Expressions 19-20

Expressions Hillcrest Middle School Online Literary Magazine 2019 - 2020 Faculty Advisors Joshua Watsky Lori O’Brien Eliana Howard

Table of Contents Table of Contents (Continued) Ode to the Ocean - Ava Mullen Snowflakes - Addie Chamberlain Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Luke Simon Winter - Lilly Gamma A Picture for the Future - Olivia Gibson Winter - April Park Pandemic Pieces - Luke Shake, Trevor Shuelke, Jurnei Gaston Snow - Ashley Engelman Thinking Of A Better Future - Bianca Hriscu Winter Summer - Seba Kabbani Life in “Une Pandemie Mondiale” - Elizabeth Tinker-Lamothe This Ain’t No Winter - Allyah Brett There is No End - Eliana Howard Snow Day - Sarah Gasparrini Merry Christmas - Marcus Stryker Original Artwork/Photography by The Ski Poem - William Carroll Winter Poem - Isabella Marchelli (in order of appearance) Winter - Jillian Greene Winter Poem - Matthew Dos Santos Eliana Howard Brianna Blanco Winter’s Dawn - Charlotte Record Rylan Massey Yuri Amorium 3 Winter Haikus - Clara Boutros Aliyah Brett Clara Boutros Snow is Everywhere - Cynthia Quan Ella Marron Brian Elmo Chocolaty Bliss - Jyotsna Krishna Reilly Gramesty Mia Pham Rollercoaster - Aleksandra Federov Mirabella Pang-Khloeum Angela Ulaj The Cold - Thomas DeFelice Caroline Hall Lily Seltenreich Winter is Here - Christina Arduini Ryan Meacham Rachel Jennings-Dubois Leap - David Tiani Grace Park August Metz Gone - Lily Scerbo Naomi Ulisse Eliana Rolka Only 9 Seats - Lilly Gamma, Nuha Adeel, Hannah Tyler, Irfan Harris, Ava Mullen Camila Lopes Sophia Nicolia, Michael Cross, Claire Davis, Seba Kabbani, Erin Alex Oppedisano William Carroll Foley, Audrey Kehley, Patrick McGovern, Rylan Massey, Nora Izzy O'Neil Julia Nunes Watson, Colesha Connell, Grace Schober, Talia Cook, Liam Sofia Nicolia Oliver Lee McKinney, Dimitra Ritsatos, Sarah Gasparrini, Kayla Rolka, Jillian Greene James Murano, Brodie Satin, Eliana Howard, Krista Halverson Kiki Martinez Hanna Wong Andrew Butler Lillian Gamma

Ode to the Ocean ������Brigantine Beach NJ The endless, free living strokes of water, Spreading and rolling up and down gently, Healing and blessing all that are graced with it touching any of your 5 senses, Hearing the crash of waves, tasting the salty air, looking out as far the eye can see, sends an unforgettable feeling Not only do you create happiness for the creatures of your depth, but for the wild laugh of the people that come to visit you, arguing about putting on sunscreen and whose money to use to buy ice cream But at the end of the day, the colors that are painted above your ripples make a heart come to peace with all worries Unlike any words, the ocean projects a feeling that cannot be faked. When our sandy feet stand at the edge, the world in front to make, It reminds and connects us to what time and togetherness can heal and conquer. It reminds you to live as mysterious,wild and free as the ocean To live like all you have is now. You allow people to experience everything Salty air and beach sandwiches bagels to white sweaters by a fire at night,. Sand fills showers and a sundress makes for dinner after. Having you in millions of lives, gives humanity a hope that they will nspired, and fight for the tiniest consultation Ava Mullen

Rylan Massey

Snowflakes ~Addie Chamberlain Winter Winter Dancing, dancing ~Lilly Gamma ~ By April Park Through the air The snowflakes fall, Winter is cold, with the isolating The snow is falling Without a care. snow And lakes are freezing Winter is warm, with the fire aglow Children playing in the snow Drift in the wind, Winter is sad, with dark, dreary Snowball fights and snowmen Fall to the ground, nights Are just some part of it The snowflakes fall With the white-washing sound Hot cocoa and fire Without a sound. Of silence and ice. To keep you warm Winter is joyful with its holiday fun But don’t forget a blanket They softly land, Hot cocoa and carols for everyone To keep you extra warm. To create a blanket of white. But best of all, when winter is here, The snowflakes fall, It is the most beautiful sight The most beautiful sight. Like a sparkling chandelier. As they melt away, The sun comes out. The snowflakes fall, Spring is soon about.

Snow This Ain’t No Winter ~By Ashley Engelman ~Aliyah Brett Small crystals fallin’ from the sky, This ain’t no winter Everyone’s happy, no questions why, Not to me it ain’t. For the hope that when they wake Where’s the snow? School shall be closed today. Oh for where did it go, This ain’t no winter. Winter’s beautiful gift, Winter Summer Light and small as one single flake, ~Seba Kabbani Went outside to feel hot air But so heavy and large combined to make the But it was not and all I could feel was sadness ground quake. WInter winter oh so cold And despair. Winter’s getting really old It’s not that I don’t like the hot On the ground, sidewalks, and roads I’m so done with winter cheer But, you call this winter? For a snow-tube worthy slippery slope, Can’t wait for summer to make it clear No, it’s not. That brings everyone cheer, but Only a few times a year. I feel so heavy in my clothes I know what this is All summer outfits have been sold I’ll say it loud and clear Snow. Days are short and nights are long Global Warming, that’s what it is, I can’t wait for the birds to sing their song! That’s what is here. You say this is winter I ask where This ain’t no winter Not this year.

Snow Day I spend my long nights by the fire, By: Sarah Gasparrini With a cup of hot chocolate that I desire, I can't help to feel the cold drift on my feet, As snow covers the ground with white, When I get up I can feel no beat, I know I will be sleeping through the night, The silence of the world with white soft shield, The snowflakes are falling each individually, and nothing else to be able to wield, Each different from the other and that’s the key, The bright starry night has a glistening passion, No matter how hard the snow may fall, With snow underneath that looks like ashen, Just keep on waiting for that lucky call, For the next day to come will be the best of all…. You can hear the whispers of the cold winter night, When there’s nothing else that you can see insight,

“Merry Christmas” The Ski Poem “Winter Poem” Merry Christmas In the winter I like to go skiing. Wool sweaters couldn’t keep us warm from the Isn’t it fun Going fast and downhill feels so freeing. storm outside To say Merry Christmas It’s always so fun, Icy chills went up and down our spine To Everyone. In the snow or in the sun. Numb hands from the winter pine There’s so many cool things that I’m seeing. Temperatures dropped Time for a party Extreme snow fell And presents and things When I ski I move past the trees. Resting with hot cocoa dreaming for the snow That make us happy I move so fast on my skis. to never stop. And give our hearts wings. It’s always so fun, In the snow or in the sun. ~Isabella Marchelli ~Marcus Stryker At the bottom I love the slight breeze. ~William Carroll

Winter seeing a weather alert for later expected snow Winter is here The snow piles up You can feel it in the air Bringing the children to a hush As the cool breeze brushes against your hair When the announcement comes on for early dismissal You give out a cheer Temperatures drop And pack up your gear for some winter fun As you now buddle up to await the bus Down the hill, you fly Like your soaring in the sky You feel the cold creep up your toes On your blue sled As the chill now fills your bones You climb onto the bus You make the hike home And give out a groan In a rush For another winter day has flown by To warm up your bones -Jillian Greene You pull out your phone

Winter Poem Winter’s Dawn by Matthew Dos Santos By Charlotte Record Whose Hot chocolate is that? I think I know. The sky is brushed with ink Its owner is quite happy though. Air swirls, rustling the trees Full of joy like a vivid rainbow, The creak in the silent night I watch him laugh. I cry hello. Clouds gather overhead He gives his Hot chocolate a shake, As the sky softens And laughs until her belly, aches. The only other sound's the break, The clouds begin to erupt Of distant waves and birds awake. Tiny little flecks emerge The Hot chocolate is festive, large and deep, They fall faster and faster Until the world is coated and shining But he has promises to keep, The snow glows with the After cake and lots of sleep. Rosiness of the rising sun Sweet dreams come to him cheap. The sky is streaked with pink He rises from his gentle bed, With thoughts of kittens in his head, And yellow He eats his jam with lots of bread. And red-orange The snow begins to slow Ready for the day ahead And so, winter’s dawn appears In all it’s morning glory

3 Winter Haikus Snow is everywhere By Clara Boutros Pretty snowflakes in the air Snowflakes falling down Winter is the best Big lakes covered with thick ice Trees coated with white. Cynthia Qian Chilly and cold night Chocolaty bliss Snowmen out in the front lawn Homemade and tasty Winter has arrived. Steaming hot, warming you up With tiny white marshmallows Shivering weather Floating like swans in a lake An icy winter night out Your favorite snow day treat Falling snowflakes. Hot chocolate Jyotsna Krishna

Rollercoaster February: By Aleksandra Federov Hearts, red, love These words are February December: A little happiness The spirit in the air; Wedged between The lights all ablaze Wishing for winter to end It’s a rollercoaster that only goes up It’s a rollercoaster on the ground, neutral Until But not for long Children singing; and Late nights enjoyed, March: Gone In with the lion, out with the lamb That’s what they say January: About March, oh wait? St Patrick’s Day Cold so hard It’s your lucky day! they say You forget that summer exists And it’s true Holidays are over; and Because Frozen winter drags on I truly feel relieved that, Sadness settles in the sun has said, In place of the cheer, Hello! Again And it’s a rollercoaster heading And spring’s blanket warms me with joy Down For the rollercoaster goes up Deeper than ever before

The Cold Winter is Here Leap By Thomas DeFelice By Christina Arduini By David Tiani All the leaves are brown When snow falls on the ground, I stand at the peak of what feels like a mountain And the sky is gray I start to hear that sound, And my body fills with fear, like water in a fountain Winter’s falling down Of winter coming down, Then I take a chance, I make the leap And there's shorter days I sled down the snowy hill, that looks so very steep Everything is brighter I close my eyes, The cold wind is bitter up against my face And all signs of life are gone Pointing my head up at the sky, But it feels like an old friend, or a familiar taste All my nerves are tighter Breathing the cold and fresh air, Everything’s gone wrong I pick up the pace and start going fast I can’t find the path Snowflakes landing on my hands, And that’s when I realized I was having a blast Everything is missing Feeling cold as I stand, I let out a scream full of happiness and joy I can feel the snows wrath Wondering if I should go back inside, A loud thunderous noise from such a small boy I can hear it hissing As I neared the end, I thought I’d be quite sad The days keep getting worse To change into winter gear, But to my surprise, I was overjoyed and glad People keep suffering That brings adventures and cheer, I feel like I have a curse To ski away in the white blanket of snow. I stood from my sled and looked back at the peak Keeps on puzzling What was once large and scary, now looked small and Everything hurts meek My throat and my nose I thought of the happiness and of the thrill Can’t get rid of this cold That I got from taking a leap down a very steep hill I can feel it in my toes If I can take the leap, than so can you It’s uncontrolled Just think of all the wondrous things that you’d be able to do

Aliyah Brett

“Gone” (A Response to S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.) One was a hero One was a hood Neither one’s lives were really that good. The hero died surrounded by all his friends. The hood died alone and that was the end. Neither one was mourned more than the other Just their friends, who loved them like brothers. Before he died, the hero made his mark, But the hood died alone, in the dark. One died a hero One died a hood But both were gallant Because only the good die young. ~ By Lily Scerbo Ella Marron

“Only Nine Seats” Poems During our reading of Daniel Brown’s The Boys in the Boat, our 8th graders wrote a poem called “Only Nine Seats.” Inspired by words from the text and their own opinions of the protagonist, Joe Rantz, students created these poems. Below are samples of student work. ~Ms. Bogos & Ms. Baker Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only nine seats on this boat Nine boys rowing a boat, With only nine seats to choose Only nine boys that stay afloat. Gently down the stream, No one knows who will win or lose With the Great Depression ruling, canoeing , canoeing, canoeing, Not knowing which way to go, With family life grueling, canoeing, Shed a light on what they must Houses that are burning, Home is but a dream. known. The gold medals they are yearning, With so many things at stake, How will nine boys stay afloat Nine boys rowing a boat, Not sure which path to take. On the nine seats on this boat? Gently down the stream, Searching for courage and where it canoeing , canoeing, canoeing, could have been. ~Lily Gamma canoeing, When all along it lay within. Joe fulfills his dream. ~Hannah Tyler ~Nuha Adeel

Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Joe had a lot at stake Making the team was not going to be easy Only 9 seats in the crew It went at a fast rate But in the end, it’s not just about the boat. To get in you’ll have to prove First his sweetheart left With no place to call home, Joe felt that Yourself and your worth Then his family abandoned him again he needed to be in to guarantee his place To help the team come first This all happened right when the on the team. This team will be in the Olympics Depression began. Although people always say it’s not about Representing their nation Now Joe has to make the team the destination They have to ignore the critics If not he will probably scream The journey felt like a mindless blur And have much dedication. He needs enough money Home, If he wants to stay in school It was beginning to seem to him was ~Michael Cross If he doesn’t he will look like a fool something you couldn’t necessarily He really doesn’t want to go back home Count on He would honestly rather stay alone But giving up was not an option He needs to meet strict qualifications Because in the end there were only But first needs to be able to put aside his Nine seats in the boat. own ambitions When it comes to rowing he is fairly new ~Sofia Nicolia He has to throw his ego off the boat Now all he has to do now, is hope. ~Irfan Harris

Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Nine seats Too many people The water splashes up the bow, 9 different journeys Too little places Only nine seats. 1 goal Only nine seats. I paddle harder hoping I’m safe for now 9 jerseys I have to make it. Only nine seats. 9 dreams I need to make it. This spot is mine I can’t stop 9 emotions Only nine seats. Only 9 seats 1 boat I’ve come too far ~Audrey Kehley 1 result I’ve been through too much 1 destination I can’t turn back. Only Nine Seats 1 win Only nine seats. But only 9 seats in the boat. Hardwork and ~Seba Kabbani determination ~Claire Davis Is needed. Trust is key. Pushing through The pain and problems To get to the goal. Of winning gold! ~Erin Foley

Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Home is where you can relax and stay; A new home that felt like home, Every day less people make it, Home is the place where you have fun and A girl who made Joe happy, There are no time outs, play. But “nothing gold can stay.” There is no slacking off, It’s where you can always come to be found; Joyce moved and the Stock Market crashed, Everything hurts. Home is where you are safe and sound. Then the Great Depression came. My hands, back, and legs. Joe’s family left him along, leaving to Seattle. The memories of my past. Home may also be a boat; It didn’t mean crew season stopped. THis propels me forward. Home may have the ability to float. He forged ahead, This shapes who I am. And on this boat there might be nine seats; Meeting a new friend on the way, THere are only nine seats, Home is where the family meets. Roger, But one will be mine. Who worked just as hard and long as Joe. Home at times may separate; Even though times were tough, ~Nora Watson Home at times may frustrate. Joe stayed determined and persevered. But in the end they’ll be friends once more; The nine boats in the boat became one. Home is family, and family always score. ~Rylan Massey ~Patrick McGovern

Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Fear is located all around. It takes the strongest Only nine seats As his heart began to pound. Mental and physical Do I have what it takes? The smell of smoke as the house had To never give up. Only nine seats gone into flames. Do I have enough strength? Getting this seat is no game. Nine will be one Only nine seats Being left behind by his family, Nine boys will become one family They’re dropping like flies. It feels as if none of this is reality. But it takes the strongest to never give Only nine seats It seems as if the door of hope is shut. up. That leaves more seats open wide. But he will get one of those seats, no Only nine seats matter what. A house built for 7 only lives one I can’t admit defeat. A future to live for I have to make it ~Colesha Connell But it takes the strongest to never give Onto one of those seats. up. ~Talia Cook ~Grace Schober

Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats Only Nine Seats ~Liam McKinney ~Sarah Gasparrini ~James Murano There are only nine seats Only the best will win the show Joining a team with… Left on the boat. When there are nine seats left to go. Only nine seats Rowing and rowing What is at stake is more than you know, Equal pressure to succeed… Out in the cold. No job or college if you don’t outrow. As more days pass by, When there are only nine seats left to go Returning from failure and disaster More start to go. During the winter when you must be bold And the determined become the There are only nine seats To show all you have so you cannot be empowered Left on the boat. told Nothing to lose, everything to gain Because there are only nine seats left to To succeed will change one’s way Only nine seats go… Zealous as ever, yet in the end...there are ~Dimitra Ritsatos only nine seats. Only Nine Seats Crisp, clean, precise ~Kayla Rolka Only nine boys Can be the school’s pride. Every day he wore the same Together as one: Suffering from a broken family In heartbeat, 174 boys gathered Movement, Only nine seats in the boat Dedication. Palms would blister So many boys, And bleed Ready for the application He was used to hurting But only nine seats, “He’d need to pull not just for him, The competition is on. Not just for glory, But for the other boys in the boat.”

Only Nine Seats [from the perspective Only Nine Seats of Joe Rantz] Being in one of those nine seats meant I grew up with obstacles My family left when I was 15 a lot to Joe, I started to go broke, But rowing was the only way out of my He would be in a place where he past, It will be my future. finally belonged. Rowing was my light out, I need one of Having people he can trust was his the 9 seats. I knew I had to work harder than dream, everyone else, so that’s what I committed to doing, No one can throw him out or take him Through pain, through anything. Only Nine Seats away ~Brodie Satin From what he loved. Only nine seats, Having one of those nine seats The nine seats that will save me, Was more than anything to Joe. The nine seats that will ease my ~Krista Halverson loneliness The nine seats that will put an end to my relentless nightmare The nine seats that will bless me with hope The nine seats that will pull me out of the dark One of those nine seats, Is all I need to be saved. ~Eliana Howard

Reilly Gramesty

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. By Luke Simon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a religious scholar who transformed the US forever. Dr. King led the fight to end racial hostility against African-Americans in the United States. Dr. King made it his duty to change America’s treatment of its African-Americans citizens. In his iconic I Have a Dream speech, Dr. King aspired to give his children the right to live in a world where they will be judged by their actions, not their skin color, a world where there is no racism and a world where blacks and whites can hold hands as brothers and sisters. Dr. King ultimately made his dream into a reality through many peaceful marches, boycotts, and speeches.

Dr. King means so much to me because of the opportunities his actions granted me. Dr. King allowed me to pursue my dreams and goals as a person of color without having to be afraid of brutality due to my race. My father was born in Nigeria and my mother was born in India. Both of my parents are immigrants to this country, and instead of experiencing racial injustice they were accepted into a very different society and culture. This ultimately carried onto future generations and has allowed me to live my life in the US without racial discrimination. My goal is to help reduce the amount of poverty and homelessness in the United States. Many people don’t have enough food on the table or a place to sleep, and I want to help fix that. Do you know that 12.3% of Americans battle poverty daily? This number needs to be decreased, and thanks to Dr. King my skin color won’t have a negative effect on accomplishing this goal. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has truly revolutionized the US.

A Picture for the Future color of their skin and even the language they speak. My artwork represents people By Olivia Gibson of many different races and ethnicities joining together as one. I use my artwork to show that people from all backgrounds are valuable human beings. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was most famous for his once in a lifetime “ I Have A Dream” Speech. His speech speaks on In his speech Dr. King said, “ We will forever conduct our struggle on the civil and economic rights as well as ending racism in the United high plane of dignity and discipline.” This quote is significant because it reminds us States of America. Dr. King’s speech has inspired me to keep his to always carry ourselves with respect as we fight for what is right. We don’t have dream alive through my work as an artist. My artwork, a form of to use social media to belittle or put people down. We don’t have ignore homeless freedom of expression, portrays the message of human rights and people on the street. We don’t have to make fun of other kids who represent their freedom that I hope for in my town as well as in the United States. culture in many different ways. Dr. King’s dream is important to me because it taught me to embrace others with respect, dignity and love, no matter what they Dr. King’s speech talks about how we should not be look like. One of my goals is to continue to use my art to keep Dr. King’s legacy judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. alive for future generations to come. Sadly, we live in a world in which people from different backgrounds are treated differently because of the “I have a dream.”

Mirabella Pang-Khloeum

Clockwise: Caroline Hall Ryan Meacham Grace Park Naomi Ulisse

Clockwise: Ava Mullen Alex Oppedisano Izzy O'Neil Sofia Nicolia

Photography by Kiki Martinez

Pandemic Pieces The world is in danger We are no longer allowed to see strangers Peace is like a dove and her baby There is no light Nestled together and tweeting But we will fight contentedly. Peace looks like a cat and her kitten We are bored like never before sleeping together. We wish we could go out and explore It sounds like a baby giggling. We sit at home trying to cope Peace can bring people together, But all we really do is hope But peace is always kindness. All we do is relax and watch TV shows Luke Shake This is not something that the world chose But we will do whatever it takes Even though there are many flakes But if we come together we know we can do it All we have to do is push through it How can you help? Step up and listen- Give the world that extra glisten Trevor Shuelke

A lot of changes are happening in my life right now. I can see it because I have never seen my mom and dad be so strict about things. Now I have to wash my hands after everything I do, after eating, after playing with my dog, and after playing with my bunny. Things are slowly changing and it's kind of obvious. Whenever I go to the stores to buy groceries the aisles are always almost empty. Now the whole social distancing thing is happening too. It's different from then when our lives were like before. Now everyone has to deal with the school distance relationship as well. It is hard. And sometimes I'm scared to even go outside, and I'm an outside person. I've never said that before. Now when I go grocery shopping I always wear gloves because I’m scared about what would happen if I got the virus. Things are changing and soon nobody is going to be able to go outside anymore. I just want this whole thing to be over. Jurnei Gaston

Thinking Of A Better Future By Bianca Hriscu This pandemic has already changed our world a thousand times over. It has flipped daily routines on their heads and disrupted the way we live. It will continue to do so and its effects will be lasting. We will remember the COVID-19 pandemic as a new experience, as a catalyst for social change, and as something that has been different for each individual. Let’s focus first on one of the biggest changes the pandemic has brought to us - distance learning. We hold on to distance learning as a reminder of how things used to be before the pandemic struck. It brings routine and structure to our lives at home. It allows us to connect with people that would otherwise be inaccessible. Distance learning helps distract us from the chaos that has arisen in the past few months - but it also helps by bringing us some hope. By having something to do during the day, we don’t have to sit there watching the news - pandemic response shortcomings, the battle for a vaccine, the demand for social justice. We get to experience some degree of normalcy in an otherwise foreign situation. Many children find it nice to be able to see their teachers and their friends and take a break from the monotony of the new normal. While we’re learning, we have supportive teachers guiding us, bearing with us, and telling us that things are going to be alright. They have helped re-create the excitement of the end of the school year and graduation ceremonies so we have something to look forward to. They help us interpret what is happening and make information regarding it more accessible. Distance learning is one of many new experiences we have to cope with, but the way it is carried out makes it feel a little closer to what we knew. The effect of the pandemic on our social lives has been immeasurable, and it will continue to change the way we interact with one another for a long time. Before the pandemic reached the country, we were free to do what we wanted. We could sit close to one another, hug, shake hands, freely go out in public, have parties, go to school… the list goes on. Now, even the most basic freedoms and pastimes are restricted; we can’t gather in groups larger than five, we can’t go to school, we can’t appear in public without a mask, we

can’t be within six feet of one another. Basically, the way we must live our lives has been changed, for better or for worse. The pandemic has inspired a whole new range of emotions in everyone and has reshaped the way we interact with one another. It’s everyone’s own decision as to whether or not they want to follow the guidelines given to us, but I think it’s safe to say that most people won’t be hugging or shaking hands or going in public unprotected for a long time. And, of course, when we think about the pandemic, we have to realize that everyone’s experience with it is different. Someone who has lost their job due to the pandemic and someone who has been teaching digitally are bound to have different stories when it comes to the past few months. My experience with the pandemic is different than anyone else’s. My life has changed in many ways due to the pandemic. Thanks to the pandemic, I appreciate small things, like taking a car ride to somewhere that isn’t my house and seeing people that aren’t a part of my family. It’s nice now to be able to get out of the house and go on walks. Distance learning has been something completely new and exciting, but I miss physically going to school. It’s disheartening that I can’t see my friends and can’t leave my house more often. I mean, I even miss being able to breathe without a mask on! As for the future, well, I think things are going to stay somewhat the same. In the future, I hope everyone will be able to go back to work and back to school and return to what feels a little more like life as we once knew it. However, I know that things will never be exactly the same. Everyone will always be just a little more cautious about washing their hands, a little less inclined to give someone a hug or shake their hand, and a little more stringent about sanitation during months where disease transmission is highest. The way I see it, COVID-19 will either disappear or just become a part of our lives, like the flu or the common cold. We don’t need to lose hope. Everyone needs to fight to keep afloat now and rally for our exit from this lockdown. We need to be able to get through this and thrive after we do so. Thinking of a better future and valuing the little things we already have are key to our success in overcoming COVID-19 - a virus that will go down in history as one of the most influential, life-changing, and diverse pandemics in our history.

Life in “Une Pandemie Mondiale” Elizabeth Tinker-Lamothe The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much about our lives for these past weeks. It is almost hard to remember when we went to school in person, and hung out with friends normally. Going to the mall, giving hugs to your grandma, or even high-fiving your friend in the hallway may seem like distant memories. Nowadays, some of you may have realized just how good food tastes, or just how comfy your bed is. For me personally, it’s been a little hard to stay calm and happy in the middle of so much uncertainty. I don’t know when I’ll see my friends again, or be able to walk down the street near lots of people without being a little nervous. With the current lack of a vaccine for Coronavirus, it is hard to tell if things will ever completely go back to normal. Staying six feet apart, or wearing masks in public areas may start to become the norm. I’m sure my audience does not want that to happen, and I completely agree. But, there are some things that are just too unknown to make a full judgement on. In the end, we have no idea what is going to happen. There are still people all over the world that are affected with COVID-19, and unfortunately there have been many casualties. Even with all the precautions everyone is taking, many things may seem to have only gotten worse if you look at the news or social media. But, even with all this, I still have hope for the future, and I know how unheard of that may sound.

Do a quick Google search, and you can see all the average people doing their part to not only help people who are sick, but also to help make strangers stuck at home feel a little bit happier. Even though everyone is separated, this scary pandemic brought a lot more of the world closer together. The cabin fever may be setting in, but all of this doesn’t have to be thought of as “stuck at home”. Instead, let’s take this as an opportunity to help each other, and be thankful for all the things we have taken for granted. During the pandemic, you may have realized just how much you care about your friends, or that going to school wasn’t exactly as bad as you thought it was. As stores and businesses reopen, people will be able to interact with one another, just not exactly the same as we did before. In Paris, cafes are already beginning to come back. There, Parisians do not necessarily hang out close together. But, there is human interaction that has been lost since the pandemic started. I think life, as we know it, may never go completely back to what we perceive as normal. But, that does not mean we have to take togetherness and the cherishing of others out of our lives. You may be scared right now, but so many people are working so you don’t have to be as afraid tomorrow. Hospital staff, first responders, and even delivery workers are making sure you are safe and cared for. And just know I can’t wait to see you again, it just may have to be six feet apart. Remember, dans le plus effrayant des fois, on trouve de la lumière. Even in the scariest of times, one finds light. We can get through this together, even if we don’t know exactly what the future will bring.

There is No End By: Eliana Howard One things for sure- things are never going to be the same. During the beginning we all thought the same thing, we would leave for two weeks and the entire situation would blow over in less than a few weeks. Little did we know, our lives were changed forever. Nobody expected that now, three months later we would all still be locked in our houses, skipping major events in our lives, and saying goodbye to our school through a screen. There is no way for things to ever be the same again, classrooms will have fewer kids with desks far apart, masks will be worn everywhere at all ties, and there will be six feet markings everywhere for people to abide by. Things people never would have thought they would have missed, they are missing. My mom never thought she would see the day when three of her children are complaining about wishing to go back to school. I’ve realized, it's not the “school” that we are missing. It is the order it gave our life, and the sense of normality it gave us. It is being able to see your friends every day and to spend time together. It is being able to spend that good amount of time away from your house and family to have a break. One way that has definitely helped me be more sufficient and make me feel a bit more normal during quarantine is to get onto a set schedule. In the beginning, we all viewed it as the same, we had two weeks and we all were going to treat them like a vacation- wear comfy clothes, sleep whenever you want, and go to bed whenever you want. After a while of this, instead of feeling refreshed, I just felt gross. That is when I realized that I could not just keep living like that and that if quarantine was going to last longer I had to change my ways. I started getting up “early”, I made a set time for me to work

on homework, I gave myself a set time to do any fun things I wanted to do, and I always do some form of exercise for a little bit. This has definitely helped me feel a little bit normal and when I went to bed, I no longer felt unaccomplished and lazy, I felt like I did something and accomplished something. I have also taught myself how to make homemade masks and I have been selling them for $5 to friends and family. Recently, Long Hill Tree Service bought 100 of my masks for $500. Because it was just me making them, the large task of making them helped pass the days so much quicker than the days when I did absolutely nothing. The key aspect to not suffering through these times is to keep yourselves busy. You don’t have to be doing something large, but by simply doing something you can take your mind off anything that’s been worrying you and forget for a little bit. In the time I have been in quarantine, I’ve noticed thousands of things I miss that I never even noticed before. That hug my mom gave me when I’m feeling sad, or benign around other people without the constant worry in the back of your head to stay six feet apart. There have been so many times that I have felt an utter sense of disarray, nothing felt “normal” and I never felt like it would again. One of the hardest things about these times is how we will never truly know when this is “over'' I remember once school was pushed back the first time, asking my mom, “when is this going to be over?” However, she did not have an answer for me, no one had an answer for me. There is not a single person in this world that knows when this is going to end. More recently I started having the thought, “Is there really ever going to be an “end” Or are things just going to slowly get a little bit better. I realized that this is not something that you are going to wake up one morning and poof its gone. It is always going to be here and will always be in the back of your mind. There is no end.

Quarantine Creativity A World of Shapes Loud Music Andrew Butler Gr.7 Lillian Gamma Gr.8

New York Van Yuri Amorim Gr.8 Mother Nature Brianna Blanco Gr.8

Sweetener Abstract Sunset Ball Clara Boutros Gr.8 Brian Elmo Gr.8

American Quarantine Angela Ulaj Gr. 7 UP Mia Pham Gr. 8

Lily Seltenreich Gr. 7 Lily’s Loves Rachel Jennings-DuBois Gr.8 Geometric Soccer Game

Rainbow of my Room August Metz Gr. 6 Color Wheel Elliana Rolka Gr. 6

Rainbow Magic Screaming of Hunger Camila Lopes Gr.6 William Carroll Gr.8

Laundry is Sometimes Fun - Assemblage Ghost Face-2020 Inspired by The Scream Oliver Lee Gr. 6 Julia Nunes Gr. 6

2020 Jillian Greene Gr.8 Hillcrest Middle School Quarantine Hanna Wong Gr. 7