Borealis 2015-2016

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Appleton North 2015-2016 Lead Editors: Sydney Pomrening (Grade 11), and Trinity Olson (Grade 10) Assistant Editors: Natalie Painton (Grade 9), and Skye Iwanski (Grade 11)

Cover Art: Skye Iwanski Faculty Advisors: Aaron Ramponi & Julie Wohlt

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Contributors

Aries Xay Yang Kaylah Missall Sydney Pomrening Taurus Abigail Davies Lily Xiong Gwen Stevenson Breanna Endter-Tiller Gemini Jake Price

Regina Lobner Olivia Peterson Cancer Brianna Kerin Olivia Newhouse Leo Abigail Plankey Virgo Amara Neitzke Joshua Mungie Adison Cole

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Virgo (cont.) Tatiana Pingtella Libra Trinity Olson Maddie Waters Anonymous Scorpio Anonymous Travis Goedon Sagittarius Capricorn Kenady Duesterhaus Ethan Uslabar Elayne Fortris Aquarius Jordan Annis Freddie Xu Cole Lato Valerie Mendoza Pisces Breanna Long Skye Iwanski Sara Zaiden Jack Russell

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Dear Readers and Writers, Spring of 2016 marks the revival of Borealis, the resurrection from a memory of this school that seemed irretrievable without a touch of help from the creative minds of Appleton North. We thank you, writers, for flooding our inboxes with your submissions and flesh- ing out the content to a level that us editors never fathomed possible within the first year of the magazine's relaunch. And we also invite you, readers, into the artistry of Appleton North displayed in paint- ings, short stories, photographs, and poetry by your peers. The ideas and subjects expressed in this issue of Borealis do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine and the school, and are entirely be- longing to the writers. Sincerely, Borealis Editors

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“Borealis is a true masterpiece...” -Rolling Stone

“You want me to review what?” -My Grandpa

“This magazine is finally alive again, and I couldn’t be any happier!” - A Happy Teacher “Each work brings its own special flare to it. I expected the next page to pale in comparison to the previous, but it never did!” -An Admirer of Borealis

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A R I E S

Days: March 21-April 29 Symbol: The Ram Element: Fire Ruling Planet: Mars

More Compatible with: Sagittarius, Leo, Aquarius Less Compatible with: Cancer, Gemini, Pisces, Virgo Good Qualities: Self Confident, Ambitious, Spirited, Dynamic, Born Leader, Magnetic Personality, Assertive. Bad Qualities: Short Tempered, Impulsive, Reckless, Egotistical, Morose.

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Questions For Everyone I feel myself falling. Falling into an abyss of people that claim to be real. Real. As real as it can be, I can’t feel myself being real with them. Falling into a society that only cares for materialism. So, mate- rialistic. Buildings do nothing but fall, restaurants do nothing but help people gain weight, and retail does nothing but make us want to appear like others. Why should we appear like others? Thoreau said “Be yourself.” And to be yourself is to not be like society. So why do we have social expectations of what we can and can’t do in public? Showing PDA. Breastfeeding in public. Admitting to being lesbian, gay, bi. Walking around naked. To avoid the love between two people. To avoid the things we don’t usually see and yet it’s part of our natural instinct. To avoid a word that’s not socially acceptable and yet back then it was so much more vulgarly used as compared to our time now. Now. So can someone tell me how I should feed my child? Can someone tell me who I should love and shouldn’t? Can someone tell me why crop tops are cool? Or why they are considered “thotty”? Do my piercings intimidate you? My tattoos? My verbal expression? My color? Does my gender weaken my quality, my price, my value? Can someone please tell me what is real? What I should be and what I shouldn’t? To be real is to be me but it’s so hard to be me with all these “civilians” breathing down my neck, their breath touching the core of my gut, and causing the reuptake of my internal contents into this world of contamination. So what if a building falls if society never changes? If intolerance, conformity, falsehoods still stand. Society is a joke. Society is unrealistic. Society is full of “b.s.” Society… Is me. Saying the “N” word. Smoking a cigarette. All of this--is just something we are expected to avoid.

Xay Yang 3.25

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Rule of Rib Dirt and pollution loose in the outside world fear the whitewashed walls of the waiting room that are sterile with bleach and scarlet shadow puppets. A graveyard voice reads out obituaries of patients, even the ones who harbored hopeful eyes but greying skin. Soiled on the walls were images of apathy, sluggish blood of collapsed cases, and dents in the plaster by white knuckles. The pungent taste of medicine caked on patients’ tongues and striped out in a white goo, but inhaling through the nose deemed much worse for the lungs. “Athena Monty,” a voice of static resonated from a door frame. “Room 93. Dr. Kane will see you now.” “Thank you,” Athena echoed, bowing her head to the receptionist in efforts to refuse her glower. Her tan fingers crawled up her body as she rose to her feet with a blonde tress around her in- dex, swinging from strand to strand during her journey. The plaque of ROOM 93 flicked in front of her, beckoning other eery thoughts to corrode over the current ones. Her body dragged in a breath when her trembling hand coiled around the door handle, and her lungs hid the tightness for a mo- ment. “Athena! You move quick, very quick,” a fidgety figure addressed upon her entrance. “I barely had time to clean up from my last patient.” “Well, if you weren’t ready for me, then why did you tell the nurse that you were ready, Dirk?” Athena scowled with a grimace, flexing her palm at him in opposition to his protests. “Doesn’t matter. Can you at least clean up now?” Her hand fluttered to the bloodied wrap. “You know, you’ve really become the doctor that I always feared you’d be.” “A professional one? Ena, you have to understand what dealing with death and sickness twenty four seven will do to you. A women died in my care today, and it was the first time I didn’t cry.” His voice wasn’t flooded with empathy. Athena narrowed her jaded jade eyes, her breath clotted between her teeth, “That’s wonder- ful. And maybe when my time comes to die, you’ll be standing over me, cackling until your face turns blue.” “That won’t happen, Ena. We haven’t concluded whether or not the baby is strong enough to break your ribs,” darted from his lips, tone biting. “That’s why you’re here today.” “I would be happy to get started if you would wipe down the damn bed and get a new wrap for it for god’s sake!” she met his tone with heightened pitch. Her hands curled in tension release, one around her stomach and the other looming over the red splotched patient bed. “I was getting to it. I would never let you settle for this” Dirk cooed in his pursuit. His gloved hands tore off the crimson soaked plastic, discarding the crumbled up remains in a makeshift pile in the corner. A tub of bleach, slicked on a white cloth, polished the bed clean. White. White. Ev- erything was white. If it wasn’t white, it was red. A stupid gradient of colors to have to see every day. Dirk covered the wet cleanliness with a new sheet of paper wrap. “All set for you, Athena.” Her footing dragged to the bed, gliding her further back against the sound of amateur fire- crackers. Up to the ceiling, her eyes trained. “Just do it. Get it over with so I can leave.” His mouth clouded with imaginary cotton balls. “Anything for you.” The ache of pressure orbited around her swollen belly, and the screen beside her head flick-

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ered a picture. Her child. A frail jellied image flashed in front of them, but Athena focused on the pang of discomfort in her stomach. She glanced at Dirk, his face muddled and solidified in an inde- cipherable expression. His movements of the scan slowed; hence, the pain in her body dragged out even further. His chapped lips sucked inward when his stare weakened at the sight of the screen. “Wh-What? Why aren’t you saying anything, Dirk? You always have something to say even when you know I don’t want to hear it,” Athena murmured toward him, eyes softened in curiosity. “There’s nothing to say!” he growled out in a faltering lilt. Her voice directed toward the screen, dying in her throat at the sight. “Why are the baby’s legs that weird shade of red? Is it bad news?” “It’s not going to be bad news,” Dirk replied. “We’ve created something for it.” Athena wriggled upward, watching Dirk dig around in a cabinet cramped with bottles of colored tablets and liquid numbness. “What did you create for it?” His hands stopped rustling, but his voice bounced around in the confined space as he con- tinued to search. “I wouldn’t call it a cure, or antibiotic… It’s more of a vaccine, to make childbirth a little easier.” “I’m not having the baby now, am I?” Sarcasm ripped through the air, but Dirk ambled right through it, needle weaved in his fingers. “I know you aren’t, but I need you to trust me,” he gained closer to her retreating figure. The point pricked through her tanned skin, wedging straight into a lower rib. It felt like a filling, as the fluid forced its way along the marrow tracks. “What is it?” “Just a calcium supplement. It’ll strengthen your ribs over time,” he mumbled, focusing on maintaining a steady hand. The large dosage spilled into her body like tidal waves; the horrid sound of its swooshing in her bones sent shudders down her spine. . *** “Excuse me? Miss?!” the girl waddling over to the front desk with a hand clamped on her swollen belly whined. An apathetic eye rolled up to her, feigning little interest within the brown iris. “I’m sorry, young lady, but the doctor is swamped. Please check in and wait for your doctor to page for you,” honked out of the women behind the counter. Her ugly chipped nails shuffled through papers, milling around an empty search for the nameless women. “Name?” “Athena Monty! Dirk knows I’m coming; if you would just let him know-” “Miss Monty, as I’ve said before, please wait for the doctor to call for you,” she diluted Athe- na’s hurry with her monotone. “Nancy,” a male voice bounced across the room. “What did we discuss about Athena?” Nancy’s eyes constricted while deadpanning Dr. Kane , boring daggers at the admired, preg- nant women. “Let her in no matter what.” “Good,” he snips toward her, bringing a soft expression to Athena. “Follow me, Ena.” Behind the plaited door of ROOM 93 opened a perfectly primped room, bleached whiter than ever before. No faded remnants of red hid on the walls, no congealing bleach stenches choked the air, and the usual ecstasy on Dirk’s face watered down to a hollowed out look of exhaustion. Athena joked in a shadow of a laugh. “Too bad this’ll all be ruined once the blood starts-” “Athena,” Dirk mustered up a breath. “Don’t talk like that. You’re gonna be fine, trust me.” “What’s changed? Has the process altered since my sister was born?” “The procedure has been altered, yes. Once you’re strapped up and settled in, all I do is make sure that the baby’s cranial region is angled down the vaginal canal. Crowning gives the baby too

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much time to become aware of its environment and struggle to get out. Pushing without proper care does tire out the mother, but better a fatigued woman than a fatally wounded body,” he choked out a laugh, but the tone dissolved his amity like salt. “Isn’t that as dangerous?” Athena asked, clambering onto her bed with a hand clamped onto Dirk’s. “It’s the only way, Ena. If I could have it different for you, I would.” Prick. Prick. Pricked on her skin were thistle sized needles, rushed on and drawing unwant- ed dots of blood. Her clothes piled up on the side as a loose hospital gown hung onto her; her legs propped up onto the slots. Her fingers tightened onto one another, cursing the day she allowed the father of the baby deliver instead of aiding away her crippling pain. “Dirk,” she poised through her breaths. “What exactly did that shot you gave me do?” “To put into the basics, it was a calcium supplement, meant to strengthen bones to almost the strength of Tungsten and Titanium. Keeps the baby from shattering a rib and acts as an epidural,” Dirk explained. He dragged on his second glove while returning to his position, straddling his seat. “This is the last chance we have before the baby realizes it can’t breath. Please, Athena. I’m begging you. I can’t live in this insufferable life without you, or let alone be the reason you’re gone…,” In a voice laced with timid stuttering, he spoke. “Push.” A livid scald burned within her core, indicating that Dirk was correct-- the baby would begin to writhe. At the sensation, Athena grunted out at her introductory push, resisting the bob of the baby created to stay in and destroy. Minutes of forcing progress fell flat. “This baby is a fighter. You’re gonna have to push harder,” he instructed. “Dirk, I can’t push any harder…” “You have to try!” Pressure traveled down her core meaning the infant was finally en route toward enlisting into the world without any complications. All was right with the world. That is, until the jellied shell of the fetus punctured from the other side; a small foot counted with five toes darted up to the rib. Athena heaved out a shallow breath, but nothing above a triv- ial pressure clamped onto her rib cage. The calcium supplement prototype worked-- not a bone cracked. She waited for the pressure to lift and labor to sustain; however, the pressure only lodged to a different focal point. The pressure buzzed while it moved little. “Dirk, what’s the hold up?” Athena scowled out in a stitch of pants. His lips blew out a breath, bordering between bounded worry and mourn. “This has never happened before. The baby attempted to kick, and while the supplement protected the ribs from breaking, it also created a sticky coat around it…The baby’s foot is stuck.”

Sydney Pomrening 4.14

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T A U R U S

Days: April 20-May 20 Symbol: The Bull Element: Earth Ruling Planet: Venus Good Qualities: Reliable, Loyal, Kind, Self Reliant, Patient, Confident, Affec- tionate, Artistic. Bad Qualities: Self-indulgent, Acrimonius, Greedy, Possessive. More Compatible with: Leo, Scorpio, Virgo, Capricorn Less Compatible with: Sagittarius, Gemini, Aries

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Anxiety

All through my life I’ve been accompanied by a little friend. This friend knows just when I’ve screwed up And never fails to tell. This tiny voice inside my head tells me I’ll never succeed, It tells me I’m incompetent and it accuses me. Perhaps deep down I know it’s wrong, but it’s a voice I heed. Every night I lay down and my mind is filled with thoughts I hash out the events of the day And my mind is filled with doubts. What if I said this thing wrong? What if I acted like a fool? Do these people even like me? Do they think I’m cool? When I’m out in society this voice tells me to hush. Saying words could get me hurt, in silence I am safe. Once again, my little friend shuts me up Simple tasks become a chore as I’m afraid to get help. What if the teacher thinks me dumb, what if the clerk laughs. Even congratulating a friend becomes a huge chore, As my frantic mind tells me, they don’t like me anymore. As my mind spirals out of my control, I worry about my future. That small test suddenly becomes big The test could impact my class grade which lowers my GPA. Without that perfect 4.0, I am a failure I’ll never get into college, never achieve my goals. It is so hard to hope and try when I truly know I’ll never achieve what I try for, because I’m bound to fail. My anxious mind affects every part of my life. My stomach aches, my limbs shake, my mind breaks And just like Sisyphus, I can never succeed and this boulder falls right back down on me. My anxiety crushes me under a weight of pain. So next time you see me, please Look past the fact that I may be quiet, I may be odd And please try to see me past the anxiety. Every day I try you see, to make friends and function in society But the thoughts in my brain hold me back They ask me if I truly have friends Am I even fully loved- does anyone truly like me? Will I ever achieve my dreams? It seems very unlikely This poem even is not that good, it’s subpar at best The voice inside my head tells me I’ve failed yet again. Please don’t judge, don’t feel pity Just experience for a moment what it is like to live as me, A frightened, nervous, worried girl Who’s fighting to live free of her anxiety. And I fight an uphill battle each and every day. Every day I fight to gain a little more success. But I’m pushing a boulder up a hill

Abigail Davies 4.22

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If Reality Was A Dream If reality was a dream,

then I’d eternally long for the warmth of your embrace. My heart would laze and float like the moonlight’s gleam, and overflow with the tender love that could never be replaced. If reality was a dream, then I’d never wear the shackles of fear. Even if the world tore at the seams, time freezes in the moment when you’re here. If reality was a dream, then I would always want to dream this life than live a nightmare. The smallest actions and the most meaningless thoughts are never as they seem, and the only illusion is the distance from one another that we must bear. No matter how much we feel helpless and feeble, love never treats us like problems before we are people. If reality was a dream, then I would never know how it feels to be truly weak. My light, my foundation, my support, my wall on which I lean, my partner who will help me find the strength I seek. If reality was a dream, then each day is no longer a war we survive to suffer through. Tears no longer fall and flow like a quiet stream, smiles are endless like the skies, and even hope shines too. If reality was a dream, I’d be intoxicated with such joy and freedom and dazed the next morning from bliss redeemed. I’d look back on memory lane and reminisce how far we’ve come. If you’re my reality, I won’t stop chasing my dream. Lily Xiong 5.4

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Beautiful I love how in this society we are told constantly to be beautiful, Through ads, commercials, peers, family, What is this “Beauty” our mothers have tried to teach since the moment we came out of her womb and the doctor said she was a “beautiful baby girl”. We have no choice in the matter of our lives, We are the ornaments of society, The eye candy for the men on the streets, In the bars, At work Or in school. Beautiful: Staying outside until the sun sucks the life out of our skin, until it’s that gorgeous golden brown, Beautiful: letting the bleach or dye seep into our skulls, consume our brain cells, to get that lovely blonde hair. Beautiful: Exercising until we collapse from exhaustion or fatigue just to wear those athletic short- shorts to show off our ass. Beautiful: going for months without food, or puking when we do eat, just to fit in that size 2 prom dress he told her she’d look sexy in. Beautiful: falling for the first man that whispers he loves you in your ear and giving him everything you are, just to wake up with him out of your life and you brandished a slut. Beautiful is not changing myself for those around me, Beautiful is not giving my everything to those who don’t give a damn, Beautiful is being confident in the looks my mother and father gave me, Beautiful is putting myself as top priority, not those who’ll use me then discard me like a snake shedding its skin, Beautiful is living your life the way you want, doing what makes you happy, taking the course of your life in your hands and holding fast to your dreams and goals. Don’t let go! . . . Beautiful. . . Women are not sex items, nor are they at anyone’s disposal. We are strong, we are bright, we are badass! These wide hips carry the weight of generations, Of my ancestors who were exploited for their virginity and appearance. Women were men’s property, at men’s mercy. In the Scarlet Letter, Hester slept with a priest and he turned on her, She became shunned and ostracized, Forced to display a red “A” for adulterer, and for years was tyrannized. Woman deserve better, Yes! Women deserve the right to say, “NO, I do not want to date and or have sex with you.” “ No , my body is not for sale, nor is it yours.” “ No , I have a future for myself and I will not let you ruin it.” Beauty is not complacency, Beauty is the way you are who you are, and do what you do, your body and soul are yours and only yours, And NO ONE can take that beauty away from you! Gwen Stevenson 5.7

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Missing You How are you today? I hope you are happy now. I am missing you.

Did I upset you? We do not talk anymore… Guess this is it then.

Do not run away. Only cowards run away. Forgot that you’re one…

What happened to us? Stop running away from me! It won’t solve a thing.

Remember yourself Do not forget about me I am missing you.

Breanna Endter-Tiller 5.7

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G E M I N I

Days: May 21- June 21 Symbol: The Twins Element: Air Ruling Planet: Mercury

More Compatible with: Libra, Aquarius, Gemini Less Compatible with: Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo Good Qualities: Witty, Youthful, Talkative, Intellectual, Sharp, Vivacious, Tact. Bad Qualities: Glib, Capricious, Inconsistent, Deceitful.

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My Pal Joey “Pal Joey” is the name of a 1957 musical starring Frank Sinatra. It is also a great description of my best friend and companion, Joey. I met Joey 5 years ago, and I can’t imagine life without him. He is always happy to see me, and whenever I see him, it puts me in a better mood. My best friend is a dog, and his name is Joey. Joey is a Black Lab, which is a very big type of dog. He weighs almost 80 pounds. This is the story of how Joey joined my family. When I was seven, my dog Bo died. Bo was a great dog, a huge Golden Retriever, bigger than Joey. My parents had Bo before I was born, so he lived with me literally my whole life. I was sad when he died of course, and I missed him, but I was too young to get really emotional over it. A year after he died, we got a cat. While cats are great, they are different from dogs. A cat won’t run to greet you at the door; they just don’t have the same sense of companionship. So after another two years or so, my parents decided to get dogs, because we all missed Bo. On a February day, three months before my birthday, my dad asked me “what do you want for your birthday this year, Jake?” “I’m not really sure yet,” I told him. “There will probably be a new video game I want com- ing out in May.” “This year, your mother and I want to get you something special. We’re thinking about getting you a puppy.” I was so excited! My own puppy? Up until then, I hadn’t realized how much I truly missed Bo. We were going to get two puppies, one mine, and one my dad’s, so they would each have a brother to keep them company during the day, while everyone was at school and work. I got to pick what type of puppy, and I got to name it. I wanted to get either a German Shepherd or a Black Lab. I ended up having to go with Black Lab, because we were concerned German Shepherds could be too aggressive with children. I named him Joey, after my favorite baseball player, Joey Votto. My dad did all the research about where to get the puppies. He decided on a breeder in Sha- wano, Wisconsin, about an hour away. When Joey’s litter of pups was born, he notified us, and sent us pictures of the puppies. They were all adorable! There were 9 of them, all the size of a soda can. After another month we were allowed to visit them. I was surprised to find out the breeder was just a regular guy, with a regular house. A regular guy with a great job, that is. While the breeder talked to my parents about all of the rules and regulations regarding adopting a puppy, I got to play with all the pups. Getting to see and pet all of these puppies got me very excited for the day I got to take one home. I couldn’t wait. A couple weeks later, that day finally came. We drove out to Shawano for the second time. Since my dad and my sister chose our other puppy, Lucky, about a week earlier, my mom and I got to choose the Black Lab. We knew we wanted a boy, so that narrowed the choice down from nine to five puppies. We decided that the best way to choose was to play with the pups for a little bit. It was hard to decide because they were all so cute and friendly! After about 15 minutes, we final- ly made a decision. We picked Joey because he was one of the most playful puppies, but he also settled down and let us pet him. It is a great combination, and he is still like that today- sometimes wild and cheerful, and sometimes lazy, lying next to me on the couch. After we chose Joey, we got in the car. I got to sit in the back seat with him. We had laid down a blanket for him to sit on, and I brought him a toy to chew on, a small rope panda bear. Joey was very well-behaved for the whole one-hour drive. He occasionally whined, missing his old home, but he was more than happy to meet me.

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The first thing that Joey did when we brought him inside our house was poop on the car- pet. Joey took a long time to potty train. My dad was annoyed, but I burst out laughing. My dad had to clean it up, and I took him outside and played with him some more. In that moment, I was so happy, I had found my best friend. My dog Joey and I do everything together. We go to the dog park, we take walks with my family, play fetch, wrestle, and we watch TV while he curls up next to me on the couch. Joey is al- ways there for me, and is my best pal, and he will continue to be there for me for many more years. He is definitely the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten. Boy, I sure do love my little Joey-Pup.

Jake Price 5.23

Endless With silence spreading throughout the field, each warrior faced their opponent with their own particular desire. Some were in it for the glory, the pride of victory. Others because they had someone that need saving, maybe even themselves. Then there are always the ones that simply wandered off the path and got accidentally lost in the bloodshed. These were the ones that had led their life in a vain struggle towards the light, until they realize that long ago the light wasn’t so bright, but instead a dark trickery. With their minds racing, their horses shifting nervously, the man watched their warm breaths crystalize and mingle, spiraling up to the stars and disappearing. No one there had any true malice in their own hearts in these ranks of the two great armies. Little of them believed in what they fought for because few remembered why they fought in the first place. With the moon bringing a reflective glow to the swords now drawn, it made the scene appear as if painted lovingly by a master artist instead of being part of a plan so ancient and vile. The sky began to weep for its lost occupants, torn apart by something they could not see or fight, helpless as children to its unignorable will. It is not something all together that strange, although its grip on humanity is. Winding its way through the ranks, it whispers in the ears horrible nothings. It wraps itself around your heart, constricting your judgement and dragging selfish goals to the forefront. Everyone is just waiting to stave you in the back, so why not get them first? The cold tendrils are connected to a larger beast known as fear, and no one can truely drive it away from themselves, not even the bravest of hearts. And so they charged.

Regina Lobner 6.3

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Being a Girl Because I am a girl, it’s all fun and games until the girl gets the ball in gym.

Because I am a girl, my opinion is considered to be lesser than a man’s.

Because I am a girl, aging means that boys make one dollar to my 79 cents.

Because I am a girl, society says I must be thin, gorgeous, and not be ok when I am single because I need a man.

Because I am a girl, I’m classified as a slut or prude, there’s no inbetween.

Because I am a girl, cat-calling and slut-shaming for me, is just another day.

Because I am a girl, boys can harass and exploit me because “boys will be boys.”

Because I am a girl, I have to watch for spiked drinks from all too eager boys at parties.

Because I am a girl, the reason I got raped was because I showed too much skin.

But It’s only Because I am a girl, that I’m not treated as equal and with the same respect.

It’s Because I am a girl, that I must cook, clean, and stay home with the children all day.

Nowadays Because I am a girl, men think that they can force me to do as they wish.

But it’s Because I am a girl, that I will stand up and say that this is definitely not ok.

It’s Because I am a girl, that I am fixing this, so my child can stand and say, “That

Nowadays Because I am a girl, I am equal, gender stereotypes are gone,

equal pay is a real thing,

men know that we aren’t objects, and

my opinion is valued.”

All Because I am a girl. Olivia Peterson 6.1

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C A N C E R

Days: June 22- July 22 Symbol: The Crab Element: Water Ruling Planet: Moon More Compatible with: Cancer, Capricorn, Scorpio, Pisces. Less Compatible with: Aries, Gemini, Sagittarius. Good Qualities: Dependable, Magnanimous, Patriotic, Protective, Compas- sionate, Supportive. Bad Qualities: Moody, Cynical, Sensitive. Indecisive, Touchy

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I’d Stand Outside Your Door I’d stand outside your door In biting wind In freezing snow I’d stay there waiting For you to be well, my dear I’d be with you when you’re sad I know you’re crying, it’s okay I’d hold you tight

And whisper in your ear That I love you, my dear Brianna Kerin 6.30

THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN The idea that the only true woman was a pious a submissive wife and mother, concerned exclusively with home and family.

American women were individuals who deserved their own political identities. Men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness. A new way of thinking about what it meant to be a woman and a citizen in the United States. A new generation. WINNING THE VOTE AT LAST On Election Day in 1920, millions of American women exercised their right to vote for the first time. Olivia Newhouse 7.5

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L E O

Days: July 23 - August 22 Symbol: The Lion Element: Fire Ruling Planet: Sun

Overall Compatible With: Aries and Sagittarius Less Compatible With: Scorpio, Gemini, Capricorn Good Characteristics: Creative, Passionate, Generous, Cheerful, Confident, Faithful Bad Characteristics: Arrogant, Stubborn, Lazy, Self-Centered

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Ava Salm 4.29

Not So Bad I want to tell you that I like you, However I just can’t seem to do it. But me and you together, I feel like we’d get through it. I just can’t find the words To say what’s on my mind; But to know you is to love you, and that’s how I feel all the time. Because on days when I’m sad, You make me feel glad. So even if we’re just friends…

That might not be so bad. Abigail Plankey 7.30

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V I R G O

Days: August 23 - September 22 Symbol: The Virgin Element: Earth Ruling Planet: Mercury

Most Compatible With: Taurus and Capricorn Less Compatible With: Aries, Aquarius, Libra

Good Characteristics: Loyal, Kind, Hardworking, Organized, Perfectionist Bad Characteristics: Shy, Overly Critical of Self, All Work and No Play

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I snort. I brawl. I have to eat it all. Do not be fooled

by my pink snout and paws. I will most likely ruin this stall. The mud is my friend! I don’t have to pretend. I sleep. I eat. Such a tough life for me. The hay is okay. I would much rather play. I cry. I squeal. It is no big deal. The weather is a blast. I hope it will last. The sky is so pink. But I do kind of stink. I run. I smell. This life is no hell. Until I hear the bell. It wakes me up from my dirt filed rest. I swear That this one was the best! Now that I am up, please fill my gut! Being a pig, I kinda dig. Yes I am a swine, but I feel sublime! I oink. I groan. I do not like to be alone. I purr. I grumble. Did you hear that rumble? I still smell can

you tell? I squeal. I brawl. I snort. I sleep I cry. I eat.

Tatiana Pingtella 9.6

Your Band-Aids Don’t Exist Does your silence taste bitter, as you sit there with your white supremacy I’m apologetic for the privilege I hold Most of us aren’t paying attention We have band-aids made in our skin color Your princess was made last. We are more concerned with being called racist than trying to end racism. We take what we want from your culture, especially your lives. I send this out to every person of color who is still in the ruthless fight Your house is burning but everyone is screaming, “all houses matter” as we fight to put your fire out Amara Neitzke 9.14

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Jack of Tundra Chapter 1

The blistering cold wind swept across the frozen hills creating a constant spray of snow over the desolate landscape. The weather only grew more vicious as the orange pigments of the sun’s rays faded to violet. Three hunters hunkered down behind a massive snow bank. Their fur clothing and coats were matted down with ice. The eldest of them, and giant of a man with a grey beard that hung past his neck grabbed a leather pouch and put it to his lips then tossed it away in disgust. “Frozen solid.” he muttered. “Quiet.” snapped the second oldest who wore a black fur coat with a fox’s head as a hat. “The Cleaver is coming out now.” A dull roar reverberated through the landscape followed by a hair raising snarl. The youngest of the hunters shifted slightly and gripped his spear tighter. His face was red with frostbite and snow clung to his clean face and blond locks that fell past his eyebrows. He shuddered and his breathing grew rapid. The old bearded man placed a firm hand on the younger one’s shoulder. “Now’s not the time to panic Jack.” Jack nodded and tried to stop but his breath came out even more ragged. The hunter in the black coat peered over the crest of the bank and silently slid back down to where the other two hunters huddled. “It’s out of the cave now.” said the black clad man. He wiped snow from his dark goatee. “Time to shed the deer skins boy.” Jack stared at him wide eyed. “I thought you were helping me on this!” “We did,” grunted the leader, “we found you a cleaver. Now go before I push you up the hill myself.” Jack gulped in fear and turned to the older man who merely shrugged as he sucked on a bit of ice. Then he slowly stood and made his way to the crest of the snow mound. A few meters in front of him lay a gigantic beast. It’s white fur almost blended in with its surroundings. The only thing that stood out was the red that covered it’s muzzle and claws as it gnawed on a fresh kill. Jacks took a deep breath and slid over the snow crest. He pressed himself flat against the ground and kept repeating the advice he was given before he left the village. They don’t see very well, but they can hear you coming from a mile away. Make no noise. “Make no noise.” whispered Jack to himself. His crawl started of slow. The snow seemed to pile up on him in thick layers. Soon it felt like he was carrying a small animal on his back. He was only a few feet from the cleaver now. The claws looked even larger up close. Jacks had never seen one alive before, he knew they looked like the stripped beasts the southern traders always spoke of but he never thought they were this big. It was like four of him. The Cleaver snorted and snarled then lifted it’s head. Jacks caught his breath and held it. Make no noise The Cleaver peered towards his direction. Then rumbled and continued eating its meal. That is when Jack struck. With the shrill hunting cry traditional to his village he lept at the Cleaver and buried his spear into the beast’s back. The roar that accompanied it made Jack’s bones shake. Then he felt a massive paw smack him off of the creature. He didn’t hit the right spot.

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Jacks landed heavily in the snow and felt the wind leave his body. His vision was blurry but he just made out the massive white form leaping at him. Jacks grabbed the bone knife from his belt and raised it over his body. ….. “Jack!” bellowed the leader of the three hunters. He grabbed his spear and sprinted over the snow mound followed closely by the old man. The massive form of the Cleaver laid sprawled out in the snow. “Jack!” shouted the old man. The Cleaver moved then rolled over. A blood-covered Jack sat up and spat out a wad of fur. “Yeah Hob!” The old man smiled and ran to Jacks while the leader strode over to the Cleaver. He noticed that the cleaver’s claws were dull. Why were they dull? What were you scratching at? thought the leader. “Dolan, he’s alright!” shouted Hob. “He smells horrible though.” “I see that,” replied Dolan. “Well done boy.” Dolan grabbed Jack’s hand and pulled him up. “Or should I say man.” Jacks smiled. He had shed his deer skin and was now a man. Hob began skinning the Cleaver and frowned when he got to the paws. “Claws are dull.” “I noticed that too.” replied Dolan. “And Ice won’t make those things dull at all.” “I don’t get the necklace then.” “It won’t look as good, but you can have one if you want.” replied Dolan as he strode over to the ice cave. He heard a slight humming coming from the cave. It wasn’t like a normal humming of a person though. It was more unfamiliar. “Jack you really do smell.” shouted Hob. “Says the drunk old man!” retorted Jacks. “Drunk! My drink is frozen solid.” “Both of you shut up!” ordered Dolan, “listen.” The two quit arguing and stood silent in the snow storm. Jacks raised an eyebrow. “What is that?” “That’s what I am wondering.” replied Dolan. He waved the other two hunters over. “Let’s find out what it is.” “We’re going into it’s cave!?” exclaimed Jacks. “Yup, and you are one of the few who will go in and come out alive too.” Hob sucked on a shard of ice. “C’mon no point in waiting out here.” The three hunters walked into the ice cave. The floor was slick but years of living in these frozen lands made them experts in ice walking. Not one slipped or stumbled. Dolan grabbed a stick from his pack and wrapped a piece of fur around it. “Hob, match.” “Yup.” Hob fumbled around in his fur pack and pulled out a small case of matches. He struck one a

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put it up to the fur. It instantly caught aflame and the dark cave was illuminated and the ice sparkled with the light. The three hunters continued following the cave as the sounds of the blizzard grew duller. “This isn’t a cave it’s a tunnel.” muttered Hob. “And that sound is getting annoying.” “Shhhh.” snapped Dolan. “We’re almost there.” “How do you know?” asked Jacks. “When you participate in the great hunt this year you will learn to use senses other than your eyes. I’ve been in five in my lifetime. The more you do, the sharper you hearing will get.” “Great hunt?” Dolan chuckled. “I forgot, there hasn’t been one in 10 years. It’s when all of the villages get together for a great festival. Happens with the summer solstice. Each village sends two members to participate in a great hunt, a competition. Whoever brings back the largest Cleaver wins.” Jack’s eyes widened. He was almost killed by a Cleaver. And Dolan has probably hunted far more fierce and large in his time. He wasn’t just hunting with a man anymore, he was hunting with a legend. The humming was now very loud and the walls of the cave seemed to shudder. The orange glow of the torch was then overwhelmed by a blue light. In front of the three hunters was a massive contrap- tion with four coffin shaped objects protruding out from a tall metal shaft. At the top of the metal shaft was a blinking blue light. “Checking this thing out. It’s not everyday that you find something other than snow out here.” Dolan grumbled. A closer look at the coffins showed that this was what the cleaver was clawing at, but why? “Ummm, Dolan, Hob. You might wanna see this.” Dolan trudged towards the coffin that Jacks was looking at. The coffin has a section that was see through, like clear ice. Inside of it was a young women, no older than 19. Below the clear portion was a series of numbers. On the side were lights a several switches. One light kept going up and down in a rhythmic pattern of peaks and valleys. Dolan mind went from curious to cautious. This was not some- thing they were supposed to mess with. “Let’s go.” “What!! She is trapped in this thing!” exclaimed Jacks. “We have to free her.” “This thing is obviously not to be messed with. We don’t even know what it is. And I prefer to leave it that way. Now let’s go.” “Hob.” said Jacks as he looked at the eldest man. “I agree with Dolan. This thing is best left alone.” “Aghhhh.” uttered Jack in frustration. He took a glance at the thing. “Fine. Let’s go home.” He gave the coffin a good kick. Suddenly the Thing’s humming was replace with a high pitch squealing sound as if it was crying out in pain from Jack’s kick. The coffins all of a sudden were pulled up by the Thing and stood vertically. Then the lids opened one by one. “Do you see that Dolan, or am I more drunk than I thought?” asked Hob. “I see it.” Dolan stayed a good distance away from it. What is this thing? Jack walked past Dolan towards the contraption. “Jack, what are you doing?”

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The first three coffins revealed skeletons that seemed ages old. But the fourth opened and the girl fell out and landed heavily on the ice floor. Dolan had his spear at the ready and Hob took a heavy step backwards. Jacks stood rooted in the spot not knowing what to do. The girl shook her head and wiped her face. She looked up and pounced on Jack. Jack felt his breath leave his body. The girl looked small but she hit like a hammer. She slammed Jack against the ice wall of the cave then flipped him over her shoulder and slammed him into the floor. The girl was about to bring her foot down on Jack’s face when she felt a sharp stone pressed against her neck. “Make another move and you die.” growled Hob. How did Hob move so quickly!! He was on the other side of the machine. wondered Jack. Even Dolan was surprised by the speed of the old man. As far as he knew, Hob was the drunk of the village who acted as a sort of uncle to young Jack. He was never known to be a hunter or warrior at all. The girl shuddered slightly. Jack saw her eyelids droop and she collapsed in a heap onto the floor. Jack groaned as he stood up. He could feel some bones shift in his side but he couldn’t tell if that was from getting punch in the ribs or being slammed so hard onto the ice. Hob hovered the girl ready to strike if needed. “Don’t hesitate old man.” said Dolan. “End her now.” Dolan could see the shock on Hob’s face. “She is dangerous, and who knows if she is really a she or something else. End her.” “Don’t Hob.” groaned Jack. “I claim my rights.” Dolan’s brow furrowed. “What boy!?” Jack cursed as he felt a sharp pang go through his side. “I said, I claim my rights. By the law of Tundra, since I am now a man, I have the right to the spoils of any hunt or conflict. You can have all the cleaver meat, claws, even the fur. I claim her.” “She is dangerous, boy.” “She is helpless, Dolan.” “I will not allow. Hob if you don’t kill her I will.” Hob shrugged then got between the girl and Dolan. “Then you break the law Dolan. Jack has claimed his rights as a man. If you deny it then the village can put you on trial for denying the law. And the last thing we need is the chief ’s nephew and heir on trial, don’t you agree?” Dolan face grew red with fury. He slammed his spear into the ice and stormed out of the cave. Jacks just realized he was holding his breath and he let it out in one big gush. Hob came over and put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry boy. Dolan can be moody but he has the village’s protection at heart.” Jacks nodded and winced again. “I think she broke a rib.” Hob laughed. “C’mon Jacks, let’s go home.” Josh Mungie 9.17

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L I B R A

Days: September 23 - October 22 Symbol: Scales Element: Air Ruling Planet: Venus Most Compatible With: Gemini, Aquarius Less Compatible With: Scorpio, Virgo, Capricorn Good Characteristics: Cooperative, Social, Fair-minded, Easygoing, Charis- matic, Romantic Bad Characteristics: Indecisive, Avoids Confrontations, Self-pity

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Colors Red when you first stopped trying stopped trying to talk stopped trying to be friends Green when I see you with others rolling my eyes as you complain about how we don’t hang out Blue when I was in my room waves of emotion clouding my judgement Black when I finally stopped caring Yellow when I talk to the people that make me smile that make me feel alive again White when I accepted that I didn’t deserve to be sad anymore that I deserved better Trinity Olson 10.19

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Chronicles

Paralyzed slumber, undisturbed by cold bones raw, or warm thoughts burning. Complexion contorts on a mask of thin feathers, quick suffocation. Sleep is out to kill, feasting on vivid nightmares, and sobs croaked by dusk. I pluck out one new, a bed of blades, stone to match my own name engraved. The speck of a threat settled with parted eyelids. I haven’t bled out. Crimson conquers grey, lucid colors crowd my skull. Another victor. Repercussions show from inevitable stun, but elation glints. So nobody sees, but I’m alive and strong with self sufficiency.

Maddie Waters 10.22

Anonymous 10.10

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S C O R P I O

Days: October 23 - November 31 Symbol: Scorpion Element: Water Ruling Planet: Pluto Overall Compatible With: Cancer, Pisces Less Compatible With: Sagittarius, Gemini, Aries Good Characteristics: Protective, Passionate, Exciting, Courageous, Resourceful, Brave, Fierce Bad Characteristics: Distrusting, Passive People, Possessive, Impatient, Brutal

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Critical In high school, all we’d flounder on was rumors, little white lies that fade too dull to be the colored truth. The heat of betrayal was uneasy on the nape of the neck, but eventually, I figured branching to colder parts of the world—where maturity’s rigid and not tempted to soften for fun— would settle pettish parts of the past. `I taste the bitter in my laugh when I realize how far off I was. I could never fully praise the extra fun that goes around here, after all, we deal with crime which is never something that should harbor lightheartedness. Not when relations to the victim are heaving around a weighted heart— most crimes end fatally. “Do we have an estimate on what time this all took place?” I finally barge into the discussion, after only leaking in the information. “I’ve gathered criteria on that spot in town, not very shady I suppose, but always one with some project going on somewhere.” “We settled it happened around sunset that day, enough to go undetected by pedestrians— maybe they saw the burst of beauty as a ploy so no one would pay attention to the sloppiness of their crimes. Any evidence there?” Julian, a colleague, poses to me. There’s a wilt of my head’s composure, and I mentally scrounge my head for background. “Don’t know about evidence, but maybe a witness could be our gold mine,” I offer to the buzz- ing table. “Speaking to the owner of the house, and the ring leader of the mourners, they decided before winter comes, a bit of renovating should fix their showcase hardships. Now, if you were to improve your old timey house, where would you start?” The buzzes diluted, and vibration only struck their lips. Wasn’t too hard for me since I already had a lead on who to fixate on, my juddering was out of cognizance. “Windows, too keep out the cold weather?” In jutted an indefinite voice with a slight note of question in it. My head sways hastily. “Could be, but think bigger.” “Foundation?” Another bug walking in the sticky string I got. “Think higher,” I prodded to our web. “Roofs!” Troye festers suddenly, but it doesn’t lighten there. “Their house is an older model, the roofs in that condition made with straw…The thatcher!” “Why wouldn’t he come forward?” “He’s still a fairly young guy like the rest of us. Cases like these aren’t left brained sometimes, Julius. Crank out the variety of a situation and join us.” I toyed through my beam, for he could be an old fashioned guy on repetitive cases. If you don’t get a little creative with scenarios like this, you’re stuck in a bland task. “Always looking on the bright side of cases, aren’t you?” He seals his laugh, so the venom of it doesn’t soak the scattered black and white palettes underneath him. “No use preying on the plants when there are bigger beasts out there, getting away with it,” I say with a scrunch of my shoulders—the muscles taut in my blades and back to make a smug point. “We haven’t had a dilemma like this in years. Everyone’s so quick to the big bits, but this isn’t a swab and clean case. No, we’re going sterile on this.” As always, chuckles tittered in different resonates and directions, but all narrowing at my meta- phorically tensed words. In this eruption, no one spoke with articulation; hence, my poem harrows on. “Has anyone looked at the case, the little bits, connected the dots? No forced entry. Either they

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knew the victim, or the door was open. Anyone remember how the victim was left like?” “No signs of rape were present.” “Not in the state she was in. This wasn’t passion of any sorts… If it was, it’s the most deluded form I’ve ever come across. Her body wasn’t hid—just left in pieces in her bedroom. Whoever did this, wanted her gone, but not without showing his deed to those linked to her. What was present of her shows no signs of fingerprints. They left the murder weapon behind for Christ sake know- ing it was as clean as a nun’s mouth. No DNA out of the ordinary within the whole property!” My throat curls in fluster even though I withhold hints to cushion my outburst. “How big is the house again?” Julian queries while poking part of his lower lip with a pen. My head rattles in estimate. “The family’s got riches. I’d say more than a quarter of a mile on either side; however, the length stretches just below a half.” The blond puffs out his amazement, but manages to still swivel on his task. He sits polar oppo- site of me at the table, but his scuffing pen riffs enough that I can hear it. “Please don’t negate this just yet. But the thatcher…” He awaited my haughty sigh. “Let me pose this, yeah? Alright. The house is quite large; meaning not much ground in thatching could be done in one day. Believe it or not, I went to talk to the housemaster myself. The thatcher comes from nine A.M. to sunset five out of the seven days in the week. Plenty of time to survey the house and check out how to plot this plan he has. He gets a break, before you interject your nonsense. He also was said to have a personal relationship with the one killed. ‘Lovers’ is pushing what’s not there, but they held attraction.” “What I’m hearing is that you feel the thatcher has gotten into a secret relationship with the daughter of a wealthy man, they’re star-crossed and all that Shakespeare crap… Out on a limb, you think she told him it’ll never work and he went on a rage and destroyed her? We’ll throw out background that he’s been working for them for about a week and assume he sought to kill her.” Breaking out of my glare at Marcus, those witnessing slink in their pivot chairs to try to bend out of the constriction in the air. “Look, if you seriously think taking this case in a whole other direction is the best thing to do, don’t let me stop you. Just know you’re going to have to start digging from drought,” the blond rivets his confidence, barely noticing its slither to pride—abused pride when I’m finished with him. “Not if I’m on the right path,” I retort. “So… Has everyone been caught up and, uh, is ready to split up and pick apart this mystery?” Troye chirps. His blue eyes crash around the room at the pricks of agreement and confirmation he’s received; relieved to warm to blighting freeze we’ve hung to the conference room. Every day, this routine fledges out, but everyone’s too gritty to become wont. Slowly, heads twist back to their previous task, and survivors of the discussion resume minor chores while waiting for more evidence to be scoped out. Julian hovers around his office for a min- ute with the notebook from the meeting flexed in his padded fingers. That’s a nicer way of saying sausage sized. “You’re plotting. I thought we agreed that you thinking is like peeing in the wind.” He deadpans my wit. “Shouldn’t you be saving your job? You know, once our boss finally gets fed up with your colorful nature and unorthodox techniques and fires you?” Not surprising he’d say that. My smile is flat, creases lack ingenuity. “If you’re thinking of tracking down that poor boy and interrogating him about a scarring event he’s fallen into, I’ll pinch your nipples and.. possibly write you a strongly worded letter.”

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