June/July Newsletter

NEWSLETTER #1, 1 July 2024

Review of June 2024 submissions

Please click here to read  all submissions

The following are the editor recommendations for June 2024. Congrats! 

I want to see you again - Caroline Zhang [East Ridge High School, Eleventh Grade]

I have a twin sister of my own and we’re both about to begin the process of applying to universities in the fall. What this means is that for the first time in both of our lives, we won’t be in constant contact with each other. It’s a bit odd and although I relish in the fact that I won’t have someone barging into my room at random times, at the end of the day, she’s my sister and I’m sorely going to miss her.

This poem reminds us of how significant the roles siblings play in our lives are. No matter how much we may say that we loathe them after they play a prank on us, they are perhaps the only ones in our family who are closest to us and know us the best. Therefore, let’s raise a glass to our siblings, our biggest nuisances along with our biggest supporters.

Breaking Free - Aanya Sharma [Cambridge High School, Eighth Grade]

Within the past couple of years, we have seen a great number of events which have put the issue of women’s rights into the forefront. Issues such as restraints on abortion rights following the revocation of Roe v Wades and the Mahsa Amini protests reminds us that despite our progress, we still have a great deal of work to do in order to protect and enshrine the ideals of liberty and equality. Sharma’s words serve as a statement of courage for girls across the world and actas a reminder that the one thing the world cannot take away from girls is who they are and their liberties. Hopefully, we may see a better future for all soon. 

Do High Schools need SEL? - Sophie Simonian [River Dell High School, Ninth Grade]

I’m currently in High School and I have never once heard of SEL (Social Emotional Learning)  but have engaged with a curriculum that is related to SEL. Simonian perfectly describes why SEL should be implemented nationwide because, as she puts it: “schools need to make sure that their students are prepared for both their personal and their future professional life”. We live in an age where it is not only necessary to know skills such as reading comprehension and media literary but also have our social skills and emotions be properly developed. To have SEL in our schools is only a benefit and Simonian puts forward a great argument for why more schools should incorporate it in their curricula.

January 2024 Submissions:

America Divided: Chapter One - Gabrielle Park [Oxford Academy, Seventh Grade]

This is an absolutely wonderful story that not only takes the perspective of how we lived during the Covid pandemic, but also goes beyond that to create a whole different reality. Division in America is something that I would have never been able to comprehend as it's a miscellaneous nation with distinct beliefs even in a single neighborhood. Furthermore, this novel takes the pandemic into a whole other level and Olivia’s passion of wanting to know what it was like during the Before along with the extreme cautions that are being taken to protect the people make Olivia's next journey seem so thrilling and exciting and I cannot wait to see what will come her way through the next chapters. 

A long, but interesting story that I may even see as an award winning book (hello, next Harry Potter!).  

Young Angels - Gabrielle Park [Oxford Academy, Seventh Grade]

As the world modernizes and society starts to develop, I have also been seeing more brokenness around me, especially on the internet. Many people seem to use religion as a trend and it hurts to see that people today aren’t aware of the consequences of their actions and how with faith the grain of a mustard seed, so much more can be achieved. The Israel-Hamas War is not one in which I think we should be choosing sides but all come to understand that deaths from either side is wrong. It also hurts me deeply that “young angels” are dying but the love that I carry for them is nothing compared to what the Lord conveys. I can’t imagine how hurt the families of these “young angels” are but also how deeply the Lord is suffering seeing his children succumb to sin. This short account deeply reflects the consequences going on in this world and how it is something that all of us should be aware of in hopes of putting it to an end.

Soccer - James Yi [OCSA, Twelfth Grade]

Definitely an exciting story that takes a new approach to soccer. The vivid descriptions (“Shooting across the space field was Badarra, a storm of tentacles flashing as he grabbed onto meteoroids and propelled himself towards the goal”) give a strong insight to a futuristic and space-like soccer field. I would definitely be interested in giving this sport a try or even watching this sport on TV after a long week. 

February 2024 Submissions:

1984 Elections - Leviticus Morgan [Savanna High School, Tenth Grade]

This essay provided a nice and clear overview of the 1984 presidential election and its lasting impact. It showed how Ronald Reagan's big win over Walter Mondale brought a strong move towards conservative policies, marked by Reaganomics and a tough stance on the Cold War. The essay does a good job of explaining these points, but I think it could focus a little more on how Reagan's policies affected everyday people as a way of bringing an intriguing vibe towards the readers. Overall, I found the essay informative and well-structured which I enjoyed reading.

Hong Kong and the Future - Brian Lee [Buena Park High School, Eleventh Grade]

I really enjoyed reading your essay. As a Korean-American, I could relate to your perspective on learning about global issues through personal interests and the internet. The connection you made between "Ten Years" and the current situation in Hong Kong was both insightful and chilling. The historical context added depth to your argument, making the point about China's suppression of democracy even stronger. Overall, it was an engaging and interesting read that highlighted important global issues.