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