Student’s Writings

It’s Not Easy Being Me by Karla Rivas

“The students were reminded by none other than Kermit the Frog that ‘It’s not easy being green.’ They were then asked to consider what about their lives is ‘not easy.’ The students’ essays on this topic were excellent. here is an example.” Don Riesett, Writing Mentor & Teacher

It’s so hard to be this sexy, attractive, cute human being. Everyone wants a piece of me. Especially older men. They were so infatuated with me that my mother told me to stop wearing shorts, short tight dresses, and crop tops. She even tried to bring down my self-esteem by telling me I’m ugly because I’m incredibly huge. But I started to realize she’s only saying that because I’m the middle child and her oldest girl. And to her, that means that as soon as I hit puberty I became a woman and had to start acting like one.

Being the oldest girl from the new generation of immigrants is the most difficult thing. It comes with so much responsibility you are not warned about. If there is a child younger than me in the house, it means I have to be able to take care of them as much as I can, as if I were their mother. It means I have to learn how to cook and clean for my future family but also for the family I am currently a part of. But it also means I have to stay far away from males because, if I hold the hand of a male, I will definitely get pregnant. I don’t have as much liberty as any of the other younger members of my family. I am not allowed to have a boyfriend until I’m 47 and can’t have kids anymore and, if I were to have one, I will most definitely get lynched and disowned.

It’s hard being the middle child and also the oldest girl. Not only does your family view you as grown at the age of 13 but so do other people around you. Especially men. There have been many times when I was younger that older men used to come to me, stare me down, and ask about my age. As soon as I told them I was 13, they would not back up, they would actually get closer. Some tried to get as close as to touch my hands or head, others would try to joke around with me with the stupidest grin I have ever seen. Some got even closer when I was younger than 13, and invaded all of my personal space. Because of these interactions, I have been scared of the male species for the longest time. It is hard to say if I will ever be able to fully trust a male I haven’t been with my whole life.

I dream that I can. I’m not sure if I will be able to fully give myself to someone though. I don’t think it’s hard to trust people, but I think it’s hard to trust them enough to share your deepest darkest secrets. Regardless of all of that, I am actually a very social and talkative person. I make friends easily and I would say a lot of people trust me to tell me enough their personal business. I think that is one thing my family has taught me. They have taught me to listen to other people and act like an older sister, cousin, or friend whenever they need me.

I don’t think it’s so hard for me to be honest. I mean yeah there have been many occasions when I ask myself why I didn’t kill myself then, but I also have a lot of wonderful things and people around me. I have both my little cousins (a.k.a my kids) and all my friends, cousins, and siblings. All of these people are my world and I would definitely take a bullet for all of them. I try my best everyday. If I become rich, they will too. I am very grateful for everyone in my life so far. Even though I have not lived my life fully and I am only 16, I think there are still many other people and experiences I will be grateful for. I want to keep all the people that are close to me now forever.

Graffiti: Art, Ego or Vandalism by Danny Buck

Asked to weigh-in on this topic, many imaginative pieces were written. DANNY did so by taking us forward to the year 5026 A.D. to a place we humans had apparently already been. Fascinating.

Graffiti: Art, Ego or Vandalism

                   “Yes, I copy Houston.” radio click
This is over three thousand years into the future, in the year 5026 A.D. Humans have invented technology which enables extrasolar travel. This is the first manned mission to another planet outside of the solar system ever. The mission’s name is Project Bifrost.
                  “Randall, we might’ve done it. We have now arrived on Kepler-452b, approximately 800 light years away from earth. We did it, boys. It’s done!”- James
Clapping from the Nasa physicists as they successfully succeed in the Bifrost Mission.
The astronauts roam the planet and remove their helmets because of its atmospheric similarity to Earth.
As the astronauts are collecting rock samples, they begin to explore caves to test samples of the underground water and the mineral content to examine the geological history of the planet… when they discover something gut wrenching.
“Oh my god, Randall, is that graffiti?”-James says in horror.
“Jesus Christ.”-Randall replies
The astronauts scramble back to the communication system to relay the message that they’ve encountered something unseen before. But as they leave the cave, they encounter something far worse.
“There are fossil bones embedded in that sediment, James.”-Randall says
They dig, chip, and scratch to make sure to carefully extract the remains of whatever animal this is, not too far off from animal bones they’ve seen from life on Earth.
“Houston, we have a problem. We’ve found fossils on this planet as predicted, but we’ve also found graffiti from the inside of the cave?!”- James says
Randall and James examine the bones and find mineral deposits in bones which imply that these are not just silicon-based bones as they’ve presumed from the rest of the discovered life, but these bones are made of calcium. The terror causes them to collapse to their knees and think about the implications of this discovery.
“So this life is carbon based, with similar elemental proportions to that of earth with similar DNA. We’ve also found sequences in the genome that can only be found in members of the genus homo. It’s entirely possible that these are human bone remnants from ancestors or cousins to humans long ago.”- James and Randall communicate
James and Randall descend further into the cave to gather more evidence of their hypothesis. A splash of water echoes through the cave, the eerie-ness almost freezes the air to be as cold as ice.
“I think we should go farther in.”-Randall says
As they’re exploring the cave they encounter a latch on the floor which is so indescribable and incomprehensible that their scientific minds cannot muster an explanation for how this could be possible. Thoughts race back and forth; Is it the government? Is it aliens? Is it manmade? Am I insane?
Randall trembles as he musters up the courage to say what he’s thinking as his curiosity overwhelms his fear.
“We should open it.”-He says
As he begins to peel open the latch, it makes a creaking, rusty sound like the heavy doors in an old warehouse. They find something; something that may be like James or Randall, but the line between man and…whatever the hell that thing is, it’s quite blurry. They close the latch as they realize that there can’t possibly be hope. Humans might not be native to Earth. Something higher… smarter… brought us here a very long time ago.

Danny Buck
2/16/24

Doorway to Heaven by Kendall Curtis

The students, walking through a park, suddenly encounter a door promising a heavenly visit. Some enter to meet loved ones who have passed, or historical figures of fame and even  infamy. But KENDALL, who always manages to see topics from a unique perspective, creates a self-possessed YouTuber who discovers TCS and its treasure-trove of creativity.

DOORWAY TO HEAVEN

 What’s up YouTubers? It’s your boy, Dumpster Fire James. On today’s video we are going to be finding the perfect door for my $500 million dollar mansion. Shoutout to kittymeowmeow100 for the $666 dollar donation. I’ll read your comment: “Go to Druid Hill Park and you’ll find the best door in the world.”

Isn’t that like in the hood? I don’t want to get robbed or anything. You know

what? For my loyal subjects, I’ll do it. But it’s a long drive, so send me some gas money, peasants.

The Drive There…

Hey guys, my tire went flat but I won’t let that bring me down. The repair man is on the way. Ok guys, the tire is fixed, but now my therapist is calling me and telling me she’s having visions of me dying. But you know…yolo. I’m

10 minutes away guys.

Walking Through the Park…

Guys, it’s your boy, and your boy is kind of freaked out. I keep seeing these people hunched over with needles. I didn’t know so many people had diabetes. That’s why I always say, “taking care of me is like taking care of yourself.”

And for you kittymeowmeow100, I don’t see any doors.  I really hate liars so you will be banned from my channel and my dad is going to seize your house.

Wait *flips camera* Do you guys see that? It’s the most beautiful door I have ever seen. It has all of my favorite colors. Look at that green and orange. That blue is no joke though. I NEED THIS DOOR. let’s check it out before I call my movers.

Why won’t this stupid thing open? Stupid door, stupid colors, and kittymeowmeow100, YOU HAVE A STUPID FACE.

Well guys, I guess our hunt for the perfect door will have to continue tomorrow. What, wait! *door slowly creaks open*

NEVER MIND. WE IN.

This bright light will be perfect for my studio room, and for tanning and making my abs look like a toasty treat. Wait! Why are all these boxes in here? These look like writings. These all have weird titles: The Dawn of Man; The White Box; The Power of Chocolate; The Blue Rose…who comes up with these?

Whoever is writing these needs to start writing the scripts for my videos. This is amazing. Wait, these boxes all say The Community School. So you’re telling me kids are writing these? No way…they’re definitely using ChatGPT.

The Community School. Mmm, I’m gonna search it up. This place looks small, like scary small.

Hey guys, it says here they’re only six minutes away. I have to tell them that the one and only Dumpster Fire Boy loves their writings.

Six Minutes Later…

Hey what’s up peeps? We are about to open the door to the most clever minds I think I have ever seen.

“Hey kids, it’s your boy Dumpster Fire, and I just want to say that I love your work and you should keep up with the good work so that one day you can be as important , beautiful , and hilarious as I… BANG! *Mr.Tom slams door.*

And that kids is why you don’t do drugs.

Kendall Curtis
February 9th , 2024

The Dawn of Man by Quinn Guilfoyle

THE DAWN ON MAN…The students were shown the nine-minute clip that opens the extraordinary film, “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Asked to share their reactions, many found it perplexing and overwhelming, as did QUINN. But she worked her way through it to deliver a thoughtful piece and a provocative ending.

THE DAWN OF MAN

 The beginning of “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

I honestly have never been more lost and unsettled before. It was so loud. All I could hear were the apes and the loud music. The tall black pillar is so strange, and I have no idea what to make of it. One of the apes started destroying the bones and then he came and beat the other ape with it. Somehow that’s supposed to be the Dawn of Mankind?

I mean, I kind of understand, but I don’t at the same time. All I can think about is what’s going through the other apes’ heads. They probably think Billy (that’s what I’ve named the ape with the bone) is unhinged. I mean seriously, what was wrong with him?

In a way, I guess the black pillar is sort of like the “White Box” we wrote about. The tall black pillar drew the apes in, just like the white box in my other story drew me in.

For some reason, after the appearance of the pillar, one of the apes starts thinking. He takes the bone and realizes he can use it to his advantage. After all of this time with these dried-up bones laying around, he realizes he can use them. (Just like today’s thinkers and inventors turning old stuff into new, more useful things.)

He can rise up, defend his friends, and dictate his surroundings now. This was the beginning of dynasties and amazing kingdoms that helped the world develop into what it is today. All because of this strange black pillar.

Think about the Wright Brothers for a minute. They wanted to make transportation easier, and one day they did. They made the first airplane, and they flew! One random day, they just had a thought and made it come true.

If you aren’t really into the Wright Brothers, here’s another example: The Aztecs, the Inca, the Roman Empire, the Han Dynasty, and so many other things that just started from an idea.

Don’t you ever wonder why humans are more advanced than other animals? Why are we so sentient and they aren’t? How did we go from savage cavemen into who we are  today? Everyone is so different. We speak different languages, have different religions, and invent things nobody else would ever think of.

Sometimes, I get scared of what the future holds in store for mankind but, after seeing this, I’m kind of excited. I’m starting to see how valuable everything around us is. At first, I got absolutely nothing but weird feelings from the “Dawn of Man” film, but now I see what the introduction was truly trying to communicate.

It’s so funny how a nine-minute clip from a movie and a summary from Mr. Don can change your perspective so much.

You may think the most valuable thing on Earth is the ISS, a big diamond, or some sort of yacht, but I think it’s an idea.

Quinn Guilfoyle

2/2/24

I’m Not Mexican nor a Catholic…So Why? by Fatima Chaudhry

The students were tasked to consider HALLWAYS. Fatima takes us through some that might even give the horror/fantasy writer Stephen King the chills.

My head hurts. I wake up confused. I don’t know what happened to me. My vision is blurry, and I’m blinded by these strong white lights.

I sit up and notice I’m in a hospital bed. There are so many machines connected to me. I’m confused. I can’t remember anything. I sit alone for a few minutes to see if anyone notices I’m up. But no one comes to check on me. It’s lonely in here. I try to speak but the words won’t come out. I get scared thinking I lost my voice. I try again and this time I am able to speak. I said, “Hello, is anyone here to help me?” I noticed I could see my breath. I was confused because I’m not cold, so how could I see my breath if it isn’t cold in here? There is a mirror placed right in front of me. I look at myself. I’m pale and I look like I just came from the dead. I get up and open my room door. The hallway is pitch black. I was scared to go out; it looked like the bottom of a long well. I just stuck out my head to see if I could see something. When I stick out my head, a light turns on. I realize the hallways have motion-censored lights. Every time I move under a new light it turns on and the other turns off.

I walk out of my room looking for someone to help me. I walk for a few minutes and realize this hallway never ends. In the middle of darkness, I can’t see what is in front of me nor behind me. I start running forward to see if I reach an end. I run for a while and get overwhelmed. I don’t know where I am nor who I am and why is this happening to me. I curl up on the floor and start rocking myself. One of the lights turned on. I’m confused. The lights only turn on by movement but there is no one else there. I ask if anyone is there and no response. I see a door and go inside. It’s a stairway.

I’m relieved to go upstairs to the second floor; the stairs would only take me up. Once I’m in the second-floor hallway, I start looking around for people. There’s no one. I start looking for an exit but these hallways all look the same. I turn to the right, it’s the same thing. I turn to the left, it’s the same thing. It’s an infinite hallway maze. I try opening the doors, but they’re locked. I start desperately trying to find an exit but can’t find one. I again get overwhelmed and lay on the floor with no hope.

Then I heard something. At first, I thought someone was here to help me. Once the figure started getting closer to me, I noticed it was her…La Santa Muerte. She has come for me.

I was so confused because I’m not Mexican nor a Catholic. Why would she be here for me? I tried to run away from her. I wasn’t ready to die. I wanted to keep living. I don’t know why, but I just ran the hallways…but she was just peacefully walking behind me until she spoke. “Stop running,” she said. “I’m here to help you. It’s time for you to let go and find your happiness.”

I was so tired from running, I gave up and dropped to the floor. She came over to me and hugged me. I asked her why she was here and where are we. She said, “I’m here because your father sent me to help you and we’re in your head right now.” I asked “My father? I’ve never met him.” She tells me since I’ve been in the hospital, he’s come to visit me and pray for me from time to time. I asked her, “What do you mean hospital? What happened to me?” She tells me I got into a bad accident and almost died, but the doctors had hoped that I could recover. But I’ve been in a coma for 6 months now and it’s time for me to let go. I ask her how. She tells me I have to forgive and let go. She grabs my hand and picks me up from the floor, taking me to the doors that wouldn’t open. She tells me to try to open it.

I open the door and it takes me back to when I was little and the last time my father was in my life. I tell her I don’t remember this, and she says it’s because you were too little, but you have to forgive him and everyone who’s ever hurt you to find your peace. I do what she says.

She tells me, “The last thing you’ll do is say your goodbyes.” I asked her how. She said, “I’ll take you to the living world; you get to see them but they won’t see you. You’ll basically be a sprite roaming around.” I do as she says and I tell her I’m ready.

We’re back on the first floor. All the lights turn on and I see infinite hallways. She holds my hand. As we walk towards the light together, a white door appears in front of us. She opens it and tells me to go in. As soon as I walked in, someone hugged me tight and fast. I couldn’t see who it was at first. It was Geovanny. I was finally reunited with him after so many years. I see everyone I have lost over the years and finally find happiness, while others remain suffering in the living world.

Fatima Chaudhry
11/10/2023

What Is This Place? by Ruth Rivas

The students were tasked to consider HALLWAYS. Ruth takes us through some that might even give the horror/fantasy writer Stephen King the chills.

I open my eyes. It’s not my room. Why am I not in my room? The room I’m in is the complete opposite of my room. The wallpaper is cream color. There’s nothing but a toilet and a bed. Not a mirror or a shower, how rude. Most importantly, my TV is not here!

I decide to get out of this uncomfortable bed and walk towards the door to open it. I assumed it would be locked, but it easily opened. I hesitated a bit before looking out of the door, but I ended up doing so a few moments later. It was a long hallway. No other doors, but mine. Both ends of the hallway were dark and really long. It seemed like there was no end to it. But I mean it’s a hallway, so it must have an end to it.

I make my way out of the room and start walking. As I take a few steps, I look back at the door I came from, but it’s gone. There is no door or room, just a wall. That’s really weird, but what other option do I have? I just have to continue walking.

After what seemed like I had been walking for an eternity, I heard something behind me. I instantly turn around and I see a ball? The ball was bouncing up and down in my direction and I looked toward the way the ball came from. The end of the hallway was pitch black and I couldn’t make anything out. The ball had stopped bouncing at this point and it was slowly rolling towards me and hit my foot.

I look down and pick it up before looking at where the ball came from. This time, there was a little girl who looked almost five, and she had no emotion in her face or eyes. She’s in a big white sleeping gown and her hair is silky and straight. She looked at me and her eyes went wide and seemed like they were about to pop out of her face. “WHY ARE YOU TOUCHING MY BALL?!” She screams in a high-pitched voice, which makes me flinch and drop the ball to the ground as I use my hands to cover my ears.

As I look up at her, she’s running towards me and her whole look has changed. Her face changed, her long straight hair was now long, messy, and curly. I instantly turn around and run in the other direction to get away from her. She’s screaming my name as she’s running and I don’t even dare to look back at her.

As I’m running, I see the end of the hallway. The door is metal, rusty, and dented. I tried looking for the doorknob, but there was no doorknob. I can only try and open it by force. I start to push and the little girl is still running towards me and getting closer and closer by the millisecond.

I try one last time to push the door open, and it works. I instantly run into a pitch-black room and look back to the little girl stopping and having no emotion in her face while holding the red ball she never picked up. The metal door slowly closes and, as it’s about to fully close, I see black.

I open my eyes and I wake up in the same exact room I was in in the beginning.

Ruth Rivas
November 10, 2023