Microsoft Word - 2016 2017 Yearbook

Christina. The Neighbor. The Friend. The Legend.

The Chinese philosopher Mencius once said that, “friends are siblings that God never
gave us.” This perfectly reflects my relationship with my best friend Christina. Unlike most of
my friends, she does not go to my school, play on my sports teams, or go to the same church as
I do. Instead she is my neighbor, and even though we do not do all these other things together,
we are with each other whenever we can. Friends are siblings that God never gave us. What
amazing qualities, you might ask, does Christina possess that make her so easy to be friends
with? Well, she loves sports, always enjoys being outside, and constantly goes out of her way
to be a good friend to me.

Since Christina and I have both enjoyed various sports our whole life, we have often
bonded through our mutual sportiness. Because we are often playing some sport which
requires us to be in shape, we have spent hours practicing and working out together.
Whenever outside conditions allow, we will practice soccer drills or scrimmage each other.
Christina is always willing to play goalie to help me improve my aim or throw soccer balls at me
to improve my trapping skills. Often during the summer we will go on long runs through our
neighborhood. Christina will constantly push me to go faster and further. Interestingly,
Christina has taught me all sorts of things about sports I do not play. Christina has spent many
hot summer days teaching me how to improve my tennis skills, whether it be my swing or my
positioning. Since she is also actively involved in cross-country, she will often come home with
new tips or fun facts to tell me about running. Christina’s athleticism is not only impressive in
of itself, it also allows us to spend more time together.

Spending hours upon hours outside, Christina has always had an affinity for the great
outdoors. Spring, summer, fall, and winter we would always find something to do together. On
treacherously hot summer days we drag out our water buckets, water guns, and water bomb
balls and initiate an epic water war. During the cold winter days, we bundle up and plunge
down the hill on our sleds. During the fall we make great forest escapades looking for bugs and
salamanders. When we were young, Christina and I would make up impressively cool pretend
words since the outdoors grave us a steady supply of ideas. We would often run over to her
playhouse to gallivant around as pirates, finding hidden treasures of sticks, stones, and leaves
and fighting powerful foes with our arsenal of stick swords. Other days she would get out her
scooters, and we would head to her driveway, pretending to be cops in our police cars.
Christina always understood the outdoor activities could be just as entertaining as playing video
games all day.

Christina has always shown an impressive amount of support as a friend. She is simply
good at being a good friend. For example, she is always there to talk to me. A few years ago
when my golden retriever passed away, Christina sat with me as I mourned my lose and spent
hours comforting me. It made me feel a whole lot better having her with me. In the same way,

when I was four years old, Christina comforted me as we sat on two large stones in my front
yard while I cried because my brother went away to college for the first time. No matter what
hard situation I faced, I could always count on her to be there for me. Although these are only a
couple of examples, I have thousands of more stories of how Christina has shown the depth of
her loyalty and support.

It has always been a blessing to have a friend like Christina who demonstrates so many
amazing characteristics. Her sportiness has allowed us to develop a closer bond, and her love
of the outdoors has allowed us to spend hours exploring and venturing throughout our yards.
Although these two things have helped foster our friendship, the best thing about Christina is
how good of a friend she is. Knowing that she is always there for me comforts me more than
her ability to run quickly or find a cool bug. This is why she has always been as close as a sister
to me.



Cody G.


Over the years, I have acquired the skill of freestyle cooking which has enabled me to
cook delicious meals using limited ingredients. I will sometimes want to make dinner or a snack
during the day. Looking in the fridge, I see that I do not have many ingredients with which to
work. Using past experience, I know it is helpful to take everything out of the refrigerator and
onto the counter where I can see all that I have. As I brainstorm which dish I can make out of
what I have, I start picking out the ingredients that I will need. After I have a picture of what I
will make, I start mixing and sautéing until eventually I end up with a colorful and excellent
tasting dish. Freestyle cooking has helped me greatly in throwing dishes together with limited
ingredients.
Since freestyle cooking can vary in what I use, some new and interesting dishes are able
to come to light. With all of the different ingredients that I use during a freestyle session, I
either intentionally or accidentally make a new dish. Sometimes the dish can be extremely tasty
or pretty bad tasting. That is just one of the things I like about freestyle cooking, you never
know what you are going to get at the end. The new dishes that I have made I enjoy very much
and hope more will wiggle their way into my cooking.
Over the years there have been a few times where freestyle cooking has helped me to
make a meal on the spot without preparation. Sometimes my mom calls to tell me to make
something for the family, or need to find a meal to make for company coming over. Because of
the practice I have had with freestyle cooking, I can easily and efficiently make a tasty meal with
just the ingredients in the pantry and refrigerator. Having that skill can be very helpful when
you don’t have time to run to the store or just don’t have anything planned for the meal.
Cooking on the spot is just another wonderful skill to have in your pocket.



Marianne G.


My name is Marianne, and I am a freshman. I have been homeschooled for the past few
years and plan on attending Running Start my last two years in high school as I wish to obtain
my doctorate in veterinary medicine and Running Start will help me reduce costs by letting me
take two years of classes tuition free. To become a veterinarian, you must have many hours
with animals; therefore, I joined 4-H to obtain more experience. I am currently the president of
my 4-H cat club and a member on my county’s 4-H council. At my county’s fair, I am the teen
superintendent for the cat barn, show my 4-H cats, and do public presentations on stage. In
addition, I have participated in Washington’s State Fair doing the same activities. I am currently
on the planning team for the Western Washington 2017 4-H Teen Rally as it will be held in my
county this year. I have also attended state events through 4-H like Know Your Government.

Blizzards: From Mother Gaea Inc.

In a world of Greek gods and monsters, an ad starts to play in front of millions of evil
gods and monsters…

These 100% vegan death machines are formed an all-natural way! Using cold air,
moisture, and warm rising air forms a BLIZZARD. Here at Mother Gaea Inc. we keep the process
simple. The cold air rushes towards the equator which forces the warm air to rise and form a
cold front. This front is what creates the precipitation. A blizzard has winds that are at least 35
mph with no visibility within a quarter mile. If your blizzard does not last for more than 3 hours,
you will normally receive 100% of your money back because that would be a snowstorm. Our
blizzards come with free blinding deep drifts and deathly wind chills! We use your product’s
native formation to ensure its performance!
Our blizzards will ensure many dangers to anyone within contact! Traveling is nearly
impossible for any mortals! The snow causes whiteouts which affect mortal eyesight drastically.
Our famous wind-chill temperature is known to cause frostbite, and in some cases
hypothermia! Frostbite will cause permanent tissue damage. Hypothermia is, in most cases,
fatal! It results in death because it causes failure in the heart and lungs. We give you our
guarantee that any mortal against blizzards will be vulnerable!
If your mortals are prepared for such an attack, the death rate decreases. Removing
these key items from play will ensure their demise! Candles, matches, radios, blankets, wood
stove, and food and water rations ensure your mortals will survive when worriedly trapped. If
they store these supplies in a car, they are more likely to survive in fatal conditions. Obliterating
all cell phone usage with an EMP (or your powers) is highly recommended to prevent rescue
missions. Destroy shovels, snow blowers, flamethrowers, and any other snow removal
equipment, because you want to ensure they will not adapt or escape. Making sure the mortals
of your intended region are not prepared is essential.
If that hasn’t convinced you, look at our record that keeps our clients with us for
millenniums! In the U.S. alone we have had some of the most memorable success rates. In 1888
the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard destroyed 235 mortals because the temperature had dropped
more than 100 degrees with no warning. Also in 1888, the U.S.’s most famous blizzard occurred
in the Northeast. From New York to Massachusetts, the Great White Hurricane grew to 30-50
inches of snow. The wind was violently whipping at 40 mph with gusts of 80 mph! This
menacing blizzard destroyed over 400 mortals and over 200 ships were snared by the sea. In
1949 the worst U.S. case occurred. The Great White Death annihilated over 100 mortals and
one million livestock heads. It’s our record that keeps bringing consumers to Mother Gaea Inc.
for their disaster needs for centuries!

Taylor G.


My name is Taylor G., and I’m 15 years old. I’m a sophomore in high school and live in
Wisconsin, USA. I have three brothers: Nick, Cody, and Caden. When my parents aren’t
bothering me about school, I like to game on the computer or Xbox and make videos of the
gameplay I record. I play baseball when there are games and if my parents haven’t grounded
me. My favorite food is Buffalo Wild Wings, Subway, Pizza, and fettuccini alfredo. When I grow
up I want to join the Airforce and be a pilot. My favorite music is rap, although I do like some
pop.

My Best Vacation

My favorite vacation I’ve ever taken was with my family in August, 2016. We went to
the North-West area of lower Michigan. It is a family tradition and a relaxing trip. We could
freely swim on the beach almost every day, which made it a choice event. Because we were
able to go kayaking and tubing on Lake Michigan, it made it a special event for all of us. This
relaxing, happy vacation with my family is my favorite.

Swimming on the beach in Michigan is fun and relaxing. To get to the beach, it is only a
short walk from our house. It is always warm out, and the weather is beautiful. The beaches
aren’t very crowded most of the time, which gives us plenty of space to ourselves. Because
there are so many interesting things to observe under the water, we spend a good amount of
time scanning the lake floor. The sand is always pleasantly warm and not too that it burns out
feet. Being able to swim on beaches in Michigan is very fun and relaxing.

The lakes of Michigan are wonderful to tube on. From our house, it is only a short drive,
but we have to rent a speedboat on our way there. Because we thought it would be enjoyable
to have our lunch (pizza) on the water, we waited till around the middle of the day to start out,
which still gave us lots of time to tube. When we finally got on the tubes, we fought each other
to see who could tip the other one over first. It was a beautifully sunny day, and the water was
warm. At the end of the day we were tired but happy. Tubing is very fun on the lakes of
Michigan.

Kayaking on Lake Michigan is an enjoyable experience. First, we had to drive
from our house to the rental place. Next, because I didn’t want to sail that day, I selected a nice
kayak. My brothers decided to choose a sailboat instead of a kayak, and we got them in the
water. We went far out toward the middle of the lake, which we realized was harder going
back in. We docked our kayaks and sailboat, got some delicious food, and went home. This
was my enjoyably fun experience kayaking on Lake Michigan.

My vacation to Michigan with my family was by far the best vacation I’ve ever had. We
swam almost every day of the week on our vacation, because it was fun and refreshing. I liked
tubing with my brothers, which was very exciting trying to flip each other off the tube. When
we went kayaking it was relaxing, and the kayak cut nicely through the smooth water like a
knife through warm butter. It is our yearly tradition to visit Michigan, because it helps us relax
and reset ourselves for the new year to come. My Michigan vacation was the best I’ve had with
my family.

Elizabeth He.


Hi, my name is Elizabeth H. I am 16 years old, the youngest of five, and happily
homeschooled all my life. Being creative, cooking, and baking are some of the activities that I
enjoy. Playing board and card games with my family and friends is always a fun time. I love
doing service. My church’s youth group activities are the highlight of my week.


Preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner

A turkey does not magically appear on your Thanksgiving table, a series of steps occur before
hand; the first of these is raising the turkey. This exhilarating journey starts on a humble farm where
turkeys are bred. This turkey farm is maintained by a lonely farmer named Shem who spends his days
feeding and caring for his prized turkeys. Every day, Shem walks out to the beautiful, green pasture to
feed the hungry turkeys. By the time the Shem arrives at the pasture, tears are in his eyes because he
knows that one day the turkeys will all be sold. As Shem tosses the grain with his tired hands he counts
the days until Thanksgiving. It saddens Shem to seen the turkeys gobble up the food he offers them, not
perceiving what is about to happen to them. The first step, raising the turkeys, is essential to this
lengthy journey.

The next step in this interesting journey is preparing the turkey. After the turkey has been sold,
there is a fair amount of work that still needs completing before it suitable for the Thanksgiving table.
The turkey has to be killed and clean. This journey continues in a cozy house in the suburbs where Mrs.
Walton is rising with the sun in order to make the turkey perfectly delicious. She tiptoes around the
spotless kitchen because Mrs. Walton fears waking her handsome husband and lovely children as she
makes her famous stuffing. Mrs. Walton smiles while she stuffs the turkey because Thanksgiving is her
favorite holiday. Slowly, her family starts to trickle into the kitchen. Everyone is excited, although still
groggy, as they discuss what they will eat that night. Finally, after hours of work the turkey is ready for
the oven. Mr. Walton, who is strong, gently places the turkey in the oven. The Walton family cooks
other dishes and prepares for their guest to arrive. Then after cooking all day, the turkey is finally ready
to come out of the oven. It takes a good deal of work to prepare the turkey, but it is worth it in the end.

Once all the preparations were complete, it was finally time to devour the scrumptious
Thanksgiving dinner. It was late afternoon, around three o’clock, when the Walton family and the food
were prepared. Everyone was dressed in fancy outfits. The adults made last minute preparations to the
dishes that they brought, while the kids ran and had fun. After all the work was completely done, the
family gathered together in the formal dining room. Mr. Walton who was in charge tried to calm down
his exited and noisy family because the dinner was cooling. Eventually, everyone was quiet and smiling
as each member of the family expressed what they were thankful for. Thanksgiving dinner was a great
success due to the extensive preparations beforehand.



Elizabeth Ho.


Hey!! My name is Lizzie H. I am in 10th grade, but I am taking some college courses.
Presently I will start classes for firefighting, which will allow me to contribute more at the
firehouse. As of present, I am just a junior firefighter. I have six brothers, one sister, a dog,
eight laying hens, and a hamster. Yes, it is an eventful household :) I enjoy any sport, which I
use to help coach for Push the Rock, a homeschool ministry. I enjoy working with young
children. One day I hope to be a missionary in a third world country. This summer I am going on
a trip, with my church, to Swaziland, Africa. I cannot wait to go, for it will be an eye-opener. I
also have never been on a plane before. (Not a good idea to watch Sully and Castaways) I love
old comedians, Don Knotts and Dick Van Dycke, and of course Rocky Balboa.

Christianity

The nail thudded, the blood flowed from his open wounds, drip by dip hitting the dew
damp grass, staining over old criminal blood stains. But this one Man is not a criminal, unless
love is a crime. I placed this Man there. I have sinned, His blood is on my hands. It is on us all.
Did this Man have to go through this agony? With a contorted face, stripped of all dignity, He
suffers, for what? Us. What can I do to make His pain, worthwhile for Him?
What is Christianity? Is it just saying yes to God once, going on as before? Some people
also struggle with making Christianity real to themselves. How are they able to fulfill this need?

Throughout history, Christians have been persecuted in some cultures and revered in
others. In America, the Christian faith was the foundation on which the country built its
governing ideals. Because of this, Christianity was an accepted and even welcomed faith.
However, as in other countries, public sentiment can change. Do people, today still have the
high respect once held for Christians? If not, from whose fault does this lack of trust stem?
These are some of the main questions that are being searched out.

On occasion Christians will notice hostility communicated silently, or even verbally from
“friends.” What do they truly think? There was a phase when a considerable amount of respect
was once maintained for believers, but culture has altered its interpretation towards Christian
beliefs. Bible Thumper and Holy Roller are just a limited number of words that have been used
to label Christians over the years, implying that Christians do not practice what they frequently
preach, proving that they do not appreciate this. Hypocrites is a more precise word. “People
just use Christianity to hide behind their evil lives.” Have you ever overheard that before? Much
unfriendliness is intended towards Christians.

There are numerous explanations for this verbal persecution. Mainly, people struggle in
tolerating truth, emphasizing on the phrase, “Kill the messenger.” No one discovers delight
when someone communicates to them that their actions should be adapted, particularly if
they recognize that they themselves truly participate in wrong doings. When Christians are
persistently undertaking right and verbalizing true and holy words, people develop great
agitation. This factor causes a limit of relationships Christians are capable of holding among
non-believers. This is just one of the multiple reasons that Christians are, on occasion, not
accepted in certain social groups.

Though it is more comfortable to continuously choose to indicate that these are false
accusations, can several of them be accurate? When considered extensively, some of them will
expose the reality behind their wounding descriptions. When some people say that religious
people thrust their religion on others, does one search out the motive behind this hurtful dig,
take it as a blow, sitting miserably, nursing hurt wounds, or use accusations to improve
themselves in the area they mistakenly handled incorrect in the situation? Focusing on
“catching people” in the Christian religion, basically “forcing religion,” is an example of what

Christians will frequently attempt instead of focusing on building strong relationships with
multiple others. Some of these accusations can be considered true, can be recycled, and can be
processed to help strengthen a Christian’s walk with Jesus Christ.

Sadly, currently people do not value Christians enough to display plentiful respect. Two
faults essentially cause this mistrust concerning believers. The first stems from non-believers
struggling to accept the truth. The second originates as a result of the believer’s inability to live
as a light, through love. Christians no longer possess the same position as they did with the
founding of the United States as a country.

Prayer is one of the crucial parts of Christianity, if not used, Christians are neglecting
there battle ground. Christians maintain the capability to pray for any reason, though God’s
will, shall always have final rule. Can Christians truly, lightly use their sword, in everyday life?
Is there a true reason behind Christian’s prayer? When Christians pray, they have the
realization with each humble, but heartfelt word, they are triggering an opening door that
allows Christ’s hand to enter the situation. Angels cannot join in the combat for humans, unless
they have opened the door for Christ. If Christians do not pray, Satan has occupied the full reign
of the situation. Many take this particular battle ground of Christianity for granted, not realizing
the true reason they should be praying. Prayer is very essential, for it is a Christian’s sword, and
must not be used doubtfully.

How should Christians pray? Christians must constantly have something to back their
petition. George Muller would never petition God for one single request unless he located in
the scriptures a passage that supported his requests. Locating that passage, he would pray
“with his finger placed on that passage,” lifting his prayers to the father. When praying,
Christians should have the realization that their prayers will be answered. A prayer muttered
halfheartedly will not reach the ears of God. Man must mean every word from his heart.
Christians should pray for Christ’s will to be done.
Will all prayers be answered? Numerous times, prayers will be responded to with a yes.
For God knows the desires of a man’s heart. And just like a parent, He loves his children and
holds the desire for them to be satisfied. Many prayers, however, will remain unanswered.
Some cannot be answered, for it was not meant from the heart. A half-hearted, mumbled
prayer will certainly not touch the ears of God. It must be destined from the heart. Frequently,
God will not answer yes or no, but uses a person’s weak request to further strengthen that
person’s walk with him. When the brethren prays for a request they desire to be fulfilled and
believe God desires it to happen and the answer is no, they must react with a humble
acceptance. Consider a father and his young child accompanying him to the store. As all
children will do, this child gives a plea for candy. Wisely the father declares no, for he realizes
his wife is preparing a dinner for them and if the child consumes candy that he desires, he will
not be hungry enough to enjoy the large dinner. God is the father, and we are His children. If He















a new host, which in this case is the horse (Sonder). Interestingly however, the most common
way these bacteria enter the body through a small scrape or wound. If a horse has a break in its
skin and that opening comes in contact with dirt containing the bacteria, the bacteria will enter
and infect the horse. If any kind of object carrying the bacteria comes in contact with the open
skin, the bacteria will swiftly enter the horse. Knowing the true ways this disease is spread has
helped researchers to combat pigeon fever.
Researchers can now use their knowledge of pigeon fever survival to combat this
harmful disease. They have continued to caution horse owners on how they handle sanitation
as well as pest control and updated veterinarian care. Although it seems that researchers have
an exorbitant amount of information, the pigeon fever bacteria is still mutating, changing and
adapting. Researchers work hard every day to find breakthroughs in this disease and have
succeeded in their research of finding the history of what has kept pigeon fever thriving for so
many years.
When a horse has a particular set of symptoms, it usually helps vets pinpoint the
disease. However, with each type of pigeon fever, the symptoms reflect a separate type of
infection. If the vet is somehow incorrect in his or her diagnosis, this could, in some cases, cost
the owner the horse's life. It is vital that you become certain of the correct diagnosis. Because
of how harmful pigeon fever is, this becomes the most critical part of saving a horse with
pigeon fever.
The most common way in which pigeon fever manifests itself is through painful
external abscesses. Theses sores are known to develop quickly and painfully with large
amounts of fluid and pus on the interior of the skin, which causes a painful stretching of the
skin to accommodate the fluid. Although the severity of the abscess can vary between horses,
they usually settle in the pectoral region. They may appear all through the horse's body.
However some abscesses settle just below the skin and require ultrasound to detect. Although
they appear easily cured, these abscesses have the ability to settle in the joints or bones if not
treated aggressively. They have been known to cause a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit,
stiffness, and lameness between four (visible limping) and five non-weight bearing using the
Obel Grade Lameness Scale. After many in-depth studies researchers finally know one of the
many ways pigeon fever manifests itself in the horse.

Of the three forms in which pigeon fever manifests itself, Ulcerative Lymphangitis is the
least common form seen. While it is the least common form, Ulcerative Lymphangitis still
causes extreme pain and manifests itself through limb swelling. Usually the hind legs are more
susceptible to the swelling and sores. This type of pigeon fever has the innate response to
enter the horse’s body and travel through the lymphatic system. Following the multiple
draining tracts which lymph runs through, it allows large sores, on or by the infected area which
drain the fluid. Horses who contract this form of pigeon fever often have symptoms such as
severe lameness, swelling of the limbs, anorexia, fever, and, in some cases if not treated

correctly or aggressively, cellulitis. Although this seems as if there is no hope for a horse
infected with Ulcerative Lymphangitis, there are many ways to aggressively and effectively treat
this form of pigeon fever.

The most serious form of pigeon fever with the highest mortality rate is internal
abscesses. Although the diagnosis can be extremely difficult because the abscesses hide
extremely deep within the body, it is vital that the proper ultrasound steps be taken for
accurate diagnosis. The organs most commonly affected are the liver, kidney, lungs, and
spleen. Abortions and ureteral infections are common in mares that are pregnant. The most
common clinical symptoms are weight loss, fever, anorexia, lethargy, respiratory issues, and
abdominal pain. A series of chronic external abscesses can easily point to an internal abscess as
a greater problem. This is where bacterial cultures are essential for proper diagnosis. Although
this type of pigeon fever can be devastating, it is comforting to know the signs of an internal
abscess so the horse’s life can potentially be saved.
External abscesses, Ulcerative Lymphangitis, and internal abscesses are very similar to
each other in symptoms. However, after diagnosis it is vital to be sure which type of infection
the horse has contracted. Taking several bacterial cultures, as well as ultrasounding is the most
reliable way to detect the type of pigeon fever a horse has acquired. With careful diagnosis, a
horse can be saved from disastrous infections.
Testing, diagnosis and treatment are all vital steps to take when suspecting pigeon fever.
However, many times infections can be prevented by taking proper steps to protect a horse
from becoming ill. Sanitizing, cleaning and checkups are all important parts of preventing an
infection. Oftentimes owners overlook theses simple but effective habits. However, with a few
simple steps, an horse owner can save a horse’s life

While pigeon fever can be fatal in the late stages of infection, it can be eliminated while
it is developing. There are many signs which can aid in diagnosing pigeon fever in the early
stages. Many times the infection will be deep, so a bacterial culture is needed to diagnose.
Taking the sample directly from the wound allows for the most accurate diagnosis. However,
internal infections become too embedded within organs, and embedded within organs, and
must be detected by ultrasounding. Although it can be hard to treat infected horses, it is vital
that proper steps be taken to diagnose infections, which can cost your horses its life.
Once horses have been accurately diagnosed, the recovery process is often long and
exhausting. Treatments must be individualized for a speedy recovery Lancing and draining the
wounds of horses affected with external abscesses most effectively allows for recovery.
Ulcerative Lymphangitis and internal abscesses are treated similarly. Antimicrobial therapy is
the only way horses with these infections can be healed. Using antimicrobials such as procaine,
penicillin or Trimethoprim-sulfa have a damaging effect for the bacteria. Although the recovery
and treatment processes are long and intense, they will save a horse’s life.

Though treating the infection is the most important way to cure a horse, biosecurity is
often overlooked. It is vital to remember that a horse can still become infected if barn items
and other fomites have not been cleaned or sanitized. Pigeon fever can live in dirt and manure
for long periods of time. A horse can easily become infected with the bacteria again if
biosecurity measures are not taken seriously. Buckets, feed pans and brushes are just a few of
the things which can house and spread bacteria. Keeping the insect population under control is
vital for eliminating the possibility of carriers which could infect a horse. Although these
biosecurity measures might seem simple, they are vital to protect your horse.
Being aware of other animals which enter your place could play a role in saving your
horses life. By being aware of other animals which might enter the barn, horse owners can try
to control some of the elements that might contribute to contracting pigeon fever. If a horse
contracts pigeon fever, immediately contact a vet for correct diagnosis. Following proper
biosecurity measures is one of the most important things to remember whether a horse has
pigeon fever or not. Keeping the simple things in mind such as sanitizing and vet work, can
keep a horse healthy and happy.
Although it has taken several years, veterinarians have finally begun to combat this
troublesome bacterium. Finding the history of how pigeon fever has survived for so many years
has helped veterinarians develop a cure for this painful disease. Pigeon fever can be caught and
eliminated through the proper procedure; this is why vets stress the importance of procuring
an accurate diagnosis. It is vital that strict biosecurity measures be taken to prevent an
infection from becoming increasingly worse or from reoccurring. With these simple
instructions owners have begun to find the upper hand in the fight against pigeon fever.


Works Cited

Edited Press Release. “AAEP Publishes Pigeon Fever Guidelines.” The Horse, 20 June 2013,
www.thehorse.com/articles/32085/aaep-publishes-pigeon-fever-guidelines.

Hall, Tiffany L. DVM DACVIM. “Pigeon Fever: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
www.bveh.com/pdfs/bvehpigeonfever.pdf.

Spier, Sharon DVM. “Pigeon Fever: Varying Forms of Infection in Horses.” Horse Report, Winter
2014 ed., UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Equine Health,
viewer.zmags.com/publication/67e69b2d#/67e69b2d/1.

Walsh, Liz. "Pigeon Fever Prevalence Evaluated." The Horse, 12 Sept. 2014,
www.thehorse.com/articles/34535/pigeon-fever-prevalence-evaluated.



Nicholas J.


My first favorite motorized vehicles are cars and trucks. There are many different styles
of cars and trucks that make driving them even more fun. The sleek design of the exterior and
the comfort of the interior make the drive a whole lot more enjoyable. Some people have a
passion for cars and trucks, and others could care less about what they look like and sound like.
We are all different in that area, and that’s what makes us all unique. Many car lovers like me
are into giving a car or truck as much horsepower and torque as you can. Just the thrill of
stepping on the pedal and being slammed back into the seat from the shear force has car and
truck lovers begging for more. This is why my most favorite vehicle is cars and trucks.
My second favorite motorized vehicles are off-road vehicles. Off road vehicles are a lot
like cars and trucks. There are many different ones to pick from depending on your taste in
horsepower and style. Four wheelers and side by side rangers are the top picks for the off
roading. For many it is a fun hobby to get out while camping to explore large portions of the
forests and prairie land not achievable on foot. Many others also like to race off road vehicles.
This can get very speedy, but it is a lot of fun to see who has the most horsepower and skill as in
the art of racing. This is why off road vehicles are my second favorite.
My third and final favorite motorized vehicles are boats and jet skis. There is nothing like
spending a weekend on the lake with family and friends tubing, waterskiing and many other
watersports. Some people really get into who has the biggest and nicest boat. Again this is what
makes us all different and helps the world go around. But I have to say there is nothing like
being on a boat traveling through the open waters at 50 mph. There are many different styles
of boats and jet skis such as tubing and ski boats, hunting boats, fishing boats. You name it;
they make a boat for that. I have had the amazing opportunity to ride and drive many different
kinds of boats, and I would have to say there is nothing like the cool breeze on your face sailing
the open waters. This is why my third favorite motorized vehicles are boats and jet skis.



Kelsie L.


Hey! My name’s Kelsie, and I’m 17 years old. I’m a junior in high school, and have been
homeschooled since Kindergarten. I enjoy horse-back riding, soccer, and reading, among many
other things. For as long as I can remember, I have loved theatre. Being on stage, is one of my
favorite things. I have been given a passion to work in the theatre community as a ministry, so I
shall see where the Lord leads me!

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Why is it so important to stay healthy? This question has been asked many times. Many
people have researched hundreds of ways to stay in good health. First off, Jesus tells us to take
care of our bodies because they are temples. In addition, healthy bodies equal a healthy life.
There is no sure way to prevent all sickness, but a healthy life will usually help eliminate most of
it. People can honor God best by staying in shape and taking care of their bodies.
Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” People can
incorporate the most important aspect of a healthy lifestyle by eating clean. It can keep others
from life-threatening diseases, or small things like pimples. What is put into our bodies will
show on the outside. Eating healthy may be tough, but in the end, it is all worth it.
It is crucial to have a balanced diet. There are many fruits and vegetables that taste
good, even though they are healthy. People should aim to eat them every day to get nutrients
and fiber. Include yellow, red, green, blue, purple and orange produce in the diet. For more
fiber, choose fruits over juice (Berkeley Wellness). It is not terrible to eat something that is not
exactly healthy if portion control is practiced. Even fruits and veggies can be harmful if they are
eaten too much! Having a balanced diet will help achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Another aspect of eating healthy is one of the best natural remedies, apple cider vinegar
(ACV). Its wide-ranging benefits rival many other natural remedies. To treat an upset stomach,
mix a tablespoon of ACV with water or a juice (grape, apple, etc.). Drinking this concoction
everyday can help with keeping from getting a stomach ache in the first place! ACV can also
prevent sore throats. Mix ¼ cup of ACV with ¼ cup of water and gargle on the hour (Reader’s
Digest). It is even good for allergies and colds. There are still many more natural remedies from
ACV.
Coconut oil also has amazing natural properties. It has been used to heal cancer or even
to simply detox. Eating a tablespoon of it every day can help improve energy and give the
immune system a boost. Coconut oil can help with weight loss. The medium-chain fatty acids
(MCFAs) can decrease appetite, burn fat and even help lose belly fat. MCFAs can also help gain
muscle. Many heavily-suppressed supplements use processed forms of MCFAs, but when
coconut oil is eaten, it is all-natural (Axe)! Coconut oil is one of the amazing things that God has
given us.
Even though clean eating can be hard to do, it will pay off in the long run. Everyone has
the responsibility to keep their bodies healthy. Food plays a big part in that. At the end of the
day, is that slice of cake worth it?
In addition, a healthy lifestyle does not only consist of healthy eating. American
professional boxer Gene Tunney once said that “to enjoy the glow of good health, you must
exercise.” Exercise does not just help with weight loss, but it also helps prevent life-threatening

diseases. It can help boost mental mood and health. Physical activity is an essential aspect of a
healthy lifestyle.
First and foremost, it is important to find the workout that works best. There are many
options to choose from, but sometimes some routines are better for certain people than
others. First, people need to decide what benefits they would like to gain from regular physical
activity. Are people looking to lose weight? Are people wanting to be more toned? Looking up
workouts should correspond with what each person’s goal. The staff from Mayo Clinic have
said, “Regular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time
to exercise every day. To reap the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your
day — take the stairs instead of the elevator or rev up your household chores. Consistency is
key” (Mayo Clinic). Even doing 5 minute workouts will be a lot more effective than doing none.
The perfect workout for is out there!
In addition, some people might not want to go to the gym or spend money on exercise
DVDs. Online home workouts can be the best workouts! There are thousands of routines
online. The best thing is that most of them are free. Simply Google “workouts,” and many
options will come up. One of the most popular ways to do it is on YouTube. By using these
videos, it is just like having an expensive DVD, but with no charge! One great YouTube channel
is JessicaSmithTV. She has many videos that have a wide variety of exercise routines. She also
has workouts for all types of levels, including beginners. No one needs to spend money to stay
fit.
Finally, one of the best ways to stay in shape is by participating in sports. Playing sports
is good for staying active, but is also fun. No talent is required to play sports. Practicing can
help, though! There are many sports to choose from including soccer, swimming, ballet, etc. No
one even needs to join a team to play sports. Playing around can get everyone outside and
playing with friends and family. Sports entice a fun way to stay fit.
Physical activity is key for health. Staying active can be enjoyable, even if it is tough.
Everyone should begin this journey by finding the best workout routine. Also, they should
research local sports clubs. Although not as critical as clean eating, exercise is still extremely
beneficial.
When living a healthy lifestyle, a healthy routine is important! When people do not
wash their face, get enough sleep, or stress out, it will take a toll on their bodies. Jesus wants
everyone to take care of themselves, because everyone is made in the image of Him. Our
bodies are a reflection of our lives.
A healthy routine starts with skin care. Keeping your skin clean is another critical regime.
Start by washing your face twice a day. Coconut oil is a great all-natural cleanser. Rub a small
amount of coconut oil on your face, and then put a warm washcloth over it for 30 seconds.
After the time is up, wipe the oil off with the washcloth. Follow with a moisturizer. Taking care
of your skin will help reduce acne and other skin conditions. Your skin will thank you!

Second, you should make sure that you are getting adequate sleep. Getting enough
sleep could be the difference between life or death! “In a 2010 study of women ages 50 to 79,
more deaths occurred in women who got less than five hours or more than six and a half hours
of sleep per night” (Sparacino). It can also improve your performance in school and athletics.
“Your mind is surprisingly busy while you snooze. During sleep, you can strengthen memories
or ‘practice’ skills learned while you were awake (it’s a process called consolidation)”
(Sparacino). Adequate sleep can cure the biggest to the smallest issues.
Last but not least, a positive attitude will give you many benefits. By being optimistic,
you are instantly improving your life. Being stressed or depressed can have a negative toll on
our bodies (inside and out). Everyone should keep their minds focused, instead of worrying
about things that are out of our control. God is taking care of everyone at all times. He has got
everything under control! Getting enough sleep and staying active are great ways to stay in a
happy mindset. "A lack of sleep can contribute to depression," says Raymonde Jean, MD, "A
good night’s sleep can really help a moody person decrease their anxiety. You get more
emotional stability with good sleep." Stay in a positive attitude and trust in Him.
Live life to the best of your ability, and take care of yourself! Even though, people
usually think of healthy living as just about the diets and exercise, they must realize that even
the small things like skin care can make a big difference. Learn to figure out the bodies’ needs.
Staying healthy honors God. He made us, so we need to take care of ourselves. While
people might feel achieving healthy living is difficult, it really does not have to be so. Keeping a
clean diet, incorporating exercise into your daily routine, and establishing a solid body
maintenance regime. When someone takes care of their body to His standards, they are
honoring Him.




Works Cited
“14 Keys to a Healthy Diet.” Berkeley Wellness,
www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/slideshow/14-keys-healthy-diet .
“13+ Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar.” Reader’s Digest,
www.rd.com/health/wellness/apple-cider-vinegar-benefits .
Axe, Josh. “20 Coconut Oil Benefits and Side Effects.” Dr. Axe,
draxe.com/coconut-oil-benefits/.
“Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity.” Mayo Clinic, 31 Oct. 2016,
www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389.
Sparacino, Alyssa. “11 Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep.” Health,
www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20459221,00.html#more.

Autumn M.


Greetings from central Pennsylvania! Hi, my name is Autumn—I am fourteen years old

and was a student in Advanced 1 writing for the 2016/2017 school year. I live with my parents,
Chris and Debby, and 2 siblings—Canyon who is thirteen, and Houston who is almost two. We
live in a rural part of the state, so there is a substantial amount of acreage for livestock and
farms. This year, I am showing two Berkshire/Hampshire cross pigs through the 4-H Livestock
club. The pigs are very precious. J When I have spare time, I love to write letters to my
friends, read classic books, spend time with friends, do crafts (such as crocheting, card making,
basket making, and jewelry making), doing things outdoors (kayaking, biking, playing soccer,
square dancing, and gardening) performing with the bluegrass band that my brother and I have,
cleaning/organizing, doing projects with the 4-H clubs, and many other things. My favorite
subjects this year include writing, logic, and music. If you have never been to Pennsylvania,
there are many attractions worth visiting. Conveniently, my family and I, are relatively close to
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Hershey, Washington D.C., New York City, and Gettysburg.

CONSTUCTION OF THE PALM ISLANDS


Jumeirah, Jebel Ali, and Dietra, also known as the three Palm islands, are incredibly
unique. In June 2001, construction was launched on the three new islands, which are
positioned off the coast of Dubai. Surrounded by a water break crescent, the three islands are
all in the shape of palm trees. Starting in 2001 with the smallest island, Palm Jumeirah, 3.5
billion tons of sand were poured into the frothy ocean from enormous drudger ships to form
the foundation of the new island. When it was finished, the island measured 3 by 3 miles long.
The second island, Palm Jebel Ali, was to be 50% larger than Jumeirah. It was started in 2002;
and when completed, it is to be home to over 250,000 people. Shockingly, Palm Dietra, which
was launched in 2004 and is still under construction, will eventually have a land space eight
times larger than Palm Jumeirah and five times the size of Jebel Ali. That’s a large island! The
islands are truly a bold enterprise, as the Palms are part of the greatest reclamation venture the
world has ever seen.


The Genesis of the Petra


Petra is an attractive and mesmerizing archeological site. Accessed by a narrow gorge,
the stunning city was once a significant trade route for a period of approximately 2,000 years.
Because of the many ethnicities who passed through, the city incorporated numerous
architectural styles including Nabatean, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. Nestled at the side of a
valley on Jordan’s Mount Hor, the buildings were hewn from red rock. Interestingly, the
buildings are on a scale that dwarf the human visitor. As the centuries passed by, the city
flourished, and the residents used their wealth to create striking and dazzling new buildings.
After the 4th century A.D., the city’s fortune dwindled, because traders began to prefer sea
travel. Struck by an earthquake in 383 A.D., the city’s water system was severely damaged, and
the people gradually abandoned the city. Since its rediscovery by the Europeans in 1812, it has
become a major tourist destination. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.

Benton M.


Hello, my name is Benton. I am currently 16 and in tenth grade. I like to play lacrosse
and hang out with family and friends. I love the Lord with all of my heart. I also have three jobs
that I like to work. I start on the varsity squad for lacrosse and just got awarded with the MVP
offensive trophy and got invited to the league all-star banquet. My dream is to play on a major-
league lacrosse team or be a diesel performance mechanic at Sparks Motors.



Ranch Adventures

Last summer our family got to go on a beautiful vacation, which was to one of my
favorite places in the United States. Since we went to Sweetwater, Colorado, at a dude ranch,
we camped out way up in the mountains. The money we had to spend to take the trip was way
worth it to do this. We greatly got to do some amazing adventures like riding horses up and
down the mountains. Because my personal favorite part was climbing up and hiking on the
beautiful mountains, I got to spend a lot of time doing it. Another great part about the trip was
eating at the ranch restaurant to finish off the great days on the ranch. Last summer was one of
my favorite summers because we went on that vacation.
One of the horseback riding trips we took was about 4-5 hours long. Because this trip
was just with my 2 brothers, my dad, and my Papa, the guide let us go on a hard-core trail. On
this particular trail, we went up the sides of mountains, down them, and through thick woods.
At one point going up the side of the mountain if our horses would make one wrong step, we
would roll down the mountain and die because they only had about one foot of smother
ground to walk on from previous trips. Another day we went on an all-day trip that was about 7
hours long. We packed lunches, which we ate about 4 hours away from the dude ranch where
we stayed. One of the best parts about these trips were the amazing things we saw including:
wonderfully beautiful aspen tree patches that we went through seeing bear claw marks on
them, coyote searching for prey in an open field, and amazing mountains after mountains in
Sweetwater Colorado. Horseback riding is a very exciting activity to do for hours at a time in
Colorado.
Another fun activity that some of us did was hiking and climbing mountains. This
consisted of running through brush, leaping over rocks and bushes, and dangerously climbing
up the sides of mountains at our own risk. It was me, Brock, Blaize, and Logan who was a
horseback riding guide. On these trails we saw some priceless views, but it cost us to use our
legs and arms to do the climbing. When climbing we had to be cautious and use our heads
because one mistake could lead to falling and dying. When we made it to the top of each
mountain, it felt like we were the king of the hill. We were scratched up and bruised up a bit,

















burglar that they have a chance to break in. Social media opens the opportunity for stalking,
which has become unhealthily common. Additionally, hacking and scamming has become a big
concern in the social networking world. An article from CNBC notes that “the increase in
hackers creating fake accounts on Twitter to interact with consumers — and "phish" for private
information — is a growing concern.” (Saiidi). There has been a surprisingly high increase in
fake retail banking scamming for back account credentials. Fake advertisements pop up on
social media and become interesting to individuals, which they submit to clicking on. This action
results in fake websites asking for a login and eventually giving up private information. Scams
can happen through social media and even through emails that say they are from friends
although they are not. Many hacking incidents and scammers have been found more on Twitter
and Facebook, which pose a risk to privacy and safety in personal lives.

Social networking is unhealthy for society due to the promoting of negative thoughts
and actions. Communicating face-to-face is an important part of everyday life, but social media
defeats this purpose. People tend to be looking at their phones instead of examining the world
around them. It causes thinking outside of reality. Social media poses negative risks to social
lives and our everyday safety. It promotes new ways for bullying and dangerous sex predators
to get in touch with young children and teens when interacting on social media sites. For teens,
social media decreases their sense of well-being and self-esteem, but also diminishes their
attention spans due to the fast-paced networking. Although social media is a big trend and
phenomenon in society today, it does not mean that participating and communicating through
it is the correct option or beneficial. It brings negative effects to community and the more social
networking options there are, the more negativity and risks there will be among people.

Works Cited Page

Hendricks, Drew. "Complete History of Social Media: Then And Now." Small Business Trends.
Small Business Trends, 08 May 2013. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.
Kwan, Michael. "Reasons Why Social Networking Is Bad." LoveToKnow. LoveToKnow Corp.,
20 Oct. 2016. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.
O'Keeffe, Gwenn Schurgin, Kathleen Clarke-Pearson and Council on Communications and

Media. "Clinical Report -The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and
Families." Pediatrics 2011: peds.2011-0054v1-peds.2011-0054. AAP News and Journals.
American Academy of Pediatrics, 8 Mar. 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
Olivarez-Giles, Nathan. "More Sex Offenders Joined MySpace than Previously Acknowledged"
Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 04 Feb. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
Perez, Jamie. "How Social Media Affects Self-esteem." The Sundial. The Daily Sundial, 17 Mar.
2015. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.
Saiidi, Uptin. "Hackers Turn to Social Media to Phish for Credentials." CNBC. CNBC, 24 Oct.
2015. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
Small, Gary, and Gigi Vorgan. "Is the Internet Killing Empathy?" CNN. Cable News Network,
18 Feb. 2011. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.
Wintour, Patirick. "Facebook and Bebo 'infantilising' the Human Mind." The Guardian.
Guardian News and Media, 24 Feb. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.