Dear B. Virdot,

Dear B.Virdot

          I am responding to your ad in the paper, the one about giving money to deprived families and people. My name is Quentin Davis and my address is 53, Engle Street, Canton, Ohio. I need your aid because I am in a grim crisis. I have 4 living kids; the other 5 passed away, three because of being deprived of resources, and the other two due to tuberculosis. The crisis I’m in is that I as well have tuberculosis, and have from my guess about two weeks to live. My wife doesn’t know that I’m writing this letter to you, and doesn’t know about the tuberculosis because I don’t want her to worry. If you gave me this aid, I would spend the money on food for my family who is already starting to starve. This would all make my last few days much more bearable.

Sincerely,

Ben Durfee

Injury by Eric Jacobson

Alas I tell this tragic tale,

of a friend of mine's epic fail.

This story is one of woe

from only several months ago.

We were skiing and boarding all morning long,

when he jumped in the air and fell wrong.

He leaned forward with a twist,

but on impact he broke his wrist.

He lost his activity, his winter fun,

Until the Winter was long done.

Snowboarding his love was lost that day,

for the next six weeks the skies were grey.

In his bed he doth lay,

reminiscing about that tragic day.

In his bed he doth lay,

reminiscing about that tragic day.

One.. Team.. by Marcos Souza

 

One can make the difference.

One is all it takes.

One play.

One single break away can change the game.

One perfect pass.

One foul.

One open chance can lead to victory.

One mistake can change the game.

One is something you can never do and expect a victory.

A team will make a difference.

Team work is all it takes.

A team, that creates the play.

One single team will change the whole game.

One perfect team passing drill.

One team foul.

One open chance, the team will rise in victory.

One team mistake will change the whole game.

A team is what brings true victory, never one.

6 word short stories by Lindsey Hart

Stop killing yourself with his poison.

The boy ran, she died inside.

Fear is the ultimate mind killer.

She keeps me sane.. And alive.

Life is just another miracle now.

No please, don’t leave me now.

I need this moment to last.

Staying with me? No regrets.. Now.

Broken, our love, is broken.

Your mind games are really sick.

Why do you hate me, mockingbird?

But I thought you didn’t care.

Don’t even think of coming back.

I gave you a chance, cheater.

The voices in my head hate me.

Boston strong? You better believe it.

You will never break my spirit.

I thought you loved me back.

Come back home to me, love.

I shouldn’t have left you here.

Are you ready for the riot?

A new age of revolution, coming.

I never actually cared for that.

NFL Brain Injury

Bang! You are a professional football player in the NFL, you just took a hard hit to the head, you suffered from a traumatic brain injury and can no longer play, what will happen to you next? Will you suffer from depression, develop other disease like Alzheimer’s or will you even commit suicide? Athletes should be told about injuries, how they are caused and the affects of them. Also, coaches and the owners of the teams should make sports safer.

            Boston Globe reports that Tom McHale, and All-Ivy athlete who played in 87 NFL games form 1987 to 1995, died of an overdose in 2008 after battling depression and a painkiller addiction. Boston Globe say a handful, including popular pro Bowler Junior Seau, have committed suicide. It is sad to hear that pro football players who have suffered injuries have committed suicide, rather than facing the challenge of dealing with their injury. Football players are big and strong, but the brain is delicate? Football players are equipped with padding and helmets that are made to prevent injuries. However, Frontline reports that in the 2012- 2013 season that 160 players go down with a head injury.

            Boston Globe reports there’s no way to say the only hits that hurt you are the hits from those years. The hits you might of taken years back may have could have caused the injury not the one you just took. Frontline reports the NFL donated $3o million to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for brain injury research. The unrestricted gift is the single-largest donation in league history. In the league’s press release announcing the gift, it points to chronic traumatic encephalopathy as one possible area of research. The NFL is trying to help those who get injured.

            In conclusion, I believe that the NFL players should take more precautions when playing football to reduce their chance of injury. Also the NFL should make stricter rules to the game of football for anyone who wishes to play. Players should also be aware of the injuries, the affects of them, how they are caused, the long –term affect of the injury, and most importantly how to prevent them.

"Erasing More Hate" Flyer News online article by Jordana Pereira

Monday, March 25th, marked the revival of the FHS Marketing Class’s Erase the Hate campaign. What started off as a simple project in Jeremy Flagg’s marketing class, quickly escalated into a school wide campaign during the 2012 school year.  Students in the class made the famous purple Erase The Hate shirts that sold like fresh baked cookies at lunch. According to Jeremy Flagg, he “cleared out” every purple shirt at all A.C. Moore stores within a 50-mile radius of the school, and arrived to Framingham High an hour early every day in order to produce more shirts for sale.      This year, the class is reviving the campaign, in hopes of making it bigger and better. The purple shirts are returning with a fresh look. With emphasis on the slogan, “NO H8” the shirts are again handmade by Mr. Flagg and students everyday before and after school. On Monday, April 1st, Flagg presented his “Last Lecture” in front of students and coworkers. The lecture was the starting line of the campaign, meant for students and teachers to start thinking about the bullying on a more open and public level. He challenged his audience to be a part of the change: “Be willing to be the friend who lends a shoulder to cry on. But more so, be willing to be the stranger that offers a helping hand.”      In addition to the t-shirt sales being revived, the campaign is beginning new sales. Purple ribbons and “NO H8” dog tags will soon become popular on backpacks, lanyards, and key chains in the school, and hopefully will go on to be spotted throughout the town as the class works on spreading the word to middle and elementary schools in the future.      Along with the sales, social media has become a huge marketing outlet for the cause. FHS: Erase The Hate can be “liked” on Facebook and even “followed” on Twitter. Photographs of students with the “NO H8” slogan have recently begun popping up on Instagram and as profile pictures on Facebook. The slogan is either on the students’ cheeks or duct taped to their mouths, representing the hope for an end to bullying. The ultimate goal is to make a difference by sending out a stronger and more impactful message throughout the town and school on the social issues present not only in the packed hallways of Framingham High, but in society as a whole.

Sonnet by Ben Durfee

Being inside the TD Garden
with the roar of the crowd
as the score starts to tighten
Tuuka Rasks stats: one more goal allowed.

With PK Subban being booed
Montreal had tied the game
twice players had a feud
with tensions rising made it anything but lame.

The clock striking 11 minutes
knowing we might not win
the tension started to hurt like bullets
and the excitement so high I forgot about pigskin.

As I rose from my seat
"Montreal goal" and I knew we were beat.

This is a picture of my dad and me in Cozumel, Mexico. We are on these big go karts (they have a different name but I forgot). I've been to Cozumel many times, but I always forget that I want to do an ATV-like adventure. Boy, did I get my wish. If you could see some of the videos. First of all, my dad really knows how to drive. We went through caves, trenches full of water and mud, did many jumps, rocky paths in the jungle, and so much more. It was riveting and I don't regret any moment of it. We also were able to stop and jump into this tavern water. That was really scary. Going to Cozumel was supposed to be time to practice my Spanish, but it turned out to be all fun and games. :)

Cori Sheahan (grade 9 sonnet contest winner) by Becca Sheahan

He looked so peaceful "sleeping" that day
His hair was perfectly tussled and brushed
I stood back and did not know what to say
He lay silently and I was crushed.

Cori had always given off a beautiful vibe
Whether it was his smile or comedic ways
There are so many positive words for him I could describe
His extremely long eyelashes could put you in a daze.

I loved him like he was my brother
But being my cousin was not that far away
We had am amazing relationship like no other
His life should never have ended on that day.

I love and miss him with all my heart
no matter where I am, we will never be too far apart.

Home by Abby Bogovich

Back home is where I want to be right now.

But home is not here it is where I was.

And if only I could remember how,

I’d go back home before anyone does.

Minnesota is where I want to be.

It’s there I have so many memories.

And this is the place I call home for me.

It’s there we always got stuck in the trees.

I’ll always remember the winter days.       
 

I’m always surrounded by family.

And I’ll never forget my grammas ways.

They were there for me when I hurt my knee.

Minnesota, yes, I’d die to live there.

Oh yes, I would live anywhere but here.

6 word short stories B period

For sale: my new baby boy.
There goes he ball. Sparky, No!
Two walked in, one came out.
People with education but no understanding.
Luke, I'm not really your father.
Don't quit. You can't give up.
A war between remembering and forgetting.
She saw her image fading away.
People don't make heroes, choices do.
Many accomplishments, but one great regret.
Beyond your titles, who are you?
Now I am living a lie.
I still cannot think of why.

6 word short stories A period class

1. America, your old ways are gone!
2. Since when do you care?
3. Nobody was supposed to get hurt.
4. A shallow grave in the well.
5. Happiness is always sought under saddness.
6. You're loud and annoying. Love you.
7. She looked up and said, "goodbye."
8. One truth, many lies, what for?
9. It was too dark to tell.
10. He came home covered in bruises.
11. Dubai: the greatest place on earth.

More Than A Game by Jessica Diana (sonnet)

 

                Here’s to the girls that give 100 percent

                Willing to sacrifice their body

                To the girls that want to win at any extent

                That live to get their pants dirty

                 Here’s to the pitchers, catchers, 1^st basemen, and 2^nd basemen

                 The shortstop, 3^rd basemen, right fielder, center fielder, and left fielder

                  To the girls that will dive into any backstop or fence.

                  Hoping not to make a single error

                  Here’s to the girls giving up their summer to play

                  The smell of the freshly mowed grass and newly dragged dirt

                   To the girls that dream to play pro’s someday.

                   To see the red white and blue on their shirt.

                   Here’s to the girls that play with no shame.

                   To the girls that softball is more than a game.

Technology: Changing Society

                                                           Technology: Changing Society

by Callie Llewellyn & Sophia Greb

            The picture we drew basically shows the effect technology has had on our world today. The left image shows our world without technology. People are hanging around outside and enjoying life with rainbows and sunshine and smiling, but on the right side the image is much worse. It shows a dark world with everyone inside on their computers not enjoying life and crashing their cars because they were texting and driving. It basically shows how technology has corrupted the world and has many negative impacts on us.

With apologies to Emily Dickinson

by Franice Freedman

 

How can one wait to shed,

His earthly, tethered wears?

Replaced upon deathbed

By heavenly silk so clear.

 

And following the burial,

Beyond a looming gate

Honor true doth amplify,

So ends the grievous wait.

 

Here crawl the worm and fly,

Prepared to decompose.

The time has come to fertilize,

Starting with one’s toes.

 

Who would not be flattered,

By such a privilege as this?

To be wholesomely devoured-

Death’s eternal bliss.

 

"It's That Time of Year Again" an original song by Jordan Kratochvil

 "It's That Time of Year Again"

 

[Chorus]:  It's that time of year again.  Cookies and milk for the guy in red.  Upon your pillow rest your head, and see what happens then.

The glowing of the fire is suddenly put out, but you don't need to doubt what your joy will be higher.

[Chorus]

With eight reindeer on your house, down the chimney that guy shall go. As he chants his "ho ho ho's" he disturbs no one not even a mouse.

[Chorus] x2

As you're walking down the silent stairs, you see so many gifts for you, and many for your siblings too.

It's that time of year again. So many gifts for the girls and boys, watch their hearts swell up with joy. -[x2]

[Chorus]x2

"Merry Christmas"

 
Soar Like An Eagle,
        Jordan Kratochvil

Lessons Learned by Jordan Cline

 

Take a look around our class and acknowledge our differences. From as little as one extra freckle, to as big as race, religion, and skin color. What are you? Black, white, Asian.... Who are you? If your answer is the same to the previous question, then you must learn from my friend. That is why I entitled this "Lessons Learned." I learned, indirectly, from one who wasn't  always my favorite "mentor."

Lessons Learned

Seeing him with Evan, a friend who has been their since the day I was born. I didn't know what to do, so I just stared deep into his eyes, and he did the same. Some of you know my story; you know where I come from, grew up, who I was and thought I needed to change because of "Charlie." Well, now I can use his real name, Ariel.

While on vacation in Tortola, I visited Nanny Cay to catch up with some friends. Then I see strolling in with my boy Evan, is Ariel. The one who called me stupid because I was black, and it wasn't until eighth grade where I realized I'm not just a black kid, I'm Jordan Cline. Anyway, back to the stare. How could I not do it? I told people if I saw him again, I would thank him, even though some said I should take him out. I broke the stare when I stood up to go by the beach and think when my fruit punch fell on me and I dramatically fell to the ground. I just dashed to the bathroom in total embarrassment.

 

Who knew this was the time and place I would see him again? I thought it would be in 30 years over lunch or something. Guess who walks in...? Yep, that's right, him. The bathroom, really? That is my vacation story. Ariel quietly whispered, "I'm sorry--"

 

"You know, I don't want to hear the 'I'm Sorry' crap after the years of hell you put me through!" I retorted.

Ariel murmured, "I know, I just..."

 

"It's too late because, in all those years, I processed the sheer words that came out of your mouth. I became the person many people love today. I became Jordan and don't think you're going to walk in here and apologize for making me work my ass off everyday to prove to you, someone who just shows up in my life, that I am not anyone's subordinate."

 

Awkward turn of events, right? I'm still not sure if that was my rage and a punch yet using words instead of firsts, or if it was an apology. But either way, I walked right past Ariel, standing there with his head down, and said, "I should thank you. I clearly wasn't the one living in vain all of these years..." And I walked out.

 

Back at the table, no one aware of the occurrences in the bathroom, Ariel and I got caught in another stare. I knew deep down, he was sorry and gained respect for the new me. We truly saw "eye-to-eye." I can't say it was the way I planned it to happen, but hey, it turns out that he got my number from Evan and we texted for hours on end. 

So, when someone asks me how were my holidays. Let's just say, I ran into a long-lost friend. A friend who made me implant the courage to meet all of you; some of you who are the closest to a true brother or sister. I love all of you because your uniqueness brings this class together. So don't ever forget that in life. Being different certainly has been the best gift of my life. It was a rough ride, literally it was rough and awkward boat ride, but the lesson came across finally, and now I take it to heart and tell the ones around me.