Expressions 18-19

Expressions Hillcrest Middle School Literary Magazine 2018-2019 Faculty Advisors Joshua Watsky June Van Steinburgh AlessiaFerraro

Table of Contents Original Artwork By: Heroes Around Me....................................................... Lily Healy Alessa Ferraro (Cover artwork) No Mom............................................................. Sebastian Perez Vivian Wang 6 Word Memoirs ........................................... Mrs. Bogos’s Class Jules Leavitt 6 Word Memoirs ..............................................Ms. Baker’s Class Charlie Smith Korean Pop Culture ............................................... Alana Reyes Lauren Clark Only Nine Seats ......................Zuri Guerra, Carolina Cabrera, Jake Williamson Roger Moulton, Makenna Brown, Kayla Incontro, P.J. Verbitsky Madeline Ferguson, Maura Carbone, Aidan Shove, Brian Elmo Nola Britain Leo Pinho, Hope Ivanovich, Mike Prizio, Randy Torelli Maggie Huang, Marianna Wegiel, Hannah Adams Anna Simpson A Night Ablaze ...........................................................Talia Cook Anusha Ragupathy The Bracelet ...................................................Maeve Matthews Luke Strong Life....................................................................Maeve Matthews Aarov Parekh The Lone Sailor....................................................James Carrello Alex Kyy Gratitude ...............................................................Isabella Socci Lauren Keifer Over the Rainbow......................Maris Branyan & Caitlin Kelly The War of the Ocean and Sand .................... Maris Branyan Lauren Doepper Watch the Morning Roll By ................................ Maris Branyan Collin Woods Goodbye Morning and Hello Night...................... Caitlin Kelly Stars in the Night ........................Maris Branyan & Caitlin Kelly Hannah Spataro Wonderland .............................................................. Caitlin Kelly Avery Mackenzie A Game .......................................................... William Margolies Turns From Gray to Blue .............................................. Jane Hall Izzy Fabrizio The Moon Shines Across the Sky............................ Caitlin Kelly Joshua Fung Logan Klein Risa Hillinsky Special thanks to Mrs. O’Brien

Vivian Wang

Heroes Around Me In the dictionary a hero is defined as “a person who is admired or idealized for cour- age, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” I don't think that a hero has to make a huge change in the world, they just have to make a change in a single per- son's life, little by little. My mom hangs a sign in our house that says, “Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.” It's not very common to see people who fol- low that rule, but personally I think a hero is a person who does unto others as they would like others to do unto them. My hero is just like that. Here is his story… His struggles started right when he was born. He was born by an emergency surgery due to lack of oxygen and his heart stopped beating for over a minute. The family was very happy to find out that he was a happy, healthy, little boy. As the boy grew his mom began to notice that he could not crawl, climb, or even speak like that other children. They only person who could understand the way my hero talked was his mom until he was about three and began to say real words. Either way it was difficult to understand what he was trying to say. When he went to school, teachers began to realize that he was not like other kids. He wouldn't talk to any of the other children ex- cept his sister who was a year younger. His family knew that he was smart even though it took him until 6th grade to learn how multiply single digits. He began to form anxiety because of being different. Little did everyone know, that little boy saw everything. He knew every book and movie invented on this planet. He didn't care when children made fun of him, for the most part. Even though the bullying hurt him he didn't let it show. He never turned mean. He never said a rude comment to any bully who found it okay to make fun of his differences. School became so stressful that he had to leave. His mother tried homeschooling him until she found a more suitable environment for children with learning differences. She then found out that he had a nonverbal learning disability. No big deal on the outside but on the inside he was completely different. He could not do math well at all. His mother spent hours helping him with homework every night. He was a nerdy kid obsessed with comics and action figures. He didn't care if he was 18 and still obsessed with spider man. He always and will always stay true to who he really is. My hero is not perfect, just how everyone else is. But despite all of they hard challenges that he has gone through he still finds a way to smile every day, hold doors for people, get his work done and be kind. My hero is not a famous celebrity. He is Luke Healy, my kind, awesome, unique, nerdy, loving big brother. And to me, that's just enough. Lily Healy Jules Leavitt

NO MOM beginning, and its end was very far. With the help of my brother, my mom, walked towards me. She had stated in a firm voice, “everything thing will be Richard Paul Evans once said,” It is often the darkest skies that we see the alright”. How though I thought, my mom was diagnosed with blood cancer. brightest stars.” I was walking so fast into Yale New Haven hospital it was like I Will she even make it, I thought in my head. At that moment I thought I was in was speed walking just to get a glimpse of my mom, which is rarely the case. the future, I was in the hospital and then doctors rushed in the room and said My aunt, brother Logan, and cousins entered the elevator with me. I felt like it we had to leave. Then I was back with my mom telling me it would be okay. was going extra slow just to torture me. As I walked into my mom's hospital My mom would be going mono e mono with cancer. My mom wouldn’t be room, my smile turned into a terrified look. Next thing I know my life has forever home and neither will my dad because he has to stay with my mom. Could my changed with four words. I will never repeat them again. Then a thought came life get any worse. No mom , No dad too. into my head that I wished I could keep quiet, “ Will I ever see my mom again, will she make it?” Would there really be no mom? Each day I felt like I was getting smaller and smaller. Like a tree going in reverse form going from tall and strong to small and weak. That evil thought kept on One day I just came home from a normal day of school and my grandma popping into my head. My family tried to visit her everyday after school and on said “mom wasn’t feeling well”. She had to leave work early. Right there I knew the weekend, but sometimes we didn’t have time. The first couple days I felt something was wrong because my mom takes her job very seriously. Little did I like it was all my fault. That I was the reason for my mom being diagnosed with know that is was something so big it changed my family's life. Especially mine. I cancer. I would cry at night because she wasn’t home. I tried to imagine her remember coming home and not seeing my mom's smile that will lighten your home but that made me think why am I lying to myself. When we wouldn't day. No hugs or kisses or even the nicknames were being called, which I was a have dinner at the hospital, we had dinner at home with no mom. Our family's little happy about. The next day I finally got my chance to see my angel. wasn’t a whole piece, it was like a square missing a corner, or a table missing its leg that holds it up. If this continued we might collapse. I knew if I had hope As I walked into her room I saw all of these tubes and wires attached to her. then my mom would have it to. No one could ask my mom how was her day Almost like a horror movie. She looked like a she was a test subject. I was just because she wasn't there. Everyday though my mom would go walking terrified. Was she really that sick to need to be hooked up to all of these around the hospital. Sometimes my brother and I would walk with her or machines. How long will she be in here I thought to myself. As family members sometimes it was just my dad. I remember one day they took us out on the left the room, my mom stated 4 words that would forever change my life. I… court yard. There was a little pond and plants. I had always thought that a have….blood…..cancer. I couldn’t feel my stomach. It was like I was on a roller hospital was only for curing. No sights or plants, but this one was different. The coaster. Going up and down, not stopping but going faster and faster. It was best part was I was with my mom. like everything was in slow motion. Except me. My first reaction was, stop joking I wanted my mom so bad that for Christmas that was the thing i only wanted but then I thought why was my mom in a hospital. This couldn’t be, she was the to come true, no presents, just my mom. Finally what seemed like years, my one who was most concerned about her health. Could this really be true. Does grandma called my brother and I down stairs. Then out the front door came she really have leukemia? In a second I was back in reality. my hero followed by her knight in shining armor, my mom and dad. My mom Right after I heard those words, I ran straight into the bathroom. I was was able to be home. Though she wasn’t cured, it was a major step. I finally hysterically crying. Its like my eyes were a waterfall. A waterfall that was just got a hug from my mom that lit up my day and the sweet sweet smile she gave me made me even happier, no to mention the kiss that would last for years. She was back! I remember she was crying, and so was I. My mom was back! It was almost like the waterfall had ended. There is a song called Vivir Mi

Vida that is sung by Marc Anthony, my mom had listen to it while she was in the hospital, she said that song kept her going. This songs means you only have one life, you spend it being happy, in English it means, live my life. One part that really spoke to my mom was when he said was I live to leave a mark somehow I just live. My mom left a mark of perseverance in all of our friends and family members hearts, especially mine. My mom is living her life. Every weekday she had to wake up early in the morning to go for treatment to make sure she was still ok. When my mom would come home, she would have a headache from the medicine. I had thought that meant that she was getting sick again and that meant she had to go back to the hospital. Finally, my mom was cured of blood cancer. Almost like she finally she was free of the evil spirit that was trapped inside her. It was gone, she would be able to do what she wants. That evil spirit won't be controlling her anymore It was like she was controlling it. “If you want to fly, you must give up everything that weighs you down”. Ha llegado a su fin, or in English, it has come to an end. I would like to thank the nurses and family members that stood with my mom, those who raised her confidence, and those who even cooked us food. In Spanish, Cuando llegan los problemas , es tu familia la que te apoya, means when trouble comes, it's your family that support you. Our family was always supporting her no matter what was going to happen One quote my mom said was, “you boys kept me going when you visited me.” Each day in the hospital made my mom stronger and stronger. My mom set an example for those who have blood cancer. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more, and become more, you are a leader”, quoted by John Q Adams. My mom is a leader. The roller coaster was coming to an end. Nothing will break the love my mom and I have for each other. If my mom wasn't diagnosed with blood cancer my drive to do everything good wouldn’t be as strong as it is now. Really this experience taught me to always love your family because you never know what will happen. The key to life is just to love The universe is weird. Why my mom out of all the other 7 billion people in the world?. Why her out of everyone? Just why? My mom was back. My hero, my idol, my everything, my mom! Sebastian Perez Charlie Smith

6 Word Memoirs- Ms. Bogos’s Classes Change what you are complaining about. Always working on drawing something new. Struggle is what makes one stronger. ~ Sean Racette ~ Srinidhi Mallapragada ~Connor Smith I never believed this would happen. Always smiling even at bad times. Learning more about life every day. ~Ashley O’Connor ~ Marianna Wegiel ~Allie Ziegler I really think practice makes perfect. I think I lost it. Nevermind. With hard work, success always follows. ~Ellie Forma ~Danny DeRose ~Dax Bista Other people are not always right. Excuse me, is this assignment optional? Being successful doesn’t come through ~Maggie Huang ~Aubin Bulkley laziness. ~Zuri Guerra Early morning sunrise. Late night sunsets. While you wait silently, life happens. Still don’t know what I’m doing. ~Katie Miller ~Lizzie Steeves ~Brooke Rubush Don’t let your fears control you. My Hershey bar melted; I’m sad. Today the truth has to show. ~Maura Carbone ~Ava Rose ~Aidan Copeland Creative passion, yet dislike of parameters. Be positive. It’s a long road. I lost my shoes in the leaves. ~Madeline Ferguson ~Abby Adams ~Mariah Scott I stared and watched the sunset. Doing homework. Tired. Time to nap. Speak your mind. Don’t hold back. ~Amanda Cottica ~Makenna Brown ~Caitlyn Kelly Balance, focus, yet still maintaining grace. Live life with people you love. Being with family brings me joy. ~Maya Pepin ~Michael Prizio ~Isaiah Hernandez Pain tears apart. Music brings together. Fear built up, but then defeated. The past is not the future. ~ Andrew Kalapir ~Alessia Ferraro ~Dom Cimmino

6 Word Memoirs- Ms. Baker’s Classes Mouth and heart have their differences. Those two words changed a friendship. The result of change is positive. ~Anthony ~David Wise ~Gabriel Winchester The true heroes are always kind. Revenge in baseball is the best. I couldn’t choose between the two. ~ Olivia Mate ~Nolan Demelo ~Isabella Rio Death hits hard, but it’s reality. Stand up for what is right. Not called athletic. Surprised them all. ~Nicholas Lee ~Caroline McAleavey ~Shiva S. It doesn’t hurt to stand up. Helping people out is kind of you. The steady pounding of my heart. ~Aidan Westerfield ~Max ~Kiley Nguyen Not the same as everyone else. No regrets you can’t go back. Boots fix fractures, friends fix hearts. ~Ellen Matzke ~Heather Pezreh ~Grace Cutney Best friends, Nothing More, Nothing Less. Found success in starting new things. Even intangible things can be delicate. ~Jake Guedes ~Sierra Randolph ~Alexandra M. Ball up, try- and guard me. Life’s too short to neglect love. Clothes mean different things to all. ~Luca Antonio ~Shea Hanna ~Nina Onofreo Thinking of friends. The special memories. I knew our bond was broken. One thing can change your perspective. ~Mackenzie Tiani ~Alana Gentile ~Sean F. Don’t worry about money. Education first. Old friends lost. New friends made. Assumptions lead you to unexpected truths. ~Elizabeth Hinton ~Katie Marchetti ~Maggie Medina One little letter created a friendship. ~Kaitlin Griffin

The Korean pop band BTS is influencing America in many ways. What exactly is BTS? Have you ever heard of the term, “K-pop?” It’s a national trend that has taken over the world. It stands for, “Korean pop,” which is a genre of pop music, simply in another language. However, even if it’s Korean, it has famous singers from America, such as the artist Hailee Steinfeld, singer of the hit song, “Most girls,” head over heels. She reacts to BTS, a k-pop boy band of 7 singing one of there most popular songs, “Fake love.” She quotes, “It basically is saying that you can wake up any day of the week and be whoever you want, whatever you want, you can feel any sort of way and not feel ashamed, and that’s something I love about the message of this song.” This group, “Bang-tan son-yawn-dan,” more well known as BTS, is a group of 7 boys in their twenties, which consists of 3 rappers and 4 singers. This group may be just a normal group of boys who can sing the first time you look at them. However, this simple group of boys has hit the world records, breaking American female solo singer Taylor Swift’s record. In their song, “DNA,” The Korean boy band got 45 million views in only 24 hours, beating her song, “Look what you made me do,” Which got 43.2 million views in the same amount of time. “DNA,” was released within the, “Love yourself,” album. The band went onto Good Morning America, on their first-ever morning interview. Rap monster, or, “RM,” leader of the group tells the concept of the Love yourself album to Michael Strahan. “We thought that the most (biggest) thing that especially the young generation needed to know was that true love first always begins with loving myself, so we thought that reminding these words, just loving yourself, just reminding these words to the world, could have some meaning to the ARMY'S (BTS’s fans) and to ourselves. So we thought true love first begins and loving ourselves, too, and I hope that ARMY’s could do the same thing.” RM speaks for the group, with the billboard music awards 2018 Top social award in his grasp, “Thank you so much billboards music awards for this precious award 2 years in a row. And this time, we had a chance to think about what, “Social,” really means for us. (And) Some of our fans told us that our music really changed their lives. Now, we realized that our words truly carry weight thanks to you guys.” In addition, BTS has just released their newest album, “MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA.” In this album, they released yet another hit music video that beat even more records! They beat their own records, with over 90 million views in 24 hours with their song, “BOY WITH LUV,” featuring Halsey, the singer of the hit song, “Without me.” They performed this song at the bbma’s, as portrayed on the top right. They accomplished a very exemplary performance, and many famous American singers have appreciated their music! In addition, just a few weeks ago, they won 2 awards on the Billboard music awards (bbma’s): Top social artist, 3 years in a row, and Top group/duo. This was their THIRD number 1 on the Billboard top 200 charts, and it all happened in less than a year. The last people to hit such a record were The Beatles, making them almost as high a status as these American legends! RM stated in an interview right after he received the award for, “Top group/duo,” This year. He said, “We achieve more than what we deserve, thanks to the Armies (fans) around the world… It feels like we're on a roller coaster. What we got to do is enjoy the ride, take a deep breath, and do the best performance and the songs. That’s all we could do. That’s the best we could ask for.” ~ Alana Reyes

“Only Nine Ever since he was young He’d have to throw his ego over the side of Only nine seats Seats” Of all the dreams dreamed he the boat A crowd of young men wanted one of the nine seats. To leave it swirling in the wake of his shell 175 in all, milled about nervously He’d need to pull, not just for himself, Making the team would not be easy He thought of it on repeat Not just for glory, 174 boys gathered for seats in a But he watched his dreams shatter But for the other boys in the boat as well. It was the only thing that mattered Joe Rantz was no stranger to pulling for freshman boat. himself, In the end Life was difficult His life wasn’t all that swell But would it lead him to gold? When his mother died from cancer Only nine seats. And his father fled to Canada,to cope with -Roger Moulton -Zuri Guerra her death, Then the fire burned his house down. Will his life get better? Only time will tell. -Carolina Cabrera After reading Daniel James 9 seats Tall and strong, dreamer of all The poor young boy, Brown’s The Boys in the Boat, 9 chances out of 174 Memories like a kaleidoscope His sky high dream students were asked to write a Not just a question of making the His shattered childhood poem, discussing what the of broken images Oh, how much it would mean. coveted nine seats meant. team But times moved on Instead Sadness from bloody To be educated, to win the gold, A question of handkerchiefs and burning But only nine that shell would Staying in school hold. Getting a job houses be gone. My destiny was in the hands of Determination and hope was His physical strength the coaches Could get him through, The oars of the boat needed. But it would be difficult And the courage in my heart. As there is only nine seats That he knew. -Makenna Brown And the dream of one spot on What was at stake the boat. Was important, it’s true. -Kayla Incontro So joe had to be sure, He was one of the chosen few. -Madeline Ferguson

They were on a mission Only nine seats Only 9 seats Nine seats 174 boys gathered around him Out of 175 of them 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Nine chances 175 men gathered There were only nine seats. Only nine seats 9 out of 174, On a sunny October afternoon There were a thousand and one They all wanted it the same 165 of them just fine Overlooking the still waters things to be learned/performed. With a chance to prove Something important hung in the But And 9 balance; it was more important that Only nine seats 9 heroes Everything Two friends, palms sweaty 9 warriors Nine seats. a spot on the crew. Only nine seats 9 seats -Hope Ivanovich They all shared the same goal Their whole life building up to 1 heartbeat. Making the team was not going to -Leo Pinho this moment be easy Only nine seats Needs to pull for other boys in the Will they get one of the Only nine seats? boat, not just himself. -Aidan Shove -Maura Carbone Two young men Something important hung in the Only nine seat His life, a sad chapter that seems to go on Perched on a bluff balance, and it was more than a 174 boys gather And the beginning of a new chapter, Overlooking the still spot on the crew. Nervous and anxious Resting upon only nine seats. It was the life Joe never had. A chance to make the Through hard times and through waters. A life where his norm wasn’t freshman boat abandonment They were on a journey foraging for food, His fate is held within his hands Where he didn’t feel isolate, 174 await Of only nine seats On a mission. In every second of every day. To try to get a spot The flames of the fire that To see what happens A life where he could look up at the In the end, there were Destroyed his home stars, content. Ever reaching forward when training Making the team was not going to only nine seats. Forcing him closer to an infinite exile For their next be easy, -Marianna Wegiel A new chapter in Joe’s story destination. But Joe Rantz was no stranger Rests in the eyes -Mike Prizio To pulling for himself. Of only nine seats. He would not go back to exile. -Hannah Adams -Maggie Huang

A Night Ablaze that makes her laugh, “It should be ready in a couple of minutes okay?” but by then she had already left. With the two pots on the stove I sit down and “Hey Alex how was the game?” my mom shouts from the other room, as I browse my phone. walk through the door. “It was fine at first, but then, I, made a three pointer and won us the game.” In about fifteen minutes I call Kylie into the room to eat. My mom walked into the room, “Oh wow, that’s great honey, hey do you mind “Mom makes it better.” Kylie snaps trying to get me mad watching Kylie tonight I have to go in.” “You can’t make it better all you have to do is heat it up.” I reply with a “Yeah sure, I don’t care.” I shrug it off. dignified glance. “Okay but I’m not gonna be home ‘till morning work has been crazy,” After we eat, we go into the living room and I put on a movie. All of a shuffling around to find her keys she recites her usual list when I babysit Kylie, sudden I hear a loud screech that makes my heart jump into my toes. It “Remember to lock the door, don’t answer the phone unless I call, don’t leave happens again and I look around to Kylie who has fear in her eyes. When the the house, don--” third sound hit I jump from my seat and sprint into the kitchen. There it was. The stove ablaze with flames taller than me. “Mom,” I cut her off, “I know, I’ve done this a million times, it’s fine.” She sighed, “Okay, but just be careful, anything can happen.” I could feel the heat on my face even though it was across the room. “Mom,” I whine, “You can trust me.” The whole wall was dancing in orange. The orange dancers grew rapidly “Fine you’re right, I trust you it’ll be fine,” she gives up, “There’s soup in the within seconds. The way they moved could almost be beautiful, I would have cabinet you can just heat that up and if Kylie is well behaved there’s ice cream sat there and watched forever but I had to stop it. in the freezer. Kylie, Kylie! Come say goodbye to me.” Kylie, my little sister appears in the doorway after hearing her name. “ IT’S THE FIRE ALARM GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!” I scream to Kylie “I’m gonna be out all night so Alex is gonna watch you. Be good you two I hear the door open and close from the other room. Panic rises up I’ll see you in the morning” mom kisses each of our cheeks and walks out the through me like a volcano ready to erupt. What do I do what do I do! I think door. As a single mother my mom works really hard to provide for us, but that frantically running around. Then I recall the fire safety talk we had in first means she’s never around, I can’t even remember the last time she could make grade. What did they say oh umm, call 911. I scramble to find the phone and it to one of my basketball games. Though I try as hard as I can to help out even pound the numbers 9 - 1 - 1. if it means babysitting my little sister. I head up stairs to my room to start “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” A lady with a sweet calm voice asks. homework. “THERE’S A FIRE IN MY KITCHEN AND I’M HOME WITH MY SISTER AND I About an hour later I hear a knock on my door, “Yes?” I beckon as Kylie DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!” I shout into the phone. appears in the door frame. “Okay honey, get out of the house, we will send help right your way, “I’m hungry.” she whined where do you live?” the lady says still talking in her calm voice that annoys “Well what time is it?” me, how can she be calm at a time like this? “Six fifty-eight.” “I live at 32 Mockaboo drive, but I can’t get out of my house,I,I need to “Okay I’ll come down in a second, just gotta put my things away,” do something!” Grabbing all my homework, I try the best I can to put it in a neat pile and into “Honey, the only thing you can do is help yourself, get out of the house my backpack. I meet Kylie down stairs and start to heat up dinner, “So do you now.” the lady replies with a sternness in her voice. want chicken noodle or tomato soup?” I call out “But I can’t just get out of the house I need to do something!” “Ummmmm,” Kylie answers trying to decide, “I’ll have the chicken “We’re sending help honey but for n--.” I hung up the phone. I couldn’t noodle.” just let a random lady tell me not to do anything. I run into my pantry and “Okay well then that leaves me with the tomato.” I say in a funny voice grab the fire extinguisher that has lived there my entire life. Pull the needle, I say to myself remembering when my dad was still alive and taught me how

to do this. Aim the nozzle at the fire, I can hear his calm voice in my head screaming. I feel him carry me outside, I breath fresh air for the first time. I almost as clear as day. Now pull the trigger and SHOOT! A steady stream of hear Kylie crying. I look down and see her sitting on the grass her head in white gas hits the fire and fills the room. My life flashes before my eyes, I see my her hands. dad pushing me on the swings, and my first day of kindergarten, I see my first time I played basketball. I see the happy times, and sad times, and then I see “I-I-I t-t-thought y-y-you w-w-were d-dead.” it. My dad lying on his deathbed taking his last breath. I hold my breath and I’m lowered to my feet and run over to Kylie. close my eyes holding the trigger until nothing is left in the can, the image still “I-I h-h-heard y-y-you s-s-s-screaming, I-I-I t-t-thought i-i-it g-g-got y-y- lingering in my mind. Coughing I open my eyes and see the fire is mostly out, you,”she wipes her eyes and takes a deep breath, “I didn’t know w-w-what but there is still a glow to the stove. I run out the back door and grab the to d-d-do, I couldn’t l-l-oose you like I-I-I lost d-d-dad.” She started to sob hose. Back inside the house I shoot the water at the remaining bit of the fire. and I pulled her into a hug. “Son please come to the ambulance we need to check you out.” the I haven’t stopped spraying I can’t stop, the water is saving me I have to same firefighter from before tapped my back. As I get up I mumble keep it going I have to keep it alive. If the water dies then the fire will come underneath my breath don’t call me son but then I follow him to the truck. back, it can’t come back I won’t let it come back again, I can’t let the water “First we need to contact your parents.” die. He reminds me of mom, I totally forgot about her what is she gonna say. “YOU WON’T DIE, I WON’T LET YOU DIE, STAY ALIVE!” I scream and keep “Son, can you give us a number.” screaming, I’m talking to my dad through the water, “YOU CAN’T GO, IT’S NOT “Okay A) My name is Alex Jaycie do not call me son, B) My moms FAIR, YOU HAVEN’T BEEN AROUND! YOU DIDN’T SEE ME GROW UP, I WANT YOU number is 765-849-3622.” The firefighter copied down the number and HERE I WANT YOU TO SEE ME AND SAY YOU’RE PROUD OF ME! STAY ALIVE!” called, taken back by my fierceness. They took me to the ambulance and hooked me up to an oxygen I hear the faint sound of a siren drawing nearer, the lights flashing through tank. I notice all the neighbors in their driveways watching. The paramedics the window out of the corner of my eye. I hear yelling in the yard and people took about a half an hour running different test to make sure I was okay and coming into the house, but I don’t care I’m still screaming at the water. by then I was exhausted. When they finally said I was fine I just layed down on the grass watching the night sky, not listening to the world around me. All of a sudden there’s a hand on my shoulder, I whip around hopefully. I hear a car pull into the driveway not long after. “Dad?” but it wasn’t my dad, it was a firefighter, but it wasn’t my dad, he “Where are they, are they okay, is anybody hurt, what happened?” I came to save me, but it wasn’t my dad, he was a kind strong man, but he hear my moms frantic voice in the distance. Normally if she was ever upset I wasn’t my dad. would get up and try to help her, but right now all I can do is lay there in the “Son you need to get out of here the smoke can kill you.” grass, still and heavy like a rock. I turn my attention back to the water and yell, “YOU CAN’T CALL ME SON! “Mom!” Kylie jumps up from where she was sitting, the ground YOU’RE NOT MY DAD!” underneath me vibrates as she runs across the yard. My mom cries with “Come on, get out of the house.” His deep voice just brushes past me I delight when she sees my sister. can’t hear a word he’s saying. With my feet rooted to the ground I stand still “Oh honey you’re okay, oh where’s your brother is he okay!?” she asks holding the hose. fearfully “Kid let go of the hose and get out of the house.” He rips the hose from “Umm yeah he’s over here.” she says with a sniff. my hands, the water stops and it’s like I’ve lost him again. I can hear both their footsteps drawing nearer. It was my fault the fire “He’s gone, you’ve killed him,” I say in a small meek voice to the happened. It was all my fault, I put my mom through all this stress. I don’t confused looking firefighter, “You’ve killed him, you’re the one who killed him, YOU KILLED HIM!” I’m soon swept from my feet. Flying through the air kicking and

want her to see me I don’t want her to look at me, I don’t want her to see “Alex,” she says looking up at me, she knows I’m really not okay and pulls in the guy who betrayed her trust and burnt down her kitchen. to a hug. We stand there for a bit holding onto each other. I stop crying, wipe my eyes and go to my room all alone. I lie on my bed staring at the ceiling like I did “Alex,” she said gently as she bent down to talk to me, “Alex honey it’s on the grass. I feel the world spinning underneath me spinning, spinning, spinning me. . . . . Alex, talk to me, Alex are you okay?” her voice cracking and high all I can think of is my dad and somehow even though I don’t know how I fell pitched she turns to the E.M.T’s, “Are you guys sure he’s okay he’s not asleep and stayed asleep all night. speaking to me, Alex, Alex!” She started crying. Talia Cook “Mom, It’s okay,” I sat up, “I’m fine.” Her eyes are all red and puffy, her mascara was smudged all underneath her eyes. The wrinkles around her Lauren Clark face that I have never seen before were now, clearly visible. “Oh mom I’m okay.” She pulls me into a tight embrace and cries into my shoulder. “Mrs. Jaycie.” a firefighter calls and she looks up slightly startled, “Can we have a word?” “Um yeah of course.” mom wipes her nose, straightens herself out and walks over to the fire truck. “Hey kids,” another firefighter walks towards us, “You guys can go in if you want.” I nod to him and stand up to go inside. Kylie stands up too and grabs my hand. “Why’d you do that to her?” Kylie asks “What do you mean?” “Why wouldn’t you move, she thought you were dead.” “I...I just couldn’t face her, I let her down” I reach my hand out and pull open the door. The air was still and a horrific stench sat there with it. The air was filled with every family dinner, every Friday game night, every early breakfast, or every recipe that was tried and failed. It smelled like my past had dissolved but stayed just to haunt us. The building I was in didn’t look like my house, it was a strangers. It wasn’t the house I grew up in, it was old and worn down, burnt and tired. It wasn’t the two story, gray colonial on 32 Mockaboo drive, it was different. We walked down the hallway and reached the kitchen that was blocked off by caution tape. Everything was scorched, there was a firefighter by the stove inspecting it, the only color was the bright red fire extinguisher lying in the ground and a neon green hose next to it. When I saw the hose lying there on the ground lifeless I started crying. “You’re crying!” Kylie says surprised. I never cry. The last time I cried was seven years ago when my dad died. I cried for two weeks straight, but since then I haven’t shed a tear, not once. Kylie stares in awe while I’m standing there crying at a hose.

The Bracelet Life This bracelet how special. It meant so much to me. Only made We wake up everyday of a few strings and a few faded colors but that was okay. With the sun always shining This bracelet provided a connection. A connection that made me feel close. Close to someone who I love. We eat everyday This bracelet provided a bond. One that can never be broken. With plenty for sure A bond so special it cannot be described with words. We drive everyday This bracelet made me feel special to someone. Loved by With no problems at all someone. Needed by someone. Wanted by someone. But what about the man who was nothing From the day I got it to the day I die. This bracelet will mean Who sits on the street something that nothing else can. With his thin cotton blanket Maeve Matthews Or the little girl with no parents So lonely and sad Jake Williamson Wish she had someone to hold and to hug But no one ever comes to just give a wave We never even realize How hard it is for some We live a life with everything at our feet While they’re in despair We are buying new footwear So tomorrow please say I’m grateful for life And all that I have Maeve Matthews

The Lone Sailor P.J. Verbitsky The Lone Sailor A Statue Of Silver A Remembrance Of Someone Who Left Us Too Soon He Stands On My Shelf Watching Over Me From Up Above Someone Who Was Close Is Now So Far My Grandpa Someone Who I Will Never Forget Is Remembered Through This Little Statue Of Silver James Carrello

Gratitude For this brand-new blue and purple softball bat So long, so smooth, so scarred And also that my family could afford this softball bat And also that I have a loving team to play with And also that my coaches, so encouraging and patient Have helped to teach me about the game I love And take the time to attend games and practices So that I can play to the best of my abilities And also that I have a beautiful leather glove That I use while playing at shortstop Where I feel free and relaxed Where I hope to make outs for my team And win games as well Where, when I stand outside the field I can point to my spot on the field and get excited about playing I will walk up to the batter's box Softball bat in hand And think about how grateful I am for the sport Isabella Socci Brian Elmo

Over The Rainbow... Nola Brittain Over the rainbow, where the birds fly high, People look up at the beautiful sky. Over the rainbow, if the legend is true, A pot of gold is waiting for you. Over the rainbow, when the colors collide, It's well known all over state wide. Over the rainbow, when the rain falls and the sun shines, The clouds hang around on the side lines. Over the rainbow, you would love to be up there, Those dreams will put you out of despair. Over the rainbow, it never ends, But it somehow always bends. Over the rainbow, people look up in awe, It is visible as the kids play on the seesaw. Over the rainbow, where the trees try to reach, But they are only as high as the hills on a beach. Over the rainbow, there are many things indeed But sometimes it’s more than enough to just see. ~Maris Branyan & Caitlin Kelly

The War of the Ocean and the Sand Crashing waves on the shore The sand and the water having a little war The sand defeats And the ocean water retreats Gathering itself to come fight back And to give this fight another whack Here comes another wave As the sand stays still and tries to act brave The wave crashes onto the beach As the sand stands tall like it’s making a speech Like a sister and brother Having a fight one after another. The fights always end, But not the sea and the sand, they are not the best of friends. ~Maris Banyan Randy Torelli

Watch the Morning Roll by Anna Simpson Watch the sun come out to play, And tell the moon to go away. Watch the alarm clock sound, It always makes me want to frown. Watch the kids get ready for school, Sometimes it is very cruel. Watch the dew on the morning grass, It shines like a tubas brass. Watch the ground start to heat, I feel the warmth on my feet. Watch the birds start to sing, Flying around flapping its wing. Watch the smell of breakfast fill the air, It is made with love and care. Watch the sun rays fill the room, And watch the flowers start to bloom. Watch the day start to begin, And I have to make myself grin. ~Maris Branyan

Goodbye Morning, and Hello Night Stars in the Night The sun waves goodbye, Watch the stars peek their heads up when it’s night, While the moon comes to sing a lullaby. Never with a little fright. Everyone lays in bed, Watch the stars twinkle, While dreams dance in their head. They cover the sky in a sprinkle. All the animals snuggle up against their loved ones, Watch the stars dance, While their hearts beat down to the low level of drums. It's light puts me in a trance. The stars come up to say hello, Watch the stars shine, And they twinkle very soft and slow. Never in a straight line. But not everyone is in their special dreamland, Watch the stars shoot across the sky, Some rule the night and they are in demand. They make my heart want to fly. They fly or crawl around in the shadows, Watch the starlight glisten off the ocean water, They dance in the shadows and put on a little show. Almost like a perfect daughter. But when the sun peaks up through the dark sky, Watch the stars dance across the night, The ones who rule the night wave and say goodbye. Their light is shining very bright. At that time everyone wakes up from their dreams, Watch the stars having a challenge with the moon, And the sun comes around and beams. Of who can outshine the other before the clock strikes noon. The moon and stars fade away, Watch the stars come out to play in the evening, While they yell, “Have a good day!” And watch the sun say, “I'm leaving!” Looks like another day, ~Maris Branyan and Caitlin Kelly Until the night comes out to play. ~Caitlin Kelly

Anusha Ragupathy Wonderland I'm falling I'm falling, Down a hole that is calling. It's spinning around, And not making a sound. My dress is fluffing up, And it is impossible to stand up. The rabbit is running away, And the cats tail is moving in a small sway. I try to get out of this wonderland, But the queen of hearts is in demand. She says, “Off with your head!” But I am only a child, and I do not need to dread. The purple cat has its ways, But I escape him in a matter of days. I never want to enter that rabbit hole anymore, I should stick to above and stay on the floor ~Caitlin Kelly

A Game Within a game, a bond is made He teaches his boy a game he played Two gloves, a ball, and a day at the park The two play catch until it gets dark After they’re done the boy and his friends play in the streets Tennis shoes and cans no bases or cleats They hit homeruns and turn double plays One great catch and he feels like Willie Mays The sun starts to set in their old neighborhood but they’ve played for a while and as long as they could He goes to school and plays for his team He works every day so he can fulfill his dream He has moments of glory and moments of shame which shape his life each step of the way William Margolies Luke Strong

Turns From Gray To Blue Aarov Parekh The waves crash, As I walk upon the shore. And like a lion, the wind roars. The sun’s bright smile Now peeks through. And then, suddenly, The sky turns from gray to blue. Like a smile so big, The sun shines from ear to ear. The sound of the calming waves Is now all I hear. Like moods, weather changes From cloudy to sunny, From sad to funny. My mood changes too From sad to happy, While the sky turns from gray to blue. -Jane Hall

The Moon Shines Across the Sky Lauren Keifer The moon shines across the sky, It glides with the birds flying high. It's light beams on us, But then it starts to fuss, We would chase after it, But it always seemed farther by a bit. The moon stays a while, Until the sun comes and the moon runs a mile. Looks like I'll have to wait another day, Until the moon comes back out to play. -Caitlin Kelly Alex Kyy

Lauren Doepper Collin Woods

Hannah Spataro Avery Mackenzie

Brian Elmo Izzy Fabrizio Joshua Fung

Logan Klein Risa Hillinsky