February Featured Writers are here! You'll love them!

Enjoy them, and don't forget to comment, constructively and specifically, on at least three blog entries!

“Keani” by Dominique R.

            In honor of writing my blog entry on Valentine’s Day, I would like to share about a special person who lives in my heart, always and forever. Her name is Keani Barbadillo. She was one of my best friends and I liked to call her my sister-in-law. Keani was my older brother’s girlfriend. I met Keani about two years ago, one night when my older brother brought her home to meet the family. In that moment, I thought that I was meeting just another one of my brother’s superficial girlfriends. However, the minute Keani introduced herself, smiled, and embraced me; I knew she was someone very special. My family and I fell in love with Keani the moment we met her. On that night Keani told us about herself. She graduated from the University of Hawaii. Keani was half-Hawaiian and half-Mexican. She was gorgeous; she was 5’10”, thin, and had a bright smile. Keani also had this natural beauty about her. She was kind, she was sweet, and she had a heart that made you feel loved and special. Keani appreciated everything that she had; she was true to herself and always found the good in others.

Conversation flowed naturally, effortlessly as my younger sisters and I began to talk to her. My younger sister, Angelique shared that she loves the Hunger Games series and really wants to go to the midnight premiere of the movie. Our older brother, Rene’ said, “We’ll see, sis” but his girlfriend, Keani immediately exclaimed, “Yes, let’s go see it! It’s a date, girl!” And surely enough, the next time I saw Keani was on Thursday, March 22 when she and Rene’ went and watched the midnight screening of the Hunger Games film with Angelique and me. We had a blast that night. I have enjoyed every minute spent with Keani. One of my fondest memories with Keani was when Keani, Rene’, my younger sisters, and I went to the Etiwanda Boys Varsity CIF Basketball home game. We were all rocking our “No Shnacks” shirts, eating candy and snacks, and enjoying the Eagle-Victory game. We had so much fun that night.

Keani adored and loved my older brother, Rene’ to pieces. Rene’ plays professional basketball in Mexico. So at the end of last summer, he returned to Mexico to begin playing basketball for the season. Keani missed Rene’ terribly, and also missed seeing my sisters and me since Rene’ was away from home. Even though Rene’ was not home, Keani came over to my house to visit my family and me. When she came over, we decided to get out of the house and go to Target. Target adventures with Keani are the best. We walked around, talked, snacked on popcorn, and drank ICEEs. I felt like I was just hanging out and chilling with my big sister on a great Saturday afternoon.

Keani truly became part of my family and we became part of hers. Keani comes from a huge family full of love and joy. After meeting Keani’s family, I saw where she gets her kind, bubbly, and outgoing personality.  Keani would go to church with Rene’ and the rest of my family some Sunday mornings. She would join us and go out to eat dinner with my family on the weekends. Keani would also join us by hanging out on family movie nights. That is when I just knew Keani would be my sister-in-law. She loved to spend time with my family, whether it was by watching a movie, going to church, eating dinner, or going on a Target adventure.  She fit into the Rougeau family perfectly and effortlessly. 

I admired Keani tremendously. Keani was determined, she was a fighter, and she was a giver. Keani battled and overcame Leukemia when she was only 19 years old. Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Unfortunately, my beloved Keani had to battle against leukemia again when she was 24. Along with Rene’ and my family, I would visit Keani at the City of Hope hospital almost every weekend. Every time Keani had to go through chemotherapy, her strength and optimism was put to the test. She would always try to distract herself from the pain and negativity by focusing on others. My family and I would pray with Keani and write her encouraging bible verses every time we visited her. Keani took each day as a gift; she learned to live in the moment, to live each day to the fullest and enjoy everything and everyone that she loved.

On July 25, 2013 everything changed. My dearest Keani passed away and is now with Jesus and all the angels in heaven. I miss my beloved Keani very much, everyday. She leaves behind wonderful memories of so much joy and laughter. Keani was beautiful, she was radiant, and to know her was to love her. She was the perfect combination of elegance, sincerity, and grace. I think about Keani every day. Within the year and a half that I knew Keani, she taught me the true meaning of faith. She taught me how to have hope and never give up, even in the worst of times. She taught me that courage is about overcoming our fears.

"G-G" by McKenzie G

February. The first event that immediately comes to mind whenever people thing about February is of course, Valentine’s Day. A day of love, passion, and for some people, it’s just another day. But when I think about February, I don’t think about Valentine’s Day or love or roses. I think about February 8^th. February 8^th, 2012 to be exact.

That was the day that my great grandma passed away at the age of 92. Her name was Mary, and she was honestly the strongest woman I’ve ever known. She went through a lot during her long life, which included heartache and pain, but also filled with amazing memories with the people she loved the most.

My younger brother and I called her “G-G”, and whenever our parents had to work we would go over to her apartment that she lived in before everything went downhill. My G-G loved to cook, and she loved to cook for us even more. We would always ask for the same thing every time we visited her: chicken strips and a G-G special for dessert. There wasn’t anything really “special” about our G-G specials, it was just a couple scoops of orange sherbet with whipped cream and cherries, but my brother and I refused to eat it anywhere else because it just wasn’t the same.

I don’t think anyone can really prepare themselves for losing someone that they’ve known their entire lives, even if you know it’s going to happen eventually. I knew my great grandma was old, and for the last few weeks of her life I would visit her every day no matter what. But even then, as I watched her slowly make her way toward God, something in me thought she would be okay. I was in denial. Even when I found out she had passed, I didn’t believe it.

It’s been two years and it’s still hard to believe. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about her or wonder what she’s doing up in Heaven where she belongs. But now all I want to do is make her proud. I want her to watch me from above as I graduate this year and go to college in the fall. I want her see me become successful and eventually get married and have a family. Even though she won’t physically be there, I know she’s with me in spirit.

And no matter how much I wish she was here with us now, I know she’s in a better place. Smiling, cooking and sewing.

"Steel Blades" by Eva C

A plush teddy bear flew above her head, its dreams of flying finally fulfilled. It landed on the ground in front of her, barely missing the ice. The roar was deafening, the cheers were echoing; sound waves bounced off the walls of the Iceberg Skating Palace, onto the glass panels of the rink.

            “Skylar, you’re next. You ready?” her coach’s familiar voice asked. Her coach had been the only one who had never given up on her, even when she couldn’t pass the Freestyle 4 level test after two times, even when all she had wanted was to give up on herself.

            “Ready as I’ll ever be, Coach.” she replied. One foot at a time, Skylar carefully removed her skate guards, and placed them on the railing. She smoothed down her sparkly burgundy leotard, and stepped onto the ice. The chill of the frozen rink immediately greeted her, and she lost sense of the whereabouts of the tip of her nose.

            “Skylar Arendelle, representing the United States of America.” The crowd applauded, although of course, their cheers were about a decibel less than they had been for the previous contestant, who had been on home turf. She suppressed a giggle as she thought of her friend’s “rushing Russians” pun. Gliding to the middle, she felt her nerves slowly evaporating (or rather, freezing) as she reveled in the delicate feeling of balancing on two steel blades: dangerous, yet comforting at the same time. Daring herself to finally face the audience and the judges’ piercing eyes, she looked up as she fixed herself into her starting position, her arms gracefully at her sides. She was no longer shy, plain Skylar. She was Olympic frontrunner Skylar.

            The music blared through the house speakers, the rhythm synchronizing with the beat of her heart. She had done this routine so many times; she could do it in her sleep. Her first difficult move came up, a combination triple loop double axel, which she aced perfectly, landing with no hesitation. The crowd cheered, and as she passed by the judges’ booth on her inside spiral, she noticed that they seemed to look pleased. She continued, every move crisp and controlled, every transition well-timed and clean. Eventually, she knew she had only 20 seconds left of her routine, but she suddenly became nervous again, as she knew that a triple lutz was coming soon. This had always been one of her weaknesses, and flashbacks of her falling on this jump during her Freestyle 4 test, seven years ago, infiltrated her mind like demons. She inhaled, went into her long glide, and jumped. In the split second in the air though, she knew something was wrong. Her free leg wasn’t where it was supposed to be. Her center of mass was off.

            As she fell onto the ice, her alarm clock fell off her dresser. Opening her eyes, she thought to herself, “If only I hadn’t given up seven years ago.”

She later tripped going down the stairs.

           

"Wishful Thinking" by Cristiana C

I wish that I could find a guy...

That looks at me the way Eugene looks at Rapunzel.

That would search the world to find me, like Prince Charming did for Cinderella.

That would give up his throne for me, like Prince Naveen did for Tiana.

That would change for the better for me, like Beast did for Belle.

That would use one of his three wishes just to impress me, like Aladdin did for Jasmine.

That would risk his life just to wake me from a deadly slumber, like Prince Philip did for Aurora.

That would trust a small group of strangers in hopes that he will find me, like the Prince did for Snow White.

That would jump into deep ocean water to save me regardless of his own safety, like Prince Eric did for Ariel.

That would go against everything he believed in because he loved me, like John Rolfe did for Pocahontas.

That would get educated in the same views I had because I asked him to, like Tarzan did for Jane.

That would fight by my side without fear of what others would think, like Shang did for Mulan.

That would give up his immortality for me, like Hercules did for Meg.

That would use his power over the law for my safety, like Phoebus did for Esmerelda.

That would fight off armies just to see me again, like Robin Hood did for Maid Marian.

That would jump on a plane to rescue me so that we wouldn't get separated, like Woody did for Jessie.

That would never forget me, like Simba did for Nala.

That would show me the world I knew through new eyes, like Tramp did for Lady.

That would fall in love with me for me and not for my looks or my voice, like Prince Cornelius did for Thumbelina.

That would let me go so I could be happy, like Peter did for Wendy.

But, unfortunately, my life is not a Disney movie.

So all I do wish is that I could find a guy that would love me unconditionally forever, like the way my dad did for my mom.

" The Ultimate Realization" by Alyssa S

Anxiety passed through my body like I had never felt before. Sweat was dripping out of the palm of my hands. The thought of being this close to him had been unimaginable to me until now. As he ran his fingers through my hair and began to tell me how much he loved me, I trembled with excitement. All my childhood fantasies had come true as I laid in his arms and escaped into a world of complete serenity.

I woke up that morning extremely disappointed. Disappointed that everything that supposedly happened the prior day had been a figment of my imagination. It was all just a dream. But it all seemed so real, I could almost still feel his big, yet gentle hands stroking the ends of my hair. Dreading the day ahead, I trudged to school feeling completely broken. These unfavorable feelings suddenly subsided when I saw the only people who I knew could put the smile back on my face walk towards me.

“Maria, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired.”

“Oh, don’t even try lying to us. We know that look on your face isn’t just due to your lack of sleep,” claimed Julie, one of Maria’s best friends.

“Do I even have to say it?”

“Oh,” They all mumbled cohesively.

“Well, all of us are always here for you,” Julie reassured me.

The bell rang and we could no longer continue our conversation. The origin of life was now our biggest priority. I attempted to focus but my subconscious fantasies came over me. And then it hit me. Why was I obsessing so much over one person? Why did I allow one person to control my happiness? My friends are the true people who in my life who are always there for me, no matter what. They are better than any boy because they will be alongside me forever.

"367 Days" by Bailey L

*Beep Beep Beep*

I rolled over, groaning, knowing it was just another Monday morning. I slowly rose from my bed, walking over to my desk where my calendar hung, and crossed off another day. Sighing to myself, “Only 73 days til he’s back.” He was my only motivation for getting up in the morning, for going to school everyday even though I’m constantly bullied and picked on, I did it all to make him proud.

I walked downstairs to see my mom surprisingly energetic for a Monday morning. She placed a hot, steaming omelet in front of me while smiling and saying, “honey, I promise it will get better. I have a feeling today will be a great day.” I smiled slightly and grabbed my backpack and headed for the door, knowing today will be just like every other day, where I continue to be “the new girl that is always quiet and depressed.” Nobody understands my life and the fear I have knowing that everyday he is in Afghanistan fighting for our country, risking his life.

As I walked into school, I avoided making eye contact with anybody (as usual) and walked straight to my locker, grabbed my books and then headed to English. The day progressed like a normal, boring Monday as I made my way through first, second, and third period. After third period, we had a rally for homecoming that was coming up in two weeks. I made my way to the gym and found a spot in the bleachers at the very top, in the corner, isolating myself from all the other students.

As the assembly started, I began to zone out and became absorbed into my own thoughts until I heard the principle say, “We have a surprise guest here today, coming here all the way from Afghanistan…” All of the sudden I became filled with anger and envy for the person who was lucky enough to have their loved one back home and safe. The principle continued, “We’d like to give a warm welcome home to Sergeant Alex Martinez.”

My heart stop and I instantly thought no it can’t be, he’s not supposed to be home for another 73 days. But then I saw him walk in through the doors and before I knew it I was running down the stairs. At that moment I didn’t care what others thought of me or the things they said about me behind my back, all I knew was that he was home. I ran straight into his arms with tears running down my face and I finally felt safe.

The only thing I could muster out as I was sobbing was, “Dad, you’re home.” After 367 days, my dad was finally home.

“Angels in Disguise” by Lucia G

For as long as I can remember, my household always seemed to be extremely crowded, and very loud but definitely never boring. I’m so proud to say that in my life I have been given the great blessing of having many brothers and sisters all varying of age, race, and amazing personalities. At a very early age in my life, I was given the opportunity to get to know them through the program of foster care which not only inspired me to pursue the field of social work but taught me that difficult times bring out the best in us.

My parents, whom I admire so much for this, decided to become foster parents at a very early time in their lives. The size of my household at the time, when they were working for their agency, permitted us to be able to take in up to four kids. This may, or may not, seem like a lot but added on to my sister, my brother, and I, trust me it was! Our regular weekday mornings were always a hassle having to get each other up and running and then going to two to three schools, under an hour, attempting to get there on time; this didn’t always happen. Now, our weekends, were even crazier but always really fun. They always consisted of humongous breakfasts, huge messes, and a lot of outrageous conversations. Regardless of the fact that each day seemed to get more and more hectic, each child came to have an enormous emotional impact in my life.

Out of all of the children we cared for, there were three that most definitely surpassed the rest. Raymond (5) so silly and very energetic managed to always bring a smile to my face. Despite their situation he managed to remain very optimistic and strong for his younger brother and sister. Reanne (3) aka my “hot drama mama”, as I called her, was always so sweet and being her sassy-self putting her hand on her waist and puckering her huge “Jolie” lips.  Seriously, she was like a mini model. Lastly but certainly not least, Andrew (2). He was always the baby of the family and our little football player. It was strange how close me and he got because it seemed as if I was the only one that could get him to do anything, although eating was definitely never a problem with him. Overall, they were amazing and happy kids but the difficulty of their case and of their family would at times really bring them down.

Unfortunately, bringing them into our lives didn’t only mean expecting great moments because we were made well-aware of the fact that at some point we would be forced to say goodbye. Their case was not very easy for them at all. Their social workers were constantly battling even getting their parents to show up to the court dates nonetheless their visits. Their grandparents, although very sweet people, were also not physically fit to care for them and this broke their hearts. It was through these three kid’s particular story that I was able to learn the true meaning behind becoming a foster parent. It didn’t only compose of giving them a temporary place to stay but more importantly to serve as a sort of distraction to them. We, as a family, made it our goal to give the children all the attention and the love they deserved throughout their stay. Living with them for almost two entire years, the longest case we had ever dealt with, we created many irreplaceable memories. Unfortunately, we also constantly witnessed their disappointment in their little faces caused by their parents’ carelessness. Despite how heartbreaking this was, this all changed when we were offered the unique opportunity of adopting them.

I know what you must be thinking, that we went ahead and adopted them but regrettably that was not the case. You see, at the time, we were in the process of getting a new home which we thought would be alright but it happened to come in conflict with the foster agency. They only gave us a certain amount of time to say yes and due to everything getting extremely complicated we were forced to say no for the time being. Therefore the agency went ahead and introduced the kids to other family’s attempting to adopt and we hoped that maybe we could have time to settle the house situation and that they wouldn’t get adopted too quickly, but to no avail. They were, and still are, amazing kids therefore the list of families grew very quickly. It grew so quickly that in just about a month of visits with them, an adoptive family decided on them. Yes, it was hard to see how fast they were slipping away but some part of me told me that this family, the Robinsons, were a perfect match for them! I mean the kids fell in love with them right away. The adoptive mother, a middle school teacher, wasn’t able to have children of her own, therefore the love and excitement she had to offer just radiated out of her. I knew she was perfect. And the adoptive father, well he was just a big papa bear always making them laugh; I knew he was perfect too. We knew that they were the best option for the kids, better than what we could offer even, and so we suppressed our feelings and let them go.

             I can’t deny the fact that it took me a long time to surpass this but I know it was not for granted. I understand that it was in God’s plan for us to go through this. I was able to learn that working with kids is definitely something I want to pursue. Not only that, I came to make it one of my dreams to open my own foster care agency one day. Although my time with them was cut extremely short, it helped me to understand that hardships play a large role in defining who we are and who we become.

"Untitled" by Danieh A

One breezy afternoon in the midst of March, Curyeous, Cluuless, Persepchin, and, Insiytful met up for a cup of coffee. 

Everyone greeted each other with tender smiles and warm looks, poured a cup of coffee for one another, and sat in each other’s vicinities. The friends then proceeded to let their minds wander in thought. Words were unnecessary for their communication for they believed in the words of Kahlil Gibran that “Thought is a bird of space, in a cage of words it may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly.”  Amidst the comfortable silence, Curyeous interrupted and asked, “If I were to ask each of you for your opinion on the significance of matters; that which matters and that which does not matter; what would you respond?”

Cluuless was the first to respond, “In my opinion, my opinion isn't worthy or valid until I know exactly what I'm talking about. I can't speak in favor of anything unless I wholeheartedly believe in what I'm advocating for. I feel like the majority of the time people’s opinions reflect the ideologies of the environments they’re immersed in or the people they surround themselves by, instead of establishing their opinions after doing their own research themselves. Therefore, I bear no opinion on this matter of the matter of matters in which you speak of.”

Persepchin sat in silence giving herself time to ponder on the question then proceeded saying, “In the perception of an ant, the world is a massive place with a whole bunch of freakishly large giants roaming it. In the perception of a lion, killing another creature bears no guilt to their conscious; the animals they kill are simply a means of feeding themselves and their cubs. That being said, I think it is ignorant and rather arrogant for us human beings (essentially a type of animal) to claim our perception of matters is absolute. I think that no matter what we have learned, what values have been instilled in us, what our faith is, what our opinions are on controversial issues, we must learn to keep an open mind and understand the possibility that the perceptions we have on these matters are incomplete. Like before it was discovered that the Earth was round, people were living by the false “truth” that the Earth came to an end. Always ask questions, and always question the answers you get. In my opinion nothing is set and stone. Therefore, I too bear no opinion on the matter of the matter of matters in which you speak of, because I’m willing to admit that my perception is obscured.”

Finally it was Insiytful’s turn to contribute to the conversation,” Hmm. The matter of matters? Well I think all matters are a matter of matter. The effortless perfection of the swirls of cream in my coffee cup matters, the changing colors of the clouds as the sun rises matters, the giggle the little girl at my job reciprocated after I gave her a silly face matters, the tiny size of a baby's fingers in comparison to mine matters, the sound of my friends snoring after staying up for a project until 4am together on a school night matters, the tears of genuine care and concern in my mother’s face as I unfold my distresses to her matters. The reasons to be in awe of the life that surrounds us are endless, because there is simply so much matter that matters. We are all AMAZING creatures, think of your organs and all the amazing things going on in your own body at this very moment. They matter. Go ahead, revel at how amazing you are, I won't judge you or call you arrogant because it’s true. You matter.” 

"You are my Crazy" by Taylor R

Today marks the day he’s been gone for two years, unfortunately, it is also Valentine’s Day. I walk outside, to go to work and in the words of Hunter Hayes, “it seems like everybody’s got somebody but me.” There are heart-shaped balloons everywhere, the smell of roses with each step I take.

            “This is going to be a long day,” I say to myself.

            As I walk into the firm, I see bouquets of roses, my co-workers flushed because they know that they’re thought of. Oh my heck it is going to be a rough day.

            “Hey Marie!”

            “Hey Steven.”

            “It looks like someone’s been thinking about you; there’s a beautiful bouquet of lilies on your desk.”

            My head snaps to said desk, and boy was Steven right. They were gorgeous, they are also my favorite flowers and not many people know that. I go to sit and down and admire the beauty and look for a card, but once I find it, all it reads is, “I’ll see you tonight.” No name, no nothing. As anyone could imagine, I begin to have a mini heart attack; obviously, someone has been stalking me.

            As the day drags on, my eyes seem to always drift to the lilies and my mind to the mysterious note. I mean, I guess I’ve lived a pretty good life. I graduated from Harvard, work at a law firm, have a beautiful home, a family who supports my every decision, but most importantly, I have fallen deeply, madly in love with a boy. Man, if my stalker decides to really kill me today, that’s going to put a halt to my future plans.

            With my day finally coming an end, with not many interruptions from lovers delivering flowers, chocolate, balloons, or a mixture of all three. I walk home with my bouquet in my hands, wishing to take off my dreadful heels, change into my pajamas, watch Netflix, and eat a tub of cookie dough ice cream. My mouth waters at the thought, but my fantasies are suddenly taken away from me when I see rose petals leading to my door.

            I’m going to die. I slowly walk to my door and push it open. The house is covered in candles and rose petals, and standing in the middle of my living room is my love.

            Standing tall and proud, with the most beautiful smile on his lips, with his uniform still on, I see my man, and like any cliché movie, I run to him. It’s been two full years without being able to touch him, heck even smell him and that’s when he speaks. I hear his voice clearly, for the first time in two years, not through Skype, or through an email, or through a written letter, which I love so much.

            “Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart.”

            “Happy Valentine’s Day, Lieutenant Sinclair.”

            My soldier’s home.

"The Art of Being Late" by Ian L

 As people in 1^st period know, I happen to be late quite frequently. Fellow classmates often ask me, “How are you so late all the time?” If all this advice is heeded, you should be late at least once a week, if not more.

Step 1: This is one of the most important steps. ALWAYS get up 20-30 minutes after your alarm goes off. This will ensure that you are more rested and can function better.

Step 2: Check the weather, Facebook, Intsagram etc. to get a scope of what the day will be like. Also check school loop to make sure you didn’t forget to do a homework assignment. This should definitely burn 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Get ready. Go brush your teeth, do your hair, and whatever else you do. Make sure you take about 10 minutes to pick out clothes. You don’t want to just throw things on; you need to look presentable as possible.

Step 4: Cook yourself a nice breakfast, perhaps some eggs and bacon. This will make you more energetic and alert in the morning. This will probably take about 15-20 minutes of the clock.

Step 5: If you take the bus you probably missed it 30-40 minutes ago so there’s no need to explain any further. For drivers pay close attention. Take the route that is the shortest distance. Make sure you pay attention because if you day dream of get too much into your music, someone will cut you off. Always yell and scream at drivers who back up traffic or let other drivers go for no reason. If your trip was going from 4^th street, you should only be about a minute late. If you come from Victoria, be ready to wait in traffic for a while. Also be ready for the bottom parking lot to be full, in which case, will force you to go to the top parking lot. Going to the top parking lot will take a good 4-5 minutes so take your time.

Step 6: You are either already late or there is only 1 minute left. If you have one minute left, sprint for your class and you may have time to make it.  If you are already late, casually, to your class, avoiding security as much as you can to avoid being sent to the office. If you are caught and sent to the office, you will have to wait in line for another 5-10 minutes. As long as you walk in a quick pace and are focused on your destination, they may not stop you because you are walking with a purpose. If you are sent to the line, try to time it right so that security are looking down at the computer and just walk away. This has worked on several occasions. If you just don’t care then wait in line.

Step 7: Congratulations!! You are late (probably). If you are on time you are doing something wrong. Perhaps take the scenic route, or make an extra special breakfast.

I hope this guide will help to be late. If you have the desire to be on time, don’t follow any of this advice. Thanks for reading and have an excellent evening (I’m assuming it is evening because most of us wait last minute to comment).

"Berkeley" by Gaby G

This past summer I went to UC Berkeley for a summer medical program. The program took a look into all of the industries stemming from the medical field. I was excited to live in the dorms at Berkeley, shop in all of the little vintage stores, meet new people, and explore the different fields in medicine and health care. When I checked in and said good-bye to my family, I went up to my dorm and met my roommates I would be living with for the next two weeks.

                  We introduced ourselves and the two girls I was rooming with were extremely nice, one from Seattle, Washington and the other lived across the bay in San Francisco. As we all unpacked, the first thing I did was play my music from my laptop as I unloaded my clothes, all of my cliché girly DVD’s along with lining up all of my shoes, and taking out my gossip and beauty magazines I needed to catch up on. My roommates on the other hand, unpacked their SAT and ACT study guides and multiple books on neurology and biochemistry. As soon as I saw that, I took a moment to mentally prepare myself for all of the conversations these two girls were going to have while I would stand there like an idiot having no idea what was going on. As I began to meet more people, all they seemed to talk about was school and the honors classes they took, the Ivy League universities they were applying to, and their extremely high GPA’s. I had a 4.3 and still felt like I was on a lower level intellectually compared to everyone I was meeting. I tried to bring up another topic and somehow the conversation would go back to school.

Throughout the entire two weeks, the students that attended the program were uptight and in need of proving that they were superior to everyone else. There were people from all over the U.S. as well as students from Canada, South Africa, Spain, and Hong Kong. Everyone had something to prove meanwhile I just wanted to learn what I could, meet people, and have fun. Everyone seemed to brag about every aspect of themselves, annoying would be putting it mildly. These students came from extremely wealthy families, most receiving their education in private schools and taking so many extra classes on the side that there was no way a social life was humanly possible. Outsider would put it mildly the way I felt, but I was lucky enough to meet a few people who were not consumed by the thought of their future and participated in the program for fun, not something to add to their college applications. Most of the people participating in the program wanted to be surgeons, while my big dreams are working in a research lab for a cosmetic company or becoming a dermatologist, when people herd that, they eyed me as if my goals were not good enough. During the entire trip as I met new people, they all seemed to want to out shine each other. From every dissection to every suture, to every reaction we made in a lab I could pinpoint the people that lived for perfection, making sure to impress the surgeons and professors we were preforming in front of and never making a mistake.

During the entire trip I questioned the very word of perfection and the costs that came with it. I was talking with my roommate about how she managed to take so many AP classes and extra classes at university campuses on top of it. She said she only does it because she fears for her future. She fears that she will never get into an exceptional university or find a job after college that could produce a substantial income. The thought of her future was her very nightmare and how unstable the real world truly is, terrified her. She was by far the most intelligent person I have met and her fear frightened me. If someone so intelligent beyond her age was worried where her life would be in ten years, I should be terrified.

The reality is, is that the world grows more and more competitive each day and outstanding students have to rise even higher to compete with everyone else who is rising as well. The pressure we have as students to get into a four year university and jump into a paying job after is stressful to say the least. It got me wondering about how many students in the program had that same fear, and the only way to fight it was to perfect themselves, no matter the cost, in the hope of a solid future. If we as students only lived in the present, took the classes we wanted and not the ones that looked good on college applications, acted in the now, treasuring every moment and not fearing the next, where would we be?

"The Sacrifice" by Ryan C

If my house was destroyed by a devastating fire and I had to choose only one thing to save from the fire, I would choose to save my family photo album. I would choose to save my family photo album simply because it means the most to me and everything else can be replaced. I would also choose it because it holds some of my fondest memories, and also some important lessons worth remembering.  

         If I for some reason I had to give away the family photo album to someone, I would give it to my parents. I would give it to my parents because they would need to remember that everything else could be replaced, and that we are one big and happy family. However if I couldn’t give it to my parents I would give it to one of my best friends, Elvis Dialosa, who would preserve it for me until I too needed its happy memories.    

"The Magical Girl" by Alejandra R

Once upon a time, in a quiet village, a magical girl appeared one night. She walked through the village's streets, watching her surroundings and the people that were in it. She noticed a woman on the side of the street, begging for money, a child bargaining with a vendor to get an extra piece of food for himself, a family, shivering in the cold, huddled together.
She was known around the land, as the magical girl who helped people in need. To keep herself from being noticed, she wore a large dark cloak.

Walking up to the child bargaining with the vendor, she pulled out some coins, and paid for his food. The young boy looked up to her and shyly mumbled a "Thanks." The girl smiled, and nodded, walking to the cold family, handing them blankets and warm food. The mother, who was awake, covered her sleeping family with the warm blankets and smiled to the girl.

Lastly, the woman begging on the street noticed what she was doing. As the magic girl approached her, she said, "Don't use any magic on me. I don't need anyone to pity me." And with that, the magical girl nodded, and walked away.
The next morning, the woman begging on the streets awoke to piles of bags filled to the brim with money, along with a note, saying: 'I never pitied you, I was in your situation before.' The cold family woke up warm and fed with the blankets and warm food. The young boy recieved a package at his door, filled with all sorts of food.

The magical girl, was never seen in the village again.

"Gravity" by Ryanne N

On the end of the Timmy’s street there was a old wooden house. A house no one new what was inside, a house no one live in. Timmy wanted to go in the house and know the real truth about the old house. Timmy heard rumors that the old house was haunted with ghosts. A person said once you go in you will never be able to come back out. The one rumor Timmy hears the most is once you go in, there will not be gravity. Timmy didn’t believe any of the rumors. Late at night Timmy headed to the old wooden house at the end of the street. Timmy walked up to the front step. The creeks the steps made startled Timmy. He put his hand on the dirty door knob and thrust open the door. Timmy stepped inside and was flung to the ceiling. The stories were true. Gravity definitely did not work the right way in this house.

"Love at First Sight" by Aaliyah S.

Many people say that they fall in love at first sight, but can that really be true. I don’t think there is such thing as love at first sight considering love is a very strong word. Throwing it out there about someone you barely know can’t possibly be correct. It takes time to love someone you can’t just fall in love in one second. The definition of love is to have a passionate affection for someone and how can you have that with someone you just met. To love someone you must know them well and love their perks and imperfections to like them through thick and thin and to care about the person. When you first meet someone all you see are their looks and you don’t know their personality. Thus I believe in attraction at first sight not love. But you never know, some people look perfect on the outside but on the inside they are self-obsessed, rude, overly emotional, etc.. you don’t know that, and you are saying that you fell in love with that person. Now a days the word love gets thrown around like its nothing everyone says it but half the people don’t mean it. To love someone I think you should get to know the person and figure out together if you are meant to be. What if you thought you fell in love with someone at first sight and they did not love you back? You may think you love someone but to them you probably look like a puppy dog wanting attention. Wouldn’t this be a mind opener to love at first sight is not real. You shouldn’t let it come to that point because you will probably be very sad. I know some people highly agree with love at first sight because of ‘personal experience’ but honestly a lot of the relationships that were supposedly love at first sight don’t work out in the end. The relationships that usually do work out are the ‘just friends’ ones because they take the time to get to know each other very well before they commit to a relationship. Also usually at first sight they don’t even think about getting together and becoming a couple or being in love, they do just want to be friends. Love at first sight is like a fairy tale it is imaginary and not realistic. 

 For example in Romeo and Juliet they supposedly fell in love at first sight but look what happened to them they killed themselves because they believed that they were so in love. The only good outcome of the story is that the two families eventually stop fighting but people do get killed because of their ‘love’. Things take some time to develop and love is one of those things that doesn’t just happen. If you are ever in that situation think about it for a second and instead of rushing to conclusions get to know that person better. Eventually maybe that will work out for you but it may take time but waiting is better than getting your heart broken. Like I said love is a strong word so use it when you actually mean it.

"Six" by Kayla W.

I wish i was six again so I could live back in Pennsylvania. I moved from PA when i was in 7th grade and i really miss my home. Also, I wish i was six again because I went to DisneyWorld for the first time and I remember meeting all my favorite princesses and going on roller coasters and not to have to worry about anything. Another reason I wish I was six again is because it was when i first went to Hershey Park in Hershey, Pa. It was really cool. I got to make candy, and the rides were really fun, it was also fun because i got to spend time with my older cousins. Basically i wish i was six again because of all the adventures that took place during that year.

Scout~ I wish i was six again because that was when everything didn't spiral out of control. When times were hard but not as hard as now. When Tom Robinson was still alive. When Bob Ewell wasn't murdered. When everything was… "normal."