Passport
“Engineering Our Future”
Vol. 17 Issue 4 May 2017PASSPORT STAFF
Sydney Drozynski, Bri Farren, Colton Firster, Marie Fouche, Jacob Freshly, Virginia Fronk, Adelie Gifford, Anya Maschmeier, Logan McKinney, Alex Schulties, Ava Stewart, Alexis Terry, Roy Tilton, Nico Town, Dorothy Vogel, Dylann Volz
Advisor: Mr. Levere
Inside this issue:
· Chub and Flub and Table of Misfits Conclusions!
· The exciting conclusion of the short story, K’Napped Elementary!
· Historical look at school summer vacation…why is it the way it is?
· Passport Staff Bios!
· …and so much more!
Daring
By Ava Stewart
Jackson was dared by the village bully to enter the Sulfur Caverns. When entering he then saw a light, which was a hole that that led nowhere. He accidentally triggered a secret passage, and followed it to a great treasure room. There he took a jewel, but was discovered by a dragon named Topaz. After learning his story, she promised to help him get home. Jackson climbed on her back, and the unlikely pair set off on a course for Jackson's home.
I jolted awake from the light slumber I had on Topaz's back. I peered over her side as she glided across the land.
"Are we there?" I yawned.
"Not yet," Topaz replied.
I noticed that my belly felt empty as a cave, and my mouth was as dry as stone. Then it let out a rumble. Topaz swung her head around to look at me.
"Do you want to eat?" She asked.
"Um, yes."
"We'll land soon."
She dove suddenly to the ground. I yelped from the surprise as the wind whistled through my ears. I crouched down, and discovered I was in the leeway of the wind. I watched as her wings snapped open, and strained to stop the fall. As we neared the ground, she dropped. Her muscles smoothly absorbed the drop. She crouched down to let me slide off her back. Topaz then walked into the woods.
"What should I do?" I called after her.
"Wait there. Scout the land. I'm pretty sure we're close." She called over her shoulder.
"Close to what?" I muttered, staring after her.
I looked around to observe our surroundings. We were in a small forest clearing. A ring of oak and alder trees surrounded the small, grassy clearing. Small brown leaves littered the ground. I looked and headed off into a random direction. It was hard going. Small gullies and rises caused me to stumble. Fallen branches and logs were scattered and hidden. Thick bushes blocked the way. Eventually the forest gave way to a small, strangely familiar green. I stretched my head to get a better view and peered around. A littles ways off, I saw a thin winding plume of smoke. I decided there was no better way to go. So I pushed through the scraggly bushes blocking my way. Ha! Take that bushes! I thought. Then I looked up. I stared with shock, then heard a rushing noise, and a curtain of blackness overtook me.
I stood at the door to my house. I stood there unsure of what to do. Then I thought, what am I doing, standing here like this? This is my house! I walked up, and boldly knocked on the door.
"Hello?" I called. "Is anyone home?"
My father came to the door. I peeked behind my dad's shoulders, and saw the shadow of my mom.
"Dad!" I cried. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"Who are you? What do you want?" He said.
"I’m your son!" I replied. "What do you mean what do I want?"
"I have no son," He gruffly replied. "He died in a fire years ago."
"No he didn't!" I argued. "I'm your son! I'm clearly alive!"
"Get out!" He shouted. "Stop torturing me and my wife!" He slammed the door on me. I stood there shocked. I turned away and sat down numb. A door creaked open behind me. I looked behind me to see my mom.
"Do you believe me?" I asked.
"No," She hissed. "Now leave!"
I watched in paralyzing fear as she lengthened and turned green. Before me was a colossal green snake that was my mom. She hissed and slithered towards me. I was too scared to move, to breathe. She slithered around me, picking me up in her muscular coils, hissing all the while. She began to squeeze, drawing the life out of me. I thrashed, trying to scream, but I had was literally paralyzed. The last thing I saw was Harold, the village bully, looking at me, laughing, as I lost consciousness.
I awoke panting as I stared up at Topaz. Her fiery eyes gazed into mine. Topaz's face was etched with concern.
She asked gently, "Are you alright?"
"Yes," I whispered.
"I found you missing at the clearing," Topaz explained. "So I followed your trail to here."
"Is this....?" I croaked, too afraid to go on.
"Yes," She replied, her voice heavy with pain. "It's your village."
I sat up, and gazed around at the destruction of my childhood home. Most houses were no longer houses, just piles of ash and scorched timber. The grass was black, and brittle underfoot. Embers glowed in the shadows. Fire flickered like distant stars piles of ash. I gazed numbly until I saw a familiar figure. My home. I walked slowly, as if in water towards it, shocked beyond thought. I looked back at Topaz. She clearly felt the pain and shock that I did, though her gaze was darkened with a smoldering spark of raging fury.
I bent down, and began searching the ashes for something, anything, when I heard a wheeze. I lifted my head wearily and another shock ran through me as I saw a still form in the ashes.
"Mom?!" I cried and ran over to her.
She gasped and whispered, "Jackson. You..... came."
"It's all right Mom." I murmured. "You'll be okay."
"No, I won't. Now listen to me. Your..... family is safe. We were attacked yesterday. It..... was sudden. There was a scream, and.... fire came raging. We panicked and..... your father grabbed your sister and ran. I.... ran to help a neighbor. We both got caught in a fire. I managed.... to get her over here, but she died. I stayed here.... until you came. But...," She broke off into coughing. "We were attacked by the emperor. You... must find your father. Please. I beg you."
"Shh. It's okay Mom." I whispered holding back tears.
"I love you." She mumbled. "Tell.... your family I love them."
"I love you too Mom," I murmured. "I always will."
I watched as she smiled, and then breathed no more. Topaz came over, and curled around me as I felt cool tears trickle down my cheeks.
I buried her with Topaz's help as light rain fell from the silver skies. I watched as moist dirt covered her, the rolled a pinkish stone to mark her grave.
I turned, then said with simmering anger to Topaz, "Why did it have to be this way! She didn't have to die! I hate him!"
"She wouldn't want you to be sad, little one. She would want you to be happy."
"How could I be happy! My mother is dead!" I screamed.
"The best way to help yourself, is to be calm, but grieve." Topaz said.
I watched as the boy paced the ground. It had been two months since his mother died, and now he felt raging anger. He wished to go after the emperor, but I had refused. But now, he was ready to vent his feelings.
"Jackson," I said to him. "We can go."
"Do you mean it, Topaz?" He asked hoarsely.
"Of course I mean it little one," I replied, smiling sadly at him.
Without a word, I bent down and he climbed on my back. I looked up, and took off into flight.
Excerpt from A History of Our Country
Many years ago, a boy named Jackson waged war on the current emperor. With the help of the villages the emperor had attacked, and the dragon Topaz, he managed to overthrow the emperor. Then Jackson swore an oath to protect his country as long as he lived over the years he succeeded again and again. He will always be remembered.
The Legend of the Table of Misfits
•FINALE•
By Sydney Drozynski
I don't think my identity matters. I don't think what the date is matters either. The only thing that matters is that The Table is mine. I live here now. This journal I found on the ground.... it only holds the thoughts of Bob before he left. Nobody knows what happened to him and the rest of his patrol. Nobody knows what happened to the rest of The Table residents... except for me.
The short version of the story: I needed a new home. I found a new home. I have a new home.
The long version: I confronted a patrol of Table residents. They were looking for more territory to claim. They seemed selfish and greedy, so, I admit what I did was wrong, but I needed to live SOMEWHERE, so I asked them where they lived, found their home, and eliminated them. All of them. I traveled on a long wire to the edge of a long wooden area overlooking The Table. The wire snapped and I swung through The Table. I threatened to remove the others if they didn’t worship me. I got what I wanted. Territory. A home. I now rein over The Table of Misfits.
What am I doing now? Well, since I took over so easily I decided to strengthen The Table residents just in case someone tries to overthrow us. I split them up into training groups and assigned each group a mentor. Only a few Table residents seemed trained in battle so it was hard to find trustworthy mentors who had experience.
I....I think after what I did.... I need help. I need to make up for what I've done to The Table residents. I must, and I don’t do this often, apologize.
I stood at the top of the wooden cliff, looking over The Table. I took a deep breath, then spoke.
"Citizens of The Table, after watching you work and train and live your lives for days, I have come to recognize something. I committed a foul and treacherous act. I destroyed you. I destroyed your families and friends. Your home. So chain me up. Don't let me free. I am a danger to all, and I can't control it."
Looks of sympathy swept through the crowd. Some ducked their heads, some were left awestruck. Lots of mouths gaped open in shock. No one spoke; complete silence.
"What will we do? You know, to.... you?" The Green Dino asked, breaking the silence.
"Well..." I began, glancing around. I spotted the wire that had swept through the kingdom. It had been put up as a bridge between a wood cliff and metal cliff in recent days. I also spotted a clear semi-circle and a black clip. "I must be restrained. Paper Turkey, grab that black clip over there. Orange Dino, grab that clear semi-circle. Red Robot, can you help them up the cliff? Good. Yes, yes. Now, clip the black clip on the semi-circle. Thanks. I can take it from here." I slipped the semi-circle over my head and attached the clip to the green wire.
"Not saying your plan is bad or anything, but how will you watch over us?" The Orange Dino asked.
"I can swing between the two cliffs on this wire. I'm restrained, but I can still see you."
It's now a few days later. I watch over the citizens from my restraints, swinging between the cliffs. This seems like a happy ending for The Table, so I will stop writing here. I may as well tell you who am. I am the Squared Squirrel. I am the new Table leader.
Well, I'm not done with The Table citizens yet...
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
The Table of Misfits stories are based off of The Table of weird things in room 74. I hope the next generation of Passport writers continue their adventures as previous passport writers have. This was actually one of my favorite years for writing because of my ELA teacher, Mrs. Dietz. I hope you enjoyed my writings, and have a great summer! -Sydney Drozynski ♥☺♥
Tips to Survive 6th Grade
By Nicholas Town
1. Be Organized:
You will get many papers in sixth grade. If you aren't organized, you many lose important papers that you won't be able to get back. For example, what if you lose a study guide for a big quiz and your teacher doesn't have any more papers? This can ruin your grade if you don't know the information. Another example is what if you can't find a field trip permission form? If you aren't organized with where you put your papers, you could possibly lose the chance of going on the field trip.
2. Don't Procrastinate:
When you procrastinate, you waste valuable time that could help you in the end. In school, this can come back to haunt you. For example, what if you have a big project, but you wait till the last week to start it? This can ruin your grade, just like being unorganized. Another example of this is when you have missed work. If you don't do it soon enough, you might have to do it while also having to do a project. You might not do so well if that happens.
3. Write Assignments in Your Planner:
The school has given us the planner for one thing, to help us complete our assignments on time. What if you have a forgetful mind? If you don't write it down, you will forget that you have to do it. Because of not writing it down, you will most likely get a zero. That would surely put a hole through your grade. Another example of this is what if you come into class late and miss hearing part of the assignment? If you don't ask your teacher and write it down in your planner, you won't ever know what you are going to need to do.
4. Know Your Schedule:
In sixth grade, knowing your schedule will help you a lot throughout the day. What if you do extra activities like band, chorus, or strings? The rehearsals at A&E are easy to get to, but what about your lessons? If you don't know the time and plan it out with the teacher in the class that you are missing, that might get the extra activity teacher or that teacher mad. You might not know your schedule that good at the beginning of the school year, but you need to know it so you can get to the right places at the right time.