Once upon a word 2017 by Michaela Durand

Students often ask me the question why write? I think the best response I’ve ever heard comes from Dani Shapiro who answered, “ Why do we write? To shine a light, to right a wrong; to shape chaos into art; to know what we think; to pose difficult questions; to challenge our own beliefs; to connect, because we have to.” It has been my great pleasure this year to work with a group of young authors in Madison Middle School’s Once Upon A Word who are writing for all these wonderful reasons and more. I am constantly astounded to see what they produce and they impress me again and again competing and winning awards such as this year’s PTA Reflections Contest, the Trumbull Arts Festival Competition, and other challenges. They’ve even had works selected for publication in international magazines, so students in countries as far away as Poland and Japan have read their poems and stories. That's not a small accomplishment for people who can’t yet drive a car, but their words were powerful enough to carry them there. A big thanks to all my students for introducing me to their brilliant characters—selfless soldiers, wise statesmen, resourceful survivors, awesome animals and more . I’ll close with a quote from Stephen King. He called books “Uniquely portable magic.” Everyone in my club has my gratitude for sharing their magic with me. Keep dreaming, keep sparkling, keep shining. And never, ever forget you have the “write” stuff.

Ms. Allison Roche Once Upon A Word Advisor, 2017 First Place Cover Art created by Reshma Kode Book and Butterfly Design by Olivia Ray Back Cover by Maggie Carley

Once Upon A Word Staff Abigail Clark Stephanie Dezelin Olivia Gavlick Allison Lee Reshma Kode Emma Marsh Jackson Marsh Madeline Marsh Isabella Mercado Bella Neiger Olivia Ray Johannes Rysee Advisor: Ms. Allison Roche Madison Middle School Trumbull, CT 06611 Once Upon A Word Tree designed by Bella Neiger

Hummingbird Song by Shreya Shiju

Over the trees, over the lawn A single swoop, and then he’s gone So sweet is the hummingbird’s song A dash of color sparkles in flight Turquoise and blue hues in the sky Shimmering as he flies by With brilliant wings of harmony He follows a path of mystery Mystery to you and I But not to the hummingbird that hovers by Over the trees, over the lawn A single swoop and then he’s gone So sweet is the hummingbird’s song

A rush of wind as he soars through the air Without a thought, without a care So quickly to disappear elsewhere Beak glistening through the summer trees A noise better than any other bird’s or bee’s So elegantly he zips along the breeze Hours of school, all day long Yet worries and troubles now are gone If only you hear the hummingbird’s song Over the trees, over the lawn A single swoop and then he’s gone So sweet is the hummingbird’s song

Josie's Story By David Buckley

Josie the cat was running in her sleep once more. Her dreams were all she had to call her own. She dreamt of her last day of freedom; she yearned to live through it one more time. She was running free and wild. The brisk air was refreshing. Quiet and still, she waited for the bird to come closer and closer. She leaped at the stunned bird. She had to make the most of her meal, for she had two little kittens in her den and they were famished. She rushed home. As she wandered home with the sparrow in her mouth, she heard a faint cry, a whistle. For a split second she turned around, but it was too late. A stiff net nailed her to the ground. She was a serious looking cat, but now she was scared. Her hair was more like a tiger's hair than a tabby's. It was striped with black and brown and dotted with hints of gold She had a flat nose that flared outward. Her pocketed cheeks made her even more menacing. Her neon eyes glowed and struck fear into others. Elfish, symmetrical ears crowned the menacing cat. She looked more like a mythical warrior than an average cat. 7

She woke up sprawling. Then her mind caught up to the present. She remembered the kits she worked so hard to raise were taken from her. "Life is a miserable tale, designed to humiliate and torture," she thought. "All I can do is wait." She did for many days and nights. The lights flickered. The buzz of the fan made all the animals go insane. The mold-infested shelter was a dark, dreary place. The musty smell and an unexplainable mist blocked the pure golden sunlight from entering the desperate, cramped shelter. There was a steady stream of barking and moaning that prevented any animals from obtaining sleep. Each day she felt less and less of herself. People came and left. It seemed that as soon as she established even a slight connection with another cat, it would be scooped up by a group of children and a tired mother. Everybody in her cramped cage came and left except one cat. He was a rather handsome cat. He was polar white with long majestic hair and emerald eyes that earned him the name Frost. They would rarely talk. She learned a lot about the male cat, including how he had arrived at the shelter. Frost began, "My cruel owner threw me on the streets. I fought against the elements and foraged as long as I could until I was captured. I was sickly and lanky. I still am, I guess." Josie listened with full concentration, lost in his eyes. He went on, "I have been here seven weeks. I'm afraid they are going to take me to the back room. I still don't know what they will do to me." Frost looked at the ground. The two cats became really close. 8

Soon there was a racket at the door. Josie could see a group of hard-working volunteers. The group included women, children and men. They flooded into the shelter, then stopped, shocked. "This place is a dump!" exclaimed one of the children. Josie caught sight of what appeared to be the head of the group. She was saying something to the officer, "We are the TAG group. That stands for Trumbull Animal Group. We pledge to help all animals find their forever home!"

She handed the main

officer a bag of animal food and supplies. Ten children handed her boxes as well. The officer cried tears of joy. They seemed to be miracle workers of some sort. The dust seemed to instantly retreat. That mold and foul smell vanished along with the unexplainable mist When the TAG volunteers left, the Trumbull Animal Shelter looked as good as new. Josie liked the place much more. "This place is not as bad as I thought it was," Josie reflected. The building now was fit to achieve its goal of "Helping animals find homes since 1964." Everyone, including the officers, were happy and cared for the animals. The people of the town started to adopt animals at a fast rate. The officers and volunteers worked relentlessly. They loved each other and every one of the animals as if they were their own children. All the animals now had hope to find an owner. Pets, young and old, including dogs, cats, hamsters and the occasional chicken, were finding homes. Josie was happy whether she was adopted or not The shelter was crowded, but Josie did not mind. Frost was stubborn. No matter how nice and caring the officers were or how happy everyone in the shelter was, he was still too much of a single-minded cat. 9

"Everybody claims that this place is a sanctuary for us, but I think not," he hissed. "I miss the wide open spaces!" They would make a wonderful couple. Unfortunately, the situation didn't improve. An animal control officer waddled over, shoveled up the handsome cat and a team of officers brought him to the back room. The officer who scooped the cat up was talking to a kind lady, "It's a pity, we delayed his fate just in case anybody would want him." Josie realized what was happening. They were going to put him down. Josie jumped and made a racket and distracted the men, bringing the male cat back in the room. Frost leapt out of the men's hands. The officers were ready to pounce on the feisty feline, who stood combatively in front of Josie's cage. They all paused in an odd, crouched position. There was a long silence. The two cats gazed at each other, and everyone started to laugh. A warm-hearted woman soon adopted the two cats. Josie and her companion Frost enjoyed their first Christmas together. It was such a change from the loud shelter. There were children laughing and the sharp smell of freshly cut evergreen trees and well as the distraction of twinkling lights and ornaments. When the cats were finally allowed outside, they were overwhelmed. As they walked tentatively, their fears evaporated, and they felt capable of anything. A brisk air streamed across their faces and soon the slow walk turned into a run. Joy, hope and excitement fueled their will to live, to be free. Things were so different now that they were loved. They sprinted happily back to their new home guided by the sound of laughter and children playing house. Josie and Frost had found their happily ever after at last. 10

Things a Pair of Eyes Knows By Olivia Ray

What does a pair of eyes know? First glances of a mother's eyes Visions of a baby's cries Tree, clouds, skies of blue Flowers, grass and the golden sun too Books, pens, crayons, a pencil A paintbrush, a canvas, a butterfly stencil A piano, a trumpet, a violin, a flute A singer, an actor, and a mime on mute A laptop, a phone, and a show on TV Funny videos, a documentary, and a scary movie Swim meets, basketball, lacrosse, a football game A soccer player gaining so much fame

Cats, birds, hamsters and dogs Fish, snakes, spiders, even frogs Students, teachers, a grade, a test Quizzes, essays, an educational quest A roof, a door, a window, a nice cozy home A pretty big space to roam A brother, a sister, a mom, a dad Some good friends that make a person so glad So what is it that a pair of eyes know? These perceptive pupils store memories of life's grand show!

The Creation of the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Country By Madeline Marsh The hottest days of summer had come upon us, and I was being bumped up and down in my saddle as my horse clopped against the cobblestone, filled to the brim of my hat with fretful thoughts. The dry patches of grass passed in a blur and the sun stained everything in pale yellow-orange light. The gathering in Philadelphia would surely be a long and rather painful undergoing, and while I could say I was honored to be a part of it, I was awfully nervous. The thought of being in a room full of accomplished people already made me feel diminutive. The ride from Montpelier, Virginia, left me with nothing but the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heat and my thoughts, the only sound being the pounding of the great black horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trot, forming the steady rhythm in my cluttered mind. Would they make me speak up front for long? Would everyone hate my ideas? I tried to push my bad thoughts in the back of my head so I would not worry. I found some reassurance knowing I had the Virginia plan resting securely in my pocket. I gave my steed a final kick and galloped the last stretch towards my destination. I took a deep breath - that would probably be the only fresh air I would enjoy for a while. 13

The blazing heat of the early dawn was no match to the ungodly humidity inside that settled over me like a dark cloud. Every delegate was in stiff clothes and noticeably damp from their own perspiration. Phew, I thought, I blend in perfectly. A stale odor clogged my sense of smell and I almost gagged. I spotted an open seat and scurried to a polished wooden bench in the back, a few rows behind a man whose size conveniently blocked my view and whose unmistakable egocentric air settled in the air as heavy as the humidity. There was barely any light and I found it almost like searching through a swamp to notice any familiar faces. General George Washington stood up first. I felt a small twinge of sympathy for him. I certainly would not want to be the first to speak for this crowd. I could barely hear what he was saying, and part of that was due to my growing anxiety. He finished and stepped down from the podium and the room was blanketed in an unnerving silence. I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I flinched and turned quickly to see who it was. A man I had never seen was there and he pointed a finger to the front. Did he want me to leave? I just got here! Was that even allowed? I was going to stutter a reply when the giant man a few rows in front of me piped up. “I think you are up, boy,” he said in what was probably supposed to be a whisper. “Me? Already?” I asked.

The man was turned back around and I wondered if he even heard me. “For God’s sakes! Head on up there. You are going to make a fool of yourself!” he hissed without turning around or looking at me. I could only imagine his impatient expression. I rose slowly and felt everyone’s eyes boring into me as I tripped over my own feet and stumbled to the podium. Unsurely, I took my notes from my waistcoat pocket and cleared my dry throat. “Welcome. I am James Madison,” I called, a little apprehensively. I waited for my voice to settle in the crowded room. It suddenly got 20 degrees warmer. “We gather here today to revise our Articles of Confederation and to form a new document, and hopefully a new government, which will stand as the backbone for our forming union. Each of us are here to express our ideas for the good of the people and their posterity. As for one of my own ideas, I believe we should have a strong central government which will unify the country as one. We cannot have violence or give our people any reason to rebel. The only way to ensure that peace is to have a government that does not control, but instead supports. I believe we should support our new government system with an equally strong system of checks and balances. I want to leave here feeling we have all created the best standards for any forming union looking to establish its own rules and boundaries. Thank you." I stepped down, gave a small bow, and briskly walked back to my seat, worrying if people hated what I had to say. Some were muttering approval and nodding to the person next to them and others shook their heads disapprovingly. 15

What could I say? I knew that not everybody would agree with me. I look to the ginormous man that sat three rows in front of me and moved two rows closer to him, close enough to have someone to talk to while still having a row of separation from everyone else’s pressing gazes. “Good God, it looked like you were going to faint. But you got through it, eh? Speech was convincing enough,” he murmured and he clapped a meaty hand on my back. I guess that was supposed to be encouragement. But I knew this man didn’t agree with what I had said. “Madison,” I introduced myself and held out a hand to shake. The man looked at my hand for a minute, then gave a small bow instead. “John Adams,” he replied a little too loudly, and with that we both turned and listened to the next speech given by a man by the name of Alexander Hamilton. I brought out my parchment, my quill, and my ink, poised and ready to take notes. Maybe this will not be so bad, I thought and tried to relax my stiff shoulders. I was going to be here for a while.

A Trip to the Ice Cream Store By Lucas Fernandez I was feeling hungry I needed something sweet Maybe some flavored ice cream Would really be a tasty treat So I went to an ice cream store And this place was hard to beat For there were many flavors for customers to eat There was Vanilla Breeze and Orange Freeze. Coconut Swirl and Cucumber Whirl. Banana Scoop and Strawberry Loop. Grapefruit Mix and Chocolate Sticks. Cherry Flower and Blueberry Power. Pepper Picker and Apple Dipper. And I knew just what to get Even if it put me into debt I had to taste every flavor And refused to save any for later! 17

The Rotten Restaurant By Jackson Marsh

I was standing by a restaurant one night. My stomach was growling because I needed a bite. I walked in the door, and Oh, what a sight! The lights were bright, the music was blasting, But sadly after a glance at the menu I felt like fasting. There were loud noises, closed curtains, and lots of chipped plates. The waiters were serving scruffy cats, ditzy dogs and people on dates. There were luke-warm hot dogs, stale steaks, and burgers that were raw, Freaky fishes, mangy Mutts, and Blue Macaws. There were tables for gambling, card games, someone to beat. Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and chefs preparing bizarre treats. There was slop, garbage, and putrid porridge being dealt. rotten waffles, soggy celery, and meatballs that I wanted to pelt. tasteless chips, moldy dips, and crusty cheese curls. I raced to the garbage, because I needed to hurl. Was this all a dream, can this be real? Nothing in here could possibly appeal. I started to run, leave the restaurant behind, It was obvious the cook had completely lost his mind 18 Â

My First Big Ride

By Isabella Mercado

It was a sunny day in Orlando Florida, and I happily skipped down the sidewalk of Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. Feelings of nervous excitement flowed through me. I was about to do something that perhaps no other seven-year-old had achieved. I was going to tackle the Tower of Terror. Yes, you heard me correctly, the Tower of Terror. I stopped in mid-skip when I saw it and screeched to a halt so I wouldn’t fall and scrape my knees. I heard people screaming their heads off while creepy music played in the background. The ride was super tall, built to resemble an old hotel. Most of it was a faded brown, but there was a giant dark gray blob in the middle. It looked like a fire had taken place in that area. I’d seen pictures of it on the internet before, but I’d never come this close before. “Hey Bella, are you coming?” my dad shouted. Everyone was walking ahead. I took a deep breath, nodded, and ran ahead. How did I land in this mess? It’s a long story, but it all started the night before at dinner. “Do you think you might go on the Tower of Terror?” my aunt asked me out of the blue.

I put down the piece of chicken I was about to eat. I’d definitely heard of the

Tower of Terror before. It was a completely horrifying ride that took people’s souls. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but I was certainly scared of it. 19

“I don’t know,” I answered reluctantly. “Is it scary?” “Oh, it’s not that bad,” she said in a sweet, calm, voice. “The ride just goes up and down, that’s all.” That’s not so bad, I thought. It’ll be just like the frog hopper that they have at the carnival. “Okay,” I finally answered. “I’ll do it.” The next day, standing in line for the ride, I began to think that I was wrong. Sadly, the Tower of Terror was even more horrifying inside than outside. First, there was a giant room that resembled a dusty hotel lobby. The place was lit by older looking lamps revealing an ancient statue of some type of bird in the middle of the room. Absolutely everything was covered in cobwebs. I was super nervous, especially when the person standing in front of us looked at my mom and said accusingly, “You’re bringing her on this ride?” I wanted to race out of there to go on some nice, calm, kiddie ride, but something deep, down inside me told me to keep going. Plus, there were a lot of people behind me, so it would be really hard to wiggle out of line. All at once, a door slammed shut, a roar of thunder echoed through the room, and the lights flickered off. I gave a little shriek and buried my head in my mom’s shirt. There was some black and white show going on, but I was too scared to pay attention to that. Soon it was our turn to board.

I passed through the door of the elevator, sat down, and with shaking hands,

buckled the seatbelt. A few more people arrived, then the door closed. The elevator rose higher and higher. 20

I felt queasy. It was like a million butterflies were in my stomach having a dance party. Abruptly the elevator stopped. I thought it was going to drop, so my heart began beating a mile a minute. Instead, the doors opened and five ghosts burst in front of us and murmured something unintelligible. After a few seconds, the doors closed and the elevator rose up a little higher. Once again the elevator doors opened, this time showing everyone a view of the whole park, and revealing that we were suspended hundreds of feet up in the sky. Words cannot describe what happened next. The doors closed once more, and then the elevator dropped. I screamed as my tangled hair flew upwards. I shut my big brown eyes and buried my whole face in my dadʼs chest. The expression on my face was a mixture of super scared and surprised. Finally, the elevator dropped one last time. I breathed a sigh of relief. When everyone was instructed to leave, I felt like I was paralyzed by fear and wouldnʼt be able to scramble out of my seat. We walked through the Tower of Terror gift shop on the way out . My uncle and my little brother were outside waiting for us. “So, how was it?” my brother asked. He was eager to learn about every single detail. I was still breathing heavily, so my sentence came out in chunks. “I… am Never… going… on that ride… Ever again!” Everyone started laughing. “Come on guys. Letʼs go!” I exclaimed. I had faced my fears and now no other ride could intimidate me! 21

Monster By Bella Neiger It strains to be released But it must quiet and be ceased It lives in the soul, deep down and alone Feeding off the anger, soaking into every bone Clawing for escape, it's chaos taking you Until you're almost through So fed up, so done It seems it has won But, you must fill the mold you were made And hold it down another day Toss it into the maze of your soul, and lose it for a while Push it away and force a smile

What a Harry Potter Fan Knows By Matthew Trotta It all starts with Harry He’s a wizard, not a fairy, with a lightning bolt scar At age 12, he adventures in an enchanted car There’s Ron, Hermione and Hagrid too Ghosts roam the halls, but none say “Boo” Good luck if the Bloody Baron tries to scare you Villains go to Azkaban, but not every one Sneaky Pettigrew hid as a rat when on the run There’s Draco and Lucius, the Malfoys themselves Plus no one can forget about Dobby and the other house elves

Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape Tom Riddle aka Voldemort Nagini his snake Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin - the houses at Hogwarts, a school tough to get in The Marauders Map Time Turners and more Hedwig and the Elder Wand The Weasley Brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store In quidditch you ride a broom Be sure not to fall Catching the Snitch is the hardest task of all The Tri-wizard Cup An enchanted maze poor Cedric Diggory's death left our heroes in a daze Guarded by Fluffy The Sorcerer's Stone There are things on this list Only a true Harry Potter fan would have known 24

My Lovely Locker Â Â By Sryiya Mukund

I opened my locker, and it opened just right. However what tumbled out, gave me quite a fright. I stood still on the flooring, for out came pouring, an avalanche of files and folders, to beat and bruise my poor shoulders. There were measuring rulers, and large lunchbox coolers. Bulging books so thick and wide, and a stack of last minute study guides. Added to that was super sticky glue, and a horrendous heap of flashcards too. Plus my dirty gym tote, and melodic music notes

Indeed, I barely had time to shout, When I was splashed with white-out. I quickly pushed all this aside, but just as fast came a new landslide. Soon I'm engulfed from head to toe, this mountainous menace is cutting off my airflow. As I look around for someone to call, I think, just maybe, I didn't need that pen after all!

Don't Look Down By Reshma Kode There we were, the three of us, with our legs dangling off the cliff. Meanwhile, I held on to my parents and the rock behind me as tightly as you would hold somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand to keep from drifting off shore. Nervously, I was waiting for the canyon to reach out its arms and pull me to my doom. Finally, I took a cautious peek at what was below. My only sight was of specks of orange, brown and red, just like leaves in autumn. For a split second, everything moved in slow motion and I had a chance to breathe. "Calm," I instructed myself. "Just stay calm. As I took in my surroundings, my umber eyes sparkled against the large walls of canyons behind me. The sun beat fiercely on my long jade hair which seemed to act like a solar panel trapping light. My sapphire romper pulled to the right as it was blown on by the wind and my glossy black sandals were projecting the images around it like a mirror. Soon I reached the shady entrance to the Grand Canyon and lost track of my shadow, but it quickly returned as I trudged past a crowd of people on the opposing side. I heard a buzz of chatter that greeted me followed by the sudden flash of tourists' cameras all aiming at the Grand Canyon. I shivered faintly as the wind whispered through the sparse patches of lime grass leading to the rocky edge. Numerous clouds of dust trailed behind people's feet as they walked by, kicking up the sand with every 27

step. It was so sunny out here that everyone's shadows could be seen clearly with a visible obsidian outline. I slid my hands across the smooth railing which kept visitors from falling off the ledge. I was cautiously peeking through one of the few rugged parallel telescopes when our tour guide came to greet us. ”Hello," the tour guide exclaimed politely. My parents introduced themselves and started quickly questioning what our first event would be. In my mind, I was assuming that he would either explain some of the Grand Canyon's history or just show us around, but I was not even close. He apprised us that every tour group he had instructed had sat on a sturdy cliff of the Grand Canyon and posed for a picture. I could understand that he put in the word “sturdy” to make us feel safe about his idea, but it wasn’t really helping at all. In fact, it might have even made me more anxious! My parents were a bit hesitant, but they gave in after giving each other a “ we are definitely going to regret this” look. As I observed what was happening, my heart started beating faster and I was stunned. Luckily, before I could panic, my adventurous passion kicked in to gear. Soon we were walking over to the ledge and I cautiously sat down as if the rock would break if we sat too quickly. I glanced in front of me and saw three pairs of feet squished together as we clutched on to the rocks tightly.

The rock beneath us appeared to be mixtures of red and orange glitter and suddenly my mind finally gave me a moment to think. I realized that this was once in a lifetime experience. As a result, my heart stopped beating fast-paced, my hands loosened up, and my body relaxed. I was not afraid anymore.That’s when I had a revelation: without risk there is nothing to enjoy or any excitement. When I agreed to clamber up on that cliff, I took a big risk and ended up with a special memory that can’t be recreated. Sometimes, risk is the right choice.

Things You Find At the Beach By Reshma Kode

I gaze at the beach in front of me and ponder upon the sights I see From east to west everything lay Listen to all I have to say A group of seagulls soar in the air Umbrellas and towels are spread everywhere The sand is slipping through my toes Each wave leaps higher and farther it goes I can feel the sun beating down my back I take out the sunscreen as I begin to unpack Splashing waves bring majestic shells to shore The day has ended, but I'm still excited for more The sights of the beach beckon to me Sun-kissed sandcastles tower as tall as can be from east to west everything lay I hope we can visit again some day

Things the Ancient Horseshoe Crab Knows By Johannes Rysse

Beaches of soft sand and deep ocean blue Her importance to mankind, her importance to you

Her place in the Circle of Life Giving nourishment to the tired red knot Although the loss of her babies causes strife.

She holds great secrets in her blood of blue In medicine we use these precious drops. Testing drugs to make them safe for you.

She has a very sad story to tell. We destroy her home and take her blood, but give her nothing in return. Over the years we have not treated her well.

Now she asks us all to be aware, Help her and show you care, And above all, this information share.

I Am The Ocean By Robert Selinger My hair is a swirl of coral colors created by the steamy sunlight. It glistens like the sol setting on the vast and oscillating ocean. My brain is as bright as the sun awakening the cerulean sky. It beams to the world that morning is here. My hands are as delicate as seals surfing on water They can reach across the golden gleaming sand looking for adventure. My eyes are like green crystals shining brightly beneath the deep, dark ocean. They light up buried, sparkling jewels leading the way like a beckoning beacon. My heart holds a special place for all that inhabit the soft sandy ocean floor. It leaps like a dolphin discovering new friends. I live in the ocean, floating in a wonderful world of mysterious magic that land dwellers will never know 32

The Ceremony of Replacement By Johannes Rysse A house isn’t a home without paw prints. I wholeheartedly believe in this, which is why, in July of 2013, I begged my parents for another dog to make those paw prints in our home and in our hearts. My previous dog, Ella, had died of cancer in February. Some months had passed, so I thought it was the right time to adopt again. Ella was a black and tan coonhound that we found at a shelter. We took her into our pack and fell in love with the breed, so we decided that we should find another coonhound to foster. We started some research on the American Coonhound Rescue website, and that’s where we met retired coon dog, Hunter’s Pride, LL Cool Dawg, informally known as Elle. The Danbury Welcome Center Rest Area, where the rendezvous was arranged, was very nondescript. Looking from the park/picnic area, you were facing a drab brick building with some small restaurants inside it. To your left was the entrance, where weary trucks would occasionally wander in, and their drivers would yawn and stretch as if they had just woken up on Monday morning. The picnic area was quite pleasant. It was made up of a large expanse of freshly mowed green grass for children and dogs to run around and frolic. 33

Next to that was a row of young maple trees separating the parking lot from the picnic area. Closer to the trees were some sparsely scattered picnic tables, for people to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The day was quite torrid, which was to be expected in early August. The sun was almost directly overhead, so the only place to take refuge from the relentless, scorching heat was beneath the trees. Fortunately, there were a few sizable boulders right under the trees that you could use as seats. The cars resembled colossal, caffeinated ants as they hustled by, each with an individual objective, a mission. The pungent odor of diesel fumes from passerby trucks permeated the air, purging all other, more agreeable scents. Altogether, the welcome center wasn’t the perfect place to wait an hour for your new dog, but it wasn’t terrible, either. After all, who wouldn’t be impatient waiting for their new “man’s best friend”? I paced and paced along the tree line. My impatience grew with each passing minute. “Calm down. The van will arrive soon,” my mom said. I sat on a boulder, tried to calm down, and watched the road. Cars came and went, torturing me with the hope that one of them might be the van, the big white van, that would bring my future canine friend. Occasionally, I would smell the aroma of hot coffee and sandwiches wafting out of the building. I waited, and waited some more. Ten minutes turned into thirty minutes, and thirty into an hour. Finally, when I could bear it no longer, a green and white Enterprise Rental van sluggishly pulled into the parking lot. A short, thin man stepped out and threw open the back doors of the van. I could hear yipping and yapping and barking from inside, so I knew this was the right van.

I sprinted down to the parking lot to catch a closer glimpse of the interior. Inside were cages of different sizes all stacked atop one another. One of them had to contain Elle. My parents arrived, and the driver pulled out a large cage, set it on the ground, and opened the door. Out came the most beautiful dog I had ever seen. She had tan almond-shaped eyebrows, a tan snout, and sported black fur everywhere else except her paws and tail, which were also tan. She had very long, velvety ears and light brown eyes. Elle stared up at us, her new family, with a look of uncertainty on her face. I held out my hand for her to sniff, she cautiously drew closer, then sniffed and from that moment on, I knew we would have a lot of fun together. Three years have passed since then, and as promised, we did have a lot of fun together, and still do. Elle hasn’t changed very much. She’s only grown a little grayer around the muzzle, but other than that, she’s still the same energetic, playful dog she was when we first found her. Losing Ella took a huge chunk out of me, but Elle almost fills that hole. Yet, they’re different in one major way. Since I had Ella when I was little, I stood nose to nose with her, and she was more of a nanny to me. My old friend was very gentle when she played with me, and was very careful when eating treats out of my hand. Elle, however, is like a sibling. She’s very rough and tumble when she plays, though she still has the same careful habit when eating out of your hand. In fact, she will try very hard to not even touch your hand when she eats something out of it.

At most, you’ll feel a brush of a whisker and her warm breath on your hand. Elle is very much like Ella, and yet has her own special charms. Dogs may be very different dog to dog, and breed to breed, but all houses are better off with a canine friend to come home to at the end of the day. There is no warmer welcome than the kind you’ll receive from a rescue dog. Don’t believe me? Adopt a dog, and see for yourself.

Me By Brian Babo

My hair is jet black, like the deep depths of the Dead Sea. My brain is like a monumental cloud before a brutal storm, churning past memories and thoughts of the future. My feet are like feathers drifting in the wind, sometimes swaying to the rhythm of music or rapidly racing one after the other. My hands resemble two round, ready, rapid shields, protecting others, as we fight through each day. My eyes are like the lifeless onyx void of a black hole, pulling in the beauty of the world. My heart holds heavy secrets yearning to come out, like a dog trying to break free from the chains holding it captive. I live in a world where good wars with evil, Living life to the fullest until death overpowers me.

My Superb

Star Wars Galaxy By Jack Bhagirathy My fantastic family is like a superb Star Wars galaxy. My mom is a jazzy Jedi master with a green glowing lightsaber. She is always doing work like going on quests to the store and trying to use the Force to influence my sister and me to behave with more common sense. Beep, boop! My dad is an amazing astromech droid. He is always deep into computers and travels a lot like R2D2 traveling through the inky galaxy. My sister is a jubilant Jawa. She is quite sneaky, and loots things like colorful candies and tasty treats, but always ends up exposing her prizes. In this respect she is like a Jawa selling its loot. I am the logical Luke Skywalker. I am very talented, adventurous, and have a lot of potential. Occasionally I am tempted, but don't fall to the dreadful "Dark Side" of the Force. My fantastic family is like a superb Star Wars galaxy. We each possess different traits and abilities that we use together to dispatch the Dark Side and be a happy family.

What A Grandfather Knows By Megan Garritty A grandfather knows when to toughen you up,

and notices when times are rough.

He’s always happy when you are glad

and brings tissues when you are feeling sad.

A grandfather knows when to spoil you with hugs,

He will always find you when you are hiding under rugs.

He will tickle you until you’re almost dead,

and at night he will tuck you into bed.

A grandfather always holds you in his heart,

Even if you’re far apart.

He will always be there,

With open arms and love to share.

The Greatest Show On Earth By Magdalena Seres My family is an exuberant circus. My father is a clown, without the blush red make-up, juggling work and after school activities while always making us laugh like hyenas. My mother is a graceful acrobat, keeping us balanced. She is warm and kind, but one look can stop you in your tracks. My brother Bryan is a brave stunt rider, fearless and foolish, You don’t want to dare him, he’ll courageously try anything. My youngest brothers, Vincent and Alan, are energetic trapeze artists working in perfect unison. Whether flying from walnut couch to walnut couch or climbing to the top of the aromatic snack cabinet, they will create a hair raising performance together. My family is like an exuberant circus. There is a lot going on, and it’s always very entertaining. 40

Target, the Store of my Dreams Â

By Ryan Riccio Look at all the cool stuff in this store, How have I not noticed this before? Everything here looks quite nice, But I wonder, what is its price? I see Nerf guns and chocolate bars, Bags of chips and toy cars. Candy canes, Video games, Spinning tops, Ice pops, Lego sets, Fluffy pets, The iPhone 6, Trail mix, Foam swords, Charger cords, Chewing gums, Dum-Dums,

Plush toys, Gingerbread boys, Chapter books, Fishing hooks, Froot Loops, Hula hoops, SweeTarts, And lawn darts..

I think that I should start to dash, Find my mom and ask for cash. There are things here I need to buy, And if I don't, I might just cry. I didn't have to beg or plead, Because she gave me what I need, So now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re driving out of sight, And I know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be up all night!

Happy Halloween By Gracie Angon It was October 31, 2009, and rain poured down from the ink colored sky like salty tears slipping down your cheeks. However, when you are four, nothing will stand in your way, at least not on Halloween! I looked like a normal four-year-old girl with two, towering, auburn colored pigtails that curled up at the end. My eyes were the color of melted milk chocolate. My costume had short, round, navy blue, puffy sleeves with white fringes. The top was also navy blue with a large rainbow that spread across my chest and the bottom displayed another huge rainbow! My little sister Josie wore the same eager expression on her face. As she jumped you could see pieces of chestnut colored hair peek out from her hot pink wig. Everyone's trick-or-treat baskets sagged down with the weight of all the candy. We approached the final house on the block. It was a red brick house, dim lights shone from the window. As my mom looked from the house to us, she warned us for the 20th time tonight, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do not run!â&#x20AC;? Unfortunately her warnings could not save me from what was coming next. My older cousins were in the middle of the doorbell contest, whoever rang the most doorbells would earn four pieces of candy from everyone who was playing. They exchanged mischievous glances and sprinted to the doorway across the dull, slate sidewalk. 43

I darted daringly against my mother's orders and sprinted towards the door. All I heard was laughter ahead and my mom screaming my name. I had just reached the top of the tar colored driveway without slipping; my cousins were dead ahead, and the rain was pouring like there was no tomorrow! I ran over the rock solid slate. Then without warning my feet slid out from underneath me. My eyes felt like they had bricks super-glued to them. “They’re too heavy to lift ...,”I thought. "This was probably a dream." But even then, I knew it wasn’t. I wanted nothing more than to not be in this situation. I opened my mouth and as the rain fell into it, I screamed bloody murder. Seconds passed...5...10...15... Finally I heard someone approaching. Every nearby blade of grass waved as someone ran next to me. I am picked up off the cold and hard ground. Two large hands pull me towards some cotton material. My eyes finally open only to see a white sweatshirt mixed with a terrifying shade of red. I look up through my red and blurry vision to a face ...it was my dad. Once we reached the bottom of the hill, my eyes began to feel heavy again. "Too heavy...,” I told myself. I finally gave in to the weight of my eyes. They stung from all the crying and blood. Blood! That red thing I kept seeing was my blood! Even though my throat hurt I let out a scream. As I did, more blood and rain poured into my mouth. I soon felt sleepy. The cotton was soft on my head and reminded me of my soft pillow and warm bed waiting for me at home. All I wanted was to be at home. Safe. It was safe at home. I had to go home to escape this nightmare. 44

“Why?” that was the first noise I heard, “Why no see Gracie? Whath the mather?” I knew that was Josie. She was in the other room with my grandma, Gummie. The weight finally came off my eyes and right off the bat I knew that I was not outside anymore. All I saw was light. I assumed I was dead in heaven.“God….," I whispered, but there was no answer. I soon realized I was still alive. But no one could hear anything over my family talking! I realized that I was in my grandpa's {Bapa's} and grandma’s {Mimi's} bathroom, laying on both of my parents’ laps. My dad's white sweatshirt was now a red mess! I told myself, “That's my blood!” and soon I was crying and screaming all over again!! My Mimi came in with an expression on her face like nothing happened! She batted her hand in the air. “Oh....,” she said as she smiled,“ All she needs is a band-aid.” My dad shook his head but she had already left determined that all I needed was a band aid! She came back in a good 2 minutes with the smallest circle band aid ever!!! My dad rolled his eyes and yelled, “Ma! That’s her skull !!!!!” He lifted what looked like a bloody washcloth off my forehead. His large pointer finger pointed towards my head. Mimi looked at my head, looked at the band-aid, shook her head and tossed it as her eyes widened. Finally she spoke [she was still looking at my head], but it was more of a stutter,“I...I’ll go and... a... um... call 911.” She opened the door, turned back to stare at me, then opened the door and shut it. My dad put the washcloth back on my head and 5 minutes later I heard them. At first it was faint, but gradually it grew louder and louder- Sirens. 45

I was rushed outside. The cold drizzle felt good on my hot face. My shaking, cold, weak body bounced as we entered a large white truck. My vision was worse. In fact, it was so bad I was seeing double! A woman came up to me and explained, “ I... take you ... temp.” As you can see, my hearing was bad too! My small apple sliced shape ears pounded, my throat was a desert and all of a sudden my head felt as cold as death! The woman's thermometer was close to my cut . I simply closed my eyes to escape this horrible reality. In my head I chanted over and over, “This is just a dream. You will wake up soon. Please wake up soon!” I did wake up. I expected to see my worn-out, green-colored bedroom wall, to see Josie fast asleep. But instead of that fantasy, I saw skylights revealing the Halloween moon. The room was decorated with aqua colored curtains. My eyes were red from all the blood in them. I was preparing a scream when I felt her. My mom was stroking my small arm. “Shhhhh... it’s okay,” she said with a smile. I thought she was mad at me for not listening, but no she was here. “Give up,” I thought that no one could fix this. Josie came to my thoughts. Maybe she is at home with Gummie, asleep. I was always there for her, but she could not do anything for me, even if she tried! Soon I noticed my dad on a stool next to my mom. He was staring at something to the left of me. I turned slightly to see a man. He was not dressed like a doctor. His shirt was pitch black and had no sleeves. His arms were covered in tattoos! His jeans were dirty and ripped, lastly he was bald with a curly black beard/ mustache. He made me laugh with all his stories and jokes! 46

I remember he said his son broke his arm. Then I remembered why I was here and not with Josie. “Because I broke my forehead, that’s why!” Although, Josie would love him too, I would never ever want her to be in this situation! Then I heard a woman call, “Angon....Doctor Kim will see you now.” By now I had stopped crying, but my body was still weak. Doctor Kim sounded nice, so I decided not to worry. The bleeding had stopped, but my eyes still stung! On the bright side, my hearing was better! A woman with hazel-colored eyes closed the curtains. Her tennis sneakers squeaked against the floor as she moved closer to me. She smiled at my mom and asked politely, “Would you like to lie down with her?” She gestured towards a bed. My mom looked at my dad, who looked at me. I felt the transfer from two strong, sturdy, solid, hands to smaller, softer hands. My mom laid down on the bed, then the nurse placed me next to her. The bed was stiffer and smaller than a normal bed. Our heads laid on two squishy pillows and the nurse covered us in a comfy, cozy gray blanket. As I shifted to get comfortable, another woman entered. She had almond shaped eyes and shoulder length ebony colored hair. This was Doctor Kim. In her hand was a machine. It was a little longer than a water bottle. It was gray and was filled with a clear liquid. At the top was what looked like a large, pure white bowl made of glass. “Hi!” I said as I waved madly. “Hi!” she said with the same level of eagerness. Her smile was warm and kind, so I knew that I would be fine. 47

Her arm, which was holding the machine, extended towards me. I tried to sink under the blanket to escape it. But my mom pulled me up to meet the death trap! As Dr. Kim put it on my head, I soon realized it was a plastic bowl. The machine was still for a minute, then it sprung to life! The clear liquid poured into my head like milk pouring into cereal. Then it came. Pain. It felt like my head was going to snap open. I felt like I was going to throw up! Finally, the pain stopped, and the doctor pulled the machine up into the air. The liquid was gone. She nodded, obviously satisfied, then she turned to my parents before exiting. Just as I shouted out, “Is that it!?!” the startled nurse came back, holding two things in her hands. In one she grasped a needle filled with anesthesia. The other hand held a miniature fishing hook, with black thread coming out of the end. I shuddered. Kim entered again and politely took the needle from the nurse. As the needle came towards me, it gleamed in the harsh lights. After that, everything happened in slow motion. I was too focused on peopleʼs faces to notice the needle was two inches from my head! When the needle reached my head all I felt was a small pinch before everything went numb. Three minutes elapsed before a fish hook came towards me. I expected a sharp pain, but instead I felt.... nothing! “Finally. NO more pain,” I told myself. Years after this event I was told what that hook thing did. You see, I had torn many layers of skin so that hook went in my head and then Dr. Kim pulled it out the other side to stitch me up (6 on the inside and six on the outside). 48

About 5 minutes into the operation the nurse asked if I was thirsty, I nodded my head (which hurt) and out of nowhere she hands me a cup of orange juice. As it trickled down my throat the desert in my mouth becomes a tundra. Then they went back to work on my forehead. When we were done, I thanked everyone. As we walked out, I promised I would never run again. And that is why I failed gym class.

Candy creations by Matt Bronstein My name is Matt, I love to eat candy. It's not very healthy but it tastes very dandy. See my favorite candies in the list below, you may not like them, but you never know. Butter Caramel Hershey Kisses Cookie Dough Swedish Fishes Meatloaf Potato Pixie Sticks Spinach Kale Orange Twix Carrot Pumpkin Tootsie Pops Banana Apple Lemon Drops Caramel Apple Red Hots Spicy Tuna Crunchy Dots Bacon Pizza Candy Canes Brussel Sprout Mary Janes I know my list might seem bizarre, but I dreamed of this idea when I was hit by a falling star. 50

My Moody Smoothie By Melissa Dural

One day I woke up and felt moody, so I decided to make a smoothie You might not want to try it after you read the recipe I share, because these ingredients could give you a scare First, I chopped a pile of potatoes Then, diced some tart tomatoes, and drizzled an enormous amount of Alfredo Next I added a bunch of bologna and made a pot of macaroni To add flavor I even sliced extra spicy pepperoni and fetched some fettuccine Then deluged it with lots of linguini plus I threw in zesty zucchini I cooked up clams Chopped a whole ham and spread some jam

Lastly I dumped in dozens of Doritos and a crunchy container of Cheetos and overflowed it all with a tangy mix of Tostitos But to give it the liquidy substance, I poured some Coke and cracked at least a dozen egg yolks Finally, I blended them all together But oddly when I tried it, I felt under the weather I clearly didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel much better So I snuggled up in my sweater And sipped soup with alphabet letters

The Considerate Christmas Tree By Olivia Ray My family is like a charming Christmas tree. My mother is the green pine tree that manages, miraculously, to balance all the ornaments and stay on her base. She gives warmth and a wonderful fragrance, presenting a stocking filled with generosity to whomever she meets. Even though she shows great generosity, step gingerly and avoid unwise choices. She has some prickly branches.

My sister is an ornament. She is the one that glistens and shines among all. Although her beauty is quite glorious, it is her kind, giving spirit that glows brightest of all.

My father is the shimmering star on top. He watches over us with his many fine points. Each one represents a feeling of greatness, tenderness, and intelligence. Be careful of your actions; his points might be fine, but they are quite sharp too.

I am the fascinating fairy lights. I may look dull when I am first sprawled around the tree, but when my outlet is plugged and fully charged, in a flicker of a second, I am the one that allows the tree to glow brightly. At that moment I am something breathtaking! Something wonderful! Something that leaves the audience in awe!

My family is like a charming Christmas tree. Yes, sometimes some of the lights may blow a fuse. Sometimes some ornaments might shatter, and the whole tree and the star could tip over too, but together we can overcome those obstacles, and create a Christmas tree that is worth sharing the miracle of the season with others.

AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT By Abigail Clark It was Christmas in Dayton again. Blankets of snow lay across the city center. A man dressed as Santa, complete with a red suit and long, white beard, sat ringing a bell for donations of money for charities. Chilly-cheeked children stood holding candy canes while their parents selected the best Christmas tree from a lot decorated with blinking colored lights. One man by the name of Jacob Larson sat in the windowsill of his apartment, looking down onto the familiar streets where he grew up, wishing Travis was sitting beside him. Jacob had a smile that could always make someone’s day. With a calm voice, hair as blonde as the sun, and sparkling eyes that matched the ocean, he looked as though happiness followed him wherever he traveled. Despite his kind character, his background was dark and full of sorrow. He had recently returned from fighting in Afghanistan where his brother Travis died in battle last summer. Though he was still grieving, Jacob knew he had to do something joyful this Christmas, if not for himself then for someone else. In memory of his brother, Jacob devoted so much of his life now volunteering for those less fortunate, as Travis always did. “Helping others is the best part of the holidays,” Travis always said. As Christmas neared, Jacob found himself taking Travis’ place at the toy donation headquarters in downtown Dayton as a volunteer worker. 55

Fingering his brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ID tags which he now kept in his own pocket, Jacob walked into a toasty room and felt awestruck. Stacks of toys were lined against the concrete walls: Crayola markers, My Little Pony, Mr. Potato Head, Lego construction sets. Stuffed animals, piled one on top of the other, sat in cardboard boxes. Decorated pine trees stood like statues, with cherry red beads strung on the limbs while the stars on top glinted as brightly as the night our Savior was born. With mittens and gloves poking out of pockets, the down jackets and wool coats from the volunteers hung on hooks and over folding chairs. The donation center was like a sanctuary to Jacob, warm and comforting, a reminder of his brother. Volunteers served hot cocoa with floating marshmallows. Sugar cookies shaped like evergreens and snowmen lay on paper plates. The fragrance of orange and cloves filled the air, putting Jacob at ease. Unzipping his jacket, he sauntered in to begin his mission. When Jacob entered dressed in his camouflaged pants, an older man, tall and lanky with gray disheveled hair, greeted him. "Welcome! Can I please have your name?" he asked. "My name is Jacob," he replied. "Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Ernie," the man said. "You're an army officer, right? So you'll be delivering toys." Jacob grinned, pleased that he would actually be there to see the children smile as he helped make a difference in their Christmas. "Come with me, Jacob, and I'll show you where to start," Ernie instructed him, leading Jacob into a large room with baskets of toys. People nodded, greeting them as they passed by."Jacob, if you don't mind helping me load the toys, you'll be on your way faster," Ernie promised. 56

"Absolutely," Jacob answered, lifting a basket. With each toy he touched and each face he saw, he felt Travis was with him. Carefully, they loaded the toys into a dark blue Honda Pilot. It took a while to pile everything into the different vans and cars. "Thank you for your help, Jacob," Ernie said when they had finished. "Any time," Jacob replied, getting into the Pilot and saying good-bye to Ernie. He closed the car door, started the engine, and slowly backed out of the donation center, heading to his destination: a home about three miles outside of town. Before leaving, Jacob noted that his first child was a girl named Lindsay, a 9-yearold who loved to draw. A generous family had donated a complete set of drawing paper, acrylic paints, pastels, colored pencils, and chalk. He learned from Lindsay’s “wish list” that her family’s wages were so low they couldn’t afford gifts this Christmas. Still, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw when he pulled into the driveway at 34 Clement Avenue. The sagging roof was covered in moss, and the cement stairs had little parts chipped away. Even though it was the middle of December, the front lawn was still covered in dried, decaying leaves. One bright spot was the sidewalk covered in chalk drawings: hopscotch, big red hearts, and “LINDSAY” written in block letters. Though he was nervous about meeting this family and didn’t know what to expect, he again felt the presence of his brother and gathered up his courage. Jacob took Lindsay’s present out of the trunk with care and walked up the dilapidated steps. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his uniform and knocked on the 57

front door. He heard the running of little feet and the sound of scrambling inside. Suddenly, a girl with a blonde ponytail peeked out the front window. She tried to stifle a scream but couldn’t hold it back. "Merry Christmas!" Jacob called, as Lindsay and her mother opened the door. He held out the drawing set which Lindsay accepted with joy."Helping others is the best part of the holidays," Jacob thought, remembering his brother’s words. Lindsay’s mother welcomed him in as the little girl tore open the wrapping paper. "Oh,my gosh! Thank you so much!" Lindsay cried, hugging Jacob. She disappeared for several minutes while Jacob stood talking with her mother. When Lindsay returned, she held out one of the pieces of drawing paper. She stepped up to Jacob and announced, "Thank you." Her picture was extraordinary: a drawing of herself and Jacob standing side by side in front of a Christmas tree, he in his camouflage uniform and she holding a gift. "I wished for paints and beautiful paper," she said. "I used to draw all over the sidewalks until I ran out of chalk. But now you've brought me my wish. Thank you!" Jacob knelt down, looked at the drawing, and hugged her. Knowing he had more deliveries to make, Jacob stood up, wished the family a sincere “Merry Christmas,” and headed for the car holding Lindsay’s drawing in one hand and Travis’ ID tags in the other. Yes, he thought. Travis was right. Helping others IS the best part of the holidays.

RACE 4 CHASE By Emma Marsh

December 14, 2012, is a date that most of us will never forget. It was a horrible day, shadowed by tragedy. Now when somebody mentions the word Newtown everyone looks nervous and uncomfortable. It was a day fourth graders missed recess outside, even though it was a sunny day, and instead practiced a lockdown drill - the kind of drill that is very long and begins to scare you. Even now December 14 might pop into your head for no reason at all. The news reporter's shaken voice still replays in your mind. The sight of seeing your parents crying for the first time is unforgettable. I'm sure many are heartbroken when they think of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that happened five years ago. My social studies teacher always says there is that silence at the end of the line when people ask you where you're from and you reply, "Newtown." Much sorrow came out of that event, just days away from Christmas and the holidays. However, one mom put her grief to good use by creating a summer camp called Race 4 Chase. My mom heard about the program on Facebook and fell in love. She told me that it was a training camp for kids, dedicated to a boy named Chase and other victims in the 59

Sandy Hook tragedy. Chase was a six-year-old boy who loved to compete in triathlons. The camp session would be six weeks long, and during that time you would learn how to run long distance, and become a stronger swimmer and biker. Better yet, if you didn't know how to do any of those sports, the counselors would be there to teach and support you. On top of that, it was free! Two of my siblings were already begging to go, and I really wanted to support the cause too. My mom, however, was hesitant to let me go. The reason being that I have a hole in my heart. Since we all know that your heart rate increases after exercise, my mom worried that if confronted with days of constant exercise I would develop respiratory problems or injure my heart. Finally, she let me sign up, but insisted that I visit the cardiologist the following week. Unfortunately my hole hadn't shrunk at all. It was not bad, but not exactly what the doctors wanted to see. After a month of pleading, however, my mom agreed to let me go on one condition. I had to agree to tell her immediately of any heart issue I experienced during the session. We arrived at the camp on June 17, the summer of 2014. Under the blazing sun the kids cheered each other on and it was a blast. All of the counselors were there for you as long as you needed them, and everyone had faith in you.

Our motto was

"finish strong" and we'd chant it at the end of each practice. As we ran, swam and biked, there was never a time when people weren't helping others. I was lucky to be a part of a group of really awesome kids, and it was nice to see that everybody accepted one another's differences. 60

Before I even had time to think about it, the day of the race rolled around on August 19th. It was a rainy day, but the mood had not been altered. There were banners and huts all around, and people who didn't know us or had never even heard of the camp, stopped their cars and handed out jackets and towels. Chase's parents were there, and they couldn't have been happier. In fact they shone with pride. All of the camp counselors and kids met in a "pod," and we had a pep talk. Advice to "Pace yourself," and "do your best" were blurted out by best buds. "Everybody line up! Line up ten to twelve-year-olds!" bellowed the announcer. "You're up!" my dad exclaimed patting my back and pointing to the lake. I was swimming first, then hiking, and finally I would finish off with running. I didn't even have time to look for my parents. The air horn went off, and I froze. I was able to pull myself together and was actually one of the first ones out of the lake, so I guess swimming went pretty well. "GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!" shouted one of my counselors from the bike rink. I quickly dressed myself and hopped onto my bike. I buckled my helmet and slammed on the pedals. Then disaster struck. One of the gears on my bike wasn't working. Awesome, I'm in the middle of the freaking race, and this is the time when my bike decides not to work. Luckily, my hard training paid off and I was able to ride my bike. It was just a lot more difficult than usual. I actually had to walk up the hill, and my friend made a nasty face at me and laughed. However, I refused to let that throw me off. 61

One of my counselors called for help, and someone rushed to help me with my gears. His face was completely covered by a helmet, but he had a lanky, muscular frame. He told me his name was Brian, and reattached my gears. Even though I was set back around ten minutes, I rode the rest of the way with Brian by my side. "So, why did you do the camp? Because it was free?" he asked. "No," I huffed, actually quite annoyed by that question. "I'm doing it for the cause!" My legs were aching, but I pedaled faster and faster, whizzing past my dad at the end. I threw my bike on the ground, and without thinking, I ran. About one mile in, I began to feel my heart racing faster than usual. It was not dangerously fast, but it was a warning for me to watch myself. My lungs were screaming, my chest felt heavier than a bowling ball, and my heart, well it was not earning high grades is all I can say without being impolite. I began to feel tired, and sadly I have to admit I even had to walk some of the way. "RUN! RUN! DON'T WALK!" my mom hollered. "Oh man, " I thought. My mom was cheering on my brother and now she was embarrassed I was walking. I didn't want to tell her about my heart, because I knew she would pull me out of the race. Fortunately, with half a mile left, I was able to get my heart to the right pace. I don't remember what place I came in, but I have absolutely no interest in that. What matters is that I made Chase's family proud by being there to honor their son. For me, Race 4 Chase, or Chase's Day, will definitely always be a wonderful time to remember, because I broke a barrier and finished strong. 62

Apollo 13 By Saihari Kota Â The world had just watched a miracle A man on the moon A flag on the dunes of the moon Apollo 11 made history Apollo 12 rocketed to victory The U.S was at its best Until number 13 posed a mystery Superstition ruled the country Most believed the worst The number 13 they claimed was cursed, but NASA didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care The spacecraft left with a burst Nothing could be better The US were ready for another Success But deep in space, there was a flaw An explosion, an eruption in an oxygen tank

Carbon levels rising Oxygen depriving Houston in panic Twenty-four hours â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;till death Ground control on the clock to save three lives without a lot Materials found in a house Which could not save a mouse Were now the only chance Working hard in a trance The crew made a filter, Up in space, three could finally breath

Leaving the moon in the dust, the three astronauts sped back to us On Earth thousands watched the astronauts rocket back down The world may not have noticed a man on the moon Or a flag on the dunes Instead they saw three men Alive

Reflections on Martin Luther King's Legacy By Izabella Neiger On August 20th of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. made a very important speech. His “I Have A Dream” speech told of his vision for equality in America. But what was his dream? Today, if he were alive, would he think his dream has come true? When Dr. King stood in front of the 250,000 Civil Rights supporters gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He wanted all people from all places to be treated fairly. Justice must not be based on how men and women look, but by their actions. He hoped for freedom for all people--those being discriminated against and even those who were guilty of acts of discrimination. If Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today he would see that in the United States, we have still not achieved his dream of equality. People are being shot because of the color of their skin. Women do not receive the same respect as men and are often judged on their appearance. In some states, the ability to love who you want is challenged. In some areas immigrants are not welcomed. Muslims are discriminated against for what they wear and their religion. Poor people have a hard time finding

good health care. Some people are discriminated against based on their political beliefs. American people have not yet come together as one. We need to renew the fight that Dr. King began. We have made progress since the time of his speech, but the fight for equality continues. My dream for the world is very similar to Dr. King's dream. My dream is to rid the United States of discrimination forever so that all people have equal rights, are treated fairly, and are respected. My wish is that American citizens can live their lives safely and peacefully. My dream is that diversity is embraced and appreciated so that we can all learn from each other and make the world a better place.

The Noise In My Backyard Â

By Avyay Menon

Tat-a-tat-tat...I heard the familiar reverberating noise in my backyard one Saturday morning when I was glaring into the nothingness out of the window of my second floor bedroom. It was the familiar noise of a woodpecker, but less intense and less rhythmic so this time I thought of looking outside to see what it was pecking at. What I saw was not what I expected to see. I know woodpeckers have a pointed head at the back and a mustache of sortsâ&#x20AC;Ś.but this was a different sort of bird, lightly pecking into the cavity of an old oak tree. My parents had been planning to rid themselves of the oak for quite some time, because it was close to our house and there was the constant fear of it falling in the event of a strong storm. Actually, cleaning the oak leaves from the yard had not been exactly easy either, but I digress. Returning back to the bird, I'd say its body size was similar to that of a regular woodpecker, except its back was black in color with a white patch while its head was a magnificent crimson red all the way to the nape. I wondered what it could be and so I went downstairs and asked my mother. I gave her a vivid description of what I observed. 67

"Look it up!” she advised me. That is always her response when she doesn’t know the answer to questions I ask. I notice that it happens more often than not these days. She is not the ‘know-it -all’ walking encyclopedia that I thought her to be when I was younger. I digress again. Now let's focus on the magnificent bird on the tree...what was its name? I researched it on the internet and LO AND BEHOLD! It was identified as a Red-Headed-Woodpecker on the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection website and listed as an “Endangered Species”. The website also mentioned that this bird is considered one of the rarest breeding birds in the state of Connecticut, the reason being that the reduction in farming led to a decrease in open woodlots. Therefore this species do not have a suitable habitat. Another interesting fact that the article mentioned was that unlike other regular woodpeckers, Red-headed Woodpeckers do not feed on insects by drilling. Instead they prefer to catch flying insects...hmmm...that explains the non-rhythmic tat-a-tat I heard. I was really excited to learn that a bird that was an endangered species, was actually in my backyard some time ago. I informed my mother and began to build my case as to why we shouldn’t chop down the oak tree. My mother argued that there are plenty of oak trees in our yard and our neighbor’s yard and the whole of our neighborhood. Despite the fact that I even offered to rake the leaves, she was relentless. 68

I wasn’t going to give up, however. No, no, I wasn’t! I decided to use the last weapon I had...send my mom on a guilt trip! I went online and collected data of how many Red-headed Woodpeckers die each year primarily due to man-made causes and how there is an imbalance in our ecology all due to us HUMANS! In the end, I asked her if she wanted to go down in history as just ‘another I don’t care about the environment’ kind of person. It worked! The tree stays! Now my hope is that no one in our neighborhood chooses to chop down their oak trees and we can have a home for the spectacular, breathtakingly beautiful Red-HeadedWoodpecker.

My Family Garden By Chase Carkner

My fantastic family is like a gorgeous garden. My mother is a saffron-yellow sunflower soaring bright and beautiful She's always trying to light up the room with her shining smile. My father is a lime-green corn stalk, towering tall, sturdy and proud. He may blow in the gusty winds, but he remains planted firmly in the ground. My brother is a blooming, blonde onion with a strong, powerful personality. He has many layers of energy, curiosity and humor. I am a perfectly pink watermelon, well-rounded and juicy sweet on the inside. I love being part of the garden and sowing seeds of love. My fantastic family is like a gorgeous garden. We are always growing and spreading our seeds in this wonderful world.

WHOOSH! By Jackson Marsh

The warm air coated my freckle covered face like a blanket. I stared steadily around at Six Flags of New England. It was truly a monumental park. The roller coasters looked like some giant was creating a pony tail by twirling and twisting wiry hair into mad loops. I could hear screams. Fortunately, these were not screams of anxiety or yelps of fright, but screams of joy and laughter. An intoxicating, irresistible aroma of popcorn and butter filled the air inviting me. That feeling disappeared as I looked to my left. There were loopy roller coasters with baffling, blood curdling twists and corkscrews that make me want to crawl away and cower. Fear fluttered through my body, but I was the only one to notice. As Emma and I walked over to what I could only assume was my death, I heard someone exclaim, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt like I was going to die or something!â&#x20AC;? My mind informed me to turn back, but my body seemed as if it was controlled or possessed like a character from one of those horror movies. 71

Each step I took was full of apprehension. The ground started to sink, and I could feel my heart slow down. I had hoped the ride was hours away, but before I knew it, I was sitting in a lumpy, cherry colored seat. The bars descended. At last the whiplash hit me. The coaster roared upwards. Higher and higher into the atmosphere the carts went, until I heard that horrific sound. It was the sound you hear when something dreadful is about to happen. The helpful hands holding the carts let go. WHOOSH! The carts zoomed through the sky. I closed my hazel eyes, my acorn colored hair flew backwards. Wait. I thought to myself. Why am I not screaming for my life? Usually I cry for help. Just then I realized something. I was having fun. Once the coaster came to a halt. I hopped off. I strode to my family with a sizable grin on my face. The vomiting feeling in my stomach was wiped away. My hands danced, and my legs pranced. “I did it, I did it, I had so much fun!” I exclaimed “I knew you would. At last, I finally helped you get over your fear!” Emma (my sister) replied. She was wrong. My heart was still beating very rapidly. BABOOMP! BABOOMP! It boomed over and over again. My heart was making its own music. It was never going to stop. 72

As I watched the fried dough sizzle in the frier, Emma told me she was proud. I was proud of myself too. At the same time we were munching on the crispy and light dough, Emma and I located another coaster. It had a loop that made you feel like you were doing a backflip. At the time, I didn’t know If I was really ready to ride that coaster. I must do it, I told myself. Don’t be a chicken! I marched to the coaster. “Again! Again!” I shrieked “Later,” Emma laughed. We raced to the Superman, the largest coaster in Six Flags. The bitter air first entered my nostrils, then ascended into my brain. Darkness surrounded me. This was not normal darkness, it was more of a raven black darkness, with a bit of sparse lights scattered around. I felt like every spirit in the world was watching me. All of the sparkling lights flashed before me as if uttering a good bye. Finally came the announcement: THE PARK IS NOW CLOSED. EVERY ONE STILL IN LINE MAY RIDE THE COASTER! I waited for what seemed like hours, until our turn. Emma and I were the last ones to board. There was no one else, but us. I felt abandoned. As the coaster started Emma whispered into my ear. I didn’t exactly hear what she said. But it went something like this, “There is no turning back.” 73

My face turned completely pale. I was a ghost. Never mind, I was about to be a ghost. This was it, the drop that would determine whether I would live or die. The coaster descended to the ground. “WOOOOOO!” We whipped left and right. Water sprayed at us. We went through pitch-black tunnels and descended down more and more drops. The ride at last came to a halt. “THAT WAS THE MOST FUN I EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!” I screamed afterwards. I didn’t care who heard it. We gathered into the car for the drive home. Even though no one was looking at me, everyone saw the twinkle in my eyes. I was so excited, I had a hard time falling asleep. Emma came into my room and hugged me. I was even more satisfied than a little boy given a carton of candy. Trying to snatch a hug from Emma is like trying to hug a leopard. I had learned a lesson at Six Flags. The only way to conquer your fear is to face it head on!

The Disney Character Poem By Christopher McGoldrick

These are the names of the characters from Disney Hopefully this list won't make you dizzy! First, let's start with Princess Tianna How far will you go to meet Moana? Next, Donald Duck and his nephews, Huey and Dewey Whoops, I forgot; there's another named Louie! Then down in the burrows there's Chip 'n' Dale Uh oh! Watch out as Jack Sparrow sets sail! Test your innovation with Imaginative Figment Whoosh, here comes Dash, a juvenile delinquent Your doorbell then rings, it goes "DIng-dong!" Look who it is, your friend Bing Bong!

Goofy, Pluto and the Tramp are all dogs Have you ever heard of The Princess and the Frog? And last, but not least, there's Mickey Mouse Most of the time he'll be in his clubhouse. Now these are the characters you'll meet at Disney Hope this long list didn't put you in a tizzy!

Ballpark By Jack Lumpinski

What do you find at the Ballpark? Usually me and my brother Mark Fans racing through the gate Players sliding through home plate Dads and Grandpas drinking Rootbeer A crowd with flags screaming a cheer! Balls hurtling airborne Boys chomping on popcorn Mascots making children scream A bunch of guys and girls rooting for their team People snacking on Cracker Jacks Wooden bats going smack! Late inning save The entire stadium doing the wave Dads betting on a home run Kids begging for a dog and bun. 77

Springtime By Gabby Pavlov

Birds fly along the breeze as squirrels climb up into trees

Rain showers that last for hours end up sprouting beautiful flowers

Glorious afternoons when kites fly, catching the eye of every girl and guy

A grey cat taking a nap in the sun while a dog decides to have some fun

Baby chicks, bunnies, and puppies are born as cherry blossoms on trees begin to form

Put away your mittens, hat, and winter clothes,

because spring has sprung up from under your nose!

Two Sisters

By Olivia Ray It was just another adventurous day in Stamford, Connecticut. The sun poured through my apartment window as the birds sang in harmony. My mom shook me gently, and called me many times, but all I heard were faint sounds interrupting my interesting dream. The calls grew louder and louder and all of a sudden my dream blurred away. I rubbed my eyes, and mumbled the words, “I’m awake!” My mom gently massaged my head as I stretched my arms. She took a breath and said calmly, “Today is a new day with a bright morning. You better get ready for school or else you will miss the bus.” I gave a tired smile. After breakfast, my mom brushed my hair carefully, and put in a beautiful bow clip. My dad agreed to bring me to the bus stop. While we were waiting there, I was lost in my thoughts. I was reliving the dream I had. Most dreams just faded away from memory, but this one was special. This one was about the arrival of a new sibling who would be my best friend. 79

As the bus halted with a screech, my thoughts were interrupted. At the time, I was just your average five-year-old girl. I had pink rosy cheeks, and short, silky hair that cascaded to my shoulders like a straight waterfall. My eyes were as brown as the rich soil that helps plants grow. I scurried across the steps of the bus with my new Nike sneakers, and found my friend. I smiled and waved goodbye to my dad as the bus took off. After that day, I put more thought into the dream. I had many friends and many people to keep me company. Then why did I feel like a part of my life wasn’t complete? Maybe, it was because I didn’t have a sibling. I would always listen intently to what others had to say about their siblings. Some snapped, "MY brother is super annoying.” Others would boast, “My sister is the best! She came all the way from college just to visit me!” What would I do? I would just sit there and listen and listen quietly with nothing to say and nothing to do but just listen. In both cases, I knew that deep inside, there was a special bond between siblings and I wanted that.

Every now and then, I would tell my parents how much I craved for a sibling and they would always have the same reply, “Life is full of surprises! You might just have a sibling one day.” Every night I would dream about the fun pillow fights and warm hugs I could have with my little brother or sister. However, days, weeks, and even months passed by and no baby appeared to keep me company and play with me. Finally, one fine day in January, my mom had told me to she wanted to talk to me. (I thought, I was in trouble). I guess I was wrong. She paused and she said slowly, “Olivia...you are going to have a… SIBLING!” I was speechless. My mind was exploding with thoughts, just like fireworks! When my dad came home we celebrated this happy moment. I ran around in full circles around the living room, throwing my fists high in the air and yelling the words, “I have got a sibling! I have got a sibling!” My dad picked me up in the air and he exclaimed, “I guess dreams do come true!” My grandparents from my mom’s side came all the way from India in preparation for the arrival of my little sibling. We would have to go to the hospital every month so that the doctors could check how my mom was doing.

One month later we found out that I was going to have a baby sister! That made me even happier. What’s better than girl power? Thinking of names for my new sister occupied all of our time. After all those months of waiting, the big moment finally arrived one sunny September day. I was at school, in my first days of first grade and I was working on a project with my friend Camilla. The intercom boomed its speakers and called me for dismissal. I immediately packed all my stuff, said bye to my teacher and my friends, and I rushed out the door. I ran as fast as I could towards my dad on the slippery, wet floor. I tried my best not to fall. When I finally reached him, I could see there was a smile on his face. I had a feeling I knew why my dad was picking me up early. I asked my dad why and he replied, “I think you already know.” Could it be my sister... I thought to myself with great anticipation. As soon as I finished buckling my seatbelt we took off. We zoomed passed the busy streets of Stamford. I felt excitement and eagerness bubbling inside of me . We crossed street after street, road after road, until we finally parked at Stamford Hospital. 82

My dad opened the door and exclaimed with a big smile, “Your baby sister has been born!” I gave him a humungous hug and told him, “This all seems like a big dream!”I slowly walked towards the entrance, still in shock that I finally had a sister. We took the elevator to the fourth floor to see how my mom was doing. When we entered, we saw a bunch of gifts from many people. My grandparents were already there. I ran straight towards my mom. She was lying on the hospital bed with many instruments around her. She looked a bit tired, but otherwise she was okay. She smiled her gentle, happy smile which filled me with warmth and happiness inside. I held her hand and I told her how much I loved her. Then, my dad asked me if I wanted to go see my little sister and I obviously said yes! We headed out of the room and walked towards the nursery room where all the newborn babies were. They were wrapped in cozy white blankets and each of them had a tiny hat with blue and pink stripes. They were all being cared by the nurses, all wearing blue aprons. As soon as my dad told the staff that we needed to see Olita Ray the ladies brought my sister out and congratulated us on our new addition. 83

When I saw my sister, my heart danced. She was as tiny as a button. Her feet were soft and cozy. Her soft hands were clenched in a little bunch. Her eyes squinted up at my face. There was a gentle fragrance that came from her wrapped blanket. My dad patted my back as I felt a small tear of happiness roll down my cheek. I wiped my tear off my cheek and smiled at my sister for a while. My life is finally complete I thought. My sister has now grown to be a beautiful, yet crazy little girl since that very special day and I cherish every moment I spend with her.

What Moms Do Â By Olivia Cunha

You cook and clean, wash then fold You keep me warm when I am cold You drive me here Take me there Mom, you sure are everywhere You always say yes You're the best When I feel down and start to frown You will turn that frown upside down You spoil me with gifts galore Then never stop when I want more

When you yell, I feel sad I spend the rest of the day mad You always cheer me on We share an unbreakable bond You kiss me and hug me Because I need to know you love me You tuck me into bed so tight That is when we say goodnight

My Secret World By Sophia LaSpina

My hair is like the delicate terra fur of a dashing chipmunk. My brain resembles a parallel universe that's unknown to man. My feet flow like graceful swans on a river. My hands mimic wisps of smoke, creating pictures with beams of light. My eyes are alight like a sky filled with willow-the-wisp. I am always off in another world. My heart holds adventure, artists, song, and vibrant beams of light that are the creatures that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created. I live in a city of paintings, music, and winged creatures.

Goodbye Dad (8/29/71-4/18/17) By Gabby Pavlov Many hugs and pitiful stares Strangers saying they will be there A feeling that lingers far too long Like a tune to an unknown song His departure left me empty and bare I need to wake up from this nightmare Now the world feels so dim Cold and unforgiving without him 45 was too young to go And now I will never know Who will be there to walk me down the aisle? Who will laugh with me and share a smile? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sorry you will never be there For death will always be cruel and unfair

!e Everla"ing Wave -Tsunami By Olivia Gavlick

I had been missing for three weeks after being hit by the longest traveling tsunami in world history. The wave had actually carried my limp body from Hawaii to India, and a search team was looking for my body, though I was presumed dead. I am Cristina Underwood and this is where my story begins. A month earlier, I was helping my mother clean the dishes. The plate slipped from the wet cloth covering my hand with a crash. A dozen pieces of pearl white china smashed upon the birch planks making up the kitchen floor. “Christina Louisa Underwood,” shouted my father, who started to speak in Italian. He yelled and yelled as this was the third time I had dropped the china this week. I was too upset to speak, my mouth went dry. He glared at me, and my mother for failing to scold me, then he stormed outside to the fields. My sister, Kai E'e snorted and looked up from her book on petunias.

I started to clean the mess, but my mother

stopped me. “Meli, wai meli, you may have messed up, but you do not deserve such.” She looked at my bare feet that were covered in bloody cuts. She cleaned my wounds with a rugged sea foam colored cloth that soon turned crimson. After bandaging my feet I headed for my comfort spot. Two days passed without me making eye contact, or speaking to father. I loved my spot, it was a rock on a cliff covered in warm pink sand. You could feel the clean ocean 89

mist, and I was surrounded by bushes and wild, tropical flowers. My father and I had set up large rocks as a back rest to lean on, and Mom decorated the place with shells from all different beaches. She would carve hearts and the date on them, and there were shells from each season and year. They all matched favorite colors of mine and the flowers in my favorite flower crowns. There was one palm tree I would climb to find my favorite food, coconuts. I would crack them on the rock and drink the coconut milk. I had finished drinking the coconut milk, and was weaving the coconut husks. That’s when I saw it, a monstrous wave. I stood there in awe, then I ran. Unfortunately my foot became wedged in the rocks. The wave was fifty feet away… forty feet… thirty feet. I pulled at my ankle, it was wedged in too tightly to move. The wave was so close, but I could not break free… my father rushed over yanking me from the rock, tearing bandages. My ankle was covered in blood, I did not care, my father carried me to mother, with the wave at his heels. He looked down with bloodshot eyes, time had stopped. “My daughter, you are the most important thing in the world to me. I love you with all my heart. Take care of yourself, sister, and mother. I want you to remember me for all the right, forget the wrong I have done, my dear Cherry Blossom. I will not live through this, I hope to see you all again in heaven.” He started to cry and I tried to tell him that he would make it, but he shushed me. I burst into tears. My mom and sister were waiting for us, we were so close, suddenly, my father threw me and I flew into my mother's arms. Quickly she grasped my sister's arm and sprinted; we ran to the greatest mountain in all of Maui, Hawaii. My father was 90

right behind us, until met with bad luck and tripped. The wave plucked him off the ground. He looked at all of us and smiled; he then blinked three times. Sometimes instead of speaking, we would blink, three blinks meant I love you... all. All of us blinked three times, crying, we would not stop. The wave sucked him back in and he descended down the mountain. We followed, heading back to where our house once stood. Then other waves came, following in the wake of the biggest one. One after another they struck. It was too late; they had taken us all hostage and separated us. I was floating in the water. I could not feel my body, I was cold and unsure of where I was. Out of nowhere, appeared a ship. I tried to lift up my arm and shout, but I couldn't. I screamed and screamed, but no sound came out of my mouth. The waterworks started to roll in, my vision became blurry, and my body was moved towards the boat. Sadly, it was not a boat at all, it was a shipwreck. I recognized the vessel, it was my neighbor's, Moana Kai, a fisherman. He would fish for the freshest Mahi Mahi. He always gave us the biggest, healthiest, freshest fish he caught and our families often came together for a grand feast. Every Friday, I remember coming home from the general learning center to open arms and warm smiles. Well, that's how it used to be... My vision became more clear, I was floating on a hard, wood material. I looked at it, it was a robin egg colored platform. It looked very familiar, I grabbed the edge of the wood and tried to pull myself up with as much strength as I had. Rrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppâ&#x20AC;Ś I looked down at my sunflower colored dress, it had torn. I felt great amounts of pain, 91

scarlet colored blood dripped down my leg. There were shards of glass buried deep in my leg, and even pieces of a glass doorknob. Now I knew what this was, and why it was so familiar, it was my sister's bedroom door. I was so shocked to see it here, in the ocean, who knows where in the ocean. Something had rubbed against my foot, it was soft and silky like my mother’s favorite blouse. I wiggled my toes and I felt slime between them. The thing was still there, but now it felt more stiff. I then realized what was touching me, there was a school of Mahi Mahi fish swimming around me. My vision darkened. I opened my eyes and I felt drowsy, the fish were gone along with the door. I had then realized that I probably would never see my family ever again. I had been taking my family for granted, never knowing that I would lose them. Father was born in Italy, and mother was born on the main island of Hawaii. She went to the same college as my father, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. They met in their second year of college. Four years and seven months later they were married and moved to Maui. I cherished their love story, it was so romantic. I felt the pain again, salt water rushed into my cuts. It was like getting a bunch of flu shots at once without any numbing medicine. I wondered if I would ever see my family again, as I held back tears, and ignored the pain. I wanted to fall asleep and never wake up, I could not hold on any longer, I started to cry. My body was in pain and I was depressed. “Can this just be a dream, please, I want to wake up to a normal life,” I prayed to God. This time I yelled at the heavens, “I want father, mother, and Kai E'e to be safe and I want to wake up healthy, and not like this. 92

Why did you do this, is there a reason to my suffering?” I had only woken up only three times, during my three week period of being missing. Finally my body washed up on the shores of India. A man was walking with his wife on the shore, when his children ran up to him and spoke with great worry, “ Papa, papa, there's a girl sleeping on the beach, and she’s covered in blood.” The children then signaled for the parents to follow. There I lay, groups of people surrounded me. The man came up and asked what had happened. One girl with midnight colored braids spoke first, “I was searching for shells when I found her here, I have been treating her wounds.” Others spoke, a man the tallest of them all uttered, “She washed up on shore, I saw her myself. Her cuts are not extreme, but very dangerous. Her right leg is covered in shards of glass and her left foot is badly scratched up and looks infected.” A girl with olive colored skin chimed in, “She may have broken bones, but she is still breathing and I don’t think there are any external injuries.” A woman in pink then wondered out loud, “Could there be any internal injuries? What about her family, who is she, and where are they? Does she remember anything, could she ever wake up?” A man riding an elephant came over, and announced excitedly, “We found her, the missing child. Let me take her to the village care center.” He picked me up and we rode to the care center. I felt something cold, and hard on my chest. The pressure and shock told me I must wake. I opened my eyes to a group of doctors looking down on me with hope. 93

The short and stocky doctor in the front spoke kindly. He smiled and asked me questions, “Where do you live, where is your family, and what's your name? How old are you, describe your physical appearance, and what do you remember?” I responded quickly, “ I live in Wai Uhaiwai, noe tribe of Maui. My mother and sister are missing, and my name is Christina Underwood. I am eight-years-old. I have dark copper colored hair, olive green eyes and ivory colored skin. My eyes are small like raisins, and I have tan freckles. I am very small and slim.” I matched every detail perfectly. “Correct,” one of the doctors replied. I told them everything. A tall blonde doctor asked about my father, that's when they hit a dark point in questions. “My father saved my life and when doing so, he did not make it,” I muttered with despair. The doctors left, as the man that rode the elephant came in. He then closed the door, telling me terrible and marvelous news. “We found your father's body and we would like to ask about what you would like to do. You have been missing for three weeks, you traveled from Hawaii to India. You were a captive of the longest traveling tsunami in world history. The good news is you are safe and healthy, except for your broken leg. Your family has been looking for you and we sent out a worldwide message reporting that we found you, your mother and sister are coming.” I cried a mix of happy and sad tears. I had survived so far, and would continue to fight for survival. The blonde doctors came back in then. 94

The short physician told me one last thing before he would let me rest, â&#x20AC;&#x153; Ms. Underwood, you may be in grief right now, but God wanted you to survive for a reason, you're a medical miracle.â&#x20AC;? I was discharged from the care center and I was being taken care of by the Evergreen family until mother and Kai E'e came for me. They were an English family living in India to learn more about the culture. One day I was on the beach alone, as Mr. and Mrs. Evergreen were at work. I was ambling along the beach collecting sea shells, that's when I saw them. I dropped all my shells and ran. The wind was pushing my hair back and I was running faster than I had ever run before. I did not care that my blue dress was being sprayed with sand and water, I ran. I ran into a warm embrace, the warm embrace of my mother and sister. I hugged them so long that time seemed to have stopped and grateful, and cheerful tears ran down my face. I was the happiest person on Earth. I finally had my family back. I will never let go of them. I will never lose them ever again.

What Does a Turtle Know? By Ashley Ho

She knows how to swim around in glee, in the sparkling, shining sea, diving way down deep, to the crowded coral reef She knows that her large, slippery shell is swell at keeping her from being lunch as well She comes right back to where she was hatched, ready to make another batch. She sees dazzling dolphins and stunning seals and even spots some electric eels She is careful of passing boats as she floats in the beautiful blue, enjoying the view She drifts with the tide, by the seaside, enjoying her life in the sea, happy as can be

My Surprise Day at the Beach By Abigail Leonzi

Mom woke me up early and said, “Load the car.” Don’t know where we're going, but it might be bizarre. We have umbrellas and chairs, and mom says, “We’ve heading out for some fresh air.” I see the ocean Smell the waves Sand is already in my braids I have my flip flops and crop tops Sunblock and soda pop Waters, cooler, and cold drinks Can’t wait to catch the ball before it sinks

Grab my boogie board and frisbee, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on the surfboard look at me Wear a cute suit and play the flute Rain clouds coming in, have to scoot Grab the towels, buckets, and balls Load up the car, beach day is done yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all!

Rainforest Family By Maggie Carley

My family is like a radiant rainforest. My sister is a pretty peacock. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glittery and glamourous, and always ready to fluff her festive feathers for anyone. She can be seen swiftly strutting around the house, squawking. My mom is a talented tiger, with her silky, soft coat of papaya orange fur. She is ladylike and loving, but you do not want to make her mad, or she will roar at you! My dad is a cheerful chimpanzee, forever funny, he can make brilliant, bright tools out of almost anything, and is crazily creative when it comes to thinking of interesting ideas. I am a restless river otter, always in the merry mood to pleasantly play. I love to swim and dive into wavy water, and I always have a sparkling smile on my face. My family is like a radiant rainforest, and even though we sometimes seem to belong to different species, we all can come together to make a clever clan of creatures!

My Messy Room

By Finley Gray

I really need to clean my room If only I could find my broom On my favorite chair, a cat Hanging from the roof, a bat On my dresser, a banana peel I always thought my walls were teal All my clothes are on the floor I don’t know where my books are anymore Is something moving on my bed? Maybe I should rake the leaves instead Is there something I was supposed to feed? I think a break is what I need I really don’t like cleaning my room I better put away my broom

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Vacation By Matthew Wich

School’s out, let’s all shout! It’s off to vacation for me. Yippee, I’m free! No more homework, no more classwork, no more anything that ends in ‘work!’ I wonder what we will do? Perhaps I’ll rent a canoe. Here is my idea list, Now, keep in mind, I am not an editorialist: First, I’ll go to Vermont, to see my aunt, who will cook up a croissant just for me. I’ll fly through trees with bumble bees, and hope not to fall. Then I’ll zip line across a lake, Maybe I’ll even bake a cake.

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Later, in Australia I hope I hear a didgeridoo, and meet up with my good friend, the charismatic kangaroo. I am going to take a plane to Spain, a place where I’ll watch a soccer game. Next, I’ll drive on down to France, and meet a group of guys that really dance. In August, I’ll embark for Italy, where I plan to score 300 at a big bowling alley. I also will see the Priest, With any luck, he will host a feast. After, I will fly to the Bahamas, with lots of maracas, that please. Ya mon, I will journey to Jamaica to boogie to music, If I can push through the rough traffic. Finally, I will hang out in Hawaii to learn hula, Hopefully I don’t break my fibula. Will I survive all these peninsulas... But wait. What is that I hear? I think it’s mother dear. “We won’t be going on vacation this year.” I sigh, and wipe away a tear.

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