2012

2012

FEATURED VOICE: MAURICE SENDAK

Maurice Sendak has spent the past fifty years bringing to life a world of fantasy and imagination. His unique vision is loved around the globe by both young and old. In 1963, his book, Where The Wild Things Are , brought him international acclaim and a place among the world’s great illustrators. It is the story of a young boy named Max, who is sent to his room only to find his imagination has created a new world there, populated by wild geographies and monsters of all kinds. It has become a favorite among children everywhere, having been translated into fifteen languages and selling more than two million copies.

Maurice Sendak has been one of the most consistently inventive and challenging voices in children’s literature. His books and productions are among the best-loved imaginative works of their time. Like the Grimm brothers before him, Sendak has created a body of work both entertaining and educational, which will continue to be popular for generations. (Information from http://www.pbs.org)

The following is an excerpt from Where The Wild Things Are : And when he came to the place where the wild things are they roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws ‘till Max said “BE STILL!” and tamed them with the magic trick of staring into all their yellow eyes without blinking once and they were frightened and called him the most wild thing of all and made him king of all the wild things. “And now,” cried Max, “let the wild rumpus start!”

The following pieces of writing represent the unique, compelling and engaging VOICES of Mesa Public Schools students and staff. Now is their time to be heard.

1 Sponsored By Mesa Public Schools

Governing Board Mr. Steven Peterson, President Mr. Mike Nichols, Clerk Mr. Mike Hughes, Member Mrs. Michelle Udall, Member Dr. Ben Whiting, Member Superintendency Dr. Michael Cowan, Superintendent of Schools Bruce Cox, Associate Superintendent Dr. Suzan DePrez, Assistant Superintendent Pete Lesar, Assistant Superintendent Arlinda Mann, Assistant Superintendent Bobette Sylvester, Assistant Superintendent Holly Williams, Assistant Superintendent

Acknowledgements Alita Miller Kathleen Victorian Language Arts Program Specialist Contest Organization & Graphic Design

Matthew D. Scoutten Cover Design

Printing by MPS Print Shop

2 2012

Table of Contents

Narrative Writing ...... 7 Poetry ...... 47 Class Book ...... 69 Essay and Informative/Explanatory ...... 75 Writing 2012 Honors ...... 95 Special Achievements ...... 101 Local, State, and National

3 Contest Judges

Charlene Allred, Curriculum & Instruction Support Melissa Kuhlman, Title I Webster Elementary Brenda Ames, English Fremont Junior High Mindy Lake, Professional Development Kayanne Andersen, Title I Edison Elementary Judy Larkins, Curriculum & Instruction Support Jackie Arzt, Title I Whittier Elementary James Little, Professional Development Christine Bailey, English Carson Junior High Camie Loudenbeck, Title I Summit Academy Shannon Bailey, English Rhodes Junior High Marcia Lovett, Title I Lindbergh Elementary Alicia Berzins, Title I Redbird Elementary Cherie Mason, Title I O’Connor Elementary Jamie Boarder, Curriculum & Instruction Support Vicki Massey, Curriculum & Instruction Support Lisa Bowen, Library Services Cheryl McCaw, Curriculum & Instruction Support Andrea Box, English Westwood High Julie Miller, English Stapley Junior High Susy Brenden, Retired Heather Monette, English Poston Junior High Kitty Burgess, Title I Entz Elementary Genessee Montes, Title I Holmes Elementary Michelle Burke, Title I Highland Elementary LeAnn Napoleone, English Smith Junior High Jaclyn Bycott, Title I Patterson Elementary Erin O’Grady, Title I Crismon Elementary Karla Carlson, Principal Salk Elementary Kelly Osburn, Franklin Elementary Schools Angela Cicero, Professional Development Kelly Papke, Professional Development Michelle Cota, Title I Kerr Elementary Lou Perdoni, Principal Robson Elementary Jeanne Cridebring, Title I Lincoln Elementary Robin Pettinato, Title I Sousa Elementary Chasity Cruz, Title I Eisenhower Elementary Anita Ramsey, Professional Development Nicole Cumberledge, Title I Ishikawa Elementary Janette Ramsey, English Red Mountain High Julie Davis, Mesa Distance Learning Kathy Ray, Title I Taft Elementary Donna Delgado, Title I Mesa Junior High Josie Roberts, Retired Carla DeMarse, Professional Development Melinda Rogers, Title I Shepherd Junior High Debee Demolina, English Language Acquisition Michelle Salas, English Kino Junior High Carmel-Ann Ditch, Title I Salk Elementary Kathy Savage, Retired Dana Dix, Title I Rhodes Junior High Patty Scarpino, Title I Porter Elementary Amy Durivage, Title I Roosevelt Elementary David Shill, Title I Washington Elementary Cathy Easterling, Title I Jordan Elementary Andrea Sims, Curriculum & Instruction Support Shelley Eichner, Title I Falcon Hill Elementary Shawna Sirois, Title I Smith Junior High Mary Evans, Professional Development Angela Storey, Title I Lowell Elementary Angela Falk, English Mesa Junior High Barbara Stout, Career Ladder Deb Felts, Title I Johnson Elementary Christina Sweador, Professional Development Korin Forbes, Curriculum & Instruction Support Christel Swinehart-Arbogast, Title I Emerson Elementary Jack Francis, English Skyline High Sheri Tarter, Curriculum & Instruction Support Pat Freestone, Title I Lehi Elementary Ann Tebo, Career & Technical Education Debbie Garlock, Title I Whitman Elementary Heather Thomas, Title I Pomeroy Elementary Olga Grant, Title I Irving Elementary Kelly Turner, Title I Sirrine Elementary Katie Hall, Professonal Development Elisa Valli, English Brimhall Junior High Kelly Harris, English Dobson High Linda Valuikas, Title I Keller Elementary Deborah Heck, English Mesa High Barbara Vance, English Mesa Academy Debbie Hodo, English Summit Academy Kay Warfield, English Taylor Junior High Michele Hurd, Title I Longfellow Elementary Paula Warren, Title I Brimhall Junior High Cheryl Johnson, Curriculum & Instruction Support Sue Weippert, Title I Poston Junior High Suzanne Jones, Professional Development Mary Jo West, Title I Robson Elementary Lindsay Karges, Title I Brinton Elementary Teresa Williams, Educational Technology Kara Keithley, English Franklin Junior High Kimberly Wills, English Shepherd Junior High Kelly Klein, Title I Field Elementary Pat Wise, Title I ESEA Improvement

4 2012

Narrative Writing

Narrative Writing: Writing that conveys experience, either real or imaginary, and provides glimpses into the writer’s or character’s life through the creation of vivid pictures. Narratives can take the form of personal narratives, creative fictional stories, memoirs, anecdotes, or autobiographies.

5 6 Molly Bray ______Kindergarten, Mendoza Elementary Teacher - Teresa Duranti My Camping Trip

My Camping TRip

I wit on a camping trip. I campt in the wuDs with my famuly and Allie. One day I fawd a step hill war thar wus a rop. We yoos it to climb dan it. Julia and Alle wint frst. Julia slipt and scremd and Dad helpt her. We hict mar. Max shot a wodr snak. Ben shot a scwrl. He brot it bak to the camp and he put it ovr the tabul. It dript blud. Mom sed Ben thats wer we et! It wus an osum camping trip.

I went on a camping trip. I camped in the woods with my family and Allie. One day I found a steep hill where there was a rope. We used it to climb down it. Julia and Allie went first. Julia slipped and screamed, and Dad helped her. We hiked more. Max shot a water snake. Ben shot a squirrel. He brought it back to the camp and he put it over the table. It dripped blood. Mom said, “Ben, that’s where we eat!” It was an awesome camping trip.

Narrative ~ 7 Jill Omerza ______Kindergarten, Johnson Elementary Teacher - Suzzanne Shawver A Very Great Day

n Friday I went to school. I had a very great day! When I got home, me and my Omommy went to check the mailbox. When I opened the door, I saw a big surprise. It was a package for me. It was from my grandma Elaine. There was a note, envelope, and gift inside. I read the letter. I was so happy. I love my grandma so much! Inside the envelope was an ornament. I hung it on my Christmas tree. Inside the gift was an alligator and five little monkeys. How fun! It makes me so happy! Grandma, Thank you so much, I love you. Love, Jill

Will Bergman ______First Grade, Las Sendas Elementary Teacher - Annie Brown How I Lost My Tooth

ne fine day I got home and played with my BOOM! It knocked into my mouth. My top tooth O friends Luke, Brient, and James. We were was almost out. It was bleeding a lot so my mom playing in the yard. We were playing a game got a washcloth. She put it in my mouth. where you try to hit someone with the When I felt better we all chased each other ball, and when you get hit four times around the house. We played tag. you’re it. I was it five times. When my friends left, I pulled out my Later we got tired so we got a snack. tooth. I was really excited! Mom! Dad! I While my mom was getting the snack, pulled out my tooth. That night I got a dollar James punched a punching bag and under my bed!

8 ~ Narrative Ella Schnur ______First Grade, Las Sendas Elementary Teacher - Annie Brown Cupcake

aturday night I was playing with my knew something was wrong. Sguinea pig, Cupcake. She was I ran down to my dad. I had to go black and white with a little bit of inside while he checked in case she was brown. I had her for two years. I played dead. They told me that she was dead. I with her for a little while. I was petting her soft wanted to see her. When I went to see her, we fur. I gave her carrots and lettuce. I was cradling started crying. We were so so sad. I will really her in my arms. I noticed that her lips were red. I miss my Cupcake.

Emma Shults ______Second Grade, Hale Elementary Teacher - Claudia Bretzing A Christmas to Remember

ne Christmas that I have loved and will smell the smell of delicious PIE! O always love was when the delicious smell of “Let’s celebrate,” said my mom. burned crackling firewood filled the air. It all So we had corn, and roast beef, mashed started when I walked in the door of our house. It potatoes, and pie, and best of all… EACH was freezing. I cuddled up in a soft warm blanket OTHER! by the fire. I saw the sparkling lights, the beautiful The snow shimmered as we tobogganed down snowman, and best of all… I heard the laughter of the hill and while we built beautiful snowmen. my brothers and sisters playing around joyfully. And after we settled down, we watched Santa Christmas was just around the corner. I heard Claus 2 and ate popcorn. the Christmas bells. All of a sudden I It was one of the BEST days ever. heard some kind of motor. I ran to the Christmas was finally here. We opened window to see what all the commotion our presents. My brother got Lincoln was, and it was… My DAD! Logs, and my older brother got a set of Everyone was laughing and playing, cars, and my sister got a doll that you and best of all… my dad was home for can do her hair. She tried to do it, but it the holidays. I felt so happy and grateful wasn’t necessarily as good as my mom that we could celebrate. I wondered would do it. where and what my mom was doing. I am so grateful for the opportunity Soon I heard a bang, bong, bam. There, right to give and share with others and that we can be out of nowhere, came my mom. Soon I could together forever.

Narrative ~ 9 Ashlynn Wilder ______Second Grade, Johnson Elementary Teacher - Rachel O’Grady The Big Lesson

nce upon a time there was a castle. The trash. The witch was so upset that Cayden broke O castle was in the middle of the woods. It the wall down, that she flew away. had lots of recycling trash cans. There was a After he picked up all the trash, he continued little boy that was 5 years old. He had 8 brothers to walk out of the valley. Eventually he couldn’t and 8 sisters. His name was Cayden. In the see his house anymore. He started to get hungry woods there lived an evil magical person. She and smelled food from a nearby town. Cayden didn’t like anything except for the dark. This is didn’t know that the witch was following him. where the witch learned a really big lesson. While he ate at the café the wicked, One day Cayden was walking and saw a mean, ugly witch cast a spell on the paper on the ground. He picked up the paper whole town and they all kept and threw it in the recycling bin. Then a littering. By the time he left the wicked, mean, ugly witch came out from café, he saw trash all over the place. behind the bush and grabbed everything Cayden screamed so loud that birds in the recycle bin and put it in the in Switzerland flew away. Cayden stinky, dirty can. She was mad at the grabbed 100 gallons of water and boy because the witch liked it messy. squirted the water over the people and Then she commanded an army of trash the trash. His plan didn’t work, but cans to attack Cayden. Cayden ran and ran as eventually it started to rain and the magic fast as he could. He got to his house and knew wore off. The town smelled so pretty that it felt he needed to protect himself. “The witch’s like he was in a beautiful rose garden. It magic will wear off by water,” he said. He sparkled like a newborn star and all the animals squirted the army of trash cans with water and came out of their homes to play in the nice they vanished. warm sun. The witch liked how it looked and On another day he was walking through a smelled so much that she decided to change her gorgeous valley when he saw two pieces of icky attitude and began to recycle. papers. He tried to pick them up but the witch Cayden was so happy everyone started to came out from behind a bush and made a wall throw a party. They had cupcakes, cakes, and so of trash to keep Cayden from picking up the many things that it would be hard to name all of trash. Cayden kicked and punched, but the wall them. When the party ended everyone cleaned wouldn’t collapse until he ran his whole body up, including the witch, and they all lived into the wall and then, CRACK, down came the happily ever after.

10 ~ Narrative Mercedes Ortiz ______Third Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Meena Kazmi The Tiny Town

ax was an eleven-year-old boy in fifth named Chuck at my school. He repeated second M grade. He tried his best in school, for he grade, and he is always angry and mean to was more curious than most boys. His only everyone. Do you think you could help me?” Max problem was a boy named Chuck who bullied him asked, hopefully. and made going to school very hard some days. “Sure, no problem,” said the tiny man. “But One day Max’s mother asked him to clean his I’ll need a fee.” closet. He went upstairs and opened his closet “OK,” said Max. He really wanted help with door—toys and smelly sneakers spilled into his the bully. “How much?” room. When he looked down, he noticed some of “One button,” replied the tiny man. his collectibles had been opened. He saw someone “OK,” said Max, and he quickly tore a button had built his Legos into stairs and mini cars. He off his shirt and handed it to the tiny man. “When also noticed his Dominoes were set up like do we start?” Stonehenge. He pushed aside some G.I. Joes that “How about every Friday?” were missing their arms. Then he saw it…a tiny “Alright then,” replied Max. “But my mom little town behind his first grade handprint. expects my closet to be clean.” He saw little people the size of paper clips. He “No problem. We love to clean,” assured the could barely make out the words they were tiny counselor. yelling. “Giant! Giant!” they called as they threw While Max was watching a rerun of Charlie what looked like the arms of his G.I. Joes back at and the Chocolate Factory , the tiny men quickly him. One hit him in the eye. went to work on the closet. Not too long after, Max tried to calm them down by waving and Max heard a tiny voice call, “We’re done!” smiling. They finally stopped when he yelled at The next morning, Max asked the tiny people the top of his lungs, “STOP!” if they wanted to come to school with him. Only A tiny shaking midget poked his toe as he five kids and two adults said yes out of the two blustered, “W-what do you w-want?” hundred twenty-seven that lived in the closet. “I was just cleaning my closet,” Max replied. Before leaving for school, Max ate an apple for “Our closet, matey,” corrected the tiny little breakfast. He also sneaked a muffin for the little guy. people. As he approached the bus stop, he noticed “Why are you in this closet?” Max asked. Chuck, the bully, was already there waiting for the “Because we live here!” yelled one tiny man bus and him. over the crowd. Max ran back home and asked Counselor “What is your town’s name?” Max wondered. Small what he should do. Counselor Small said to “Tinyopolus!” shouted a tiny man wearing a walk away from Chuck and find a teacher, if he sash. could. Max decided to try as he suggested. “Who the heck are you?” asked Max. Surprisingly, it worked. He never heard Chuck say “I’m Mr. Small. I’m the counselor. I deal with a mean thing about him again all year. Actually, all the bullies, divorces, and pimples.” Chuck gave up his bully ways and helped smaller “Wait, go back,” said Max. kids at school. As the year went on they became “What? You mean the divorces?” asked the good friends. tiny man. From then on Max decided to listen to “No before that,” said Max. Counselor Small. He had learned a lot from the “Oh, you mean the bullies?” tiny little men living in his closet. “Yes. Well you see there’s this really mean guy

Narrative ~ 11 Cienna Collicott ______Third Grade, Franklin South Elementary Teacher - Linda Hofmann Whew, That Was a Lot of Work!

ne day I decided to make a restaurant in the to be the cashier, but I put the solar power cash Obackyard between the shed and the black- register on the grill. berry bushes. It has a wood outline that took I had a budget of ten dollars, but my grandma awhile to make. It is pressurized wood that we let me go over it when I found the zebra print used. Now, we started putting in the furniture. It bowls to go with my zebra print plates. I shopped used to be small, but over time it grew. It now has at the thrift store and the dollar store to find all the a kitchen. It even has a table and everything that a stuff that goes to make my restaurant seem real. restaurant has including candlelight. The table has Real restaurant owners also have budgets. So, I a tea set, bowls, plates and cups that are really feel like a real restaurant owner, especially when I cool. They have liquid inside them that never eat out there with my family and friends. spills out. I set up the table. I think I forgot to Now, it is time to kick back and have a meal mention that it has silverware, spoons, knives, and with my grandma under the moon and the stars. I forks. The table is just a storage container but it have to go back to my meal. I wonder what I makes a good table. I used lawn chairs for chairs. should charge for it? Under the grill is a piece of wood that folds in and I think when I grow up I want to be a out. And, I even have a signpost that says restaurant owner and have all my art in it. And Blackberry Inn which is its name. There is room that is my story… for a garden that hasn’t grown yet. I have a desk

12 ~ Narrative Jude Britton ______Fourth Grade, Zaharis Elementary Teacher - Scott Ritter Lake Child

he girl’s question took the boy by surprise. “Fine,” his dad replied. “…but tonight is the T“Um, sure,” mumbled the boy in a puzzled night she comes out and looks for her lost locket.” tone and looked toward the never-ending That night the boy was in bed, his face pressed blackness of what they called a lake. against the frigid cold window that was The boy awoke with a bump. He was level to his warm bed. Fog was rolling in the car with his dad. “It’s OK. It’s over the ground. Then something caught only a speed bump. You can go back to his eye. There, standing in front of his sleep.” But the boy stayed awake. On house, was a little girl wearing a torn-up their way back they drove past a lake with dress, her hair waving in the wind. sparkling, blue water. That was strange for a day “Help me…” These words reverberated in the like today: cloudy, moist, no sun to shine on the boy’s mind for a moment. The fog rolled over the water and make it blue. It was like color in a black figure and she was gone. and white picture. It looked like something out of The boy was riveted. He half tumbled, half a dream. sprinted down the stairs and grabbed a flashlight “You know that lake is haunted by the ghost of and carefully ran out of the house and down the a little girl,” said his dad in an eerie voice. trail to the lake. “Oh really?” said the boy. At the lake everything got mysteriously quiet. “Yes, really,” said the dad back. “It is said that The boy looked around the fog. He could barely the little girl’s…” make out the shape of a child. But again the same The boy had heard enough of his dad’s phony words reverberated in his head, “Help me” and the ghost story and yelled “STOP, DAD!” shape wisped away in the wind.

Narrative ~ 13 Avery Toscano ______Fourth Grade, Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies Teacher - Barbara Vance The Treasure of Memories

s we started to open the box, I wondered “We found it in the attic. Why did you make Awhat we had found. All of those hours spent this?” searching, and it was time to see what all of our Grandpa explained that back when he was our effort had been for. age, he had a fascination with medieval times. He “Hey John, come look at this,” I said as I went to all the Renaissance Fairs that were in examined the toy inside. town. He never was able to buy a wooden sword “Whoa, Bill, what is it?” though, so he carved one out of wood he got from I wasn’t sure, but it had to be good. I looked to his tree. see what condition it was in. “That is interesting, but can you tell us about “This has to be from at least Grandpa’s days. any adventures you went on using this sword?” The question is, how does it work and what was it “Actually, I do have a very good one. Do you for?” want to hear it?” Grandpa asked. It looked like an old wooden stick, but it was “Yes!” so straight and shaped like a weapon. He told us how once he made the sword, all of “Do you think that this was a sword?” his friends would have big sword fights and he “It might be just that, Bill. But why did he always emerged victorious. He named his sword make it?” I had to find out. “Let’s see if Dad Lucky, due to the luck it game him during battles. knows anything about this sword. I wonder if he Then one day, he felt a little adventurous had anything to do with this?” and wanted to explore the local cave. As we headed out of the attic, I yelled out Armed with the sword, a lantern, and some for my dad. “Dad, do you know anything food, he went in and immediately got into some about his sword. We found it in the attic.” I action with some bats. After fighting off a few simply had to know everything about it. bats, he heard a shriek further in the cave. He had “Hey, it’s Grandpa’s old sword from to examine where the noises were coming from. when he was a kid. I’ll bet Grandpa has some That was when he met Grandma. stories to tell you about this. Why don’t you head The dreaded Cave Legend Monster was off to his house and see if he’s there to tell you attacking Grandma, who was also out with a about it.” sword of her own. Knowing the threat the monster “Okay, Dad. Let’s go, Bill.” posed, he sprang into action and attacked it. As we hurried to Grandpa’s house, I Grandma helped out and soon the two of them wondered about the stories we would hear, and were defeating the monster. It turned out that she why this sword was even made. had the same medieval fascination as Grandpa. “John, are you wondering about how Once he got home, he was grounded for two Grandpa’s life was like when he was my age?” weeks for being gone too long. But, he had finally “Well, I don’t think Grandpa had a Wii or a met the girl of his dreams. It was worth it. PS3 when he was a kid, but this sword might have “And that’s the story, Bill and John.” helped him have his own adventures.” “Nice story, Grandpa.” “Yeah, I suppose so.” I still wondered if this “I hoped you would like it.” was what it’s all cracked up to be. Were the stories “So, is it OK if we keep the sword,” we asked going to compare to other adventures I’ve heard excitedly. Dad talk about? I couldn’t wait to find out where “It’s OK with me!” “Before you go, did you this sword had been. believe that story?” Grandpa asked. “Grandpa, it’s me. We found your sword at the “Meeting Grandma, probably not. The monster, house.” oh yeah!” we replied. “Ah, my old sword. Where did you find this?”

14 ~ Narrative Jon Crum ______Fifth Grade, Franklin East Elementary Teacher - Sue Brown Rappelling

e’re driving to an area near Camp Tontozona, knew my path I would take, and it would be very Wand we were only one mile away! My scary. I lay in my sleeping bag, staring at the stars, stomach felt very weird. I didn’t know what to thinking of all the things that could possibly go expect. Most of the boys in the scout troop I was wrong. It was a long night! traveling with had been rappelling before, but not The next morning we woke up, made the short me! I didn’t want them to know how scared I hike back to the cliff where we tied the ropes to a really was. Would the hike to the mountain be large rock at the top of the mountain. We were long? Would the height of the mountain be too ready to begin, and I was the very first person to high? Would my rope break? So many questions go. I decided in my misery to go first. I was sure were running through my head and so little were that I would fall. I thought I would die. I was so the answers. nervous! But the calming words of my dad kept All the way to the camp I felt really dumb for reassuring me that all would be well. coming on this trip, but I knew I had to go. But I was ready to go, but my belt was too tight. It for some reason I felt I would be ok. Yet, I slowly became a part of me, and I no longer felt couldn’t stop trembling. I kept saying I was not the tightening belt as I peered over the soaring afraid, but I knew I was. My dad would be at my cliff at the ground below. There was Dad at the side talking me through it. There was nobody I bottom of the cliff urging me on. I jumped! I was trusted more than my dad, and if he said it would free. All my fears faded away at the top of the be ok then somehow I knew it was going to work cliff. The closer to the ground I got the more out. confident I felt. Bump! I hit the ground and my We arrived at our destination, set up our camp, dad’s strong hands were there to greet me. My and began our short hike to the mountain top. We fears subsided, and I wanted to go again and then began to look for a good spot to repel. There again… were many spots that were suggested by our scout By the end of that day I was going kamikaze leaders, but we all agreed on one specific spot. (where you go face first down). I was the only one Some of the cliffs were around 120 feet tall, some to go kamikaze. It felt so amazing to conquer my 60 feet tall, but the one that we all agreed on was fears. This was one of the best times of my life. I 85 feet (28 yards). Nightfall was closing in on us now know that rappelling is the best thing ever. It so we agreed to go back to our camp for the night. taught me to trust my dad, to trust myself and to This was tough and agonizing because I now conquer my fears headfirst.

Narrative ~ 15 Sophia Diperi ______Fifth Grade, Hale Elementary Teacher - Stephanie Kemp Forever Strong

ames could feel the ice slowly crawling up his James felt the place where the glass had struck Jfingers, freezing his blood. Around him, he him. After feeling the wound, he was positive it heard the voices of his parents and the wail of wasn’t a piece of glass that had struck him, it was police sirens in the distance. A warm tear trickled a dagger. The man must have stabbed James while down his cheek when he saw the terrified look on he couldn’t see! G-R-R-R! A loud growl came his sister’s face. The metallic scent of blood from the side of the nearby forest. Then a young reached his nostrils and mingled with the sweet dog dashed out, coming towards the scent of fresh tangy scent of the pine trees. Knowing he only blood. “Oh no!” James thought as it grabbed his had a few minutes of life left, James tried to say leg and pulled him into the forest. one last thing to his mother, “Love you.” It was no It pulled him deep into the forest, then finally use, the two simple words came out as a mangled stopped in front of a small cave. Then, it lunged at wheeze. When he looked at his hand, he could see James. James braced himself—he knew the large the bright blue veins showing through his skin. teeth would strike him at any second. James Then, the horrible memory of how he got into this waited, but it never happened. The dog was position of death, struck him like a bullet and he actually licking James’s wounds, trying to stop the was sent into a vivid flashback. bleeding. It was working. Everywhere the dog “Bye guys!” James’s mom had called as she licked healed instantly. James looked wide-eyed at left the house. He had been sitting on the couch the dog, but didn’t know what to say so all he said channel surfing. was, “Thanks.” “James, can I watch T.V. with you” his six- Then the big dog grabbed James’s leg again year-old sister, Alisa, had asked in a sweet voice. and pulled him back to where he had been laying “Sure, come on up,” James said. five minutes earlier. Then a loud voice boomed, After finding a show they both agreed on, “Get him!” His dad and few policemen ran over. James demanded Alisa eat some popcorn. One of the policemen put a muzzle on the dog. “Okay!” she yelped, then hopped off the “Don’t hurt him!” James screamed at the top couch and dashed to the kitchen. of his lungs, “He saved my life!” That’s when it all happened. In a flash, “Wait, it saved your life?” one of the police- a tall man leaped through the window that men asked. was above the T.V. Glass shards scattered “Yes, it did,” James replied. everywhere, some of it hit James. The “Kid, this isn’t a regular dog. You see, he glass momentarily blinded him, leaving snuck into our science lab a few weeks him confused. A piece of glass, or what ago. He stole a chemical that was supposed to he thought was glass, struck him in the chest and cure any sickness and heal any wound,” the police got stuck in his lungs. Every time he took a officer said. breath, his mouth filled with blood. He “So that’s how he was able to heal me?” James remembered the scent of gas and an intense heat asked. on his back. “Alisa!” he called, time and time “Yep. You can keep him if you like,” the again. Somehow he managed to make it to the policeman offered. kitchen without running into any flames. He heard “Can I, Dad?” James pleaded. his sister crying. He quickly scooped her up into “Sure, anyone that helps my kid is a friend of his arms and made a mad dash for the door. mine,” his dad replied. James ripped himself out of the memory. He Alisa was delighted when she found out James was sobbing—he couldn’t say it was just a was okay. memory because it wasn’t. He knew he was going In that week’s newspaper, they found out that to die. Die at age ten, never see his sister grow up the man that tried to kill James had been caught. and become an adult. A burning rage sounded at The family was very happy. that thought. It was all that cruel man’s fault.

16 ~ Narrative Michael Backlund ______Sixth Grade, Hale Elementary Teacher - Connie Corea My 6th Grade Spelling Bee

entered the auditorium picturing the hundreds to destroy the words. “Linguistically, astrophysicist, Iof people that would be there within minutes. I defiantly,” none were a match for me. Then there saw all the other contestants sitting in their chairs were the final three. We all spelled a few words on the stage, all anxious to start, hoping they right until, the next thing I knew, the guy to my would be the one to win it all. Being runner-up right misses. It was only me and the person next last year, I knew I had a good chance to win. I to me, Colby. Now I might have been Superman, studied the spelling words very hard in hopes that but the word “reconcile” was Lex Luthor with a I would be the one to win. After having it so close handful of Kryptonite. I just couldn’t concentrate, last year, I wanted the victory so badly. “R-E-C-O-N- . . . . . S-I-L-E.” My mind was racing “Take your seats everyone,” the announcer a hundred miles per hour when suddenly, Ding! said. “After the audience comes, I will tell you the Then it was up to my opponent to spell two rules, and then we’ll go through a practice round.” different words. He spelled them correctly. The Finally, the audience flooded in like a raging applause sounded like thunder, but then river. Hundreds of people all rooting for their everything was a blur. I was in shock that I had friends and family, hoping they would do well. received second again. Then the noise died down, and we started… That night before I went to bed, I started “Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4.” thinking about it. Suddenly, I realized that not The rounds flew by like a flash. Many words many kids get a chance to be runner-up in a were conquered, but many contestants were spelling bee. Something I had achieved twice. defeated. I had the rhythm; I was getting into the That night when I went to bed, a smile spread groove. I defeated the words like they were across my face. villains and I was Superman using all my powers

Narrative ~ 17 Jack Greenway ______Sixth Grade, Las Sendas Elementary Teacher - Marie Lombardi My Visit to Alcatraz

stepped out onto the deck, gazing in awe at the glass with cracks Ifiery orange sky and the corroded prison walls. spread out all over I felt like I was one of the prisoners on the it. The hair stood transport boat, shackled together and sitting across up on the back of from the famous Alfonse Capone. It was a cold my neck as I leaned evening, so I had pulled a jacket on, but it seemed forward to squint at the cracks as they winded as if the very history chilled me to the bone. through the glass like little rivers. I couldn’t Minutes later our boat was docked, floating before believe it when a tour guide told me Al Capone a rusty state penitentiary sign vandalized with had caused this, which made me search further for “Indians Welcome” in red spray-paint. Butterflies more interesting sights. fluttered like crazy in my stomach as I made my As soon as I finished learning about the main way to the boat’s lower level, stepping outside to parts of the prison, the eerie mental hospital wing inhale a large breath of salty sea air. had coincidentally opened. I decided I should take I looked up to see seagulls perched on the jet- advantage of my opportunity, so I jogged up the black stone cliffs that protrude from the prison’s stairs, stopping abruptly in the middle of the dark perimeter walls, chuckling as their squawks hallway. As I advanced, I took a quick peek into echoed in the empty prison yard. Eventually three each room, finding them all somewhat creepy. tour guides clad in Blue Nylon jackets stepped out One pitch-black room caught my eye, so I strolled into the open, already spouting information about in to see a small hospital bed with a rusty lamp how Alcatraz was originally a U.S. Army fort in hanging over it in the center of the room. Upon the 1800s. They led us past the burned-down closer examination, I found bloodstains spread out warden’s house, the family apartments, and the across the walls, which made me hurry out in a officers’ club until we reached the back entrance nervous blur. I thought my entire experience there of the Administration Building. Some people was historical and fun, with a touch of paranoia would say it’s not much of a sight as you trudge raising in between. Once we floated away form down the stairs into the shower rooms, but me, I the dock, I felt as if the “Rock” was just a lonely personally thought it was a portal to a whole new soul left behind in the past. Alcatraz was an and historical world. awesome experience, and I recommend it to One quick hour into the tour, I decided to take anyone interested in historical landmarks. To the a close look into the visitation booth. What I saw people who are easily spooked, I would certainly was a grim reminder of short-tempered inmates NOT recommend this for you. and visitors. It was a large dent implanted in the

18 ~ Narrative Abigail Fowkes ______Seventh Grade, Brimhall Junior High Teacher - Elisa Valli The Consequences of a Morning Reverie (The Bluebird)

oday I was a baby blue bird. A sky-blue bird willow trees in the yard beside me as I raced Tthat saw her mama soar into the sky and down the hill. The yellow crosswalk sat at the foot imitated her flapping wings; just like all baby of the slope; the grey-haired crossing-guard birds do. Except this time the tiny twittering thing stepping into the center with her bright tomato-red lost control and dove like a failed rocket to the stop sign. ground. But the bird did not die or suffer a fatal Without even saying a “Good Morning” or injury, no; she survived, but was humiliated by even a “Hi,” I zipped beyond her and just barely her inability to understand one thing: she was too missed the level landing of the grey sidewalk. I young and inexperienced. bet she didn’t even see me, I was moving so fast! I was riding my purple girl-bike (that I I focused on searching for a second level absolutely hated) down the street, heading to landing. I needed to get on the sidewalk before I Hawthorne Elementary; listening to the melodious rode past the white convertible. If I did that I and harmonious music of the flying creatures in would ride into the middle of the street. I hated the trees. I was anxious and resistant to get there. riding in the middle of the street. But Call me an oxymoron! I’m sure you’d feel the unfortunately, there was no way on. same in my condition. My mind searched frantically for a way onto We were taking the AIMS test—a standardized the sidewalk, and an idea began to form. In test all students take at the end of the year. It tests seconds I had ruminated over it, envisioned it, and us on our skills and all of the information that we prepared for my plan. learned that year—all students dread the terrible Just as the dexterous boys at school do “Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards” incessantly, I would hop the curb! I’d never done catechism. that before, and though it is a simple achievement, So, to get my mind off of the horrible fate that I’ve always thought it was an amazing feat. awaited me at the end of my route, I decided to Just as I heard the CLICKETY CLICK of the bask in reverie, to ignore everything except for twins’ bicycles, my eyes fixed on the tiny barrier my own thoughts and daydreams. between the sidewalk and myself. I pedaled Even practical thinking. harder. My younger sisters (by a year) were twenty-or- It felt like an eternity before I was near the so feet behind me, staring over the edge of the curb! Right when the crucial moment of my intent canal at the brown wriggling fish in the disgusting arrived, I panicked. water. I whizzed past them, my hair whipping into My elbows locked so that I couldn’t lift the my mouth. I spat it out. The twins were hopping front wheels, and that sent my bike into a head- onto their purple and pink bikes and advancing on long collision with that four-inch wall. I felt the my position. But of course I did not notice them bone-jarring THUD as my bike jerked into a yowling at me, “Abbie! Wait up; Dad doesn’t like sudden stop and I was thrown into the air. My us going ahead!” I smirked as I looked past my arms spread out in front of me and time slowed, it shoulder. They looked like little ants back there! was an almost halcyon moment. And just as any older sister would do when Thoughts ran through my head that could fill their younger siblings tell them to fulfill their an entire page. Which I thought was interesting bidding: I did the complete opposite. I sped up. because it was only a fraction of a second that I I hardly noticed the burly arms of the bare was in the air. I spoke to myself, “They’re

Narrative ~ 19 probably gonna think I’m hurt or something! about how “cool” I looked. To me, the rest of the When I hit the ground, I’ll get up so they’ll know ride was down-right saturnine. I’m fine.” The twins told me that they thought I did a At the apex of my flight, time hastened to magic trick. The way I rode straight for the edge normal. My body instinctively swiveled sideways of the walk, how I flew over the handles and and spread my limbs out. I hit the rocks in the landed so perfectly, and hopped right up without large yard and rolled. As soon as I realized I was even a scratch. They seemed to admire me. no longer airborne I jumped to my feet and threw But I did not believe it was that amazing. In my hands up. my opinion, it was a stupid, reckless, and “I’m okay!” I hollered. The crossing guard absolutely insane idea that I had failed to carry hustled over to me and examined my body with out. I could have broken a bone (or in a worse- worried eyes, looking for torn clothing or bruised case scenario, damaged my brain) I did feel just skin. She was probably wondering why I wasn’t like a baby bird, learning to fly like all the other comatose or something. birds, until I realized I had no clue what I was I assured her that I was unharmed and went on doing. This event is included in my long list of my way. The girls rode beside me and chattered contretemps, and is one I never want to repeat.

20 ~ Narrative Seth Harper ______Seventh Grade, Shepherd Junior High Teacher - Timothy Cox The Hit

listened to the crowd and my teammates hands out first so I could hit the ball the Icheered my name as I stepped back into way my coach had taught me. My heart the batter’s box. It was tussled with dirt and was beating like a drum and beads of soft under my cleats. I performed my usual ritual sweat were trickling down my head. It of tapping my dark blue Louisville Slugger that all led up to this moment. Either I come up with was smeared with white stains from past hits. I the best hit of the season or the biggest lifted my Louisville Slugger above my head and disappointment of the season. Everything had bent my knees slightly, my white knuckles aligned gone quiet as the crowd went silent. I closed my on the end of my bat which faced towards the foul eyes, not wanting to see what happened next. net. Then I heard a small clank. I was confused. Had “Full count,” said the umpire. o n e o f m y t e a m m a t e s j u s t d r o p p e d a b a t ? I didn’t Not only was it full count, but it was also bases feel the vibrations of my bat hitting the ball. It felt loaded, final inning with two outs, and we were like I hit a feather. I opened my eyes and saw the losing by two, so there was a lot of pressure on ball drifting farther and farther towards left center me to get a hit. field. “Got to swing at anything close or else we lose “Run! Run! Run!” yelled my teammates. because of me,” I muttered to myself. I dropped my bat. “Play ball,” yelled the umpire. Clank. “Here we go,” I said to myself. I stared at the I couldn’t believe it. I had just gotten a hit, but man on the mound. His beady little black eyes how far? Would it be enough to bring in the three were staring right through me as beads of sweat runs? Either way, I felt like I had just been told trickled down his forehead into his bushy, thick Christmas was every day or that school had been eyebrows. He nodded his head to show he was canceled forever. This was the best moment of my ready to throw his pitch. life. I’ve never felt this happy and proud of Bringing his black leather glove to his mouth myself. I felt like I had just accomplished a great as if licking it and hiking up his leg, he swung his task, like climbing Mt. Everest or hiking the tan arm in an arch. When he released the ball, Grand Canyon. This will go down in my memory everything happened slowly as I saw his double forever as the moment I was the star of the game. chin flapping everywhere and the flab shake down This was the best moment of my life. his arm. Then I looked back at the white flying It turns out I did get the three runs in, which orb coming towards me. I slowed everything made the moment even better because we had down even more and saw the stitching across the won the game because of me. Now, when I look ball rotating slowly. The dirt and grass stains were back at that moment, I see it as the time I regained smeared all over the ball, and there were small my confidence. Before I got that hit, I would words in black reading “Official Ball of the Major never give myself any credit and get out before I League Baseball.” I could also see the small stepped to the plate. Now when I come up to bat, I dimples that were almost invisible to the naked tell myself I can do it, and if I don’t get a hit, it’s eye. The ball glistened with sweat from the night all right. So, I give you this piece of advice: lights. always believe in yourself. Even if it doesn’t I hiked my leg up, getting ready to swing and happen right away, just keep on trying and kicking up little pieces of dirt. Then I brought my practicing and eventually you’ll succeed.

Narrative ~ 21 Logan Guthrie ______Seventh Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Kathleen Holso Triumph

oday was like any other day. I I made great time, had confidence, Twoke up, had breakfast, watched and flawlessly climbed three-fourths T.V. and waited until my mom had a of the way… until… I froze. The chance to eat breakfast before I asked same spot lay ahead I had failed her if she could drive me to the rock countless times before. Now, I would climbing facility. Our conversation was have to put my left leg equal to my quite brief. head and pull myself up five feet “Can you drive me to the rock using only one hand. I got in position, climbing facility please?” raised one leg, prepared to leap, but “Again...Fine.” missed. I tried over and over again but Rock climbing was practically my I could not stretch the required life since starting competitive rock climbing when additional four inches. only seven years old. My first routine was It wasn’t long, before my body weakened. My bouldering; bouldering is when you climb hands started to sweat, my grip was loosening, sideways rather than up. The rock wall used for and my feet were shaking from pushing up so far. bouldering is horizontal instead of being vertical. The rock had turned moist, yet the holds were still I signed in and put on a harness, since one is hard and gritty. I summoned up all my strength and not required for bouldering, and chose a route that leaped with all my might. This time… I didn't I hadn't yet been able to complete in order to miss. The rest of the way was a breeze. I climbed challenge myself. For over a week, I had practiced to the top and rang that finishing bell, RING. I had and worked on this route. The menacing route done it. I did my best and never gave up. towered above me, with jagged rocks covering it After the climb, I was exhausted and could from top to bottom. Dusty holds and the pointed barely move a muscle. For the next two weeks my top all contributed to this difficult climb. A musty hands were completely covered with painful smell filled the air from all the chalk that had been blisters. After this great feat, I became an used by climbers to keep a tight grip on the rock. instructor at the rock climbing facility and over Roped in and ready to climb, the instructor gave time I became one of the best rock climbers in the me one of those good-luck-kid glances. city. I guess it's true; if you never give up, you can Everything was going as planned and practiced. achieve anything you set your mind to.

22 ~ Narrative Christy Nguyen ______Seventh Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Kathleen Holso One Autumn Season

ut Mom!” the little girl with golden made contact with the object. It was a doll. A doll “B pigtails wailed, “Why can’t I have a Snow with honey-red hair and a tattered yellow dress Doll?” Her pale face faded into a light shade of that looked liked it was once a flattering gold, and pink from frustration. one green eye that was shut while the other was “We’ve talked about this before Cin, we can’t exposed. She held it so delicately in her hands, as afford one.” if it were the utmost precious antique there was. Cindy’s expression drooped as she heard those Disheveled or not, the doll’s delicate features words spill from her mother’s mouth. Cindy reminded her of the season, fall. Cindy named her wanted a Snow Doll ever since she laid eyes on new doll, Autumn. the doll with curly locks, satin ivory dress with Cindy held Autumn close to her chest and embellished snowflake designs, and the silver inhaled the doll’s scent. Her mother attempted to jeweled tiara. convince her to throw it out multiple times, but “But everyone has one!” bawled the stubborn Cindy’s driven motivation to protect the doll child. caused her mother to look at the doll in a new “No buts, we are through with this conversation. way. Since Autumn was in poor condition, Now it’s past your bedtime, go to sleep.” Cindy’s mother offered to wash, stitch, and fix the Her emerald eyes were drowned by threatening doll. Cindy’s response was, “No, Mommy! She tears that were about to flow. She tiredly dragged would drown if you washed her, and she’s scared her small feet to her bedroom where she collapsed of needles!” In the end, Autumn only received a on her bed. few enhancements. Her eye was fixed so both Light filtered through the pastel bedroom opened and showed glimmering green irises, and illuminating Cindy’s face. Her nightgown was her hair is now tied back into two pigtails. It wrinkled and her high pigtails tied back with became a habit for her to bring Autumn ribbons were a messy blonde nest. everywhere she went and to treat her She remembered her talk with her like a real person. During school, mother yesterday night like it was a Cindy would keep her doll in her dream. Outside her window were backpack with a little opening for air, heaps of assorted amber, crimson, then take her out to play during and gold leaves blanketing her front recess. When the sky blackens into a yard; they were autumn’s gift. Cindy dark, starry oblivion, it’s time for mounted off her bed instantly and bed. Then they start the next day like a mouse, scurried out the front again together . door, ignoring her unkempt appearance. Leaves Weeks go by and the beautiful warm colors of crunched under her feet as she advanced forward. fall disappear. Fall has taken its toll. Cool weather Her natural instincts told her to jump onto the bed is replaced by frosty temperatures. Winter’s of leaves, disarraying the piles of vibrant leaves. inception has begun. What once used to be where Her petite form melted into the leaves and beds of leaves lay, is now a thin coat of white submerged to the bottom. Squeak! She heard a snow. Cindy’s blonde pigtails bounce up and stifled high-pitched sound. Cindy began to dig down as she rushes to play in the snow with vigilantly through the leaves until she spotted a Autumn. Carelessly, she tumbles into the snow piece of fabric peeking out of the pile. Sliding her triggering back memories of when she found dainty hands under the object, she revealed the Autumn. The cold snow envelopes her thin frame treasure in her hands. Cindy was awestruck as she and something icy touches the tip of her pink

Narrative ~ 23 nose. A crystalline snowflake falls onto the tip and gift’s beauty soon started to fade as the little girl she lays there with Autumn, happy as ever. tore through the thin paper and let it drop to the Luminous lights were hung up, trees were floor among the other scraps. Inside the package garnished, and Christmas specials aired on every was a Snow Doll. Her parents had gotten her a show. Cindy was too overwhelmed with Autumn Snow Doll! to realize it was close to Christmas. It wasn’t until “Merry Christmas, Cindy!” cheered her mom that day she heard the news. “Merry Christmas!” with a smile from ear to ear. “Ooh! Let me get the chorused Cindy’s parents. Under the Christmas camera!” tree were several adorned gifts with big red bows Cindy observed both of the dolls in her hand; and gold paper. One by one, every present was they were both so different. Although she had unwrapped, leaving ripped paper scattering the received what she wished for, she hadn’t realized room in its wake. The living room was now a that what she wanted , was nothing compared to wrapping paper collage of tape and ribbon. what she has now. Her dainty hands arranged the Presents contained clothes, stuffed animals, and Snow Doll back into her cardboard bed and sealed books she would never read. A sparkle caught her the box where the doll would remain. eye; it was another gift. Studying the unopened She raced out the door into the snowy beyond; gift, Cindy could see a slight reflection of herself hand-in-hand with Autumn, her doll. in the silvery mirror-like wrapping paper. The

24 ~ Narrative Janie Reavis ______Eighth Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Julie Miller Pride to Shame

June 19, 1944 December 17, 1944 On this day, I, Gabriel Eberhardt, turned Switched to train duty in Hanover, I sixteen and enlisted in the Nazi military. I am experienced another side of being a Nazi. Today a ready to defend my nation, Germany, which, of shipment, that’s what they call trucks full of Jews, course, is the best of the best. The world has tried came to be taken to the Nuengamme concentra- to stomp us down, but that will not continue. The tion camp. I have never so greatly regretted my Leader, Hitler, is our savior and I will follow him enlistment as I did today. Out of the trucks Jews to see this war won and this country succeeding poured, some quivering in fear, while others because I am a German. This morning, when I appeared numbly detached. I was posted as a received a coarse, grey uniform with a pair of guard to ensure the Jews didn’t try anything with combat boots and a dark, solid metal helmet, my the trucks. A Nazi officer shouted at the Jews, chest swelled with pride. I looked at a woman, calling them horrible things which I dare not with blonde hair and blue eyes similar to mine, repeat, ordering them to lie flat on the ground directly in the eye as she was handing me supplies with their faces in the dirt. Fellow soldiers, I and said, “ I am much obliged and I will use this wince as I say, “fellow,” rifled through the well.” She simply nodded, but I saw the shadow belongings of every Jew present. They took of a smile cross her face as I strode away. I did not anything that appeared valuable and confiscated lie; I will indeed dress in my uniform and feel the the rest. A mountain of belongings grew beside immense sense of patriotism that every German the trucks. I sincerely wish that this had been the ought to feel when protecting this nation. Within worst part, but it was not so. A soldier by the the week, I will begin to hone my skills and name of Mielke was sorting through a battered abilities at training camp. I hope to be assigned to case when he pulled out a gold, circular, sparkling a post as soon as possible. I am proud because I object that appeared to be a broach. Upon am a Nazi soldier. pocketing it, an elderly man with a tuft of white hair on his wrinkled head feebly croaked, “ No.” October 24, 1944 Mielke ordered the old man to repeat what he’d said, but the man fell silent. “Would you all like to Today was my first day out of training camp. find out what happens when you defy the Nazis?” I will soon be the driver of a truck that transports the soldier asked, not caring about any answer, “ I Jews to the train station and hopefully work my thought you would!” Grinning he pointed his rifle way up to an even better position. I observed from at the old man and ordered him to the middle of inside the giant truck as other soldiers barked at the downward-facing crowd. The other soldiers the Jews, holding their rifles menacingly. circled the Jews in unison, shouting for them to Occasionally I heard a shot fired from somewhere watch the man. As I comprehended the situation I could not see. I assume it was to show that we from my post, sweat dampened my brow and I mean business. The frightened little Jews stiffened, but I continued to view the scene reminded me of abused dogs cowering before silently. Mielke pointed his rifle at the man who their master. None were as I had imagined them. crouched ten feet in front of him. I tried to open There was no devilish gleam in their eyes, no my mouth to stop what was happening, but my mark of impurity. They were all crammed into the lips became glued shut. Helplessly, I watched the back of the truck, which was similar to a pigpen, soldier’s finger tauntingly hover over the trigger. but for transporting Jews instead of valuable He leisurely rested his slim callused finger on the livestock. Come to think of it, livestock might’ve metal trigger. Panicking, I tried to close my eyes, been treated better than the Jews I saw today. I am but I was unable to move until BANG! I winced, uncertain because I am a Nazi soldier. stomach lurching, squinting my eyes, trying to

Narrative ~ 25 erase the image of the old man crumpling to the stop this madness, but I know it is better to stay ground with his eyes gazing lifelessly, but the and plot than to die in vain. I am sickened because image was permanently etched into my brain. It I am a Nazi soldier. played over and over in my mind. I am ashamed because I am a Nazi soldier. May 8, 1945 I am internally triumphant! The war has February 20, 1945 ended! Just yesterday, General Jodl signed a I have seen too much. Trains full of Jews document of surrender. Today at 23:01 every stop at our station daily to dump the dead bodies. soldier was ordered to cease fire. Although all From what I can see of the people inside the cars, may not obey, some refuse to admit defeat even they aren’t better off. Dirt cakes their skin. when our leader, Hitler, has committed suicide Hunger emaciates their bodies. A dull acceptation with the fear of having the same deadly fate as the of the situation deadens some of their eyes. Hope Italian, Mussolini, about eight days prior to our flares within me when I see a gleam of defiance in surrender. Though I don’t openly express it, I am them, but more often than not, those ones are filled with relief. I am jubilant because I am no killed. I genuinely wish I could do something to longer a Nazi soldier.

26 ~ Narrative Cassandra Thompson ______Eighth Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Julie Miller Wrapped in Blue

he hospital was bright and busy, nurses and mind realized that he must have come from the Tvisitors rushing through the halls with hospital. To me, there was only one thing that purposeful strides. As I followed my father needed to be said. “Is it a girl?” But his answer through the maternity ward, I clung to my was not what I’d assumed it would be. brother’s hand. To my eight-year-old A boy! Horror filled my tiny body. But eyes, the surroundings were a daze of it couldn’t be! I’d wanted a sister! white, a landscape of tall doors and How could fate be so cruel as to fill signs that seemed to flash by in a me with expectations and then blur of incomprehension. The further dash them to pieces? I’d been so we walked, the more I felt a nervous caught up in my delight at the tension, an anxious anticipation that prospect of a sister that the other permeated the atmosphere, and I felt possibility hadn’t even crossed my mind. my whole body trembling—with what, I didn’t know. I had nothing against boys. Really, I didn’t. We arrived at room 209, but we weren’t However, I was cursed with both an impression- allowed to go inside yet. A woman outfitted in able young mind and a love of books. When I powder-blue saw us about to enter the room. With thought of a younger brother, my imagination a shocked expression on her face, she asked if we instantly went to Fudge, the bane of Ramona’s had sanitized yet. Apparently “sanitized” was existence. The stereotypical little brother was code for “exfoliated,” because we weren’t annoying, constantly invasive of privacy, and permitted to proceed until all exposed skin was prone to drool on homework. Was I doomed to raw from scrubbing. I, for one, had inadvertently this? gotten soap in my mouth after the third time Now, as I stared into the miniscule face framed washing my face. There was a lingering taste, and in blue velvet, I was prepared to see little nubs of I gagged a few times before Dad led my brother horn protruding from the velvety scalp. If worst and me into the room. came to worst, I told myself, I could probably The first sight that met my eyes was a small shift my nightstand in front of my bedroom door. blue bundle cradled in the arms of my mother. My With my stash of last year’s Halloween candy, I breath caught in my throat, and I blinked several ought to survive in solitude for a few years (surely times. Numbly walking across the room, I stood twenty would be sufficient for the child to on my tip-toes, trying to get a look at the mature?). diminutive form. Dad chuckled and lifted me But the sight of my brother, eyes scrunched up under my arms. I squeaked at the indignity, but and mouth slightly open, did not fit my my protests died away as a wrinkled red face expectations. There were no horns, and I felt came into view. certain that Dad would have mentioned a tail. I When I saw my new sibling for the first time, had yet to be attacked with spit projectiles, and it my thoughts flashed back to the previous night, seemed ridiculous to worry about this tiny when I’d been awakened by a hand on my creature being an irritation. shoulder. Just as I was struggling to accept this From the day my parents told me that Mom was revelation, a movement caught my eye. He was pregnant, I’d been enchanted with the idea. I put a shaking his miniature fist at the world—waving, I diaper on one of my dolls and spent hours talking thought, at his older sister. to it or pretending to change its clothes. I told my In that moment, all my doubts fell away. Who parents I was practicing for my baby sister. said that all brothers were like Fudge? Ramona, I When Dad woke me from my dreams of tea realized, was highly unfortunate in many ways— parties and partners for dress-up, even my groggy of course she would get the one brother that was

Narrative ~ 27 demon-spawn. My brother would be an angel. My Whether he wakes me up in the morning with a fantasies shifted from playing dolls to building surprise attack or comes into my room at night forts, from wearing dresses to staging pirate begging for a story, I can always remember that attacks. first day in the hospital. We’ve both changed since I turned to my dad. then, and I’ve enjoyed seeing Shane grow into an “Having a brother is going to be so much fun!” adorable little boy. I hope that I can always I said excitedly. remember what I learned that day: Sometimes you Five years later, I couldn’t agree more. Shane need to give things a chance. Sometimes, good has grown from a wrinkled infant into a little things come wrapped in blue. sweetheart—cherubic in looks, impish in personality.

28 ~ Narrative Sierra Campbell ______Ninth Grade, Red Mountain High Teacher - Keiko Dileck Fish Out of Water

t was the last period of the day, and the last pencil at the boy. Iquestion on the biology test read, “How long “Terrible.” I thought, “A kid at our school just does it take for evolution to happen?” It was committed suicide, and you still do that. Won’t pretty easy, it didn’t require much thought. I somebody do something?” circled “A) A longtime, from millions of years, to It’s true. Our school has been in a buzz since it hundred-thousand years,” and I waited. The rest happened. From what I have heard, the suicide of the class was silent. No one else had turned in victim was bullied a lot, but I did not know him their test yet. It would be awkward to turn in my very well. Even so, a part of me wonders if there test first—I don’t want to look like one of those was anything I could have done. know-it-all kids. Even though I didn’t know him well, I still My eyes drifted back to my test out of grieve, and hope that in the next moment he will boredom. I didn’t really consider the other walk through the door. Everyone will cheer. Then answers. I had three other choices: B) a hundred everything will go back to normal. But I know it years, C) a thousand years, or D) Suddenly. won’t happen. School would be a whole lot easier if all the In the play Waiting for Godot , two guys are questions were like that. waiting at the base of a tree for someone named Whenever I think of evolution, I like to think Godot. While they are waiting, they keep on of long ago, in prehistoric times. It started with telling themselves that Godot will come. But one lonely dinosaur-fish-thing with all the courage Godot never does. Just like how I am telling in the world, taking that first anxious step on land. myself he will come through the door—excluding Meanwhile, back in the water, the friends of the the fact that I don’t have anyone to wait with me, dinosaur-fish-thing would snicker behind his and the people in Waiting for Godot actually talk back, giving him grief about how silly it is to go and have fun. I am stuck in a classroom waiting on land. However, slowly over zillions of years, it for the bell to ring. became normal to walk on land, and all of the The loud monotone “BEEP” signaled it was dinosaur-fish-things started to do it without even time for us to go. The room that was once silent thinking about it. Over time, more dinosaur-fish- with anticipation exploded with talking, zipping things dared themselves to be different, and of backpacks, and pushing in chairs. eventually they evolved into the human race. The boy with the wire-rimmed glasses walked My train of thought of the dinosaur-fish-thing out of class all alone, in a wave of people chatting was interrupted when a scrawny boy with wire- and gossiping with their friends. He was looking rimmed glasses and black hair stood up. There down at the ground, hands in his pockets. I want was a loud, awkward “SCREECH” that broke the to say something, but I just don’t know what. silence from him getting out of his seat. He went That night on Facebook, everybody wrote on to the teacher, who was typing on the computer, the dead kid’s wall words of remorse. My news and he handed her the completed test. The teacher feed was covered words like “Rest in Paradise” or smiled and mouthed the words “thank you” to the “He will always be in my heart—even though I boy. She went back to focusing on her computer; did not know him well.” the boy sulked back to his seat. I find it silly. People are overdramatizing on There was a huge wave of relief throughout the Facebook; they are not changing bullying class. Almost half the class stood up, including whatsoever. myself, to turn in their test. The Facebook ranters are just like the Wall “Nice job, freak!” I heard a loser kid whisper Street protesters that I have seen on T.V. as I was heading back to my seat, and he threw a Protesters are chanting, “WE WANT CHANGE

Narrative ~ 29 ON WALL STREET NOW!” But when asked evolves. Protesters aren’t screaming facts and what the protesters want to change, the protesters statistics because they think they will change just shrug their shoulders and say, “I don’t know.” minds that way. Protesters are screaming facts so These types of people are naïve because they that the idea of change will evolve into our seem to think that screaming facts and statistics society. will change people’s mind. Mr. Hippie can scream More than 40 years ago, a simple public out, “WAR IS BAD!” and give many facts on why service ad depicting a crying native American it’s bad. But he is not in a state of power to do started the recycling/anti-littering movement. anything. Now, today, I can’t imagine living a life without With this boy committing suicide, I can’t help recycling. Most people don’t want to change but ponder, how does change happen? Deep down because they are afraid of the novelty of the inside, I want to be the person that changes the solution. If we stand up, the novelty will lose its world, but one person can only do so much. luster, and it will become an everyday thing. You The next day, as I walked into the last period don’t order change at a restaurant, and you wait class, I saw the boy with wire-rimmed glasses for someone to serve it to you. You make change sitting by himself. At that moment, and idea with your own hands. struck me—I sat down next to the kid. I don’t care if I am the lone dinosaur-fish-thing Change doesn’t happen fast. It grows, it out of water; I will make change.

30 ~ Narrative JT Hatch ______Tenth Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Lorelei Barker Back From Black

he morning dawned bright and cool, worry and grief was over thousands of acres of Tscattering deep shades of orange and purple forest that fell to the raging wrath of the largest across the sky. A crisp breeze whispered between fire Arizona has ever seen. It charred over half a the tall, lofty pines as a lone black raven million acres here and in New Mexico, destroying wandered on the rising currents. Meandering hundreds of habitats and many generations of through valleys and cliffs, a highway bore the growth and prosperity. That’s not the worst of it world to its numerous destinations, many of though. Our camp spot, one we have been going whose inhabitants were oblivious to the wonderful to all of my life and my dad’s life too, lay right in world right outside their doors. Lakes and the path of the fiery inferno. meadows whipped by a dark green Suburban, We continued bumping down the rough dirt their beauty reflected in tinted windows and shiny road as it wound deeper into the woods and still mirrors. Inside, the car was full of people—ones nothing appeared to have changed. A spark of who really appreciated nature to its fullest extent, hope ignited within me and spread through my and I was one of them. We were at home in this whole body as I began to believe it could be okay. peaceful environment. In our pre-dawn travels, After rounding one of the last bends before our the quiet was only interrupted by a various sniff or camp site, the signs of fire began to emerge and cough, someone tapping on the glass, or, most with it, our hopes evaporated like smoke in the often, by a deep sigh from one of us. The only wind. The telltale spots of a forest fire, black thing that anchored my thoughts to the present against the lush undergrowth, started creeping was the occasional roar and blinding flash of along the edges of our vision, greatly contrasted headlights as an oncoming car screamed by and against the wooded green. As we started the jolted me back to reality. The worry and stress we ascent to our spot, patches of darkness started carried through the mountains as our car ascended becoming more and more obvious and soon was centered on one thought: “Please, be okay…” overtook the lush grass and bushes. As more and Our destination, with the car full of family more huge sections of the forest turned black, I members, was a secluded spot in the middle of the began to lose hope that our spot would be as it White Mountains, far away from any civilization used to be. Unexpectedly, huge sections of trees or people. The reason for our trip was simple vanished, leaving a plain, desolated wasteland. enough—to see if our beloved summer get-away Consequently, this left us a very clear view of the spot was somehow still safe. valley below. Jaws dropping, we gasped simultan- When we reached the turn from the main eously. highway to enter the woods, the sun had just Below, any semblance of a forest was gone, cleared the trees. A little way on the road to our replaced by acres and acres of consumed trees, camp, we all expected dead and scraggly. This complete destruction, but unappealing picture stretched nothing seemed to be hurt. I for miles and I just imagined sat up in anticipation, for a the horrible flames licking up very familiar landscape the fuel as the terrible fire emerged into view. Floods of swept through. Fire didn’t memories came to my mind care what was there, or who it and I found myself hoping affected, or what it was that everything was going to burning… it just moved on. I be alright. I had been doing stood viewing the wreckage this for quite a while now, as and tears almost came to my the time ticked away until I would know for sure eyes. Why? Why did it have to be this forest? what had happened. I renewed my pleas that Why not some place else? Why our family? surely something could have been spared. All our Just before our hearts could bear no more

Narrative ~ 31 sadness, the last stretch of the painful trip came, over the awesome landscape and could not— the blackness closed in on both sides of the road, would not—imagine it going up in flames. I gave caging us in, and we prepared for the worst. We thanks again that this land had been spared. If the all leaned forward in quiet anticipation. Ever so wind had been just a fraction stronger, the heat a slowly the flat widened as it always does, except… bit more intense, or even the size of the ash just a did it look wider? Could it be? Was the black little larger, I believe the forest around were I sat receding just a little or the green coming back? would not have existed as it does now, but burned Did it look more colorful? Was it just me, or did to a crisp, along with all the life-changing the fire not have as many casualties here? Yes! We memories I have from spending all of my still had hope! Our camp might be alright. summers up there. The burning of the place of By the time we roared into our beloved site, its some of my best memories would have hurt me previous beauty was as pronounced as ever and the most. I might just be able to halfway struggle we gratefully rejoiced. The land was untouched through the desolation of our camp…if it was and full of the wonderful colors of green and only a camp. To me, this place is so much more brown. My eyes blinked rapidly, mind scrambling than just a camp; it is my retreat when I need a to comprehend the rapidly changing scenery. As break, and the one thing I really looked forward to our meadow flashed into view, I grabbed my seat, in the summer. Because of that, I know for sure I not believing my eyes. The evil mass of charred could not live with its obliteration. logs had cleared, and our campsite emerged out of When I look back on this event, I can only the wreckage. I closed my eyes and celebrated. begin to imagine how much I am at the mercy of Yes… Yes… was all that went through my head. nature. Nature did what it wanted, whether that A deep sigh of relief washed over everyone in our pleased me or not. All I could do was sit and car. It was saved! I took a few tentative steps out watch and wait. I struggled with the helplessness of the vehicle on the untainted ground and let all I felt as the fire destroyed large parts of the forest, of my emotion seep into the grass. It was all okay. but I remember thinking, “Even if the fire was to Our camp had survived! The world was in perfect burn everything, there will always be more harmony until my dad called us over. forests, more places to camp, and destroyed As we hesitantly moved to where he stood, our habitats will always grow back.” I learned that, faces turned a light shade of gray. Right beside his even if something happened I couldn’t control, I feet lay a large piece of ash, the remnants of a could control what I did about it. Sometimes, burning stick or leaf, spewed out by the fire from things just happen unexpectedly, without asking over a mile away and blown by the strong currents permission. If we allow and train ourselves to see and hot winds. Because of sheer luck, or maybe the good in everything, it is much easier to some intervention by God, it had landed right on experience trials and adversity when they happen. the dirt road—the most unburnable substance in To this day, I am still troubled that the fire swept our entire camp. There could not have been a through that great forest, but because it did, I am better spot for it to land, because the ember was able to better appreciate our campsite and my sure to have been hot and burning when it landed. many marvelous memories of the place, for it I looked up at our spot again and swept my eyes lived through the year of the terrible Wallow Fire.

32 ~ Narrative Annika Woolf ______Tenth Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Lorelei Barker The Ride of My Life

isneyland: the original outrageously expen- Oops. Dsive theme park of corporate merchan- “That sounds like so much fun! We should dising, whose generously funded advertising totally do it!” said Mackenzie, relishing this department quickly dubbed it, “The Happiest opportunity to make me eat my words. The others Place on Earth.” Children worldwide anxiously readily agreed, and before I knew it, we were at dream of the day their parents will say those the very gate to the Underworld, and the taste of magic words that promise a vacation unlike any the fruit that had condemned me was still fresh on other: “We’re going to Disneyland!” However, my tongue. Disneyland’s redheaded step-cousin that burns Inside the belly of the beast, the largest ants during recess with a magnifying glass—also “service elevator” I’d ever seen opened its doors known as “California Adventure”—makes no to admit its newest batch of victims—us. My little such guarantee. It was at this lesser celebrated band of five entered first and took the back row, location that I took the ride of my life. the farthest from the entrance and soon-to-appear In my ninth grade year at Taylor Jr. High, the gaping hole. Strangers, some eager or reluctant, school’s advanced choirs, Teen Tones and Treble filled the remaining seats, their eyes wide with Clefs, were given the extraordinary opportunity to excitement and fear. Once all were safely strapped present a concert at California Adventure. After in, the doors closed again, sealing the exit… and purchasing the necessary park ticket, we were our fates. The elevator lurched backward as stars allowed to roam in packs at our leisure. My group filled the pitch-black emptiness, the tiny bits of consisted of some of my closest friends, light bleakly blinking in the soul-crushing Mackenzie, Ana, Rachel, and Trent—and myself, darkness. of course. That early summer day in May of 2011 “Raise your arms!” I cried out as the Twilight began bright, sunny, hot, and did not hint at being Zone theme began to fill the closed space. I was one of the most frightening days of my life. That not willing to let the others back out, or go it is, until I forgot my intense and burning fear of alone! Thankfully, the rest of my group quickly falling rides. This included one of the most well- lifted their hands above their heads. Cries of fear known and popular rides at California Adventure: and declarations of bravery came from the other Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. riders. The weak noise echoed faintly in the “Where should we go next?” Rachel asked compartment before one nightmarish voice made from behind a map. the small space between us feel miles away. I “Let’s go on the Tower of Terror!” Mackenzie gripped Rachel and Ana’s fingers tightly in mine. suggested. “You are the passengers on a most uncommon “Really?” I asked. “My legs are getting weak elevator,” the voice said, “about to take the just thinking about it!” strangest journey of your lives.” The very ends of “One time won’t hurt,” said Trent. my hair tingled as I shivered in reluctant “Maybe…” I answered, completely anticipation of the long drop ahead. “Your unconvinced. However, in a stroke of brilliance, I destination, unknown, but this much is clear: a decided to entertain the thought. “What if we went reservation has been made in your name for an on the Tower of Terror and kept our hands up in extended stay.” Hello, hotel cliché , I thought, or the air the entire time?” would have, if my brain had been functioning Contrary to my expectations, I did not find normally. looks of disbelief or fear, but faces full of “There we are!” Mackenzie yelled, pointing to excitement and anticipation. our reflections in a giant mirror, which had

Narrative ~ 33 appeared out of nowhere. The voice drowned out “This is so fun!” Mackenzie cried, and others everything else, instructing us to “wave goodbye yelled in agreement—including me. to the real world.” On the way back up, I reunited with my The anticipation was killing me, but I insides, my body firmly glued to my seat as we complied. Cheery farewells came from most of rocketed upward until the open doors exposed a the passengers. “Bye!” “See you later!” “WE’RE breathtaking view of the whole park and sparked a GOING TO DIE!” “Goodbye!” collective “whoa” from the riders. Suspended for The reflection faded, leaving nothing but an a tantalizing moment, we gazed until camera empty elevator, completely devoid of life. bulbs flashed, and we were just as quickly brought “You have just entered—The Twilight Zone.” back into the darkness. The ride continued for Cue really dramatic music! The compartment several sickening lifetimes, and the volume of the lurched shakily upward, revealing what appeared vocalized terror increased with every drop. to be normal hotel hallway, until indistinct figures Once the whole dreadful thing became flashed into view. The words resonated in the unbearable to sit through for one more moment, elevator, making me shiver so hard, I swear my we leveled out, and were brought forward. The bones rattled out of place. stars came back out and, not quite as miserable as “What happened here to dim the lights of before, gleamed faintly as the unsettling voice Hollywood's brightest show place is about to issued its last words. Glued to my seat, the words unfold once again.” Five unfortunate guests floated through my ears, in one and out the other. appeared in the hallway, only ghostly vestiges of Music filled the elevator as the doors finally, their former selves. “One stormy night long ago, blissfully opened, and we were free . Legs shaking, five people stepped through the doors of an heart pumping, mouth dry, arms numb, I extracted elevator and into a nightmare.” myself from my seat, glad to be out. A different “Thanks,” I whispered, “but I didn’t need but still creepy voice filled the crowded basement some creepy voice to let me know that about this hallway. “We hope your stay at The Hollywood ride.” Tower Hotel has been a pleasant one,” it said. Lightning flashed in the windows, causing the “And please... do come back and see us again.” horrible scene to be drenched in a green glow. Not a chance . I thought. That was horrible! “That door is opening once again,” he continued But, as my friends began chattering excitedly, as I took what could’ve been my last breath, “but their legs functioning perfectly, their eyes and this time—it's opening for you.” smiles wide, I realized that, maybe… maybe it The elevator plummeted down, down, down wasn’t so bad after all. Yes, it was scary, and no, the shaft as everyone erupted in ear-splitting, fear- I’ll never do it again, but I gained a few morsels driven shrieks which filled the cavernous space of valuable information. First, what doesn’t kill and bounced back, doubling the sound. My you will make you addicted to adrenalin. Second, insides lurched, up, up, out of my body, faster you are stronger than you think. Third, if you’re than any freefall I’d ever experienced, or not willing to follow up on something, don’t say expected. Unable to clutch the handholds to keep it! All you need to make wherever you are the me on my seat, inertia pulled me into the air; my happiest place on earth are some good friends and seat beat strained to keep me attached to this a willing attitude. forsaken vehicle of shattered minds.

34 ~ Narrative Jenavieve Crum ______Eleventh Grade, Mountain View High Teacher - Joan Snyder Blew It

The first alarm sounds like a Fox 40 whistle. It one on her chin. The body is flipped. echoes across the water and rings off the walls. PANIC. It’s not until I look back that I realize that I was Her lips are blue. Her eyes are shut. Her hands the one that had blown it. are as cold as mine. I take my place at the head of It starts with a six year-old. It costs $1.86 for the backboard and the body is placed on. forty pounds of tan skin, brown hair, pink tutu Autopilot takes over. First strap: under arms. swimsuit, and dancing almond eyes to be allowed Second and third straps: over. Tighten. Move to into the water. I ring her up and listen as she tells the head of the board. “One, two, three.” Swipe me how it always smells like heated bleach and hair. Place brace. Secure strap. Repeat. Move dusty, old coconut in our office. She then bounces board to wall. out the door that leads to the pool and I lose track I scramble out of the water and grip the edges of her. of the board. Responder One does the same. “One, Fifteen minutes pass before the hand on the two, three.” Our muscles worked together and we clock rests on the big 7. It’s time to rotate. I take hauled that board out of the water. She’s still blue. my spot at the top of slide tower. The little kids Call 9-1-1. Begin CPR. Two breaths. The chest and the adults all have the same giddy expression rises and falls. Check for heartbeat. Begin when they ask to go down the big twisting slide. I compressions. Thirty compressions to every two watch for them to come out at the bottom, and breaths. Repeat for two minutes. Check for signal for the next person to go. You can see the heartbeat. whole pool from up here and every person in it. It’s as though lifting her chin and touching her Knowing their health sits in my hands makes me neck to see if her heart was beating made it start. feel powerful. Powerful…and nervous. She throws up. She cries. Her lips are pink. That’s when I notice a pink tutu floating in the Her hands are warm. Her heart beats. She’s alive. water. And a little girl in it. Most people try to get their kids to stop crying. She wasn’t moving. She wasn’t twitching. She I didn’t want her to stop crying. Crying means wasn’t breathing. She was drowning. life. Crying means that I have done what I am Heart stops. Hands freeze. Stomach drops. supposed to. Crying means that the forty pounds Whistle blows. of pink tutu isn’t a silent forty-pound body bag. I notice I’m not the only one to see what had I blew the whistle that had started it all. But I happened to her. First on the scene, Responder didn’t blow the opportunity when it came to One puts one hand at the crown of her head, and saving her. She’s fine, but scared. So am I.

Narrative ~ 35 Jonathan Sosa ______Twelfth Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Michael Garcia Looking Towards My Future

very night before I go to bed, the night sky is have put in to get good grades. I chose to take a Eglistening through my bedroom window, full schedule of honors classes for both my junior beckoning me to look outside. As I gaze out, I and senior year because I wanted to prepare notice the concrete wall that separates my trailer myself for college. Pursuing for a better life in the from the suburban neighborhood next door. future requires commitment and vast arrays of Looking beyond this wall, I can see two story education. That is why I am taking rigorous houses with green front lawns and shiny new cars. classes in high school to become a well-rounded Then I glance back inside my home and see my person and qualified for a better career. My plans three younger brothers running around in our after high school are to attend a University and cramped trailer. Seeing the differences between earn a doctorate degree in public medicine. My both places gives me a strong epiphany about my parents have high expectations for me and I future plans. The wall that separates the trailer embrace those challenges because of my hard park from the suburban homes makes me think of working ethic. The wonderful part about being in the obstacles in life and the need for hard work. I high school is that I have my friends around me wanted to pursue a better life for myself and the that I can turn to for help. Spending time after life of my future family. However, to accomplish school and forming study groups with friends has this goal I have to work tirelessly and persevere kept me focused on my primary goals. It was vital through the challenges I face now. Vince for my success in school and it gave me the Lombardi once said, “The dictionary is the only opportunity to study the notes I took in class. I place that success comes before work. Hard work know this will carry on to my future success in is the price we must pay for success.” This can be college. Balancing this with my home achieved through my perseverance and diligence responsibilities has been a great way to prepare at home and in school. me for the challenges in life. Taking advantage of my citizenship in the U.S All in all, comparing my trailer with the is a huge step in reaching my goal for a better suburban homes has opened my mind to my future and I can gratefully thank my parents for future possibilities. My new goals are more clear this wonderful opportunity. Their journey from and approachable as time ticks away. My Mexico was a life changing experience because obligations as the oldest brother have taught me they had to adapt to the new culture of the United life skills necessary to maintain a successful States. I was born one year later, not aware of the future. I have enjoyed my time with my family tough economic situation this would present my over the years, and am ready to take the next family. My father earned the sufficient amount of independent step into college. The experiences I money for our house as a roofer. Being the oldest have had at home and in school are memorable brother, my mother and father deeply relied on me moments that I will cherish untill my old age. My to take care of my brothers. Every day after life is a long way from ending, and my ambition school, I would get home and make sure that the to pursue a better life for my future generation trailer was clean and my brothers had started on will stay strong. Believing in a bright future adds their homework. I usually focused on my three to the list of intentions that I have for the future. I hours of homework after my obligations. Even know anything is possible if people put in the though it was a tiring process, I knew that my work to accomplish their goal. Hard work should parents needed the extra help after a long day at be encouraged more in today’s communities work. Seeing them trudge through the front door because of the positive effect it has had on my with sweat pouring out of their shirts, made me life. As time elapses, we begin to expand our realize the importance of their hard work and my perspective on life and further education will only dedication to care for my younger siblings. entice hard work. Like Einstein once said, My dedication in school greatly resembles my “intellectual growth should commence at birth contribution at home because of the hard work I and cease only at death.”

36 ~ Narrative Elizabeth Gunnell ______Twelfth Grade, Westwood High Teacher - Jean Akers Pan’s Replacement

eh name be Captain Tory. An’ I killed Peter “Tell me about it.” A deep voice scratched MPan. against his ears. Killin’ Peter Pan wasn’t easy. I can see now Leaf nearly jumped out of his skin, and why Hook found it impossible all those years. The frantically raked his eyes over his surroundings. kid’s like Jacki Chan with wings. Of course, that’s The street was empty. He held his breath, waiting to be expected after he’s had 150 years of to see who had spoken. When all remained silent, experience, fightin’ off pirates and rogue he ventured to say, “Hello? Who’s there?” mermaids. It took everythin’ I had to defeat him. A laugh bellowed out of thin air, directly to his But now that Peter Pan—may he rest in peace—is right, between him and the wall that separated the dead… street from the port. His heart suddenly beating Neverland is boring. uncontrollably fast, Leaf tensed and stared at the Meh mates and I loot all we want, set fire to spot from where the mysterious laughter was parts of the forest, even shoot spit wads at the coming. But no one was there. fairies. We do every vile thing that creeps into our Slowly an outline appeared, blurry and minds, and yet no one stops us. We do whatever indistinct. It gradually came into focus, becoming we want! Who knew how boring that would be? I more solid. Suddenly a man stood there, right next never thought I’d say this, but... I miss Peter Pan. to Leaf, laughing his head off. Despite all the grief he gave meh for being Hook’s He was tall, with a strange cap on his head, successor, life’s just not the same without him. and a long coat encasing broad shoulders. A What Neverland needs is a replacement. A new scraggly beard clung to a scarred face, so tanned Pan. and weathered that it looked like wood. A lantern A Pan Replacement. swung from his right hand, and the light glinted off eyes that were dark, blue, and cold. Within * * * those deep windows, Leaf could see hints of Leaf sighed and ran a hand through his hair, danger and adventure, the very things that were disheveling the careful part that his mother had severely lacking in his life. insisted he comb onto his head. His boredom was The man’s raucous laughter continued to echo so thick he could almost slice it with a knife. He’d up and down the empty street. Leaf took a hesitant just spent the last two hours at the library, making step backward, and as he did, all laughter was a half-hearted attempt to study. Now it was almost sucked clean off the man’s face, like a toy being 8 o’clock and he knew his mother was expecting smashed on pavement. him at home. “Where yeh be goin’, boy?” the man growled. Gathering up his things, he started his lengthy “I thought yeh be wantin’ adventure?” walk homeward. Leaf couldn’t help but reflect on Leaf thought about running, but then his earlier his twelve years of life and think of…well, of how thoughts came back to him. He could at least see boring his life was. Everyday was the same: go to what the man wanted, especially if it offered him school, do homework, study, help his mom around a chance to break away from his boring life. the house, sleep... He repeated the routine on a “Adventure?” he asked. daily basis and it was unbelievably, frustratingly “Aye,” the stranger replied. The man’s mouth dull. He wanted adventure! He wanted to get into twisted around his teeth and it took Leaf a trouble, a lot of trouble, and maybe get into a fight moment to realize that the man was smiling. or two. Leaf was sick to death of his horribly “What be yer name, boy?” boring life. “Leaf.” “I want an adventure!” Leaf exclaimed aloud, “Leaf?” he asked incredulously. “Like, on a as if saying it would send one swooping down tree?” upon him. Little did he know that his wish was to Leaf shrugged, suddenly embarrassed. “Yeah, I be answered—immediately. guess,” he muttered.

Narrative ~ 37 “An’ yeh don’t wanna change it? I could call sweetheart,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. yeh Thorn! Or maybe Splinter! They’s also be on “Her name be Lady. And she’s gonna take us to trees.” Neverland. C’mon, board up, yeh scallywag!” Leaf shook his head, utterly nonplussed about Leaf was about to hop the wall and board this man having such an issue with his name. when he realized something. Turning around, he “Suit yerself, I guess,” he said with a shrug. faced the stranger and asked, “What’s your “Anyways, I heared yeh say that ye be wantin’ an name?” adventure. An’ I got one fer yeh. How’d yeh like The man’s face contorted into a smile as he to be Pan’s Replacement?” said, “I’m Captain Tory, Hook’s successor. I took Pan’s Replacement? Leaf had no idea what he over after Hook got eaten by ol’ Tick.” was talking about. “Do I wanna be what?” “Tick?” Leaf asked. “Pan’s Replacement!” the man answered “Aye, the ol’ croc that tocked all the time and impatiently. “In Neverland! Ol’ Peter Pan is gone had it in fer Mister Hook.” now, leavin’ all us pirates bored out of our bloody Leaf nodded in understanding and was about minds. We need someone to take his place, to to board yet again when another question struck keep the balance. We’re going soft, not havin’ him. anyone to fight anymore. So what do yeh say, “What happened to Peter Pan?” Leaf? Will yeh come to Neverland and keep us Captain Tory suddenly looked uncomfortable pirates hard?” and dropped his eyes. “I’ll tell yeh the truth, but Leaf couldn’t believe it. Neverland! It was the don’t go tellin’ nobody else. I got meh reputation answer to his dreams, a life stuffed with to think of, yeh know. Well…I told all meh mates excitement, danger, and adventure! But there was that I killed him. But the truth is that he left only one problem. Neverland. Fer a girl.” “I really want to! But, it’s just…I can’t fly.” “Wow.” Leaf didn’t know what to say. He The man burst out laughing again. “I know yeh finally came up with, “What a twit.” can’t fly, yeh twit!” he scoffed. “You’ve never Captain Tory laughed good and hard at that. been to Neverland, have yeh? So of course yeh He had to wipe tears of mirth from his eyes. When can’t fly!” He laughed for a minute longer before he finally calmed down, they boarded Lady saying, “Yeh’ll get teached in Neverland.” together. With another swing of his lantern, Leaf felt immense relief. “Alright, then,” he Captain Tory bellowed, “Sail the stars, Lady!” and said with a broad grin. “I’ll go to Neverland with then they were in the sky, on their way to you.” Neverland. “Aye!” the man whooped ecstatically. “Let’s The wind ripped through Leaf’s hair and he go!” knew that he would never part his hair again. His “Now?!” Leaf asked, startled. All he had with life was about to change. He was leaving behind him was his book bag. his dull life and exchanging it for one of danger “Of course! When did yeh think we’d be and adventure! With a broad grin, he threw his goin’?” He chuckled, and then turned around, book bag over the side of the ship. He wouldn’t facing the low wall, where just beyond lay the need it where he was going. port. Lifting his right arm, he swung his lantern He was going to be the new Pan. three times and a schooner appeared. He pointed Pan’s Replacement. proudly at the small sea vessel. “That’s meh

38 ~ Narrative Brianna Fabiano ______Twelfth Grade, Dobson High Teacher - Kim Klett Echoes of the Past

clapped my hands over my ears, heedless of the Now, there was only a handful of scattered and Isword still clenched in my hand—I could no burning rush homes. And, moving quickly longer bear the cries of the wounded and dying towards me, two armies were approaching, a surrounding me. Hot tears began rolling down my small contingent of horsemen riding ahead of face as I fell to my knees, silently begging for a each. One of the standards, black with some release from this—this nightmare . device I couldn’t discern because of the wind, was The moonlit battlefield began to fade slowly in completely unfamiliar—but the other was the very my mind’s eye, the mountains disappearing into same that, even at this distance, I knew flew over rising silver mist, and the groups of men and the battlements of our Hall in Avenstra. women struggling against each other were The two parties met each other several swallowed up. hundred yards from where I stood, and I was Do not fear , a soft male voice whispered to unable to make out any words: the distance muted me. All will be well… all will be well . them, and the wind stole what was comprehensible Emotion choked me before I found my voice. from my ear. I could only determine that the “How?” I finally cried aloud. “How can all be speaker for my own banner was, surprisingly, a well? My sole purpose for these last four years woman. has been to prevent exactly what happened! I was Suddenly overwhelmingly curious, I began to supposed to save and protect the people in make my way towards the horsemen. But, like in Vikaelin, and even now they are out there, a dream, I found myself unable to approach them, fighting for their lives! How can I carry on, when no matter how hard I tried. Scraps of silver mist there will be nothing left to protect them after I began to blow across my vision, and I redoubled am gone?” I had been reduced to choking sobs as my efforts to reach the woman sitting astride her I tried to find some reason to lie to myself, to grey horse—the very one that looked to have sired convince myself that there was some small hope, the entire royal line. The mist began to thicken, some shred of light still left in the enveloping and I could barely see them as the two parties darkness. moved to separate, before a flaming arrow You were not the first, and for a purpose . His appeared from somewhere behind the black voice was still soft, but there was a harder edge standard—the mist enveloped me then, in the beneath it. Your title was taken from the name of same instant that the arrow struck the other that first one. She carried many of the same standard-bearer’s armor. A twinge of sympathetic burdens that you do, and still she found the pain pulsed just underneath my left collarbone, strength to carry on. causing me to shiver as the phantom sword again Exhaustion was settling over my limbs, like passed through my skin, pausing just before it some heavy and oppressing net. Looking up, I split any major arteries, its bearer again taunting watched bleakly as the swirling silver mist me in memory. reformed itself, growing opaque and solid; a spark My sword returned to its sheath, my right hand of surprise briefly lit my mind when I recognized gingerly exploring the chain mail underneath my the landscape. It wasn’t the hidden valley in midnight-blue and silver tunic—the links were all northern Larense where I had grown up, or the whole and sound. I found my hand shaking as I vast plains that I had traveled across in the same brushed a few loose strands from my face, kingdom. The first glance made me believe I was suddenly anxious to escape the mist and see what in the Vikaelin town of Inslac near the border, but it was that I had to see. Again the fog surrounding the two rivers in the near distance made me me began to reform itself into the very mountains realize that I was standing in Rivensmet—or I had been taken from; out of the ground grew rather, I was where that city would one day stand. many groups of people, all striving against each

Narrative ~ 39 other, and the only thing to distinguish these it in her mind or before her. After several long peaks from any others in the Rakyaves that moments, the lines of worry and care smoothed, covered the whole of northern Vikaelin were the and calm acceptance filled her whole bearing.“So shining, calm waters of the Ladis Lake. But this be it…grant me strength to accomplish this thing,” scene was lit by the sun sinking among the she said, almost underneath her breath. Another mountains in the west, and a half moon had long moment passed before she opened her eyes already traversed half of the sky. again and looked straight through me. For a And, standing tall and proud next to me, was a fleeting heartbeat, I felt as though she actually saw young woman. I could not take my eyes from her, me, sharing some deep sorrow, inviting me to join for I felt that I was looking into a mirror—except in with the knowledge of some profound secret. her eyes. Mine were a dark brown that many “May it be that my failures and shortcomings will mistook for black, but hers were amber with not hamper the lives of those to come, and that the flecks of green buried in their depths. She, too, day will come that she will succeed where all wore a full set of armor covered by a tunic, with others fall,” she murmured to me. half of the sun, completed by a crescent moon I was allowed a moment to watch her as she holding a star between its tips; the concentric walked slowly, calm and stately as an empress, silver rings surrounding it marked her as the towards the battle raging below. Her own sword Byakendhall. emerged from its scabbard, and was only met by Ever so softly, she began to speak. “Why, the instrument of death wielded by some man who milord?” she whispered to no one in particular. I bore all the signs of being the hand servant of the realized with a start that she was praying, and I great and dark one, whom we were still trying to felt guilty by intruding on such a personal and overthrow from his hold on the hearts of our individual act. “Why must so many people war people. In an instant, the man was disarmed and against each other, when the cause is not human? held at the point of the weapon, when the master Why must those… those fiends be allowed to himself emerged to deal with this annoyance, walk freely across the face of this land? My father casting off the man like a rag doll, and the girl sought unity and peace—Larense has achieved it, was felled by the same sword that very nearly but we… we still must fight for every acre of disposed of me. land, for the allegiance of every tribal lord and I made a move to approach the girl, but the fief. Viak still has not been able to see or contact mist covered the floor of the small valley and the his wife, even though she bore his son months sky in an instant. Kendhall gave her all for the ago; I want my brother to be able to see his own lives of the people who relied on her and the child, but I cannot even do this one small thing…” survival of Vikaelin. You can do better . The girl’s shoulders began to shake with Stumbling slightly, I was brought back to the suppressed sobs as her eyes became glassy with battle before me. As I thought of what I had just unshed tears, and her whispers became more seen with the first Byakendhall, I saw the head of broken and desperate as she continued. I hated to the other forces—another hand servant. Drawing a keep listening, but another force held me in place. deep breath, I said quietly, “Grant me my “Just… just let my brothers come home safely. strength… and let my brother return Viak, Rhei, Alen, Kyndros, Maris, Leka… Papa home.” Without another thought, I never left home in the end, but Mama never came drew my own sword and began back… Just let them return to their families, let walking to him. Moonlight them be safe—I don’t care what I have to do, just glinted white-hot off the let them come home…” blade, and those closest to Her eyes closed in pain against some image, be me cried out my name.

40 ~ Narrative Kaula Carr ______Twelfth Grade, Dobson High Teacher - Kelly Harris Disappearing Colors

see the world in colors, pretty colors like the saw that movie where the penguins were dancing. Iones on my toys. When I wake up in the They look happy in the snow. I hope someday I morning I smell the soft scents moving through can go see the snow. “Avery, Avery, it’s time to the air. Wait. No. First, I hear the birds chirping go. Quit staring and let’s go,” says Mom. outside. I like the birds. They live life just flying Before I go to bed my mom says I have to take everywhere and anywhere they want. I hear my this medicine. Yuck. She says it will help me from mom shouting for me to get ready for school, but I being so different, so I can fit in. I didn’t know I don’t want to get ready. I want to catch the cricket was different. hopping in my room. It makes me giggle—every I saw the world in colors. I smelled the scents time I jump forward and he hops away; I wonder in the air, and heard the sounds through my how he sees the world. My mom comes in and window. I got out of bed and the cricket was lying asks why I can’t ever just do something. I don’t still in the corner, lifeless. This morning I was know what she means; I was doing something. ready for school before it was even time to go. She keeps talking but I can’t focus on her words, When Mother and I walked to school I didn’t so I continue my cricket search. Next thing I notice anything like I usually did; I just walked. know my arms being pushed into the arms of my My mom seemed relieved, almost like she was shirt; mom must be upset. I don’t understand why finally at peace. As soon as I got to school, which everyone is always in such a hurry, moving at a was faster than usual, I realized that had changed quick pace, leaving no time to question or wonder. too. I was just sitting there. Mrs. Heart was calling Sooner than I notice, I am being rushed off to on me to answer what 2+2 equals, “Four.” I think school. My mom makes sure to hold my arm or I got the answer right because my teacher had a else she knows I’ll stop to look at the plants and whoa-what-just-happened-look on her face. I hear bugs. I don’t like school. They make me sit in a a faint chirp outside, but it doesn’t intrigue me, room and listen to someone talk for hours; I call why? her Teacher. Why am I scolded for drawing As I get ready for bed I ask my mommy what pictures instead of writing –it’s pretty. Why do medicine they were giving me. All she said was they tell me I must have the answers, I just have don’t worry about it, honey, all that matters is you questions. I have to stay in for recess because were a good boy today and you did well in school. when the teacher called on me to answer her “Don’t you feel better, happier?” question all I could say was, “What’s that bird “Mommy, I feel funny, I don’t feel like me, singing outside?” I knew right away I was in this isn’t me, mommy.” But when I look up she is trouble because Teacher had her you’ve-got-to-be- already gone. kidding-me face on. I used to see the world, and it was beautiful. A After school my mom says we have some- mixture of all the sights, sounds, and smells put where important to go. I hate the doctor’s office; together. They covered my eyes, clogged my ears, everything is white. I like color. We’re called into and plugged my nose; but Mommy took away me. the doctor’s office and it’s not normal. It doesn’t The world is no longer the same to me and I don’t have a bed or an “ear checky thingy;” those make know if it ever will be, but that’s okay, “you can me giggle. There are so many stacks of papers and all sleep sound tonight, I’m not crazy or in the corner there is a chair that looks like my anything.” papa’s chair. My mom sits in there, but when I go I haven’t moved or thrown away the cricket in to sit in her lap, she won’t let me. Doctor starts the corner of my room, hoping that one day he asking me questions, and at first, I listen, but his will no longer lay lifeless. snow globe has penguins in it. I like penguins; I

Narrative ~ 41 Karen Procopio ______Technology Teacher - Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies More

oday is the day. I jolt awake. Instead of He backs the truck out of the driveway onto Tslipping back into delicious sleep, I turn off the single-lane road, and heads toward the the alarm clock. I creep quietly past my sleeping freeway. mother’s bedroom, carrying my purse and a new “So,” I say. “How was your night?” pair of white waitress shoes. All of my friends are “Long.” He yawns. “We shut production on sleeping until noon this summer, but not me. I’m Line 14 again. Had to wait for the machine shop growing up. Up and out. to make a new set of ball bearings. You’d think It’s early Sunday morning. The blackened sky they’d keep a supply in the factory.” above the pale street lights could easily be “Sorry.” mistaken for midnight. I’m standing by the front I don’t know what else to say. I never do. For door, awaiting the familiar rattle of my father’s as long as he’s worked the graveyard shift, Line red Ford pickup truck as it turns into the 14 has always shut down. And there’s always driveway. been a reason to complain. If it’s not equipment He’s late and I’m nervous. failure, it’s late deliveries of supplies. If it's not I’m sixteen years old and today I finally begin late deliveries, it's injuries. Or worse. He rides my first job. Not babysitting the neighbor’s twins with his employees in the ambulance and consoles or folding baskets of laundry for weekly their wives in the waiting room. Like a captain of allowance. My first real job. A real job with a a ship, he's been reliable. Unwavering. His real paycheck. A real paycheck with real employees have been our extended family for possibilities. Real possibilities like earning thirty years. They sent flowers when I was born money. Buying a car. Paying for college. And and prayed at Momma’s bedside after each moving away to the city. surgery. I respect my father’s work ethic and his I smooth the white collar on my brown, commitment to his job and family. But I’ll neither polyester uniform, the one I selected from a rack work in that factory nor grow old and die in this of uniforms hanging in the employee’s workroom. small town. The hem is frayed and the pocket corner is “Ya’ nervous?” he asks. repaired with navy blue thread, but I don’t care. “Nervous and excited. Mostly excited.” It’s my uniform. Mine. Yesterday I soaked it in a “Excited? Servin’ pancakes to a bunch of sink full of Woolite. The unmistakable aromas of crabby truck drivers?” He laughs. “Now, that's a pancake restaurant—bacon grease and maple excitin' alright.” syrup—linger in the fabric. But on this morning, I straighten my uniform. “I’ve got to start as I admire my reflection, I only smell the floral somewhere, Dad. You said so yourself.” spritz in my hair. I feel overwhelmingly adult. “So come work with me at the factory. You'll And one more step closer to freedom. make triple the pay. And I'll have your back. You Truck lights flash, signaling the arrival of my won’t get that kinda’ protection at no restaurant. father. I grab my purse and quietly shut the front Plus the retirement benefits are the best anywhere door. I step outside into the chilled air and shiver. ‘round.” “Hey, Dad,” I say, sliding across the bench seat Retirement. I shake my head. “We've been to kiss his cheek. through this before.” “Mornin’.” He rubs his whiskers. “Your He shrugs his shoulders. “Well, then, welcome mother sleep okay?” to the rat race.” “She had another rough night. I gave her a “Work may be a rat race for some, but for me, breathing treatment around two-fifteen…” it’s an opportunity to grow up.” Up and out. And He lowers his chin and shakes his head. never look back. Not even in the rearview mirror. “…but she’s sleeping like a baby now.” I turn my attention to the distant hilltops that He sighs. “Good. That’s real good.” are beginning to glow with the faint dust of Suddenly I feel guilty. In my haste to leave, I sunrise. What's beyond those hills? I can only forgot to kiss her goodbye. imagine. Farmland? Suburbia? Cities with

42 ~ Narrative skyscrapers? I wonder what types of people are now sits abandoned on a corner lot—its windows waiting at airports to travel across the country. To cracked and lifeless, its doors boarded shut with Europe. To Japan. People with luggage and strips of rotting plywood. passports to any place—other than here. I peer He takes a deep breath and his voice softens. through the side view mirror and watch the “Hard work pays the bills…your mother’s trucks’ tires kick up clouds of dust that roll and medical bills. Now, you know that.” disappear into the morning fog. “Yes. I know.” He turns on the radio. Hank Williams Jr. sings He's quiet now and I'm ashamed. We drive the and the urge to cry tightens my chest. Lyrics from rest of the way without speaking. He turns the my childhood. Tire swings and lemonade stands. truck into the restaurant's parking lot and pulls Memories swirl and guilt suffocates. alongside the curb. I reach for the dial and turn it off. I look up at a yellow and red flashing sign that I need to know. towers high above my head. Nadine’s Truck Stop. “Dad --” I wish I had ignored my alarm clock. I wish I had “Yeah?” ignored the cocky voice inside my head that told “Did you always—I mean, is this what you me I’m invincible. want?” “What's the matter? Nervous?” “Hmm?” I lie. “No.” “You know—is this what you always dreamt I climb out of the truck and stand on the of?” sidewalk, not wanting to let go of the door's “Come again?” handle. The air smells of coffee and grease. My I gather my courage. “All of this.” I point to stomach is sick and I’ve lost my courage. the truck, to the farms along the roadside, to the “Dad --” horses emerging from their barns into dewy fields. He looks at me. Dark circles underline his “Is this what you've always wanted? The factory? eyes. Our house? You and Mom? Me? Is this the life “Yeah?” you dreamt about when you were a boy? Or did “I’m not afraid of hard work.” you ever want… more ?” “I know you’re not,” he said, smiling. “You’re He stiffens. “More of what ? What else is there my kid.” to want? Isn't the life I provided good enough for I turn toward the restaurant. The special of the you?” He shifts the truck and it lurches. day is painted across a row of windows in lime I’ve offended him and I fight tears. He doesn’t green letters: All You Can Eat Pancakes – $3.99! deserve this. I recall the times he held me in his “Dad --” calloused hands, consoling a broken heart or “Yeah?” soothing a burning fever, and suddenly I wish I “Pick me up at 4? Okay?” could take it back. “Sure thing.” He puts the truck into gear. “Lemme’ tell you somethin’, young lady,” he “Dad --” I speak over the revving motor. says, his eyes narrowing. “Everyone has big “Yeah?” dreams when they’re your age cuz’ dreams don’t “You know that this place is…it’s just the cost nothin’. But dreamers grow up to be fools. beginning for me. Okay?” While they’re out chasin’ rainbows and pickin’ He nods his head slowly. “I know,” he says. daises, the rest of us are workin’.” “I've always known.” He hits the steering wheel with the palm of his I slam the door. The truck lurches as he lifts hand, emphasizing his words. “Dreamin’ don’t put his foot from the clutch and drives through the food on the table. Dreamin’ don’t pay the rent. parking lot. Through its rear window, I can see his Dreamin’ don’t pay the bills!” shoulders hunched over in his denim work coat. We pass Barone’s Drug Store, the one we used He turns the truck onto the freeway. I watch its to visit when I was a little girl to buy scoops of tail lights blur into the distance, until I can see mint chocolate chip ice cream on sugar cones. It them no more.

Narrative ~ 43 44 ~ Narrative 2012

Poetry

Poetry: Writing that develops an idea in a fresh, original way, in a format that breaks from traditional prose through the use of line breaks, word placement, rhythm, rhyme, and/or other poetic elements.

45 46 Mattson Davis ______Kindergarten, Las Sendas Elementary Teacher - Rachelle Dabbert My New Bike bike light silver I petal fast fast like a cheetah exciting Chloe Dunn ______Kindergarten, Johnson Elementary Teacher - Suzzanne Shawver The Flower Garden I am playing with my garden friends, the flowers, the snails, and the butterfly. It is a beautiful day, and we had so much fun.

Hannah Martinson ______First Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Beth Hunt

Oh How I Love Dogs! I love dogs, I love them a lot! These are the dogs that my family has got: Murphy barks at every sound. Maddy chews toys on the ground. Hatchi is wild and likes to play. Zach likes to go to the park every day. Furry Meshach is so sweet. Max is picky about what he eats. Some dogs sleep and some dogs run. Dogs make life really fun!

Sage Millett ______Second Grade, MacArthur Elementary Teacher - Lyndel Akers Winter Freezing cold snow falling on the ground. Children put on every garment that is found. Frozen icy winds blowing everywhere. Makes it hard for us to make it there. Warm cozy fires blazing in fireplaces. Big happy smiles on people’s faces. Huge bare trees sleeping in my backyard. Waiting for spring is very hard.

Poetry ~ 47 Claire Glennon ______Third Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Anne Bell

Dandy Dilly A cat I see with silky black fur Her name is Dilly with an ominous purr Communicating by meows or cries Just look into her glowing amber eyes Fur standing on end As she runs through the wind Suddenly she’ll flop on the floor Lie on her back and beg for more My dream would be to make her a star To enter her into a cat show afar I know she would win because she’s so smart Dilly is truly a work of art!

Carly Harp ______Second Grade, Franklin Northeast Elementary Teacher - Connie Spencer

It’s Raining It’s raining outside my doghouse. I wish it was raining bones. I could bury them in the backyard. I could hide them under some stones.

I will dig up the bones to eat. How I love such a tasty treat. Don’t guess my secret hiding place. I play a game to win the race.

I find my bones and count them twice. They are all here, clean and nice. I chew one and hide the rest. Playing hide and seek is the best.

48 ~ Poetry Braeden Darling ______Fourth Grade, Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies Teacher - Barbara Vance Derby Day Derby day comes and goes. I’m on the go, but much too slow While still a block of wood, rough and heavy. The day before I’m sleek and smooth and ready. Race day is here and all the splendid cars are lined up, Ready to roll. 1st, 2nd, 3rd the finish line I see. He thinks I’m cool, like a video game. I love my boy, he made me.

Natalia Demichellis ______Third Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Anne Bell Branches Branches... My worst enemy. You ask why? Why? Because in my world they’re deadly Monsters who claw at your forehead And tear at ponytails. Oh, and did I mention their followers Are bushes that bite at your ankles, And lash at your knees? So, watch out because no one is safe from Branches. Especially not me!

Poetry ~ 49 Olivia Bentley ______Fourth Grade, Frankin East Elementary Teacher - Carol Griner My Favorite Sayings When laughing and having fun I always seem to say “Love, laugh and have fun.”

When you’re throwing away reusable sacks I always seem too say “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

When you’re lost in darkness and you see a light I always seem to say “Lights help you find your way to glory.”

When you’re bored in school I always seem to say “School is the tool and we make it cool.”

When playing happily with friends I always seem to say “Friends are an important thing in life.”

When your best friend is moving to Texas I always seem to say “Love is a thing that can’t break.”

When you’re being teased of what happened last year I always seem to say “That’s ancient history. Turn the page!”

What is something That you always seem to say? Well… “Have a nice day!”

50 ~ Poetry Makenna Morris ______Fifth Grade, Hermosa Vista Elementary Teacher - Sherri Pine In Hope’s Eyes You are as pure as the glistening rain, Your essence washes away endless sorrow, Whispering in our doubtful hearts, Dwelling wherever you are needed, A star in the sky, You are hope…

You’re a promise in dark times, Banishing depression and evil from our souls, Never being seen, but always being heard, A gift of happiness and laughter, The moment of truth, You are hope…

You bring joy to our dark world, With a heart as soft as a child’s touch, Making meadows appear as emeralds and skies of crystal blue, As simple as a spring day, A warm beam of sunlight, You are hope…

You keep the world from spinning out of control, A sweet, silent lullaby, Like a flickering candle in the dark, Creating comfort and love, Without you, there is nothing to believe in, You are the defender of dreams, You are hope.

Poetry ~ 51 Tristan Covington ______Fifth Grade, Hale Elementary Teacher - Lorie Kamboukos Rollercoaster I have to ride because I’ve been dared, My friends will laugh if I act scared. I look on in horror as coaster cars do their tricks, Then my car arrives, and my seatbelt clicks. I think to myself, “Why am I here?” I grasp the handlebar and tremble with fear. The car hisses and lurches, I’m on my way, “Oh no, Oh no!” over and over, I say. As I hear the metal rails a’ cracking, Through my squinted eyes, I can’t stop peaking. My heart beats in a non-rhythmic pound, In my ears it makes a thundering sound. My stomach hurts and my palms are sweating, They’ll be really wet soon, I’m betting. My cotton candy, I’m sure will spill, For my sick stomach, I need a Tums pill. I know my face is turning green, As over the side of the car I lean. Oh dear, is my lap bar on? If it’s not, I’ll be long gone! Up, up, up, toward the sky, If I get any higher, I think I might cry. I’m almost to the drop, I close my eyes, I hope no one hears my girlish cries! The last wheel is starting to tip, The cars begin to slide down in a zip. My stomach drops all the way to my toe, As down the cars fly, here I go! The cars twist, turn, zoom and bend, Before I know it the ride’s at an end. I can’t believe the ride is done, I’ve never had so much fun. My mouth shouts, “Let’s go again!” Coasters aren’t scary, trust me, I’ve been!

52 ~ Poetry Logan Lockhart ______Sixth Grade, Sirrine Elementary Teacher - Pam Nogee Sea Spider Poem Sea spider swimming moves so slowly in the ocean Where are you going in such slow motion? All I see is long legs moving along the ocean floor Waiting to see what to explore. Looking for food that has no bone Tear it apart and take it home. Crawling around in the dark of night Waiting in the shadows to give you a fright. Sea spider, sea spider you are quite a sight!

Allison Trendler ______Sixth Grade, Franklin South Elementary Teacher - Vaunee Ann Lewis The Rainbow BOOM! CRASH! Thunder, Lightning! BOOM! CRASH! Oh, how frightening! Blow! Blow! The wind is howling. Blow! Blow! No animals are prowling. Drizzle. Drizzle. The rain is falling. Drizzle. Drizzle. The storm is calming. Tweet. Tweet. The birds are calling. Tweet. Tweet. No rain is falling. Look! Look! A rainbow shining! Look! Look! Children smiling! You may come face to face with an imposing rain shower. But remember the rainbow and all of its power. A rainbow can make anyone smile. And that makes the rain shower worthwhile.

Poetry ~ 53 Madi Sato ______Seventh Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Kathleen Holso Goldfish Crackers Perhaps one day you are glum, Maybe you’ve gone through denial, Well whatever the matter, You need a snack that will make you smile,

My name is Finn, “Original” is the more common term, Also the most popular flavor, I must confirm, Alexxis Carpentier ______Seventh Grade, Stapley Junior High Salty, cheesy, and gold, Teacher - Kathleen Holso I am the ultimate snack, I’ll surprise you with my goodness, Change Now or Pay And always smile back, Splash! You can feast all you want, Chirp! Chirp! And never get sick, Wolves howl, Just remember, Lions growl and I’m the cracker to pick. Snakes slide through damp grass, For everything I am, Insects crawl through wood cracks. I owe to Pepperidge Farm, But then all of a sudden… My creators, The metal beast destroys it all. The ones who gave me my charm, The birds don’t squawk, the creatures don’t moan, I love smiling, Snakes don’t slither, insects falter to squirm. Even when my biggest fan, It’s been diminished by the other ones. Grabs me by the tail, As they become extinct we live on. And eats everything I am, We’ve begun to abuse it too. I know this means I’m a goner, The earth is practically gone. But then my mission is complete, It’s vanishing slowly. Although I’m a rather tasty snack, We’ve destroyed our home. The smile was the real treat! Change now or pay. Forever. Always. Gone.

54 ~ Poetry Abbie Ahler ______Seventh Grade, Rhodes Junior High Teacher - Don Marovich War’s Birth Place Once upon a time on a Monday’s morn, The fields that are full of barley and corn, Went swaying with anger and a rage so high, That the people could hear the bullets and cannon balls fly. Someone has battered with war. Someone needs to beat it to its deadly core. The flags stand with hesitation and sin, Everyone acts as though their side is their kin. It wasn’t the maids or damsels that played with an outrage named War, It was the threats and regrets named Men who taunted this deathly hollow soul. Someone battered with war, it happened on a Monday’s morn.

Darren Taylor ______Seventh Grade, Summit Academy Teacher - Deborah Hodo

Birds

The beautiful birds sing high and low. Their gentle songs are calm enough to set you down and so, The birds sway back and forth and wait for others to let them go.

The kids run and play trying to catch them as they may. Elegant creatures fling up high, what beautiful creatures in the vast sky. Many birds playing in the sun as the sun sets low, They rush home and don’t stop every much so.

As I see beautiful birds staring at me I wonder what they see? Their mothers away and the kids are at play the sunsets in the middle of May, As the bird gently sets his head down to pray.

Poetry ~ 55 Cassandra Thompson ______Eighth Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Julie Miller Tempest First comes the wind– just a whisper, just a breath The fresh, clean smell of the earth in its caress. Then come the clouds, like the down of goslings grey, Slowly, softly dimming the sunshine of the day. A quiet, growing rumble heralds droplets, small and clear; Gems and jewels they shimmer, each a round and radiant tear. The mist is quickly growing, first a drizzle, then a pour; The droplets turn to sheets and still the sky is shedding more. A flash illuminates the heavens, cracks percussive in the air, Sound and light and buckets pounding down without a care. But slowly, now, the never-ending flood begins to cease; The cascade turns to droplets once again, no longer sheets. The heavenly bombardment ebbs in strength, is now a spray; A final, growling rumble sounds; the teardrops fade away. The clouds move on, the twilight breaks, a breeze reveals the sun; A splash of color ‘gainst the sky; the tempest now is done.

Joey Scaven ______Eighth Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Julie Miller Plans Written down on paper, I jot hopeful plans of things I want to happen. A place of ambition and dreams, Plans seem to make all of my endeavors easier. I'll check the box and feel accomplished; I'll wonder what I can do the next day. But as I have trouble satisfying my goals and desires, These Plans begin to create expectations I can't fulfill. I try to do more but now time begins to strangle me, And I lose my grasp on patience, waiting for my Plans to continue. Disappointment creeps into my soul, as more failure comes. I have written the book that no one has read. I won the game that no one else played. I have the key that opens no doors. And the disappointment that grows as I stray from the Plans begins to eat at my ambitions. I try so hard yet I can't satisfy my expectations, fattened by my Plans. I begin to lose my way and stumble down another path, Falling victim to the Plans. Now the dreams of my youth lay quietly in the attic, Dust sprinkling onto the gray box in the back of my mind. Untouched, forgotten. And the Plans have done their job.

56 ~ Poetry Corinne Clarkson ______Eighth Grade, Fremont Junior High Teacher - Brenda Frank The Story of Marion

Marion Blumenthal had a normal life, The family retreated to a village-abandoned but well-stocked. Full of love, full of family—She knew no strife. They ate, and they slept, their liberation still a shock. But as Hitler’s power began to rise, her life began to twirl, But typhus was there, and they were trapped in, For being German, and a Jew, she was no longer a “normal” girl. And while there, Papa died, this battle he did not win.

Her grandparents were dead, the business was too, Still mourning poor Papa, they finally got out, And the Blumenthals did not know what to do. And to the US they agreed to set out. So they picked up their things, one bag for each, They got there safe and sound, with friends and family near, Hoping that escape was not far beyond reach. But every time they remember the past, they must shed a tear.

So to Holland they went, though they left much too late, Marion’s life started good, and she ended well, It was already crowded, the masses too great. But the middle is a story almost too horrible to tell. But then a camp was opened, Westerbork was its name, Forever we will thank her, and all too who felt the pain, And into its walls the Blumenthals came. For their stories must live on; their lives not just in vain.

So for some time everything seemed so good, But then came the Nazis, just because they could. They rounded up the Jewish, and forced them into place. This poem is based on the book “The Four Perfect Pebbles” All in that one camp-there was barely any space. written by Marion Blumenthal Lazan and Lila Perl.

One by one, then by two’s and by three’s, The Nazis started getting rid of Westerbork’s families. To work camps and prison camps, they boarded the trains, To places where they would suffer unimaginable pains.

Marion’s father needed a way to keep his family safe and secure, For their future at Westerbork was much too obscure. They wished to go to Palestine, as exchange Jews. But the spots were limited, space for only a few.

They were put on a list, and the trains were their fate, And were sent to Bergen-Belsen, where they had to fearfully wait. They arrived in the rain, to this compound that was walled, But when the list for Palestine was read, “Blumenthal” was not called.

So at the camp they stayed, and they were a wreck, For life at Bergen-Belsen was a living heck. The food was bad; life was cold and wet, And the dead and the sick were impossible to forget.

Then, one day, they were loaded back onto a train, Packed in so tightly it drove them insane. And they rode, and they stopped, and they unloaded their dead, Through war zones and battles, the diseases still spread.

So after a while, the sick dead and gone, The trains stopped again, but something was going on. The Russians were here! They had saved them all! And that still included the family Blumenthal.

Poetry ~ 57 Jacqueline Mamani ______Eighth Grade, Franklin Junior High Teacher - Kara Keithley Revenge

It’s tearing you up A feeling consuming your life Your heart slowly going cold Everything is so numb Nothing has color, all is black and white No one is there, for you It hurts, what he’s done…it hurts Like a dagger twisting, slowly, in your heart Frozen tears, you cannot cry For you’ve cried ‘till there’s no more Crying, screaming out to someone for help Wanting to get rid of this immortal pain Of course, no one will come No more sadness now, it left Only hate, despising, loathing The sadness and pain came back again Can’t take it no more-the thirst for revenge Your heart feels so heavy in your chest Now it’s gone, the pain left You love the bitter hatred now and it loves you Nourishing it, giving it life, renewing it It’s your only friend, no one has the right To take your hatred away So sweet, so beautiful The mere thought of revenge is so sweet…beautiful No, not again That endless, undying abyss of sadness Everything is so dark, you’re all alone This never-ending cycle Will it ever end So lonely, so alone

58 ~ Poetry Kathryn Heffernon ______Ninth Grade, Red Mountain High Teacher - Janette Ramsey A Note Above the Rest Notes Dancing freely across the page Eloquently sharing their story With their whispering words, they speak Quietly at first Their voice is a piano, gentle and comforting Politely standing in the background Allowing others to speak first Waiting for its turn to be heard

It is coming now Crescendoeing into its moment Building, bit by bit Preparing, getting excited with each and every second Anticipating its chance to sing To be a note above the rest And then, Katie Fenn ______Ninth Grade, Red Mountain High Now! Teacher - Janette Ramsey Its voice has become a thunderous roar Loud and strong Just Simply Gone A forte like no other They glided down the sky Overpowering all other unworthy noises Dancing with the winds It is saying: Each one of them hit the ground “Hear me!” Plop-plop-plop It begs you to listen! Some flew on me These notes, they have a message to share They flowed through my hair Knowing what they say will change you Leaving little rivers behind Alter your heart, even if only by the smallest bit A few kissed my cheeks It does not require or long for an applause. Then, ran down to my feet Because the only thing it has ever sought, They each followed the patterns was a friend with open ears Of the ones before them And had races of who could run the fastest But, once the golden rays beamed in the sky They were gone Just simply gone . . .

Poetry ~ 59 Camille Palmer ______Tenth Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Lorelei Barker

Lonely Page

There is something exciting JT Hatch ______about a blank piece of paper Tenth Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Lorelei Barker you could fold it into a flapping crane Doodle what’s on your mind River of Time Draw something beautiful Crisp and cool write a poem, it doesn’t have to rhyme White, bubbling, foaming share your feelings through pen and pad Twisting and turning The paper could become precious to a hand Roaring around bends Spraying water everywhere Your thoughts can be held once they are spelled Swift and fast it travels sprawl equations over the lines Flying over falls and into caves Swirling around rocks Don’t forget to write your name The source of life for the forest Then the humble piece of paper gains worth And then it stops. Don’t stare too long at the lonely page Frozen in place It hardens and then the silence, Forget the rules drilled deep It must be awful Let loose your imagination Waiting… Give that lonely page a purpose While the snow drifts down And the ice grows thicker Unmovable until CRACK! Spring is here Little by little the warmth comes back And the snow goes away and slowly, Ever so slowly, the ice Melts... First small then bigger and bigger until Finally It breaks free Exploding and spraying water everywhere Twisting and turning Swelling and growing, free and majestic Without beginning Or end Forever

60 ~ Poetry Chase Winkler ______Eleventh Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Theresa Schneebacher

The Gentle Rain The rain began eight months ago And hasn’t ceased to stop Accompanied by the whistling wind And thoughts of whom I love

The wind may come and go To remind me he’s still here His spirit is in the wind Yet still the clouds pour tears

Wind can’t heal the pain of rain It can only calm thy soul Day by day I face the cloudy sky Yet I still long to see the sun again

And never was a sun so bright Than through my eyes, but only After the dreadful rain started, do I realize How beautiful it was

But the rain continues on, for nature has no time to rest But this rain is a gentler rain for precious memories once lived The calming sound, accompanied By the knowledge that his soul rests with his Father

As I stand here on the mountain’s rim Where your ashes lay The gentle rain plays nature’s tune And your body drifts away

The Gentle Rain streams down my face His wisdom lives through me I’ll be with you again someday; Thanks for being The best a father can be

Poetry ~ 61 Patric Adams ______Twelfth Grade, Dobson High Teacher - Kelly Harris

Shadows There is Something in these shadows A people far, far from home Something stolen, in these shadows Ripped, torn, taken “home”

There is Something in these shadows A family split, child from mother Something auctioned, in these shadows Jordan Avechuco ______Bought, sold, one from another Eleventh Grade, Westwood High Teacher - Maggie Casmus There is Something in these shadows A culture muted by tyranny Siren Something living, in these shadows Living, existing, in poverty Beauty, There is Something in these shadows Thy name is yours. Humans worked beyond repair Calling through the cracks, Something dying, in these shadows And pulling me in… Sickened, starving, complete despair Your siren song is pulling me in. I can’t resist, There is Something in these Shadows The beauty of your voice. Ghosts of people, forgotten in time Someone’s presence, in these shadows Though I know it will bring me to my demise. Etched, carved, left behind. The fight is futile, This siren’s song is pulling me in. Standing in the glow of your magnificence My lust is pulling me closer, And my soul screaming for mercy… Those cries were not heard… Those cries were not heard… I turn my back to embrace for my coming doom. Your soft voice becomes the demonic growls you hid so well. One final scream releases from your jaws, And gone…

62 ~ Poetry Kevra Smith ______Twelfth Grade, Dobson High Teacher - Kim Klett The Piece I am floating High above comprehension But then, Just floating We morph Enjoying my view To somewhere dismal Peace Beautiful Calm Heart wrenching For those few moments Helpless Time stops. An unfortunate outcome Life seems unreal. How can I help? Dewey eyes Aching Lasting smile Sorrowing Physique unperturbed Dying Please let this feeling Thick air Continue on. Breathing becomes impossible My eyes drip Suddenly, With anguish Crash! Emotion Rumbles Clutching onto nothing Tremor the floor Anything Suspense engulfs me I anticipate resolution Running And Faster and faster Cannot stir until From what? It arrives. I cannot say Stop? Silence They won’t let me Only just Quakes proceed Then Beating Applause erupts Beating! I stand Intensity ever increasing Immeasurable appreciation Racing All I want now, Thumping Is for it to begin Body shaking Again. I may burst!

Poetry ~ 63 Moriah Bischann ______Twelfth Grade, Red Mountain High Teacher - Keiko Dilbeck

Soaring to New Heights A wistful breeze meandered Through a maze of trees; Whispering its ancient song. As it approached an old Ceiba – Ripe with age – The wind swirled up, Softly plucking a pillowy seed, From the ancient tree’s palm. The seed twirled and danced Down – Down to the forest floor; Guided by the wind’s wise tune. Alighting itself next to a bubbling stream of playful water, The seed nested itself in the cool, Yet motherly, Earth.

The sun rose and set. The fragile bud of heaven opened and closed. The moon grew to a spectacular climax only to wither away.

Meanwhile – The seed fed off of the wind, The water, And the Earth; Growing so tall, That it dreamed Of touching the sky.

64 ~ Poetry Jonathan Hilts ______Twelfth Grade, Red Mountain High Teacher - Keiko Dilbeck

Always Another One Walking Beside You Whose woods these are I think I know, As through the valley of Shadow, we go. Well? To be, or not to be? What makes thineself you, or I me? Though separated by Babel, in days of yore We all share the same Road as before. Though man is many, we share the same fate, So what sort of Wrathful Grapes await? And our Bread Crumbs won’t lead us back, If our furies suddenly snap. Down the Rabbit Hole of hate and fear Abandon all hope, ye who enter Here.

Tis a grim end, for the children of the Three. Though it isn’t the only possibility. Ahead can be the Worst Times, or the Best, But we can’t leave it to chance or guess. So, Out! Out, distrust and hate! I, propose a greater fate. The time is right for us to see The culture we share, our unity. Will we come to peace at last? Or will we be born back ceaselessly into the Past?

Poetry ~ 65 Connie Donkersley ______Fourth Grade Teacher - Red Mountain Ranch Elementary And I Cried You know that sincere hug The one you know she meant It’s always there, always pure She and I We have something in common He died

First day she came, she found me Her mom told her She knew I understood No need for words Her dad, my son Different souls Same pain

I knew she would write. Her heart so open, feelings unhidden No one can remain untouched by her words, No One So wise, so deep She’s right, No child should have to go through this No mom should have to go through this… I cried

Words, powerful words, laid out before me Strength fueling my soul, Words connect her to me Again Both reliving Her dad, my son And disease

Both choose to move forward Through the pain Honoring Love

Not just an assignment It called her name And I cried.

66 ~ Poetry 2012

Class Book

Class Book: (grades K-1) A thematic book, fiction or non-fiction, in which each student in an individual class contributes a selection.

67 68 Lauren Cluff’s Class ______Kindergarten, Highland Elementary Arizona Kids

Excerpts: A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN ON ARIZONA’S 100TH BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday Arizona! To celebrate we decided to write a book about being a kid in Mesa, Arizona in 2012. What do kids like to do with their families around the state and in our city? Where do they go on vacation? What is fun to do in their own neighborhoods?

I like to play in the snow. My family likes to build a snowman and sledding down I like to go camping with my family the hill. We like to build a fort and throw and friends. We like to go snowballs. I run and jump in the snow. hiking, fishing, and roast marshmallows.

I like to go to my school park. I like to throw my green cow frisbee and run I like to go to Strawberry, and catch it. I like to swing high in Arizona with my family. the air and climb on the monkey bars. We camp next to Fossil Creek. I like to catch little fish.

I have fun fishing and camping in the summer. I caught two fish with a fishing pole. We I like to go to the park. My had a camp fire. sister and I play on the monkey bars. I also like to ride the slide.

I like the snow. I went and saw it at the Grand Canyon with my family.

Class Book ~ 69 Merrilee Kupfer’s Class ______Kindergarten, Field Elementary Remember My Name

Excerpts: Our Invention Journal You had better remember my name because one day I will invent something amazing. It could change the world! I may only be five years old, but I’m already a scientist you know. Check out my drafts...

A tomato that tastes like cake and not A lollipop that will grow another piece. yuck!

Car to go home. A car that flies.

A pen that writes all by itself so I don’t A swing that will swing all by itself, have to do it. really high with me in it.

A dog that picks up his own poop. Rocket shoes to fly me to school.

A television that tells me when my mom A cat that helps me do my homework. needs a hug.

Music to make people party. A watch with handcuffs that finds bank robbers.

A brother that does my Saturday work for me. Sand that won’t go in my shoe.

A gun that shoots candy, so bad guys will A computer that will find my earings. be my friends.

Swing. A robot that cleans my room, but not me.

A soda that is good for my grandpa. A pizza that turns on at night.

A snowman that will not melt in Arizona.

70 ~ Class Book Peggy O’Neill’s Class ______First Grade, Hale Elementary Helping Fills My Heart With Love

Excerpts:

My Grandma grandma to do is to pick up marbles with I am helpful when I help my grandma her toes. I watch her and tell her if she at her house. When she needs a pillow or has one. It is hard work for her, but I a drink or a snack, I get them for her. make it fun for her and she likes me. When she needs her hair brushed or a I make lots of cards for her because bow or a ribbon, I get them for her. I I love her. She is old, but she go with her to the doctor and get her is my only grandma. lunch. The hardest thing for my

Secret Santa Again we rang the doorbell and walked My family and I made friends happy away. at Christmas. One night we brought them Each night for 12 days before some mugs and hot chocolate. I rang the Christmas, my family and I made them doorbell and ran down the path. something special. This helped to make Another night we brought them warm their Christmas happy, and it was fun blankets and put them at the door. for my family to do it.

My Big Heart put in the cookie mix and When I help my dad in the yard, it stirred it. Then we put makes him feel good. When I help my them in the oven and mom with the baby, it makes her feel cooked them. When they very good. But when I made cookies for were done, I put them on a plate and my neighbor, we all felt good. took them to our neighbor’s house. They We made sugar cookies. We put loved the cookies and said thank you. brown sugar and butter in a bowl. We We all felt good.

Class Book ~ 71 Julie Reichert’s Class ______First Grade, Zaharis Elementary The How To Book: Sports Edition

Excerpts: How Do You Catch a Baseball How to Twirl on a Stage? 1 I need my glove and ball. 1 You get your bag and a tutu and pack shoes and music. 2 You need your jersey, baseball pants, long socks, cleats, 2 Go to a dance recital. If you have a BIG living helmet, and bat. room, you dance in there. 3 Drive to a baseball field and bring a friend. 3 Put your hands into a curl and cross your feet. Put your right foot across your left foot. 4 Go on the baseball field. Throw the ball to your friend. He will catch the ball with his glove. 4 Turn into a circle. 5 He will throw the ball to you. Have fun. 5 If you don’t get it, go to a teacher.

6 Go to a recital.

7 Then you dance. How Do You Turn on a Skate Board?

8 You DID it. 1 First, you get a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, hand pads, a skateboard, and wheels if they’re not on.

2 Second, go to a skate boarding place and go to Fishing For Fun! a jump. Then get on the knee pads, hand pads, and elbow pads. Then get on the skateboard. 1 First, find a pond. It looks easy, but practice.

2 Second, get a rod and a hook and a worm. 3 If you know all the tricks, practice them until you don’t fall off. When you don’t fall off, 3 Cast line out as far as you can (there is a you’ll like it. button on the rod. Hold in that button then fling the rod forward, but don’t let go of the 4 If you want to learn how to turn the rod). way you want to go, then you need to learn how to jump stand 4 Wait till bobber goes completely under water on the skateboard. (if the fish is tough, make sure that you hook the fish by pulling up on the rod). 5 Stomp down with your back foot and lift up your front foot. Twist your body and spin 5 That means you have a fish on the around and lift up the back foot. line. Reel in the line (reel in by turning handle on rod). 6 Jump and put your right hand in front of you and stomp your back foot down again and you’ll 6 You got a fish! land safely. Practice a lot even if you don’t fall off—practice!

72 ~ Class Book 2012

Essay Writing

Informative/explanatory writing conveys information to increase readers’ knowledge of a subject, help readers better understand a procedure or process, or provide readers with an enhanced comprehension of a concept. Older students write multi-paragraph essays of various types, including comparison/contrast, argumentative, process, cause/effect, descriptive, reflective, or literary analysis, in which the writer offers unique insights into a topic.

73 74 Emma Shults ______Second Grade, Hale Elementary Teacher - Claudia Bretzing Amazing Bees

want to tell you a little about bees! First I want a little while the bee will die, but there will be Ito tell you about the queen bee. You might think more bees. that she is a little lazy, but actually all that time When you say bees are meany-pants, that’s not she is really laying eggs. Her eggs are so speck- nice because they make all the honey. A little like that it is hard to believe they’re even there. while later a bee person comes and takes it. Well You might think that her eggs look gross, but if how does he not get stung? He wears a special you look closely you might see something pretty kind of clothing that protects him. Then he takes it cool. to a store and they run it through a special Now there are all different kinds of bees, but machine that cleans it, puts it in a jar, and puts a the drone bee takes care of the babies. They feed label on it. Then…WAL-LAH! Fresh, sweet, them and nurture them. sticky, delicious, honey—fresh out of the hive— Worker bees go to get the nectar. They look and now you can make delicious things. Once for big, beautiful, juicy flowers. They they get it ready, people can come buy it. have little sticky spots on them that Mmmmmm, my mouth is watering. I make the pollen stick to them so they hope I can get some of it. can bring it to other flowers. If they I don’t know about you, but I like see any danger, they will land on it, bees. I hope you learned more about and sting it. OUCH! Hey you bees, because they are pretty meany-pants, busszzzz hazzzzzz. After interesting creatures.

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 75 Jackson Giles ______Third Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Meena Kazmi Walls of Water

NEWS FLASH! WE INTERRUPT OUR SCHEDULED PROGRAM TO BRING YOU THE LATEST FROM PHUKET, THAILAND.

his is James Hopkins reporting that It seemed so real, as if I were sitting at my desk in “T yesterday, on December 26th, a tsunami class listening to him lecture about tsunamis and hit Maikhoa Beach on the coast of Thailand, earthquakes. He taught us that disappearing water killing one hundred fifty thousand people. The and widening beaches were signs of a tsunami, horrific waves rushed into Thailand like a which is caused by an underwater earthquake. I stampede of wild horses, knocking down looked up to see in the far away distance a giant, everything in sight. Screams filled the air as if blue-water skyscraper approaching. I quickly people were reacting to a horror film, buildings yelled five short words, ‘Tsunami! Run for your tumbled down as if kicked by a giant, and cars life!’ Sadly, not everyone listened to my warning were carried away down the crumbling streets like and they are no longer alive. My family and I disappearing sail boats.” scurried as fast as we could to the third floor of “Ten-year-old Tilly Smith, who was vacation- our hotel. We were fortunate to be observers of ing with her family from England, was having a the tsunami, not victims.” nice day at the beach before the tragic event. They “What happened next?” asked James Hopkins. are safe today because of Tilly’s quick reaction of “I received a phone call from President Bill what she had learned in her science class. Tilly, Clinton,” she said. “He agreed with me that all please tell our viewers out there what happened.” children should know what a tsunami is and how Tilly said, “I was splashing around in the water to react if it ever happens again.” while my family was soaking up the sunshine. James Hopkins replied, “Good advice. Be The beach started to get wider and wider as the prepared because you never know when Mother clear blue ocean began to vanish. It looked much Nature is going to strike again. I am James different than it did on Christmas morning. All of Hopkins, and now, back to your regularly a sudden, I heard Mr. Kearney’s voice in my head. scheduled program.”

76 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Benjamin Lemon ______Fourth Grade, Mesa Academy for Advance Studies Teacher - Michelle Peters Cancer in the World

ancer kills about 6.3 million people every everyone who can help fight cancer should. This Cyear, that number is slated to increase to 11.5 disease should be put before free time. People with million by the year 2030. This is terrible because money should donate to the cause, because if they this disease could end up killing almost the whole had cancer, they would want other people to donate. world by about 2500. Cancer has no cure yet, so I myself have an uncle that has experienced everybody that can help fight this disease should. brain and lung cancer for the last three years. So, I Not only does it kill many people every year, but know the experience and the hardness of it and it also makes life very hard for anyone who has it. how it affects your life. Also, many relatives have a hard life along with Many people that have not experienced cancer, the person that has cancer. Many fundraisers are or have not had relatives that have cancer, do not held, but still not enough. realize what is really going on, so generally they Can you imagine a world without cancer; a do not donate for this cause. But, like I have said world with more people? This disease has to be before, everyone that can help or donate should. fought, so I recommend that you, whoever you are, Cancer has affected this generation, the last help the cause. Cancer is a sad thing; if you had generation, and many yet to come unless we help cancer you would know how sad and terrible it is. to not only cure it, but also fight it—not just as Life is made much more difficult by this disease. individuals, but as one. Please help fight and cure As I have said in the last two paragraphs, cancer.

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 77 Jackelyn Labatos ______Fourth Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Connie Donkersley Sand Paintings

and painting, a special type of painting, is used checks his accuracy once the sand painting is Sall around the globe. The medicine man makes made. It is said that however much accuracy the a sand painting with excellent skill to heal a painting has, that is how well the patient will be patient in the Navajo Nation. healed to relief. Once the painting is made, the patient sits on The medicine man and other Navajos chant it. The painting is said to drain all the sickening while the medicine man is attempting to heal the illness out of a patient. The painting is immed- patient. Only men are allowed to chant. Women iately destroyed for this reason. They demolish the are not allowed because it is said it may harm an painting because they don’t want anyone else unborn child. getting horribly sick because of the painting. Many things like minerals, and even food, are Sometimes more than one sand painting is used to make the sand for sand paintings. Sand made. One sand painting is made for each day in painting is indeed a lovely art that requires much attempt to heal the patient. The medicine man extreme skill and focus.

Scott Thompson ______Fifth Grade, Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Teacher - Teri Nowicki The History of Falcon Field

ave you ever wondered if your city had quite. Its purpose was more to train and prepare H something that was important in history? I soldiers just before they go and fight in the raging have. It turns out there is something in my city war known as World War II. like that. Believe it or not, it’s an airport. Yes, an Today, Falcon Field is a real economic rocket. airport. Each year, about 2.3 billion dollars are contributed This airport is named Falcon Field. It all to local businesses from fees and money spent in started when it opened in September 1941. It was the area. Also, over 95 businesses call Falcon built to train the British Royal and the United Field home. Falcon Field is also the fourth busiest States Air Forces. The building of Falcon Field general aviation business in the country. was part of a frenzied commotion to build two Furthermore, in 2010 Falcon Field received the military airfields in the area. The other airport was Arizona Airport of the Year award. called the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Overall Falcon Field was a big Airport. Today I’m only here to tell part of World War II, and present you about Falcon Field. day it boosts the economy of Mesa Falcon Field was built to train big time. Many local businesses soldiers. Due to Arizona’s dry make money just because Falcon climate and open space, it was an Field is here. Falcon Field has a obvious choice to train both air and proud history and is making a ground forces. Falcon Field was strong contribution today in 2012. almost like boot camp, but not

78 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Mikayla Marriott ______Fifth Grade, Franklin East Elementary Teacher - Sue Brown Barn Owls

ou are walking through the woods at twilight pepper you put on your food. Underparts, like the Ytrying to get back to camp. You are in Pine, belly, can range from white to a reddish hue. They Arizona, camping with your family. You hear can have different patterns of tiny black and something, but it is so quiet you ignore it. brown speckles or have no speckles at all. Then you hear a bloodcurdling screech Their bill color can vary from pale to dark come from the tree branch above you. You buff. Watch out for very sharp talons that look up, a little spooked, and open your also vary in color. They can be black as mouth to scream. No sound comes out. night or kind of pink. Sometimes they can You can see a splotch of white that looks be gray. like a ghost. You start to run. Soon you are Years ago, barn owls were used to predict back at camp wondering what it was. weather in England, and their eggs were You just saw a barn owl! Barn owls are pale, used to heal blindness once they were cooked to long-winged owls with long legs. They have a ashes. Some believe an old legend that a barn owl short, squarish tail and their overall length is 25- had stolen the prize of beauty, a rose, leading to 45 cm. with a wingspan of 75-110 cm. They have the punishment of them only being allowed out at pale, heart-shaped faces and black eyes that make night. They have many nicknames including them look evil. Their face is usually bright white “monkey owl” because of the eyes and “ghost but can be brown. The head and upper body can owl” because they look like a ghost, fly like a vary between light brown and dark grey. Some are ghost, and scream like a ghost. a beautiful, rich, pure, brown color but all have So don’t be afraid if you hear a “ghost” in the the black and white speckles like the salt and woods. It’s just a friendly barn owl!

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 79 Alec Newling ______Sixth Grade, Las Sendas Elementary Teacher - Heather Christie Weed Puller’s Guide to the Backyard

Some people prefer removing weeds with a weed whacker. Some people prefer using poison spray, but there’s another way used by almost every kid in America!

The Art of Pulling Weeds Don’t mistake this weed for To be a weed puller, you must learn the basics. a Palo Verde or any other There’s a simple routine you can follow called type of plant. This monster G.P.T.A., which stands for grab, pull, and throw could range as thick as away. This works well for normal weeds and you one to two inches of a should use this before doing an advanced stem. To pull out the Big Daddy, you’ll be removal. shoveling dirt, ripping it apart, and jerking it from Twisters side to side. Sometimes, a chain saw is necessary. Next, there are the Twisters. The Twisters are Do’s and Don’ts weeds with roots dug in so deep and tangled, that they don’t come out as easy as normal ones. For • Leave no weed behind. this, you’ll use D.T.J., which stands for dig, twist, • Don’t use a weed whacker for a Big Daddy. and jerk. This means you’ll be digging with your • When using tools, ask for parent help and hands, twisting and jerking it from side to side permission. until loose enough to pull. • Check for holes in bag where you toss The Big Daddy weeds. Lastly, the Big Daddy! Due to the rarity of the • Always wear gloves. Big Daddies, scientists have not found the most efficient way of pulling these weeds, but I know a • Always do the best job you can because you way to do it. get paid for your effort, not your time.

80 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Abbie Ahler ______Seventh Grade, Rhodes Junior High Teacher - Don Marovich Revolving Around Diabetes

ype 1 Diabetes is truly cancer’s sister. Sure, year my team has about seventy walkers, lost in a Tyou might not need all the chemo treatments flock of 117,000. My teachers, family, and friends and all, but you have over fifteen syringes walk with me. I have won over three awards for injecting their life-saving liquid into your frail this team. They make me proud to say I’m body every day. My life is diabetes because I have diabetic. had it for four years. I have a special JDRF team, Lastly, every summer in the first week of June and I go away to a special summer camp. This is I go to camp. It is not your normal summer camp, my story. though. My camp is called Camp AZDA (Arizona I first flashback to my four years as a diabetic Diabetes Association). It is located in Prescott, on frequently. I was in the third grade at the time I the grounds of the Friendly Pines campground. found out; it was October 1, 2007. That day was Every camper there is diabetic, as well as half of filled with the unexplainable memories, boiling the staff. We zip line, shoot guns, horseback ride, hot tears, and flesh-tearing needles no other child go canoeing, walk in trees, and host drag queen should endure. I was placed in the Banner Desert contests. See, it is not entirely your normal camp. Hospital for about a week and a half, and it was The main goals of camp are to A: have fun, and B: quite a ride. I distinctly remember something I feel like a “normal” kid. Each year I feel like I had asked my mom: “Will it be gone by my am a diabetic no longer, and my body feels birthday?” She had said yes, but I since then healthy and free, released from its needle filled realize that there is no “going away.” My body cage. I can tell you that is honestly the best feeling will contain this disease forever, cure or not. in the world. When I am seventeen, I will go as a However, let us look at the glass half full now. DC (diabetic counselor) there. I cannot wait! I One advantage of my diabetes is JDRF. A have been going for four years, this will be my mastodonic company, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes fifth. I have loved every second of it, and I always Research Foundation) puts on a five kilometer and forever will. Camp AZDA is my home away walk-a-thon. You raise money to help researchers from home, and I simply could not do without it. and scientists find a cure for this “black disease.” All in all, my life is diabetes thanks to my My team is called Abbie’s Army . I have had this camp, past, and “army.” Sometimes I think it is team for four years, and I hope to carry it on for as the worst possible thing to happen to me, but it is long as I can. We have t-shirts, and my design is truly the best. I love my diabetes, and I will never an army boot crushing an insulin syringe. Every be rid of it.

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 81 Brynn Shults ______Seventh Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Kathleen Holso Candy Clash

alloween is approaching fast, and this year could be considered a form of speech. Excluding H some cities are setting age limits for trick-or- teens from trick-or-treating could also cause more treaters. According to the November 2011 Weekly problems than benefits. What pranks might they Reader, Newport News , VA officials have banned think up instead of trick-or-treating? trick-or-treating for kids older than twelve unless Upholding tradition is another reason trick-or- they are chaperoning younger children around the treating should not have an age limit. Passing this neighborhood. The fine for violating this law is law could ruin a classic ritual. For generations, $100, but authorities usually let teenagers off with people have been dressing up and asking their a warning. Trick-or-treating shouldn’t have an age neighbors for candy. Why stop now? As long as limit because it is unfair to ban children from this teens aren’t misbehaving while they trick-or-treat, harmless holiday, and it is also a tradition that has they should be able to continue the tradition of gone on for many generations. trick-or-treating. It is unfair to allow some kids to trick-or- Having an age limit for trick-or-treating is treat and not others. Kids of all ages unfair and rids kids of a long tradition of should be allowed to participate in fun. Join the many parents and celebrities Halloween fun. The First Amendment that agree that no age limit should be set to the Constitution says, “Congress on trick-or-treating. Fight unfairness and shall make no law… abridging the uphold tradition; don’t let age limit trick- freedom of speech.” Trick-or-treating or-treating become a law in your town.

82 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Cami Staker ______Eighth Grade, Stapley Junior High Teacher - Julie Miller Whose Gun?

ver forty years later, President John F. same position. Oswald obviously had help from O Kennedy’s assassination is still a mystery. his conspiracy in assassinating the president. After reviewing data related to the murder, it is A third piece of evidence showing that Oswald evident that Lee Harvey Oswald was part of a was part of a larger group are the eyewitness larger conspiracy and not the lone killer accounts given at the time of the murder. based on a package, time, and eye-witness “At least fifty people standing on the accounts. grassy knoll, a place in front of the office One piece of evidence supporting the where Oswald worked, said the shots came theory that Oswald was part of a larger from behind,” said one person. Christian conspiracy is the package he carried the David explained, “Three men were hired to morning of the assassination. First, the package he assassinate President Kennedy. Two of the three had was two feet long and it was stated that the were part of a mob in Marseilles. The other killer gun was three feet long. This shows that Oswald was a drug trafficker.” David also stated, “Four couldn’t have been bringing the gun to the killing shots were fired. The first one fired, hit Kennedy site. Since the package was wrapped, no one but from behind. The second hit the governor from him saw the inside. A defensive pistol, bullets for the rear. The third hit Kennedy in the front of the the guns used to murder President Kennedy, etc. head, and the fourth missed.” The shots couldn’t could have been in there. Oswald could not have have been fired from the same gun if one hit pulled off this terrible deed on his own. Kennedy from the front and one hit him from Another piece of evidence that shows Oswald behind. Therefore, a larger conspiracy, not just was not alone on this crime is the amount of time Oswald, was behind the death of President it took him to commit the murder. Information Kennedy. states that, “Oswald was seen in the lunchroom The previous reasons are all true facts support- right before the assassination and seen in the same ing the theory that Lee Harvey Oswald was not the place, strangely calm, ninety seconds after the lone assassin but part of a larger conspiracy. They murder was committed.” The lunchroom was on are important details that some-day might lead to the second floor and the shots were believed to the answer of who murdered President Kennedy. have been fired from the sixth floor. There is no Based on this information, action must be taken to way that Oswald could travel four floors in ninety uncover the mystery of the assassination of seconds and also get to the lunchroom in the exact President Kennedy .

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 83 Jordan Mendoza ______Eighth Grade, Shepherd Junior High Teacher - Wendy Peterson So Much, So Little

o you remember what felt like centuries ago, receive a travel guide to walk you through the Dback in kindergarten, when the opposite halls in an orderly fashion, and you must find your gender had cooties , there was this beautiful way through the hordes of people on your own. wonder addressed as recess, and drama was when When you’re off task or talking, you no longer somebody stole your glue stick? Sadly, that receive a kind-hearted warning. Instead, it seems innocent world was taken over and destroyed; that teachers find it entertaining to humiliate you there were no survivors. in front of the whole class by asking you to A cure for cooties was discovered, but then an answer the question that she has just asked which, even more virulent, seemingly incurable disease of course, you don’t know because you were too struck …puppy love. The joyous recess memories busy daydreaming about the day you can finally become lost in a sea full of homework and stress. get out of this prison. And last, the worst of all, the one that has you Ah, junior high. It’s not fun, it’s not easy, and down on your knees begging for mercy, drama it definitely is not simple. It’s a rather difficult turns into chucking a glue stick across the room at time to overcome, and I cannot guarantee that you someone because they stole your cootie survivor. will all make it out alive. However, the best Faster than light, all the things you came to love advice I can give you to survive this two-year seem to fade away; too fast for you to grab hold horror movie is to hold on to the few things that and so fiercely that you don’t even want to try. have not changed. For example, the way someone You enter into a new world, not quite as friendly still cautiously surveys the classroom in search of as the last, a world referred to as junior high. the teacher before passing a note, their eyes wide, Welcome to the world of cruelty, stress, as if committing a felony. Or the way you can still confusion, broken hearts, and disappointment; do laugh uncontrollably for no apparent reason when enjoy your stay! you’re surrounded by all your friends. Hold on to All of a sudden, teachers don’t seem to under- the way everyone still goes “ooooooo” whenever stand, and when you disobey their commands, the teacher asks you if she can “see you for a they sentence you to an hour of being imprisoned minute.” Grab hold of the look on people’s faces in their classroom while all the other students are when you ask them who they like as they reply, “I set free for the day. When you glance around the can’t tell you” with a childish giggle and a shy room there’s no longer a cheat sheet hung across grin on their face. the wall, in case, by some chance, you spontan- Cherish every reminder that comes your way eously forget your ABC’s and need to see a of the fantastic kindergarten world you used to picture of an apple to remind you that the first belong to, because before you know it, even the letter of the alphabet is, in fact, A. You no longer memories will be forever lost.

84 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Hannah Jarvis ______Ninth Grade, Westwood High Teacher - Rachel Collay Music: A Kind of Spell

s a musician just a musician, or a wizard in phrases echo around you, reverberating into the Idisguise? With their song Clocks , the band earth as they bring the music to life. Lines like, Coldplay proves that they are more than simply a “I’m a part of the cure or am I part of the disease?” band. The London-born band became popular capture your attention and never let it go. with their hit song Yellow in 2000. Some of their The instruments bring the enchantment—the other works include Viva La Vida, Cemeteries of real magic—to the song. A lofty piano calls fairies London, and Death and All His Friends . to the brook’s rippling surface, a kind of spell in Coldplay’s Clocks magically combines deep vocals, itself. The fairies spur into a mesmerizing dance, meaningful lyrics and dancing instrumentals to their feet following the drum’s unique foxtrot create a bubbling cauldron of song. beat. You find yourself joining in the dance Coldplay’s vocals send you sprawling into a you’ve never seen before, an almost-real feeling coma of bliss. Lead singer Chris Martin’s voice of well-being filling your heart. shapes a flowing brook over the grassy ground, With its earthy vocals, spellbinding lyrics, and his deep, earthy voice bringing to mind a cool enchanting instrumentals, Coldplay proves that body of water. Like light breezes, harmonies send they’re more than just a band. Clocks lulls you to flower petals and leaves floating through the air to sleep with Chris Martin’s soothing voice while he land on the glistening water below. Coming whispers to you that time is slipping away—and together, the lead and the harmonies set the stage there’s nothing you can do about it. Their for the poetic lyrics to work their magic. mesmerizing instruments make the news sound Clocks’ lyrics create the spell that glues your sweet, calming even. Performing this wizardry, brain to the song, unable to possibly let go. Coldplay proves that they’re more than musicians. Simple rhymes dance through the song while they They’re sorcerers working their magic through speak of deeper things: mortality, fate, and music. running out of time. Repetitions of words and

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 85 Macy Baldwin ______Tenth Grade, Mesa High Teacher - Lorelei Barker Pray for Prayer in School

n a world where grandparents are diagnosed together with fellow students. The staff is not Iwith cancer, neighbors die in fiery crashes, and banned from privately praying in school and there moms are whisked away in ambulances, today’s has not been a life-shattering situation that has students are confronted with more than just come from adults praying on school campuses. As homework and tests while in school. According to Jim Souder, the principal at Mesa High School Jim Souder, the principal at Mesa High School, puts it, “If I go to work and I sit down at my desk “As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in and I bow my head and pray, I have the legal right school.” Even politicians, especially during to do so and so should students so long as there election years, rant about the importance of are some restrictions of time and place.” School education and students’ safety and well-being. should be a safe place to exercise “the act of Although prayer in school is a controversial praying to God,” as defined by Merriam Webster subject, it should be an accepted activity. There Dictionary, and those kids who do not pray can are those who feel that school is not an learn to practice tolerance. appropriate place for prayer; however, many of In addition, moral expectations and behavioral them feel there is no acceptable place for prayer. standards would improve from allowing students For those antagonists, removing prayer from to pray during times of high stress, emotional schools is a first step in removing prayer in any breakdowns, and before they act out. Children and public setting. This is not how America’s school teens are in a daily process of learning and systems were intended. In 1647 in Massachusetts, developing moral values. These values come from the first school system of America began with the experiences and even small issues are often huge intent of ensuring that children would have the emotional problems for kids. Praying for guidance ability to read the Bible. To delve into the and comfort during the school day can relieve Constitutional arguments, interpretations, and many concerns students have and help them to misinterpretations is for lawyers and legislatures. make good decisions. Our government realizes the When it comes to schools, the best interest of the moral importance of prayer. For example, since student is what is important and allowing prayer 1777 a taxpayer-paid chaplain starts each session would benefit students by: creating an atmosphere of Congress with prayer. Prayer provides time for of appreciation and tolerance, improving student a “spiritual communion with God,” as defined in moral expectations and standards for behavior, another way by Merriam Webster Dictionary, and and releasing confidence and inner strength to it also reminds people of God’s moral law. “The those utilizing the opportunity to communicate New York education system adopted a school with God. prayer to be said before the start of each day's To begin with, prayer in school would promote classes. This prayer promoted good moral a greater tolerance between students. Those who character, provided spiritual training, and helped choose to pray and those who choose to abstain combat juvenile delinquency,” tells Darrell Scott from praying would have the opportunity to the father of Rachel Scott who was a victim of the experience each other’s beliefs and communicate Columbine High School shootings, in an article those in a neutral and respectful setting. Under- where he testified for prayer in schools. standing fellow students’ beliefs, convictions, and Ultimately, having prayer in schools would cause religious practices strengthens the acceptance of a decrease in problematic teen behaviors. one another, especially one’s differences. Outside According to the article, School Prayer–Case of the home, school is the place where children History , “The public school system is tragically spend the majority of their time and to ban prayer disintegrating as evidenced by the rise in school is to rob them of the chance to “share real life” shootings, increasing drug use, alcoholism, teen

86 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory pregnancy… Schools can help combat these Allen, a student at Mesa High School, even issues, would instill a sense of morality.” Prayer experienced an atheist friend reaching out for and morality go hand-in-hand. prayer when her mom was dying. This is a prime For some students, praying is part of their example of how students would act if given the everyday lives, especially at the start of the school opportunity to pray, meditate, and focus on God day or during the school day when they battle would strengthen the student body collectively problems and anxiety. Also, students who pray in and individually. class would most likely have a better attitude In essence, prayer in school would benefit the towards the day, causing teachers to enjoy having students by focusing on tolerance and cheerful and respectful students in class. Banning understanding for each other, increasing ethical prayer in schools is equal to being nonreligious or values, and empowering student confidence and promoting human values instead of religious self-esteem. Schools must take into consideration values, and it forces Christian students to become their students’ well-being and put aside their nonreligious during their most productive time. differences to come together with a solution that Many people gain a positive energy force from people on both sides of the debate can agree on. prayer and to stifle that would be to deflate a Rather than force students to bury or hide who person’s confidence and inner strength. Former they are and how they operate their lives, schools President Ronald Reagan said it best when he should promote an openness and acceptance for said, “In 1962, the Supreme Court banned the students who desire to pray in school. The prayers. In 1963, the Court banned the reading of United States Supreme Court already appears to the Bible…We had to pass a special law to allow be replacing the freedom of religion with the student prayer groups the same access to freedom from religion. People cannot let others schoolrooms that a Young Marxist Society continue to erase the rights that children have to (foundation of communism) enjoys…Without pray in school. This is especially conflicting God there is a coarsening of the society…If we because what Americans are saying to children is ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, that prayer in public schools should be banned, then we will be a nation gone under.” For many but support public prayer and the belief in God in adults against prayer in schools, their arguments all three branches of the United States center against the Christian God. However, government. Instead of eliminating prayer in prayer is not limited to just one or any religion. public schools, they should focus on the original There is a spiritual connection when using prayer intent of the Constitution which was to prevent and meditation within a variety of cultures. Pastor the establishment of a national religion. Prayer is Andrew Jackson, who leads relational missions to not a religion, rather an activity conducted by Turkey, said “On many of my trips Muslim Turks many religions to provide comfort, peace, and have freely accepted my prayers and those from confidence. Who would not want that for any my team to comfort and aid them.” Also, Marissa child?

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 87 Mara Peterson ______Eleventh Grade, Red Mountain High Teacher - Keiko Dilbeck The Sagging Pants Solution

strange phenomenon is sweeping the nation. holding-up-the-pants situation) or they wear AIt is mainly occurring among boys ages 12 to brightly colored basketball shorts under their 20, although this is just an approximation and it regular pants so the basketball shorts are what does happen otherwise (it is even more odd when show when their outer pants sag to their knees. it happens among girls and adults). It is the This seems like a lot of trouble to go to for phenomenon of the sagging pants. I see it sagging a pair of pants…. everywhere—walking to the bus afterschool, at This pants-sagging phenomenon has become the grocery store, and while waiting in line at an issue in society. It makes our children look Panda Express. Wearing pants so low that the ridiculous, and those who do it are disrespecting waistline is literally below their entire butt is not themselves and those around them. But don’t just one person’s dumb fashion choice—it is worry, there is a solution! If clothing stores would actually quite common. Why would you even all stop selling pants and shirts separate and begin wear pants if you are just going to selling something along the lines let your boxers show anyways? If of the footie pajamas we all wore you so desperately want everyone as kids, then the sagging pants fad to see your cool new Spiderman could be stopped in its tracks. underpants, then don’t wear pants There would be millions of fabric at all. Sometimes I feel like helping and pattern choices for the onesies, those who participate in this craze and they could even have different by pulling their pants down the rest of the way to material used for the top and bottom portions so it their ankles for them. still looks like the pants and shirts we are Although I do not understand why someone currently used to. They could also come in would choose to sag their pants, I do give them varieties of long pants, shorts, long sleeves, and credit for their dedication. It must be tedious to shorter sleeves to be suitable for many different have to pull up their pants every 10 steps to keep types of weather. Onesies for everyone would them from falling down around their knees. Some make life easier because outfits would already be people who engage in the pant-sagging mania prearranged and the sagging pants dilemma would even take it to a whole new level. They wear be over. You can’t sag your pants if they are fancy belts (which obviously do no good for the connected to your shirt!

88 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Forrest Schreick ______Twelfth Grade, Red Mountain High Teacher - Keiko Dilbeck Lessons From Nothing

very generation since the dawn of man has Jerry put it, “A relationship is an organism. You E had its great philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, created this thing and then you starved it so it John Locke. But, in the twentieth century, with the turned against you. Same thing happened to The advent of television, our most influential Blob.” It is also important to remember to be philosophers have come from some unlikely modest and humble. Avoid egocentrism and places. Monk’s Café became The School of arrogance. Take up the Costanza philosophy, “I’m Athens as Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, and against all ‘it’s me’s.’ It’s so self-absorbed and Cosmo Kramer sat down for their meals, pontif- egotistical! Like those hip musicians and their icating on life, relationships, our needs, and the complicated shoes!” vital importance of the second button’s placement As human beings we have needs. We need on a shirt. Almost every one of us has benefited passions. Whether it be music, athletics, or art, from their misadventures and words of wisdom. there should be something that drives us and Learning lessons such as not to “double dip” your productively occupies our time. A skill that we chips, not to take credit for another person’s big can hone and call our own. Just as Kramer noticed salad, and “it’s not a lie if you believe it.” about the Soup Nazi, “He suffered for his soup,” Knowledge of one’s own self was a key part of and how George felt about parallel parking, “Oh their musings. On the subject of knowing your- how I wish I could make a living parallel self, George once said, “Nobody is sicker than parking.” We need breaks, vacations, and hiatuses. me.” This was a statement of complete self- A person cannot work all the time; it is important awareness of faults and positive qualities. But it to take time for one’s self, relax, and enjoy life. isn’t enough to just know yourself, you must also Just remember, “It’s the summer of George!” We be yourself. As Costanza said, “It’s time for need to be hopeful even in the worst of situations. George to start being George again!” Everyone This can be difficult if you’re scared, nervous, or needs to say that sometimes. The world is a large just have no idea what to do or say. But Jerry place and it’s easy to get lost in the grand scheme reminds us that “Nobody knows what to do. You of things while simultaneously losing track of just close your eyes and hope for the best.” yourself. Here George strives for the liberation Seinfeld carries one lesson for its viewers that and freedom that comes from being yourself. has for much more significance than all the rest: However, despite this being the day and age of to have a great sense of humor. This lesson cannot rebelling, Seinfeld warns us that it is not always be summed up in one quote, joke, or allusion. It’s best to go against the crown. As Jerry put it, too big and important for that! A good sense of “Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled humor can get you through just about anything—a for a reason.” bad test grade, an awkward first date, and almost These great thinkers have also considered the every other trial and tribulation that can come in importance of our interactions with others, the life. Because in the end life is a show about way we treat people, and the positive and negative nothing. So, gather around the Festivus poll, don’t outcomes that stem from our behavior. Our inter- mind that these pretzels are making you thirsty, personal dealings must be fostered well or, as and enjoy.

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 89 Katherine Moeur ______Twelfth Grade, Dobson High Teacher - Kim Klett Passing Period or Why High School Hallways Are an Atrocious Place to Spend Seven Minutes

will fully admit that I spend a great deal of time to skateboards and home-ec baby dolls to Iin class waiting for it to end. As the lesson is balloons. At a certain size, the object becomes an approaching its conclusion, my mind wanders and obstruction, sometimes greater than that of even my eyes dart to the clock more and more the pokiest student in the halls. An extension of frequently. Despite this anticipation, the electronic the student carrying it, the possession barricades dings of the bell are accompanied with a fair the hall but will not move with the numerous amount of dread. Although this sound does pushers. Instead, it traipses along with its owner, indicate the approaching end of the school day, it forming a sort of bubble around them that takes also starts a seven-minute period of stampedes, up a majority of the hallway. cacophony, and madness. This mad scramble is The most derided, yet abundant, source of more commonly known as passing period. The hallway congestion is the PDA violators. This hallways, already narrow, are filled with various includes huggers of all sorts. Frequently, they are human obstructions, making the halls difficult to young couples that are so ferociously in love that navigate and a generally unpleasant place to be they spend about three of the seven minutes of for seven minutes. passing period tightly embracing, professing their The lack of a flow of student traffic is the first love for one another and wondering how they’ll problem of passing period. The lack of a survive the next fifty-three minutes without their consistent speed, although understandable, is the significant other. Not only do they line the walls first flaw in the traffic flow of students in the and further taper the hallways, but walking by hallway. As soon as the bell rings, every student them is slightly nauseous. Worse yet are the in the building charges out of the class, either clumps of “best friends forever,” who squeal like bolting into the halls at lightning speed or doing a swine upon seeing each other and pile into a slow mixture between a shuffle and a waddle. The group hug. Perhaps I’m a pessimist, but I shufflers blockade the way of the speedsters. The thoroughly believe that both the couples and speedsters run to the left side of the hallway and dogpiles of group hugs could wait until at least are nearly trampled under the students going the three o’clock and enjoy their hugging outside opposite direction. Due to the narrow structure of where they’re not in the way of essentially the the halls, the flow of traffic can run smoothly only entire school. if the student body forms two “lanes,” so to speak. In narrow halls such as the ones we find When the lack of speed causes students to stray ourselves in daily, it’s next to impossible for the from their right side of the hallway right into traffic to go uninterrupted. Only through strict, someone else’s way, everyone’s pathway is authoritarian regulation similar to those for motor disturbed. There’s pushing. There’s shoving. vehicles can students find their way to class There is complete and utter chaos. smoothly. Likely, the student body as a whole will Another problem commonly encountered is never master the etiquette of narrow hallways. It students carrying an unnecessary amount of items is the responsibility of the individual to maneuver with them. These possessions range from tripods their way through the chaos.

90 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory Dave Careaga ______Fourth Grade Teacher - Longfellow Elementary Four-Legged Students (Or How Puppies Helped Me Grow as a Teacher)

h, the sounds of feet running around the With that thought in the forefront of my mind, Aroom, eager bodies that can’t contain their I decided to see what else my puppies could teach enthusiasm for learning, and voices crying out me. That night, as I was training them, I had a bag when in trouble. That’s right, a few weeks ago I of training treats hidden behind my back. We were became a pet parent for the first time in 25 years. working on the sit-stay command. Incidentally, It has been through this experience that I have this is also something my 4th graders could use realized that training my puppies and teaching my more work on! I would tell the puppies to, “Sit!” 4th graders have a lot in common. I had the They would do this almost instantly, then I would opportunity to visit an animal rescue group and immediately follow it with, “Stay!” The first few take home a pair of Jack Russell/Chihuahua times I did this they would look at me with their mongrel puppies. Some people call them heads cocked to the side and their ears all perked Jackhuahuas. I call them twin tornadoes on 4 up, then come bounding at me as fast as they legs. About two weeks ago, I was working with could full of kisses and sometimes the occasional the pups on how to sit for what seemed to be the tongue up the nostril. I decided that I needed to millionth time. Then there came a magic moment back up a few steps and try it again. The next when I said, “Sit,” and both puppy bottoms hit the time I tried, as soon as I said, “Sit-stay!” I held ground with their tails going about a mile a my hand up in front of their face to keep them minute. I couldn’t keep the pride and happiness from moving. When they were still for 2 seconds, out of my voice as I told them what good dogs I gave them a training treat, and reinforced the they were. behavior with plenty of praise. Gradually, I could Then, it hit me…my puppies were just like my get them to stay still for longer and longer periods 4th graders. For so long I have heard that students of time. The more and more we worked at it, the need to have things repeated a number of times fewer and fewer treats they received. Instead, I before they really get it. To me, this meant that gave them much more fervent vocal praise. This during the course of my lesson, I could repeat a led me to my next “A-ha” moment. Namely, that fact or a piece of knowledge four or five times students like praise, feedback, and rewards and it would be sufficient. I couldn’t understand (tangible or not). The next day in my classroom, I why my students needed so much re-teaching was much more consistent in rewarding after a unit of instruction. I began to wonder if the “Grabbers” to my students for exhibiting desired problem was in a lack of repetition. I decided to behaviors as well as giving far more verbal praise test my hunch in the classroom. During a math and feedback. The students were almost exactly lesson on the metric system, I made sure that I like the puppies. A couple of words praising them, repeated myself much more than usual. By the and they were pretty much wiggling in their seats, end of the lesson, my class could sit on command! and flush with happiness. At least they weren’t Err, wait… What I meant to say is that my class trying to lick my face. had a much better grasp on how to convert What I understand better these days is that measurements within the metric system. The next what I am learning about training puppies and day, I reviewed what we had done the day before teaching students makes me better at both. There and tossed a couple of warm up problems on the are good days and bad. Sometimes there are board. Almost the entire class was able to accidents. I’m still having days that make me complete the problems without any difficulty. It want to bury my head under the pillows when I would seem my puppies had taught me a valuable get home. But the puppies are there waiting for lesson. me, willing to give me their undivided attention

Essay and Informative/Explanatory ~ 91 and plenty of wet puppy noses. The opposite puppies. One of the best feelings, though, is holds true as well. I know that when I’m knowing that I am making a change for the better frustrated with the pups for not learning fast in how I teach. I am calmer and more willing to enough or for chewing up my house slippers, my repeat as much as needed to help all my students students are waiting for me at school, willing to (both four-legged and two-legged) learn the skills give me their undivided attention and share their they need to be healthy, smart individuals. laughter at the stories I tell them about the

92 ~ Essay and Informative/Explanatory 2012

Honors

Honors: A listing of all Voices contest winners, by category, including both first place and honorable mention award recipients.

93 94 Voices Narrative

GRADE PLACE AUTHOR ENTRY TEACHER SCHOOL Kdg. 1st Place Jill Omerza A Very Great Day Suzzanne Shawver Johnson Kdg. 1st Place Molly Bray My Camping Trip Teresa Duranti Mendoza Kdg. Honorable Mention Kaylee Brenchley How I Fixed My Boring Life Melinda Whisenant Johnson Kdg. Honorable Mention Ryan Ampha The Thorn Teresa Duranti Mendoza

1st 1st Place Will Bergman How I Lost My Tooth Annie Brown Las Sendas 1st 1st Place Ella Schnur Cupcake Annie Brown Las Sendas 1st Honorable Mention Emily Lish The Farm Lindsay Stone Hale 1st Honorable Mention Rayne Gallegos The Surprise Joy Myers Kerr

2nd 1st Place Emma Shults A Christmas to Remember Claudia Bretzing Hale 2nd 1st Place Ashlynn Wilder The Big Lesson Rachel O'Grady Johnson 2nd Honorable Mention Asher Jesclard Salmon Fishing Lyndel Akers MacArthur 2nd Honorable Mention Tala Crary How Santa Found Reindeer Susan Richer Taft

3rd 1st Place Cienna Collicott Whew, That Was a Lot of Work Linda Hofmann Franklin South 3rd 1st Place Mercedes Ortiz The Tiny Town Meena Kazmi Red Mountain Ranch 3rd Honorable Mention Evadney Saelens Cinnamon Rolls Michelle Brennan MacArthur

4th 1st Place Avery Toscano The Treasure of Memories Barbara Vance Mesa Academy 4th 1st Place Jude Britton Lake Child Scott Ritter Zaharis 4th Honorable Mention Ethan Fuller My Idiom Disaster Diane Sims Franklin East

5th 1st Place Jon Crum Rappelling Sue Brown Franklin East 5th 1st Place Sophia Diperi Forever Strong Stephanie Kemp Hale 5th Honorable Mention Eliza Randall Chicken Adventures Cathy Rogers Entz 5th Honorable Mention Victoria Smith Doctors Day! Michelle Peters Mesa Academy

6th 1st Place Michael Backlund My 6th Grade Spelling Bee Connie Corea Hale 6th 1st Place Jack Greenway My Visit to Alcatraz Marie Lombardi Las Sendas 6th Honorable Mention Macy Jacks Hold on or Die Vaunee Ann Lewis Franklin South 6th Honorable Mention Michael Borrmann Run Cynthia Crowther Red Mountain Ranch

7th 1st Place Abigail Fowkes The Consequences of a Morning Elisa Valli Brimhall Reverie (The Bluebird) 7th 1st Place Logan Guthrie Triumph Kathleen Holso Stapley 7th 1st Place Christy Nguyen One Autumn Season Kathleen Holso Stapley 7th 1st Place Seth Harper The Hit Timothy Cox Shepherd 7th Honorable Mention Megan Walker A Big Mistake Elisa Valli Brimhall 7th Honorable Mention Alayna Wilson Gone But Not Forgotten Elisa Valli Brimhall 7th Honorable Mention Madi Sato Hysterical History Kathleen Holso Stapley 7th Honorable Mention Madi White Autism Theresa Wines Shepherd

8th 1st Place Janie Reavis Pride to Shame Julie Miller Stapley 8th 1st Place Cassandra Thompson Wrapped in Blue Julie Miller Stapley 8th Honorable Mention Cristina Errickson Message of the Deer Julie Miller Stapley 8th Honorable Mention Kennedy Prock The Worst Kind of Pirates Julie Miller Stapley

9th 1st Place Sierra Campbell Fish Out of Water Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain 9th Honorable Mention Aly Allen My Imaginary Romance Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain 9th Honorable Mention Alec Miller Too Deep Within Me Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain

10th 1st Place JT Hatch Back From Black Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th 1st Place Annika Woolf The Ride of My Life Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th Honorable Mention Sarah Jordan Taking a Chance Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th Honorable Mention Ashley Preves An Ode to the Incurably Celeste Burns Red Mountain Atrocious Suitor

Honors ~ 95 11th 1st Place Jenavieve Crum Blew It Joan Snyder Mountain View 11th Honorable Mention Tara Horton Dreamer Rebecca Davis Skyline

12th 1st Place Kaula Carr Disappearing Colors Kelly Harris Dobson 12th 1st Place Brianna Fabiano Echoes of the Past Kim Klett Dobson 12th 1st Place Jonathan Sosa Looking Towards My Future Michael Garcia Mesa High 12th 1st Place Elizabeth Gunnell Pan's Replacement Jean Akers Westwood 12th Honorable Mention Brandon Nelson The Jewels of Happiness Kelly Harris Dobson 12th Honorable Mention Josh Paree Before the Fall Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain 12th Honorable Mention Peter Whitehead Simon Jones Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain

Staff 1st Place Karen Procopio More Technology Teacher Mesa Academy Staff Honorable Mention Annie Brown To Have and To Hold 1st Grade Teacher Las Sendas

Voices Poetry

GRADE PLACE AUTHOR ENTRY TEACHER SCHOOL Kdg. 1st Place Chloe Dunn The Flower Garden Suzzanne Shawver Johnson Kdg. 1st Place Mattson Davis My New Bike Rachelle Dabbert Las Sendas Kdg. Honorable Mention Jack DeCesare Duck Tape Melinda Whisenant Johnson Kdg. Honorable Mention Aiden Schmidt Funny Clown Rachelle Dabbert Las Sendas

1st 1st Place Hannah Martinson Oh How I Love Dogs! Beth Hunt Red Mountain Ranch 1st Honorable Mention Case Felstead Play Beth Hunt Red Mountain Ranch

2nd 1st Place Carly Harp It's Raining Connie Spencer Franklin Northeast 2nd 1st Place Sage Millett Winter Lyndel Akers MacArthur 2nd Honorable Mention Mark Anderson Baseball Lyndel Akers MacArthur 2nd Honorable Mention Elizabeth Johnson Haunted Halloween! Tammy Wilson Robson

3rd 1st Place Natalia Demichellis Branches Anne Bell Red Mountain Ranch 3rd 1st Place Claire Glennon Dandy Dilly Anne Bell Red Mountain Ranch 3rd Honorable Mention Hallie Walker Little Snowflake Linda Hofmann Franklin South 3rd Honorable Mention Kyle Myler Changing Seasons Stephenie Murphy Franklin West

4th 1st Place Olivia Bentley My Favorite Sayings Carol Griner Franklin East 4th 1st Place Braeden Darling Derby Day Barbara Vance Mesa Academy 4th Honorable Mention Reagan Vercelli Clouds Abbie Pope Field 4th Honorable Mention Jade Pastor How Would You Feel? Barbara Vance Mesa Academy

5th 1st Place Tristan Covington Rollercoaster Lorie Kamboukos Hale 5th 1st Place Makenna Morris In Hope's Eyes Sherri Pine Hermosa Vista 5th Honorable Mention Jessica LeSueur Ocean Wave Sherri Pine Hermosa Vista 5th Honorable Mention Cora Hentges Quiet Rain Teri Nowicki Red Mountain Ranch

6th 1st Place Allison Trendler The Rainbow Vaunee Ann Lewis Franklin South 6th 1st Place Logan Lockhart Sea Spider Poem Pam Nogee Sirrine 6th Honorable Mention Ayesha Myint Birds of a Feather Mary Ann Mason Franklin West 6th Honorable Mention Jason Storey Girls Vickie Ferguson Hale

7th 1st Place Abbie Ahler War's Birth Place Don Marovich Rhodes 7th 1st Place Alexxis Carpentier Change Now or Pay Kathleen Holso Stapley 7th 1st Place Madi Sato Goldfish Crackers Kathleen Holso Stapley 7th 1st Place Darren Taylor Birds Deborah Hodo Summit Academy 7th Honorable Mention Sam Cook Concert Night Timothy Cox Shepherd 7th Honorable Mention Paige Heckel Doug Timothy Cox Shepherd 7th Honorable Mention Charlotte Ruth Fear Denise Hakala Smith

96 ~ Honors 8th 1st Place Jacqueline Mamani Revenge Kara Keithley Franklin Jr. 8th 1st Place Corinne Clarkson The Story of Marion Brenda Frank Fremont 8th 1st Place Joey Scaven Plans Julie Miller Stapley 8th 1st Place Cassandra Thompson Tempest Julie Miller Stapley 8th Honorable Mention Juliana D'Aoust The Artist Tom Mitchell Mesa Academy 8th Honorable Mention Kaytie Rose Pain Wendy Peterson Shepherd 8th Honorable Mention Alison LeCompte First Grade Julie Miller Stapley

9th 1st Place Katie Fenn Just Simply Gone Janette Ramsey Red Mountain 9th 1st Place Kathryn Heffernon A Note Above the Rest Janette Ramsey Red Mountain 9th Honorable Mention Shylia Morgan An Artist Jeffrie Bolyard Westwood

10th 1st Place JT Hatch River of Time Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th 1st Place Camille Palmer Lonely Page Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th Honorable Mention Spencer King God of War Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th Honorable Mention Brittany Orsborn Dear Thief Heidi Udall Mountain View

11th 1st Place Chase Winkler The Gentle Rain Theresa Schneebacher Mesa High 11th 1st Place Jordan Avechuco Siren Maggie Casmus Westwood 11th Honorable Mention Christopher Johnson You Are My Addiction Kelly Harris Dobson 11th Honorable Mention Sarah Bunch Wishful Thinking Diane Grogan Mesa High

12th 1st Place Patric Adams Shadows Kelly Harris Dobson 12th 1st Place Kevra Smith The Piece Kim Klett Dobson 12th 1st Place Moriah Bischann Soaring to New Heights Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain 12th 1st Place Jonathan Hilts Always Another One Walking Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain Beside You 12th Honorable Mention Carolyn Malone Symphony of Sound Kim Klett Dobson 12th Honorable Mention Mekenzie Dyer This Generation Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain 12th Honorable Mention Trent Woodward Of Mice and Men Rachel Cupryk Red Mountain 12th Honorable Mention Courtney Odom Addicted Jean Akers Westwood

Staff 1st Place Connie Donkersley And I Cried 4th Grade Teacher Red Mountain Ranch Staff Honorable Mention Mary Ann Mason The Winter Workout 6th Grade Teacher Franklin West Staff Honorable Mention Dave Careaga Arizona Child 4th Grade Teacher Longfellow

Voices Class Book

GRADE PLACE ENTRY TEACHER SCHOOL

Kdg. 1st Place Remember My Name Merrilee Kupfer Field Kdg. 1st Place Arizona Kids Lauren Cluff Highland Kdg. Honorable Mention The Snowy Day Valerie Chiappetta Sirrine

1st 1st Place Helping Fills My Heart With Love Peggy O'Neill Hale 1st 1st Place The How To Book: Sports Edition Julie Reichert Zaharis 1st Honorable Mention It Makes Me Smile Beth Hunt Red Mountain Ranch 1st Honorable Mention Our Class Riddle Lolita Tapaha Taft

Honors ~ 97 Voices Essay and Informational/Explanatory

GRADE PLACE AUTHOR ENTRY TEACHER SCHOOL 2nd 1st Place Emma Shults Amazing Bees Claudia Bretzing Hale 2nd Honorable Mention Ashton Fish The Polar Bear Connie Spencer Franklin Northeast 2nd Honorable Mention Blayne Strickland Snakes Lori Kirk Taft

3rd 1st Place Jackson Giles Walls of Water Meena Kazmi Red Mountain Ranch 3rd Honorable Mention Hallie Walker Those Amazing Bats Linda Hofmann Franklin South 3rd Honorable Mention Hyrum Whitehead Dear Ground Judy Sloan Johnson

4th 1st Place Benjamin Lemon Cancer in the World Michelle Peters Mesa Academy 4th 1st Place Jackelyn Lobatos Sand Paintings Connie Donkersley Red Mountain Ranch

5th 1st Place Mikayla Marriott Barn Owls Sue Brown Franklin East 5th 1st Place Scott Thompson The History of Falcon Field Teri Nowicki Red Mountain Ranch 5th Honorable Mention Shelby Davis The Slave Trade Michelle Guanell Mesa Academy 5th Honorable Mention Makenna Fullford The History of Falcon Field Joel Saxen Red Mountain Ranch

6th 1st Place Alec Newling Weed Puller's Guide to the Backyard Heather Christie Las Sendas 6th Honorable Mention Alexia Mosley Let It Shine! Heather Christie Las Sendas

7th 1st Place Abbie Ahler Revolving Around Diabetes Don Marovich Rhodes 7th 1st Place Brynn Shults Candy Clash Kathleen Holso Stapley 7th Honorable Mention Kallee Johnson No Vaccine, No Problem! Kathleen Holso Stapley

8th 1st Place Jordan Mendoza So Much, So Little Wendy Peterson Shepherd 8th 1st Place Cami Staker Whose Gun? Julie Miller Stapley 8th Honorable Mention Katherine Karles My Favorite Song Wendy Peterson Shepherd 8th Honorable Mention Toral Patel By Starlight Wendy Peterson Shepherd

9th 1st Place Hannah Jarvis Music: A Kind of Spell Rachel Collay Westwood 9th Honorable Mention Vanessa Healey An Essay on Essays Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain

10th 1st Place Macy Baldwin Pray For Prayer in School Lorelei Barker Mesa High 10th Honorable Mention Spencer King Destination: The Best You Lorelei Barker Mesa High

11th 1st Place Mara Peterson The Sagging Pants Solution Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain

12th 1st Place Katherine Moeur Passing Period or Why High School Kim Klett Dobson Hallways Are an Atrocious Place to Spend Seven Minutes 12th 1st Place Forrest Schreick Lessons From Nothing Keiko Dilbeck Red Mountain 12th Honorable Mention Andrew Morden Heart of Darkness Kim Klett Dobson 12th Honorable Mention Shaela Noble My All-State Experience Kim Klett Dobson

Staff 1st Place Dave Careaga Four-Legged Students (Or How 4th Grade Teacher Longfellow Puppies Helped Me Grow as a Teacher) Staff Honorable Mention Heather Christie Workin' at the Carwash 6th Grade Teacher Las Sendas

98 ~ Honors 2012

Special Achievement

Special Achievement: (all grades) Recognition of Mesa students who have placed or received awards in other writing contests held throughout the year .

99 100 2011 Boeing–Mesa Diversity Council Essay Contest Diversity Driving Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Sponsored by Boeing–Mesa Diversity Council

LOCAL AWARDS ESSAY 7th-12th GRADE AWARD STUDENT SCHOOL 7th Dell Laptop Baily Jayes Smith 8th Dell Laptop Adrey DiSani Rhodes 9th Dell Laptop Kevin Apuan Shepherd 12th Dell Laptop Braiden Fairbanks Skyline 7th $100 Amazon Gift Card Kylie Weinnzierl Smith 7th $100 Amazon Gift Card Joseph Wesley Fairbanks Smith 8th $100 Amazon Gift Card Connor Hoopes Brimhall 8th $100 Amazon Gift Card Marissa Beseda Fremont 8th $100 Amazon Gift Card Maelin Long Rhodes 12th $100 Amazon Gift Card Michael Miranda Westwood 7th $50 Amazon Gift Card Johnny Lopez Smith 7th $50 Amazon Gift Card Toni Marcheva Smith 8th $50 Amazon Gift Card Logan Robbins Brimhall 8th $50 Amazon Gift Card Salina Rojas Brimhall 8th $50 Amazon Gift Card Albert Bui Mesa Academy 9th $50 Amazon Gift Card Katia Diamond-Sagias Mesa Academy

Creative Communication Contest Sponsored by Creative Communication REGIONAL AWARD POETRY GRADE PLACE / AWARD STUDENT TEACHER SCHOOL 6th Accepted for Publication Ryan Belles Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Amanda Brandt Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Joshua Brown Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Kiera Campbell Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Anthony Fabiano Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Aysiah Lozano Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Nina Fuentes Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Xander Kanicsar Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Nick Keane Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication McKenna Lohide Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Marco Lopez Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Nicolas Medina Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Eduardo Mendoza Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Sean Noll Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Hannah Tober Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Max Toth Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Melody Valverde Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Jayda Winfield Janece Larson Crismon 6th Accepted for Publication Trenton Yoder Janece Larson Crismon

Special Achievement ~ 101 Letters About Literature Letters About Litreature is a national reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, presented in partnership with Target and affilate state centers for the book.

STATE / NATIONAL AWARDS ESSAY Level 3 (Grades 9-12) : GRADE AWARD STUDENT TEACHER SCHOOL 9th State Level - First place Ashlee Begell Wendy Peterson Shepherd and National Honors

The National Honors recipients from each competition level designate a library to receive a $1,000 Target grant. The sutdents each receive a $50 Target Gift Card. State and national judges include published authors, editors, publishers, librarians and teachers.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Contest “Many Faces, One Community” Sponsored by Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee

LOCAL AWARDS ELEMENTARY WRITING 4th-6th GRADE AWARD STUDENT TEACHER SCHOOL 6th First Place Zach Rolfness Michelle Guanell Mesa Academy 4th Second Place Roman Karadshen Barbara Vance Mesa Academy 4th Third Place Chazlyn Jenkins Leanor Ritter Ishikawa 6th Honorable Mention Chloe Henry Edward Collins Ishikawa

JUNIOR HIGH WRITING 7th-8th 8th First Place Tulcy Patel Wendy Peterson Shepherd 8th Second place Annie Pico Julie Miller Stapley

HIGH SCHOOL WRITING 9th-12th 12th First Place Carolyn Malone Kim Klett Dobson 12th Second Place Christopher Desapio Andrea Box Westwood 12th Third Place Lorenzo Colores Karen Randle East Valley Academy

102 ~ Special Achievement NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Young Writers Program—Sponsored by The Office of Letters and Light

INTERNATIONAL AWARD NOVEL Young Adult Level : GRADE AWARD STUDENT TEACHER SCHOOL 6th Book Publication Megan Phillips Karen Procopio Mesa Academy

Adult Level : Staff Book Publication Karen Procopio Mesa Academy

The challenge was to write an entire novel—50,000 words in 30 days. Participants began writing November 1 and finished by midnight, November 30.

Peace Poetry and Poster Contest A Week Without Violence October 2nd-9th Sponsored by Children’s Benefit Foundation Inc.

STATE AWARD POETRY GRADE AWARD STUDENT TEACHER SCHOOL 8th First Place Jordynn Dixon Brenda Frank Fremont 8th First Place Samantha Kling Wendy Peterson Shepherd 8th Sixth Place Lauren Vossler Brenda Frank Fremont

Special Achievement ~ 103 104 ~ Special Achievement