In-Region Submissions

Table of Contents

"Corday" 1

Prize Poem

Melissa Haney

Greenville High School

"Evidemment" 3

Prize Poem

Melissa Haney

Greenville High School

"Indefinite Diversions" 4

Prize Poem

Melissa Haney

Greenville High School

"Inheritance" 5

Prize Poem

Melissa Haney

Greenville High School

"Mistress Image" 6

Prize Poem

Melissa Haney

Greenville High School

"You and Me" 7

Prize Poem

Scholarship Winner

Chandra DeMichieli

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 9

Prize Poem

Cody Feasby

Crestview High School

"Thespian's Tragedy" 10

Prize Poem

Scholarship Winner

Margo Holthouse

Celina High School

"Untitled" 11

Prize Poem

Jenny Strickland

St. Marys High School

"The Sounds of Nature" 12

Honorable Mention

Ida Abdalkhani

Shawnee High School

AGirl to Woman@ 13

"All Alone" 19

Honorable Mention

Jennifer Gehres

Crestview High School

"Origami" 20

Honorable Mention

John Genter

Crestview High School

"Different Is Good" 21

Honorable Mention

Dane Gross

Paulding High School

"The Riddle's End" 22

Honorable Mention

Kelly Hamilton

Greenville High School

"Pure Agony" 23

Honorable Mention

Nick Howard

Lincolnview High School

"The Undecided" 25

Honorable Mention

San Isenbarger

Crestview High School

"You and I" 26

Honorable Mention

Scholarship Winner

Hanna Long

Fort Recovery High School

"Untitled" 27

Honorable Mention

Jami Lare

Crestview High School

"Crayons" 28

Honorable Mention

Heather Obringer

Coldwater High School

"Remember" 29

Honorable Mention

Loni Oliver

Greenville High School

"Continuation" 30

Honorable Mention

Mikael Schib

Crestview High School

"Vultures" 31

Honorable Mention

Annie Schwieterman

Coldwater High School

"In a Sense" 33

Honorable Mention

Jennifer Sherman

Ansonia High School

"Specifics" 34

Honorable Mention

Julie Singer

Greenville High School

"My Thoughts" 35

Honorable Mention

Joseph Sowers

Greenville High School

"Change" 36

Honorable Mention

Kelly Vonder Haar

Coldwater High School

"Silence" 37

Honorable Mention

Erin Wells

Crestview High School

"Love" 38

Honorable Mention

Stephanie Williamson

Crestview High School

"Deaf" 39

Honorable Mention

Scott Wortman

Crestview High School

"Dreaming" 40

Sara Alvarez

Crestview High School

"My Song" 41

Hayley Ashbaugh

Greenville High School

"Growing Up" 42

Cara Babcock

Shawnee High School

"Remembering That Day" 43

Shaun Balliet

Crestview High School

"Tears" 44

Ashley Beard

Crestview High School

AAnother Class@ 45

ABroken Hearts@ 57

"Sunset" 58

Jo Custer

Minster High School

"All Alone" 59

Trevor Dickson

Crestview High School

"Life" 60

Joel Dillon

Greenville High School

"This Face" 61

Julie Dircksen

Minster High School

"Only a Date" 62

Lisa Donadio

Greenville High School

"Untitled" 63

Marta Donate-McClure

Crestview High School

"Awakening" 64

Annie Fahrbach

Greenville High School

"Toothbrush" 65

Heather Fifer

Crestview High School

"Fog" 66

Shaunda Fifer

Crestview High School

"The Volcano" 67

Tori Fleming

Crestview High School

"Longing to Be Looked At" 68

Breanne Fralick

Crestview High School

"Gangs, Wars, and Violence" 69

Katie Funk

Shawnee High School

"Spirit" 70

Ashley Gallaway

Crestview High School

"What Question" 71

Brian Gehres

Crestview High School

"Day and Night" 72

Justin Gehres

Crestview High School

AGone But Not Forgotten@ 73

"The Love Song of Norma Jean" 78

Adrienne Hanover

Crestview High School

"Waiting for Inspiration" 79

Jeremy Harris

St. Marys High School

AThe Cancer Patient@ 80

"Untitled" 88

Jeff Kaup

Coldwater High School

"The Gift" 89

Jessica Kelly

Crestview High School

"Addiction of Love" 90

Lynn Kemper

Minster High School

"Untitled" 91

Kelsey Kiehl

Crestview High School

"Growing Up" 92

Casey Knoth

Coldwater High School

"Flight of the Souls" 94

Colette Kramer

Coldwater High School

"Mistakes" 96

Jamie Krick

Crestview High School

"The Wall" 97

Cassie Kuhlhorst

Celina High School

"The Perfect Little Girl" 98

Erin Lacy

Crestview High School

"Rays of Sunshine" 99

James Lautzenheiser

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 100

Nicole Lehrman

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 101

Rachel Lehrman

Crestview High School

"Shameless" 102

Jennifer Lero

Paulding High School

"Untitled" 103

Kirk Lichtensteiger

Crestview High School

"The Rise and Fall" 104

Amber Lippi

Crestview High School

"Remember" 105

Wendy Luebke

Marion Local High School

"Tragedy" 107

Terry Marsee

Crestview High School

"Forgotten Things" 108

Matt McClure

Crestview High School

"A Soldier" 109

Martin McConahay

Crestview High School

"Make It Count" 110

Amber McCoy

Crestview High School

"Reach Out" 111

Bridget McCullough

New Knoxville High School

"Gypsy Horse" 112

Alexis Miller

Crestview High School

"Perfect Love" 113

Janelle Moeder

Coldwater High School

"Oh, What the Hell!" 115

Nathan Moeller

St. Marys High School

"Nature's Prom" 116

Rachel Mohlman

Coldwater High School

"Marla" 118

Norval Morgan

Greenville High School

"Civil War" 119

Jason Mosier

Crestview High School

"One Man" 120

Anna Neuschwanger

Crestview High School

"Raindrops" 121

Adam Osenga

Crestview High School

"War" 122

Jared Owens

Crestview High School

"Sand" 123

Carrie Parrish

Crestview High School

"Tornado" 124

Brandi Perl

Crestview High School

"Love Is . . . " 125

April Perrott

Crestview High School

"Classmates" 126

Daniel A. Pierce

Greenville High School

"Bug" 127

Adam Plas

Crestview High School

"Leaves" 128

Micah Joy Pool

Crestview High School

"Learn to Believe in Yourself" 129

Heather Post

Ansonia High School

"Untitled" 131

Nathan Powelson

Crestview High School

"I Do Not Regret" 132

Ashley Pruden

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 133

Shonda Pugh

Crestview High School

"Aftermath of the Little Boy" 134

Travis Rhoades

Crestview High School

"At Long Last" 135

Morgan Rismiller

Ansonia High School

"Nature" 136

Josh Ross

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 137

Megan Scaer

Crestview High School

"Friends" 138

Beth Schoenle

Crestview High School

"What a Friend Should Be" 139

Greg Schwieterman

Coldwater High School

"The Questions and Answers of Life" 140

Nikki Schwieterman

Coldwater High School

"Dreams" 141

Cory Shipp

Greenville High School

"Rainbow" 142

Danielle Silva

Crestview High School

"Human Nature" 143

Brandi Sinn

Crestview High School

"Why You" 144

Kaja Smith

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 145

Rebecca Smith

Crestview High School

"A Look in the Mirror" 146

Kelly Snyder

Celina High School

"Why Do We Dream" 147

Chrissy Springer

Crestview High School

"Untitled" 148

Raenita Stephens

Lincolnview High School

"Mountains" 149

Tonya Stewart

Crestview High School

"The Crying of a Child" 150

Angela Stocklin

Spencerville High School

"Untitled" 151

B.J. Swander

Crestview High School

"Purpose" 152

Amanda Teckman

St. Marys High School

"Coldness" 153

Vanessa M. Thompson

Crestview High School

"The Dream" 154

Jeff Tobe

Minster High School

"A Celtic Celebration" 155

Craig Via

Greenville High School

"Open Road" 156

Alan Vining

Crestview High School

"Relativity" 157

LeAnne Wagner

Minster High School

"A Tree" 158

Andrea Webster

Crestview High School

"Alone" 159

Julie Zimerle

Shawnee High School

Melissa Haney

Grade 12

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Charlotte Corday, I am your incarnation.

Cunning and maniacal,

gaining admittance, you were the

revolutionary vixen.

Becoming a new movement within

and replacing in the eyes of your nation

soft and suckle

with snake-like skull and cold-blooded fear.

Yes, you were the one

proving your sex in the eyes of the French.

Charlotte Corday, there were no options

for those who remember

Marat and his methods,

and you brooded your course

(would you have the nerve?),

practicing perfect penetration;

weren't you crafty with the lies

and the knife

in his bath.

Your cause was your passion,

your passion, your reasons.

Your reasons and your suicide mission

with nothing to deny;

And the papers told his story

and the people had you:

anti-woman.

Seductress and witch that must burn,

anti-woman, YOU.

Charlotte Corday, you were one with the guillotine.

And I was on that square.

when the blade dropped

and souls escaped;

energy exchanged.

Charlotte Corday, your ways were wrong.

The ends, yes the ends . . .

(how you smeared the female)

did they justify the means?

Or am I still guillotined?

Will my head still fall

anti-woman that I am,

still proving

in the new revolution . . .

Melissa Haney

Grade 12

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

A slit in the midnight

opens unseen in the Western sky,

where stars are pulled

and pocketed in endless oblivion.

While dreams woven web,

AM sounds here

and there,

night is only turned over in predictions.

The yellow of the sun

becomes the most chilling black;

an eternal eclipse in the Eastern sky,

beguiled by the populous.

As crowds gather with sheltered eyes

to witness the Judgment,

across the ocean,

the awakened and insomniac cry in unison.

We understand the end

as the frost gathers global,

and a sonic explosion

rocks the tortured earth.

Where will you be

on that terrible dawn:

standing

a breaker against apocalypse,

when we realize in all finality

that ours was the religion

either right

or wrong.

Melissa Haney

Grade 12

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

. . . the man and the desk fit together;

pieces of a puzzle,

in lamplight flicker

between shadow of book and bauble,

under comfy ceilings designed

to crack in corners.

Watching as he is:

the game at his fingertips,

the picture that is slow to come,

and the message that is shattered.

But the piece now fits.

And the vision is a man.

He sits at a desk.

He stares into a puzzle . . .

Melissa Haney

Grade 12

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

I

.My brother's skin, bronzed and sun-stained yellow

hangs off the bones of his face

down his eye sockets and over

his mouth;

soft melted wax after the flame of the candle

has been extinguished.

I was born with the skin of my grandmother;

white, icy, porcelain

before cigarettes and disappointment

cracked the corners of her eyes.

II.

She sips her coffee now

(two pots a day, alone)

and says:

"Don't ever let them break your face,"

her black Irish eyes

piercing the iris of my own

brown-sometimes-green.

A pale hand is placed over my pale hand

coldly;

two fingers and a thumb tainted yellow

against the sun.

Melissa Haney

Grade 12

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

She is the goddess of glitter,

the angel of faux pas and gloss,

hair spray,

and items misunderstood and unexplained.

She might have been one of the vanities

all platforms and velvet

and her voice,

one of madness in a world gone reasonable.

Hot blooded,

angry and beautiful, glamorous and gaudy.

Her skin is porcelain;

her painted face

reflecting her shallow soul.

A certified original on a recyclable planet,

her loneliness drives the trends.

Her heels strive to reach heaven.

Her wings are hidden

beneath her patent leather blazer.

Chandra DeMichieli

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

I watch you

Silently

I loathe your every move

You bury me

Subtly

You can't afford to lose

I feel you

Straining

Keep my head pushed down

You hear me

Gasping

No air beneath the ground

I fight you

Weakly

Laugh at my attempt

You cover me

Thoroughly

Eyes burning with contempt

I know you

Sometimes

Still a part of me

You feel me

Inside

Must know I'll never leave

I'll burn you

Someday

Paper matted mask

You aren't me

Pretender

Paper ignites so fast

Cody Feasby

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

My mom bought me a CD.

I thought she really liked me.

I remember her taking me to the mall

and chasing me down the hall.

She used to use the belt.

Boy, did that leave a welt.

She could make me scream

and then take me out for ice-cream.

Margo Holthouse

Grade 11

Celina High School

Teacher: Mrs. Jackie Springer

His life was a play with eighteen acts

Topped full with feelings and emotions

Mixed with tragedy, comedy, drama

Forgotten lines here and there

But the show went on

Diverse characters made up his play

Yet only one actor ever performed

As the audience watched with interest

For never did a dull moment occur

Never did the show stop

But in the middle of the nineteenth act

With the climax yet to come

A muffled gasp ran through the crowd

For the actor fell and moved no more

As a black curtain dropped

Whenever it had seemed like the show would stop,

The audience had cried, "More! More!"

And now the show has ended

And the audience just cries.

Jenny Strickland

Grade 10

St. Marys High School

Teacher: Kelly Jay

I think back to that surreal summer night,

when we stretched our sunburned backs

and stared at the stars above, nestled

in the creamy shock of navy sky.

There, hidden in a far-off field,

we found hope in the dew-cooled grass

and freedom in the fresh night breeze.

The trees waved their whispering leaves

in a welcoming invitation to the darkness,

and God suddenly seemed much closer.

Ida Abdalkhani

Grade 11

Shawnee High School

Teacher: Ms. Margaret Bush

Deep rivers slowly flowing,

Making sweet gurgling sounds.

Rain lucidly dripping off the windows,

Falling with a low rhythmic sound.

The sounds of nature,

Peaceful and serene.

Deep rivers rushing forward,

Making loud crashes as they slam against their shores.

Rain, heavy, pouring down,

Making you crazy with its relentless pound.

The sounds of nature,

Angry and distraught.

Deep rivers draining,

Making a low droning sound.

Rain, cautiously drizzling,

Making uneven sounds as it hits the pavement.

The sounds of nature,

Depressed and sad.

Deep rivers gradually churning,

Making subtle bubbling sounds.

Rain, easy, light,

Making you feel giddy and childlike.

The sounds of nature,

Happy and content.

Tiffany Bevins

Grade 10

Tri-Village High School

Teacher: Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons

A girl has no worries

A woman has them all

A girl can feel she's on the top of the world

A woman is afraid to fall

A girl thinks she has all the answers

A woman seems to be the only one who makes mistakes

A girl is what I want to be

A woman is what I take

Nikki Braun

Grade 9

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

The sky shimmers of blue-green

Creatures swim as if they were weightless

It reaches out, above itself

Trying to see how far it can touch

The birds swim through the sky

Splashing and diving

Hovering and soaring

Creating ripples and waves in the clouds

Hawks search for a meal

Under every rock and in every cave

Graceful swans fly steady

Alongside great ships on waves

I feel the cool breeze against my skin

I jump to the blue-green sky

And fly with the bird

We create ripples and waves in the clouds, together

so high

David Cannizzaro

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Nothing

As darkness falls across the sky,

The clouds have all died.

Where did they all go?

I couldn't tell you, I don't know.

The sun is hiding

Telling its friends stories about

dying.

He tucks them into bed

. . . and then I see a shadow

of his head.

But I'm wrong,

Everything is gone.

Eddie Cooper

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

The Color Green

Soft hues of grass in a wet summer,

Stems of flowers stretching

for the sun,

Rippled ocean waves kissing a pearl

beach,

An endless blanket of leaves

flapping in a wood,

This is a subtle shade of the mind.

It should be enough to know

The sun will always rise,

Sail across the tranquil sea

of thought,

Returning the soul to a time before,

And then set, leaving only

The memory of green.

Laurie Fella

Grade 12

Ansonia High School

Teacher: Mrs. Tara George

She's Always Late

Watching and waiting, staring

at the stars.

He glances out the window . . .

she's always late.

Old times flash in his head;

touching memories,

Her hair, her eyes, her smile, too.

Watching and waiting, the sunset

is beautiful.

Birds sing sweet melodies, sing

in their nests.

Flowers bloom and smile at the sun,

he sits and stares . . .

she's always late.

Nurse comes; it's time for breakfast

again.

He smiles and remembers her cooking--

always singing.

He returns to his room and watches

the rain beating down.

A glance at his watch . . .

she's always late.

The aide comes in, time for a bath.

He tells her to use Old Spice,

it was "her" favorite.

He smiles and wears her favorite

shirt, too.

He looks out the window

and smiles . . .

she's always late.

Weeks pass, it's still the same.

The doctor says he's sick,

but he feels no pain.

Sun shines in, as does she,

and touches his face softly.

He smiles and whispers,

"I never gave up on you . . .

and you're still always late!"

as they fade away together.

Jennifer Gehres

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

Ever since I can remember,

You've always pushed me forward.

You pushed me to walk,

You pushed me to run.

You were my hero.

But now I finally understand.

It was never all for me.

As I sit on this road, I realize

You are ashamed of me!

Well, don't worry, my brother,

I'll soon be gone.

You've been embarrassed for the very last time.

And now as I die here alone,

I pray to you, dear brother.

Will you someday accept me?

I cannot help the person I have been,

But please, brother,

Will you ever love me?

John Genter

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Origami

Origami, the art of folding paper.

Love the art of bending will,

and fronts and fast and waiting.

Perceptions folded like a paper swan,

make up infatuation.

You must know origami well.

Dane Gross

Grade 11

Paulding High School

Teacher: Mrs. Esther Dooley

Different is good:

Opinions and people,

And snowflakes that fall

On an old church steeple;

Cars and colors,

Life in a city;

Baseball teams;

A person's opinion of pretty.

And like is good:

The seconds on a clock,

The calm night air,

The one missing sock;

The dew on the ground;

The pain in your nose,

And the distinguishing smell

Of a freshly cut rose.

Kelly Hamilton

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Deep in the heart of every mind

Lie a thousand riddles waiting to be solved.

Every riddle waits impatiently,

Tugging at the mind to solve it.

Some will be solved quickly,

Others may never be solved.

Yet it is quaint,

How the riddles that some may think are the most important

Wind up symbolizing nothing.

And the ones that are solved negligently

Impel the course of our lives.

Nick Howard

Grade 11

Lincolnview High School

Teacher: Mr. Greg Leeth

Spider webs

Strands of liquid silver

dancing for the pleasure

of the sun

Wild lilacs

Adding deep shades of violet

to the green

I am all

I am nothing

Blissfully entrapped in

a prison of beauty

A butterfly

Blood crimson and icy blue

wings fight a futile battle

against the breeze

A thorn

Pierces my arm

I feel nothing

I feel everything

a bird

of the faintest yellow

sings a melody

of the wind and sky

The world

so blue and clear

is turned upside down

for I am looking

upon the sea

For the merest of moments

I am winging through

the open air

My spirit

soars ever higher

until at last

I see all

know all

as all

The moment passes

My enraptured heart

weeps as it is pulled

back to its oppressive cage

I am thrust from heaven

to a mundane hell

of pain and despair

A single jewel

of pure agony

falls from my cheek

I turn away

Sam Isenbarger

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

The Undecided

A, Um

Let' see

Well

Gee

Maybe

No

How about

Ya, well

Huh

Kind of

Could

Ya, Ya?? Maybe

Jami Lare

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

Just like a simple grape

can make a wine so sweet,

a simple little vein

can make your heart beat.

Just like a simple seed

can make a grape vein grow,

a simple little word

can make your feelings flow.

The simple little grape

can represent your life,

like the juices released

when you start to cry.

Hanna Long

Grade 11

Fort Recovery High School

Teacher: Mr. Mark Hubbard

I look into your eyes, and I see myself there.

It reminds me of times when we were close.

I remember times we thought

The exact same thing

At the exact same moment.

And times it seemed our hearts

Were beating in unison.

But I also remember times we were screaming

At each other.

Times when our eyes shot sparks.

Times when you came close to hitting me.

Then I remember our apologies.

And I remember someone telling me once

That there is a thin line

Between love and hate.

You and I

We are alike but different.

I look into your eyes, and I see myself there.

And it scares me.

Heather Obringer

Grade 9

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

People are crayons.

They come in all different colors.

Some are bright radiant colors while

others are dull, unemotional shades.

All crayons start off sharp and new.

After a while they get worn down.

Some break under pressure while others

stay strong.

There is every color in the rainbow

and then some.

Pink is a pretty, prissy person.

Red is an adventurous person who wants

to be nothing less than everything.

Green is an environmentalist who knows

they can change the world.

Black is a tough person who secretly fears

emotional connection with others.

Yellow is a happy person who is sometimes

referred to as a scatterbrain.

Orange is a loud person who often finds

themselves in trouble.

Blue is a shy person with great ideas,

but is too quiet to tell others.

Purple is a bossy person who feels like

no one will ever understand them.

White is an innocent person searching for

their identity.

The crayon box is not complete without any one color

and neither is the world.

Loni Oliver

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Remember me when you listen to the wind talk to the trees

As it glides and weaves throughout the covered branches,

Soon to be barren and empty of their lush greenery

Remember me when the first white flake descends from a gray sky

As the air becomes cooler and the sun sets earlier each day.

Like an angel from the heavens;

Followed closely by its sisters and brothers,

Twirling and dancing among each other

Before lying peacefully on the ground below.

Remember me when the fire spits and crackles,

And as the flames leap around putting trances on its audience.

Parents carry their young, with eyes full of sleep,

To their tiny beds to be awakened by dawn's first light

And enjoy gifts left by a well-known stranger.

Remember me when the air is filled.

With the songs of a new year,

The songs of love, and the songs of joy,

From the first green bud that forms on the oldest tree

To the last blossom of the garden.

Remember me when the children play tag

In fields engulfed with dandelions

And a few scattering butterflies who find their way

Among the flowers swaying softly in a summer's breeze.

But remember me most, dear friend,

When you are sad and alone

And you need someone to help you

Fulfill your dreams and hopes.

Then remember how I never left your side

Throughout the seasons of life;

And know that I am still here,

Even if I am found only in your heart.

Remember me, remember me.

Mikael Schilb

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Complexity called the human mind,

Worn down gradually through gift and grind,

Clamping on to what is static,

Dealing with daily thoughts and routines,

Missing the chance to be systematic

Eyeing all the while hopes and dreams.

Time here, time there, lest we forget,

Don't close the book, don't stop just yet.

Things never seen, friends unmet.

To complete without trial or tribulation

Wishing to be much more like creation.

Annie Schwieterman

Grade 11

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Ms. Shelly Finke

Walking to my first class down the hall of the high school,

twenty minutes early,

eyes stare,

whispering starts,

confidence gained over the weekend

just diminished.

My "hold your head up" attitude

falls hard.

Questions run through my head.

Why are they looking at me?

Did I wear the wrong clothes?

Do I have something on my face?

Quickly,

dashing into my first-period classroom,

escaping the morning terror of

teenage fashion plates,

gossipers,

jocks,

know-it-alls,

and the crowd of girls who think they are God's gift to earth.

Sitting in the dark classroom,

listening to the vultures

tear apart another misclassified student.

I don't know how I slipped

through the sieve of classifying,

I guess I was absent.

It's as if they know some dark secret I don't.

Aurgh!

Maybe I missed the class "Surviving High School 101."

No matter what you do,

they're mean as dirt.

It's so frustrating!

Questions bombard my thoughts again.

Why can't I fit in?

Why is this so hard for me?

Arugh!

The bell rings,

the vultures fly away

stalking their prey,

seeing who their next carcass will be.

Sitting at my desk,

palms sweating,

my pen tapping at the table like a drum,

rat-a-tat-tat.

Raising my hand,

asking,

"Can I get a drink?"

The only time I get to enjoy the halls.

Just me,

the fountain,

and a line of highschoolers

all waiting at the fountain for a drink.

A thought occurs to me--

Why are they out here?

Have they been faced with the same?

Teenaged vultures.

Jennifer Sherman

Grade 9

Ansonia High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Lochtefeld

In the song of the wolf, there are no words.

Many ears only hear the howls and bays,

But I see into their hearts.

In the eyes of a wolf, most see only rage.

But I see into their hearts,

Which manifest power and weakness.

Much the same is for me.

My songs have no words for most to hear,

But they are truly pages from the book of my heart.

Most see only the haze in my eyes, a mask I wear,

But if you see past, you'll then be able to read my soul.

The wolf is loyal and gentle,

But in a minute

Can be full of rage and a deadly hunter.

I, too, can be submissive,

And in a subtle change,

A body fueled by hate and anger.

Do you now see who we are?

Can you hear our songs and see through our eyes?

Or do you stand still, accuse, and wait to slaughter us

When given the chance?

Julie Singer

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Purple clouds floating in a murky green sky,

Lying in the orange grass watching them go by.

A vibrant yellow lake, shimmering in the sun,

A pair of pink squirrels, looking for fun.

The towering tree with its midnight blue trunk,

The silver woodpecker going thunk, thunk, thunk.

A red and gold tiger, capturing its prey,

The beautiful flowers which are teal and gray.

Splashes of color are seen all around,

To the left and the right and up and down.

Purples and pinks maybe, but definitely blue,

Tell me, what are the colors to you?

Joseph Sowers

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

My Thoughts

The simple things in life are

the most powerful in progress.

To realize the aspect of reality

is almost seeing the light.

I diverge into another world,

no one has been here.

I'm all alone.

I'm happy.

I have no reason to have

mid-evil thoughts, but

still they appear all around.

I do the unexpected, I'm sorry

for what I have done.

I may have hurt you, for that

is not the best decision.

Your world is different in all

aspect,

I do not fit.

Separation was equally to be happier.

For that was misunderstood.

I am sorry for what I have done.

I was wrong in the write way.

Kelly Vonder Haar

Grade 9

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

The lake was slowly being filled with sediments.

The lake became a pond.

The pond was slowly being filled with plant life.

The pond became a swamp.

The swamp was slowly being overrun with wildlife.

The swamp became a marsh.

The marsh's water evaporated and soon began growing many trees.

The marsh became a forest.

As a lake can become a forest,

So can time change anything.

Erin Wells

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Silence

He lies there motionless

In a half casket

You kidnapped him

From the place we thought

was most protected

You took away his first cry

And his first breath

You took away all of the memories

His parents hoped to have

But you don't care

Because that's what you are

You take away what is most precious

to us

You took a perfect little boy

And made him silent

Stephanie Williamson

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Love

He runs his fingers through my hair

He tells me I'm the only one

But I don't really care

Cause I'm just having fun

He says he loves me

And will never let me go

His words carry through trees

As the winds continue to blow

Maybe I shouldn't be so mean

But he has to understand

He hasn't seen what I've been

He just continues to hold my hand

Scott Wortman

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Crash boom bang

crackle cackle pop

snicker-snack pitter-pat

clap slap snap

swoosh swish whiff

crinkle jingle ring

moo bark chirp

whack crack smack

click creak sizzle

buzz hiss hmm

bing ping pong

yelp burp sob

Silence--.

Sara Alvarez

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

Some people dream

of creating a goal,

and I am one.

I often dream

of creating a goal,

and I think of it as a

destination;

and I am destined

to create this.

No one can take

the dream the creation, the

destination

from me or from you.

Your goal

is not theirs.

It is your dream, your,

creation,

and your destination.

Hayley Ashbaugh

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Dedicated to my sister, Elise

It hurts.

It hurts with a constant pain that keeps me from

things I both love and hate doing.

It hurts with an aching emptiness and longing from my heart.

The pain becomes sharper with jealousy when I see others do what I love,

and it means nothing to them.

It hurts when I have no way to prove myself and what I know I can do.

It hurts when everyone is blind to my pain because they are too busy meeting their own needs.

I remember how I used to feel when it would take me to a secret place.

Like a child who goes to his hideout where no one can find him,

This was my "castle on a cloud."

I would become lost in my own world that only I could enter.

I could praise God, as well as bring happiness to myself and others.

In my shyness, it was my way to talk to the world.

I try to have faith--someday my dream may come true,

But perhaps, this is not the path I'm intended to take,

And so I trust God and wait on His plan,

As I wonder, where do I go from here?

Cara Babcock

Grade 10

Shawnee High School

Teacher: Ms. Lisa Muscarella

Everybody wants to grow up so fast

as soon as its their birthday

they can't wait until the years past.

But the people who are older

want to be young again

They look over your shoulder

wishing to live again

They tell you stories

Of when they were young

of when their childhood ended

and when yours had just begun

The knowledge they know

what we wish we knew

us wanting to be them

them wanting to be you.

Shaun Balliet

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

I will remember that day for the rest of my life

I arrived home to find out dad had left his wife

My mom told me the news with a sigh

Then all I could do was cry

My little brother could not quite understand

That his daddy was not going to live in this part of the land

But my dad he is still a good guy

That he chose this road, I still don't know why

And now you see why this day sticks in my head

I'll remember it until I take my last breath in bed.

Ashley Beard

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Tears

An indication of sadness

A sign of pain

With all your anguish

It falls like rain

Every time it's something new

Something brings you here

Something makes you cry

Something makes a tear.

Michelle Belna

Grade 9

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

It was a night like any other,

But I knew something was wrong.

And I could sense something was going to happen . . .

I just didn't know when or how.

And thinking back now, I often wonder why things happened the way they did.

The hours crawled by,

Listening to the ticking of the clock.

Not knowing what to do.

Worry was my prison

From which I could not escape.

Trapped, I awaited the inevitable--

And asked God to be at my father's side.

The chill of the cold night air,

The helicopter whipping wind against my face.

I kissed my mother goodbye that night,

Not knowing if I would ever see her again.

And as I walked back inside, the unmistakable smell of the hospital hit me like a thousand pins

As I tried to hold back the tears.

I cried myself to sleep that night, feeling like a small child without its mother,

And awoke with a sob.

Everyone tried to tell me it would be okay,

But their quivering voices offered no comfort to my pain.

And once again I prayed to God, and asked him to be at my mother's side.

I wasn't ready to lose her yet,

She just couldn't go.

I loved her so much, but I had never really told her so.

And that night when I kissed her goodbye,

I feared I would never get the chance

To tell her I loved her

And there were things said that I had never really meant.

I just knew I couldn't lose her now.

But somehow, through it all, I had faith that God would save us both, and would give us another chance,

Because if He did not, I knew I would not be able to go on myself.

Todd Benanzer

Grade 11

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

"Swimmers, step up," the starter says.

Eight shaven men step onto the pedestals.

They concentrate solely on the next minute,

knowing hundreds of miles and years of training

come down to this point.

The men hunch down like folded towels.

"Take your mark." The next command.

Eight men simultaneously inch forward

until their toes dangle over the edge of the blocks.

Muscles tense as sixteen hands clasp next to the feet.

Now coiled into a spring, the men anxiously await the start.

Their minds go blank.

"BEEEP"

They lunge forward.

Tightly their arms drill through the surface of the pool.

Forty-six seconds later the men return to the starting position.

Having spent themselves in the water,

they anxiously glance toward the scoreboard

to see who has won.

One is an Olympic hero,

several others are, too.

Stephanie Bilimek

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

I've wished it all away so many times before,

But once the memories vanished there were only more.

As life went on, I kept it all away,

Never letting the memory stay.

I've blocked so many things from coming into my mind,

Trying to avoid what those things might find,

But I can no longer remember my past.

Everyone told me childhood memories always last.

For me it is not that way.

I cannot remember my first kindergarten day.

All of those memories have been replaced.

All of those memories have been erased.

Chris Blocher

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Near this spot are nature's tools for life

Tools used to live and tools used to grow

The rocks, the trees, the animals are all signs of life and peace

But used as life they are not, and peace has long been forgotten

Death is their purpose and that purpose will live as long as death lives

Instead of a resting place, the rock is used to crush

Instead of a home, the tree is used to spear

Instead of a walk, the grass is used for cement and

Instead of drinking, the water is used for pollution

Just as before, we are stealing away the land.

To live as an animal, not wanted by most

But, dreamed of by me

Animals kill not for pleasure

Animals take not for granted

Animals live to live, not live to kill

And so you say, live not as an animal but as a man

Do not live on the Earth, own it

Do not be savage

But only a savage would be so ignorant to kill something they need

Hell is for man, while animals live on

If animals are savage then savage am I

If men are man then man I am not and never will be

For death is man and life am I

You are death so enjoy life while you can

I'll live for eternity, and so will my Earth

Near this spot, near this spot life once lived

But Death invaded it long ago.

Josh Bowman

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

I hate myself, and I know exactly why

When you left me, I had no chance to say goodbye.

As I held your cold hand in mine, there was no reply.

I tried to tell myself that it was all just a lie,

But now I see it was the absolute truth: You did die.

Today, You are far away up in the sky.

I know you're happy because you're with the "Guy"

But I am stuck back here so that my pain can multiply.

everyone told me to try to keep my head up high.

But it was too difficult for me: I just had to cry.

If God could grant just one wish, I know what I'd try.

I would meet up with you in person and tell you goodbye.

.

Kathryn Bowyer

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

When you are mad,

You storm and rain.

And we have no choice

But to feel your pain.

When you are happy,

You are sunny and bright.

But when you are sad,

You cry like rain on a warm summer's night.

When you don't want to talk,

You are icy and cold,

And you don't want to do

What you are told.

Kimberly Brickler

Grade 9

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

I am tired of all the pain I feel

I am tired of people saying that I don't want to be healed

Tired of being told that I bull a lot

Tired of being told that I don't take advantage of what I got

Tired of being told that I'm the devil's child

Tired of being told that when I don't get my way I go buck wild

Tired of being questioned about some of the things I do

Tired of being questioned when I'm blue

Tired of being told my anger will be the death of me

Tired of being told the truth will set me free

Tired of feeling sad for all the pain I have been through

Tired of going a long time without hearing the words I love you!

Tired of hiding my feelings

Tired of being afraid

Tired of being a victim

Tired of feeling insane

Tired of making excuses

Tired of losing my cool

Tired of keeping secrets

Tired of being a fool

Tired of all the pain I have to go through

Please God,

Help me make a difference!

Jenni Brockman

Grade 9

Coldwater High School

Teacher: Mr. Mike Droesch

Sitting here before this piano

I recall a time locked deep within the corner of my memory

Where this instrument carries a most entrancing melody

My mother creates this music like a painter creates a portrait

The two were brought together by fate and by fortune

The piano bench, though creaking, is her throne

It belongs to her and her alone

Her royal subjects are the keys

Her every command do they please

The flame of the candle next to her

Danced to the tune like her fingers were

The piano was simply elegant

Aligned with flowers, heads slightly bent

They watched her nimble hands fly

From the low bass notes to the trebles, so high

Each making a unique echoing noise

As though deep in a cave were they poised

The song was reaching its glorious height

Upon the keys both black and white

When an unsound note entered the song

A sudden "beep" could be nothing but wrong

The music had stopped for Mom to save

Her burning food in the microwave

Krista Butler

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

I wish we could have had that bond

the bond a family has,

but once your loved ones start to fight

you lose the family fast.

Never will it be the same

and I know we'll never try,

because we lost the clip that bonds

since our family died.

Jen Cook

Grade 9

Houston High School

Teacher: Ms. Jennifer Harness

Love is . . .

A never ending river.

Full of trust.

Knowing you have someone to count upon.

A first passionate kiss.

The mother soothing her child.

A husband hugging his wife when their baby had died.

An experience never to be forgotten.

Emily Cox

Grade 11

Ansonia High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Lochtefeld

On days like this, I remember friends I miss

Feeling sad--about everything I once had

I could cry two zillion tears, my fears

Still let me down--I wear ominous frowns

On days like this, moody, lugubrious, no bliss

I'm in a jail cell--a scorching, burning Hell

Inside, I lock up,

Pretending,

Deceiving,

Misleading,

Hiding,

From everyone I know and, yes, I feel low

On days like this, I want to kiss

Evil delusions good-bye--instead, I exhale tedious sighs

Sometimes I feel like a meager seed--uncrowned in the lofty summer weeds

On days like this, it seems--I'm living in scathing dreams

Even so, I know, after I fall--given time I'll once again feel tall

Yet, on days like this--I ponder the life I had and miss

Steph Craft

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

Broken hearts aren't easy to mend

It takes some time to get over

But eventually your hurt will end

With every broken heart though comes satisfaction

The satisfaction of knowing that you once were loved

And knowing that you had also loved

So before you let a broken heart get the best of you

Think of all the times you once shared with your loved one

And all the good times that led you to this broken heart

Jo Custer

Grade 11

Minster High School

Teacher: Ms. Barbara Moore

Sunset

I rose and watched for the coming

of night

While the sun pushed down slowly

with all of its might.

It exploded with colors and painted

the sky;

I was filled with emotion and started

to cry.

This day would soon be over and night

would come, too,

And another segment of short life

would be through.

Then I sat quietly and calmly and let

time slip away

And let darkness engulf me as it

swept out today.

Trevor Dickson

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

I'm all alone in this big world

Not knowing what is going to happen

Wondering if I'll ever be loved

What will come of my life?

Will I be here forever?

In this place not having love

The kind of love you get

When your mom comes and tucks you in

I want to feel that love

The love that you can only get from a mom

Joel Dillon

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Life

Life is a dream

It is a dream conquered

by the presence of reality

and destroyed by the everyday thought

of your perception of the future.

It is a dream that dreams

within itself,

endlessly creating unique and diverse

situations.

Julie Dircksen

Grade 11

Minster High School

Teacher: Ms. Barbara Moore

This Face

I have this face I can not show,

Of who I am and what I know.

I have a past locked in glass,

And as I watch it fills with gas.

With a bit of heat an explosion

will spark,

And soon my life will turn all dark.

No one shall know, no one shall see,

Of who I am or if I'll be.

Lisa Donadio

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Let me go my separate ways,

It's my experimenting days.

Don't tell me what's right and what is wrong,

You've told me and I've remembered all along.

You're blinded by your pre-conceived notion,

And you've crushed my chance in one swift motion.

It's just a date, not a big deal,

And already, you're wondering how I'll heal.

"He's just a kid!" you keep on relating,

Good grief! It's not a marriage--only dating!

"I'm sick of you!" is so easy to blurt,

I guess each other we've managed to hurt.

"Honor your father and mother" rings in my brain,

Oh, this is going to cause so much hurt and pain.

I guess I've lost, and you think I'm odd,

But I'm only doing this for God.

Marta Donate-McClure

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

As I look back on our relationship

and watch the candle burn

I remember the good times and the hardships

the lessons we were forced to learn

I remember the laughs and cries

the I love you's and goodbyes

When we first met, I never dreamed

of how hard it would be

to say I love you

but need to be free

So I sit here and cry

our candle burns out

but our friendship is still here

that we never doubt

Kelly Snyder

Grade 9

Celina High School

Teacher: Mrs. Susan Bertke

Chrissy Springer

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

Do dreams come true,

or are they just there?

If they don't come true,

why are they here?

We dream of being rich,

we dream of being famous,

but for what?

It never comes true?

Raenita Stephens

Grade 11

Lincolnview High School

Teacher: Mr. Greg Leeth

Every time I hold you close

I think of something new

I think of all the love I feel

And hope our future will come true

Every time you hold me close

I feel the love inside

Burning deeper, searing me;

All the time I bide.

I hope that one day

our hearts will be one

and all this love we share

will grow beyond the rising sun.

I hope right now to be with you

Forever and a day,

Until that time I know you're mine

And we will find a way.

Tonya Stewart

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

People are like mountains, beautiful and full of majesty.

I wouldn't be alive today.

Angela Stocklin

Grade 10

Spencerville High School

Teacher: Mr. Wildermuth

In the silence of the night,

The only thing you'll hear is the crying of a child.

The crying of a child will never be

replaced, for the person he truly loves has died in his place.

No matter what he does.

No matter what he says.

Will never bring back the dead.

One of them had to pay the price.

B.J. Swander

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

A dream is like a river

It changes as it flows

Over the dams, it doesn't seem possible

Where it is calm, it is almost true

And anything can happen

Accidentally hit a rock, and throw it away

Sail calmly in the deepest end

And though the ride seems rough

The better is at the end.

Amanda Teckman

Grade 11

St. Marys High School

Teacher: Mr. John Grindrod

Is there a purpose?

Why do we fight?

We fight to free the people,

The little dandelions of the desert,

Who thrive in the sun

But who have scarcely seen the fireball.

We fight to save the children,

The wispy cotton-like seeds

That are scattered throughout the wilderness,

Far from the plant that produced them.

We fight to protect the Right,

The Right to live freely,

Without fear or despair,

Without pollution or dark clouds.

We fight now to end the international struggle

So that roots may be planted,

So that the flowers may grow,

So that the aggression may cease.

We fight so that there may be harmony,

Harmony between daffodil and violet,

Between daisy and tulip,

Between dandelion and rose.

Vanessa M. Thompson

Grade 11

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mr. Keith Langdon

Coldness

The coldness of the air

Running around my numb body

Sending chills through my spine

How harsh the wind feels

against my face

The trees are bare of leaves

The roads and fields

are covered in ice

The wind blows with force

Letting us know winter is here.

Jeff Tobe

Grade 11

Minster High School

Teacher: Ms. Barbara Moore

The Dream

Sighing softly, I closed my eyes

And soon began to sleep.

All dreams must end however,

So I soon too, began to wake.

Slowly, steadily, I began to rise,

From these depths toward opening

eyes.

But in that place where dreams meet

life,

I caught myself, and awoke within my

dream.

I could make myself fly,

To heaven I soared, and back.

I could go anyplace,

I could do anything, or nothing.

I built for myself a chair,

A throne high above the earth.

I made myself the king,

The king of everything, of nothing.

Sighing softly, I closed my eyes,

And left that empty place.

For the only things we really have

Are those for which we wake.

Craig Via

Grade 11

Greenville High School

Teacher: Mrs. Anna Mote

Shureloon away to waters by the sea,

It's a yearning, churning river.

You can cast your burdens there upon the glass,

Just a skip of a polished pebble.

Dreamers, Lovers,

Listen sweetly.

Let the waters wash away your tears.

Poets, Seekers,

Listen keenly.

Wonder not your course is set by God.

Sing and dance!

Let your heart be glad,

Turn to the river of life.

Wisdom of nature is true to God.

Be it river or tree,

That sets you free,

Go with a heart full of grace.

Come now,

Sing and dance.

Let your heart be glad,

Let the song of the river take you away:

Dance to the tune,

Sing to the moon.

Aye shureloon,

Oh shureloon!

Let the river take you.

[Shureloon: Irish for "Come with me my love"]

Alan Vining

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

On the road for many days

The trucker still hasn't stopped

Sleep was starting to catch up to him

On the seat his head was flopped

On the road for many days

His truck began to swerve

The honking of a car awoke him

He's lucky he wasn't on a curve

On the road for many days

His alertness could not last

He fell asleep and he hit a gas truck

I bet there was quite a blast

Now off the road for many days

Some truckers say he was the best

Before this tragic crash ended him

LeAnne Wagner

Grade 11

Minster High School

Teacher: Ms. Barbara Moore

Relativity

When Einstein said, "Time is

relative,"

He truly was correct:

Relative to whim and life,

Relative to death.

Relative to make believe,

To dolls and trucks and fun.

Kool-aid smiles adorn our lips

While laughing in the sun.

Relative to fitting in,

To trends and friends and school.

Sneaking out past curfew

With the thrill of breaking rules.

Relative to balancing,

To carpools, kids, and work.

Child-proofing your entire life

With little toddlers on the lurk.

Relative to relaxing,

To cards and coffee and prayer.

Baking cookies or spoiling kids

Becomes a job beyond compare

Relative, for life is short,

Each day quicker than the last.

So embrace each day and the life

it gives,

For soon it becomes the past.

Andrea Webster

Grade 9

Crestview High School

Teacher: Mrs. Mary Collins

A tree is like a baby.

Its limbs are like arms and legs,

And its leaves like fingers and toes.

They start with a little seed.

And as they grow older, they get bigger.

But--ignore them or abuse them,

And they get hurt or even die.

Julie Zimerle

Grade 12

Shawnee High School

Teacher: Ms. Kathie Naab

Alone

Life is two windows

You are between them

One window shines brightly

In it your pictures and memories

Float around on golden clouds

You reach in and pull one out

It is of a small girl whose face is

covered with frosting

You remember that day, it was your

5th birthday

You turn to the other window

It's covered with

So many bright and beautiful pieces

of stained glass

Each day you step forward

Toward the window

Finally, you have reached it

You tug at pieces of the glass

To your surprise, they are jagged

And blood springs to your skin

You cry, but no longer are there

Comforting hands or words for you

You must pull out the glass on your

own

Each tug brings you closer to your

future

The future you have longed for

A future that you dream to be

Sunny and have golden clouds

Just like the window behind you

The last tug reveals your future

It does not shine

The window is murky and gray

The picture in your hand has

dissolved

The memory is gone

It's up to you to make your own

memories

Up to you to go one

Up to you entirely

You are alone