Fall-Winter2015Newsletter_FINAL

THE LIBERAL ARTS BOOST STEM // AWARD WINNERS // 2015 DONORS

theGriffin GAZETTE
Community News from Westminster School Fall/Winter 2015= Vol. 5 Issue 1

Presenting Challenge, Building Character, Instilling Confidence

Fall/WinFtaelrl 2015 | 1

Westminster School
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EDUCATION NEWS

Add it Up: Liberal Arts Education
Leads to Success, No Matter the Field

By Madeleine Schuler The ability to communicate and articulate is equally as important as technical skills in STEM fields.
2010 Alumna
work ethic is key.” In any challenging may not be the case. Though these
Many students and their parents believe academic program, one is expected skills are essential to STEM-oriented
that an education emphasizing science, to successfully plan for and meet the occupations, many in the field have
technology, engineering, and math demands of multiple classes, as well as discovered that the vital skill that is
(STEM) will lead to professional success extracurricular activities. The phrase most often lacking is the ability to
and future job security. In Northern “neatly, completely, and with pride” communicate well. Most scientists,
Virginia, nothing embodies this should ring a bell in most Westminster engineers, and mathematicians are
dream more than attending Thomas students’ ears, as the timely and impressive analytic thinkers, but
Jefferson High School for Science and careful completion of assignments is if they cannot make a compelling
Technology (TJ), known as one of the a habit learned at an early age. Pride argument or clearly articulate their
best public high schools in the country. in presentation and artistic creativity research and reasoning, their ideas
Thousands of students in the area take are characteristic of Westminster and findings may go unheeded, and
“prep” classes, join science and math students, who have repeatedly met their careers languish.
clubs, enter engineering contests, those standards through the creation
and attend STEM camps in hopes of of many “projects” in all subjects and Avery’s father, Mr. Townsend, put it this
qualifying for admission to TJ. So, grades. way: “As the world gets more and more
how is it that Westminster School—a into social media and communicating
distinctly liberal arts school that prides While a strong work ethic is crucial in really short ways, being able to write
itself on its well-rounded curriculum in all walks of life, most STEM- articulately and communicate your
emphasizing high quality literature, focused individuals might view math thoughts is a rarity and therefore a
writing, history, and the arts—sent four and science skills as the next most refreshing and important skill to have.”
of its 2015 graduates to TJ this fall? important abilities to acquire, but this This skill proved especially useful on

According to these Westminster
graduates (now freshmen at TJ),
Divya Kumaran, Rhea Nandra, Anne
Nguyen and Avery Townsend, gaining
acceptance to TJ has less to do with
memorizing formulas and completing
challenging problem sets than one
might think. Of course, math mastery
is an important qualification for
admission, but most TJ hopefuls
boast superior math skills. And a
demonstrated interest in science,
math, or technology is crucial, but most
applicants have amassed impressive
resumes of STEM activities. No, what
sets the successful applicants apart is
a genuine passion for math, science
and technology, how well they are able
to articulate that passion, and how
they manifest their talent and drive in
other areas, as well.

“Focus, discipline and passion,” said
Rhea’s father, Mr. Nandra. “Those
are basic qualities you need no
matter what the topic is that you are
studying, so having an old fashioned

Fall/Winter 2015 | 3

“As the world gets more and more into social media and
communicating in really short ways, being able to write
articulately and communicate your thoughts is a rarity and
therefore a refreshing and important skill.

— Parent of a Westminster graduate who now attends Thomas Jefferson

the second round of TJ admissions LIBERAL LESSONS the confidence and ability to articulate
testing, in which students were asked Here are just a few of the their ideas, or to deliver a presentation
to write multiple essays conveying their many ways Westminster to a group, will be extremely helpful to
awareness of and love for STEM. “It tied School promotes a liberal arts our graduates in high-school and in their
everything together,” said Divya. “I’ve education within its highly future careers. This is especially true
always had an interest in STEM, but I in STEM occupations, where success—
had to be able to express that, so the creative curriculum. and funding—often depend on the ability
writing skills that I gained in English to clearly and persuasively share one’s
and history class definitely paid off.” EXTRA-CURRICULARS knowledge and theories. “STEM is a lot of
such as Odyssey of the Mind, presentation and sharing your research
“I think everything they do here— with other researchers,” said Anne. “I was
getting everyone to participate in plays Math Counts and Science really retiring when I was younger, but
and the amount of emphasis they put on Olympiad Westminster forced me to speak out.”
creative writing and creating their own
poems and reading those Shakespeare PUBLIC SPEAKING From kindergarten through eighth grade,
sonnets—it’s not only important; it’s such as personal Westminster students are repeatedly
priceless,” said Mr. Nandra. placed in the spotlight through
presentations, meeting and classroom presentations, drama, music,
Of course, the liberal arts education greeting, extemporaneous and other performance opportunities.
offered at Westminster also includes An eighth-grade enrichment class
rigorous courses in math and science, speaking, and practice includes extemporaneous speaking
and familiarizes the students with interviews and practice interviews. Such activities
helpful technology. The accelerated require students to repeatedly rise above
math programs in the seventh and eighth PERFORMING ARTS nervousness and self-consciousness,
grades are particularly challenging and such as drama, music, ultimately freeing them from fear and
provide many opportunities for those and other performance allowing them to present themselves
who excel in math to work at a pace and their ideas to other people with
that suits their interest and ability. opportunities confidence and poise.
In addition, the science classes that graduates are the public speaking and
all seventh and eighth graders take presentation skills they gain through Able to admit only 20% of its applicants
require them to perform dissections manydifferentschoolactivities.Though each year, TJ is looking for truly
in biology, conduct lab experiments these skills were not directly called on outstanding individuals—creative,
in chemistry, create simple machines in the TJ admissions process, having articulate thinkers with breadth and
in physics, and present their work depth of knowledge, a strong work ethic,
in a science fair. Extra-curricular and a genuine passion for understanding,
opportunities at Westminster, such as and changing, the world. The four
Odyssey of the Mind, Math Counts and graduates who were accepted to TJ this
Science Olympiad, give them a chance year, and their parents, feel strongly that
to work individually and in teams, and Westminster’s liberal arts program made
nurture their ability to apply out-of-the- the difference for them among a field of
box thinking to a variety of interesting highly qualified applicants. The ability
challenges. to think logically and circumspectly, to
understand new information within
However, proficiency in these core a broad context of prior knowledge, to
subjects is only part of the kind of clearly articulate questions and ideas, to
well-rounded individual sought design original inquiries and projects,
by competitive schools, including and to present one’s achievements with
STEM-centered schools, such as poise and confidence—these are the
TJ. Characteristic of Westminster characteristics that lead to success—at TJ
and far beyond. n
Fall/Winter 2015 | 4

2015 AWARDS

And the
Winners Are ...

An overview of last year’s
academic award honorees

ART CONTEST WINNERS Joseph Manlapaz Rebecca Popp
Owen Nemirow Nikolas Rovira
KINDERGARTEN Camila Ortega Rosy Sultana
Karina Sikri Avery Townsend
Honorable Mention Overall Winner
My Nguyen Gryphon Nichols Overall Winners
Charlotte Reynolds Ejun Kim
Simone Tran FIFTH & SIXTH GRADE
OVERALL WINNER (ALL
Overall Winner Honorable Mention GRADES)
Sophie Le Nora Jacobson Ejun Kim
Allison Joe
FIRST & SECOND GRADE Amit Mehta DIMES FOR DRAMA
Devin Nemirow
Honorable Mention Allen Nguyen 1st Place
Shri Bala Shalini Setty Stephanie Wagner
Sidney Le Darby Walker
Joshua Lin Gelila Yimtatu 2nd Place
Sarielle Little Rebecca Popp
Abigail St. Clair Overall Winners
William Townsend Bilal Cheema 3rd Place
Aarifah Ullah Matthew Bredbenner
Overall Winners
Madeleine Foster SEVENTH & EIGHTH GRADE PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Ronan Kim
Honorable Mention KINDERGARTEN
THIRD & FOURTH GRADE Christina Buravtsova Karina Khanna
Emily Rose Holdren Mia Lees
Honorable Mention Kyle Joe Maren Lees
Virginia Griffin Ashley Kim
Catherine Kim Divya Kumaran
Abbie Lee Mateo Ortega

Fall/Winter 2015 | 5

FIRST GRADE Patrick Musgrove Artwork by Gryphon Nichols, Grade 4
Beza Alemu Anne Nguyen
Mac Cronin Rosy Sultana Highest Achievement
Gavin Goldstein Jacob Bredbenner
Sabrina Khanna THIRD-GRADE ACADEMIC
Angelina Lin AWARDS FRENCH
Joshua Lin
Christian Pianta ENGLISH Most Improved
William Townsend Haydn House
Arleigh Womack Most Improved
Haydn House Highest Achievement
SECOND GRADE Joshua Little Natasha Dormont
Shri Bala
Max Castro Highest Achievement ART
Santhony Chan Jacob Bredbenner
Anahit Harutyunyan Natasha Dormont Most Improved
Sidney Le Zachary Christopher
Christian Yetinayet MATH
All-Around Proficiency
THIRD GRADE Most Improved Owen Nemirow
Gavin Grant Trevor Klein
Elisa Mamani-Duran MUSIC
Owen Nemirow Highest Achievement
Andrew Smith Natasha Dormont Most Improved
Kai Wang Joshua Bright
HISTORY
FOURTH GRADE All-Around Proficiency
Helena Bruck Most Improved Madison Olds
Luke Castro Lucas Samuel
Amelia Cronin P.E.
Kayla Kim Highest Achievement
Ella Lauer Natasha Dormont Most Improved
Kathryn Sarrge Sophia Guralink
Karina Sikri SCIENCE Joshua Little

FIFTH GRADE Most Improved Most Outstanding
Collin Do n/a Abbie Lee
Allison Joe Andrew Smith
Guo Li
Diya Mehta FOURTH-GRADE
Rebecca Musgrove ACADEMIC AWARDS
Devin Nemirow
Fiona St. Clair
Soliana Yimtatu

SIXTH GRADE
Joy Alemu
Blaise Castro
Sara Ghanbari
Amit Mehta

SEVENTH GRADE
Karim Al-Kouraishi
Marc Castro
Kyle Joe
Ashley Kim
Patrick Lee
Ethan Sarrge

EIGHTH GRADE
Gary Bullard
Kylie Clark
Nyera Davis
Emily Rose Holdren
Divya Kumaran

Fall/Winter 2015 | 6

ENGLISH Ethan Owusu TOP: Artwork by Ronan Kim (Grade 2)
BOTTOM: Artwork by Madeleine Foster (Grade 1)
Most Improved FIFTH-GRADE
Kathryn Sarrge ACADEMIC AWARDS Anna Merrit Woodbury

Highest Achievement ENGLISH Highest Achievement
Catherine Kim Nora Jacobson
Most Improved
MATH Guo Li ART

Most Improved Highest Achievement Most Improved
Kathryn Sarrge Allison Joe Darby Walker
Maya Yetinayet
Highest Achievement All-Around Proficiency
Catherine Kim MATH Nora Jacobson

HISTORY Most Improved MUSIC
n/a
Most Improved Most Improved
Cayman Tran Highest Achievement Anna Merrit Woodbury
Allison Joe
Highest Achievement All-Around Proficiency
Amelia Cronin HISTORY Shalini Setty
Catherine Kim
Most Improved P.E.
SCIENCE Safeerah Ullah

Most Improved Highest Achievement
Nina Breen Allison Joe

Highest Achievement SCIENCE
Catherine Kim
Most Improved
FRENCH Collin Do

Most Improved Highest Achievement
n/a Nora Jacobson

Highest Achievement FRENCH
Catherine Kim
Most Improved
ART

Most Improved
Joseph Manlapaz

All-Around Proficiency
Catherine Kim

MUSIC

Most Improved
Ella Lauer

All-Around Proficiency
Amelia Cronin
Gryphon Nichols

P.E.

Most Improved
Ella Lauer
Joseph Manlapaz

Most Outstanding
Elizabeth Fowler

Fall/Winter 2015 | 7

Most Improved Prartna Shekar Artwork by Sophie Le (Grade K)
Maya Yetinayet All-Around Proficiency
Benyat Yimjai Emily Townsend Highest Achievement
Carder del Rosario
Most Outstanding P.E. Kendall McBride
Shalini Setty
Jake Fowler Most Improved MATH (ALGEBRA-I, P1)
Dana Christopher
SIXTH-GRADE Bilal Cheema Most Improved
ACADEMIC AWARDS Nikolas Rovira
Most Outstanding
ENGLISH Blaise Castro Highest Achievement
Bryson Olds Jalen Bass
Most Improved
n/a SEVENTH-GRADE MATH (ALGEBRA)
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Highest Achievement Most Improved
Joy Alemu ENGLISH n/a
Millie Page
Most Improved Highest Achievement
MATH Jonathan Hearn Kendall McBride

Most Improved HISTORY
Bilal Cheema
Most Improved
Highest Achievement Kelvin Zavala
Millie Page

HISTORY

Most Improved
Mailinh Nguyen

Highest Achievement
Dana Christopher

SCIENCE

Most Improved
Prartna Shekar

Highest Achievement
Dana Christopher

FRENCH

Most Improved
Liam Machabee

Highest Achievement
Amit Mehta

ART

Most Improved
Ryan Mai

All-Around Proficiency
Gelila Yimtatu

MUSIC

Most Improved

Fall/Winter 2015 | 8

Highest Achievement Christina Buravtsova Artwork by Rebecca Popp (Grade 7)
Kendall McBride Martin Liou
Philip Rivera
SCIENCE Most Outstanding Kylie Clark
Kendall McBride
Most Improved Marc Castro LATIN (8A)
Nicole Hisey
EIGHTH-GRADE Most Improved
Highest Achievement ACADEMIC AWARDS Hannah Yi
Christina Buravtsova
Carder del Rosario ENGLISH Highest Achievement
Anne Nguyen
FRENCH (7A) Most Improved
Lauren Tanner LATIN (8B)
Most Improved
Marc Castro Highest Achievement Most Improved
Anne Nguyen Nyera Davis
Highest Achievement
Carder del Rosario MATH (ALGEBRA-I, P2) Highest Achievement
Kendall McBride Gary Bullard
Most Improved
FRENCH (7B) Erik Hudock ART

Most Improved Highest Achievement Most Improved
Ethan Sarrge Kwaku Acquah Carter Walker

Highest Achievement All-Around Proficiency
Ashley Kim Ejun Kim

LATIN (7A) Fall/Winter 2015 | 9

Most Improved
Karim Al-Kouraishi

Highest Achievement
Kendall McBride

LATIN (7B)

Most Improved
Nikolas Rovira

Highest Achievement
Kelvin Zavala

ART

Most Improved
Ashley Kim

All-Around Proficiency
Katie Chudars

MUSIC

Most Improved
Keaton Ballard

All-Around Proficiency
Maryam Abbasi
Nicole Hisey
Rebecca Popp

P.E.

Most Improved

MUSIC Artwork by Ejun Kim (Grade 8), Overall Art Contest Winner

Most Improved Madison Olds Shalini Setty
Nyera Davis Samuel Riverson (Medal Winner)
George William Rose SIXTH GRADE
All-Around Proficiency Andrew Smith Joy Alemu
Rhea Nandra Kai Wang Dana Christopher (Medal Winner)
Allen Nguyen
P.E. FOURTH GRADE Sarika Sindhwani
Luke Castro (Medal Winner) Aarifah Ullah
Most Improved Virginia Griffin Gelila Yimtatu
Aman Cheema Arman Harutyunyan
Philip Rivera Alexander Hearn (Medal Winner) SEVENTH GRADE
Lauren Jebraili Sara Abbasi
Most Outstanding Catherine Kim Ella Rose Friedman
Lauren Tanner Kayla Kim Jonathan Hearn
Tristan Hearn Gryphon Nichols Rebecca Popp
Cayman Tran Philip Wieczorek (Medal Winner)
CONTINENTAL MATH Leyla Ustun
LEAGUE EIGHTH GRADE
FIFTH GRADE Kwaku Acquah
THIRD GRADE Conor Dillon Tristan Hearn
Collin Do Ejun Kim
Runners-Up Devin Nemirow Kenneth Lin
Natasha Dormont Alex Rose (Medal Winner) Anne Nguyen
Kai Wang

Winner
Jacob Bredbenner

FOURTH GRADE

Runners-Up
Catherine Kim

Winner
Alexander Hearn

FIFTH GRADE

Runner-Up
Alex Rose

Winner
Allison Joe

SIXTH GRADE

Runner-Up
Amit Mehta

Winner
Michael Pandula

NATIONAL SCIENCE
LEAGUE

THIRD GRADE
Jacob Bredbenner
Joshua Bright
Zachary Christopher
Natasha Dormont
Gavin Grant (Medal Winner)

Fall/Winter 2015 | 10

Avery Townsend (Medal Winner)

NATIONAL
MYTHOLOGY EXAM

BRONZE MEDAL
Samira Abbasi
Michal Dasek
Eleanor Jacobson
Diya Mehta
Maya Yetinayet
Benyat Yimaj

SILVER MEDAL
Conor Dillon
Collin Do
Rebecca Musgrove
Michael Alex Rose
Shalini Setty
Safeerah Ullah
Soliana Yimtatu

SILVER MEDAL
Allison Joe (perfect score)

LATIN AWARDS Carder del Rosario 2

SPECIAL LATIN AWARDS DETENTION AWARDS Artwork by Aarifah Ullah (Grade 6)
NATIONAL LATIN EXAM
(In Ascending Order) THIRD GRADE Millie Page - 0
Sophia Guralnik – 1 Samira Sikri – 1
Nikolas Rovira
Amirah Banker FOURTH GRADE SEVENTH GRADE
Julien Couraud Nina Breen – 0 Carder del Rosario – 0
Mohammed Badawi Kayla Kim – 1 Kyle Joe – 1
Patrick Lee Leyla Ustun – 1 Kendall McBride – 0
Ethan Sarrge
Hudson Reynolds FIFTH GRADE EIGHTH GRADE
Kevin Kim Samira Abbasi – 1 Dylan Hudock – 0
Mahtab Kahlon Nora Jacobson – 1 Divya Kumaran – 0
Ella Rose Friedman Allison Joe – 0 Kenneth Lin – 0
Ashley Kim Diya Mehta – 1 Anne Nguyen – 0
Nicole Hisey Shalini Setty – 1 Philip Rivera – 0
Jonathan Breen Fiona St. Clair – 0 Rosy Sultana – 0
Maryam Abbasi Hannah Yi – 1
SIXTH GRADE
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT Joy Alemu – 0 HONOR ROLL AWARDS
(In Ascending Order) Dana Christopher – 1
Amit Mehta – 1 YEAR-ROUND HONOR ROLL
Keaton Ballard Mailinh Nguyen – 0 Third Grade
Floyd (Jalen) Bass Michael Pandula – 0 Jacob Bredbenner
Katie Chudars Joshua Bright
Martin Liou Natasha Dormont
Kyle Joe
Karim Al-Kouraishi Fall/Winter 2015 | 11
Sara Abbasi
Kelvin Zavala
Jonathan Hearn
Kendall McBride
Philip Wieczorek
Marc Castro
Rebecca Popp
Christina Buravtsova

Gavin Grant Marc Castro Artwork by Bilal Cheema (Grade 6)
Sophia Guralnik Carder del Rosario
Abbie Lee Ella Rose Friedman Stephanie Wagner
Owen Nemirow Nicole Hisey Hannah Yi
Madison Olds Kyle Joe
Samuel Riverson Martin Liou HONOR ROLL – 24 QUARTERS
Andrew Smith Kendall McBride (GRADES 3-8)
Kai Wang Rebecca Popp
Hudson Reynolds Tristan Hearn
Fourth Grade Philip Wieczorek Dylan Hudock
Nina Breen Kelvin Zavala Ejun Kim
Helena Bruck Divya Kumaran
Luke Castro Eighth Grade Kenneth Lin
Amelia Cronin Kwaku Acquah Anne Nguyen
Elizabeth Fowler Gary Bullard Philip Rivera
Alexander Hearn Kylie Clark Avery Townsend
Lauren Jebraili Tristan Hearn Stephanie Wagner
Catherine Kim Dylan Hudock Hannah Yi
Kayla Kim Ejun Kim
Ella Lauer Divya Kumaran POSTER CONTEST
Camila Ortega Kenneth Lin WINNERS
Karina Sikri Rhea Nandra
Leyla Ustun Anne Nguyen SEVENTH GRADE
Philip Rivera Katie Chudars
Fifth Grade Rosy Sultana
Samira Abbasi Lauren Tanner EIGHTH GRADE
Michal Dasek Avery Townsend Garrett Johnson
Conor Dillon
Collin Do
Jake Fowler
Nora Jacobson
Allison Joe
Diya Mehta
Rebecca Musgrove
Devin Nemirow
Alex Rose
Shalini Setty
Maya Yetinayet
Soliana Yimtatu

Sixth Grade
Samira Abbas
Joy Alemu
Blaise Castro
Dana Christopher
Nitara DeLaHaye
Sara Ghanbari
Ryan Mai
Amit Mehta
Daniel Moss
Allen Nguyen
Mailin Nguyen
Millie Page
Michael Pandula
Aneri Shah
Samira Sikri
Sarika Sindhwani
Emily Townsend
Aarifah Ullah
Gelila Yimtatu

Seventh Grade
Maryam Abbasi
Sara Abbasi
Jalen Bass
Jonathan Breen
Christina Buravtsova

Fall/Winter 2015 | 12

KENNETH HATCH PRESIDENT’S Hannah Yi
AWARD EDUCATION AWARD
GRIFFIN/CITIZENSHIP
Ella Rose Friedman AWARD
Dylan Hudock Kwaku Acquah
Erik Hudock Kylie Clark Kwaku Acquah
Ejun Kim Tristan Hearn Ejun Kim
Patrick Musgrove Dylan Hudock Rosy Sultana
Rebecca Popp Ejun Kim Lauren Tanner
Lauren Tanner Divya Kumaran Stephanie Wagner
Stephanie Wagner Kenneth Lin Hannah Yi
Madeleine Mai
D.A.R. AWARD Steven Mills GOLDEN GRIFFIN AWARD
Rhea Nandra
Hannah Yi Anne Nguyen Ejun Kim n
Philip Rivera
Rosy Sultana
Avery Townsend
Stephanie Wagner

EXPERIENCE ~ EXPLORE ~ CREATE
WINTER CAMP
Griffin at Westminster
School
EXPER
Camp Ages 3 - 14 | Early Care | Extended Care
CREATE
IENCE ~ EXPLORE ~

A WEEK OF FUN AND ADVENTURE

Mon, Dec 21:

Wild About Nature

Tue, Dec 22:

Bowling, Soccer, & Games...Oh my!

WeD, Dec 23:

Holidays in the City

Mon, Dec 28:

Pajamas & Movie Day

Tue, Dec 29:

Exploring the National Harbor

WeD Dec 30:

Around the World in a Day

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY. SPACE IS LIMITED

WWW.WESTMINSTERSCHOOL.COM
Presenting Challenge | Building Character | Instilling Confidence

Fall/Winter 2015 | 13

2015 POEMS

Headmaster’s Poetry
Contest Winners

Award-winning Pegasus student
poems from the 2014-15 school year

Fall/Winter 2015 | 14

Alone On the Beach A chorus of beautiful birds sounds like Snakes
flutes, and fills me with warmth.
Swimming in the sea I smell the humidity of a waterfall, Colorful as rainbows.
Is as fun as it can be roaring, determined to be heard. Fast as lightning
As light blue water tosses shells to the I see a bubbling brook, bouncing
merrily on its way Stong as mountains—
shore, As I reach in, and feel the smooth They move in
With lush green islands scattered surface of the granite stones. the
I race with swirling clouds water
around me along the breeze. air
As driftwood drifts along the coast earth.
As the rocks get worn down by the sea The peaceful quiet of nature beckons
And as tunnels shoot through them me to go deeper They are disguised.
As I walk swiftly through the shallow Dangerous and powerful.
into the mysterious forest.
lagoons and cliffs Collin Do (Grade 5)
The waves shoot through narrow Catherine Kim (Grade 4)
Lightning
channels Spring Storms
Like a slingshot Flashes the sky like a ray of the moon’s
As houses crowd the sandy shores Pit, patter, pit patter, pit patter power,
And as boats slowly drift to shore The rain is falling, every second faster
Burning through the air and gracefully
Gavin Grant (Grade 3) The sky is mad with his angry face, striking the wet ground,
making everything he wants fall into
Pencils Whipping back through the showers of
place. ghost-white clouds,
Dancing pencils write He wants lightning to really roar
Racing ones scribble down ideas right through a heart, it could bore Into the glorious heavens where it will
The wind is howling like a wolf at night, return to its rightful owner,
quickly and the houses shake like a baby bird’s
Mechanical pencils push out their Back with an urge to go back down
first at flight. through the storm,
hands to write The crowds are crying with large tear
Smart pencils correct you Oh a frightening look as it shocks the
They use their feet to kick off dirt drops falling upon the ground cameras of the photographers.
Turn this way and that for cursive making a soft and gentle sound.
Stomp at the end of each sentence People wait for the morning sun to Soon, the storm will be ending, says the
rolling thunder,
Jacob Bredbenner (Grade 3) come,
so we can have some springtime fun! As it passes by like an angry bull rolling
A Walk through the Garden down a hill,
Mealy Cronin (Grade 4)
White petals on the ground Striking down in a different place this
Like a party that has ended Storm time,

It looks like confetti Rain—like the beat of a drum, While people count to see how far away
Purple flowers as it hits the ground. the storm is.

Surround huge banana leaves Lightning—like Morse code as it Rushing up again to beat thunder,
like kids looking for their families flashes, As it turns down offers of peace to a

Spruce trees on and off. sound of a low rumble.
towering over me Thunder—like the stomp As the storm slows, the lighting stops
hanging their heads of a thousand giants’ feet.
tired from the long winter Clouds—as soft as a pillow, to a slight hush,
And the storm of words is over.
Waterfalls gray as a stone.
beautiful sound Darkness—like a black cat, Devin Nemirow (Grade 5)
sneaking through an alley.
clear water This is the story of my storm; My Wish
fish at the bottom getting a shower
Boom! Boom! Crash! I think of love and meaning,
Blue flowers This is the story of my storm. Of happiness and friendship,
hanging their heads
shielding themselves from the rain Lauren Jebraili (Grade 4) Of power and greatness.
Finally, the words come to me.
Andrew Smith (Grade 3) Ocean A wave of magic rushes through my

Beautiful Day in the Forest I feel the sand between my toes body.
and smell the salty water as I go. I feel my heart pump against my chest,
As I walk through the forest, I feel the breath of the ocean blowing,
the trees bow down to me, and the powerful rush of water flowing. harder and harder.
the way a pauper bows down to a Waves grow like a tower above me. I am ready.
My hear pounds like the waves that
queen. My lips open, and,
I take off my shoes, and the delicate surround me. WOOSH!

ferns, that feel like lace, Kathryn Sarrge (Grade 4) My secret is released to the still and
tickle my feet. quiet night.

Now I can only hope it comes true.

Maya Yetinayet (Grade 5)

Fall/Winter 2015 | 15

Emotions The cold hard feeling of loneliness POET LAUREATE
when there is only me.
As I’m walking in fields BEST POEM, GRADE 7
I hear the birds tweet When I cry tears, who will comfort me?
I hear it through my ears Will I have any feeling at all? Simplicity
And I feel very sweet No one can teach me anything.
As I’m walking down life’s path Nothing is too much to touch, to see, to
Never being able to smile because there feel, to hear
I start feeling pain is no meaning to it.
It’s like a tiger’s wrath And haughty looks frown upon your
My eyes start to rain Never having friends and family who simplicity
But I start feeling better care about me.
But I will smile, because I am focused
I’m still in a cloud I can never stand out from a crowd, Focused enough to feel for you and be
And my eyes get wetter because there is none.
I can never be special. you
I’m still in a shroud I can never be unique. Learning in your ways for they are
The clouds start to part
And I finally see the sun. I won’t laugh because there is nothing different from mine
to laugh about. Do not listen to the arrogant people:
Joy fills my heart
And I start having fun How can I know right from wrong, good they don’t understand
I might be mad one day from evil? That simple may be sufficient enough
But it’s like I’m drinking potion
So then it will go away The harsh violent wind pressing on my for us
I just can’t control my bare back. Just picture a simple flower, plain and

emotions. Seeing the world flash before my eyes. white, blowing in the breeze
Every step I take means another day of Or a vibrant red rose placed in a
Connor Dillon (Grade 5) mansion with elaborate jewels
tragedy. Let them be treasured, but which one
Brothers Who will be standing at the door when
Annoying, is truly loved?
Obstacles of life, I come home? A warm sun or a crisp night sky
Loveable, How can I be happy when I know every A ticking watch or one that is calm
Help you, Focus on the inside and not on the out:
Love you until the end of time, day is going to be a sad one?
Climb through fires of agony, I will have no secrets. Simplicity is an option.
Run but never hide,
Earn our trust from us I will have nothing special to me. Nicole Hisey (Grade 7)
Brothers are always there for us. Would I even survive one day without
I Stand Alone
Nitara DeLeHaye (Grade 6) people around?
I stand alone full of pride
Determination Joy Alemu (Grade 7) Looking out at the sunset
Like it is bowing for me,
Standing, panting, and sweating The Labyrinth
but I cannot stop, Beneath my feet is soil
My gnarled hands brushed silently That makes up a great mountain
as the addiction grows stronger. against the ice cold walls,
Forcing myself everyday And I am its highest point,
settling for nothing less. The floor was drenched in the smell of The birds soar around the top
blood and ancient rusted bones, The waves crash on its bottom,
Never happy with what I achieve
Always wanting to do more. Like a canvas of red and white, the room But as I am looking down
Good is not enough was filled with an aroma of despair. To take an enormous step,
My blood boiled. I hit a small rock that falls
even excellence is not the key. It falls and falls from its perch,
One mistake tears me apart. Sweat raced down my face like a never The place of its highest peak,
ending monsoon, I draw my foot back in place
Through all the pain As I stand alone, humbled.
It brings happiness. The knots in my stomach bunched
I give my life for it together, in millions of loops and turns. Kendall McBride (Grade 7)
Striving to be the best.
My heart loves it so deeply I heard the heavy breath of my foe, Farther Than
it would give up all my efforts for it His footsteps echoed towards me,
My life would seem to be incomplete Farther than the glass beyond the sea
without me reaching perfection. His eyes were like a void, Under the curtained shade of the tree
Dark and empty,
Christina Buravtsova (Grade 7) The wind like cars racing down the
His lean muscular body stood over mine, highway
His powerful talons quickly grasped my
Who am I Without People Around? The sun as fireworks, sparks the day
throat, All this time I have been behind the
Will the warmth of a hug be there when Is this what death feels like?
I have fallen? With my hope shattered and my faith pane
lost, giving up seems easy,
Fall/Winter 2015 | 16 But at last, the glint of the sword catches Farther than the pain, beyond time
Under the strict laws of crime
my eye.
Hope restores in veins and purifies my Electricity like nature, stronger than
man
heart,
I wield the mighty sword
Free from the devil’s grasp

I run
I see the light

I’m free

Millie Page (Grade 6)

Murmurs of sweet nothings the air surrounds
Romantic evenings, sweet apple pies

“ Bracelet of promises to her he ties
Hazy afternoon picnics on the ground
Mischievous days and blissful months they found
Yet he breaks her naïve heart, all were lies ...

— from “Love is False” by Rosy Sultana

People think they will overpower her But that’s a good thing; She builds a wall around her broken
with words like “I can” I need to gain experience and it is heart

But simply too strong, clearly will not possible through moving. Exists no prince charming, but evil
let people go farther than I wonder, calls

Keaton Ballard (Grade 7) Will I be welcomed? Roses wilt and trinkets in disrepair
Doesn’t matter. He leaves her shattered pieces and
Her We are moving.
departs
I look at her as the moon. Patrick Musgrove (Grade 8) Now she stands cold and bleak, for love
She is as beautiful as the sun rising
BEST POEM, GRADE 8 is false
from the bottom;
She looks at me Good Enough Rosy Sultana (Grade 8)
as if I am dust on the bottom of a chair
She listens to me Thy embrace Amnesia
as if I am a little mouse weeping for No warmer than the Artic waters
April is the sweetest month
help; Thy touch Conjuring forth bright colors
either way I will still No softer than a bed of nails
To blind, to forget
always love her, Thy eyes The somberness and dulling winter
but I want to know No more welcoming than the fiery
if she loves me back brought
inside of her heart. gates of the Inferno; Melting away its blanket of sorrow
Why seek the decayed body of Urging a new beginning on Earth
Alex Vouras (Grade 7)
Perfection? To blind, to forget
Moving When there is beauty in disfiguration. The mistakes of our past
We are moving Convincing ourselves we will change
Away from the only house I’ve ever Kenny Lin (Grade 8) Only to begin the same cycle

known BEST POEM, GRADE 8 To see, to remember
Away from the only friends I’ve ever
Love is False Steven Mills (Grade 8)
known Blushes on cheeks and fluttering of
Away from the only life I’ve ever known The Well
eyes,
To a place I’ve visited a few times Waiting at midnight and meeting At the edge of a mossy well I stand,
before. Looking in. Dark water stares back,
around,
We asked for houses; they were shown; mocking,
I wanted one, another was chosen. Murmurs of sweet nothings the air Laughing, calling like an old ship
But that’s not my choice to make— surrounds,
rocking.
What they choose, I must appreciate. Romantic evenings, sweet apple pies Ripples on the surface dance and
I’ll have no place to run, when I want to Bracelet of promises to her he ties
brand
escape Hazy afternoon picnics on the ground The walls that confine them. My
For this place is new and I don’t know Mischievous days and blissful months
thoughts are sand
it yet they found At the bottom. The water blocks me;
Even though I’ve been here a thousand Yet he breaks her naïve heart, all were
I want to find myself through this
times, I still seem to forget lies opaque wall.
What it’s like. Crystals fall from brown wild eyes full
So leaning in, mouth agape, I see
And try as I might, of despair Nothing, for hands against my back
I cannot change what will happen.
push — in I fall!

Anne Nguyen (Grade 8) n

Fall/Winter 2015 | 17

2014-15 GRIFFIN FUND DONORS

Thank you for your
generous donations.
Without you, we could
not achieve our goals.

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Fall/Winter 2015 | 18

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Mr. & Mrs. Ali Al-Khouraishi Mr. Stephen Wallace Muriel Phelps
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