A creative works magazine

Vol. 2November 2021

Table of Contents

How to Join Online……………………………………………………………………………………………….…..1Letter from the Circle……………………………............................................……...………….…….…...2If Your Pet was a Person……………………...………………………………………………………..….…….3Your Story…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………….…...4I Sit Alone……………………...……………………………………………………………….…………………..……….5Student Photography.………………………………..……………..…………………………….…….………..6Student Artwork……….……………………………………………………………………………………...………..7Faculty Spotlight………………………………...……………………………………………………….…………...8Faculty Spotlight………………………………...……………………………………………………….…………...9November Challenge………….………………………………………….………………………………..….…10November Challenge…..…………………………………………………….……………..……………...…….11Meet the Writer’s Circle…………………………………………………….…………………..……………….12

TheChallenger

GazetteSubmit original pieces to be published!

Earn prizes every month!

Faculty and Staff encouraged to join!

Join the Google Classroom for:● Weekly Challenges for prizes● How-To Guides● DIY Projects● Tips and Tricks for Writing● Content not found in the magazine!

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Letter from the Circle

October is upon on us, and we are slowly but surely moving into the cooler, fall weather! With the falling of autumn leaves comes

aspirations of pumpkin patches and cozy socks, bonfires and sweaters...

Of course, we live in Florida so it’s probably too hot for all of that. But it is absolutely great to imagine!

This fall, we want to take a moment to be thankful for everything we have. Whether it is your friends, your family, or everything in between --take a moment to consider what you’re thankful for.

Writer’s Circle is certainly thankful for the support that the school has shown for our magazine. McNair’s community is what

brings us together in creative ways.

Here’s to manifesting cooler weather!

Ms. Clark and the Writer’s Circle

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If Your Pet Was a Personby Mariah Bass

If you have a dog, a cat, a lizard, or even a bird, and you really want to talk to your pets...what if your pet was a person? They could walk, sing, dance, jump, hop and talk.You can tell them all your problems and I bet they’ll listen and give you some

good advice. So what if your pet was a person? Would you go on a walk to Starbucks or Dunkin? Or go to an amusement park

to play? What would you do with your pet? What would you say? If your pet was a person, what would you feed them?

Would you feed them ice cream, hot dogs, peanuts or pizza? If your pet was a person, would you bring them to school? Would

you let them learn math and science? Or let them make friends? What would you do if your pet was a person? If my

pet was a person I would feed them all their favorite food and bring them everywhere I love...I’d love if my pet was a person.

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Your Storyby MJ Guidnardi

Look in the mirror.What do you see?

A mere human,So small and petite?

Well I see a book,With pages still in writing.

I see a hero,In a battle worth fighting.

Most importantly, I see you surrounded in glory.

Whatever happens,Don’t give up on your story

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I Sit Aloneby MJ Guignardi

I sit aloneNowhere to goNo place to call homeI sit aloneIn the dank in the darkEverywhere I go is left unmarkedI sit aloneNo one can hear meNo one bothers to look and see meI sit aloneBut I am not lonelyI have voices in my head that keep me companyI sit aloneAnd rot awayGuess this was the price I had to pay

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Student Photography

Taken by Sam

antha Hibbett

“It’s just a ladybug.”

“The worst enem

y

of creativity is self-doubt.”

Sylvia Plath

“You can’t

use u

p

creativ

ity. T

he more

you use

it, t

he more

you have.”

Maya A

ngelou

Taken by Ashley M

errick

“Taken outside my neighborhood.”

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Student Artwork

Created by MJ Guignardi

Inspired by the Broadw

ay Musical B

eetlejuice

Cre

ated

by

Rav

en C

lifto

n

“The poem is about people’s importance.The picture is a reference to how most people overlook certain flowers for how they look, like how some people are overlooked as well.”

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is

knowing which ones to keep.”

Scott Adams

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but

one who inspires others.”

Salvador Dali7

Faculty Spotlight

Where you can see what your teachers

are up to --creatively!

A Prologue from a Novel I’ll Never Writeby Ms. Clark

Looking at her hurt. Watching the little one in front of her, it hurt. That’s all she could focus on as the child braided flowers together innocently; how much all of it really hurt. So much childlike innocence combined with so much magical potential put not only the little girl in danger, but anyone that grew close to her as well. This included the older woman who loved her like a daughter. But every risk was worth it if it meant keeping the young one safe.

In more ways than one, the little girl resembled her late mother. Vivid hair that matched the setting sun and curls that were as soft as clouds, the little one was just as beautiful as her mother. She had a gentle spirit to match, as well, and had a natural aura around her that drew people to her. That, along with the luscious pink and orange hued curls that topped her head, drew much attention to the little girl and her guardian. Though, many things drew attention their way.In the few months that the two had been travelling, several people had approached the little girl and her keeper. Some merely to express how beautiful the two were, some to receive medical aid. Since the guardian was easily recognized as a healer, people seemed to flock to the pair wherever they were, in hopes of treatments and herbs. It was attention that the healer didn’t necessarily want, but it went against everything she trained herself in to deny the people her aid.

There was only one time that it almost caused her a genuine problem. ***

A group of soldiers needed medical supplies and aid and came into the town the pair had taken refuge in. The people of the town feared the kingdom’s military, for good reason, and immediately gave them the information they needed to find the healer. The woman, always cautious when it came to soldiers of any kind, was alone at the time they arrived in her little shop. They explained their dire need to help their comrade and she, albeit reluctantly, agreed to tend to the wounds of the young soldier. Quickly yet efficiently, she worked her healing arts and gave the men their supplies before sending them on their way.

However, one soldier stayed behind, staring up the staircase. His brow furrowed as he stared and the older woman moved towards him, seeing that he had caught a glimpse of her young ward. Panic began to set in as the girl walked down the stairs, clutching a blanket in her small hands. When she got to the bottom two steps, the little one held out the blanket to him with a charismatic smile. She didn’t know better; in her young mind, she was merely offering another patient something to keep him warm. He was not a man that could report back to a cruel, relentless general.

The soldier smiled kindly, taking the blanket from her hands and placing one on top of her head in thanks. It was then that he froze, eyes going wide. The young one stared up at him innocently, confused by his sudden reaction to her. The older woman quickly took the girl’s hand, pulling her from the reach of the soldier, and pushed her up the stairs. Nap time, she had urged.

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Faculty Spotlight

Where you can see what your teachers

are up to --creatively!

A Prologue from a Novel I’ll Never Write (cont’d)

by Ms. ClarkWhile the panic was not clear in her voice, her eyes would have given it away if the soldier

had been paying her any attention and not the young ward. When the little girl nodded and waved goodbye, the soldier finally dropped his hand to his side, brow furrowed once more in thought. He watched the sunset curls retreat into her bedroom and close the door. Turning to the healer, the soldier opened his mouth to demand what nature the girl was of, but was interrupted by his team bursting in and demanding his assistance in the square. A more important task entered his mind and they took off, leaving the healer to her panic.

“Cressida,” she called to the girl, hurrying up the stairs. “It’s time to go, love.”

They left town that night, away from the soldiers and away from prying eyes that might discover the young one’s magical potential.

***Otherus was not a safe place for those like Cressida; those who possessed the gift of magic.

While it wasn’t certain that Cressida’s gift would develop or fizzle out, it was still a cause for concern. Her aunt knew, however, that the girl’s fate was sealed the second signs of magic appeared around her young niece. Just like her mother, Cressida was in grave danger. The only difference was that her mother fell to the laws of Otherus, at the hands of her own husband. Now it was Isowen, a healer and aunt, who had to insure Cressida’s safety in this dangerous world. Like anyone would, Isowen hoped and prayed that Cressida’s magic wouldn’t develop any further. The more it did, the more likely of a chance that Cressida’s father would take action against his kin. But the biggest threat would be the possibility of Sergio and his men capturing Cressida and Isowen.

For now, though, the healer and her nine-year-old niece would travel and stay hidden away. It was the best way to keep Cressida safe, even if it denied her a normal childhood. After all, she wouldn’t be able to have a normal life after everything she’d been through.

“Auntie,” Cressida said softly, pulling at the hem of Isowen’s skirt. The healer’s attention returned to her young niece.“Yes, love?”

She held up a flower crown with a bright smile. “For you!”

The older woman smiled softly, leaning down so that the little one could bestow the crown of daisies upon her head. “Thank you, dear.”

Perhaps, though, Cressida would get a somewhat normal childhood. Isowen could only hope.

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November ChallengePick ONE (1) question to respond to in order to complete this month's challenge! To complete this challenge successfully, you must:

● Write 5 to 7 sentences● Use complete sentences● Turn in to Ms. Clark in Room 56 before the end of the month!

1. Write a review about the last TV show, movie, book, or game you took part in. What did you like about it? What did you dislike about it? Cite details from the piece to support the answer._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Tell us what you are thankful for this year. Why are you thankful for it? In what ways can you show you appreciation and gratitude?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. On the following lines, write a short story where something magical happens when it rains.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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November Challenge

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Meet the Writer’s Circle Gabby MJ Breanne

Alasiah Raven Sara

Chase Ashley Anaiah

Ms. Clark

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