Julian Bremser
Ethan Chen
Anthony Doran
Justin Zhang
The Quill is an annual publication of Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart. Since 2020, the magazine has been digital rather than print. Digital editions are available to the general public through the school’s website www.princetonacademy.org. The theme Nature was chosen by the staff in September 2022, and a contest was held to determine the cover design. Writing and art were chosen by the staff and approved by Mrs. Benditt over the course of the school year. Submissions were voluntary. No costs were incurred in its publication. The layout was created on InDesign, and the font used is Acumin Variable Concepts with Luminari applied to the titles. The editorial board would like to thank Mrs. Benditt and the administration for their support and to Joanna Rodriguez Dugan for proofreading and technical advice.
Foreword by Rik DuganDear Reader,
In his essay titled “Nature”, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood.” I am inspired by this year’s Quill theme, Nature, as it represents the entirety of our wholeness - mind, body, and spirit - amidst the wondrous beauty of the world, galaxy, and universe that we inhabit. Be prepared to have your senses stimulated and your spirit nourished with this year’s edition of The Quill!
Sacred Heart Goal III, Criteria 4 states that, “All members of the school community accept accountability for the care of God’s creation, practice effective stewardship of the earth’s resources, and work to alleviate the climate crisis.” The amazing poetry, prose, and artwork in this year’s Quill bring to life the transcendental ideas that Emerson and his counterparts were devoted to revealing - the relationship between Humankind, God, and Nature. Additionally, the beauty of our natural world that is captured in this publication reminds us of our responsibility to be stewards of nature, for both present and future generations. The Quill 2023 is a Sacred Heart work of art.
Congratulations to our amazing Quill editorial board, all contributors, and our Quill Faculty Advisor, Mrs. Benditt, on publishing another amazing edition of The Quill . The rich tradition of our school’s literary magazine has achieved new heights through its recognition as one of the nation’s top middle school publications.
I am always incredibly proud of The Quill’s Table of Contents, which showcases just how many of our young men contribute their gifts and talents to our literary publication. Each one of us is unique in our own way, and we all have a story to tell. Our ability to think, imagine and create provides us all with the potential to build a community of belonging where everybody’s story is heard and valued. Communication is a core competency at the heart of a strong community, and young men need a safe space to develop their voices and be celebrated for their literary and artistic expression. The Quill provides a brilliant opportunity for Princeton Academy students to shine their lights with the world, illuminating our Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria through poetry, prose, and art.
I hope you are as inspired as I am by this collection of heart and soul. Enjoy!
With gratitude and enthusiasm...Carpe Diem.
Mr. Dugan Head of School“Cycles”
by Aidan Lawler, Grade 8
Rocks began to shake
And water began to tremble
That's not the only thing God threw at us
Thunderstorms came to haunt the earth
The shaking rocks began to break
And the trembling water began to grow bigger
Trees began to split in half
The leaves began to fly
The cars began to drive faster
The people began to go slower
Suddenly a yellow light crashed into the land
The grass began to CRY
And the people began to SHOUT
In an instant, GOD’S bare hands ripped the Clouds full of sin and made light appear Red, orange, yellow, green, blue. Colors started appearing in the sky
Which brought nothing but joy to the air
The wonderful bright blue sky
The blue can make you daydream
The white clouds are cotton candy
But the best sight is when the colors meet in The Antarctic with the northern lights.
A long time ago, humans began to settle on the earth and often had times where they had nothing to do. During these times, humanity started to look for entertainment. They needed more flavour in their lives. The sky gods, who cared the most about humans, had an idea. They would create something truly beautiful and never seen before. This creation would be so one-of-a-kind and inspiring that humans would try to imitate its beauty and amaze their peers with creations they made themselves. It is called the aurora borealis.
When the sky gods finally showed their creation, the humans were indeed inspired. The aurora was what gave birth to art. And today, art stuns and amazes us in the way the aurora did so many years ago. The aurora still shines every winter to remind us of the importance of art and beauty in our lives.
The fire burns
As hot as the cold
Love and love sleeps
Between cold farther before the light
Hold me and keep me from the dark
God has loved us from the beginning of time I build a fort in the night
The sky darker than black
No light surfaces like a black hole
It sucks me in like
An addictive game I love
The kids step out to go to school. It’s so hot outside
They’d like to dive in a pool, But there’s not a drop of water to be spied. The crops start to die;
The water evaporates.
There is no humidity in the sky; The grass can’t recuperate. The rivers disappear;
The heat hits the people, Like long, sharp spears.
Birds chirping
An unknown song, A cool breeze all along, The morning beauty won’t last long.
The sun is over me, Sky blue like the everlasting sea, Beauty of nature is all that I can see, Child memories from that one sycamore tree.
The sun setting, Kind of upsetting, The purple and orange sky
Makes for a beautiful setting.
The heat has subsided, I return to the house, to the bed I have lain in. The comfort is so consuming, I now realize I am pinned.
Light all over, A familiar song, A cool breeze, It was here all along.
Catatumbo lightning
Over the river Catatumbo
Where it empties into Maracaibo Lake on a Normal day. What’s that?
Storm clouds, An ominous sign
Of what’s to come? The clouds come closer and closer; Now they are here.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
It feels like there’s no end to this Godlike wrath of a storm. Forty flashes per minute. They say this is normal, But I can’t stand this Volley of lightning. Oh it’s finally Over; that was Amazing.
Mighty wave rises, Wind fierce and rain unyielding, Tsunami strikes land.
Have you ever wondered how tsunamis were created? Well once upon a time, in the SpongeBob world underwater, there was a great samurai who worked in a boba shop around 1200 BCE. He made brown sugar milk tea with bubbles and taro milk tea. He had a very good business with his fellow partner, the rizzasaurus. Everyday in the morning, SpongeBob and Patrick Star would come around to his shop. The great samurai also had very good cutting skills; he could cut through the heavens and earth.
One day there was a great storm that flooded the great samurai’s house. He got so mad that he took his sword and cut through the ocean with a single stroke. The heavens of Zeus heard all of this commotion. He witnessed the large wave that was more than 1,800 feet high, and the sound of the wave crash broke the sound barrier. All of the dinosaurs suffered from severe bleeding in the ears. That is how the dinosaurs became extinct, but that’s another story.
Zeus was furious. He summoned his almighty cross lightning bolt. He saw the mess that the great samurai had created. At once, he sentenced him to an eternity of torment for cutting the ocean. That’s how the tsunami was created, and why it spawns every year.
It was a nice cool day in Hawaii. Tourists were walking around. People were at the beach; kids were playing. All in all, it was a good day for everyone. Just then, the ground shook, and smoke drifted overhead. The volcano had erupted. Someone shouted, “Run for your lives.”
One of the local hotels nearby did not hear the warning. The lava was moving rapidly, and soon the hotel was in its path. It was getting warm on the first floor, and everyone was confused because the AC was on. All of a sudden, the guests heard a loud siren, and they knew something was up. A janitor on the third floor looked out a window and saw lava coming down from the mountain to the hotel. The janitor yelled, “Get to the roof; the volcano has erupted.”
Everyone quickly ran to the roof, except for a little boy who was in the pool. The lava was pushing against the windows, and soon one of them cracked. There was now hot lava spewing in the window. The boy did not have a key card to unlock the door, but his mom saw him and quickly ran to get help. Luckily, the janitor came in time with his wrench and broke the door. He carried the screaming child to the roof. The guests felt a strong gust of wind, and three helicopters landed on the roof to save them.
by Aidan Lawler, Grade 8
The ocean is magical. Each time I step foot in the ocean, I feel like I am made of magic. When I wake up in Hawaii, the first thing I do is go out on my deck and look for turtles and humpback whales.
When they are not there, I sit down and look at the clear ocean water, which is the color of sea glass. Then I go to the beach and snorkel with my cousin, and I see all these wonderful creatures.
Then I see a humpback, and it breaches. It is amazing. That is the magic of the ocean and life.
After we see that amazing whale, we go home and watch the sunset that is the most majestic sight of all. The sun goes into the ocean. I am in such shock. The sun is orange. It is so beautiful.
The tree’s high crown, Green like grass, Provides shelter, shade, and nuts Along with clean air to breathe As it soaks up the sunbeams.
As the wind whips round, We no longer see that beautiful green. As the leaves change color with no sound, As the branches let them go, They whirl and twirl to the ground.
Now the tree is bare.
The roots are deep underground. When it rains it forms icicles
Blanketed by snow
As it rests for now.
The tree is wakened by the sun’s great beams Look at these bright green leaves!
They have returned with the tree’s high crown.
Grass, grass, so lush with no regret, Sometimes brown and thorny And sometimes green and wet. It feels so weird on your feet; Grass, grass, it is so elite. Without grass, most biomes Wouldn’t be complete. Without grass, animals would have Nothing to eat. Grass, Grass, with its dirt and terrain, I don’t know how it could bring any pain.
Grass, Grass, in the winter you’re nothing but ice, But in the spring you bloom and look very nice. Grass, Grass brings me joy. Grass is something that I enjoy.
We love to see all that snow, Snow, oh ho, ho, ho!
Hot chocolate with the snow, bro, Snow, Snow, Snow!
Summer is a bummer; Winter is glitter: White Christmas, Golden star Out in the snow, yo!
Winter is the best!
Majestic oak, How do you know
When it is time to shed your green, Don yellows and reds, And drop your leaves?
Tiny junco, How do you know
When you should fly to new places, Welcome winter on your wing, And leave again in spring?
Diminutive chipmunk, How do you know
When to prepare your nest, Fill your belly, And start your secretive slumber?
Yellow daffodils, How do you know
When to press through the soil, Push out your green leaves, And shiver in the cold sunlight?
There must be a timer
That only nature can hear That cannot be stopped any more Than the changing of the seasons And that ushers in change.
“Hawk Spirit” by Isaiah Wright, Grade 6
Without animals, the world would be a vastly different place. For one, the balance of ecosystems would be thrown off as animals play important roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control. Without these crucial functions, plants would struggle to survive, and the entire food web would be impacted. Additionally, many animals also play a critical role in maintaining the fertility of soil through their waste and burrowing habits.
Furthermore, the loss of animals would also have a profound effect on the way humans live. Many cultures, such as the Egyptians that worshiped cats, used animals also as part of their religious practice. Additionally, the loss of certain species could lead to food shortages. Also, animals have been used for transportation, as well as for clothing, tools, and other necessities. Without these benefits, human societies would have to find new ways of surviving.
In conclusion, the world without animals would be without the rich and diverse array of life that makes it so fascinating and incredible. Many people find joy and inspiration in observing and studying animals, and the loss of these creatures would mean the loss of much of the beauty and wonder in the world. Humans would be left to face a world that would be less vibrant, less diverse, and less interesting.
I am Marcus, an amur leopard. People usually think that leopards live in the savannas of Africa, but I live in The Republic of Altai in Russia. I live with my mother, father, and my younger sister. I am endangered and usually on the move. It is very scary for me as the forests in the area are being cut down. I will eat really anything, but I like eating boar and deer the most. Right now I am supposed to be asleep, but I can't fall asleep. This happens often, but whenever I tell my parents, they just tell me to sleep. Fortunately, a solution I discovered is to think about good things with my eyes closed.
The morning has come. My dad Daniel and older brother Steve have left the cave to get us breakfast. I go over to where my mom is and tell her good morning as she cleans the kitchen. I go over to the play area and pick up my favorite toy, a McLaren Senna 2018 car. I push the light car across the ground and pretend I am a racer. I have always wanted to be a racer, but sadly I am not human. I win the race, but I am unsatisfied because it is not reality. In what feels like a second, my dad and brother are back with a huge deer that they have killed. It looks like it will last us a long time. My mom then suddenly tells me to help them bring the dead deer to the kitchen. I comply as soon enough we'll be eating. Outside is rainy and wet, but we are fine inside. My mom starts to cut up the deer as I resume playing with my cars. I soon start to smell the deer being cooked. I start to feel bad for the deer, as the deer probably had a family. But this sadness doesn’t last for long as ten minutes later I am sitting down enjoying breakfast with my family.
My father tells us about scary stories to keep us entertained. It is very fascinating to Steve, but to me it is not. Whenever my dad tells stories, I just think about cars as usual. I am enjoying the food, but this time the story my dad tells is actually interesting. The story he is telling is about a leopard like one of us that becomes a human warrior. It is unrealistic but very detailed and fascinating. Soon enough, we have all finished our share, and we head outside. My dad goes his way to work. Steve and I go deep into the forest to play in our made up kingdom. My mom waves us goodbye and heads back into the cave to relax. Once our mom and dad have gone their separate ways, Steve and I start our race to the kingdom. Usually Steve wins the race, but today I think I have a chance as he had way more to eat. We start sprinting into the forest, but Steve trips over a tree stump. There are many tree stumps due to deforestation. I use this opportunity to accelerate deeper into the forest. I am nearing the kingdom, but then I see Steve start to catch up. He is very energized but cannot reach me. I end up leaping over the stream and getting to the kingdom before Steve, which has only happened two other times. I am glad I won the race and soon start to forget as Steve and I role play. In the role play, I am a hunter that eats dinosaurs. After a few hours, Steve and I head back home to get some shut-eye. Our parents are already there relaxing. We all are still full from breakfast and ultimately decide to skip dinner. I start to get tired and head to bed. I think of good things and easily fall asleep. The upcoming days will be different, and I wonder what will happen tomorrow.
Lethal
Epic On trees
Powerful
Amazingly fast Radiant Dangerous
One time, my family and I went to Seattle for a vacation. We were hiking on as many mountains as we could. I think it was on the fourth day. We were at the ski lodge for hot cocoa.
It was packed, so we were lucky we got a seat. When we were done with our drinks, we went on a hike. One mile in, all we saw were some cool flowers. Two miles in, we had a little lunch break. We had been walking for about an hour. I was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the mountain until we saw the bear.
It was a little cub without its mom. It was probably really scared because everybody was taking pictures of it. We thought the mama bear was going to come out and attack everyone. We took a video or two of it. I felt bad for it because everybody was scaring it off.
After all of that, we went home and had a nice evening. I recommend Seattle because it is a really nice place to have a vacation. It’s also really calm, so if you like hiking, you should go to Seattle, but just look out for a bear
Bear Cub
Snuffling, snorting
A beehive smashed
Romping around
A small roar
Stream”photo by Jack Johnston, Grade 7 Fishing by Carl Shi, Grade 5
“Fishing is hard,” he said. But then your line moves faster and faster.
Splash, Bam, Sploom!
It’s hard to pull, so you have to pull
Harder and harder.
Wow! It’s a big fish.
Bird wing ... smell flowers
Moths live for a week
Swallowtails are magnificent
Skippers skip
Morphos shine
Monarchs flutter
Long wings flitter
Hear
The cawing
Bird ...
The laughing kids
And the River swishing.
Monkeys by Zephaniah Chambers, Gr. 5Monkeys are the best Better than the rest
There’s no doubt about it
You can pout about it
Monkeys like to tell jokes
The rest are drinking cokes
Monkeys have jobs
They’re still eating bananas
Monkeys sleep while sitting in trees
While we’re still eating rotten
Mac n’ cheese
A world with no animals would be a World with no meat to eat.
There would be no cows to produce milk, And no chickens to lay eggs.
There would be no pigs for bacon, Ham, or pork chops.
There would be no petting zoos or breeding. Only fossils would remain.
We could only eat nuts, fruits, and vegetables all day.
The grocery stores would look different, And our homes would not have dogs or cats
To live in and play.
Sharks are terrible. Everyone knows that. The world would be a better place without them, right? Of course, nothing is ever that simple.
Every year, less than ten people have been killed by sharks globally. That is far fewer than the 2,000 people killed by lightning strikes each year. In contrast, over one hundred million sharks are killed by humans each year. Most of them are killed for their fins or by overfishing. If we maintain the current shark destruction, the sharks will be gone by 2032. Without sharks, the whole world will collapse, one species after another. Much of this has happened simply because we are afraid of sharks.
It all started in 1975, when Steven Spielberg released his movie Jaws . He thought scaring people with a “Man-Eating Shark” would be a good idea for a thriller movie, just another monster of some sort. It was, and it was a big hit. His movie was a big success and was hailed as one of the greatest movies of all time, but then, people started believing that sharks were dangerous outside of the theater. Nobody had ever paid much attention to sharks. They were just another fish. However, since the movie’s success, people have started killing sharks at an alarming rate, claiming that they were “in danger”. This, of course, is an absurd claim.
Sharks, at no point in history, have posed a significant threat to humans. Spielberg himself admitted he had no ill will against sharks, and that Jaws was simply a fictitious movie. Many shark enthusiasts worked on the movie.
People have made countless documentaries and videos about sharks and how harmless they are, but the damage has been done.
There are 400 species of sharks, and only five of them are considered a danger. However, we are humans, and most humans look at the bad in any given situation. I’ll give you an example: Leopard sharks. The only attack by this species ever recorded is when one bumped into somebody, yet we repay them by killing eighty of them every day, just because they are sharks.
Nevertheless, all this has a counter. Us, the new generation. We can live in harmony with our toothy friends while they still exist. We can allow the world to thrive, but only if we try.
“How Many Sharks Are Killed in a Year.” Sentient Media. 2/3/23.
A sudden flash of green light. No one knew what it was even if everybody saw it. However, one thing was certain; something had changed. In fact, something major had changed, but no one knew what it was yet, not until later, at least.
When everybody started to realize what had happened, it would not be an exaggeration to say there were only a few people in the world who didn’t feel affected in any way. Everybody else was so full of dread even the therapists themselves had to shut down for a week. Well, who could blame them? After all, all the animals had disappeared!
Dave had been camping out in the mountains for vacation when this all happened. He hadn’t been watching the news, but he could still feel that something had gone terribly wrong. It was far too silent. Dave had been preparing to sleep because it was dark, but he was interrupted by the sudden flash of light. Af-
ter nearly having his eyes rendered useless, he sat still trying to figure out what had just happened. As he was listening, he heard absolutely nothing but wind. It was silent, very silent, in fact, a bit too silent. He no longer heard the crickets, owls, or any other animal for that matter. The entire mountain range seemed to have just lost any liveliness it ever had.
Somewhere, in some other part of the world, a boy was getting ready to go to school. The bus stop was only a five minute walk away. The boy would always enjoy walking on this path. It was so full of trees and flowers. He could always hear either one bird or another singing its song. However, today was different. The flash of light appeared when he was eating his breakfast, and he had completely missed it. By the time he was on the path he always loved to walk, the boy felt as if his town was put on mute.
All the houses looked the same; the trees and the flowers had not changed. However, he heard nothing except his own footsteps. It was as if he was in a ghost town. The birds did not chirp. The dogs did not bark, and the squirrels certainly did not skitter around. Something strange had just happened, and the boy did not find it amusing at all.
Well, what could he do? He was just a boy after all. The boy, thinking about how strange all this was, decided to board the bus that was about to leave. He would think about this after school because right now he was mostly thinking about that math test he would have today.
reacted; though, to be honest, scuba diving was more of a hobby than a job to him. While swimming in the middle of a school of fish, the light flashed. The scuba diver had been looking at hundreds, maybe even thousands, of fish.
Somewhere in the middle of an ocean, there was a scuba diver. During the time the light appeared, he was underwater. However, that didn’t change the fact that he saw the moment happen very clearly. The scuba diver was researching how fish behaved and
As fast as the speed of light, all the fish had just disappeared. The scuba diver was shocked. When he looked around the ocean without the animals, it was incredibly empty with miles and miles of just empty space. When the diver looked down, all he could see was an abyss. He felt the loneliest he had ever felt in years. It seemed as if he had gone to an alternate dimension in which only he existed. A little frightened, the diver quickly swam back up to urgently report what he had seen, even if he himself couldn’t believe it.
The meat industry was very concerned. Without animals, would everyone have to become vegetarian? It was either become vegetarian or starve. If you wanted to survive, there was no other option besides adapt. After all, the animals that disappeared were not coming back.
The event caused some to question whether or not they had been focused on the right thing.
“If only we…”
“What has the government been doing?”
“I should have…”
“What could I have done?”
“Now what?”
The world was changing, that was for sure. It was only when all the animals had vanished that people began to think that money isn’t the most important thing after all. However, it took a huge crisis to make people realize the importance of the natural world.
However, it was too late.
Sunflowers
Yellow flowers look away from the sun
Stand in groups for hours
Till the sun is done
Face back east
Waiting for the sun’s return
Sunflowers
Growing every day
Huge brown hole in the center
When in the wind they sway
Back and forth
Sunflowers
Edible seeds that humans and birds eat
When the sun is south, the flowers are north
Stay alive or turn to oil
Huge stem along with leaves on it
Planted in a somewhat alkaline soil
Across the world
Living their lives
Spiky southwest saguaro cactus
Many species, many shapes, many sizes
Succulent low maintenance desert plant
And house plant
Dangerous if touched
Native to North and South America
One of nature’s treasures
Rough thorns poke at any predators
Open-hearted beautiful color that pops at your eyes
Swaying in the cool breeze
Essence of beautiful shapes
Formal curves in the leaves of the flowers
Lust-like pollen falling everywhere
Outstanding in every way
Whopping beauty in every corner of the plant
Energetic bees fly from each flower
Radical scent fills every room
Oh cactus, spines sharp as bone, A tower in the desert sand,
You stand tall and proud, alone and unmoving In a harsh and unforgiving land.
Tall and mighty, rough and rugged, Flesh thick and spiked and barbed, Your blooms are bold and vibrant Yet remain untouched and undisturbed.
May you offer refuge to those that need it, Birds and creatures under desert’s sun, A symbol of hope and resilience, Patiently waiting for rain to come.
People give value to things that have none; The tulip resides among these. For a time, the Dutch prized tulips, Plants of empty vanity, For such a price was placed Upon these flowers
That no longer could their beauty be admired.
Every bubble bursts, And this one with such a pop That many were left With only tulips
To comfort their empty pockets, Only tulips
To pay for their daily bread.
Cherry Blossoms
Bees pollinating flowers
Leaves
Morning dew
Butterflies
Vacations
Every spring,
Beautiful pink flowers, Drops of dew fall.
The sun shines right on the flowers.
The beautiful magnolia tree sits in its place.
You show spring’s coming
Your bristles glide away
Showing spring remains
A flushed face full of rose
Unexpected from the swampy grove
Once a goddess, now a blossom
The pinnacle of magnificent rebirth
Known for beauty
Powerful as medicine
Preserving lives
Symbol of strength
Deeply appreciated
East to West
Uniting peoples
Across the world
The Lotus Flower
Illustrator of Zen
The way to simplicity
The way for humanity
The world starts in darkness and fire
But that silence will soon expire
Tiny microbes explore the ocean
Then comes the Cambrian Explosion
Life swings into motion
And with evolution comes commotion
The fish get jaws
But there are still flaws
The fish move up to land
But life is still bland
Almost all species died
And land masses collide
In the Triassic mammals come and start a new class
The Jurassic starts and more dinosaurs appear
And then birds come and evolution takes a steer
Evolution makes all the dinosaurs better
But then a major asteroid destroys them forever
A new era starts
While Pangea breaks into parts
Mammals evolve
And life is resolved
Humans arise from the ground
Now we swarm the world all around
What will happen next is what no one can detect
And who will know the effect
Dinosaurs have a very long history. They lived in three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. Each of the three periods had its own events.
First is the Triassic, the shortest of the three periods. This was the first period of the dinosaurs. This was when the first dinosaurs walked on land, when the first pterosaurs sailed through the skies, and the first ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs swam in the oceans. The Triassic lasted from 251.9-201.3 million years ago. Dinosaurs that lived in the Triassic included the Saurischia, Sauropods, Ornithoscelida, Theropods,and Ornithischians. The Triassic period ended due to many volcanic eruptions, and because an overwhelming amount of CO2 caused acidification in the oceans that caused 76% of all marine life to die.
Second is the Jurassic. The Jurassic Period, debatably the most famous period out of the three, lasted from 201.3-145 million years ago. The Jurassic Period was a time known as the ”golden time of the dinosaurs”. During this period, many new dinosaurs lived, including the Diplodocus, which was over 27 meters or 87 feet! During this time, there was much more CO2 in the atmosphere, over four times the amount today! This created a lot more plants, which then caused the herbivores to grow extra big bodies. This helped the herbivores protect themselves from the carnivores. Sadly, the Jurassic period ended because of many series of extinction events that killed off many reptiles, as well as many dinosaurs.
Third is the Cretaceous. Although it is the last period, it is actually the longest. It lasted from 145.5-65 million years ago. The Cretaceous Period was fairly warm, which resulted in high sea levels and many shallow islands. The reason for the warmth was constant volcanic eruption. At this point, most of the most famous dinosaurs were thriving in this area. This included Tyrannosaurus Rex, Theropods, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, and the Argentinosaurus. Unfortunately, the dinosaurs became extinct because of the asteroid that hit earth.
In conclusion, the dinosaur lived for three periods, the Triassic, the Jurassic, and the Cretaceous. The Triassic, the shortest of the three periods, from 251.9-201.3 million years ago, ended because of an overwhelming amount of CO2. The Jurassic, arguably the most famous period out of the three, lasted from 201.3-145 million years ago, and ended because of a series of extinction events. Last but not least, the Cretaceous period, the longest of the three periods, from 145.5-65 million years ago ended because of a major asteroid.
“When Did Dinosaurs Live.” Natural History Museum. London, 2023.
In a different universe far away from our universe, there was a planet that was like our planet except there was one major difference: all the animals that had gone extinct on our planet did not on this one. So what happened on this planet? Well, it was created like our earth, and it was like our earth until the first living thing appeared. As we know, living things evolved and became more and more complex organisms on earth; however, here is where the planets began to differ.
The major event that killed the dinosaurs on earth did not happen on the other planet, so the dinosaurs lived on. Then came the Ice Age, yet the dinosaurs still lived on the other planet. After a couple of centuries came the humans. Since the dinosaurs were still plentiful, the humans were having a bit more trouble surviving. Nevertheless, they lived on. As the years progressed, more and more species came but did not become extinct. Presently, it is a greener version of earth with all the species living in harmony.
Kenan is at his home in the rainforest. He lives in a big tree house his father built before he died. He tells his mom he is going on a hunt in the forest. As Kenan walks along, he reaches a swamp. He pulls his spear off his back. He caught a couple of fish with his spear. It had a wooden handle made from a conifer tree. The point was made with black iron. As he started to head home, he heard movement in the trees. He ignored the sound because he was used to dinosaurs roaming around, mainly herbivores. However, the smell was like expired meat. There was definitely a carnivore lurking around in there.
A ghostly Dilophosaurus emerged from the forest. Kenan sprinted home. He climbed up the ladder and heard hissing behind him. He looked back. “ACK! It can climb!”, he thought. He threw the spear at it and missed terribly. Kenan kicked at the creature, sending it hundreds of feet down. Yes, his tree house was that high. He survived a dinosaur attack. What a long day!
The next day Kenan was more alert and cautious. He made sure to bring his spear and a shield this time in case there was another dinosaur assault. He went to a lake and washed his face. Bubbles appeared in the water, natural bubbles, not the life threatening warning of an aquatic dinosaur. Nevertheless, out of the water came an enormous spinosaurus. Kenan held up his shield and ran home.
This is proof that it is very, very difficult to live in a world of dinosaurs and not many humans. The only local humans were Tristan and Nathan. When he got to his door, his mom gave him some wild garlic and crackers. He slid back down his ladder into the wet, warm, life threatening jungle of the Cretaceous Period.
John woke up in the morning on a rock that was near water and where life flourished. He snatched a compy (a compsognathus) and chowed down on his breakfast. John was abandoned from his pack as a child. John heard footsteps in the distance, as T-Rex was coming to chow down on him. He ran farther and farther. He kept hearing the loud, booming, earthquake-like sound of the footsteps. He ran and ran and was so tired. Then he heard a CRUNCH followed by a screeching sound and another crunch. He peered over the mossy tree that he had hid behind. He saw a horror no one should ever have to see at the age of eleven. He peered over and saw a baby ankylosaur watching as its mother was ripped open, being eaten by a T-Rex. The baby had no idea what was happening. Then John rushed in, jumped, and bit at the T-Rex’s eye. He had gotten his mouth in the T-Rex’s eye socket and grabbed and pulled and pulled. He finally started to fall back. He had done it. He had ripped the eye out. John then ran and ran into a bush that he would hide in until the sun went down. He went to his house made out of tiny sticks and rocks, but there was a visitor, a one eyed visitor.
John was in shock at the fact that he stood there, in the face of the giant apex predator. The T-Rex stood searching for John and waiting. John couldn't reveal himself because he would be killed and eaten. He just waited and waited until he found an opening where he could run and try to hurt it. Then he could lead it somewhere and secretly head home. The T-Rex turned left; then boom! He ran in, aimed for the other eye but missed. He was heading for his mouth and fell right in the jaw. Then he grabbed a tooth and scratched the gum
but missed. He was heading for his mouth and fell right into the jaws. Then he grabbed a tooth and scratched the gum until POP. The tooth shot back, and John grabbed it and ran out of the jaws. He headed for the woods. He ran and hid, but then he lost the T-Rex. He went home to sleep a little. Did he know that someone was watching him?
An earthquake shook the earth and cracks separated families as the earth fell apart. John woke up, and then he decided to walk outside. A one-eyed, apex predator, missing a tooth was waiting for him. They stared at each other. John was staring at his one eye. Then John made the first move. He jumped up. He had made the claw into a dagger and swung it, cutting the T-Rex’s nose. Exploding volcanoes were shooting lava all over as dinosaurs were hit, and blood dripped as they all fell. They kept hitting and scratching, but they eventually became tired
John looked at it and saw the creature had grown longer arms from the magma stuck to his arms and cooling. John tried to jump from the rock to another larger rock, but the T-Rex tried to grab him. Then they heard a loud BOOOOOM!!! Rock fell as the creature fell. John climbed up from his rock perch and went to his little house to go to sleep. Then the T-Rex emerged as John shivered and was scared for his life. The creature walked toward him and just as it was about to take a bite, the T-Rex fell into the magma never to be seen again. John continued to live his life for as long a he could.
If you have been to a lake, you will find out that the newborn duckling knows how to clean its feathers and body. Quite interesting, right? Well, this demonstrates the power of instinct for animals. Human beings have instincts that are very important to our lives.
and could barely stand as cracks in the earth then opened as they fell down into a cavern filled with magma. Rock pieces floated by. John looked around as he thought that this would be the end for him; then he landed on a rock as lava hit his arm, burning it. Then out of the lava, emerged the T-Rex. He had lived, and John was terrified.
2022-2023
According to research, there are three types of human instincts. One is SX, or sexual instincts, and another is SP, or the death instinct, and the final is SO, or social connections. Here I will discuss the pursuit of living and escaping, which is classified as the death instinct.
An instinct has to be unlearned, uniform in expression, and universal in species. It has to include the three main elements, of perception, behavior and emotion. In McDougall’s theory, human beings have eighteen different kinds of instincts, which all have one motive, to keep living. All instincts are passed down to the following generation in order to make humankind survive and thrive. A basic example of this can be eating when feeling hungry, because without food, we die. It is related to the instinct that I selected, which is the pursuit of living and escaping.
In fact, the demand for living and escaping is illustrated everyday. However, when it comes to extreme situations, like facing the threat of death, the instinct can be shown more clearly. A human being will make attempts to save life frantically when being threatened. The instinct for living and escaping is closely associated with fear, having a directly proportional relationship. When there is something horrible threatening, a person tends to escape. When someone is chased by a dog, in pursuit of life, that person would run much faster than the normal speed used in everyday life. If a parent indicates to a child that “Son, look there is a ghost coming!”, the child would definitely respond to this. Even though he never saw a ghost, he would probably be frightened, sweat, and prepare to run away rapidly.
In addition to the instinct of escaping, there are several other types of human instincts that are also related with living longer and better. Many human instincts may not be noticed by some people in everyday life. Therefore, some may say that instincts are not that important, or crucial. However, it is such instinct that helps to save our energy and, at the same time, save our lives.
The ground quakes; They hear a low hum. They’re on a drive, Twenty of them. All on the hunt For a big man with strides That make your heart thump. As they drive along, Little do they know What waits at the end. They don’t want to show.
Survivor one pulls up to a stop. They set up their tents, Tying up some knots. Then they look around. They’re missing one, two, and three, And none could believe What was next to where they used to be, A footstep that’s quadruple the size of yours. Trying not to fear the worst, They finish the camp And prepare to fight Though none could have expected, What would come tonight.
Survivor number four, Wakes up to a fright. A minute later, number five sees a light, Getting out of the tent, Five looks around, But all they hear Is a growling sound. Back in the tent, Four is gone.
Five wakes the others Saying something’s wrong. Grabbing a gun
And a flashlight too, They step out of the tent And bathe in the moonlight.
Five separates Scared to lose another Good teammate.
They look around until they hear a growl. They decide to turn around, And the other survivors hear A sound: AHHHHHHHHHHH!
Knowing five is gone by now, Six and seven walk around, Flare in hand, And gun as well. They feel safe, but they couldn’t tell What would happen when they didn’t feel well. Feeling sick, Six and seven eat. Then suddenly, Something smelled the meat. They turn around. The ground starts to shake, And that’s when they realize There’s no escape.
Eight, nine, and ten Find a campground, Cabins and tents
Just left around. As they explore, A roar erupts with might. Eight decides to hide.
Nine starts to run.
Ten locks a door. The fight has begun. A thud is heard.
A creature’s on the move.
Eight has been found;
Nine was destined to lose.
Ten grabs his gun And crouches down.
The Quill 2022-2023
A knock on the door; It starts to break. Ten starts to fire For their own sakes. There is no use to run, Not a chance to hide. Fighting gets nowhere, So say goodbye. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Eleven and twelve, Plus thirteen and fourteen, Hear gunshots and then a horrible scream. They run around, Thinking they’re safe and sound. They find a zipline and start to swing, But they look back and wonder Where eleven could be. They start to go back, But right as twelve lands, He gets knocked back Off the cliff
As the other two land. They start to see, Trying to go back, Only one can leave.
Fourteen made his escape
And explains their mistakes. Fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen Hear her out.
They fortify the camper van With fresh traps laid out. Cameras are placed After being well thought out. They get in the van and Deploy a drone; Looking around, there is nothing shown. Wait what’s that? Oh no, oh no, Get out of the van. The windows start to break. It starts to hit the traps; It can’t get far. Take out your guns; It’s time to give it scars. Fire at will And don’t let up.
It still will not Be enough. Try to run; Try to hide. You can’t fight, And I’ll tell you why. This is the time
When Bigfoot strikes.
Eighteen, nineteen, twenty
Wake in a cold sweat. They’re in a cave; They seem to forget
How’d they get here? What happened? Walk around; You’ll hear a sound. Wait, what are those?
The survivors turn around; Seventeen bodies
Dead on the floor.
Eighteen sees an exit; They are finally free. He yells to his friends: A problem you see.
As they run over, He gets taken away. They quickly run past, Knowing he will be eaten today. They cross a bridge
As the monster gives chase.
Nineteen’s in front
When shock comes across his face. Upside down in the air, A trap Bigfoot placed. He looks around
At logs sharpened with spikes. They swing down, A horrible sacrifice.
Twenty is left; He continues to run. This trip you could say
Wasn’t really fun.
They spot the van;
It’s battered and bruised. One last chance
To escape or lose. He gets in the van
And turns the key. It doesn’t work:
Once, twice,
Time for number three.
It finally turns on, And he starts to drive. But Bigfoot’s not done; One last trick’s up his sleeve. He picks up a tree And chucks it at thee. It flies for awhile; Will it ever fall?
It’s coming to a stop On a road nearby. It stops right in front Of a van about to collide With one person inside. You can’t run; You can’t hide. Don’t understand? Well I’ll tell you why. When he is mad And hungry too, Just know from the start You are doomed When Bigfoot strikes.
“Cottage” by TJ Hague, Grade 6
She is one of a kind
At first sight
She is serpent-like
At other times
She likes to go dive
Deep down below
Where all the creatures go
In Scotland is where she lies
Not a single being has seen her
Her name is Nessie
Yes, she is one of a kind
Her DNA is a special kind
It’s an eel’s kind!
What could she be?
It’s a mystery!
She could be a toy boat
Or maybe a fallen branch
Or even better!
A swimming circus elephant
There is no evidence that she is a
Sea dinosaur
This busy lady is from Scottish folklore
She is a mystery
Well we can't break this
LOCH of mystery!
My interest first started After I saw the hundreds Of lives lost. I went down a rabbit hole online. I became one of those ships That entered and never exited; It’s certain that this shouldn’t Be happening.
Is it aliens that are causing this, With their big UFOs taking These unfortunate souls? Or is it a magnetic field That is ripping pilots Out of their planes? Or is it the government, Hiding their secrets from us? Or is it one unlucky coincidence?
The truth will soon be revealed. Countless scientists are researching And finding more About this anomaly. Whatever it is, We need to know the answer–Our curiosity needs to be satisfied.
Daring when it strikes Radiant scales all over Affable when it is feeling good
Gigantic heart and size Obedient when it has an order
Noble soul
The air is thin. The ground is silent. The only movement is the wind brushing against the leaves. There seems to be no life of any sort. Only those with a keen eye can see it… the last sign of life. It’s called the Whistler, a fierce bird fast as a jet, which is only visible in the rarest scenarios. This flying, feathered creature is known for its smarts and camouflage. It survives on plants and ferns. It may sound boring, but food is food. The Whistler is the only life form left on earth, excluding the forest of forests. Let me explain.
The year was 2043, and almost every life form had gone extinct. It all started after a meteor hit the earth and caused mass destruction. The radiation spread through the whole planet, killing any animal it touched. The only thing surviving was a bird. It seemed that it was hit directly by the giant rock, and the weird properties of the meteor caused it to mutate. Fast forward three centuries, or 300 years, to present day 2343, when plants have grown back, encasing the whole world in bright greens: mossy hills and towering canopies of beautiful color, providing the Whistler with food. Most of earth is a land full of joy, but not everywhere is like this.
Take a look at Africa. This is where the meteor hit most directly, causing everything to become a complete ghost land: no water, no rain, just rocks and sand. The rest of the world, however, is doing quite well with plants. Let’s get back to the Whistler. Its wingspan is ten meters (32 feet) and is twelve meters (39 feet) head to tail. The massive beast is not actually harmful to human society, so if a whole new branch of cells is developed, maybe this will be one of our pets in the future. If man evolves once more. Who knows?
Mothman is a flying cryptid that has names like Mothman, Bird Monster, UFO-bird, Mason Bird, and Winged Mar. He has glowing red eyes. Some people say he has bird wings, moth wings, or bat wings. He is seven feet, six inches tall. Eyewitness reports say that Mothman was spotted on a bridge. After he was seen, the whole bridge fell, and forty-six people died. People saw him during other disastrous events, like tsunamis, earthquakes and on 9/11. They say he is the cause of the disasters in some way. Mothman may be able to see the future, and he may be trying to warn us of doom. Most see him as a villain, but he may be trying to save us. Some say he came from the depths of hell or from outer space. There is a museum dedicated to him in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where Mothman is a local legend.
Near the Congo river, a small village holds the most terrifying of animals from giant spiders to three-headed snakes. Natives of Central Africa have long told stories about a certain creature, a certain monster in the lake, a monster so terrifying that people call it the one who stops the flow in the river. They are just rumors, right?
One dark and cold night in the distance, a loud terrifying screech is heard. Inhabitants jump out of bed with chills, and I look out the window as I see the whole village awake. I step out the house curiously with people all gathered
around examining what appear to be large footprints resembling a large elephant. I hear the screech once more. Chills run up and down my spine, and the people can’t believe what they see. I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.
It’s a large creature the size of an elephant with a large tail and neck about 5 to 10 feet in length. It is a creature that looks like a dinosaur, a dinosaur that survived all the way to the modern age. As I quickly run back to the house to get my camera, the huge dinosaur-like creature is swiftly gone, almost like it was never there.
Every year the cycle of the seasons is forever; Nature blooms then withers with the seasons. Cold then warm, blossoming then barren, The seasons come and go, And they bring their wonders with them.
Summer, warm and fruitful: Grass, dancers in the wind, Trees, strong and protective of the small flowers, Bright red apples ready for you to sink your teeth.
Fall, a collage of yellow, red, and brown: The leaves on the trees are like a painting, Squirrels prancing around, Hurrying to bury their nuts, Pumpkins, large and orange.
Winter, cold and silent: Snow, comes down as a blanket covering grass, The trees lonely and barren, Wind, howling across the barren trees.
Spring, a season of flowers and life:
Butterflies, bright dancers around the flowers, Flowers, bright brilliant bursts of still fireworks, Bees, striped yellow and black, Dancing around with the flowers.
Seasons forever and ever; They come and go as leaves in the wind. The cold and snow, warmth and flowers, Seasons unchanging and ever there Are now then again.
Winter starts, the mystical crisp air moves, Quickly jumping from one place to another.
This is a time of resting.
Animals run, slither, and fly for the sheltering hand of warmth.
The water freezes; the rush of water stops as if it got frostbite all through its long body. Trees have already wilted and now they look like lifeless scarecrows, But there is still much life.
The birds that stay and walk the icy landscape are flying through the forest making noise. The snowy owl is hard to see as it swoops down with not a single sound, Or it sits on a branch looking into its cold wasteland.
Under the ground, life has not ceased;
You still hear the breathing of sleeping animals.
On the top rodents like chipmunks, raccoons, mice, and squirrels scurry the earth
In search of food and warmth,
And in the water frogs and fish are in deep hibernation.
Spring is starting; the cold air has moved as its challenger, Warmth, breaks through.
This is a time of growth.
The grass has started to warm and cool each day as it rains and dries.
Life jumps back into action as if it was never asleep.
Rivers roar with the delight of being the source of life again.
Birds race back to their old nesting places
And chirp with joy about being back home.
Baby animals are weak and vulnerable as they first open their eyes.
Roars of wakefulness shake the ground as bears and other predators
Get up to have their first snack,
And the prey squeal at the fact that they might be just that.
Eagles, hawks, and falcons swoop the sky screeching to test their voices and strength.
Trees spring back to life and start displaying themselves in colors.
Squirrels and chipmunks that were once scurrying in the cold undergrowth now take to the trees, Looking up in surprise as they see a wide selection of trees at their feet
With the amazing size and food that is overwhelming. Life has just begun.
Summer has started. This is a time of peace. The heat is the perfect temperature. The river glistens in the sun.
The animals trot along. They have now taken shelter in the woods.
Birds soar in the clouds as if they are seasoned warriors. Fish swim at top speed in the rivers, cutting through the water with their fins.
Insects walk in mass numbers across the grass, That seems to them like an elaborate rain forest.
Deer walk cautiously through the thorns and stop at every sound. Trees and plants have grown greatly through the season.
Fall is here.
As the season gets colder leaves fall like dying soldiers. Squirrels pack their cheeks with food. There is no time to spare. This is a time of harvest.
Ants hurry for food to bring to their queen. The bears get ready to fall back into their enchanted sleep. Everyone is rushing.
Air is colder, as it warns of snow. At the slightest change in temperature, Geese ready to take flight like planes in a time crunch. Other birds ready to embrace the winter cold.
Rodents hide underground.
Frogs, snakes, and fish feel the water change and move down to warmer water. Then snow falls.
Instantly geese start flying and animals run for shelter. As if they are hypnotized by the snow.
Winter is coming.
Winter is coming.
He rules over a soulless space. Wherever he goes, He has no place. Before it even snows, All the animals race. There are only a few who’ll show their face. If you ever want a view, Make sure to slow down your pace.
He is the king of a ruined palace. If Summer is the proof of life, Then he is a test of time. Take a good look around, And you will see That time has stopped. There is no movement In this world of white.
When all water turns to ice, When the forest Goes from green to brown, Then from brown to white, But the sky is still a clear blue. That is when you know He is around. Wait for him to pass, And Spring will follow. After Spring will come Summer. Then he will begin to return As Autumn prepares a way for him.
The special songs the birds then sing
Excited by the times the new season will bring Tulips and daffodils swaying in place
Granted their prosperity by the sun’s loving face
Dandelions in the fields yearning to be blown
It is only then
The season’s true beauty will be shown
As we await for these times to arrive And for the flowers to revive, We can reflect on years past
When we wished for spring to stay
And not to slip by too fast
Summer is a time for fun
To jump and play in the sun.
Swimming and sandcastles, slips and slides, Bumper cars and thrilling rides.
Summer is a time for fun,
To eat a hot dog on a bun, Camping and amusement parks, Bright fireworks in the dark
While the crickets chirp.
Summer is a time for fun
To blow bubbles and catch each one.
Shells and sandals on seabed’s side, Picnics and barbecues,
And time with grandparents and aunts.
All in summer, oh summer, please
Don’t go. Just one more day of fun.
We’ll play dusk till dawn till the sun shines no more.
Summer, oh summer, please don’t go.
Autumn by Christian McNeill, Grade 8As summer fades into memory, A new season is born.
Autumn, the season of change, Of leaves that fall and colors transformed. The trees shed their emerald green
For hues of orange and gold.
Their branches now bare and naked
In the crisp air, a sight to behold.
The morning air is chilly;
The breeze whispers in your ear.
The sun sets earlier each day
As autumn draws near.
The harvest moon shines brightly
As the night grows ever long.
A symphony of rustling leaves, A familiar autumn song.
The scent of apple cider
And pumpkin spice in the air, As families gather together
For feasts and games to share.
Winter by Jack Johnston, Grade 7Winter, Winter, Winter
The snow falls like glitter
As the geese fly south
The crisp air going in and out of your mouth
Hot chocolate in the kids’ hands
Doing their dance in the snow
The way the little white flakes fall
Like they are jogging in the wide open air
Running freely in the wind
The smell of fire from the chimney
All the winter seeds on the snow
Along with footprints and sled tracks
Winter, Winter, Winter.
Autumn leaves fall down like the snow about to come;
The trees turn black as they shed their final leaves.
They rustle on the ground
As the wind causes your hands to go numb. Jumping in leaf piles,
Like giant mountains you need to overcome. The fun cannot last forever; don’t be deceived. The air becomes more frigid, and the ground more still.
The trees become barren as the days pass. The wind whistles at you calling with its chill; As winter comes, you can only describe it as a thrill.
The snow begins to fall and amass. Against all the snow, everything is about to freeze.
The time for fun and play is as done as autumn leaves.
Winter didn’t even ask while saying please. Winter has finally come.
Neverending trees, leaves, animals, and flowers to enjoy
Autumn, winter, spring, and summer are each special
Tiny insects and worms crawl around in the woods
Under the sky waiting for a shooting star to appear
Rainy days make muddy puddles for my dog to jump in
Escape during recess to play in an open field
“Sunset” photo by Jack Johnston, Grade 7