THE VOICE AN 8TH GRADE JOURNAL Issue 1

The Voice
An 8th Grade
Journal

October 2018
MCANOTHER MCDAY MCIN MCMIDDLE MCSCHOOL MEET THE AUTHORS

Iris
What is the Solution Montesano
to Writer’s Block?
by Iris Montesano

“The wonderful thing about writing is that

there is always a blank page waiting.
course of twenty years, Bergler studied writers
The terrifying thing about writing is that there is
who suffered from “neurotic inhibitions of Tully Tobias
always a blank page waiting.”
- J.K. Rowling productivity,” also known as writer’s block, in an
When you hear the term “writer’s block”, what effort to determine their inability to create and
do you think of? Was there a time (or many times) what could be done about it.
you couldn’t pull up any inspiration? The truth is, After conducting many interviews and
most everyone faces this dilemma, and sometimes spending countless hours with writers suffering
it can seem like it is taking longer for you to break from creative issues, he managed to discard some
through than others. Not many have constant of the popular and widely-believed theories of that
creativity, and sometimes your brain just needs a time. Bergler later came to believe writer’s block
break or a new perspective. could be cured through therapy because of its
Maggie Hightower, an eighth grader recalled symptoms similar to obsessive-compulsive
one of the many times she was having trouble disorder, anxiety, extreme self-doubt, Anna
accessing her usual creative flow: perfectionism, and depression.
More modern research suggests that allowing
Kaplan
“In fifth grade, we had to write novels, and
about fifteen chapters into mine, I hit a rut. I for error while writing is key to success. Creativity
couldn’t think of any ways to conclude the story. I is nonlinear, and it is counterproductive to try to
make it perfect right away. It’s more useful to
felt so confused and frustrated... it took several
escape from external and internal judgement. A
Maggie
days to find a way to end the story, and by that
time, most of my peers had already finished their dream journal, for example, no one will see, even Hightower
novels. I ended up just killing the main character for a short period of time could be a helpful thing
off because I couldn’t think of a more creative to do.
ending.” “I deal with writer’s block by lowering my
This creative block always seems to hit at the expectations. I think the trouble starts when you
most inconvenient times… But what is writer’s sit down to write and imagine that you will achieve
block? What have people thought about its origin something magical and magnificent — and when
over the years? you don’t, panic sets in. I write a little bit, almost
Writer’s block has probably existed since the every day, and if it results in two or three or (on a
invention of writing. However, the term itself first good day) four good paragraphs, I consider myself
came into use in literature in the nineteen-forties a lucky man. Never try to be the hare. All hail the Maya Farley
by the psychiatrist Edmund Bergler. Over the tortoise.” - Malcolm Gladwell
THE VOICE AN 8TH GRADE JOURNAL | Issue 1 2

MEET THE AUTHORS

NHL Gear
Regulations
by Zachary Budd

This year, the National Hockey League (NHL)

decided to change the regulations sizes of goalie
equipment. The NHL in previous years, has Zachary Budd
changed goalie gear sizes from their pants to the
width of their leg pads. Now the NHL has decided seasons later, the NHL changed the width of leg
for the 2018-2019 season that chest pad sizes will pads from 12 inches to 11 inches and, once again
the GAA went down by 0.1%.
be form fitting, as in the protective outlayer will be
From a hard slapshot to a broken collarbone,
flush with a goalie arms and shoulders. This new
goalies are worried. The most thought about
gear regulation has given rise to questions like, injury that goalies are concerned about is a broken
“Will more goals be scored and will the new NHL collarbone. You wouldn’t think a NHL goalie would
chest pad regulation protect a goalie from 108 be scared of taking a puck to the shoulder because
mph shots?” they aren’t. But what is scary for them is the
The NHL has already changed the size of consequence of the injury. Typically it takes four to
goalie gear. They changed the size of leg pads and eight weeks for a broken collarbone to heal. That
pants. Doing this, the NHL hoped that more goals means a goalie could miss two months out of the
would be scored and hopefully make games more seven months of the NHL season. In those two
“exciting”. However, this did not happen. After the months, a goalie could miss a huge portion of Lilly Farley
sizes changed, the goalies adjusted quickly to the games and training that could cause them to fall
new regulations. Goalies became faster, and fewer behind. Being a goalie, I would know what it feels
goals were scored than previous years. In the 2003- like to get hit in a place where you're not supposed
2004 season the NHL limited the size of leg pads to to get hit. It's scary. Even after you have recovered,
38 inches in length. That same year, the goals it’s still hard to get into the position to take a puck
against average (GAA) went down by .08%. Two knowing that you might get hit there again.

down, so he was overconfident. He looked time. It was hard for him to keep up, but he did
backwards to talk to someone biking behind him, alright -that is until they reached a certain hill.
The kids had biked and traversed their bikes
but when he turned around again he found himself
through a long, windy, hilly, dirt and rock trail for
right in front of a mailbox. He slammed into it, and
about an hour. Eventually, they got out of the
toppled over sideways. Luckily, he quickly woods and into the open. There was a big hill that
recovered from his minor injuries, but it could have they had to walk their bikes up. At the top, it was a
been worse. big, steep ride back down. One by one, they all
Many people are careless. Being careless can rode down until it was mailbox boy’s turn. He got
lead to many things such as injuries. on his bike, set a high gear, and gave a little push
Lots of people get injuries throughout their with his feet.
lives, most people in fact. Probably everyone Rolling down at an uncontrollable speed, his
reading this right now has had some sort of injury bike was flying up and down, swerving side to side
within the past month. Not all injuries are the because of all the bumps and rocks. He gripped the
same, it could vary from losing a leg, to getting a breaks as hard as possible, but it proved to not
small bruise or paper cut. No matter the injury, it is slow him down at all. He kept picking up speed
always caused by something. Reasons for injuries until eventually the bike tires slid to the right, fell
vary. down and left him skidding across the dirt and rock
There are lots of reasons for injury. It could be trail. Finally, he lost momentum and tumbled

Injuries that you didn’t plan ahead, you forgot about a

factor in something, or you were being too
confident. All of these things are caused by being
down the rest of the trail coming to a stop at the
bottom of the hill, on the ground covered in
scrapes, bruises, and dirt stains.
by Tully Tobias careless. Being careless is something that This event was caused because he was
everyone does. Sometimes, being a little careless overconfident, and didn’t think ahead. He thought
On June 14th, 2014, a boy in the Powder Ridge can lead to a big consequence, or injury. For he could do something he couldn’t, which is all to
neighborhood who was learning to bike. He had example, over confidence and carelessness lead common with people today, and why there are so
been practicing for a month, trying to get the the bike rider to the injuries he sustained. many injuries.
balance right, and he finally did. He had used a Years later, In the summer of 2018, the same
little hill to roll down without pedals and now he bike riding - mailbox boy was mountain biking at
could mostly bike. He tried to go down a bigger Kincaid Park with a group of other kids for the first
hill, but that didn’t go so well. He had the balance
THE VOICE AN 8TH GRADE JOURNAL | Issue 1 3

MEET THE AUTHORS

Equine Slaughter and Abuse Kayden

by Maya Farley
Lamebull-
Ingram
Equine abuse and slaughter is a huge deal in the weak. With no one wanting a broken down horse,
world. In fact, horse slaughter was only just they will often go to slaughter.
banned in 2007 from the U.S and horses from the Horse slaughter was banned in the U.S in 2007,
states are still getting killed. Horses are getting but the horses sold to slaughter will often get
neglected and left for weeks on end in abandoned packed in overflowing trailers over the border to
barns and this problem needs to be solved. Canada or Mexico to be slaughtered there. Once
In December 2015, a thoroughbred/holsteiner they reach their destination they will be thrown
into pens, hardly big enough for a horse to move. It
Keno Lagao
gelding was found in an Anchorage backyard
starving. A horseback riding instructor checked on is in those pens that they await their fates. Their
the horse after a call from a friend. She had found deaths are rarely quick and painless. It is living
the horse starving in the backyard because the torture for these animals sometimes they are even
owner knew nothing about horses and had not still conscious during dismemberment! Obviously
been feeding him. You could see the bay’s ribs this is extremely painful for these animals.
showing through his ragged coat. Right then and This problem is serious. Donating to a horse
there the trainer took the horse back to her barn rescue center is can help. More than 100,000
where he ate so much feed a day he was going to horses are trucked across the borders out of the
eat her out of house and home! So, does horse U.S to be sorted into slaughter houses. This is just
neglect and abuse happen often? You have no for the states! Imagine how frequently this
happens in other countries where this is still legal!
Rylie Howell
idea.
Neglect and abuse happens often and needs to be
Unfortunately this is a common occurrence dealt with.
throughout the U.S and a big reason is being able
to afford the hay to feed the horse along with
board.
Earlier this year in Alaska 2018, a small flea New or Old Grading System?
bitten gray horse had been rescued. The tips of his
fluffy ears had been the result of a bad case of by Keno Lagao
frostbite which gave him the appearance of a bear.
He was scraggly and would never be a particularly A new grading system, is it better than before?
attractive horse but as a pleasure ride he was Parents and teachers, do you like the new
suitable. grading system? Some schools have transitioned
A couple of months after his rescue, word got from the traditional lettered grades to new
out that the scraggly little pony had been numbered scores. Many people enjoy the
padlocked in his stall, unable to go outside or get numbered scores, but others love the traditional The downfall is
exercise. His rescuers were now his neglectors. The grading system. Why do schools make the switch? that, when
only activity the little horse got was a daily walk The new grading system, also known as the receiving a grade,
around in hand for about five minutes. The owners standardized system is comprised of 4 different there’s no
had gone into serious debt and had to give the scores. It includes a 1-4 score with 4 being the best. descriptor on why
animal up. Unable to pay for board and feed, the 1-2 means that the child has not met the one has gotten that grade. According to both
pony was to stay padlocked in his stall so the “standards” of that class. 3-4 means that he or she blackboard.com and thoughtCo.com, a traditional
owners couldn’t run away with him. Finally, the has met the standards, or exceeded them. With letter graded report card doesn’t specify. A
barn owner decided to take on the skinny little the numbering system, the score is not based off student may get an A on an assignment, but the
of tests and homework scores according to parent wouldn't know why. Also with the
edglossary.org. It’s based off of a standard being traditional grading system, how you get a grade
met by the student. For example, a student will could be based off of a teacher. For example, in
receive a score based off how they are progressing math one teacher could want just answers as
towards the standard. Scores that include how the another would want students to show their work.
student is behaving are separate. The lettered grades are used all over, it’s an easy
Sarah Mariner, an eighth grade teacher at way to grade because a single letter will fill in what
Pacific Northern Academy states that she prefers that student has done throughout the class. From
the numbering system. “I feel that standards based behaving well, turning in your homework, and
grading is more helpful for me because it measures doing good on a test. It’s a summary if you would.
how the kid is doing in the subject regardless of Sheryll Orbase, a fifth grade teacher states,
gray as a lesson horse. their behavior. If the student does not meet the “Lettered grades are fast, but they don’t say much
Sadly, there are much worse stories then these standards, I know how to teach that particular about a student. It’s just a letter, there’s no
where horses aren't always rescued. Some horses student. If a kid gets a 1 or 2, I can teach that description on why they got that grade or how,”
get left in a dark dank stall while the owners drive student, as opposed to an A which is the There are many differences between the two
off unable to pay for the bare necessities. These academics and behavioral grade all together.” grading systems. Standardized grades are more
horses sit in those stalls sometimes in up to four The traditional grading system, also known as descriptive in what the student needs help with. As
feet of manure, hooves growing out to outrageous letter grades have more scores you can get. They for the traditional grading system which only tells
lengths, with no food or water, eventually starving range from an F- to an A+ etc. As most know, F-’s you a letter and nothing else, but it’s easier for
to death. If they don’t meet these tragic endings, are the worst grades and A+’s are the best. These teachers. In many ways, these two grading
horses will be brought to auctions to be sold. grades include not only the academics in that class, systems are good, and also bad. It is up to you to
Sometimes they will already be malnourished and but also how the student behaves. ask and answer to yourself. Is this new grading
system better?
THE VOICE AN 8TH GRADE JOURNAL | Issue 1 4

Benefiting Communities, Big or Small

by Lilly Farley

What exactly does it mean to benefit your local neighborhoods, so it is almost inevitable that it will
community/neighborhood? Why would it be be used by all ages.
important? Our earth is taking a turn for the worse Throughout many work days in the park, there
with certain rates increasing rapidly, and others has been some very positive feedback. “It’s cool to
plummeting. One way to help is to take a little have regulars that walk the trail pretty daily come
time out of your day and dedicate it to learning by and tell you personally, how happy they are that
about what environmental changes are happening the trails are being formed to be used in a more
currently, and trying your best to pull through in practical way,” an eighth grader commented.
any way you can. It can be anything you choose to With the deadline approaching sometime in
do that will improve the environment around you. October, this small class of only 10 students are
Picking up garbage in the streets, volunteering at proving that you can do anything with dedication,
local charity organizations and encouraging others
to do their small part as well, would definitely be a
hard work, and perseverance.
As stated earlier, these same students
Permit Test
good start. This doesn't have to be weekly, but managed to ban plastic utensils from their school
monthly would be a reasonable goal to start with. and raise over 1,000 metal, non-disposable, eco- by Kayden Lamebull-Ingram
Many children have not yet experienced volunteer friendly, utensils to take their places over the span
work or community service yet due to age of 4-5 days. It is refreshing to see that having a On a bright and sunny Friday October
restrictions, but that isn't all there is to it. very strong work ethic is a priority in this afternoon, just after school, a 14 year old boy went
Since the beginning of the school year, the 8th generation and how great teachers are at inspiring to the crowded Anchorage DMV. There he joined
grade class from Pacific Northern Academy seems them. other teenagers who were waiting to take their
to be trying to do it all. The importance of We can only hope that they will bring this with permit test on driving safety unleashing them on
educating people about little things that can help them wherever they go and beyond, and continue to the streets of seasoned Anchorage drivers.
In this case, the 14 year old boy, Kayden,
prepared for his test. The teen had been studying
this test to the point that he now knew the
answers upside down and inside out. He’d been
studying since July 22nd ,2018 (the boys 14th
birthday). After waiting for a few minutes the boy
was ready to take his test.
Kayden was at the front of the line of his fellow
permit testers. He was told the rules of the
Anchorage driver’s permit test. A lady at the front
desk told him what to do.
“There are only four questions you can skip if
you do not know the answer to the question. You
can take as much time as you need to finish this
test. If you get four questions wrong than you fail
the test, but if you get 16 questions right, then you
pass.” The young woman continued.
“If you don’t pass, don’t worry, you can take a
your community is a concept that these students sharing their enthusiasm and creativity with the permit test once everyday until you pass.”
really believe in. Between banning plastic utensils people they are sure to meet.” teachers The boy thought what his mom had told him
at PNA, setting up silverware drives, and speaking mentioned. before he went to take his test, “Good luck,
at assemblies, to completing school work, keeping It is time to make some changes, and in order because if you fail, I’m not going to take you back
up with their lives apart from school, and working for that to happen, everyone must put at least one to take the test again.”
on a two year park project, they sure are trying hand in. One small percentage of our population, So taking the test everyday was not an option
their best to leave their mark by doing whatever it no matter how brilliant they seem, can’t do it all for Kayden. Just more motivation for him to pass
takes to better the environment around them for everyone and it is important to remember that his test.
whether it is in home, at school, or in the general a little goes a long way. It may seem like no one is The lady finished telling him the rules and told
public. appreciating your efforts, but there are millions of him where he was going to take his test,
The Ruth Arcand Park project in particular, was people who support these efforts even if they don't section ‘R’. Kayden was ready.
put in motion in 2016 while these 8th grade know who you are. Kayden passed with only getting one question
students were in their 6th grade year. They Sydney Smith once wrote, “To do anything in wrong. He was going to drive and was very excited
planned to develop a certain part of Ruth Arcand this world worth doing, you must not stand back to do so. That night his dad took him to the
Park into a place where people from the shivering and thinking of the cold and the danger Hanshew Middle school parking lot for the boys
community could come and enjoy the nature and but jump in, and scramble through as well as you first driving lesson. He learned how to brake, turn,
scenery around them. This included developing can.” park and reverse, and how to drive in general. His
existing trails, adding an obstacle course, and People who believe in this message are the first lesson was a success!
possibly a gazebo for a place for people to relax. people whose actions speak louder than words, “If you put your mind to something you can do it
One of PNA’s main goals every year is to do their people who believe in doing the right thing and do with the work and effort put in, like me, a young
best to better the community, whether it’s within it just because it’s the right thing to do, not for teenager driving for the first time.” -Kayden
the school’s community or outside of, it in the reward or recognition, but we know that we can Kayden is proud that he got his driver's permit
grander community of Anchorage, Alaska. The change the world. The trick is changing it for the and encourages other teens to try and take their
part of the park that is being developed is better. test so there can be more teenage drivers!
accessible by many other school communities and
THE VOICE AN 8TH GRADE JOURNAL | Issue 1 5

AROUND THE PARK

Relationships Between PNA 8th Graders
by Maggie Hightower

Two 8th grade girls sat in the classroom, boys then exclaimed that being seen approaching
reminiscing about the three day fall retreat to Solid the cabin wasn’t even part of the plan, and neither
Rock Bible Camp in Soldotna. More specifically, was being heard on the steps. By the time the girls
they were remembering the events of a prank from found out that it was a prank, they were furious.
the last night of the trip. A prank that involved
The girls sat in the cabin, waiting for the adrenaline
their entire 8th grade class.
to wear off as they talked about their feelings on the
prank in hushed tones, each person explaining what
A group of 8th grade teenage boys huddled in the
had through their minds. As the shock wore off,
bushes at the Solid Rock Bible Camp campground in
many girls ended up in tears.
the late afternoon, furtively scheming for a prank to
pull on the 8th grade girls for their last fall retreat
These behaviors show a level of friendship
with PNA (Pacific Northern Academy).
between classmates that would be harder to come
by in a school of hundreds of students. How do
Some schools have hundreds of 8th graders, but
such seemingly spiteful actions prove friendship?
PNA is different. The PNA 8th grade class currently
The answer lies in the boys’ reasons for pranking
has 10 students, and all of them have attended
their schoolmates.
PNA since at least 7th grade. In such a close and
unique community, it is expected for students to
“What made us feel comfortable to prank the girls
have closer relationships than in bigger public
is because our class is like one big family. We are
schools. But how close are these teenagers really?
really close friends and we’re really comfortable
around each other,” Keno, another 8th grade boy
Looming shadows drifted by the dim outdoor light of
explains, “We did it because it would be fun, and if
the girls cabin that evening. Terror reigned in the
the girls did get us back, it would be fun too. We
cabin as the victims cowered in the corner, hearing
didn’t think we would make the girls cry, we just
ominous noises from outside, their imaginations
thought that they would laugh it off or something.
working in overdrive. Preparing to fight, flee or
But when we did make them cry, we felt really
defend themselves, they shivered in the darkness,
bad.”
until a teacher called the prank off.
Keno and Kayden seem to agree that because the
“The idea of the prank started the day that we
8th grade class is such close friends with each
were leaving for Solid Rock,” 8th grade boy
other, the young men felt comfortable pulling the
Kayden said, “We wanted to prank the girls for fun,
prank, and expected be forgiven.
and so that we could start a prank war that would
last all year. We went to the girls cabin and walked
“I think that this experience proves how close our
around at night pretending to be scary hobos.”
class is because not only were the boys willing to
pull the prank, on the other side of the wall, the
The teenage girls
girls were emotionally supporting
thundered out of
each other, prepared to defend
their cabin, their
each other with their lives.” 8th
fury running hot
grade girl Maggie remarked.
and fast like an
active volcano. The
How do these relationships
girls screamed
compare to those in public
insults at the boys,
schools? “I think with the people
grabbing them by
here in my current class, I’m
their jackets as the
definitely closer with them, and in
panicked
such a big class, it was hard to get
pranksters
to know everyone. There was
attempted to flee.
more drama in public school, and you just had to
be more cautious.” Maya, an 8th grade girl,
The prank had been successful, as the girls actually
explained.
believed that there were dangerous men lurking
around the cabin, and that their lives were in
What do you think? Do you think that smaller
danger. Many of the victims explained that the
classes can result in closer relationships? It’s all up
part that made them truly afraid had been seeing
to you.
the pranksters’ shadows, which made them appear
several feet larger than they actually were. The
THE VOICE AN 8TH GRADE JOURNAL | Issue 1 6

AROUND THE PARK

Public School Dress Code

by Rylie Howell

Public School Dress Code

Since 1969, public school dress code all over
the world is making women dress a certain way so
by Rylie Howell
that people “won’t be distracted in class”. In the
classroom scene, there are appropriate things to
wear, and there are things that are frowned upon.
This is more than a reasonable statement, but
sometimes the dress code laws go too far. Girls get
in trouble for things like not wearing a bra, or,
when they do, in trouble if you can see a bra strap.
Also things like collarbones and shoulders have
been called “too distracting” for male students and
staff. People have been starting to push back
against these dress code laws that many say are
objectifying female students. Supreme Court at the time decided that they
would have to create such laws to limit student
Melissa Mckinlay, a mother whose daughter has expression, but only if there were legitimate
been affected by this dress code system in public concerns. Over the past 49 years, things have
high schools wrote, "Why should she have to worry changed and it seems that the dress laws in public
about dressing a certain way to curtail a boy's schools keep getting stricter and stricter.
potential behavior? So, like, it's her fault if the boy
touches her because of what she was wearing? A It’s not only the parents who are starting to stand
boy's potential inability to control his hormones up to schools about their children’s dress code, but
warrants my daughter's inability to attend her students are also starting to take a stand. Mallory
classes today and miss valuable curriculum?" Johnston and Grace Wood, students at Essex High
School in Essex, Ontario, protested against the
Individuality is a very powerful word. Growing up, rule that girls would get suspended if you could see
kids wear things that feel good and make them their bra strap. The girls posted signs around
happy, a trait that should follow into teen years school saying “STOP OBJECTIFYING WOMEN”
which many have noticed doesn’t anymore. that were immediately taken down by the vice
Teenagers are now prone to wear things that will principal. Johnston ended up getting suspended
be accepted in society, and they put that over their because she protested, but in a statement made
own self expression. Anna Kaplan who has gone to she said that she knew that this could happen, but
private school for ten years now, sat down to talk it was a risk she was willing to take. Johnston and
about this topic. all the students standing against the dress code,
are kind of dealing with this in a way like how Rosa
“ I go to a private school called P.N.A, we have a Parks dealt with her situation back when Martin
uniform that goes Monday to Thursday. On Friday Luther King Jr was alive. No one is budging, even if
it’s called, “dress down day.” Kids look forward to it means getting suspended, students are standing
Friday, not just because of the weekend, but because for what they believe in.
of dress down day. I respect the uniform, but we
shouldn’t limit student’s individuality. I thought
public schools were so cool because students got to

The Voice
wear what they wanted, but there are so many
restrictions, individuality seems like it’s no longer a
thing.”
- Anna Kaplan

An 8th In 1969, the first dress code laws were established

Grade
because of a group of students wearing black
armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The U.S

Journal

Pacific Northern Academy

Anchorage, Alaska