Agathon 2016

vol. 50 iss. 1

Staff • Lili Tucker • Lauren Bernard • Kennedy Price • George Whitehill • Troy Workman • Megan Nalamachu • Jia Tucker • Miles Luce

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Introduction This year is one for the history books.

After our Royals won the World Series, our community has basked in the glow of Kansas City’s greatness. Within the walls of Barstow, we too have a very special thing to commemorate—Agathon’s fiftieth issue. Our Agathon staff has decided to celebrate our historic year with the creation of two issues to fully memorialize the literary genius of our three divisions.

In our first issue, we feature the creative, refreshing thoughts of our Lower and Middle Schoolers. We picked their minds with our school-wide writing prompts that ranged from asking what they wanted to be when they grew up to inquiring about their thoughts on fall. Next spring, we will publish yet another issue featuring works from the High School and faculty.

—The Agathon Staff

Featured

Barak Alon Aidan Lawlor Lauren Andrews Rowin Ledezma-Long Merrill Begelfer Phoebe Martin Rose Caisley Brooklyn McDonald Tyler Carlgren Tyler McNeive Deuce Chanos Peter Mombello Louis Christifano David Williams Sam Christifano Adrian Neumann Simon Connor Elliott Osman Alex David Anisha Reiland Mira Gupta Arjun Reiland Sage Holmes Alizeh Shaikh Carly Howard Owen Siebers Simone Huston Grant Stinson Michael John Jacqueline Tingle Ian Koepp Betsi Waldeck Lauren Kopitas Tido Wencker

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Anisha Reiland • Grade 5

Mira Gupta • Grade 1

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Bird

Smells like people grilling food.

Feels like cold breeze.

Looks like colorful leaves.

Sounds like crackling fires.

Tastes like warmness in your mouth.

Fall is where your friends are

Rowin Ledezema-Long • Grade 2

Fall

Carly Howard • Grade 8

Bird Sitting, watching I can see you.

You run and play and I watch.

I possess a freedom you’d kill for.

When moonlight dances on treetops the city sleeps, And it’s me crying in the distance; not knowing whether I weep of sorrow or song.

When new light kisses the horizon a pink good morning, I’m back to watching.

I am the watcher.

See if you can find me Sitting, watching

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Alizeh Shaikh • Grade 8

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Matt Besler

He does a lot of fundraisers. He donates to charity a lot. he also goes to animal shelters every month. He loves dogs and has three. He also goes to orphanages to go see the kids. He helps the kids find homes. He went to Africa to visit the families. He donates money to the families so they can have houses. He is a very kind person.

Tyler McNeive • Grade 4

When I grow up I want to be like Matt Besler. He is a center back for Sporting Kansas City’s professional soccer team. He was a straight A student at Notre Dame. He is very smart on the soccer field. As a center back he can’t give up the ball close to the goal so he needs to make quick decisions.

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Matt Besler is an MLS all-star and is currently on the USA national team. He also finds time to give back. His successes on and off the field is why I want to be like him.

Monday sleepy mad whining learning yawning homework traffic ball pizza play read enjoy free fun Friday

Aidan Lawlor • Grade 4

Monday/Friday

Brooklyn McDonald • Grade 7 Ian Koepp • Grade 5

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When I Grow Up

If I were a doctor I would want to live in Colorado. I would want to live in Colorado because I can do a lot of activities in Colorado, from going sledding in Winter to climb mountains in summer. A good thing about living in Colorado is that I would be close to my parents, and in the winter Colorado will have snow so me and my kids can build snowman, and sled and hopefully not get frostbite. I love to make people feel better so I would call it settled!

If I can’t live in Colorado I want to live in California.

I want to live in California because I love to swim.

I think California would be a great place to swim, because it is usually hot and California is right by the Pacific Ocean. But I guess I have a lot of dreaming.

Simone Huston • Grade 4

When I grow up I would like to be a doctor. I want to be a doctor because I like to help people feel better. The influence that made me want to be a doctor was my dad. My dad gave me inspiration because he is a great doctor! My grandpa was also a doctor and so was my mom, and my Uncle. If I were a doctor I would love the gratitude of knowing I helped someone!

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Jia Tucker • Grade 8 Merrill Begelfer • Grade 2

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Snowflakes

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Snowflakes As the world sleeps they blanket the ground and hug the trees

Snowflakes Each one is different Each one is unique Snowflakes Each like dainty lace but can bring a storm like no other Snowflakes they can sting the hand but they also bring joy Snowflakes they can come and go as the season comes Snowflakes While the world sleeps they blanket the roots and hugs the walls They bring us together over a cherry fire.

Rose Caisley • Grade 6

Snowflakes Silent as they fall from the sky Yet bring a whole other world Covered in white

Michael John • Preschool

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10 Private Number Paranoia It started out as a normal summer day. My mom had just left for brunch with my dad, and I had just settled down for a day of Netflix and video games. As you might know, this is not what happened, at all. I knew my brother was coming home in an hour. Today was going to be fun.

About forty-five minutes into Anchorman , I received a call from “Private number.”

I decided not to answer. Then, i noticed a white Chevy van, parked in front of my house (that really eased my anxiety). Another call from “Private Number” and then another, and another, certainly didn’t make me less scared than I already was.

Finally, I stopped running. I was in the middle of my nearest public park, with no shoes on. Panting heavily, I sat down, trying to decide what to do. A few minutes later, I came to the point where I agreed to the idea of calling 911 on the phone I brought with me. As soon as I dialed nine, I heard a voice call my name.

The voice sounded familiar. When I turned around, I saw my brother getting off of his bike. “What are you doing? I was knocking on the door!” Max said, “Why did you run away” I didn’t answer. “ I called the police, it looked like you’d been kidnapped!”

“Why didn’t you call me? mom said that you would call me before you came home!”

I finally replied. “I did, like three times!” Then, I figured out that Max was “Private Number.” My brother and I walked home silently.

There were two unmarked KCPD cars in front of our house. With the help of Max, I explained the situation to officers, and they eventually left. Ashamed, I walked into my room, locked the door, and continued Anchorman. I barely spoke for the rest of the day. This would be memorable, and I knew it. Afterwards, I came to the decision that my response was rational, considering the circumstances and the van. By the way, it turns out that the Chevy van actually belonged to my neighbor’s plumber.

Even though my reaction was sort of reasonable, I still felt embarrassed about my actions. That event is something I will never forgot.

Simon Connor • Grade 5

Right then, I heard a knock on the door. I stood there quietly, trying to see if I was just hearing things. Then, there was another knock. My heart started beating rapidly; I didn’t know what to do, so I ran out the back door, phone in my hand, terrified. I sprinted frantically, ignoring the pain from the acorns I was stepping on with my bare feet. This was actually happening, what I had been fearing for years was actually taking place, and I was amazed. The place I call home was being violated by a bunch of delinquents. I pictured people in ski masks stealing the T.V. I was watching Netflix on my PS4 console, and all of my other precious electronic devices.

Betsi Waldeck • Grade 3

Tyler Carlgren • Grade 5

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Tokyo

When the sun begins to beat down, Sweat is on everyone’s forehead.

Men and women change into their summer clothes, Children splash around at the beach.

As the leaves begin to change color, Cars whiz by, making them float into the air, And land under a child’s foot.

Sage Holmes • Grade 7

As the cherry blossoms bloom, Children play in the grass.

Couples float out on boats, Love is in the air.

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As the snow begins to fall, The umbrellas come out.

Scuttling down the street, Someone’s bound to fall.

There once was a Santa who was scary.

I don’t meant to be that wary He comes into your house.

As silent as a mouse.

I’d rather have the tooth Fairy.

Alex David • Grade 5

Scary Santa

Lauren Kopitas • Grade 3

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Getting my Cat

The Ride to Wayside Waifs seemed to take forever. Finally, a building came into view. Its sign said Wayside Waifs; a no-kill shelter. As soon as mom parked the car, I darted into the building. When we came to Flame’s cage, we placed him in pet carrier and brought him into a tiny office. A lady gave me a certificate for adopting Flame. The nice lady showed us a picture of when they found Flame with his brother, Cinnamon Roll. Flame was all white, with no orange. His ears were folded back, eyes closed and mouth open as if he were crying.

“I hope dad likes him,” I thought. When we got home, dad didn’t get near the kitten. I brushed my teeth, got in a nightgown, and we set up Flame’s litter box, food, and water. Flame hid under my bed a lot. I could barely do my homework until my mom got serious and told me to focus.

After homework, I couldn’t take my eyes off of Flame. I knew that Flame and I would have an awesome time together!

Lauren Kopitas • Grade 3

The sky darkening, it was almost night time and I was getting anxious. My parents were discussing adopting a pretty flame-point Siamese mix kitten from Wayside Waifs, a no kill shelter for animals. I didn’t hear a word of what my parents were saying from the office, but soon my dad came into the family room, followed by my mom. You can adopt the kitten, said dad. I jumped into the air and yelled with excitement! When I calmed down, I saw that mom was beaming. Dad...not as much.

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Barak Alon • Grade 2 Lauren Andrews • Grade 7

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When I Grow Up

Adrian Neumann • Grade 3

When I grow up, I want to be a surgeon because I like looking at guts and inside of the human body.

I want to be a doctor so I can save lives.

Though I’m probably going to be 30 by the time I get to do surgeries and be a real doctor.

I’m going to work hard to get good grades in college.

I wonder what I’m going to learn in medical school?

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When I Grow Up Barak Alon • Grade 2

When I go into the salt water, I feel strong.

When I grow up I want to be an ocean explorer.

I look forward to study the ocean.

The items I need for my job are: a waterproof flashlight, scuba diving gear, air tank, and salt proof goggles.

Some difficult tasks I may have: touching a shark or studying a whale’s fin.

A successful ocean explorer needs knowledge.

David Williams • Grade 3

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Fishing is Fun

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On a warm summer day, our family decided to go fishing. My family got into the car and drove there. I felt like it took three hours but it was only 45 minutes.

I think that happened because I was excited.

We got on the boat and drove out into the water. The boat was probably going 40 miles and hour. I felt the wind against my face. I put my hand down in the cold water. It was cold. We stopped by the shore to go swimming. After that I got out of the water and took a walk on the shore by the lake, which is 24 miles long and six miles across. It was an hour to get to the spot to fish.

When we finally got to the spot to fish, we went fishing. Captain Mike dropped the poles and they looked like cannons, but they’re not. He dropped them 100 feet deep. I caught a fish that was three feet, my brother caught one two feet, my cousin caught one that was two feet. Do you know what we did?

WE ATE THEM ALL.

David Williams • Grade 3

Finally we arrived, dad parked the car while we found our captain. We found him in his boat with all the supplies we would need. He looked like a wild man.

Grant Stinson • Grade 8

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Ode to a Cup

Louis Christifano • Grade 8

People lift me up and I get lipped The liquid inside me, it gets sipped I get washed nice and clean everyday You can fill me up with whatever you say I come in all different sizes With me you’ll get no surprises I am in almost every household The grocery store is where I am commonly sold I hold all different drinks I am washed in all different sinks

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Witch’s Brew Elliott Osman• Grade 2

First, add squishy eyeballs Next, put in washed spider sweat Then, mash bat wings and slip them in Now, stir bat blood and drain it in After, boil some frog spit and combine it Finally, boil witch fingers and mix all of the ingredients Be sure that you make it outside, because one wrong move and it will explode!

(Seriously I’ve tried)

Tido Wencker • Grade 2

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Diversity

Jacqueline Tingle • Grade 7

Fingers meet, colors mix, language jumbles, conflict sparks, bodies fall.

But for what?

Why do we choose a life of prejudice when, inside, our hearts beat the same song. our blood runs the same red, our blood runs strong.

Strong enough to survive in times of war, in darkness and in peace.

So now, when our fingers come together, we should celebrate, the dark skin, and the pale skin, and the tan skin, and every shade in between, because inside, we are all the same, all across the world, in North America, in South America, In Africa, and Asia, in Europe, and Australia, our hearts beat the same rhythm, our hearts beat the same song, our blood runs the same red, our blood runs strong.

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Owen Siebers • Kindergarten Deuce Chanos • Kindergarten

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My Sketchbook

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My Sketchbook My personal place where anger dissapears like salt in water

My sketchbook When the cover opens Dreams flow like water Where reality ends and fantasy begins My Sketchbook Where I draw of dreams and Christmas with joy Where animals talk And humans fly My Sketchbook Where dreams come true Dreams of peace for the world I dream of peace for us, And peace for you

Peter Mombello • Grade 6

My sketchbook Where worlds are created And anger destroyed Where Mrs. Lopenberger might exist

Phoebe Martin • Grade 4

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If I Were a Locust

There once was a big ol’ Santa Claus We all gave him a big round of applause But he tripped and fell, right down the well, and then he needed some gauze.

Sam Christifano • Grade 5

Holiday Limerick

Arjun Reiland • Grade 2

If I could be a bug for a day I would be a locust.

I would be a harmful insect because I would eat everything in my path for energy.

I would spend the entire day eating ladybugs, butterflies and caterpillers.

I would be exited to see everything from a locusts view.

My best friends would be a wasp and bee.

I would watch out for people because they can stomp on you.

I think it would be fun to be a bug for a day because everything is big and the grass would be my obstacle.

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THANKS FOR READING STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT ISSUE FEATURING HIGH SCHOOL AND FACULTY COMING SPRING 2016

Holiday Limeri