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online at www.connectionnewspapers.com December 28, 2017-January 3, 2018

Children’s & Teens’Connection 2017

Children’s & Teens’Connection 2017

By Shadi Najm, Grade 1, Eagle View Elementary, Instructor Jessica Chinn

2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ Children’s & Teens’ Connection 2017-2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Fairfax Connection ❖ Children’s & Teens’ Connection 2017-2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Dear Readers:This week, the Fairfax Connection turns

over its pages to the youth and students.We asked principals and teachers from

area schools to encourage students to con-tribute their words, pictures and photos forour annual Children’s Issue.

The response as always was enormous.While we were unable to publish every piecewe received, we did our best to put togethera paper with a fair sampling of the submit-ted stories, poems, drawings, paintings,photographs and other works of art.

We appreciate the extra effort made byschool staff to gather the materials duringtheir busy time leading up to the holidays.We’d also like to encourage both schools andparents to mark their 2018 calendars forearly December, the deadline for submis-sions for next year’s Children’s Connection.Please keep us in mind as your children

continue to create spectacular works of artand inspiring pieces of writing in the com-ing year.

The children’s issue is only a part of ouryear-round commitment to cover educationand our local schools. As always, the Con-nection welcomes letters to the editor, storyideas, calendar listings and notices of localevents from our readers. Photos and othersubmissions about special events at schoolsare especially welcome for our weeklyschools pages.

Our preferred method for material is e-mail, which should be sent [email protected], butyou can reach us by mail at 1606 KingStreet, Alexandria, VA 22314 or call 703-778-9414 with any questions.

Editor Kemal Kurspahic

Welcome

Self-portrait,by Josette Satterfield, 12,

of Fairfax, Grade 7,Rocky Run Middle School,

Teacher: Ms. Schuetz

By Daniel Son, Age: 11, Grade: 6, Mosby Woods Elementary

By Huda Lahrichi, Grade 5, Mantua Elementary School

By Sathwika Prasad, 9, Grade 4, Greenbriar West Elementary,Teacher: Mr. Wright

By Kherlin Tamir, Grade 6, Eagle View Elementary, Instructor JessicaChinn

Children’s Connection


See Laurel Ridge, Page 6

More Than MoneyIf I could give my parents anything that

didn’t cost money, I would give them all thelove I could. I would give them love out ofanything that doesn’t cost money because Ithink that is more meaningful than anything-even things that cost money. Also, love willnever wear out. You could ALWAYS keep thelove that is given.

—Samantha Lee, Age 9

PricelessThere is not only one gift that can be

priceless to parents. Although, I’m not a par-ent, I think this is how they feel. They’reecstatic when their child succeeds, but Ithink their gladdest moment is when theirchild succeeds as a person. This is the gift Iwill so give to my parents. Not only kindnessand love to my parents, but to all around me,so that they can be proud of me. Pride canalso bring happiness. I want my parents tobe happy. I cannot do much for my parents,but I will not neglect what I can do.

—Grace Im, Fifth Grade –

Age 11

ThanksIf I had the ability to give my parents,

friends and family a gift that wouldn’t costa penny, I would give them the love andthanks from all of my heart. My parents havegiven me a home, food, water, attention andeverything I need to be successful andhappy. Without them, I can’t imagine howhard life would be. My friends have given mehope when times were dark. They have al-ways been there when I needed a helpfulhand. If I didn’t have my friends, my happi-ness and ability to do about everythingwould disappear. I really do appreciate ev-erything my parents and friends have donefor me.

—By Elena Paulson, Age 10

The Art of GivingIf I could give anyone in my vicinity a gift

that didn’t cost money, I would give themthe gift of nature. It is beautiful and anyonewho sees it will realize that it should neverbe bought. You should let it sprout and growuntil you know this. Then keep it and let itgrow and sprout inside of you. Nature is ablessing.

—Dominic Stockard, Grade

4 – Age 10

The Gift fromthe Heart

A true gift is a gift from the heart. If I hada gift to give to mom, it would be love. Love,because love is priceless. Love, because it isalways needed. Love, love, love! It’s the bestthink you could possibly need. Love, love,love! It’s more precious than gold or silver.It’s the most wonderful thing in the world!—Henry Stockard, Grade 4-

Age 10

The Gift Greaterthan Gold

I never know what to give my parents asa gift because nothing can show them howappreciative I am of them. If I had to givethem one gift, I would give them the abilityto know how much I love them and look upto them. I feel as if even when I try to showmy love and appreciation, they never knowthe amount. There is no word that can showmy thoughts. If my parents had the ability to

Laurel Ridge

Elementary SchoolEagle View Elementary

Submitted by Instructor Jessica Chinn

By Ashley Shin, grade 4

By Battulga Munkhsaikhan, grade 2

By Sami Moudarres, grade 6

By Paulina Heymann, grade 5

By Ammad Malik, grade 3

By Kaitlyn Rodriguez, grade 3

By Kherlin Tamir, grade 6


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From Page 4

See Laurel Ridge, Page 12

know my gratitude, they would be ableto know they would be able to knowthey have been the best they can get. Ifeel like my parents think they have towork harder for us, but they don’t. Theyare mine and my sister’s role models. Mygift for my parents would be for them toknow my appreciation for them so theycan take a break and know they AREloved to the fullest extent!

— Dahlia Hashish, Age 11

The Gift of MeIf I was to give someone a gift that

was priceless, I would choose me. I amthe best. Everything I say and do is lovedby those around me. Of course, Iwouldn’t give this gift to my parents fortwo reasons: First of all, I did costmoney and second of all, they live in thesame house as me so my gift wouldmean nothing. Now that I think about it,I shouldn’t give this gift to anyone in myfamily for the same reason I can’t givethis to my parents. I could give this toanyone who is within 5 feet of me. Icould make them my friend and thatwould be my gift.

—Henry Counts, Age 11

The GiftIf I could give a gift to my family, I

would give them a memory. Then theycould see things in my view and maybethey could understand me better. Iwouldn’t hear, “Oh, don’t you give meexcuses” as much because they wouldsee my point of view. I could give myfamily further understanding. Theycould live young again through my ex-periences. I could give them knowledgethey never could have gained. It wouldbenefit both the receiver and the giverof the gift. Peace could be achieved.

—Xavier Parmentier,

Grade 4 – Age 10

The One ThingIf I were to give my parents one thing,

I would give them nothing because theyalready have everything they could pos-sibly want.- love, laughter, and family.And all of this is a pretty good present.They always tell me that they don’t wanta present , but that’s pretty hard to be-lieve. I think that everyone, no matterhow old you are, deserves at least onepresent. It doesn’t really matter what itis.

—Kira Chojnacki, Grade

4 – Age 9

Laurel Ridge

Elementary School


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Wakefield ForestSubmitted by Christine Rowader, Art Specialist

“Wabi Sabi,”by LaurenMoreth, 11,Grade 5

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Mantua Elementary School

Artwork by students in Nathalie Shirley & Davide Lorenzi’s classes:

By Hannah Dai, 9, Grade 4, Navy Elementary School of Fairfax,Teacher: Miss Escolero

By Allie Chong, Grade 1, Mantua Elementary School

By Tanisha Lanka, Grade 6, Mantua Elementary School

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A Flight in the NightSoaring with my mightIn my midnight flightThe moonlit skyFilling up my eyeBarely moving my wingSo happy I could singOh what a sightThat is to be seen at night!

—Jimin Yio of Fairfax, 12, Grade 7,

Rocky Run Middle School

The R in RESPECTRespect is a gift.The most important thing to a friend.Respect is a beautiful and delicate thing,Worth being treasured in every way imaginable.The gift of respect is giving to people of all different sizes.Respect is given to the tall,Respect is given to the small,Respect is given to the strong,Respect to the wrong.Respect to yourself,Respect to your peers and toys on the shelf.But the R in RESPECT, is for resilience.Resilience to love, resilience to respect everyone.The R in RESPECT represents the people who care,Who love, who hope, who dream,Who live, who laugh, who respect.

—Violet Taylor, Age 11,


The GiftIf I were to give a gift to my parents, it would be something that’s not so apparent. It’s something that can grow like a treeand it’s something that can be from you and me.Love is the word that I’m thinking of,It flies into life like a little dove.It doesn’t matter whether you’re big or small,As long as you know that there is love for all.

—Peter Sheridan, Age 11, Grade 5,


HopeEarth is a fallen worldSo many disastersBut there is one thing we can clutch onto to preserve it foreverHopeWe must share it with othersIt’s too good to keep to ourselvesWe must believe that everything will be alrightWe need to hold on tightlyTo hope

—Grace Oh, Grade 6,

Mosby Woods Elementary

Poetry

Favorite animal?A human- because I’m a human and we can find a way to live peacefully

(or not.)—Evan Jones

Cheetahs- it must feel good to run that fast! I wish I could. Do you?<b1>—Victoria Shea

Elephant- When I was younger, I thought an elephant could give me ashower. When I was 2 or 3, I wanted to be an elephant when I grew up. Evennow, I still like elephants because they are very cool.

—Fiona Mulcahy

A Galapagos tortoise- I want to ride it! They were almost instinct. <b1>—Keshav Parikh

A dog- It’s a very interesting story about how dogs came to be real. Theyhave super puppy cuteness that can make a heart melt. They are friendly-well, most of them. You can teach them tricks.

—Samuel Griffith

Fourth Graders’ Opinions in Mary Zavaleta’s class.

Cherry Run Elementary


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From Page 6

The One ThingIf I could give a gift to someone that didn’t cost

money, I would give my best friend my friendship.A gift of friendship is one of the best gifts becauseit’s the one thing they will probably cherish for along time. If you give them something like a neck-lace, they might not wear it after a while. A stringof friendship is hard to break even if your bestfriend moves. Friendship is amazing!— Abigail Fryar, Grade 4- Age 10

The One ThingI would give my parents love or happiness be-

cause that is very peaceful and beautiful. Love andhappiness is equal to a bar of gold. Love is very kindfor everyone. Happiness gives you a big smile onyour face and a calm and nice heart. If somebodyhas this, that person is very lucky. Love and hap-piness is something that makes you feel veryexcited. Imagine that you are a bird and you aretrapped in the cage of stress and sadness. Whenyou find the key of kindness, you can unlock your-self to the freedom of happiness and love.

—Nichole Billones, Grade 4

There’s No Gift BETTERPersonally, I think either love, kindness or some

music by Handel. Bach, Brahms, Tchaikovsky,Mussorgsky or Dvorak. I think I would pick love,but my family is very musical, but kindness is alsoa possibility. They are really kind- well, as much asI’ve seen. So I think I’m down to love, or music. Ireally love them and they really love me. I alsothink they are really musical. My brother owns atleast 16 instruments! My sister is 26, my brotheris 24 and my other brother is 21.

— Daniel Foote, Grade 4

Three ThingsMost people stress about how much money a gift

will cost or how good it is. But really, three thingsthat don’t cost a cent can be really, truly meaning-ful. These things are: Love, Happiness and (this willprobably be in your parents top 10 best things) Nofighting. The gift of love grows like vines. It spreadslike a plague, but a good one – making everyonefeel happy and appreciated. Happiness is like love,but it can be broken. This is why people should pickvery special, caring people to give it to, or in otherwords, your parents. Most siblings fight as mostparents know and it doesn’t please them. “Why dothey do it?” some people may ask. Well, it’s in yournature, but try pushing that piece of your natureaway. I would give these things to my parents be-cause these items aren’t even items- making thempriceless.

— Kate Nagler, Age 10

A GiftThe best gift that somebody could ever give is

your dedication, time and companionship. Youdon’t have to love somebody to give them thesethings. That way you can give it to everybody. Ithink that the best gift is also the one everybodycan receive, because that way we don’t get toostrong of a sense of our own self-importance. If yougive these things to everybody, then everybodyfeels loved and special to somebody. I would givethis gift to everybody I know, especially to my par-ents, because my mom is overseas. I would alsogive this to my Au Pair, Solene, because she has togo back to France early to get her wisdom toothremoved. I love to make people feel good aboutthemselves and not feel left out. It makes a differ-ence in the world even if it gets one person to feelgood about themselves. My self-set mission is tomake everyone feel wanted.

— Alison Lynch, Grade 5



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“Loving People to Life”

Fairhill Elementary

By Riya Patil,11, 6th Grade

6, FairhillElementary.

What Makes a Good Friend?In my opinion, what makes a good friend is

someone who is kind, cares for others, andthoughtful. They help to remind other peoplewhen they forget things, like a notebook. Anotherreason is that a good friend always cheers peopleup. They tell jokes to one another to make othercolleagues laugh and smile. Laughter also helpswhen people are somber too. My third reason isthat they cheer other colleagues on when incontests or races. When one person is nice toanother, he/she makes others feel good too.

—Logan John Greeneltch, 10

The Best Gift EverThe best gift that I have been given in my life

was the gift of vacation. I always love going onvacation to different places all over the world.Every year my family takes me to Hungary, whichis definitely my favorite place to go to when goingon vacation. I always will remember how awesomeit was and how nice of my family it was to take methere. I will forever appreciate you!

—Alex Kolos Bundics, 10, Grade 5

The Cold SeasonThe grayIcy or mistySnowing and freezingPeacefullyWinter

—Eric Li

DadMy blazing warm dadShovels swiftlyIn the icy snowy winterIn the white slippery drivewaySo we can go play

—Jereck Montoya-

Serrano

SantaJolly, round manQuickly gives out presentsOn a snowy Christmas nightFrom the Noth Pole and beyondSo kids behave well

—Andre Gonzalez

Springfield Estates Elementary Victoria Nutley, fifth grade

Submitted byteacher Joan

Swanson


Heart of Ice, Cave I DwelledMy eyes drifted to the snowFeelings faster than the stormI saw my joy fadeThe sun’s light fadingFoggy mistI couldn’t seeMy steps led me to snowLike being buriedBeneath it allMy heart stungThe wolves hungry for my soulI started forwardI didn’t look backMind swirlingTears a blizzardWhite scattered my pathIcicles dripped like how I fadedI Wish you could knowI’m sorryBut I knew I must keep goingThe fog then liftedBringing the sun to my heartIt reached out its handI opened my eyesThe frozen dew sparkledThe snow endless mountains of whiteI cried for itI didn’t know whyAs the wind shifted my coatMy heart as wellI found myself on a cliffI slipped on pure iceAnd started to fallThe ice was so pureIt’s cold, the sparkling crystals swept me off my feetIt wasn’t just my feetI hung paralyzedLostAfraidAloneMy joy ran awayIt leaped so fast a blurSwallowed by shadowMy heart of iceBut it came back to meBack to me as wonderWith wonder came joyAs I hung with shadows growlingThe jagged peaks begged for gloomI only held on tighterI then knew I must not fall…Delicate snowflakes stroked my skinI knew those who need me

I hungMy eyes glistening with glazeIf you were to throw an arrow at my heartIt wouldn’t pierce my heart of iceI’m so sorryI let goMy heart was glowingBrighter than that belowFell to the cliffs…Fell to the peak of my life…The shadow…The snow that scarred me...Landed on a cloudI livedI yelledI yelled because of it that haunted meFor the snow that had me surviveNo, I’m going backI started to runThe frozen pond singingTears drippingHeart knowing notBut to keep goingNot today…Not today…I will run till I dieDeath’s scythe will not touch me…It’s not my time…I grasped onto my lifeI knewAnd I ran homeThat it wasn’t IBut my wonderThan the lightIt came through the cloudsNot a seepBut the entire skyI hugged my lifeOnly I will touchYou will not haunt meI had run awayI had fallenBut had gotten up againThe birds of past screechedThe present birds criedThe future eagle looked with its eyesSo that it pierced so muchMy heart of ice meltedI do not know whyThe ice wrapped around meAnd then I flew

By Hannah Bang, 12, 6th grade

Grade 6, Fairhill Elementary

Poetry Corner

Can you guess my favorite season?It’s a season where people may get fevers or shivers from the coldIt’s a season where divine, decorative, and delightful snowflakes unfoldIt’s a season with laughter and soft and warm dinks where we hit them together and they go CLINK!This season gives you a reason to go to the ice skating rinkDid you guess it, it should be clear, so grab your coats because my favorite season winter is here

—Rugiatu Aisha Wurie, 11, Fairfax, Grade 6, Colin Powell Elementary


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Though I want to treat the disease – andmy having been diagnosed with the disease,with respect, I don’t want to treat it with theutmost reverence. I mean, it’s not the Pope.

It’s an affliction, not an affection. Certainlynot one worth embracing anyway. But defi-nitely one which needs engaging.

Treating and living with lung cancershouldn’t be a vertical-type, up or down,either-or set of options. There should be moreintegration with non-Western, holistic andalternative approaches rather than, as hasbeen my experience: you’re on your own;and your oncologist, generally speaking – orpotentially legally-liable from speaking,knows/say less about it than you the patient.

I’ve tried to straddle this line going onnearly nine years now. Adhering to the con-ventional wisdom/treatment didn’t seem likeenough. Perhaps hearing the extremely grimprognosis that I received on Feb. 27, 2009 :“13 months to two years,” affected my think-ing. Perhaps hearing the equally grim likeli-hood – statistically referencing, of livingbeyond five years (low single digit percent-age); heck, even living beyond two years,might have given me pause as to what courseof treatment: chemotherapy, I was starting andwhy. But what did I know? I had just beenblindsided and then bewildered as to why andhow I was going to live the rest of my life.

Yet here I sit, nine-years old, so to speak.Some days I believe my amazing good fortunehas to do with the treatment and care I’vereceived from my oncologist and staff at theInfusion Center. Other days, I think it has todo with some of the alternatives I’ve assimi-lated into my life. Though I can’t honestlyinclude exercise in that life, I have modifiedmy diet somewhat and most definitely canmention vitamins, supplements, alkaline waterand apple cider vinegar, among a few others;along with a positive attitude with mostly goodhumor, as important elements. It hasn’t beeneasy, but it has been me. Meaning, I amproud of how I’ve managed a bad situationand so far, not made it worse.

Though I am somewhat unique, statisticallymeasuring, in how long I’ve survived (ho-wever, I’m not exactly 108-year old PaulEdgecomb/Tom Hanks from the movie “TheGreen Mile”), I don’t know that the variedsteps I’ve taken and the humor and attitudewith which I’ve put one foot in front of theother are likewise unique.

Of the many patients/survivors I’ve metalong this way, many, if not all, have exhibitedsimilar good humor and more of a can-do atti-tude quite frankly, than I. I’ve always beenhappy to make their acquaintance and eagerto hear their stories, as they have been inter-ested in hearing mine. Although cancer is notexactly catchy, I’ve found that, in speaking/sharing with fellow cancer survivors, what goesaround comes around. And what ‘that’ is thatis going around is, to invoke The Beach Boys:“Good Vibrations,” and that is catchy andhealthy too!

When I was first diagnosed – and caughtup in my own circumstances, I was not inter-ested – too much, in interacting with otherlung cancer patients/survivors. I was moreconcerned with my own fragile emotionalstate and was afraid that exposing myself tomore bad news: other “terminal” lung cancerpatients’ stories would weaken my resolve.

I don’t recall how many months or years itwas before I realized how wrong I had been.Weaken? My involvement with fellow lungcancer patient/survivors has only strengthenedmy resolve. Has that openness and apprecia-tion for my fellow lung cancer patientextended my life? I’d like to think it has.

But if it hasn’t, I guess the jokes on cancer.And that’s a laugh with which we can all live.

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Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

HOLIDAY SOBER-RIDEFree Sober Rides. The annual Holiday

SoberRider program will operate 8 p.m.-4 a.m.each night from Friday, Dec. 15, 2017-Monday,Jan. 1, 2018. area residents age 21 and oldercelebrating with alcohol may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter the code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive their no cost (up to$15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s weeklyHoliday SoberRide promo codes will be postedat 2 p.m. on Dec. 15, Dec. 23 and Dec. 31 onwww.SoberRide.com.

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDEDThe American Red Cross urges eligible donors

to give more life by giving blood this December.In December, donations decline but the needs ofpatients remain steady. During the holidayseason, set aside an hour to give the mostimportant gift – give blood and give more life.All those who come to give blood or plateletsDec. 21, 2017, through Jan. 7, 2018, will receivea long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplieslast. Make an appointment to give blood bydownloading the free Red Cross Blood DonorApp, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

❖ SpringfieldDec. 26: 1-5 p.m., South Run RECenter, 7550

Reservation Drive❖ Fairfax - Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720

Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200 (unless otherwisenoted)

Dec. 26: 10:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m.Dec. 27: 12:45-8 p.m.Dec. 28: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Pennino Building 10th Floor

Conf Rm, 12011 Government Center ParkwayDec. 28: 12:45-5:45 p.m.Dec. 29: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 30: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 31: 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

TUESDAY/JAN. 9American Legion Post 177 Luncheon. 11:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 177,3939 Oak St., Fairfax. Presentation on“Advanced preparation and arrangement forfuneral/memorial” by Peter Hause, FairfaxMemorial Funeral Home. $11. Call 703-280-2356 for more.

SUPPORT GROUPSShepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke sponsors

a monthly meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth, noon-1:30 p.m., for caregivers to learnand to share with others experiencing similarchallenges. Before attending, contact thefacilitator, Eileen Thompson at 703-451-8626 [email protected].

Haven of Northern Virginia provides support,compassion, information and resources to thebereaved and seriously ill. To become a Havenvolunteer, please call 703-941-7000 to requestan orientation. Volunteers must complete a 30-hour training and commit to one year of serviceanswering Haven phones (2.5 hours weekly).Next training is scheduled for fall 2017.

ONGOINGVolunteers needed at the Fairfax Station

Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road,Fairfax Station. The Museum offers a variety ofexciting volunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration. [email protected] or 703-945-7483to explore services that will fit your scheduleand interests. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, orcall 703-425-9225 for more.

RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.


12 2017

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