This Event Is Not Sponsored Or Endorsed by Or Under the Auspices of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission Board of Education

Home , Dumb Love, Roses Are Red (My Love)

This event is not sponsored or endorsed by or under the auspices of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission Board of Education.

Just Talk You don’t hit or punch no you talk and bicker I fight with all my might To keep your nasty words out My head spins and my face gets red Because of all the bad things that you’ve said You hurt me with your words You scare me with your threats You hit me with all the bad things you’ve said Yet you’ll never affect me because of the kindness I give I don’t hate you I swear I forgive instead you and all you’ve said I’m not your only vitim But instead of get mad I’ll help them Turn your hate into love and get it out of their heads

Tanya Martinez 6th Grade Sanford Middle School

1 A Nasty Heart My arms are bruised and my mouth is really red though You beat till I bruised You hit and hit till I wept You said mean things that got in my head not my heart So I stand to show That your a coward that hit With a blow I tried But no I fell and broke apart You hurt me so much Now I come and say: I forgive I forgive you and What you put me through I forgive you and your nasty heart

Tanya Martinez 6th Grade Sanford Middle School

2 Forgiveness can seem impossible Forgiveness can be a goal Forgiveness can fix some problems Forgiveness can take away the pain Forgiveness can take away the hate Forgiveness can take away the anger Forgiveness can lead to happiness Forgiveness IS a great factor of love!...FORGIVENESS

Jasmine Joine 6th Grade Sanford Middle School

3 CHOOSE LOVE

Choose Love

Sometimes it takes courage to choose love

Courage to stand against your peers

Courage to show what the world could be

Only if, they Choose Love

John Kinney 6th Grade Sanford Middle School

4 It’s a deep, dark hole That you’re falling through. And climbing out is a hard thing to do. You fall, and scream, and shout. But no one can hear you, It’s like there’s tape over your mouth. You try to climb but you slip, And all your happiness seems to dip. Then one day, a person walks by. They step in the hole and start to cry. You dwell in the darkness, And contemplate. And then your body fills with hate. You use that hate as a ladder. The higher you get, the sadder. You’re weighed down. It feels like a ton. You’re so far down. You can’t even see the sun. If only you could go back in time. And change your ways. You don’t want to be filled with hatred anymore. You want to open a new door. You learn from your mistakes, So they say. Well I think you’ve learned enough today. So take your new knowledge, And let it guide you. That ladder you were climbing, Full of hate, sorrow,and sin. Change your ways, So you can see what’s within. Forgive others, and yourself. When you’re done, display your sorrow on the shelf, So you can look at it. And look at what you are now. The only thing you should be able to say is, Wow.

Michaela Malik 6th Grade Sanford Middle School

5 Compassion Love does not have to mean the person you are dating or married to. It means when you deeply care about someone’s well being. About wanting that person to be okay no matter what happens to yourself. I know this because i love Jasmine, Hannah, and Lucy because they are my best friends and just like my sisters. Even some of the boys in our class are like my brother. Even though i already have a real blood brother and sister the bible has taught me to love everyone as if they where my brothers and sister. The word i chose to go with my poem is compassion i chose this because of the way i feel about my brothers and sister.

Grace Robbins 6th Grade Sanford Middle School

6 I Felt

When I was 6 my mom disappeared to be with a bag. I saw your face but it wasn't the same I felt the bruises you gave me when the bag was gone and I felt the pain when you told me i wasn't enough. But I felt the most pain when I realized after two years of not seeing or hearing from you that you had a heart attack. I cried I felt sorrow I felt guilt And in that minute I forgave you because you were sober dying and trying When I felt your hug again I knew my resentment towards you was gone The weight was lifted I was free

Heaven Beaumont 9th Grade Cedarville High School

7 I Choose You Dad, You have always been there for me You held me when I cried You taught me right from wrong You were there when you didn’t have to be

You said the things that our mom should have And when she decided to be through I was glad I had you

You are my world My life my everything I thank you for being there I will always be your baby bear

Jessica Boze 11th Grade Dover High School

8 Surrender Into Love

Speak to me your wisdom not from books but the life that makes your eyes dance and heart ache that which you know not yet but causes your soul great longing

Use your beautiful words they are in there maybe trapped in a heart with a protective shell fearful of the old hurt returning

I will speak of that which I know not from where it comes though directing me on this journey drifting light like butterfly wings

I have played small for so long the desire to be is too strong a visceral need to release the habits and beliefs no longer necessary

Together we will speak of the legacy we will leave behind taking accountability for our actions and inactions choosing always that which lifts others while remaining remaining true and present to Self

It is a joy to be here to be human to be challenged and to surrender into love.

Wendy Reese Hartmann Whole Being Inc.

Cali Coatney 2nd Grade Holcomb Elementary

10 Choose Love

Courage is a cavern That we fear to venture, Simply take a deep breath And have a great adventure.

Gratitude is a flower, Beautiful and bright, Share with who you’re thankful for And build the world up right.

Forgiveness is an island In a sea of hate. Forgive yourself and others; Put down your mental weight.

Compassion is a fire That gives off light and heat. Show your love to others And make them feel complete.

So choose love everybody. Although we are all different, Put that all behind us And have a good intent.

Together we are happy, Together we are one. Thank the choose love formula For all that we have done.

So join your hands with neighbors, And friends and enemies. Love them all the same And live in unity.

Alora Eary 6th Grade Holt Middle School

Forgive the storm of anger, have courage to jump to grab hope for your that everyone needs, and have gratitude to know that you are loved no matter what.

Adele Henriksen 4th Grade Washington Elementary

12 Isabella Portalatin 2nd Grade Holcomb Elementary

13 Friends Friends at school, Friends at home, Friends playing basketball. All of these friends show me love, then I can too. It’s a movement we should all get used to. Running to the creek and getting all wet, it’s all fun and games, wonder what will happen next? Making boats float, watching them flow, I am having fun and I feel loved that is all I know. Find a friend and love them well, cheer them on when they fail. Smile, Shake Hands, Fist Bump and High Fives! Let’s do more of this to survive and keep the love alive. Ryder Roark 3rd Grade Vandergriff Elementary

14 Choose Love

Love is like a rose Colorful and bright Although sometimes we try it And it begins to bite. Come on everybody All around the world Don’t sit back and watch hate Let's give love a whirl We are god’s creations He showed us great love Let’s follow in his footsteps And show hate what we’re made of. Just Choose Love!!!

Madilynn Judy 6th Grade Holt Middle School

15 LOVE WINS Love wins; it’s not about your appeal it’s about how you truly feel. I love my life to my heart’s content, but I have been feeling down a bit. My friends are amazing; my thoughts on them are never changing. They are the best AND better than the rest. Living life is amazing you see; it’s better than being normal like me. So be bodacious, be bold, and don’t let others bring you down. My friends and family are amazing and these thoughts will not be changing. Most especially to me, they are all I have and all I will ever need! My heart is full of love, it is clear to see. But what I love a lot is He who stands above me! He looks down and praises me. He loves me and He loves you. He makes you feel perfect and praised each and everyday. He still loves me and He especially loves you. There is a lot more love in His heart. He works his ways day and night making you more and more obliged. Lots of things happen, just know the Lord is holding you. He’s there standing by you, He’s always gonna love you through and through. We may all just be individuals, but everyone should feel official. Sometimes I feel sad and I am discouraged, just know things are gonna get better. SO...Roses are red violets are blue I have to go what does love mean to you?

Skylar Diaz 5th Grade Beard Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

16 Jesse’s Courage It all started with a six-year-old, He was very brave and bold. When a killer came to town, He yelled, “Everyone get out!”. He took a bullet for his friends, Then his life came to an end. He’s in Heaven looking proud ‘cause of what he did, Man, Jesse was such an amazing kid! Now we are courageous, Because love is outrageous. The first ingredient in choosing love, Is realizing love can be tough. Now we are full of gratitude, And everyone has a positive attitude. The second ingredient in choosing love, Is accepting that love can sometimes be rough. Now everyone shows forgiveness, ‘Cause Jesse got down to business. The third ingredient in choosing love, Is realizing when love is just a bluff. Jesse showed so much compassion, The ‘Choose Love Movement’ was put into action. So take the pledge and just choose love, ‘Cause Jesse’s life is why this movement was made up.

Erynn Hutson 5th Grade Beard Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

17 Choose Love

Love is a choice It doesn’t cost a thing to give it But it’s a heavy price to live without

It can be shown by a kind word A helping hand How to show it is something we should all think about

In a world that’s full of shouting Because of differences we can’t see around Even if we don’t agree, we can show love

Forgiveness, Respect, Humility Mercy and Positivity All of these are loving things to think of

Next time you get in a rage Put yourself in someone else’s shoes - what happened in their day today? Try giving something you can afford to pay LOVE

Carmen Johnson Language Arts Teacher Hazen Middle School

Angel Mills 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Dulce Mondragon 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Ryan Brown 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Nyla Black 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Marcus Armstrong 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Mason Parkerson 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Kalyn Marshall 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Kevin Duckery 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Braydi Moffat 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Nathan Lemus 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Mady Carpenter 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Jessica Moyer 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Eddarion Bryant 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Maddox Parkerson 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Erin Hill 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Ben Allbritton 5th Grade Portland Elementary

Ella Grace McNemar 5th Grade Portland Elementary

35 Friendship

You make me smile Even though we are apart You keep me happy During the sad times Your always there When you call You send your kindness I send mine back When I wake up on the bad side Your on the good side of me When I need you the most Even though we are far apart We will always be together Even though we are far apart

Destiny Bickart 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

Love I feel your care throughout the day Even when the clouds are in my way Love makes me care about others Even when I’m mad at my brothers Love is what made me who I am today When you choose love it makes the sadness fly away When you have love by your side You will be able to find pride

Lizzie DeWitt 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

Choose LOVE.

Love is important to keep and share. Love is a feeling as light as air. It feels good to give love away. Even though some will stay. Love can even make a hateful person care.

Wyatt Hammer 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

Love Choose love not hate Hate is not love Over is like being in a shark in love Shine like a diamond Emeralds are as beautiful as you

Love is like a star Open is like a window in love Vast is as cold as a avalanche in love Epic is like a mountain in love

Cy Klinger 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

39 Nino By my side all the time You’re there with me During tough times. I may can't see you But you can see me As your high in the sky With the clouds

I you Without a doubt.

See you soon. February, 18, 2019 I love you :)

Javi Muro 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

40 LOVE

Love is in the air , Even in nowhere. Love can be in friendship, Or in a real relationship. Love is blind , In anyone’s eye. Love can make you travel, For so many miles. You can’t escape it, It is just strong. Love is like a dove Soaring above

Alexi Powell Escalante 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

41 Can’t stand the thought of you

I feel so warm in your arms I feel happy to know im trusted Waiting for a time to talk to you Can't stand the thought of you Seeing you smile Makes my heart smile

For Logan and Andrea

Camila Quintero Hernandez 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

Cooperate Have fun Organization Open minded Stay healthy Earn love Loveable Observation Very kind Encourageable

Anita Roddy 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

43 Choose happiness Have freedom Open your mind Organization Stay healthy Earn responsibly Love is caring Observe other feelings to your mind Very kind to everyone Encourage your mind

Gaby Trujillo 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

44 Love Your love Is like a dove Your hugs are as snug as a bug in a rug You always care about my health And I really appreciate it Your always there Even when your busy

Logan Verduzco 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

45 Choose love

When i am sad You make me glad When i am mad you Make me grand When i am down You make me not frown You fill the bucket in me and others too so choose love and you might not feel so blue but if you choose love love will change you now take my advice and go go go choose love and it will change all that sad inside.

Anthony Yencarelli 5th Grade Rattlesnake Ridge

46 Love chooses kind

Kind chooses joy

Love is the strongest

Holt Illingworth Kingergarden Joe Michell

47 Love .. Moving me along without destination or promises I don’t question love anymore… I don’t seek it to be something I have seen on screen. instead I feel it ….as the lover that caresses my breast of being moving me forward, reminding me, I am alive. Unpacking the unpleasant to be held, rocked, adored, soothed cleaning up the waste the wasted time of forgetting one’s value of disregarding one’s truth of leaving one’s self for the glitter of another or promises unkept by mother…by father…

I am here inside these bones and feel the pulsating rhythm of the luscious living of love. Is there anything else really?

To remember and reflect; the sun, moon, stars within our own iris warmth of her hand, breath on my back grin from afar the bucket list shared; listening with possibility no unrest deep satisfaction ground solid belonging to the whole and living it as if what I do really does matter… my heart beat is yours my aguish, seen on your brow my tongue tastes the wild gentle nod of knowing eyes meet understanding

48 tears because I am touched.

Love is here, everywhere, underneath this forgetful mind of neurosis of temptation of bitterness of grasping….

love unfolds as a tea leaf receives water.… let down…surrender… bask into what has never left…..but you.

Paula Chase LAUSD

49 LOVE

Rose are red Violet are blue Your pretty then you think. Be happy with your body. People may say that your not pretty Or that you are fat. Then you start saying the same thing. Well that’s your evil side trying to make you sad. But where here for you. Your not lone! There are thousands or billon’s of people that is getting bullied, for there shape, look’s. I want to stop people that are getting bullied. If you are getting bullied please tell a grown-up. Thank you. <3

Yatzari Arias 5th Grade Newmark Elementary School

From the Time I Live to the Time I Die

From the time I live to the time I’ll die, I will choose love and this is why… I haven’t ate in a few days and it started to amaze, I finally got food, I sat down. My food dropped I started to cry , my dad didn’t have any money He went to the counter and said, “my daughter dropped her food”. The worker went to the manager, The manager came out with food for me. This is why I chose love.

Valerie Neumayer 5th Grade Newmark Elementary School

Choose Love Forgiveness, honesty Choose love with friendship and heart. Your heart has kindness.

Cierra Elderbaum 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

Love

Kindness, happiness Choose love over hatred and meanness. Determination.

Colin Rook 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

Choose Love

Friendship, kindness, heart Happiness, forgiven, love Determination.

Tatian Exline 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

Friendship

You are playful. Yeah. You’re supportive and fun. Thank you for your love.

Marley Iles 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

55 Lovely Choose Love

You can be in love, You can be out of love but you, And I are in love.

Heaven Eurton 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

56 Choose Love

Honesty, Love Love is for you everyday Determination

Rebekah Pickett 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

57 Choose Love

Forgiveness and Love Choose happiness and friendship Choose kindness and love.

Angel Morales 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

58 Alike

Happiness and love Determination and heart Kindness is friendship.

Evie Gietl 5th Grade Summit Elementary School

59 Courage Courage is a crazy thing that everyone should have Our lives are full of times that we must Use courage to get through the day Refuse the urge to be scared or fearful, And just be positive and happy Go with the flow and Express yourself It's easy once you try it See the light at the end of the tunnel Love yourself and everything around you Open up your heart and Value life and its Everlasting love! Julia Curley 8th Grade Mooreland Hill School

60 The Power to Choose

The power to take an angry thought and make it a positive one, The power to show compassion in action, The power to demonstrate gratitude, The power to forgive even if its challenging, The power to be courageous, The power to Choose Love.

The power to remember Jesse Lewis, who embodied all the characteristics necessary to Choose Love.

The power to choose how one will respond in any situation, The power to make a responsible choice, The power to change the world, The power to Choose love.

Will you have the power? Will you set the example? Will you Choose love?

Pave the way, Choose love today, See the benefits it has today, tomorrow and forever.

In memory of Jesse lewis and the precious lives lost at Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT.

Erika Brady Special Education Teacher Har-Bur Middle School

61 "Grow your Life with Love"

Life is your garden.

Take time to nurture it

With care and a giving heart.

Embrace it with love and affection,

Patient understanding and faithful commitment,

And you will receive a harvest of happiness.

Pamela Brown Parent

62 Love

Love means kindness. Love is thoughtful. Love is great.

Beren Cayan 2nd Grade Bear Path

63 Gratitude

If someone is sad Try to help them. Be like “Hey do you want to play With me?” Make them happy. Or you can make them laugh Stand up for them. Make them happy And be kind all day. Everyday. To all people.

Jackson Blackwell 2nd Grade Bear Path

64 Kindness

Kindness is when you are caring For other people Being thankful And showing happiness Be happy. Be kind. Be happy!

Kayla Boyle 2nd Grade Bear Path

65 Choose Love

Choosing love is helping others. Choosing love is having courage And kindness And gratitude The biggest thing is forgiveness!

Sofia Cossaboom 2nd Grade Bear Path

66 Courage By: Zariya Elahee

Courage is good So when you try A new thing Try to not be scared You can do anything If you believe In yourself.

67 Choose Love

Love is the best I don’t need A rest Love is my life I can say it Twice Twice is enough I am so tough

Supreme Dawson 2nd Grade Bear Path

68 First Picnic of Summer (For Emily)

You will grow up and not remember when the pleasures of the day were plain and simple. A beach hunt for treasure, the dog mad with joy, the worn rocks on the shoreline drawn close like a pod of whales, all of us together, strolling the wrinkled sand. After the cookout, your flashlights punctuate each story and in the sliced light, your little brother shouts, his best find is a rock that was bit in half by a snail! Ah, such is the strange power of snails. The dog in my lap, listens and now all the grown-ups are turned to you, spotlighted by strobes of light on the porch, dinner duties over, your father big and strong and this moment while where everything is still safe. You have organized your collection by kinds, the rocks here, the shells there, and two “magnificent wonders” a charred piece of wood, that you say, looks sewn by a giant and best of all, a tiny crab leg displayed on a stool all by itself. You have all that you need, our whole attention, carelessly lavished on this moment, so abundant we can hear your bones grow. Ice cream is eaten and the glow-in-the-dark wristbands given so that when you and your brother wave from the car, your hands are just blurry circles of green phosphorescence.

Jeane LeVasseur Quinnipiac University Professor of Nursing

Gratitude

Always be thankful for everything You have – like me! Be thankful for food Be thankful for drinks Be thankful for toys Be thankful for family members And friends And principals And teachers.

Shawn Negri 2nd Grade Bear Path

Forgiveness

Always forgive people. Forgive people when they forget deals. Forgive your friends. Forgive people when they make mistakes. Forgive your family. Forgive everybody you know.

Shawn Negri 2nd Grade Bear Path

Courage

Always believe in yourself. Everything that is hard takes courage. Mostly everything takes courage. Be brave on tests and When you think you will lose. Be brave on everything.

Shawn Negri 2nd Grade Bear Path

72 Kindness

Always be kind Whenever possible Be kind when people need help Be kind when people make mistakes Be kind when people get hurt

Shawn Negri 2nd Grade Bear Path

Choose Love

Love, kindness, big heart Make people happy Be thankful Show kindness All the time

Evanna Pires 2nd Grade Bear Path

Choose Love

Kindness The thing that brings people Up When they’re down. Forgiveness The thing when someone Does something wrong And you say you forgive them And it’s okay. Gratitude It’s being thankful for the things you have. Courage It’s being brave And standing up for people.

Lily Sacco 2nd Grade Bear Path

75 Courage

Courage is courage. Everyone has courage. Courage is standing up for people. Fear is the opposite of courage. Have courage!

Hailey Sutila 2nd Grade Bear Path

Choose Love

Choose love when you play, Choose love every day. Choose love when you win, Choose love when you’ve got that bling bling!

Eniola Taiwo 2nd Grade Bear Path

77 Gratitude

Gratitude is when you’re thankful Even when times are hard When you wake up in the morning Seeing the sunrise When you are struggling Still having it in mind Always have gratitude No matter the time the day Or year

Abby Argazzi 7th Grade Mooreland Hill School

78 Choose Love Formula

If you want to make a good love entrée you need the right formula & the right ingredients

Since it takes the longest start with forgiveness First Boil the hate out in water for about 30 minutes. Since it takes a while you might want to lightly Salt it with patience. After that put it in a strainer And watch as the hate water floods out Take your forgiveness and just let it dry

Next take your courage out of the Freezer. It’s actually a very important ingredient But most people just let it sit in their freezer never Even bothering to try it out in different dishes. Sprinkle some certainty on a flat surface And roll your courage, both sides in it Now start kneading out the fear Once that’s done well roll it out With positive choices, and cut it out in different Shapes. My favorite is public speaking. When you’re happy with the way It looks; put it in the oven, and let It sit for 50 - 60 minutes at At 365 degrees.

As the courage cooks it’s time To prepare the gratitude. Gratitude is best when There’s lots of different kinds. Chop it up in little pieces, so it can feed Many people. To add extra flavor you can Saute it in mindfulness. And that’s it there you Have your gratitude. This could be used In almost every meal of the day. It’s very Healthy and I think you’ll find it overall improves

79 Diet.

If the courage is ready take it out And let it cool. Put it all on a plate; don’t Leave anything out. Lastly you want to tie it all Together with a little bit of compassion. Well I say little but really you can never have Too much compassion. Drizzle it over the top of Your dish and listen to the sizzle of empathy. Let a smile Grow over your face as you watch Peoples hearts warm just at the sight of compassion.

This is the choose love formula Use it to improve your lifestyle And the lifestyle of everybody around you.

Owen Carter 7th Grade Mooreland Hill School

80 Courage

It takes courage to do the right thing To get over addiction To rid vengeance from your life But be brave

Nothing in life comes easily However much dedication and sacrifice it takes, The hard choice will benefit you in the end

To open up new doors Is hard To be yourself Can be difficult But it is not impossible With a little bit of courage mountains can be moved, Fires can be put out And boulders smashed

It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in However how difficult it is in the beginning The task will be worth it in the end

Evangeline Doolittle 8th Grade Mooreland Hill School

Choose Love

Have the courage to make Someone who feels left out smile Look around and be Gracious for what you have Let go of your anger and Forgive someone who wronged you Have compassion towards others Take action to help someone feel better And instead of using violence Choose Love

Silas Griffen-Sullivan 8th Grade Mooreland Hill School

82 Dear Fear

Dear Fear, You don't own me I know I let you win in the past But that was a mistake I have no room for you now You took over my life and tried to kill Love But Love never dies Love lets me be free to have fun Love helps me make friends Love introduced me to Courage, Joy, Hope, Self Control and many others The only friend you have is Hate And Hate keeps me from others and from being me Hate gives me a sickness only Love can cure Love is my new best friend So goodby Fear and Hate I hope you learn as I did That love gives me more than you ever will Love lets me win the game of life sometimes That Love is just amazing I know you'll understand someday - Me

Ella Mason 8th Grade Mooreland Hill School

83 Breathe!

Don’t let anger beat you

Think about the good

Never give up

Unplug yourself and live life to its

Fullest

Calm down and relax

Don’t let anger turn to

Actions

Be a feather not a rock

Keep on soaring through

Tough times

Hear the sounds of joy

Enjoy yourself

Live

HAPPY!

JUST BREATHE!

Cooper Mason 6th Grade Mooreland Hill School

84 THANK YOU

T here is nothing more wonderful than H earing a ‘Thank You’. It shows that people A ppreciate you and what you do N ever stop saying thank you to others, for they will think you not K ind. If

Y ou go O ut of your way to say thank you every time, and if you make time to explore the U nknown world out there, people will thank you back

Because the world will be a lot better if we appreciate one another

Isabella Mazza 7th Grade Mooreland Hill School

Love

Love can be lots of things Love could be compassion Sitting next to someone while they cry Listening to all their problems Making them feel happy again

Love could be gratitude Saying thank you to your parents Telling them you need them Making them feel loved

Love could be forgiveness Not dwelling on past mistakes Forgiving your older sister Even though she made you cry

Love could be courage Being brave enough to tell the truth And trust that people won’t judge you To do the right thing Even if it is hard

Love can be lots of things You may not even be able to tell When love is there But you can always find it Wherever you go

Justine Murray 7th Grade Mooreland Hill School

Choose Love....

Choosing love means trying something new Thinking positive, even when the sky is not blue Asking for help, especially when you need it most Treating others with kindness, That’s right, be a good host

Choosing love means having forgiveness Listening more and talking less Saying thank you and finding the good in yourself Always acting your best and believing in good health

Choosing love means having gratitude No matter what you must have the right attitude Making the best of the situation and Looking for the silver lining Don’t let the negativity reign and the worst be defining

Choosing love means offering to help Someone who is in need

87 Using caring words and actions and fulfilling good deeds Always be understanding and compassionate For being kind always takes action

Lastly, choosing love means possessing empathy The ability to understand and share the feelings of others Never giving in and always believing in destiny

Eliza Palluotto 8th Grade Mooreland Hill School

88 Love

Sometimes it might be hard to fix Something that's harder Something that's killing you inside That you can't get of your mind, But one thing you can drive forward with is

The feeling of love Let go of everything Keep your mind on track Stick with the tender strong feeling of love With its beating feelings and its beating heart You are the owner now so don't let that slip

Take a trip with love Take it far and wide To a place where only you can go A place where you don't have to hide. Let those feelings out And let them be heard By the great valleys of love By the all mighty lord It is only love that can heal Every wound and broken bone!

Lucas Revenaugh 6th Grade Mooreland Hill School

89 Love

Love isn’t something you are just born with You have to build it in your heart

Love is something you can build by forgiving Yourself for doing something bad

Love is also forgiving others Who have done wrong by you

Love is connecting with others about Sports, arts, school or personal things

Love isn’t just about building your own It is about building other people’s love

Love is letting someone know that they are loved By doing this you put a smile on their face And build Your own love

All people really need in life is LOVE

Ruthie Riccobon 7th Grade Mooreland Hill School

90 The Journey of Love

love is a strange thing love can sometimes be good or bad love can make you feel good or feel bad If you let love do its thing love will succeed If you force love love Will never accomplish anything Love is happiness Love is a long journey When the time is right You'll find It

Adam Siebor 7th Grade Mooreland Hill School

91 Love is like a never empty bowl of delicious ice cream Love is lasting friendship and kindness growing in a garden Love is warm hugs from your family and snuggles from your pet Love is forgiving when your feelings get hurt Love is standing up for your friends. ~ Mrs. de Chabert’s 2nd graders The Country School

Love is courage and I think courage is believing in yourself. Forgiveness is love too. Saying sorry can AMAZINGLY make you feel good. Gratitude is easy it is just saying, “thank you”, “no thank you”, “sorry”, “yes please”, “are you okay?” Love can be a lot of things. Show love and you will be happy.

Katie L. 2nd Grade The Country School

Love Love is friendship and looks like 1,000 people holding hands on the same Earth. Love is like a day without complaining about ANYTHING. Love is giving compliments to people. Love is being kind and loving

Ava K. 2nd Grade The Country School

Love is caring for your friends and family. Love is letting go when you are mad at people. Love is knowing if someone does not give you what you want it does not mean they don’t love you. Love is writing thank you notes to someone who has helped you.

Josie L. 2nd Grade The Country School

Love is like when my cat licks me on the cheek. I can feel the little bumps on their tongue rubbing against my cheek. It almost feels like sandpaper rubbing my skin.

Laila G. 2nd Grade The Country School

96 Love is being kind Love is playing with your friends Love is like fun pets

Caroline R. (haiku) 2nd Grade The Country School

97 Licks from a pet means they love you, Often snuggles though Violence is not love Even big animals can’t trample love

Sydney-Ann C. (acrostic) 2nd Grade The Country School

98 Love is caring for Your friends and your family And helping others

Nathaniel S. and Kieran F. (haiku) 2nd Grade The Country School

99 Love is friends Love is forgiveness Love is courage Love is loving your family

Levi A 2nd Grade The Country School

100 Love

Love is in the air. Love is something you can not see but you know it's there. Love is also very fragile because if you’re mean you could lose something very important: friendship. Love is at the night after my mom sings my special song we snuggle. Love is when I’m watching my show and my dog jumps on me. When I'm eating cupcakes because I fall in love with cupcakes. Love is an amazing thing. and love is everywhere.

Mia N. 2nd Grade The Country School

101

Love is … Love is snuggles with my dog. Love is also kind of gross. Love is something you cannot see. Love is really strange. Love is everywhere you are. Love is overrated. Valentine's Day is the holiday of love. Love is in families. Love is my dog when he is in the mood.

Jacob R. 2nd Grade The Country School

102 Love

When I think of love I think of my dog Kona licking my face and playing with me. I think of her cute face after she’s messed up her fur by rubbing it on the couch. I think of her cute little yawns and her funny little sneezes. I love Kona.

Lillian C. 2nd Grade The Country School

103 Love

Love is my dog kissing me when I walk in the door. My dog’s name is Ozzy and whenever I think of him I feel so warm inside like he is right there with me. I love him so much and how he sits on the top of the couch. He is so cute. He is like my best friend because he is. I love him.

Caroline M. 2nd Grade The Country School

104 Love

Love is your own personal thing. Everywhere you go you are loved. If you’re at sea you see love in the stars. You are loved everywhere you go no matter what. Even if your home alone, your love is in your house. When you run down to the meadow your love is in the flower petals. No matter what you’re loved.

Lena C. 2nd Grade The Country School

105 Love

Love is in the air Love is everywhere Love is in books Love is in your body Love is in countries Love is in movies

Will C. 2nd Grade The Country School

106 Love is…

Love is a horse nudging me and a dog licking me and a cat purring at me and my mom hugging me and my dad hugging me. Love is in the air everywhere.

Tillie K. 2nd Grade The Country School

107 This Is My View Of Love

Love Is cuddling with my dog. Love is listening to the radio with my dad. Love is doing my secret handshake with my best friend. Love is going to Ashleys with my mom. Love is all around!

Lucy S. 2nd Grade The Country School

108 What Is Love?

Love is in my heart. Love is snuggling my dog. It’s also playing with friends. We can’t see love but it’s around us.

Sawyer A. 2nd Grade The Country School

109 Love is… Special. Love is not a once in a life thing Love is everywhere Love is sweet Love is the time to care for Those you love

Maile D. 2nd Grade The Country School

110 “Ode to Jumper”

Purrbles and Purrgles, An outstretched paw. Round the chair and into lap. Scratch behind my ear, Whilst I flops. Purrbles and purrgles - Pet me some more! Drooling headbutts with droopsy eyes _ Kitty smiles and lowered lids. Into the nap with Purrbles and purrgles...

Author’s words: The interactive relationship of love and trust that we build with our pets, in my opinion, is just as important as a loving family, good nutrition, exercise, and a strong caring family community.

Wishing Purrbles and Purrgles for all!

"Jumper" is one of our family cats. She has such a personality that we all love! This poem burst into my mind early in the morning as Jumper did her usual paw to my side from the stool behind me as she requested my lap, invited to crawl in

111 with her trusted flops, and proceeded to drool and purr all over me. The poem was scribbled on a napkin and then typed in an email to myself so I wouldn't forget! She sits in my lap just this very moment!

I believe, just like Sarah James Eddy from over a hundred years ago, that children and people that learn to socialize, love, understand and respect animals grow into wonderful caring and well balanced adults. Our relationships with each other, solidified and strengthened with our animal family - help create strong social emotional characteristics as well as bring us profound happiness. That is love!

ShawnaLee Kwashnak Parent

112 Courage

Courage is a part of love,

A sign of love is a dove,

With courage you can so so much more,

With courage you don’t shut the door,

You let people in,

You don’t stay in your own personal bin,

Courage is a part of love.

Charlotte Snyder 6th Grade Nathan Hale Middle School

113

Love is in the Air at Building Blocks

By Choosing Love we model Gratitude, Courage, Compassion, and Forgiveness to all because we know to give a hand for when you shall fall. At Building Blocks, we rise, conquer, and stand tall by working together all for one and one for all. We practice forgiveness whether for something big or small There’s love throughout the classes and in the halls. Teaching compassion to children who walk and who crawl We choose love and promise to give all the children our love each and everyday “I Love You” can be heard in the centers because it’s just something we like to say! We will continue to build awareness for SEL in our own unique way.

Christine Bartell President of Education Building Blocks Early Learning Center

114

Forgiveness Satisfying hard love, Self-pace non thinking helpful self pace thoughtful How they are alike ,tough, energetic, brightful, joyful, second chances Good sportsmanship, team work, smartness,dream Work ethic,pushing limits, life dream Football

Over all football and forgiveness are two different things but could easily tie together to create something beautiful

Malcolm Addison 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

115

When the world is getting you down When your friends are not what they seemed to be When it feels like the people in your life have given up on you When you want to scream, shout, and be angry... Don’t

Don’t curse the world for the bad things it has done to you Don’t betray you friends how it seems they have betrayed you Don’t give up on the people who appear to have given up on you Choose to forgive

Forgive the world for the bad things it has done to you Forgive your friends for betraying you Forgive the people who have given up on you

If you choose to curse the world, you will feel pain If you choose to betray your friends, you will feel guilt If you choose to give up on the people in your life, you will feel a burden on your soul But,

If you choose to forgive the world, it will forgive you If you choose to forgive your friends, you will feel relieved If you choose to forgive the people in you life, it will make you feel free

Choose to not stay angry Choose to not hold a grudge Choose to forgive

Anna Bender 7th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

116

Love is A warm blanket On A Rainy Day Love is an bright Candle In the Midst of the Night Love is an Airplane over the Beauty of a crystal clear sea Love is A colorful Oasis in the vast brown Of the Desert Love is a key in your hands, A key that unlocks the Prison you put yourself in. It is the sunshine that Wakes you up in the morning. Love is a bright star that Illuminates the dark night sky. Love is a friend thats pushes You to do what is right. Love a chocolate chip cookie at the End of a long day. Love is a warm hug. Love a beautiful dove gracefully swimming in the water of life. Love is everything to me, and I owe everything to love.

William Daus 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

117 Her

Her eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky Her hair was as wavy as the sea Her smile was like the sun But her personality was ugly

She spoke the lies of others that were untrue She hurt many But acted innocent How can someone be so beautiful yet so ugly Although she left me pain I released the burden Feeling a freedom I never felt before Letting go of what she has done to me Made my life a little easier

Her eyes will continue sparkling Her hair will always be wavy Her smile will always be the sun But she will never be beautiful With that personality so ugly

Samantha Estrada 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

118 Choose Love

Forgiveness is something that will help us in the long run. Being free will bring much fun. Knowing that we were the bigger person will bring you much pride. Forgiving will put all anger to the side.

If we show gratitude we will have a good outcome. Even if it’s raining and the sun won’t come. Even when you are full of sorrow. Gratitude will ensure there is a better tomorrow. In life you may not be the one above. But you should always still choose love.

Miyawnna Harris 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

119 Here’s why to pick kindness I hope you change mindset It can impact you amazingly Don’t go through being aimlessly Shall make your life as long as a baguette

Robert- Johnson 7th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

120 Courage and fear Vs hate and pain Because I show courage I am a warrior and because I show fear I am a leader. Fear bet’s hate and pain bet’s courage. Fear kills us and courage heal’s us. Pain hurt’s us and hate distarys us. Fear drives us away fear is the reason we don’t stay. Fear is the reason we run away. Fear is the reason we pray. But courage is really hard to fine. Courage is really hard to keep. Pain is really hard to see. But fear is making it hard to leave. Courage is really hard to be. But pain just comes easy to me. Hate comes strong. Courage helps heal the pain. But fear beat’s it all. That’s the reason my ma’am say pray and everything will be okay.

Samiya Kennedy 7th Grade STMS

121 Courage!

Caring Overlooking commUte Release Apologize Gratitude Excuse

Raylyn Kirkland 7th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

122

Help Yourself

Kindness is the best You should forgive and forget Help you and others

Allianna O’Connor-Gambrell 7th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

123

Love

A girl loving Against societies cruel judgements But kept loving she did Despite there judgements For love is powerful The most powerful feeling of all She knew that so she kept Ashley Rewis 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

124

Comparing your situations to others won’t help; do what you think is right

Open up about your life situations

Underestimating yourself won’t help

Remember that you are always loved by someone

Appear to be the person that someone said you couldn’t be

Gratitude is one of the best ways to show courage

Express your feelings to someone and let your emotions out

Dejanae Smith 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

125

to hate is easy, to forgive is divine forgiveness is key the key to living an ordinary life how could thee not forgive to thee is thy love and to love thy you must forgive thee And to love thy you must For forgiveness is the most powerful magic of all And for love that’s the most used drug of them all

John Sponaugle 8th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

126 TRUST

HAPPY

ABSOLUTELY BLESSED

NEVER ENDING

KINDNESS

FORGIVENESS

ULTIMATELY BLESSED

LOVING

Carleigh Thompson 7th Grade South Tattnall Middle School

127

Courage can get you to a good place. Forgiveness is giving to someone that you want to forgive. Choose love. Love can choose you. To love someone, be compassionate. It can get you to good place and compassion will come to you.

Marc Ian Ermitanio 7th Grade Hale O Ulu

128

If to choose love is to show compassion, then to show compassion is to think of a person once more. To think of a person once more can be to show gratitude for what they have done.

Nathan Jones 8th Grade Hale O Ulu

129

Forgive and forget Let go And grow Love is a choice So use your voice Your future is your path So it’s your duty to pass

Michael Pimo 11th Grade Hale O Ulu

130

Sometimes it’s hard being courageous.

Sometimes fear can be contagious.

We should set love free from our cages.

We should hold the pen, we should write the pages.

Arjay Rivera 7th Grade Hale O Ulu

131

Love One Another

We don’t need things, we just need love.

We shouldn’t dig below, we should rise above.

I’m afraid of what hate has done to our youth.

I don’t want fires in the schools, just fire in the booth.

When I drop these bars, I hope we drop these weapons.

It’s about time all this violence got to steppin’.

Why are we so afraid to love one another?

When will we realize we are sister and brother?

Isaac Schweitzer

Family Service Worker

Hale O Ulu

132 The Chosen Ones

Thundering Passover God in white Blackened hands Have the lamb’s been spared? Will His spirit cease? Will He learn to care?

He stands above and alone Exhales smoke Judgment cast in grey stone

Can we prevent this? Can we try for once?

Hope is not lost From the ashes we rise A forest to be reckoned with Lush and welcoming for all time We return, Resilient.

Treven Wong Hale O Ulu

133

Drew Bjornson 7th Grade Iolani School

134

Jake Butkiewicz 7th Grade Iolani School

135

SORRY

The feeling of letting go When you’re being beared down on from every side, When you want to give up. But this isn’t really giving up, Just accepting what’s happening, And showing love. Forgiveness is to love. To love your family, To love your friends, To love your attackers. Even when you don’t feel like it, Even when you feel like they don’t deserve it. When you feel, Deep down in your heart, That you should say sorry.

Owen Ching 7th Grade Iolani School

136

Flowers

A heart with love A heart with flowers Deserves what it always desires. If a heart is in any way broken, And you come to fix that innocent heart, You will learn the rightful love that you deserve. A heart that is taking in love for hours is Truly a beautiful heart.

A heart as kind and inspiring as this poem, always deserves love from family and friends.

Aparna Datta 3rd Grade Kahala Elementary

137

Abhi Erukulapati 7th Grade Iolani School

138

Micah Fasi 7th Grade Iolani School

139

Jayme Firth 7th Grade Iolani School

140 Courage The flame that burns deep inside Does not extinguish even when they have cried Does not extinguish when they have lied Does not extinguish when they have died The bravery that all can seek But the rest have nought but bleak When the world shows darkness They show no wickedness Instead of fighting Instead of exciting They work on righting They work on lighting And it never goes away Never leaves Never falls Instead, it burns with bravery, and love, and compassion, and forgiveness, and gratitude It never dies

Chase Graham 7th Grade Iolani School

141 Choose to Forgive

You are a warm hug on a rainy day

You smell like the freshly baked cookies mom made downstairs

You’re there for me when I come home with a bad test grade

I’m not perfect,

None of us are

We all deserve a chance

It’s definitely not easy

But everyone but be forgiven

Everyone must forgive

Forgiveness is love and love is forgiveness

It starts with a mental decision

Choose to love by choosing to forgive

Eryn Hiraki 7th Grade Iolani School

142 Sharing Love L is for laughter, and being together O is for others,like family and friends V means to venture out and find courage E is eternal, as love doesn’t end Love needs to be given To others with less And maybe they’ll give some back too. Love is a gift That should be regifted Given to others, as others give you Everybody needs just some love in their life It’s as simple as just saying “hi” Or it comes in the form of sharing a snack, Or a gift that anyone could buy Or a song, or a poem A drawing, A hug, A letter, A greeting card, A new coffee mug, Just something that could brighten up someone’s day. Love can be spread in any way.

Arianna Ito 7th Grade Iolani School

143

Stacy Lieu 7th Grade Iolani School

144 Courage is the fire within

It’s the spark of light that gets people to the next level

They are people that are just like you and me

It isn’t just courage though

It’s the compassion in action that shows people they care

The explosive work rate

The infinite effort that is demonstrated by the drops of sweat dripping down the face of competitors

When these legends want something

Their grit and determination is showing every second

They don’t just compete

They forgive

They don’t hold grudges so more people have respect for them

They don’t need everyone to like them

They treat them well anyway

They make up bad ends with former enemies

These people have no problem with showing gratitude

145 Although they appear to be in the zone of concentration

They are grateful for anyone who has ever helped them

They don’t care if the other person holds grudges against

After all not everyone will like them for who they are

But they still are grateful for them being in the world

And they are like that for everyone them have ever known

Although all four of these words are very diverse

They all describe one word

It is a powerful word

It is the word that brings people together

This word is

Love

Keane Palmer 7th Grade Iolani School

146

Compassion

I think of others When someone feels sad or mad I give all my love

Courage

I am strong I can stand up for myself I can do what is right I can stand up for my friends I can be brave I am courage

Kindness

Kindness is a thing It makes me sing Holds me tight Even though we fight You make me fly high Sometimes I may cry Kindness is power I bloom like a flower

Sherry Robello Teacher of 2nd Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

147

Love

Love is compassion. Get in their shoes for passion. Love is always there.

Jairus Rabino 4th Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

148 Lovely Bunny with Roses

My lovely bunny My bunny gives a rose kiss My caring bunny

Ayana deBrum 4th Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

149 Empathy

Is to feel or understand What someone is feeling

I can show empathy by Showing respect Helping others And by showing kindness

Steven Bilango 4th Grade Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School

150 Love

Love is not a hard thing Bullying’s not compassion Love is not dumb love

Daniel Lu 4th Grade Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School

151 Love

Love is everywhere It spreads along with people Love is empathy

Peter Yu 4th Grade Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School

152 Love

Love is amazing It flies across the whole world Love is compassion

Kaleo Benton 4th Grade Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School

153 Love

Love is everything It is showing compassion It’s unbreakable

Name not given 4th Grade Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School

154 Showing Gratitude

Being nice is hard, So don’t be a sloth that’s always tard

You have to be quick to change your attitude Or else you’re gonna get a kick for not showing any gratitude

Diane James 4th Grade Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School

155 Ruby Red

Red is red they say, But I say it’s for Wendy’s

I love those 4 for 4 deals

My love for Wendy’s is Like my love for my dog

I treat my dog with everything

Everything I feed her treats every week I take her for walks

Too bad I only see her In the summertime

Gosh darn it I love that dog!

Devin Williams 4th Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

156 Love is Like a Dolphin

Love is like a dolphin Swimming smoothly across the water

Love is seeing dolphins perform MAGIC In the sea

Love is like the glistening skin of a dolphin When it leaps out of the ocean

I love dolphins Because to me, They express… LOVE

Suzie Olson 4th Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

157

Lovely

When fire’s freezing cold, When you feel like you have no home, And all birds forget to sing, I still forget you not.

But, when every story ends, And spring does not renew, Then all the eLocks stop, All stop loving you. Now you don’t know what to do, But feel blue.

Annabee Pita 4th Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

158 Love is Like a Puppy

Love is nice It’s also kind It’s like a puppy’s fur Oh, it’s so nice

Love is like a puppy Because puppies are kind They help people do stuff Puppies are love and They love you too!

Lillian Franco 4th Grade Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary School

159 Forgiveness

Because of forgiveness I am able to forgive Because of forgiveness I am able to forget The the things that are wrong Because of forgiveness those bad memories are gone And I don't have to be up late worrying about them at all I can make new friends and memories Whether it be winter, summer, spring, or fall The days I forgive Are the days more memories are able to live And more days to be able to forgive Please forgive no matter what Whether it’s big or small Whether it’s in the morning or when the sun falls If it’s mistake Or even if it’s on purpose But if you don’t forgive Then it’s like your drinking poison Nobody's perfect But that’s what make us who we are So please don’t get mad at the mistakes that are done And instead forgive those mistakes that are done It might not be easy to forgive BUt you feel better when you are able to forgive

Kathryn Schmeding Teacher of 6th Grade Pearl Harbor Elementary

160 Courage

When I was small I’d go back to the sun to play around,

instead of going outside at night.

It’s because of Courage helps me be brave,

It tells me to face my fears even though I’m scared.

So it told me to look straight and ignore things who say you are bad,

Useless, and weird.

I encouraged them to help people, do what is right, and

Treating others the way you want to be treated.

Courage is a friend to everyone!!!

Angelo-Matte-Nino R. 6th Grade Pearl Harbor Elementary

161

Forgive Me

I can feel it everyday I just don’t know what to say. I feel bad for what I did, but I don’t know what to do for it. I know it really hurt you now I know you’re feeling blue was it my fault? That makes me have a thought that always comes to me I wonder what you really see. Does it feel good does it feel bad? Does it make you really sad? I have to let it go Just feels bad to know. I know it’s a long story Just to say I’m sorry.

Alex Gutierrez 6th Grade Pearl Harbor Elementary

162

Forgiveness is a thing that everyone should have

You would need forgiveness to create friendships forgiveness is something that everyone should have and learn

Forgiveness helps people forgive people

But some people cant forgive

And some people cant create friendships

Matthew Seto 7th Grade Iolani School

163

Alex Shaker 7th Grade Iolani School

164

Mattison Shea-Park 7th Grade Iolani School

165

John Sung 7th Grade Iolani School

166

Ryden Tamura 7th Grade Iolani School

167

Waipehe Winchester 7th Grade Iolani School

168

Thoughts Do they count? All Humans think thoughts, good, bad, awesome, sad thoughts, Thoughts can make big changes. One single thought can make someone smile. One single thought can end a fight. One single thought can make a change to the world. All you have to do is take action in that thought. Thoughts form our lives It can be good, or bad It depends on what thought you choose to live through Take a good, long thought. Words are born from thoughts Words are happy Words can hurt Words can save Words can be sad Without Words there is nothing No music No stories No history Only Silence Smiles shine through silence They tell a story too

169 Everyone smiles Big and Happy Loving and true But also fake smiles Hiding sadness Grief Loss Depression From loved ones Although smiles are happy They are sad We smile to hide what we don’t want them to know Things that they don’t want people to interfere with The things that might hurt the people around them Smiles are In a way Dangerous Smiles help the almost Almost is a strong word Almost there Almost done Almost home Almost okay When will the almost be gone Not quite there Almost I wish I could be done with almost Because almost sometimes never disappears

170 It stays Almost is never finished Cayden Reese Chun 6th Grade St. Andrews Schools

171 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka’elepulu Elementary

172 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka’elepulu Elementary

173 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka’elepulu Elementary

174 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka’elepulu Elementary

175 176 Lilia Walker Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

177 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

178 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

179 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

180 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

181 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

182 Student of Nicolle Grimes Ka'elepulu Elementary School

183 Noelle Rand 4th Grade Missouri Valley Elementary

184 In a place called Earth It is like a ride, there will be twists and turns some make you scared while others make you laugh. The beautiful flowers in the meadows to the lava in a volcano bubbling hot waiting to burst out.

The cars humming as people drive them going to places and seeing familiar faces.

But like a flower the world has it’s thorns. Why fight for our lives Using guns and knives In a place we call home In a place where we roam. In a place called Earth In a place we’ve been on since birth.

We have to cherish this place. Not punch each other in the face. We can do something about this. We can make this a better place. We don’t have to fight about race.

There is hope. Don’t sit around and mope. Get out there and make a change. Do something no matter how strange. Show the world what you can do.

There is hope There is a way

185 Don’t sit around. Get paid.

Be that dream Be that flower Find your theme Don’t wait for power.

In this poem you will see We are all like a family.

Devin Brown

8th Grade

CICS Irving Park

186 Love As I Know It

I choose love and I always will It doesn’t matter what the cost Love is always my path Love may be big

It may be small No matter the size It is always there Love is at home with family Love brings us together So I always choose love Because love is the strongest force Stronger than titanium and stronger than hate Love will change people Make them great Love is not a burden Love is stronger than we know Love is a force Invisible to the eye Yet it changes our life It allows us to fly high I choose Love and I always will

Haley H. Durham 5th Grade CICS Irving Park

187 If you choose love, you will fly like a dove. If you choose love, you will make people happy. If you choose love your heart will feel tip - tappy. If you choose love you will also feel good. I chose love. You should. �

Reina Martin 5th Grade CICS Irving Park

188

Love

Love is happiness love is pain. Love is hatred, love will bring you to your best and to your worst but it will always be with you if you truly believe it will come to you and will never stop. So never stop loving. If you give up on love, love gives up on you.

Louie Wentland 5th Grade CICS Irving Park

189 Every morning I wake up I thank the Lord And I grew up saying “when it rains it fricking pours” My mom was downing bottles Looking for love down at the bottom And she says she’s got these demons and I know that I’ve got them. But I still woke up this morning, I’ve got my head on my shoulders I’m thankful for each breath I take And every year that I get older I thank myself for getting through it For getting myself back up when I thought I couldn’t do it.

Emily Barnes 8th Grade Thomas Jefferson Junior High

190 Choose LOVE Not Hate

Everyday we choose-To love or to hate To be at peace-to argue Or to debate Make no mistake Every choice we make There are consequences at stake Hate is everywhere-In our world today It must be erased Immediately-without delay So I say Only love will wipe out hate In a positive way We’ve heard it said-Love is patient Love is kind Love can mend broken hearts Love can change confused minds By design Love is powerful-It’s our only choice To use our voice So we can love, live And rejoice Everyday we choose-To love or to hate To get along with others To be respectful-to relate Do not contemplate For Heaven’s sake Choose to love And not to hate.

Mary Elizabeth Williams Educator of Junior High School Jefferson Junior High School

191 I see the shadows

And they’re piercing my heart

Shadows of the dreams that died so young

I hear the Voices

And they’re wounding my soul

Voices of the children asking why

Where are the Children

Why did they die

Why must this mountain be so very high

Who are these false gods

Who claim to lead the way

And where are the children

Who got in their way

I taste the red blood it’s staining the land

Blood of the children wasted by pure greed

I feel the heartbreak

192 of a mother’s empty arms

Heartbreak sowed by lustful seed

Where are the Children

Why did they die

Why must this mountain be so very high

Who are these false gods

Who claim to lead the way

And where are the children

Who got in their way

But suddenly a chorus

Growing stronger day by day

Voices rising through the sounds of grief

Love is the answer

It’s the only way, they say to rise above the tragic past of hate

193 Let all voices rise

Breathe new life into this land

Voices speaking for our precious children lost

They can speak no more

But we can speak for them

“Speak and teach pure unconditional love”

Love is blind to differences

Love never judges

Love will overcome the sadness borne by hate

Take the time to teach your children

Kindness, charity, hope

The time is now to share these gifts

Act out your love, it cannot wait

Our future, our country, our world

Needs love and a culture of love

To change and break the cycle

194

To teach all peoples

that kindness and love Is a basic human need

Love is the answer

Maria Schulz RN

195 Wyatt Pfaehler 4th Grade Holy Trinity

196 The Boy Who Drew Halos (Inspired by my Interview with Scarlett Lewis in Sandy Hook, Connecticut on April 11, 2015)*

I. I saw a blackbird stand tall and proud one day, Over the breadth of the expanse, And yell at me that he wanted to sing his song, boldly.

He wanted the world to echo his tune. I yelled back that the air inside him Could grant him flight, and could he please tell me

Where the pigment in his coat came from. Over the veil. A heart stretched to burst. A love exceeding any boundary evil could create.

II. When I met her, it was dawn. Her chickens had come out, and the light That traversed over her fragrant driveway,

Where the sleepless bring life to the tortured, Sprinkled like rose petals over the glint of her forehead. It is said that love is an expanse,

A limitless blanket, shrouding any other Concept in nature. The lightning, the sea, The birds all bow to Her song.

III. How lucky I am to exist in the same second of Universe as the knuckles that lead me through the Gate of the home where Spirit thrives.

IV. 10 am and the Newtown diner doesn’t have Enough room for the hearts that occupy it. The hearts were suffocating in the sense that they

Didn’t have enough room for the 26 that had left them. A red clip on the wall, nestled between the napkins and the Maple syrup. Light, reflected off the red, made it look like

It was about to take flight, a dove on its perch. Squint, it held initials. JL. Jesus, the Law. Justice, in Love. Jesse Lewis.

197 V. It was recently published that Venus, At some point in its existence, Fell victim to global warming.

Citizenship peaked the day the sun fell. I thought about Venus when my hands Grazed the paper of the last thing he drew,

Sun-kept and yellow toned. There’s an angel, And a dark figure with a gun. Squint, and it held A faint halo, hovering over the angel,

Not formed from graphite, but from knowing. Did Venus know his own kind could be so distant From his love? On a seperate sheet, 6 year old hands

Had scribbled, Have a lot of fun. And up there, he is.

VI. It is said the song of the blackbird Is the most widely recognized out Of all the bird species.

It sings to the trees, only bringing With it the sounds of the shiftless night As it bounces from one span of oblivion

To the other. And somewhere, amid Those notes that ring off the cliff Of our own destruction,

VII. Is a boy in a parka, a school bag On his back, a foot in a cloud, And a halo through the breeze.

*In April of 2015 I had the immense privilege of being invited into Ms. Scarlett Lewis’s home to conduct an interview with her regarding the tragedy and how a community copes with loss. Ms. Lewis’s strength, wisdom, and courage, are things shared with me that day that I will never forget or lose touch of. This is for her, in gratitude for allowing me to experience her light. This is also, of course, for Jesse and all of the victims that horrid day, as their light will also never be extinguished from the breadth of our minds and hearts.

Samantha Proctor 12th Grade Dulaney High School

198 Be “Perfect”

Who are you to tell me how to look and act? Who are you to tell me to be myself, but perfect? I refuse to live by your standards I refuse to harm myself to be “perfect” I’m perfect the way I am

Your idea of perfect does more harm than good Look at Barbie, she’s perfect Barbie was created for entertainment Not for “perfect”

You consider a slender, fit, body, long hair, and acne-free skin perfect That is only the standard for females “Perfect” is impossible to achieve Some people die just to be “perfect”

Both genders shouldn’t have to act a specific way Males don’t have to be macho, or know how to fight Females don’t have to be thin to be beautiful Nobody can achieve the unachievable

You tell us to be ourselves, be unique, but look and act like everyone else The pressure put on people to be “perfect” leads to harmful outcomes Females have to be thin, but curvy, males have to have washboard abs Females have to be tan, but not orange, males have to be tan

Females, need to wear makeup to be beautiful, but not look like a clown Males have to have big, buff, chests, and big arms, but Not have an ounce of fat on their bodies

Societies “perfect” is unachievable Unbelievable, and harmful It’s not just females that struggle to look and act perfect Males struggle too

Males and females are pressured To be “perfect” everyday by society Because society says we have to be perfect People harm themselves to achieve it

199 When society rejects someone because they’re not “perfect” That person ends up killing themselves either from rejection Or trying to be “perfect”

Because of society telling us to be “perfect” Have the perfect body, we have eating disorders There’s anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and purging

We’re perfect the way we are We don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful Everyone is perfect in their own way Whether someone has a big nose, or small breasts It doesn’t mean they have to have surgery to fix something they can’t control

Men don’t have to use steroids to be masculine. Just look at Johnny Depp He’s not buff, he doesn’t have washboard abs And girls swoon over him

Look at Lauren Hutton She’s seventy-one years old Has a gap in her teeth, yet she has a modeling career She’s considered beautiful

200

Beyonce has a song called “Pretty Hurts” A line from the song is: “Pretty hurts, (pretty hurts), Shine the light on whatever’s worse Perfection is the disease of a nation Pretty hurts, shine the light on whatever’s worse Tryin’ to fix something, but you can’t fix what you can’t see It’s the soul that needs the surgery” Beyonce is considered beautiful

Don’t be perfect, be you You might not believe me, but you’re perfect in your own way Don’t conform to society's standards Be yourself and love who you are Live life your way Be your own perfect

Shelby Perry Belmont High School

201 Kendra Lufkin, Kendal Cote 2/11/19 6R Guidance Choose Love

Forgive and forget, choose love just a bit When you are down, some compassion will turn that around, Gratitude should be your attitude, step up don’t back down,

You have come too far to come back now, chose love and never have a frown, Always remember I don't forgive because I’m weak, I forgive because I seek the goodness in all things alike.

Kendal Cote and Kendra Lufkin 6th Grade Charlestown Middle School

202 Burnt Toast

Violence is like burnt toast and everything it touches. The best thing to do is throw it away.

Mason Sykie 6th Grade Charlestown Middle School

203 Piece by piece restore my faith, don’t tear me down or walk away

Hand in hand build my trust, don’t fall from grace or be too rough

Step by Step, lead the way, show you care and always pray

Eye to eye, see my pain, don’t be glad, help it fade

Ear to ear, hear my cry’s, don’t tune me out, find out why

Toe to toe, walk by me, don’t step too close, just help me breathe

Word by word, talk me through, how to feel close to you

Act by act, help me see, love is real for both you and me

Emalina and Beth Robinson 7th Grade Hood

204

Allison Zenga 3rd Grade South Range Elementary School

205 I Love Her

Her soft, tanned skin and speckled freckles. I wish I could see the blush on her face. If I held her soft small hand. If only I was able to tell her. And if only, she’d love me back.

Mallika Earl 8th Grade Hudson Memorial School/ YMCA of Greater Nashua

206 Love By: Malik Earl

Love is a warm red. Tastes of sweet candy. Smells of cherry blossoms. Sounds of joyous laughter. Feels of a warm embrace, To fill an empty soul.

Mallika Earl 8th Grade Hudson Memorial School/ YMCA of Greater Nashua

207 Best Friend

You are the sun to my moon

The light to my darkness

The planets for my star

The ocean to my river the sand to my beach

The waves in my ocean

The sky for my clouds

The people and animals in my clouds The leaves for my trees

The flowers for my stems

The ink in my pen

The words on my paper

The canvas for my paint

You are my best friend and sister I love you

Arya Flanders 7th Grade Surry Village Charter School

208 ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN A DOG WITH ITS BONE.

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AS A SUNSET.

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE NOT AS BEAUTIFUL AS A BUTTERFLY, BECAUSE YOU ARE A BUTTERFLY

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE NOT A PRINCESS BECAUSE YOU ARE THE QUEEN

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS MAGNIFICENT AS AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE ALWAYS BEING YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU SING LIKE A BIRD BUT YOU LOOK LIKE AN ANGEL

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE COLOR BLUE

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, THE OCEAN CANT COMPARE TO YOU

209 ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU MAKE ME HAPPIER THAN A SUNNY DAY

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS SWEET AS A CANDY BAR

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I JUST CANT LIVE WITHOUT YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AS A RAINBOW

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE AS COOL AS DWIGHT SHROUT

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, IF I WAS IN A ROOM I WOULD CHOOSE YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, IF I ADDED ME AND YOU TOGETHER IT WOULD EQUAL LOVE

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I KNOW YOU ARE NOT GOOD AT PAINTING BUT YOU ARE THE PAINTING

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, IF YOU WERE A FLOWER I WOULD PICK YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I WISH I COULD BE LIKE YOU

ROSES ARE RED,

210 VIOLETS ARE BLUE, IF YOU WERE A SUIT SHIRT I WOULD WEAR YOU ALL DAY

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I WOULD LOVE TO WRITE YOU A LOVE LETTER

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I WISH YOU WERE A BLANKET SO I COULD SNUGGLE WITH YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, WHY CANT YOU BE MY LOVE

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU SHINE BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, ARE YOU FROM HEAVEN BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE AN ANGEL

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, NOTHING CAN COMPARE TO YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I WANT TO BE YOU

211 ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE SO CUTE AND I LOVE YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN A MAC WITH ITS CHEESE

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, THE WHOLE WORLD IS YOURS

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I WISH YOU WERE A MAP SO THEN I CAN FOLLOW YOU

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE UNIVERSE

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOUR SMILE IS LIKE A SHINING STAR

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, YOUR HEART IS LIKE A DIAMOND

Madisyn Rilling 7th Grade Surry Village Charter School

212 Perhaps it is the loneliness that keeps us coming back for more The love drug Addictive and true But how secretive and solitary We love the love that we have to love And yet this is never enough Through trial and error this mass production of over the counter doses have been given And treated as though a bitter joke But no laughs after being broken by such a beautiful thing And love can be just so beautiful, but cunning in a way Goosebumps are only pretty when described Love letters are only pretty to a memorizing mind, She isn't investing in a love drug And maybe for good reason The only way out once your in Is to fall once again

Nora Young 8th Grade Surry Village Charter School

213

Jennifer Carbonneau Principal of Littleton High School/Daisy Bronson Middle School

214 Choosing love, Leads to love. Fake it till you make it, They say, But what about when they “Yank on my chain” And make me feel rain Like the rain when my dad left When I wanted to choose anything But Love. In its purest state Love. That makes my heart flutter Love. That used to make me blush I had hate, in place of my love. Food was just chemicals that kept me going Peace. Was far from my mind As I dived into the depth of my humanity and mortality. In the end. I chose Love. Which set me free to be me, Set me free to love others. Giving everyone the benefit of the doubt Giving my heart room and space to be Courageous for giving Love Forgiving Love. I had to forgive myself, more than any other, To find anew that elusive 4-letter word. Ultimately through my own Mind, I found a thankfulness That made me breathe in deep. In two three four. Out two three four.

215 It made me appreciate the chemicals, The dopamine, the serotonin, The adrenaline, I had to forgo my own insecurities To find security in Love of self and others. I think, therefore I am. I am, therefore I am loved. For the first time, In a long time, I found that Amorous Nebula that floats in Limbic system. Amygdalin home restored. Hippocampusian communication open Again. Numbness left, and tingling feelings began to electrify the cingulate cortex. When I feel the pain, again And again. And again, I turn prefrontal I face forward again. What should I choose? Bottling up and stagnating? Or do I choose the cathartic release of Gratitude and Love? Do I flip out or forgive? Hate or Love? Love or Hate? In the end, although my skeptic mind fears the vague and the unknown, I choose Forgiveness, for a cruel universe that rains on the good and the evil. I choose Gratitude, for the breath that fills me up and reminds me of life. I choose Courage, to speak openly in a vitriolic dog-eat-dog world, But above all I choose Love.

Charles Denny Littleton High School

216 Breathe

I can’t. I can’t ebb away from what I’ve always known.

“Sit down and be silent. You have nothing important to say,” she tells me. I whimper in fear. I don’t dare disturb or disobey. Like she said, I don’t really have anything important to say.

I’m just a freckle on the cheek of the Universe. I must live my life keeping the peace, I avoid confrontation.

I’m very scared. I feel my heart race and my cheeks getting hot. Then there’s a voice, a quiet voice, that’s in my mind telling me, “Have courage, breathe, and just have courage.” I breathe, and breathe again, and with what feels like my last breath, I tell the woman harming my soul, “You don’t have power over me anymore.”

My pulse strengthens and I grasp onto the rope of life before me, I don’t ease my grip. The woman recoiled in pain and shock, I have to be rid of her toxicity for good.

My heart spasms, there is one last thing I must do in order for that to become a reality, I reach into my chest and acquire a dove. With the dove in one hand, and the rope of life in the other, I breathe and let the bird go.

Just like that, the negative woman disappears, she no longer influences my actions and no longer consumes my thoughts. I struggle up the rope and once at the top: felt free. I’m no longer the me I used to be.

I have courage, I’m forgiving, and I’ll never forget that. Then I took a courage breath and leapt into the loving future, my loving future, grateful for the lesson I’ve learned.

Autumn Chase 12th Grade Pembroke Academy

217

Teddy Pacuku 3rd School Homeschooled

218 “Stop Saying I love you” Emma Nagl

Stop saying “I love you.” It’s the most misused phrase on Earth. Okay, it might be a nice thing to say But Do you mean it? Some people say it because of the convenience, but Do you really mean it? When something is broken You don’t throw it away immediately. You probably try to Fix It First. Love. What most people call “love” today is not love. It’s Possession. There’s a big difference. See, If you’re confused on the meaning of the word “Love” Then Stop saying it. Don’t even move your lips or take a breath to murmur these Three. Delicate. Words. Possession and Love Have a very big difference. Love speaks,

219 “I want you to be happy.” Possession shrieks, “I want you to make me happy.” Possession is secretly the Opposite Of love, It’s shadow, It’s darkness. Love has another name. It goes by understanding. Possession shouts, “ME!” Love says, “We.” Possession is a cage And love Is the flowing sea. Possession only wants control, Love wants Freedom. Love doesn’t keep score of their losses, But Remembers their victories While possession Keeps receipts. Possession cuts a flower from its roots But Love Tends to it. Waters it, lets it grow. Love isn’t sweaty palms and a rapid heartbeat. It’s more of a Soft, Gentle, Calming,

220 Explosion. But Nothing is perfect. Even love must be fed. Forgiveness, Understanding, Compliments. Not just three empty words that Say “I love you.” So, Are you willing to fix broken things And not just Throw them Away? When you say these three words, It represents glass. Hold it carefully, it stays in one piece. Drop it? The entire piece shatters. So, Respect these Three words. And say it only to those You truly do. “I love you.”

Emma Nagl 6th Grade Cinnaminson Middle School

221 I Am The...

I am the girl who wanted to be a normal. I am the girl who everyone targets. I am the girl who everyone talked about behind her back. I am the girl who had rumors made up about her. I am the girl who hated to go to school every day, but never showed it. I am the girl who cried silently at night. I am the girl who dreamt about ways to kill herself. I am the girl who attempted to leave this world behind. I am the girl who wanted help, but couldn’t find it. I am the girl who wanted to be invisible. I am the girl who did not want to live her life this way.

I am the young adult who made the wrong choices. I am the young adult who trusted people who were not worthy of my trust. I am the young adult who turned into the bully. I am the young adult who just wanted to be accepted. I am the young adult who just wanted to be loved. I am the young adult who wanted the life I dreamt about. I am the young adult who had to learn the hard way. I am the young adult who feels like no matter what I do, I will always struggle. I am the young adult who feels hopeless. I am the young adult who works hard to try to get ahead. I am the young adult who feels like she is failing at everything.

I am the teacher who feels like her students are her children. I am the teacher who wants the best for her students. I am the teacher who doesn’t want her students to suffer in anyway. I am the teacher who sees students being treated like she was in the past. I am the teacher who feels like she cannot do anything to help her students. I am the teacher who sees the pain in her students’ eyes. I am the teacher who sees the fake smiles. I am the teacher who wants to tell her students about her past. I am the teacher who is silenced because parents may not like the truth being told. I am the teacher who listens to parent’s claim “not my child”. I am the teacher who cries at night because she is scared for her students well- being.

I am the mother who is scared of her children growing up. I am the mother who is worried about her children starting school.

222 I am the mother who would do anything and everything for her children. I am the mother who wants to give her children the world. I am the mother who doesn’t want her children to struggle like she did. I am the mother who wants to raise happy and healthy children.

I am the mother who is frightened her children will become the victim. I am the mother who prays that she will not lose her children to suicide. I am the mother who doesn’t feel worthy of being a mother. I am the mother who needs to teach her children about love and compassion for others. I am the mother who prays her children will not follow the lead of others who spread negativity.

I will not be the girl or young adult who is the victim anymore. I will stop the vicious cycle of haterade that has plagued lives for centuries. I will be the teacher and mother who will teach her students and children to have the courage to stand up to the evil in the world. I will be the teacher and mother who will teach her students and children to show gratitude towards living things because everything has value and welcome gratitude from others. I will be the teacher and mother who will educate her students and children to give forgiveness to others for their mistakes and ask for forgiveness when they have made mistakes. I will be the teacher and mother who will train her students and children to show compassion towards living things and have compassion for themself because they will get down on themselves at some point in their life. With courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion, anyone can live a life that they can be proud of when they wake up every morning and the day that they wake no more. I will be the teacher and mother who chooses love in her life and mentor the new generation to choose love more than anything else.

Kim Blanchard 7th Grade Teacher of Special Education

223 Choose Love

Love is like morning.

It banishes the shadows.

It warms the bare soul.

Debbie Kiraly Morris Union Jointure Commission

224

Connor Black 1st Grade Gerlach K-12

225 Arlette “Mili” Schell 2nd Grade Gerlach K-12

226 Before everything, I was in a dark place. I've written many stanzas of unheard pleas leading nowhere. I almost thought that there was going to be no light in the end; however, it was before I met you.

Funny how we were in contact for years yet never said a word. The little bubble popped up from my notifications and your name showed up. Wanting to escape reality, I responded and we continued through the night.

The next day comes by, and that orange bubble appears once more. I felt excited from how you wanted to go though with your pastime with me. An instant reply and we go off into our world once more.

We continued to repeat this for months until one day, you dissapeared. I was used this magic trick, it has been played on me times before, but this time was different. Insead of finding the enterance to the void once more, I felt peaceful.

How? How did this happen? Then it clicked.

Though the time we talked, I felt welcomed into someone's life. There was no judgement from you while I felt judgement everywhere else. You gave me something I needed the most... needed to be loved.

You asked how my day was, kept tabs on my bad habits to help me break them, I can never repay you. Keeping me company during the times I was constrained to my thoughts and you there breaking those chains. Finally the times that you helped me find the better path to take, the path which you guided me.

Now I have this warm buzzing coming from my heart. Everytime you are around, I find that I want you around always. Maybe it's time to tell you.

I feel the love that you have given me. You have thawed my heart and eased my mind in this crazy world. The same crazy world that I know once more I could love someone again.

At least I know you won't leave me alone in a dark place when you are done.

Ariana Acosta 11th Grade Southeast Career Technical Academy

227 Choose Love People normally don’t resort to the passive choice. But that doesn’t mean I can’t.

Aiden Cluff 11th Grade North Valleys High School

228

Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea But sad mortality o’er-sways their power, How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, Whose action is no stronger than a flower? O, how shall summer’s honey breath hold out Against the wrackful siege of batt’ring days, When rocks impregnable are not so stout, Nor gates of steel so strong, but time decays? O fearful meditation! where, alack, Shall time’s best jewel from time’s chest lie hid? Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back? Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid? O, none, unless this miracle have might, That in black ink my love may still shine bright.

Something Adrian Hossay about love Junior NV Reno NV

229 CHOOSE LOVE

Choose Love So that no more would be taken above

Being kind Is hard to find

We should support So we have no court

Let’s make changes And expand our mind ranges

No, no more blame It’s all for fame

A simple, are you okay? Will change a persons’ day

At what cost Will we have another loss?

Positivity Starts with creativity

What about motivation For our nation

Let’s embrace each other An hug one another

Let’s stop this social blindness With KINDNESS

Hanna Roman 10th Grade Proctor R. Hug High School

230

The courage we have to tell someone that we love them The gratitude we get from the ones we love The forgiveness we give when ones apologize and ask for The compassion we show to those that we care about and love These 4 components we are the Choose Love Formula

Carla Donato 10th Grade Proctor R. Hug High School

231 Choose Love

Love is in the air

Some people are attached

But some don’t care

Choose love over anything

Family comes first

Because I choose them over everything

Love takes time

Love is hard

Love can sometimes be a lie

I look at my town

And I see no love

All I can see, is a bunch of frowns

We’re put in this world

To love one another

You’re not just a friend

You’re more like my brother

We all have a heart

We all have a goal

Love is hard

232 Life is dull

But don’t look at the negative side

Spread love and positivity

Giving someone love is not a waste of time

I choose love

I choose you

Before the doves

Before you’re beautiful view

Eric Rodreguez 10th Grade Proctor R. Hugs High School

233 Choose Love There’s nothing worse Than wanting a hug from someone above Let’s press reverse And let’s choose love We’ve had enough No, not a bluff Love each other Like a sister and a brother We will face All the negativity and embrace A simple act of kindness Could change someone’s emptiness To a heart full of tenderness Choose Love

Hanna Roman 10th Grade Proctor R. Hugs High School

234

We carry within us the wonders we seek around us. By using courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion because not all those who wander are lost. Usually people never notice that they are braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think. When you are done you deserve a standing ovation.

Grace Assile 4th Grade St. Clare School

235 Choosing Compassion is very fun, It makes my heart warm like a day in the sun. Being compassionate makes you strong, Stronger than a tornado that spins all day long. If your heart is as cold as snow, Compassion can fix it, for all I know. If compassion can do good for me and you, It will do good for the whole world too.

Lynda Serra 4th Grade St. Clare School

236 Love is easy. Easy as can be. It helps us stay calm.Calm is good for me. If you follow the formula, you be choosing love just like me!

Mackenzie Keane 4th Grade St. Clare School

237 May love guide me by my side to guide me from wrong to right. May love give me forgiveness when I turn away from light. May the light of love guide me. I change my life by choosing love.

Samantha Ryan 4th Grade St. Clare School

238 Choosing love is a good attraction. It is as fun as a fraction! Oh boy! Oh boy! You bring me joy! I love when you are around because you never bring me down.

Emma Burke 4th Grade St. Clare School

239 Choosing Love to me is a change in life that made me take flight. Choosing Love in action is courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. During rough and hard days, Choosing Love helps me learn in new ways. CALM helps during fights and lets you see light. Thank you Choose Love for making me as loving as a dove!

Sophia DiStefano 4th Grade St. Clare School

240 Love is strong, Love is here, If you care, You’ll get somewhere, Use compassion, It’s so strong, It’s not wrong, So you should share, Cause’ love is everywhere.

Ava Canterino 4th Grade St. Clare School

241 Choosing love makes the world go round. From kindness to gratitude from love to compassion; choose love will help the world go round. Choose love makes people love each other. I love choose love because it’s about being kind. Choose love makes me very happy. You should choose love too.

Michael Tricomi 4th Grade St. Clare School

242 Choosing love makes me happy. Happy is when you feel good. Happy is peace. Peace helps the world go around. When we make peace we make love. When we choose love we make everyone choose love.

Angela Pistone 4th Grade St. Clare School

243 I love you. You love me. We should all love each other. No one should be mean or discouraging others. We should show compassion for others. Be kind and we will live in a world full of love and kindness. It’s very simple to love one another, so let’s all love each other.

Ava Cronin 4th Grade St. Clare School

244 Love is a feeling in the air. It is like a dove. It makes me happy. Like l am in a love valley. It is a like a huge heart filled with love. This is part of God’s love. Now we should be careful. Just like we should be shareful.

Peter Adamkiewicz 4th Grade St. Clare School

245 Kindness helps me make friends. You help me solve problems. Kindness is everywhere, you just have to look. Kindness makes people smile. To see kindness, just stay calm and look. Just cooperate and you will see. Listen to your friends. This is how you be kind. You can show courage by being kind, like I said just look and see.

Matthew Calicchio 4th Grade St. Clare School

246 Love is everywhere Love is being compassionate Compassion is caring When you care, you love And when you make sure others are ok You Choose Love

Ava LaCicero 4th Grade St. Clare School

247 You should always follow God Always Choose Love Only be kind like a Dove Always care, always be fair Only be nice equals no fights Always be loving with a big heart Be compassionate, be forgiving Pray each day and give love away.

Cody Wenzell 4th Grade St. Clare School

248 Roses are red, Violets are blue, Choosing love is for you. Courage is being courageous. Gratitude is choosing thankfulness. Forgiveness is forgiving people. Compassion is being nice.

Louis Maresca 4th Grade St. Clare School

249 Forgiveness helps us be friends, Compassion is choosing to love, Gratitude is giving thanks, Courage is being brave and true. All of this together is Choosing Love! Choosing Love changes the world from bad to good.

Lilyanna Goffredo 4th Grade St. Clare School

250

Choose love is always in your life. Forgiveness is too. Always choose love, it is the right thing to do.

Nicholas Bhasathiti 4th Grade St. Clare School

251 Love, love, we all need love. If we have love then we can be as light as a dove.

Love is always in our hearts, it was there right from the start.

I forgive others, oh yes I do, I hope you do the right thing and forgive others too.

If we love others and never let anyone feel alone, then wherever you are will feel like home.

I care about others and love to share. If you do the same then everyone will know that you care.

If we choose love and be bold, then our hearts will never grow cold.

Julia LaPera 4th Grade St. Clare School

252 Being kind, showing love, helping others, caring Love is here, love is there, love is everywhere Compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, courage, this is all love Compassion is here, compassion is there, compassion is everywhere I can choose love, you can choose love, we all can choose love

Lucy Rex 4th Grade St. Clare School

253 What choosing love means to me is being kind to one another. Some examples are helping a friend in need, sitting next to the new kid in school, taking turns and sharing with one another. You could show forgiveness by not staying mad at a friend when they have wronged you and are sorry. You should show compassion by listening to other people and respecting their ideas. You should have courage to stand up for what is right and defend your friends. You could do this for example by going to sit with someone who is sitting by themselves at lunch. Another way to choose love is to show gratitude. You can do this by returning kindness to someone who was kind to you. These are all some ways that I Choose Love.

Gianna Giordano 4th Grade St. Clare School

254

May kindness make you strong. It is always in our hearts. You should never forget it. It is very important. You should be kind to everyone. Kindness makes the world go round. If you have kindness, you have courage and gratitude.

Salvatore Picone 4th Grade St. Clare School

255

Choose love everyday Hope you succeed today Other people are nice but you are great Only focus on the good, not the bad Solve everything no matter what Everyone deserves love

Love everything and everyone Other people can be nice and kind Valentine's Day is a great holiday Everybody should use compassion and gratitude

Mark Marolla 4th Grade St. Clare School

256

I choose love It’s as peaceful as a dove Fits as easy as an glove I respect gratitude I don’t have an attitude I really care I always share I have a heart It’s pretty as art I’m really calm Like a bomb

Richard Mancino 4th Grade St. Clare School

257 You’re as sweet as a bird when it tweets. Love is you and you are love. Love is everywhere you can see. In you and me love stays. Love is in you and me. In our heart it calms down and it cooperates.

Anthony Capriotti 4th Grade St. Clare School

258 Always choose love. Choosing love is great. You should always choose love. Love is nice and helpful.

Always choose love. Help and be nice. There is courage, compassion, gratitude and forgiveness. And those are keys of happiness. So Happy Valentine's Day.

Michael Garippa 4th Grade St. Clare School

259 We can choose love through compassion and courage, With these two things we can truly flourish. We should have a kind heart for all of the others, We can face tough things bravely with our sisters and brothers.

Make forgiveness and gratitude a part of every day, These two things should be present in all we do and say.

Follow the example of Joseph with his brothers, Always be thankful, to God and to others.

So let’s all make our lives bigger and better, By following the Choose Love Formula to the letter!

Isabella Marie Cortes 4th Grade St. Clare School

260

I Choose Love From Heaven above. I will be honest By God’s never-ending holy promise. I will be nice to others Especially because we are all sisters and brothers. I will be full of compassion To everyone and God's holy son. I will be full of gratitude With every kind of attitude. I will always be kind With a loving heart and mind.

JayJay Luciano 4th Grade St. Clare School

261 Having friendship with God is true love. Having loving families and friends is gift from God above. Love is being kind to others. Always treat friends like sisters and brothers. Love is being good to all those in need. When you do this you have made a good deed. You choose love by giving the poor food, or helping others out when they are not in a good mood. Love is being happy, and not sad. Always being good to everyone, and not bad. I am loving to my family and friends, it is something that never ends. Always choose love, because that's what we learn from our loving God above.

Sofia Scandariato 4th Grade St. Clare School

262 Choose love when it takes courage to stand up for others. Choose love when you must forgive someone who hurt your feelings. Be positive and appreciate everything you have. We are faced with many choices every day; we must always choose love. Have confidence. Choose kindness. Choose love.

Frank Piccolo 4th Grade St. Clare School

263 Chose Love

To chose love is very hard But it can be as easy as a hug The steps are courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion All of that equals choosing love All you have to do is show love, respect, and reverence to everything and everyone around you.

Jacob Yaverbaum 4th Grade St. Clare School

264 There may be tears, there may be hate, but I will get through it.

There may be darkness, there may be rain clouds, but I will get through it.

There may be screaming, there may be shouting, but I will get through it.

Where there is hatred if you look deep enough, you can still find affection. Through tears, you can find laughter. In the darkness where black clouds cover the beautiful sky, the bright, shimmering, light is still in grasp. While people scream and shout you hear their reason for love in their voices, I will get through it.

Kimberly Rodrigues 7th Grade Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School

265 “THIS IS LOVE ME”

I THINK OF LOVE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY IT’S NOT ALL HUGS AND KISSES IT’S NOT A HERSHEY KISS THIS IS LOVE TO ME LOVE IS NOT YELLING BACK LOVE IS STANDING UP FOR A FRIEND LOVE CAN EVEN BE STANDING UP TO ANONYMOUS PEOPLE LOVE IS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE DIVERSE LOVE IS SAYING THANKS LOVE IS HELPING SOMEONE YOU LOVE WHEN HEY ARE NOT WELL LOVE IS TO FORGIVE A SIBLING LOVE IS LETTING AN ACCIDENT SLIP LOVE IS ADMITTING YOU DID SOMETHUNG WRONG AND ACCEPTING THE CONSEQUENCE LOVE IS HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED LOVE IS OFFERING A THING OR OPPORTUNITY TO SOMEONE WHO’S DOWN LOVE IS EVEN ASKING “HOW WAS YOUR DAY?”BECAUSE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN YOU SEE THAT IS LOVE TO ME

NOAH BLAZEVIC 3RD GRADE ROCKY HILL SCHOOL

266

“Love Is”

Love is stepping up at a large group meeting and encouraging people to not take wild animals for pets.

Love is helping my mom feed our soft, loud chickens and our playful, happy dog.

Love is having very kind and loving cousins.

Love is playing with and teaching kindergarteners and second graders how to jump rope at recess.

Love is giving my dog Greta a hug.

Love is having the courage to go on a zipline at my cousin's house even though I was scared.

Love is when my dog has an accident on the floor when she is excited and I clean it up without complaining.

Love makes me feel happy and confident in myself.

Ruby Boesch 3rd Grade Rocky Hill School

267 LOVE IS…

Love is forgiving the squirrels because we sent my Godmother bagels and they ate them.

Love is running to go get my friend's mom when he got hurt even though they had a scary dog.

Love is politely asking a friend to stop doing something annoying even though I wanted to yell at him.

Love is giving my mom kisses when she returns from business trips to Chicago, New York and Toronto.

Love is having good manners at the table.

Love is playing with everyone and not leaving the second graders out.

Love is bringing in Munchkins for my classmates.

Love is helping run errands for my teacher.

Love is saying grace before holiday dinners.

Love is making cards for people who I love.

Alessandro Cassisi-Wood 3rd Grade Rocky Hill School

268 Love Is...

Love is showing compassion in action by asking how someone is doing

Love is being kind

Love is caring for those that can’t do what you can do

Love is making sure that everyone is included whether they’re different or not, whether they’re a girl or a boy

Love is saying thank you and please

Love is doing self-compassion

Love is helping out friends with their problems

Love is helping out GLOBAL WARMING by not using too much electricity and not putting too much gas in the atmosphere

Love is being respectful of your elders

Ethan Onysko 3rd Grade Rocky Hill School

269 Start Small Be Kind to All

There is always a moment to be kind The decision is do you embrace it Or not Not many people take the chance They are inside their own shell But you have to be brave and step out into the world

If you ever want to make a difference You have to start small The perfect start is to be kind to all

Now that you have started small You are kind And making a difference Maybe you can be famous and make a difference In everyone’s life

Sarah Turner 6th Grade Jamestown Schools

270 CHOOSE LOVE

C aring

H appy

O ptimistic

O utstanding

S pecial

E njoy

L oving

O pen

V aliantly Brave

E qual

Samantha St. George 7th Grade ASFMS

271 Forgiveness

I have seen meanness I have seen kindness Often seen blindness People judging others in many harsh ways Forgiveness is goodness with kindness today

Kevin Arroyo 3rd Grade Haywood Elementary School

272 Friend (Mrs. Bells’ YSN Class)

My love is sour, but your love is sweet. When I’m all alone in the gloomy shadows, You brighten up my day, Today and forever.

Nissi Luai 3rd Grade Haywood Elementary School

273 (From Mrs. Bell’s Encore Class)

Kaydin Likes to Stay in the USA! Where I’m from, I’ll stay! But, in the future I’ll be in the NBA. My worst fear is what I hate – fear to fail. But, I’m strong! I will love what I make – of fear – I will be brave!

Kaydin Robinson 3rd Grade Haywood Elementary School

274

Friendship by Filina Tha (Mrs. Bell’s Encore Class) My day may be broken but your love, sweet friend, lights up my world. No one can light up my day like you.

Filina Tha 3rd Grade Haywood Elementary School

275

Adelaide Vrablik 3rd Grade Haywood Elementary School

276

Xander Carmona 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

277

Dela Cathey 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

278

Riley Coleman 4th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

279

Ameress DeLarosa 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

280

Gunner Garon 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

281

Mallory Hawkins and Cohen Cook 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

282 283

284

285

Christian and Javalen 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

286

Camila Morales Zamudio 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

287

Jureth Ortiz 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

288

Jaiden Overstreet 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

289

Emma Spigener 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

290

291

292

293

Hernan, Julian, Alan 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

294

Carolina Tovar 5th Grade Hillsboro Intermediate School

295 Just a Little Love

Just a little love can change the world Take the time to be the one The one that changes The one that takes the chance to give the kindness

Just a little love can take away the pain Be a good friend when someone is hurting Don’t just look away like nothing has happened Do what’s right and be there for her

Just a little love can change someone’s heart Give someone a smile Show her some kindness This will influence her to be kind And show love as you have

Just a little love takes just a little courage Start what some think is strange And be the difference maker.

Alex Brown 8th Grade Overton ISD

296 Simply Courage

Courage A wonderful ability To not be frightened To not be shook To be yourself

Courage To show humanity who I truly am More than just a simple decision it may seem Is it effortless, untroublesome Not for some

Courage To try and succeed Even when I can’t breathe Stand up for yourself Your wings aren’t demolished yet

Courage Arise, it’s time to soar No more excuses Fears, face them Hurt, it’ll heal, I promise Pain, eventually leaves

Courage Don’t be scared child For it will all be alright It will be sorted out

Courage A scary word to use But just a decision Fear is merely a reaction

Courage I have it, I own it I am myself, me Fear is no longer here

Abby Carpenter 8th Grade Overton ISD

297 Gratitude

As a little kid I believed in the Jack Frost, And hid from the monsters under my bed, I watched little kid shows, And looked for funny clouds in the sky, Santa came to my house and left dreams, In return for milk and cookies, And then I was told there no such thing as Santa Claus, And then I stopped looking for funny looking clouds, And now my childhood is coming to an end, But I have a niece who makes shapes out of clouds, Who still believes in Santa Claus, And adds joy to my life, And now I help make her childhood great, And now I see shapes in the clouds again, Now I have pieces from my childhood back.

Tara Coleman 8th Grade Overton ISD

298 Love and Courage Love is courage, With the thought of being near it, You suddenly think of the challenge, Although people think it’s only a little bit, Love causes the most damage.

It takes courage to know the dangers, But when you finally commit to it, Everything in the world changes, And makes you admit, That love is like singing angels.

It carries you when you’re in trouble, And makes everything okay, Like you’re floating as a bubble, And the sky is no longer grey, Then you realize that love is also powerful.

Sarah Garcia 8th Grade Overton ISD

299 Forgiveness

There is no love without forgiveness We’re not so different I tell you We can build a bridge Over the gulf between us I’ll forgive you, you’ll forgive me Because I want to erase the past And move onto the new stage in my life I offer my heart to you openly Please forgive me I open my soul to you So we will be one It is your open heart and soul That can become our fertile soil To dance in our graces In the light of your forgiveness

Jailynn Hawkins 8th Grade Overton ISD

300 Refusing to Forgive

When you hold on too tight The voices inside you start to fight The voices that determine what is right and good You keep the grudges pulled over you like a hood If you ever choose to let go, you would see Exactly how wonderful the world could be

Under the constant anger you start to crack Like a train you start flying off the tracks

If only you could see, the pain holding a grudge brings You only want to forget the horrible things, But you can’t forget what you refuse to forgive Instead you stand to the side while everyone else lives

If you had let go, a different story would be told Instead you chose to let everyone else grow old While you’re stuck in time, forever alone If only you had known That all you had to do was forgive Instead you chose not to live

You said goodbye You weren’t expecting everyone to cry Surprised, you looked down If you had forgiven you wouldn’t be in the ground You’re realizing that now, If only you would have allowed Love and forgiveness to enter your heart But now you and the ones you love are far apart.

Lillian Hearon 8th Grade Overton ISD Finding Courage

301 Courage, what is it? Courage is to be able to stand up for someone in need, It’s something that most people need or want, No matter the challenges you’ll face, It will help you through the pain.

When you need it the most, It always finds its way back home, And it will help you through the troublesome times, And it clears you from the torture, And that’s when you know you need it the most.

Not only will it help you, It will help others around you, Realize that they can also be strong with courage too, And fight their own battles, And also help other people find courage too.

Madison Lazaro 8th Grade Overton ISD

302 Forgiveness You ask me for Forgiveness,

And I gave you a sigh, What you did to me hurt me like a knife, I understand what I did, And I will ask once more, Please, I just want forgiveness, I don’t think I will ever forgive you, But, you must, I have been your friend forever, You stab me in the back, How could I ever, By saying I forgive you, It will not be that easy, Yes, so just say I forgive you, I FORGIVE YOU.

Brylie Smith 8th Grade Overton ISD.

303 Forgiveness, What keeps ties strong, What makes friendship long, When our lids blow, And make others feel low, You are there , With the hug of a bear, When we are mad, And make others sad, You bring the spice, To help out their life, You are what keeps us united, So that's why we are excited, To make others tall, Even when we feel small.

Taylor Still 8th grade Overton ISD.

304 Courage It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning, But you did it, Even when your world is crashing, You rebuilt it stronger, It’s difficult to live your life, But you never gave up, Sometimes you couldn’t stop crying, Those tears made you a warrior, It’s impossible to get through it, But you’re still here, Yes, you may have some scars, They are there to show you have the strength, The strength, to never give up, So keep pushing, my dear, Push for the ones who can’t.

Montana Tarkington 8th Grade Overton ISD

305 Gratitude

Gratitude Showing honor to people you love In the world above, Who saved are lives By fighting for us, Even though they died They will always be in are hearts No matter what

Gratitude Thanksgiving is giving thanks to the people that take care of you, Because they care for you No matter what you do

Gratitude Being grateful Is showing thanks and kindness, In your heart That proves who you truly are

Ne’kila Weir 8th Grade Overton ISD

306 Love Love is patience, the patience to wait for the perfect people to give it to. Love is courage, the courage to admit your love. Love is forgiveness, the strength to forgive when it lets you down. Love brings light where darkness has taken over. Love is dangerous, it takes the strongest of risk takers to have it. You can’t prove love only once, You have to prove it with compassion Every single day. Love makes sense when everything around you doesn’t. Love is the thing that keeps your heart beating every day. Love is the best foundation for life If you let it.

Alena Wilson 8th Grade Overton ISD

307 Forgiveness

It took a lot To forgive you, And I still get sad at the thought Of my life without you.

I forgave what you did, And we became friends. I still feel like a nervous little kid, And when I see you, my heart bends.

Even with what I feel, I forgive you Because I know that we can’t be real, And I don’t know what to do.

I would like to admit, I feel better for forgiving you Because I just can’t get Mad at what you put me through.

I know you’re moving on with time, And I hope it all goes well. For you, it may be just as hard in life, But I just can’t tell.

But still, try to be as happy as can be No matter what you go through, Because I’m trying to be the happiest me Knowing that I could forgive you.

Megan Yancey 8th Grade Overton ISD

308

Have you ever seen something hitting water, Causing ripples to that spread far. Choosing love is like a ripple, Passing from on person to another. Effecting others in different ways, But leaving them all the same. Making them feel good inside, Like a warm hug. This what choosing love means to me, And I hope you feel the same way. So the next time you say “have a good day” Your causing a kindness ripple That will effect others in different way, but leaving the all same With a hug that never be the same.

Rawn Boulden Middle School Counselor Norfolk Collegiate School

309

Courage

Caring for others

Overcoming obstacles

Understanding

Risking being out of your comfort zone

Always believe in your self

Go for the goal

Empowerment by encouragement

Stacey Pal 5th Year Lady Royd Primary

310

Stacey Pal 5th Year Lady Royd Primary

311 Love You're always there When no one cares You make me warm And keep me from harm Hold me tight Even though we fight You hold my hand You make me stand Always on my side All the times I have cried My heart is tender But I will not surrender You flew away like a dove No one can ever replace your love

Breanna McGrane 8th Grade Washington Island School

312 Roses are red Violets are blue I love myself And so should you

Aidan Purinton 8th Grade Washington Island School

313 Laying, breathing, staying still

The thing I love the most lays by the window sill.

She breathes slowly, as I watch her in pain

I don't know how to help, I think I’m going insane.

As she looks into my eyes, with nothing but sorrow,

I wonder if she will even have a tomorrow.

Her pain is mine, as I watch her grow weak

And there is nothing I can do, but be with her and weep.

My hearts as fragile as hers, but hers has almost stopped beating,

I can only think about what she will be needing.

Her pains so strong, that I cannot look anymore,

So I try to shut away my pain, by walking out the door.

I wish I hadn't done that, because her time is so precious,

I should’ve spent my time enjoying her presence and being gracious.

I’m too scared to let go of the thing I love most,

So I protect myself from letting go, before I’d be left with nothing but her ghost.

As minutes led to hours, and hours led to days,

Everything that happened soon became a faze.

Having what you can't have hurts so bad,

So use your time wisely, so you don't grieve what you had.

As time says goodbye, all your worries fade,

And all the bad feelings, seem to cascade.

Now, the thing I love the most still lays by the window sill,

Laying, staying still.

Vera Zamborini 8th Grade Swallow School

314 ALL I NEED

When I fall, you put me back on my feet. When I'm sad, you make the tears go away. When I'm mad, you make me happy. When I'm hyper, you calm me down. When I'm happy, you are happy with me. When I'm sick, you are my doctor. When I 'm hungry, you make me food. When I'm in danger, you are always there. When I need help, you are always there. When I have bad dreams, you pray for me. No matter what, your love is stronger than me And that is all I need.

Blair Miller 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

315

Melanie Chavez 11th Grade Hamburg High School

316 CHOOSE LOVE

Courage

Honesty

Overcoming

hOpe

compaSsion

carE

Loyal

rOyal

loVing

rEspect

Jose Navarrette 11th Grade Hamburg High School

317 Have the Courage

Have the courage To be grateful When life is not easy Forgive what people have done Have compassion inside yourself Be grateful and have gratitude Choose love!

Jadeyn Fardales 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

318

Keys to a Better You

Courage Courage leads to help Brave friends help Help is there when needed Strength to be together through everything Gratitude Grateful friends help They stay beside you Give thanks for everything Have a grateful heart Forgiveness Forgive your friends Forgive your broken heart Forgive your fights Forgive your mistakes Compassion Love for each other Love forever Stay together Through everything Love Live, Laugh & Love Stick by those three rules You can have the best in life Love holds me through everything

Lillyan Bro 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

319 Kindness

It is very strong, It can overpower anyone, But yet it’s so hard to find, One person can add kindness to the world, But why just one? Why can’t hundreds change the world with kindness? Just one kind word can change a person’s ways. Kindness BEAMS with love and grace. Kind words create confidence in someone who has been hurt. Sharing kindness in a time of darkness Makes their hearts light up. No act of kindness should go unrewarded. No matter how small.

Sophee Mead 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

320 Love

Love is when you say I do And I will be there with you Love is the thing that never goes away Love is every time you pray Love is when you get butterflies Love is when someone cries Love can be in any form or fashion But love will always come Love can seem hard But it will always be there Love is when you age and it is in the wrinkles Love is in your flesh, especially in your heart Love is like a lightbulb, it will always light the way Love is the children and family you have You want to know what love is? Love is everywhere inside of you

Bryce Buckley 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

321 Love & Forgive

Love is a strong word Love should only be used if you really mean it But if you are a Christian you know to love everyone Even if they made a mistake in the past, just forgive Everyone can love and be kind Showing love can be as easy as smiling at someone.

Avery McCuan 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

322 LOVE IS

LOVE IS PATIENT

LOVE IS KIND

LOVE IS COMFORTING

LOVE IS NOT STUFF

LOVE IS COMMITMENT

LOVE IS FRIENDSHIP LOVE IS NEVER ENDING

Krystina Riggin 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

323 PRAY

Every day I wake up and thank God. I thank him for many things. I thank him for letting me see another day. God is my father and my creator He is my healer and He receives my prayers. God is the one I pray to at night. He is the one I thank all the time.

He is part of my heart. He is part of my soul His love is everything to me I love him with all my heart and all my soul. My father is my guidance as I go down this road. He leads me down the right path and stays with me along the way. I love the Lord and that’s why I pray.

Love for my father is everything to me I thank Him for his many blessings I love the Lord with all my heart He is my father and loves me, as well.

The Lord is my shepherd My savior, too. I love him so much Lord, I thank you. I thank Him so much for everything He is amazing the king above all kings.

Dezmond Gilkey 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

324 These Four Things

Kindness is love, Sharing is love, Forgiveness is love, Caring is love, And let me tell you, if you have showed all Of those things, then you are one good person! If you have not shown any of those things, All I can say is Follow God’s path And He will get you where you need to be! God is always listening, He knows what you’re thinking at all times If you take maybe two minutes of your life And pray, I promise God will listen no matter what, And at least help with whatever problem you have. Kindness is love, Sharing is love, Forgiveness is love, Caring is love.

Jaydan Brown 5th Grade Greenbrier Westside Elementary

325 We all CHOOSE LOVE here at Lillie B., The difference this choice makes is so clear to see.

“I’m not sure I can do this.” A difficult math problem on the board, An unsure student comes forward. 3+5+7+5= “Will I remember where to start?” Uncertainty and fear begin to rise, But she succeeds to her surprise.

One right after the other, She put her best foot forward, And conquered and moved onward.

Taking a chance and giving it a try, Yes, it is COURAGE we see each day, Watching fear and uncertainty give way.

“I’m not very good at typing.” Typing was not easy he confessed, Still, he smiled and gave it his best.

“I did better than I thought I could!” This is what he found, Even though he did not move on to the next round.

No matter the circumstances, they continue to strive. The attitude of Gratitude is alive!

“I’m mad at you because you left me out!” She watched as they colored, Why wasn’t she asked, she wondered.

“I forgot to ask you to color with us yesterday.” She looked at her friend and smiled,

326 They sat and colored and reconciled.

There are many things that cause hurt, Such as unkind words or actions, But FORGIVENESS is key to positive interactions.

“I’m on crutches and can’t run around at recess.” He sat and watched everyone play, Lonely and sad he was that day.

“Hey, can I sit here at recess and play games with you?” Such a small and kind gesture extended, A lonely and sad student now feeling splendid!

Observing, supporting, communicating, A simple, small gesture to brighten one’s day. It’s COMPASSION in ACTION happening, That’s what we say!

Our students are adding up… COURAGE + GRATITUDE + FORGIVENESS + COMPASSION in ACTION = CHOOSE LOVE This is what we are all so proud of!

Always CHOOSE LOVE!

Marie Cassidy Teachers Assistant K-4 Lillie B. Haynes Elementary School

327

Roses are red Violets are blue I can be kind You can be too! Now it’s not hard To be the best but But you should know not everything is in Your little nest.

[This poem means basically it's not hard to be kind even when you’re not having the best day. Meaning the whole world doesn't just revolve around you.]

Jayda Proctor 6th Grade Teachers’ Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School

328

Choose Love

Roses are RED

Violets are Blue

There is LOVE in the in the world that you can spread too!!

Give self respect to others.

Including yourself.

Anyah Carrington 6th Grade Teachers’ Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School

329

Courage Being brave Gratitude Saying thanks Forgiveness Saying it’s ok

Compassion Showing your concern Choosing love It’s your turn

Rebekka Rosedale 6th Grade

Teachers’ Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School

330

I choose love because I am a loving human being

I choose love to give love to others who are loving and receptive

I choose love to give to others who do not love me or care about my feelings

I choose to love things that are hard for me to understand

I choose to love my peaceful and quiet side

Evelyn Schira Counselor

331

THE LOVE POEM

BY.BRYLER ALISTIER HANNMANN KA‘ELEPULU ELEMENTARY GRADE 3

PEOPLE SHOULD BE LOVED FROM AND TO LOVE FROM EVERY BODY AROUND THE WORLD AND WHO EVER YOU THINK SHOULD BE LOVED. IF ANY BODY NEEDS HELP WITH THAT.STOP, DROP AND JUST START LOVING!!!! TRY IT AND YOU MIGHT START LOVING!!

Nicolle Grimes School Counselor Ka’elepulu Elementary School

332

LOVE IS….. Love is sweet like chocolate. Love is pinker than purple. Love is a blue sky and flowers. Love is your respect. Love can show out your shyness. Love is like candy. Love is books and classrooms. Love is tastier than ice cream. Love is pepperoni pizza. Love is like PB&J because we like it. Love is respecting your school. Love is like Twinkies and a milk shake. Love is like McDonalds. Love is cool like skaters. Love is lucky like four leaf clovers. Love is great like the taste of victory. Love is my mom. Love is the queen. If you are love, you are happy.

Written by The Eagle Classes of Debbie Kiraly (Social Worker) Developmental Learning Center, Morris-Union Jointure Commission

333

LOVE Love is good. Love is sand. Love is bouncing a ball. Love is kind. Love is touching someone’s nose. Love is Daddy, Love is Diana. Love is pink. Love is hugging. Love is cooking for someone. Love is family. Love is me. Love is hugs. Love is kisses. Love is Lightning McQueen. Love is going outside. Love is Valentines. Love is myself. Love is Joanne. Love is laughing. Love is happiness. Love is happy. Love is delicious. Love is yes!

Written by The Students of the Developmental Learning Center Under Debbie Kiraly (Social Worker)

334

335 Wonderist By Ramona Boyd I aspire to create a feeling of wonder, the kind of wonder that jumps into your throat and fills your chest and rips the ground from beneath your feet and leaves you speechless. The kind of wonder that crackles and fizzes in the air long after I’ve left the room, the kind of wonder that makes you look twice. The kind that can be shared between friends without shame or the fear of seeming weird. The kind that makes you laugh because that is pure humor spiraling into absurdity. The kind that makes you remember That the limits of the world are created only by the society around you Maybe even (If I’m lucky) The kind of wonder that’ll make you want to be like me. (Not exactly like me, of course, because that defeats the whole purpose of my endeavors.) That’s why I meander up to the park, But I create a new definition of “meander,” Because that’s what Wonderists do. I dance, slowly, instead. But I create a new definition of “dance,” too.

336 Because that’s what Wonderists do. I travel slowly around the curve of the parkway, Like I am a planet orbiting the house at the center of the neighborhood. I hope some insomniac is watching, because it is like a strange gift just for them, A fairy dancing in the middle of the road Beneath the streetlights. They’ll go to bed, and in the morning, they’ll wake up and say, “You know, I had the strangest dream last night...” That’s why I drop into a crouch in front of a toddler at the mall today, And I tell him, “You’ll remember this for the rest of your life.” And I know that he will. I do the things that everyone else is afraid to do. My hope is that I can inspire them to be strange, But it usually just makes them more uncomfortable. Ramona Boyd Wonderist of 8th Grade Community Preparatory School

337

Hailey Cote Teacher of 4th Grade Kingston Hill Academy

338 339