Little Pink Flower Spiritual Thought-provoking
May 31, 2017

I’ve been listening to a smattering of Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, and Twenty One Pilots lately, since my brother loves all of them, and I’m beginning to recognize what draws people to their songs. Take Eraser by Ed Sheeran: “I forget when I get awards now, the wave I had to ride The paving stones…

Silence of God Speech, NITOC, STOA
May 26, 2017

I started writing my Silence of God speech over a year ago, have performed it for a crowd of 50 homeschoolers, received feedback from seven pastors, recited it over 100 times, and written over nine drafts. In a few days, I’m taking it to Nationals. God’s done more with this speech than I ever could’ve,…

Listening to God, Shepherd
May 24, 2017

When I was little, I’d always wonder how people would hear God. I was mystified when someone said “God told me.” I’d often ask, “How can I get God to talk to me?” Even now, I still find this topic interesting. My speech (which is going to nationals this next week) is about the silence of God….

YA Fantasy Dystopian
May 22, 2017

Genre: YA Fantasy Dystopian   You’ll like this if you like: Lovable Heroes, Completely Unexpected Plot Twists, or Character Secrets Galore.   Favorite Profound Quote: “Look, I’m sorry I lost Aleah. But you have no idea what I’ve sacrificed for my—” “Your family? The woman you love?” Felix snorted, laid down on the carpet, and…

Life Advice
May 19, 2017

Last year, I heard several pieces of advice saying everyone should have a mentor. After I hear the same thing more the once, and I know it’s good advice, I have a general rule of following it. I now have several mentors: one for speech, four spiritual mentors, and a writing mentor. For spiritual mentors,…

Positive thinking, brighter day, happiness
May 17, 2017

I’ve learned a lot from working at McDonald’s. How to take orders while making a caramel frappe with no whipped cream. How to customize an order or make it a combo. How to memorize orders as you serve them. But the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is how to make every day brighter.   My…

Senior Year, Class of 2017, candy
May 12, 2017

I graduated this year from high school, so in honor of that and my dreams for the future, I wrote this poem, sweetened with a few candy puns: Ever since I was 5, I was quite the bookish NERD, fostering an intense passion for the art of the written word. Now I’m not only a…

Million Dollars Dollard BIll
May 10, 2017

A few days ago, I was parked at a gas station and found this: A million dollar bill doesn’t exist, though I didn’t know it at the time. I wondered if I should take it, and my first thought was: I can’t take this! It belongs to someone else, and I have a hunch they’re going to…

May 8, 2017

Genre: YA Fantasy Post Apocalpytic   You’ll like this if you like: Super Powers, Hidden Pasts, or a Blend of Fantasy and Dystopian. Favorite Profound Quote: “You’ll always revert to your lowest level of training in an emergency.   Favorite Descriptive Quote: “Jet rose like a shadow at dusk and slipped into the council chambers.”…

Graduation Invitation of Elizabeth Newsom
May 5, 2017

Well, the school year is coming to a close and my graduation quickly approaches. You know, I’ve never stopped to think about graduation details before, the senior boards you decorate, the preparation for the ceremony, how on earth homeschoolers manage to get a cap, gown, and diploma. And something else: graduation invitations. Everyone’s looks different….