The MOckingbird
Owen Speers, 2025
norfolk academy lower school
2016
What is the Mockingbird? The Mockingbird is the Lower School’s annual literary magazine for fiction and
nonfiction. The pieces in this publication, all of which were completed for classroom assignments, were selected through a collaborative evaluation process by teachers on each grade level. Every classroom is represented equally, and all teachers participated in the evaluation process. While students in the Lower School complete a wide array of writing assignments throughout the year, from book reports to science labs to research papers, The Mockingbird spotlights creative writing, and it showcases artwork produced by students for art class assignments.
Dedication The Mockingbird is dedicated to the memory of Robert S. Sergeant, who taught at Norfolk Academy from 1978 to 1999. Through his passionate belief in the power of language, he inspired many young writers to embark on imaginative journeys. He showed each student how to find a personal writing voice and let it soar; through his own example, he helped students unleash their creative energy. Mr. Sergeant explored the world through his own writing. He was intrigued by the mockingbirds that he noticed throughout the campus, particularly in the Hofheimer and Hopkins Gardens. In one of his written reflections, he astutely observed the mockingbird’s expressive nature: “The mockingbird is a bit mean-spirited— aggressive to other birds, but it does have artistic and creative genius. Maybe gruffness is just part of a creative genius. The mockingbird celebrates language and voices…” With this publication, we recall the compassionate voice of a master teacher, and we celebrate the emerging voices of our young writers.
Watermelon Watermelon is the best fruit. When it hits your mouth, it is juicy and sweet. It is green on the outside and red on the inside. It has white and black seeds. You don’t want to eat the green part of a watermelon. I bet you will want more watermelon once you try it. It’s the best fruit in the world!
Sabrina Yee, 2nd Grade Zachary Stoney, 5th Grade
My Favorite Fruit My favorite fruit is a pear. I love this fruit because it is so sweet. Pears are juicy and soft. They taste like paradise. They come in many colors. My favorite pears are brown. They taste like apples, but they’re sweeter. Pears are so delicious. I could eat them every day! Mollie Decker, 2nd Grade
Banana Man There once was a banana man Who ate banana from a can. He relaxed in the sun And ate a ton. Now he has a banana tan. Anne Burns Fiveash, 5th Grade
Jacob Ezieme, 4th Grade
5A Goes to Science 5th Grade’s really lucky To have science 3 days a week. Mr. Carroll leads this chaos, And it’s actually quite unique! As you enter the science room, There are faces on the wall. You see, our teacher’s kind of crazy. He’s our favorite goof-ball! Libby was elbow deep
Sophie Pollio, 4th Grade
In a bucket full of bugs; Luke spilled the mealworms Right onto the rug . . . In October, we went on a trip To count oysters in the bay. Natalie saw a bird
Mr. Carroll gave us seaweed-Palmer wanted to give it a try, Half the class gagged And Anna and John started to cry!
And said, “That’s an osprey!” Shelby sipped the goat’s milk And tried the seaweed, too; She thought they were quite tasty, And asked for not one, but two!
Butler took the microscope and threw it like a ball-Davis made so much noise, he was thrown out in the hall! Ashley Ure, 4th Grade
Sophie hurtled over the turtle In the plastic wading pool; Ned started laughing and Acted like a fool. In one tank there are blue crabs Climbing up the glass-Anne Burns thought it’d be funny To let them loose at last. Lauren was feeding Sandstorm And dropped a worm in her haste; Jaden John, 4th Grade
Sandstorm took advantage And gave her finger a taste! Bailey took her seat
Walter liked the fish pond
And declared, “It’s all wet!”
And wanted to take a dip.
Kaylee got all tangled up
Andrew went and got a straw
In the seining net.
And took a little sip! Samuel is in the Ecology Club And was chased by a snake; JJ was collecting specimens And was left at the lake! Madison’s a helper, And she feeds Mr. Blue. Micah left the classroom And said, “That’s a mini-zoo!” Hands-on-science is a lot of fun;
Charles Hope, 4
th
Grade
We’ll be sad when the year is done! 5A Homeroom, 5th Grade
Favorite Place When books are open I come to A land of magic Danger too A land of fantasies Never imagined Where kings and queens Live in great big mansions Where you see dragons Soaring the sky Their fiery breath Leaving a smoky trail Behind Knights fighting trolls With multiple heads While rescuing princesses From a witch’s hands Jousting tournaments To find one worthy To take a fair princess’s Hand in marriage
Will Burnette, 3rd Grade Royal weddings Taking place Millions of guests Bringing gifts Princes and princesses Being born With gifts Bestowed upon By tiny little fairies My mother comes in To tell me good night So I sneakily read By a flashlight’s light Back to the place That I love so much Where everything’s perfect And ends up Just right Back to the place That feels like home Back to my Favorite place
Olivia Reid, 3rd Grade
Sydney Vest, 5th Grade
Galileo Galilei Another World When I open a book I’m free to believe in magical people and places my mind would never conceive.
Scientist Made telescopes Exposed a world secret Discovered Mars and round world Space studier Dominic Villafranca, 3rd Grade
I went on an adventure with Huckleberry Finn. I saw the struggles of a scarecrow, a lion, and a man made of tin. I flew away to Neverland with a boy who never grew up. There was once a dog named Shiloh, who was abused as a pup. I run my fingers along the ink upon the page. I’m hypnotized by the words. They trap me in a cage. I feel like I’m in another world when I read. I let go of all my worries, My imagination has been freed.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Neil, Courageous, smart, helpful Wishes to make engineers study harder Dreams about Neptune Wonders about Mars Fears that a black hole swallowed a satellite Likes science Believes that there’s life in space Loves astrophysics Plans to study space He inspires everyone.
Alexia Saman, 5th Grade Oliver Scott, 2nd Grade
Critique of Cubism An insult to tradition, a star without its place. His paintings sure are crazy and I hate that square-like face. His figures are unearthly. And the humans look grotesque. I find his paintings everywhere. He thinks he’s just the best. I still can’t seem to figure out the mysteries that lie beneath the weird and crazy shapes that make me want to cry. Like a science test gone wrong, it’s going up in flames! He’s cuckoo as a cockatoo and should be full of shame. But in the end Picasso wins. His paintings are a hit! Oh, pioneer of modern art, I hope you never quit! Abby Fernandez, 6th Grade
Trapped Into the freezing water I go, dragging the seine net behind me I try to shake off the feeling from the icy, cold water but it’s almost too hard to bare A few feet away, I see a tiny fleck of silver under the water Splish splash, splish splash I’m sure it was just a bait fish’s scales reflecting the sunlight Splish splash, splish splash the fish is drawing nearer darting around my legs
Gretchen Scott, 4th Grade
Splish splash, splish splash I drive the net hard into the water, picking up speed Splish splash, splish splash I drag the net onto the beach to find that the fish is not just a little minnow Trapped, the oyster toad fish wiggles vigorously in the net Carefully, I help the determined fish get back into the water, Reagan Bandy, 4th Grade
and watch his mighty escape Rebecca Schill, 5th Grade
Pony Express Haiku Orphans ride horses Delivering mail out west Risking death daily Miles McKenzie, 2nd Grade Ralph Abernathy Ralph Loyal, friendly, serious Wished for blacks to be treated the same Dreamt of helping others Wondered about the right to vote Feared losing equality completely Liked freedom Believed in integration Loved MLK Planned to make speeches Ralph was a civil rights leader.
Aarush Desai, 2nd Grade
Rosa Parks Rosa sat in the first row of the bus. She did not move. She went to jail. They printed her finger prints. Rosa started a boycott. Everyone joined her. All the buses drove down the street Empty. Yay! Now everyone can sit Wherever they want. Rosa you’re the best bus hero ever! Leah Carn, 2nd Grade
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Famous African American speaker, He wishes to unite African Americans with whites He dreams of little black and white boys and girls playing together. He wonders if blacks will get their rights. He fears blacks will never get their independence. He likes to see people coming to his speeches. He believes in justice. Julia Dodd, 2nd Grade
Grains of Resistance I am Gandhi, Great Soul, leader of the Salt March. The sound of the dirt beneath our feet, a slow and steady crunching. The heat of the sun beating down on the world, like a sweltering volcano about to blow. But I will not give in, I will not fall to temptation, or languish in defeat. I walk and walk and walk 24 days I walk. My brothers and sisters do not falter yet, for we are almost there. We are weary birds at the end of our migration. We reach the beaches of Dandi as hot as the ocean is cool. A breeze refreshes our spirits, as we begin the task we set out to do. I reach down and scoop up a handful of sand, brimming with tiny, precious grains of salt. I pocket the salt, a simple effort, and instantly break the law, the Salt Act. It feels good. Sarah Jacobs, 6th Grade
The Portal When I open a book, I’m teleported to a new world. A castle, A ship, A planet, A city. I enter the castle, the ship, the planet, the city, and dine on the words it provides me. . Then, at last it gives me my last meal, About the Author and then, the world is destroyed, and demolished, and ruined, and wiped out. I return to reality’s boring world. My brain now snaps, and cracks, and breaks, and is sliced in half. Until I discover a new castle, a new ship, a new planet, a new city, and a new adventure that will immediately begin. Henry Patch, 5th Grade
Dark Stone Castle A book whisks me to another world Full of new faces and things There is a dark stone castle I follow a path to a garden Rosemary and herbs overwhelm me One huge sniff makes me dizzy Rabbits prance gracefully on the bushes
Cooper Reed, 6th Grade
Ivy growing on the terracotta pots A delicious smell wafts from the castle Inside, huge platters of turkey And chicken are shown Gold goblets and plates displayed on shelves Servants pouring glasses of wine
A tunnel leading upstairs Moss creeping along the walls Two rooms appear immediately I enter a room Ten pairs of bracelets Hanging on metal hooks A canopy bed next to the window Perfume surrounds the air Another room that is quite small Has silver spears and swords This place smells like dust A dirt ground which is hard All too quickly, the rooms disappear My head is spinning like a bottle cap My eyes turn into a blur…
Catherine Grégoire, 6th Grade
A book is on my lap Shunmei Zheng, 5th Grade
Terrific Scientific Tree House
My science tree house is
full of surprises! My tree house is located in my backyard in a big oak tree. It is a square-shaped tree house that has white wooden boards. To enter, you could climb up a ladder, and to exit, you would Madalyn Mejia, 6th Grade
go down a slide. It has a flat roof and small windows for natural light. If you go inside, you will see many books! You might see my stash of chemicals, and near those, my microscope. I have a desk, and on it will be a pair of goggles. Near the desk, on the wall, is a hook that holds my lab coat.
On one of the walls, you would see a medium white board for me to write on. Also, on my desk, there are pencils, pens, and pieces of paper. In the tree house, I would love to read books, write, mix chemicals, and look at different pieces of nature through my microscope.
I would sometimes let my
brother, David, come in the tree house and play games with him. I would use my tree house mostly in the summer, but I would like to use it frequently in other seasons, too. My science tree house would be a special place for me to enjoy nature and science! Jasmine LeClair, 6th Grade
Natalie Martin, 3rd Grade
Super Special Tree House
A tree house I would like
to have would include some of my favorite things. I would build it in a big tree with sturdy branches in my backyard. My tree house would have a window with white shutters that you could close and latch. The outside would be painted light blue, and there would also be a white door. I would like to have smooth
Brooke Snyder, 6th Grade
wood to build with. The inside will have a lot of the color purple! There might be a purple rug and some purple pillows. I would want white shelves and a white desk. On the shelves, I would have my books, awards, and drawing paper.
I would read, write, and eat snacks in my tree house. I will enjoy my tree house in spring, summer, and fall, but mostly in the summer. In winter, I will make sure that the windows are covered well and that if there is a snow storm, it won’t fall off the tree. My sister and my friends would be welcome inside the tree house with me, but I would have a no boys policy. That’s the kind of super, special tree house I’d want!
Rachel Cole, 3rd Grade
Emma Clark, 6th Grade
If I Were a Turkey on Thanksgiving If I were a turkey on Thanksgiving, I would tell everyone to eat pizza. I would invite my turkey friends for Thanksgiving dinner. I would fight for my life from people trying to eat me! What would you do if you were a turkey? David Salter, 3rd Grade
River Dorroh, 1st Grade
I Know It’s Fall! When I ‌ Taste soup Smell hot chocolate Hear leaves See leaves falling Feel my leather coat Cam Simmons, 1st Grade
Jill Stewart, 3rd Grade
October October weather! Put your jacket on. Leaves on the trees are gone. Pick the apple from the tree As juicy as can be. A woodpecker gets the worm. Addy Hennessy, 3rd Grade
Jack Clayton, 4th Grade
Reading Adventure One day my laptop ran out of power, And I decided to read for an hour. So I read a book about a crook And a riddle about a cat and a fiddle. Then I flipped to a page to a story about a bird escaping its cage and was never to come home. Next to a story of Ancient Rome and to another about a garden gnome. In the next book, dinosaurs were the main feature I then read about prehistoric underwater creatures.
Palmer, why are you reading? You have not done one chore. So I washed the dishes And then read some more. My mom came into my room Her news filled me with gloom:
Palmer, it’s past one, Go to bed, Hon. And after much protest I went to rest, Thinking about what I would read tomorrow. Palmer Oliver, 5th Grade
Eutrophication (The Ugly E Word) That ugly E word is a very terrible thing, It can affect marine life in one little ring. By bringing nutrients into the bay letting phytoplankton grow, making them multiply rapidly so fast that you’ll never know! This creates an algae bloom out of phytoplankton that can die, Then the bacteria can eat them slowly as if its price were high. The bacteria uses dissolved oxygen that all marine life needs, if they don’t have it it will be hard for them to succeed. This is why Eutrophication is terrible and so completely absurd, So we must stop the haunting of the ugly E word. Lucas Knapp, 5th Grade
Ode to a Rotten Pumpkin Oh, rotten pumpkin! Your glory days are Sadly over. Your glow gone, You rest there, Your orange hue blocked By the black, revolting Mold that inhabits you. Your once strong structure Slowly caves in. Oh! How I remember Your light Shining bright on Halloween night. Here you sit Your sweet flesh There for the taking of small animals like Mice and squirrels. Your fire is out yet it still burns In my memories Of you. Your picking, Your carving, And your night to shine Oh, rotten pumpkin! Micah Baum, 5th Grade
Chinese New Year Drumming super loud, The fireworks are perfect.
Blue Seas
Dragon is scary.
Voyaging across the ocean
Kameron Saman, 2nd Grade
Escaping from enemies Sailing and shifting direction Rescuing sinking rafts Dock the boat. Sharp Swords Nathan Rafal, 3
rd
Grade Alligator’s teeth are as sharp as swords as smooth as a ray of sunshine
Terror Zombies running on the stairs, Puny skeletons climbing the walls, Sprinting vampires coming round the corner, Spiders crawling all over me. I want to run, but I can’t! Now I’m awake and know these aren’t real CREEPY! Zachary Harbison, 4th Grade
stealthily lurking through the night nearer and nearer SPLASH! The alligators dine on a delightful dinner Chomp, Chomp, Chomp Jack Poynter, 3rd Grade
Guernica Guernica was an anti-war painting made in response to the bombing of Guernica, a town in northern Spain, in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Picasso picks up the paintbrush, Lengthy and wooden. Anger and frustration flow over his creativity like rain. He bathes the paintbrush in blue paint. Blue like the sky on those summer evenings you never forgot. Ideas smolder. The paintbrush is a boat on a sea storm of white. It dances on the colossal canvas. Sunlight smacks his face from the window. He is done. He looks back at his masterpiece. Jagged lines and screams fill the painting. The image, like wine on a carpet, Impossible to get out. All is silent now. Annabelle Flisk, 6th Grade
A White Wonderland
As I woke up on a Wednesday morning, I got dressed and went to the bathroom to brush my hair. I checked the time. Oh no – it was 9:40! My alarm clock must not have been set the night before! I went into my parents’ room to wake them up. As I tip-toed in and touched my father’s back, he awoke and told me to go back to my room and look out my window. I walked quietly to my room, afraid I would wake up my sisters. I pulled the shades up. Wow! It was a winter wonderland! The trees were covered perfectly with white soft snow. It was a glorious sight with no footprints yet in the snow. I ran to Meredith’s room and yelled, “Look out your window!” She slowly got out of bed, and as she looked out her window, her eyes started to glimmer. I knew this was going to be a snow day!
Leah Avery, 4th Grade
A Christmas Tradition
Every year, my paternal grandmother takes my brother and me Christmas shopping for our parents. This year, we went to about three different stores. My parents don’t write a list; they mention a few things they might want. While I was shopping, I snuck a few gifts for my brother in my cart, too. I bought him a StormTrooper ornament, a Star-Wars t-shirt, and a Star-Wars wallet. After we were both finished shopping, Mimi took us to her condo so we could wrap our gifts. On Christmas Eve, Connor and I each chose one gift to give to each of our parents. On Christmas morning, our parents opened the rest of their gifts. They loved them! Guess what? My brother bought me gifts, as well. He was very thoughtful. His gifts were an original Beanie Boo named Brownie, and an Emoji key chain. This is an activity that we have turned into a tradition that I think will last a very long time. Taylor Purcell, 3rd Grade
Winter Snowy, Chilly Tobogganing, Snuggling, Snowman, Building Blizzards, Ice Crystals, Waterfront, Sandcastles Strawberry picking, Snow cone eating, Cruising Golden, Shimmering Summer Areen Syed, 4th Grade Gerald Thomas, 5th Grade
Snow Cold, Soft Sledding, Freezing, Jumping Snow cream, Snowflakes, Reindeer, Santa Wrapping, Decorating, Opening Pretty, Mystery Olivia Levy, 5th Grade
Present Logan Simon, 4th Grade
Skis Snow, Poles Gliding, Quickly, Skiing Powder, Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate, Fireplace Snowing, Falling, Landing Awesome, Fun Pow-Pow Lucy Avery, 4th Grade
Cameron Jordan, 5th Grade
Best Gift My favorite gift is my brother. God gave him to my mom. This gift is special to me because I love him. I like to play with my brother, David. Wyatt Salter, 1st Grade
William Chung, 1st Grade Best Gift The best gift I ever received was my family. God gave it to me. My gift is special because I love Owen, and Emmett, Mommy, and Daddy. Anja Speers, 1st Grade
Honest The truth is like a waterfall crashing into a river for everyone to hear, the words fall from your mouth letting someone know what’s on your mind.
Emma Paige Yuill, 1st Grade
Silver Lerner, 3rd Grade
Mom Sweet, kind, amazing Wishes for a good life Dreams of when I was a baby Wonders what she’ll do in the future Fears me growing up Likes a clean house Believes in Santa Loves me Plans to always help my family
Julia Stewart, 1st Grade
My mom is the best! Emerson Kay, 2nd Grade
A Favorite Person
My dad is special to me and my
family. I love spending time with him during the holiday break. When Dad was home, we played a matching game. My family celebrated his birthday, too. My mom made his cake from scratch. My dad made a dreamboard with us. Our dream board had four blocks, one for each of the four children in our family. We wrote our dreams for the future and illustrated our ideas. My dream is to learn how to cook. Dad makes delicious pancakes when he is Julian Albrecht, 1st Grade
home. Dad is a very important person in my life!
Olivia Crocker, 3rd Grade
5B Has a Sub Today It was a cold day in January. Mrs. Beattie was out with the flu. The sub list was depleted, but 5B knew what to do . . . Henry was appointed to act as the sub. 5B promised to listen to him and not cause a hubbub. . . Matt lost his binder, And his excuses were galore. Tori forgot to study
Ben Roberts, 6th Grade
and didn’t care, furthermore. Chris snuck into the closet
David got some Sharpies
and copied the homework key.
and drew all over the board.
Riley went on a cruise
Olivia Mc. got out her cell phone
And lost her homework at sea!
and started to record. Cole started a rebellion and made a great din; while Rebecca climbed the lockers to inspect the snakeskin! Delaney lost her English; she swore it had been stolen. Rylan’s Iron Thunder book Was left in northern Poland.
Wynne Elser, 6th Grade
James used the Wite-Out to paint his desk chair. Maddy played beauty parlor and braided two girls’ hair. John chewed up some paper and made a huge spitball. Olivia P. took the computer cart and rode it down the hall. Vignesh went into the closet and ate the lollipops.
Jill Ghormley, 6th Grade
Gabby opened her Chromebook And started to online shop! Harrison got a rocket And shot it through the roof. Kate bit an apple, And then she lost a tooth. Audrey kicked the teacher, and Olivia Mize yelled, “ENOUGH! I can’t stand the mayhem. We gotta stop all this stuff!” The office called Mrs. Beattie, who was enjoying her afternoon tea. She said, ”Oh, don’t worry That’s a normal day in 5B!” Lily Mersel, 6th Grade 5B Homeroom, 5th Grade
You Won’t Find Me You won’t find me in my room You won’t find me at the door. You won’t find me with a broom Busily sweeping up the floor. You won’t find me in the yard or in the kitchen either. You won’t find me playing cards or a hard brain teaser. You won’t find me on my phone texting all day long.
Libby Pierce, 5th Grade
I’m not eating an ice cream cone or playing a game of ping pong. You won’t find me on a mountain you won’t find me underground Nor drinking from a water fountain or hanging out in the dog pound.
You won’t find me in Nebraska Delaware or Kentucky. You won’t find me in Virginia Illinois or Hawaii. You won’t find me in the car traveling from close to far. I’m not at school or at the pool or at the mirror looking cool. So where am I? You do not know? I guess you really should just go… Go over to the couch and look I’m simply reading a really good book.
Owen Johnson, 5th Grade
Kristin Houston, 5th Grade
My Pen, My Paper, My Words A memorial to Langston Hughes My pen, my paper, my words. My trio of efficacy, My bundle of important valuables, The tools by which I shall write. My pen, A dagger, a healer, an enforcer. I can write anything; I can ameliorate the world. My paper, The receiver of my thoughts. Although its supply may run out, My freedom is like an endless sea. My words, They come instantly to my mind Like a stereotype that automatically triggers. Then, the words string together. An indelible line of literature: Sing, Sing, My pen, my paper, my words, My trio, the sum of my career. The tools by which I will write. That is literature. That is me. William Bland, 6th Grade
Sing,
More than Swimming Community Essay Excerpt The paintballs whizzed past me, hitting the fake car I was hiding behind with a thud, painting it green, yellow, and red. Most of my teammates, and some coaches, from Old Dominion Aquatic Club have come here to play a game of paintball and take a break from swimming. I grip the trigger and handle tighter and aim the gun at Coach Craig, the shooter. As people splattered with paint pass, walking out of the arena, they are asked if their orange body parts hurt. I nearly gasp at the proximity of the paintballs that ruffle my clothes with a speed that seems like that of a real bullet. I giggle as I watch the coach I was shooting at clutch his orange-stained shoulder. My breathing gets louder as time goes by. The noise from Coach Kirkman, the parents, and of the players already out roars out like a lion. I look all around Bethel Battlefield and sprint from one object to another, hiding behind the fence; a tall, black cylinder; and, finally, a spare piece of wood for cover. The midmorning sun’s heat is burning now, causing me to regret the sweatshirt I am wearing. Everyone reeks of sweat and dirt, and I try to plug my nose. The fierce attacks continue until a referee announces the end of the game. . . All of the virtues I have learned from being a member of Old Dominion Aquatic Club are everything you need to be successful in life. Time management, grit, and only accepting the best from myself—all traits I learned from participating on ODAC— will be very useful to me in years to come. The amount of time the practices take up prepares you for later in life when homework consumes hours of your day; it helps you to learn how to work in a distracting environment. I have learned to work with loud noises all around me, which will prepare me for college, and anytime uncertainty surrounds your future study are or time. The coaches, especially Coach Craig, teach you discipline and respect. They train you to be silent when others are talking, and to take heed of all instructions. Most importantly of all, Old Dominion Aquatic Club teaches you the importance of surrounding yourself with friends you know, respect, and trust. Old Dominion Aquatic Club teaches you that you can overcome any adversity. Toria Kauffman, 6th Grade
The Academy of Music Community Essay Excerpt
There I was on a regular Thursday, heading to Suzuki group practice in an ancient
white church, smelling of carpet and aged wood. I climbed the steep stairs to the third level and walked down the hallway to the paint-smelling room that we practice in. As I set my black violin case down and begin to unzip it, it hits me. I forgot my music! Now, to understand the full seriousness of this, you must see that we were still sight reading the music; we had not even begun to memorize it. To forget your music meant to stumble along blindly in the complicated melody for forty-five minutes! The experience, full of embarrassment and shame, is not an enjoyable one. So I trudge over to the other students, awaiting my doom, when my friend Sadie sees that I am missing my music. She approaches me and asks, “Do you want to share my music?” I agree happily, realizing that now I do not have to be humiliated for blundering through the songs. It all ended up very well, with the members of my community proving they are glad to step in, if need be, and help out a friend. Suzuki, my violin community, teaches violin to children of all ages, from the youngest toddler, just able to comprehend it all and hold a violin, to the senior in college. It was created by Shinichi Suzuki when he was inspired to create a program so children could develop the beautiful skill of violin playing. He believed that if children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they will develop a wonderful mind and heart. Suzuki’s program runs from books 1-10, starting out with basic twinkle rhythms and ending in complicated concertos and sonatas. To participate in Suzuki, you must, of course, pay a fee, have the proper books, own a violin that is the correct size, and exude a willingness to learn. I started Suzuki when I was very young (I was about to turn four!) because my mother wanted me to have a skill that would help me my entire life. When I started, I hated it. I couldn’t wait till I was eighteen, because that was when my mother said I could quit. But now I’ve gotten much better, and I wouldn’t dream of ever quitting! Ella Anderson, 6th Grade
A Nod for the Great Gorbachev
With the great age and time I’ve lived, the great Gorbachev had brought us a gift. His smile like a shining sun, and with his astute brain good changes had begun.
He worked with Reagan, to stop the Cold War, so the two nations would not fight anymore. They quarreled, fought, and bickered some more, until they became friends and put an end to the war.
He acquired his goal with frightening ease, and calmed the people that he pleased. He broke the Soviet nations out of jail, Stalin’s plan became a total fail.
Gorbachev helped the Soviet people reach their goal, the Soviets gave Gorbachev their heart and soul.
He let the scared, trapped citizens out, and now he lives in Russia with happiness throughout, they gave Gorbachev a great big nod as they make their exit for the life they want.
And I among them give Gorbachev a nod, for I would not be in my sod. My parents have come from the USSR, and in our hearts he is a great star.
It is true that he is industrious, but he is also very illustrious. But in the end I must say, the great Gorbachev has earned his way, and though Gorbachev may not be honored as a god, I give the great Gorbachev a Great Big Nod.
Valerie Spektor, 6th Grade
First Job I rushed down the familiar pass that I always took to get to town center, but this time was different. This time I wasn’t skipping rocks across the lake or taking in the awe-inspiring sights, No, this time I was in haste and my heart was pounding like a drum. Today was either my great triumph or my fantastic downfall. Only I could choose which it would be. This interview was my chance to become a real business man, someone who could change the lives of everyone around him. I have attained the sweet blessing of dedication through years of hard work. I am an old mule, and after years of pulling two tons on my back I can now see the farmer, waiting to remove the heavy pack from my shoulders and set me free. When I reached the first step to the counting house I inhaled, exhaled, and knocked on the door. “Come in Mr. Rockefeller.” I stepped in the door, I was ready for this, I was ready to become John Davison Rockefeller, bookkeeper for Hewitt and Tuttle Counting House.
Avery Britt, 6th Grade
Conclave I came to the Vatican with the other cardinals, after the 34 days the old pope reign, but the stress of the Conclave process drove us insane. A group of cardinals wanted a non-Italian pope, But all I could do was hope.
Me, I was Polish!
The people thought I was worthy, after all I was on the cardinal’s top ten. They liked my beliefs like women shouldn’t be priests, only men. Most of the cardinals gave me their vote, and on August 25, 1978, I became pope! Then off to St. Peter’s where we would then celebrate I felt like a movie star who had just made it to New York, but I was torn because there in the road, there seemed to be a fork I couldn’t leave my hometown, Wadowice It was a priceless ruby to me, but I had to accept because the pope is what people yearned for me to be I accepted the job, it was very monumental to me. I really aspired though, to make an impact on Catholic society. Julianne Hood, 6th Grade
Just a Deck of Cards Harry Houdini was a famous magician who is still well known today. As a kid, his deck of cards inspired him to pursue his career in magic. Just 52 pieces of paper, Old,
Wrinkled,
Tattered. But never lost. (Harry couldn’t bear to lose me.) I consist of numbers. Numbers and spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds. Only ten cents at the local convenience store. But it’s not what I am that’s pressing. It’s what I represent. I am the oak fireplace on a snowy day. I am the corner brick on that house on the hill. I am the rusted key to the door of his dreams.
I still remember his rotund fingers, smearing my ink. But, I don’t represent the moon and all its craters, The Amazonian jungles and all their life, And I’m certainly not the ocean at the end of the stream. I represent a little boy’s hopes and dreams. A little boy who became something with Just a deck of cards. Reed Ramirez, 6th Grade
My Husband Has No Heart Ansel Adams was a 20 century American photographer. th
Because his work often kept him away from home, his wife, Virginia Best, almost divorced him. And now, this. I want to be done with the cooking, The cleaning, the shopping. I’m done caring for our children alone, And running dad’s emporium on my own. And this whole time, you were at work, work, work. With a heart caked with steel, Your love has no direction. Like a hungry tiger, All you crave is your hunt. Like a killer bee, All you want is toil. So, Ansel dear, Dare I call you honey? My answer is, Quit worrying about money.
Melia DiGeronimo, 6th Grade
The Life of a Sand Grain My life…on the ground, all day, everyday. I watch the sun and the sky and the ocean as they surround me and beam down brightly. I hear the waves pound so calming and peaceful, yet do we know what lurks behind the wave? What if I am taken to the deepest depths of the ocean? The smells of ocean salts beset me. Maybe something will happen to me, or maybe I’ll just stay here, on the beach… So much life here, I wish I could stay, but slowly the wind blows me away. Hopefully I’ll come back… Someday… Tara Tavakoli, 5th Grade
Perfection Takes Time I stare out of the moonlit window. The sky’s bright eyes look down upon me. The puzzle pieces of my invention don’t connect. My frustration gets the best of me. I yell at Woz, like a parent reprimanding a child. The clock ticks. Tick, tick, tick I stumble, bemused, as the clock hands move in circles. The hands of the clock move my body slowly, like a puppeteer waving a puppet. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh Woz sees me twirling to the clock hands. My eyes become heavy, as if a weight is forcing my eyelids to shut. The world darkens. I wake up to a jolt. Woz shakes me awake. The last piece was finally in. Time after time after time of failures and mistakes. I cry, elated. The iPod was created. Emerson Land, 6th Grade
Dear Malala Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, is a 21st century women’s rights activist from Pakistan. In my world, I have seen skies brighter than a finch’s wing but none as bright as your eyes. I have seen pearls as pure as moonlight but none as pure as your skin. I have seen armies as proud as 1,000 lions but none as proud as me to call you my daughter. You, my wonderful child, are my first breath at daybreak and my last at day fall. You are my sun and stars, my bread and water. You are my jeweled pendant and the burning coals that keep me conscious You, my brilliant daughter, will go incredible places.
You will daydream to your heart’s content. You will create miraculous objects, and you will learn all of what life has to offer you. You will break rules and you will help others. You will fall down and grieve. You will be fearless and pick yourself up. You will cry and you will laugh. You will be who you want to be. You, my sweet little Malala, will change this world. Eliza Blythe, 6th Grade
I am not here. I am there. words cover the page, reading so smoothly, like water flowing through a brook, as the rough black print goes through the mind, it transforms into a silky dream, an amazing adventure, a miracle. I can open a book, and then, I am not here. I am there, in a ship going through a storm, I am there, exploring the jungle, there, saving the day, escaping here, the world that haunts me. So when I open a book, I am free. Harrison Brown, 5th Grade
The Fallen Leader I walk toward the throng of mourners Past columns and columns all draped with black. They wait silent as hawks searching for mice on the field below. Crack! Crack! The gunfire sounds. It seems as if nature is dolorous, too. The birds sing woefully in their nests. The clouds are as dark as death, The trees towering like skyscrapers above. All come to pay their respects, seated row after row. Old men, young women, naïve children—they all come. People everywhere will remember him as Funny and Humorous, Caring and Thoughtful, Intelligent and Brilliant. But above all, as a leader. The great Dwight D. Eisenhower fallen. Gone, yet not gone. Canby Traywick, 6th Grade
The Hassle on Thanksgiving It was Thanksgiving ‘morn, and I had been awake since dawn preparing the gigantic Thanksgiving meal with my whole family. I was sneakily pretending to be helping make dough for the apple pie, but slyly feeding our cat, Gracie, a juicy, blood-red cranberry. Aunt Theresa was rolling the dough for the pie, forehead wet with perspiration. Mama was taking the suspiciously raw turkey out of the oven, making sure not to burn her hands. Little Rachel and Zach, in highchairs, were wailing in the corner so loudly, that our dog, Lucy, started to bark and howl. Nicholas was lazily leaning in the doorway with a dirty, little smirk on his face, proud that he had made brown footprints on the now dirty tiled floor. Jacqueline was taking the gleaming china off the bleach-colored racks while scowling at Nicholas. Practical Aunty Kathy was coming in the doorway with a huge basketful of flowers for, who knows what! Bowen was setting the polished brown table with a lace tablecloth and napkins, china plates, “R” engraved silverware, and a simple centerpiece my grandmother had put together. Then Dad came in the room taking off his baseball cap and long winter coat, shivering from the cold. He had been really needing to rake the leaves when he escaped outside. Sometimes my family is so hard to handle, but when we are working together, we are inseparable! Happy Thanksgiving! Kate Rose, 4th Grade
Chocolate Quiet, brown Eating it is heavenly, Smooth like a blanket-If only it was unlimited! Adaline Scott, 2nd Grade
Sofia Griffey, 2nd Grade Brown Brown is one of my favorite colors Brown is like a warm hug Brown tastes like a cupcake Brown smells like brown sugar Brown sounds like muddy water running Brown feels like wet sand Brown looks like a deer in the forest Gunnar Zimmerman, 2nd Grade
Brown is very beautiful
I Know It’s Fall!
When I . . .
Taste hot chocolate
Smell food
Hear the birds flying
See the leaves
Feel the air Nathaniel Temple, 1st Grade
Jackson Harris, 2nd Grade
Chloe Levy, 2nd Grade
Pet Show-and-Tell Day in 5D Mrs. Walker made an announcement, tomorrow would be the big day. Pet show-and-tell time in 5D We all shouted, hip-hip hooray! Saoirse brought her famous race horse, who ran quickly into the bookcase. An Arctic penguin came in with Lucas, who slapped everyone right in the face. Owen brought his parakeets,
James Benedetto, 5th Grade
around the teacher’s head they flew. While Jack showed his panther, upon Mrs. Walker’s breakfast it did chew. A honey badger accompanied David, and repeatedly snarled at the class. Matthew’s spotted cheetah jumped right through the glass! Brianna’s tiger made a loud roar, which echoed through the halls. Connor’s six-foot snake slithered right up the walls. Mitchell brought his guinea pigs, who were dressed like Hansel and Gretel. Antonia displayed her pink giraffe
Brennan Stacy, 5th Grade
with its prize-winning gold medal.
Kristin brought a snapping turtle, who chewed the carpet right off the floor. Chloe’s 500 pound lion got his rear stuck in the door! Childers carried in a mallard duck, which had an annoying quack. Alexia’s energetic kangaroo kicked the computer screen and made it crack. Jen brought in a chicken, which pecked at everyone’s feet.
Jane Stewart, 5th Grade
Angelina rode in on her cow, while handing classmates an ice cream treat.
Julia, Catherine and Zachary brought their opera singing baboons, which serenaded the class with their high-pitched, off-key tunes. Taran’s crazy llama dumped out the waste cans with a crash. While Emmett’s hungry pet goat feasted upon the trash. The room was all abuzz and aflutter, animals scurrying in a state of peril! When suddenly Mrs. Walker shouted, “Help! Someone please get Mr. Carroll!” Jen Yuan, 5th Grade
5D Homeroom, 5th Grade
My First Thanksgiving From the Point of View of a Cat That troublesome cranberry! My human, Lucy, was dangling a juicy red cranberry for me, Cotton, to eat. Before I get revenge on that exasperating cranberry though, let me show you around this crowded kitchen. Lucy’s Aunt Jane was scurrying back from the flower garden where she had just gathered the centerpiece, full of
Emily Salib, 2nd Grade It’s just not fair that those humans get
daisies and roses. Yum! Her thick,
all the delicious food, and we pets only
brown hair was bundled up on the back
get practically non-edible food.
of her head to be out of her way. Buddy, Lucy’s dog and my best friend, was sprawled on the floor, his mouth watering for the scrumptious turkey.
Anyway, Aunt Elizabeth was plump and fair, rolling the dough out for the apple pie. On the table where she was working, there was a bag of flour and an extra rolling pin. Lucy’s favorite aunt, Susan, was gently getting the fancy plates out of the china cupboard, ready to set the big table in the dining room. Aunt Genevieve was adjusting her hat, escaping work that the rest of the humans had to do. Edward, Lucy’s cousin and enemy, was resting against the doorway with a sneaky smile on his ruthless face and a mischievous look in his eyes.
Maia Kim, 2nd Grade
The twins, Lillian and Benjamin, were wailing. I would bet all of my nine kitty lives that Edward teased them and made them cry like that. Now that you know what the kitchen looks like, back to the cranberry. One, two, three, JUMP!!! I jumped so high that I knocked that cranberry right out of Lucy’s hand! Now it was rolling along the floor, and I darted after it. Running around the table is hard work though, and I accidentally ran into one
Caroline Willis, 2nd Grade
of Aunt Elizabeth’s chubby legs. I scared her so much she screamed and flung the rolling pin behind her, hitting
the china cupboard where Aunt Susan was getting the silverware out, inches away from her face. Susan screamed, and louder than Aunt Elizabeth, at that! Aunt Susan stepped back, running into Aunt Jane, who dropped the centerpiece and flowers. When Mama turned around to see what all the commotion was about, she dropped the turkey, which Buddy started to gobble up. Edward was rolling on the floor, laughing. What about me, you ask? Well, I jumped up on a chair to eat that troublesome cranberry!
Cooper Stuart, 2nd Grade
Ashley Ure, 4th Grade
What Is Love? Love makes me think about my family and friends and people that died in war. Love makes me care about people. Love makes me feel happy and sometimes sad. Love makes me think about my country. I love NA. I love everything. Carter McGhee, 1st Grade
Brody Stuart, 2nd Grade
Traveling Traveling, long Shopping, eating, snacking Airports, lounges, departures, arrivals Tiring, moving, busy Hard, difficult Moving Alex Lawson, 2nd Grade
Kassidy Sanders, 2nd Grade
Roller Coaster The exciting roller coaster Towers over everything, Gigantic drops and loops Create a thrilling sensation. Your stomach jumps wildly in an adrenaline rush The sensational thrill of speed! Cooper Tyszko, 4th Grade Vivi Deans, 2nd Grade
Life Life has many things to come. Life has offered us surprises, miracles, and friends. Even though life can be rough and hard, We all can accomplish these things together. So be enthusiastic about the things that come in your life. Always be your best no matter what.
Andrew Kim, 4th Grade
The Nicest Thing a Friend Has Ever Done for Me The nicest thing a friend has ever done for me was done by my friend, Carrie. When I was new at Norfolk Academy in second grade, Carrie was the first girl who warmed up to me and made me feel welcomed. She really instilled the bulldog spirit in me! Throughout the three years we have known each other, she has stuck by me. Together we have had memorable experiences, such as going to Busch Gardens and packing food for the hungry. I will never forget those moments. Carrie has encouraged me when I wanted to give up and quit, especially running the mile in PE! To me, a friend is someone who is there for you to comfort you and won’t let go. A true friend will help you, but never bully you. I am happy to have a friend like Carrie, because she shows what a true friend can be. Rachael Buchanan, 4th Grade
Grassland Telescope The Little Duck That Ate a Seagull
The giraffe’s neck makes it look
There was once a little duck, That wanted to eat an eagle. He went onto a big truck And accidentally ate a seagull.
as tall as the Empire State Building. It surveys the splendid savannah
Later on when he got home, He went into the house looking crazy. The mother said, “You look like a gnome. You’ll never look like my lil’ baby.”
observing and
The duck went out, worried and sad. He said, “I shouldn’t have had the greed. I should’ve not done what is bad. I wish I had never done the deed.”
happy hippos,
Jayden Moore, 4th Grade
keeping a close eye on it’s luxurious land of lazy lions, bustling birds, and zooming zebras. Katie Sigrist, 3rd Grade
If I Were a Penguin If I were a penguin, my size would be petite. I would start my day with 7- Eleven Slurpees and Cocoa Puffs. For lunch I have macaroni and cheese. At dinner time I dine on pasta. I wear a black sparkly gown with a pink bow on my waist. In my hair I wear a black bow to match my gown. I am married to a man named Philip. Philip and I have three babies. Their names are Icy, Fluff, and Slide. My family and I are emperor penguins. My family and I live in a sparkling blue igloo. My job is to take care of my babies, and my husband is a doctor. To get exercise we stretch. Lily Mason-Breit, 1st Grade
Ambush Sneakily and silently A vampire bat stalks Its prey Patiently waiting For the right moment Tick-tock Tick -tock
Lunchtime A ray Hides in The sand
It hovers
As quiet as
Above the drowsy horse
The early morning
That it can now call
Air
Its prey
Waiting To pounce
Ray Wang, 3rd Grade
On its prey Along came a School of
The Sox-Stealing Fox
Naïve fish
Once there was a fox Who loved to steal sox He’d leave a trail to the Holy Grail Then you remember he stole your Crocs.
Slowly
He sneaks into your room And breaks all your blocks He pulls on your nose And tickles your toes And gives you chicken pox. He mocks your dad And lives in a box You hear a scream and Remember it was only your sister’s dream.
Seamus Buchanan Roberson, 4th Grade
Gliding Through The lonely Water Munch! Munch! Munch! Yum! Lunchtime Isaac Ure, 3rd Grade
Little Black Dress
The little black dress was a famous creation of the 20th century French fashion designer Coco Chanel.
Day 1 Why how bland I am? No flush, no accents, no nothing. Am I nothing or is nothing me?
Day 2 Ouch! Don’t poke me there! I scream, and I sob. No one listens.
Day 3 Be careful! She pierces and stitches, Snips and beads.
Day 4 What has happened? Lace detached from silk. Are you starting over?
Day 5 I am no longer nothing. I am Something.
Day 6 On a stuffed manikin I stay. But what is this? I’m being bought? I am owned once again. Day 7 The closet doors open. Going on a date I see. Why don’t you pick the most divine dress? ME Day 8 Black plastic bags appear And in I go to be Dumped on the street. The roads are bumpy like rancid milk, And the bag I’m in is full. Bump Stretch
Bump POP
Ruptured into one million pieces, Here I lay, and here I stay. Samantha Fischer, 6th Grade
54
A Journey Your life is like a blooming flower growing getting stronger, opening gracefully, if you start to wilt believe in yourself, stay happy, and you will become a beautiful rose. Isabella Koestler, 3rd Grade
Ben Parker, 3rd Grade
Eliana Jin, 2nd Grade
The Power of a Written Word The power of a written word is stronger than one thousand men. You are a master, king, emperor of your art. A line so masterfully written. A bird’s call on a Sunday morning is still not as eloquent as one page. Your work is as far from perfect as the moon. But no one will ever be perfect, And no one will ever create the perfect Book, Page, Or word. You are not a writer but an Inventor, a doer, and a teacher to the next generations. Axel Patzer, 6th Grade
Spring Sunny days People play outside more Rain falls In spring you smell flowers No snow is on the ground Grass is green Sloane Becker, 1st Grade Brock Becker, 3rd Grade
Violet Violet is flowers. Violet is beautiful. Violet is a type of purple. Violet is refreshing. Violet tastes like grapes. Violet smells like blueberry pie. Violet sounds like waves. Violet feels like grape juice. Violet looks like the sunset. Violet makes me happy. Violet is my favorite color. Zoe Deitemeyer, 2nd Grade
Jacob Gonzales, 3rd Grade
Spring Break
During the break I went to Costa Rica
and went to the beach and the pool. I had lots of fun! When I was there, I almost got attacked by a monkey, fell off a horse, and almost stepped on an iguana. I got home at 12:30. I forgot about school.
Allie Tyszko, 1st Grade
Kate Lasley, 3rd Grade
Gray Gray is a mountain far away Gray is an elephant in the circus Gray is a fish swimming fast Gray is a train track in the desert Gray smells like smoke in the air Gray sounds like an airplane going fast in the sky Gray feels like a smooth rock on a mountain Gray looks like a whale in the ocean Gray makes me feel sad Alexis Huelsberg, 3rd Grade
Gunnar Zimmerman, 2nd Grade
A Peaceful Day For miles and miles a sea turtle gracefully glides through the glistening bright blue ocean like a butterfly in a relaxing flight
Lily Stockwell, 4th Grade
Lane Kilduff, 3rd Grade
The Deep Calm Sea Crabs Waddling On The Shore Tide Splashing On The Beach Waves Rushing Onto The Rocks Minnows Swimming In The Shallows Stingrays Flowing Through The Ocean Sharks Gliding Through The Water Clownfish Flowing Through The Reefs Coral Living On The Rocks
Zoë Jones, 4th Grade
Whales Eating All The Shrimp Squids Inking In The Deep Sea
If I Were a Penguin
The Creatures Of The Ocean Costello Ciuffo, 3rd Grade
If I were a penguin, I would be teal
and sparkly turquoise. I would have medium sized feet. I like to eat icy donuts. I had four babies. Their names would be Shimmer, Moonbeam, June, and Snowflake. My husband’s name would be Owen. I would live in the western Arctic. I am an emperor penguin. My exercise would be swimming. I would have no job. Allison Wight, 1st Grade
Kate Jarvis, 4th Grade
The Blues, The Greens Memoir of a Jacques Cousteau camera swimming, swimming, swimming farther and f a r t h e r I go, like a whale, D I V I N G deeper 10, 11, 12 fathoms down a fish, blue as the cloudless sky silently passes by along with its other hued cohorts I devour their every move closer, closer, closer we creep up to the dilapidated shipwreck —covered in brilliant blues and greens— which once flowed through the illustrious waters of france we plunge towards the school of fish only to disrupt their peaceful grazing I remember that day jacques transformed the footage I captured the people—they’ll love it— the blues the greens Lilly Savin, 6th Grade
I Have Become: A Poem About Wernher von Braun I was a child born to an aristocratic family, A mischief-maker in my early teens, A boy hopelessly struggling in school, And a dreamer, like a star lost in the night sky. I became set on my dream—rockets. I became a diligent student waiting anticipatorily learn the subjects required to become a rocketeer, a genius directing the production of the V-2 rocket-Hitler’s prized World War II weapon, a golden ticket to space for America, the country I surrendered to after World War II, and a pioneer who would stop at nothing to get to the moon. I am the lead rocket engineer in my new home of America, inventor of the behemothic Saturn V rocket, the innovative mind behind the Mercury, Apollo, Gemini, Skylab, and other famous missions, a man who, like few, fulfilled his dream, a household name known and worshipped by many, and the Prophet of the Space Age. I will now retire from my lifelong job, give my work to the young minds of America to carry out, soon lose my life to cancer, but pass away to the next frontier knowing that I made my mark on this world. Nicholas Rose, 6th Grade
A Life Cut Short Famed British physicist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21. He was given two years to live. I lie upon my bed Distressed, Gloomy, Lonely. Never in my existence Would I have thought that my life Would come to such an abrupt end. I had found my Calling, Passion, Dream. I study the stars, Ponder our existence, Unfold the universe. But I will never fulfill that destiny.
I lie there As still as death, Taking in the details of every Smokestack, Wing, And toy captain. Strewn among them are numerous engines, The broken keys. My hopes to giving my toys breath Lay within those metal bodies. Yet every single one failed. I couldn’t bring them to life And now My engine is Failing with them.
I stand up to find another task
Looking upon all of the toys
But I fall back down
I am brutally reminded that
Beaten,
They are nothing but toys,
Forlorn,
Toys owned by a soon-to-be dead boy.
Lost. I avert my gaze to the Remnants of my childhood: The toy models I spent hours trying to animate
I cry and fall asleep, Desperate to find Hope,
Sit there
Help,
Ignored,
And an escape.
Forgotten, Lifeless.
Gavin Goss, 6th Grade
Jackie Robinson Haiku Dodgers forty-two Death notes, hurtful threats, fierce Black, courageous, grit Jared Biggs, 2nd Grade
Video Games Very tempting Playing crazily wildly
Field Hockey I get a ball. I get a stick. I dribble the ball with the stick.
Uncontrollably over and over I know I’ll get in trouble Can’t I have another hour? Juan Baez, 4th Grade
I try to get it in the goal. I have fun playing field hockey! Catherine Adams, 1st Grade
Surfing I get in the water. I get on my board.
Lacrosse
Then I paddle out. I look for a wave.
I hold a long and colorful stick.
I stand on the board.
I wear a mask.
The wave pushes me out.
I wear a mouth piece.
I love to surf!
We pick up lots of balls and throw them. Playing lacrosse is fun! Millie Borum, 1st Grade
Helen McCabe, 1st Grade
The Georgetown Walk On Grandparent Essay Excerpt
“Nothing’s better than having a catch!” exclaims my grandfather David
Beatty. “That’s where it all begins.” My grandfather began playing baseball at age six with his two older brothers, Budge and Christopher, in the front yard of their Shoreham, New York, home in 1950. From playing ball with the neighborhood kids in the Police Athletic League, to walking onto the freshman baseball team at Georgetown University in 1962, my grandfather, David Beatty, was an incredible ball player. On a warm spring morning in 1962 in Washington D. C., while the cherry trees were blossoming, my grandfather, standing at 5’ 11’’ and proudly wearing his crew cut, waltzed into Kehoe Field, now known as Shirley Povich Field, to try out for the Georgetown University freshman baseball team. He was not a scholarship player, so he had to “walk on,” meaning he had to tryout because he had no status with the team. Since freshmen weren’t allowed on the varsity baseball team, they had their own team. During the tryout, my grandfather and many other eager ballplayers had to demonstrate their basic baseball skills, such as throwing, hitting, and catching, as well as their speed and agility. Beatty, proving his skill, made the cut and trekked back to the main gymnasium to claim his temporary locker as his own. The young men that made the team received their gray and blue, good-looking, yet comfortable, boiling hot uniforms. My grandfather described the uniforms as “wool flannel. They were not synthetic, they were hot!” On a scorching hot spring day late in the month of May, you did not want to be wearing wool flannel uniforms. The practices for the team of eighteen-year-olds were tedious drills of ground balls and plain flat out throwing—the fundamentals. The season was long, hard, and tiring for these young men, but like my grandfather always said, “Baseball was never hard. Baseball was fun. Baseball was a simple game. You hit it, I catch it. You throw it, I catch it.” Foster Kimple, 6th Grade
Napoléon If I Found a Pot of Gold
Little Corporal
Ryan, Mom, Dad, and Nicholas were
Powerful, courageous
at the zoo. Their favorite animal
Loathed the English
was the ostrich. A leprechaun ran to
Defeated by Duke Wellington
them and said, “Follow me.” Dad did
Bonaparte
not hear him. The leprechaun wanted to show them his pot of gold. So the
Owen Speers, 3rd Grade
leprechaun took them to his ice cave to show the pot of gold. The pot of gold was behind a wall of ice. Dad set up a fire so that the ice could melt. Then they found the pot of gold. The leprechaun said that they could take it home. They used the gold to help people who don’t have
Freedom Fighters Cesar Chavez Hard-working, persistent,
cars. They also used the pot of gold
Farming, working, moving,
to help people who don’t have enough
California, champion, bus, Alabama,
food. They really liked the gold. Ryan Ylagan, 1st Grade
Sitting, leading, boycotting, Trustworthy, determined, Rosa Parks Maria Delyannis, 2nd Grade
Best Gift Ever The best gift I ever received was my baby sister. Her name is Hazel, and she is two years old. Hazel likes to watch Daniel the Tiger, and her favorite color is blue. She likes to play soccer. I love Hazel so much! Gabriel Divaris, 1st Grade Ned Berkley, 5th Grade Best Gift Ever The best gifts I ever received were my loveys, my dog, my first Lego set, and my brother. My loveys like to sneak around at night. My dog sleeps in my bed sometimes. I got my first Lego set from Jack. It was Death Watch. My brother’s name is Jack, and I love him! Will Poynter, 1st Grade
Horse Pretty, Wonderful Comforting, Riding, Cantering Barn, Tack, Pet, Loyalty Playing, Barking, Jumping Friendly, Helpful Dog Mackenzie Peterson, 5
th
Grade
Emilie Beasley, 4th Grade
5C’s Study Hall Shenanigans It was study hall time in 5C; Mr. Knape asked us all to be quiet. He got called out of the room for a minute saying, “I trust you all won’t start a riot!” Jane began serving snack; she started throwing oranges at the boys. Tara stole Ryan’s saxophone and began making a lot of noise. Gerald danced a jolly jig, which took us by surprise.
Sofia Tjia, 6th Grade
While Shunmei was rapidly juggling all of her school supplies.
Cameron was shredding her homework, while John was acting nutty. She began to smirk because he was eating his silly putty. Olivia found a crayon and started scribbling on the wall. Mackenzie was doing cartwheels and took a great big fall. While Ella was in the corner eating her orange marmalade, Brennan was at the sink making everyone lemonade. Michael Durand, 6th Grade
Caleb asked James, “Do you want to give table tennis a try?” Caleb proceeded to slam the ball and it hit James right in the eye. Calla bounced a basketball. Homework was falling all over the floor. Logan was throwing paper airplanes, aiming them straight into the closet door. Davis blasted music on his speaker, while Sydney tried to calm everyone down.
Camelia Roberson, 6th Grade
Sam started jumping and joking imitating her favorite clown.
Bennett was playing lacrosse and smashed the computer screen. Ryan was on his phone placing an order with L.L. Bean. James B. was shooting rubber bands; they were landing all over the floor. Leo started throwing his football, repeatedly shouting, “Score!” The shenanigans had reached their peak; the whole class was having a spitball war! When suddenly they heard a knock, Mr. Manning was at the door… Joey Clarkson, 6th Grade
5C Homeroom, 5th Grade
A Yellow Strike A second is like lightning hurtling across the sky punching the ground startling you with its
Tate Zimmerman, 4th Grade
CRACK and BOOM! Addy Hennessy, 3
rd
Grade
The Chesapeake Bay I crash I whirl I spin moving to a rhythm I make my mark upon the sand wetting what I can on land I’m a mass of foam and blue and green the teals the pinks the yellows different all around I tear at sand and move the shells the fish get quite annoyed I toss them round and round
John Grunwald, 4th Grade
I’m a big pot of life waiting to be stirred Shelby Stuart, 5th Grade
norfolk academy 1585 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, Virginia 23502 www.norfolkacademy.org
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