WESTMILLS 2019 YEARBOOK

YOUR BEST by Tatiana AL-Mahmoud 49

If you always try your best
Then you'll never have to wonder
About what you could have done.
If you'd summoned all your thunder
And if your best
Was not as good
As you hoped it would be,
You still could say
"I gave it today
All that I had in me".

The 3 Little Mice By Ebube Igbokwe

3 Little Mice
That made a dash
Across the Floor,
And jumped out through a door
Eating food in the store
That smell so sore
They see you and run like flash
Without making a splash
But now we hear you squeak
Because gum makes you weak.

The Prickled Hero

In a forest faraway there lived a porcupine named
chocolate. He was not the only animal that lived in
the forest. There were chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits
and foxes. The forest was an exciting place to live.
However, chocolate was not invited to play with other
animals. They did not like him because sometimes he
accidently shot his prickles at them. So chocolate tried
to take his prickles off his back but that did not work.
Then he tried to put mud on his back, but that did not
work either. Then he put a shoe on his head to hide
them but that did not work either.

A day came where all the other animals were
having a party at Fred the chipmunk house chocolate
tried to get in but they sent him out. So he went home
and pouted. Suddenly he heard a loud coyote howling
howl! howl! hooooowl!!! He sprinted out of his house
and found a coyote stealing all their crops. He shot his
prickles at the coyote and the coyote ran away.
Chocolate was a hero!.

Why is hygiene
important today?

By Jimi Olanipekun

Scientists have discovered that one of the ways to
make the world a better place is through proper
hygiene. A large percentage of the problems we
have are caused by unclean habits. If we do not keep
ourselves and our environment clean, we will have
diseases like bacterial infection, malaria and other
epidemics.

Wash them often before eating and after eating,
after playing in sand, after changing diaper, after using
the toilet and while cooking. Bath every day and keep
your clothes and bed linens fresh, and clean.

Hand Sanitizer can also be used to make us
healthy too. When you wash your hand do not wash it
with water only; wash your hands with soap and water.
As you know, cleanliness is next to Godliness and it also
leads to happiness

What is beauty?

by Ebube Igbokwe

Years ago, there was once a man who was all around then suddenly he sighted something.
looking forward to getting married. Some minutes past and he rubbed his eyes again
He was so lonely and was perambulating and again.
It was the most beautiful woman ever so he decided
to ask her out and they decided to date each other.

The more they got along, the more they got into
each other.
Two years passed and they decided to get
married. They gave birth to three kids. They had
fun were very rich and were living a luxury life.

Some years, later, they were sleeping together.
Then the wife woke up holding a knife on her hand
just because of the deal that her and some

robbers made that if she kills her husband, she’ll
get $3billlion.

With her hand, the knife lifted, she stabbed him
on the back and the heart and he died not
knowing she called betray him.

I hope you’ve learnt a lesson; all that glitters is
not gold.

50

51

YEAR SIX

Ali Rmeity Oluwadahunsi Yusuf Daniella Amaugo Mohammed Yerima

Hadi Berjawi Hussein Mdeihli Kendra Samouris Farah Safieddine

Rejoice Uduoba Abass Ahmed Mrs. Uche Nweke

SHOULD TABLETS AND LAPTOPS REPLACE BOOKS IN SCHOOL?

Nowadays many children are getting used to are doing. Availability of electricity and WIFI is also a
tablets. They sometimes cannot stay without problem.I can say, the time we are living in is the time of
them. Parents are wondering if there is any technology and to get success at any field, you should

hope for books, but I think tablets should replace books. have knowledge and practice to use different kinds of

It would be easier to do things in school if we replace technologies.

books with tablets. Instead of having many books, you By Abbas Ahmed

can have less by just a phone. Life would be easier and

the children can finish topics in school easier and faster.

However, there are lots of disadvantages. They will play

games on their phone rather than listening. Also if they

are doing math rather than reasoning they will use a

calculator and won’t understand most of the things they

52

MY FUTURE especially) could be educated and they could have a bright
By Rejoice O. Uduoba future because, according to Nelson Mandela, education is the
best legacy. I would also educate Men and Women on skills that
My name is Rejoice O. Uduoba and I am 11 years old. I could bring money to their pockets and make their poor lives
was born on 2nd of October, 2007, I am the first better.
Child of two Children in my family. I would love to be a good Christian, so that I will make Heaven
In the future I would like to be a medical doctor and at last. All these, are the things I would love to achieve in the
an orphanage home owner. I would also love to own a school, future.
be a good Christian and own a charity for both men, women,
boys, and girls.

I would like to be a medical doctor because, I want to
support the society with my profession. I would love to save the
lives of different people at an affordable price for both rich and
poor regardless of their class, nationality and race.
I want to own an orphanage home so that I could protect
children, women and men. I want to own an orphanage
because every day I see beggars, both men and women who
do not have homes, so I want to be able to turn their lives to a
good state.

I want to own a School so that children (most

Should children have phones at an early age ?

Do you think children should have a phone at an However, some children, instead of doing their
early age or when they become fully grown homework, will be playing games and watching videos on
adults at the age of eighteen? YouTube. These will lead to bad scores in their exams and

Phones help children in their homework; for example their parents will be wondering how their children are

when they have something to search for they can use getting low scores.

their phone instead of their father or mother’s phone. Also, most children when they are given phones,

Also when they are searching it helps them build browse whatever they like including bad websites

advanced knowledge due to learning new words and because they have access to everything and this happens

better explanation of things. as a result of poor parental guidance.

Furthermore, phones makes communication

easier as they learn more languages, the internet gives In conclusion, I think children should not have phones at

them better explanation which will lead to several ways of an early age unless there is proper parental guidance .

solving things By Hussein Mdeihli

HORRIBLE NOISES By: Daniella Amaugo

15 year old Emily was left home alone while her
parents went to their various places of work. Emily
went upstairs to take a nap, as she was very tired.

She began to hear some disturbing noises, so she came
downstairs to check what it was. As she continued down
the stairs, the noises became louder and louder, the TV
came on by itself and was showing black and white all
over. Goose bumps rushed through Emily's body. She
went step by step, almost tip toeing and pulled the plug
out of the socket, but yet it wouldn't come off.

Emily went cold, fear all over her pale face. She went themselves. All the sharp objects in the kitchen started to
numb for a moment, when something else drew her
attention. There was a deafening noise coming from the form a ring over her head.
kitchen. Sweat was dripping down from Emily's clothes,
she dashed into the kitchen, still in a dilemma. There she Emily screamed so hard, that she woke up and
saw doors opening and closing, windows sliding open by
realized that it was just a nightmare. She ran downstairs to

get her phone when…she noticed a ring of sharp object

floating around in the kitchen… 53

BloodyMary
John was sitting in class minding his business
when he noticed that many of his classmates had He flew out of the bathroom terrified and tumbled
gathered around Hassan’s table. He guessed he towards his mother’s room but as soon as he opened
was telling them an interesting story so he moved the door he saw that the room was full of mirrors all
closer but what he heard scared him so much that he with the same horrifying image.
jumped when the bell suddenly rang. He could not stop
thinking about it on him way home so he decided that
his curiosity was more important than fear; he would try
it at home.

At 12 am John dashed out of the bed towards the
bathroom mirror. He had already kept 6 candles near
the bathtub so he arranged them carefully on the floor
and lit them. When he looked at his own reflexion he
could see he was pale with fear but he was determined
to see if Hassan’s story was true.

‘Bloody Mary’, he stammered.
‘Bloody Mary’,he stammered again.
‘Bloody Mary’,he said almost in a whisper as if he
wanted to change his mind but it was too late.

The light of the candles suddenly went out and all he
could see in the mirror was a flowing pool of blood and
a skeleton covered in black rags.

WriterTHE LIFE OF A by Rejoice O. Uduoba

I picked up my pencils but surprisingly, I do not know Sluggishly I pick up a glass if cold water and
what to write. I thought and thought as I stared at the gulp it up. Now, I begin to ask myself "Dear
vague celling and chewed my pencil real hard. I Rejoice is it not time to fill these pages?" I
searched through my memory to remember things I release a breath of frustration as I look at my
have seen, heard or even imagined. It ends up in time blank page. My back begins to ache and it
taken and hard thinking but it still ends up in ... Nothing. seems as if I have been on the chair for hours
Soon I am lost in thought, once more thinking,’ those upon hours only to realize that I started at
who write creative, interesting books how many heads 12:00 noon and it was only 12:30pm.
do they have?’ I begin to sweat and I am in a state of big I stick my butt to my chair determined to write.
time reflection and yet my page is empty. I start by depriving myself of the ice cold water
and I picked up my pen once again but this
54 time ideas filled my head. I begin with letters,
combining them with words, soon I get simple
sentences then compound sentences and lastly
complex sentences. I see my fingers gripping my pencil,
moving and creating fascinating words that jump out of
the imagination of man's mind.
To my astonishment, I am now using more pages than I
panned. Then I halt, not because my ideas are exhausted
but because deep down in my heart I know I have
written to my satisfaction. Then I finish my write-up with
a big full stop and smiles of accomplishment as I glance
at my write up remembering the obstacles faced while
writing. I leave you with this in mind "patience is the key
to opening all doors.

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR

By Hussein Mdeihli

Jack had just moved to a palatial house in the
suburbs of New York. Every time he takes a
walk he feels lucky to live in such a beautiful
area with the line of apple trees. He also loved
the lush meadows and how they taper into the river
but his attention was always drawn to a mysterious
shed by the river. Strangely the landlord had warned
his parents to keep their curious little Jack away from
the shed and he had assumed that it was because of
the crumbling walls, the ugly grey painting and the
infestation of leeches he had noticed from afar.

One stormy as Jack was staring out the window it was
raining heavily, thunder was roaring and lightening
was flashing. He quickly spotted a flash of lightening
striking the mysterious shed which completely
shattered the shed’s roof. He could have sworn that
he saw a purple smoke like that of the sublimation of
solid iodine rising from the rubble but he was forced
to leave the window by his brother’s shriek which he
quickly attended to.

Soon Jack heard knocking on the door and he stairs. The creature screamed and released an electric
zoomed downstairs thinking it was his parents and charge which killed all the lights; he trailed Jack up
when he opened the door he saw a frail old man the stairs with each thud of its footsteps, Jack’s heart
nearly collapsing and as Jack let him in a mysterious beat increased as he crouched next to his brother in
purple gas trailed him. As Jack turned his back to the closet…
close the door the old man morphed into a hideous
monster. Without thinking twice Jack bounded up the

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

55

Welcome to

56

West Mills

57

PREFECTS

Together we can make a difference!

TEAM 2019

Wesley Etim Erere Ayenor
Heady Boy Asst. Litter Police

Shayo Aluko Youssef Kaj
Head Girl Head Energy Police

Shammaraney Hibah Fakih
Mohanned Asst. Head Girl.
Asst. Headboy
Hibah Fakih
Fejiro - Obaro - Asst. Energy Police
Umeh
Sports/Social Prefects Mirna Al-mahmoud
Litter Police
Rafka Dib
Health/Neatness Paul Ogar
Prefect Asst. Energy Police

Myles Etim
Head Litter Police

58

Leadership Training

Our students were treated to an inspiring lesson in leadership by Mrs Bamisade
Simoyan, a writer and vivacious motivational speaker. One thing I'm sure they
won't forget is that they have been created specially to create solutions to local
and global challenges.

59

Year Seven

Mortada Hammoud Joanna Etim Ciel Etim Abass Al Mahmoud

Malena Stewart Esther Oja Nifemi Odumeru Raphael Raffoul

Lami ogunwale Romimora Munis Mathew Johnson Temi Ogunwale

Paul Kumswa Jolaoluwa Obidipe Naomi Ose Ms. Nike obidipe
60

THE SEA

The sea is a living magnet
Wild and mild
Who would be the next target?
An adult or a child?

The sea is dangerous
Listen up boys and girls
It can be outrageous
Especially when it swishes and swirls
Don’t be too courageous
Because the sea is dangerous.

The story ends as a tragedy
Would the sea grab and hold you?
Splish, splash, whoosh, what a wonderful melody
Maybe it will grab unto your shoes.

by Malena Stewart and Naomi Ose

Aaahhh!!!
It’s going to eat me!!!!

On a long dusty road was a dark lonely house, all that street. Although it was big and looked really spacious,
alone. It was abandoned two years ago, when a it still looked scary to me. We all unpacked and got inside
family left it in a hurry because it was haunted! it, and throughout the day, it was pasta. We also had a
picnic to, and also ate dinner.
“Tamara and John, are you guys done packing?” asked
Mum, who was in such a hurry. “No Mum,” answered It was time to go to bed. We all said goodnight to
Tamara. each other and went to our separate rooms. Mum and
Dad went to their room, John went to his room, and I went
My family and I are moving to a new house because to my room. I had already started dozing off, when I heard
the one we’re living in is too old, Mum says we need to get strange noises during midnight. I initially thought my ears
a new one. We were all done packing, so we got into the were deceiving me, until I heard it again. This time, I got
van and headed off to our new home. As we parked in out of bed and ran out. When I got out, my mum, dad and
front of it, Mum, Dad and John said it was really cool, but John were standing on the corridor too with their sleeping
to me, it seemed weird because it was the only house on robes on -probably they heard it too.

The noise came again. This time, it was much louder
and sounded as if it was down the basement, so we all
went down and, behold, we saw zombies and skeletons
moving about! They were all going to eat us, so we all ran!
Then something suddenly happened. While climbing the
stairs, I tripped and I fell face flat, while my parents and my
brother had escaped, thinking I was behind them. The
zombies started coming close to me to eat me, then I
shouted, “Aaahh!!! It’s going to eat me!!! Then I woke up, it
was all a dream!!!”

Joanna Etim

61

If I Were
Dangote

If I were to be Dangote:
I will donate money to the poor; I will build more
orphanages, schools and hospitals. I will give
destitute people homes and food; I will at least make
Nigeria a better place in my own way, just if I were to be
Dangote.

If I were to be Dangote:
I will at least try to make the world a safer place. I will provide a school for the aspiring
students of Nigeria who need special attention, just if I were Dangote.
If I were to be Dangote even for a minute:
I will at least feed the less privileged, before my time is up; I will create many jobs for the
growing unemployed youths. Much focus would be placed on social welfare for the aged.
Finally, I will increase my financial contribution in the area of road construction in rural
communities. Expansion of health care would surpass the rate at which it is being given in
rural areas like villages, and places where the government gives less attention to.

By Etim Ciel

A Note from Her Royal Highness

Princess Malena
Real princesses always try to look their
best- but, um, my best is probably totally but for the good deeds they performed while
different from yours. There are lots of they were on the throne.
different kinds of beauty so can we all be like
those models we see on magazine covers? There is one thing that looks good on
everyone though: confidence. Have confidence
A lot of people might hold them up as the in yourself and in your looks, and others will see
epitome of perfection, and all of that, but just your outer beauty, as well as the inner. That is
remember, in France, it is considered beautiful what everybody keeps telling me, anyways.
not to shave under your arms.

So you see, beauty is really relative.
Princesses, like every normal person, come in all
shapes and sizes. There is no one look that is
right for everyone. Having a healthy body is way
more important than having a body that looks
good in low-rise jeans. And of course, being a
nice person is the most important thing of all.

Throughout history, princesses have been

remembered not for the waist size of their 501’s, Culled from Princess Diaries
62 by Malena Stewart

LIVING

EARTH

by Jola Obidipe

Pollution, there are many and different inhale but also affects the ozone layer and is
sorts of pollution in the world. We have breaking it bit by bit. Very soon, we may have
air pollution; this is the most common of no protection for direct sunlight.
them all, which is when there are too many Water pollution also our fault because we throw
harmful chemicals in the earth’s atmosphere. our trash anywhere and the trash find its way
Another type of pollution is water pollution into water bodies and starts to pollute the
which is when the ocean, rivers and lakes water and this process is destroying the habitat
contain all sorts of rubbish. Litter, which can of most water creature causing them to die.
also be known as environmental pollution and Litter is also linked to air pollution but this time
this is something that you see every day it causes a foul smell, especially in some African
happening all over the world. countries where litter is being thrown on the
There are a million reasons for pollution on road, by their houses and produces terrible,
earth but I think there is just one main cause horrible smells.
which us humans. How? When there are too We humans should change our ways because
many cars on the road moving from place to the damage to the planet will affect every one
place the engine of the car releases a very of us.
harmful gas, which is not only dangerous to

63

Year EIGHT

Joy Sule Carla Okereke Olariyike Yusuf

Daniel Okorie Eke Toluwaleke Agunbiade Hassan Mdeilhi

Sara Kaj Wafaa Abboud Mohammed Mroueh

64 Nour Dib Ali Haider Sabir Kabir Shuaibu

Mr. Babajide Ilebiyi

bought a Lamborghini and a

private jet. I mean who wouldn’t?

I am famous now! Mom was so

proud but dad wasn’t happy

seeing his own daughter walking

in front of many people and

being famous. He just wanted

me to get married.

Later, dad started arranging

for people to ask me out, but it

never worked. It wasn’t my time

to get married. Days were like

time they went too fast and

never came back. Dad tried to

I MARRED A BILLIONAIRE force me to get married to a guy
that was 10 years older than me;

It was so cool I was finally done with studying, I never accepted. So we made a
waking up so early, university, you know all deal that after 1 month I must come back with a
those bothering stuff. I now have time to rest guy and get married.
and put a weight off my mind.
As days faded away, I laid on the bed thinking to So imagine a 30 year old woman looking
myself what to do next; how should I continue for a man in one month; I mean it is possible
my life? Sitting between four walls and doing because I am very pretty, right? I decided that I
nothing at all. Mom insisted on look for a job but should probably go out and watch a football
dad said I should get married. match with some random guy and it worked. We
sat down in the first row, the view was amazing.
I was never ready for this, I thought that I Before the match started a football player came
finished university to rest, not to start working to me and gave me his number then he said “call
again, but I was wrong, very wrong! I started me”. So I did.
looking for a job but I couldn’t find anything.
Later that night mom and I were shopping After many times of meeting him I thought
online, and an app appeared, “WE ARE that he was the right one for me. So I went back
LOOKING FOR NEW MODELS! PLEASE SIGN home with him and dad was very proud but I
UP IF INTERESTED. FROM 1 JUNE TO 30 JUNE, guess mom was kind of angry. We got married. It
DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE!” I decided to join, was a hard life. But I think it was a good ending. I
who wouldn’t, this a life time opportunity. ended up with the richest footballer on earth.
You can say I MARRIED A BILLIONAIRE.

Few years later, I became a very successful BY NOUR DIB
model for Versace. I was very rich and I surely

65

Technology:
The pros and cons

its different applications and software. For example:
WhatSapp is an app supported by both phones and
laptops and people can communicate with each other
from anywhere in the world.

Technology has been a great help to mankind over On the other hand, technology is the most addictive
the years but technology also has its own thing in the world according to research by Sky news.
disadvantages just as any creation of mankind. Technology is fun and attractive but it can also be a
Technology has to be defined before it can be examined danger to humans everywhere. Technology is time-
so Technology is the application of scientific knowledge wasting, people can spend up to 12 hours on their phone
for practical purposes, especially in industry. or laptop and it seems as if their faces are glued to the
screen. Technology denigrates the need to be diligent
Technology is a way of communicating with others; it and hardworking and supports laziness in the lives of the
changes the outlook of humans to communication and younger generation.
technology serves the primary purpose of uniting Technology has been a great aid to humanity, however
people across different countries around the globe with we should not become over dependent on it.

Toluwaleke Agunbiade

Computers: Workers or Bosses

by Nour Dib

iIn the recent past, computers have evolved to such Advantages of Machines over Human Beings
an extent that human labor has been replaced, either Robots are better than humans because they, robots,
partially or completely, by machines. People, can now cook, prepare beds, clean the floor, help
companies and organizations have turned to research humans in life and in companies at work. Now robots,
on machines as much as possible to take humans’ jobs. computers and phones are used more than anything in
this world. They can help you in things you do not know.
Replacement of Human Beings with Electronics Just type the question and you get an answer easily!
Part of the functions of humans has been replaced by They are even smarter than our brains!
machines and robots. I some cases, the function of
humans have been replaced by machines completely. Disadvantages of Machines over Human Beings
For example, robots now are transporting goods from Machines have reduced the needs for human beings’
one place to another. But not at any speed, a very high labor. Humans’ labor has lost meaning because of its
speed indeed. This is better because, firstly, machines cost and its effectiveness. Organizations sack people
perform work faster than humans. Machines have a and their duties taken over by machines. Employees will
very high efficiency, and they perform a lot of work in lose their way of life, and make them beggars. Most
only two or three hours! Machines are not getting paid, people will become jobless, as the machines take over
but made with lots of money. And lastly, they do not the function of humans. An organization will depend
need allowances like human beings. almost completely on the machine for the labor.

66

The freshman by Riyike Yusuf

I   t was my first day in college." It was pretty exciting" is at velocities that were defying the laws of physics.
what any normal parent would say. Yes. My parents          To my greatest surprise, there lay the body of my
were there through every step of the way. From when I roommate in a pool of thick red blood. All I could think
checked in, to when I got to my dorm, to when I had about was how it happened and why...
finished unpacking. How I couldn't wait for them to leave,
so that I could begin living life as a full-fledged college
student.
        My college, was just like any modern college. It had a
red bricked wall, with green Moss growing around a
crevice, in every corner of building. Overall, the college
was a really unobtrusive learning Institute- and I liked
that.
        In the days preceding my moving in, I had come to
learn that I was an upcoming legend. I was uncanny, yet,
diligent; puerile but perceptible. It was my goal to be the
best and nothing but the best. In a college of about 150
students, I was bound to achieve something great,
something glorious and I believed...
         One fortunate night, as I was out taking a brisk walk, I
heard a gunshot. Surely my mind was trying to adjust to
the sound I had heard. But, the idea to go and see who
was shot, raced into my mind like a formula 1 car, moving

Poems about life Friendship
by Carla Okereke
By Joy Sule Friendship is a special bond,
It grants wishes like a wand.
1) Be strong It is a ship 
Things might go wrong Well...the type that never stops.
Friendship brings two different personalities together;
But be strong With an unexpected bond that lasts forever.
It may be a hard tide With Friendship life seems to pass by slow,
To let us enjoy the flow.
But don't hide And I'm so thankful that I'm sailing on FRIENDSHIP!
Because you are strong

2) To live life
You have to strive
Forget your worries and troubles
They just make your pain double

3) What is Life
Getting to drive
Learning to dive
Getting high dives
Having lot of cries
Eating food with spice
Gazing at the skies
Changing size

Taking ice
Being wise
Changing styles
Avoiding lies
And having pies

67

Year NINE

Joy Okorie Ameerah Ibrahim Madeleine Chayeb Wafaa Slim

Haider Abdullah Zainab Lawal Sara Merhawi Tesfai Toluwanife Adeyemi

Amer Abdallah Joseph Kayoma Joy Oja Oghenekaro Odhomor

Beluchi Nwokolo Maroun Dib Elginal Obaro Salah Rmeity

68 Jean Pierre Raffoul Mrs. Zainab Sule Mr. Taiwo Kayode Awe

DEBATE: Who Has The Greatest Influence on 16-to 18-year-olds?

Nowadays,a lot of people believe that parents Nowadays, a great number of people have been
have a major role in influencing the life of arguing that friends have a greater influence on
teenagers arguing that they spend more time at 16-to-18 years old. I am fully in support of this.
home with them which gives them time to do so but I, There are many reasons why I think so and they include:

like many other people, strongly disagree. fear of being left out and peer pressure.

Firstly, not all children or teenagers spend a lot of time Firstly, I think friends have a greater impact on

with their parents like those in the boarding school and teenagers because on average teenagers spend a lot of

the university. These ones can get easily influenced by time together and want to be just like their friends. They

their friends. Even for some teenagers that are at home, spend time talking about video games, playing sports or

not all parents spend enough time at home to advice even talking about the opposite sex. This attachment

their children. It is obvious that children and teenagers of comes from the fear of being left out which makes it easy

nowadays spend a lot of time with friends with an for young people to be influenced by their friends.

average of fifteen to sixteen hours. Another reason why friends have greater influence on

In addition, although parents have the responsibility of teenagers is that sometimes, parents and other adults

advising their children on what to do, not everyone is simply do not understand what teenagers wants or how

ready to listen to the usual ‘when I was your age story’. they feel. For example, teenagers are more comfortable

They prefer to ask their friends. Some teenagers who are sharing their problems with their friends because they

orphaned have no choice but to depend on peer would be less judgmental than adults.

influences. To sum up, I think that adults should make an effort to

To sum up, friends have the greatest influence on understand young people if they want to have as much

teenagers because they spend a lot of time with them influence as they should.

and cam relate to all of their interests and problems. By Salah Rmeity

By Joy Oja

My future career
Choosing a career is one of the most important
decisions in someone’s life. As for me, I want to be
an Aeronautic Engineer. The reason I chose
Aeronautic Engineering as the career I want to pursue is

that I have always been interested in flight as a child and as a

teen; both aircraft and space travel. Some of my favourite

toys and hobbies included: model airplanes, paper

airplanes, and Lego’s, which is basically the toy of future

engineers. I started sketching out my own ideas for future

air and spacecraft, as well as reading books and magazines

about airplane design and construction, aviation history,

and the aerospace industry. From year,7 I really started to

become more serious about this career path that I began to

work on projects like those I had been reading about.

Aeronautic Engineers design and build airplanes.

They rule the sky and create innovative flying machines. Engineering is undoubtedly one of the best professions.
Aeronautic Engineering is a branch of aerospace
engineering that deals with the study and creation of There is always a huge demand for a skilled aeronautic
advanced technologies in the field of aviation. Aeronautic
engineer. 69
Abdullah Haider

Things you should
know about Nigeria
and Nigerians.

The Kanuri People origin to Tsoede who fled the court of Idah and established
a loose confederation of towns along the Niger in the 15th
The Kanuri people (Kanouri, Kanowri, also Yerwa, century. The proximity of Nupe to the Yoruba Igbomina
Bare Bari and several subgroup names) are an people in the south and to the Yoruba Oyo people in the
African ethnic group living largely in the lands of the southwest led to cross-fertilization of cultural influences
former Kanem and Bornu Empires in Niger, Nigeria and through trade and conflicts over the centuries. Many Nupe
Cameroon. Those generally termed Kanuri include several were converted to Islam at the end of the eighteenth
subgroups and dialect groups, some of whom feel century by Mallam Dendo, a wandering preacher, and
themselves distinct from the Kanuri. Most trace their were incorporated into the Fulani Empire established by
origins to ruling lineages of the medieval Kanem-Bornu the Jihad led by Usman dan Fodio after 1806.
Empire, its client states or provinces. In contrast to
neighboring Toubou or Zaghawa pastoralists, Kanuri The Lebanese Community in Nigeria
groups have traditionally been sedentary, engaging in To begin with, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers that
farming, fishing the Chad Basin, and engaging in trade and there are about 30,000 Lebanese living in Nigeria, but
salt processing. other estimations raise this figure to 75,000! Multiple
generations of Lebanese have made their home in Nigeria.
The Nupe People Some are the descendants of migrants who arrived in West
The Nupe, traditionally called the Tapa by the neighboring Africa as early as the 19th century, leaving behind their
Yoruba, are an ethnic group located primarily in the small Middle Eastern nation in search of opportunities
Middle Belt and northern Nigeria. They are the dominant elsewhere. Members of this Lebanese diaspora - from
group in Niger State, an important minority in Kwara State fourth-generation Nigerian nationals to recent arrivals
and present in Kogi State as well. The Nupe trace their often consider themselves Nigerians with many of them
even applying for Nigerian citizenship. The Lebanese
Community in Nigeria is one of the largest Lebanese
communes in West Africa! Lebanese immigrants and
aliens played a prominent role in commercial activities
especially in the groundnut trade and transport sector in
Northern Nigeria. Nowadays, you can find Lebanese
restaurants, schools and even large corporations like Cool
FM doing business successfully and contributing to the
diversity that makes Nigeria great.

Movie Review
stunts were unpretentious and believable. I could
Johnny English: Strikes Again by David Kerr tell you more, but you have to watch it yourself.
The characters who affected me the most was
A movie I recently watched and enjoyed was obviously Johnny. The main reason for this is that
Johnny English Strikes Again, directed by David all his shenanigans are something to laugh about.
Kerr and starring Rowan Atkinson as the bumbling Throughout the movie, this outstanding agent will
police detective Johnny English. It is set in the early 21st either do something silly or stupid. If you want a
century. It is mainly an adventure and comedy film. The genuine belly laugh, go watch this excellently
movie traces the life of Johnny English, a retired secret structured movie.
agent, who comes back in business to save the world. With The most memorable incident was when Johnny
the help of perfected comedy and action mixture, the had to work as a waiter in a famous French restaurant. This
was an unforgettable part because he had to get out with
70 an enemy’s phone, and speak French at the same time.
However, you might have a completely different opinion.
Anyone with a sense of humour will enjoy this fantastic
movie. If possible, get middle row seats to watch this first
rated film.

By:Jean-Pierre Raffoul

BREAK OF FEAR
Michael was not the brightest of students in his
school, he knew that and that was the main time to shine.
reason he restrained himself from too much On that fateful, day he decided to wear a
talking as he felt he would embarrass himself by saying
the wrong things. The only thing he was good at was mask and still keep his anonymity in place. In fact he
rapping. was still being picked on that he was a nerd and wouldn’t
go to the biggest show there hometown had ever had but
He decided one day that he should try out he didn’t let all that go to his head but just had a bit of
rapping knowing fully well that both his parents were patience.
doctors and only appreciated academic success. He did
however go on to make a song without his parents’ On the day of his performance he was backstage
knowledge. Michael had only a few friends in the whole when he saw that the stadium which they were performing
of the college and they were tagged the “dummy’s”; in was filled up and he could recognise that more than half
anywhere Michael would go, he would get picked on by of the people in his school showed up for the event. It was
everyone. He gathered some money from his parents to his time. Everyone was chanting his name so he went out
go out to a studio to record a song and managed to do there, broke all the fears he had and gave them the show of
so. After the project was done he was very sure that it their lives. He felt on top of the world. Before he left, he
would be a song that would go viral in a matter of weeks. decided to do something no one would have thought he
Michael, due to his social status, is very pessimistic about would do ever and that was to remove the mask that hid his
people’s opinions on the things he does so he decides identity from the world. Everyone in the stadium were up on
not to play it to anyone but to create an anonymous their feet screaming ecstatically. He finally let his fears loose
account and post the song there. and he deserved the moment. He had already become a
superstar as everyone wanted a picture with him; even
As expected the song was doing well but not as some of the people that attended his school. On the next
good as he expected so he hatched a plan; he would day when he arrived in school he was
steal one of the popular kids’ phones and send the song just stared at,
to everyone on campus. After he did that he said to everyone was
himself “this is my time”. The next day you could already stunned that
hear people humming to the song and making dance he was not
moves to his song. This made Michael very happy but the telling a lie and
fact that nobody knew who he was made him very sad. someone
The song had already passed two hundred and fifty tagged the
thousand plays in just two days of his posting and the dummy of the
identity of the master mind behind this hit was unknown. school would
Michael decided that he would try his best to break his become what he
shell of fear and tell someone in school that he was the had become “a
one that made the song. He did do that but everyone global star”.
made a mockery of him as usual and he felt really down
but he when he was checking around instagram, he saw By Karo
a very famous rapper with the name “Gunna” listening Odhomor
and raping his song word for word. Michael decided to
send a message to that rapper but as celebrity’s hardly
respond to direct messages he was not too hopeful.

Two weeks later the song had hit an astonishing
1,000,000 plays on YouTube; you could already see fan
remix and a cappella remakes to it. He was extremely
happy to see how much people loved his song. Finally his
star rapper who he sent a message to replied him to say
he would be very happy if both of them could work
together sometime.
Later, Gunna had a show in Michaels hometown and
Michael was invited as a guest star at the occasion. Once the
flyers were out and they saw that Gunna did have a concert
and Lil’ 09 (Micheals stage name) would be making his first
ever performance, everyone was stunned and in a matter of
two weeks, the show was already sold out. This was really his

71

72 LEARNING IS FUN

73

Year TEN

Mr Babatunde Odedeyi

Mirna Al-Mahmoud Kareem Kaj Michael Lot Lily Rmeity

Dylan Eric Corpuz Olisamedua Esenwa Jasmine Etim Roda Hammoud

Oluwatodimu Obidipe Paul Ogar Mahdy Soufan Semoore Tijani

Yara Mdeihli David Ose Nurul-haq Shuaibu Kabiru Joy Okafor
74

SHOULD HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS COMBINE

WORKING AND STUDYING?

By Lily Rmeity

There are many
things that
teens these
days want but do not have
the money to get them.
Studying is important for
every high school
students but they also
need time to learn how to
make money for
themselves. They need to
learn how to work and be
more independent; that is
why think that high
schoolers should use half
of their day for school and
the other half to find part
time jobs and learn about
businesses.

Would it not be amazing which can make them greedy and forget about their
to go to work for half a day studies. As more and more teenagers get part time
and prove to your parents that you are mature and jobs, they might decide not to continue with their
have the ability to make your own money? With work studies which will not help them in the future.
comes respect, people will know that you are able to High school students might want to get jobs to feel
take care of your family no matter how young or old more matured and independent but that can make
you are. them become proud and forget about the people
around them because they feel that they are earning
Working at different jobs will help you develop money and they are too cool and rich to be hanging
different skills. If students try to learn acting, they can around ‘commoners’.
work with different people and learn more about how
to compromise. They can also become famous. Who As you learn more about business and how people
would not want to become famous? However, when cooperate at work, you can be taken advantage of by
working you have to start from scratch and then people with bad intentions. People might play with
gradually you will reach to a height where you can your mind and change the way you see and reason
never come back from. things.

What do I mean by a height where you can never In conclusion I believe that high school students
come back from? I mean that you will become so should go half a day to school and the other half to
known, rich, independent and famous that you can find jobs because they will benefit from it a lot and
never go back to where you started from. become more mature.
However, getting part time jobs might also have its
disadvantages. The idea of getting jobs can make
teenagers think about the money that comes with it

75

Challenges and prospects

facing women empowerment in Nigeria

According to Wikipedia, Women’s women to gain access to capital.
empowerment is the process by which However, there are many challenges facing
women elaborate and recreate what it is women empowerment not only in Nigeria but all

that they can be, do, and accomplish in a over the world and one of the main challenge is

circumstance that they previously were denied. financial resources. Not only does this mean that

This definition is supported by another definition women generally are poorer than men but it

from UN women organization which states that, means that women lack the ability to raise or

women empowerment means increasing the increase capital because women’s needs are not

strength of women socially, economically, and given priority easily. Secondly, mainstream

emotionally. thinking is another serious challenge that women

are facing because the idea that women are only

One of the most important objectives of women useful in homes have demotivated them to even

empowerment is encouraging women to develop begin their path to achieving greater things. An

entrepreneurial skills, which in turn, would make example of this is in India; women in India are

them self-dependent. This is usually done by generally seen as house slaves because they have

women empowerment organizations to allow been considered homemakers and not business

women grow socially and economically. Another, women who can pursue entrepreneurial goals.

objective of women empowerment is to educate

the public on the rights of women. Breaking In addition, since women have been considered

gender norms in childhood, passing a gender as homemakers, it is almost impossible for

equality law and teaching men to respect women women to balance the conflict between raising a

are some of the ways to achieve these. family and achieving their goals in life because

how a child develops will be as a result of the

Furthermore, women empowerment organization input and impact the mother had on the child’s

aim to end violence against women at work and life and if the mother fails in this area it becomes

at home. This is being achieved by teaching a problem. Another problem facing women

young boys to respect women like earlier stated. empowerment is their perceived emotional

In Nigerian homes the rate of violence against instability; the idea that women generally are

women in 2011 was 21% and it increased to 30% weak and incapable to make big time decision

in 2013. Also women empowerment aims to simply because they are seen to be emotional

recognize informal workers and encourage and temperamental
employers to hire inductively as this will help By Todi Obidipe

76

77

Year ELEVEN

Jeffery Etim Mohammed Saffieddine Mohanned Sahmaraney Huwaida Abboud

Paul Zubair Nour Berjawi Rafka Dib Wesley Etim

Yasmina Haidar Aderike Adesanya Erere Ayenor

Fejiro Obaro - Umeh Layla Zahereddine Mr. Lucky Kawedo
78

Tomorrow by Fejiro Obaro

Tomorrow for better or worse green lands our evil; has money become the root of this land?
children look and call home, Forgetting the poor is poorer till their bones wither in
may this grass not wither for there is hope the sand.
may this grass not cry anymore for there is hope. Our youth run to Libya for there is hope.

Tomorrow for better or worse Tomorrow for better or worse
may the blind never remove its blindfold; have you I believe in a just judiciary
forgotten fairness? I believe where the mute is heard and where the blind
The faith of the scornful and righteous at your hand; be can know what is vivid.
not careless. I believe in paradise where even the ants are taken into
Do this even if not for your mother land but for respect consideration; dreams give hope.
of thy anthem. (for there is hope)
Tomorrow for better or worse
Tomorrow for better or worse the soil of our land cries in unity we stand even in diversity we stand
in the north; Oh I drink blood! when I gaze on the leaders of tomorrow I smile and see
But yet south, east, west ignore; we say there is God no sorrow.
but there is hope for the sun still shines. because I know there is HOPE.
Tomorrow for better or worse money the root of all

Stick or twist?

The case for traditional schools

By Mohammed Safieddine

Education online is progressing and so is education the old
school way, but which will prevail? Online schooling has always
been a very new concept to parents; they never experienced
the privilege of studying from the comfort of their bedrooms or dining
tables. They were forced to wake up at early hours and spend as much
as eight to nine hours at their schools, and they were bred to endure
the stress of those long hours while balancing a social life and also their
hectic family life, and don’t forget the loads of homework. This can all
be avoided by one attending online school; just take a moment to
imagine how good it could be if you attended an online school
considering that highschoolers now have the same anxiety levels that
patients at insane asylums had in the 1970s.

In contrast, learning in traditional classrooms is much more
professional in terms of interactions and exchange of knowledge.

79

The student will feel somewhat of a connection online schools performed almost 30 percent better than
with the teacher instead of just talking to a those in traditional classrooms.
camera or a screen. In traditional classrooms
students can just raise a hand to politely ask questions, Traditional schools and classrooms many not produce the
whereas, in online schools it feels more like you are talking best students statics wise however, they do motivate the
to a robot and what if one has slow Wifi connection or student the most. The idea of attending a somewhat boring
simply does not attend class. Students attending online class with a group of friends or with one simple close friend
schools are more inclined to skip classes and cheat during can make the class ten times more interesting and fun just
tests and exams with a simple Google search because the because that one friend is next to you. This to some, can be
teacher is not there to stop them. seen as a form of distraction but it’s just a coping
While traditional classes can feel more real, attending an mechanism for us teenagers. Let’s not forget that one funny
online school will make the process much faster and feel or silly classmate that made everything better or that really
more personalized. This stems from the idea that the smart girl or boy that made you work harder just so that you
teacher or lecturer is there just for you almost as if you are in could be as smart as them.
a private lesson, which means the focus is on only the
student without other student’s noise and chatter. In a nutshell, both online schools and traditional classrooms
have their advantages and their disadvantages however, it
A study carried out by the British council was carried out to can be concluded that traditional classrooms can be much
truly find out whether students in online schools perform more memorable and in reality much cheaper than online
better than students in traditional classrooms by schooling. And in my opinion traditional classrooms and
comparing their IGCSE grades, during the same year with ways of teachings are much more reliable.
the same syllabus and the results show that students in

TRAPPED by Rafka Dib

happened or how long I’ve been here but all I can
remember are my friends ; Cole, Jonah and Kiara ; each
on every corner; they can’t talk nor move, they might be
stones or maybe bullets. I can’t see clearly after all. But
now I hear irked voices which feel chafed and yet
familiar. I’ve heard this particular voice before even if it
seems to be distant and unclear. I try to move closer to
the door to decipher the voice but I can’t move, I feel
paralyzed.

Fear. It’s the only thing I can feel. I can’t be Suddenly these voices are replaced with quietude which
restrained any longer, I’m on the edge of breaking! only makes me feel edgy and frantic and my heart
Before I had always been brave but not anymore. begins to race as footsteps approach my door. I force
Now I feel numb, collusive and alexithymous. myself to stand, I can’t. I retain hope that this is nothing
Locked up, lying on a cold damp floor, darkness but a surreal dream. I close my eyes and wait but it was
everywhere; I feel lifeless as I watch the flowing water not long until the stark realism hits me when the door
trail under the blockaded rust that passes as a door, into opens. It seems like my eyes are burning. I use all my
the light that was beyond my reach. If only I was the strength to open my eyes to see a big tall shadow
water. shoving me out of the room. I was pushed through
empty, dimly lit halls filled with cobwebs and peeled pale
I indolently re-observe my surrounding trying to see yellow walls, no windows, not anywhere! Then this
through the darkness , trying to remember what feeling of familiarity strikes me again… it reminded me of
him. As we get to the steel door, I feel vulnerable. I
80 gasped as the door flings open; all the memories of what
happened flooded my mind liker repeated scenarios on
a movie reel. But it came to screeching halt when a gun
is shoved into my hand with an instruction to….kill him.

81

Year TWELVE

Rayana Mehsen Feyishayo Aluko Hiba Fakih Youssef Kaj

Zainab Fawaz Myles Etim Mr. Kayode Fasoyinu

82

A Call to Action
By Shayo Aluko
And that silence ends with me
It seems as though our leaders think we are We pass the toll gates every day
stupid We struggle in traffic in every way
We battle the trailers, the okadas and more
With all their highfalutin nonsense We come home every day battered and sore

They ring their bells and blow their whistles

Never cease to add their own 2 cents

We have Buhari a sturdy man of age They try to deceive us
We have Ambode all talk and no rage Hammering without a nail
We have Tinubu a Lagos boy through and through They try to convince us
And his wife a ‘Tinubu’ two To eat the food while its stale

They run around in Aso rock They do not understand
Chasing rats and whiling time away Who we are as a people
While to us down here They do not understand
It seems as though the recession is here to stay That to us it is not that simple

Dollar, dollar everyone cries out We will play their games of confusion
Children on the road begging with a pout We will shoot with our pens
Meanwhile our president that we ourselves We will play their games of attrition
crowned We will assassinate with our words
Goes to London to be treated with pounds We will fight with our voices
We will retaliate with our minds
They think we don’t know We will play their game of confusion
That we don’t see And we will come out the victors
But we chose to be silent

YEAR 10

SUMMER Focus on IGCSE
Research, research, While IGCSE is not expressly

research required, it is still widely

After finding out your likes and dislikes it respected around the globe and

is the time to do research and summer is can be a large advantage when SUMMER
combined with A- Levels.
the perfect opportunity. Look for universities Take out this year to Things are starting to get
focus real
in the states that interest you, note down
This summer is the best time to go for
their requirements and preferences both

socially and academically. This is also the summer programs and internships, not only is it

time to seek out and apply to longer than most but it still gives you enough

YEAR 9 summer programs for year 10 time to pick up new interests. In addition to this
Seek out new interest summer.
you should set up a college board account and

and explore subject begin studying for SAT’s as well as correspond

choices. with your chosen universities. Send E-mails,

get acquainted and ask questions. Most

This is your first year of high school universities would be more than happy

and definitely the year to experiment. to help you out.

don’t be afraid, try out new things STUDY IN THE USA
and use this opportunity to find

out what your talents YEAR
11
by Shayo Aluko

The year of the SAT

Year 11 should be almost entirely

Summer focused on SAT’s and you should expect

Begin to apply to Universities, to take the SAT more than once to get the

making sure to carefully structure highest grade possible. Constant practice and

your application essays. repetition should be your best friend this year

(you should have your English teacher as you strive for the highest SAT scores

look over them) and also be mindful of Summer possible. From your SAT scores, scholarship
programs and universities will reach out
deadlines. With your resume, extra Year 12
curricular, and grades you should Almost done! Spend this summer to you so the higher your scores the
Focus on your A-level
be sure to get into your exams and finish up sorting out Visa issues higher the chances of getting
University
and end it with your flight a good scholarship

your applications. to America for

university 83

GRADUATING STUDENTS

A NEW

84

CHAPTER

85

A NEW

86

CHAPTER

87

WESTMILLS GRADUATION 2019

88

READY TO CONQUER!

89

THANK YOU TEACHERS!

90

Graduands &
Parents

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING!

91

GRADUAting students’ PROFILE

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful
of the night” - Galileo

92

GRADUAting students’ PROFILE

93

ART & DESIGN
at BusyBees & WestMills

94

We are Creative

Tomorrow’s DA VINCI

Students’ work on display at WESTAC

95

ART AND DESIGN

96

ART AND DESIGN

97

ART AND DESIGN

By Shuaibu Sabir, Year 8 By Romimora Munis. Year 7

Nour Dib. Year, 8 By sara kaj. year 8
98