Character Sketch

The Best Father

by Luke S.

     

     Bowing into the dojo, I saw my dad and Sensei Jim grappling on the mats. (My dad is a seventh- degree black- belt in Shito-ryu and Koryu Uchinadi. The sight of him just screams karate.) He had a smirk of satisfaction on his face, as he put Sensei Jim in a choke hold.

He stared at me as I was chuckling, and I could just tell he was having the time of his life.

     The dojo smelled of sweat as the two worked on new techniques. The sound of the kiais jolted me to attention, and as the students gathered to practice their katas and drills. Finishing his grappling     session with Sensei Jim, dad showed us a new technique and we started working on our punches. His guidance and expertise were exactly what we needed to advance our skills. Watching him teach, I was impressed by the precision of his punches and how perfect they were. His face was as stern as an ox as he let us practice our punching drills on his hands.  His hands felt as hard as rocks. He has been doing karate for so long that it was like we were hitting boulders. His solemn face never flinched as we punched as hard as we could at his hands. “It hurts, doesn’t it,” he said. 

     “Yeah,” I exclaimed, “a lot,” trying to hide how much it hurt. 

     My dad, my Sensei, dismissed class, and we got our stuff together to leave the dojo.  I looked over my shoulder to see him practicing again with Sensei Jim. He was doing the same drill as earlier. 

     My dad loves his craft and enjoys teaching it as his passion. My strong, loving, caring father never gives up nor lets me down.

A Friend Through My Eyes

by Caleb M.

            I am waiting for Kai to get here, and it seems like I have been waiting forever. I look through the window and remember the funny jokes we've told. Usually we will talk until gymnastics starts, but sometimes he is late.  I remember when we began gymnastics and he and I got new skills. Kai is hardworking  but does not make skills as easily as others. Kai does not give up when things seem hard or impossible, a feature that I have very little of. Kai does not get mad at people for small things.

            “I don't think I have ever seen Kai get mad before,” I say to myself.                                                

“You haven't,” I say to myself. 

            Kai is skinny like a stick, but neither he nor I cares about it. He has black hair like the midnight sky without any moon or stars. He is pale and not much taller than I am. His eyes are bright blue and they shine brighter than a star. Kai does not look strong, but anyone who knows him well should know that he is not weak. 

             Sometimes there are days he can't come to gymnastics, but I know he can today.

            “What if he doesn't come?” I ask to myself  but, I know he will come because I know he knows that it is a special day

            I look out the window and see his car pull up. I am so exited because I have big news to tell him. He walks into the room and I nearly shout, “Hello!” It feels like I have been waiting forever.

My Mom

by Victoria C.

     My dad always says my mom is the prettiest woman in the world, and I would agree. She has long, dark hair that glimmers in the rays of the sun. She likes to wear it long and straight, cascading over her shoulders to the middle of her back. Her eyes are big and brown like a lovely doe-eyed deer. She likes to wear mascara to make her eyelashes extra-long, and black eyeliner to make her eyes look larger. Her smile is the sun, warming all who see it. Her favorite color is black, which can be seen in the outfits she wears. Usually she wears a black, scoop-necked blouse, blue jeans, and short black boots. She likes to look stylish, so she often wears infinity scarves and silver jewelry like hoop earrings and shiny bracelets.  

      One thing I love about my mom is her sense of humor. She laughs very quickly if you tell her a joke, and when she meets new people, she uses her sense of humor to help break the ice so no one feels uncomfortable. Another thing I like about her is that she likes to have fun! She sometimes plays games with my brother and me, or takes us to someplace special such as the zoo or the park. She loves to travel and take spontaneous road trips! She does all of these things and much more. It always seems like her wheelchair never slows her down. 

      “Come on, guys, let’s go!” 

What a Lovely Woman

by Haddon H.

                                                                                                                    

If you saw her out and about, you would think, “What a lovely woman! Well-dressed, always with a smile, I bet she is a splendid grandmother.”  You would be right, and I am blessed because she is my grandmom.  She does look lovely, but do not be fooled into thinking that she is not a brave, strong woman who can take care of herself.  She is who we call to kill snakes that get too close to the house or barn.  You can hear her shout, “Stand back kids! I am ready to cut off the head!”  

My grandmom is like an American soldier when she sees the American flag.  She works in the insurance business, and she must know everyone in this area because people of all walks of life are always happy to see her.  She is like family to so many people, and she shares her beliefs in God and this country to anyone who will listen.   She seems to know the answer to every question, no matter how random.  If she has something break in her house, she knows how to fix things.

When I am at her house, my mouth waters with the smells of her home cooking.  She makes the best burgers and fries. When you are stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, she will still be asking if you want more!  She helps my mom often by driving my sister and me to different places.  Her car is a second home because she spends a lot of time driving for work and helping people.  Sometimes her car smells like her dog, a huge bull mastiff named Patriot who goes with her on car rides.  I love my grandmom; I never know what to expect next from her!

My Father This Is

by Zayden J.

My father is a very successful coastal engineer, which basically involves much sitting in front of a computer, as well as “playing with sand and water,” as the rest of us have lightheartedly joked.  He has been on many interesting business trips, both within the U.S. and in other parts of the world.  Growing up, my father helped on a large vegetable farm in North Carolina.  He is a neat person, as well as a very faithful character.  

My father enjoys spending time in his workshop, crafting useful carpentry from wood.  He has made many different things for my family, including desks, flowery shelf brackets, tables, cabinets, and many other furniture items.  My father is a person of average height, as far as this generation goes, with dark, curly hair that is slowly getting lighter, as well as green eyes behind glasses, and pale skin.  He plays deep bass guitars, and owns several.  He is also an epee fencer, and has been for half a year.

My father enjoys spending family time with us.  He watches science fiction TV shows with us, or sometimes plays fun board games.  He also takes care of our dog, Piper, taking her outside and playing with her.  

A very interesting thing about my father is that he has deep, intricately carved thoughts about the Christian faith.  He can sit down and talk about what the Bible means for a long time, which is nice to do sometimes.  

My father likes to quote things from Batman, Doctor Who, and Star Wars, using fandom-type movies and TV shows as mirrors to reflect his sense of humor:

“Hey, can you do this favor for me?”

“Well, I’ll try…”

“Do or do not; there is no try,” Dad says in his best Yoda impression.

The Young Princess

by Logan D.

Chloe is a cute four-year-old girl who has a sweet personality.  Despite that she’s a bit glum in the morning, come mid-morning Chloe is contagiously joyful and full of love.

 Her tiny face is a cupcake, smoothly spread with icing and lightly dashed with small sprinkles around her nose and cheeks.  Her cute little bow is the cherry on top that makes everything sweeter.  Her strawberry-blonde hair, thin as butterfly eyelashes, falls slightly above her mid back.  Her blue-green eyes are like the middle of a Green peafowl peacock feather, and her small, heart-shaped earrings sparkle and shine when flashed with light.  Without even thinking, Chloe is quick to show off her pink painted hands and toenails to all her friends and family.  

Being totally oblivious of her surroundings, the young child peacefully plays with her dolls and softly mumbles what she wants them to say.  As I walk to her, I notice it takes a little bit of talking and movement to get her to notice anything happening around her.

“Hey Chloe,” I say.

“Yes,” she says with a gentle voice.

“What are you doing?”

“Just playing with my toys,” she says “Do you want to play with me?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t right now, but I wanted to ask you a question.”

“What is it?” she asks.

“I wanted to know if you would be okay with my writing a paper about you?”

“Yes!” she gasps excitedly.

A Day at Discovery Cove
by Zach S.

We were all wearing wetsuits on that blistering hot day at Discovery Cove. The pool was kept at sixty degrease which explains why we had wetsuits on. The man standing next to me was my grandfather. He had a kind, wrinkled face. As he got in the water, his beautiful light blue eyes got as wide as a lightbulb. It was cold! 

It took us about ten seconds to warm up and get used to the temperature. We went deeper−about up to our waist−and he waited patiently for the trainer to finish giving the instructions. All of the sudden his face lit up like the sun. Looking at a gray blob, he started to speak to me. I couldn’t understand the pathetic, slurred words, but I knew that he was overjoyed. Parkinson’s disease had cursed his body for the last ten years, making it difficult for him to speak and move. His determination kept him going, and it inspired me. The blob turned into a majestic dolphin that pulled up in front of us. There was one thing PopPop said that I could completely understand, “Wow!”

We got to touch and feed the dolphin. PopPop was like a kid in a candy store. He was smiling from ear to ear. It was great to see how happy he was. Our photographer captured a moment of the older man’s eyes fixed on the dolphin. His thin gray hair was wet from the animal’s tail splashing in the water.

 PopPop did not want to leave. When we started to exit the dolphin pond, we almost left him there. I said, “Hey, PopPop, we’re leaving.” He looked up and waded onto shore with my help, and his weakened body sat and rested.

Mom

by Josiah C,

            On long and lengthy days and evenings when all the spirit in the house has left the home there is still tranquility . When no one is awake, mentally or physically in the house, my mom is alert. There is one who doesn't get bothered about the opinion of other people. One who understands the dialect of those past. The one who stands for people who can't stand for themselves, as a defender standing guard. My defender, my guard,  my up-lifter; she’s all of it. She knows who I am. She watches me like my guardian angel. She is my great mother, and a great friend. She does the impossible during a storm or a mental breakdown. One cannot compare her worth among all the riches in the world.

My mom is a great mother in many ways and always going for the extra mile. She works through headaches and migraines. Dealing with countless loud arguments like never ending sound waves, she triumphs through. She gets little sleep to help my brother and I so we can become successful God fearing men. She Gives fifteen-minute breaks to our tired minds. Very often, she says, “I’m so proud of my big boys.”  I do not want to disrespect anything she has sacrificed. I love her so much. I know she loves me more than I could ever love her. She's done nothing but prove her unselfish acts of love. My mom is the best mom anyone could ask for.

Exploding Kittens with My Cousins

by Caelie J.

As we pull into my grandmother’s driveway, the gazebo in the backyard slides across the car window.  My eleven-year old cousins, Claire and Ava, are sitting on the porch swing inside the gazebo.  They both have dark hair and dark brown, almond-shaped eyes, and their skin is several shades darker than mine, as if they have a perpetual tan.  They are twins, adopted from Kazakhstan and brought to the U.S. a month before their first birthday.

But although they are twins, they have very different personalities.  Claire likes to dance; Ava plays soccer, basketball, softball, and volleyball.  Claire is a bit quiet; Ava likes to talk.  They are also alike in many ways, however.  They are outgoing and friendly, and they like to have fun.  Sometimes when they are having fun, they both get really silly.  My cousins love to take goofy selfies together.  Both like to experiment with their hair, and Claire loves makeup.  My cousins both love their white Cockapoo, Molly, who is woolly like a sheep. They have a slight Southern twang, because they live in North Carolina.  

When my sister and I reach the gazebo, Claire and Ava hop up off the swing and wave.

            “Hey, Caelie and Zayden!” Ava greets us.

            “Hi, Claire and Ava,” I reply.

            “So, do y’all want to play a game?” suggests Claire.

            “Sure,” Zayden answers, “We brought Exploding Kittens.  It’s actually really fun!”

            “Exploding kittens?!” Claire and Ava gasp.

            “Where the kittens shed in nuclear reactors,” I say as I begin to explain the game.

            “Wow, that sounds like a weird game.” Ava says, “Let’s try it!”

Parent Perfect

by Chase W.

My dad works at a place called Penske, where he sells and rents trucks to people. He wanted to be a dentist, but that didn’t work out for him. . He always wears a polo shirt because he has to look nice for his boss at work He orders because he is the district manager and he takes his job seriously. His eyes are hazel, so he takes after his mom’s side of the family. He is really tall man, standing at six feet, but he is still too small to be good at basketball. My dad never cares about what people think about him when we are in public, which causes him to embarrass us on purpose sometimes. He lost his sense of smell when he had an allergic reaction to medicine, so he doesn’t know if something is burning when he cooks it. He grew up in Mississippi, which means he has a Southern accent, so sometimes he mumbles like a toddler that is just learning how to speak. He has lost his hair, which he likes to make jokes about.

“Man, I look like Squidward when I wake up,” he tells us, “and especially when I play the clarinet.”

He hates to spend a lot of his hard- earned money, so he doesn’t get a lot of things we don’t need. His car is always clean, and it smells exactly like it did when he first got it. My dad likes to play golf. Even if he isn’t that good at it, he still plays because, as he says, “Never quit, or you will never be successful in life.” 

The Day I Saw Him

by Gabrielle S.

            He lies there staring at the ceiling.  He turns his head after hearing footsteps in the room.  You can tell his mind is trying to seek you, but it’s like it’s lost in a desert of nothing but sand.  His face shows his youth, but his body is weak and thin like twigs that could snap in the wind.  No words can explain how he must feel after his body has rejected the transplant drugs.  I can’t even imagine the pain his body is enduring.

            He has always been so fun, no one would suspect that he is sick.  As I stare at his tired face, I try to hold in the puddles of tears in my eyes.  I swallow hard. 

            “Hello,” I say in a low tone, but he doesn’t reply.  I take another swallow and try again. “Hello, Uncle Daniel.”  Still no answer.  My mind is filled with confusion and questions I don’t know the answers to.

            “Why him, Lord why?”  I ask myself.  With tears in my eyes, I see his face try to look at me and pull through the clouds of confusion.  My face lightens up and I grin.  not a day goes by where I don’t think of him and how thankful I am that he is still with us.  The Lord made the choice to let him live his every second, to breathe his every breath, and to praise Him in every day.

A Lovely Grandma

by Joshua B.

      Our amazing grandma is elegant, wise, joyous, and kind.  She is also strong, with brilliant eyes. Though her back leans -- some days more and some days less -- everyday she is shod in a lovely smile.  This fascinating smile is largest when she is either helping someone or greeting me and my siblings.                        
     “Hey, how have you been, sweethearts?” she asks, working in her beloved garden.

     “Great,” we reply, grinning.

     “Well, could you help me pull some weeds?” 

     “Sure, Grandma,” we say.

     Our faithful grandmother is like an angel to those in need.  Who would have thought one elderly lady could do so much to make the world a better place, helping whenever it is in her power to do so.   Her  encouraging smile helps people to push on.  She is a teacher of children, helping them to know what it is like to truly love the Lord and obey His commands.

      Because of her age, her beautiful face is covered in wrinkles, but these wrinkles are like  rivers of knowledge slowly meandering past ancient willows drooping in late summer.  However wonderful this feature is, though, it does not comes close to her eyes, deep and joyful.  You must have keen sight, but if you look closely, you will notice the light in her eyes. This light comes from a strong desire to know her Creator more and more, and to share with the world around her, Jesus Christ.

      My beloved grandma is a beautiful woman who is my inspiration. 

My Little Sister, Aretha

by Katie C.

     Araetha- Grace is a curious child. She is the most interesting person in the house. Even her name, Araetha-Grace Lazado Campbell is very interesting and unique. Most people think, little sisters are annoying and childish, but Araetha is the exact opposite. At six years old, she corrects her older brother like someone who eats Smarties for breakfast! No one knows what goes on in her head, but it must be pretty confusing – something we would have never thought of. Araetha will sometimes roll her eyes at me and say, “For the last time, I know what to do. Now go do your work if you don’t want Mommy to get mad at you!”

    In the mornings, not even a tiny bit of grumpiness is to be found in her tiny face. Araetha’s eyes are always wide open and very observant. Sometimes we will underestimate her and she will win every game we play. Araetha is also a really fast learner. From board games to math, only one person could quickly learn and get every single thing done and correct… Araetha!

      She seems pretty mature, but when she falls asleep every night, I see her brown hair tossed out of the covers, soaked with sweat. Her lips are hanging apart; a trail of saliva running down her cheeks. The slightest sound will cause her to shift her position and slightly frown. When I see all of this, I realize that she is a little girl.

    She can do and think of a lot of things others can’t, but that doesn’t mean she is good at everything! However, I would say that the most creative, most sensitive, smartest 6- year- old award goes to… my little sister, Aretha!

Dad

  by John V

            He is strong, kind, and slightly old. When he bends down to pray for me I see his bald spot, a tiny island of skin surrounded by an ocean of hair.  ''Oh God, thank you for  John, '' he prays, '' Make him more like You, that he would mature and grow stronger. Amen.'' Long before I wake up in the morning he has already gone to the YMCA. After swimming for at least an hour, he will go to work.

           My dad can build or fix almost anything. His garage is filled with tools and pieces of wood. His hands are like a battle-field of scars from tools and accidents, but still they are skillful.

           Though he works with his hands, he is very knowledgeable. He has two degrees, one in theology and one in pharmacology. He also understands five  languages and is fluent in two of them. He knows far more than that in other things like scuba diving, hunting, sailing, fishing, and Boy Scouts.

            My dad is very invested in Boy Scouts. When he was growing up in South Africa he learned all about scouts. Since there was no adult leader for his troop, he was the only leader they had. Now he is a merit badge counselor for family life, swimming, and small boat sailing. He is always going on scout campouts. He is the parent who can start a fire with one match. He is the parent who can make a working survival shelter. He is the parent who can splint a broken collar bone. He is my dad!

Descriptive Setting

The Foamy Madness
by L. S.

     The beach. It looks like a never-ending land made of water. It looks as if the waves are combing the sand. Watching the surfers shred the waves just makes you want to jump in and paddle out to join them. In the air, the fragrance of fresh salt fills your nose when you first touch the sand and cross over the dunes. After surfing for hours, your muscles are like jelly and need a rest.

     Spreading out on your towel, you feel the warm sun on the delicate skin of your back, ensuring your tan.  Once you are ready to go back in the water you grab your board and start paddling out past the white foamy madness.  A mouth full of sea water is the saltiest thing that you can drink. The taste lingers in your mouth for minutes at a time. The combination of the sound of the waves crashing, the children playing, and the fishermen on the peer cheering about their great catch creates a huge commotion and adds to the excitement of the day.  Each time you hear the lifeguard’s whistle, it interrupts your focus on catching that huge wave you’re right on top of.    

     Catching a wave is one of the best feelings you can get; it is just like gliding through the air on a surfboard. Every surfer loves the beach and can’t wait to go back in the water.

My Happy Place
by H. H. 

                                                                                                                     

When I walk into my backyard, I see green grass and towering trees that have kept watch over this land since my great, great grandparents lived here. We have an old small swing set made of wood and a slide in the backyard. My sister and I used to sing songs on the swing set. We have a dock on Occohannock Creek, which is very convenient during summer, when we tie up our small fishing boat. During a storm, you can hear the waves hit the dock and crash onto the shore.  When you sit on the dock, you can feel the salty breeze blow on your face from the water.  I feel calm and joyous looking out over the water, and I know I am blessed by the Creator to call this place home.  

When my dad is grilling steak on our porch, the backyard smells like my favorite restaurant. During spring, you can smell the sweet scent of honeysuckle.  The woods in my backyard are home to a variety of animals, including deer, eagles, herons, and squirrels, which make noise crashing through the woods or soaring high above the yard. We have two horses so we also have a riding ring and a small barn with two stalls; the smell of fresh-cut hay and wood shavings tingles my nose.

There is also a batting cage and an artificial pitching mound in my backyard.  When my dad and I practice, you can hear noises of the ball hitting my glove, the bat hitting the ball, or my dad giving me advice on how to do better.   I have an archery target for my compound bow. I like to feel the bow string come flying off my hand and (hopefully!) hit the target with a thud. My backyard is my happy place.

The Blue Hole
by Z. S.

        In the woods, in the beautiful city of Sugar Creek, the leaves were covering the ground. Poking through the leaves on the trail were unusually shaped rocks, some chiseled and jagged, some nice and smooth. It was necessary to watch your step because the rocks made it easy to twist your ankle and fall. The scent of bear lingered in the air, and at times the stench was overpowering. The manure that littered the trail was by far the worst-smelling thing there.

Stepping on the slippery rocks to get across the river was not an easy task. The rushing water beneath our feet was traveling at the speed of an Olympic runner. After crossing the stream, the trails turned into dirt. The sound of wild birds was very peaceful in the late morning.
            At The Blue Hole watering hole, there were boulders good for jumping off and landing in the water. However, the water was frigid, and the only way to get used to it was to have your body lose feeling. The path to the waterfall, at the end of the trail, involved crossing another river and hiking up a steep incline; exhausting! The trail seemed to be never-ending, but in the end, the waterfall was beautiful. The view was excellent, and the sun was filling the mountains with beautiful bursts of color like an explosion of paints. This was an adventure to remember.

Creativity in the Air
by J. B.

      Lego-Land is an exciting place, a place with roller coasters shooting by, casting a shadow on amusement-park-goers and making silhouettes at sundown. Children run around gleefully as they get showered by the water park's waterspouts.  There are miniature Lego sculptures everywhere you look. Because of the hot Florida sun beating down on hundreds of tired parents and enthusiastic children, the pungent aroma of sweat is in the air.  The sweet smell of Lego “fire-fighters” ice-cream also fills the air, along with the scent of cotton candy, hot dogs, savory hamburgers, and pizza.  The sound of giggling preschoolers, and of chugging roller coasters, is in the background.  You often have the sensation of your stomach in your throat after a ride.
     There are beautiful and mysterious trees—with trunks thick and wonderful—which separate, going upward, splaying in all directions.  Their large leaves, which block out the sun, create a dim, green glow that looks otherworldly.  Shops line the entrance; a Lego mini-land built of amazing structures near the center of the park is the epitome of perfect engineering. There are many life-sized models of people, like a pizza shop owner in front of a pizza restaurant.
      This is Lego-Land, a place to have fun and be creative. 

The Magnificent Stadium
by N. C.

     Barcelona, a beloved and popular city in Spain, is home to the most magnificent soccer stadium. Entering this massive stadium will take your breath away. The chilly breeze that sweeps through the stadium as you enter seems as if it lightens your steps. Looking up reveals a never-ending, black, night sky so dark you can see every single star. Every inch of this enormous soccer field is covered in soft, bright green grass.

       There are endless rows of bleachers filled with fans from every part of the world. You can feel the bleachers shake from cheers of the fans hollering and bouncing on their cold, hard, metal seats. The cheers and constant chattering of commentators can feel a bit overwhelming and will leave your eardrums echoing these sounds long after the game. If you are lucky enough to get front row seats, your sense of smell will be blended with the unpleasant odor of the players and the delicious aroma of food from the concession stand. The best part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience is the sweet taste of victory when your team wins.
     Visiting this magnificent stadium reminds me to thank God for the many blessings He allows us. I am so thankful for the soccer fields, fans, and players. It is truly amazing what God can do and does.

Marsh and Creek
by Z. J.

The cloudy creek flows swiftly along its dark banks.  It winds on and on, fading into mist, for what seems like forever.  A wide marsh graces the land above the bank, following the creek wherever it goes.  The lush green reeds filter salt from the brackish water that is seeping among them.  On the opposite bank the same is happening, as if looking in a mirror—a mirror that not only reflects the tall reeds and plants of the marsh, but also a fishy smell, and the common sound of crickets making their music.  The blue sky above is filled with the raucous honking of Canadian geese, flying in their natural V shape.  The bright midday sun reflects on the water in a dazzling array of white.  As the water flows by, the sparkles stay still, almost as if they were held there in an invisible grasp. Here, a canoer sits fishing, and there, a small duck pecks hopefully at the bank.  A weathered wooden dock stretches out, the murky brown water flowing about its legs.  The creek reflects the many trees growing along the edge of the marsh, full of various shades of greens and yellows.  A trailing willow stands alone among tall majestic pines and leafy oaks.

My Country Home

by G. S.

     I like to discover and see new and beautiful things at my Granny and Papa’s house.  As I walk outside, I see the joy and happiness of children and family playing.  When discovering new things on their property, I can see many different types of animals and reptiles.  The air here has the lovely scent of pine needles and sap.

     Before breakfast, the mouth-watering smell of bacon and eggs fills my nostrils.  When picking blueberries, I taste one, and the flavor bursts in my mouth and is so juicy and sweet.  I love to eat the muscadines and enjoy the familiar taste of grapes.

     At night you can hear the wind howling and the trees swaying as the wind moves them.  While strolling through the woods I can hear the leaves hit the ground and the squirrels jump across the trees.  While walking on the rocky road, I feel the rocks push into my feet and poke my tender skin.  I jump into the pool, and I can feel the cold water surround me and soak my body.  When I play outside and enjoy the outdoors, I feel the super hot sun start to bake my skin.  I love it here because you can see and discover new things and listen to the joy and happiness of all the family around you.

The Studio
by C. J.

            Birds chirp loudly to be heard above the sounds of cars roaring by.  As each car slows to follow the curve in the road, the smell of gasoline fills the air.  The grass on the side of the road is sprinkled with tiny drops of scattered light.  But the real attraction is the studio.  It has no exterior walls.  It has no doors.  It is like a rotating stage that shows four different scenes, with a door so that actors can pass from one scene to another as the stage turns.  One of its sides is more like a corner, with red brick walls and a wooden floor.  The aforementioned door makes up the left wall.  The long side of the studio facing away from the road is built to look like a porch, with a peeling coat of white paint, a wooden bench swing, and a white railing running its entire length.  From the back of this mysterious studio, another side shows itself.  This one has a blue floor and one blue wall.  The other wall is made of corrugated metal, hung in vertical sheets.  A beech tree partially covers the left half.  The final scene sits between the blue scene and the brick scene.  Its burnt orange walls and floor blaze in contrast with the green grass.  The studio–surrounded by its sparkling grass and shady trees–is peaceful, though it is framed by busy streets.

The Way My Bedroom Is
by C. M.

            My room feels spacious, like when I'm outside in a large field. My bedroom floor is soft, like a flowerbed with loose soil.  The walls are hard and cold, like pavement in the winter.  My desk is smooth, like a stone that has been worn down by water. My bedroom looks large when it is clean, but looks small when it is dirty.  The walls of my bedroom are cream and when the light shines in, they look bright.  My bed and dresser are grey, like clouds on a rainy day. 

            My bedroom is quiet when the windows are closed.  You can hear the peaceful sound of the wind blowing through the leaves when the windows are open.  Sometimes you can hear the sound of the air conditioner or of music playing.  Sometimes my room is silent, when there is no wind or no people around.

            My room smells damp when the windows are open on wet days.  Sometimes my room smells like the candle burning in the hallway.  When the sheets are changed on my bed, it smells fresh like a spring day.  I love the way my bedroom looks, smells, and feels.

Ocean Breeze
by V. C.

As we drove up to the Ocean Breeze Waterpark, we were greeted by a gigantic gorilla statue about forty feet tall, wearing yellow swim shorts, a blue Hawaiian shirt, and red sunglasses.  We abruptly stopped at the crowded parking lot and bought our tickets.  After we had our tickets, I was free to go on whichever ride I wanted to.  The first ride I chose was the Hurricane.  I climbed four flights of stairs before it was my turn to slide down.  It went straight down at an exhilarating speed that sent me thrusting into the bowl of water.

Next, I grabbed a big inner tube and headed for Largo Loop, a relaxing ride I could just float down on my inner tube and end in a pool of calm water. Walk the Plank is a 200-foot dark tunnel with a steep 50-foot drop straight down.  I loved feeling the outside of the tube and the wind going through my hair as I raced down.  After these rides I was soaking wet, dripping on the floor like a poor stray cat stuck in the rain. The smell of water, chlorine, and pizza filled the air. I saw my younger brother, Josh, eating a crunchy slice of pizza, all gooey and cheesy.  He enjoyed the water park as much as I did. His favorite ride was Jungle Falls, an inner tube ride that slides you rapidly left, right, and backwards down the ride.

At night, the park cast a glowing aura over the water when all of the lights went on. As we were driving away from the water park, I turned to see the employees turning off all of the lights and shutting down the water slides. A sad feeling came over me as the fun day turned into a memory and summer ended.

Between the Buildings
by K. C.

Gray clouds hung under the gray sky and black shadows tauntingly danced across the walls. The dark figures seemed to swallow me as I stepped into the small, narrow alley. An acrid stench of garbage reeked of dead rats and rotten food. A putrid stink of sewage water pulled up my dinner. The green and brown liquid trickled into wide pot holes. Drip. Drip. It sent a shiver down my spine. I heard squeaks and scratches coming from the long abyss where the rats roamed.

As I journeyed deeper, my feet splish-splashed in deep, murky puddles. Water then seeped into my socks and shoes, causing my feet to stiffen with cold. Then rain started to fall and run down my face, rolling down to my chin like ice cold tears. Each drop fell to the ground and hit the pavement with a soft “plop” until an abrupt downpour made sounds like a freight train. I tripped and felt a pang of pain in my knee. My fear subsiding with the pain gave way to a new emotion… frustration. I slowly stood and tried to run, limping for what felt like forever until my home eventually came into view. Home at last, my emotions poured down like the rain hitting me: sadness, anger, relief, and happiness. It was the most joy I have ever felt in my life.

Camp Powhatan

by J. V.

     A humble dirt road that crosses and recrosses the same tiny stream is traversed by hundreds of campers year after year, all traveling to the greatest camp on earth: Camp Powhatan! The crowning glory of the camp is the lake–the cold, blue lake.  The mysterious depths of the lake are like magnets to the campers. Every day the shallows echo with the joyful shouts of the swimmers, as the canoers and kayakers play in the deep.

     Then there is The Blob. The Blob is like a giant air mattress in the lake. On the side facing the lake, a person lies down, then on the other side someone climbs a 20-foot tower and jumps off. When he hits The Blob, the person on the other side soars through the air and lands in the lake.

     The wooded grounds are complemented by many tents and rustic buildings, and the air is full of the smells of earth, pine trees, and the next meal. At night, the camp is filled with the sounds of the wild.  The crickets chirp; the flies drone; the wind whirls. All is perfect at the great Camp Powhatan!

In the Forest
by J. C.

            I was weak; my whole body ached with pain. I could feel my energy fading quickly. My flesh was slowly rotting; it felt as if I were going to dry up and crumble to the ground. The setting was perfect and the feeling was magnificent. The sensation of my heart was great, the surrounding was incredible, and the aroma was delightful; I felt that I could almost taste the sweet berries. This dream was a one in a million-lifetime experience.

             I see trees as high as heaven. Ponds as blue as the sky. I see animals as peculiar as the platypus. In the forest, I hear hoots of owls high in the sky. I hear the growls of predators seeking their prey. I hear the screeching of monkeys high above, swinging in the trees. In the forest, I feel the intense wind on my skin, wiping the sweat off my face. I feel the unsteady, damp ground on the soles of my feet. In the forest, I smell the fresh, exotic aroma in the breeze. When I think about my dream, no pain comes to mind.

The Willow Woods

by L. D.

     The forest was always the perfect place to go to waste time when you had nothing to do.  The sparkling grass being struck by the moonlight makes the ground gleam in the night.  The waterfall is a most fantastic sight, with the glowing water and the shimmering stream.  The forest is filled with many different trees, but the willow trees are the most beautiful, with their dangling branches barely brushing the ground.  The tinkling sound of the water was like a wind chime, gently bouncing off each other.  Most times it would be silent, but when the breeze came, the whole forest would be filled with the magnificent sound of the branches rustling in the wind.  In the fall, the woods would smell of musky, damp leaves, with a slightly stale stench. Come summertime it would have a wonderful pine smell mixed with the crisp, dry leaves.  After a heavy, lengthy shower, you could stroll around and feel the soft, moist leaves underfoot, combined with the solid, firm bark of the outer ring of the tree.  As you dipped your hand in the stream, you could feel the soft, steady water flowing gracefully around your hand.

New York City

by C. W.

            The glow coming from the gigantic screens, casting ads below for everyone to see, stung my eyes because it was too bright. The sky was dark, even though it was day, because the rain clouds covered the bright sun. The roar coming from the cars passing by was so deafening, that I couldn’t hear anything over it. There were many huge buildings in this city that rose high above the sky, making everyone feel tiny. You could smell a lot of different smells in the air. One was the gas that was coming out of the cars, and the steam coming off the food that was being made in the shops. A cold breeze flew through the air and made everyone shiver. As I walked forward I could feel the ground shaking beneath my feet. We walked into our hotel lobby, and the ceiling had a ton of lights and the walls were covered in paintings. The elevator had a gold hand-bar that you could hold onto when you went up, and it was made of glass, giving you a perfect sight. The hallway was long, with doors every few feet, but eventually we found ours. The room had double beds with paintings above them, and you could actually feel the air conditioning flowing out of the vents. The next morning the humongous sun rose and shone brightly inside our hotel room.

The Valley’s Beauty

by L. H.

Death Valley showcases the beauty of desert environments. With its shadowed waves and soft peaks, it easily resembles a sea of amber gold, with sand stretching for miles in each direction. The puffy clouds complement the dreamy look of this landscape.

           Usually, you hear nothing but the sound of your own voice or the flap of the occasional bird that flies by. The higher you walk, the more you can enjoy the cool breeze the glides by.

            Once you arrive at the top, you can really appreciate the astonishing view, filled with cotton candy clouds. I feel as if I could almost touch them. The view at 5:00 in the morning, when we arrived is very dark and breezy, very different from the view at any other time. In the evening, you can see the shadows on either side or the sand dunes. The sand, feels simultaneously soft and grainy. The few bushes and sticks are like hard rocks, dry and rough, like the sand in some ways. My favorite time, though, is around 6:00 in the morning, when the sun comes up while the stars still shine brightly, of the gorgeous desert environment.