Prose Poem: The Uncertainty of Spring by Siena Rainey

“O, how this spring of love resembleth the uncertain glory of an April day!” - William Shakespeare

The sweetness of spring: unexpected rainy days full of churning skies and rushing streams, excitement filling hearts when flora begins to bud. Spring is the eternal sign of life, love, and hope. It is full of beauty, and in that beauty, there is uncertainty. Literature often illustrates springtime as the universal symbol for youth. Much like adolescence, spring is unpredictable. Will the windows you wake next to show sunshine or rainclouds? Will life slowly bloom over the next three months, or will everything burst into color in the last week of May? Though unexpected change is often times portrayed as negative, it truly is beautiful. Uncertainty brings opportunity. It provides personal growth, self discoveries, and new beginnings. Although teenage years feel like a confusing whirlwind of decisions and emotions, they are full of the beautiful idea of not knowing what is coming next. Embrace the springtime of life, appreciate

yourself and your surroundings, and bloom.

Faculty Feature: Dearly, Deleted by Cyndi Roe

I exchanged phone numbers with a boy today—a boy who was born the year I turned thirty. We had only been in graduate class for about an hour together, but in less than thirty seconds, there I was, tapping his number into my phone, and pressing “Save to Contact List.”

I didn’t even know his last name.

My phone is burdensome. It weighs me down. It accuses me without mercy. My contact list has three “Abbies,” two Caitlins with a “C,” two Kaitlins with a “K,” and the names of six ex-boyfriends whom my daughters used to date. I am not going to contact any of these people—especially not the garage-band boyfriend. One night before a “killer gig” of his, I walked in on band boy in my bathroom using my nail polish and mascara. No, I will not call these people, but I am not going to delete them either, at least not today. Someday my inner helicopter-mom may need to hover.

My contact list does contain three of my best girlfriends whom I haven’t talked to in a long time. It is one thing to say, “I’m sorry I haven’t called you for two weeks.” It is quite another to utter, “I’ve been thinking about you for the last three years, but somehow in the past 1,095 days, I’ve been either too busy or too disinterested to call.” 

Of course, my brother is in my contacts. He should stay. When I see his name, I’m reminded to call my parents, who live two blocks away from my front door. My brother lives two states away from our parents, yet he talks to them more than I do.

Like many people, I have restaurants and doctors and my employers in my phone, along with the Justus Veterinary Clinic, in case our dog’s allergies flare up. But there are two dozen names I don’t know: a Becca, an Antonio, a “Michael #4,” Harvey, Harodji, and Ho. For the life of me I cannot remember exchanging numbers with a Ho. I search my memory in vain for an encounter with anyone that I would save under a derogatory slur. No one comes to mind.

My ex-mother-in-law is in my phone, even though she’s dead. I thought about calling her number, just to see what would happen. But if I don’t call my friends who are living, what would possess me to dial the dead? I should probably delete her like I deleted her son. Her husband, though, will stay in my phone. After all, he is “Papa” to my children.

My parents, too, will remain in my phone, as will my husband, my daughter-in-law, and six of my seven children. One of my girls changes her phone numbers so often, I don’t know which contact to keep—“New Phone,” “Next New Phone,” or “Newest New Phone.”

The last contact on my list is “Weight Watchers.” If I had called them more often, I’d probably be mowing the lawn in cute white shorts instead of sweatpants. 

It’s time to lose some excess baggage, so tonight my phone and I are going on a diet. I’ll start by deleting the boy from class I added yesterday. In less than thirty seconds I can shed forty-three numbers and six bad memories. I am on my way to being lighter already.

          

Book Review: 13 Reasons Why (You Should Read This Book) by Maria Bordonaro

While watching all my friends read 13 Reasons Why, I honestly thought I was not missing out on much; however, when I was included in a book club that decided to read 13 Reasons Why, I was proved wrong. This book provides a revolutionary way to look at suicide and the way people-- especially teens --have an impact on lives. So, if you think that you would not be missing out if you didn’t read 13 Reasons Why, then think again.

Hannah Baker is a new student at her high school and as soon as she arrives, her presence evokes rumors, scandals about her reputation, crafting and breaking of relationships, and the deterioration of her mental health. As she describes it herself, the events create a snowball effect. She feels like no one cares, and subsequently ends her life. Before doing so, she records audiotapes documenting stories from her high school career that supplemented the “13 reasons why” she kills herself. These tapes are later sent by Hannah to the first recipient who was first mentioned in the tapes. The set of tapes are handed off by each recipient who was mentioned in the tapes to the next. By the time anyone receives their package, Hannah is long gone, but her voice remains present and everlasting, exposing those who contributed to her demise.

Clay, the main character who presents these tapes to the reader, comments on every story, including his own. His character development is built upon the progression of each tape and the story behind it. Hannah’s narration brings insight to not only him, but also the town, the school, and the other characters mentioned in the tapes. Out of all the recipients of Hannah’s suicide tapes, he is the only one whose story isn’t damning. I suppose that’s why the author chose Clay to juxtapose Hannah, due to the special relationship they both share in the novel. 13 Reasons Why breaks many stereotypes associated with teenagers and depression depicted in novels and Hollywood movies. In the tapes, Hannah isn’t a flat character whose only attributes are sadness and depression. She isn’t an outcast, and she doesn’t come from a broken home. In fact, she is the most complex character of the book because the intricacy and layering of her thoughts and motives encompass so much more than suicide. For that reason, she could have been any teenager. Her day to day struggles relate to what teenagers also go through daily.

Furthermore, taking note that depression and mental health should not be brushed off as nothing is vital. The consequences of dismissing mental health issues can be found right in the novel. Mental health has an impact on not only the individual, but also others surrounding them, and ignorance towards this needs to be eradicated. What we can learn from 13 Reasons Why is that every action, every word matters. Big or small, we all have an impact on someone’s life, whether it be directly or indirectly. Being aware of this is frightening, but also uplifting. Knowing you have the power to change someone’s life for the better, even by a sheer moment, is amazing. In better words, as Hannah put it herself, “When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life.

“Everything...affects everything."

Science: New Life on Other Planets? by Kaylee Salony

An amazing new outbreak has just been discovered!  According to scientists, there are other planets that may be able to sustain life.
Scientists have found three Earth-sized planets that are revolving around a star.  These planets are located 40 light-years away and revolve around a cool, dwarf star called TRAPPIST-1.  Last September, scientists tracked the star through the sky until December, and analyzed starlight and brightness.
“Astronomers say three recently discovered planets similar to the Earth’s size and temperature may have conditions that could sustain life” (Huffington Post).  The three planets are almost equal to the size of the Earth, and receive four times the amount of radiation we receive from the sun, which means they may be in the “Habitat Zone.”  The “Habitat Zone” determines the temperature of the planets by how close the star they orbit around is.  There is a possibility of water on these planets, which is the key element of life.  Scientists say that these three planets may be tidally locked like the Earth’s moon.  One planet is always day, while the other is perpetually night.  Both of the planets face one way towards TRAPPIST-1.

If a planet is not too cold or hot, it has a possibility to sustain life. All three of the planets that revolve around TRAPPIST-1, are able to. Even though TRAPPIST-1 is .5 the size of our sun, it gives off enough radiation for possible life.  Scientists are quite unsure about how long the planets orbit around the star, but they say it could range from 4 to 73 days.  Since the planets have such a small orbital period, they could be 20 to 100 times closer to their sun then we are to ours. 

Even though the planets are 40 light –years away, scientists will never be able to reach them in our lifetime.  It will take millions of years to do so. They are still going to try and find life on these planets, by using very high power telescopes. They will be able to use the James Webb Telescope in 2018. It will help scientists learn more about the atmosphere on other planets, and that is the key to determining if there is life.

This could be the next huge outbreak in science!   It’s amazing how it is a possibility for these planets to hold life.  We will just have to wait and see.

Social Experiment: A Week Unplugged by Carolyn Lyon

There is a certain image of teenagers that adults love to talk about. A few kids are out to eat, and while they wait for their meals, they don’t talk to each other. The air is stiff and silent as they’re entranced by a tiny screen resting in their palms. They live in a world obsessed with having everything at their fingertips. A world where if they want something, they get it now. A world driven mad with wonder about what’s next. Talking is slow; it keeps them in the moment. Instead, they fill their waiting time with social media.

I had an idea: I wanted myself and three other people to remove all social media from our lives for one week to see what would happen. It's one thing to see how I react, which I have done in the past. However, everyone comes from different backgrounds and has different lives, so seeing how several people deal with the same limitations really interested me. When I asked a few of my friends if they wanted to help me out with a social media experiment, they were eager to volunteer. But once they realized what this really meant, they were dying to find loopholes. I was asked many questions such as “Can we directly Snapchat people and not look at stories?” or “Can we use Facebook messenger?” I answered most questions with "No." Of course, everyone was worried sick about their precious Snapstreaks. Quite honestly, I was shocked at how much they cared about little things like that.

I began by conducting a preliminary survey. I wanted to get a feel for everyone’s expectations, their opinions of social media, how often they use it, etc. I discovered that all participants use social media every day, multiple times a day. Yet, only 1 out of 4 believed they were addicted to social media. It’s almost as if constant online interaction has morphed from a source of entertainment to a way of life.

During the experiment, I measured overall stress levels, homework efficiency, and frequency of urges to use social media. Half of the participants dealt with anxiety, and their stress levels either dropped or stayed the same over the course of the experiment. However, the other two participants' stress levels pretty much stayed the same, and even heightened at times. This is interesting, because it suggests that social media may serve as a source of stress for those with anxiety, but a source of relaxation for those without anxiety. All of us found that we were either as efficient or more efficient with homework. Most of us were very productive at the beginning of the experiment. As time went on, we found new ways to procrastinate to fill the void that social media left. However, this does provide evidence that, to some extent, social media distracts many from homework and leads to a lack of general productivity. The general consensus about urges was fairly logical. We all wanted to use social media more at the beginning, and then as we adapted, the need was less frequent.

The first few days, I noticed that the urges I experienced to go on social media were compulsive. It wasn’t as if the thought “I want to go on Instagram” popped into my head. Instead, my finger would idly drift to where my social media apps normally were, only to find nothing there. This happened often. Strangely enough, one other participant experienced the same exact thing. We didn’t even have a reason or desire to use social media; it was just mere habit at that point.

Overall, everyone agreed that the experience was positive. Some expected an extremely stressful week brimming with deprivation. Others expected an enlightening, peaceful week. What we found was more intermediate. I think the fact that we went in together made everything much easier. Peer pressure plays a big role in social media use; if everyone else is on a phone, chances are you will pull yours out too. Knowing that we weren’t alone and that we could share our experiences with each other kept us going. I’m not even sure if we go on social media because we like it any more. Are we just doing what is expected of us?

I, and the others, all agree that teenagers should try this. It’s an interesting opportunity to learn more about yourself, and a time to discover if social media is really as vital to your life as it seems.

Poem: Fallen Stars by Vihisha Bache

Thinking upon the suns up above,

So tiny we call them stars.

We wonder often

What they are

And how

They shine

So bright when

They’re extremely far.

The light soon dies

In a different corner,

But soon there are more.

They have been replaced.

And nothing more,  

A blast of light,

And the star is

Already gone.

Wished upon

And cursed upon,

These stars live long, but nay.

Our tiny suns will die one day.

Just as you and me.

News: The Life of Prince by Maggie Jones

Prince Rogers Nelson passed away on April 21, 2016, of an apparent drug overdose.  The world has suffered a terrible loss, and is now reflecting on its origins.  According to the Wall Street Journal, at the time of his death, Prince possessed prescription opioids.  It is unclear if these were prescribed to him or not.  

    However, days prior to his death, Prince suffered an overdose on Percocet.  His flight was forced to make an emergency landing, and he was given Narcan, an antidote that treats narcotic overdoses.  CNN reported on Prince’s half brother, Duane, who apparently knew of the singer’s battle with painkillers.  Prince’s lawyer states, "Duane told me that he witnessed him taking the drugs and he also procured Percocet for him.”  

    The beloved singer and unsung humanitarian’s tragic death brings up even more tragedy: the war on drug addiction.  In 2014, more than 14,000 people died because of an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  This study found that most of the deaths were those of people ages twenty-five to fifty-four years old.  It is important to now bring up the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction.  Drug abuse is, essentially, the “testing period” of consumption.  At this point, the user is experiencing enjoyable responses to the abused drug.  Not until the user becomes reliant on the drug does it become an addiction.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 2009 survey found that 9.3 percent of people twelve years and older required treatment for a drug or alcohol abuse problem.  Again and again, twelve proves to be the age that drug experimentation begins.  According to the Addiction Center, this is the apparent result of peer pressure, curiosity, stress, emotional struggles, and a desire to escape.  

     Prince’s 1988 song, “Escape,” is uniquely and ironically an anti-drug/anti-gang anthem.  “You got to be yourself, you gotta be aware,” are words Prince shared in “Escape.”  Who was he targeting with lyrics that profound?  His loyal audience remains vast and diverse, which means that these lyrics were written for each and every one of them.  But, even a non-listener can appreciate his words.  Prince’s controversial death remains scandalous, but his legacy remains beautiful.  He was an advocate of individuality and self-expression.  Despite an alleged heart breaking addiction, he made a lasting imprint on those struggling to simply be themselves.  “You got to be yourself, you gotta be aware.”

Opinion: Rethinking GMOs by Noah Musto

      While the scientific consensus on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) tends to imply that they are safe for consumption and should be supported, I would be a little more skeptical about claims from Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye. I respect Dr. Tyson and Mr. Nye just as much as the next guy, but I am also wary of GMOs--not that I don’t take value into scientific consensus (because I truly do), but because I think they overlook a few key points.

It is not clear whether or not GMOs are safe for consumption. Studies show that genetically modified organisms reduce the nutritional value of food. Moreover, a genetically modified organism “lowers nutritional value quality [more] than its traditional counterpart by making nutrients unavailable or indigestible to humans” (Genetically Modified Organisms). Many plants produce substances that can be toxic to humans. For instance, a plant is genetically engineered to become disease resistant by using a viral promoter called the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMv). However, this viral promoter, after several tests, has been concluded to act as a toxin that is extremely poisonous to mammals. Not only is it poisonous, but this is also known to damage vital organs and even immune systems when tested (“Why We Need a Global Moratorium”). Scientists are concerned that if an exotic gene is introduced into a plant it will cause it to produce higher amounts of these toxins that will be dangerous to humans. Even potatoes “conventionally bred for increased disease resistance have produced higher levels of glycoalkaloids” (Genetically Modified Organisms). Glycoalkaloids are a poison that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and headaches, (Glycoalkaloids). Moreover, another health risk caused by a GM crop is found in herbicide resistant soybeans. These soybeans contain fewer isoflavones, “an important phytoestrogen present in soybeans,” which can protect women from some forms of cancer (Alteri and Rosset). These soybeans put women at a higher risk of contracting a disease that kills, on average, nearly a half of a million people each year in the United States alone. But should we really worry about GM crops? Even though the multitude of biotechnology firms that produce genetically modified organisms claim they are one hundred percent safe, there is reason to be weary of their claim. Biotechnology companies like Monsanto said that Agent Orange, PCBs, and DDT were "safe" and now, of course, we know otherwise. A report done by Michele Simon, a public health lawyer, compares the tactics used to convince the public of the safety of GMOs by companies like Monsanto, to the tactics used by the tobacco industry. Companies like Monsanto “are funding scientific studies, cultivating alliances and strategic partnerships with farmers, beekeepers, and agricultural organizations in order to bolster the legitimacy of their arguments” (Follow the Honey). Furthermore, these companies have the nerve to attack governments that try to regulate them. Three companies, Syngenta, Bayer, and the European Crop Protection Association, tried to lobby for the European Union not to ban neonicotinoids. If these companies had nothing to hide they would not be as afraid regulations as they are. Therefore, we should take these companies’ word with a grain of salt.
      We also should be wary of the health risks of GMOs because many of the studies attempting to prove their safety have been done on animals. That is problematic because a non-human study does not prove if a substance is harmful or not to humans. The Food and Drug Administration approved artificial sweeteners after studies done on animals proved them to be safe. Yet, afterwards “scientists were able to do epidemiological studies (also called observational studies) in humans. Several of these studies found that artificial sweeteners are linked with negative health effects” (Genetically-Modified Organisms Have not Been Proven Safe). We do not have sufficient studies on the effects of GMOs on humans to prove them to be safe.
      There are non-health factors that are more important to look at though. GMOs hurt the farm market. A few companies have an oligopoly on GMOs. Thus, if their use is encouraged small farmers would be hurt. These farmers need to farm in order to make ends meet. However, Monsanto’s gains have come at the cost of small farmers. Companies like Monsanto force the farmers using their patented organisms to sign a contract. One of the main provisions in these contracts prohibit farmers from saving their seeds or re-using them the next year. This restriction causes farmers to purchase the organisms from the company on an annual basis (Kruft). Re-using the seeds can be financially deadly for farmers, regardless of having a contract. In one instance, Monsanto sued a Canadian farmer for using their patented seeds even though the pollen had blown over from a neighboring field. The court ruled that the farmer must deliver any of his remaining seed supply to Monsanto and award them his profits and interest from the plants (Kruft). In this case, a farmer was penalized by an act of nature because it interfered with a patent. All of this doesn’t even scratch the surface of predatory practices by Monsanto.
There is a religious aspect to the GMO debate as well. Many religions including Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam forbid the consumption of food that is genetically modified. These individual religions each have their own reasons to reject this genetically modified food, however mainly they are prohibit the altering of God-given naturalness (“GMO or No”). These three religions include more than thirty-three percent of the world population that do not support the consumption of these GM crops, so these billions of people would refrain from breaking their religion to consume these crops. We would not be able to force these people away from worshiping their religion, especially since not eating GMOs harms nobody else in the process. Thus we would fail to feed these people if GMOs become the norm.
All in all, GMO production and consumption is a lot more complex than people like Dr. Tyson and Mr. Nye make it out to be. I would highly encourage one to question the science presented currently, as well I would like supporters of GMOs to investigate aspects other than health when talking about Genetically Modified Organisms. GMOs could allow our planet a great benefit; however, they may also come at a great cost.


For a list of Works Cited, click here.

Sports: Comets Basketball by Annie Wesolowski

Drawing in a huge crowd, the Comets and Lady Comets played in their first round of the State Championships on March 5, 2016. Both teams had an unimaginable number of friends, family members, and peers to come cheer them on. Both teams put on a great show; some say it was the most exciting game they’ve seen this year. Even though their seasons ended here, the Comets and Lady Comets put forth a commendable season.

The Lady Comets put their strengths to the test against Bethlehem Catholic. The enthusiasm was incredible and their energy level never dropped. The girls were able to recover after every missed basket. The team wasted no time on each inbound play and made their way up and down the court with intense speed. Their defense carried them a long way which wore their opposing team down. Passes were crisp and plays were carried out cleanly. Disregarding all the technical aspects of the game, the Lady Comets proved their love for the game, but more importantly their love for the team. Every basket made was accompanied by a roar from the bench as well as cheer from their fans. Words and acts of encouragement were shared during timeouts, after a free throw, after a good play, and all the other spare seconds in between. Finishing out the fourth quarter, the team didn’t let their heads hang low; they played until the end and gave it everything they had. With heavy hearts the girls let out a few tears together, but it’s safe to say that the Lady Comets will have incredible memories to look back on.

The Comets went all in during their game against J.P. McCaskey. The boys fought long and hard. It wasn’t easy to guard the outside shots of the McCaskey point guard who has multiple D1 offers, but the boys were able to make some key free-throws to keep them in the game. The tenacity and determination of  the boys was unbelievable. The Comets proved themselves to be a crowd favorite as they had multiple chants going all through the game. The Comets played with every bit of energy they had inside. With a few spectacular dunks and uncomparable ball handling, they were able to prove the incredible talent they possess. It was a whirlwind of a game. The team played smart and strong. The Comets read McCaskey’s defense and adjusted their offense to make their way around it. The boys took it strong to the basket every time they drove through. The Comets had their fans on the edge of the bleachers when they brought their score up to be down by only a basket. They kept it close and exciting, and even when calls didn’t go their way, they showed their sportsmanship by brushing it off, getting back up, and setting up for the next play. A season like this will be unforgettable for a team that gave it their all.

Now that the basketball season has ended, fans can look back at all the big moments the Comets and Lady Comets had. Teams like these two, with such talent, tenacity, and a true love for the game, foreshadow great seasons to come. To our seniors, we thank you for all you’ve given to your team and your fans. Legendary teams, incredible seniors, unforgettable seniors.

Personal Essay: Manhood Manifesto by Austin Catania

What do you envision when you think of a man? Is he lounging on his yacht, smoking his pipe by the fire, or tinkering on his car?  Do you picture the complete opposite of yourself in which you can only hope to become? The secret is, manhood is an honor you do not instantly attain and to become a man you must spend years mastering the art of manliness. Outlined below are the surefire steps to positively enter manhood, but please note all steps are necessary and wavering from the directions will set a terrible precedent for the rest of your life.

Manhood 101. One does not simply become a man without chopping wood. You must in fact only use an ax to do so, for doing otherwise embarks you on a path that no real man can save you from.  The only exception to this rule is clear cutting a small forest with your bare hands. Naturally, while you are at it, you will decide to build a log cabin and like any man would, you invite your friends over to bask in all its glory. Once complete, with even more testosterone amongst the air, the rest of your day is composed of hunting and fishing. Upon successfully wrestling a grizzly bear with solely your raw masculinity, you decide to call it a night. 5:00 A.M. wake up. Take a cold shower. No baths. Look in the mirror, trim your mountain man beard, and ask yourself, “Who's the man?” 5:55 A.M. mount your motorcycle and propel yourself to the gym. Be tough. Commence boxing and throw a right hook. Remember never give up, take a left jab to the nose and feel the blood streaming down your throat. Releasing a flurry of punches and attacks, you end the match in the fifth round. Knockout. 6:45 A.M. Triumphantly you head to the locker room, put on your suit, head to work and bring home the bacon. 
So, are you a man now? Does merely your brute, hulking body make you a Buchanan man, more strapping than the rest of us? Or does part of your masculinity lie elsewhere, perhaps in your mind? Your transition from childhood to manhood is not only a physical development, but rather a mental one too. A real man is educated in at least one area of expertise. A real man embraces learning like trees embrace the sun. Without sunlight the tree’s death is inevitable, and for the man the lack of knowledge leaves his brain weak and naive. The absence of knowledge abandons you to become susceptible to the ills of society and grants the possibility of traveling down a dark path. However the man code you should follow eliminates that possibility. For it is your obligation as a man to help guide your brothers back to the light. A real man also shows respect towards women and becomes their gallant companion. Rarely faltering from their gentlemanly persona, a real man understands its ok to make mistakes. Your steadfast honesty with your partner proves rewarding in the grand scheme of life, leaving your conscience free to dwell on the irrefutable love that is cast inside. Suppressing your emotions does not make you more of a man and bottling up your feelings up leads to self-deprecation and the gradual decline of your own morale. So, what are you truly supposed to emulate? Your rough and tough exterior or your sensitive heart? Or do you need both, or neither? Perhaps all you need to do is be yourself, for “to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” (Emerson). Just remember you are not alone in your journey to manhood, as our forefathers’ forefathers successfully have made this trek before us. Good luck, and be manly.

Broadway Review: Hamilton by Halle O'Neil

Alexander Hamilton. If you asked a group of people who this man was over a year ago, you'd get some mixed answers. Some would think he was a president, some would just think he was a founding father. But now, many Americans know Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury, and someone who helped make America. What's with the sudden interest in this man? Did many Americans just start thinking that they wanted to learn more about Alexander Hamilton along with U.S. History? Of course not. This is where we need to thank Lin Manuel Miranda. Lin has created a musical about Alexander Hamilton, titled Hamilton, that is taking the world by storm. The musical follows the life of Alexander Hamilton from about age nineteen up to his death and after.

All over the country, people are buzzing about this new hip hop musical that is taking over all kinds of media. Now, you're probably thinking, a hip hop musical about the founding fathers? Even if I'm not interested, I'm in. Let's get tickets. Well, it's not that easy. Hamilton is sold out until early 2017, and the only reason it isn't sold out for longer is because the tickets haven't gone on sale yet. But, that doesn't mean you can't get tickets. There are resale tickets on plenty of websites where you can buy tickets. The only problem is, they range from about $500-$2000.

I was one of the lucky ones who was fortunate enough to get tickets to this amazing show, however. I am not exaggerating when I say it was the most beautiful thing I've seen in my entire life. The set on stage never changes, and dancers and actors take props in and out constantly, without the audience even noticing. The lighting and choreography is perfectly timed, and there is never a dull moment.

If you are considering buying tickets to Miranda’s masterpiece, do it. You will not regret it. Plus, all of your friends will be amazed that you got tickets, which is always good. The actors in this musical take you on an insane journey from the moment the lights go down to when they come back up. In all the Broadway shows I've seen, none of them have even come close to Hamilton. I laughed, I cried (during the show and for fifteen minutes after it), and I was left with an experience I'll never forget. Not only has my love for Broadway increased, but my love of history for our country has also. Thanks to Hamilton, the world is turning upside down.

Poem: A Child in Rwanda by Isabel MacGregor

A Child in Rwanda

I’m getting weaker

I’m lying down on the cool green grass

I can’t get up

I can’t feel

I start to see something flowing from my body

I realize I am lying in a cool puddle of red tears

It is my own blood

The man who did this to me moves on to his next victim

The blood that is oozing out of me is his way of showing 

he has won

Won what?

My body?

My soul?

I do not know what he was trying to win

I’m getting weaker

As I stay frozen I remember my parents

I cannot find them

I cannot hear my mother’s soft voice

Or feel her warmth

I cannot hear my father’s rich chuckle

Or feel his strong hands

I have always listened to my parents

Mother told me to never talk to unknown villagers

Father told me to never tell a lie

They both told me to always pray and look to God for shelter

Maybe this is God punishing me

Maybe I didn’t pray enough

Forgive me Lord for I have sinned

I’m getting weaker

The rich red melodious aqueous engulfs my body

I am going to miss my parents

I hope I was a good boy

Author’s Note: This piece was originally written for my CWS choice assignment. It reflects on the gruesome genocide in Rwanda.