Schools in this issue: Andover High School Methuen High School CREST Collaborative Lawrence High School Campus:

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16 Schools in this issue: Andover High School  •  Methuen High School CREST Collaborative  •  Lawrence High School Cam...
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Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Schools in this issue:

Andover High School  •  Methuen High School CREST Collaborative  •  Lawrence High School Campus: Business, Management and Finance School • Health and Human Services School  •  High School Learning Center Humanities and Leadership Development School • Performing and Fine Arts School  •  School for Exceptional Studies

Kind Of A Funny Dream

Cameron, Methuen High School

ApplePi: “Exploring the relationship of that which surrounds us to that which connects us.”

Untitled 

Liana, CREST Collaborative

ApplePi CREST’s High School Magazine “Exploring the relationship of that which surrounds us to that which connects us.” ApplePi School Advisors

Teresa Consentino and Pat Whalen Jerold White John Travlos and Richard Gorham Erin Sutton Stephanie Themeles and Sarah Thomspon



Melissa Gaspar Joshua Kennedy Beth Kerrigan Kathleen Moran-Wallace Gael Nappa

Andover High School CREST Lawrence High School-Campus wide Lawrence High School Learning Center Methuen High School

Community Advisory Board



Director of the Flint Public Library in Middleton Head of Children’s Library, Boxford Town Library Head of Children’s Library, Memorial Hall Library, Andover Head of Children’s Services, Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen Children’s Library, Haverhill Public Library

CREST’s Apple Magazines Friends Committee Brooke Arakelian  Gayle Henney  Sandy Kelly  Matthew Kraunelis  Karen Lunny   Krista I. McLeod  Sue Pervival  Louise Sandberg  Cathy Zembruski

Student Interns, CREST’s Apple Magazines: Katie Castillo, LHS ‘16; Emely Rojas , LHS ‘16; Casandra Wise, MHS ‘16; Sarah Scougall, MHS ‘18; Abby Lacroix, MHS ‘19; Danielle Joubert, MHS ‘16; Angie Jones, MHS ‘17; Rebecca Moszka, MHS ‘17; Jenna Ciccotelli, MHS ‘16; Nyomi White, MHS ‘16; Sarah Clark, AHS ‘16; Grace Dever, AHS ‘16; Morgan McAnern, AHS ‘16; Hannah Roos, AHS ‘16; Lizzy Zhang, AHS ‘18; Matthew Allen, AHS ‘19; Zara Silva-Landry, AHS ‘17; Abhi Agarwal, AHS ‘19; Alison Lunny, NAHS ‘16; Rebecca Zelitch, NAHS ‘18

Editor Kristen Hollenbeck, CREST Enrichment Director, 978 685-3000 x121 [email protected]

Graphic Design – Deborah Hines Executive Director CREST Collaborative – Kim Oliveira Published by the Enrichment Partnership of the CREST, 9 Branch St., Methuen, Massachusetts 01844 Ms. Kristen Hollenbeck, Program Director, [email protected] 978 685-3000 x121 www. CREST.org/enrichment Thanks to the generosity of many individuals and organizations, ApplePi is distributed free to the contributing authors and artists, the participating schools, local libraries, other community organizations, Andover Bookstore, Smolak Farms and at Mann Orchards in Methuen. Please contact us for more information. 1000 copies printed by RPI Printing, Fall River, Massachusetts, March, 2016 Deadline for the next issue: January, 2017 Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this magazine. Please excuse any errors and let the editor know of any corrections. Thank you.

CREST Multicultural Enrichment Partnership’s Publications and Programs

14 Middle Schools, Grades 7 & 8 325 Students, 6 month Academic competition, 4,000 “alumni.” Teams made by pairing a Lawrence school with an Andover, North Andover or Methuen school. Follow the tournament at www.crestcollaborative.org/ academicbowl

18 Elementary Schools, Grades 3-5, twice a year. Started in 2004. Next submission period: November, 2016

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Next Awards and Group Show, April 12, 2016 at Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitors’ Center Art Gallery. Grades 11-12. Top Artists from Andover H.S., Lawrence H.S., Methuen H.S.. Since 1988

15 Middle Schools, Grades 6-8, twice a year. Started in 2000. Next submission period: December, 2016

More than 47 Elementary and Middle Schools, Grades K - 8, 1,700 Students, 63 classes. Pen Pals paired with a class in another Greater Lawrence community. Teachers sign up in September. 27,000 pen pals since 1985.

4 High Schools, Grades 9-12, once a year. Started in 2009. Next submission period: January, 2017

ApplePi Support ApplePi is a regional literary magazine showcasing the creative talents of ninth, tenth, elventh and twelfth grade students from the 4 public high schools in the communities served by the CREST’s Enrichment Partnership: Lawrence, Andover, and Methuen and CREST. Through its many programs the Enrichment program strives to nurture the social and cultural bonds between the communities; challenge, develop, and showcase students’ skills and talents; provide new opportunities for students to explore, develop and succeed; and reinforce the educational goals of the participating schools. ApplePi is made possible by the wealth of local talented young writers and artists, by the collaboration of the dedicated teachers who inspire, challenge, and encourage them, and by the support of individuals, foundations, businesses, organizations, PTOs, Friends, and the school districts. We welcome your support. CREST is a 501c3 non-profit tax-deductible public education organization. ApplePi is distributed free throughout the Merrimack Valley community: in the schools, libraries, youth centers, senior centers, and other public places. Printing each issue is subject to funding. Ideally, we would like to be able to print and distribute 2,000 copies of ApplePi to meet the demand. If you believe these magazines are valuable and can help us continue to provide future young authors and artists the opportunity to be published, please consider supporting ApplePi with a tax-deductible contribution in any amount. Contributions will be acknowledged in the next Apple magazine. Matching gifts from employers are encouraged. Thank you for your generous support. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please make checks payable to CREST - Enrichment and return this form with your tax-deductible gift to: Friends of the CREST Apple Magazines Enrichment Partnership - CREST 9 Branch St., Methuen, Massachusetts 01844 Kristen Hollenbeck - Enrichment Director 978-946-0121

n Yes! I will support the ApplePi program. n Apple of Our Eye, $1,000 and above $_______________

n Angel - $500

n Benefactor - $250

n Patron - $100

n $25

n $_____________

n Sponsor - $50

Name (as you wish to be listed): ________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________________________________________________ Student’s Name: ____________________________________ School:________________________________________ Student’s Name:_____________________________________ School:________________________________________ Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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About This Magazine This is the fourteenth issue of ApplePi. Works are submitted through the advisors of the participating schools. Thanks to the help of our community advisory board and Friends Committee, follow-up readings are often held at the public libraries and other organizations in our communities. In addition to financial support, our areas of need include computer equipment, graphic editing software, and help with distribution, registration at launch nights, videotaping, audiotaping, editing, publicity, and recognizing the people who make these magazines possible. If you would like to help or join us, please contact a member of our Friends Committee. Currently, students from four high schools play an active role in our editing and publishing process (“Editorial Interns” on page 6). In order to reach a large readership, AppleSeed, AppleSauce and ApplePi are distributed free throughout the Greater Lawrence community: in the schools, libraries, youth centers, seniors centers, and other public places. Each published contributor receives two complimentary copies. A color PDF version of this entire publication (without the students’ last names) is posted online on our website, www.CRESTCollaborative.org. Through the hard copies (currently 1,000 copies published, depending on funding) and electronic copies, we estimate that more than 5,000 people read each issue. For more information please visit www.CRESTCollaborative.org/enrichment or contact Kristen Hollenbeck, CREST Enrichment Director, at 978 685-3000 x 121, khollenbeck@ CRESTCollaborative.org. If interested in submitting to ApplePi, please contact your school’s ApplePi advisor for more information. The deadline for our next issue is scheduled for January, 2017. 

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—Kristen Hollenbeck, Editor, March, 2016

Financial Supporters

This publication was made possible in part by the support of the participating school districts, contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, and grants from:the Lawrence Cultural Council, Andover Cultural Council, Boxford Cultural Council, Methuen Cultural Council and Middleton Cultural Council – local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency

Contributions received after we went to press will be acknowledged in the next editions of AppleSeed, AppleSauce and ApplePi. Thank You to All Our Contributors. Apple Of Our Eye Jebediah Foundation Greater Lawrence Kiwanis Club Foundation • Methuen Cultural Council • Lawrence Cultural Council Angels Anonymous Benefactors Anonymous • Rotary Club of Greater Lawrence Patrons Anonymous  •  Vineet Agarwal  •  The Biondo and Foley Dental Group James and Heidi Ellard  •  Ralph and Diana Perez Anonymous Rachel and John Alesse Kathleen and Steven Ankers Frank and Leomary Bader Paul and Mirlam Bergeron Kevin and Vilma Bibeau Markell Blount Srinivas Bolla The Boucher Family The Bourque Family Todd and Tanya Brown Robert Candela Nicole Chiesa Amy and James Clark Kerry and Corrine Connors Collen and Elizabeth Cook Middleton Cultural Council Andover Cultural Council Boxford Cultural Council Cut-Splice Ying Su and Ji Ding Dave and Sarah Ditchfield The Donnellan Family Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Sponsors and Donors

Katie Dunkley Eric and Jennifer Easley Tina Edwards Andrea Fijnvandraat Tim and Nina Gaffney Dawn and Daniel Gillette David and Anita Goff Hugoand Yvette Guerra Melissa Henricks Petrina Inyagwa Art and Kathy Ivvorsley The Jeffery Family Betsy Johnson and Karl Warner Jeffrey and Elizabeth Jordan Constance King Robert and Lisa Kole Richard and Jennifer Lacroix Kim and Ron Lawson Karen Lazer Hongxing Li Mr. and Mrs. Loring Na Lu The Maddens

Michael and Karen Martin Ann Fay and Robert Michaels Benjamin and Lisa Mroczek Vijay Patel The Pawelek-Diachisin Family Wioletta Pawloski Nan Jou Pern Photobie Pita Thyme Poppets Briana Posanka Katherine and Dennis Pyburn Ganesh Ramamoorthy Isabella Ricupero’s Fan Club Lucette, Derek and Malia Robinson Raouf Sayegh Guang Shi Wenhua Shi Robert and Manuela Stewart Jason and Kimberly Thurmond Katy and Simon Vives

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2015-16 Editorial Interns Katie Castillo, LHS ‘16; Emely Rojas , LHS ‘16; Casandra Wise, MHS ‘16; Sarah Scougall, MHS ‘18; Abby Lacroix, MHS ‘19; Danielle Joubert, MHS ‘16; Angie Jones, MHS ‘17; Rebecca Moszka, MHS ‘17; Jenna Ciccotelli, MHS ‘16; Nyomi White, MHS ‘16; Sarah Clark, AHS ‘16; Grace Dever, AHS ‘16; Morgan McAnern, AHS ‘16; Hannah Roos, AHS ‘16; Lizzy Zhang, AHS ‘18; Matthew Allen, AHS ‘19; Zara Silva-Landry, AHS ‘17; Abhi Agarwal, AHS ‘19; Alison Lunny, NAHS ‘16; Rebecca Zelitch, NAHS ‘18

Friends of the CREST Apple Magazines AppleSeed (grades 3-5), AppleSauce (grades 6-8) and ApplePi (grades 9-12) showcase and nurture creative writing and artistic expression. In addition, the magazines and the launch events build connections among students and communities. The Friends of the CREST Apple Magazines is a group of parents, teachers, community leaders, and professionals who have joined to support these three extraordinary publications. The Friends of CREST’s Apple Magazines have five main goals: • Ensure the magazines become financially secure. • I mprove and expand the distribution of the magazines in the community. • Expand the resources for teachers to use the magazines in classrooms. • Support the growing number of high school student assistant editors. • Create new opportunities for students to read, exchange ideas, learn, and be recognized.

Friends Committee Members Brooke Arakelian (North Andover), Monica Gallacher (Andover), Gayle Henney (North Andover), Sandy Kelly (Andover), Matthew Kraunelis (Methuen), Karen Lunny (North Andover), Krista I. McLeod (Methuen), Sue Pervival (North Andover), Louise Sandberg (Lawrence), Tonya Urquizo (Andover), and Cathy Zembruski (Methuen).

We are currently looking for more members. We meet Monday evenings three times a year. If you would like join us or have ideas about how we can accomplish our goals, please be in touch.

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Praise for ApplePi and Apple Magazines Gayle C. Heney ApplePi gives readers insights into the psyches of the next generation though a thoughtfully edited and professional looking publication. Students speak to their joys and angst through poetry and artwork. ApplePi provides a platform for recognition of artistic and creative talents of our young people. This promotes literary skills, artistic appreciation and public recognition. It reinforces students’ understanding that what they have to share matters. –Gayle C. Heney, Producer & Host of the TV series Write Now  Former 2-term Poet Laureate of North Andover

Matt Kraunelis I believe that it is important for students to participate in the arts at a young age. Early exposer to poetry, visual art, and prose, fosters an appreciation of art and culture that often proves to be a life-long companion. The Apple Magazines offer a unique way for children to cultivate their creativity and see it through to the joy of publication. These magazines are an indispensable asset to the students, the school system, and the entire Merrimack Valley community. –Matt Kraunelis, Author and founding member of the Robert Frost Foundation & Grey Court Poets.

Jackie Davies, author I was lucky enough to come across copies of all three magazines—Apple Seed, Apple Sauce, and Apple Pi—and I was impressed by the quality of work produced by the students. The short stories used vivid language and displayed an uncommon sense of story structure—pacing, rising conflict, and resolution. The poems were sharp, funny, thought provoking, and adept. The artwork provided a feast for the eyes, ranging in media as diverse as photography, oil painting, watercolor, and pottery. As if that weren’t enough, the production value of the magazines themselves was exceptionally high, providing a fitting showcase for the extraordinary work within. Jackie Davies is a noted author of children’s books, including: Where the Ground Meets the Sky, The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon, The Night Is Singing, The House Takes a Vacation, The Lemonade War, Tricking the Tallyman, Lost. Her website is: http://www.jacquelinedavies.net

Marianne Levis, teacher These literary magazines continue to amaze me! I enjoy reading student pieces, admiring the artwork and photographs as well as the musical notes and lyrics. The student poems and stories are wonderful examples to share with students. They inspire the students to practice the traits of good writing and submit their own writing for publication. The competition is challenging, but worth the effort every semester. I like to use the magazines as a rich source for writing ideas in the classroom. –Marianne Levis, Friends of Apple Magazines

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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Contributors ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL Sarah At The Bottom Of An Endless Drain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Domenica Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Sam Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Audrey Pumpkins (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Charlotte View (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Tom Brainwashed (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Leah A Blind Coming Of Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Lizzie Untitled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Allyson Broken Houses (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Charlotte Lost Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Juliana Reflections in Queen Anne’s Lace (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Maya Roots (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Marrisa The Weekend (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Marissa Blue Lady (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Hannah Blue Room (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Kathryn The Spark (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Gretchen Wonderland (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Hayden To Those Who Were Confused When I Got Offended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Angela Coming-Of-Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Elizabeth Three Apples (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 CREST COLLABORATIVE Orlando, Jepherson   (Merrimack Academy) Matt, Alex, Victoria,   Noah (Upper Essex) Paul, Magan (Lifeworks) Tony Andre Liana LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL* Gerson Robert Michelle

Cutting Board (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Podium (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Untitled (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Bell (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Inferno (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

*Lawrence High School Campus schools represented in this issue: BMF: Business, Management and Finance School HHS: Health and Human Services School High School Learning Center Page 8

HLD: Humanities and Leadership Development School PFA: Performing and Fine Arts School

Contributors Michelle Sage Jairo Alexis Jorge Roy Krystal Pablo Yaimer Leon Yaimer Leon Chantal Brianna Brianna Alex

Distractions (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Incidental Spirit (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Two Drops One Gap (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Inside The Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 River Street (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 All Things Grow With Love (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Symphony Of Fragments (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover Big Brother (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Rhythm (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Revival (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Baking (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Self Portrait (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Self Portrait (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 A Different Color Law (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

METHUEN HIGH SCHOOL Madison Kayla Cameron Grace Kevin Nadia Lexie Jared Alissa Kevin Myles Shannon Mildren-Maria Jean Christophe Mileichali Sarah Sarah Becky Ivan Darlenys Danielle Justin

Mythical Tree (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Serenity (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Kind Of A Funny Dream (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover Perspective (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Untitled (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cycle 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Reflection (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Snake Eyes (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Mythical Forest (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Keeper of Storms (Music) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Nailed It! (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Writing to Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Untitled (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Light And Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Jillybean Portrait (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Music Brings People Together (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 The White Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Fairies Into The Light (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Emotions In One (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Ricky Hoover Portrait (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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Pumpkins 

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Audrey, Andover High School

Mythical Forest 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Kevin, Methuen High School

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Lost Mail

I sent you a letter 6 months ago, 2 weeks before everything went wrong. The snow fell too early all snow flurries and icy glares and the cold filled the empty s pa c e s you left when you flew back home. The problem is that you were warm and you made me warm while you occupied the little places behind my ribcage; snuggled between my chest and my spine in an elusive space I refer to as my heart although others may call it a soul. Winter was cold; and soon my emptiness was nothing but snow and wind but I couldn’t sleep without your heart beat next to mine. I didn’t sleep much this winter. The cold softly slipped away; snow melted into the sidewalk cracks and left soft breeze and blue skies in its place but I haven’t found anything to fill the spaces you left behind. It hurts to breathe now

but my breathless thoughts and tumbling mind and chaotic heart declare the question: Did the letter ever reach your calloused fingertips that clench my entire being my breathless thoughts my tumbling mind my chaotic heart so tightly? Where is it now? What happens to the letters that end up in the wrong lovers hands? Does everything just d r i f t away like the late night phone calls and poetry we once shared? I sent you a letter 6 months ago, 2 weeks Before everything went wrong. Where is it now?

Charlotte Andover High School

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Rhythm 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Yaimer Leon, Lawrence High School

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Snake Eyes

Roots  Page 14

Alissa, Methuen High School

Maya, Andover High School

River Street 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Jorge, Lawrence High School

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Incidental Spirit 

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Sage, Lawrence High School

Coming-Of-Age

Neon-Pink-Hair stared at the bouquet in her hands. Whoever had given them to her had left no note, no clue as to who he, or she or otherwise, was. The only thing that seemed to stand out was the budding yellow rose in the middle of the sea of blooms. Her benefactor had included a variety of flowers in the bouquet, including tulips, baby’s breaths, chrysanthemums, daisies, and carnations. Breathless, she simply appreciated its beauty. In the shadows, he stood there in silence, knowing that her stoic façade contained glee in the sweet gesture knowing that someone had admired her, let alone even know she was there. He knew that the past few days had been incredibly rough on her and his gift of a bouquet had been a spontaneous deviation. About a week later, Black-Grey-Blue-Beanie opened his backpack to find a single budding yellow rose. Panicked, he shoved his backpack closed and hoped to God that no one had seen the bud. If anyone in the class had seen the rose they would have thought he was gay. Secretly down inside, he appreciated the gesture and marveled at the fragileness of the yellow rose. But outwardly he was hyperventilating that somehow someone had even suspected that he was gay. He was so afraid about what his friends and classmates might think and he was terrified that his parents would abandon him. That single yellow bud however gave him hope that maybe just maybe someone had seen his struggles and wanted to support him as small as that hope was. In his peripheral vision, he saw a small smile hinting at Black-Grey-Blue-Beanie’s lips. His own twitched into a gentle smile and he continued to write, knowing that his day was suddenly made better with the gesture he did. Paint-Stained-Hands’s life revolved around art, and anything to do with it. Just two days ago the Suburban-Athletics-Oriented-High-School club had

finalized their decision to create the 2015 class mural. In previous years it had been a disaster. Somehow unfortunate events kept popping up such as ladders falling, paint spilling, stencils disappearing- you name it, it happened. This year, however, the members were determined to make the entire process as smooth as possible. The design chosen was created by them, displaying the front of the school surrounded by images of racially diverse students, symbols of activities, and inspirational quotations. Although the entire club saw the design as a wonderful work of art, they were not satisfied with the creation. A nagging sensation kept bothering them, until one day when they came back from the restroom to the art room, to find resting on their desk one golden, growing rose. Confused, they lifted the floret, to reveal a folded-up piece of printer paper and unfolded the note. ‘For you, Paint-Stained-Hands’ was inked onto the miniature flattened tree in plain, Times New Roman, 12-point font. The next day, they presented a new idea to the art club: a blooming bud and artistic sayings, with a faded image of the front of the school layered on top. They, for once, were confident in their work. Outside leaning against the frame of the door, his fingers absently scratched at the scab from a thorn he received that morning. Contentment settled in his racing mind, and he strolled down the hallway towards the back entrance. At precisely 6:00 AM, Calloused-Hands-LongFingers opened his back porch and stepped barefoot in to the dew-covered grass. His cold feet left imprints in the tickling lawn as he slowly meandered to the patch of sharp, tangled vines. Brilliantly yellow roses covered every inch of the bush. Trailing a finger against a silky petal, he grasped his scissors and lovingly cut a single bud. Then, he checked off another person.

Angela Andover High School

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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Inferno 

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Michelle, Lawrence High School

Nailed It! 

Shannon, Methuen High School

Cutting Board Orlando, Jepherson (Merrimack Academy) CREST Collaborative; Matt, Alex, Victoria, Noah (Upper Essex) CREST Academy; Paul, Magan (Lifeworks) CRESTCollaborative Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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Untitled

Sam, Andover High School

Light And Darkness He was light, her light And she was his darkness. Darkness that had fallen Upon him and he hadn’t Known how to resist it. She had always been The darkness, The one that would Disappear in the mist of night. Where she belonged, She had belonged To the night. Where she had felt So alive and her Thoughts had become So vivid. And when her light Had come to her.

She had felt so alive As well and happy. Even in her darkest times She had needed his light To reflect on her and Overpower the darkness That would overcome her. And when her light Had not came to save her From her darkness, She had given up On hope for love. She had given herself Up to the night, Where she had belonged And he had given himself Up to the light.

Mileichali Methuen High School

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A Different Color Law 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Alex, Lawrence High School

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Music Brings People Together 

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Sarah, Methuen High School

Wonderland 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Gretchen, Andover High School

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Emotions In One 

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Danielle, Methuen High School

Self Portrait

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Brianna, Lawrence High School

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A Blind Coming Of Age To my parents,

I am volatile,

I’m Leah Michelle.

I am spring, summer, fall, and winter,

To my friends,

the destructive weather patterns, and the serene ones,

I’m Lee.

the plans organized by friends for a Saturday night.

To my Jiddo,

I am the stars of Orion’s Belt in beauty marks that cling to   the arch of my cheek.

I’m one of the three Greek girls.

I am the look my younger, more impressionable siblings give me   as I reveal my weekend like a ghost story.

To Ticketmaster, Amazon, and Forever 21, I’m Sue Keamy,

I am the heat that rushes through my face as I listen to Sublime,

as I have to use my mother’s accounts.

I am the kick-flip in my stomach as I take the ferry back   to Nantucket Island every June,

To my spanish uncle, I’m California girl, because I am the only one in the family with blonde hair. To me,

the way my feet remember the cobblestones, and my skin remembers the sun. I am all my favorite and non-favorite things combined,

I’m something different. They say your parents spend the duration of their pregnancy, reading baby name books and asking their parents.

For that I am thankful, For that I explore, I wonder,

“What should I name her?”

and wander.

My grammy wanted Athena or Stella so the Greek in me   over-shadowed the Syrian,

For that I do not mind when my favorite show does not   get recorded,

My Sitto wanted Esther and Adeline,

I do not mind when water spills on my phone,

My Jiddo wanted Mitchell,

or when I have no plans on a Friday.

his name and my father’s name, because my parents were not sure of having a boy to claim it. But I find none of myself in my name. I am the volume being turned up in my sister’s Honda while   we listen to our song. I am the breeze my family feels while we sit at my brother’s   football game on a Sunday in fall, While my father cheers and my mother thinks about dinner.

I do not mind when it does not work out with him, or when I run out of money while shopping at the mall, or when I am sick in school and there are no tissues   in the classroom. I do not mind when someone calls me weird or crazy, or when they tell me I did not win. Do they not know I have already won?

Leah Andover High School

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Perspective 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Grace, Methuen High School

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The White Rose

In 1873, when monarchies still existed, there was a grand city named Reightenton. It was filled with wealthy merchants, large families, and aspiring performers. In the heart of Reightenton, there lies the royal palace surrounded by towering black gates and overgrown hedges. Within the walls, an extravagantly designed mansion and a large flourishing garden of red roses. Although, among all of the scarlet flowers, there was a single white rose. Princess Elisa, daughter of King William and Queen Elizabeth was next in line for the throne, much to the dismay of the public. Many believed she would turn the city to ashes. Even so, her mother and father did all they could to please her. She had a personal servant to call upon, and there were maids stationed near her bedroom, in order to fulfill any request. One particular afternoon, when the sun hung high over the translucent clouds and heat clung to whatever it could, Elisa called for Heather, the poor servant assigned to the young heiress. “I feel as though my bedside table is lifeless and mundane. Get me a flower from the gardens,” she demanded, never once looking towards the trembling woman. A little while later, Heather returned with a frail rose in hand. She had taken care to pluck every thorn off of the green stem. Elisa snatched the flower from Heather, examining it with a cursory glance before scoffing and tossing it over her shoulder. “It looks dead and as boring as your outfit. Fetch me a new one. And make sure it’s as interesting as me...” Eliza trailed off, lost in a mirror image of herself. Heather, tired as she was, silently slipped from her presence and scampered back to the garden. She

stared from one rose to the next until none could be distinguished from another. She constantly pulled at her skirts, yanked the collar away from her neck, and wiped beads of sweat from her forehead. The sun continued to glare down at her, unsatisfied with her work. “What could be as interesting as that stuckup brat? Just because she was the next in line did not mean she had any right to order me like a robot, built to serve and without fatigue,” Heather muttered to herself, hunched over a pile of roses and searching for any difference to the one next to it. It was all the same. Elisa called from her balcony doors, “How long do you plan to keep me waiting? It’s been an hour since I sent you on your way.” Cursing beneath her breath, Heather gathered what she could, clenching her hand into a fist and feeling many of the thorns prick her skin. She rushed up the steps to the heiress’s lair. Just before she turned the handle, the door swung open with Elisa impatiently tapping her right foot. “Well?” she sneered, “Where’s my flower?” Heather averted her gaze to meet the tile floor as she stuck out her arm. Elisa gasped and whispered, “It’s… lovely.” In her grasp was a crumpled white rose lightly stained with blood. The tip of the petals curled outward, revealing its secrets and while the white flower yearned to close, it was held open by many delicate layers. “You’re dismissed. Thank you.” Elisa waved her away, hiding a pleasant smile. Heather trudged from her presence, feeling absolute relief. Perhaps, if Elisa could see beauty in some unruly sights, she had some good to her. Maybe all wasn’t lost.

Becky Methuen High School

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The Weekend 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Marissa, Andover High School

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View

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Charlotte, Andover High School

Two Drops One Gap 

Untitled  Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Jairo, Lawrence High School

Ivan, Methuen High School Page 31

Revival 

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Yaimer Leon, Lawrence High School

At The Bottom Of An Endless Drain she dyed herself blue in the bathroom sink-twisting under frothing water, hot water, enough to scald two spoonfuls of sin-white salt, five capfuls of liquid dye, meant for fabric, breathed in, choked on morning glories, ballpoint pens underwater, looking up through blown-glass ripples and hazy exhales, euphoric and well-worn threads under a paper clipping sky wrung out creases dyed blue, darkened cobalt smile lines hung to dry and bled blue to the hay-parched grass roots stretched in salted tints, dipped Sara Andover High School

Jillybean Portrait 

Sarah, Methuen High School

Podium Orlando, Jepherson (Merrimack Academy) CREST Collaborative; Matt, Alex, Victoria, Noah (Upper Essex) CREST Academy; Paul, Magan (Lifeworks) CREST Collaborative

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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Big Brother 

Pablo, Lawrence High School

Broken Houses 

Allyson, Andover High School

Untitled 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Jean Christophe, Methuen High School

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The Keeper of Storms

Myles Methuen High School

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Brainwashed 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Tom, Andover High School

Page 37

Untitled “Tonight you go over his house and sleep in his bed and stare at his face and his fists.
 You have lived this scene before, and it won’t be the last time, so they tell you. You apply your lipstick and your blush (even though his steady eyes make the blood rush to your cheeks either way) and you stand in the mirror to recite the things your mother always told you:
 never wear black and blue together
 don’t go empty handed to a person’s house sit up straight as if your spine were a pole and never take anything from anyone, because eventually they will ask for something in return, and you won’t have it. There may always be something on your mind that has nothing to do with the person in front of you.
 Whether you’re thinking about the soldiers in the wars that have already ended or your fathers hands and how badly you wish you could hold onto them, you may always be long gone in your head, far from the world.
 There might as well be a “no vacancy” sign hanging over your heart, as if to say you’ve had enough heartbreak for this lifetime,
 and that you’re on your way back home, wherever that may be.
Last week you thought it was his arms, and on Monday you convinced me it was in your bathtub, sitting in there with a mug of whiskey in your hand.
 And by tomorrow I’m sure you’ll have moved away and occupied a new residence, a new place to call home.
 And wherever that may be, whether it’s the pit of your stomach
 or your kitchen floor at 4:30 in the afternoon, I will be there.
 If the weather gets too cold, take a plane to the sun. When you start crying at 2 in the afternoon and don’t stop until 12 the next day, turn toward the sea and breathe, it knows a lot about salt water and sadness.
 And when his hands stop touching yours and move onto your ribs and your stomach and your face, run.
 Run and remember that your mother told you black and blue don’t go well together for a reason.” - A walking, talking, coping mechanism Lizzie Andover High School

Mythical Tree 

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Madison, Methuen High School

Bell 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Robert, Lawrence High School

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Blue Room 

Hannah, Andover High School

Writing to Change I am writing to a change, I am writing to who changed, Who changed me from black to white, From seed to flower, caterpillar to fly, and from shade to sun. You who has inspired me, You who has guided me, You who has taken me into your arms, Taken me with arms wide open, When no one else did. Mom, you are a true rose, You are true purity, You are a true butterfly,

You are my sun. The sun that gives me warmth, The butterfly that takes me to fly, The purity to follow, And the rose to bloom like, I know no one is perfect, But you strive for that every day, That’s the biggest model, That can be given to a caterpillar. And so with this poem, I just wanted to let you know, That you are a change, The change that changed me.

Mildred-Maria Methuen High School Page 40

Distractions 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Michelle, Lawrence High School

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Inside The Lines “Inside the lines” my teacher reminds my six-year-old self. Like a broken record, she repeats this every Sunday after Church while the class sits in the basement. Today, a once black-and-white cartoon of Noah’s Ark sits in front of me, colors from my crayons jumping out of bounds. The boat is brown, but so is the sky and water. Half of the monkey is blue, and the head of the giraffe is green. The image has become chaotic, color thrown where it doesn’t belong. It’s wrong. She sighs and walks away in disappointment. “Inside the lines” my mother says, guiding my hand as I color the picture. Blue dress, blonde hair, fair skin, pink lips. That’s how the princess is supposed to look. The blue isn’t supposed to mingle with her skin. Purple shouldn’t have any place on her face. I know this, but the color never feels quite right anywhere else. The crayon falls outside the lines once more. She replaces the image with another, and we start again. “Inside the lines” my friends urge. My peers laugh and jeer, amused by the colors that bleed into one another. I ignore them until their voices raise to a crescendo, refusing to be unheard. I begin hiding the colors, unwilling to share them with a world that won’t tolerate the irregularity. But they never forgot, and neither did I. The mockery continues. “Inside the lines” I tell myself. It’s a new school, and a new start. Nobody knows me. I finally begin to take the advice I had received countless times in the past, only putting the colors where they are meant to go. I hate it. It all feels wrong, but I’m one of them now. For the first time, I fit in with the rest. Nobody laughs or shakes their head. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I never quite understand why it doesn’t make me as happy as I thought it would. “Inside the lines”. The words echo in my mind, but I ignore them. I always thought that coloring inside the lines would make things easier. I thought that I’d finally get the friends I’d always wanted. Now, I know better. I spread the different colors out in front of me, each one exactly where it feels right. At last, I feel pride when I look at the intersecting colors. Others still disapprove, but it doesn’t matter. These are my colors, not theirs, and I won’t change. Alexis Lawrence High School Performing and Fine Arts

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Blue Lady

Serenity  Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Marrisa, Andover High School

Kayla, Methuen High School Page 43

Reflection 

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Lexie, Methuen High School

All Things Grow With Love 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Roy, Lawrence High School

Page 45

To Those Who Were Confused When I Got Offended dear commenters that have told me you wish you had the strength to cut yourself, to feel the sting of the blade as it drags through your skin it’s not tenacity that makes me do this it’s pain and the way I know I’ll feel after dear pictures of slit wrists blood doesn’t turn into roses suicide will never be the extravagant fairy-tale wedding that   you wanted you said it was so cute the way I felt like there was a gaping hole in my chest surrounded by broken ribs and ax blades I’m sorry, I didn’t know feeling suicidal was adorable you made me want to hide I thought people would think I was doing it for attention when you said that the bleeding lines on my wrists were beautiful

and it was as if you were addicted to putting me on your pedestal up high and grotesquely divine in the spotlight you wanted a mind just like mine sometimes I wonder if you actually wanted the urges and an aching feeling throughout your whole body while your mind is saying that you need to bleed just to feel like you’re living and not just surviving dear friends who said those three stitches were wimpy no suicide attempts are pathetic next time I’ll make sure it’s twenty

Hayden Andover High School

Untitled

Page 46

Andre, CREST Collaborative

Ricky Hoover Portrait 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Justin, Methuen High School

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Self Portrait 

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Brianna, Lawrence High School

Fairies Into The Light

Darlenys, Methuen High School

Night Twinkle, twinkle My eyes, they crinkle When I laugh at silly nothings And smile about happy somethings Little star You seem so unbearably far But I fly to you through the darkest cloak My journey is my smoke How I wonder Heaven forbid you send down thunder My senses already heightened My mind increasingly frightened What you are Feel my scar Know my tears Let me drift and disappear Domenica Andover High School

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

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Cycle 5 Choose Choose where you go Choose what you do Choose what you say Choose who you say it to You have the power to do what you want when you want to

I want to break free and fly Fly in a brilliant bright blue hued sky The emerald green earth below With the flaming scarlet, pink and orange sunset behind me There is a rainbow full of possibility and millions of paths and door await me Yet I am told to remain in a dull gray steel box

But don’t choose wrong What is the power of choosing if I can’t choose for myself? Choose right But what is choosing right? Choosing what makes others happy What others expect What others want Why does the rest of the world get to choose for me!

Let me alone determine what I will become Let me alone determine wrong from right I have the ability to determine my fate I want to be I can be me Let me be me

I don’t want to be trapped in a dull gray steel box Nadia Methuen High School

Untitled 

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Tony, CREST Collaborative

Baking 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Chantal, Lawrence High School

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Three Apples 

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Elizabeth, Andover High School

Untitled 

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Jared, Methuen High School

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Untitled 

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Gerson, Lawrence High School

Untitled

Vol. VIII, No. 1 Spring, 2015-16

Kevin, Methuen High School

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Reflections In Queen Anne’s Lace 

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Juliana, Andover High School

Symphony Of Fragments 

Krystal, Lawrence High School

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The Spark

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Kathryn, Andover High School