astonishing, I couldn’t believe it. The
courage, culture and difference each
person brought to each dance was just
amazing.
But that night something
terrible had happened. Jacob’s brother
was killed. I tried to go to talk to him,
tried to comfort him, tried to get him
again interested in the competition.
“We can’t do this without you,”
I said. “Think of the kids who need that
money. We have to help them.”
That night we won the competition. We gave it all we had, making the
dream that was almost gone become
reality. We opened the organization just
like we planned. We were not only able
to change the way the people looked
at our community but we were able to
bring hope to everyone who doubted
their future.
CHABELY LEONARDO
11TH GRADE
DIRECTIONS
On your way out
take a pen with you
and the cap in your pocket
“So you see,” I said. “It matters
even more now. You and your brother
shared a dream. Do it for the dream you
shared with your brother hoping you
would change this place.”
switch your shoes
HPAC YOUNG WRITERS REVIEW
then wait for my signal.
place the tip on your tongue
the left one maybe
open a door using your shortest finger
blue perhaps
“No, Annette,” said Jacob. “I
can’t do this. I have nothing, and I am
nothing. What does it matter? I was
only doing the stupid competition to try
and set a change to our community but
look at where that’s gotten us.”
I’d never told him about my
brother’s death, but I felt I had to now.
As I talked, he listened, and I cried. I felt
we understood each other in a new way.
Then, with a fragile intake of
breath he said, “Okay, I’ll do this for
him.”
count each one with a grey crack
sit on the floor
use that pen and draw a dot
no not on your tongue but on your tooth
bottom right please
the one shaped like the empire state
building
left to right
right to left
crawl down the hallway
one hand one foot
slide down the stairs
CHEMISTRY
Every morning first period I walk into
my chemistry class. I notice everything is
organized and labeled. All the chemicals
and utensils on the table. Everything is
organized and where it’s supposed to be.
6 TRAIN VOLUME III: 2014–2015 | 41