August Writers 2015

We have our first batch of writers for the 2015-2016 school year.  I want to commend our five brave student writers who chose to sign up for the first group. 

All students, here is your assignment.  You are to read the five submissions this month and leave thoughtful, helpful commentary and analysis for each piece.  Your comments are due by Friday, September 4.  This is a homework assignment.  You must remember to be courteous and respectful on the blog.  For some of our writers, this is their first published piece.  Be kind and know that your peers will be reading your writings later this year.

August Writers--your assignment this month is to check the blog and read the comments that you receive for your piece.  You are to read the other submissions and leave comments for only two pieces.

Go read and comment.  Enjoy.  You will not be disappointed!!!!

Love,

Mrs. Solano

Brian

I was exiting the movie theater, saying to myself, “Why the hell did I pay twelve dollars for that.” It was a warm summer evening, a pretty normal day for anyone, but for me it was too quiet. I haven’t been hearing them recently.

“Oh well.” I said as I shrugged my shoulders, neglecting that something has or is keeping them silent. I stretched for a couple minutes before starting to walk home. I stared into the sky while walking, hoping not to fall or hit something, look at the millions of sparkling diamonds pasted onto the sky. Their presence calms me as I start imagining how easy it must be to be a star. Just having to exist without a care in the world.

I receive a text from my girlfriend, a tall brunette with the best personality of anyone I have met.

“Hi, I was just wondering if you are still coming over Saturday for dinner.”

I text back, “Sorry, I can’t make it. I’ll make it up to you though, promise.” I shove the phone back into my pocket as my house comes to view. I live in a one-story house with two bedrooms and one bathroom. The yards aren’t that big but it’s enough to entertain my dog Rex.

As I come up to the door I can already hear nails scratching against the door and small whimpers. Rex begins to pounce onto my legs as he welcomes me back home. I pet him and lead him over to the kitchen as I prepare both of our dinners. For me a rack of ribs with some rice and mashed potatoes and for Rex, a bowl of Pedigree wet dog food. When I finished eating I took a quick shower and laid in bed for a while before falling asleep

Screaming, endless screaing. That is what I dreamed of last night, knowing that I was traumatized and having nightmares because… I shook those thoughts out of my mind and began to focus my thoughts onto getting out of bed and going to school. I left the house once again, locking it before I left.

“Why am I having those nightmares again? Why now?” I thought to myself, barely realizing that I had already arrived at the university. I began to have those thoughts again during class while also thinking about how good it would be if something exciting happened again. Like the murder spree that happened a couple of years back. There were sixty-eight victims, only seven of the bodies were found, the rest were eaten. The police were able to capture the murderer right when he was about to claim his sixty-ninth victim. As usual the day was as normal as any other, spent some time with my friends, studied, texted and called my girlfriend a couple of times, and then I started to watch some murder mystery shows before going to sleep.

“Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?! Why?! Why?!! Why!!!!!”

I woke up with those words burned into my mind and for the rest of the week I couldn’t get it out of my head. Luckily that changed when I turned on the TV and saw the news report.

“Another disappearance  has occurred here, the victim a burly man by the name of Nick Patterson. More details will be available later on in the investigation.”

“Finally some excitement in this plain-old city.” I said to Rex as he stared at me with his head tilted in a confused manner. The second I reached the classroom the only thing that anyone was talking about was about the murder. Being interested in this type of thing I started to converse with my classmates to see if I could find out anything else about this case.

“I heard that he had his head bashed in and then he was dragged away.”

“I heard that the killer tried to drag him away but couldn’t, so instead he chopped him up into pieces, put it into a bag and then took it away.”

“Well I heard that it is probably the same guy that was eating people a few years back, but I really hope that it isn’t, I don’t want to be eaten.”

I was practically running home after hearing about all of this. Greeted again by Rex, I began to make the same dinner, a rack of ribs with rice and mashed potatoes, but this time I decided to give Rex some of the leftover meat I had.

“I wouldn’t want Patterson to spoil, now would we Rex.” I said to myself as I bit into one on the meatiest ribs that I have eaten in a long time, listening to the crack of the bones and the sensation of the fat melting in my mouth.

Sade

School is the most important element in a young person’s life, it is the very fodder that promotes growth  and innovation for the youth, and shapes them for the rest of their life.. People in America experience 13  years of  required schooling and are encouraged to do at least another four years in college.  Some people  spend even more time in college, school is the one constant in a young person’s life and plays a huge part  in the way the youth live their lives. Schooling is not only occurring in America, but rather it is a  worldwide phenomenon that is an essential part of life for the youth. Whether it’s homeschool, private  school, or public school, people in every country are  attending schools. Although every country has  schools not all education centers are created equal, and each one has a different way of managing their  school system and running their curriculum. I had the privilege of interviewing a foreign exchange  student who recently came to California from Italy about one month ago, his name is Federico Battaglia  and he is a senior this year at Etiwanda High School. Federico talked to me about his former school life  and taught me about the high school system in Italy, and how it compared to American learning  institutions.    American schools are not like schools across the world, these education centers feature extracurriculars,  and although they seem normal for the people who live here, others might find it strange. In America  there are sports teams, rallies, dances, and after school clubs. Although these are common in high schools  across the nation this is not common in Italy and it is not featured in the high schools. If one wants to play  sports they must play outside of school. Dances, rallies, and clubs are not offered. The only clubs high  school students go to are dancing clubs, since they are allowed to go clubbing at 16. Mr. Battaglia plays  basketball and he is quite good but unlike most American high school basketball players he did not play  for the school because basketball was not offered. Instead, he played in a league outside of his school.  Typically students here wake up around 7­8 am and attend school Monday through Friday. In Italy school  is from 7 am to 12am and is from Monday through Saturday. High School is defined by either freshman,  sophomore, junior or senior. Italians define it as year one, year two, year three, year for or year five.  Italians have five years of high school. In Federico’s case he can either decide to return to Italy or attend  college in America. Just like in America Italian schools are from September to June and lasts  approximately two hundred and twenty days. The curriculum itself is pretty much like the American  version. Except in Italy students learn up to 9 subjects in one year, and their schedule changes every few  days. For example a student will have their first four subjects on one day, and their next 5 subjects on  another day, they ran on a block schedule. Americans typically know one language, English, and although  there are courses offered that teach foreign languages students are not given a very good education on the  study of languages. In the next 5 years the students will probably forget the information they learned in  their foreign language. In Italy, as well in other countries, students are offered an in depth language study  curriculum that guarantees a student will know that language fluently by the end of their study. Federico  knows four languages, English, Italian, French, and Spanish. His language skills are perfect and he is  completely fluent. Federico describes American schools as “easy” and then described to me what made  Italian schools so difficult. There are more subjects to be learned at Italian schools, and tests are not only  written but oral as well, which Federico feels to be exceptionally difficult. 
In interviewing Federico I inadvertently discovered why we are behind in all subjects in comparison to  other countries. I discovered we use time inefficiently and we waste our resources on items that we do not  really need, and spend copious amounts of time focusing on the irrelevant tasks. If our schools are  inefficient and subpar in comparison to Italy then why did he come? The answer is simple. Federico came  to sound like a native English speaker, to play basketball, and to come to the land of opportunity,  California. I learned from this interview that our schools need a complete and total transformation, and we  should possibly adopt methods from other countries in our to further ourselves. We have the potential to  be great, and instead we are wasting our resources.

Hamza--Faster Than A Blink

“Faster Than A Blink” 

      Nick Mendoza and Carl Dawes walked into the investigation room.  They are both police detectives and have been partners for the past 10  years. “Man, you sure do know how to pick the perfect donuts,” Carl  jokingly said as they walked into the investigation room. “Aha its one of my  gifts,” said Nick proudly. “Alright, what do we have here,” said Carl as they  approached the dead body on the table. “Caucasian male about 40 years  of age, bullet went right threw the poor fella’s head, came in one ear and  out the other,” said Nick shaking his head at the report. “Wow,” said Carl as  his eyes widened. “uh im sorry that you had to see this, I know it brings  back bad memories,” said Carl “What are you talking about,” said Nick “  You know man about your uh father, he died just like this,” Carl said as he  nervously gulped. A suspicious look quickly drew on Nick’s face “How did  you know that, it happened one year before we meet and I was the only  one who investigated his murder,” said Nick staring into Carl’s eyes as  walked around him like he was investigating him. Carl just stood there  sweating. A horrifying thought just came into Nick’s head, he quickly  grabbed Carl’s wrist and held it firmly “Did you kill my father ?” said Nick  extremely calm. “ What, are you out of your mind, you're crazy,” said Carl.  Nick was feeling Carl’s heartbeat on his wrist he knew that if it sped up Carl  was lying. “DID YOU KILL MY FATHER?” shouted Nick “NO” shouted Carl.  The heartbeat……...sped up. Without thinking, faster than a blink Nick  quickly dropped Carl’s wrist picked up his gun and aimed it at Carl. Carl  froze, you could see the fear in his eye. Carl was about to open his mouth  but before he could say something, Nick had already pulled the trigger. 

The End.

David--The Guardian of life Forever Young

The Guardian of life Forever Young

A man who once felt the weight of the world on his shoulders woke up one day and decided that a walk along the coastline of his hometown would be good for him as the sound of the waves and the scent of the blustering salted wind helped to clear his abrupt thought process and emotions. He walked and walked until he reached the town’s shipyard where a ship just back from the new world was unloading its passengers. The man over heard of a search for something called the fountain of life, he thought of his sickness more mental than physical thinking maybe the fountain could heal him after all it wasn’t called the fountain of life for no reason but contemplated then quickly dismissed the idea, as there could be no such wonder in this world. The man then headed back into town and nothing too interesting occurred through that day but little did the man know that he subconsciously remembered hearing about the fountain of life. He went to bed that night having dreams so lucid that he could feel the sea and hear voices. One voice he continuously heard all night that would tell him things like “go” “adventure is waiting” and one thing that soft whispering voice told him sparked a fire that burned through his soul all the way into the light of day. It said “life, youth, eternity, seeking, believing, the fountain gives water… the fountain gives life, life flows from water, life that is forever young and beautiful”. He immediately awoke at that very moment and knew that he had to go looking for the fountain so that just maybe he could be happy and live a life forever young. He went out that day got a ship, a crew, and set sail for the new world. When he and the crew arrived they set up camp just like anyone else would and then decided that search the next morning would be best. The crew searched for weeks and weeks and no luck the man then returned to his theory that no such wonder could exist. So they decided to pack up and go home, but just before they had left something caught the mans eye and he went to go check and sure enough he had found the fountain! The man was hysterical and went to get his crew and his newly found lover. The man wanted to protect the fountain and use its waters for good on only the sick however everyone else had a different idea… His lover stabbed him in the back with a dagger black as night and immediately drowned him in the fountains waters that were clear as day. The waters quickly turned a scorching deathly blood red and then in that very moment between life and death the man realized that this world was no place to live forever young. To this day that man now dressed in white and gold is the guardian of the fountain and it is his job to make sure no one drinks its now red waters because no one is meant to live a life that is forever young.

Madii--The Reality of Life and Death

The Reality of Life and Death

By: Madelyn Duran

ACT 1: Scene 1

(Lights come up with Jackson and Amanda sitting at a table across from each other)

Jackson: I called you in to see if you can help me with something.

Amanda: And what is that?

Jackson: I need to move on.

Amanda: Move on? I don’t understand.

Jackson: You know my wife passed away.

Amanda: That was six years ago. I know what happened was hard for you, but you can’t live the rest of your life this way. You need to see someone else.

Jackson: No you don’t understand. I’ve liked her since I was twelve, we dated in high school, and married soon after. I spent my entire life with her.

Amanda: I understand that but..

(Jackson cuts Amanda off)

Jackson: No you don’t understand and you never will.

Amanda: Why do you go to her grave site every day? Why do you still wear your wedding ring?

Jackson: I never divorced her. See you won’t ever understand because you had so many boyfriends growing up. You were used to dating someone for a couple years then breaking up and finding someone new.

Amanda: My husband died too!

(Jackson remains silent)

Amanda: And I was married to him for more than a couple years. Try 26 years. That’s a more accurate number.

Jackson: You were able to have some closure. You talked to him after he died. I need that closure.

Amanda: I can’t help you.

Jackson: I know you can, don’t lie to my face. Look at me!

Amanda: This isn’t something to just play games with! Talking to the dead is a dangerous thing.

Jackson: Please I need this..

Amanda: You just don’t get it do you?

Jackson: Then explain it to me.

Amanda: Trying to communicate with spirits can trap them in a location. It’s painful for the spirit. It prolongs their period to reach heaven.

Jackson: She’s already in heaven.

Amanda: Well If I can communicate with her she’s most likely not.

Jackson: So you have seen her!

Amanda: Maybe.

Jackson: Why didn’t you tell me!

Amanda: Because I knew you would ask me to communicate with her for you.

Jackson: You’re my last hope. Come on Amanda. Please.

Amanda: (takes a deep breath) Fine.

Scene 2

(Amanda sits at the edge of the stage. She closes her eyes and breaths. Slowly, spirits come behind her and stand scattered on stage. She faces forward the whole time she talks to spirits)

Anna: My name is Anna. Can you hear me?

Amanda: I can.

Anna: I died when I was 29. I was a song writer. I loved music, art, dancing and singing.

Amanda: What happened?

Anna: I was pushed down the stairs.

Amanda:  ( Amanda puts her hand on the back of her head and looks like shes in pain) And you hit your head, blood,  it was painful for you

Jacob: I’m Jack.

Amanda: Jack Chavez.

Jacob: Yes. I was a scientist. All I remember is mixing chemicals together, maybe it spilled, or not. I don’t remember how I died.

Amanda: You remain in your death state. And you only feel the pain.

Jacob: That’s all I have to say, I’m sorry if I was an inconvenience.

Amanda: No, don’t you ever think that. I will help you pass on, I promise.

Wendy: Amanda? Is that you?

Amanda: Wendy! (Turns to Wendy) Oh I’m so glad you’re here!

Wendy: I’m healing Amanda! Look at me! I’m glowing! (Pauses) How is Jackson?

Amanda: That’s why I came here.

Wendy: He never knows that I’m there for him, I’m always with him. I’m always protecting him.

Amanda: He begged for me to come speak to you. He said he needed to move on from you.

Wendy: I don’t blame him.

Amanda: What do I do? I can’t connect you two, and then you’ll stay here forever.

Wendy: I’ll speak to him.

Amanda: That’s insane. He won’t let you go.

Wendy: I know him well and he will.

(Amanda Pauses)

Wendy: Do you trust me.

Amanda: I do.

Wendy: Then believe me when I tell you he will. Now you have to leave before spirits become attached to you.

Amanda: I’m scared Wendy, I’m scared for you.

Wendy: I have to do this. You need to have faith in me.

Amanda: I’ll try too.

(Amanda pauses then quickly leaves)

Scene 3

(Jackson is alone in his room looking through Wendy’s jewelry box and her clothes and crying over them)

Wendy: Why are you crying?

(Jackson looks at her in astonishment and doesn’t speak)

Wendy: Well talk to me, I came all the way here to see you.

(Jackson runs up to Wendy and hugs her; they sit down)

Wendy: You can’t be doing this to yourself. Life is temporary, and even for you.

Jackson: Why did you go?

Wendy: Do you think I had a choice? I love you.

Jackson: I just needed to hear that one more time.

Wendy: And I’ll never stop loving you, I’m always protecting you, I’m always watching over you, but please promise me something.

Jackson: What is that?

Wendy: You need to let me go. I need to be set free.

Jackson: (Takes a deep breath) If that’s what you need, I promise I will.

Wendy: Take my hand. (Jackson takes her hand) Remember I will never leave you.

Jackson: I know that now. I know you’re here.

Wendy: Close your eyes. Do you feel my hand in yours?

Jackson: I do.

Wendy: I need to pass on. I need to heal.

Jackson: I have to let you go.

Wendy: I trust you. (Wendy lets go of his hand and walks off stage)

Scene 4

(Amanda hands Jackson a white rose and Jackson lays the rose on Wendy’s tomb stone, Amanda leaves Jackson alone at Wendy’s tomb and he sits next to it)

Jackson: (Whispers)You’re now set free.