Featured Photographer – Macy Meis

The Plummet

It usually starts in middle school doesn’t it? That’s where it all goes downhill. For some kids, it goes straight down into the deepest canyon. This is what I like to call “the plummet.” Call it that, call it “feeling down,” call it “the blues,” just don’t call it what it actually is; don’t call it what your shrink does. Then everyone will think you’re deranged. You don’t want that, do you?

It starts at I feel down.

Goes to I’m really sad.

Becomes I always feel so blue.

Turns to Something’s wrong with me.

Spirals straight down into Nobody even cares.

It can even end with I’m worthless, or I can’t take it anymore…

But don’t let it. Don’t worry. Trust me. You won’t hit the ground. There’s no ground to hit, except for the one you make. Grab hold of rock while falling Get your hands dirty and scratched. Climb all the way back up. Take as long as you need. You’ll see the sun and sky again eventually.

Sarah Nikaj, 12 free verse poetry

Carrying Burdens

Macy Meis FeaturedPhotographer

Macy Meis is a sophomore at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school and finds herself to have a mindset very different from her other peers. She loves looking at the little things, and really enjoys them.

Other than photography, she is also a competitive dancer and is very involved in the school’s DECA program. She even started her own organization “Girl’s Who Start” that won fifth place internationally at the 2022 International Career Development Conference.

Her art and writing influences include making connections to her emotions and finding something that truly touches her personally or emotionally.

“I like to see things the way other people can’t, then portray that,” Meis said.

Meis gets her inspiration from role models in photography like Melinda Green, and dance photographer Jordan Matter. She is also inspired by the fact that her photography has the chance to touch lives and hearts. Meis enjoys taking pictures of nature because she believes there is so much beauty in the simple things. “I also enjoy taking sports and nature photography,” Meis said.

Meis first got into photography when her grandfather gave her a camera towards the beginning of the pandemic as a new hobby, and she fell in love with it. She