Fiction & Nonfiction

Fiction

The Great Chase – Caleb Gomez

One day I was walking to the park and then a dog started chasing me. I got so scared I ran so fast my shoes fell off and I almost fell. Then 10 seconds later I thought I was in the clear and I looked back and that’s when I saw the dog like 10 feet away from me. So then I saw a car so I jumped and landed on the roof of it.

So I let it quiet down for a little while then I finally got the courage to jump from the roof of the car and make a run for it to my house. So I started running as fast as I could then I heard barking not far away so then I started to panic again and then I heard people shouting my name so I felt a little relieved.

And next, I see my parents driving around looking for me. So I felt relieved then out of the corner of my eye I saw the dog again running right at me. So I run straight to my parents’ car and jump right in. Then I had a sigh of relief and then my parents called animal control.

The Greatest Cheat – Elias Pena

My name is Daniel and I don’t usually listen to other people’s conversations, but whenever I do accidentally hear something, it’s always some “super juicy gossip” as they say. Usually, it’s about who’s dating who, the new guy who just transferred to the school, now that new couple got broken up because the dude’s dating that new transfer guy, really plain stuff like that. It was one day in particular when I heard some really scandalous stuff, this news beats out relationship talk in my opinion, it’s the kind of news that can get those involved expelled. Great, now that I have your attention, I want to tell you about the 4 students who passed their science midterm for better or for worse.

Tuesday

It was a few days before the science midterm, the beginning of class on Tuesday. The test was going to be on Friday and we already knew it was coming for about 3 weeks. We had plenty of time to study for both the midterm and also a regular test that was on Thursday. Some people used the 3 weeks well, others not so much. I knew for myself that I wasn’t the most prepared but I figured that if I bombed just like I did for the last midterm (they were per semester in my class), my average wouldn’t suffer more than like, a 4-point drop. My teacher is very lenient about major grades. I had my situation figured out; if I must fail, then so be it. That brings me to the other students who did not spend those last 3 weeks well, or the majority of time in class for the most part. 4 students: Trenton, CD, Harry, and Andy. That Tuesday, they were talking about how much the midterm was going to screw over their grade. “I’m cooked bruh. My dad is gonna lose his stuff if he sees my grade,” said CD.

“I’m gonna lose illegibility for weightlifting if I fail,” worried Harry.

Andy lowered the volume of his music for a second, “What are y’all talking about?”

“They’re talking about how much the midterm is gonna suck,” replied Trenton.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”

I also felt like I had something to lose. I had a low 80 in Science and there was talk that the midterm was going to be worth 20% of our grade and there weren’t any more little assignments that could boost my average.

Thursday

Mr. Lyman, the teacher, had some news. “Everyone! If you would give me your attention. I know you’re all busy looking at your phones and whatnot. Unfortunately, I will be out tomorrow because my wife needs some minor surgery. She won’t be able to drive herself around so I’ll have to take care of her for a little bit. I should be back the same day but it might be later after the test.” There’s some chatter among the other students, they’re asking stuff like “are we still gonna have a test? Is it going to be rescheduled?” and then Mr. Lyman says something else, “The midterm will still happen though. I left the test administration to my good friend over in the remedial class. The expectations are still the same: no funny business, no goofy business, and most importantly, don’t take advantage of the sub.” He returns to his desk and now there’s a new feeling in the room, one of hope and wrong-doing. “Ay, bro,” CD calls to Trenton, “let’s just cheat on this thing.”

“I was thinking about that, you know,” replies Trenton.

“Cos like, we gonna get a sub and we can still leave for lunch in the middle of the class.”
“How would that work?”

“You could just take pictures.”

“How the hell am I gonna straight up take pictures of the test when the sub is watching us take the test?”

“She’s gonna be busy with her remedial students. I heard that she was actually sick or sumin’.”

They sit in silence for a little bit, thinking about their plan. I overhear them talking about it and it catches my attention. “I think it’s a solid plan,” says Trenton.

“It’s goated?”

“It’s goated. Hey, Harry, Andy-” Trenton motions to the other 2, “We have an idea for how to pass this %#$@%^ thing.”

“What are you gonna do?” asks Harry.

I take out my left earbud to hear them better but not give away the fact that i’m eavesdropping.

“I’m gonna take a picture of every question on the test, y’all can do whatever before lunch starts but during lunch, I’m gonna share the pictures with y’all so we can look them up online. Then we write down the answers on a piece of paper and copy off of that.” I hear Trenton go on about his plan and I’m thinking of ways for how I can secretly mooch off of those guys. “What about the sub? She’s not stupid, she’ll clearly see you on your phone cheating,” questions Andy.

“That’s why we gotta wait till tomorrow. So we can really be sure that this whole thing will work,” answers CD.

I think about their plan and I think about joining them for a second. I realize that it would only result in getting laughed at. They’d probably think I would snitch or they would just not work with me on anything. I also don’t know them that well and I haven’t really been able to talk to those guys and it would be weird if I suddenly decided to be friends with them after they worked out a plan to cheat on the midterm. I compromised and decided to create my own plan that I would figure out later. I still had to deal with the normal test for today.

Friday

I was sitting with my friend Alex in our psychology class. It’s my period before science and I like to use the time to do work for other classes and relax but this time, I’m discussing my plan of action for the midterm that’s an hour away. “I’m surprised you haven’t tried cheating on his tests before,” she said.

“It’s more effort to spend in 30 minutes than like, 2 weeks of studying,” I reply. “There’s careful planning and knowing exactly when to act in order not to get caught. I think it’s better to just fail rather than get a zero for cheating, you know.”

“It’s because you don’t have a cheating strat, huh?”

“Yeah, but I’ve been thinking.”

“You’ve been plotting? Scheming even?”

“Yessir. I’m gonna write the questions I don’t know onto another piece of paper and then when it’s lunch, I’ll search up the questions on my laptop. Easy-peasy.”

“What if Mr. Lyman sees you?”
“Oh! I forgot to mention, he’s out for most of today.”

“So you can do whatever you want! It seems really simple, I would just relax for now.”

I would like to relax but a part of me thinks I can still get a high 60 on this test by just trying to retain some of the information. “I think i’ll just read my notes for a little bit,” I say.

“Ok, nerd,” she retaliates.

“You literally run the coding club.”

“So?” she gets flustered. “This wasn’t about me, I definitely am NOT a nerd, just let me go back to my studies,” she says as she turns her back to me and pulls out her week-long coding project. My plan feels good, I start reading my notes and doing the review online a few times and before I realize the time, it’s 2 minutes before the bell. “Guess I’ll go @$#% myself,” I sheepishly weep.

“For real bro, good luck,” wishes Alex.

I walk into Mr. Lyman’s room. I know I’m supposed to be across the hall but my nerves lock my muscles into walking to and sitting down in my seat. Everyone else seems to be doing the same thing when they walk in. There’s a note on Lyman’s desk that one kid finds. It reads…

Dear students,

As you know, I am tending to my wife who is getting some minor surgery. Your midterm is still going to be administered and proctored under Mrs. Hart. I expect you all to be respectful to her and to do the test honestly.

Good luck to all of you,

Mr. Lyman

“Do y’all know where Mrs. Hart’s room is?” the kid asks.

CD arrives and yells, “Yo, where’s the big guy!”

“He ain’t here, remember,” responds Trenton. “It’s all on that sticky note on his desk.” While CD reads the note, an Admin walks in and asks, “Where’s y’alls teacher?” He’s not here we say. Harry steps up to the Admin with the note, the Admin reads it and concludes that he will walk us to the sub’s room across the hall and to the left. “Sofia! You have some more students so graciously given by Mac.”

“Oh, great,” she says. Her voice sounds nasally and stuffy, sickly I presume. “Y’all just –sneeze- seat yourselves in these front rows, thanks Tom.” Mrs. Hart has her own class going on right now, it’s the students who failed some classes and are doing some busy work so that they can graduate. The room is silent except for some fish tanks running in the back. Mrs. Hart sits at her desk looking more like a fresh corpse rather than a teacher, “I understand that Lyman’s students have a test. Did y’all bring that with you here?”

“We didn’t see the tests in his class,” says Trenton.

“Does anyone know where –sneeze- they are usually kept?”

“They’re usually in a locked cabinet,” someone says. “I think I know where the keys are as well.”

“Can you –sneeze- please go get them?” The kid goes back into Lyman’s room for a few minutes. The rest of us are sitting in silence. “She’s totally out of it. She wouldn’t care if we started doing blow right in front of her,” jokes Andy. “See! We can make this work!” claims Trenton. “I’ll take pictures like I said, and we’ll share the answers at lunch.”

“Alright.”

“Aight.”

“Cool.”

The kid finally arrives with the tests and he gives them to Hart. “Do y’all need some time to study?” There’s a unanimous “Yes!”

“Alright, I’ll give you guys 10 minutes and then we will begin. My students, I ask that you remain quiet for our testers and for the sake of my headache.”

10 minutes later and after some prepping, the tests roll out, they’re still soft and warm like they’re fresh from the printer, even though they’ve been in a cabinet for maybe weeks on end. The other students begin while I still put my notebook away. I lean to my left to get to my bag and I see those 4 guys doing their thing. Trenton is hiding his phone in behind his left arm so he can take pictures of each question; Mrs. Hart is too delirious to notice. Harry is actually doing the test, at least from what I could tell, Andy is staring at the ceiling trying to pass time, and CD is doing the test while messing with Andy. I’m doing my best to answer the questions, I took the online review at least 3 times so I feel very familiar with the content now. Some questions do puzzle me so, I reach into my inner jacket pocket and pull out my piece of paper. I watch the sub intensely to make sure she doesn’t look my way. Her head is facing my general direction but she seems to be nodding half to sleep. I set my paper on the table and she wakes with a jolt. I am dead stiff, have I been caught? I am going to be expelled?

“-incredibly big sneeze-”

“Bless you!” replied both classes.

“-sniffles- thanks.”

Hart checks the time on her watch and notices that we have 5 minutes till my class’s lunch, “Mr. Lyman’s class, you will be going to 2nd lunch in 5 minutes. My class, just hold tight till 3rd lunch. You guys make sure to leave your tests on your desk before you leave.” I write down a few more questions on my paper, guess a few more answers, and the bell rings for lunch.

I like to walk with music playing, it’s a whole process with my slow-ass phone and it takes me just as long to boot up Spotify as it did to take the test. In my frustration, I forgot my backpack in the classroom. It’s a force of habit since I don’t ever take my stuff with me to lunch but I really wanted to have my laptop to look up those answers. I got my food and went to sit in my normal spot; I couldn’t see Trenton, CD, Harry, or Andy anywhere so I couldn’t listen in on their answers. My phone is running smoothly now so I decided as a last resort that I would use the Google app on the school’s snail-speed wi-fi. I type in the question and get a result that I think was the answer on my test, but I couldn’t remember; You have to have a good memory if you want to perform this strategy. The result leads to a whole study set that has a few more questions from the test, just a few though because it seems to be for a completely different test. I try entering my question into another database and it gives me the same results. I only have two questions written down so I punch in my last question and, I get zip. I realize my attempts at cheating are futile and it causes my morals to feel sick. I just continue about eating my lunch with some Strokes playing in my ear.

We return to the class and resume testing. I take a quick glance to my left: Mrs. Hart is out cold and those 4 guys are answering questions at a much faster pace than before. They also seem to be passing a paper back and forth in their row. Harry is the first to hand in his test, then CD, then Andy, and lastly Trenton. I check over my answers once, twice, hell, maybe thrice. After praying to every God imaginable, I hand in my test. There’s a huge weight lifted off my chest whenever I finished. I sit back down and contemplate what score I could get. “Definitely a 100” I think.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Hart wakes from the dead and tells us, “So, my class has 3rd lunch and I really want to use that time to eat and take a nap. Alone preferably. Mr. Lyman’s class, do you guys want to go to 3rd lunch so I can relax a little?” We said yes, shocking, isn’t it? I was happy to go to 3rd lunch since all of my friends were there. On my walk to the courtyard, I passed the same monitor I saw the first time I went to 2nd lunch. He was certainly surprised but didn’t do much to acknowledge me and the other 20 students who also saw him a second time today. The rest of the day was uneventful after that. I hung out with my friends, went to a few more classes, and just forgot about the test that I had plotted to cheat on for days.

Next Tuesday

The grades for our midterms came in on Sunday but I didn’t check till the next Tuesday. I actually passed with an 80, in fact, it was the only test I had passed in that class. I felt incredible about it. “Bruh, you’re cooked,” CD was teasing Andy about his score.

“Well, lemme see your score then!”

“Hell nah, I had no time to study cos I was working all week.”

“Bro, you live in a 2 story smart home. You can’t like, ask Google House for answers?”

“I do live in a 2 story smart home but that don’t have anything to do with my score! Bruh, where the %$^@ did you get Google House from?”

Trenton notices something missing from the classroom, “Yo, have y’all seen Harry today?”

“Nah bro, he’s prolly sick or sum”

“Ah, you know what? I think he got removed from this class” Trenton and CD gasp in shock.

“No way,” “Ain’t no way,” they say.

“Yeah, he got caught cheating because he had a perfect score of 100. It didn’t make sense when compared to his other scores of like 50s and 60s,” explained Andy.

“Broo what an idiot!” says Trenton. “I told him to purposely miss a few questions so he would get at least an 80.”

“Harry is just him. He’s the guy,” says CD. “Cam, what’s your grade in the class now?” asks Trenton.

“It’s CD, not Cam. I went from a 92 to an 89, It moved jack-$%#@.”

“That’s all that happened? I thought it would be way more drastic,” wonders Andy.

“It really don’t mean nothing. Like, I already knew that but, it’s weird,” replies CD.

My grade went up 8 points from an 80 to an 88, which gives me more leeway for when I eventually fail my next test. For such a nerve-wracking experience, not that much really happened. I passed this test today and my grade my next test grade will show just as much movement as a rock. But sometimes that’s drama for you, irrelevant, forgotten, and moved on from.

The Rosenburg – Jade Ruiz

Well Los Angeles it’s time to say goodbye to The Rosenburg. An infamous hollywood oasis. Four walls with thousands of secrets and unforgettable stays. The Hotel has stood for 100 years, though it’s time for the doors to close. The walls are peeling, cracks are growing, and the location is too expensive for the getaway to stay afloat. The Rosenburg will host its last guests in May, and starting June 1st demolition will begin. Today we will honor The Rosenburg and its 100 years of glamor and memories.

Founded in 1924 by Alison Rosenburg, a socialite. The story starts after she returned home from a ski trip to find her husband a little too close to French movie star Camille Boucher. Following Alison’s life became a dizzying mess of flashing lights from paparazzi and divorce settlement meetings. After a grueling six months Alison left New York with her luggage and a lump sum of money. (Thank you prenup). In Los Angeles, Alison stayed in a bungalow, nicknamed Casa Rosenburg. After eight months in the bungalow she decided to stay in LA and expand her place. Eventually expanding to seven bunglows, a pool, a restaurant with a bar, and a seven story hotel named the Rosenburg.

Though Alison passed in 1988, the hotel has remained a hotspot for those with status. Mick Jagger through his 60th birthday there. The night started with dancing crowds and drinks flowing, and ended with Diana Hartly jumping in the pool with her six million dollar Versace dress on. (The dress can be found in The Hollywood Hall Of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.)

Jack Wright locked himself in room 304 to write his album Moonlight Blue. The album went on to win Album of the Year at the Grammys the following year, Wright calling The Rosenburg a creative goldmine.

Taking a page from Alison Rosenburg, Vivian Charles ran to the hotel when her marriage with Don Shoulder crumbled. She stayed there for three weeks, where she partied, sun tanned, and found her future husband. Micheal Shane a drummer for The Rocks. The two renewed their vows And celebrated their 10 year anniversary at The Rosenberg two years ago.

In 2014, Taylor Swift hosted a release party for her top charting album 1989. The night was filled with her new pop songs bouncing off the walls. Her and her new romantics friend group spent the night splashing in the underground pool and taking polaroids matching the theme of the album. On why Swift chose to host her party at The Rosenberg, she said “It’s truly this magical place, I’ve been hearing about it since I was a kid in Pennsylvania, there’s so many stories about love and heartbreak surrounding and Hollywood. And that’s what 1989 is, me flourishing in a new era while picking up pieces of my heart and handling the fame that follows.

Who could forget the fire that swept the main floor in 2002. It was Patti Queen’s 50th birthday party and fellow actor, Neil Watts walked into the room, carrying a cake with giant sparkling candles. Patti was unsuccessful blowing them out and they soon touched the drapes sending the fire spreading. Everyone made it out safely, no help to SNL comedian Parker Clef, who was screaming “FIRE FIRE” the whole time. It took firefighters four hours to put the flames out. Burnt leather and charred velvet remained. The Rosenburg had to close the doors to the main hotel for three months, Though successfully opening in time for the Oscars.

The Rosenburg is located at 1205 Sunset Blvd directly in front of the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held. So every March celebrities and filmmakers come together at The Rosenburg to dress up to the nines. At the end of the night stars filter back end with shiny awards in hand, for the afterparty.

For the last 100 years The Rosenburg has served Los Angeles as a beautiful hotel full of life and memories. It is now time for the doors to close.

When Disaster Strikes Lego Village – Lorraine Fraserrand

Seven-year-old Andy sat peacefully in his attic, building his Lego world. Carefully, he
finished off the sushi restaurant, adding the final details. A sign on the wall, a chair at the table,
tiny chopsticks on the counter. He turned and reached into his giant plastic tub of Legos,
searching for what to build next.
Suddenly, he heard a loud crash from his village. A violent hurricane of toddler fury
swept across the floor, wrecking the Lego masterpiece he had spent weeks constructing. Andy
shot up from the floor.
“No!” he cried, as his three-year-old brother kicked over structures, destroying hundreds
of Lego lives. “James, get out of here!”
James laughed and continued to create chaos among the innocent citizens of the Lego
world. Andy watched in horror as everything fell to the ground. Houses, parks, the hospital, the
schoolhouse and even the brand-new sushi restaurant, all gone. Finally, Andy unfroze and
pushed his brother out of the Lego mess, terror replaced with anger. He quickly tried to salvage
anything that had not been completely wrecked.
“How could you do this? I worked on these legos for weeks”, Andy shouted, “get out of
here right now or I’m telling Mom!” James waddled out the door still smiling, oblivious to the
mass destruction he was now responsible for.
Tears welled in Andy’s eyes. He looked around at the ruins of what had been his biggest
accomplishment. Kneeling before the scene, he picked up one of his Lego characters, Ms.
Janet. She was missing an arm, and her head had been twisted backward. He held her up
above the rubble, emergency helicopters securing her injured person and dashing off to the
neighboring city’s hospital.
Slowly, more emergency aircraft came to the rescue of any surviving citizens. First
responders ran about the rubble, scanning for civilians trapped underneath fallen buildings.
Throughout all of Lego Village, firetrucks and ambulance sirens filled the air, accompanied by
crying children and frantic shouts.
For the remaining afternoon, the Lego government officials performed damage control,
doing what they could to contain the aftermath of such a tragedy. And that was what it was.
Tragedy had struck the unsuspecting Lego village on what had seemed like an ordinary
Saturday afternoon. Tragedy in the form of a “sweet” little three-year-old. Whose violence was
provoked by his “not knowing any better”. And certainly, the village would not soon forget this
incident. Not even when a call could be heard from the kitchen downstairs, “Andy, dinner’s
ready!”

Non-Fiction

Time Through Worlds – Mario M.

Once upon a time in a small town called Rattler, there lived five teenagers: Tim, Maya, Kelly, Crystal, and Kylee. They were best friends who loved reading fantasy novels about alternate worlds and playing competitive video games with each other. One afternoon, as they gathered at Maya’s house, something out of this world happened. A mysterious portal appears out of thin air, swirling with vibrant purple color and crackling with an energetic sound! Kelly, the most curious, approaches it. Without hesitation, the portal pulls the group in, transporting them to a new earth.

As they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a beautiful landscape. Majestic, snow-capped mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, forests lush and dense, thrived with a plethora of unknown and alien creatures. Excitement filled their hearts as they realized they had been transported to a world of wizardry and beasts. The first to realize their magical abilities was Kelly, who had always been obsessed with fantastic worlds, and now it had become a reality for her. One by one, the group quickly discovers that each of them possesses said abilities.

Kelly discovers she can manipulate the elements, while Tim finds out he has the power to control fire. Maya possesses the ability to communicate with animals, and Crystal has the gift of illusion. Lastly, Kylee discovers she can turn invisible. Together, the group sets out on a journey to explore this uncharted world. Along the way, they encounter otherworldly creatures such as majestic dragons, fairies, and ancient wizards. As they honed their magical abilities and faced various challenges, the teenagers realized they needed each other to overcome obstacles that came their way. For without each other, they will surely fail. As their skills grew stronger with each passing day, the group became more confident and skilled with their magic.

Eventually, after a long time of many legendary battles and many memories they had made throughout the journey in the magical world, they call Earth-Two, the group finds a portal that looks the same as the one that first brought them to Earth-Two they are now one of them decided to use a magical key that can open anything and close anything to make the portal more of a door between where they are and where ever the portal may lead but as usual Kelly the most clumsy one of them all jumps into the portal without thinking in which all of them to get pulled alongside her. The portal had teleported them back home. They in which they were all surprised to be back home and assumed it was but a dream and went home without them all realizing they have been gone for 10 years and as soon as they went inside their house all of the parents cried cheers of joy seeing their kids back home

As the approaching day came, making it the second day, the children had been back home and the parents and children all came together to get the story straight because they had been missing for over a decade. The parents thought they had lost their children 10 years ago the children later realized a day after they went into the portal Kelley’s and Maya’s parents decided to contact authorities to launch a full ongoing search party for the missing teens for a week straight but had no luck on finding them they all thought the worst of their kids being kidnapped and killed someplace else and all the parents did not give up their search they had tried everything making poster’s spreading awareness of the teens but after 6 months of searching for them, they had no luck and accepted that they had all lost their children.

On the other hand Tim the first one to speak up explained what had happened to them and how a portal opened because of how Kelly went in first and how the portal sucked them into the portal because of the strong pull force that the portal was producing and explained on a deeper level about their journey that they had fought the magical beast and went on quests in the other world.

All the parents in the room were shocked and dumbfounded at what they had just heard from Tim but everyone else agreed with Tim’s story then Maya’s Mother asked her daughter if she could use magic just as Tim had stated and Maya confirmed that she could indeed use magic in the other world. Shortly after Maya said she could, the other parents asked their kids if they could also use magic in the other world. They all said yes that they could use magic but one parent, Tim’s dad is suspicious if they are who they say they are. We later find out that all the kids looked the same as they did 10 years ago when Tim’s dad said this but before the parents said anything. Crystal spoke up and said she could open the portal and close it at will now it just took her a day to do it. Kelley immediately stood up and told her to open the portal now as she said this Crystal opened the portal and everyone got a flashback to when they first experienced this and they had awakened in the world that the children had said they were in for the past decade the parents who didn’t know anything where astounded at the scenery they have before them.

All the parents now believe their children as they can see the world around them and are amazed at the beautiful scenery in front of them. Kelley was the first to speak and say let’s go back to the house.

Once the group had arrived into the place the children call earth 2.0 but quickly realized they too had powers the parents of the children they needed the guidance of the children to get used to their new profound power that they need to wield in order to survive and be able to help in this world because now the children are in charged due to the situation that the parents do not know since they have not been here before but the children who are Tim Sanches, maya sunny, kelly smiles, Crystal rodriguez, and Kylee ramirez have been here before. The parents are amazed to see the world that their children had told them is true and not just a lie.

The groups gets adjusted to what just happened and come up with a plan to go to a nearby village where they registered their parents as hunters in the guild of anjin where three of them are B-rank and two are s-rank and the last three are d-rank everyone in the guild at the time saw two brand new s-ranks which are rare and everyone in the guild hall celebrated the two brand new s-ranks that have appeared as that happens Tim’s dad asked what their ranks were Tim responded with saying that one of us was b-rank two of us were s-rank and the other two myself included were double s-rank. Which amazed everyone when they heard that there were two double s-ranks in the guild (there have been only fifty double s-ranks in the history of mankind). When the group came together Kelly said why not take on a quest to kill a red dragon to earn two thousand gold coins. Kelly’s mom Debra objected to the idea since it was too dangerous for children to do and that we should rather get herbs for the hospital instead Kylee refused to get herbs when she only paid 10 copper coins. That’s when Kelly’s mom Dahlia spoke up telling the parents that the children have been here before. Tim stated that they have killed dragons before and have taken jobs to hunt down wolfs and much more which made the parents reassure their kids will be safe however Debra still opposes the idea of the job even if it pays two thousand gold (two thousand gold is equivalent to one million and three hundred thousand)

Empowering the Future: The Importance of Young Voters in Our Modern Day Society – Tristan Toscano

Voting is the process of selecting candidates for a position of power that represents them as leaders to a wider audience. In our country, we elect our representatives after their term. With the presidential election on the horizon in less than a year, the need for young voters has never been a greater demand. Voting is a key element in our democratic society. It is used in our country today, the United States of America, and other countries around the world. Voting at an early age can’t be overstated any more than it already is.

The legal age for voting is 18 years of age which was put into place in 1971 when the ratification of the 26th Amendment was passed. Voting is just the beginning of lifelong civic duties that fall into one’s lap. Voting is a fundamental part of our country’s democratic system because it gives the people a job to help empower a representative or representatives to help govern our country. When people cast their votes, they are simply wanting to see change and a brighter future for our nation and its leaders. By having young voters advocate for nationwide supplemental issues that are important to them, like gender equality, racial discrimination, etc., this gives us the power to tell our representatives how we feel and what they should do to make us feel safe.

Each generation of young people who have the chance to vote has their own voice and own values that make them themselves. Each generation of young voters brings something new to the upkeep of our nation.

For decades, voting rights have been a contentious and controversial topic in our country. Just 154 years ago, in 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified, which would later allow any male, regardless of ethnicity or prior slave status, to register and vote. And just 50 years later, in 1920, women were granted the legal right to vote when the 19th Amendment was ratified. These both had huge impacts on the country’s history and society. The 15th and 19th amendments gave people the right to vote without judgment of race or gender. But our country is changing and growing every year, so there is a demand and a necessity for young voters to take a place in politics, help our nation grow, and open their eyes to a better form of government.

When young people take a stand in voting, they now honor those who made sacrifices for those who fought for everyone’s rights to vote. This shows immense amounts of gratitude for the people who dedicated their lives to the mission of making sure everyone has a voice and that their voice is heard.

Young voters play an important role in shaping the future, by voicing their opinions through voting. Their vote ensures perspectives on our representation as a whole nation. Young voters have the power that strengthens our democracy and promotes a more inclusive society, because every vote counts in making a better tomorrow.

Mi Hija es Muy Independiente

I’m the oldest of eight children. I’ve always been the child my parents don’t worry too much about. I’ve always done things by myself. I’m very resourceful and as some say “smart” and mature for my age. But it’s not because I chose to be those things, it’s because I learned I needed to be like this. Growing up I always heard “eres tan independiente, mija” or “ella siempre hace sus cosas solita” when my grandparents would talk about me to their friends., and I always took it as a compliment because at my age I thought it was a “flex”. Now looking back and hearing it today, it’s not such a big compliment as I thought because why didn’t I get to do what all my friends did when they were younger, why didn’t I get to enjoy the beginning of my teen years, why didn’t I get to enjoy my childhood. Although people think it’s “nice” to be called independent, nobody talks about reality and all the struggles that come with it. Not asking for help because you want to feel like a burden, or not letting yourself cry because it makes you feel weak. Not being able to accept a gift without feeling guilty because you’re used to getting everything for yourself and if you can’t, YOU FIND A WAY. First born daughters are born with a rage, and always live with guilt, whenever they let it show. Because it tends to be received by those who don’t deserve it. It’s the anger when they ask if you need help, when you know you could do it yourself, and the sigh of exhaustion you let out when they’re just trying to understand. Being a first born daughter also means that there’s a thirst for perfection because you wanna feel good when someone says “ I’m proud of you”. Growing up fast with an “I got to do more than this” mindset can be difficult at times. Sometimes it makes you feel like you’re running out of time in obtaining everything you desire. But at the end of the day, it is all worth being the big sister, little siblings role model, advice giver, comfort person, and tear wiper., Even if at times you wish you didn’t have to wipe your own tears too.

Home-Cooked Meal – Jasper Rose

Seven-year-old Andy sat peacefully in his attic, building his Lego world. Carefully, he
finished off the sushi restaurant, adding the final details. A sign on the wall, a chair at the table,
tiny chopsticks on the counter. He turned and reached into his giant plastic tub of Legos,
searching for what to build next.
Suddenly, he heard a loud crash from his village. A violent hurricane of toddler fury
swept across the floor, wrecking the Lego masterpiece he had spent weeks constructing. Andy
shot up from the floor.
“No!” he cried, as his three-year-old brother kicked over structures, destroying hundreds
of Lego lives. “James, get out of here!”
James laughed and continued to create chaos among the innocent citizens of the Lego
world. Andy watched in horror as everything fell to the ground. Houses, parks, the hospital, the
schoolhouse and even the brand-new sushi restaurant, all gone. Finally, Andy unfroze and
pushed his brother out of the Lego mess, terror replaced with anger. He quickly tried to salvage
anything that had not been completely wrecked.
“How could you do this? I worked on these Legos for weeks”, Andy shouted, “get out of
here right now or I’m telling Mom!” James waddled out the door still smiling, oblivious to the
mass destruction he was now responsible for.
Tears welled in Andy’s eyes. He looked around at the ruins of what had been his biggest
accomplishment. Kneeling before the scene, he picked up one of his Lego characters, Ms.
Janet. She was missing an arm, and her head had been twisted backward. He held her up
above the rubble, emergency helicopters securing her injured person and dashing off to the
neighboring city’s hospital.
Slowly, more emergency aircraft came to the rescue of any surviving citizens. First
responders ran about the rubble, scanning for civilians trapped underneath fallen buildings.
Throughout all of Lego Village, firetrucks and ambulance sirens filled the air, accompanied by
crying children and frantic shouts.
For the remaining afternoon, the Lego government officials performed damage control,
doing what they could to contain the aftermath of such a tragedy. And that was what it was.
Tragedy had struck the unsuspecting Lego village on what had seemed like an ordinary
Saturday afternoon. Tragedy in the form of a “sweet” little three-year-old. Whose violence was
provoked by his “not knowing any better”. And certainly, the village would not soon forget this
incident. Not even when a call could be heard from the kitchen downstairs, “Andy, dinner’s
ready!”