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Students win awards for
Students win awards for
exceptional artwork
exceptional artwork
By Ava Amezquita
Staff Writer
The Scholastic Art Awards recognized 19 art pieces from Concord Junior High which included 6 gold keys, 4 silver keys, and 9 honorable mentions.
Around 50 pieces were entered from Art I students to advanced students. The art teachers looked for good quality pieces and variety in the students' work before they decided to submit. Once art teachers submitted the pieces, they were notified of the winners in January.
Some students won more than one award; however, two students won four awards for their art pieces: Camden Walter and Taylen Moore.
Moore’s digital artwork Take Responsibility depicted a media for which he loves. He says it represented his interests and was a “breaking point” into bigger and better drawings, and also more detailed ones.
“I feel like I have been recognized after all these years; I am truly honored,” said Taylen Moore, a student who won four awards at the Scholastic Art Awards this year.
Camden Walter’s photography piece Writers Block depicted a composer who is a perfectionist and discards anything that he deems imperfect. It also represented Walter's life, as his family owns a piano shop. He says music, especially classical, deeply resonates with him.
“I just really enjoy photography, and I’m super happy people get to see my pieces,” Camden Walter said.
Mrs. Daughterty won the distinguished art educator of the year award. “It’s a very big honor, and I'm excited to accept this award on behalf of Concord so I can keep up our tradition of excellence,” said Mrs. Daugherty.
Students were chosen by their designated art teachers to submit something to the Scholastic Art Awards before the deadline. After submitting their respective pieces, the students who won the gold keys were mentioned on the morning announcements by Mrs. Mc Eachern when the results were posted. Students who won had their pieces showcased in the CJHS art gallery.
Last year, Montserrat Tecuatl, Fernadez-Montaz, and Emily Blystiv were featured in the newspaper for winning a gold key.
Shupp and Rabensteine win Silver Key Award for Writing
By Beyonce Carrillo Gonzalez
Staff Writer
March 2025
The Scholastic Writing Awards presented Paul Shupp and Olive Rabensteine a silver key award for their exceptional writing submissions.
Shupp received his award for his writing piece “The Artist” which is a screenplay about an artist who can’t voice his ideas so he tried to paint them. After writing the piece in one to two days, Shupp’s piece took about 1-2 days to write. Some things that inspired him to write this screenplay were some books he reads and art he has seen. Shupp received his award in a museum in Fort Wayne at an award’s ceremony.
Shupp said, “I wrote this piece to talk about my own struggle to come up with new ideas.”
Classics and Southern Gothic are some of Shupp’s favorite genres, and his favorite authors are William Faulkner and Harper Lee. Shupp aspires to win an Oscar one day.
Olive Rabensteine earned the silver key award for her writing piece “ Speechless” which is about a group of friends. One of the characters is deaf, another is blind, and the other is mute. This piece took Rabensteine only a couple of days to write, most of that time was spent trying to figure out how to put the story together. In her free time, she likes to read and write fantasies. According to Rabensteine, she is partially deaf, which led her to create these specific characters who, like her, have a hard time voicing their thoughts and feelings.
“Writing is like a second voice for me, and my character feels like writing could be her second voice since she isn’t able to speak,” said Rabensteine.
This year more than 310,000 works of art and writing were submitted for the Scholastic Awards. Shupp and Rabensteine earned their awards by showing their passion and talent through their writing. Last year, three people were chosen for these awards.
CJHS continues to lead region in Scholastic Art Awards
CJHS continues to lead region in Scholastic Art Awards
By Montserrat Tecuatl
Staff Writer
Updated 4/9/24
The Scholastic Art Awards honored 41 art pieces from Concord Junior High students: 12 gold keys, 10 silver keys, and 19 honorable mentions.
All these art pieces received recognition and were exhibited at the South Bend Museum of Art. These students were recognized for their artistic skills. An award ceremony was held on February 27 to congratulate students whose art pieces were accepted.
According to art teachers, Mrs. Daugherty and Ms. Amador, in order for pieces to be accepted, they have to be original, have a vision, and make good use of materials. Only 7-10% of submissions get gold keys and silver keys, and 10-15% receive honorable mentions.
All twelve gold keys will be judged in New York. Gold and silver medal winners will have their art be displayed at Pratt Manhattan Gallery in New York.
Concord Junior High has been the leading junior high with the most submissions for 30 years.
Montserrat Tecuatl, a gold key winner, said her artwork, Viva Mexico, is a homage to her Mexican heritage. According to Tecuatl, she wanted to portray the beauty and the pain of Mexican-Americans.Tecuatl’s art piece shows herself with a shirt that reads Viva Mexico, and a Mexican flag on her cheek. In addition, it depicted background images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, newspaper cuttings of racial inequality, the Mexican border, and religion.
“I really like Montse’s artwork. I think it's very emotive and relatable as a Mexican-American myself,” art teacher Mary Amador said.
Sunny Citrus Day, created by Elizabeth Fernandez-Montas, also a gold key winner, said she was missing the sunny spring days and decided
to dedicate her self portrait to spring.
Fernandez-Montas’ black and white self portrait depicts her with a bouquet of colorful flowers partially covering her face.
“I love my artwork. I think it's very bright, but I think I could have added more pops of color,” Fernandez-Montas said.
Silver key winner Mirror, Mirror,created by Emily Blystiv represents her struggles with growing up and the insecurities that come with it, as well as reminiscing her childhood. Blystiv’s photographs show her in a dark background, the center of attention is her holding a pocket mirror with her looking gloomy into the mirror seemingly checking her appearance.
Outstanding artwork makes it to New York
Outstanding artwork makes it to New York
By Leila Barron-Vergara
Staff Writer
Updated 4/29/23
Two art pieces received gold and silver keys from the Scholastic Art Awards and are displayed in The New School and Pratt Institute in New York City.
One of the pieces chosen, Map of Scars, created by eighth grader Julianna Rogers, is on display in New York. According to Rogers, the inspiration behind her artwork came from her desire to make art relatable for everyone who has gone through personal problems.
“My artwork is named after the scars that everybody has; they can be either physical or emotional depending on the person,” said Rogers.
Rogers’s artwork shows the picture of a girl with antique buttons all over her to symbolize scars and the road map in the background leads to them; furthermore, Rogers wanted to add more buttons to the girl’s hair.
“I think Julie did a really good job with keeping her piece clean and neat even though it was mixed media. In the end, her piece showed a deep meaning,” said Mrs. Mary Amador, art teacher.
Lucky, created by eighth grader Mina Rodriguez-Cervantes, received a silver key and was featured in an art gallery in New York.
“My artwork was lucky enough to get a silver key and make it to New York, so it’s named after my luck,” said Mina.
The inspiration behind the artwork included the artist’s compassion for animals as the artwork shows a red fox made out of different types of shapes. The artist used rubber cement, colored construction paper, and paper with patterns to create a geometric piece of art.
“I really liked what I created,” said. “The only thing I would change is the amount of glue I added to make it look more neat.”
Scholastic Art Awards showcase exceptional art pieces
By Rylee Reser
Staff Writer & Photographer
Scholastic Art Awards honored 29 Concord Junior High students with gold keys, silver keys, and honorable mentions.
This year Concord entered 40 submissions with 29 submissions making the final cut to the Scholastic Art Awards. For 27 years, Concord Junior High has had the most accepted pieces in the region. In order to be accepted students had to have a vision, be original, and make good use of their materials.
This year, there were ten gold key winners who were recognized for their hard work. According to the Scholastic Art Awards, 5-7% of all regional submissions are given this award. These are some of the most outstanding works in the region.
Bennett Rabensteine, a gold key winner, said, “I was inspired by the artist block. The tears from the hot glue gun are like artistic sadness or some might see it as depression.”
In addition, ten students received silver keys. One of the pieces featured day-to-day items to create a surreal piece. The photograph pictured a teenage girl who had a shadow across her face. Approximately 7-10% of students receive a silver key for regional submissions.
“Mrs. Amador's art class is a very fun and relaxing environment. Being in her class is challenging but it allows me to express myself through my art," said Breeze Valenzuela, silver key winner.
This year four students were given an honorable mention for their artwork. These students were recognized for their artistic potential. This award affords students the opportunity to be recognized for their artwork.
Once again, art teacher Mrs. Mary Amador won the Ann Hamilton teaching award. Mrs. Amador has won the award for the past seven years. This award is given to the top teacher in the region.
“I'm so honored and humbled to get this award,” said Mrs. Amador.
Students rewarded their for astounding art work
By Diego Campos
Staff Writer
Updated 4/1/22
After careful consideration, 14 students' artwork were accepted into the South Bend Regional Museum of Art after having their work critiqued and credited with the possibility of receiving an award on February 5, 2022.
Eighth grader Diego Campos received a Gold Key for his charcoal piece The Reckoning. The inspiration behind the self-portrait, as told by the student, shows how humans view things. The crow overcrossing the person’s eye represents how creatures see things differently from humans and how it would feel to see through someone's eyes that aren’t your own.
“He did an exceptional job on creating his values, lights, medians, and darks. In the end, his hard work paid off,” said Ms. Mary Amador, art teacher.
An Itch That I Just Can’t Scratch, created by 8th grader Meadow Iemma, received a Silver Key. The inspiration behind the self-portrait includes the artist's phobia of bugs as they are crawling all over their face.
“I actually really liked it,” stated Meadow Iemma.” There's a few minor things that I would change, but overall I feel like it’s really well made.”
Adelynn Browning drew a charcoal piece titled You’re An Animal, and she received a Silver Key. The inspiration behind the self-portrait included her idea of making an Easter themed portrait, as it shows the eggs and bunny ears surrounding her head, even though many viewed her work as a llama.
The remaining Silver Keys included the following: Spring Spirit by Stephanie Funes-Levia and The Diet of A Wimpy Kid by Xulem Rodriguez-Garcia.
Honorable Mentions were awarded for the following art pieces: Swiping Right by Thrustine Avelino, A lady Amongst The Flowers by Janessa Benette, There Is Always Light by Diego Campos, Family Gratitude by Abigail Ferguson, The Forgiving Flowers by Reagan Hostelter, Lost In A World by Dulce Mares, Sarah Rotheker with A Different Perspective, and Through Other’s Eyes, Are They Starring? by Pamela Sanchez, and No! by London Settle.
Scholastics recognizes writing pieces
Updated 4/2/22
By Colette Conner
Staff Writer
Scholastic recognized Anabelle Hooley, Abi Thompson-Nosty, and Ireland Troxell with awards for their writing pieces in January 2022.
Hooley won a gold key for her short story piece titled “The Music Box,” Ireland Troxell earned a gold for her short story “Blank Mind,” and an honorable mention was also awarded to Abi Thompson-Nosty for her piece “Mirroring.”
“I think their ability to show rather than just tell what was happening, and that the words brought their ideas to life impressed me the most,” said language arts teacher Melissa Huffer
Winning a National Silver Key, Anabelle Hooley, placed in the top 1% of all submissions. Less than 2,000 works earned a national medal out of the more than 260,000 works of art and writing submitted to the 2022 Scholastic Awards.
According to Hooley, her short story, “The Music Box,” revealed how the discovery of a forgotten music box restores music to a divided kingdom that had banned all music for generations. The story shows how music has an impact on people's’ lives.
"I just started writing and got an idea to make a new mysterious world where an element or something was missing,” said Hooley.
When Hooley was in 5th or 6th grade she developed a passion for writing short stories of which many were “nonsense.” Writing gave her a different perspective on life.
Language arts and science academic teams compete in Indiana Academic Super Bowl
By Kinnley Holden
Staff Writer
Updated 5/25/22
On April 30, the CJHS language arts academic team competed in the regional IASB against other schools to test their knowledge over what they learned about the theme “Canada: Our neighbor to the North.”
With a smaller group this year, team captain Kinnley Holden and Pamela Sanchez answered 17 of the 25 questions correctly to receive 44th place overall. This year Holden, Sanchez, and coach Kelly Isenbarger read the book Calvin. Calvin is about a seventeen-year-old-boy who develops schizophrenia and has a hallucination of a tiger–named Hobbes–that seems real to him but no one else can see him; however, Hobbes becomes Calvin’s best friend as they go on a pilgrimage to meet Bill Waterson across frozen Lake Erie.
“I like the way they made an unexpected turn on Lake Erie. Also, I liked how they built up the suspense with having Susie about to die. I cried when Hobbes ended up vanishing,” said Sanchez.
For the science portion of the competition, members from the math and social studies team participated as the science team. The science team studied while the language arts team competed by cramming as much information as possible and improvised throughout their part of the competition. They ended up placing 29th overall in the state.
"I was happy and excited when I saw the curriculum for the competition because it was what we have been learning all year, which made it easier," said Lillian Higley.
This year's LA academic team struggled due to the many missed practices and losing some members of the team throughout the season. The language arts team enjoyed having relaxing practices with hot chocolate and reading to help them focus more on the content.
“We had a lot of fun discovering stories and poems from Canada that we probably wouldn’t have come across any other way. We also enjoyed a lot of hot chocolate!” said Coach Isenbarger.
The LA team would meet on Mondays and Wednesdays to read poems and short stories along with reading Calvin. They would also learn the definition of literary terms and the words to know from each of the poems and short stories.
Social studies and math teams prepare for Academic Super Bowl
By Maite Herrera Aguilar
Staff Writer
Updated 5/22/22
The CJHS social studies and math academic teams went to Wawasee Middle School on March 30 to participate in the Academic Super Bowl which focused on Canada.
For the social studies portion, three students had to answer 25 questions based on things such as geography, politics, history, prime ministers, and what happened during previous wars on Canadian soil or anything associated with Canada. Meanwhile, during the math portion, four students had questions that were associated with things like functions, graphing, and many more.
While the students were waiting for their turn to compete, the other teams were assigned to a room. They had time to prepare and do some last minute studies. Concord unfortunately did not do well when it came to the social studies round, scoring third from last. In math, students performed better.
Last year was when the academic teams had to go through a major hit and did the whole event online. Their theme was about knowledge of life and culture in the 1920's. They needed to be able to compete without the help of their teammates, and unfortunately not any of the four teams made it into the top 15%.
Before the day of the superbowl the social studies teams met every thursday and went over articles that talked about nature, the history, and the government of Canada. The math team met every Monday and Wednesday and did quizlets, competed against each other, and went against teachers at times.
Epic Dance team qualifies for Nationals
Epic Dance team qualifies for Nationals
By Maria Pachano
Staff Writer
Updated 3/1/21
Five CJHS students and two students from other schools competed at Tremain’s Dance Convention in Indianapolis on Jan. 29-31.
The Epic Dance Team performed one piece called “Together Alone”; it was an open category and it was performed as a production of all the Epic members. This piece consisted of all the events that took place in 2020 like the quarantines, the protests, the message of what dancing alone in your room looked like, and how the world decided to deal with it. This piece took 3rd place overall in the Indianapolis Competition making Epic Dance Studios qualify for Nationals over the summer.
“It was a crazy hectic weekend but overall a very fun experience. I enjoyed learning new combos and different life lessons from different teachers and I liked hanging out with my friends,” said Taylor Zimmermann after Tremaine’s dance Conventions weekend.
During this weekend, dancers also were doing workshops that included auditions for scholarships. Dancers got the opportunity to dance with famous people, Tiffany Maher, Tony Bellisimo, and Derrick Scharader, who are passionate about dance and who have made a career out of it. The dancers got up early in the morning to attend classes until about 2:00 P.M.
“Epic Dancers I think are great dancers. I think they are very dedicated to what they do and a wide range of levels and that is always a challenge when you are competing, but I think that they blend in together and the diversity really helps us as a team to be stronger,” said director Stephanie Pairitz.
At Tremaine’s Dance Convention, first place went to the dancers of the piece “Lifting you,” which was performed in the Senior Duo/Trio Hip Hop Category. With the concept of a trio of people who care deeply about each other, the piece revolves around the central area of appreciating oneself. The main character plays the person who is in the process of loving herself, while the two characters are playing the beautiful thoughts inside the mind.
In the piece, the dancers had lifts and moments where they were moving together and controlling each other; that signifies working together as one unit where the main character is trying to work with the parts of the mind that are telling her to love herself because they are tired of lifting her. At the end, the main character begins to take control over her thoughts and finally work as one. When she collapses at the end for the final pose that signifies that the ‘lifters’ are tired--they give out--and the main character is ready to move forth.
All students were made to quarantine after this weekend keeping in mind they were in a convention room with people that they didn’t know. Dancers had to keep their masks on at all times even when they were dancing as a safety precaution. Convention rooms were all separated with a 6-foot square, and students had to maintain their distance when they were on the sidelines and even when performing the combinations that were given to them.
Students receive Scholastic Writing Awards
Students receive Scholastic Writing Awards
Updated: 4/10/20
By Lilianna Reyes
Editor
On January 15, four students from Mrs. Huffer’s SPICE classes received silver and gold keys from the Scholastic Writing Awards.
Alayna Rhoades received a gold key for her flash fiction piece that she turned in called “A Feather Upon a Breeze.” This piece will move on to the National Competition in New York. Rhoades wrote it because she wanted to reflect a constant moving cycle of how every person, creature, and thing are intertwined and share the same world.
Rhoades wrote a fictional piece about two young children who were riding their bikes when they saw a flock of birds that were native to their small town. The scene progresses to an old woman who watches the children play, remembering a time when she was able to do that. She tells her granddaughter about what she saw, and later on, the granddaughter walks through the park and sees the same bird as she did when she was a child.
Rhoades said, “I was surprised that I won because I wasn’t expecting a gold key. I really just wrote the story for the fun of it--to create a fun piece.”
There were also three more students who submitted different types of pieces. They contained two short stories and a critical essay. The short stories were called “Strength of One” created by Haley Imus, and “29 Minutes” written by Lucille Larson. The critical essay was written by Christian Zeser, and it was called “Miniature Hippos and Multitudinous Megatherium.” All of these writers received silver keys for their work.
“I would say one of the most challenging aspects of writing a critical essay that is based on other sources is to develop original and interesting ideas about the topic rather than just regurgitating information directly from the sources,” Mrs. Huffer said.
Students receive medals for their writings
Students receive medals for their writings
Updated 5/2/19
By Yoana Barron
Staff Writer
Scholastic Writing awarded Sofia Spradling a gold key for her essay “Peril at the Privy”; additionally, Matthew Daub received a silver key for his narrative “Stunsail to the Victor.”
Spradling’s writing inspiration occurred during a vacation that she went on with her family in the summer. She wrote about a humorous yet petrifying experience that happened to her; Spradling had to use an
outhouse in a secluded location. She explains her terrifying journey to the outhouse while trying to reach her destination; she felt as if the animals were watching her every move. Reaching the neglected shack, Spradling realized that it was repulsive, it was cramped, and it was atramentous. Because it was so dark, Spradling got terrified by unidentifiable creatures. Even though the journey to the outhouse was horrid, the journey back would be even more intimidating.
Spradling said, “When I found out that I received a gold key for the piece of writing that I had submitted, I was astounded. I didn't even think that my language arts teacher, Mrs. Huffer, was talking about my piece. I was never a strong writer as far as I knew. It was a great honor to receive such a high award for my writing and to know that my writing was considered or national-level recognition was prodigious.”
Daub’s narrative was about his participation in a boat flotilla competition; he explains his excitement throughout the writing. He had set everything up the night before, so he could wake up to decorate his boat. Not only did Daub decorate his boat, but he also played his saxophone at the flotilla competition; he proudly played patriotic music that he had memorized.
While Daub was playing, a boat was tearing up the water; he almost fell, but luckily, he saved his fall. Daub continued playing his saxophone as if nothing had happened. Awaiting their victory for the most patriotic flotilla, Daub was certain they would win. No matter what the outcomes Daub was proud of what he had accomplished.
“At first, I was obviously rather disappointed, but it made me realize that as long as I had felt good about what I had done, and that my parents were proud of me, I really didn't care about a trophy. This experience taught me to grow more confident in myself and my work, and to know that if I was proud of what I had accomplished, I didn't need the approval of others holding me back,” said Daub.
Because Sofia won a gold key, her writing is going to be sent to New York; it will then be judged at a national level. Both Matthew’s and Sofia’s writings were on display at the Ft. Wayne Museum of Art. On March 4th, Sofia and Matthew were recognized by the school board.
Art students win gold at Scholastic Art Awards
Art students win gold at Scholastic Art Awards
Updated 5/3/19
By Jonathan Watson
Staff Writer
Concord art students were recognized in the Scholastic Art Awards On Feb. 3 at the South Bend Century Center for their outstanding pieces.
Concord had 35 pieces of art accepted into this year’s Scholastic Art show which included 18 other regional counties. In total, Concord had 9 gold keys, 11 silver keys, and 15 honorable mentions. This marks the 24th consecutive year that Concord Junior High has had the most art pieces accepted into the show.
“I saw some of my friends doing art so when I went to look at their artwork I got interested in art too,” said Chan Yi who won two gold keys.
All accepted works were on display at the Regional Exhibition at the South Bend Museum of Art from Feb. 1 through March 9. This year this region received over 3,000 works and only 750 were accepted. The pieces are judged on three criteria: originality, technical skill, and personal vision or voice.
“I wanted others to feel as excited about art as I am and to help inspire people to not only become artists/creators, but critical thinkers. I wanted them to learn that it's okay to make mistakes, learn from them, try again, be decision makers and better communicators.” said Mrs. Amador.
It wasn't just CJHS students who received awards though. Mrs. Amador won the Ann Hamilton for Inspired Teaching Award, and Mr. Boston won the Regional Art Educator Award.
Young artists win Nationals
Young artists win Nationals
Updated 5/23/18
By Samara Jimenez
Staff Writer
For the second consecutive year, the Scholastic Art Awards accepted thirty-five art pieces--the most in the region--to be displayed at the South Bend Art Museum.
In the regional contest, Concord won a total of 10 gold keys, 12 silver keys, and 13 honorable mentions. All the students received recognition at the South Bend Museum of Art and their work was part of a gallery display for the month of February.
“ I was excited but I didn’t know how much of an honor it was to receive a gold key until I viewed it myself at the art museum,” said Alex Davis.
Out of the 13 gold keys sent to nationals, two pieces of art received national gold medals and will be displayed at Pratt Manhattan Gallery in New York. Only 8 pieces in the state of Indiana received national recognition and two of them were from Concord Junior High. The students, Samara Jimenez and Ellie Griffin,
Jimenez’s piece isn’t just a tennis racket with a bunch of dolls on it; it has a meaning and a cultural background. The mixed media piece, Living in the Shadows, consists of many objects that each represent something. The tennis racket has miniature dolls walking along it, a Mexican flag in the shape of a cross, and different skin-toned hands coming out of it. The Mexican flag cross represents Mexico and its major religion, Catholicism. The background represents the way people view Mexico.
“When people visit Mexico, they stay at the fancy resorts getting served their $12 drinks, but they don’t understand the corruption and poverty that’s going on in Mexico--it's sad to actually know the truth,” said Jimenez. “The hands and the dolls represent Mexico’s people that try to cross the border in order to escape poverty and damage--to save their family-- so that their children can live a good life.”
Griffin decided to express memories in her piece. She hung her dirty laundry is a mixed media piece as well dealing with memories that can be observed to see that it’s made up of many objects and materials. The piece has a mixed background of a forest and a bit of the forest blocked out by black squares. The background represents the blurred memories that she only remembers by minor details.
“I honestly didn’t have many meanings for my piece until the minute I was finished. The meaning just came to me and I wouldn’t of predicted that in the beginning,” said Griffin. Griffin then explained that her “dirty laundry” in the picture represented her bad memories. To her “hanging her dirty laundry” was taking those bad memories and not hiding them and not being afraid to tell people who asked. To Griffin, her memories were just another “dirty laundry” she needed to hang.
In the regional contest, Concord won a total of 10 gold keys,12 silver keys,and 13 honorable mentions. All of the students received recognition at the South Bend Art museum in the large meeting hall.
“I was very excited and proud that we had so many winners at regionals and to top it off, two gold medal winners at nationals. These students have worked so hard all year. Their perseverance, effort, and willingness to take instruction really paid off. It was good to see them rewarded at such a high level,” said Ms.Amador.
"Dog Tired"
Alex Davis
"Living in The Shadows"
Samara Jimenez
"She was as Fragile as a Paper Bird"
Ivy Tapia
"She Hung her Dirty Laundry"
Ellie Griffin
Briggs wins National Writing Award
Briggs wins National Writing Award
Updated 5/30/18
By Anthony Roberts
Staff Writer
Stephanie Briggs won a Scholastic National Gold Medal for her essay Fortissimo Footsteps; additionally, her poem “Montag” received a gold key.
The word fortissimo is an Italian word meaning performed very loudly. Her essay is a descriptive piece about a day over the summer when Stevie walked around her neighborhood. Furthermore, her poem called “Montag” has a theme that is based off of a character, Guy Montag, in Fahrenheit 451.
Stevie said, “What I want people to get out of my poem is that people have the right for freedom of speech. They can control their freedom of speech.”
Stevie’s favorite type of writing is fantasy. Overall, she really enjoyed the subject of both her poem and her essay. She really liked that she was able to expand her vocabulary on her descriptive essay. Her poem was her first attempt at free verse.
“Her writing stands out because she creates a strong focus on sensory details. She doesn't just generalize, but she chooses specific words to paint a detailed image of what she is describing. She zooms in and makes the reader see and feel what she is narrating,” said Mrs. Melissa Huffer, Stevie’s language arts teacher.
Last year, Ariana Howe, Alexandria Conant, and Kayellen McConnell all won Scholastic Writing Awards.
Montag
By Stephanie Briggs
He smiles at the fire, until she falls.
His fire does not help, he realizes.
It is burning.
Destroying a world he will never know.
He must save this world.
Save the intelligence, independence.
He grabs one book in the beginning.
Then two, five, soon dozens surround his mind.
It is illegal, it is unaccepted, it is not to be done
Yet it is.
He takes his resources, his thoughts swarming.
His wife worries, his fake family is oblivious.
He makes a plan, he must carry it out.
Faber, a professor, a friend, an instructor.
The green bug buzzes in his ear, too loud.
It is heard.
Soon his fire is burning not just a world, not a book, but a life.
It is killing the man who makes it, the regulator.
The man his fire has killed remains on the ground.
He runs, he dives, he is where he belongs.
The city no longer knows him, he is new, he is independent.
He is not a mindless drone, he is a book, many books.
He is many worlds, entire universes only he knows.
He is walking away from the world he knew so long.
The boring, bland, useless world is only behind him.
He is on his way to changing this world.
Click here for link to Stephanie's essay: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-mMaG9SfmV3L-5M-nican01FIzjLjzBajykoyp__wwk/edit
Boston creates meaningful masterpiece
Boston creates meaningful masterpiece
By Mackenzie Everett
Staff Writer
Being one of the most artistic people at Concord Junior High, Mr. Neil Boston not only inspires others with his own artwork, but he also encourages other students at school to do so as well.
Mr. Boston has been working at Concord Junior High School for over 26 years. Over the summer, he had seventeen pieces on display at Goshen College. Also, he has completed five mission trips to the Dominican Republic, which involved helping kids and painting murals in schools there.
One of his favorite pieces of artwork was made in the Dominican Republic because it is a reflection of his experiences there. He also likes this piece because it's his favorite form of art called “Mixed Media.”
Mr. Boston volunteers for an organization called Kids Alive International. This organization is made possible through a partnership with Waterford Community Church. He and 20 team members go to the Dominican Republic when they are available.
Mr Boston said, “The program has a heart for children. If it wasn’t for them, the kids would be living in harsh conditions. It literary saves lives.”
One thing he always teaches his students is that “art is like problem-solving; you have to put things together to get the final piece. It’s not always easy though.”
Out of all the things he likes about teaching, the thing he enjoys the most is when kids surprise themselves; they discover they can do more than they thought when making new things.
“Mr Boston teaches us in an helpful and understanding way that helps kids understand art,” said Sydney Crusie.
Mrs.Amador's
Beauty From Ashes
Teacher paints her life
Teacher paints her life
By Samara Jimenez
Staff Writer
During the summer months, Goshen College showcased seventeen pieces of artwork by Mrs. Mary Amador.
Specializing in Mixed Media, Mrs. Amador painted the exquisite piece, Beauty From Ashes, with the inspiration of her culture and her children in mind. Working on a wooden panel, Mrs. Amador named the piece based on a Biblical verse, Isaiah 61:3, meaning good things can come out of bad situations.
Working at the junior high for almost 26 years, Mrs. Amador watches students as they blossom into artists as each semester passes by. If young artists become “stumped” on an art project, she advises them to take a break and try something new.
Mrs. Amador feels that “art enables students to think differently and creatively. They become better critical thinkers, analyzers, and communicators. Art lets them see their potential.”
“My favorite art piece from Mrs. Amador is her piece Drained because using the charcoal made it look gloomy, which was so fitting to the title,” said Ivy Tapia.
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