childrencchildren’s connection 2014hildren’s connection

Great Falls Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2014 - 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.comDecember 31, 2014 - January 6, 2015

Great FallsGreat FallsBy Ashley O., grade 4, Great Falls Elementary School.

ChildrenChildren’s Connection 2014s Connection 2014Children’s Connection 2014

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2014 - 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Great Falls Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2014 - 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Children’s ConnectionGreat Falls Connection Editor

Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or

[email protected]

Dear Readers:

This week, the Great FallsConnection turns over its pagesto the youth and students.

We asked principals and teachers fromarea schools to encourage students to con-tribute their words, pictures and photos forour annual Children’s Issue.

The response as always was enormous.While we were unable to publish every piecewe received, we did our best to put togethera paper with a fair sampling of the submit-ted stories, poems, drawings, paintings,photographs and other works of art.

We appreciate the extra effort made byschool staff to gather the materials duringtheir busy time leading up to the holidays.We’d also like to encourage both schools andparents to mark their 2015 calendars forearly December, the deadline for submis-sions for next year’s Children’s Connection.

Please keep us in mind as your childrencontinue to create spectacular works of artand inspiring pieces of writing in the com-ing year.

The children’s issue is only a part of ouryear-round commitment to cover educationand our local schools. As always, the Con-nection welcomes letters to the editor, storyideas, calendar listings and notices of localevents from our readers. Photos and othersubmissions about special events at schoolsare especially welcome for our weeklyschool pages.

Our preferred method for material is e-mail, which should be sent [email protected], butyou can reach us by mail at 1606 KingStreet, Alexandria, VA 22314 or call 703-778-9414 with any questions.

— Editor Kemal Kurspahic

Welcome

By Abigail Paredes, 12, of Great Falls.

By Morgan Billingslea, grade 7, Cooper Middle School, Great Falls.

By Zach G.,grade 2,Great FallsElementary.

By Tiffany,grade 1,Great FallsElementary.

“Fruit Bowl”by Phin Curlinof Great Falls,grade 6homeschooler.


Kyle Knight Ins Agcy IncKyle Knight, Agent11736 Bowman Green DriveReston, VA 20190ACROSS FROM RESTON TOWN CTR.WWW.KYLEKNIGHT.ORG703-435-2300

Children’s Connection

Drawings by Victoria Cho, of Great Falls, grade 9, LangleyHigh School.

By AbigailParedes, 12,of Great Falls.


SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDARAdvertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.

JANUARY1/7/2015............................Wellbeing, Renewal, Resolutions1/14/2015........................................................HomeLifeStyleMartin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 191/21/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools1/28/2015..........................................Neighborhood Outlook1/28/2015...........Winter Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment;

Valentine’s PreviewFEBRUARY2/4/2015....................................Valentine’s Dining & Gifts I2/4/2015................Wellbeing – National Children’s Dental

Health Month2/11/2015........................................................HomeLifeStyle2/11/2015.................................Valentine’s Dining & Gifts IIValentine’s Day is Feb. 14 • Presidents Day is Feb. 162/18/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools2/25/2015..........................................Pet Connection PulloutMARCH3/4/2015...................................................................Wellbeing3/11/2015 ......................HomeLifeStyle Real Estate Pullout3/18/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools3/25/2015.............Spring Fun, Food, Arts & EntertainmentFCPS Spring Break 3/30-4/3E-mail [email protected] for more information.

Reaching Suburban Washington’s Leading Households• Alexandria Gazette Packet• Arlington Connection• Burke Connection• Centre View• Chantilly Connection

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Newspapers & Online703-778-9431

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Award-WinningAward-

Winning


By Abigail Paredes, 12, of Great Falls.

“Front Porch Chair” by Katie Anne Curlin, of Great Falls, grade 3homeschooler.

By Hannah Everette, grade 4, Chesterbrook Elementary.


1616 Anderson Road • McLean, VA 22102

As You Make Your End-of-YearCharitable Donations…

Please consider children in need of medical and dentalcare right here in Fairfax County.

Each year, the Medical Care for Children Partnership(MCCP) Foundation provides care to thousands of children inlow-income working families right in our own community.These children do not qualify for government programs orprivate insurance, and without MCCP, they would havenowhere to go.

To learn more and todonate, please go towww.mccpfoundation.org orcall 703-286-0881.

Thank you for joining yourneighbors in supporting thiscause so that all our localchildren can go to school ingood health!

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SightsBy Emilie Kim

Grade 5, Churchill Road

Elementary

It was a winter night, bone-chillyand the ground was covered withmilky white snow. A wavy, steepslope awaits the people who weregoing to go sledding or skiing thenext day. At ten o’clock p.m, anyfive year old kid would be fastasleep, but not me. I was going togo animal watching with myfather. My stomach was filled withbutterflies and they seemed to kickmy stomach very harshly. My heartwas thudding with an unusuallyfast pace. As I was wide awake, Iwaited as my father was coming inmy room. We were going to goanimal watching.

As my father and I stepped outinto the moonlight, the grasscrunched and made beautiful,ruffling sounds. I stared at themoon for a few seconds. Enchantedby its radiant light, I steppedforward. The moon was magnifi-cent and mysterious to me as Imoved closer and closer. The starsseemed to dance around me as Iglanced away from the moon. Mymisery had suddenly vanished. Itwas replaced with hope. I think itis from the amazing moon andstars. Then, I remembered why Iwas outside with my father. As afrightening cloud had stolen mymoon, I sprinted across my yardand I leaped into my father’sawaiting arms after a quick glanceat the shining moon and stars.

I grasped my dad’s navy blueshirt and I ran to our small, butpretty, stone pond. I gasped as Isaw that the moon was on thepond.

My father said reassuringly, “Itis just the moon’s reflection on thepond. The water acts like amirror.”

I understood, and I went towardthe pond. I was silent as a shadowas I scurried across the lawn.Then,a gust of wind blew me off course,and it took away my courage as itflew past me. I ran with all mymight to my father.

He asked, “Are you okay?”I nodded silently and we

continued our sightseeing foranimals.

My father and I were filled withjoy as we saw some animals as wewalked away from our quiet house.There were raccoons and squirrelsalong our sight. I heard a low hoot

See Sights, Page 13

Children’s

Connection


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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Amna RehmatullaEditorial Assistant

703-778-9410 [email protected]

Reena SinghCommunity Reporter

[email protected]

Jon RoetmanSports Editor ❖ 703-752-4013

[email protected]@jonroetman

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

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Salome Howard-GaiblerDisplay Advertising

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Andrea SmithClassified Advertising

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Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

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David GriffinMarketing Assistant

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Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:

Deb Cobb, Craig SterbutzelArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John HeinlyProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: [email protected]

Great Falls

10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2014 - 2015 Great Falls Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2014 - 2015 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

The Best GiftThat I Gaveto My Friend

By Gloria Boos,

grade 5, Great Falls Elementary

The best gift that I gave tomy friend was a Pandorabracelet. It was red withblack polka dots on it. It

had a ladybug charm, two friendsholding hands, and a lot of beads. Igot the bracelet while I was on acruise to Mexico. I went with all ofmy fifteen family members on mydad’s side.

The ship was so big. They had somuch food too. You could even haveice cream for breakfast and it wasfree! But I thought the best part wasthe waterslide. It was so long andfun. Plus there was almost no one inline. There was also a hot tub andanyone could go in it.

There was a lot of shopping on theship. That is where I found thebracelet. My friend really liked thebracelet and I am so happy that Ipicked the perfect one out for her.


By Catlin D., grade 6, Great Falls Elementary.By Rose Boos, grade 5, Great Falls Elementary.

By Allie W.,grade 5,Great FallsElementary.

By Lexi P.,grade 4,Great FallsElementary.

By Lexi,grade 2,Great FallsElementary.

By Austin Z., grade 5, Great Falls Elementary.


FlowerBy Nadia Jo, 13, of McLean

Creating smilesEven in the darkest corner,The vivid colors and aromatic scentsCaptivating hearts.Whether rooted to the ground orCut for a bouquet,Its beauty creates wonders.Every hue is washed on its petals,Intricately arranged in a maze.Though its life is shortIts charm is infinite.

Last DanceBy Nadia Jo, 13, of McLean

It’s their last dance.The limelight is brighterThe stage is biggerThe audience is larger.The light envelops their bodiesShooting currents through every inchIt’s impossible not to dance.They are not graceful.Their moves are not choreographed.They areAgitated,Unrehearsed,And terrified.Yes, their six legs tremble in anguish.Their skin is scorched by the sunlight through the lens.The audience giggles.They enjoy burning ants.

The StormBy Cate Poliquin,

Spring Hill Elementary

In 2008 there was a hugesnowstorm in McLean. Thesnow measured up to be as highas 2 ft. tall. Playing in the snowthe next morning was super funbut, staying up through thenight turned out to be superscary for my family.

My family was having anice time watching thesnowfall, and listening toChristmas music. The firewas so warm, but we usedup a lot of wood. I watchedas the piles of snow growbigger and bigger.

Soon my dad became wor-ried. We had used up mostof our wood! Then one of theworst things happened, thepower went out. My dadsoon became super worried,because all we had to eat wascereal and cold food.

As time passed by, thehouse became colder andcolder. Then my parentshopes came true, the powercame back on! The nextmorning my sister and Iplayed in the snow all day.Now my family knows to beprepared for a snowstorm.

Children’s

Connection

By Aurian Malhotra,grade 6, Spring HillElementary.

By Kathryn Kim, grade 6,Spring Hill Elementary.


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From Page 8

and I knew that we were notalone in the darkness that gave megoosebumps. As we walked formiles it seemed, I dug my heelsinto the soft, amber-brown mudand my father was concerned. Wewere about to enter the woods.

The woods is a terrible night-mare, and darkness surrounds youin that creepy place. I froze and Iwhispered that I would never go inthat place. My father noticed thatand he said that we weren’t goinginto the woods. As my father waschecking the time, I tumbled downa hill and I was terrified.I shut mybig golden brown eyes, and assoon as I landed, my eyes slowlyblinked and then I opened my eyesout of curiosity. I stared at theplace I had landed on. My fatherhad followed me and startedscolding me. I shushed him and weboth stared at the place I hadfallen. It was beautiful with a snowcovered slope that was filled withtrees that were the color of anemeralds. The part I liked best wasthat there were so many animals inmy sight.

That was the most amazing thingthat has happened to me. I enjoybeing around animals and evenwhen I was really young I loved topet and see many different ani-mals. I always loved to sit down,and stare at birds or squirrels. Thiswas an experience that brought mecloser to animals.

Sights

Children’s

Connection


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New Year—New Opportunities

By AyeshaJavaid,McLean.


“This painting shows mytwo cats: Tiger and Jaguaroutside in the snow. Theylove being in the snow! Itsnowed just before Tiger andJaguar went outside andthat’s why the trees havesnow. I love winter too!”— Marta Anvelt of GreatFalls, grade 2, ColvinRun Elementary

“This is a paintingshowing two childrenwho went ice skating ona snowy afternoon. Thechildren had just startedskating when the suncame out and the icestarted magically glitter.”— Miina Anvelt ofGreat Falls, grade 4,Colvin Run Elemen-tary


The best presents I ever received are atricycle, a train set, and my little brotherand sister: Autumn and Benjamin. All ofmy best presents begin with the letter “t”:

tricycle, train and twins! Another of myfavorite presents is a basketball hoop. Ilove to play basketball with my brotherand sister. Merry Christmas!

My Best Present Christopher Fein,

age 3, Great Falls


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StormBy Alexandra Radt,

grade 4, Colvin Run Elementary

The storm came down from the moun-tains old, through the forest it roared androlled;

the tree trunks groaned,the forest moaned,trees fell down upon the mold.The storm went on from west to east,all movement in the forest ceased;but the storm went on across themarsh,and its shrill voice was released.The reeds hissed, their tassels bent,the grasses rattled, on it went;from north to south and east to west,disaster struck wherever it went.The storm blew on from west to east,then it blew off the Earthand finally ceased.

USBBy Seongjun Lee,

grade 5, Colvin Run Elementary

Thumbnail, thumbdrive, flash drive,hardware,I keep my memories in youWhen I need I take it out from youShhh...This is top secret,Many names you have.Where is it?It’s in here.Where did I put?It’s in me.Give me the File.Just pick me up.I’ll keep it safe.


Alexia Russo,grade 6, ColvinRun Elemen-tary.

By Elsa Billingslea,of Great Falls,grade 5, ColvinRun Elementary.

By Michael Yao, grade 3, Colvin Run Elementary.

By Lily Cohen, kindergarten, Colvin Run Elementary.

By Theresa Ryan, grade 4, Colvin Run Elementary.

By Tyler Abele, grade 4, Colvin Run Elementary.


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Children’s

Connection

By Michaela A.Pearce, grade3, ChurchillRoad Elemen-tary School.

By Jack Crippen, grade 4,Churchill Road Elementary.

“I am thankfulfor mymommy” byJainaFitzpatrick,kindergarten,Churchill RoadElementary.

First Grade Students at Churchill Road Elementary visitMount Vernon Plantation as part of their study of GeneralGeorge Washington. Clara Aikman drew a picture of her-self and her friend Emily New in front of Mount Vernon.


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The biggestthings arealways the

easiest to dobecause there isno competition.

-William Van Horne

If I wanted to rationalize the benefit ofdelaying my heretofore every-three-weekchemotherapy infusion from three weeks tofour and now on to five, possibly six – andthat’s dependent on improved results froma second/maybe even third retest upcom-ing (this retest a bit more involved thandrawing blood) – I would say it’s only fittingthat I should have a break/brake; after all, itis the holiday season when all good things;yada, yada, yada. If only it were thatsimple.

But simple is the last thing that a cancerpatient’s life can be characterized as being;whether they have been “prognosed” as“terminal” as I was, or are at the beginning(diagnosis), middle (under treatment andsurviving under circumstances too numer-ous and varied to list) or end of theircancer-affected life. And so for me toexpect smooth sailing at any time duringthis process is totally and entirely unreason-able – and mostly, I haven’t. I’m just luckyto be in a boat with a few provisions stillleft in it. Ergo, this column is not a com-plaint, just an update, as the previous fewcolumns had sort of led you regular readerson a bit of a walk in my shoes, althoughone likely without the neuropathy nearlysix years of non-stop chemotherapy canexact. Still, I am mostly upright, up andabout and able to handle any and all activi-ties, especially those relating to daily living.However, right now I worry that after twoconsecutive three-week-interval, pre-che-motherapy lab results specifically measur-ing my cretanine levels (which reflects kid-ney function), and a second retest as well,all indicated too high/abnormal (a first-timeoccurrence), thereby preventing my regu-larly scheduled Alimta infusions – twice – ifI have indeed crossed the Rubicon, so tospeak. Obviously, it serves no particularpurpose for me to invoke history, especiallyhistory with which I have very little familiar-ity. However, if some of what I’ve read con-cerning this historical event is true – theevent’s significance notwithstanding, it haspartially led to the creation-and-then-acceptance of a word’s/phrase’s figurativemeaning – then I sure hope my die has notbeen cast.

But who knows, really? And eventhough this cancer stuff is all very personal– and my circumstances are unique to meas a cancer patient – I try not to take it per-sonally, if that makes any sense? Somehow,I try to minimize the negative effect of anyof it, mentally, that is. As concerns me andmy treatments (starts, stops and fits), it hasalways been about what happens next.Until there’s no more next, there’s alwayswhat’s next. Now I have a third round oflab work next week and a 24-hour creati-nine clearance collection in the interim tomeasure my levels as accurately as possibleto help determine what happens next.Hopefully, levels will reduce, and more ofthe same treatment which has resulted inmy unexpectedly long life expectancy andmost recent “shrinkage,” can continue. Butof course, there are no guarantees either.Oh, there is one: this process isexcruciating.

Nevertheless, somehow the patient (orat least this patient) has to be patient andlife has to be lived. Otherwise the cancerwins. And to quote Brian Dennehy, a/k/aSheriff Cobb, from the movie “Silverado,”completely out of context: “We can’t behaving any of that now, can we?”

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

DesireBy Emily S., grade 7,

Our Lady of Good Counsel School

The aching desires of the few,include the necessities for me and you,but the vast majority want the new,they want the luxury and they lust,because they must,they need the future in the past,they need products that must last,for as long as they want them to.What happened to this world, what must we do?release the greed,make a creed,and find the greatness in giving and not wanting,loving not taunting,and fulfill the deserved desires of peace, nourishment, and fair

treatment for others,for the fathers, children, brothers, sisters, and mothers.

The Substance of LifeSylesh S., grade 8,


Time, the substance of lifeAppears to be rifeBut passes byIn a blink of an eyeEach moment that we wasteIs forever erasedEvery second well-spentWill make us contentLife is a dreamIn which time reigns supremeMake the best use of timeMake each moment sublime

TimeBen M., grade 8,


They say time is never ending,but is that really truethey say the end is impending,like the damp morning dewBut have you a cluewhat’s coming for youa hurricane of sadnessa whirlpool of despairunnecessary illnesseven though it isn’t fairbut maybe life is just unfinished business,and happiness is just around the chair.

“A Fleeting Glance at the Past”Sofia F., grade 8,


When one finds oneself longing for a certain time,Remember that the time we have now is ephemeral,And even though it’s an uphill climb,The here and now must be treated like an emerald.In the words of Penn,“Time is what we want most, but what we use the worst”So remember now and then,To remind yourselves that time can’t be reversed.And though now we may trudge along,Recall dear cohorts,That though the days are long,The years are short.

TattoosBy Julia K., grade 8, Our Lady of Good Counsel

All the inkthat covers my bodyare all the stories

I could never tellSecrets I always keptEvery confession I never madeTons of memoriesmade into drawingswill stay with me foreverAll the things that have hit me so hardAre now visibleYou look at me and you might judgeBut I am coveredWith the stories of my life

PaperBy Tommy F., grade 7,


It looks like a magic carpet floating in the windpaper is a tree that was once skinnedIt was recently the stem of a treethere are two sides of paper, not threeand as you may overlook this piece of artit has lots of history and the idea is smartIn China paper was made out of bambooand that’s about it, as I think it throughIt started as papyrus in Egyptthey were smart and strategicpapyrus was a good-sized plantbut not used by Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant used something else, I thinkmaybe he used parchment, pens, and inkBut now it’s just paper and a ballpoint penpaper is pushed to its limits by menSo paper could be a very useful thingso don’t overlook it as you overlook string

NatureBy Donald W., grade 7,


The crisp wind blows,The ocean’s limits no one knows,The fields of grass,Green with grace,Nature fills all,Earth and Space,The clouds,A wisp of white,They’re in the air,Until night,The sky the sky,Filled at night,With gleaming stars,That shine so bright,Until day,We wait in fright,The sun has risen,It beholds such light,It shines all day,With all its might,Until it goes down,Out of sight

By Dave, grade 3, Our Lady of Good Counsel



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