SCHOLAR VOICES Spring 2016 INTRODUCTION Judith Berry Griffin, President, Pathways to College Welcome to the 2016 issue of Scholar Voices, the literary magazine of Pathways to College. For a second year, in addition to the written word, we have invited our Scholars to submit photographs. We continue to be so very pleased with their creativity. We know that expressing ideas is not always easy – even if the ideas are important and eagerly shared. But we continue to say that self-expression of all kinds is well worth the effort! Writers and artists through the centuries have shared their thoughts and passed their ideas and stories on to people they would never meet but to whom they have given invaluable gifts of knowledge, inspiration, insight and enjoyment. All of these gifts came to life in the same way – with an idea and the urge to keep it alive by sharing it with others. Scholar Voices is our way to share our Scholars’ stories and ideas with many others, both within and beyond the Pathways to College family. And to our Scholars: We hope that you will continue to tell your stories in writing and in art. In whatever form they take, they are more important than you will ever know. We are your cheerleaders! Keep sharing! “BRANCH OUT!” __________________ Branch Out Sherell P., Arts High School, Grade 10 Don't just listen Don't just hear Take into consideration The voices of those near Think deep, don't be shallow Be enthusiastic, not just mellow Don't just listen Don't just hear Opportunities at your door, will you be there? Our futures are bright Our futures are clear With a pathway to college, I'll see you there! Don't just listen Don't just hear Expand your networking, be aware! DEDICATION The poem “08/02” memorializes a tragedy -- the death of Daja Brookshire, sister of a Pathways Scholar from Gary, Indiana. Daja was the victim of a drive-by shooting on 08/02/15. We dedicate this issue of Scholar Voices to her memory. 08/02 Jalecia B., Grade 10 Wirt Emerson Visual andPerforming Arts Academy, Sitting in my bedroom We would just laugh Don’t got a clue You were here Just that quick someone up and shot you You were there Who? Now you’re not anywhere Is the question that I ask? I wish I would’ve knew Gone in a flash 08/02 They say it’s a thing of the past The last day you were alive Nothing ever lasts Hoping you would’ve survived Alas! I cried Memories are all I have For days 08/02 Mind stuck in a haze Never in a million years did I think I’d Off into a daze lose you I’m still amazed Is it true? Why? Did they really kill you? In a blink of an eye Have no clue what to do Would you die? This is all still new No last goodbye 08/02 My heart 11:24 Torn apart Took your last breath Not knowing where to start Instead of going right things went left 08/02 Straight to your death I love you Tick tock on the clock I do Separated so soon With all my heart Flower that didn’t quite bloom Even if we are apart I’m left with a heart so damaged and You’re an angel now bruised Looking down 08/02 Every now and then I feel you around I sure do miss you My sister, my sister Our last talk on the phone I finally got the clue We stayed up so long It really is true Reminiscing I’ll never forget you Sounding like two old women 08/02 All the fun we used to have CONTENTS WINNER The Wrong Direction - Brooklyn W. 1 Searching - Ashlyn F. 2 The Police Force From Hell - James W. 5 Ten Things I Want To Say To A Muslim Woman - Mahdeem K. 6 Sea - Ebenezer A. 8 Rear View Mirror - Kiara M. 10 HONORABLE MENTION Perspective - Jamela B. 10 This or That? - Andrew G. 11 The Stranger - Osariemen N. 12 The Definition of a Queen - Davinya M. 13 Happy - Alexis D. 14 Choices - Briana L. 14 My Way - Courtney G. 15 Up - Isabel A. 16 City Hall: A Six-Month Opportunity - Ta’Nina G. 16 The Abyss - Benjamin D. 17 Change This World - Kiara M. 18 Beauty - Robert M. 19 To Whom Do I Turn – Tynazsha B. 19 The Specialist - Kayla N. 20 Life - Jamal H. 22 Dark Nightmare to Peaceful Dream - Shane S. 23 What is Struggle? - Andrew G. 24 You - Princess A. 24 The Mighty Tree - Stacy C. 25 The Wanted and the Hated Part One - Angelo G. 26 The Wanted and the Hated Part Two - Angelo G. 28 The Heart - Miyoko M. 29 Dear Mother... - Osariemen N. 29 Six Word Memoir - Zakeema W. 30 A Letter to Her - Asia L. 30 Anxiety - TeErica J. 31 Unique - Princess A. 31 One WIll Die and the Other WIll Kill - Zaakiyah C. 32 The Best Replacement You’ll Ever Find - Jae Lynn G. 34 Who am I? - Aaliyah M. 34 BEYOND THE SKY! - Zakeema W. 35 Zombie Apocalypse - Paulo S. 35 I Need You - Luana M. 36 The Change of Life - Shane W. 36 How Do We Last – Tynazsha B. 37 Six Word Memoir - Erica M. 37 Childish Innocence and Forgotten Responsibilities - Tiana W. 38 The Masquerade - Jordyn C. 39 Dear Daddy – Amatha M. 40 Never Empty – Darius J. 40 Suicide… No Thanks!!! - Osariemen N. 41 I AM THEM - Essence B. 41 To Cash - Zaakiyah C. 42 My Life Begins with a Fresh Smile - Marie T. 44 Life - Davinya M. 44 Desperado - Jae Lynn G. 45 The Skeletal System - T’Erica M. 45 Do I Look Black to You? - Isis B. 46 Tight - Julio F. 48 Why - Lamia Y. 48 She - Samantha H. 49 I AM - Miyoko M. 49 Hope - Karla M. 50 Just Stop - Nani-Marie M. 50 Unquenchable Hunger - Amir D. 51 “Grandma” - Taylor W. 51 Monster Inside - Tiana W. 52 Tryna Get Out - Tamara M. 54 Perfection - Dara M. 55 Untitled - Malik T. 56 Untitled - Audrena B. 57 Voices - Kiara M. 57 A Day in the Life of Sky Maxx - Alexes C. 58 Settling - Imari T. 59 Demons - Tamara M. 60 How to Learn - Julio F. 61 It's True Until It Is You - Zaakiyah C. 62 Lifeless - Klaudette S. 63 I Never Told You Because... - Alexis W. 64 What It Means To Succeed - Alberto R. 65 Does Social Media Have a Positive or Negative Impact on Today’s Society? - Tai L. 66 She to I - Diavian M. 67 Without Words - Frances L. 68 Untitled - Audrema B. 68 To Blossom - Chris N. 69 I Want - Rianne H. 70 Untitled - Kiara B. 71 The Violent Use of Guns - Kruti P. 72 Six Word Memoir - Brianna E. 73 Superwoman - Mercedes G. 74 Anarchism - Miana S. 75 New York - Alison L. 76 Hesitation - Dyamond F. 76 My Way - Courtney G. 77 Untitled - Doaa M. 78 Starry Night - Osariemen N. 79 A White Man’s Property (Tribute To: Black History Month) - Zakeema W. 80 Delivernou - Sherell P. 81 Untitled - Kiara B. 81 Is Cancer Infectious? - Thalia G. 82 Father - Karen M. 83 Who Am I? - Maya L. 84 I’m Sorry - Essence B. 85 Safe Haven - Jacqueline F. 86 You cannotcommunicatewithsomeonewho Doesn’t Speak the Same Language - Favour I. 87 Desires of the Heart (Love Poem No. 1) - Ebenezer A. 88 New York - Alison L. 88 The Strange Place - Zhana P. 89 The Train Slaughter - Alexes C. 90 Picture This - Arnetta M. 91 Untitled - Nicole S. 92 Unexpected Passion - Brian P. 92 Untitled - Katie T. 93 Untitled – Anonymous 94 Hispanic Heritage - Rachel L. 95 __________________ Cover Drawing – Beginnings by Stacy C., Wirt Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Grade 11 WINNER – PHOTOS OF PEOPLE The Wrong Direction Brooklyn W., New Tech Innovative Institute, Grade 11 I’m afraid of many things, but most of all, I’m afraid of failure. There’s so much pressure to become successful, I feel like the walls are closing in on me. All I constantly hear is, “Stay in school.” “Make us proud.” “You’ll be the first.” “We’ll have a doctor in the family now.” I feel like I’m losing the game that hasn’t started. I wish I could press reset, and begin anew, but I’ve already started going through life in the wrong direction. 1 WINNER – SHORT STORY Searching Ashlyn F., Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts High Ability Academy, Grade 10 "Sarah this whole thing is ridiculous," Charlie yelled at his fiancé. "What's ridiculous is the fact that you really don't care about anything I have to say," Sarah sassed at him. "Well maybe if you think I don't care maybe we should call the wedding off!" he yelled back. Sarah's eyes were filled with tears. The one she loved was trying to kick her out and call off the engagement. "I'm leaving," Sarah said. She grabbed her purse and just left. No car keys, no phone, nothing but her empty purse. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" he asked, trying to stop her. "As far away from you as possible," she spat back at him and slammed the door shut. It had been 12 hours and nobody has heard a word. Charlie called Sarah's dad. "Hello?" "Mr. Anderson, I know you are probably going to hate me but Sarah and I got into a huge fight last night and she left.