ICS MAGAZINE
Sports Varsity Girls Volleyball 5 Eagles Take Home Bronze 6 School News Fan into Flames 8 Global News/ Politics Spotlight: The European Migrant Crisis 9 Erawan Shrine Bombing 10 Lifestyle Swift or Die 11 Travel Spread Your Wings and Explore the World 12
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Interviews Eagles Eye 14 Senior Session 15 Alumni Profile 16 Opinion A Better Place for Everyone 18 Short Story Der Start 20 Art Column Artwork of the Month 21 Let’s Go Comic 22
Editor-In-Chief Titapa Chaiyakiturajai Keshav Garg
Photographer Surawut Withayarukson Teerawat Chaiteerath Pawat Wirawarn Tanapoom Sermchaiwong
Writer Haripoom Prasutchai Anvi K. Mehta Chanaradee Leelamanthep Andrew J. Person YiHyun Kwon Jin Ha Yuho Su Gino Lin Satida Limtrajiti Naran Suvarnpradip Phatsawut Achariyasoonthorn
Layout Designer Surawut Withayarukson Coleman J. Weimer
Art Managers Anna Chen Nawa Montrelerdrasme
Advisor Ms. Lissa Scott
Editor Haripoom Prasutchai John Kim 3
With the advent of the serene autumn season, The Quill once again brings some of the most splendid pieces of writing. Whether it be an interview with a Wall Street Investment Banker or a fictitious anecdote of a detective, our romantic and diligent writers, editors, designers, and artists have fashioned this marvelous issue exclusively for you. We, the Eagle corpus, often find ourselves mired into paltry yet tedious amounts of work and happen to forget about the grandeur that stares at us. It’s crucial that once a month, even if the moment is short-lived, we choose to take a step back and awe ourselves with the wonders that are exhibited throughout the universe. The Quill, in its September issue – Wake Me Up When September Ends – seeks to open our minds to the eminent matrix surrounding us. For this issue, we speak to all of Mr. Potter’s fans – flip a few pages and check out one of our most exceptionally talented artists’ newest Harry Potter parody displayed at the end of this issue. Discover your interests, match them with our offers, and sit back and enjoy!
Quillfully Yours, Titapa C. and Keshav G.
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By Chanaradee Leelamanthep Photo by Surawut Withayarukson
ICS Volleyteam prepares
ICS Volleyball team prepares for a game.
After slightly over a month of school, the first sports season has commenced. Despite the member alterations, the girls Varsity volleyball team has launched into a fresh start to create phenomenal memories and retain ICS’ athletic pride. The team started slowly, partially due to the graduating seniors, who, undeniably, were the foundation for the team. “I felt a little frustrated with seniors departing, but playing against WIS (our first game) really impressed me,” reviewed Ivy Oupapan, a returning setter. On Saturday, September 5th, 2015, they participated in a highly competitive tournament : The NIST tourney. Although ICS thrashed Shrewsbury 2-0, they failed to remain winners with ISB winning them 2-0, and BPS barely beating them 2-1. Ivy stated, “I admit that the tournament was really tough for us, but everyone did their very best. To be honest, all I could ever ask for is to
leave everything on the court and we did!” Jen Yeo, the captain, stated the following: “So my expectations on the first tournament: it was to do my best for the glory of God. I knew our team was the best because we all worked hard together as a team. I was definitely satisfied with our games in the tournament because we did our best as a team. We all cheered for each other and trusted each other during the games. I am looking forward to having fun and playing for the glory of God. Well, physically, I think we got a little bit tired and worn out during the day, but as a team, we were always supporting each other. We could maybe be a little bit more prepared physically for our next tournament! I believe in every single one of us, and we will surely bring pride to our school! I love you Varsity volleyball girls!”
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By Chanaradee Leelamanthep Photo By Surawut Withayarukson
Happy N. (‘18) challenges the ball against NIST. 6
Aside from Varsity volleyball, NIST also hosted Varsity girls and guys tournament for soccer. Similar to those faced by the girls’ volleyball, the girls were met with the challenge of lacking the foundation; the girls failed to close the gaps, while the guys overcame the challenge. Unfortunately, Varsity girls soccer failed to outshine their competitors and lost all the games: ISB (2-5), SHB (0-3), and RIS (0-4). ISB, BPS, and SHB ranked top three. Reflecting on the performance, Pin, a rookie, stated that, “I think we can do much better than yesterday despite the fact that it was our first tournament. We’ll learn from our mistakes and improve for the RIS tourney next week.” Sierra Sinclair-peters (co-captain) mentioned “I was excited to see how our team would play together in our first tournament. I didn’t have high expectations because I didn’t know how good the teams were and we hadn’t played them yet.” Unlike Sierra who didn’t have high expectations, Yelly Pornvisawaraksakul (co-captain) expected to have the game in the bag and medal the tournament. She said, “We need to improve on sustaining our game mentality and confidence level. It was as if every time they scored on us, our minds have already surrendered the game. Aside from that, we also need more teamwork: communicating, passing, and trusting one another.
For the Varsity Boys soccer, ICS competed against RIS and NIST. On Friday, September 4th, 2015, ICS played against RIS and as the game ended, they were tied 3-3. On Saturday, ICS played against NIST and ended with another draw of 5-5. Because NIST prevailed the match against RIS with the score of 2-1, ICS placed second in the pool, therefore became a candidate for bronze. BPS and SHB dominated the other pool. ICS played SHB for third place, while NIST played BPS for the titleholder. ICS won 6-2 and earned themselves third place, while NIST overpowered the BPS team, crowning themselves the champion. Koch Kasemsantitham, a center back, reviewed , “This was our first time getting in top 3 in this tournament. I thought we played pretty well, but our silly mistakes drew us back from competing for top 2.” Having another tournament in the upcoming week of Saturday, September 12th, 2015, Daniel Talbot mentioned, “I look forward to playing 11 aside with the other quality teams and have the potential to win the tournament! It’ll be a good experience for some of the younger players to get some playing time as well in this friendly tournament.”
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2 Timothy 6:1 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Every Day 3, a few students get together with their people in their respective grades during lunch for a short period of reflection and fun. Each grade has a unique approach to how they discuss a topic chosen at the beginning of the year. The senior class’ session, led by Sisi and Daniel Onoe, is located in the strings room. The meeting style is alternated every week; on the first week they will take part in a whole group discussion and on the second week they break into smaller groups to have smaller discussions. Once in awhile, they will engage in singing worship songs. Coleman and Jean, the junior class’ leaders, take a completely different approach to their meetings. Every week, they sit in a circle and discuss their highs and lows of the week. While some8
times they choose to have serious meetings other times they chose to play games to help bond with any new students that arrive at the meeting. At the end, they slow things down a bit by praying for each other. On the other hand, the sophomores swap between two groups split based on gender and large group discussions. Joy and Ferdinand lead the group into games and conversations. They both believe that it is a great opportunity to get to know their classmates in a personal and pleasurable environment. Although the freshman class is new to the idea of Fan into Flame and are still trying to figure out a strict routine, Stephen and Emily have got it under control. Recently, they started discussing the book Gods at War. Several leaders joyfully admit that after most meetings everyone walks out of the room with large smiles on their faces. Fortunately, every group has succeeded in a great start to the yearround meetings.
Europe faces the biggest-ever migration crisis.
Picture this: All of a sudden, you have no home, no occupation, and no chance of surviving in your own country. Instead, you are forced to flee to an uncertain future with the few belongings you own, hurling into an uncertain future with thousands of others. This, in a nutshell, is what an average refugee is facing when leaving their own country, and the outlook is very bleak for them. The European Migrant Crisis was not one event in particular, but instead is a term that was dubbed to describe the plethora of refugees pouring into Europe due to religious or social persecution in their homeland. The term itself was coined in April 2015, when five ships containing 2000 refugees sunk in the Mediterranean, resulting in the death of 1200 people. The greatest issue facing these migrants in Europe is finding countries that will take them and grant them legal asylum seeker status within the country. Many European nations have agreed to take a certain number of refugees (such as Germany, which has taken in over 450,000), but the preva-
lent problem is there is just not enough countries chipping in to help these fleeing refugees start a new life in another country. This has sparked protest and outrage, as the world watches on and the thousands of refugees remain in social and legal limbo, unsure of their future or likelihood of actually starting their lives over again. The core issue facing the EU now is the how much can be done to redistribute these refugees in a way that does not pressure one particular country, while still providing for the needs of the fleeing migrants from around the world. Until a consensus can be made by the EU on how this is to occur, the crises only will get worse, which is why it is imperative that a clear decision is reached for the betterment of all parties involved in this major dilemma.
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By Gino Lin Photo by khiri.com At 7 P.M. on August 17, a bomb was set off, killing 22 people and injuring more than 100. The explosion occurred within Bangkok, right in front of Grand Hyatt Erawan, and specifically at the Hindu shrine. The Hindu shrine dedicated to Brahmin is very popular for both Thai Buddhists and Chinese tourists. The bomb that went off was made from a pipe wrapped in cloth, and it was hinted to contain steel balls for maximum damage. The police had scoured the surveillance cameras surrounding the Erawan shrine, and noted a yellow shirt wearing tourist with sunglasses. His nationality was disputed, an arrest was made on an Australian actor, but was let go after finding no connection towards the bombing. The Royal Thai Police was tipped
off by an unknown informer leading to an apartment on the outskirts of Bangkok. The Royal Thai Police ,with permission given, raided a flat on the Eastern outskirt of Bangkok. Adem Kerag a Turkish man, was arrested following the raid after discovering that he possessed a fake passport and plenty of bomb making equipment in his flat. The arrest of Adem Kerag led the police to arrest Yusufu Mieraili who later confessed to planting the bomb. Yusufu Mieraili originated from the Chinese Muslim minority known as the Uighurs. North East China had been rocked by the Uighurs acts of terrorisms, so the suspected motive is linked to the Chinese Muslim terrorists. The suspects in custody are currently awaiting trial.
Police clearning up the bombing parameter. 10
By Yihyun Kwon Photo by vice.com Let’s face it- who hasn’t heard of Taylor Swift? Whether you like it or not, there’s no denying her status as mainstream royalty. The leggy 25year old has gone from shy curls and boots to bold and chic, from twangy love songs to sassy statements. She’s grown to be a strong, mature woman amidst the hectic music industry of growth trauma, with large social circles and a great persona to boot. What keeps her unique from the rest of the pop-princesses? Maybe it’s her growing posse of famous BFF’s, maybe it’s her millionaire Irish boyfriend, or maybe it’s her relatable dork-dancing. Whatever it is, she’s doing it well. Swift started her career as many others did as a teenager, dreaming big dreams and simply hoping for the best. Her first three albums were largely framed in a country style and were also big hits on Billboard, giving her the right boost to fame. It was also during this period in her life that Swift introduced her growing crew of ex-boyfriends- in a way, they were essential to the
growth of her popularty. Thanks John Mayer, we really appreciated listening to “Dear John”. Your sacrifice is appreciated. Then came the biggest hit of all: Studio album “Red”, fully pop and completing the birth of a new Tay-Tay. Recent album “1989” brings the history to a close: a detailed exploration of Swift’s complete transformation, and the proud host of three Billboard #1 singles. Taylor Swift is often accused of having changed her music to please the masses instead of following her own style. But at the end of the day, she went through changes, tried to figure out her life, and looked for herself in something she lovedlike many of us do. And hey, she picked up a couple million fans and a couple billion dollars on the way to happiness. Besides, all of us have shaken off bad vibes with the girl before, so maybe we can be a little less mean and think about the good times. Our Swift or die, everyone.
Taylor Swift singing on stage...
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By Haripoom Prasutchai Photo by Wikipedia
Most of the teachers at ICS would agree that, for them, one of the holiest cities is definitely Jerusalem. Although, arguably, Mr Bob’s JCHL classes may have mentioned the city too many times. Though its reputation has been mired for years in continuous fears of potential attacks, the city’s charms are to die for. An extremely important and holy hub for three of the world’s major religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, this brief glance over Jerusalem’s harmonious diversity and seductive antiquity will debunk everybody’s prejudices on this historically coveted, but often overlooked city. The most fascinating part of the city is, of course, the Old City. It is full of sandstone buildings and narrow streets that contain historical traces from times of Jesus and the remnants from the glori12
ous Ottoman Empire. The quarters of the Old City themselves are the microcosm of the city of Jerusalem. The Old City comprises of religiously significant sites for all Abrahamic faiths. Christians can walk the path where Jesus was brought to be crucified on the Via Dolorosa. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher stands near the Via Dolorosa, and it is believed to be the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected by Catholic and Orthodox churches. Muslims, in the same way, have the so-called “the second holiest place on Earth” after Mecca in the Old City—the Dome of the Rock. It is the conspicuous dome in all the Google Images results of Jerusalem. Though its interior is forbidden to non-Muslims, the exterior will amaze the eyes of the passersby alike. Outside the Old City stands the Vibrant City of
the bustling Israeli capital, yet it is not devoid of history. The Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial reminds us of humanity’s cruelty based on races. The memorial portrays the Jewish and other persecuted groups that were brutally and unjustifiably killed by the Nazis during Second World War. The picturesque streets plopped with cafés and Parisian stalls convert the religious atmosphere into a modern community. Only an hour away from Jerusalem, Tel aviv is the financial and economic house of Israel. Because of its activeness, the city earned the nickname “City That Never Sleeps of Israel.” In addition, crowded beaches and vibrant streets filled with cuisines, leave youngsters forever entertained.
cies of the Israeli government are attempting to stymie the long-existing harmony by virtually persecuting groups of people under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Some time after, it may be too late to witness the peaceful rapport among the different religious communities of Jerusalem. Despite its bad credit, Jerusalem does not fully deserve the stigma that the media depicts. For whatever reasons, Jerusalem is a place a person must make a visit in his or her lifetime, or at least take a look at through Google Street View! El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, runs 3 flights weekly from Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi to Tel Aviv. The flight is approximately 10 hours and 50 minutes long.
In lights of current events, however, some poli13
Photo by Teerawat Chaiteerath I
School just started a month ago. What are you looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to nothing this year because this year is nothing but studying and doing work. There’s nothing fun about that. It seems like you are taking AP Chemistry. What are your first impressions of the class? This class is harder than anything I’ve ever taken. It’s so fun. Do you have any warnings for those who want to take AP Chemistry next year? Don’t. Take. It. *shrieks loudly* School seems to be a lot of pressure. What do you do at home to relieve at least some of the stress? I just watch random videos. I also watch educational videos and try to find new ways to implement these knowledges into my life. You started your second year of ROTC a few 14
weeks ago. Do you have any first impressions? The instructor is a nightmare. I wish I wasn’t Thai. Here comes the random questions. Would you rather be an ugly genius or a handsome fool? I would rather be an ugly genius, because why do looks matter? What would you do with a million baht? I would save it to eat sushi and donate some money to help kids that need it. Which of the two would you do first? Sushi. The kids can wait. Final Question. If you could, would you go for Emma Watson or Emma Stone? Neither. I’m not interested in girls. It was pleasant hearing from you, Art. Your sarcasm surely added some great banter into this interview. Thanks!
Photo by Teerawat Chaiteerath
Some people don’t know much about you, other than the fact that you’re British. Could you tell us the differences you find between Thailand and the United Kingdom? Although I’m from England and really miss that place, I love Thailand a lot. There are factors such as the food and the friendly people that contribute towards my liking. Also, the weather is quite nice, with the wacky rain and the scorching hot sun. What are some of your hobbies? I like to go shopping, usually for beauty products. Cooking is also one of my hobbies. Are you into sports? Yes, I’m into sports. In fact, I’ve played football and basketball at school, and gymnastics and tennis outside of school. What genre of music are you into?
I don’t like any specific type of music, but Lana Del Rey and Sir Sly are some of my favourite artists. Do you have any particular interests in art? You could say abstract art is what I’m interested in. Do you have any other interests not listed yet? I used to enjoy camping in England, but not really in Thailand, due to the amount of bugs here. Lastly, what are some goals you have on your bucket list? Some things on my bucket list are to travel around the world and visit as many countries as possible,have a business someday, make a difference in someone’s life, and maybe skydiving.
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Interviewd by
Interviewed by Keshav Garg
As sophomoric students, we join ICS as wild, crazy juveniles. We leave, however, as mature men and women. ICS has nurtured countless quality leaders. This column is to appreciate these alumni’s hard work and follow their footsteps. The feature for the September Alumni Q & A is Samkit Mehta ‘10. Samkit graduated from ICS almost 5 years ago, and since then he completed his undergraduate degree from The University of Pennsylvania. Let’s see what he’s got to say! 16
It has been a while since you graduated from ICS. What are the things that you miss the most about this school? What are the things that you miss the least? Most – senior trip, four square, and being part of a small community. Least – uniforms, speech class, writing college essays. If you could time travel back to the years as an ICS high school student, what would you do differently? I would have learned to play a musical instrument. I played the guitar through middle school and find myself wishing I had continued to practice
through high school and college. It’s a shame that I stopped playing it because it was something I really enjoyed. As an alumni of ICS, you’ve experienced senior year of high school. Do you have any advice you would like to pass on to current seniors? If you’re a senior, you’re probably already inundated (that’s right – some SAT words stay with you) with advice, so I’ll keep it short and simple. Work hard, play hard, and don’t be afraid to dream big as you face the Great Perhaps of post-high school life. You got accepted into the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious schools in the United States. Many of our current students would also like to get admission into such a highly esteemed institute. Do you have any advice for them? Yes – two pieces of advice. Part A: It can be tempting to just shoot for the top schools but I would encourage you to look beyond college rankings and think hard about what exactly you want out of your college experience. Whether it’s classroom size, campus location, specialized academic programs, extracurricular offerings, student diversity, or specific research initiatives, there are a number of different factors that make each
school unique, and it’s important to take those into account when selecting the ones that you’re most interested in. Remember, it’s not about getting into the highest ranked institutions but about finding the right fit for you. Part B: On a related note, I know it often seems as if the college you attend is the single most important determinant of your future success. But in reality most colleges have the tools and resources that you need to succeed. It’s up to you to find those resources and take advantage of them. What did you study at The University of Pennsylvania (as in Major/Minor)? Majors – Mechanical Engineering and Finance; Minor – Math. What are you currently doing? What are your future plans/goals? I am an investment banker at J.P. Morgan. I work in the M&A group, and my job is to advise our corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions. I consider the first few years of my career an extension of my education so at this point I am just trying to learn as much as possible before deciding my next big move. Thanks for the time, Samkit! We genuinely appreciate people like you uplifting ICS and its core values!
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By Satida Limtrajiti Photo by www.blendspace.com
“Bullies often feel popular and powerful when they put others down.”
“No, you don't know what it's like… When nothing feels alright… You don't know what it's like, to be like me… To be hurt, to feel lost, to be left out in the dark, to be kicked when you're down, to feel like you've been pushed around, to be on the edge of breaking down...And no one's there to save you...No, you don't know what it's like, welcome to my life.” - Simple Plan Over the course of recent years, number of students that are victims of bullying has been rapidly increasing, and the problem has escalated. Bullying is a serious issue that causes its victims to feel trapped, alone, and worthless.
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Even with the masks behind which bullies hide their true selves, deep down, bullies are insecure cowards. When a person resorts to bullying to increase his or her non-existent self-esteem, the bully is most likely having problems at home. The vulnerability from abuse or other issues can cause the bully to take out their rage on others. As a result, Bullies often feel popular and powerful when they put others down. Seeing others being pushed to the ground is merely a form of entertainment to show that they have control. Bullying also comes in many forms, but the three major forms are: physical, cyber, and mental bullying. Nowadays, cyberbullying is becoming more and more common because people become more careless about whatever they express on the internet. Since the Internet allows the bully to remain anonymous
and hide behind the glowing screens, the bullies do not have to experience direct confrontation.
problem. have The support groups can teach victims to stand up to the bullies and be able feel better about themselves.
Many victims of bullying have crept into depression. As the depression takes over, the victims start to commit selfharm. Some may even start to have suicidal thought that may reach the extent of committing suicide. If physical bullying seems to be the worst all, just think about how much words can make a difference, be it negative or positive. With a compliment, one can easily brighten up a person's day. But when words fall into careless hands, the results can be dreadful. Words often hurt more than they are intended to.
Bullying is a serious issue that needs to be stopped. We need to show each other that we care for our society and the people around us. As Donna Schoenrock once said, “Some people won't be happy until they've pushed you to the ground. What you have to do is have the courage to stand your ground and not give them the time of day. Hold on to your power and never give it away.” Without bullying, this world will truly be a better place for everyone.
However, bullying does not end with the bully and the victim. There is also one important group of people, the “bystanders”. Some of the “bystanders” laugh or snicker while a poor person is subject to bully. While some bystanders did not care to do anything but watch and ignore the horrible act, they are still causing as much harm as the ones perpetrating it. The bystanders are choosing to let the bully continue. And the truth is that they are equally at fault. Instead of being bystanders, we all need to work together and put in our best efforts to stop bullying. Even though it may not be fully prevented, we can try to improve the situation. Some anti-bullying advocates have founded support groups to counter the worsening 19
Short story by Jin Ha Photo by kateperegrinate.wordpress.
Ansgar Kaiser casually walked down Victoria Embankment towards the Battle of Britain Memorial. Iconic red double decker buses passed by on his right, as he approached his destination near his left. He lightly touched the scene, sculptured in bronze. Airmen of World War Two scrambled to their aircrafts in the heat of battle. He walked around to the back of the monument. Behind it was another scene, and right below it were words ingrained: Never In the Field of Human Conflict was So Much Owed by So Many to So Few. Ansgar turned around and faced the South Bank of River Thames. Right across him was the London Eye, rotating on its axis as it slowly carried its passengers in a circle. A few machines of metal, chugged with and against the current of the Thames. It was sunny at this time, but London was prone to its erratic rain. Ansgar checked his digital watch on his left wrist. It showed 11:16 am. He started to tread down Victoria Embankment along River Thames toward the Boudiccan Rebellion. Checking his watch, he calculated he had taken Drei Minuten. He forked to his right and waited beside tourists to cross the street. Once the traffic light turned green, he blended in with the tourists and made his way toward the Palace of Westminster. 11:21 am. Zwei Minuten. His phone rang just as he stepped in front of Big Ben. Reaching inside his right pocket, he accepted the call and asked, “Ja?” 20
“Sightseeing?” “Wenn ich Zeit habe.” “Take a cab to St. Margaret’s Church.” He ended the call, and raised his hand to a passing cab. In front of St. Margaret’s Church, he paid and tipped the driver. He checked his watch again. 11:23. Zwei Minuten. He stood behind the metal bars, facing the church. Tapping his fingers lightly on his right side, he hummed a tune as he waited. A tall Englishman appeared by his side. His face had a sanguine complexion. In his younger years, he would have attracted women like bees to a flower. He was holding a bag of chips on his left hand, using his right hand to dig around. Archie raised his eyebrows and said, “Care to take one?” “Nein.” “Drop the German. It’s England.” “We tried to take it once.” “Tried.” Archie wrapped the bag and slipped in his pocket. He wiped his hands. “We still have bomb pieces here.” Ansgar faced Archie, and asked, “Wann sollen wir anfangen?”
Writer: Anna Chen Artist: Nampueng Phongmekhin
In her acrylic on thin board, Nampueng illuminates a wintery night with bold colors. She uses liner pen to trace mountain imprints, setting a surrealistic mood. Contrast is effectively achieved by the silhouettes against the variegated sky. 21
Hello fellow readers/art enthusiasts! I’m Noah Montrelerdrasme, a junior at ICS pursuing my passion in art. In this issue I present to you my very first artwork for the Quill- Harry Potter comic parody! Please take a moment, sit back and enjoy the beautiful artworks put together by our Art Column crew. Enjoy! Follow my work through Facebook by searching up “ELX”!
Noah Montrelerdrasme
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