2017 2018 Yearbook

Katherine M.

Hi, my name is Katherine M. I'm 14 years old, and I'm going into the 9th grade. I have 3
sisters Caroline (20), Abby (18), Kat (me 14), and Ellie (2). I also have a dog named Sadie and a
fish named Loofa Frolick M. I know, it's not your typical fish name. For fun I bike, hangout with
friends, and play soccer. I play soccer for a small Christian school in Pennsylvania. When I am
older I hope to be an animation artist or a professional soccer player. In my spare time you will
find me watching Dude Perfect or drawing. My favorite subject in school is history. Every year
my family and I go camping with a bunch of our friends. It’s a lot of fun.

My Christmas Memories

Excitingly, receiving Christmas pajamas is one of many Christmas traditions my family
has. Going to my grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve is something that I remember doing
while I was young. On Christmas Eve we hungrily go to my grandparent’s house for dinner, our
house to receive our pajamas, and to church for the Christmas Eve service, which is one of my
favorite parts of Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve we go to my grandparent’s house to eat dinner. For dinner we eat
pirogues, ham, corn, and potato salad and a variety of colorful desserts. My aunts, uncles, and
cousins all come to Christmas Eve dinner. I sit at a table with my three sisters and my four
cousins. Finally after we all savor the delicious meal, my cousins and I go play games in a
separate room, which we call the toy room. After we play for a while, we quickly get ready to
leave and go to church service. Christmas eve at my grandparents is a memorable time of the
year.

The Christmas Eve service is so beautiful because of the pretty poinsettias and the glow
of the candles. When we get there, at first we receive our candles. Then we find our seat and
the service begins. Steadily, the lights get lower and then we start to sing wonderful hymns
about Christmas. We quietly listen to the sermon, which is given by the pastor, and close with
lighting the candles and singing one last song. After the service we get ready to go home.
Christmas eve church service is one of my favorite things out of the whole year.

When we get home, we receive our Christmas pajamas. While we round up my sisters,
my parents get our pajamas. Tiredly, after that, we lie on the couch and watch Elf, which is our
favorite Christmas movie. My parents always fall asleep when we watch a movie. After we
finish the movie, we slowly make our way to bed, where I lie in my warm, cozy bed and go to
sleep. Christmas Eve traditions like receiving our pajamas are one of those things I will always
remember.

On Christmas Eve hungrily we drive to my grandparent house and eat dinner. Then we
go to Christmas Eve service at my grandparent’s church, which is my favorite. Happily we go
home and open our Christmas pajamas. One of the most important things at Christmas time to
me is being able to spend time with our family and all the fun traditions we have.

Dave N.

My name Is Dave N. I live with my two brothers, two sisters, and mom and dad. I like to
play video games, watch sports, play sports, listen to music, ride bike and snowboard. A couple
of my favorite things are my cat, my bed, and my bike. My favorite story to write was “Rikki-
Tikki-Tavi” because it was easy and fun.

Weasel Versus Snake

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,” which many people don’t know about, is a short story that is a part of
The Jungle Book in 1894. Amazingly, this short fiction story is created very well and was written
by Rudyard Kipling. During this story the author developed the animals with the ability to
communicate. Although it is a part of The Jungle Book, it was published separately, which
makes it its own story. Illustrated in pen and ink is the story. This tale was animated in America
and Russia as a TV film, because it is a very awesome story.

This exciting story presents the protagonist, Rikki-Tikki with red, glowing eyes. Filled
with hate, the antagonists are Nag and Nagaina, who are evil cobras. To get to know the
antagonists better, the author shows the snakes killing and eating a baby bird, because that is a
very antagonist-like thing to do. While the story is going on, he shows the setting through
comparison. Wisely, the time is provided to us as when Queen Victoria ruled.

Nag and Nagaina create a conflict when they attack humans. Fortunately, Rikki-Tikki-
Tavi knows that the cobras are going to attack the humans, because he overhears them talking
about it. While you are reading, the author adds suspicion while Nag waits in the bathroom to
kill the humans. Because of Nag’s death, Nagaina becomes angrier and more determined to
viciously destroy the humans. Added throughout the sentence, there’s suspense when you are
waiting for the eggs to hatch, which is an effective way to keep the reader’s attention.

Throughout this story, the author provides an epic climax, because he is a very good
writer. Also, he adds a false climax, since he wants to make the story interesting. During this
story, he creates a lot of suspense, which makes it more fun to read and keeps you interested.
Satisfied, is what you feel once you read this whole exciting tale. Good wins against evil.
Fortunately, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi will protect his family forever.

Created wonderfully, the characters in this story are very well developed. Helpfully,
there is an exotic setting, which helps make the tale more interesting. Throughout this story,
action is everywhere, because it keeps the reader’s attention. As you read the story, you will
come to one of the most suspenseful parts when Rikki-Tikki is being swung around by Nag,
since you might think he won’t survive. Happily is how the story ends. This is a very enjoyable
tale for all ages.

Amber S.

My name is Amber. I am 15 years old and live in Pennsylvania. I will be going into 10th
grade, and am a complete Pygmy goat nerd! For siblings, I have two older brothers. Black
Warrior and Bandit are my two pet Pygmy goats. I absolutely adore them. Warrior is 5 years old
and Bandit will be turning 3 in July. Some of my favorite things include camping out in the goat
barn with my goats on beautiful summer nights, hanging out with them, and taking them for
walks around our yard. Drawing, scrapbooking, and writing books/stories are also something I
enjoy. I am extremely active in my 4-H club, The Silver Pails Goat Club. Currently, I am the
recording secretary and the scrapbook chairman for the club. I am also a member of the
Keystone Pygmy Goat Club and the National Pygmy Goat Association. During the summer, I will
be working at my new job, starting some of my 10th grade school subjects, giving my goats a
bath, and volunteering to help out the 4-H Clover Buds Day Camp for younger kids. I will be
bringing my goats and telling the kids a little bit about them as well as letting them pet Warrior
and Bandit. Participating in many goat related activities, I will be traveling to goat shows and
goat races throughout the summer and fall as well as staying at the 4-H fairgrounds for the
annual 4-H fair that occurs every year. When I am older, I hope to be able to pursue my passion
of having a farm where I can breed Pygmy Goats and have other animals. I also hope to pursue
writing and art. In writing class, I enjoyed writing many stories, but I especially enjoyed writing
“The-Not-So-Great-Escape” because it is about goats. I had a great time imagining and putting
together this goat-tastic story.

The Not-So-Great Escape

Warrior and Bandit, who are Pygmy Goats, are short and stout, loving, and sometimes
mischievous. They love to chow down their hay and grain, but their favorite thing is to snack on
their animal cookies. In a jar in Warrior and Bandit’s barn lived the animal cookies. The cookies
were chunky and luscious. Twelve noon was Warrior and Bandit’s favorite time of the day
because that is when they would contentedly munch on their animal cookies. Everyday the
animal cookies dreaded cookie time because they didn’t know who would be the next to be
inhaled and digested.

To save themselves from being devoured, the animal cookies devised a plan of escape.
Under the cover of darkness, they would silently slip from their cookie jar and run away.
Warrior and Bandit, overhearing the animal cookies’ plan with their exceptional hearing, were
enraged with them because it didn’t hurt the animal cookies when they were being swallowed.
To stop the animal cookies from escaping, Warrior and Bandit countered them with a plan of
their own.

When nightfall arrived, the animal cookies made their move. They quietly slipped from
their jar. Suddenly, the lights flickered on, and there stood Warrior and Bandit. The animal
cookies desperately tried to run away, but Warrior and Bandit circled them, shoved them in
their jar, and locked them in. The animal cookies learned to never underestimate Warrior and
Bandit, especially their ears. Warrior and Bandit lived happily ever after, munching on their
delectable animal cookies and basking in the sun.

Maria T.

Hello, my name is Maria T. I am 13. I enjoyed this writing class, Intermediate Two, as
well as last year’s class, Intermediate One. My favorite essay from this year was the one on
chocolate, probably because it is my favorite subject! Just kidding! I felt very happy and
relaxed when I was writing these essays and critiques, and I hope I am in next year’s class,
Intermediate Three. Until then, have a great spring and summer everyone!

Chocolate

Chocolate is a delectable treat. Chocolate has been around for a long time. Chocolate is
literally found everywhere around the earth. Chocolate has an interesting origin and
manufacture. Because of chocolate, men all over have been influenced and are inspired to
become chocolatiers.

Chocolate making is a neat task. The process for getting cocoa is very interesting. The
record for cocoa originating is about 1000 B.C. Chocolate originated between the Mexican and
Amazon River basin, which has a warm climate. Cocoa uniquely begins to originate on a tree.
When they are ripe, the beans are harvested. The beans are taken to a huge vat where there
are turned into chocolate. Chocolate making is a neat task.

The trees which cocoa beans grow on flourish in a tropical climate. The most cocoa in
the world is located in West Africa since the climate is perfect for them. Cocoa beans grow on
the trunk and branches of cocoa trees. The cocoa pods have 20 to 40 seeds. The pods are
shaped like footballs. The trees produce about 2,000 pods a year.

Pod picking is full of hard work. When they are bigger, you can begin removing the pods
from the tree. You must be careful when you cut the pod especially since it is all by hand. When
the pods are ripe, you shake them, and they will rattle. That means that it’s just the right time.
Then, you can split the pod open. After splitting the pod, you have to wait and dry out the seeds
until they turn a dirty brown. Pod picking requires a lot of hard work.

A lot of men were famous, well-known chocolatiers. In history, there are a lot of famous
chocolatiers. Chocolate making first began in the late 1800s and 1900s. Factories developed
quickly in the United States. One chocolatier, also a pioneer, named Milton Hershey was a great
chocolatier. There was another chocolatier from another Mars family. And third was the well-
known Ghirardelli. All were famous, well-known chocolatiers.

Because of Milton Hershey, we now have tons of his wonderful chocolate today. When
he was 15, Milton Hershey became an apprentice confectioner in Lancaster. In 1839, he saw an
exhibit on chocolate which had been carefully made. Later on, he developed a recipe using milk
chocolate. Chocolate at that time was expensive, and only the wealthy could afford this
delectable treat. In the 1900s, milk chocolate bars began selling for five cents because then
some of the unhealthy people could afford to buy one. Hershey soon became the world’s first
largest candy company. Because of Milton Hershey, everyone can now enjoy his chocolate.

Frank Mars was a great chocolatier. His mother taught him how to make wonderful
candy. in 1924 Frank and his father created the milk chocolate walnut malt. When he was older,
he became the only owner of a company that was bigger than Hershey. It took him three years’
research for unique chocolate ideas. Mars soon started making Snickers and Three Musketeers

chocolates which became famous. Later on, a science museum of chocolate opened in Brazil, all
thanks to the wonderful chocolatier Frank Mars.

Chocolate is such a popular treat. Many men influenced the chocolate industry. Milton
Hershey introduced milk chocolate. Frank Mars invented some creative candies. Ghirardelli
gave us wonderful cocoa which is the source of chocolate. They all devoted their career to
experimenting with chocolate. Thanks to them, we now have many tasty choices of chocolate
today. Chocolate is such a popular treat.

Thankfully, chocolate has been discovered. The result of all of everyone’s had work is a
wonderful bar of chocolate. Because of their creativity, chocolatiers are paid off. People are
inspired by each other because of their wonderful creativity. Thankfully, people to this day are
still experimenting and trying to create new chocolates.

Bibliography
“Chocolate History: Who Invented Chocolate?” Facts About Chocolate. 2006 – 2012, facts-

about-chocolate.com/chocolate-history/.
“Domingo Ghirardelli Inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2012.” Candy Hall of Fame.

National Confectionary Sales Association, 2014,
candyhalloffame.org/CHoF/inductees/2012/domingo-ghirardelli.shtml.
“How Is Chocolate Made? From Bean to Bar…” Facts About Chocolate. 2006 – 2012, facts-
about-chocolate.com/how-is-chocolate-made/.
Lawrence, Sidney. “The Ghirardelli Story.” California History. The Free Library, 22 March
2002, ch.ucpress.edu/content/81/2/9.
“Mars History Timeline.” Mars. Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates, 2017,
www.mars.com/global/about-us/history.
Mattern, Joanne. The Mars Family: M&M Mars Candy Makers. ABDO, 2011.
---. Milton Hershey: Hershey’s Chocolate Creator. ABDO, 2011.
McMahon, Jr., James D. “Milton Snavely Hershey.” The World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. World Book, Inc. 2005.

Teubner, Christian, et al. The Chocolate Bible. Penguin Group, 1997.

“Where Does Chocolate Come from? Does It Grow on Trees?” Facts About Chocolate. 2017,
facts-about-chocolate.com/where-does-chocolate-come-from/.

Ziegler, Gregory R. “Chocolate.” The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. World Book, Inc.
2005.

Sophia U.

My name is Sophia (Sophie), and I am 13 years old. Entering tenth grade this year, I am
looking forward to biology. I am partial to soccer in the sports world, which is obvious because
soccer is the best, but I also love to dance, especially tap. My favorite sibling is my older sister,
Katrina (she is my only sibling…). Although I prefer fall, I am looking forward to summertime,
since I can work in the garden with my Mom. Hopefully I will have enough produce to sell at a
Farmer’s Market this year! Pond/Pool days at friends’ houses and Soccer Sundays at our house
are something everyone looks forward to participating in all year! Regarding school this past
year, I especially enjoyed writing Chocolate’s Strictly Silky Stirring Story because chocolate is so
amazing that it should be in its own food group! Hooray for summer AND chocolate!

Chocolate’s Strictly Silky Stirring Story

Chocolate is a deliciously gooey yummy treat. Because of its creamy texture and
fabulous taste, many would consider chocolate good enough to belong to its own food group,
which shows how enjoyable it is to eat. It’s been around for centuries! Surprising many
people, chocolate can be found everywhere and beyond, as many astronauts have taken it to
space! While chocolate’s interesting origin and history can make for a fascinating story, eating
it is even better. Graciously, several creative men have influenced the chocolate world to the
point of world-wide fame.

Unsurprisingly, the process of making chocolate, along with its origin, fascinates many
people. While chocolate originated as a drink among the Aztecs in South America, it was
introduced much later to the Spanish occupying the area. Thank you, Aztecs! They generally
lived between South Mexico and the Amazon River basin. In groves of cacao trees, chocolate
grows in small pods, which contain the beans used for chocolate, on trees. The beans are
harvested, yummy things are added, and you have chocolate! Delighting the palate, chocolate
is one of the world’s favorite delicacies, as its creamy fragility delights the pickiest of eaters.

Cacao pods grow on trees that flourish in tropical climates. They grow directly off the
trunk and branches. Isn’t that weird? Curiously, the pods are shaped like a small football, and
each tree grows up to 2,000 pods each year! Inside each cacao pod resides viscid white pulp,
which encases the 20 to 40 cacao beans, or seeds. The beans are used to make chocolate,
while the pulp is used to make a special drink. Although seventy percent of cacao products
come from the tropics of West Africa, they are also cultivated in many other regions.

Cacao pods are harvested two times per year which keeps us well supplied with
chocolate. Because the trees are too fragile to climb, workers must use a machete or a pole
with a machete attached to the end. Diligently harvesting them when they are ripe guarantees
the correct chocolate flavor, since under ripe beans don’t procure the correct chocolate flavor,
and overripe beans begin to germinate in the pod. An effective way to tell is that green pods
will turn yellow, red pods with turn orange, but violet pods don’t change color much and are
thus very hard to tell apart. After they are harvested, workers carefully open pods by hand, not
damaging the beans inside. They slice steadily. The last part of the harvesting process
involves fermenting the beans under banana leaves. The biannual harvest of cacao pods
requires arduous work from many workers to keep the world well-supplied with chocolate.

After they are harvested, cacao beans must be sifted many times and go through
thorough quality checks to confirm that there are no rocks, wood, or machetes in them.
Roasting 10-35 minutes until they are a dark, chocolaty brown, cacao beans develop their
unmistakable pungency. Cacao becomes cocoa! While the cacao beans are not usually mixed

with other kinds of cacao, except by the manufacturers themselves, they create a wonderful
taste brewed together. Each variety of cacao bean has a distinct flavor, which is why as many
as 12 types are used in an individual recipe. The next step on the road to success: the cacao
beans must be ground and slammed by ginormous hydraulic presses to separate the cocoa
butter and powder. Gradually cocoa butter and cocoa powder are mixed back together, as
adding too much or too little of either one will end in disaster. Then carefully milk, vanilla, and
sugar are added. You have chocolate! From cacao beans to cocoa, from liquid to powder, and
from butter to chocolate, chocolate requires an extremely definitive and complicated road into
our mouths.

Although chocolate begins as a bunch of pods on funky trees, which are grown in the
tropics, the chocolaty beans inside are what truly count. They are harvested by hand. Copious
amounts of workers painstakingly harvest each pod by hand. Individually removed, the beans
are fermented, roasted, sifted, and ground. After all this, and more, the chocolate is ready to
enjoy. Underestimating and not caring about the effort workers place into creating chocolate
shows how little some consumers appreciate cacao producers, although they provide these
luxuries for them. Chocolate leads the candy world with a silky-smooth flavor, a fascinating
origin, and a captivating home.

The world’s enjoyment of chocolate has increased significantly from the influence of
several brilliant chocolatiers. Thank you, good sirs. Despite setbacks, the most famous
chocolate “heroes” first made their debuts between the late 1800s and the 1900s. All of them
came to glorious fame in America. One chocolate pioneer was Milton Hershey. He began his
business in the 1900s, although he is more honored now. Since he was extremely creative,
Frank Mars developed many kinds of interesting chocolates. Paving the way for Hershey and
Mars came Ghirardelli, who was one of the first well-known chocolate producers in America.
Faithfully, all three of these men helped turn chocolate into what it is today.

Milton Hershey was, and is, one of the most famous candy makers ever. At the age of
18 he started his first candy store, where he learned the ins and outs of business. While he
learned much, unfortunately his store failed due to inexperience. In 1890 he founded his first
successful business, the Lancaster Caramel Company. Surprising many people, Milton sold the
Lancaster Caramel Company to buy special equipment that made chocolate. One of his goals
was to perfect the milk chocolate recipe, which was a highly guarded secret in Europe.
Ultimately, however, he wanted to produce chocolate cheaply enough so that the poorest
people of America could have it. Many Americans had never even heard of chocolate! Isn’t
that befuddling? In the year 1900, Milton perfected milk chocolate and sold it for 5¢ apiece.
Today Milton Hershey’s chocolate factory has blossomed into one of the world’s largest
producers.

Unfortunately, Frank Mars contracted polio when he was little. Because he could not
easily play outside, he stayed in the kitchen with his mom, who loved to bake. Hoping to teach

him something profitable, she showed him how to make all sorts of candies by hand. By 1923,
Frank owned a blooming business and had created his first big hit, the Milky Way bar. Between
1930 and 1932 two very popular candies came into existence, Snickers and 3 Musketeers. They
are delicious! M&M’s became an instant favorite by soldiers around WWII, since they would,
“Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.” Frank’s son, Forrest, started printing M’s on his
M&M’s to go with the slogan, “Look for the M on every piece!” M&M’s are now Mars Inc.’s
most loved creation and were the first candy in space! Frank Mars went from hobby candy
maker to founding one of the world’s largest candy companies.

When he was a teenager, Domingo Ghirardelli was apprenticed to Romanengo’s
chocolate shop in Italy. After he learned all about making sweets at Romanengo’s, Domingo
founded “Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.” Domingo’s business flourished, and he moved from Peru,
where he had been living, to America. Unfortunately, Domingo died in 1864. His son, Domingo
Ghirardelli Jr, diligently took over the business. In 1869, Mr. Ghirardelli’s company began
producing cocoa powder, which soon became very popular. Baking with chocolate, people
could create mouthwatering sweets because all you had to do was add the powder to your
recipe. Hot chocolate could now be made in a flash. It was so exciting! Domingo Ghirardelli’s
wonderful legacy of delicious chocolate will be enjoyed for a long, long time.

While many men have influenced the chocolate industry, the most well-known are
Milton Hershey, Frank Mars, and Doming Ghirardelli. Milton Hershey introduced plain milk
chocolate, while Frank Mars put a creative twist to his delicacies. Domingo Ghirardelli, who
was one of the first chocolate producers, made and popularized cocoa powder. Of the three
chocolatiers, none were completely satisfied with just plain old chocolate. They persevered!
They experimented! They dreamed! Faithfully they strived for new and exotic sweets that no
one had ever heard of before. Writing their future, these men probably would not have
foreseen an incredible chocolate legacy, yet still they persevered.

Thinking back to all those years ago, many people reminisce about the discovery of
chocolate and the impact it had on many lives. Although chocolate seems to be a simple treat,
the chocolate we eat today results from arduous work and diligence from the many workers
who have dedicated their careers to making chocolate. Despite setbacks, the creativity of those
first few chocolatiers paid off in the long run, since they were able to think up new and exciting
flavors for their candies. Hooray for chocolate! Shockingly, many people take chocolate and
the way it is made for granted. All in all, chocolate’s strictly silky stirring story makes for a
pretty good read.

Bibliography

“Chocolate History: Who Invented Chocolate?” Facts About Chocolate. 2006 – 2012, facts-

about-chocolate.com/chocolate-history/.

“Domingo Ghirardelli Inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2012.” Candy Hall of Fame.

National Confectionary Sales Association, 2014,

candyhalloffame.org/CHoF/inductees/2012/domingo-ghirardelli.shtml.

“How Is Chocolate Made? From Bean to Bar…” Facts About Chocolate. 2006 – 2012, facts-

about-chocolate.com/how-is-chocolate-made/.

Lawrence, Sidney. “The Ghirardelli Story.” California History. The Free Library, 22 March

2002, ch.ucpress.edu/content/81/2/9.

“Mars History Timeline.” Mars. Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates, 2017,

www.mars.com/global/about-us/history.

Mattern, Joanne. The Mars Family: M&M Mars Candy Makers. ABDO, 2011.

---. Milton Hershey: Hershey’s Chocolate Creator. ABDO, 2011.

McMahon, Jr., James D. “Milton Snavely Hershey.” The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia.

World Book, Inc. 2005.

Teubner, Christian, et al. The Chocolate Bible. Penguin Group, 1997.

“Where Does Chocolate Come from? Does It Grow on Trees?” Facts About Chocolate. 2017,
facts-about-chocolate.com/where-does-chocolate-come-from/.

Ziegler, Gregory R. “Chocolate.” The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. World Book, Inc.
2005.

Max W.

My name is Max W. I am 13 and in 8th grade. In my family, I have two brother and my
parents. I like going to theme parks, playing and watching sports, reading books, and watching
movies. I like all foods for the most part, and I have no favorite. I’m not sure what I want to be
when I grow up yet. Finally, I enjoy writing a lot.

Genghis Kahn and His Anger

“The King and His Hawk” is a fairly short story. Besides the original publications, it is
also party of Fifty Famous Stories Retold. 5 While it is in a book, people from history still retold
the story. Sadly, no one knows the original author of the story. It’s retold by James Baldwin. It
was first published in 1896, which became available in 2005, was published by Yesterday’s
Classics as readers continued to enjoy this story.

The author skillfully sets the stetting of the story in the Middle Ages. He provides
historic context and details. Unusually, the author doesn’t describe the unknown place, and he
leaves the reader to imagine where it is, while it is probably somewhere in the woods. Since it
is a great story, it is unusual that he provides minimal details about the characters. Genghis
Kahn, who is the leader, allows you to see his flaws. Over time, the hawk at first seems to be
enemy but then the readers learn that he is a hero. The story is deceiving.

The author presents complex conflict in the story. Cleverly, the author makes it appear
that at first it is Genghis Kahn versus the hawk, who appears to be bad when he is really good.
After that, the reader realizes it is Genghis Kahn versus himself. Since the author builds
suspense during the story, the story is really interesting. The hawk mischievously knocks the
cup out of Genghis Kahn’s hand. Genghis Kahn is desperate for water and becomes increasingly
angry. 6 But he is good.

The story is sad especially when the hawk dies. After that, we learn from the climax that
the dead snake is poisonous. Genghis Kahn, who couldn’t control his anger, grows as a person.
Since he learns not to act with anger, Genghis Kahn, who couldn’t control his anger, grows as a
person. The lesson he learned cost death to the hawk. Therefore, Genghis Kahn becomes
better. The author achieves a goal by teaching the reader a lesson.

Unfortunately, some people might find this story really sad. During the story, it teaches
a good moral which is not to act with anger. Since it is a good lesson, the readers might apply
the king Genghis Kahn’s lessons to themselves. People might prefer happier endings. The story
could appeal to anyone, although younger children might be frightened.

Violet G.

I’m Violet, and I am in the seventh grade. I enjoy tennis, volleyball, swimming, and
music. I love spending time with my family and friends, who are so much fun! I live in the sunny
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I am very energetic and active, and I love playing games, but
also I like just relaxing by reading a book or watching T.V. Favorite foods of mine consist of
chicken francese, ice cream, and chocolate. I especially enjoyed writing this autobiography
because hopefully whoever is reading this has gotten to know me more.

Creative Writing: Journal entries from Shasta’s perspective

Sertinday, 17-2-35
Today a visitor appeared on horseback at our cottage, which is strange because we never
receive visitors on our side of the shore. Undoubtedly, my father let the visitor in because he
was a Tarkaan! He strode in on a noble and strong war horse. While father and the visitor ate
dinner and went off to bed, I had to sleep in the stables so there would be room for the great
Tarkaan. Despite the wrongness of eavesdropping, I heard muttering voices inside and I
couldn’t help it. I snuck over to the door of our cottage and gently placed my ear on the door
crack. I started to hear better once I concentrated, but once I was concentrating,. I heard
something dreadful. The Tarkaan wants to purchase me!

Kusinday 17-3-35
That same night I found out that I was adopted. I was shocked yet relieved. Relieved because I
never felt great admiration for my adopted father, so it was almost good news to find out that I
had been adopted. While I am writing this, I feel sort of abandoned, why would my real parents
leave me? Shockingly, I heard a “yes” from my adopted father! Yes, he would sell me. I started
panicking and heavily breathing, since I am one to make a big deal out of little things. But this
was not a little thing. Including all options that were running through my head, I thought that
escaping would be the best idea.

Bershinday 4-36-107

Once I decided I would escape, I was very nervous. Frantically, I started pacing around the
stables. Until, I took notice of a noble and beautiful horse, who belonged to the Tarkaan. I
stared at the horse glumly, when suddenly it started talking. Although I was a bit frightened, I
was intrigued by the elegant horse. He told me he was from Narnia, where all creatures could
speak.

Elkinday 4-37-107

The mysterious horse told me he went by Bree, he told me his story of being taken from Narnia
and becoming a war horse for a Tarkaan. Beautifully, he always stood noble and strong, even
when he was telling a depressing story. After Bree told me his stories, he told me he wanted to
go back to Narnia and we would secretly escape together. Although the consequences would
be brutal if we got caught, I excitedly agreed. We started out that night, and trotted North.

Gianna J.

Hi, my name is Gianna, and I’m 14 years old and in 8th grade. I’m from Louisiana and am
the 6th of 8 kids. I also have 5 nephews. Some things I like doing in my spare time are baking,
playing piano, drawing and hanging out with friends. I have 8 cats and 1 dog. My favorite
writing assignment this year was the journal entries because it was more of creative writing,
and I’m better at that than reports.

Creative Writing: Journal entries from Shasta’s perspective

Day 1: Today I overheard my father talking to a strange visitor. I was shocked when I heard
what they had to say. My father wanted to sell me as a slave. I felt totally abandoned, but at
the same time relieved because I never loved him as my father. What should I do now? I could
run away, maybe to the North. But what if the master is not good and who is kind to me… I’d be
better off staying here. But then again, he could be worse and very cruel. I’m very unsure how
I’ll be treated and what I should do.

Day 2: I decide to run away. While I was thinking of what to do, I walked into the stable and
the visitor’s horse, who is a war horse, spoke to me. At first I didn’t believe my ears, but then he
spoke again, not very clearly though. The horse said its name was Bree and told me he was
running away also. He made a very good point by saying if we went together we had a better
chance of escape, since a horse without a rider and a child without a horse is suspicious. We
figured we could help each other and decided to go together. Together we set off on our
journey to the North.

Day 3: While Bree and I were running away last night, we heard a lion. Bree ran as fast as his
legs could take him while I nearly fell off. As we were running, I heard more hoofs. It was
another horse and rider. As we later found out, the horse was named Hwin, and the rider was
called Aravis. Soon we were riding so close I could almost touch the other horse. We reached a
large river and swam across. The lion was gone. Finally, we reached the bank. Aravis told her
story and said she was running away also. Hwin, who was a talking horse of Narnia, did not like
to talk as much. In the end, we decided to go together to Narnia.

Day 4: The next day, we decided to go through Tashban because we would be most likely
unnoticed. We made a meeting place to go to if we were to be separated. It was the tombs. I
did not like the idea of the meeting place being the tombs, but I did not say that because they’d
think I was scared, which I was. Unfortunately, we did get separated, at least I did. I trudged
through the city and out through the gate. I looked down the road, and a way away was the
tombs. I slowly walked toward them, hoping that my friends would be there for it was almost
night. Suddenly I heard a horn and immediately realized there was no turning back, because
that was the signal that the gates were now closed. I had reached my destination, and realizing
my friends were not there, I began to be very frightened. I had heard many stories of how these
tombs were haunted, and now these stories filled my head. Suddenly I stood as still as a statue
because I felt something brush against my leg. A wave of relief rushed over me as I realized it
was only a cat. I walked through the tombs to the other side, and the cat fallowed. I sat down
with my face to the tombs and the cat to my back. The cat was my only form of comfort that
night as I waited for my friends to come.

Stephanie L.

My name is Stephanie, and I am a human. I am in grade eight and thirteen years of age,
but I will soon turn fourteen this summer. I have two younger sisters and my grandma is
currently visiting us. My hobbies and sports are, skiing, sketching, photography and
videography, sleeping, gymnastics and piano, in which I wish to earn my ARCT degree. I love all
types of food, but my absolute favorites are ice cream, fries, and chicken, which can be cooked
anyway. I live in Canada, B.C. with a Chinese heritage, but when I am older I would love to
travel the world and see new sites, especially Bora Bora, because it is so beautiful! I would like
to major in either music or engineering, because I want to find new ways to help people in poor
countries who don’t have a lot of water or sturdy buildings. My favorite paper from this year’s
work is the super long and intense 17 paragraph essay that I did on C.S Lewis, because I have
never written an essay that long and it was really interesting and fun to work on. This summer I
am going to volunteer as a helper for my church’s day camp and I am really looking forward to
relaxing at the beach and spending quality time with my friends and family.

The Journey of a Great Writer

Imagine the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Imagine many special people
you love dead. What would you do? With strong literature and Christian faith he fondly
created. He loved and he wrote. He dealt with his unbearable pain. He was C.S Lewis. As you
read on, you will find that C.S Lewis’s journey through life was interesting and painful, but he
never let some hurtful life tragedies get the best of him. Though he dealt with physical and
nonphysical pain, he also dealt with spiritual battles in his Faith. Lewis was a brilliant man, with
a will-powering mind, love for Jesus, love for his family, and love for literature. Through his
many, alluring books Lewis greatly helped and taught the world about Jesus and instantly
delighted everyone with his amazing books.

C.S Lewis’s early life was very interesting, and had many periods of sorrow because of
loss, which caused Lewis’ life to be hard and successful. C.S Lewis was born on November 29,
1898 and was carefully given the full name of Clive Staples Lewis. Clive’s special hometown is
Belfast, Ireland, which is where he happily spent most of his golden years before school. Lewis’s
childhood is quite interesting and surprising as his famous books and novels. His school life was
hard and sad because Clive was constantly dragged into many depressing situations that life
suddenly forced onto his young back. Lewis strongly continued to live through every woeful,
fantastic and peaceful times in his life with the love of reading and writing strongly planted into
his heart.

The great birth and childhood of C.S Lewis are both as interesting as his famous books.
C.S Lewis was safely born to his happy parents Flora August Hamilton Lewis and Albert J. Lewis
(“C.S. Lewis Biography”). Apparently, Clive did not like his special name very much, because
when he was just a mere toddler, he boldly declared that his name was Jack, which is what
family and close friends called him. Jack was not the only child, he had a loving older brother
named Warren, and the two happily got along very well. At a very young age both Lewis
brothers had a deep love for books and wonderful nature. He fell in love with the amazing
writings of Beatrix Potter and was greatly influenced by her. Education and reading were highly
valued in the Lewis household, because Clive’s mother and father were excellent scholars (“C.S.
Lewis”). C.S Lewis’s interesting childhood greatly influenced him to be the excellent writer and
man he was.

Many horrible and interesting things happened during C.S Lewis’s time in school. Jack
was definitely something of a child prodigy. He started reading when he was only three and
started writing at the surprising age of five. At an extremely young age C.S. Lewis was very
creative and even designed his own crazy, imaginary world named Boxen, which had peculiar

animals dressed in puffy clothes. This crazy world could of been a great inspiration for the
creation of the very famous Narnia series. Jack’s early education not-surprisingly started at
home, so you could say he was homeschooled (“C.S. Lewis”). When Lewis was only ten, his
mother wistfully passed away from cancer. In 1908, Lewis’ older brother, Warren, and
grandfather also sorrowfully passed away in this year After the grieving death of his mother,
Lewis enrolled to Wynyard Boarding school (“C.S. Lewis Biography”). Most of C.S Lewis’s busy
school life involved lots of tutoring and hard boarding schools. During the lasting time period
when C.S Lewis was in school, a lot of hurtful situation happened, but Clive proceeded to go
through life.

C.S Lewis’s everlasting love for writing came at a very young age and quickly continued
to grow during school and rough times. After going to a few decent colleges, Lewis decided to
take the large entry exam for the University of Oxford, but while he was starting his year at the
important university, Clive was forcefully dragged into World War One. He served for powerful
Britain in the horrible war and even traumatizingly watched his roommate die (“The Life of”).
C.S was badly wounded by a shrapnel, which massively exploded, and was sent back home
immediately. During the year 1929 Clive’s dad heartbreakingly passed away on September 24
(“C.S. Lewis Biography”). With no loving family or close relatives to live with, Lewis moved in
with the cheerful family of his mother’s close friend (“The Life of”). Lewis’s huge love for
writing probably started when he was born and exceedingly grew bigger as he did.

C.S Lewis’s childhood began to greatly influence and shape his future since the day he
was born. At first, Clive’s life was normal and well, but soon hardship and sadness slowly
dawned. Before becoming better, C.S Lewis was incredibly strong in heart and soul through the
hard times of his life. Lewis always loved reading and writing, which really encouraged him to
go on in life, school ,and his early unsuccessful carrier. Even though CC.S Lewis had a rough and
amazing childhood ,he never stopped writing, reading, and slowly pursuing his dream. His life
was difficult and confusing, but Lewis actually still managed to find Christ and gave humanity
amazing books by making his lifelong passion real. To understand anyone, it is always good to
look carefully at their interesting past.

Before his successful writing career, college was Lewis’s next great step in life, and one
of the greatest inspiring times for him. During his time in college, Lewis emphatically
experienced many new things, and his everlasting love for learning grew. College kindly
encouraged his writings and his new perspective on life. College exceedingly improved Clive's
writings and helped him to grow in character. Lewis joined a scanty writers group called the
Inklings, which inspired and assisted him with his well-known writings and works. Besides the
rough start of his writing career, Lewis had excellent friends, who encouraged, inspired and
considerably assisted him till his books became famous.

Before his early writing career, C.S Lewis went to college and even willingly taught
classes and helped troubled students after college. Lewis immediately continued his studies at

University of Oxford after the tragic World War One and held an outstanding record (“C.S.
Lewis”). He deservingly earned double first honors in Moderations and casually stayed for an
additional first in English, language and literature, which Lewis took one year to finish instead of
the usual three (“C.S. Lewis”). After college, Lewis began tutoring in university and college. On
May 20 in 1925 Clive was happily elected a fellow at Magdalen college. There, he gladly tutored
and taught English, Literature and Language (“C.S. Lewis Biography”). C.S Lewis really loved to
learn and even taught his favorite subjects, which is smart, because it probably helped with his
amazing writing.

During his stay at Magdalen college, Lewis joined a special group called the Inklings,
which helped him with his writings and works. The Inklings was an informal group of collective
writers, which included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (“C.S. Lewis Biography”). This important
group was formed in the early 1930’s and sadly ended around 1965. In 1933 the little group
expanded and Lewis unofficially took over. The gang would meet every Thursday in Lewis’s
room to discuss ideas for books and casually hold meetings (“C.S. Lewis Biography”). Sometimes
the Inklings would meet in loud, busy pubs, but the most common pub they went to was the
now-famous Eagle and Child Pub, which is sometimes just called The Bird. Many famous books
like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Lewis’s Out of Silent Planet were first read to and criticized
by the Inklings. (Tolkien Gateway) The Inklings kindly helped C.S Lewis with his well-known
writings and works and was an important part of his life.

C.S Lewis’s early career was not very successful, but he kept going and worked hard until
he finally achieved his ultimate and life goal. Lewis’s first publication was a large collection of
lyric verses, but the name Clive Staples Lewis attracted little attention. He normally wrote long,
narrative poems before specifically turning to writing scholarly and prose fiction (“C.S. Lewis”).
Clive’s first work of prose fiction is The Pilgrim's Regress, which was published in 1929. (C.S
Lewis foundation) While doing long research for the book and talking to his good friend J.R.R
Tolkien, who was roman catholic, Lewis converted to Christianity (“The Life of”). During World
War One he deeply explained the Christian faith through the radio and was recently regarded
as one of the most influential Christian writers in the 20th century (Lewis Collage). In 1938
Lewis wrote the famous novel Out of The Silent Planet, which interestingly wove Christian
allusions and themes. This book, including That Hideous Strength, which was published in 1945,
and Perlandra, which was published two years before, immediately formed the earliest best-
selling science fiction trilogy. Lewis determinedly worked hard with his unsuccessful career to
strongly pursue his dreams and even found Christ along the way.

C.S Lewis loved college so much, he willingly went back to teach and tutor young classes
after deservingly receiving his diploma. The Inklings was a big part of Lewis's life because it
guided him to achieve his ultimate life goal. At the start of his rough career, Clive pushed on
and worked extra hard, which caused him to write one of his various famous books. Some of
Lewis's best moments were during college, because of all his many experiences and good

friends. Clive's college life reveals that it is good to go to college because you will experience
many new things and possess many chances. College improved Lewis with his writing and
definitely helped him during his sorrowful grief and loss.

Over the years, C.S Lewis wrote many varieties and different works of writing, and
amazingly wrote many unique books. He put his many normal, painful emotions and his strong
Christian faith into his books without even knowing they would wow the whole world. Lewis
started a wonderful family of his own, moved to England, and still wrote world-famous books
based on his emotions and interesting thoughts. C.S Lewis’s loving family greatly inspired lots of
the books he wrote, but the beautiful world was his main inspiration. Lewis and his amazing
legacy will always be continually remembered in the world, because he has definitely inspired,
opened eyes, and unexpectedly given joy to many people through his books. While still very ill,
Clive died painfully, but he was content, because he had Christ in his heart. C.S Lewis never
thought that he and his wonderful books would be remembered and cherished for a very long
time, but they are, because he left the world wonderful masterpieces of literature.

C.S Lewis started a wonderful family of his own and his marriage was well and faithful,
but soon death was quickly added into the equation. Lewis happily married Joy Davidman
Gresham, and together they had and properly raised two sons. Joy was an American, who
became Christian through engagingly reading some of C.S Lewis’s inspiring books. She was
originally married to a writer named William Gresham, but he turned out to be awfully
unfaithful, and the two immediately became divorced (“C.S. Lewis”). Lewis and Joy were
secretly wed in a very civil ceremony, and in 1956 Joy was legally allowed to stay in England. Six
months after their incredibly secret wedding, Joy was suddenly diagnosed with advanced
cancer, but in March 1917 Lewis and Joy were officially married by an Anglican priest. The
priest prayed for Joy’s cancer to be healed during the wedding, and miraculously her cancer
magically went into a period of remission for a few wonderful years (“C.S. Lewis Biography”).
The grateful family had several years of happiness together, but Joy’s anguished cancer soon
returned, and she slowly died in July in the year 1960. Under the name N.W. Clerk, Lewis
published the book A Grief Observed, which is where he continuously poured out his sorrow
and grief. Soon, the relationship of Lewis and Joy was imaginatively fictionalized and
transformed into a movie in 1985 called Shadowlands, which was revised into a play in 1989
(C.S Lewis.com). Lewis had a good, faithful marriage and loved his amazing family very much.

C.S Lewis left many wonderful, beautiful books in the world for everyone to cherish, and
we are all very thankful for Lewis's beautiful works. Today almost half a dozen more
conferences are happily celebrating and studying the amazing works of C.S Lewis (C.S
Lewis.com). He is definitely one of the most influential Christian writers in the past century,
which is funny because Lewis believed that no one would read his books a decade after his
death, yet his famous books are being sold, read, and loved by many all over the world. (C.S
Lewis.com). Clive puts many of his faith-based arguments in his books, like Great Divorce, which

was published in 1946 and Miracles, which was published in 1947. These astonishing works
gave very high regards to theologians, students, and scholars. Like many of his works, the
extremely famous The Chronicles of Narnia made its way to the huge screen. First it was
released as a cartoon in 1979-1989, then revised into big screen movies (“C.S. Lewis
Biography”). Lewis did not only write amazing fictions and novels, he also constantly wrote
books about his faith and spiritual life, like Screwtape Letters, which Lewis perfectly goes in
depth about his long spiritual battle and Christian point of view. Lewis had a rough life, and
many things Lewis had moved on and forgot, but his amazing legacy and the books he left for
the world will never be forgotten by anyone.

C.S Lewis suffered greatly in his last few years, but he continued being strong and
happy. Near early June in 1961, Lewis was heavily dealing with medical problems. He was
diagnosed with horrible kidney inflammation, which resulted in blood poisoning. In 1962
Lewis’s health gradually started improving, and he returned to his teaching post at Cambridge
University in April. In 1963 Clive had perfect health and was in great spirits, but on July 15 he
suddenly fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. The next day, around 5:00 pm., Lewis
suffered a major heart attack and lapsed into a deep coma (“C.S. Lewis: Biography”). After he
woke up unexpectedly the next day, he returned to Kilns after being discharged from the
hospital. Lewis was too ill to work and sadly had to resign his teaching position at the
University in August. Lewis’s condition continued to decline, and in mid-November he was
terribly diagnosed with end-stage renal failure (“C.S. Lewis”). Exactly one week before his 65th
birthday, Lewis suddenly collapsed on his creaky bed, which was in Headington Oxford, at
around 5:30 pm, and painfully died a few minutes later. C.S. Lewis sadly died on November 22,
1963, and is still respectfully buried in the wonderful churchyard of the Holy Trinity Church. Like
one of Lewis’s many quotes, “If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a
'wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?” (“C.S. Lewis
Biography”). I am sure he was definitely looking forward to meet with our amazing Christ.
Lewis did suffer much in his lifetime and painfully suffered in his last, few years, but he was
happy, content, and left so many amazing books for the world to read.

The world is very blessed to have had C.S Lewis and his good friends create beautiful
pieces of literature for us. He went through so much brutal pain through his life, but he always
remembered that God was with him and kept good spirits. He had a normal family and a not-
so-normal marriage. Lewis loved his little family very much, and many of his famous books were
written based on his feelings towards his family, marriage, and wife. C.S Lewis was a normal
human being with normal tragedies, happy and hard times, but he dealt with his emotions in a
perfect, interesting way. Through his emotions, he would write and write and write and his
books continually give enjoyment to the world. Lewis was normal person, a human being.
When hard, horrible times struck, he could of lashed out and been super mad, but he was not.

Instead he put all his emotions into his enjoyable books. Lewis was an amazing writer with good
character and strong Christian faith. Because of these things he will always be remembered.

C.S Lewis’s interesting, growing, and painful journey through life was something we can
all pay closer attention to. Struggling with life, Clive had a painful and rough childhood, with
many losses, bumps and bruises, but he strongly continued through life. When Lewis went into
college, he took his lifelong interest in literature and writing to the next level, joined a
wonderful writer’s group called the Inklings and began leading his early career with the
encouraging boost of college. C.S Lewis’s last years were painful and a great struggle for Lewis,
but he was happy, content, and proud of his creations. No matter how hard or bad life was for
C.S Lewis, he constantly looked to his strong Christian faith for comfort. Lewis could have
committed suicide, he could have hated God for all the terrible trouble, but he did not. Instead
he became one of the most influential Christian writers in the 20th century. C.S Lewis did not
let bad times in life put him down because it is normal for bad things to happen, and Lewis
wisely let them pass and stood strong till the end of his life.

Bibliography
“C.S. Lewis Biography.” Biography.com, A&E Television Networks, 20 Nov. 2017,

https://www.biography.com/people/cs-lewis-9380969.
Shakel Peter. “C.S Lewis.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/C-S-

Lewis.
“The Life of C.S Lewis Timeline.” Living the Legacy of C.S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis Foundation,

http://www.cslewis.org/resource/chronocsl/.
“C.S Lewis : biography.” FAMPEOPLE.com, Stories People, 2012,

http://www.fampeople.com/cat-c-s-lewis_10.
Lindskoog, Kathryn Ann. The C.S Lewis Hoax. Edited by Rodney L. Morris, Multnomah Press,

1988, pp. 13, 14.

Lucia S.

Hi, my name is Lucia Dora S. Today, I am going to be telling you a small portion about
me and my life. I am currently twelve years old. I live in a suburb of Illinois called Inverness. My
loving mom and dad are both 100% Italian, making me 100% Italian too. I have two older
brothers, one seventeen, and one sixteen. Since I am Italian, I have a big family with eleven very
close cousins. A fun fact about me is I love mac n’ cheese from Kraft. Some of my hobbies
include videography, photography, and making videos for my YouTube channel. My favorite
sport is tennis. I think it is so fun. I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about my life!

For my story for yearbook entry 2018, I choose Lessons 24 and 25. I loved writing them,
because I used really descriptive adjectives and mature words, which in my opinion can draw
the reader’s attention and make the story.

The Adventures of Lucas and Karli

Once there was a family, the Akanas. There was lovely mom named Ailani, which
actually meant high chef in Hawaii, and truly handsome dad named Aloha. Together they had
two beautiful children who were surprisingly twins, named Karli and Lucas. They were currently
thirteen years old. Karli played tennis, while Lucas loved baseball, but since they live in Hawaii,
they mostly enjoyed catching a great wave. They lived in a beautiful neighborhood, in a grand
house. They loved their state. One day Karli and Lucas came home from school and said, “Mom,
Dad, did you hear there is a hurricane hitting in about a week or so?” Their parents looked at
each other with an “Oh, no,” look on their face as they turned the T.V. on to see the news. The
family was worried but knew everything would be okay if they acted fast.

They finally started looking for flights out of Hawaii after about an hour of hearing about
the news. The kids started to pack memorabilia, clothes, and necessities. They scheduled their
flight to Chicago, where their aunt and uncle lived. They got their bags and drove to the airport.
It was totally packed and completely crowded. It was currently five o'clock when they finally
got on their flight. They were now on their way to safety.

It was around an eight-hour flight. It was one thirty-ish when they arrived in Chicago’s
O’Hare International airport. They rented a car and drove about 25 minutes to their aunt and
uncle’s home. In the bright and sunny morning, Karli and Lucas went to a local tennis
tournament to watch the competitors. They loved it and thought it was really cool. Their aunt
and uncle were truly wealthy. The Akana’s had so much fun in Chicago. They loved the city so
much. The family had a camera on the outside of the house and watched the hurricane hit.
Luckily it didn’t harm their home. Eventually the family went back to Hawaii, but Karli and Lucas
begged them to move to Chicago, so they thought about it, and a year later the family was
living in the big city of Chicago and loving life.



Advanced

Aviya B.

Hello, my name is Aviya B., and I am 16. I am the youngest of nine children in my family of
eleven people, not including extended family! My favorite things to do are writing for leisure,
photography, singing and being with people. I do not really have a favorite food, but my favorite
cuisine is Thai. I absolutely adore warm places, especially the beach, and this summer I hope to do a
little lazing about, working on my book, taking some inspiring photos, and having a blast at music
camp! I plan on going into a career of journalism when I complete high school, but that might
change. It took me a while, but I really enjoyed writing the Corrie Ten Boom paper because reading
about her devotion to Christ and her willingness to help others really challenged me in my personal
walk with Christ.

Corrie Ten Boom Lived for Christ in Every Way

Corrie Ten Boom Impacted many of the lives she came in touch with during and after
WWII. At her home in Holland and the prison camp in Germany, she risked everything for the
chance to win a soul to Jesus. Her family’s compassion reached far and wide, and they never
refused an opportunity to tell people about God. They were obedient in their walk with God
even if the road lead them to the grave. They were faithful to God and others, and their faith
strengthened and empowered them to be follow Christ no matter the consequences.

I believe that Corrie Ten boom was a compassionate person because of the family she
grew up in. She grew up in a home where the doors were always open to people in need.
Before the Second World War, her family members, who were completely dedicated to the
service of others, were prominent social workers in their society. They demonstrated their
compassionate spirits during The Second World War when her family’s home became a hiding
place for Jews and others who are hunted by the Nazi regime. The family willingly gave time
and resources to the people who were in hiding in their home. They provided what little food
they had to the people they were sheltering. The family learned to handle the extra stress of
having up to thirteen extra people living in their home at a time. Corrie explains in her book
that the example that her father showed inspired her to keep on helping the helpless. When
the family was betrayed in 1944, Corrie, her, sister and others were arrested and were taken to
prison. While in prison Corrie’s Christ-like compassion shone brighter than ever! She comforted
the other inmates while she herself was suffering under the same cruelty. Despite the horrid
treatment she underwent, she managed to show that God still loved and cared for her fellow
inmates. Because of the home she grew up in, she learned to always keep the doors to your
home as well as your heart open for those in need.

I see Corrie Ten boom’s disobedience to the law of the Nazi showed her great will to be
obedient to God. During WWII it was considered a crime to hide refugees, but that’s exactly
what the Ten boom family did. Even though it was against the law, the family risked their lives
to try and save others. This nonviolent action, hence resistance, allowed the family to live out
their lives for Christ. Her involvement in the Dutch underground, one and a half years later,
spread all throughout Holland. When the family was betrayed in 1944, she and her sister were
taken to a concentration camp. While there, the sisters held secretive Bible worship services in
the Barracks 28. This was in direct defiance of the rules at the camp. Because of their undying
faith, they were able to witness to the women at the camp. Their bold disobedience to the rule
of the Nazis and their perseverance to obey God lead hundreds of women to become Christians

throughout the camp. When Corey was released by accident, she found that all of her family
had died. She then decided that she needed to testify God’s love throughout the surrounding
area. Because of her family’s boldness to follow Christ during WWII and hide refugees,
hundreds of lives were saved. Her disobedience to the law of the Nazi equaled to obedience in
God ‘s law.

Corrie Ten boom was a brave individual in the face of adversity. Even when it was illegal
to harbor refuges, her family still took the risk. If they were caught they would pay the penalty,
death! But they placed their faith in God over the fear of dying. This alone would be enough to
make me shrink away in fear, but this very fact is what emboldened the family to do what they
did. For them to live was Christ and to die was gain. Their bravery gave them the strength to
stand up and face the cruelty of the Nazi regime. In their lives God was greater than Hitler in
every sense! When the family was betrayed, the sisters were sent to a concentration camp. The
sisters conducted secret worship services despite the fear of being discovered. Years later after
Corrie Ten boom was released from the camp, her strong will and perseverance aided her in
forgiving her imprisoners and to share her story with the rest of the world. Her bravery shone
through all the pain and trials.

Corrie Ten Boom’s faithfulness to God in the face of affliction was evident in the way she
had compassions for the souls of her fellow man. Her family at the beginning of WWII sheltered
Jews and refugees from Nazi-occupied Germany. At this time, it was felonious to harbor
refuges, but her family still took the risk. Their faithfulness was made known in their evident
defiance of the law. In their lives God was greater than Hitler in every sense! When the family
was betrayed, the sisters were sent to a concentration camp. Through the secret diaries that
Corrie’s sister Betsie kept, we get a glimpse of the horrible the conditions the women at the
camp endured. Even so, the sisters decided to continue to serve God and share His message
despite the risk of being caught and punished. The sisters conducted secret worship services
despite the fear of being discovered. Years later after Corrie Ten boom was released from the
camp, she decided that she would persevere in doing God’s will. She spent her rest of her life
telling people her story and sharing the good news of the gospel. Her undying will to be faithful
to God no matter what is what I believe brought her through the hardships.

Throughout Her life she and her family gave unselfishly to others. By disobeying the
German law and obeying God, hundreds of lives were saved, both spiritually and physically! Her
bravery to faithfully serve God was evident to the end of her life. She never stopped putting
God before man. After serving God and spreading the truth about His love, she laid to rest on
April 15, 1983, the same exact day is her birthday. She fought for the helpless, stood for the
weak, and saved the lost, while giving all the glory to God.

Bibliography
Fritzius, John M. “Biography of Corrie Ten Boom.” Theology Through Technology, 2005,

www.tlogical.net/bioboom.htm.
Smith, E. “History.” Corrie Ten Boom House Foundation, 2011,

www.corrietenboom.com/history.htm.

Vincent B.

Hello, my name is Vincent. I'm seventeen and in eleventh grade. Basically, I'm your
typical teenager. I like video games, sleeping all day long, and eating my parents out of house
and home. Throughout most of the year, I slave away at a flower shop which is where I spend
most of my week. As I grow older I take on more responsivities like driving myself to work and
unfortunately paying for insurance.

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are large, underwater environments full of sea life. This undersea world is
assembled out of limestone made of exoskeletons from polyps. The coral is like an underwater
forest of trees, domes, and even pipes. Reefs only exist near the equator in tropical areas
because they need warmer waters to survive. They can cover an enormous area, the biggest
being nearly a thousand miles long. There are many colors that the reef can be: greens,
oranges, purples, really any color you can think of, its there. These massive reefs are perfect for
sea creatures to live in.

The most important sea creatures in a coral reef are barely noticeable polyps. The polyps
look like upside-down jellyfish that attach to existing limestone. They have limestone skeletons
which are left behind when they die, constructing the coral structures you see in the ocean.
New polyps will live on the skeletons making it grow colossal in size. Polyps can only live in
water that’s above 68 degrees because anything lower will kill them. They may be small, but
they play a key role in the coral reef.

Coral reefs are full of astonishing sea creatures, all different from each other. The reef is
home to many reptiles such as sea turtles and incredibly poisonous sea snakes. It also has tons
of invertebrates like clams and lobsters. The Great Barrier Reef is like an underwater city with
the second highest species count compared to the rainforest since it has the highest count. Fish
have special features to help them survive in the reefs. Fish utilize different colors as a mean to
tell who is harmless and who is dangerous. The coral reef is an amazing place filled to the brim
with sea life.

The Great Barrier Reef is an exquisite site to behold. It is the largest reef in the world,
resting on the coast of Australia, and is around 1,250 miles long. It's home to millions of animals
which are an essential part of commercial and recreational fishing industries, like a melding pot
of the sea. The reef also protects the coast from being slowly destroyed by the waves because it
is a natural jetty. In the 60's large amounts of invasive starfish showed up at the reef and have
been eating the polyps that make up the reef. Scientists to this day can't figure out why so
many starfish have migrated there, and they still don't have a solution to this problem. The
Australian coast is a wonderful place for nearly all sea life.

Kimberly G.

Hello, my name is Kimberly. I am fourteen years old and a freshman in high school. I
enjoy drawing dragons and reading adventure, fantasy, or science fiction books. Watching
movies with my family, my top three being Thor: Ragnarok, Jurassic World, and How to Train
Your Dragon, is always fun. My favorite foods are anything chocolate, grilled cheese
sandwiches, and chocolate pudding. In school, biology is my favorite subject. I am considering
going into dentistry when I am older. I particularly liked writing my paper, Winter’s Wrath,
because blizzards are fascinating storms, and I learned many more chilling, new facts about
them.

Winter’s Wrath

Blizzards can only be formed under specific circumstances. Cold air, which originates in
the arctic, blows into the temperate zone, the regions of the earth that lie between the tropics
and polar circles. When the cold air collides with the warm air, the warm air slips over the
arriving cold air, and a front is formed. The front can produce snow and other forms of
precipitation, like sleet, hail, and rain. To be considered a blizzard, a snow storm must be able
to sustain winds of thirty-five miles per hour or more, visibility must be less than one-quarter of
a mile, and it must last for three hours or more. In the United States, the shrieking winds and
blinding snow of blizzard season extends from December to March. Remarkably, blizzards
develop after abnormal periods of warm weather in winter. A blizzard developing is like mixing
ingredients together to form a cold, deadly cake.

Blizzards pose several threats to people who are caught in them. A frightening scenario
caused by blizzards is called whiteout. This is a condition in a blizzard that makes it very difficult
to see anything because of the substantial amounts of snow falling at a rapid pace. The limited
visibility from whiteouts endangers drivers and puts them at risk of having a crash because it is
challenging to see anything during a whiteout. Blizzards are also responsible for the severe
medical emergencies of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite damages tissue in the body and
numbs the affected area. Hypothermia is a condition in which the body temperature drops
precariously low, causing the victim to suffer from shivering, memory loss, lethargy, and other
symptoms. If the internal body temperature drops too low, the results can be fatal. Not only are
people affected by blizzards, but blizzards may cause a collapse risk to structures. The weight of
snow on the roofs of houses can cause them to collapse, which injures the people inside. The
dangers associated with blizzards are hazardous to communities.

There are several necessities people should have in order to prepare for a blizzard. Snow
shovels and snow blowers should be inspected and in good condition. Investing in an
emergency power generator is also a good idea. Additionally, substitute heat sources such as a
fireplace or woodstove can prove to be very useful. Flashlights, batteries, water, high energy
foods, medicine, and a first aid kit are essential materials to have in a blizzard. The water and
food, which should be non-perishable, must be able to last for several days. If you are going to
be outside, many layers of warm, loose clothes should be worn in place of a few layers of
thick, heavy clothes. Blizzards are like rampaging bulls, so planning ahead and gathering the
right supplies increases your chances of survival.

Several incredibly destructive blizzards have made it to the history books because of
their ferocity and death tolls. In 1949, the Great White Death, which is the worst blizzard in
United States history, screamed through Wyoming, Colorado, and most of the West and lasted
for seven weeks. In order to save sheep and cattle from the blizzard’s icy grasp, the Air Force
dropped 1,500 tons of hay. In 1888, the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard killed 235 people, most of
whom were children. The blizzard came with no warning, and the temperature dropped an
astounding one-hundred degrees in hours, which brought it to negative forty degrees. Another
memorable blizzard in 1888 was the Great White Hurricane. It smashed the Northeast from
New York to Massachusetts. There was so much snow that the drifts covered houses and
telephone poles in some places. Although these famous blizzards were terrible, we can learn
more about blizzard safety because of them.



Madison H.

Hello, everyone; my name is Madison Howell. I am sixteen years old, and I have been
homeschooling for three years now. Before homeschooling I used to attend Summit Christian
Academy. I love hunting, fishing, piano, and playing sports. I play soccer and basketball at
Triboro Christian Academy. I live out in the country with my wonderful family. I am the
youngest of four siblings. My favorite piece of work that I have written this year is my
persuasive essay on the country. I loved this essay because I was able to share my thoughts on
why the country is such a great place to live.

The Beautiful Country

Have you ever wondered whether it is better to live in the country or the city? This is a
question that has been going on for quite some time, because both the city and country present
pros and cons. “Living” peacefully in the country, its residents experience many benefits.
Thankfully it is very quiet, perfectly spacious, and extremely beautiful. Because of all the
benefits of the country, it makes it the best place to live. Although, many debate whether or not it
is best to live in the country or the city, which is still going on, both places are still wonderful in
their own unique way. The country offers greater benefits.

One of the best things about living in the beautiful country is the quietness. Because of
fewer people in the country, you do not continually hear many voices outside of your house.
Thankfully, living in the country also means fewer cars going by at night. “ Looking” at the
countryside, it is pretty secluded, which makes it very rare to hear dogs barking all the time,
because there are not as many houses. Since the country is very quiet, it is an amazing place to
live.

Another amazing part about living in the country is its vast space. Because of the amount
of space, there is a ton of room to constantly run around and play in the larger yards. “Living” in
the country, is also family friendly because the country is away from all the crazy roads, which
keeps the kids safe. Thankfully, the beautiful country is very secluded, so there are no houses
right on top of each other. Although the country is a little bit far from the stores, its spaciousness
makes up for the minor inconvenience.

“Living” in the beautiful country, people find the environment to be clean, which makes
it the perfect place to reside. Thankfully, when living in the country there is not as much trash
floating around. Since there are not as many houses around, it is very rare that you will end up
with other people's trash in your yard. Because of the fact that there are fewer highways are
around it is less likely that people will be rudely throwing their trash out the window. Another
reason why living in the country is cleaner is because there are no dumpsters around. Living in
the country is so beautiful and clean.

The country is the best place to peacefully live and raise a family. Fortunately it is quiet,
spacious, and very beautiful. Despite a few cons the country is perfect. Looking carefully at the
big picture, one can see that the best thing about the country is how beautiful it is, because its
beauty makes it very easy to relax. Since the country is family friendly, which is an amazing pro,
it makes it the perfect place to live.

Kelly H.

Hello! My name is Kelly, and I am 16 years old. I have a passion for photography, baking,
and learning languages; I'm currently learning Korean, and it’s challenging but fun. I have three
dogs and four cats, and since I live out in the middle of nowhere, I'm never short of company
when they're with me. My absolute favorite food is sushi, and it’s always a treat when my
family and I are able to eat it. When I'm not doing school, I usually hang out with my friends
where we're either hiking, doing photography together, or just relaxing at each other's houses.
This summer, I would really love to work on improving my Korean and being able to bake more
unique and flavorful treats.



Lydia S.

Hello, Internet! My name is Lydia, and I live with my parents, twin brother Ben, and our
pets, a guinea pig and gecko. My favorite things to do are baking, listening to music, playing the
piano and ukulele, and camping. I’ve always loved baking, but cakes are my specialty. I’ve even
made cakes that take three days to bake, build, and decorate! My favorite band is and will
always be twenty øne piløts. Playing their songs on the piano and uke is always very relaxing,
and during the summer I’m often found swinging on my swing singing away with my ukulele.
Someday, if they ever come off hiatus, I want to go to one of their concerts, especially because
we are all from Ohio. This summer, I am going camping with my AHG Troop for a week where
we girls do all the fire building, cooking, and clean up. It’s so much fun, and we always feel very
satisfied that we did all that by ourselves. I also love spending time with my two nieces, Layla
and Lyndsay, who are 3 and 8 months, and taking them for walks. Apart from diaper changing,
they are such a blast! After high school, I plan on going to college at either Liberty University or
Cedarville College, and after one year, moving off campus in an apartment with my best friend.
I’m not sure what I want for my career, but I will follow whatever God calls me to. My favorite
writing assignment I wrote this year was “Safe or Sorry” because it illustrates the importance of
being prepared for survival, which is something I practice a lot with camping. Hope you all have
a great year! P.S. If you wanna be friends :p insta: @lyd_mariski

Safe or Sorry

Blizzards form when the warm area in a region is suddenly forced up into the
atmosphere by a wave of cold, frigid air which descends from the Arctic into the Temperate
Zone during the winter. When this happens, a front is formed and precipitation falls from the
sky onto the unfortunate area in a whirling storm. These devastating winds and snow take place
most frequently during December through March in the U.S., tearing throughout the land at
speeds of greater than 35 mph. After the damage is done and the blizzard has come to an end,
there is often a period of unusually warm weather that follows, even in the winter.

There are various ways a blizzard is destructive to an area and the people there, one of
the most prevalent being the slippery roads which cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle
and thus causing a dangerous auto accident. An added variable to make driving even more
difficult is the fact that the flurry of snow and ice surrounding the driver produces an
atmosphere in which navigation is nearly impossible. The visibility affects those who are
walking around too because they have no shelter. They can become lost and left out with no
help in the merciless weather, where the temperatures drastically drop to nip at their skin and
leave them with frostbite, or even worse, hypothermia. If not treated in time, hypothermia is
fatal, chilling the human body faster than it can produce heat. Another danger is the possibility
that the weight of the heavy, wet snow will cave in the roofs of houses and cause them to fall,
potentially harming or even killing the inhabitants of the building. The destructive nature of
these dangerous storms can cause much damage if precautions are not taken.