Blog Update

Last week, I started a year and a half college program so I won't be able to update this blog for the next while. If I can find someone to write posts for me, I may start it up again. Just thought I'd give you an update.

-Sarah 

When they leave...

When I leave O&A I'm going to go back to school.

EA, age 15

I will not be under the influence 24/7.  Plus I will become the most nicest guy in the world.  I will also write clean freedom rap, yo!

MONKEY!!!

 

ZCG, age 16

 

Im gonna stick with my family until I know Im ready to hang with my friends so I dont do bad things with the law to get locked up again.

 

HM, age 15

 

I wont get any deeper in the court system.

 

CP, age 15

 

I'm not gonna skip class and get my High Honor roll GPA back, then attend college.

 

CY, age 17

One thing Imma do differently when I leave O&A.  Imma go back to school try to get my credits because I want to graduate and hopfully become a Navy Seal.

DC, age 15

One thing I will Do when I get out of O&A is that I will not do drugs and I will change Myself and be a better person to my family and myself.  work hard like always and do my best in school to make it to university.

LG, age 17

be there for my Family.  Stop gang banging, selling, and doing things to make money thats agenst the law.  also I want to be able to see my baby boy be born and not be locked up for it.

KS, age 17

When they leave...

When I leave O&A I will change the people that I hang out with and my schooling.

VSA, age 15

Stay focused in school.  Learn to appreciate all the little things in life that can so easily be taken away by poor choices.  Exspressing gratitude to all the people who have helped me perservere and never take them for grantide again.

AS, age 17

When I get out I'm going to follow the rules of probation.

AW, age 16

When I get out of O&A I will get clean for my family.

CH, age 16

One thing I will do when I leave O&A is stay clean, Respect m;y family and friends and stay out of trouble.

CS, age 15

Be a batter roll model for my litler brother's and stop smoking weed.

KK, age 14

One thing I will do differently when i leave is..  Start doing good things for me like school, work, good friends I'm going to stay away from the people who are no good. I also am going to stay away from drugs.

CR, age 15

One thing I am going to do differently when I leave O&A is I'm not going to run from my problems anymore I'm going to be courageous & get back on the right track.  & especially put my family first.

SA, age 16

When they leave...

When I leave O&A I am going to do my best it what ever program I go to and stay off drugs also do everything in  my ability to be succesful to be happy and wise I will choose to make the right choices when I know something is wrong and I will work hard to get out of the system and stay out of it for myself and my family.

TL, age 15

Dear Sarah thank you for teaching me and showing me what I did not no  You are the best teacher in O&A I love your teaching and I love your class and I love yo I will never forget about you in my life anywhere I go or an where I see you I will always thanks you.

I will have good freands and Do good in school and get a good job and not Do staf that got me in here.

ZR, age 17

When I leave O&A i am going to change my way's my life and im gonna attend school every day and due the best i can to learn in school.  and think before i take any action because if i don't i'm gonna end up back in here.

AM, age 15

The way I think and act & also treat my family & friends.

TA, age 15

I will stay calm at all times

CJW, age 13

One thing I will do differently when I leave O&A Is think about my actions first before I act.

NL, age 14

I am going to stop the addiction of the stuff I am doing also is to apoligize and to say sorry to my family.  Plus to be a good citizen and to love my family and to be more truthful.  Turn my life over.  Or got to my home and not the big house.  

FT, age 12

Everybody has a Story--"Drugs"

This is my everybody has a story writing and I'm going to tell you about my story.  My life started out in ---.  I was born in a fairly decent environment with a decent father and mother.  After about three months in --- I moved to ---.  Living in --- was a big part of my life I lived there for fourteen long years.  I really enjoyed my life in --- I had quite a bit of friends.  I grew up seeing past color and race.  I grew up around drugs and alcohol and living a life no one should.  When I was ten is the first time I experimented with drugs which end up taking over my life.  Out of all my friends for the longest time drugs was my best friend.  Then after awhile I realized how bad drugs are and I've been trying to get off drugs recently Just because of how bad they are.  I really wish people sometimes would stop dragging people down with them.  Anyway I also drank every now and again, and none of these things are good things so I hope no one goes down the path I did because it was a bad path.  and I feel bad for anyone who has.

SS, age 15

Everybody has a Story--"Boxing"

When I lived with my dad up in --- I had alot of problems.  Me and him got along great it was just the people that i was hanging out with.  I did very well in school and did what I had to do to not get into trouble.  When I would leave school for lunch everyday I would go to my friends house and we would all have boxing matches.  Then one day I knocked out one of my friends, and we had to go back to school.  After that we kept on trying to wake him up then finaly we just decided to call an ambulence.  After a few days we heard from him and he had been in a comma for about 26 hours.  After that we decided not to box during lunch anymore.

JH, age 16

Everybody has a Story--"Light Sabers"

I remember once a horrible thing that happened to my brother that I did to him.  This was about around when I was in 4th grade.  After the California trip, my mom, my brother, and I came home from the airport by my dad who stayed behind.  My brother and I had our prized possessions in our hands that we got from California.  We got them from disneyland.  It was our very first time at disneyland and our mom bought both of us our own light sabers from star wars.  One of my favorite movies around that time was star wars.  My brother and I went in the back yard of our house to play with them.  After a while we started to get real bored with playing the same thing.  So we decide to play golf with our light sabers.  We had little squashy balls for golf balls and our light sabers as clubs.  We were swing the ball to a sprinker hole we used as the putter hole.  It was my turn to swing at the ball.  Not realizing that my brother was behind me, I swung.  At that moment the hilt of the light saber whacked my brother right between the eyes, into the bridge of his nose.  He was crying and bleeding.  I ran with him to get our mom.  She quickly stopped the bleeding.  The gash wasn't big enough to need stitches but was big enough that there will be a scar.  My brother knows it was on accedent and he should of moved out of the way.

RS, age 15

Everybody has a Story--"Rum"

My friend called me and said we should hang out, I should have said no...but if I had he probably wouldnt be alive today.

When I got over there it was like any other day, but then it started getting late and we ended up fairly bored with a gallon of Bucardi Rum... We started drinking, and we were duking it out on a killer pirate video game (it seemed only fit with the rum and all) the more we drank the funner the game got, and the more we got into the game the more we took up a pirate's drinking habits.  this continued for a while until my friend started feeling queezy, by this time the drink was almost completely gone, and I found myself finishing his glasses off after everyone of mine.  Suddenly my buddy rushed to the bathroom and started Puking, I wasnt too worried because we had drank a lot and I had heard of that happening before so I thought nothing of it.  When he didn't stop I got worried...When I went to check on him I found him vomiting blood all over himself and into the tub.  at this Point my fun night came to an abruct end and I sobered up real quick.  I spent the rest of the night forcing my friend to try and drink some water and keeping his head out of the puke so he could breath.  eventually at 6:30 AM I got him out of the tub and onto the couch where I gave him some water to try and drink, a piece of bread if he was daring, and then I had to walk 6 miles home in the brisk early winter morning air back to my house to avoid Parental detection.  right when I got home I pretended to have just woken up and begged to be able to go over to his house "early today" my confused Parents agreed and so I walked all the way back with a hang over to make sure he was ok.  eventually he could drink water and keep it down for a while.  but he stayed sick for about 18 hours.  I'm lucky I didn't watch my friend die from alcohol poisoning, because he should have been in a hospital.  That experience changed the way I thought about a lot of things like life, drugs, my friends, who I really care about, how destroyed I would have been if he had died, and it really just opened my eyes to the fact that its not all about fun and games.  Some things matter more to you than you could know, but don't make it take a near death or death experience to have you realise that.  bottom line is that yea it is a lot of fun, but if your not safe, or responsible, and even when you are sometimes, crap catches up with you.  its not worth the end result.

JG, age 16

When they leave...

I am going to do, no longer try, life is such a challenge and if I can over come them and remember that life is a journey will be a wonderful start to my success.

RJ, age 17

One thing I will do differently when I get out is stay of drugs and get out of the gang and thug life.

TB, age 15

When I leave ONA I am going to stay out of truble be there for my sister show her the right way stay drug free and go to colige for football.

AF, age 16

When I leva O&A I will chage my life to make it better.

HM, age 15

not do drugs and not disobey authority figures.

BB, age 16

When I leave O&A I am not going to fight with my parents.

When Im out of O&A I will stop robbing people.

SB, age 17

I'm going to go to school and get straight A's.  I'm going to my house and tell my family I love them and mean it.

CU, age 12

I am going to finish my program or if I go home I am going to stay drug free and finish probation so I can get out of the system and stay out.  But I am going to do things that are productive and that keep me out of trouble.  I am also going to stay away from negative influences.

AC

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is pilot or librarian.

Dear Sarah,
I would make a good pilot because I meet the Height requirements and I have no fear of heights.  I will be able to manuever in big and small air currents no matter how difficult. I would be able to remember all the controls and all the flight patterns I would be the class clown in flight class.  It would be in honor to train me cause I'm crazy in love with plains, helicopters, and Heights.

JDE, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

Dear Sarah,
My dream job is to be a cosmotologist.  I think I'd be good at it because I've been doing hair and makeup for all my friends & my little sisters for a while now.  I know how straighten hair, curl hair, crimp hair, bump hair & some other stuff.  I can do makeup pretty good to.  I want to be a cosmotoligist because ever since I was little I liked being able to see how different a person can look juss by doing a different hair style and putting make up on.  Im good at it.  I did my cousins hair & makeup for her wedding and it turned out really pretty so I know I'd be good at it.

JM

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is an archeoligist.

Dear Sarah,
I am writing you today, to inform you of my love of history.  More than just history, uncovering the past and discovering what was once never found.  Since I was a small girl growing up in the desert region of --- I knew one thing, I had a passion for digging holes.  As I got into school, my love expanded into history as well.  Naturally archeology fell into place.  There is a lot to be said for my love of adventure and seeing new places.  I'm sure you do not want to just hear about how much I love the job in which I'm applying for, but if I meet the expectation  My qualifications are more than perfect, this is my area of expertise.  I am available at all hours of the day or night, seven days a week (except when History Channel is running an Ancient Aliens marathon, but of course you understand)  As I mentioned earlier my love for digging holes is only matched by my accuracy.  People have always dreamed of digging to China, while I have actually achieved this feat.  My final achievement is top secret.  You must not tell any of your collegues because they will be super jealous.  Before being reincarnated as a 16 year old delinquint, I had many prosperous lives.  One of those was an archeoligist from 1798, but not just any archeoligist.  I traveled with Napoleon Bonaparte to Egypt and discoved what is now called the Rosetta Stone!  You can see that is wher my love of this field comes from.  I look foward to working with you soon

With the most sincerity,
MP, age 16

When they leave...

One thing Ill do different is count my blessings and keep true to myself.

DW, age 17

One thing Imma do differently when I leave O&A is listen to my parents because they know whats best for me & another thing I'll do differently is not violate my probation.

CO, at 15

 

Im going to finsh school and get ready to go to my LDS mission and be with my family.

MAT, age 16

To follow a program with my best.  To go with live, with valor.  Success, to strive, life is great, making it is another.

CW, age 15

go to school and get good grades.  And stop smokeing.

ARH, age 14

When I leave O&A, I am going to stay away from bad influences and be a non-violent person.  I also will not use drugs any more.  I am 2 months clean and want to continue that.  I will finish school and lead a successful life.

CL, age 15

I am not gonna do the Negitive choices my retarded friends who want you to get in to trouble anymore Im gonna do good. 

FC, age 12

I am going to chang my future a head of me in  make my in my family happy in better in earn my trust back from my uncle in my family.

BC, age 14

Not smoke pot & spice.

TR, age 13

Im going to be a thinker and leader not a follower and doer.  Im going to think twice before I do or take any action.

SC, age 17

Everybody has a Story--"Stolen"

The statement above holds 100% truth to it.  Everybody holds a story inside of them, whether it be great and large, or little, we all old our own stories deeply.  A story I have, is a major life changing experience, it doesn't only cause me to look at life differently, but forced my mind to endure permanent damage to my cognitive recall.  My story starts out simple and happy, much like the rest.  I was attending a football game, as a young, strong spirited individual. I was 13 years old, with no problems occuring within my life.  Until that night, at that football game on October 8th.  I was having a great time with my friends and some females, until the 4th quarter came around.  It was in that quarter, when a life changing 2 1/2 minutes occured.  I was being innocient, without causing any sort of problems, to make the outcome of that night happen.  I was secretly followed by 4 individuals, that a certin person had "Hired" to "punk" (jump) me.  I was later approached by these individuals, with a fierce thought in their minds.  They had at first questioned me about a kid named Ixxxxx, asking me what I had said to him or done to him.  My response was truthful "I haven't seen or talked to him in almost a full year."  I was puzzled at why these people were even talking to me, until I was struck with a right hook, onto my left temple.  It was then, when I had entered a flight or fight mode, my first reaction was to fight back, when on my way to the ground I had hit one in the eye, with a returning right hook.  That was when everything was jump started into action, as the one was stumbling for recovery, and was trying to get up, the other 3 had rushed in at me with brute force.  I was kicked, punched, stepped on, crub stomped and tackled wothout and way at all for me to get away or fight back.  After what had happened, I was rushed to the hosbital by mother, where there I had final lost conciosness at the door way.  They had later reveiled my injuries, with a major 3" by 1" fracture in my frontal left lobe of my skull, also with 4 to 8 concussions, 2 minor subdermal hematomas on the right side of my brain, and with multiple spinal fractures in my neck.  I had a 4 1/2 hour surgery 5 days later, where there they found out about the multiple fractions of bone chips, just fractions of an inch from puncturing my left eye.  From that one night, those short minutes, my whole life from there on back and forward had forever changed.  I now suffer from short term memory loss, with in 20 minutes I lose 60% of what information I had retained.  Not only that, but I now have no recolection of my past life at all.  People can break into your car and steal your radio, but that is worthless to you, to any person compared to their past, their memories, their life.  Everyday which I wake up, I always wonder, how different would my life be, how different would I be?  Would I ever had met those who are bad influences, and those who incureged my negitive behavior, and would my life be different, would I not be locked up.  They say "don't for give thy 7 times, but 70 times 7 times", with that saying it makes you really thing if someone stole your T.V. from your house, could you forgive them?  Probably so, if someone broke your heart, could you forgive them, yes.  But all of these things are something you can either replace, or repair.  But if someone stole your future, your past, your life, would you be able to forgive those?  I don't think I will ever get the strength to forgive someone for stealing "me" from myself.  This is the story which changed my life, in many ways.  I hope you get from this, to live while your dying, than to die while you are dead.  This experience has caused me to live for the moment, to live like there is no tomorrow.  Take what you want from this, but every second counts, and anything can happen in those short messily seconds.

IR, age 15

Everybody has a Story--"Stitches"

And one of my stories that I'm willing to share takes place five years ago.  When I was twelve years old I used to kick it with this fool --- and my older Brother.  This particular story about this particular incident is probabley one of the worst most painful thing I have ever gone through.  So it was a Sunday afternoon in the month of May on the 21st day when I was kickin it with my homie --- and my older brother --- when we were hangin out at my neighbors house waiting for my parents to get home to give us a ride to the --- skate park.  I was super stoked cause I had just gotten a new Board.  But I started walking on the top of one of them  black fences with the iron rods going up it and I walked up seven of the Bars then fell and had the Bar go into my leg.  So as I was hung up on the fence my homie --- saw me and ran around the house to get my Brother, and while he was getting him I pulled my leg off the fence and watched my skin rip all around to the other side of my leg then I ended up getting life flighted to the hospital had 350 some odd stitches and was in a wheelchair for a few months.

LW, age 17

Everybody has a Story--"Dad said..."

I grew up in ---.  While I was growing up I was introduce to drugs and gangs.  My whole Family on my dads side is in a gang but they live in ---.  We visited them a lot though and they all did meth and smoked weed and drink.  I grew up thinking everyone grows up being a gang- so I got jumped into --- when I was only 13 years old.  My dad incouraged it and said it would make me stronger and he will have more respect for me, he dint tell me that I would be involed with illegal activities such as drugs, robbery, shootings etc.  He even encouraged me to be in those activities, but then he told me when he was 17 he got charged with armed robbery and served 7 years in prison.  He dint get out until he was 25.  but now I realize that is where Im headed and only 16 with a 1 year old daughter.  There is so much more to my story then this but I dont want to get in to details but if I could I would restart my life, and make sure I did not get into a gang because there is no way out unless I basicaly risk  My life and then be disowned by my own family.  I would not of got pregnent at age 14. because its very hard being a teenage Mom thats locked up and cant be there for her daughter because she got drunk then got in a gang fight at a party.  I truly wish I could go back and live my life how a kid/teenager should.

MV, age 16

When they leave...

What I am going to do diffrently is that I will tell the truth to myself and I will be more accountible for my actions and I will have more integrity in my actions, I will also try and earn my parents and familys respect and trust back.

LS, age 14

Im going to make a brighter future and make positive choices and never ever give up I believe in myself.

One thing I will do diffently when I leave O&A is to stop stealing cars.

AP, age 15

 

One thing im going to do when I leave O&A is going to get out of the system and never get in the system again and make all of my family proud when I graduate from high school and college.  

 

LA, age 14

 

The thing i would Do Diffrent is stay away from Gangs Drugs & most of all Guns.  Spend time with my family and think Do i Really wanna Go to Jail, Prison or Death.  Thank you O&A & Sarrah :)  Don't Hide Your Talent.

 

JR

 

I am going to go to school.  Kick it with the family.  get out of the system!

 

CM, age 14

 

I am going to go and Bmx for life to become pro, I am going to stop using weed.  I will go to school and get good grades.  I won't get in any more trouble when I get out.  I will make new friends.  

 

CBP, age 13

 

I'm going to stay away from bad influences, go back to school, stay with my mom, be successful and adopt an african baby :).  I promise...

 

TP, age 17

 

When I leave O&A I will stay out of D.T. for good I'll be nicer to my family get new friends when I get out.

 

KT, age 15

 

I am going to respect my family and play rugby again.  Yea!  Yea!

 

BL, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a video game tester.

Dear Sarah,
I feel you should hire me to me a video game tester, because I have the lazy skills that it takes to sit and stare at a screen.  I live with my mom.  I built a man cave under my moms stairs.  I carved out a hole in the wall under the stairs that led to a magical place with game consels every where.  That is why you should hire me for a video game tester.

CJW, age 13

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Rap Star.

Dear Sarah,
I like to write my own rap songs and songs and I once wrote a whole alubum seven songs like 2 years ago but my ex step mom threw it away with my dads stuff in the garbage when he left her and If I still had my album pages seven songs I would be the youngest Rapper alive and I forgot what I wrote because it has been so long but I still continue to write my own rap songs.

HM, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a DJ.

Dear Sarah,
I love music and more than that I love other peoples music.  Its nice to plug in and hear somebody who feels the same way I do at the same exact time I need to hear it.  I believe that music heals the soul.  No matter what song it is they all have a meaning and emotion that I have at one time felt or expierienced and can relate to on a personal basis.  Also Im very good at helping people and saying what they need to hear.  Im a big crowd pleaser and whats a better job than a dj when It comes to giving people what they want.  That and you basically get paid to party and listen to good music.  Who wouldnt want that right?  The biggest reason is when I sit down and write it feels like a weight on my shoulders is shifted and makes it eaisier to bear, like a my problems arnt that catastrophic and I can actually breath again.  I can get paid to do something that probably is one of the very few things that I hold close to my heart why wouldnt I do every thing in my power to get this job.

RW, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is a Music Producer.

Dear Sarah,
I think I would be a good music producer because I have experience working with audio engineering equipment.  I know how to play the piano and I like make instrumentals from scratch.  I also know how to record vocals and I am continuing to learn how to mix them and make them sound good.  I would be a good producer because I enjoy doing it and I always do my best.

AW, age 16

When they leave...

I'm gong to respect my mom and her rules but more importantly I'm going to respect myself and my future.

PC, age 17

One thing i will do diffrently when i get out is just all around get my head on straight, show my daughter i can be a good mom & proove everyone wronge!

SC, age 16

One thing I will do different...I will treat my mom with all the love in the world.  I will start reading again so I keep my mind busy and away from negitive thoughts I want to make a diffrence in the world.  But I cant do that unless I stay out of trouble.  All the teachers here have helped me so that you everyone at O&A.

SC, age 15

I'm going to stay away from drugs and go to school.  Stay away from bad influences.  Get a job and make a lot of money.

DG, age 17

When I leave O&A on thing I will do differently is I will treat my family with more respect and not lie to them as much.

TGV, age 15

I am going to not smoke crystal and going to spend time more with my mom.

LM, age 16

DUBSTEP DOES THIS TO YOUR FACE...Eat your vegtabals!

Thank you mis Sarah I really enjoyed your writing class Thank you for letting me leave my mark.

DW, age 17

 

Chose better friends that make the right choices, find the best path with my life so that I can be a better example to my family.

 

ADA, age 15

 

One thing I will do different is treat my family with respect!

 

TH, age 17

 

When I leave O&A I will do my best to accept myself.  I will be aware & learn from my mistakes learning from my mistakes means I practice look honestly at the result and keep practing.  I will do my best in whatever I do.  Also I'm going back to school, so I can get the education I never wanted for myself.

 

MM, age 17

 

 

Everybody has a Story--"Turning Point"

Im 12 I miss my family
I wanna succeed
I should have never drank
I should have never done drugs.
Ive been in lockup for almost 2 1/2 months now My turning point had to have ben April 18 when I visited my dad he told me how much I mean to him he is ispiering to me cause he suffers from PTSD Post Tramatic Stress disorder.  my family is verry important to me I love them Its not good to do the stuff I did I don't get to be with them I cry every night and I wanna be a better person just for them I never want to end up in detention again I want to be a better role model in my family and Quit drugs.  I dont like Being locked up and away from my family.

CB, age 12

Everybody has a Story--"One Choice"

Heres my story about how my life changed completely after one choice I made.  When I was fifteen, I moved to --- I had no friends at all when I started --- High.  I hated the feeling of walking down the halls by myself, or the worry of who I was going to sit with at lunch.  All I wanted was to be accepted.  After awhile, I started hanging out with a group of kids that were pretty much known for drinking, smoking, and raving.  At the time, I didn't care though.  These friends started inviting me to these little "kick backs" Where they would smoke and drink and do pills.  At first I would never even think of doing those things, But some guy walked into the house and held up 9 baggy full of pills and said "I just got ninteen O.C. 60's, who's down to smoke some?!?"
After awhile of peer pressure, I finally gave in.  I didn't even know what an "O.C." was.  These kids were smoking the pills on tin foil.  and I remember it smelled so bad.  But when I took that first hit, I was hooked.  After the pill was gone,I asked one of the guys what O.C. stans for, and he told me it stood for oxycottin.  I was shocked, but at that moment i didn't even care.  After that night, everything about me had changed.  I stopped going to school, I lost interest in everything.  I started staying out late and getting in trouble.  But worst of all, I started stealing and pawning my parents things.  And I was constantly lying to my family.  That one pill led to an addiction to heroin and now its almost my eighteenth birthday and I'm locked up.  I wish I could let people know how easy it is to get addicted to something, it doesn't matter who you are, or where you come from.  This drug took EVERYTHING from me, my family, education, freedom and even my self confidence.  I hate myself for taking that first hit, something I'll always regret Because now I'll be fighting this addiction for the rest of my life.

JW, age 17

Everybody has a Story--"The Kid"

There was once a kid that loved sports n video games N was a good kid in school well there was this time that he moved to --- N his sister met this kid a few years older than the kid N well his sister started to date him as she would always But he was a gang banger N he started going to the kids home to hang out with his sister N kinda started to talk the kid N well they started to hangout N the guy named or called --- started to teach the kid some of the gang things he did not know most of the stuff well he started to get into it wearing alot more Red N Baggy clothes N lost interist in school the kid had gone nuts just fighting, staying out Late N drogs he thought it was no big deal Because his uncles did it back in --- well as the kid grew in time he got more N more gang Related or infliated it was just the life for him he thought well as he got into more trouble at School, home N streets he lost total interist in his life N family the first time he went D.t. in November 28th --- he thought it wasnt to bad N he got out three days later N he wasnt home for a day N left home 4 2 weeks N was just out of controll N he had violated probation N got caught N got sent back to D.T. for 2 weeks N a half N 50 days in O&A N the hard thing to say is that the kid in the story is me

Everybody has a Story--"Spice"

I was walking to my third period class.  It was my second monday in highschool.  I made my way up the large staircase in the hall, squeezing my way through the crowds that had parked themselves so conveniently in everyones way.  At the top of the stairs I continued my trek to english.  There was a very bad surprise waiting for me at the door.  My assistant principal had camped out at the class, waiting to take me down to the office.  Immediately I was worried.   I was turned right around to reverse my walk to class to end up in the office.  Right away I was told to empty my pockets onto the desk.  My phone and the tin can I used as a wallet sat there on the light tan desk seemingly laughing at me in innocence as the things that made me guilty were fished out of my backpack.  With drawn from the pack was a jar half full of spice and my purple glass pipe.  In lack of illegality the spice was handed back to me as my first criminal charge in my life was written up.  Guilt for my crimes was a little late in the coming as I blamed --- for my trouble.  It wasn't till later I recognized my mistake and was able to learn from it.

BC

When they leave...

One thing I will do differently when I leave O&A is treat my parents with respect.  Ive been a real jerk to them and they've been so good to me, and they deserve the absolute best.

NO, age 17

One thing i will do different when I leave O&A is, i am gong to change my ways and get a better life and get a job so i can support my kids.

DS, age 14

One thing I will change is my fealing to steal and stop lying to my family, because I'm tired of being looked down upon.

AM, age 14

When I leave O&A I am going to go to school and stay focussed on my goals that will better my life and keep me on a good path.

JP, age 18

I will become more family orriented.

ZH, age 17

One thing I am going to do differently when I leave O&A is learn as much as I can at school and gain as much knowledge as I can so I can be more successful.

JS, age 17

Im not gonna smoke or steal no more and gain my trust back with everyone Im very confident with myself and glad to be leaving confident

AS, age 17

One thing I will do differently when I leave O&A is stay away from my old friends and continue to use the plan that I set here at O&A to stay clean. 

 PS  if you read this Just know you can do it this Program is what you make it

CRM

One thing I'll do differently when I leave O/A is cut out parties because theres nothing but trouble at parties and I need to focus on school so I could play football.

CMH, age 16

I am going to respect my family and friends alot more.

ZS, age 13

Everybody has a Story--"Dealer"

I was a 15 year boy who liked to do very irresponsible things including drugs.  The day before I had gone to purchase marijuana from a guy I know.  While I was at his house he showed me the giant stache that he kept in a sock.  Then he showed me his mom's stache, which was 3 times bigger.  Well I was doing the deal with this kid and I noticed he was trying to rip me off.  So I said, "hey this isn't the first time I'v bought bud."  Then he said, "What do you mean," and I told him I knew he was trying to rip me off.  So in turn he decided not to sale to me.  Instead he thought it would be a good Idea to get his gun and threaten to shoot me.  I left his house immeadiateley and told some friends.  The next day we all got very intoxicated and decided to go rob him.  His back door was unlocked so me and two other guys stepped in.  We entered the kitchen and I got a really bad feeling in my gut.  It was a mutual decision to leave but, there was one problem.  As we were leaving his backyard he was walking into it.  His face was priceless tell he put 2 and 2 together, then there was a bunch of "what the XTE!" and "I'm gonna *!#ED kill you's.'  Boom.  I was running as fast as my intractable legs would carry me.  The trio met up at are friends house, sketched out of my mind I decided to laugh it off and continue my day as normal.  I'm 100% percent positive the little stunt I pulled that day was my biggest mistake ever but, I'm also grateful because now I'm sober and happier than I have been for a long time.

ZG, age 16

Everybody has a Story--"Joyride"

One time me and my brother were getting high with a couple of hour freinds so after we smoked lik 7 or 8 bowls we went in are parents room to find the tahoe keys so we could drive it so we did we found the keys took of bought more weed and spice went space cruising for a while next thing you know his phone was ringing and it said Mom so turned down music and he answerd it She asxed what he was doing and he Played dumb and said Just chillin with some freinds and she said no your not and ther she said bring the tahoe home or --- call the cops So he did went home Found out sisters were there and they called asking where it was  Later that night are parents got home call the cops on us then we both got charged with Joy riding only class B misdamenor but still I got charged with ----.  So ya learned not to take my parents car again but I did any way got a new charge thats purt why Im in O/A.

DC, age 15

Everybody has a Story--"Best Friend's Sister"

My story starts back in seventh grade.  back when I met my ----.  She was the most beutiful person I had ever met.  She just made me feel so special when ever I talked to her.  We started going out in the 8th grade.  She was my best friends sister.  My best friend was so mad that we were dating!  Me and her didnt care.  We still are dating we have been through so much.  We have ran away together.  We have almost had a baby together.  I want to tell you about the time me and her ran away together.  I ran away from my foster home in  ---- and I met up with her in ----.  We spent the first day hiding from police.  it was super scary for her.  She had never ran away before.  I felt bad for even taking her with me.  But anyway. We spent the next day in a park just chillin together.  We talked alot about what we were doing and how we were going to make it.  I know I loved her at that point.  But we ended up getting caught the next day.  So know thats why I am in O&A and I miss her so much.

TW

When they leave...

When I get out Im gong to be a better mom and do no drugs

DW, age 14

One ting I'm going to change when I leave O&A is accomplish my dreams & goals I have planned for the future.  I want to turn my life around & never get locked up again.

MD, age 14

Ima stop gang Bangin & going down the wrong path that leads to Death or Prison.

AM, age 16

Not Lie and work on my anger.

LG

I am going to get caught up and stay in school.  I will also follow curfew!

TH, age 16

Think Smarter go harder live better chase cheddar.

MG, age 17

One thing I will do differently after I leave O&A is make wiser decisions since I have become wiser in the program!!

JA, age 17

I am going to be more patient with everyone, & make better decisions so I can have a great life.  I will think before I do things.  I will be more respectful to everyone & won't judge anybody.  & I am going to make my family, friends, & girlfriend proud of my changes.  & I'll be successful.

TO

One thing I will do differently when I leave O&A I will not do the things I've been doing I'm going to start attending school alot more I will change they way I act/behavior.

AH, age 16

One thing I will do diffrently when I eave O&A.  I will complete probation and go to a group home after that I will never come back.

RN, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to own my own company.

Dear Sarah,
I want to start my own company.  But first I want to go to college.  At college I want to get my masters or my perfesonal degress in Art Bussniss and maby music.  I plan on going to the U or college in Cali.  After I finish school I want to start working in an art supplys shop and music studyo.  After I have made some conections and gaind a lot of experians, I will start my compeny.  My compeny will be an art supplys distrubider that supplys paint, markers, clothing, stickers, caps, stencials, books, movies, and other urban art tools.  My company will also be involved in music.  I really want to be a music produser and start my own label.  The music will be rapor techno or any others that sound really good.  I will bring people into the busniss and help them become what they want and be there to support them I want to start my own clothing line that will be all tipes of clothing womans, mens and children and teens.  it will be alot of fun I will sell them to people all over the world and have all difrent kinds of urban artist and Artes of all tipes help on desines.  I will also sponcer conserts, Art festivels and Art things, and helpont people that want to get in to Art and music.

SH, age 16 

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Mcdonalds.

Dear Sarah,
I will give you lunch for free if you choose me and I will make sure every thing is clean.  the food and the equipment to make the food and I sure do know how to flip patties and I know how to make fries you will be amazed at how good the food will be and the kitchen will be super clean you wont belive it that is why you, sarah, should hire me   Thank you.

TL, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is sell cars.

Dear Sarah,
I would go to school where i can git tot how to sell cars to PPl cuz you need to know how where you can git the job and talk to the PPl that want the car.  And where can you go like what cin of school will sowl you how cuz you have to have a high school Diploma to git the job and you have to Be a good talker about it cuz thats what they want in the job.

What would hpin of you told your Bos no when he told you to do some thinkg for him what would you thinkg he would

ZR, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job Pro penguin rider.

Dear Sarah,
I was told you were looking for a penguin rider.  I happen to be the best in the North and South pole.  I own 3 different kinds of penguins, all thought to be extinct.  I will not name them because if GreenPeace found out I would lose them.  I have ridden penguins my entire life.  I can ride both goofy and regular.  I can also do the most dangerouse penguin trick on earth, the penguin dive!  3 backflips with a 720* and then some, if landed incorectly the result would be broken legs and very dead benguin.  I won 8 gold medals in penguin olympics, I also graduated from Happy Feet university with my penguin H.D.  Plus if you dont hire me I'll set my penguens on you.  Have you ever been mauled by a pack of angry penguins?  Theres a first for everything.

                                                                                                   Best regurds,
                                                                                                   ZCG, age 16

PS:  ahk ahk gahk ank (from the penguins)
translation:  We're always watching!

When they leave...

I em going to be good wen I go home stop smoking weed cuz it make ou do stuf you wonn do.

MN, age 15

What I'm going to do is find new friends and respect my family and techers at school and be a better big brother to my little sisters and do my best!

HR, age 12

I am going to change my thinking process so that now I think before I act instead of Just act without giving it any thought about the consequences.

GL, age 16

I'm going to go to school whene I get out and do my best to finish my P.O.

SR, age 16

1 thing I will do when I leave O&A is have a doctorate in 16 diffent majors.

GS

I will be my insperation & I will have this life better than my old one.  You are my writing insperation & I am writing good Book's for your family & people to read on the outs.  Thank you Sahra.  Have a good (great) life I will totally miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love JC, age 12

I am gonna stop blazing.  I am not gonna steal.  I will stay sober.  I will stop smoking ciggaretes.  I am going to try and get a job, stay in school, go to college, marry a nice girl, become a computer programer.  Get out of the system.  Stay out of the system.  Live a better life than I have allready.

One thing i will do diffrently when I leave O&A is be a better sister for my bro's.  Stop using drugs.  Stay away from bad influences & the gang life.  I will not run away from my parents, plus cooperate with authority, and turn my life around, so I can support for myself & my baby :)

VC, age 14

I will be more Respectful to people who want to help me, not get discurraged when times are tough.  Actually listen to what I have been told and will be told.  Also go to school Rather than just sluff.  

SN, age 17

When I leave O&A I'm not going to cus or be a hater and not get locked up again.

LH, age 14

 

 

 

Everybody has a Story--"Rugh Time"

My story starts when I first was adopted and when I was growing up.  My brother and Mom passed away.  Then things were hard on my family and me.  When I started growing up I was a bad kid.  I would always run around my neighborhood and then the cops found me by myself and then took me to my house over and over.  After that my step mom that I call mom is in my life ever since I was  young up till now and she has been there for me.  Then my dad was so Important to me.  He would always be a good example and that he would take me to his job.  But now he is retired.  I am a good kid in --- then when I came to --- I had friends that are good friends.  But then I have happened to come upon to get in trouble and come to DT then O&A.  it has been A rugh time with all the others here and exspecially the ones that don't get along with me or just want to act like there buff.  Ever since I have been here.  It is hell but then I think to my self would I be in Jail or prison.  I said no then I thought I should be in this program so that I could learn from my mistakes.  Then I will never come back.  But my story is like saying everyone is different which they are.  Is like them getting nothing from that whole 45 days.  I know my future story Is going to be good and that I will not be back to one of these programs.  I want to make my family and mine story be good instead of bad thing always happening.  My story is going to good and is going to always be one that some day that when I am not here is it going to make a good leason to others here to learn to not go through so much pain towards others plus there familys.  That is my story and that it is a good story for most people and that they will do not try do so that they will be a well person in the future.

FT, age 12

Everybody has a Story--"Un-blessed Life"

Well I was born in ---.  When I was about 4 I moved to ---.  I only lived in --- for a little while because the apartment me and my moms lived in burnt down because of a resident that was trying to commit suicide.  Then I moved out here to ---, where I've lived up to this day.  I've had a pretty un-blessed life you could say.  I lost my dad when I was 5 or 6 to a car accident.  Also, the Home I lived in was a meth addicted home, my moms & her Boyfriend who is now my step-dad were addicted to that crap; for about 14 yrs of my life I didn't have a mom or dad.  Now, my parents are clean, and have been for 3 yrs.  I'm tring to quit drugs also, so we can all be living a good life, and finally being a functional family.

AM, age 16

Everybody has a Story--"Gangs"

I was 11 the first time I hanged out with gang members.  I was at the Park with my friend and some guy's came up to me to tell me if I wanted to hang out with them.  And I sayed yes so me and my friend whent to play Bascetball with them.  later they told us that they were gang members.  At that time I did't know what gang were.  So I hanged out with them more.  Then they told me if I wanted to join and I sayed no.  And they sayed ok.  then I hanged out with more and got to be really good friends with them.  then I turn 13 and was going to JR high and some people try to jump me.  But they did't cas my friends were there.  After that I saw how the kids were scared of them.  I wanted the kids to be scared of me like they were scared of my friends.  So when they asced me if I wanted to join agin I sayed yes.  But it just got me into more troble.  now Im locked up.  And I want to do some thing with my life.  like play football or some thing to do with sports.  So I can change my life.  that is my story.

ARH

Everybody has a Story--"O&A"

When I cam to O&A.  O&A is really helping my life be much better.  When I got locked up I didn't really care I was in DT for a pretty long time.  I was waiting for O&A to pick up.  Finally they came and I was pretty mad and angry for no reason.  I was really into my gang and was not going to let anyone talk smack about it.  Staff were even saying that I was going to be hard to open up.  But then I started to like O&A and everyone was pretty nise and chill.  So I started to open up a little more.  Then all the staff started to like me more than they used to they started to tell me why I was in gangs and I told them why.  then they told me their expirences and told that gang are stupide.  So I took their advice and started noticing things I did'nt notice before that I have parents that acually care about me and gang really are stupide.  So now I'm trying to get out of gangs, and starteing to do better to make my parents proud of me.

EA

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a medical Docter.

Dear Sarah,
There are some reasons why I think you should hire me for this job.  I am a very hard and dedicated worker.  I go the extra mile to get the Job done.  I am a people person.  People can talk to me and understand what I'm telling them, not like most docters that toss out big words to sound smart.  I am also a very caring person I will put more than enough time into my patients.  No patient will ever feel like there not eing cared for.  Im not affraid to stitch someone up, blood doesnt bother me.  Im a very handson person.  If something needs to be done you can count on me to do it.

WE

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is working at lifetime where my dad works today and forever.

Dear Sarah,
I wan't to work at life time with my dad cause he works there and I want to work there cause its a lot of pay and everybody who works there is awsome and, and extra jobs for way more money, and everybody that are my dads friends and my uncle works there.  Thats where my dream job is. and I want to be a DJ.

--

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a Marines Recon Team leader.

Dear, Sarah

I am a worthy candidate for the position of Recon team member Beacuse.  I can handle a weapon with utmost precision and Accuracy.  I am one with the shadows, I stay undetected by any Enemy trying to look for me.  I can be a leader when it is Required of me.  Also I am determined to get the job done correctly with as little or no mistakes, and or injuries and casualties.  One last thing is, when it comes down to it in hardcore point blank Range combat I can keep a level Head and get my men where need be.  So please consider the name SN when picking worthy candidates for your job position.

SN

Everybody has a Story--"T"

I believe that the begining of my most deppressing, dangerous, and stupid decisions started really unfolding in my life after "T" died.
"T" died Febuary 21, 2007 at about 3:00 am.  "T" had been drinking and was at a high blood alcohol level when he went to the store to get something to eat.  He went to sleep with a blood alcohol level of about 0.12.  In the middle of the night "T" vomited while he was asleep he then choked aspirated and eventually sufficated.
Him dying had a huge effect on me, he was 22 when he died and I feel like it was one of the only situations I'd had with death.  I was 12 years old at the time.  His mom and I were close.  Once his body was removed from the house we had to strip his bed and began to clean his room.  After his death I attempted suicide for the first time.  My foster parents put me in the group home saying "that they want to be able to have someone watching me so that I won't kill myself."  I was placed there on a friday two days after he died.  His funeral was Monday and no one ever came to get me.  Dealing with his death was one of the most difficult things to cope with.  For so long I refused to stay sober at all I wanted to die but forced myself to do everything to remain alive.  I've been coping with his death for four years now.  every year I compile about a dozen letters to him to go to the store have them blown them into a balloon, go to -- Peak and let them go.  This last year for his 4 year anniversary I had a prayer tatood on my back. 

Our lady of perpetual help
Mother of good councel, behold your child
kneeling at your feat, begging your holy intersetion
I feverntly implore that by the child Jesus
carried in your arm you come to my aid
and be my guide in all things.  Blessed
symbol of perpetual happiness of heart and
home  --  Not completed

AS, age 17

Everybody has a Story--"Family"

Well when I was small like u I went to Mexico to see my family when I first got there I went to go hug my whole family while I wus there.  I had fun beening there but after we came back to -- like two weeks later we got a phone call from Mexico they said that my uncle got killed from one of the cartels that lives after that I was sad that I dident want to eat or leave my room.  In march of this year my homie got killed and my cuz in the same week that made me so mad that I wanted to do some things to the person that killed my homie like a year ago my dad got arrested for Dui I got mad after when he got out thats when I sarted to get in trouble.

AP, age 15

Everybody has a Story--"Camping"

My story is whene me and my hole family and family friend's went camping it wus one of the funest time's of my life Becase we went wuter skeain and we had are jet skeaz me and my girl frined wus on the jet skeaz It wus pretty fun we stayed out there for like five day's we had are r.v's and we spent alot of time to gether that wus the best part of the trip we seen alot of animal's i cot a snack my Girl dident want me to catch it but I did any way But yeah it wus pretty fun so that's my story.

SR, age 16

Everybody has a Story--"I am..."

I am broken, dishelved, dysfunctional, but put together, organized, and efficient.  I am depressed, angry, and lackadaisical, but content and happy.  I am exhausted and spent, but motivated, and driven.  I am indifferent but compassionate, I feel pain, longing and remorse but I can love, smile, and forgive.  I am ignorant, but open minded.  I want the best, but expect the worst. I am what I am, I am not trusting, but completely honest, I am incarcerated in form, but free in mind.  Im am kind and caring and vise versa.  I am respectful and shy, but assetive and opinionated.  I am what i am my story is what makes me who I am and my expieriences influence my judgement, so judge me by who I am not what ive done.

NW, age 16

Everybody had a Story--"Abuse"

When I was ten I was abused physically and my mom was almost beat to death and my brother was bit and my sister was hit and my ear drum was damaged.  I finally got sick of being abused so I ran to a nie ors house and asked to use thier phone then I called my grandma to come and get me and when she did and I got to her house I told her everything that was happening at my mom's house and she filed a protection order for me my mom my brothers' and sister and when "D" was gone we started to recover from the abuse.  Went slowly at first.

LH, age 14

"One day..." Writing Prompt: everybody contributes a line

One day, I started off a story that all these other kids tried to add on to, I bet J will try to add next.
And I altered the frogs' and the bumble bees' DNA and created bumble frog.
And I cut of his legs and ate hone glazed frog legs!
And I had a party with everyone who works in the kitchen and made some chicken.
And I sat in the sand I have become the man I want to be so all I ask is that you believe in me.
And I visited S with her cute toothless smile.
And I met an amazing, smart and beautiful black man who played basket ball for Utah Jazz named Devin Harris. We got married.
And I ran away and was put in O&A for quite the stay.
And I went to the Skate park grand opening and won a contest at the skate park.
And I then went to kiss a juicy frog.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day,I wrestled a giant gorilla named He.
And I cam to O&A.
And I ran from a dog.
And I was swooped up by Tarzan and together we posted up on a coconut tree!
And I went to Footlocker to get some new kicks.
And I fell down and bumped my head.
And I ran through Wal-Mart in a Rainbow Tutu and high heels.
 And I had a bowl of ice cream that was radioactive and turned me into a mutant.
And I went to Sarah's class for the last time waiting for lunch and got food poisoning then turned into a sloth.
And I flew a plane.
And I rode my skateboard to Kaysville and back and on the way I got turned into a vampire who flew into the night.
And I went to Betos to get a mixed breakfast and some carne asada fries.
And I left DT and went to OA and it was unique.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, I got locked up!
And I said, "Crazy life!"
And I always used to party all night until the sun hit the sky.
And I met the magic taco man.
And I got out of O&A and never came back.
And I climbed Mt. Everest.
And I went to taco bell.
And I suffer from alzheimer's.

The End.

Fiction Writing Prompt: "3 Keys"

"You were just given three keys. 
They will open anything you want. 
Use your imagination! 

                   What do they open?"

"Key 1: to freedom. Key 2: any banks safe. Key 3: all doors to [O&A] facility."

"1.) Room full of Skittles. 2.) World of Screamo. 3.) My heart."

"-Key to the popes vault. -Key to police evidence warehouse. -Key to certain females heart."

"1. Opens all the doors in [O&A]. 2. Keys to a restored 1972 Pontiac Firebird. 3. Key to southern exposure strip club."

"1) Key's to 2014 Nisson Skyline. 2) to a manshion for my family. 3) to jet so I can live like Family guy."

"1. all the skateboard factories. 2 cheese cake factory. 3. snowboard warehouse."

"1A: a beach house in Florida. 2B: the key to world peace. 3C: the key out of here [O&A]."

"1..Any Wienershnitzel. 2...The Gate to any 6 Flags. 3...Narnia."

"1) Key to a twin turbo 2012 V6/fule injected bugatti. 2) a Key to David Busters. 3) A key to Disneyland."

"1. To Elans warehouse. 2. To eliminate all greed. 3. To a 1964 Shelby GT 500 blacked out."

"#1. freedom. #2. my dream house. #3. were house full of skateboards."

"One day..." Writing Prompt: everybody contributes a line

One day, I moved away from my home planet Jupiter.
And I went to the moon and ran in circles.
And I saw the Hulk wearing a dress while doing the Jerk at O&A.
And I found a penguin in the park and became his very best friend.
And I ate so much at Golden Corral that I gained 10 pounds.
And I started to cry and whine about me being so weird.
And I fell off a cliff and broke every bone in my body.
And I bought presents for all the staff at O&A.
And I went to get more money for the night plus I went shopping and I got all the stuff I wanted plus I did this with my grandma and Lil Wayne and he's from a different universe.
And I went to get my car.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, I got chased by flying monkeys.
And then I went home and passed out.
And I went to Foot Locker and bought a pair of Jordans.
And then I went to the store and bought a box of doughnuts and a Dr. Pepper.
And I took a trip to California.
And then I woke up the next day and was president and I made communication with aliens.
And I went to McDs and got 2 double cheeseburgers and a medium fry.
And I got shot but turned into the Hulk so the bullets didn't hurt me.
And I went to the moon and found chocolate cheeses.
And then I went home and never got into trouble and made my family proud and happy.
And then I tripped on a rock.
And I jumped out of the airplane.
And I bought some red Chucks at Foot Locker.
And I got big money.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, I was hanging from a tree upside down when suddenly Jackie Chan came out of nowhere and punched me in the eye.
And I went home to eat.
And I jumped off a building and started to glide with my ears.
And I bought a snake.
And I burned all my hair off.
And I opened the closet door to find my sombrero wearing monkey.
And I won my basketball game.
And I played ping pong in China.
And I went skydiving.

The End.

"One day..." Writing Prompt: everybody contributes a line

One day, I became head staff.
And I wanted to be the next American Idol.
And I blew up a city.
And I went on a high speed chase for taking a box of Twinkies.
And I took my Cadillac Escalade to the car wash.
And then I went to a farm, grabbed a chicken and spun it around my head three times before cutting off its head!
And I got pulled over.
And I broke the law and ended up here [O&A] and I regret it now and I killed a chicken and ate it for lunch.
And I flew in a spaceship, jumped out, and parachuted back to the ground safely.
And I jumped off the biggest building in the world and I died.
And I laughed.
And I went to get a cookie.
And I boxed a turtle and lost.
And I smashed my head into a brick wall.
And I ate some pepperoni pizza with jalepenos on top.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, I woke up in my backyard.
And I ate some apple pie.
And I bought a pair of socks.
And I woke up from my dream.
And then I got into my Impala and raced around the city.
And I got to go home after 58 days.
And I met a girl after I got out.
And I wrestled a grizzly bear.
and I don't like the snow.
and I karate chopped a Chinese man while yo-yoing with a hoop skirt on.
And I threw a party at my house when my mom left.
And I fell asleep.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, the CIA kidnapped me and I was forced to fight in the war with PPOs, AK47s, and a sharp dagger.
And I went cow tipping with purple monkeys in Roosevelt.
And I wrote a song with Lil' Kim and Jay Tee.
And I did whatever A says I did again.
And I drove off the cliff.
And I went home and went to sleep.

The End.

------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, I fell in love & got married.
And I went to school and then jumped out of a plane and almost died.
And I got shot at.
And I ate a fry.
And I...enjoyed the SRD's
And I couldn't get rid of it.
And I was up all night itching and burning.

The End.

Fiction Writing Prompt: "3 Keys"

"You were just given three keys. 
They will open anything you want. 
Use your imagination! 

                   What do they open?"

"house. fertom. a nice car."

"1. the future. 2. Candy land. 3. freedom."

"1 opens the monster cemetary. 2 opens the flying monkey robot. 3 opens whatever it wants bump it key."


"1st freedom. 2. live. 3. money."


"The Vatican-knowledge. CIA Directors Safe-knowledge. The Kremlin-knowledge."

"Key 1 Key to a 69 gto black on black with a blewer and its stick shift and a key to a 69 el comero with daden rims and its black and red and to a 79 comaro black on black stick shift. 2. and to LL's heart, she beautiful. Key number 3 knolage, wisdom, happyness, sucsess."

"Freedom. Peace in mind. family love."

"1. Opens any lock down faciliti doors. 2. police cars. 3. helicopers."

"a key that opens a box that has more keys that open anything. a key to a loft apartment over looking the grand central park. a ke to a Swiss bank account."

"1. A key two my dream girl. 2. A key to a flying car that looks like a supera. 3. A key to a nice manchiun with 100 Trillion dollars." 

"1) Peoples hearts. 2) Helping people. 3) Universes Mysteries."

Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I'm not so sure either
but I am very eager
to learn before easter

JP, age 16

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Case I've been throuth the fun to Death
to Love and regret now Im just
prayen that we will be set free
but never surender cause thats our test
we can fight through this or run away
too but finnally it will depend on you.

DH, age 13

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I see the way you see me.
I don't want them to see these in me,
The Hurt the Anger, and the Sorrow,
Which won't make me last to live for tomorrow,
But I fight through the pain, each day and night
Hoping that theres light even in the darkness of night.

RS, age 15

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Cant you see the pain
The pain inside of me
I only show when Im alone
Im like a ghost
I share no emotion
Maybe I need some potion
to cure the pain deeply inside me

CB, age 12

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
My bubbles are going to burst, And
then you will see the worst, so much
anger bottled up, I think I might throw up,
only I can do what's right, Boy that will
be my might, Wherever I chose to go,
My family will allways know, I love them
with all my heart, no matter wat the
dart

JH, age 16

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
But what is real?
Do I really see what is going on inside me,
Under the happiness, & positive me
This world we live in is a hell hole, which we so hold dear
Through out all mistakes, and hurt on others.
We'll always look at our family, even our brothers
Whether it be blood, or bond
There will always be haterd in this world,
But hopefully soon, it will all be gone.

age 15

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
for I am to big
theres jus too much inside me,
and you can take that how you want

LW, age 17

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
This was never planned
all I wanted was to be free
and really I must apoligize
for those I hurt inside
in all those attempted tries.

MP, age 16

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see love I see hate
I see regrets for being in here
But just bare back my peers
cause we'll keep on fighten
to the end and even if we
Don't succed there wont be
a need cause we are O/A

in the world

DH, age 13


-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a man,
Growing inside of me.
What do you see?
You see a man doing the wrong thing.
I see me learning from this horrible thing
that's burns the insides of me
A fire that burns through everything within me
consuming things that I desperately need
in life.

RS, age 15

----------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see me
sitting under a tree
dreaming
and bieng free
hopfully

CB, age 12

----------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a Boy who is going
the wrong way, now he is a stray,
One way or a nother He sets himself
up to fail, Its like hes getting hammered
by a nail, When will he learn, Then He
will earn, the trust that must be made
He acts like its a sherade.  Now Hes all
alone, people want to know, Where did
he go wrong, everyone just playe along.

JH, age 16

-----------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I Read What You Express,
What you think and how you feel.
I can see that you think I am so scared,
When really its you with the relentless fear.
You hold everything in, like a bottle with a cap
Your waiting to explode, over some stupid little crap

age 15

------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

a young kid filled with glee,
who has no respect dont you see?
but if you are on my side
everything will be alright
for I can love
but I have lost
so be considerate when you talk

LW, age 17

-------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

The long lost little girl inside
who always tried and tried
to find some love and acceptance
from people who never meant it.
She hurt so much she hurt so bad
But a person who cared was dad
He brought love to her face and joy to her eyes
and dried up every tear she cried.
They had a deep dark secret
I'm sure he never meant it
She was never supposed to remember
and all those years she's kept it with her
A molested daughter
and a hurt father
Now I'll never have a chance to ask
the reason for this gruesome task

MP, age 16