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. Sponsored By Mesa Public Schools ••• Governing Board Mr. Mike Hughes, President Mrs. Michelle Udall, Clerk Mr. Mike Nichols, Member Mr. Steven Peterson, 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, Language Arts Program Specialist DeAnne Carl, Contest Organization & Graphic Design Matthew D. Scoutten, Graphic Designer Printing by MPS Print Shop Table of Contents Narrative Writing .............................................................. 5 Poetry ......................................................................51 Class Book .................................................................73 Essay ....................................................................79 Writing 2014 Honors ...................................................115 Special Achievements ................................................123 Local, State, and National Contest Judges Kayanne Andersen - Title I, Edison Elementary Judy Larkins - Curriculum & Instruction Jackie Arzt - Title I, Whittier Elementary Michelle Lofblad - English, Taylor Junior High Lorelei Barker - English, Mesa High Nicole Lueders - Professional Development Lisa Bowen - Library Services Lynette Mahon - Title I, Madison Elementary Susy Brenden – Retired, Dobson High Melissa Martin - English, Red Mountain High Julie Burger - Title I, Lowell Elementary Cherie Mason - Title I, O'Connor Elementary Kitty Burgess - Title I, Porter Elementary Cheryl McCaw - Curriculum & Instruction Michelle Burke - Title I, Highland Elementary Teresa McGowan - Behavior Intervention Jaclyn Bycott - Title I, Patterson Elementary Julie Miller - English, Stapley Junior High Andi Carl - English, Skyline High Mary Murdock - Title I, Redbird Elementary Rachel Collay - English, Westwood High Felicia Muwwakkil - Title I, Falcon Hill Elementary Sandee Coppola - Career Ladder LeAnn Napoleone - English, Smith Junior High Linda Copus - Title I, Fremont Junior High Kelly Osburn - Team Leader, Franklin Junior High Kim Corbett - Title I, Washington Elementary Melinda Pace - Special Education Jane Corwin - Title I, Lehi Elementary Norman Peckham - Educational Technology Michelle Cota - Title I, Kerr Elementary Michelle Peters - English, Mesa Academy Amanda Cottle - Title I, Holmes Elementary Holly Platt - Title I, Sirrine Elementary Jeanne Cridebring - Title I, Sousa Elementary Anita Ramsey - Curriculum & Instruction Chasity Cruz - Title I, MacArthur Elementary Liesje Randolph - Professional Development Nicole Cumberledge - Title I, Ishikawa Elementary Kim Rogers - Special Education Penny Dapser - Title I, Taylor Junior High Melinda Rogers - Title I, Shepherd Junior High Julie Davis - English, Mesa Distance Learning Maria Ruiz - English, Carson Junior High Tamara De Jesus - C & I Specialist, Franklin Elementaries Jennifer Sage - Title I, Taft Elementary Donna Delgado - Title I, Stevenson Elementary Patty Scarpino - Title I, Webster Elementary Carmel-Ann Ditch - Title I, Salk Elementary Judy Shanker - Special Education Brenda Dubovick - English, Fremont Junior High Barbara Skinner - Title I, Pomeroy Elementary Amy Durivage - Title I, Roosevelt Elementary Virginia Starrick - English, Superstition High Cathy Easterling - Title I, Lindbergh Elementary Barbara Stout - Career Ladder Shelley Eichner - English, Rhodes Junior High Maxine Sullivan - Principal, Patterson Elementary Karen Eulate - Professional Development Nonie Sundve - Curriculum & Instruction Mary Evans - Professional Development Christina Sweador - Professional Development Deb Felts - Title I, Johnson Elementary Casey Swingle - TAP, Adams Elementary Pamela Garland - Title I, Field Elementary Sheri Tarter - Curriculum & Instruction Tracie Garrard - English, Riverview High Heather Thomas - Title I, Carson Junior High Olga Grant - Title I, Irving Elementary Margo Troidl - Title I, Jefferson Elementary Ashley Green - Title I, Crismon Elementary Kelly Turner - Title I, Entz Elementary Brenda Griego - Career Ladder Linda Valuikas - Title I, Kino Junior High Debbie Hodo - English, Summit Academy Alicia Veitel - Title I, Wilson Elementary Karalee Hoge - English, Kino Junior High Patrick Walsh - Director, Creative and Performing Arts Virginia Hughes - Title I, Mendoza Elementary Christina Weber - Title I, Emerson Elementary Michele Hurd - Title I, Longfellow Elementary Sue Weippert - Title I, Poston Junior High Susan Jenni - Title I, Adams Elementary Courtney Wells - English, Carson Junior High Sarah Juno-Allen - English, Dobson High Terri Welsh - Curriculum & Instruction Lindsay Karges - Title I, Brinton Elementary Mary Jo West - Title I, Robson Elementary Kara Keithley - English, Franklin Junior High Jeana Whitaker - English, Poston Junior High Emily Kelly - Principal, Franklin at Alma Teresa Williams - Educational Technology Mindy Lake - Professional Development Kimberly Wills - English, Shepherd Junior High 4 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. Sedona Schnebly________________________________________________________________ Kindergarten, Franklin East Elementary Teacher - Doreen Stradling The Three Red Clouds nce upon a time, there were three red city. Then the three little clouds said, “Could Oclouds. One day they said, “We’re getting we please join in?” “No! You are the strangest too soaked! It’s time to rain!” Suddenly, the three clouds!” shouted the mean clouds, “Plus, you’re red clouds heard thunder and saw lightning and red, and you are not grumpy or old like us! Go said, “I guess the storm has already started. Let’s find another storm or go back where you were,” go find the other clouds.” But when they got the mean clouds said. So the little red clouds there, they figured out it was the grumpy, mean, did. They started their own storm, and lived old clouds. They were raining over the happy happily ever after. André Peña____________________________________________________________________ Kindergarten, Johnson Elementary Teacher - Cheryl Rogers Our Vacation to Legoland y mom, me and my sister flew on an airplane to Legoland. MWe couldn’t wait! We wanted to go on the rides. My favorite rides were the roller coasters because they were fast. We went on a scary ride and my little sister cried. But I didn’t cry. It was an exciting day because they made a big, big tower out of Legos. Narrative ~ 7 Jake Austin-Goins_______________________________________________________________ First Grade, Las Sendas Elementary Teacher - Annie Brown My Football Game n November something 2013 I had a football the ball and I intercepted it. Now it was our ball Igame. We faced the yellow team and our and we threw it. Yep! I got it and I ran as fast team is called the Navy Team! We had the ball as I could. I outran someone and I scored and first. A player on my team handed it off to my everyone cheered. Then it was the yellow team’s friend. So he ran down the field as fast as he ball. Then they scored and it was really really could. While dodging people there he scored annoying. Finally it was halftime. The two halves on the first play. It was awesome! Then it was went by and it was end of game. The score was the yellow team’s ball. They handed it off and I 20 to 17. We won and I punched in the air and I dodged in and pulled his flag. Then they threw ran to my team and I gave them a hug. Debani Ruiz____________________________________________________________________ First Grade, Lindbergh Elementary Teacher - Sara Ebert Me and the Black Kitty n Monday the 13th me and my friend heard out of my tire. I was surprised! The black kitty Oa meow sound. It was coming by my blue ran to my bushes. We gave the black kitty milk. car. We were freaking out. My friend told me, The kitty cat stayed in the bushes one more day. “Don’t be afraid just keep on looking.” We heard Then my friend gave it to my neighbor. one more meow. Suddenly a black kitty popped 8 ~ Narrative Sharilee Cusick__________________________________________________________________ Second Grade, Irving Elementary Teacher - Kamie Gaebel Witches and Cats na was doing something exciting. She was Milky and Star pranced away but left Una Ugoing to the zoo! She woke up early. After sitting there feeling incredibly scared. “Mm. I she got to Kitten School, a paper on her desk wonder . Cat! Come see!” A lot more weird said, “Your partners are Milky and Star.” figures came. Una hissed and leaped out of “Meow wow!” thought Una. They were her sight. Una was looking for Milky and Star but fell BFF’s. They were excited too! in something. Brew! Witch Brew! After they got off the bus, Milky said, “Come “Row!” Una cried. After she got out she on! Let’s go to the mermaids’ tanks!” started looking again. She found them! While On the way, Una fell. “Rowww! Meow!” they were looking for the hole they ran into a witch! Star and Milky tried to save her but fell too! They screamed and screamed but no