shanya allen - explore · pdf filevdph idfhv dv wkh vwlfn ¿jxuhv vkh lv gudzlqj moriah...

Leaders of Our Lives . 2013 . ekacademy.org 1

Questions

EKA Quiz!

Senior

Great art!

School event photos

Are you an expert?

Leaders of Our Lives . 2013 . ekacademy.org2

Shanya Allen:This turquoise hair “she hulk,” as we call her, is RXU�WRS�DUWLVW��$V�D�FKLOG��\RX�FRXOG�QHYHU�¿QG�Shanya without a drawing pad. She has been KHUH�DW�(.$�IRU�¿YH�\HDUV�DQG�LV�QRZ�LQ��WK�grade. If you have not seen Sha-nay-nay at school, you might have seen her skating at the roller rink which is her other favorite pastime.

Hannah McBirney:Hannah, one of our oldest EKA veterans, attending since the opening of the school, is now a junior. Hannah started drawing cartoons at a young age and has improved her art over the years while integrating her sarcasm into them. Not only does she draw, but she also loves to write and put her personality into her work. A fun fact about Han-QDK�%DQDQD��ZKLOH�GUDZLQJ�KHU�FDUWRRQV��VKH�¿QGV�KHUVHOI�PDNLQJ�WKH�VDPH�IDFHV�DV�WKH�VWLFN�¿JXUHV�VKH�LV�GUDZLQJ��

Moriah Dickson:Moriah or “momo” Dickson has been at EKA for 5 years. She is currently a freshman and is known for her abstract art ideas and her pro-found poetry. Her talent does not stop at art and poetry; she also plays the piano. If Moriah isn’t practicing her arts, she is at the mall!

Lyric Evans:Well what is there to say, she has an awesome name! This is her fresh-PDQ�\HDU�DQG�¿UVW�\HDU�DW�(.$��7KLV�LV�DOVR�KHU�¿UVW�\HDU�IDOOLQJ�LQ�ORYH�with writing after her “esteemed English teacher” gave her inspiring direction. Having a tattoo artist as a father has also given Lyric interest in art. Her name is not the only cool thing about her; Lyric has many talents such as being a great horseback rider, the ability to play hacky sack and being able to clap with one hand.

Our Staff

Baylee Bearden:Baylee has been with us at EKA for two years and is now a freshman. Baylee is our top photographer for the magazine but also en-joys other arts such as drawing and painting. Baylee is a multi talented girl, she not only paints and takes photos, but also plays la-cross, dances and plays music. A crazy fact about Baylee is she can play seven instru-ments!


And a special thanks to Raquel Romero and Miranda Raymond for writing and interviewing!

Brittany Mattson:“Britty”, is the editor in chief. She is the brains of this operation. Britt has been going to EKA since third grade and is now a senior, sharing this mag-azine with all of you. Outside of school she is a competitive dancer. You might have seen her at the school dances or around during school events because she has been a part of Student Government for the last four years.

Darion VIllateDarion, Kobra, is a sophomore here at EKA and has gone here for three years. Kobra did not always enjoy writing, but after many years of inspiring teachers, he found he has a knack for the art. Darion is our only male staff member and is proud of it! When asking for a fun fact from Darion he re-plies, “I am American.”


Ten yeas ago, Explore Knowledge Academy was created and since its birth, EKA has

produced leaders. From my start here nine years ago, the abundance of leadership and

creativity that our school holds has amazed me. Projects create the ability to take a hold

of your education and grow not only as a student, but as a person.

“Personalized Learning through educational discovery; building 21st century leaders

one project at a time.” This is not only the mission statement of our school, but it also en-

capsulates the spirit and nature of our school and its students. Explore Knowledge Acad-

emy is a one of a kind school that embodies students whose minds and hearts contribute

leadership every day. Such a gift deserves to be displayed for our community.

� 7KLV�LV�ZKHUH�,�VWHS�LQ��(YHU\�VHQLRU�DW�(.$�PXVW�FRPSOHWH�D��KRXUV�FDSVWRQH�

project. This project is meant to provide community service in and out of school and also

to leave a lasting effect on our school. When I looked around and saw the many students

brimming with leadership and creativity, I knew my senior project was the opportunity to

display their hard work.

I welcome you to enjoy this magazine and I sincerely hope you will take away

knowledge, pleasure and most importantly laughter from reading this, just as I did in

making it.

-Brittany Mattson

Letter To The Reader

Contents15

Past meets

present:

A senior’s

view

4

Letter to the

reader

6-7

Freedom:

A short

essay

8-11

3UR¿OH�RQ�%UDGOH\�Keyer

12-13

I am the

UXOHU�RI�PH��A short es-

say

14

A day with

seniors: A se-

nior project

VFKRRO�HYHQW

2-3

Biographies

RI�RXU�outstanding

VWDII


Do you have future goals now that your high school career is over?

Of course! I’m going to become a psychologist I don’t plan on getting married, or having kids. -Diana Montes

Contents

16-17

What is

OHDGHUVKLS�FROODJH

18-19

+RZ�ZHOO�do you

know EKA

quiz

24-25

7ZLQNOH�Toez

20-23

One more

string: A

short story

26-27

Fashion

Trashion

28

Cartoon

and senior

questions

30-31

Corner De

Poetry


We like revenge. We give it a nicer word, justice, but in the end it amounts to the same thing: an eye for an eye. Those who’ve been hurt or offended expect rec-ompense; those responsible for the hurting and offend-ing must pay, even if it’s with their freedom. We like equality. We wish for that extra assur-ance that we’re given an equal chance to make it. You shouldn’t be not hired be-cause you’re black, or not allowed to play on a team because of the side of town you live on. We want to be given the same opportunities as everyone else, regardless of personal characteristics other than those skills and experiences relevant to the job. And so we make equality a rule. Sometimes even, the rule. We like conformity. As a group, we decide what makes for socially acceptable behavior and standards. Peo-ple who do not follow these conventions tend to be seen as outliers. We’re scared of the unknown--afraid of the confusion that follows. So, in order to maintain a sense of clarity, we pay, voluntarily, to have a life of conformity; compliance with standards,

rules, or laws. We give a lit-tle bit of freedom in order to have order. To be free is a very independent life. It’s hard. The weight of autonomy is a heavy one. We seek relief in the group--our friends and family, our society, our gov-ernment. This makes it easi-er on ourselves, takes some of that weight off our shoul-ders. The only thing it costs us is our individuality. And so this is how we come to surrender, volun-tarily, our freedoms as in-dividuals. All for the securi-ty obtained through justice, equality, and conformity. It’s like--ironically-- hiring a manager. You do all the work and pay him to boss you around. He tells you where you need to be, what you need to do, and when to do it. You’re basically paying an-other to keep order in your life. Money and happiness are somewhat related; not all that matters, but import-ant. It serves as a good, con-crete measure for the value we give to freedom. The pay-checks you earn are stained by your own sweat and blood, the product of your own hard work, both phys-ical and cerebral. You pur-

sue your own happiness by trudging through the shad-ows, seeking light; what you gain is yours; what you give XS� WR� JRYHUQPHQW� UHÀHFWV�your self-doubt. To consider your income entirely yours is to express assurance that, in the case of misfortune, such as losing your job or suffer-ing an illness, you can rely on yourself. That you can pro-vide your own security, your own justice. Is that type of complete freedom even plau-sible, let alone desirable? No. To sway too far to-ward either freedom or se-curity would be undesirable. Too much of one is as bad as too little of the other. So what’s the right bal-ance? This is a question to be considered by leaders, who must solve the quandary for their countries, their commu-nities, their families--and so too for themselves. We are all leaders of our own lives. I lean toward more lib-erty. It’s the premise on which this country was founded, it appears to be the one com-mon ingredient to transcen-dent success in business, art and science alike, and it seems to me essential to the pursuit of happiness, what-ever yours or mine may be.

FreedomBy Lyric Evans

Can you cook anything other than mac ‘n’ cheese?No, not really. I really need to learn how to cook so I don’t get fat because of all the fast food. –Autumn Walls


It’s spring break. Bradley Keyer is in Arizona for the biggest open tournament in the United

States. To get into this tournament, Bradley has to compete in a qualifying round with one hundred

golfers--all of whom are competing for one of nine spots. Bradley knows that he has to practice hard in

order to measure up. He practices every day for the three weeks leading up to the qualifying round, wast-

ing no time. He must prove that he is worthy enough to get into the tournament.

Bradley is working on a project for Junior Studies that is worth a large portion of his grade. This is

no easy task, as it’s an additional thing to juggle among his block work and golf practice. He squeezes in

time to work on it during the weekends, as well as during his stay in California for the golf tournament in

which he’s playing. No teenager likes to work while he’s away from home, of course, but Bradley knows

that he has to. He is fully responsible for his grades.

� ,W�ZRXOG�DSSHDU�WR�D

Q�RXWVLGHU�WKDW�%UDG

OH\�.H\HU�KDV�DOZD\

V�EHHQ�WKH�FRQ¿GHQ

W�SHUVRQ�KH�LV�WR-

day; however, that is not necessarily the case. While Bradley has always been quite competitive, he has

QRW�DOZD\V�EHHQ�FR

Q¿GHQW�

“When I was younger, I did not think I was good enough,” Bradley writes.

An event that had happened just a few years ago may have made this feeling very hard to over-

come. Bradley was playing on his zoned high school golf team. He was just a freshman, the new kid.

For the tournament that was going to be played, there were only six kids who got to go, plus one

WKDW�ZRXOG�EH�XVHG�DV�D�¿OOHU�LQ�FDVH�VRPHERG\�RQ�WKH�WHDP�JRW�KXUW�

It was down to Bradley and a senior on his team. Bradley had the senior beat when it came to av-

erages, sitting at around 39.823, compared to the senior who was at a solid 39.

But the senior was picked over Bradley, only because, as the coach said, it was his last year and,

therefore, his last chance to play.“I didn’t separate myself enough from him,” Bradley admits. “I felt like I should’ve done more.”

Bradley had to prove himself; he had to prove that he was an extraordinary golfer who stood out

from the rest--a golfer who stood out so much that any coach would have to be insane to use him as a

¿OOHU� At that moment, Bradley’s mind went back to his loss at the US Kids Golf tournament. All of the

feelings of defeat and self doubt came rushing back like a bitter reminder that he wasn’t adequate

enough.

Bradely Keyer: Leader on and off the golf course

Can you cook anything other than mac ‘n’ cheese?

Ha! I burn water, I’m a horrible cook; you know you’re terrible at cooking when you cannot even pour milk in your cereal without messing it up. –Diana Montes


Can you cook anything other than mac ‘n’ cheese?No I cannot. I can’t even cook real mac ‘n’cheese, more like the microwavable one. –Nicole Lesniak

,W�ZDV�%UDGOH\¶V�¿UVW�WRXUQDPHQW��WKH�86�.LGV�0LFKLJDQ�6WDWH�7RXUQDPHQW��%UDGOH\�KDG�¿Q-

LVKHG�WKH�WRXU�LQ��WK�SODFH��ZKLFK�PRVW�ZRXOG�FRQVLGHU�DGHTXDWH�IRU�D�¿YH�\HDU�ROG��%XW�XSRQ�UHDOL]LQJ�

that medals were only going to the top three, Bradley was completely distraught. His brown eyes grew big

and teary, and he was rendered speechless.

“I was willing to do anything so that it wouldn’t happen again,” he recalls.

And so it went. After his loss, Bradley begged his father relentlessly to take him to the driving

range to practice his game. “Dad, take me to practice!” Mr. Keyer would hear on a daily basis.

“Dad!” “Take me to Practice!”� %UDGOH\�REYLRXVO\�NQHZ�ZKDW�KH�KDG�WR�GR�WR�ZLQ��HYHQ�DV�D�¿YH�\HDU�ROG��+H�NQHZ�WKDW�SUDFWLFH��

and lots of it--was the pathway to success.

And, not surprisingly, Bradley won the US Kids Michigan State Tournament a year later, at the age

of six.

It’s surprising that, in a world of high school students who are hardly able to keep up with their

grades alone, Bradley could make straight As and play golf on the level that he does. It’s out of the ordi-

nary and, naturally, it piques my curiosity as to how he does it. So, I ask him: “How are you able to juggle

everything?” In a very matter-of-fact tone, he simply responds: “I just make sure everything gets done.”

$W�¿UVW��,�GLGQ¶W�UHDOO\�IHH

O�VDWLV¿HG�ZLWK�WKDW�DQVZH

U��<RX�MXVW�PDNH�VXUH�HYH

U\WKLQJ�JHWV�GRQH"�:KDW¶V

�

that supposed to mean?

� 7KH�KRXUV�RI�SUDFWLFH�WKD

W�%UDGOH\�SXW�LQ�IRU�WKH�TX

DOLI\LQJ�URXQG�DUH�¿QDOO\�

DERXW�WR�EH�GHPRQ-

VWUDWHG��%UDGOH\�SOD\V�WKH

�URXQG�DW�WKH�EHVW�RI�KLV�D

ELOLW\��DQG�¿QLVKHV��UG�RXW

�RI�RQH�KXQGUHG�SOD\HUV��

+H�

is part of the nine players that are going to compete in the tournament.

� %UDGOH\�¿QLVKHV�KLV�-XQLRU

�6WXGLHV�SURMHFW��ZKLFK�WX

UQHG�RXW�WR�EH�¿IW\�¿YH�KR

XUV�ORQJ��+H�SUHVHQWV�

it to the class, turns it in on time--as usual--and feels a weight lift off his shoulders. He can now check

this off his to-do list.

Well, turns out it means just that. Just get everything done.

Of course, it’s not an easy task. Bradley has to do a lot of juggling in order to succeed in school

DQG�FRPSHWH�LQ�JROI�ZLWK�

À\LQJ�FRORUV��EXW�KH�GRHV

�LW�TXLWH�ZHOO��+H�NQRZV�WK

DW�JUDGHV�PXVW�FRPH�¿UVW

��

that in order to play golf, his parents must see that he’s doing well in school; not to mention that colleges

look for well-rounded athletes (which is to say, those who display excellence in both the classroom and on

WKH�¿HOG��

Being productive has to be second nature for a person like Bradley, who has a lot on his plate, and

very little time to waste.

Leaders of Our Lives . 2013 . ekacademy.org��

Bradley and his sister, Kylie, are playing a one-on-one round of one of the various sports they

enjoy. Bradley makes a bet with Kylie, but she knows better. She tells him, “No, we’re not doing that,

‘cause you’re gonna win.” And he does the same with his friends the next time he goes to play golf.

Bradley is in Mr. Webster’s advisory getting ready to take notes, as required for all of the students

in Mr. Webster’s class. There is a certain number of notes required for the entire week, but that’s not what

Bradley is concerned about. After all, taking enough notes is easy; but getting more notes than the stu-

dent he’s competing with is not. Bradley and his best friend, Brandon Garcia, often go to Hash House A Go Go--a local restaurant

KHUH�LQ�/DV�9HJDV��DQG�RUGHU�VRPHWKLQJ�OLNH�WKH�FKLFNHQ�DQG�ZDIÀHV��QRW�DV�QDVW\�DV�LW�VRXQGV��UHDOO\��

DQG�VHH�ZKR�FDQ�HDW�DOO�RI�WKHLU�IRRG�¿UVW��2U��DW�OHDVW��ZKR�FDQ�DFWXDOO\�¿QLVK�WKHLU�IRRG�DW�DOO��JLYHQ�WKH�

huge portions available there. Bradley’s friends and family are all aware of his competitive nature. And if you aren’t aware of

it, you probably don’t know Bradley very well at all.

� %UDGOH\�ORYHV�FRPSHWLWLRQ��,Q�IDFW��LW¶V�ZKDW�KRRNHG�KLP�WR�JROI�LQ�WKH�¿UVW�SODFH�� ³7KH�SXUH�

FRPSHWLWLYH�VSLULW�>RI�JROI@�JRW�PH�KRRNHG�DQG�,�VWLOO�¿QG�WKDW�WKH�PRVW�ULYHWLQJ�SDUW�RI�WKH�VSRUW�WR�WKLV�

day.” Competitiveness brings out our very human desire to be the best, whether we’re competing with

ourselves or with other people. Therefore, it is a vital quality for a student-athlete to possess.

That’s just how Bradley works. If he can make something into a competition, you better believe he

will.

,I�\RXU�IDWKHU�KDG�EHHQ�\RXU�¿UVW�WHDFKHU�DW�DQ\�JLYHQ�DFWLYLW\��DW�ZKDW�DJH�ZRXOG�\RX�H[SHFW�WR�VXU-

pass him? 18? 15? It was a typical father-son round of golf. Bradley was keeping score as usual, as he liked to know

where he was at. After everything was said and done and the game was over, Bradley handed his father

the score card. It revealed an undeniable truth:� %UDGOH\�KDG�EHDWHQ�KLV�GDG�LQ�DQ��KROH�URXQG�RI�JROI�IRU�WKH�¿UVW�WLPH�� He was just 11-years old.� 0DQ��GLG�LW�IHHO�JUHDW��%UDGOH\�KDG�EHDWHQ�KLV�IDWKHU��KLV�¿UVW�JROI�WHDFKHU�

Mr. Keyer admits to feeling slightly defeated by this event; but any initial feelings of defeat were

quickly overshadowed by pride he felt when he saw his son’s growth happening right before his eyes.

Bradley seemed to be well on his way.

I walked into Mr. Keyer’s advisory and right away I noticed his golf posters and, when I sat down a few

moments later, the little golf trinkets proudly displayed at at the front of his desk. As a man who formerly

taught pro golf, it’s no surprise that he would pepper his advisory with these decorations; and following

the same line of reasoning, it would seem no surprise to an onlooker that his son would be involved in golf

as well.

� ³7KH�ELJJHVW�LQÀXHQFH�LQ�

WKH�ZRUOG�RI�JROI�ZDV�P\�

GDG�́ �%UDGOH\�ZULWHV��³+H�

ZDV�WHDFKLQJ�SUR�DW�D�

driving range when we lived in Michigan. Sometimes he would bring me with him when he went to work.

I would hit golf balls and watch him give people lessons for hours on end. Through all that time, I saw

how good he was and, as a natural idolization, I wanted to be just like him. He made everything about the

sport fun for me, which was why I fell in love with golf, and why I still love it.”

Bradley’s father introduced his son to his favorite sport with the reasonable paternal hope--not ex-

pectation, just the hope--that Bradley would develop a love for golf just as he had.

And Bradley did just that.

Can you cook anything other than mac ‘n’ cheese?

Does popcorn count? –R.J. Lloyd


Bradley has done well in the way of proving his adequacy in golf and in academics; but he

doesn’t brag or show off. “I let my playing speak for itself.” He knows that he is a good golfer, but he

also knows that he can never stop improving. He knows that if he eases up just a little bit, he could fall

behind. He knows that victories are ephemeral, and should be treated as such.

If someone were to ask Bradley how good he is at golf, he would respond: “I’m alright.”

� ,I�VRPHRQH�ZHUH�WR�FRPSOLPHQW�%UDGOH\�RQ�KLV�JRO¿QJ��KH¶G�UHVSRQG��³<HDK��,�FRXOG�JHW�EHWWHU�́

If someone were to praise him for his victories, he’d respond: “I’m not done improving yet--you

just wait.”

,W�ZDV�WKH�VXPPH

U�RI��ZKHQ�%U

DGOH\�JRW�D�WDVWH

�RI�ZKDW�LW�ZDV�OLN

H�WR�EH�D�3*$�SUR

IHVVLRQDO��RU��

at least, what it was like to play golf with one.

On Pebble Beach.

In the Champion’s Tour.

On television.

Pebble Beach Gold Links is a golf course located on Pebble Beach, California. It’s considered one

of the most beautiful golf courses in the world, and it’s every golfer’s desire to get to play there.

� ,Q�WKH�VXPPHU�RI

��WKH�6HQLRU

�3*$�7RXU��NQRZQ

�DV�WKH�&KDPSLRQ

¶V�7RXU��ZDV�KHOG

�RQ�3HEEOH�

Beach. Eighty-one PGA seniors were playing on it, each one with the assistance of one young golfer.

Eighty-one PGA professionals. Eighty-one kids from all over the country. And Bradley managed to

make it in.

Of course, a lot of work was involved. After he was recommended from the head of his First Tee

FKDSWHU��)LUVW�7HH

�EHLQJ�DQ�RUJDQL]D

WLRQ�WKDW�SURPRWH

V�MXQLRU�JROI�DFURV

V�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDW

HV��%UDGOH\�KDG�

WR�ZULWH�WKUHH�WR�

IRXU�HVVD\V�DQG�¿

OO�RXW�WZR�TXHVWLRQ

QDLUHV�DVNLQJ�KLP

�DERXW�KLV�FKDUDF

WHULVWLFV�DQG�ZK\

�

they should choose him. What’s so special about this Bradley that we should let him play on the Champi-

on’s Tour with a PGA professional?

� $IWHU�¿OOLQJ�RXW�D

OO�RI�WKH�SDSHUZR

UN�DQG�VHQGLQJ�LW�L

Q��%UDGOH\�FRXOG�R

QO\�ZDLW�

Will they choose me? Have I separated myself enough from everybody else?

� :KHQ�WKH�OHWWHU�F

RQ¿UPLQJ�%UDGOH\

¶V�DFFHSWDQFH�DUUL

YHG�LQ�WKH�.H\HU¶V

�PDLOER[�DQG�%UD

GOH\�UHDG�

it, he was so overcome with joy that he ran outside and yelled--a reaction not dissimilar from that of the

VFLHQWLVW�ZKR�PDG

H�D�PRQXPHQWDO�G

LVFRYHU\�RU�WKH�\R

XQJ�PDQ�ZKR�MXV

W�KDG�KLV�¿UVW�NLVV

�ZLWK�WKH�JLUO�KH�

loves. It was a triumphant yell--a cry of victory.

In that moment, Bradley could see that his work had paid off. All of the practicing, competing, and per-

sistence had all been worth it.


Really, the one thing I want to do with my life right now is to learn. I want to be able to go to school and then go home and do my homework and complete my projects. I want to be able to stay seated for hours on end just learning. I want to be able to ¿JXUH�RXW�ZK\�[�HTXDOV��DQG�KRZ�WKH�(DUWK¶V�DWPRVSKHUH�SURWHFWV�XV�IURP�HOHPHQWV�in space. I want to know how and why ours is the only planet in galaxy that can sus-tain life. I want to be able to go to college and major in absolutely whatever I want—in whatever I feel is right for me. Standing in the way, it seems, is society. My cultural heritage, American tradi-tions, the norms of Las Vegas, teachers, peers, and above all, the media (with its imag-es and messages everywhere: billboards, magazines, television, movies, radio songs, WKH�,QWHUQHW�²DOO�RI�WKHVH�VHHP�WR�LQIRUP�DQG�LQÀXHQFH�P\�XSEULQJLQJ�MXVW�DV�PXFK�DV�my parents do. In fact, in many ways, society acts just like a father over young people, especially young women. Society has subconsciously taught me that my place in the world is inside a house—in a kitchen or bathroom, cooking or cleaning—being sustained by my husband while I raise and discipline and clean up after his children. That my place is with a man who has money and breathtaking good looks and undeniable charm, and who will pro-vide me gifts and clothes and money and beautiful babies and a big house and the lat-est family car, a SUV or caravan. Who will hopefully offer me time and affection, as well, EXW�LI�DQG�ZKHQHYHU�KH�GRHVQ¶W��PDWHULDOLVWLF�WKLQJV�ZLOO�KDYH�WR�VXI¿FH�DV�D�VXEVWLWXWH� I must accept this, I am taught, on account of the limitations of my gender, which dictates my ultimate role. As a girl, I am to study with all my might and mind and JHW�P\�GLSORPD�ZLWK�À\LQJ�FRORUV��\HW��GR�QRWKLQJ�ZLWK�IUXLWV�RI�WKDW�HGXFDWLRQ��,�DP�to dress modestly, so as not to attract the opposite sex (yet, still somehow win over the PDQ�ZLWK�WKH�PRQH\�DQG�EUHDWKWDNLQJ�JRRG�ORRNV�DQG�XQGHQLDEOH�FKDUP��,�DP�WR�VWD\�at home until I marry, so that I will be pure and unspoiled. I am to learn how to nanny babies. Therefore, according to society, my ultimate goal is to be a good wife and moth-er. But the one thing that can’t be pressured upon me is maturity. I am already maturing at a pace way faster than society ever expected. It supposes that I will marry VRPH�ULFK��VZHHW��KXQN\��VXSHU¿FLDO��RYHUO\�FRQ¿GHQW�PDQ²WKH�NLQG�WKDW�DUH�FRPSDW-ible with immature young women, or girls. I, however, do not want to marry that guy. He’s not for me. I don’t think society has ever asked me what I want.

I don’t want kids for a long time. I’m not even sure I want to get married. The life expected for me—the gifts, the money, the big house, the SUV of the year, the beautiful babies, the cooking and cleaning and working, working, working to make my marriage work—is simply not the life I want. Maybe when I’m older I’ll want a life like that, but right now I have an insatia-ble hunger for knowledge and God and passion and adventure. I can’t be complacent. I FDQ¶W�VWDQG�IRU�FRQIRUPLW\��,�UHIXVH�WR�EH�VDWLV¿HG��,�GRQ¶W�ZDQW�WR�OLYH�OLIH�ZRQGHULQJ��,�don’t want to be imprisoned in my own suburban house, staring out the window asking,

I Am The Ruler of Me%\�5DTXHO�5RPHUR�

Do any of the seniors like Doctor Who?,�DP�DOPRVW��VXUH�WKDW�/DQFH�LV�WKH�RQO\�person who like Dr. Who. –R.J. Lloyd


“Is this all there is to life?” Maybe I’m not the material of revolutionary heroes, but I’m not interested in changing the world. I only want to change the course of my own life. I want to live for me. That’s all I ask. I want to go to college and learn—learn, learn, learn. I want to attain knowledge and an education and degrees that prove it. I want to be able to become captain of my own life. I want to roam the world like Dora the Explorer. She’s my hero. She goes wherev-er she wants and answers to no one. She doesn’t allow for anyone to rob her of the joy of dreams and ambitions. She holds on to what rightfully belongs to her. That’s the kind of leader I aspire to be: a young woman with the courage to stand up to the bandits that would rob me of my joy. I am my own father now. Dictator of my own roles and aspirations, subject to my own heart.


c

A Day with SeniorsFor part of Autumn Walls’ senior project, she

volunteered her time at a local senior home. She was kind enough to share her new friends with us

for an afternoon of learning and excitment.

Students listening to great wisdom from their guests

Great smiles from our senior friends

Sadly, they had to leave at the end of the dayTo the Lesniak twins, how can I tell you two

apart? No matter how hard I try, I cannot.

Our personalities are different. Once you really get to know us you will easily be able to tell. -Lauren and Nicole


Sadly, they had to leave at the end of the day

Past meets present: A seniors viewWords of wisdom from senior, R.J. LloydInterviewed by Lyric Evans

I was here at EKA before the iPads, before the crackdown on academics, before the new campus, and the campus before that one too. Stuff changes. I’ve stayed. You ei-ther form bonds or you don’t.

It was really fun back then. Especially in middle school. I loved the Mondays off. I’m no straight-A student to begin with, and there wasn’t really any academic pressure then.

Let’s just say I had a lot of fun.

Some teachers had problems with me due to things in the past, but I’ve developed some great relationships with teachers. I’m really cool with [Principal] Quinn and [Ex-ecutive Director] Mattson; they’ve both been teachers to me besides administrators. You either form bonds or there are problems.

Now the younger kids look up to me. Not only because I’m older, you know. For a lot of other reasons as well. Stuff changes.

,W¶V�GLI¿FXOW�WR�PHVV�DURXQG�LQ�VPDOO�FODVVHV��,¶YH�FRPH�WR�OLNH�WKDW�DERXW�(.$�

But in other ways, it’s also something I don’t like. You know?

I do know this though: If I was at a public school, I would’t be doing as good as I am now. I’ll be graduating with more credits than necessary.

I remember a project I did in the ninth grade, on internal combustion engines. I took apart and rebuilt one with my dad. That was learning hands on. That was cool.

I wanted to take all the knowledge I’ve learned through the years and build something from the ground up for my senior project. So that’s why I’m building the school library.

,�JRW�XS� WR��ZLWK� IXQGUDLVHUV��1RZ� ,¶P�EX\LQJ�DQG�EXLOGLQJ� WKH� VKHOYHV�DQG�VRUWLQJ�WKURXJK�GR]HQV�RI�ERRNV��0\�¿QDO�VWHS�LV�WR�JHW�WKH�ERRNV�FDWDORJXHG�LQWR�WKH�iPads, so students can eventually check them out.

Am I a leader? I don’t want to be bossy--I used to be like that--telling people what to GR�IRU�QR�UHDVRQ��%XW�,¶P�DOVR�QRW�RQH�WR�VWDQG�E\�DQG�ZDWFK��<RX�FDQ�¿QG�PH�VWHSSLQJ�up and taking action where it’s needed. Maybe that’s what some would call a leader.

Are you going to continuously mooch off of your parents after you graduate?Yes, they already know it is going to happen. I just hope they don’t get too tired of me. –Nicole Lesniak


“Respects all opinions,

makes decision based on that.”

“Someone who takes charge.”

“Responsible. Takes on all tests.”

“Puts interests of the group over his or

her own.”

“Sets a good example.”

“Presents good new

ideas.” “Does not follow oth-ers, but others follow him

(or her).”

“Takes charge in drastic situations.”

“Knows right from wrong and leads by example.”

“Not afraid of challenges.”

“Patriotic.”

What is Leadership?

“To have a sound, unwavering base; to use this base to help others improve and to

achieve goals.”

Are you going to continuously mooch off of your parents after you graduate?

,�FDQ�QHLWKHU�FRQ¿UP�QRU�GHQ\��±5�-�/OR\G

“Does the right thing, even when

LW·V�GLIÀFXOW�µ

“Does not back

down.”

“Has power and uses it and is still loved.”

“Wants to lead.”


“Respects all opinions,

makes decision based on that.”

“Responsible. Takes on all tests.”

“To have a sound, unwavering base; to use this base to help others improve and to

achieve goals.”

“Does the right thing, even when

LW·V�GLIÀFXOW�µ

“Possesses courage and

intelligence.”

“Someone who steps

up, whom others want to follow.”

“An original.”

“Helps others be

better.”

“Leads to victory.”

“Can think on her feet, has

strong ethics, takes risks.”

“Does not back

down.”

“Represents his groups well.”

“Cares.”

“Has power and uses it and is still loved.”

“Gives direction, in-forms, makes rules when

needed.”

“Wise.”

“A role model.”

“Not afraid of what

others think of them.”


1. What year was EKA opened?$��%��&��'��

How well do you know EKA?

2. Was EKA always a K-12 school?A. Yes%��1RW�XQWLO��&��1RW�XQWLO��'��1RW�XQWLO��

3. Who started EKA?A. Dr. PriceB. Ms. MattsonC. Dr. Joan SandoD. Mr. Longobardy

4. How many teachers do we have currently?A. 34%��C. 22'��

��+RZ�PDQ\�VWXGHQWV�ZHUH�WKHUH�WKH�¿UVW�year?$��%��C. 346'��

��+RZ�PDQ\�VHQLRUV�ZHUH�WKHUH�WKH�¿UVW�\HDU"A. 3%��C. 5D. 1

7. What kind of school is EKA?A. Private Charter schoolB. Public Charter project based schoolC. Magnet schoolD. Public Charter testing school

8. Was EKA always in a school building?A. NoB. Yes 9. How many campuses has EKA

had total?A. 3B. 4C. 5D. 6

What is some advice for surviving high school?

Do all of your work. If not, turn back and run. –Morgan Jackson


��:KR�LV�WKH�([HFXWLYH�'LUHFWRU�RI�(.$"A. Mr. QuinnB. Ms. Gustafson C. Mr. KeenerD. Ms. A Mattson

11. Who is our school board President?A. Mr. KeenerB. Ms. A MattsonC. Ms. GustafsonD. Ms. K Mattson

12. What is EKA’s mission statement?A. Personalized learning, through discovery, building 21st cen-tury leaders one project at a time.B. Personalized learning, through educational discovery, build-ing 21st century leaders one project at a time. C. Personalized learning, through educational technology, build-ing 21st century learners one project at a time.D. EKA rocks!

13. What program do our sports teams use?A. Sport to SportB. Coast to CoastC. Sport from SportD. Coast from Coast

14. How many Prom’s has EKA had before this year?A. 5B. 6C. 7D. 8

15. Who puts on our secondary dances?A. National Honors SocietyB. Student GovernmentC. Dance club

16. What is our school website?A. ekacademy.comB. exploreknowledge.orgC. ekacademy.orgD. eka.com

17. What website do we use to track our projects?A. ProjectsRus!B. Project FoundryC. EkacademyD. ischool

18. Has EKA always had iPads?A. Not until this yearB. Not until last yearC. Not until 3 years agoD. Yes

��%��'��&��$��%��'��%��$��'��'��$��%��%��%��&��%��%


She stood across the lane of cars, staring at the pattern of chain link fence on the other side, where beyond that barrier lay the dozens of young faces of strangers, rejoining with friends and laughing at the stories of their long, eventful summers. She could feel the morning sun heating up her freckled cheeks. She tugged down the bot-tom hem of her purple long-sleeve, tampered with her golden hair once more (wearing LW�KHU�IDYRULWH�ZD\�RI�GRZQ�DQG�VWUDLJKW��DQG�DVVXUHGO\�DGMXVWHG�WKH�RQH�VWUDS�RI�KHU�EDFNSDFN�FRPIRUWDEO\�XSRQ�KHU�VKRXOGHU��6DWLV¿HG�WKDW�VKH�ZDV�UHDG\�WR�HQWHU�WKH�¿UVW�gate of this new surrounding, she looked both way for cars and bravely stepped off the curb, making her way steadily to the other side and entered through the gate where the change of volume and aura was obvious to her.� 6KH�HQMR\HG�WKH�ÀRFNV�DQG�HQMR\HG�EHLQJ�DURXQG�RWKHUV��7KH�QRLVH�GLGQ¶W�ERWKHU�her; in fact, she loved it; the vibe, the commotion, the characteristics of a surrounding that she could depict just by the very sound of it. Although entering the gate was the acceptance of her new, ambient habitat, she found that it wasn’t as big of a task as ¿JXULQJ�RXW�ZKDW�WR�GR�ZLWK�KHUVHOI�RQFH�LQVLGH� As she usually did, she glanced around, scoping out her situation, taking in mi-nor details instinctively, without effort. Of the primary things she noticed, there was DQ�DUWHU\�DQG�YHVVHO�V\VWHP�RI�FOLTXHV��+HU�SURFOLYLW\�WR�HYDOXDWH�RWKHUV¶�SUR¿OHV�PDGH�her notice how the strangest of groups were scattered about. The kids who appeared to be popular or quite beloved anyway, were hanging out as buddies with ones who you would think had a superhero bed sheet decor in their bedrooms. The girl found so-lace in this fact. She got easily bored with the same variety of people when she was all too aware that there was such a colossal collection of people in the world. She now felt more comfortable in trying to relate to the new individuals around her. She found a gap where few people stood and strode over, placing her backpack RQ�WKH�JURXQG��)LQGLQJ�KHUVHOI�LGLRWLFDOO\�JODQFLQJ�DURXQG�DQG�¿GJHWLQJ�ZLWK�KHU�KDQGV��she decided to occupy her hands and attention by pulling out a royal, hardcover book from her facile book bag. To others, the book seemed very drudging; a book you could LPDJLQH�¿QGLQJ�LQVLGH�WKH�GXVW\�FUHYLFHV�RI�WKH�REVROHWH��DQWLTXDULDQ�VHFWLRQ�RI�D�OL-brary, where only brainy individuals roamed. She found it just as amusing as any novel she had read. She felt and understood exactly what the author was attempting to ex-SUHVV�RQ�SDSHU��+HU�IXOO�DWWHQWLRQ�UHPDLQHG�RQ�WKDW�ERRN�XQWLO�WKH�VWHDG\�ÀRZ�RI�FKLO-dren began their decent into the solid building of the school. Further into the day, when the lunch bell rang, the girl made her way with the crowd into the commotion of the lunch room. Finding an empty table, she seated her-self at the edge and removed her lunch and book from her bag. She snacked lightly on the contents of her lunch box with one hand and held her book once more in the other. The kids glanced over to her now and then and didn’t clearly get why she would be reading when she could be hanging out, but they didn’t pay it much thought. The supervising teachers glanced at her but paid even less attention than the students, focusing on the rambunctious ones; but the girl didn’t seem to mind. Zayn Crowley, principal of the school in which he stood now, gazed over the cacophony of chatty heads in the auditorium. He had been working in the school en-vironment for over thirty years now. Assuming role of principal, he found himself too often taking care of the disciplinary actions of the school. Through the years, not much

One More StringBy Lyric Evans


shocked him anymore. Even the best of students, of whom he was very fond, had HQGHG�XS�LQ�KLV�RI¿FH��WR�KLV�JUHDW�GLVDSSRLQWPHQW��)RU�WKLV�UHDVRQ��KH�KDG��GHVSLWH�KLV�XQÀDJJLQJ�ZLVKHV�WR�VHH�HDFK�VWXGHQW�ULVH�WR�PHHW�KLV�SRWHQWLDO��IRUPHG�WKH�KDELW�RI�not letting his hopes get too high, for any student could let him down. Principal Crowley was a bit old school. He ran his school neat and orderly and did a good job at it. Everyone at the school, both students and staff, admired him and his effective work ethic. No matter how well you run a school, however, you cannot force FKLOGUHQ�WR�OHDUQ�LI�LW�LV�QRW�WKHLU�WUXH�GHVLUH��7KH�VFKRRO¶V�RYHUDOO�WHVW�VFRUHV�UHÀHFWHG�just that. The school had great potential but wasn’t exactly full of honor-roll students; and the principal knew this. Crowley adjusted his tie back into place and then folded his hands behind his back, attention back on the children. Seeing an older boy, a senior, throw a few carrots across the table at a peer, he gave a stern look toward the culprit’s direction and that’s all it took: the boy ceased, with good nature. This made Crowley smile. He enjoyed knowing that all his education and hard work had put him here to have that kind of power and respect. He paced around, correcting behavior, chatting with a few teach-ers, and supervising a normal lunch day. Slowly making his way around, he spotted out of his peripheral vision a space that was a little too still for normal lunch behavior. *ODQFLQJ�RYHU��KH�IRXQG�D�\RXQJ�JLUO��SUREDEO\�D�IUHVKPDQ�DQG�GH¿QLWHO\�QHZ��6KH�VDW�TXLWH�VWLOO�DQG�DORQH�EXW�LQWHQWO\�¿[DWHG�ZLWK�D�ERRN�LQ�KHU�KDQG��:KDW�KH�VDZ�PDGH�KLP�FKXFNOH��7KH�ERRN�LQ�ZKLFK�VKH�ZDV�¿[DWHG�ZDV�DFWXDOO\�TXLWH�IDPLOLDU�WR�KLV�H\HV��The cover brought back memories of endless nights of writing reports in college, no sleep, Ramen noodles, papers strewn around, only to get a B-minus from his professor. Crowley felt great ardor in these memories, for he had loved those years, but he had not particularly found that book an easy one to analyze. Curiosity killing him, he made his way over to the young girl, his shiny black shoes squeaking with each step. The girl snapped out of her trance at the bump of the table at which she was sit-WLQJ��DQG�QRWLFHG�D�¿JXUH�DSSHDU�LQ�IURQW�RI�KHU��*ODQFLQJ�XS��D�YHU\�WKLQ�EXW�REYLRXVO\�¿W�PDQ��VDW�YHU\�WDOO�DFURVV�IURP�KHU��GUHVVHG�LQ�D�EODFN�VXLW�DQG�JUH\�WLH��6KH�QRWLFHG�that he was older but it was clear that he was aging well, his hair slicked back. He had his hands folded and laying on the tale, no ring to be found. He sat there and looked at her. The girl saw a smile but felt that it was more of an attempt to comfort than heart-felt. As soon as he realized he had her attention, he spoke, “I couldn’t help but no-tice your choice of reading. Is it for school?” She looked at the cover as if she didn’t remember the title and set it down. “Oh,” she said with a smile, “No, I found it at the library and haven’t been able to put it down since, I guess.” The man thought about this with a sly smile. “ I’m the school’s principal. What’s your name?” The girl told the principal her name and listened as he began with the questions again. “I’ve read this ERRN�D�FRXQWOHVV�QXPEHU�RI�WLPHV�EXW�,�PXVW�VD\��,�GLGQ¶W�¿UVW�UHDG�LW�XQWLO�PDQ\�\HDUV�into college.” He paused, and the girl wasn’t sure if she was suppose to have some-thing to say in response, but to her relief, once again, he started to speak. “I have a hard time thinking that you can contemplate the deep thoughts and lessons this book has to offer. Would you please enlighten me as to why the main character sits and cuts at the rope consisting of many, individual strings, cutting one at a time yet leaving the last string hanging?” The girl sat and looked at nothing in particular, as if choos-ing carefully the words she wanted to speak. Finally, she opened her mouth: “I believe


that he sat there thinking of his troubles. He sat alone and stared at that piece of rope and how it could have been a symbol of all the troubles that make he himself up.” The SULQFLSDO�FKXFNOHG�DQG�VDLG��³7KDW¶V�LW"´�+H�SRLQWHG�KLV�¿QJHU�DW�KHU�DQG�UDLVHG�KLV�YRLFH�as if it would make his point better. “I see how you have missed his reasons behind why he would cut the rope. Clearly he does it in order to let go of his troubles, but fails at WKLV�DWWHPSW�́ �+H�¿QLVKHG�ZLWK�D�SURXG�ORRN�RQ�KLV�IDFH��DV�VRPH�EHJDQ�WR�VWDUH�DW�WKH�dispute. “Well of course I haven’t missed that,” she said with a puzzled face.” But I think you have another way of seeing this. The rope itself was not his trouble. It was the indi-vidual strings that he related to. Each string itself was easily cut one by one with ease, yet to cut the entire rope at once would be a challenge. He realized that he could hack DZD\�DW�KLV�HDFK�ÀDZ�DQG�HYHU\�SUREOHP�RI�KLV�DQG�WU\�DQG�ULG�KLPVHOI�RI�LW�FRPSOHWH-ly, but, like the rope, it would weaken himself and make him less of what he is. He also leaves the last string because he doesn’t wish to be a severed rope, he wishes to stay intact and whole and strong. Unlike you said--” She stopped and looked at the principal’s face. His forehead began to furrow in a grimace. “Well...” he began, but stopped, placing his hand and rubbing his aged chin. He looked at the girl with a deep look as if he had something rolling around in that mind of his that was trying to organize itself. Then, he began to laugh.��³+RQHVWO\��\RX�GRQ¶W�EHORQJ�KHUH�́ �KH�¿QDOO\�VDLG��7KH�JLUO�ORRNHG�DW�KLP�DV�LI�KH�KDG�slapped her across the face. “Never in my time have I had more of an in-depth and un-derstanding description of this book, and certainly not by someone your age.” The girl was shocked by this and didn’t know what to say. “I shouldn’t try and get kids to leave this school but a mind such as yours should be put in places where you can expand your horizons to the fullest potential, and I can honestly say that, as much as I love this school, you can do so much better.” He became very serious. “ I have some very important contacts that would cer-tainly get you to a high-ranking school, even out of the state if you wish.” A stunned ORRN�ÀDVKHG�DFURVV�WKH�JLUO¶V�IDFH��³1R��SOHDVH��GRQ¶W��7KDW¶V�YHU\�QLFH�RI�\RX�DQG�WKH�FRPSOLPHQWV�DUH�YHU\�ÀDWWHULQJ�EXW�,¶G�UDWKHU�VWD\�KHUH��,¶P�OLNLQJ�LW�D�ORW�DQG�,¶G�UDWKHU�not make it any type of deal about being smart or something like that. It’s very kind of you though.” A disappointed look came across the principal’s face, and then almost a hint of anger. He stood up and pointed at her as he said,”You can do such great things.” See-ing the pleading, she felt bad but once again her reply was, “Thank you, but right now I think my destiny is to just get by here, and that’s all I want.” She gathered her things into her bag and the bell rang for the end of lunch. Smiling, she added, “I’m sorry.” The she hurried off, the principal stunned in her wake. After that day, the girl made it through the entire school year. She then attended the next two and a half years, entering the art club, organizing school activities, making excellent grades, and was nearly perfect on her state test scores. She became a valued member of the school community, and although never fully understood, having her at that school helped her to grow, and she helped the school to grow as well. That is, all until the day she died. One chilly night, a man and his wife sat in their disorganized house, drunk, and yelling at each other while a baby screamed in the background. Sitting in his underwear


DQG�VWDLQHG�ZKLWH�VKLUW��KH�ÀDLOHG�KLV�DUPV�DQJULO\�LQ�WKH�DLU�DQG�\HOOHG�DW�KLV�ZLIH�LQ�D�stupor. The wife, just as mad, sat in a pink robe trying to sooth the baby while coming up with witty comebacks against her drunken husband. She placed the baby in the crib and walked over to the phone to call the cops before the baby got hurt in his rampage. Seeing the action, he got angry and tried to stop her. Not quick enough, he was able to break the phone but not before the call had gone through. Realizing this, he began to panic. He snatched his keys from the table and ran into the night, vapor fuming from his mouth in his huff. He hopped into the car and took off with a screech. Barreling down the road like a mad man, he muttered to himself in a blind rage. He needed to get away before he got arrested. He didn’t want to go to jail but by taking off in the car, he basically made his decision to not go down without a chase. Seeing a red light, he ignored it and sped through anyway. Horns blasted but he didn’t seem to hear it. He didn’t seem to notice anything anymore. He sped down a road and prepared to take a sharp turn on the next corner. Walking across the street on that corner was the girl, who was in her Baskin-Rob-ELQV�HPSOR\HH¶V�RXW¿W��KDYLQJ�MXVW�¿QLVKHG�KHU�SDUW�WLPH�VKLIW��PDNLQJ�KHU�ZD\�WR�SODFH�her ride was to pick her up. In his rushed mindset, the man didn’t have time to react. +H�WRRN�KHU�GRZQ�ZLWK�KLP�LQ�KLV�ÀLJKW� In the midst of what was suppose to be her fourth year, the school at which she had become so loved, held an assembly to honor her contributions, and to honor her as the person she had become. Her parents found paintings of hers which she had planned showing to the school, each with a story or poem tied to it They put them on display on the stage along with a picture of her. Her peers sat and applauded and cheered to the work and the memory of her; some who were close to her, crying. The whole school gathered and left gifts in her memory and grieved over the loss of their family member. At the back of the auditorium stood the same principal of four years. He sat and JD]HG�DW�WKH�ZRQGHUIXO�HYHQW�WKDW�WKH�VFKRRO�KDG�FUHDWHG��+LV�PHPRULHV�ÀDVKHG�EDFN�WR�WKH�¿UVW�WLPH�KH�KDG�PHW�KHU��+H�WKRXJKW�KH�KDG�EHHQ�VR�VXUH�RI�ZKR�VKH�ZDV�DQG�he was shocked by the little faith he had in her. He remembers how he had wanted to give her so much of an advantage and yet she turned him down over and over again. To this day, he never understood her decision. He looked around at all the kids who would miss her and he knew he would too. Gazing at the stage, his eyes fell upon the picture of her. Glancing again, he wasn’t looking upon the picture--he looked at her. Standing there looking straight at him and smiling. He blinked but the image didn’t change. His eyes began to drown in tears as he knew what he saw. He began to laugh with joy, tears streaming from his grinning face. When the ghost’s face spread into a smile, it was as if she had sent him a thought, because at that moment he realized why she had never left. She was meant to be there. That girl was here to spread light and leader-ship into this school and into the hearts of those who roam it. She was never meant to leave to do more, because she was already in the process of doing more right in front of them. The principal looked up at her and gave her a thumbs up, mouthing the word “thank you.” Just like that--she was gone, leaving the school with her invisible footprints of the past and one more string to the rope.

Can you cook anything other than mac ‘n’ cheese?Yes, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. –Lauren Lesniak


By Brittany Mattson

Since the age of 16, Christina Delessio-Sapone--Founder of Twinkle Toez Foun-

GDWLRQ��KDV�WDXJKW�DW�ULVN�FKLOGUHQ�DERXW�WKH�MR\V�DQG�EHQH¿WV�RI�WKH�DUWV��+HU�ORYH�

of helping underprivileged children began at a young age and has continued to grow

WKURXJKRXW�WKH�\HDUV�WR�EHFRPH�7ZLQNOH�7RH]�)RXQGDWLRQ��,Q��&KULVWLQD�FUHDWHG�

WKLV�QRQ�SUR¿W�RUJDQL]DWLRQ�WR�JLYH�VFKRODUVKLSV�WR�DW�ULVN�DQG�DUWLVWLFDOO\�DGYDQFHG�

\RXWK��7ZLQNOH�7RH]�ZDV�DOVR�KHU�SDJHDQW�SODWIRUP�DV�0V��&ODUN�&RXQW\��

Although most of the scholarship recipients use the award to take classes at

Christina’s studio, Step Up Academy of the Arts, the scholarships can also be put to-

ward dancewear, dance supplies or tuition at any art school. Twinkle Toez also provides

scholarships to high school seniors looking to pursue a dance degree for their post-sec-

ondary education. Christina believes that enriching underprivileged children, “teaches

them how to aspire to better things, to reach their highest goal, and then, to reach

further.” Step Up Academy of the Arts assists students at Explore Knowledge Academy

as well by providing low cost dance lessons to elementary school students so that ev-

eryone can afford to appreciate the arts.


Some events the Twinkle Toez has recently developed to raise money and

awareness is a golf tournament, a princess party (helping physically and mentally

GLVDEOHG�JLUOV�¿QG�WKHLU�EHDXW\��D�IXQGUDLVHU�DW�$OEHUWVRQ¶V�DQG�WKH\�DOVR�SDUWLFLSDW-

ed in the Las Vegas Bubble Run which is a charitable nationwide marathon.

For more information about Twinkle Toez, “like” their Facebook page www.

facebook.com/TwinkleToezFoundation for upcoming events and news. Make sure to

keep posted for auditions if you believe your child is gifted and deserves a chance

in the arts. Additionally, on July 13th, Step Up will be holding their annual showcase

ZKHUH�WKHLU�SURFHHGV�ZLOO�EH�GRQDWHG�GLUHFWO\�WR�7ZLQNOH�7RH]��<RX�FDQ�¿QG�WLFNHW�

price and information by contacting Step Up Academy. You can also contact Christi-

na for information or donate at [email protected] or call Step Up

$FDGHP\�DW��7ZLQNOH�7RH]�DOVR�ZHOFRPHV�YROXQWHHUV�DW�DQ\�RI�WKHLU�

events.

Are you going to miss being a kid?

20*��\HV��,�DOUHDG\�ZDQW�WR�JR�EDFN�WR�¿IWK�JUDGH�DQG�MXVW�start all over again. But I wouldn’t change a thing<3. –Diana Montes


Fashion TrashionOur students put on a fashion show for our school with out-¿WV�PDGH�HQWLUHO\�RXW�RI�UHF\FOHG�LWHPV�WKDW�RWKHUZLVH�ZRXOG�

have end up in the trash. EKA goes green!


Our Winner!

'R�\RX�KDYH�DQ\�VXJJHVWLRQV�RQ�KRZ�WR�¿JXUH�RXW�a senior project?

Start early because I waited until the very last minute and had to just roll with it haha. –R.J. Lloyd


Are you going to come back and visit us?

,¶OO�EH�ZDWFKLQJ��RU�\RX�MXVW�ZRQ¶W�VHH�PH��±5�-��Lloyd

If you had a chance to redo your senior project, would you?

No, I feel my senior project went well and that I helped people outside the school and in the school at the same time. –Autumn Walls

Are you going to continuously mooch off of your parents after you graduate?

Yes, just because I graduated doesn’t mean I’m still not just a kid. –Lauren Lesniak

What would be the best approach to a senior project for future seniors?

Actually do it and plan ahead so you don’t fail at life. –Morgan Jackson


Save Big Now! Save Big Next Summer!

Replace your old, inefficient windows NOW and get up to 30% off! GetHUGE savings on your power bills 1(;7�6800(5 with our beautiful,

efficient Renewal by Andersen Replacement Windows!

Steve Keener General Manager

Renewal by Andersen of Las Vegas 4525 Spring Mountain Rd. #106

Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-270-4545

[email protected]


Change ItBy Darion Villate

%ODGHV�DQG�¿UH��VWULQJV�DQG�SRZGHU�

Has the world changed?

Men and words, glass and paper,


Tongues and ink, wood and metal,


Tyranny and heroes, kings and presidents,


Skin or plastic, fur or cotton,


I’m better, you’re worse,


Well, then—

Corner De Poetry


��8QWLWOHG�By Darion Villate

Seasons fade, and days dwindle,

&DQGOHV�ÀLFNHU��DQG�EOD]HV�XQNLQGOH�

Ages pass, and lives end,

Joy dies, and scars unmend.

Forests fall, and grass is scorched,

Rivers dry, and lakes are torched.

Freedom’s chained, and justice jailed,

Victory retreats—and success, failed.

Though all this may happen, love is not lost

From me to you, none even

)URP�ZKHQ�RXU�KHDUWV�¿UVW�FURVVHG�

Do any of the seniors like Doctor Who?

No, I’m sorry. I’m all about the British lads though! One Direction for life! <3 –Diana Montes

shanya allen - explore · pdf filevdph idfhv dv wkh vwlfn ¿jxuhv vkh lv gudzlqj moriah...

Documents