Library Poetry winner
Poem By: Cassie Deering
Survivor ~ a sonnet
Survivor ~ a sonnet
With nails that pierce the heart, mem’ry fails me
Your face, my dove, lost to graying thought
Among dark clouds of age, one tear falls free
Onto the rugged face that Death forgot
No ageless peace can nail me to the cross
To drink Time’s immortal cup I must plan
I bear the burden of days, Albatross
Time does not repose its feet for one man
Like memories when sinners’ debt was due
That give the roar of the shore-bound tempest
But seldom do these begreaved words ring true
I fail to be the man thy ken yearns best
Like thy impenetrable fortress staid
I fail to breach until my soul doth fade
Your face, my dove, lost to graying thought
Among dark clouds of age, one tear falls free
Onto the rugged face that Death forgot
No ageless peace can nail me to the cross
To drink Time’s immortal cup I must plan
I bear the burden of days, Albatross
Time does not repose its feet for one man
Like memories when sinners’ debt was due
That give the roar of the shore-bound tempest
But seldom do these begreaved words ring true
I fail to be the man thy ken yearns best
Like thy impenetrable fortress staid
I fail to breach until my soul doth fade
Dance your heart out
By: Kierney Leonard
Thursday, May 25th, the AFHS dance classes will be hosting a dance concert from 7 to 8 pm. For just $5 at the door, people can experience what the dance classes have had up their sleeves. The students have created their own choreography based off of the dance curriculum, and each dance will be unique. Mrs. Hamblen, the dance teacher, revealed that the concert will not have a specific theme, but rather will show different pieces of choreography, structures, design, and visuals.
The different dance classes will perform their own dances. For example, the intermediate class will present a piece on positive and negative space, and will even use flats (large, black, wooden props) that will travel throughout the dance. Other dances consist of a class performing a light design piece, another working on “basic choreographic structures on putting the pieces together”, and even a group dancing about people who use their cell phones too much.
The dance teacher described the concert as “an emotional rollercoaster.” She explained, “Some of the dances are dark and heavy, and some of them are very light and fun.” Mrs. Hamblen stated the audience should expect to be amazed by the dancers because “the creativity, and the level of their technique and their talent is very impressive.” The dancers have been working very hard, and pushing themselves to really high expectations. Mrs. Hamblen assured, “Come to the dance concert, you won’t be disappointed.”
The different dance classes will perform their own dances. For example, the intermediate class will present a piece on positive and negative space, and will even use flats (large, black, wooden props) that will travel throughout the dance. Other dances consist of a class performing a light design piece, another working on “basic choreographic structures on putting the pieces together”, and even a group dancing about people who use their cell phones too much.
The dance teacher described the concert as “an emotional rollercoaster.” She explained, “Some of the dances are dark and heavy, and some of them are very light and fun.” Mrs. Hamblen stated the audience should expect to be amazed by the dancers because “the creativity, and the level of their technique and their talent is very impressive.” The dancers have been working very hard, and pushing themselves to really high expectations. Mrs. Hamblen assured, “Come to the dance concert, you won’t be disappointed.”
Book review: Shark GIrl
By: Grace Twomey
Many know the story of Bethany Hamilton, also known as Soul Surfer, a surfer who lost her left arm to a shark attack at the age of thirteen. Kelly Bingham was inspired by stories like Bethany’s to write a fictional book called Shark Girl from the perspective of a teenager who lost her arm the same way.
Jane Arrowood was an accomplished artist before the attack. Shark Girl details Jane’s struggles, some of which are struggles encountered by everyday teenagers, such as math homework and friend troubles. Other issues are a bit more unique to Jane’s situation. Readers will find themselves relating to and rooting for Jane as she tries to reestablish herself as the award-winning artist she once was.
Jane often receives letters from fellow amputees offering their sympathy and support. She also makes quite a few unlikely friends in the hospital. The book is written in free-verse, using poems, letters, and phone calls to convey the story. The unique storytelling method creates an interesting read.
Kelly Bingham also published a sequel titled Formerly Shark Girl for anyone looking for more of Jane.
Although free-verse makes Shark Girl more unique, it can leave the reader wanting more. The poems often seemed like a choppy stream of consciousness from Jane. For anyone looking for a quick read, Shark Girl is definitely a good choice. Overall, I would give Shark Girl three out of five stars
Jane Arrowood was an accomplished artist before the attack. Shark Girl details Jane’s struggles, some of which are struggles encountered by everyday teenagers, such as math homework and friend troubles. Other issues are a bit more unique to Jane’s situation. Readers will find themselves relating to and rooting for Jane as she tries to reestablish herself as the award-winning artist she once was.
Jane often receives letters from fellow amputees offering their sympathy and support. She also makes quite a few unlikely friends in the hospital. The book is written in free-verse, using poems, letters, and phone calls to convey the story. The unique storytelling method creates an interesting read.
Kelly Bingham also published a sequel titled Formerly Shark Girl for anyone looking for more of Jane.
Although free-verse makes Shark Girl more unique, it can leave the reader wanting more. The poems often seemed like a choppy stream of consciousness from Jane. For anyone looking for a quick read, Shark Girl is definitely a good choice. Overall, I would give Shark Girl three out of five stars
the strum of a guitar
By: Braylin Campbell
As a work of literature, poetry expresses distinctive feelings and ideas towards a certain topic or issue. Poetry often uses devices such as repetition, imagery, assonance, and more to help trigger the reader or listener emotionally. Music has this same effect. With the strum of a guitar or beat, lyrics in a song can effectively capture the emotion of the artist or listener, but what determines good music or poetry?
According to dailywritingtips.com, good poetry demands precision. Poems intend to create a mental picture, but the most memorable poems convey a universal truth about the human condition. Usually, “bad” poems tend to lack a point or underlying message, like most songs of today.
“Generally speaking, today’s pop hits and popular music lacks a lot of substance, as what makes music ‘good’ to many nowadays revolves around its sound more than its content,” shared 11th grader Bryan Fisher.
According to teenink.com, artists from past generations such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and more succeeded because they had recognized talent. Artists such as the ones listed wrote their own lyrics and played their own instruments. Their songs have continued to be loved because they contain meaningful lyrics.
Today, many artists get away with not writing their own lyrics, but also using auto tune or synthesizers which no artist from the past would have used. “I personally believe that Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole have a real talent at expressing music poetically and storytelling,” stated 11th grader Marcus Limbrick.
Even in Hip Hop music, rappers or MC’s from past generations didn't receive credit as a rapper unless they wrote their own rhymes. This still remains a constant dispute between rappers today, yet artists continue to be praised over lyrics they didn’t write.
Good music or poetry can only be the choice of the reader or listener. Music and poetry helps express the emotions of the artist.
According to dailywritingtips.com, good poetry demands precision. Poems intend to create a mental picture, but the most memorable poems convey a universal truth about the human condition. Usually, “bad” poems tend to lack a point or underlying message, like most songs of today.
“Generally speaking, today’s pop hits and popular music lacks a lot of substance, as what makes music ‘good’ to many nowadays revolves around its sound more than its content,” shared 11th grader Bryan Fisher.
According to teenink.com, artists from past generations such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and more succeeded because they had recognized talent. Artists such as the ones listed wrote their own lyrics and played their own instruments. Their songs have continued to be loved because they contain meaningful lyrics.
Today, many artists get away with not writing their own lyrics, but also using auto tune or synthesizers which no artist from the past would have used. “I personally believe that Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole have a real talent at expressing music poetically and storytelling,” stated 11th grader Marcus Limbrick.
Even in Hip Hop music, rappers or MC’s from past generations didn't receive credit as a rapper unless they wrote their own rhymes. This still remains a constant dispute between rappers today, yet artists continue to be praised over lyrics they didn’t write.
Good music or poetry can only be the choice of the reader or listener. Music and poetry helps express the emotions of the artist.
The Eagle Tree: a Review
By: Grace Twomey
In July of 2016 The Eagle Tree by Ned Hayes had been released. The Eagle Tree tells the story of a young boy named March who absolutely loves trees. After finding out that an extremely rare and old tree nearby has been scheduled to be destroyed, he hatches a plan to save it.
The Eagle Tree seems very reminiscent of the popular middle-grade book, Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. However, Hayes tells The Eagle Tree story from a unique perspective. Ned Hayes draws from his extensive experience working with special needs kids to create a main character on the autism spectrum. March falls fairly high on the spectrum. While verbal, the extent of his speaking capabilities remain limited.
Being a single parent proves to be very hard, but being a single parent of a special needs child proves to be even harder. March often struggles to watch out for his own personal safety when climbing trees. This leads to his mother being accused of not being a good parent despite her best efforts. While March tries to keep a nearby forest from becoming destroyed, his mother tries her best to remain in custody of him.
Ned Hayes’ years of experience working with autistic children helps him to create a believable character on the spectrum. Those who have loved ones struggling with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome may enjoy this unique look into the minds of those they love. Even those unfamiliar with the autism spectrum can still enjoy this book and its unique twisting plots.
For fans of Carl Hiaasen or those just looking for a good read, this could be just the book. Overall, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The Eagle Tree seems very reminiscent of the popular middle-grade book, Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. However, Hayes tells The Eagle Tree story from a unique perspective. Ned Hayes draws from his extensive experience working with special needs kids to create a main character on the autism spectrum. March falls fairly high on the spectrum. While verbal, the extent of his speaking capabilities remain limited.
Being a single parent proves to be very hard, but being a single parent of a special needs child proves to be even harder. March often struggles to watch out for his own personal safety when climbing trees. This leads to his mother being accused of not being a good parent despite her best efforts. While March tries to keep a nearby forest from becoming destroyed, his mother tries her best to remain in custody of him.
Ned Hayes’ years of experience working with autistic children helps him to create a believable character on the spectrum. Those who have loved ones struggling with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome may enjoy this unique look into the minds of those they love. Even those unfamiliar with the autism spectrum can still enjoy this book and its unique twisting plots.
For fans of Carl Hiaasen or those just looking for a good read, this could be just the book. Overall, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Dr. seuss: Too Wacky, Too Wild?
By: Katelyn Bohn
Theodor Seuss Geisel, most commonly known under his pseudonym ‘Dr. Seuss’ wrote many children’s books that have played a part in so many childhoods, such as The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Geisel would have celebrated his 110th birthday in March and now will be remembered and celebrated throughout this month for his famous poetry. Arguably, one of the most notable aspects of Seuss’ books and poetry would be his famous, and sometimes silly, rhyming schemes. His use of unique characters, plot, and rhyme technique help to engage readers, especially younger audiences, who might get distracted otherwise. Dr. Seuss says about reading, “You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”
Dr. Seuss originally set out to become a professor of English, attending Oxford University. However, according to poetryfoundation.org, he soon “became frustrated when he was shunted into a particularly insignificant field of research” according to Myra Kibler in the Dictionary of Literary Biography. Shortly afterwards, he dropped out of graduate school and began working as a cartoonist, selling his art and making humorous cartoons for magazines. The site states that “It was quite by chance that Geisel began writing for children.” He had just left Europe and, standing with a notebook in hand, began amusing himself on a ship by rhyming the incoherent sounds of the boat with words. He then drew pictures to decorate his new poem, and published it shortly afterwards. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street became the title for his new work, quickly sending him into a spiral of new children’s books.
When World War II struck, Seuss stopped writing children’s books for a period of time. He began creating propaganda and Army films, and one entitled Hitler Lives won an Academy Award. People don’t normally think of Dr. Seuss as being a political cartoonist. Seuss admits that sometimes his political work became more militant than he would have liked, but he felt as though the Europeans and Americans hadn’t been putting in enough war effort towards stopping Hitler, according to The Atlantic.
Shortly after the war, he began creating the animated movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This movie easily has become a holiday tradition for many, and the song You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch has also become quite popular around the holidays.
Dr. Seuss holds a part of everyone’s imaginative and creative side. This poetry month, rediscover childhood memories and read a Dr. Seuss book.
Dr. Seuss originally set out to become a professor of English, attending Oxford University. However, according to poetryfoundation.org, he soon “became frustrated when he was shunted into a particularly insignificant field of research” according to Myra Kibler in the Dictionary of Literary Biography. Shortly afterwards, he dropped out of graduate school and began working as a cartoonist, selling his art and making humorous cartoons for magazines. The site states that “It was quite by chance that Geisel began writing for children.” He had just left Europe and, standing with a notebook in hand, began amusing himself on a ship by rhyming the incoherent sounds of the boat with words. He then drew pictures to decorate his new poem, and published it shortly afterwards. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street became the title for his new work, quickly sending him into a spiral of new children’s books.
When World War II struck, Seuss stopped writing children’s books for a period of time. He began creating propaganda and Army films, and one entitled Hitler Lives won an Academy Award. People don’t normally think of Dr. Seuss as being a political cartoonist. Seuss admits that sometimes his political work became more militant than he would have liked, but he felt as though the Europeans and Americans hadn’t been putting in enough war effort towards stopping Hitler, according to The Atlantic.
Shortly after the war, he began creating the animated movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This movie easily has become a holiday tradition for many, and the song You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch has also become quite popular around the holidays.
Dr. Seuss holds a part of everyone’s imaginative and creative side. This poetry month, rediscover childhood memories and read a Dr. Seuss book.
Beauty and the Beast: A PReview
By: Katelyn Bohn
Photo Courtesy of: impawards.com
Beauty and the Beast, a fairy tale and movie created by Disney, will soon be recreated from the original animated film into a ‘real life’ production on this St. Patrick’s day, March 17th. Famous actress, Emma Watson, best known for her brilliant role as Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter movie series, acts as Belle, and famous actor, Dan Stevens, best known for his superb role as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey, plays the part of Beast. A two-minute trailer has been released for the upcoming movie, and the plot appears to be nearly the same as the original film, with the only difference perhaps being that it has a bit more of a vibrant and emotional take on the fairy tale, as it should have a more humanized approach with actors and actresses.
The trailer begins with Belle, walking with a book in hand, going about her village as usual. Her father suddenly comes into the picture on horseback, and gets knocked off because of a horrible beast, and then kidnapped. Belle, of course, being the heroine, goes to find her father and comes across a chilling castle. What she finds in the castle turns out to be even more bloodcurdling. She finds a beast, of course, and asks him to take her as prisoner instead of her father. Shortly after this, she begins to realize many different concepts after being in the castle; for one, the china plates and cups can talk and cook, and this beast has more to him than just her grisly perception of him.
Belle’s character has been looked upon as a girl who many young ladies aspire to share character traits with, due to her disregard of appearance, and her intelligent, scholarly, kind and wise nature. She adores reading with all of her heart, and ignores all of the ditzy young girls in her village who obsess over the vainglorious and cruel Gaston. Emma Watson says this about Belle, "There's this kind of outsider quality that Belle had, and the fact she had this really empowering defiance of what was expected of her. In a strange way, she challenges the status quo of the place she lives in, and I found that really inspiring. She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view. She's not easily swayed by other people's perspective — not swayed by fear-mongering or scapegoating."
The movie has a broadly-ranged target audience; almost anyone will enjoy watching it, except for maybe younger children who could be prone to panic when Belle’s father has been abducted by Beast, or when Gaston and his crew attempt to track down and kill Beast. Also, there’s been some recent controversy regarding one of the characters sexual orientation.
The film has both extremely joyful and deeply grim aspects to it, but overall ends with an important and positive message. The movie comes out this St. Patrick’s day, March 17th, 2017.
The trailer begins with Belle, walking with a book in hand, going about her village as usual. Her father suddenly comes into the picture on horseback, and gets knocked off because of a horrible beast, and then kidnapped. Belle, of course, being the heroine, goes to find her father and comes across a chilling castle. What she finds in the castle turns out to be even more bloodcurdling. She finds a beast, of course, and asks him to take her as prisoner instead of her father. Shortly after this, she begins to realize many different concepts after being in the castle; for one, the china plates and cups can talk and cook, and this beast has more to him than just her grisly perception of him.
Belle’s character has been looked upon as a girl who many young ladies aspire to share character traits with, due to her disregard of appearance, and her intelligent, scholarly, kind and wise nature. She adores reading with all of her heart, and ignores all of the ditzy young girls in her village who obsess over the vainglorious and cruel Gaston. Emma Watson says this about Belle, "There's this kind of outsider quality that Belle had, and the fact she had this really empowering defiance of what was expected of her. In a strange way, she challenges the status quo of the place she lives in, and I found that really inspiring. She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view. She's not easily swayed by other people's perspective — not swayed by fear-mongering or scapegoating."
The movie has a broadly-ranged target audience; almost anyone will enjoy watching it, except for maybe younger children who could be prone to panic when Belle’s father has been abducted by Beast, or when Gaston and his crew attempt to track down and kill Beast. Also, there’s been some recent controversy regarding one of the characters sexual orientation.
The film has both extremely joyful and deeply grim aspects to it, but overall ends with an important and positive message. The movie comes out this St. Patrick’s day, March 17th, 2017.
