Our Voice Volume 3

By Scot McAtee

Our Voice is a student written and edited ebook produced by the students of Twin Lakes School Corporation in Monticello, Indiana. It is a crosscurriculur, inclusive writing project that seeks to raise interest in creative writing amongst K-12 students in our district. It may not be the only student magazine out there, but it goes two steps beyond by creating an entrepreneurial opportunity for students interested in digital media, publishing, marketing, and entrepreneurship as well as offering the chance for student writers to get published. All proceeds from sales go into a scholarship fund for students or towards publishing a physical version of the ebook.

Volume 3 marks the first time we have opened our writing project to all levels of our school corporation. The response has been overwhelming. Over 170 students submitted writing. 68 contributions are included in this volume. Size constraints and various content or timing issues precluded us from adding more. But that means Volume 4 is already underway.

We hope you enjoy what we have to say. It's Our Voice and we want it to be heard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scot McAtee
• Release date: Jan 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301998951

Scot McAtee

Scot McAtee started out his professional life teaching High School English in Northern Indiana. After a year long stint in Inchon, Korea, teaching English to native Koreans, he returned to Indiana where he teaches High School classes in Business and Computer Sciences. He spends his free time creating movies, video games, digital music and writing other sci-fi and horror novels. His favorite authors are George Orwell, Kurt Vonnegut, Aldous Huxley and Clive Cussler. And although it may be hard for Westerners to see the likeness, his Korean students frequently called him Brad Pitt.

Book preview

Our Voice Volume 3

Twin Lakes Writing Club

(Editors: Mr. McAtee, Mrs. Kreiling, Mrs. Wheeler)

Published by Twin Lakes Writing Club at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Twin Lakes Writing Club

Other Titles by Twin Lakes Writing Club

Our Voice

Our Voice, Volume 2

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Editors' Notes

Poetry

Essays

Corporation-Wide Writing Prompt (Nov, 2012)

Folk Tales

Novel Excerpts

List of Writers

Participating Teachers

Editors' Notes

From Scot McAtee:

Here we are on our 3rd volume of Our Voice. This time around, we offered a writing prompt to all grades K-12. We also asked students for original writing, just like before. We had over 170 total submissions, 68 of which we were ready in time for this publication. We had students from grades 5-12 submitting. There were loads of very creative, very interesting items and we wish we had enough time to get every single one of them ready for publication, but due to time constraints and/or content issues, we just couldn't get them all in. I see that as a testament to what we're building here.

We have students of all ages, all abilities, wanting to write. What's more, they're coming to us for individual instruction in hopes of improving their skills. It's what we think teaching should be and we are overwhelmed at the response we had this time around.

For this volume, we're trying a new publishing site, Smashwords, in addition to Amazon in hopes of making Our Voice heard farther and wider than ever before. We're going global this time and we're going to show the world how it's done.

As you read, please keep in mind that the material and the editing are all student generated. We may not be perfect, but we're working on it. Who knows... maybe you're about to read the next Vonnegut or Shakespeare within these pages. --Jan. 07, 2013

From Donna M. Kreiling:

The longer I teach the more I realize there is so much I still have to learn. Most of the time, I learn it from my students. We have a wonderfully symbiotic relationship – I teach them all that I can through various literature selections, grammar, and of course, writing. They teach me what it is like to be a teenager in a rapidly changing technological world, one in which the only certainty is that another change is right around the corner. One constant remains; they, like me, like all of us really, have a story. They have stories to tell and they are eager to reveal them if given the opportunity.

During the invention and draft stages of their creative process I observed. What I saw enchanted me – some of my most reluctant learners advanced to the task (of writing) with exhilaration. They wrote with renewed vigor that I felt privileged to bear witness. Their stories captivated me and I think it changed them as well. They shared parts of themselves that they had not before. That’s one of the beautiful things and the painful things about writing – you leave a little bit of yourself on every page. I hope that they take away from this endeavor that sometimes a bit of risk is worth the reward.

From Mrs. Wheeler:

Once again, I am delighted and proud to be working with my colleagues, Scot McAtee and Donna Kreiling, to produce writing from such talented students. Through Our Voice, students have been able to make their dreams of publishing their own writing a reality. Through this volume, as well as the previous volumes, we continue to see these bright stars shine. I am humbled to be part of such a caring group of people whose goal remains constant: to allow students a voice. Finally, the reason this is all possible: thank you, students! Your dedication and fearlessness in making your own writing publicly available is commendable. You are an inspiration for others who share your dream of publishing original work.

Artwork by Grace Howe

Poetry

Little Lightning Bug

Libby Rodkey

Little lightning bug, flying around so gracefully. You glow so bright

when you're not in the light. Oh little lightning bug, you're so sweet,

beautiful as can be. You light up the night, like a star in the sky. But

you're not alone, millions of others come out at night, right by your

side. They glow so bright it’s like daylight. Little lightning bugs, l

watch you dance around as the frogs sing their songs. Your

brightness shines all through the night, until the morning light. And

When I awake you're out of sight ‘til the night time sky.

Essays

Beyond the Great Depression

Paige Shields

Sir Winston Churchill once said, Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Simply because he met an unkindly demise, does that make him any less correct? The U.S. will never fall back into the conditions that it faced during The Great Depression. I agree whole-heartedly. We will never fall back into the conditions faced during The Great Depression, because it will become increasingly worse each time we cycle through.

In 1776, the United States of America was established and we seemed off to a good start with our newfound freedom and high expectations for our land. After less than 100 years we came upon the Panic of 1837. It was the worst depression our young nation had seen since it was born, during which banks closed, businesses failed, and numerous people lost their land. This happened, because the Second Bank of the United States was hurt because Andrew Jackson moved federal funds to smaller banks, which were shut down due to concerns about control regulation over economic opportunities. The state banks’ loose policies concerning credit caused mass speculation.

Our nation pulled through a horrific depression to endure a worse one just less than 100 years later. This time in American history became known as the Great Depression. The Great Depression was believed to be caused by the Black Tuesday stock market crash, but historians and experts believe the economic downturn took place before even that. The stock market crash caused increasing problems with banks where more than eleven thousand of the nation’s twenty-five thousand banks had failed. During this depression people lost jobs, homes, banks failed, massive inflation occurred, people committed suicide, the crime rate went up, and the country was in a panic.

Today it is November 29, 2012. It hasn’t been 100 years, but we’re getting within range of our cycle again. It’s only 2012 and already our economy has taken several major downturns, crime rate has increased, jobs are being lost, suicides are rising, massive emotional depression has plagued people of all ages, inflation is occurring, people are leaving the country with our money, and already we’ve had to perform bailouts for banks. The banks are becoming a problem yet again. Do you see the pattern yet? We have not learned from our history books while we sat in class for hours as children. We are doomed to repeat our mistakes if we do not make a change. I realize change is easier said than done, but we don’t seem to even try, we just wallow in self-pity. So, no, we will not fall back into the same conditions of the Great Depression, because we’ll be falling into worse conditions. The Great Depression will seem like a scratch compared to the dent this will make in our nation. That is, of course, if our nation remains intact after the anticipated events have taken place.

Folk Tales

Tiger Woods and the Sloth

Graham Howe and Sidney Myers

Once upon a time Snow White was walking through the woods, and saw Sid the Sloth sleeping in a tree. She threw a rock at Sid and said Sloth get up!! How can you sleep on the beautiful day? Sid the Sloth says, What do you want? Will you come down here and walk with me? Snow White asked. Sid the Sloth stumbles out of the tree.

They hear a very loud voice, I am the fastest animal here! They go to the voice and they see a tiger. Why’re you being so loud? They asked. Because I am the best at everything, and no one can tell me what do to. The tiger brags.

Oh really, I bet you I can beat you in a race. Sid the Sloth commented. Yeah right, you couldn’t be a snail if you tried. The tiger told him confidently. Is that a challenge? asked Sid the Sloth. Yeah, it is! yelled the tiger. Calm down you guys, Snow White yelled. Ohh, is your mommy defending you? asked the tiger. For one, she is not my mommy. Number two, I can defend myself. Said the sloth. You name the time and place Sid told the tiger. Ok at the lake and Sunday at 9 o’clock. said the tiger. Ok, I’ll be there! Sid commented.

When they get to the pond the tiger wasn’t there. Then they realized they were at the wrong pond. They figured out it was the pond on the east side of the woods. Now we have to walk another 4 miles! You gave me the wrong directions Snow White. Sid the Sloth said. It’s not my fault, the tiger save me the wrong directions. Snow White protested. Well, you shouldn’t have believed him!! Sid yelled to Snow White.

I am sorry, let’s stop arguing and start walking. Snow White told Sid. Ok, I don’t want to be late to the race I am going to win! Sid said confidently. Once they got to the pond everybody was waiting on them. I thought you were too scared of losing, you wouldn’t show up. Tiger said. Oh no, Snow White gave us the wrong directions, Sid said getting mad. It wasn’t my fault Tiger gave me those directions... Snow White said. Oh so you were scared of losing. That’s why you gave us the wrong directions, hoping we wouldn’t show up! Sid said really mad.

Oh no I can beat you running backwards said Tiger

Ok lets start the race yelled the crowd, Ok seven laps around the pond wins the race Said the Tiger Ok on your mark, get set, go! Yelled the crowd. Only the sloth went, not the tiger. He said I’ll let him get a head start so I don’t beat min so bad, so the tiger laid down and took a nap. The sloth was on his sixth lap when the tiger woke up. Oh I better get going said the tiger. He tries to catch up but he was on his third lap when the Sloth finished. The tiger has been beat. So know the tiger can never boast again and everyone lived happy ever after. You name the time and place: Sid told the Tiger. Okay at the lake and Sunday at 9 o’clock said the tiger.

Ok, I’ll be there Sid commented

When they get to the pond they realize they were at the wrong pond. They figured out that it was the pond on the east side of the woods. Now we have to walk another 4 miles. You gave me the wrong directions Snow White. Sid the sloth said. It’s not my fault, the tiger gave me the wrong directions. Snow White protested. Well, you shouldn’t have believed him. Sid yelled to Snow White.

I am sorry, lets stop arguing and start walking. Snow White told Sid Ok, I don’t want to be late to the race I am going to win, said Sid confidently. Once they got to the pond everybody was waiting on them. I thought you were too scared of losing, you wouldn’t show up. Tiger said oh no, Snow White gave us the wrong directions. Sid said getting mad."

The Zebra and the Donkey

Maggie Emmons and Kaleb Cauble

There once was a farmer who owned 3 zebras and 3 donkeys. There were three zebras named Martha, Manny, Melvin, and three donkeys named Dorothy, George, and Dana. They lived next to a wizard with a terrible temper. The farmer always warned the animals not to go into the wizard’s yard.

One day Melvin and Dorothy the oldest of the animals, were bored. They thought that it might be fun to run, but Manny, Martha, George; Dana dared them to go into the wizard’s yard and run. Although they thought it was a bad idea, the others promised them each their whole three bushes of hay. So it was planned that at sunset Melvin and Dorothy would sneak into the wizard’s yard and run around to tear it up.

Once the two got there they suddenly felt queasy. It was said that the wizard had a terrible temper and would immediately lay a curse on yard. But those three bushels of hay sounded so good that they tore up the whole left corner of the yard.

The next morning the wizard went to get this mail and saw his torn up yard. He immediately wondered who in the world would do this. But then he saw the little patch of mud with hove prints. He was so mad, and said If I find out that those animals of that farmer did it, they will pay!

After he read the paper he walked over the farmer’s house and asked him if saw his zebras and donkeys leave last night.

The farmer stood up for his animals and said My animals would never do such a thing; get off my lawn if you are going to accuse my animals of such things!

That night the wizard knew what he had to do. So he waited and waited for the moment when his plan would go into action.

That same night Melvin and Dorothy though back to the three bushels of hay and agreed one again to go and tear up another corner of the Wizard’s yard.

The wizard’s house was dark, and so they ran and ran and ran until they were stopped by a chilled feeling. They each saw a purple light swirling around each other. Then it stopped and they walked back home thinking of the words they both heard. They couldn’t really make out some words but they though it said something like beware… Next time… you go in my yard… you’ll be sorry! Not only was that scary but they couldn’t.

Later on that night, Melvin and Dorothy talked about it while the rest slept a deep sleep, and agreed that they would not tell a soul.

The next afternoon the four other animals dared them to go into the yard one last time, but for seven bushels of hay this time. Seven, bushels of hay! That was a lot thought Melvin. They both looked at each other surprised, and suddenly said it was a deal! Quickly feeling nervous they ran and ran and ran and ran tearing up half of the yard this time, being stopped by the same gleaming purple light, but there were no word this time.

When they started to walk back they felt funny and it seemed like they couldn’t see each other. But when they got back everybody looked at them in ah! They finally figured out what felt so weird. They were now a donkey sized zebra with extremely large ears, otherwise known as a zonkey! And that is why zonkeys exist in this world!

Princess vs Prince

Amanda Kirchner and Lexus Scheller

Have you ever wondered why princesses don’t save the prince? Maybe the prince thinks he is all that, or maybe the princess is too girly, but I know why.

It all started a long, long time ago when a princess named Emily went outside for her regular stroll in the village of Rosebud. She had not gone far when she heard a faint scream from the witch’s castle. This was a little awkward for her because usually Emily screams to get help. But this was not your ordinary fairy tale with a prince on a white horse who comes to her rescue. She quickly ran to the castle to see who was screaming. Low and behold a prince was crying for his mommy, pleading for the ugly witch to put him back down. The princess thought for a moment. She didn’t know if she