divided in groups of four and have a high school mentor assigned to each group.

June 2018

(Summer 2018 (digital only) – The Break!) What do you like about a summer break? Do you think you can learn during summer while having a break? Share your advice and experiences. Offer recommendations on activities that families can do in summer) .

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KFI am D S iC ly O RHNeErRo e s

Uncle Colin By: Stella Dougherty, 4th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

Two Moms By: Mathea Marcale,

eroes are not just Super Heroes you see on TV. Real heroes are people that do great things. My heroes are my moms. Yes, my two moms. A lot of people ask me if my parents got a divorce, because most kids of my age have one mom and one dad. I have two moms, and I love them very much. My moms are my heroes because they are with me every day, and they save lives working as nurses. They

mom is a really good artist and likes to make crafts. My moms like to speak Filipino at home, so it is really cool to know another language other than English. I love it when my moms encourage me when I'm sick that I can get through this. I love it when we have family time because our family is not always complete; one of our moms is always gone to work, but sometimes they both are off so we all can be together. At times I wonder how it feels to be working for 12 hours every two days. I see that my parents put so much into this family, and I´m so thankful for what they

alternate the days they work just to take care of my sister and me. I don’t really know what happens at the hospital because they are very busy. The only information I get is when one of my moms comes home. As a family, we sit at dinner and tell each other about our days. I have a good idea about everyone’s day, and also get to know what happens at the hospital. From the information my moms tell me about the hospital, I do not want to be a nurse when I get older. Outside of the hospital, they are funny, loving moms who are superheroes to me. One of my moms is the best cook in the world. My other

are doing for us. I'm trying to help my moms with things because they are getting older. I help by setting the table, cleaning the house, and washing the dishes. I love it when my moms comfort me because it feels so good to be comforted by your parents, even though they might occasionally put me out of my comfort zone. But that helps me get over my fears. One of my moms always gives me inspiring quotes before school, and I appreciate that; that's another way she encourages us. The reason that my moms are my everyday heroes is because they encourage me every step of the way.

4th grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

y Uncle Colin is my hero. His full name is Colin Rhead, and he is twenty three years old. He graduated from Western Michigan University in December, 2017, and would like to be a nurse. Uncle Colin has traveled to many places around the world. He has been to Hawaii and saw the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. He has just moved to Kansas. He always visits me, and I love him tons. We even look like each other because we both have thick, brown hair. Uncle Colin loves to fish. He fishes with me at my grandma’s house. We catch fish in nets and feed them bread. He is brave and strong. He recently broke his arm, but he still does the same things that he used to do. He never turns down any game I want to play with him. Once I got the wind knocked out of me, and he told me to breathe through my nose. He saved me! Uncle Colin is a very kind, passionate person. He always sits next to me at the dinner table whenever he eats with me, and he always wears a hat, which many times I have tried to steal. My Uncle is the best uncle in the universe. He is much better than any superhero. 4

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F am i l y H e r o e s Dear Mom,

Note to My Mom By: Ember Mohrman, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

ou have always helped me through such important things like choosing friends, being kind to my sisters, and learning to be the oldest sister. You bake yummy food. Sometimes, it feels like you are a doctor, which is a good thing! If I get sick you help me through it all. You are a blessing in my life. My favorite thing about you is that you love me. Nothing is better about you. You are the best mom anyone could have. You never give up on me or stop believing in me. You leave kind notes, and they make me smile. And I can trust you with anything. You are my hero because you know how to love with all your heart! Love, Ember

My Uncle By: Emory Carter, 5th grade, Herriman Elementary, Pontiac

y everyday hero is my uncle, who has recently passed away. He was a former police officer, and he would often tell me about his cases. It was always fun to hear about them. Interestingly, my uncle happened to work with my teacher’s mom - also a police officer. He would find games for me and my older cousin to play when he was not around, and he would also watch the NBA and football games with me. When we would go to the store, he would get everything that I wanted and needed. He called me his ‘right hand man’ because I would do everything for him. My uncle and I did everything together. Sadly, things started to change when my uncle became sick and was no longer able to work and do things that we did together. As I reflect on my time with my uncle, I am reminded of the great moments we shared and the many experiences we had together. Even though he passed away, I will keep our memories close, and they, in turn, will keep me close to my everyday hero who made my life brighter just by being in it.

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F am i l y H e r o e s

My Superman and Wonder Woman

BY: Olivia Spitznas, 4th grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

hen I say heroes, one probably thinks about Superman or Batman, maybe Flash or Wonder Woman! But there are everyday heroes that do great things without superpowers. You can look at such examples as Malala Yousafzai, who helped girls get education, or Martin Luther King, Jr., who abolished segregation, or Abe Lincoln, who freed slaves. You don’t have to jump over walls and fly to be a hero. In my life, my Superman and Wonder Woman are my mom and dad. My dad was a construction worker from 2012 to 2015, and he was really

brave. He worked on the Walt Whitman bridge, one of the largest bridges in the Southeast. It was really high up. My mom, on the other hand, worked at the hospital to help save people’s lives! I think my parents are so awesome, not just at their jobs, but at being parents as well. While my family lived in Pennsylvania, my brother and I would go to school while my mom worked during that time so she could spend time with us after. If I missed my mom, my dad would take me to have lunch with her at the hospital, and everyone knew me there. Sometimes, while I was at the hospital, I could also see my best friend´s mom, Erin. My mom and dad are very funny. My dad can be really weird and funny, and my mom is always nice and caring! They work and take care of us. My dad used to work a state away, but still had time to have fun with us. My brother gets embarrassed by my parents because he is an ¨edgy¨ teenager, but I feel lucky to have them as parents. We go places that most parents would not think to take their children. Sometimes, my parents would take us to this place called Sweet Frog all the way in Virginia, when we were good. We get to travel around the country.. I think that my parents are the best. They may not be able to fly and shoot lasers out of their eyes, but they are my heroes, and I love them very much.

My Hero By: Reiss Griffiths, 3rd grade, Woodland Elementary, Troy

hero is a person that you look up to. For me, this person is my dad. My dad has two jobs. One is a small job, and the other job is at a hot dog stand. He is second in command at the hot dog stand, and he works really hard. My dad and I do fun things together. We go to the Armada festival. At the festival, we go on Easter egg hunts. We watch cartoons together. Our favorite cartoon is Uncle Grandpa. Our favorite thing to do together is relax at our Armada house! We like to say “waffles!’ together. It is our inside joke. 6

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My Mom is My Hero By: Jeffrey Eischen, Kindergarten, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

eroes help people. My mommy is my hero. My mommy councils students.

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F am i l y H e r o e s

My Dad By: Gianna Woita, 4th grade, Woodland Elementary, Troy

y dad is the most important person in my life. He helps me, he encourages me, and he knows who I am. He guides me through everything. One time I was struggling with a really hard math problem, but my dad kept on telling me that I could do it, and I did. Another time, I used to want to grow up to be just like my sister Milana. That

meant that I wanted to be her! My dad overheard me talking about this with my sister, and when we finished the conversation, he came up to me and said, “You are who you are, and no one can change that. You are a unique person. You are amazing just the way you are!” This really inspired me to focus on my own goals and what I wanted my future to look like. My dad is an extraordinary person! He takes the time to learn about me and help me through everything. My family and I support him and love him unconditionally! He is my hero because he believes in me and always finds the right words for me.

Fantastic Hero By: Dayionna Buck. 5th grade, Herriman Elementary, Pontiac

y mother is my everyday hero because she takes care of me and she is my best friend. She is independent, caring, funny and hard-working. As a single mother, she has done a fantastic job raising me and my siblings on her own. My mom is helping us with our homework and juggling more than one job at the same time. Day in and day out, my mom gives and does not stop giving. She constantly repeats the daily routine of going to work, prepping dinner, folding clothes, and being an avid listener to her kids. She is overprotective when it comes to rules, because her boundaries make us better people. Whether it be material things or things like the instincts to keep us safe, she’s making sure we have everything we need. I have never met someone who is so selfless as her. She takes time off work to spend time with my siblings and me. She has always put me first in her life and does everything she could to

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give me the best life. My mom is the strongest person that I know. She has shown me right from wrong and has provided me with everything I need to succeed. She shows me the difference between real life and pretend, helps me survive in the real world, and, when I’m sad, she tells me everything will be alright. No matter what I do, what mistakes I make, what I say, or how much I upset my mom, her love will never subside. We live in a world where sometimes we don’t realize how hurtful our words can be. Let’s face it, she puts up with me. No matter how big the fight or disagreement, you can always count on her to resolve the issue. I don't know where I would be without my mom. There hasn't been a second when I was left in the dark. She always has my back. Putting up with me is not easy. I am moody, stubborn, and at times, I think I know everything. My mother and I don’t have the perfect relationship. We get in arguments and disagree on a lot of things, but no matter how big of a fight we get in, we always make up by the end of

the day because we both know we couldn’t live without each other. My mother has always said that I should do whatever makes me happy and be the best person I can be. My mother makes me feel like the most important person in the world, because I know she would do anything for me . Words cannot even express the love I have for her, and how blessed I am to have such an amazing mother. Nothing will ever compare to how much my mom has impacted my life. I'd be kidding myself to say that I tell her enough how much I appreciate her. There aren't enough breaths in the day to thank her for all that she has done for me, and all that she will still do for me. I know that no matter how old I grow, my mom will always be there for me. She will always be waiting with open arms to either congratulate me or console me. She is hands-down my biggest supporter and will always be standing at the finish line of whatever race I may be running. I could be crawling across that finish line and she'd still be cheering for me the whole way. I have never felt more loved by any other human than I do by my mom.

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S p o rt s H e r o e s

Matthew Stafford By: Abhinav Mosra, 3rd grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

n sports, my hero is Matthew Stafford - a quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Matthew Stafford was born in Tampa, Florida. In 2015, Stafford married Kelly Hall, his wife, and in

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2017 they had twin daughters - Chandler Stafford and Sawyer Stafford. Matthew Stafford is a strong person. Once he had a hand injury in a game; he got it when he threw a ball with a bruise, and the coach told the reporters that the x-ray for Matthew Stafford came back negative. Staffordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job is very important. He got his team to the Super Bowl in 2014 and won 50-5 against the Arizona Cardinals. He threw 29 TDS in a season, and that is awesome. I like Matthew Stafford because he is handsome and is cool. He inspired me to play football. And he also helps people.

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S p o rt s H e r o e s

TOM BRADY By: Xavier Brikho,

3rd grade, Deerfield Elementary,

Rochester Hills

om Brady is a real superstar. He is an American football quarterback. He plays for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is one of only two players to win five Super Bowls and the only player to win them all playing for one team. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2000. Tom Brady is very athletic. When he was little, he played golf at the age of 2. Tom got also drafted for baseball. Tom went to the University of Michigan to play for the Wolverines. He has three NFL MVP awards and four Super Bowl NFL MVP awards. Now Tom Brady is 40 years old, he is married to Gisele Bundchen, and they have three children. Tom lost his last Super Bowl LII to the Philadelphia Eagles, this loss doesn’t stop him and his team; it only gives them inspiration to push forward next season. Tom is a great role model and a real sports hero.

Olympic Athletes By: Owen Pliska, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

n winter, you might have watched the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. If you did, you probably saw many people that I consider heroes. They are heroes because they push the limits of human physical capacity and go above and beyond to complete for our country. The American athletes representing our country strive for the gold medal. Every single one. At every event, they are playing for the gold metal for the

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country. They want to make America proud and represent our country well. Some American athletes did amazing things. Chris Mazdzer was the first American to win a medal in men's luge. Mirai Nagasu was the first w o m a n to land a quadruple axel in figure skating.

The women's hockey team took the gold metal after they upset Canada 3-2. The men’s curling team also won gold for the event. They never gave up on their goals to compete and win. I’m proud of all the athletes that went and competed for us. In all, USA won 23 medals, 9 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze. USA got fourth place in the medal count. I think that's pretty cool and impressive. Our Olympic athletes are great and stunning at what they do. They are not performing for themselves only; they are performing for us as well. We should thank and honor them for what they do. Thanks for being my heroes, USA Olympic Athletes!

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Superheroes

WONDER WOMAN By: Violet Dougherty, 2nd grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

here once lived an Amazonian; her name was Diana. She was daughter to the Queen of the Amazonians. Her mother sculpted her out of clay. Diana wanted to train to be a warrior, but her mother didn’t like this idea. Diana begged her mother, but she kept refusing. Then, Diana came up with her own plan: she secretly started training with a trainer. Then one day, her mother saw her going through exercises with

her trainer and got very angry. She sent Diana to the castle. Later, when her mother came to see her, she told Diana why she didn’t want her training. She said, “Diana, I don’t want you to get hurt.” “ Okay,” Diana said and stopped training. A few years later, when Diana got bigger, the British came to their kingdom.

One day, she saw a plane crash into the water and a man needed help. Diana dove in the water, found him quickly, and swam to the shore with the man in her arms. When she brought him to the Queen, the warriors got the lasso of truth and questioned the man. He said, “My name is Steve Trevor, and I am a Spy .” Another time, Diana wanted to jump through a window over a canon. She jumped and tried to hold on. It was hard, but then she figured out how to do it: to take one fist and pound it, then to repeat. She finally got to the window, went in, and saw the costume by the sword, about which her mother had told her before. Diana fought crime in many places. She is my hero because she always saves the day! She has awesome powers and moves to help her save the day ! She has super strength and bracelets that can never be broken. In my opinion she is AWESOME!

Supergirl By: Michelle Ho, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

ersonally, my favorite hero is Supergirl because she is brave, caring, and strong. Supergirl works at the DEO with her sister, and her boss, John Jones, who is actually a alien from Mars. She has blond hair, wears a blue shirt, red cape, red skirt, and a gold belt. She is from the planet Krypton that has exploded. Supergirl is brave when she fights such villains as Worldkiller, LIvewire, Silver Banshee, and Red Tornado. She cares a lot about other people and fights for their safety. She is really strong and fights to protect others. Supergirl is a good sister. She protects Alex from danger. She is my favorite superhero because she put puts other people before herself. She is the best superhero!

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H i s to r i c H e r o e s

Martin Luther King, Jr.,

The Hero of Many

By: Jadin Moore, 5th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

artin Luther King Jr. was a very important man. He was big part of ending racism. Not always, however, people thought of him as a hero. Back in the days of racial segregation, many people thought he was a monster. He was jailed 28 times! Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing man of peace, who did heroic things and changed lives of others. What did Martin Luther King Jr. actually do? He wrote speeches. “I Have a Dream” is probably the most wellknown of them. He brought about ‘peace parades,’ as well. But the most important thing is that he inspired countless people, black or white! Martin Luther King Jr. believed that all people should live in harmony and peace. He touched hearts

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and lifted spirits. I can’t imagine how life would have been now if he weren’t there. There could’ve still been racism, and some of my best friends are black! For all of his great work, my hero, thousands of people’s hero, was shot. It was April 4, 1968. He was on a balcony

in the hotel; in a few days he was to give his speech. Someone with a cold soul decided to stop him, for good. So on that day, in Memphis, Tennessee, we lost a hero. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired greatness, and he will always be remembered as a hero. www.KidsStandard.org

H ifsetat o rui r c eH e r o e s

Susan B. Anthony By: Sophia Le, 5th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

mong many people who changed our country for the better, who comes to mind first? Most people think of Rosa Parks or Harriet Tubman, but I think of Susan B. Anthony. Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights; specifically, for the rights of women to vote. Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. She was raised by a Quaker family that had been known for their longtime activist traditions. In 1851, Susan B. Anthony went to an anti-slavery conference. When she was there, she met Elizabeth Cady Stanton. They soon established the Women’s New York State Temperance Society, and not much later, they were fighting for the women’s rights. This was forming the New York State Women’s Rights Committee. By 1868, they began publishing a women's rights newspaper called The Revolution. Anthony worked in many capacities. In 1872, she was arrested for voting in

her hometown and convicted in a widely watched trial. When she first started her campaign for women's rights, Anthony was ridiculed and even blamed for trying to destroy the traditional marriage. This changed a lot over her lifetime. For her 80th birthday, President William McKinley invited her to celebrate it in the White House. Susan B.

Rosa Parks By : Kaelyn Nardi,

4th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

e all should have at least one hero in our lives - one who inspires us to do great things. One of my heroes is Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913. Being a black person, she became known for not surrendering her seat to James Blake, a white man, on a bus. At that time, there was a rule that white people got to sit at the front of the bus, because white people were considered better than other races. Rosa Parks was not a big or loud person, but she had dignity. She felt the need to stand up for herself, and as a result, she APRIL 2018

Anthony became the first woman to appear on U.S. coinage - the 1979 dollar coin. I think it is amazing that people who had really no rights still had it in them to fight for themselves and others. And now, because of Susan B. Anthony and her co-workers, women enjoy many rights, including the one to vote.

inspired other people to do the same. By breaking the rule, Rosa Parks helped start the movement for ending racial segregation. Segregation happened when white and black people were separated. The white people went to separate schools from the black people. There were separate shops and seatings for white and black people. This wasn’t fair. Martin Luther King Jr. held a large parade, and Rosa Parks set a great example. Even if people’s houses got bombed, they keep on walking. Even if they got shot, they keep on walking. Rosa Parks helped the movement by stopping bus segregation. As you can see, Rosa Parks is a really important person and a hero. 13

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Poetry Then slid over to me and focused locking me in one place. I couldn’t move. Everyone else in the room disappeared. I couldn't breathe, but everything was fine.

The Last Look

I could feel Mary’s warm soul filling the room.

By: Anna Laube,

I knew everything would be alright.

8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

The corners of her mouth turned up

My mom and I walked into the back bedroom of the house

and transformed into as much as a smile she could manage

In the small room was a big hospital bed that stuck out like neon on black.

Suddenly it all fell out. All the emotions I had kept in

In the bed is a lady I don’t recognize.

since hearing about Mary being ill.

That wasn’t my Mary.

I was sad about losing my great friend,

My Mary was happy. My Mary was smiling.

but I also felt relief.

My Mary was alert. This lady just laid in her bed

She went over to talk to other adults

sleeping.

she could bear it no more

Her wrinkles showing her old age.

to look at this dreadful site

My Mary’s wrinkles were always covered up by her bright smile.

“Mary, Anna is here to see you!”

Our family’s good friend, Mary, was 95 and not doing well.

Pat, Mary’s daughter stood next to me

I couldn’t picture a world without her,

Pat gently put her hand on the fragile woman’s shoulder. I could tell Pat was mustering up all the happiness she could.

I couldn’t picture myself without her.

Mary’s delicate eyelids

Mary had lived a great life, she had done so many great things!

slid open We approached the bed to get a closer look at this Mary imposter. I looked over at my mom and all I saw was sadness It covered her whole body.

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to reveal her crisp blue eyes. But these eye’s were not the same. They didn’t have their normal sparkle. Mary’s eyes lingered on Pat.

Mary had reassured me everything would be alright. Mary had lived a great 95 years, It would be alright. But I cried I cried I cried I cried My mom ushered me out of the room That was the end. The last time in that house. The last on that street. The last time in that room. My last look. But it was okay. It would be alright.

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Poetry Grandpa

Why are they home?

By: Abigail Walker,

“Come over and sit down, girls,” my mom and dad both said in perfect unison.

8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

Walking up the uneven, cracked driveway, to find our long forgotten Traverse. “What reason could this car possibly be here for?” I pondered, the thought overtaking my brain. My parents were supposed to be out of the country,

It was apparent that this news was not going to be good. I reluctantly sat down, the couch warming and comforting me. “We have something to tell you.”

My grandma told my sister and me, a frantic tone in her voice. I slowly entered my cold, creaky, house, my mind racing in slow motion about all the possibilities What could they possibly want to talk about?

My Fallen Hero By: Mekhi Battle, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

The man that was so kind, loving, and easy to talk to,

As seconds of silence passed, it seemed more like days. The anticipation was eating me up inside. “Your grandpa...has passed away earlier today.” Instantly I felt a tear coming out of my eyes.

who made sure never to miss a birthday party or big event for both my sister and I, was gone from my life. Gone from all of our lives for that matter. I lay there, still, my head buried in the dark crevice of the couch. Escaping from the bitter-truth. Escaping from reality.

sort of test?

The painful memories go through my mind quick.

The funeral brought me to tears,

I get a flashback,

As they talked about memories I was all eyes and ears,

Grandpa and I talked while he was eating a Big Mac. I realize he knew he was at the end, My parents didn´t tell me because He was my best friend.

He passed with four types of cancer,

Hot pain burned my chest,

the types that did not have an answer.

I didn’t understand, was this some

APRIL 2018

who let me help “drive” his tractors at age 4,

The thoughts made me sick,

It had only been one year but

And the thought of his passing hasn’t gone through my mind yet.

This was not real. This could not be real.

and my heart was pounding tranquilly inside my chest.

To when I got a night snack,

My Grandpa was a Vietnam vet,

trying to convince myself that this was not happening.

My Grandpa.

The pain was unreal,

It would take time to heal.

I curled up in a tight little ball on the end of the couch,

My sister, the innocent 8 year old, had no idea what was going on,

on vacation for another week.

“Come inside girls, your parents have something to tell you,”

Then a stream of tears flowed down faster and harder.

Then I realized that this reality was part of my greatest fears. I went through sadness and dread, Hating the cancer that had spread, Remembering all the things he said, I start to run out of tears to shed, And I rejected the fact that he was really dead.

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Fiction

The Sugarbees By: Gigi Montgomety, 5th grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

n everyday hero is someone who may not always be recognized or thanked for all of the amazing things that he or she may do. When you think of a hero, you might think of superpowers of Batman or Superman, but what if the power of a human doing a good thing for another is just as good or powerful? The truth is that superheroes with the ability to fly don’t exist, but everyday heroes are just as powerful, and they can do some amazing things for others, as it happened in the story about a grumpy old man named Mr. Robbert. Mr. Robbert lived on Wubble Rd. - a town full of sadness. He was the mayor and made sure that things were always sad and no one could ever be happy. Mr. Robbert was a grumpy old man, who seemed kind of lonely. He would come out into his yard to get his mail and would get angry and yell at all children, who were near or on his lawn. One day, a new family moved in; their name was Sugarbees. Now you see, the Sugarbees were different from

other families. They were magical. Their magical powers were to spread kindness wherever they went. Edward Sugarbee, the father of the family, had a lovely wife, Honey Sugarbee, and a wonderful

smiley-faced son, Duncan. Everywhere they would go, happiness and kindness would follow, except for when they moved to Wubble Rd. Soon after the move, Duncan, who had always wanted a puppy, asked his father for one and promised to take good care of it. Mr. Sugarbee agreed, so Duncan got a puppy just as he wished and named the little beagle Leo. Leo always seemed happy and liked to go on lots of walks. One morning, while walking Leo, Duncan noticed that Mr. Robbert looked particularly lonely, and being a

kindhearted person as he was, Duncan made a big decision. Duncan decided that he would give his very special Leo away to Mr. Robbert to cheer him up. So Duncan came up to Mr. Robbert’s house and knocked on the door with the hand that wasn’t holding a leash. Mr. Robbert swiftly opened the door with a strong jerk and yelled,”WHAT DO YOU NEED!??” “I was just wondering if you would like to have my puppy, Leo. Well, I named him Leo, but you can call him whatever name you want,” Duncan replied. You could tell that Mr. Robbert was thankful for the dog when you saw the tears building up in his eyes. “Of course, I’ll take Leo! He is so wonderful! I have never had someone do something so generous for me before! Thank you.” The tears that were building in his eyes started to pour down his cheeks and melted all of the sadness from his heart. Now, Wubble Rd. is a happy place, all thanks to Duncan doing something out of the ordinary for Mr. Robberts. You don’t have to do something huge to make someone's day. In fact, making someone day can make your day, too! Duncan was an everyday hero who put the needs of others before his own wants, and this created a magical power.

Friends

Bella Nikoletta Simmons, 4th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

n everyday hero is a person who helps you and is with you when you are in trouble or feel vulnerable. This person sticks up for you when you need it, kind of like your best friend or your mom and dad. This person for me is my best friend Bella. Bella and I are in the same class, so we spend pretty much

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our whole day together doing math, reading, writing; at morning work, lunch, and recess. Superheroes wear capes to hide their identities, they do everything with courage, and they end up being other people’s heros, which encourages other kids to want to be like them. Bella is just like this! She has green eyes, goldish hair, and she is really brave, loyal, and funny. Bella is my hero because she cares for other people and makes a difference in their lives. She makes a difference for me. That’s why she is my personal hero.

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f enat No - F iucrtei o n

I Love You By: Anish Jain, 6th grade, Avondale Middle School,

Auburn Hills

eep! The monitor replied to my anguished cries. “Wake up!” My sister yelled in my ear, angry at me for some unknown reason. “Okay okay,” I replied to her neverending infernal screaming. “ Where are we?” I wish she would be nice to me once in a while, but no, she always has to be snobbish and mean. “The hospital, you dummy,” she said, but with the voice that didn’t seem mean and intense as it normally was. Instead, it sounded melancholic and mournful. Wow, she’s being nice to me. “Why...” I began, but a wave of memories rushed over me like a tsunami coming to shore: my dad clutching his heart; my mom picking me up from school early with the news that daddy had had a heart attack. My face went pale. All of the triumph that I was feeling drained out of my body, and I felt weak as if I had run a marathon. “Wait, daddy..” Once I whispered that, my sister eyes watered. “Let’s go get some breakfast, ok?” I offered, hoping that it would break the tension that had risen around us.

“Ok,” she replied back. As we were walking to the cafeteria, I took a fresh intake of air. The air smelled like someone had spilled rubbing alcohol, and strangely, it also smelled like rubber. The hospital smell could stun any visitor who dared to take an intake of air. This is what a hospital smells like! I hope I will never come here again; this smell is just sickening! A few moments later, we were downstairs at the cafeteria. The aroma of the food turned my body into a magnet attracted to the amazing smell. “Oh, that smells so good!” I exclaimed delightedly. We both grabbed a tray and fought for who gets to get the food first. My sister won because she was much stronger than me. Man, she is never nice to me! I took my breakfast and sat down at a clean table. At last, I was going to get into this scrumptious food. I was just about to eat, when I felt as if my dad died. My body mourned and cradled itself as it sang a lonely song in the dark and pitiful place I was in. There was a constant thought echoing in my mind - would my dad live or not? On one side, there was the optimism that I could barely snag, but there was also the overpowering doubt. The doubt stubbornly refused to move from my body. This is just like Star Wars. The doubt is Darth Vader, and his dark side allies, while the optimism is a small band of rebels. I tried the pancakes, and my body felt all of its drained power come back; my

body came back to life. After eating six pancakes in a row, it seemed as if all of my worries were carried away, but an even more delightful surprise was to come. “Wasn’t that breakfast amazing!” Trying to hold my excitement, I asked my sister at the lobby. “Sure,” she replied, obviously annoyed by my never-ending questions, but I saw a glint of pleasure in her eye. I was just about to ask another question, when my mom ran in. “The doctor told me that daddy is probably going to be ok,” she told us with joy. “May I go see him, please!” I asked her, hoping she would approve. Once she did, I bolted lightning fast and entered the room my dad was currently occupying. I saw him on the hospital bed with a ton of needles in his body. Seeing him like that made me almost cry. My eyes yelled to look away, but when I looked at him, I saw him grinning this mischievous grin he always put on when I had a bad day. “I love you,” I whispered, struggling to get my words out. “I love you, too,” he replied. The thought of losing my father was unbearably painful for me to handle. He was my hero, my best friend, and the person who took care of me and looked out for me. I realized that sometimes our loved ones may be taken from us, but we must always cherish the moments we have together and take them with us later on in our lives.

F o o d f o r Th o u g h t

You Are a Hero By: Katie Jakubiak, 5th Grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

re you different from others? You should be, and it is worth celebrating! You might not realize it, but every day you are someone's hero. Does your mom or dad help you with your homework? It

APRIL 2018

feels good to know someone cares about you. This one small act of kindness makes your day, and you, too, could be a hero by being nice to just one person. Go celebrate your differences, and do one small act of kindness today. You will be a hero to someone in need. One simple way to be a hero and to make someone’s day is to SMILE. When I see a smile, I know that the person is happy. I like to see happy people. Happiness, kindness, and smiles are contagious, so be nice and optimistic to make the world a better place for all people! Make someone

smile, and they will smile back! Anyone can be a hero. Some people are well-known heroes, some people are community heroes, and some are personal heros. One well-known hero is Martin Luther King, Jr. Some community heros are firefighters, police officers, and doctors. Your mom, dad, or best friend can be your personal heroes. All these people make an impact on your life. It doesn't matter if their kindness is big or small, because it makes a difference in your life. One small act of kindness can make someone's day a lot better! You can be someone’s hero today!

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KE I DdSu cat C O RoNrEsR

Teachers are Professional Superheroes

By: Allyson Apsey, Principal, Quincy Elementary, Zeeland Author of The Path to Serendipity

teacher spots a child with tears welling up in her eyes as she works hard to solve a new type of math problem. A gentle hand on her shoulder and a quick point in the right direction makes all of the difference as the girl takes a deep breathe and tackles the problem with renewed confidence. A boy immediately gets defensive because he feels falsely accused. Instead of focusing on the prickly behavior he demonstrates, his teacher understands his lack of trust in adults. She invites him to talk it out, reassuring him that she will always seek the truth rather than jump to conclusions. Working within the curriculum expectations and the developmental needs of kindergarteners, a teacher develops “run and write:” students run up to the teacher or parent volunteer with the next sentence they are going to write, get feedback on the spot, and then run back to their seats to write the sentence. Not only are students able to write stronger sentences because they have just expressed their ideas verbally and received the immediate feedback, but their movement creates a fun, energetic, 18

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and empowering environment. This list of examples that I encounter every day could go on and on. I see teachers incorporating creation and choice into the curriculum demands. I see teachers understanding the value of students being able to have engaging group discussions, build on each others’ ideas, and disagree without being disagreeable. I see educators researching and dreaming, their minds racing, about new ways to help their students create a better future for themselves and for our world. Educators are professional heroes. They don’t have superpowers like the superheroes in the movies. Instead, they have hearts as big as the ocean for the students they serve. Still, they do have something in common with the likes of Captain America, Spider-Man, Superman, Wonder Woman. Superheroes provide hope. Hope for a better future. Hope that if you are in a pickle with a bad guy, they will come to the rescue. Hope that humanity really is good at its core. Hope that a new day will come, when helping each other is the norm and hurting each other is rare. Educators provide hope to students.

Hope for a better future. Hope that they will understand tomorrow what they are struggling to understand today. Hope that the world will be a better place because of their contributions. And when we have hope, we have everything. Perhaps Helen Keller said it best, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Teachers dedicate every spare minute they have to their students, carrying them on their minds and in their hearts day and night. Beyond the gift of time, the average educator spends $1,000 of his or her own personal funds on students. Teachers don’t ask for anything in return. The success of their students is measured in moments, and those moments are teachers’ greatest gifts. As we approach Teacher Appreciation Week in May, please join me in thanking the professional superheroes, who provide hope and heart to make dreams come true for our children. A simple Thank You card or a note expressing your appreciation would surprise and delight these professional superheroes in your child’s life.

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Nutrition

Finding Passion on the Road to Vitality By: Adrian Schirr, Author and staff writer of Nuview Nutrition

indy Crandell R.N., C.N. started her career as a registered nurse. “I loved the discharge part of the job, which involved teaching nutrition, the disease process, and ways patients could improve their health and not end up back in the hospital,” said Crandell. This passion behind healing the body with food is what led her to get certified in nutrition. As a nurse, however, she was limited. “I couldn’t say anything without a doctor’s order. I had to be very careful with what I taught.” Crandell left her position and ended up in pharmaceutical sales to gain more knowledge. “I needed to understand how the meds work in the body, the side effects, and the studies behind them,” Crandell explained. “From there, I could understand nutraceuticals—natural supplements that are clinically studied.” It was a beautiful stepping stone, but it would prove to take its toll. In 2007, Crandell was living a very high-paced lifestyle in pharmaceutical sales. She was raising a blended family with four kids, including a special needs son. “I was working 60 – 80 hours per week. Well, I got sick and went into full-blown Fibromyalgia. I was so tired that I could barely walk. I needed a caretaker, but I was the caretaker.” It was time to get herself better and get on the right path. “Getting sick forced me to realize my ultimate journey: to teach others how to live in vitality by healing the body with nutrition.” When the economy crashed in 2008, Crandell took that opportunity to make the change out of pharmaceutical sales and open her own practice. “People were losing their jobs and their insurance. They were on medications that they could no longer afford,” Crandell explained. “They needed alternative solutions and I was ready to teach them how to improve their health during such a terrible time.” She set out to do what she 20

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You Will Change the World One Day! By: Alika R. Turner, Author, Atlanta, Georgia

hen I think back to when I was a small child, I remember the feeling I had when seeing men and women ask for food and money on the streets. I recall feeling conflicted and having so many questions, “Why are they sleeping on the streets?” “Why don’t they have food?” The answer my parents gave me was one I would never forget: “Honey, sometimes people lose everything and can’t seem to place their feet back on solid ground. When they have nowhere else to turn, the streets become home, and people like us become their only hope.” Even as a child, you are often faced with challenging decisions, decisions that can impact the lives of those around you. Imagine if you have what it takes to change the world at the tip of your fingers. What would you do to make a difference? How would you give to a community where so many people are living without food and shelter? Many of us believe that we have to have all the money in the world in order to give back. However, if you read my

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2015 Best-selling children’s book, June Peters, You Will Change the World One Day, you will quickly learn that all you need is a plan and the support of your family and friends to make change. At the age of ten years old, June Peters took on a mission to make a difference. Unaware of the impact she would make, June followed her heart’s desire. It was a beautiful morning when she took the courage to make change. She had convinced her parents the night before to allow her to walk to school alone. They agreed because June had shown them that she was mature and very responsible for her age. What they didn’t know was that on her way to school she would be faced with a tough choice. Like many children, June was a natural born giver. When she saw a need, she felt a responsibility to take action, and this morning was no different. Tucked safely in June’s pocket was the lunch money her parents had given her for the day. Only a block away from her school,

June noticed a homeless man sitting with a sign asking for change. As she approached the man, she could hear her mother saying, “Go straight to school. Do not stop and talk to anyone.” June thought about how hard and difficult life may be for the homeless

man and how thankful she was to have a home and food. Without question, she placed all of her lunch money into the man’s hat. He thanked her, and, full of joy, June continued on her way to school. It’s a known fact that doing good for others not only makes the recipient feel good but it also makes the giver feel noble. June was filled with affirmative emotions throughout her day. She told all of her friends about her random act of kindness and, as she expected, they wanted to do the same. Yet, while her friends praised her good deeds, her mother felt otherwise. She was not happy. June wasn’t prepared for her mother not sharing in her excitement. Her mother explained to her that she was allowed to walk to school because she agreed to follow the rules, and one clear rule was not talking to strangers. After realizing that what she had done was wrong, although her intentions were genuine, June and her family came together to plan something amazing. With the help of family and friends, June Peters held her first community event feeding hundreds of homeless individuals. “You Will Change, the World One Day.” Every child should hear those seven words. It is our responsibility to give and think of others. Just like June, you, too, can change the world one day! This book is available on Amazon.com

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pa f erat e nutr’ se C o r n e r

Heroes

Maggie Razdar Publisher/Founder

APRIL 2018

s we might know, role models in children’s lives greatly influence their futures. Parents serve as good examples of this. Children often compare their parents to heroes, most notably Superman or Superwoman. They think of them as being unshakable and rock solid in life. Young children usually can’t comprehend the fact that no one is perfect, but if children think of their parents as flawless, the children strive to be like them as well. If a child lacks a role model in his or her life, this child will intuitively seek a fatherly or motherly figure. Many fairytales and children’s stories serve some educational purpose, showing kids the kinds of behaviors that are needed to succeed in life, to better our society, and to overcome wrongdoings. It is during our youth years that we most need healthy adult role models who demonstrate exemplary behaviors.  Our society is kept together by heroes, whether they are on TV, in books, in the army, in history, in cartoons, in the government or religions. Heroes lead, inspire, and entertain us. This is why heroes, with all of their mistakes and shortcomings, are vital to humanity. It is said that heroes are unrealistic and outdated, but heroes show how vital they are to our society when they inspire younger generations to do great things and influence

movements toward the betterment of humanity. Heroes reveal our missing qualities. Research has shown that people’s heroes are not just paragons of morality. Heroes solve the society’s most puzzling problems. An everyday hero is a single mother, driven by a strong sense of duty, who manages to go on, day after day, so she can provide a brighter future for her kids. Heroes are young people fighting to get a job or to stay in school. Heroes are workers who break their backs for a decent wage, working the night shift and taking the same tram for 30 years every morning at 5 a.m. Heroes are parents of adopted children. Heroes are doctors, professors, teachers, judges, nurses, police officers, and others who take responsibility for our health, safety, and education. Heroes are survivors of terrible tragedies, striving to help others who share a similar destiny, teaching them that they, too, can overcome hard times. Heroes are journalists or artists who use their talents to tell a story, to shine a light, to serve, and to encourage others. Heroes are non-profit organizations that thrive every day to make a difference. Heroes are those who flight for us to have a healthy environment and make the Earth a better place to live! I’m convinced that you’re a hero, too, or you’re about to become one.

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