Students are encouraged to express themselves by writing about whatever they want in any format they choose. Sometimes students write poems, short stories, or even from different perspectives. The idea is to utilize their creativity and to find their unique voice.  

Scripted in Blood
by Ariana Velazquez

December 12, 2009

Bright red and blue lights illuminated the front of McKinley High School after the school musical came to an end. Quinn stood amongst the crowd of teens as police officers pushed their way through. Quinn looks at Rachel and can see her hiding behind a pillar - watching Quinn from a distance. 

Three police officers walked up to the advisor of Glee Club, Mr. Shue. They are all talking in hushed tones when one police officer speaks up and announces,

“Where is Quinn Fabray?!” Students begin to murmur amongst themselves and Quinn begins looking around frantically. Searching for something or someone. She sees Rachel and then notices Rachel quickly disappears behind the pillar completely. 

“Is there a cash prize!?” One student yells, while grabbing ahold of Quinn’s arm. Quinn stomps on his foot and the student lets out a grunt, loosening his grip on Quinn. She makes a run for her car in the school parking lot. Police officers are on her tail and one eventually catches up to her, tackling her to the ground.

Quinn thrashes while yelling out, “Rachel!! Rachel help me!”

Want to read more? Finish the story here...https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SrEqSxHP0YrRI2NE5fFPVSE-7R1ke9seJL4fMGqlHi4/edit?usp=sharing 

The Bonfire Excursion

Short story By Clavon Jackson, Class of 2025

Resting deep within the mouth of the forest on a camping adventure, you branched off much like the wood of tall, brown, and green titans that surround you. It begins to get dark, so returning to civilization seems like a great idea, as you’re already alone and don’t want to be alone AND in the dark. As you trek back to your campsite, flashlight in hand, you wonder why you haven’t done something like this before. It was some of the most fun and relaxing time to yourself you’ve ever had. Going off the beaten path of everyone else and getting some alone time with the ambiance of the forest ecosystem was great to clear your mind. Taking in all that is nature.

The sound of gravel crunching and twigs snapping beneath your feet slowly fades out and becomes muted by the sound ahead of you—your bustling campsite. Your friends waited for you before deciding to make the bonfire, as they wanted everyone to experience the light show that was about to occur, to appease the mini-arsonist that resides in everyone. They even gave you the honor of lightin’ that bi—; I mean, lighting the logs that sat far away from anything flammable near the forest, surrounded by wet gravel to keep it from blazing the ground as well. You prepare it by dowsing it all in lighter fluid, then advise everyone to back up; this thing ‘bout to get hot.

As you spark the lighter, a flame as large as the RVs parked at the entrance shoots into the blackened night sky. You immediately back up to not lose every piece of clothing attached to your body. You’re thankful that its brightness attracts all the pesky insects that bother you and your fellow campers into its inferno (screw mosquitos in particular. They suck—literally). The wood flickered into the air like a grounded firework. The beacon sitting in front of you is even more mesmerizing than a star-filled sky.

As the fire burns on, the unique aroma of lighter fluid and charred wood fills the camping area. Amidst admiring the campfire, you remember that you also wouldn’t be caught dead going camping and forgetting to bring s’mores. You pop out the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, and you prepare the most delectable guilty pleasure of every person to ever go camping. A sugary treat that no healthy or sane person should ever consume more than two of (you prepared to eat 5, you’d soon regret that in the morning, but right now, you’re in sweet tooth heaven). As you converse with your friends, you reminisce about how perfect this summer has been, and this night being the highlight of it all.

Before It Happens 

By Genesis Barrera, class of 2024

In a small town, there lived a girl named Lily. She was known for her adventurous spirit and kind heart. However, just like everyone else, she had her share of mistakes and regrets. One day, Lily stumbled upon an old, mysterious watch at a local antique store. Little did she know, this watch had the power to turn back time. Intrigued by the possibility, she purchased it without hesitation. As she experimented with the watch, she discovered she could travel back in time. Overwhelmed by curiosity, she decided to go back to a pivotal moment in her past - the day she met a boy named Jake. He had charmed her with his confidence and charisma, but as time went on, she realized he was not the person she thought he was. Lily traveled back to that fateful day, determined to warn her younger self about Jake's true nature. She found herself standing outside her old high school, watching her younger self walk towards Jake. Taking a deep breath, Lily approached her seventeen-year-old self and began to explain. She carefully recounted all the hurtful experiences she had with Jake in the future, hoping that her younger self would heed the warning. But her younger self, infatuated with the excitement and attention Jake provided, couldn't fully comprehend the consequences. She brushed off Lily's concerns, blinded by the superficial charm that had initially drawn her in. Disheartened but not defeated, Lily realized that she couldn't force her younger self to see the truth. She understood that everyone has their own path to walk and lessons to learn. Reluctantly, she decided to return to the present, accepting that some things are beyond her control. As the years passed, Lily watched her younger self go through heartbreaks and struggles with Jake. She wanted so desperately to spare her the pain that lay ahead, but she knew that those experiences would shape her into the strong and resilient woman she would become. In the end, Lily understood that the journey of self-discovery and personal growth couldn't be altered by changing the past. She realized that instead of dwelling on the mistakes of the past, it was more important to focus on the present and shape a future filled with happiness and fulfillment. And so, with newfound wisdom and acceptance, Lily embraced her own journey while cherishing the lessons she had learned from her past. She vowed to help others who found themselves in similar situations and to be a source of encouragement and support for those who needed it.

Racism

Anonymous, Class of 2027

They take Racism as a joke.

They use it against their friends, against other people, it’s not funny.

You hear about Racism on a daily

Think to yourself for a second.

They try to embrace it,

They try to laugh about it,

And they try to joke about it,

But deep down, they missed the point.

Think to yourself for a second.

We’re not smiling,

We’re not laughing,

They haven’t even heard a chuckle out of us.

Think to yourself for a second.

Racism is like a playlist,

And goes on like a song.

They missed the point.

Think to yourself for a second.

You could escape it,

And you could ignore it,

But it will always bother us.

Think to yourself for a second.

We can’t just erase it,

We can’t just trace it, 

We accept it, debase it.

Think to yourself for a second.

We sit in silence,

We quit the arrivance.

We can’t get enough of this.

Think to yourself for a second.

Been going on for more than a decade,

More than a century, 

We can’t get a break.

Think to yourself for a second.

We just want it to end,

But will it?

Will it ever end?

Probably not..

Think to yourself for a second.