Dear Santa Baby,

Larissa Carter

666 Stay Classy Avenue

Penticton, B.C

December 14^th 2011

123 North Pole Road

V93 HOHO

North Pole

Dear Santa Baby,

                                 How are you Santa baby? Hope all is dandy this year at the Pole for you! I have been so busy this year with school drama productions, that I have been a good girl since the last time I wrote to you. Not to worry Santa, I am always nice and always have a fantastic smile on my face! I am exceptionally excited for the holidays as you remember it is my favourite time of the year.

                                 More importantly, for my present this year I would like two tickets to the next Taylor Swift concert in Vancouver! I think she is pretty awesome, so does my best friend Kelsey, who is also a big fan who would come with me! I listen to her music so much; I hum to myself her songs, rather than listening to Mr. Van Camp in English class. He is just not as dandy! If you could make my dream come true, and I would love you forever and ever!

Thanks so much Santa Baby,

Now hurry down the chimney… Tonight!

Larissa Carter

Sunday at Augusta

It

Loomed

In

Front

Of

Me, teasing me each time I looked from a dissimilar angle. 

                                   My options          

                  Evaluated                   I felt as if

               I                                                 it spat in

Each time                        NIKE 4                        my face.

Here I was,                                                        Masters.

            One putt                                         for the

                       Away from                One putt

                                   Eternal glory, 

I would tell myself                              that it was the right line.

Yet my muscles w-                              ould not comply.

People may say go-                             lf is a sport where one,

Fights the environ-                              ment. However, they are

Wrong, because to                              conquer the environment,

One must conquer                               their mind. That is what makes golf one of                               a kind. Again I would step back to correct my                              misjudgement. My caddie would offer:

                      My advice sir, I believe

           Offer you                       the putt breaks

    Could                                                 about a

   I                                                               ball to 

“If                                                                    the right”

I could                                                       long.

    Not trust                                            day

            Him I                                     all

                   Thought,                wrong 

                              He          been

                                     Has

                                

The crowd was silenced,               transfixed awaiting my very n 

s                                 Star            trance,                                      e

o                                  Struck.    in a                                             x         

 u                                       As if                                                     t

    nded  as                                                                           Move.

           droplets                         0                             “Drip..

                fell  from                  0                           Drip..

                          my                  0                         Drip..”

                           fore-                                       My sweat

                           head                              below.

                                  and               ground      

                                        struck the

In the

Dist-

Ance,

I saw

The

Historic green jacket being brought to

The final green awaiting a new bearer.

                      Was overcome,

           Sight I                     by an 

      That                                    immense boost

With              NIKE 4                        of confidence. 

As I                                           on my final stroke.

   Gripped  my                   and bared down

             Putter I         longer nervous

                      Was no

         

   

                                                                                  

       

               

        Everywhere around me. With “plop” of the ball

          From              Jonathan Hack           falling

    Were heard          2012 Masters         into

       Of spectators           Champ      the hole,

                The cries                           I was      

                     Target,                     filled

                         Intended        with joy.

                             To my       For the

                       Directly            First

                   Proceeded                  time in

          As the ball                                my life.

                                  I had done it.

Seize the Day!

       O Captain My Captain! The film Dead Poets’ Society directed by Peter Weir presents dynamic changes in three main characters due to the inspiration of their Captain, Mr. Keating. Based in a fluent and wealthy academy in the United States, a group of boys feel a restriction on their choices due to their parents wants. However they feel inspired to defy them by the ideals of their new English teacher. The three characters that changed the most dynamically were Knox Overstreet, Todd Anderson and Neil Perry.

         

Primarily, one of the inspired students was Knox Overstreet. After meeting his true love at a dinner party he attends, Knox feels hopeless that he will never be with her. Following this evening, Keating’s newest lesson unveiled the Carpe Diem philosophy “to seize the day”. With the latest inspiration, Knox willed up and called her, and Chris invited him to an upcoming party. At the party after planting a kiss on Chris’ forehead, her boyfriend punched him straight in the face. Rather than fleeing and deserting his feeling for her, he continues to follow them and his heart. His new relationship would never have succeeded without the advice of Mr. Keating.

         

Another student moved by their captain’s class was Todd Anderson. After recently starting at Welton, Todd is very reserved being a new student. In Keating’s English class he struggles with writing a poem to present, and is not prepared. However when he is brought up in front of the class he is enlightened by Keating’s lesson on searching your inner self to find poetry. This provided Todd with confidence he needed to speak up for himself and his own beliefs. Following Keating’s removal as he is departing the classroom, Todd milks every ounce of courage from himself and stands on his desk saluting his respect for his Captain. Following this courageous act, the other members of the Dead Poets’ Society follow him and overpower their professor, showing their admiration for their released teacher.

         

Finally, the last student who was inspired by Mr. Keating was Neil Perry. He is a very smart and well rounded boy, however is choices are severely influenced by his father. Though he had straight a’s from last year, his father unreasonably forces him to discontinue his involvement in the senior annual.  After another rousing lesson from Mr. Keating, Neil feels compelled to disobey his fathers command by taking the lead role in  a community play. This inspiration by Mr. Keating, drove Neil to his greatest passion, that of acting.  Alas, after being told by his father following his first performance that he was being pulled from Welton, Neil was lost for words. Sadly, instead of telling his father about his new found passion, like Mr. Keating said. Neil felt it was easier to take his own life.

The students of that class will never be the same following the leadership of their teacher Mr. Keating. For Knox and Todd they changed positively and will continually grow because of their inspiration. Neil also found something he loved due to Mr. Keating’s literature. Unfortunately, he was again denied involvement is his passion for acting, by his father. This empowered Neil to take his own life following his brilliant performance. 

Being the Prey of Time

            Most people look at age as a restriction, until it “[continually proceeds]” and years feel like months and days feel like hours, ticking off one’s life clock. The poem “Aging” written by Michelle Disser explores the theme that time brings ageing, however it’s important to focus on having a good time now, then missing the good times a person had then. A descriptive analogy the author makes throughout the poem is comparing age to a stalking “panther”. Rather than running for one’s life, it considers existence to be an unforgettable marathon or journey that must be ran during life. Nevertheless age will continue to creep up on a person, considering “[They] are older now than when [they] started reading this poem”. Not focusing on age, until the person’s last day when finally “It pounces” will make for an enjoyable time worth remembering.

A Work of Art, Or Artlover?

Jonathan Hack
156 Wiltse Place
Penticton, British Columbia
V2A 7V6

November 11th, 2011

Constable Pierre Catchacrook
Chief of Police
123 Crime Road
Paris, France

Dear Constable Catchacrook,

   I understand you require a statement regarding the events that took place in the Louvre last week. While I was observing the Mona Lisa, I was talking to a frail, elderly woman when a fire broke out. I didn't have an abundant amount of time, but I knew I could either rescue the painting, or save the old lady's life. I agreed with my instincts and began wheeling her out of the museum. I realised she was ageing and had few years left to live, however I knew she had a family and children to return home to. The actions of a person's life shape who we are and will become. I would never have forgiven myself if I had left her behind in that dire situation, for my own personal gain. Furthermore, even though the original Mona Lisa had burned, over its existence many prints have been made. The image of the painting will always be around, and its brilliance will never be forgotten. I apologise about the late reply Mr. Catchacrook, but I have been under harsh scrutiny lately in regards to the decision I made last week. Though I am quite glad to hear that Mrs. Artlover is recuperating after that traumatic incident and is safe in the hospital, my life is not. I am receiving numerous phone calls, e-mails, and letters threatening my life due to abandoning the Mona Lisa painting.

Take Care,

Sincerely,
Jonathan Hack

"The Sea was Angry that Day, My Friends"

   After Mrs. Mitty came out of the drugstore, they climbed into their automobile; Walter fastened his seat belt, turned on the windscreen wipers and carefully pulled away from the curb. As they drove out of Waterbury he noticed a beached whale, slumped on the shore like a sack of potatoes. The crowds began to grow around the beast, like weeds. Walter being a marine biologist realised it would be a walk in the park situation for him, rather than having these worry warts bicker over how to handle it. As Walter trudged up to the great mammal, he heard people argue of how to handle to problem. He got right up to the whale, which lay on the beach, stiff as a board. People wide-eyed gazed at him like he was the savour. "That's Mitty, the world famous marine biologist!" exclaimed a star-struck man. "He was the one who saved those turtles on the Galapagos Islands, within the blink of an eye." shouted another. "Enough chatter!", shouted Walter, "I may have been the Achilles heel of that crap shoot but, let's get down to business. When a problem arises like this, you must stick to your guns." he instructed. "I wasn't born yesterday, what's important is saving this animal before it's too late!" yelled another man. "Sounds like a plan, but to make it work were going to need all hands on deck!" Mitty said. As people began to swarm the whale like worker bees, they pushed the biggest pound for pound mammal back to its home. The crowd cheered as loud as could be, Mitty was once again a hero and a happy camper.

Fate Lies in Thy Hands

Jonathan Hack
156 Wiltse Pl.
Penticton, B.C.
V2A 7V6
September 23rd 2011

Captain Van Camp
Commander
HMS Princess Margaret

O Captain, My Captain:

   Hello Captain Van Camp, I am aware of our group's current predicament and know we won't all survive the voyage home. I understand the decision you are about to make will your conflict with your existential philosophy of helping others. However I am pleading that your chosen survivors can include me, because the benefits I will bring to the world will be instrumental in the future.

   At the current time I am considerately involved in my school and community. I am a member of both Princess Margaret leadership and Amnesty Global Awareness school groups. In addition I participate for my school's cross country, soccer, and golf teams. Also I am involved in the community playing Midget hockey and volunteering annually in the Iron Man Canada competition held here in Penticton.

   I would like you to know that my status as a survivor would benefit not only my family and I, but also people I could serve in the future field of medicine. My plans after graduation, would be to attend a post-secondary institution and study a science program. Following this personal achievement, I plan on using my talents to pursue a dentistry program and possibly specialise in orthodontics. I plan on naming my future practise after our fallen comrades, and a portion of my yearly salary will be donated to countries in the restoration stage preceding a natural disaster.

 I can guarantee if i am selected, I will devote my life to helping others as you will do also. Therefore if your choice includes me as a surviving crew member I thank you so much. However if not, I wish yourself and the ones chosen the best of luck.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Hack

The 10 Year Anniversary of Evil

    Ten years ago, tragedy struck in the heart of New York City that spread chaos and despair across the entire world. It was a day unlike no other, for all the wrong reasons. The loss of a loved one is a significant event that tests a family's emotions. That day, near 3000 families mourned for their lost love ones, and the world could only send their prayers. I can remember that day, like it was yesterday. I had slept through my alarm, and was on route, late for work. It was a beautiful day outside, so I rolled down the windows as I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. The pungent East river smelled like a combination of industry and sea. As I neared my workplace in the north building of the twin towers, the cab driver and myself heard a loud approaching air plane. I found this odd because planes don't usually fly over Manhattan. I looked out my window and was surprised to see a large jetliner on course towards the city. I couldn't take my eyes off it because it was getting too low and in the direction of the Twin Towers. As I neared the World Trade Centre buildings, it seemed as though the plane was as well, and I had a gut feeling something awful was about to occur. It was if  my eyes were glued to the plane, I couldn't comprehend what was happening. I was only blocks away when the plane hit the north tower, the one where I was supposed to be working. The sudden sense of unreality and shock filled me, I felt breathless. My office is located on the 95th of 107 floors, certainly the plane hit lower than that preventing escape. I was in utter disbelief, that my friends and co-workers could be in considerable peril while I could only watch and hope for their safety. The sounds of sirens and screams filled the streets, as the first responders reached the north tower. Just that instant sounds of another plane could be heard, when another jetliner pummelled into the south tower. It was that moment when all chaos broke loose, and the pedestrians on the street felt their safety was in jeopardy as well. However I couldn't take my eyes off the sight, knowing the trauma people were experiencing. My stomach turned as a sense of guilt filled me,  knowing I would have been up there as well. Perhaps snoozing through my alarm had been a blessing in disguise, but it seems more like sheer luck. For that reason every year later I meet this day with a tear, cherishing the fact that I'm still here. That is why ten years later, I continue to pray. Because my life was spared, that tragic September day.