Class of ’16: The Stories of Us Grade 7 English Ms. Andrews 2010-2011 Poets Alice Bennett Aria Nicoletti Ashley Sowah Caroline Morrow Elizabeth McCauley Emma Pasqualino Francesca Matarese Gabriela Baron Georgia Jones Hannah Fitts Helary Gladstone Isabel Harrington Izzy Ackerman Jane Addington­May Jessica Purdy Katie Coggins Katrina Claflin Larissa Klufas Laura Davison Lilia Smyth Meghan Faria Meredith Brown Morgan Andrade Rachel Briden Renée Mackintosh Sarina Trant Sophia Theriault Sylvie Schneider Taylor Gunn From Here I Am, and There to Remain By Alice Bennett I am from hats, and red lipstick tasting like celery. From 5:30 in the morning, groggy and tired, To 6:00 at night, sweaty from the machinery. I am from summers under the rhododendrons, and winters filled with Sibling’s laughter at new toys and trinkets. I am from those who don’t understand, and those who think they do. From the feel of sand as I walk alone on the beach, surrounded by others. The taste of blood as I lose a tooth, and from the combination of six perfumes. I am from Mozart and Bach, pop and classical. I from metal strings, and face paint while I try to sit still on the plastic stool. From the wish to live another’s life, and the tears of knowing it shall not be. I am from fevers, and earaches, my face hot from throwing a tantrum in the snow. I’m from Thayer and George, and back again just to lose a few more pounds. The preppy, and the depressed am I from. I am from refrigerator boxes, and pews, Talking to someone who others think is not there (They are just jealous the Voices only talk to me). I am from falling off swings, and deciding between purples, my room now Smelling of wet paint. I am from dreams of tomorrow, and waking up to today. A fistful of insults Ready to throw when she touches my stuff. I am from embarrassment, and movie nights, teary‐eyed as she let’s me lean On her at the Disney movie. I am from locks, from indecisions, trying to fins the right lyrics, and then Putting them together. From F’s to A’s and back again, even though I studied. I am from giving and loving, and taking and hatred. All the imaginary ones that kept me company as I cried into my pillow “It’s not fair!” I am from campfires, and fireworks, as I get on my tiptoes to give him amiss On the cheek goodbye. From windy, salty Caribbean afternoons, and the straightened I have yet to give back. I am from homework, and the frustration when I can’t get that math problem. The feel of soft skin, as she grabs my hand, afraid to let go, and the mom who asks me to Baby‐sit again soon! I am from goodbyes, and crestfallen faces, when they score the winning goal. From keyboards, and garbage in the backpack pocket. (I still haven’t gotten around to emptying that.) I am from down the rabbit hole, to nights spent at Nanni and Poppi’s house up all night Alone, reading the books my mom loved as a child. I am from paranormal activity, and the stage‐lights bearing down on me as I try to Remember my lines. I am from losing things, and the clothes my mom let me go through and keep. I am from the beginning, so much left to say, so much left unsaid. From the questions you might want to ask, and the answers you need to receive. But it’s okay, because I was here at my beginning, And I’ll be here, Until, My end. Peace, Love, Aria By Aria Nicoletti I am from sparkles and from pink. From that little, white, stuffed kitten That waits for me on my pillow at night. I am from eggplant. From French fries and from sweets. I am from icicles, That never dripped on me, But all around me. I am from brown eyes and from tan skin. From that curly hair that everyone thinks is pretty, except me. I am from that one trip I take to Cape Cod every year. From seeing who can smell the ocean first, To hearing the waves crash on the beach. I am from Please and from Thank You, From try your best and from work hard. I am from clothes. From dresses and leggings, to skirts and tanktops. I am from fuzzy socks that make my feet smile. I am from accessories. From earrings and pocketbooks, To hair bows that fit perfectly in my hair like a key in a lock. I am from that pop of color that gives me a flare. From that fab in all the drab. From that splash in all darkness. I am from music. From Arias and from show tunes. From pop and from country. I am from acting and singing. From that one moment when you are the one everyone else is looking at. I am from that day you achieve that goal. From when you feel like you can do anything. From when you are a star. No Matter What By Ashley Sowah I come from a house in Cranston, with two parents , a brother , and a grandmother. I come from always listen to my mom telling me to do my homework. From opening my eyes and seeing my mom and dad standing over me. I come from not being able to do anything , to doing what ever my parents let me. I feel the bumpy scaliness of the bandage around my head , like I feel the bumpy scaliness of a basketball, as I dribble down the court. I’m from oatmeal with crackers, from skirts and dresses. I’m from without glasses to with glasses , and my brother calling me four eyes , but no matter what I am still from a house in Cranston. Where Carl’s From By Caroline Morrow I am from Dum Dums and Tootsie Pops Where no one knows how many licks It takes to get to the center. I am from the loud screams Of carnivals, The inspiration to make you Go crazy. I am from Super Mario and Halo, Where I press random buttons To see where it takes me. My destination is usually GAME OVER . I am from the Cookie Monster, That changed into the Veggie Monster Without telling me. I am from Tele Tubbies and Yo Gabba Gaba, the shows That creep me out but Are always on my mind. I am from Play‐ Doh cakes That were fun to play with and eat! I am from dental floss, The strange string my dentist Told me to use but got so tastey I just sucked on it. I am from Carl, The name that stuck Like a sticker on my forehead. I am from Signs that say DO NOT TOUCH! I am from the past years And the next years And the years that I’m gone. But I know I am remembered Through this tiny poem. Through My Life By Elizabeth McCauley I am from Norfolk, Massachusetts Where every day, I come home to sweet‐smelling laundry detergent. Where there is love, family, and kindness. I am from Windridge. Where new friendships are made. Where sunscreen is needed 24/7. Where its hard not to plug your nose, while walking past the horse barn. Where kids go to have the summer of their lives. I am a Vermonter. Where in the winter, skiing is a necessity for me. Where in the summer, you sit by the ice‐cold river. Where the mountains go sky high, and the stars, on a clear night, are like wishes waiting to be wished on. Where family time is spent and there is a house full of laughter, love, and kindness, once again. I am a skier. Where we smell the sweet waffles from the waffle house from the moment you get on the chair lift, from the moment you ski down. Where the snow are crystals glistening in a jewelry store. Where some of the most hilarious and exciting moments in my life have happened. I am from the past memories and I am from the future. I don’t dwell on the past and I don’t fear what’s coming. I have wonderful memories from the past and I look forward to what’s coming in future. Memories… By Emma Pasqualino I am from the pain and happiness of family, the shouting of Italians and smell of Italian food. I am from hearing amazingly funny stories, and all the laughs we share with each other every day. I am from hearing sisters fight and the slamming of doors after, then their making up an hour or two later. I am from that feeling of riding a bike for the first time, and falling off it soon after while my sister laughs at me, then we all join in. I am from my first play and the the curtains open and you have butterflies in your belly when all eyes are on you and the rush you feel in saying your first solo line ever! I am from helping pick out Sara's first dog with Alice and knowing how happy Sara was when she says, "that one's perfect!" and seeing the look on her face that I will never forget. I am from waking up one morning and having no idea that the next thing I would see is my dog’s head in a pitbull’s mouth, and my other dog fighting it off, even knowing something is going to happen to him.