Wingspan

The annual caroling and subsequent deluge of snow during the "Let it Snow" song brings fun and excitement to the start of the day for students and staff.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Wingspan!

By Wingspan Staff

Christmas

In the Christian faith, Christmas is the historical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether celebrated for this religious reason or solely as a cultural celebration, Christmas traditions vary around the world. While Americans celebrate with Christmas trees, visits from Santa Claus, and dreams of snowy landscapes, Christmas falls during Australia’s summer, where it is popular to go camping or to the beach over the holiday. Some Australians decorate a “Christmas Bush,” a native Australian tree with small green leaves and flowers that turn red during the summer.

In England, Christmas traditions are similar to those in the United States, but instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus, children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas. In Iceland, capital city Reykjavik turns into a winter wonderland with its Christmas market and for the children, there is not one but thirteen Santas', known as Yule Lads. One arrives each night in the thirteen days before Christmas, leaving small gifts in shoes left in window sills. Read more about how Christmas is celebrated around the world here.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. Those who took part in the re-dedication witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued to burn for eight nights.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Celebrations revolve around lighting the menorah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown. The ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Typically, blessings are recited and traditional Hanukkah foods such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are fried in oil. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with dreidels and exchanging gifts. Learn more about Hanukkah here.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 after the Watts riots in Los Angeles. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. From there, he combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations to form the basis of Kwanzaa.

The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, families gather and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara, then one of the seven principles, values of African culture, is discussed. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31. Learn more about the principles of Kwanzaa here.

Overlook students and staff participated in a week long celebration of school culture and fun leading up to vacation.

The December Citizens of the Month were honored at lunches for being outstanding Overlook Eagles!

By Luci Adams-

This year’s OMS book fair was a great success! It was set up by Overlooks very own Mrs. Belkin, who did an amazing job, with the help of our great volunteers, set up a fun book fair. They spent the Saturday afternoon before the week of the book fair setting up the amazing decorations.

This year’s theme was under the sea and it looked GREAT. There were many prizes to be won and even a fish tank! Us students had a wonderful time getting to sort through the arrays of interesting books to find our favorite stories. Scholastic provided so many enjoyable books this year.

To get the numbers down, the book fair made 5,000 dollars! If every book was 10 dollars, Then around 500 books were sold. That's enough for almost every student to get a book from the book fair!

There were many good books. We had a large range of books. This included horror, romance, graphic novels, comics,young adult, fantasy, non-fiction and so much more!

We are thrilled to see next year's incredible book fair!

By Luci Adams

This year's OMS Drama Club is performing "The Wizard of Oz" as their spring musical! Directing the show is Ms. Daigle and Mrs. Normand. The show will be performed late April of 2024.

The show follows our protagonist, Dorothy as she gets swept from her home of Kansas into the magical land of Oz by a tornado. While there she meets Glinda the good witch who sends her on her way to see the wizard, who will send her home. On her way, she befriends a brainless scarecrow, a tin man who wants a heart, and a cowardly lion. Together they face the Wicked Witch who wants to stop Dorothy to get her magic ruby slippers. Once they reach the wizard and get rid of the wicked witch, they find they had the ability to get the things they wanted all along.

This musical is filled with fun songs and dances! The show is great for people of all ages to enjoy. Our cast is thrilled to bring this classic movie-musical to the stage for you!

CAST LIST:

Dorothy: Luci Adams

Scarecrow: Allison Buszkiewicz

Tin Man: Tegan Fraticelli

Lion: Connor Shear

Toto: Brynn Crossman

Glinda: Alyssa Gendron

Wicked Witch: Triss Plooster

Wizard of Oz: Ephrym Kugel-Moore

Aunt Em: Natalie Demar

Uncle Henry: Sheamus Connors

Hunk: Julie Gray

Zeke: Natalie Berry

Hickory: McKenna Watkins

Miss Gulch: Amy Dorsey

Professor Marvel: Lily Wiita

Doorman: Maddy Barrette

Guard: Jenna Belkin

Mayor of Munchkin City: Zoe Peer-King

Barrister: Ava Buckley

Coroner: Lily Huguenin

Crows: Ava-Marie Martinez,
Rowan Milne

Apple Trees: Gianna Baker, Mackenzie Mills,
Ari Stowell

Nikko: Harper Devlin

Leader of the Winkies: Ava Moore

Munchkins/Jitterbug Ensemble Group:

Tots: Capri Cesvette, Octavia Feeley,
Chloe Hoeksema, Zoey Kalil, Elle Leclair,
Hallie Holdbrook-Smith

Tough Kids: Syrus Deschenes, Addy Giusti,
Gabi Gray, Serena Johnson,
Audrianna Malloy, Brooke Newcomb

Also includes Mayor, Barrister, Coroner,
Aunt Em, Miss Gulch, Professor Marvel

Ozians/Crows Ensemble Group:

Gemma Bergeron-Wigelsworth,
Rosalie Case, Vanria Clyde, Sofie Coleman, Maggie Connell, Carly Dufresne, Autumn Ellia, Mackenzie Grimes, Sophia Manning,
Natalie Marshall, Presley Martineau,
Hagen Middleton

Tornado: Pandora Panageotes (Lady in Rocking
Chair), Jillian Macleod (Rowboat),
Kate Taylor (Rowboat), Sadie Sell (Cow)

Also includes featured Crows, Wizard of Oz

Winged Monkeys/Winkies Ensemble Group:

Emma Barrette, Sahara Caron, Norah Duval, Ava Frost, Olivia Lahey,
Madison Peer, Gabby Quinones, Jaylanni Rosario, Brendan Shear, Griffin Szalay, Eva Thompson, Kat Campaigne, Eve Allard

Also includes Guard, Doorman, Nikko,
Leader of the Winkies, featured Apple Trees, Uncle Henry, Hunk, Zeke, Hickory

By: Audrianna Malloy

Do you ever wish you had a brighter color of hot chocolate? Well you are in luck because of a recipe from the stars called frozen hot chocolate. Why is it called that you ask is because of the icey blue color.

Ingredients.

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 1 cup of Ghirardelli white chocolate chips

• whipped cream

• Several drops of neon blue food coloring

• Blue crushed candy

• Corn syrup

• Whipped cream

• milk

Combine milk vanilla in a saucepan then stir to the mix,

Heat chocolate on medium low heat stirring occasionally to a simmer, don't boil it remove from heat stir in food coloring.

Pour some corn syrup on a plate, put the candy in a bowl, dip the cup in the plate then bowl to get the rim candied and pour in the hot chocolate in and top with whipped cream then most importantly enjoy!

By: Autumn Ellia

During the holidays, people are always looking for festive things to do with family and friends. Here are some festivities to look forward to this Christmas!

Ashburnham’s 10th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Parade

Every year since 2013 in December, the small town of Ashburnham gathers together for an annual tree lighting ceremony and a small Santa parade at the center of town. There, you’ll get to experience magical Christmas lights above your head, along with ol’ Saint Nick riding around in a firetruck! Along with many more Christmas festivities, this event will be at the top of your list!

Howlin’ Happy Holiday at Great Wolf Lodge!

This year, Great Wolf Lodge will be hosting a Christmas themed comedy show, where local comedians will be performing! The night will be filled with laughter, tears (from the laughter), and so much good food you won’t be able to resist!

The 4th Annual Festival of Trees in Milford, NH

At this event, you’ll get to celebrate Christmas with the friendly town of Milford. While you wander around the festival grounds, you can look at over 30 different Christmas trees and gift baskets. You can even enter a raffle to win them! The raffle items are donated by local businesses.

Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Gardner, MA

The town of Gardener comes together to welcome you! At this event, there will be entertainment, caroling, refreshments, and even sleigh rides! By far, this one seems like one of the most Christmas-y events out there!

Holiday in the Highlands at Art on the Rocks, Gardner MA

In my opinion, this is really a great way to celebrate the holidays! The instructor walks you through how to paint the adorable holiday step by step so you can take home a wonderful Christmas painting for yourself!

Whether you spend the holidays at home, or you travel during the holidays, it’s nice to celebrate in some way, like going to celebrate the holidays at a local event near you.

By Olivia Lahey

❄️ Winter Activities ❄️

Are you ready for Winter? Here are some activities for winter!

There are many things you can do this Winter season, here are some things you can do:

• 🍂 Play in the leaves 🍂

• 🌳 Go on a hiking adventure in the woods 🌳

• 🛷 Go sledding 🛷

• ☃️ Build a snowman ☃️

• ⛸ Ice Skating ⛸

• ⛷ Skiing ⛷

• ⛺ Build forts ⛺

• ❄️ And so much more! ❄️

❄️ Thank you for reading this article! I hope you like these ideas! Have a good winter! ❄️

By Triss Plooster

Overlook’s Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Chorus have been working hard to prepare for the Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 20. If you want to come listen to the music that we have been working on since the beginning of the year, the Concert is in Oakmont’s Auditorium at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there! Merry Christmas!!

By: Avery Edgar

On Thanksgiving I ran a 5K. There was around 1,500 people there that participated. The foundation called Be like Brit. Be Like Brit is a Non Profit organization. The focus of the foundation is to help the children of Haiti through sustaining a neutering home with a sense of faith, hope, Community involvement, and unconditional love.They are able to do this program by raising funds. Brit [Britney Gengel] a 19 year old girl with the heart of gold. Was shocked when she arrived to the island she was overwhelmed by the devastating poverty of the island. She was inspired and wanted to help as soon as she could. Unfortunately her life was taken short by an Earthquake that took her and 300,000 others' lives. Brits home in Haiti was built 2 years after the earthquake. Brits house was located directly on the land where the earthquake affected just a short period before. Brits home houses more than 66 children and welcomes more of their families. The house that the foundation provided allowed them to construct an earthquake proof house. Now because of the impact that Brit made the foundation provides a safe home for families in Haiti. The day of the race the sun was shining but it was very cold out. All 1,500 participants were eager to run or walk. The goal is to help provide the foundation funds to help the Be Like Brit house. They get funds to provide the family's with necessary items. The event was a success and got more participants than they ever have.Overall it was a great success

By: Audrianna Malloy

Christmas is a great holiday to start new traditions and honor old ones. There are many traditions out there and I am going to tell you about some of them that would be cool to try if you are ever looking for something new.

One Christmas tradition is the Christmas pickle. The Christmas Pickle is a tradition where you hide a pickle shaped onement in the Christmas Tree and on christmas morning whoever finds the Pickle first opens the first gift.

Another Christmas tradition is fruit cake. The fruit cake is a cake with dried fruit,candied dried nuts, and spices. Fruit cake is a sweet fruity moist cake and other rich flavors. Like hot chocolate fruit cake is a beloved winter treat.

Another classic Christmas tradition is a Christmas movie marathon with movies like Elf, Christmas vacation, A Christmas Story and other family classics, favorites and more. During a Christmas marathon fun snacks and treats are recommended for extra Christmas fun. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great Christmas season.

A book review article by Olivia Lahey

Making Friends, a graphic novel by Kristen Gudsnuk, is a book about a girl in 7th grade named Dany, who hates 7th grade! She misses her elementary school, her friends are in different classes and different lunch times. She wishes for a friend who would be there for her and be funny and smart and a good friend. Then she finds a notebook from her old Aunt Elma’s house, since she recently died, her family was inheriting their stuff, and when she draws in it, the pictures come to life! She accidentally made a head of her favorite anime character named Prince Neptune, to life! When she figures this fact out about the notebook, she makes a new best friend, Madison, who is exactly as she imagined her to be! But then, when everything is going smoothly with Dany & Madison, Madison figures out the horrible truth about her that she came from a notebook! Madison stops talking to Dany & hanging out with the popular girls. Madison says that Dany is too clingy to her and wants her own life and be herself, then Dany decides to let her go. Then Prince Neptune rips the gym ceiling apart at a pep rally! Dany & Madison & their friends team up to beat him! Then Dany & Madison figure out how amazing friendship is & and to be yourself! I really recommend reading this!

A Creative Writing Story By Olivia Lahey

Belle was walking happily to her very most favorite coffee shop. While she walked inside she could smell the Peppermint Mocha Coffee in the coffee maker, fresh and ready to serve. She came up to the register table. The shop was called The Fresh Mocha Coffee Shop. The shop was small, it was a little cafe with comfy seats and Christmas music & decorations. This coffee shop was in a little town called Snowdenburg. It was a small town. Everyone knew each other. While Belle was at the register, the boy at the register was Belle’s closest friend. They have known each other since first grade. And they gladly stayed friends. Since they are in 11th grade, they have been hanging out & doing homework together and taking drives around town. “The usual, Beatrice?” Said Tom, the register boy & Belle’s closest friend, sarcastically. “Yes, Thomas.” Belle said sarcastically. Tom goes to brew the Peppermint Mocha, Belle’s favorite. “Here you go, Belle!” Says Tom happily. “It’s SO good, like it always is!” Belle says, while drinking the coffee. “That’s why the The Fresh Mocha Coffee Shop is the #1 coffee shop in Snowdenburg!” Tom says. “True!” Belle says. “Well I gotta run, I have a figure skating competition coming up!” Belle says, rushing out the door. “Bye!” Tom says. Belle lands her double axle while she glides on the ice. “Nice Belle! You're ready for the comp?” Says Belle’s Coach, Coach Abby. “Thanks Coach Abby! I’m a little nervous, but I'm ready!” Belle says. “Look! It’s snowing!” Belle says. “It’s beautiful, but we need to keep practicing!” Coach Ally says. “♪Walkin’ In A Winter Wonderland-♪” Belle sings. “ Wow Belle! You have a beautiful voice!” Coach Ally says happily. “I do?” Belle asks in confusion. “You should sing at the Snowdenburg Winter Wonderland Singing Concert!” Coach Ally says. “Maybe I will!” Belle says. “Ok, now let’s keep practicing!” Coach Ally says. After practice, Belle goes to Tom’s house, maybe he can help her practice singing for the concert! “Hey Tom!” Belle says. Belle walks in and Tom helps Belle practice. The day of the figure skating competition, Belle absolutely nailed it! She got first place! For a while now, Belle has been working on her singing. She will be singing Walking In A Winter Wonderland, her favorite Christmas song (since it’s Christmas time). “WWWWelcome to this year's Snowdenburg Winter Wonderland Singing Competition! The competition is tough! We got a lot of great singers here today!” The announcer says. “Next up we have Belle Whitlock singing Walking In A Winter Wonderland!” says the announcer. Belle is nervous as she walks to the stage. But then she sings & everyone LOVES it! “♪Walkin’ in a winter wonderlaaannnddd!!!!!!♪” Belle sings as she ends her song. Everyone gave her a standing ovation! She also won 1st prize!!! She was proud of herself! She continues to sing!

THE END

By Brooke Newcomb

Once Upon A Time, there was a Town in Maine called Storybrook. Two Special individuals, Princess Snow and Prince Blue, were from Rival kingdoms. One day Snow’s Father told her to dress nicely because she was sent to the Kingdom of the arch owl. Snow was from the Kingdom Of Frost. Snow was devastated to the core about her parent's choice. On the train, she blew up with frustration. How could her parents do this to her! the princess of frost! Over In Arch Owl kingdom, Prince Blue found out because of a royal Guard and started yelling at his Mother because she was the one that planned it in the first place.

The Kingdom Of Frost was in the upper part of Storybrook, Maine, where (in this case) it snows a lot but ever since Princess Snow was born, it stops snowing when the princess is mad, and it only snows when she is happy or sad anything but angry. In the Kingdom of arch owl, it is in the lower part of Storybrook, Maine, and it snows when it is wintertime with the rest of the Kingdoms, but when it's winter and Princess Snow gets mad, it becomes a blizzard. And everyone knows why it is a blizzard. On Snow’s way to Arch Owl, a person kidnaps Snow, and she is brought to The Shadow territory of prince Garmadon. Blue was getting worried when Snow didn’t arrive, so he sent his guards to go and try to find her. When they got back, the guard said that they didn’t find anything so He went out to find her by himself and it was lightly snowing, so he knew that she was scared when he got to the train station they said that she never got off the train. So he went to look around the train and found a note in her cabin. It said, “Dear Prince Blue, I have been kidnapped by the prince of shadow and I am forced to marry that scoundrel Garmadon. Please come and save me before it’s too late. Yours Truly, Princesses Snow.” he needed to find her to uphold the treaty. At the castle, he told his Mother and Father that he would save Snow. However, his Mother told him not to keep her, and his Father told him to do whatever he wanted. So he went on a journey to the tower of lost dreams. Then Blue went to the small village Corra and bought some maps, food, a tent, and a bunch of supplies to go on this trip to save Snow! Then he rode into the sunset, searching for snow, not realizing something was following him. He had left the boundaries of Maine and was in the kingdom of shadows. When he got there he got stopped by the Shadow prince and got locked up, he also was knocked out.

By Ava Buckely

Hi! My name is Holly. I live in California where it is sunny and beautiful. But before you get to know me better there is one itty bitty thing that you might want to know about me. I am a witch. It might sound really weird but don’t worry I am a green witch. There are four types of witches. First there are green witches. That's me! We only use nature for our potions. Then there are cloud witches. They use clouds and sun for their potions. There are also water witches. They only use water for theirs. Then there is our worst and meanest rival. The fire witches. They only use fire and ash for their potions. But just because they use hot objects doesn’t mean that their hearts can't be cold as ice.

Nobody at school knows that I’m a witch because the last time a witch told a mortal…. They told everyone and we were under attack. But that was in Salem waaaay back in the day. Even though nobody at school knows I’m a witch they still think I am weird. Good thing I have my best friend Renay to cheer me up when everyone else brings me down. She’s the best. “ Honey! Hurry up, you got to get to school!” “ Coming!”

I was on my way to History when I heard this voice…a whisper. It’s saying “ You're not safe here, come back.” This has been happening ever since that first day at this school. I am getting nervous. Then I hear someone shout my name. “ Holly!!!” Of course it’s Renay. Renay and I have been best friends ever since 1st grade. We have two classes together and that’s English and History. “Hey.” “So how was your weekend? Have people been nice to you today?”

She always asks that question “No. But that’s just regular. I’ve learned to ignore them.'' This routine we have going here is really annoying. “No! Who was it? I will hunt them down and- " "RENAY!” I cut her off before she could say anymore. “Can you just drop this one? Please.” ”Fine but you have to promise next time you will say something back to them.” “ I never make promises. Now let’s get to class shall we.”

That entire history class, I was staring at Zac Williams. I have had a crush on him since 3rd grade. I am now in 11th grade so I am 16 and still have a middle school crush. I feel like a baby. I had never had a boyfriend before. Renay has had like 20 since 9th grade. It’s not surprising that all the boys want her. She has long lushes, shiny blond hair and blue eyes. I always thought they looked like the ocean. Zac had tan skin, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. I have Brown hair, pale skin and brown eyes. I mean who would want that as their girlfriend to show off to all their buddies. Zac was also Renay's X-boyfriend but now they're back together nobody knows that I like Zac, so I guess that’s a good thing. Watching them kiss and hug pains me. I feel like my heart just got punched and now there's a hole in it. But Renay doesn’t know so I can’t be mad at her.When I got home I went right upstairs to get my homework done.

“Holly! We have to go soon so start getting ready!” “Coming!” Every Friday me and my mom go to these witch meetings in Salem. It’s just away so that other witches can meet and be friends with their own kind. But the reason why my dad can’t know isn’t because it’s an only girls meeting. It’s because he’s mortal. She has been keeping it a secret that she’s a witch for years and years! Ever since they met in middle school.

“HOLLY!!!” I ran down the stairs to go, but I had to stop mid way on when I saw them. They had party hats on and there was a cake on the table. “Did you forget that it’s your birthday!” “Oh my gosh! You guys did this for me!” I had the biggest smile on my face. I turned 17 today “Of course! Do you think it’s ok that we skip girls day today?” “Girls day” was what my dad thought me and my mom were doing on Fridays. “Sure. As long as I get the first slice of cake " "sorry kiddo dad has already gotten into it. But you can have two pieces!” I was giving them the death star.” “Come on I made it myself” I rolled my eyes. “Fine. But I need three pieces.” The rest of the day I spent eating cake, opening presents, and doing whatever I wanted.

One Monday was on my way to science when I heard it again. I heard the voice. But it said something different this time, and this is the first time it’s done this. It said “ This is the last time I can speak to you. Get out of there! Don’t go near her! You're asking for trouble. You get too close or you’ll-” Renay stopped what it was going to say and was talking about her other classes. But all I could think about was what that voice was going to say. But soon as I saw Zac I couldn’t think about anything else. Then as I was stepping out of the classroom I felt something push me. I fell down chest first. I felt like I couldn’t breathe for a second. I had enough with people pushing me around and not even caring and saying sorry. “ Who was that! I am so done with being a pushover! Who was that!” I shouted as loud as I possibly could. “It was Andrew.” I heard somebody say. Andrew is the most popular rude boy in the school. But at the time I didn’t care. I went to the other end of the hall pushing through people. Then I went right up to him and said “Hey pal. Do you think you can just go up to people and push them like you run this place? Well hate to break it to you buddy but you don’t, so do not push me or anybody again. Do you understand me!” “ Excuse me, do I know you?” “ That doesn’t matter. Do you understand me!” “Yeah sorry I didn’t realize I pushed somebody.” “Thank you for apologizing.”Then I walked back to class. I felt good about what I did. I felt like somebody really listened to me. That’s when I decided I was no longer going to be a pushover.

It was Sunday again and me and my mom were about to leave for the witch meeting. “ Ok get in the car.” I sat in the front seat and I heard something like “ Save us!” I thought it was the voice again but it sounded different. Like a war in the background. I hadn’t told my mom about it because I didn’t want her to worry. But I thought now would be a good time. “ Hey mom?” “ What's up sweetheart.” Then… that's when it all happened. A stupid idiotic ugly CRIMINAL driver came speeding the other direction and smashed right into the car.

I don’t know if it was just an instinct or something but I teleported to the side of the road just in time. But my mom didn’t. I ran over to the car as fast as I could. But I lost her…she was gone...for good. I started crying and balling my eyes out, when an officer tried to push me back from her. I grabbed my mom and ripped my hand away and wrapped my arms around her and screamed “ I WON'T LET GO!” But more police came and they were too strong. That's when I noticed my hand was covered in blood. I watched them take her into the ambulance and the officers took me in the police car. They drove me to the station and asked who they could call to pick me up. I didn’t answer. I was still crying, and right now I couldn’t say anything. I was too mortified. I just watched my mother get killed in a car accident.

I saw another officer walk by with the driver who crashed into us. I stood up, speed walked toward him and punched him right in the face. Kicked him in the shin and elbowed him right in the gut. Then the officer who was asking me questions grabbed me and pulled me back. I started screaming and throwing a tantrum. I probably looked like a baby but I didn’t care. I yelled at the police officer to call my dad.

After I was done throwing the tantrum suddenly Renay showed up. “Oh my god! Holly, are you okay!” “Renay why are you here? How did you get here? What is going on?” “I’m with your dad. I called you and your dad answered and told me everything so I demanded he pick me up.” The next thing I knew my dad was running around the corner. “Holly!” He calls out. “Are you ok?” “Yeah I’m fine.” Renay was hugging me and squeezing me. “Oh Holly! I am so sorry!” Renay cried out. “Listen Renay. I need to go home.” She had a smile on her face.“I will come with you.” She said almost too cheerfully. “No!” She looked really sad when I said that.

Right now she was getting on my nerves. I just wanted to be alone and cry. She was starting to get really annoying. “ Renay, just go home! Please.” She just stared at me for a second. “ I was just trying to help.” “By what? Being annoying and way too cheerful at a time like this! My mom just died Renay! Don’t you understand that!” She turned around and I swear I saw her smile, but she couldn’t have. I have never been in a fight or even yelled at her before. She must be really hurt right now. I felt really bad. I could take all of these emotions so when I got home I jumped on my bed and screamed and cried.

By Ava Buckley

“Gianna! Hurry up, we’re going to be late.” I ran down the stairs as fast as I could. We went outside and I hopped in the car. When we got to the farm I was so excited. This was the first time I’ve ever rode a horse. Well, it’s my first lesson riding. I was 9 years old and was in the beginner classes. At least it wasn’t a group lesson. “Hi, my name is Gemma. I will be your trainer.” She looked young to be a trainer. Maybe about 18 years old. “Ok, let's get started.” I learned a bunch of things that day. One, you always want to put the stirrups up when you get off the horse. Second, my trainer is the best. Third, horseback riding is a lot harder than it looks.

Next Thursday I went again, and the Thursday after that and the Thursday after that. As time went on I got better and better. I am 12 now, and I am about to do my first show with a horse named Val. She is great, she listens and has the smoothest trot and canter. But as I was warming up and practicing, I saw him. The most beautiful majestic creature I have ever seen. “Who’s that?” I ask Gemma “Oh him? That Finn. He is the newest horse at the barn. He is completely untamed.” I was mesmerized. He was rearing and bucking and was resisting to go into the trailer. I wondered where they were going with him. “Oh look at the time. You're up.” Gemma said excitedly. I had to refocus. This was my time to shine. It was just a walk trot test but to me it seemed like the biggest show in the world. As I stepped into the arena I could hear my heart beating. My whole family was there. I was so scared. That’s when everything happened.

“It’s only a fracture. It will heal up in a couple of weeks, maybe a month.” My leg still hurts from when Val spooked at the judges booth. When she spooked she bucked and I went right over her head and landed on my leg weirdly. When we got home my mom said I should take it easy. She made me stay inside for two weeks. I was only allowed out of the house for school. I was just itching to get to the barn. When my leg got better I begged and begged my mom to let me go and at least see the horses since it wasn’t a lesson day. “I don’t know if Gemma would want you there right now.” I rolled my eyes “Please” I said, giving her the puppy dog eyes which I knew she could resist. She did a little sigh and said “Fine.” I was so excited and I ran outside and waited for her there. She took her sweet little time getting her phone and purse. When we got there I opened my door but she grabbed my arm. “Wait, wait, wait. I have to make some stops. Can I trust you for 20 minutes?” I sighed and said “Of course you can, I am older now.” Her eyes narrowed “Ok. Have fun.” I hopped out of the car and waved by. I went to the paddocks, and that’s when I saw what I was looking for. Finn, the horse from the show. But then I noticed he was in a paddock. He was loose.

I grabbed his halter and rubbed his neck. He might have been the softest horse I’ve ever felt. Then I had a crazy idea. I figured I am by myself. What’s the harm? I took a random horse's lead rope. Tied it to both ends of the halter and put him in front of the fence. I stood on the first barn and slipped my leg over to the other side of Finn. I found myself on a wild horse that I didn't even know if it was safe. “Hey!” someone shouted and jumped and apparently so did Finn. He took off and the wind was blowing in my face. At first everything was happening so fast my brain couldn’t conceive of it. But as we ran into the woods I finally felt free. Like I actually knew what I was doing for once. This was my purpose. But all of a sudden, Finn came to a sketching stop and I went right over his head. Luckily I was fine but it took me by surprise for a minute. Then when I looked around Finn was standing right in front of me. When I looked behind me there was a small metal shed. I looked back at Finn and got up. I brushed myself off and Finn just turned around and galloped away. “Wait” I shouted. Of course he didn’t understand me and kept going. I thought to myself, well, best start the long journey back now before it gets too dark.

When I got back I found my mother waiting for me but also looking kind of worried. When she saw me she said “ Young lady, you are in big trouble.” I nodded “You can’t just get on a horse and gallop off into the woods like that.” I felt like I was about the cry so I ran into the barn in the tack room. I sat in one of the corners under a saddle. That's when I heard the door. Gemma sat down next to me. “I never told you how we got Finn, did I?” I wiped my nose and shook my head “Well when we found him in a metal shed and was soaked and scared we don’t know why he was soaking and we don't know where he came from. But we do know he has a quiet spirit right?” I smiled and nodded. “Ok well I have a lesson to teach in a few minutes. Better go get ready.” When she left I sat for a minute or so so it would look like I had been crying and then got up and walked to the car. My mom was waiting inside. “Young lady, I am very disappointed in you.” She had that look on her face that made me start crying again. “I know I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what came over me.”

When we got home I had a snack and called my friend Tatum. We gossiped awhile and then I was going to tell her about what happened but I decided not to. I felt like this was personal for some reason. Next week I went back to the barn. One of the barn helpers, Maggie, came over to me and yelled “Help! Finn has gone loose.” I was shocked so I stared for a second. Then when I realized what she said I ran into the barn. I saw that Finn's stall door was knocked down and just laying on the ground. I ran out into the woods. I ran and ran and ran till I tripped on probably the root of a tree. When I woke up it was dark out. Of course it had to also be raining. I sat up and there was a big gray blob about three feet away from me. When I focused my eyes, I saw it was Finn. I stood up and grabbed his halter. I climbed on to his back and kicked him. He did this weird slow walk. I mean I couldn't blame him. We were in the middle of the woods at night with predators in the same woods as us. I’d probably do the same thing. I saw something move in the bushes next to us. Apparently so did Finn cause the last thing I remember is him rearing up and hitting my back on the ground.

By Katherine Wetherbee