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

Fiction Writing Prompt: "3 Keys"

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

                   What do they open?"

"to A good life. to the front door of this Place [O&A]. to the point that I choose to mess up to get me here [O&A]."


"Freedom.  Happiness.  Fortune."


"1=freedom 2=happiness 3=A safe full of money and gold blocks." 


"Freedom. Learning. Success in life."


"This house [O&A]. Nissan Gtv. 1 million dollars."


"Dunkies smoke/skate shop. Cabin/house. Yamuha bullet bike custom tic."


"my door with girls in it. Mustang. Lambergini."


"a key to my girl's heart. a key to my city the ____. a key to  my sick caddi."


"One opens the door to freedom. two opens the door to success. three opens the door to happiness."


"Key 1 to Diablo lamborhgini. Key 2 open my house 4 years. Key 3 success in school to graduate."


"1=a Lamborgini murcealogo. 2=to a start over. 3=sicsessful life."


"family yeah! Life. Happiness."

Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
So I be bad and show it in me
But now I understand so I could be Free
And I should let it out from now
So there wouldn't be any problems in our town.

FT, age 12

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

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Bottled up inside are the words I never said.
The feelings that I hid, the lines you never read.
You can see the pain in my eyes, Read it on my face.
Trapped inside are the lies of the past I can't replace.
Yesterday's are over, even though the pain is hot.
I can't help but blame myself for the homie who was shot :/!
When will this war end?
why do I have to pretend?
I seem so happy, I say I'm fine,
When straight-up, I'm dying inside.
I'm out hustlin the streets,
tryn'a come home with some money for my family and me.
I pray to the lord every night,
I ask for his guidance while I live my crazy life.
I ask him to please show me how to live my life right,
and to open my eyes, so I can finally see the light.
I'm locked away like an animal behind these brick walls.
Hoping one day, I'll be fee from it all.
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.

VG, age 14

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

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
But I do I have a tumor
the size of a disco ball so
Id say I'm not that smart
and I have a friend who likes
to beat me and I get mad
and kill some fools

LH, age 14

-----------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
only I understand whats going on in
me, whats going on in me is a
little devil that wants to do bad
things. but also a angel that wants
to do good things.

TG

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

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Roses are red violets are blue, I'm
fighting for freedom how about you and
here I sit on this slab staring at the
wall while I am sad and when I go
home I will be glad to finally
be back with my fam and if I
return I will surley be stern because
I thing I deserve to show the world
what I have learned.

MT, age 16

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

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Triggers, urges, and temptations.
on the inside I'm dark, on the
outside I'm bright.  Those 3 things
are controling my life. My thoughts
are so overwhelming, my mind is filled
with only my past.  I have no idea how to
get rid of this.  I feel as if no one
understands what I'm going through.
no one feels the physical pain
Heroin is my life and I have
nothing else to gain.

JW, age 17

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

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I am slowly starting to break
even 1 more month I cannot take
I think of him & it breaks my heart
I sit & cry I no longer want to try

JM, age 14

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

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Wondering why I seem so down
looking towards me not the ground
always running from the truth
runnin in the same old group
takin some of the biggest risks
just to get some brand new kicks.

SMS, age 15

Poem: "Where's the Snow?"

I'm not sure if I know,
where in the world is snow?
In frantic, with folly,
in fields, no frost,
everything is lost.

When I yell out,
"Where's the snow?"
All I get is,
"I don't know."

Again, I frantically frolic,
still no frost, or frost bitten flowers.
Everything is green,
then I realize it is spring.

CW, age 15

Fiction Writing Prompt: "3 Keys"

 

 

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

                   What do they open?"

"1. the key to a perfect life  2. Key to freedom  3. Key to sucess"

"1. Key 1 opens a door to a free society.  2. Key 2 opens the door to my wisdom.  3. Key 3 opens the door."

"1. the first key open a door to my bank  2. key open a door  3. to get out of handcuff"

"To freedom. To all secrets of the government. Gates of heaven."

"1. Key A door to a giant safe with $10,000,000,000 billion  2. Key to my MCIZ Masserti with an ipod with Selena Gomez in the car  3. Key A key to any mansion in San francisco"

"The keys open Narnia and all of its adventures. Other key opens the gates of heven, so I can see all my family who've passed."

"The first key opens my vault with $100 million.  the second key opens an underground tunnel with something unknown.  The third key opens my car-2012 yellow lamborghini merciago."

"Key one opens my underwater skate park off the beach of California.  Key two opens the house I live in now because I it's the best place I've ever known.  Key three opens up my car garage were I work on cars and design new ones."

"a time machine. a purple lambergini. to my house well not really a house but a appairtment."

"These keys open happiness.  These keys open peace, internal peace and contentment.  These keys open up a house far in the middle of nowhere the house looks like a cabin almost.  Is completley refurbished and has acres of property and horses in the distance.  and nobody for miles."

"My private jet in Jamaica.  A million dollar treasure chest with a lot of blingage.  My heart."

"Key to Happiness, Trust love and new Beginning :) My Freedom. To My Heart!"

A teen's persuasive explanation of why he should "earn" candy

When the earth and the galexes and the stares and all the planets were created.  A story was created.  It has been passed down from generason from generason.  Some say the story is true some say it is a myth.  It is said that an old man that was thought to be a profite told the story for the first time.  the story is about a kid of the age sixteen.  He was locked up and sent away from his family and is is said that if the kid dose not resive the candy the end of the world will happen.  That is why people think that the world will end in 2012.  it is to be said that the kids home has sum.  If he also eats the candy every one will be better global warming will stop.

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

One day, I drove to Layton and went to the mall.
And I escaped from the prison block.
And I was chillin' with my friends, laughing for hours around this bonfire.
And I gave $1,000,000 to charity and then someone stole the money from a Loomis truck.
And I got drafted to the NFL as a 1st Rounder.
And I explained to them that they have to rule their lives with reason and integrity, not with emotions and irrationality.
And then I shot him out of self-defense and he fell and made an earthquake. 

The End.

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

One day, I went to Valley Fair mall.
And I landed on my head snowboarding.
And I bought some numb-chucks.
And I went insane.
And I'm going to be alive.
And then I ate 30,000 cheeseburgers.
And I went home and slept forever.

The End.

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

One day, I was walkin down the street and got picked up by the short yellow bus.
And I got in a fight with a ninja turtle.
And I got me some food to take home.
And then I bought a katana and sliced my chair in half while watching a show.
And I saw a platoon of soldiers and they were looking for me.
and I won the state championship game for my football team.
And I went to dinner with my baby girl.
And I went and watched a movie with my girl and some friends.
And I went to go drink grape juice but it spilled on the carpet.
And I married a midget firefighter.

The End.

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

One day, I found $100.
And I went to go get me a brand new couch.
And I seen a fluffy bunny skipping down the street.
And I am really hungry.
And I got up and punched a clerk.
And I went and got some pizza and ate it.
And I was given a truck full of Coke & Sprite and prepared for WWIII with food, soda, and guns.
And I shaved all my hair off and there was a tattoo of a fluffy pink bunny on my head.

The End.

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 a kid in a bad situation.
whos never going to go through salvation
And is going to be good in life,
So he could have a good a good difference for
a good price.

FT, age 12


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

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

I see a girl who just wants to be loved.
 Look closley, you'll see the pain in her eyes.
 Little do people know she too cries.
She wears a mask from night to sunrise.
Hoping no one see's through her lies.
She caries scars from her past.
She doesn't know how much longer she'll last?
She no longer believes in the word called love.
All that she can think about is what's waiting up above?!
She manages to keep her composure when people are around.
They wouldn't Understand her, so she dosen't make a sound.
Her heart is filled with untold secrets and pain.
There's no worth trying anymore, she has nothing left to gain.
It's so sad knowing that she'll never be the same....

VG, age 14

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

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

A trouble maker who never
learns beat me kick me I will
never learn I'm in a cage how
about you struck daily by hand
never learning what I need to
learn to survive

LH, age 14

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

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

I see a man lost in the world.  Thinks he
has to impress people.  to make people love
him.  I see a person who feels he has
to lie to kick it with the homies.
a person who has to lie to be happy
with a female.  A person who has
to lie to feel loved by others.
when I look at my self thats what
I see.

TG

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

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

I see some one who doesent know
what to and I see someone that
wants to do the wright thing and doesent
wan't to fall anymore and somebody who
doesent crawl except for when I stall.

MT, age 16

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

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

I see a girl trying to overcome every
mistake she's ever done and trying to
pull herself from the darkness thats
begun.

JW, age 17

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

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

I see a girl thats always mad.
dosint smile & is always sad
wishes she could fly & let the troubles just
pass her by.  She takes it day by day
hoping & praying soon everything will be okay!

JM, age 14

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

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

I see the pain in your eyes.
I see the hurt in disguise.
Wish that I could make it better.
Clearing up the stormy weather.
Helping you do your best.
Bypassing all the rest.

SMS, age 15

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

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

a mis under stood teenager
a poor young man trying to get by
a man with a low life
theres anger in and all round me
Dear god please help me
I always do my best
but I need help and guidance
from those all around me

JP, age 16