A gi ft ofPoetry

P O E M S

2 0 0 8S p r i n g

A Love PoemThe day that I first met you

I never thought that you would

stick beside me and never ever

let go.

You wrap your arms around

me and tell me that you care.

Whoever knew that this brave

man would ever dare?

Months and months go by and

still I wonder why this amazing

guy keeps sayinghe will love meuntil he dies.

By Jessica, 18

My Inside ThoughtsI believe in the clouds

I believe in my family

I believe in doing my bestI believe in planting flowers

I believe God likes everyone

I believe in sweet things

I believe in love

What do you believe?

By Maci, 8

Today is a brand new day

Today is a start of something new

Today is a good day, if you make it one

Today is a blessing from God

Today is my life

Today is my chance to learn

Today is the day after yesterday

Today is the day before tomorrow

Today is not like everyday

Today is your lifeToday is your chance to learn

Today is reality

Today is your chance to prove

Today is a day to reach your goal

Today is your choice

Today is December 19, 2007

Today is a day that will never come again

So make a difference.

By Kristan, 16

Al l About MeA U T O B I O G R A P H I E S

A N DS H O R T S T O R I E S

Who I AmI am a poet

because I see

the world around

me differently and

then I write what

I hear inside.

Rosie, 8

Truth is speaking up even when I’m scared

Truth will take me through the darkness

Embrace the truth

Truth is lightTruth can hurt sometimes

Truth is brighter than the stars

Truth will set you free

By Sharonne, 15

Listen UpI like singing out loud

I will sing everywhereto whoever will listen

so listen up because my song

is all about the Lord,

how I will trust Him

until I die and how I will

treat everyone right.

By Kelon, 6

Our DutyAbout a year ago, I got an idea to start a local mission group inmy

community. Our church already tookmission trips around Texas,

but they were only once a year. I thought, why not have them year

around? So, I called the City Manager, and he gaveme some

names of individuals whomight need some assistance. Some

of themwere still recovering fromHurricane Rita two years ago

and others just needed extra help. Next, I got together different

committees to do fundraising, client referrals, etc. The church

congregation donatedmost of the funds, and we got started.

One of the first people we helped was an older woman in her

nineties who needed a ramp to get into her trailer. We started

getting publicity for our work, which led tomore referrals.

I really feel like it’s our duty to help people who are less fortunate.

When I see a need, I like to fill it.

By Ashley, 17

My Favorite SportMy favorite sport is football.I have an older brother named Dwight who plays high school

football, but I haven’t gotten to see him play yet. I play football

with my friends and brother. I like being a wide receiver the

most. You have to run fast, catch the ball, and make touchdowns.

The day before yesterday I was running with the ball and my

friend was trying to catch me and I made a move to the side and

he fell. Then he got back up and I slipped but I kept going and

I made a touchdown! I was happy and all my friends started

laughing. My brother said that when I get to the seventh grade,

he’s going to make me play football.

I can’t wait.

By Michael, 9

My Road to Col legeI’m a senior and I go to Pasadena High School. I was supposed to

be a junior this year, but I worked out a plan with my counselor

to graduate early. I have to take extra classes, a mix of junior and

senior work. I take government, economics, physics, Algebra II,

orchestra, English, and French. In my government class there are

only seniors. At first I felt really nervous and alone because the

kids weren’t my grade level, but I made friends quickly and now

I feel better. I used to be quiet in class too, but now I’mmore

outgoing. The subject requires a lot of memorization, but it’s

not too hard. My hardest class is physics because there are so

many formulas.

I decided to do the fast track in high school because I’m ready

to try college. I have several ideas about what I’d like to do:

homeopathic medicine or teaching. I’ve always been motivated

and self-disciplined. I’m inspired to study medicine for a few

reasons. I think it’s really interesting the way the body works.

I remember once when my throat was closing up and I couldn’t

eat or breathe well and it made me think I’d like to understand the

body better. I’m also inspired to teach because I’ve had some great

teachers. Right now one of my teachers whom I really appreciate is

Mr. White, also known as Coach White. He is a very nice and funny

teacher who has lots of patience and you can tell that he does his

work out of love. I think the best teachersare the ones who know their subjectand can be fun, but also go beyondtheir subject and talk about life.I’m looking forward to doing well this year, getting good grades,

passing all my TAKS tests, and graduating and becoming a

successful person in life.

By Karen, 16

One Day at theHouston ZooLast summer we went to the Houston Zoo. We saw frogs and

lions asleep and owls and crocodiles and tigers in the long

grass. It started to rain really hard, and we had to run to our car,

and it was flooded everywhere. We got so wet and my mom lost

her cell phone and my brother got his dollar wet, but westill had a good time!

By Alyssa, 5

My Best Hal loweenLast year on Halloween we were with my uncle and cousins.

We were going from house to house trick-or-treating.

We got all kinds of stuff—chocolates, cookies, and toys.Then we went to a door and there was someone dressed in a

scary mask and we were scared, but we didn’t run away. We got

candy from that house too. My uncle gave us even more candy.

I didn’t eat too much candy that night. I saved it with my little

brother. This Halloween I want to buy some candy and give it

to my cousins.

By Osbaldo, 9

Fly ing through SnowLast year I went to Colorado for Spring Break with my church.

It was my first time to leave the state of Texas and my first time

to see real snow. I was very nervous and scared. The whole trip

there we kept asking, “What if we fall?” I had a white jacket and

everyone kept teasing me that if I fall no one would find me

because I’d blend into the whiteness. We drove by van all the

way to Colorado. When we left Texas, I was in shorts. By the

time we got to Colorado, it was freezing. There wassnow everywhere and frozen lakes.It was really beautiful. The first day we just practiced on the baby

hill, and I did okay. The second day, though, they took us to the

big hill. I was terrified to even get on the lift. They said the lift

would just hit me in the back of the legs and I’d sit down, and

that’s exactly what happened, but then I was flying through the

air, higher and higher, and I felt really scared. Before I knew it,

the lift threw me off, and everyone yelled, “Pizza! Pizza!” to

remind me to point the tips of my skis together in a triangle

shape to slow myself down. Once we were at the top, my heart

really started to pound. We started going down the mountain,

and suddenly I forgot everything I’d learned and couldn’t stop.

I was flying down the hill until I fell into the snow. I was almost

in tears. I had no control over my body on that slope! Fortunately,

four guys helped me get down the rest of the way. Once I got to

the bottom, I felt really good and couldn’t wait to do it again.

I kept doing it and doing it the whole week. Now I’m looking

forward to doing it in March when my church goes back to

the slopes.

By April, 17

One Hal loween NightI like the holiday Halloween because I get lots of candy! My mom

won’t let me eat it all. I have to save it and eat just two a day. I also

get to dress up. Today I’m a Goth princess.My aunt had the black dress with the black hat and my mommade

my jewelry. My little sister dressed up as a rock-and-roller.

We only had the shirt and the wig so we had to add the eyelashes,

the make-up, and the safety pins. Tonight we’re going to a

football field where they’re having a carnival. There are a lot of

bulldogs in my neighborhood so it’s a little scary on Halloween

because they might chase us. When I was six, I wore a long dress

and boots and I kept tripping while I was trick-or-treating. I

think tonight will be fun!

By Doremi, 7

L i fe SwimmingI started swimming four years agoin Guam at the beach. The water was murkyand the waves were big. My mom persuaded me to try it. I

remember the first day I was scared to death because of sharks,

but I did it and afterwards I felt proud. We went every Sunday

until we moved away. It was hard to move because I had to leave

friends, family, and a whole way of life. I still get to go swimming

because we have a pool in our backyard. I like swimming at night

when the lights are on underneath the water. I like the adrenalin

rush I get when I swim. I have to take a deep breath and hold it.

Sometimes I think about fish while I’m swimming. I hope I’ll

get to go back to Guam and swim at Epow Beach again someday.

By Paul, 11

Missing HomeI was born in St. Lucia where there are lovely beaches

and diamond waterfalls and a volcano. We are located at 14

degrees North and 61 degrees West. In the summer it’s hot.

From June to November we have hurricane season. I

remember trees falling and roofs flying and floods, but

we survived.

I have one sister and one brother and they are still in St.

Lucia. I’m here in Texas with my mother because I’m getting

treatment. I miss my friends and family and getting together

to celebrate on all the holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries.

I miss whale and dolphin watching. Imissmy grandmother’s

baked lasagna, macaroni, fried chicken and salads. I miss

being in secondary school with my teacher and friends. My

friends and I always go to lunch together, make jokes, go

out, and celebrate birthdays. When I’m away from them, I

feel a hole inside. I can talk to them online and see their

pictures, but I can’t touch them.

My hobbies are singing, dancing, going to the beach, shop-

ping, and just having a good time with my friends.

I’m looking forward to goinghome.

By Adena, 13

I f You Love Something ,Work Hard at ItI’ve always loved music. I think I was inspired by my uncle.

He used to come by and show me new songs. I startedtaking piano lessons when I wasseven. I like learning new things. You have to practicea lot to get better at music. I usually practice in the afternoon.

I also play the violin. It’s more difficult because you have to

place the violin just right on your shoulder and press really

hard on the strings. My teacher taught me how to play

“Allegro” and it’s fast at the beginning, then it is slow, and

then it’s fast again. I love music, and I’ve learned that if you

love something, you have to work hard at it.

By Denisse, 11

My Two PassionsEver since I was little, I’ve loved painting. My mom is a painter,

and she inspires and teachesme.My favorite kinds are watercolors

and oil pastels. I love abstract painting.When I approach a canvas,

I usually focus on three colors. My brain goes to work, and my

hands follow. When I do art, I am decisive. I am bold and never

doubt what I put on the page. I also enjoy sketching faces. It’s one

of the hardest things to do, capturing human expressions, showing

in someone’s eyes whether they are sad or lonely or kind. It’s

difficult to sketch the shadows and show the right ratio of light to

dark, dark to light. Painting feels separate frommy life; it makes

me feel free and empowered.

Books are my other main hobby. I fell in love with books when I

started ninth grade and my teacher inspired me. She told me to

imagine the world I was reading about, and it opened up a whole

new way of reading for me. In one month I readalmost 100 books. One author that sticks out inmy memory is Paul Legen who wrote The Bully. In eighth grade,

I was bullied. People made fun of my British accent and called me

“Shorty”. I would come home from school and cry. I think that’s

why that book made an impression on me. Today I read all kinds

of books, although I’ve never been a fan of Harry Potter. I think

I’d like to write a book of my own some day, maybe about what it

feels like to be Muslim.

By Shazia, 18ic

The Power of DanceI’m really passionate about dancing. I’ve been dancing since I was

four or five. No one I knewwas a professional dancer, but I didn’t

need a rolemodel. Whenever I heardmusic, I just wanted tomove.

Atmy elementary school I took an after-school elective in dance.

It was just fun forme at the time, butmy teacher had danced at the

MET and said I should developmy talents and exploremore kinds of

dance. I had another teacher who had a group called Dance Force, and

one day she invitedme to dance with them, but it wasn’t the right time

forme, so I turned them down. I just kept taking after-school classes

untilmiddle school when I was on the drill team. Then I knew I wanted

to dance somewhere besides school. So, in high school, I was invited

again to dance with Dance Force and this time I accepted. It was a

great experience because they experiment withmany kinds of dance

so I was exposed to a wide range of styles. One day I did a performance

called DanceHouston and there I discovered a hip-hop group called

MarvelousMotion and it was like nothing I’d ever seen. The dancers

had such tight control of their bodies, and they didn’t use vulgar

movements to draw in the audience. Thatmade a huge impact on

me. I ended up trying out andmaking the group, which was awesome.

The director really tookme aside and helped to trainme. I came in

extra just to soak up everything I could, and it all paid off. It was

transformative. I was part of a group where I could dance on the back

row, and it didn’t matter at all because the collectivemovement was

so powerful.

Through all of this there were times when I couldn’t go to practice

because I was too sick. That was difficult. That experience inspired

me to want to help kids who are really active but are going through

serious illnessesandhave tomisspractice. Iwant tocreateanorganization

for those kids that focus on their talents instead of how often they

make it to practice. I also want to have counselors in place because

I know how it feels when friendsmake fun of you because they don’t

understand your problem. I want kids to know that when this happens,

it’s not because those people are terrible; they just don’t understand.

The counselors would help by giving the kids in the program a way to

explain to their friends what they’re going through emotionally. For

me, dance ismy outlet. I’ve hadmultiple health problems but I’ve

always been able to dance. It’s my lifeline, nomatter what I’m going through. I willalways dance, and I hope I’ll be able to inspire other kids who are

equally as passionate as me.

By Hope, 19

SistersI have two sisters who are younger than me. One is kind of

quiet. She is good at school and at home. She likes to do my

hair, and I like when she does it. The other sister is kind of

funny. She’s the littlest one. She loves to dance and make

people laugh. I love both my sisters.

By Aletria, 15

Garf ie ldI once had a cat named Garfield. He had white, orange, and

yellow stripes and he was fat. His personality was relaxed—

he liked to lie around and sleep.Once my dadcaught a mouse and gave it tohim, and he ate it! Eeewwww!Garfield lived in the cat house that my dad built for him.

He liked it and he hung out there a lot. The other two cats

stayed out there with him. He got along with them pretty

well except when Fiona got hissy. One day my parents took

him to the vet because he was sick. We think he chewed

through an electric wire. The vet said he wouldn’t recover

so they put him to sleep. That happened on my brother

Randal’s sixth birthday. I felt really bad, but I will always

remember Garfield.

By Brianna, 9

Brianna’sChristmas WishMy daughter has a bleeding disorder that is undiagnosable.

The doctors call her an “enigma.” She’s been dealing with this

since she was eighteen months old. It’s been years of blood work

and repeat labs, and the doctors are still stumped. She’s in the

nurse’s office at school almost every day with nose bleeds. Because

of the nurse visits, the other kids always ask my daughter, “What’s

wrong with you?” They treat her like she has the cooties. There’s

no tolerance on the part of most kids or many adults. This year the

kids prepared their Christmas Wish Lists, and Brianna kept telling

everyone the same thing, “All I want is a cure, or at least a diagnosis.”

The medications that she takes help sometimes; other times they

don’t. That’s always baffling in this day of technology. Brianna

made it through another Christmas, but she didn’t get the

Christmas miracle that she wanted.We just remindher to put it in God’s hands becauseHe has a plan. We just don’t knowwhat it is.

By Amy

The World of GamingI’m into gaming. I started when I was about eight years

old. Friends introduced me and I was immediately hooked.

Gaming is challenging because you compete against people

all over the world, and it is fun because it has a good story-

line behind it. My favorite one right now is a tabletop game

called Warhammer 40k. This is how it works. First, you buy

miniatures from Games Workshop, next you assemble and

paint them, and then there’s a bunch of complicated rules

to the game. The rule book is really thick, and Games

Workshop reprints it every once in awhile so you have to stay

on top of things. All of the races, like “Eldar” and “Space

Marines”, have codexes, which explain what weapons they

have and what powers they possess. I usually go to a shop

near my house that has a huge game room where I meet peo-

ple to play with. Once I get there I set up a terrain, which is

like a war zone. Next, I set up my army. Each player starts

with a set amount of points. The goal is to destroy the other

person’s army. There are different missions, like you might

have to protect certain areas of the terrain or kill someone’s

commander. Basically, the game is a progression of six

turns, and each turn has three phases for each player—

movement phase, shooting phase, and then the assault

phase. The game lasts about twohours on average. There’s a magazine calledThe White Dwarf that tells you techniques for painting, new

codexes, and everything you want to know about the game.

By Murphy, 12

The HaircutI went to my daddy’s house andgot a haircut. It’s fun to visit him over theweekends. I get to play with my brothers and sisters.

We went to my uncle’s house for the haircut. I sat on a chair,

and my uncle said, “Don’t move.” He used clippers and made

some designs in my hair. I thought it looked just fine.

By Dillon, 9

Gravedigger!I like going to the Monster Jam. It’s a big show with trucks

like the Gravedigger and they jump over cars and motorbikes,

fly over ramps and sometimes things get crushed and slammed

and messed up. It’s really loud at theshows, and I like that. Once I went and theyhad a dragon blowing fire out its nose. I like going with my

friends and watching everything. It makes me want to be in the

show. I’d like to be in charge of a Gravedigger and jump ramps

and smash cars. That would be cool.

By Michael, 7

Touchdown!I’ve been collecting football cards since I was eight or nine.

My friend was doing it at the time, and I got interested. I started

collecting them, and now I have four binders full of them, plus a

box and some bags. I keep them on a shelf next to all the footballs

I’ve had signed, including the one by the 2007 Aggie team. My

favorite card right now is Roger Staubach, #12, Dallas quarterback.

I play football, which may be onereason I like collecting the cards.I’ve been playing since second grade. I remembermy first number,

#88, and being on the field the first time. That’s a great feeling.

Now I play middle linebacker, and my job is to knock the mess out

of whoever gets the ball. I play for the West Hardin Oilers. We went

to the SuperBowl when I was around ten and won 6-0. That felt

good. I think I like football because it’s fun, but also because I just

like to tackle people. It’s a good way to let my anger and energy out.

By Colt, 12

The Love of my L i feI think I started to love dance in kindergarten. I took an after-

school dance class where we did ballet and jazz. My interest in

dance kept growing and I took somemore classes. Then I started

dancing at my church. We would do praise dance before the

preacher did his sermon. I started when I was eight. Back then

I was nervous. Now I’m not. I just pray and stay in a silent mode

before I begin. It helps me keep my focus. Now I’m thirteen

and I dance for my church and my school’s church.WhenI learn a new dance, I can feel it inmy body. After I do it once, I’ve got it. I do it in my headat night. One of my most memorable dance experiences was at

my cousin’s church Lighthouse of Praise. I danced there New

Year’s Eve, and I was an angel.

By Ayanna, 13

A Magica l Tr ipFor the people who’ve never been to Disney World, I’m going

to tell you what it’s like. Just watch before your very eyes!

First, you ride a magical plane that drops you off at an amazing

airport. Then, you board the Disney Express that takes you to

your phenomenal resort. Next, you get signed in and then

you’re free to take a bus to wherever you want to go. I went

straight to MGM Studios where I watched movies and bought

glow-in-the-dark lights. Then, we got a bite to eat and went

straight to bed so we’d be ready for the next day. In themorning,

we went to Epcot Center where they have all kinds of rides and

you can see the future. We got Fast Passes so we could return

to ride the Fast Track, one of the fastest and longest roller

coasters in the U.S. When I heard the people screaming,

I didn’t want to go, but it was too late. Once I did it, I loved it.

I got off and said, “Let’s go again!” I got a driver’s license

there, which is good until the year 3000! After that, we went

to a movie studio, and I got to be co-director. I toldeveryone, “Lights, Camera,Action!” These are just a few incredible opportunitiesat Disney World. Going to Disney World is cool because it

makes you feel like a kid again.

By Kolton, 11

Dance StarI’ve been dancing for about six years. I saw people on TV

doing it and that inspired me, but mostly I’m just really

energetic so dance is perfect because I get to move around

a lot. I started at Mosley’s School of Gymnastics and Dance

when I was five. My mom says I wasn’t nervous at all—I’ve

never been a shy child. At my first recital I danced in front

of 200 people. Once I get in my groove, I just get lost in the

dance. Sometimes I do have to connect with judges in the

audience. We have to make facials, which I don’t really like

because I’m already concentrating on the flip-flop or stunt

we’re doing. One of my best dance moments was when I did

a trio with two friends and won first place at Nationals. One

of my worst moments was when I broke my finger during a

warm-up, but I had to compete anyway and then do a

Christmas recital that night too. To be a good dancer you have

to have some natural rhythm, but you can also work hard to

make it. You have to be dedicated because you need to work

out all the time to stay fit and flexible. I hope I’ll continue to

compete and try my hardest. In the future, Ihope I’ll be a dance star.

By August, 11

An Explos ion ofthe MindI think my grandmother passed down my love of music to me.

She sings in the choir at church, and she likes all kinds of

music. My mom says I’ve always loved music too. Evenas a baby I would hummyself tosleep. When I got older I joined our church choir. I’vealways felt shy so I didn’t want to sing solos. I liked to be part

of the larger group. It’s just recently when I’ve broke out of my

shyness. I don’t know all the reasons, but I think part of it was

going to concerts and being inspired by the people on stage,

watching how they felt excited about what they were doing and

how much they loved it. So, now I’m stepping out and up and

doing more solos in my church and school choirs. I still get

nervous but I like it now. It’s like I think to myself, “Wow. I’m

up here in front of all these people singing.” It’s an adrenalin

rush! For me music is my life support system. When I’m sad,

it makes me happy. It can pick me up, make me excited and

hyper. I like that feeling.

Unlike music, I think art was more something that I picked

up on my own. When I was little, I loved to color. My dad says

that whenever I got a new set of crayons, I’d always break them.

I think I thought they worked better that way and they were

MINE after I broke them! As I got older, I loved all the art

materials. I’d get markers, color pencils, and now I’m into

pastels. I like doodling a lot to release feelings or when I don’t

want to talk. Singing is like an explosion ofmymind and drawing

is that too. You don’t have to think about it too much, you just

get it out there.When I do pastels, I just mix and blend different

colors. I don’t have a plan, but it comes out beautifully.

By Kandace, 14

The Passion forBasketbal lI’ve always loved basketball. My dad played for the San Antonio

Spurs, but that’s not all. It runs in my family—my aunt Carolyn,

my grandpa Charles, and others all played too.

I started playing in middle school.I’d always had a hoop at home, butit was exciting to play on a team andcompete against others. We’d practice beforeschool, which was hard because it was so early in the morning.

The most exciting game in middle school was the championship

game. We were the favorites, and it was at our home court. I

played wing—it was an exhausting game, but the adrenalin kept us

all going, and we won. My dad was there. It was a perfect evening.

Afterwards, the coach gave us all miniature basketballs that we

signed. I still have mine.

I also played basketball my freshman and sophomore years of

high school. It was different because the coaches are harder on

you and the competition is tougher. Also, I switched high schools

in the middle of freshman year, so I had to adjust and find my

spot on the new team. By sophomore year, I had found my

friends and fit on the team.

Everything was going well until in themiddle ofmy sophomore

year when I was diagnosed with ALL. I had to leave school

because I had no immune system. Suddenly, I was alone and

couldn’t see much of my friends or have close contact with anyone.

That was hard. I was always in and out of the hospital with infections.

Even though I couldn’t play basketball, I continued to think and

dream about it because it’s my passion. I’d call my friends to see

how games went. I’d check NBA scores on the computer.

Right now I’m in maintenance. This past Monday was my first

day back at school, and it was great to see friends. They just

played their last game of the season so I won’t get to see them

play until next year. Even though I can’t play right now, I’m looking

forward to playing again in the future.

By Jana, 16

Gett ing My Hair DoneI go to my aunt’s house to get my hair done. It’s fun, but it takes a

long time. I sit on a pillow and she gets a needle and connects the

crochet braids to my head. It hurts, but I just scream inside my

head.Once all the braids are in, I gohome. When I look in the mirror, I’m surprised.I look beautiful!

By Dylliaunna, 7

Who I AmI am an artist. My favorite thing todraw is cartoon characters. First, I sketchthem in pencil, then I go over them in pen. I draw Scooby-Doo

a lot and then sometimes I draw SpongeBob and Strawberry

Shortcake to mix things up. I started drawing in seventh grade

and then I began taking classes at school. I do more kinds of art

in school, like painting. I like to draw in my room in a sketch-

book. It’s very therapeutic.

By Rivieara, 17

The Skate LogoI’ve been skating for two years. My friends invited me to

a skateboarding party and I went down a ramp and fell and

busted my butt and knocked my breath out and when I got

up, I said, “I want to do this.” So, I’ve been practicing and

practicing and I can do an ollie to a double kick flip. Right

now I’m on crutches so I can’t do much. But, if my mom

would let me, I’d still try. I skate in my neighborhood and

sometimes the Kay Skate Park. I love extremesports because I like the adrenalinrush, the risk and the challenge.To be good at skateboarding you need to be strong; you need

discipline to practice the techniques you need for each trick;

and most importantly, you need to be fearless. Sometimes

I watch YouTube to see the skateboarders. I came up with

my own trick by watching others. It is sort of like a combined

360 with a kick flip and heel flip going into a nose manual.

By Carlos, 13

My Favorite SportI used to go to the park with my older brother. That is when

I started playing basketball. He’d let me play and I’d have to

hustle to keep up. In seventh grade I tried out for my school team

and made it. I remember once when it was our first game. I was

nervous but it turned out well. We won. It was a good way to start

the year. The rest of it was up and down. I was one of the smallest

on the team, and it was hard with so many bigger guys. I’m still

playing basketball. I think it’s my favorite sport because it feels

great to shoot three-pointers. I like playing forwardbecause I get to make the baskets alot. I’ve improved a lot, and I want to keep getting better,especially quicker.

By Johnny, 15

Pink PrincessMy name is Madison, and I am five. Sometimespeople call me Maddie. I have a little sisternamed Maccie. She is two and a wild child, ha-ha! I have a puppy

named Zoe who is so cute. She is a Boston Terrier. I love the color

pink. My whole room is in pink princess stuff. My sister’s favorite

color is green. I love riding in my daddy’s 1968 car. It is so much

fun. Also I love to dance. I take private lessons for jazz and ballet.

My dance teacher’s name is Karley. She is the best. I am looking

forward to going to Disney World this April 2008. I get to meet

Cinderella and all the other princesses!

By Madison, 5

Aust in , the SuperheroI like to wear a cape and a mask and carry a light saber. My

light saber makes noises and I stab the bad guys in the heart.

Then I lock up the bad guys andthe neighborhood is safe again.

By Austin, 10

How to Be HappyMymom is a big fan of the Houston Texans, but I’m a Steelers

fan. I love football because it makes you tough. I’ve been playing for

two years. We have to do lots of drills, like hitting and tackling

and running laps. Trying not to get hit is a real challenge.

My favorite positions to play are running back and linebacker.

My dad gives me lots of good advice. Even if the other guy is big-

ger, he says to just tackle below the knee and the guy will fall. He

also says that whenever I’m running with the ball to put my

shoulder down and hit a defender in the stomach area. Once I

remember playing a team called The Falcons and I scored two

touchdowns. Scoring a touchdown makes you feel happy, really

happy. I have a big goal—it’sto play in the NFL someday.

By Roger, 10

The Day I Faced HorrorIt was a beautiful day, and I was talking a walk. Suddenly,

the sky got dark, and it started to rain. I saw three figures

approaching. They were getting closer and closer. I began to

run faster and faster. I was out of breath, but they were gaining

on me, and they looked like Freddy, Jason, and Leatherface.

Just then I saw a clown in a tent and he said, “Quick! Come in

here!” He set down three cards on a table, and they read

Freddy, Jason, and Leatherface. I asked, “Is this my future?”

The clown jumped on the table and said, “No. You don’t have a

future.” Then, tomy surprise he reached out forme, but I rolled

to the side. Unfortunately, Freddy was there, hiding under the

table, Leatherface was in the curtains, and Jason was pretending

to be a statue. I started to sweat, but then I eyed them all and

screamed, “You don’t scare me!” I didsome karate moves on them toshow them I wasn’t kidding.They were all on the floor, including the clown. But they got

right back up. I said, “I challenge you to a duel.” I chose a

chainsaw, Freddy a knife, Leatherface a gun, and Jason a

machete. The battle began. I yelled, “Bring it on!” And I sliced

off Freddy’s finger and cut off Jason’s legs and split Leatherface

in half. And then I woke up. Luckily, it was all a bad dream.

By Evan, 9

Thanks toAlbert and Ethel HerzsteinCharitable Foundation

Kiwanis Foundation of Houston

LGR Foundation CommunityFund No.1

The Search Foundation

Clarence Westbury Foundation

Valero Energy Foundation/Valero Houston Refinery

My Li fe in ShowBusinessI have been in a lot of shows. It all started out with dancing,

then acting, then singing! My first show was “Dot and Tot of

Merryland”. It was directed by Mandy S. Then, I was in “Hansel

and Gretel”, “Dear Santa”, “Alice in Wonderland”, and a drama

called “I Never Saw Another Butterfly”! I’ve been an elf, string,

child, even an animal called a griffin. A griffin has the head of

an eagle and the bottom of a lion. When I got into singing,

I wrote a song here at Texas Children’s Hospital. It’sabout all the things I love to do.I sang it in Singer Showcases and even on a cruise. I go to

The Slightly Off Center Players and I’ve made trillions of

friends there!

By Shelby, 10

is published by The Periwinkle Foundation,

Writers in the Schools (WITS), and the

many talented young writers at the

Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

The Periwinkle Foundation develops and

provides programs that positively change the

lives of children, young adults, and families

who are challenged by cancer and other

life threatening illnesses and are cared for at

Texas Children’s Hospital.

For more information,visit the

following websites:

www.periwinklefoundation.orgwww.writersintheschools.orgwww.texaschildrenshospital.org