Pippi Jean — First prize (equal), Year 13 Class of 2020

Class of 2020

is stamped on your back. no leavers gear yet but you’re ready already between the shoulder blades— itch notched on a hook — a divot from all that hunched-up Internet digging — yeah, there, that’s where the wings’ll go. just imagine

the 12-point bold-font yellow. licking up like fire. cleansing, right? imagine this year hanging in your closet — folded in a box in the attic — collecting mothballs. except your school mascot is a lion instead of a bird.

it’ll be roaring. not flying. so okay you get no wings you get teeth locking onto the hood and claws clawing at drawstrings — but colour scheme’s the same. navy. gold. we’ll look like royalty loping down the stairs, hands clean, hair grown out,

photogenic as hell. imagine. you’ll bite up into your smile ‘cause hey, this is the year we were gonna get it for sure, we were gonna sleep for longer, believe in a God, harden up — face the real world —

and we did.

— Pippi Jean, Takapuna Grammar School