"New World, New Beginnings" by Daniel R.

My name is Tony Rogers and I am 29 years old. I live in the state of Calivada, a state which was once two different states (California and Nevada) merged primarily due to loss of major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas due to natural disasters and loss of land due to rising waters. The year is 2126 and the Earth has a population of 14 billion people. It is definitely not the beautiful blue planet it has looked for millions and billions of years. So much crime, so much pollution, etc., it is very sad for me to be seeing all this in my lifetime. People have stopped working to fix problems and just leave them as is. When walking from work to my little apartment in Fresno which is the biggest city in Calivada, I would see neon streets, flying vehicles and many people. There was hardly any trees. Many people are wearing masks due to illnesses. People would still do entertaining things like watch sports at a bar and get drunk, ride flying bikes, or even take tours of abandoned cities like Las Vegas and learn the history of that city. That was not the only abandoned city of course. I would often just follow my daily schedule which is Wake up, brush my teeth, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, grab fruits and vegetables from the apartment buildings little farm, eat dinner, brush my teeth and go to bed. During my freetime, I like to watch movies such as Avengers: Infinity War and read

books like The Hunger Games which are obviously considered antique since they are over 100 years old. 

  Many people have fled to other worlds in the Solar System including the Moon, Mars, and even some of the moons of Jupiter. Many Earth-like planets have been discovered outside the Solar System. These discoveries began in the late 2020’s. Today, many people have also fled to these new planets in the hopes of creating a new life. One of the most popular planets is a place called Polyphemus which orbits a gas giant like Jupiter or Saturn. I have promised myself never to leave Earth. When I was a kid in school, I have dreamed of making the world a better place which many others called unrealistic especially in the 22nd century. I eventually gave up on that dream and then at age 21, I decided to build robots at a industrial factory for a living. 

One day became a day of shock and fear. On the morning of April 27, 2126, the news reported that one of the colonized planets called Terminus has been attacked by a series of spaceships. Earth and other colonized planets in the Solar System and beyond soon lost communication with Terminus. Weeks pass by with no updates on the situation. One day the same spaceship has eventually made its way to Earth since the aliens stole the coordinates of Earth from Terminus. There is mass hysteria all around the world. The Spaceship eventually makes it way to the Moon’s orbit and freezes at on 5,000 miles away from the surface of the Earth. The militaries of the world try to communicate with the spaceship and there is no response. I called my brother Chris who lives on a floating city in the Atlantic ocean near an abandoned New York City. He says he is ok and is also keeping an update on the situation. Suddenly a big green blast appears from the spaceship and destroys all satellites. Soon afterwards smaller spaceships enter the atmosphere and hover over big cities including Fresno.

The spaceship however does not hover over my neighborhood. For about half an hour nothing happens, which gives us time to evacuate. As soon as I make it to the suburbs of the city, alien robots start jumping from the spaceship and start the invasion. Fortunately, Some radio signals are still working. Me and a group of other evacuees hear that many people are headed Las Vegas. It is considered to be safe since there is no power. I try to contact my brother but the cell phones still don’t work. Me and a group of other people take shelter in Las Vegas in the abandoned hotels and resorts. We managed to carry a food supply large enough for the whole group which was about 20 people. Weeks pass by where I don’t hear from Chris and his family Until one day, I get word from him that he has made his way to New Chicago which as not been attacked yet. The military attacks on the aliens has so far proven unsuccessful. When all hope was lost for stranded humans on Earth including me, a new army of spaceships arrived on Earth to fight the aliens that are attacking us. The conflict takes place in space. The battle is brutal but is quick. When the war between the two alien species is over. People all over the world survived The friendly aliens start assisting humans in the cleanup. They speak in many universal languages including English. The peaceful aliens reveal that they evacuated Terminus before the bad aliens arrived. They have already helped rebuild the colonies there. Other planets like Polyphemus and Mars were not attacked. The aliens reveal that their enemy invaded Earth for organisms. Soon afterwards I hear from my brother and his family that he is ok. I was so relieved to hear that. Within the next few years the friendly aliens have helped make Earth blue, green, and brown again. They have also helped reverse global warming. Antarctica and Greenland are one again covered in ice. Many animals and plants are brought back from

extinction. Many humans now live in spaceships. Earth is beautiful again. Me and my family can now enjoy the New World.

"New" by Leena B

My eyes open every morning at 6 am and within a few seconds, a sudden rush of excitement rushes into my rapidly developing body. My uniform sits on the top shelf of my closet
which is my queue to wake up my mother for her to grab it for me. Dressing myself is a quite difficult task for me at this point of my life however luckily I have my mother who is able to aid me through this complex chore. These long locks will not do for my intense day at the playground today thus needing me to put it up in a ponytail. However, I have also not acquire this skill also resulting in me pleading for help once more. I brush my teeth and eat my breakfast and I am off. My ride is here. These little arms are incapable of opening the massive, heavy car doors which is another favor my dear mother does for me. I carpool with this troublemaker from my private school named Yusef. His mother Amina would drive us everyday down a street to look at the pretty colored birds that would sit on the powerline on the main street to get to school. Khalto Amina would scold her son everyday for creating mischief in the car while I would just sit in the corner of the backseat waiting to get dropped off at the gate. 

The time finally comes to when I get dropped off at the gate. Alhamdulillah. I walk on the faded,white line in front of my class waiting to greet the teacher. In front of me in line is Mohamed and behind is a kid named Ahmed. The teacher comes outside and we greet Sister Mary with a loud, warm, “Assalamualaikum”. We walk in and say a prayer right when we get to class asking for God to protect us throughout the day. We start off with verses from the Quran and then continue with our Arabic lesson. Our young minds were absorbing the new grammar rules and were excited to apply these to the new books the school just recieved. Recess time. It was time to play freeze tag and everyone knew I was the fastest girl in school. We would run around childishly insulting each other in Arabic and run and run until it was time to pray. It is time for the girls to be taken to the restroom in order to prepare for prayer. There is water everywhere considering how many girls were doing wudu’ and how we messed around in the bathroom by throwing water at each other. We walk into the main mosque and hear the call for prayer. The imam initiated prayer and the girls around me start laughing. Prayer is typically taken very seriously and has no tolerance for laughing. However, our immature selves would laugh away while advisors would tell us to hush after every rakat. After prayer, its time to go home and repeat the same thing all over again. 

But this day was different. I moved from my small and comfortable private school. I moved away from the people who grew up with me. I moved away from the people who were just like me. I moved away from a school that I knew everything about. I moved away from everything that I have ever known in my little world. I no longer wake up with the same excitement to go to school. There is now a new burden of having to choose clothes instead of the same uniform every day. I no longer have the luxury of being picked up and dropped by a car. I now have to load the bus with glaring eyes staring me as I walk down the bus aisle looking for a seat. There are no pretty colored birds perched on any of the powerlines.I get to school and wait on the faded,white line and wait for the teacher to arrive. I realize that there no is more

Mohamed and Ahmed but now it is Kyle and Spencer. Our morning prayer has turned into the pledge of allegiance. There is not a letter of Arabic in sight. There are no words of Arabic being spoken. There was freeze tag however it was not the same. It was not the way that I have always played it my whole life. There was not water all over the bathrooms and throwing water at other girls was forbidden. There was no prayer consisting of giggling while being told to stop. This was my new reality. No religion being taught. No culture being emphasized. This was public school.

"Dear Miss Franklin" by Dania F

Dear Miss Franklin, 

I have a song of yours stuck in my head. One of your greatest, actually; or perhaps your most recognizable. No, I’m not talking about “ Respect ”,as in R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as in the song that landed you into the Grammy hall of fame, as in number five on Rolling Stone magazine’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” I mean your other one, where you talk about love bringing out the natural side of you. “Natural Woman.” As I continued to sing this classic in my head, I realized I have a few questions for you. But then, I realized I could ask you all I want and you just won’t have an answer for me. So I’m gonna tell you how I answered this question myself. That question being: What is a natural woman? 

A Natural Woman
“...I didn't know just what was wrong with me Till your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for And if I make you happy, I don't need to do more
'Cause you make me feel... You make me feel like a natural woman...” 

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee in March of 1942. She began singing as a young girl at her church in Detroit, however her talent quickly swept her up into stardom. After the success of critically acclaimed charts such as, " Respect ", " Chain of Fools ", " Think ", " (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman ", and " I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) ", she was rightfully known as “The Queen of Soul” by the end of the 1960’s. Among her greatest hits, perhaps the most compelling proves to be “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” This is one song that has truly stood the test of time, and for a good reason. The love song involves Franklin singing to her romantic partner, and telling them that she has found value in herself because of their romantic relationship. She accomplishes this by including the statement,”You make me feel like a natural woman.” But what does it mean to be a natural woman? 

The search begins in the depths of our past. The nature of man has been discussed countless times throughout the course of modern history. From Aristotle, to Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau, the subject of what human nature is continues to be defined and redefined time and time again. To Locke, men exist in the state of nature in perfect freedom to do what they want. Though chaotic, a natural state is neither good nor bad. In the eyes of Rousseau, men in the state of nature are free and equal. Though this is the clearest outline of what it means to be exist in a natural state, there seems to be little to no room for the nature wom an. It can be easily said that

women find a place in these philosophical ideologies simply because they too are included under the umbrella terms of man and mankind. But looking at these philosophies does little to aid us in our search for the definition of natural woman. Can being a natural woman include practicing the “perfect freedom to do what they want”, and perhaps even recognizing that all women are “free and equal”? In many ways, it absolutely can. But to seek the best definition of a “natural woman”, it is most advisable to search within the context as given by Miss Franklin herself. 

Franklin’s song " (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman ", begins with Franklin addressing how her life was dull and uninspiring in the days before she had met her lover. After singing of her feelings of loneliness, she switches to the infamous chorus of,” 'Cause you make me feel
You make me feel , You make me feel like A natural woman.” T o find the definition of “a natural woman”, it is crucial to look at what precedes each chorus. Before entering the first chorus, Franklin sings the line, ”Lord, it made me feel so tired, Before the day I met you, life was so unkind, But you’re the key to my peace of mind...” a fter making it through the first chorus, the same general message continues,” When my soul was in the lost and found, You came along to claim it... Now I'm no longer doubtful, of what I'm living for, And if I make you happy I don't need to do more. These lyrics reveal that in the exact context of the original song, Franklin sings about how she found her happiness only when she had found her lover. At the very surface level the message is sweet and romantic, however, this changes the definition of what it means to be a “natural woman”. Franklin’s song reveals that she is dependent on her partner’s love to experience happiness, and beyond that, devotes her entire existence to making her lover happy. Can it be that the meaning of being a “natural woman” means to depend on others for happiness and validation rather than find that within oneself? Is a natural woman best defined by what satisfaction they are able to provide their partner with? It is very reasonable to assume this given the context of the song, and due to the fact that it was recorded in 1967. But in a modern application, the definition of a natural woman as given by the popular song can be fiercely challenged. 

Today, the topic of womanhood and existing as a “natural woman” is one that is prevalent in the media and society in general. Advances in technology and the normalization of social media usage has prompted a rapid growth in advocacy in women’s rights, heated conversations on the topic of women's’ issues, and has most importantly provided a platform for women everywhere. This has a massive impact on how a natural woman is defined because the definition varies wildly from person to person. Perhaps to one person, a natural woman is someone who chooses not to wear makeup everyday, who opts out of doing their hair, and avoids dressing up at all costs; someone who presents themselves in a way that does not include altering their natural features in any way. To another person, it may be perfectly natural to expect women to reach for the makeup bag, curling iron, and six-inch heels. Since the definition of a natural woman is so varied, it is safe to say that there is no solid definition of what a natural woman is. No one,

singular person or institution can uphold or represent the idea of the natural woman because its definition is so varied. Similarly, it is completely unnatural of a woman to seek the definition of her own natural state in the opinion of others. Even more so, it is never the responsibility of anyone besides herself to define what is natural for her. Truly, the only concrete definition of what it means to be a natural woman is how a woman is naturally inclined to define herself. 

  Rest In Peace
Aretha Franklin
March 25, 1942- August 16, 2018 

Works Cited
Aretha Franklin. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” "Baby, Baby, Baby" , Memphis, Tennessee , Tennessee , 1967.
“Aretha Franklin.” The Official Aretha Franklin Site , www.arethafranklin.net/ .
“Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau Comparison Grid.” THE TRIAL OF WILLIAM PENN , www.1215.org/lawnotes/work-in-progress/hlrcomparison/hlrcomparisongrid.htm.

"A Lost Soul" by Kayla E

When I was younger I wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals, then around fourth or fifth grade, I wanted to be a teacher because I loved to help people and I was good at school. Now, I’m seventeen, a senior in high school, and I have no idea what I’m doing with my life. Everyone asks me what I want to do and where I want to go to college, but the only answer I can give them is “I don’t know,” “I’m thinking about it,” or “I’ll figure it out.” I see everyone around me who have an idea of where they want to go to college, or what they want to do, and it makes me feel like I’m behind in life. Most people have family that have gone to college and can help them apply, but neither of my parents went to college, so I’m on my own with applying. And not only am I at a loss in choosing a college I want to go to, I’m lost in choosing a career. I’m a very indecisive person, this is not because I like all my options, it is more the fact that I’m unsure of who I am. When I was younger, I was confident in myself and pretty sure of who I was, but then I grew up and many things in my life changed. You see, I have never lived with either of my parents. When I was a baby, my mom left my dad because he got mad and threw something that could have hurt me, that’s the story I was told. And when I was about 2 years old, my mom brought me, my brother, who at the time was about 6, and my sister, who at the time was about 3 months, to my nana’s house. She told my nana that she will be back in 3 months for us when she got her life together, but she never came back. My mom was in and out of my life, meaning that I saw her maybe once a year and every time I saw her, she had a new boyfriend. My dad, on the other hand, was always in my life. I would visit him every holiday and summer. I grew up with my life like that and I was use to it, until one day everything changed. One day, my mom got back together with my dad and the way my relationship with him changed. My dad use to be active in my life. He would take care of me and spend time with me, and when I wanted to spend a night or two at my aunt’s house, he would allow me to go, but with my mom back in our life, my dad was always sleeping and if I wanted to go to my aunt’s house, he would say ask your mom and sometimes my mom would say ask your dad or she would get kinda upset and say no. So, things in my life changed, and I started to be less confident in my self and unsure of who I was. So, due to my uncertainty of who I am, it’s hard for me to pick a career. I’m lost, but I have done some things to help get me started in life. I have taken honor classes all four years of high school so that my academics look good to colleges. I have also taken the SAT at least once, and I plan to take it again. Also, recently, I have applied to some colleges. I hope that I get accepted and that I can make up my mind on what career I want to pursue soon. From all the

chaos in my life and how lost I am with figuring out my future, I have learned that nothing is perfect and if you try your hardest and do your best, you can achieve many things. But, also, the biggest thing that I have learned is to get a head start on everything, don’t wait till last minute like I have. Start deciding what colleges you want to apply to before your senior year of high school, maybe start around sophomore or junior year. Also, take the SAT sometime in your junior year of high school, so that if you didn’t get a score that you like, you have time to study and take the SAT again and get a higher score that you do like, unlike me where I took the SAT beginning of this year, senior year, didn’t get a score that I like, and when I apply to colleges, they will see that score. Overall, I am lost in who I am and what I’m doing with my life, but I do know that I want to go to a University and get a bachelors, maybe even a masters, degree in whatever career I decide to take, and I hope to get my life together and stop being lost.

"Success" by Ashley S-T

Malcolm X, the most prominent and militant of social reformers during the Civil Rights
movement, faced nightmarish bouts of adversity throughout his life, first in the form of inherent racism, and then for simply wishing to protect and unite the black community against said racism. Despite this, Malcolm expressed optimism and militancy towards his cause and refused to relent in what appeared, at the time, to be a hopeless uphill battle. Regarding said matter, Malcolm X stated, “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.” Albeit my day-to-day struggles appearing miniscule in comparison, I recently became aware of the fact that I am faced with the same uphill battle of adversity; the political state of the nation I will come of age in is divisive, toxic, exclusive, and dictated solely by the corrupt nature of capitalism paired with the complacent nature of our citizens. One of the many prominent flaws in U.S. society is gun culture, an issue that our elected officials have failed to address in a momentous and productive manner since it originally surfaced, in 1999 at the Columbine High School Massacre. After nearly two decades worth of similar events, leading up to the most recent mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, my fellow classmates and I felt a call to action and were faced with opposition from nearly every adult that became aware of our plans to participate in the National School Walkout. Although I was faced with the fiercest antagonism of my young

life in the months of planning the walkout, I remained firm in my efforts, campaigned relentlessly, and refused to accept no for an answer, thus allowing me to be successful in igniting a conversation among my peers and elected officials surrounding gun culture in the U.S. 

 

One of the greatest challenges throughout the organization process was opposition from our administrators, who are subconsciously problematic in their very profession, as they perpetuate the prison-like atmosphere on campus that stifles all independent thought from students and thus was quick in its efforts to stifle ours. It wasn’t long until EHS administration had interjected itself into the March 14th Walkout, draining it of student input and replacing it with the melodramatic nature of drama students and alt-right Trump supporters, completely excluding the planning committee from the deliberation process, as well as the final event. The previously addressed Malcolm X faced similar opposition and his Christian counterpart, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., even in death has been sanitized to meet the standards of the administration of this country. With this in mind, I reminded myself of the courage it requires to impact change, according to every great leader to walk the earth, and I utilized the threats to my freedom of thought as motivation to continue to disrupt the natural flow that administration serves to protect. 

Although we faced opposition from outside forces, the most threatening opposition was that from within; our committee found ourselves in a divided state, one that can also be observed in the Civil Rights movement. I felt that I was not being acknowledged for all of my talents and properly utilized to strengthen the movement, as I continuously found myself fighting to gain the floor from another, equally qualified, committee member. It took several conversations with my mentor (Dr. Torie Weiston) for me to understand that my pride was not worth dismantling a

movement, and that before I could lead, I must learn to serve. This realization is not a new one, as I have struggled with it for years- it simply came with a real-life scenario in which I was forced to recognize the real-life consequences I would face if I failed to make a change. With this, I took time to reconsider my motivations and belief system, and emerged with a new sense of understanding of what it means to lead; I stepped down from the pedestal I had placed myself on and began to listen to understand, rather than to react. Additionally, during our discussions, Dr. Weiston helped me to call to mind the opposition from U.S. society that painted a picture of the Civil Rights movement in which Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were opponents in activism rather than partners; I was reminded that divided movements are crippled movements, and with this my leadership ability and understanding of activism was strengthened. 

 

The most discouraging trial in the weeks leading up to the walkout was being faced with the cynicism, ignorance, and complacency of my peers. It seemed that I was facing a never-ending crowd of hecklers and cynics, whose existences were not inflamed by rage at the current state of union, but rather had come to accept the sickening aspects of our country as commonplace. It was humiliating and infuriating to see people throw our flyers on the floor and post degrading comments on social media regarding our efforts, however this seemed like a nominal price to pay when aspects of other social movements are taken into account- we were not being beaten or arrested, our lives not being threatened. Therefore, I had little difficulty coping with this challenge- it was the perpetuation of misinformation among the youth that I was attempting to educate that was the most demoralizing. Students spoke on topics they had never read about or researched, and gave each statement as fact, leaving no room for correction or additional information. When faced with this challenge, I simply accepted that a growth mindset

cannot be forced, but must be taught and practiced. I remained patient, and though I occasionally became weary and thus unkind to those who had no wish to expand their knowledge, I was provided with this opportunity to practice the ideals I preach as my personal philosophy. Due to this, I acquired information about the mindset of America’s youth and became empathetic to the individual perspectives of my fellow students, allowing me to strengthen my own growth mindset. 

I am faced with adversity on a day-to-day basis, whether the challenge be school related or a matter of my personal life, however none of these matters measure up to the impactful nature of my experience organizing the Etiwanda Walkout. My ability to overcome the adversity of having adults threaten my right to free thought, of struggling with my sense of self, and of learning to respect my peers despite the perspectives they hold, has been monumental in my growth as an individual. Through every step of the way, I learned something new about myself, my peers, and my country; I learned to adapt, problem-solve, think critically, speak with tact, and act with courage for the sake of reaching my goal. Regardless of the seemingly humble nature of this experience, I can state with certainty that when stepping out of my classroom on April 20th, 2018, to see a crowd of students unapologetically preparing to march to City Hall, all united under their passion and led by our committee, I experienced my first taste of true success.

"Untitled" by Skylir F

The urge to throw up increases as I approach the impending doors. The forsaken doors
that lay just before an even more forsaken abyss. The inauspicious black doors, surrounded by a smoky mist, that await me as I start to walk slower. My breath catches, and I seem to forget how to walk. I try to control my breathing and straighten my walk, however it only seems to worsen as suddenly I can’t breathe and I even feel myself start to limp. I try to tell myself to relax , breathe , I am only walking towards my impending doom, what is there to fear? This self-talk allows for a quick distraction, until I again become aware of where I am walking towards. Suddenly, a force knocks me back, and I again have to control my breathing. What was that? I look around to find nothing there. I turn back around and continue attempting to walk. What is wrong with me? I cannot even focus on the thought because I am too busy trying to learn how to walk, although it is pretty difficult as my legs feel like jelly and my feet begin to drag across the pavement. 

A flicker.

My eyes sweep across the view in front of me, and quickly I learn of my mistake, as I bring my head back down. Oh god. The pressure in my chest begins to expand, and soon I feel like I can’t breathe. My chest literally feels as if it is about to break apart due to the incessant, bulging weight of my fast-beating heart. It has to be right under my collarbone now, this t-this thing .

“Just keep your head down, and move,” I mutter to myself.

But it is so hard.

There are so many flickers, all of which seem to have no regard for my passing by. And yet, it feels like they are all looking at me. All of the flickers, shoving past me and streaking across my vision and flashing brightly and clumping together are all moving so fast and I feel as though I am interrupting something; something I am once again not a part of.

As the doors get closer and closer and the flickers continue to judge me I squeeze my eyes shut and wish and pray and cry on the inside that someone is watching me, someone is looking out for me and won’t let this be the end. I wish I could just leave, leave this place forever and stay hidden from anything and everything that is out to hurt me. With this thought in mind I enter the abyss.
There’s a thrumming in my ears, and I cannot tell where it is coming from. In a panic, I begin to feel around where I am, but I can’t see, and worse I can’t move my arms. Where are my arms! My breathing becomes more shallow as I realize that I can’t move anything: my hands, my legs, my head; everything is distorted and loud and there’s a rushing in my ears that I can’t stop either and before I know it hot trails of salt are running down my face. I can’t even wipe them away. The tears keep coming and then I am gasping, gasping aloud and crying and then my nose gets plugged and then I am sniffling and crying and the images are coming back and my chest hurts so bad that I wish I never came here. I wish I never came to this place and the thought makes my chest hurt so bad because I realize...

Slowly, ever so slowly, the rushing in my ears begins to descend, as if a disastrous impending wave had decided against wreaking havoc and instead decides to return to its tranquil state. Yet, I am anything but tranquil; with the absence of the rush in my ears, I am able to make everything out with a despairing quality, and what I find almost makes me wish that I was still paralyzed.
I am deep within the abyss, and awaiting me are all of the things that I thought I had left behind. There is a flickering up ahead, and I subconsciously begin to back away. However, this is a different type of flicker. With a hesitant air I slowly get up, and the most surprising thing happens,
My heart is silent.
No heavy weight in my throat, no incessant fast beating that makes me feel as if I am about to die, nothing-but silence. Oh, how lucky my heart is to leave as it pleases! All is silent, and so I silently begin to walk towards the flickering light.

And yet,
I made it.
If only that was the worst part.
It is a green light, and such images are showcased through an array of pretty light. The images aren’t as pretty, though, and slowly I begin to remember what had happened before I woke to a thrumming in my ears. My heart begins to crawl in my throat once again and my eyes begin to widen as I watch- 

I am on stage right, behind the curtain, listening to the innocent chatter that will soon begin to cease at my arrival

I am getting up from my seat, approaching the man at the front of the room, aware of the numerous pairs of eyes on my back as the heat enters my face
I am looking down at my paper, asking whoever is out there to just give me the right words, the foreign words so that they will stop looking at me
I am reading about a beach-a figurative? literal? who cares?-beach, and I think I understand it, and I want to understand it, but I realize it doesn’t matter

My heart awakens, and, as if nothing happened at all, I begin to walk again towards a set of black doors.

"Success" by David J

There is a vast amount of different connotations of the idea of success due to different
personal beliefs and experiences. The denotation of success is an accomplishment of an aim or a purpose, but I believe that success is much more complex. To truly find success you must find yourself in a process and encounter some sort of struggle or failure with no shortcuts before you have your break through. Every person has a purpose and it is up to you on whether you want to
truly believe in yourself to accomplish it. There is a point in our lifetime where we reach a state of self-reflection and we begin to reminisce personal experiences and decisions that may have influenced us to be on the path we are on. We question the decisions that we were forced to make when we encounter a “crossroad” and start to wonder how the altered outcome would have been. At a young age, we are obliged by our caretakers to pursue an education so we can accomplish the societal form of success which is receiving education, excel in a well-secure career, and start a family so they can restart the same cycle. When it comes to true success, motivation plays a key role both psychologically and physically. 

To accomplish a goal, we must be willing and able to overcome any obstacle through motivation. On a subconscious level, we have undermining psychological needs to help motivate ourselves which was concluded by the famous psychologist: Abraham Maslow. As a result of his observations, Maslow created a diagram in the shape of the pyramid displaying the needs of

oneself to feel motivated. If success is merely reflective upon overcoming obstacles, then something must drive you toward your goal whether it be support from a loved one(s) or your own nature of social facilitation. Also, as we observe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, we see that self-actualization reaches signifies that you have reached your full potential. When you reach this stage of motivation you tend to seek personal growth and fulfillment which will satisfy your need to drive toward your goal This is where success truly lies on a psychological perspective. 

 

Most people set goals because they expect is going to be a positive outcome. Those who set goals expecting this positive outcome are driven by extrinsic motivation. An example of this are those who have jobs or high school students that are taking AP courses. Given these scenarios, both groups are going to be willing to overcome those obstacles to come achieve the outcomes that are expected whether it is the paycheck or college credit. If you are not motivated to achieve something because of an expected outcome, then you are driven by intrinsic motivation. Examples of those who act upon intrinsic motivation may be nurses and yoga instructors. Although they can both make profit, do not confuse this with their motifs. They also act upon their satisfaction of helping others and are satisfied when they are praised by others for their work. Physical satisfaction affects your motivation for success. 

Every person has their own definition of success and it varies up their societal environment and ethics. Success does not have to abide by the societal perception which is education, career, and family. You are successful when you have overcome obstacles and have met full potential with or without a rewarding outcome.

"Living " by Lance A

It is difficult to comprehend the fact that one day they were there, and the next, they weren’t. Although the lives we lost not too long ago are not here, the tears wept by those that cherished them have not yet dried. The grim events of August made many of us realize that we, as humans, have a finite amount of sand in a thin hourglass. As human beings, living is a key aspect of our earthly careers, and many people struggle their entire lives attempting to figure out how to accept the large yet scarce bouquet arranged with the enchanting yet cruel flowers known as “existence” and “time”. Although Hydrangeas may have many beautiful, colorful petals, we must take care to realize that even those seemingly abundant petals are sadly limited. Living is not simply all about the act of simply existing, but rather also the capacity to value life and have your life valued. 

Many of us have our individual reasons for continuing to exist, a "Raison d'être" if you will, that help us wake up every morning to bear the burdens that we do. For many, it may be money, religion, ideology, achieving one’s dreams, or the ability to keep witnessing the smile every day on the face of the one you cherish. Whatever it may be, you may be inclined to want to hold on to that dear object you value for as long as you keep living. However, it is difficult to perpetuate that article you love if you stand complacent; unwilling or unable to take action or to adapt to inevitable changes. What other method is there to value that treasure than by showing that you are willing to do anything necessary to keep it? The otherwise satisfied gardener must trudge their prized Hydrangea bush towards partial shade, especially during the barrage of heat during the summer, or else the ice fractal-esque flower will melt. If they truly value that hydrangea plant, they will want to continue maintaining it as need be. This purpose for living provides a stable ground on which to keep living, as it keeps us from wasting our existence having never worked to reach that goal or to appreciate our most precious treasures. 

The value of a person’s life heavily depends on perspective. The capitalist may assess a person’s worth based on the implicit costs of losing them. By this, I mean the monetary value in productivity and resources of a person, that disappear as a result of their no longer working or existing. On the other hand, a student may estimate the sum of their life’s worth based on grades. The issue with these rational yet morally flawed views is that they attach calculable, arbitrary values of worth on a person. Arguably, the definition one brings to themself transcends any amount of monetary value that you may place on them. A person who is self-satisfied by achieving the dreams or goals they have set for themself, is worth more than a person who hasn’t, who sees no value in themselves or has no motivation to find value. The arbitrary grades and labels that many people yearn from their peers are worth nothing, until the person themself has no need for them, because they have proved themselves to be beyond the dependency for those limiting, corporeal titles. Wildflowers do not grow because they were planted intentionally, but because they follow their nature to randomly splatter their palette of colors all over the world. Although some may consider wildflowers to be “alien” or “different”, they are indifferent because their splendor allows them to stand proud and firm in even the most desolate and unhomely of worlds,. 

It is important to recognize that remaining an audience member in one’s own life or not placing value in your own life are both equally foolish approaches to living that will yield nothing of worth or interest. Living should not be like a lecture where you’re expected to memorize and regurgitate mundane terms and trivia on an aptitude test, but rather it should be like being an AP Chemist with your own life, experimenting with ideas that could potentially make the chemical reaction of life break equilibrium and occur spontaneously in the direction you want it to. Living is being able to realize that you do in fact have an active role in the epic of your life and that you may endow your play with the things that make you smile and define you. In the epilogue, it will be you, the author of your personal narrative, who dictates what unfolds.

Our last batch of writers is here!!

Remember to read all of the selections for this month  (May)--   comments are for this latest group only (no earlier months/submissions, or last year's submissions)

All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this group  (May writers).  Everyone is required to comment on at least TWO different pieces of writing.  You must post the comment here on the blog (below the post is the "comments" link to click) AND cut and paste your comments, complete with dates and times, on to a Word document and turn it in to me by May 15.  You must do both to get credit for comments this month.

Remember, comments must be positive, supportive, constructive, and SPECIFIC.  No "Good Job!" comments, unless you follow that with specific things you thought were done well in the piece.  Show them you actually took the time to read and enjoy their work!

"My Hard Work" by Kiara W

It’s September 26, 2017 at 9:30 in the evening. I’ve just arrived home from practice and I am about to start on my homework. As my computer is loading I am thinking about my future and what I would want to pursue my profession in. A notification appears on my screen of an email from my dream college. Thinking that it is going to remind me to send in the last of my application attachments, I continue to open it. Instead of seeing the information that is needed to finish my application I see “Congratulations! You have been admitted to Washington State University for the fall 2018 semester.”  I clearly was shocked and did not understand what I was reading until I showed my mother and she started crying. Next to show was my father. He was the one who showed me this college. Before I knew about Washington State I was looking into University of Washington and Oregon State University. At first when looking for a college I was just looking at the scenery and what the class ratio would be. I finally started looking into How the students and teachers from previous years worked together. Picking the school started when I chose to take the junior experience field trip and was able to sit in on a class and get a hands on one on one with the professor knowing that there were 30 other people in the room and this professor was able to get an overlook of all the students by simple asking them a couple of questions and be able to know their intentions for that student already. This was really the ice breaker of this school. Reading the email over and over finally realizing what all of my handwork had helped me to achieve. I was able to get into my top school and do it by myself. I achieved my goal of being the first in my family able to attend a four year university. The stress of taking extra classes all 4 years of high school. The late nights of studying all payed off to be able to say that I am a future cougar of Washington State University. Even when you are busy with extracurricular and stress of school and graduation the hard work that you've expressed through your work and dedication shows at the end.

"Abnormally Normal" By Maybel O

“Why does your eye look like that? Are your glasses double-lensed? They're so weird.” she said.

The milky white galaxy on my deformed left pupil stared back at her through a concave lens a centimeter thick.

          Although they were nothing new, my classmate’s words took me by surprise. I felt my cheeks burn hot red. A lump in my throat formed as sweat began to bead on my forehead. I could only stammer, “Umm...it’s a long story...” as I frantically tried to think about an explanation that wasn’t too technical.

          “I’m completely blind in my left eye because I was born three months premature.” I finally answered. After being asked by countless peers about my appearance, that's the standard answer I have crafted. The shock on their faces that often follows is always interesting to watch.

          I walk into my first class of the morning and take my seat in the middle of the front row. Honors Physics. I bend down to concentrate on the current assignment.

“Maybel, did you not get enough sleep this morning? Sit up please.” my teacher notes.

          With my right eye’s 20/100 vision, my head sits less than an inch away from my desk, my nose barely brushing the surface of it. To others, I look half asleep. Quite amusing sometimes. “Sorry, I can't help it. I can't see otherwise.” I explain. It's an unavoidable obstacle for me. Squinting at small text, walking right up to the board, asking for enlarged papers, and being careful as I walk down stairs are a part my daily life.

          My physics teacher proceeds with the day's lesson. Projectile motion is the topic of interest today. He writes the necessary formulas on the board. Despite being seated in the front row, all I can see are microscopic lines of numbers and symbols. Not wanting to interrupt my teacher's lecture, I quietly ask the classmate seated next to me if I can see her notes for a moment.

          A few days later, we test on the concepts we learned. I'm handed my enlarged copy, a monstrosity on large 11x14 inch poster paper. Classmates stare. I've grown used to it over the years. Sometimes, I'm secretly relieved if a teacher forgets to enlarge a paper because I feel normal. Sometimes, I feel like an outsider.

But then again, there's no use in trying to be “normal.”

          People often ask me what it looks like to be able to only see through one eye. Likewise, I often wonder what it would be like to have sight in both eyes. I'll never know, and that's OK.

          For me, being cautious about my surroundings, extra meticulous in completing assignments, and asking for help when I can't see something became commonplace from a young age. Because I have no depth perception, going down stairs is a struggle. I have tripped over the edge countless curbs, both painted and unpainted ones. In elementary school, it was embarrassing to have to receive extra help. Although I was fortunate enough to never be bullied, I knew classmates viewed me differently. I remember people in elementary school would ask me questions about my appearance. I didn't really see it as an intrusive or annoying thing because I didn't know any perception of the world beyond my own at that age.

          However, my parents saw it as a bad thing so in middle school, they paid $1800 for an acrylic contact lens to be made for me, painted over to look like a normal eye. Oh, how the concept of saving face in Asian culture makes me want to bang my head against a wall. In middle school I wore the lens without protest because I felt self conscious, although I was never actually bullied or teased. As I grew older, I learned to accept and show compassion towards myself. In high school I refused to wear the lens anymore, much to the frustration of of my well meaning but overbearing parents. Many fights ensued between my parents and I over that tiny piece of acrylic, but eventually my parents let me have my way.

          In my world, nothing’s off limits. Rather, I simply have to take a different path to achieve the same goals as my classmates. Tasks often take me longer to complete and I have to be extra careful, but that doesn't limit me. I refuse to set lower expectations for myself because of my sight.

In that sense, I suppose one could say I'm resilient, driven by grit.

I'm also abnormally normal. And that's OK.

“HOW TO GET YOUR BEACH BODY READY BEFORE SUMMER” BY DIEGO C

As school comes to an end and summer is getting closer, many people want
to begin to get toned or even just lose a couple pounds for summer! For many people reaching their dream physique can be a very tough journey which often leads people to quit.. I would know how tough this journey can be because going into Highschool I was 103 pounds and was often teased for being very skinny. I tried working out but I would quit and then continue the following year.. I guess third time’s a charm because I began to take lifting seriously near the end of my junior year, and as of right now I weigh 188 pounds thanks to dieting and daily exercise. Although I’m not even close to my Physique Goal it’s always great to build a solid foundation! In this “How To” I will be explaining some of the best tips I have found to work for getting Lean!
What you will need:

1. A written down plan to look at when you’re feeling unmotivated
   
2. Notebook for keeping track of your results!
   
3. Measuring tape for checking progress around waist,arms,core, etc...
   
4. Plenty of water
   
5. BMR Calculator
   
6. Meal Plan
   
7. Plenty of nutritious, healthy snacks! (This helps you to stay on track with your
   meal plan)
   
8. Lastly! Self- Motivation and Dedication to stay consistent with your training!!
   Steps
   

1.You will need to write down your short- term and long- term goals for the purpose of
reaching your own fitness goal! (Example: Promoting a healthier lifestyle, Trying something new, or even personal goals)
2. Surround yourself with motivation! Follow Motivational Fitness pages, Socialize with people interested in your goal or even other people who are also chasing after their own fitness goals, Most importantly try to motivate yourself! Think about the reasons you are embarking on your journey to a healthier lifestyle!
3. Now, that you have started to follow the first couple most important steps, you will measure yourself with a roll of measuring tape. This includes: Measuring around your waist, belly, biceps, upper core, chest (optional) and legs! If needed don’t be shy to ask a friend or someone you feel comfortable with to help you measure!

4. Using the numbers you’ve just recorded, track your beginning results in a notebook or phone! Add dates and also try to take a few pictures of every angle! Measure and snap a picture every 2 weeks!
5. Use a BMR calculator online to track your calories, by simply searching up “BMR Calculator.” Your basal metabolic rate will be calculated which will give you the amount of calories you burn at a complete rest!
6. Pick a Meal Plan! If you’re trying to gain muscle, a High Protein/ Carb meal plan will be perfect for you (This means intaking a gram of protein per pound.. Example: I weigh 188 lbs therefore ill consumer 188 g's of protein a day)! If you want to lose weight increasing Protein intake and decreasing carbs will practically melt those last pounds off! If you’re trying to lose weight you can also try a calorie deficit.. This cuts the amount of calories you consume and your body will begin to burn stored fat as a source of energy!
7. Prepping your meals on a daily basis increases your chances staying on track with your diet.. Packing nutritious snacks such as grapefruit, walnuts and cashews or protein filled snacks will help you stay focused! Personally I prepare 7-8 eggs, Oatmeal or Cereal and Smoothie for breakfast.Fishsticks, chicken sandwich, cashews, raisins and yogurt for lunch. Salmon, grilled chicken or lentils, sweet potatoes and salad for dinner. Lastly I drink a protein shake and a bowl of cereal before bed..
8. A very underestimated step for feeling and looking healthier is consuming around 13-15 cups of water a day!! This plays a huge step! Being hydrated is so important for increasing your metabolism rate ( A fast metabolisms burn calories and fat a lot quicker)..It also Clears skin!
9. Finally!! Don’t be so hard on yourself and live your life with balance! Be focused on your fitness goal but don’t shut yourself out from other activities that bring you happiness! I personally LOVE Cheesecake and 4X4 In N Out burgers and these bring me happiness so I have a rest day every week!
This “How To” was a bit lengthy but I’m just very passionate about bodybuilding and nutrition! I just wanted to share the knowledge I know has worked for me and other people I’ve helped in the past! I hope you enjoyed these steps and that you will use them in the future!

"Don’t You Think the Stars Shine Bright Tonight" by Riana T

Whispers. Why were there so many whispers.

Please Help Me. Please. Why won’t you listen… Pathetic...Worthless...Waste of space...Why do we even keep talking to her?...Idiot...Ugly...Fat...Trapped

These are what the whispers continuously exclaimed, stuck on a loop, hissing and spitting and shouting the vile comments in her ears.

Why didn’t they just leave her alone? She was fine, everything was fine.

But the stars. Aren’t they pretty those stars. They’re infinite and out there and oh so far away but so close. Wait off track get back…

On her 6th birthday she had exclaimed, “I hear dead people”. Everyone thought she was joking.

Never serious. Smart aleck. Only good for a laugh. Just like her father. Only good for a laugh.

They all laughed at her.

Colors were spinning, twisting, vibing, swirling, pulsing, and quite frankly giving her a headache. She wished she could turn everything off and just curl up into a ball. Hide away and pretend that she couldn’t hear them. Them. They were coming for her. She could hear them now...rolling… a can...a can was rolling

And No it was them. They were back and they spit venom in her ears. Tears blurred in her vision.

Unreliable. Good for nothing. Piece of trash. Inconvenience. Never should have been born.

She could feel the build up. No she wouldn’t cry. Crying was for the weak. She wasn’t weak that’s why the stars had chosen her. She pictured a treasure chest unlocking and shoved all her emotions inside of it, locking it away. Emotions were something she couldn't afford. Especially with these ever present ghosts.

They were especially loud today. Instead of whispering they were screaming, howling so loud she’s sure they have punctured her eardrum. Is she bleeding?

Serves you right they hiss. She flinches I’m sorry she whimpers. Mistake. Shouldn’t have said that. Warning bells go off. They’re mad now.

Mistake? Mistake! You want to talk about mistakes...look at yourself in the mirror!

She wants to whimper and curl into herself but instead she straightens herself out and plasters on a smile.

“Be quiet just be quiet! You don’t control me. The-THe stars. Don’t they look pretty. So pretty. Shine bright, star light, it’s awfully dark tonight. Dark tonight, quite a fright, why doesn’t my star fight? Why didn’t she fight? It was quite a sight. In the night, it came to light, that no one would ever get up again despite their might!”

“How long has she been like this?” a tall man with a physician's coat holding a clipboard asked an elderly plump woman who looked part disinterested and part disturbed.

“For a few years. Ever since her family disowned her. They couldn’t deal with her behavior. She was erratic, talking to herself, random bouts of screaming, scratching herself and blaming it all on these supposed ghosts.” answered the nurse.

The doctor hummed interestingly and jotted down some notes on his clipboard’ “Alright Patient 2224-X28 shows delusional tendencies as well as tendencies fitting depression and schizophrenia. Keep her sedated until further instruction.” The nurse nodded.

They both looked up through the window into a padded cell obscenely white and isolated. On an equally white bed sat a small girl hunched over like she was baring the whole world. She was rocking back and forth hands clasped over her ears. Arms housing scars from continuous scratching and shivering like a leaf the girl was muttering, “Sorry..no...mistake..but the stars...help...worthless...please...I can’t...what do you want me to do?...What do you expect...stop yelling...the stars.”

….How can I help the ghosts if I can’t even help myself? Was her last thought before everything faded to black.

"What is Indomie: How To Make Indomie" by Jonathan L

-Indomie is a type of noodle soup.
-It’s pretty much the Indonesian ramen because of how easy it is to make and cheap it is to buy. -There are different types of Indomie like Mie goreng which is the same as Indomie but minusing the soup portion of it.
-Popular with a lot Asian people.
Ingredients:

• ●  Indomie noodles (plus all the packaging that comes with it)
  
• ●  Pot
  
• ●  Water
  
• ●  Bowl
  
• ●  Fork
  
• ●  Water drain strainer
  
• ●  Big spoon
  
• ●  Stove
  Instructions:
  

• ●  First, add water to the pot. Make sure you have enough to also put some water into your bowl so you can have the soup.
  
• ●  Then light up the stove underneath the pot so you can get the water to start boiling.
  
• ●  Open the packages of spice that was included with the noodles and pour it all out into
  your bowl.
  

• ●  Once the water starts to boil, get your big spoon to get some water from the boiling water to add to the bowl (make sure you don’t add too much water to the bowl because you will lose the flavor and also have enough in the pot still for your noodles).
  
• ●  Now with the soup portion completed, add the noodles to the boiling water in the pot.
  
• ●  Wait 10-15 mins for the noodles begin to soften.
  
• ●  Once the noodles are ready turn off the stove and get your water drain strainer to drain
  out the water from the noodles.
  
• ●  Put the noodles into the bowl with the soup.
  
• ●  Use your fork to mix the soup and noodles so you can have a better taste of the spices.
  

Once you have finished making the final product you can also add your own spices or seasonings to get a better taste of your noodles. Enjoy!

"#LONGLIVEJAMAARI" by De’ Launi T

 

It all started June first, two thousand seventeen late that night she had gone missing. My cousin Jamaari was just 17 my thoughts immediately began panicking. Phones were ringing off the hook, everyone had so many questions as to what was going on. I even began to question and try and figure out “why her? Out of all people why her?” more questions began like  “God what did you do?” “why did you have to take my cousin away like this?” My tears just continued to pour and pour out, I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her. That day felt so long and everyone was so shocked, we literally sat in the house stuck not knowing how to react besides crying. It’s crazy how life takes its twist and turns, nothing is ever certain, and the last thing I would thought of happening was losing someone so close to me. She was not only my cousin but she was my best friend, my sister, my everything, I confided in her with everything in me, we were two peas in a pod. Being so young I often thought I have my whole life ahead of me. I have plenty of time to figure out what I will become, where I will go, who I will see, and most importantly enough time to get on the correct path with God. Jammari’s sudden death proved just the opposite, life comes at you very fast and these 11 months have been nothing but ups and downs. Some days I am happy and some days I am sad. Other days I cry uncontrollably and some days I hold it all in.  Most days I understand and then my mind begins to question again. You truly never know what is going to happen to in life. That very day we had a facetime call with a brief catching up session followed by “i love yous”. We hung up and continued with our day not knowing the nightmare that was going to occur that night. As much I try and dot every “I” and cross every “T”, life will continue to happen. I must continue to move on with my life even though it may seem like things aren’t getting easier. I've learned I need make the best out of my life while I am here. I must fulfill God’s purpose, and follow his divine plan. I must continue to live through him as days become harder and harder. As the one year memory approaches I am trying to not be sad and to truly remember her beautiful smile. I must also remember to Cherish my loved ones, “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the father knows.”(Matthew 24:36)