June: "Off to FAU"

In mid August I will be leaving my hometown,

To take on the college life, without having a breakdown...

Orientation is August eighteenth.

Once I’m moved in, it’ll be such a relief.

All this talk about being so far away from my family

Makes me act abnormally.

I’m thankful for this opportunity.

But I’m upset to be leaving my community.

I’m excited to become more independent.

But I don’t want to feel resentment.

We have a few things left to do.

This whole process is a lot to get used to.

At times I feel stressed,

But I must not forget I am blessed.

My father had a hard time signing the deposit check,

And his reaction made me reflect.

My mother keeps reassuring me she will come visit.

But airfare is a lot of money, and she must keep to a limit.

Leaving for Florida in a few months is going to be tough.

I have so many people here that care so much.

I must do my part and keep in touch.

FaceTime will definitely come in clutch!

May: "Winning Withdrawal"

I know my last poem was about softball,

But I’m having victory withdrawal.

It feels as if we haven’t won a game in forever,

When in reality it’s only been a week or whatever…

All I know is it has been too long.

With our league title on the line,

We took the field with our heads held high.

After scoring one run, you could see us all sigh.

Inning after inning, Lyndhurst gave it their all,

And scored too many runs for New Milford to stand tall.

Towards the end of the game I got hit with the ball.

Of course it was my pitching hand, but it wasn’t the time to bawl.

I asked for a few practice throws to shake it all off.

But they were bound to hit my pitches... (cough, cough)

They did and we all were discouraged.

I wish I could say their hits did no damage…

My team’s bats weren’t moving,

And unfortunately our team chemistry isn’t improving.

Therefore, coach tried multiple exercises to fix that.

But on the diamond, we just come out flat.

Lyndhurst wanted it more

We didn’t battle to win the war.

We got a lecture

All in hopes of a better future.

April: "Battle of the Unbeatens"

Eleven girls, two coaches, one family.

That’s all it takes, thankfully.

A bunch of girls with a lot of heart.

Compared to other teams, we have the head start.

We all share a common goal,

And that is to bring home the gold.

April 11^th would determine how talented we really are.

Up to date undefeated, will we be able to carry the title that far?

Game against Park Ridge, first pitch at 4 o’clock.

We warmed up like a bunch of jocks.

But, in the bottom of the first inning

We all looked like we were sinking…

The thing that kills us defensively, are errors.

And when we make a mistake, you can see the look of terror.

A huge crowd came to see a good game of softball.

And after ridding our first inning jitters, we gave them our all.

In the dugout, we huddled together

We all needed a little refresher!

We need to put our BFs on and play with a lot less fear.

As seniors, Angela and I have not beaten the Owls in our entire high school career.

So on that day, beating that team would have been like a dream.

With a little motivation, we held the Owls to 4.

Carly hit a solo homerun, adding to the score.

And retiring 14 out of the next 19 batters wasn’t enough.

Our first loss, just short by one was emotionally rough.

We needed to bounce back from that tough loss.

It would take a lot of work, but it was something we had to cross.

A lesson we learned, that in order to keep winning

We must play like CMFs for all seven innings.

March: "Bunny Drive"

Easter morning, every child opens up a basket from the Easter bunny.

Goodies ranging from chocolates, jelly beans, toys, and even money.

Some of us take for granted waking up every day to a family

Or even the simple joy of having a stuffed bunny, all cuddly.

Mrs. Collentine and I decided to hold a second annual bunny drive.

Our goal was to collect bunnies for the deprived.

Proceedings went go to children in foster care,

And parents who have lost a child and feel nothing but despair.

Alexis, Ruben, Tyler, and I spread the word, doing the best we could.

For two weeks we went around to homerooms convincing others to do some good.

“Bring in a bunny for children in foster care to open up on Easter morning!”

Every day I walked into classrooms with kids scorning…

It was definitely a challenge convincing people to do a good deed.

All we were asking was to help those in need.

On the last day of the drive, we ended up collecting over 100 bunnies/rabbits.

Our school thoughtfully donated, something, I think, should become a habit.

Good Friday, I had off from school, but 32 children were counting on me.

I had to be at Children’s Aid and Family Services before 12:30.

Just one problem, the basket full of 38 bunnies didn’t fit in my car!

So I had to drive my sister’s big Hyundai, which felt real bazaar.

I safely made it to Robin Road with a simple gift.

Erica West’s reaction reassured me that what we did would uplift.

The feeling I felt after dropping the basket off was pretty emotional.

Thinking of how a simple stuffed bunny could be so impactful.

February: "My Last Knight"

February 28^th was a day full of emotion and anticipation,

State game against Park Ridge was our obligation.

Could this be my last high school basketball game ever?

At that moment in time I couldn’t imagine leaving the court forever…

My heart was racing and the butterflies in my stomach were in full effect.

The pregame warm up was such a blur, but Coach’s speech made me reflect.

“Times like these are what athletes like us live for.

All we have to do tonight is leave it all out on the floor.”

Carly tipped the ball off to me and the battle began.

Everything was falling into place.

Our defense was tight and our offense was just right.

Basketball is a team sport,

So any selfish attitudes must be abort.

That became our biggest downfall in this game.

I don’t mean to point fingers, but there’s only one person to blame.

Aggravation gave me the temptation.

I told my coach if we wanted to reach success,

This issue needed to be addressed.

As promised, coach became her toughest.

Although it still didn’t change this player’s judgment,

And her selfish ways left us with discouragement,

My four other teammates played with heart, not a hard task.

That’s all a senior, playing her last game, could ask.

The game did not end as planned.

As tears fell down my face, memories as a Lady Knight flashed threw my head.

But I knew I had to stand tall, I played my heart out

Even though it was the last time I would touch the ball.

January: "My Battle at the Free Throw Line"

I have a strong love for the game of basketball,

But one can only hold their composure for so long.

Before each game I get mixed emotions.

Then I say to myself “ Play with some devotion!”

I mentally prepare myself for 32 minutes of toughness.

While in our pregame warm up,

I physically prepare myself for 32 minutes of roughness.

Although our January schedule has been a majority of lost games,

The only thing that keeps me going on the court is when my father exclaims,

“Drive to the basket, SHOOT!”

So I took on this task with a nervous pursuit.

However, I would end up on the foul line,

And this is when I began to realize.

My shot was off!

My frustration grew when I went to the line,

Because everyone thinks it's my time to shine.

First shot off, followed by another disappointing miss.

In the moment, I must move on and not reminisce.

During practice I was not given time to self improve,

So I decided it would be best for me to find a new groove.

Coach Orsi stayed late with me, and was able to pick out my flaws.

She even laid out the new foul shooting laws.

1. Elbow in,

2. Keeping it straight like a pin.

3. Extend arm up high,

4. Releasing the ball to fly.

5. Remember to flick your wrist at the end.

This will ensure that the ball and net will eventually blend.

Next few games when I went to the foul line

I no longer thought to whine.

Instead, I replayed the rules in my head.

“Elbow in” Coach Orsi said.

By the end of this month these “laws” worked for my advantage,

With an increase in my free throw percentage.

December: "Sister Sister"

December is supposed to be my favorite month of the year,

But all I wanted to do was disappear.

The problem is my sister and I constantly bump heads.

“This needs to end” is what my dad said.

Sad to say, fighting with my sister has become a routine thing,

But people say it’s expected, especially amongst siblings.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

This quote could not be more wrong.

But I needed to be headstrong.

With the holidays around the corner

I could not be a mourner.

Although I ignored my sister for awhile,

It was time to put on my fake smile.

I had no choice but to compromise,

Because my sister unenthusiastically apologized.

I decided to be the bigger person

And ignored my sister’s excuses.

I know this isn’t the end.

I’m just waiting her next attempt to contend.

Her hurtful words will strike again,

Because she does not know how to amend.

So what will I do?

Turn the other cheek

Not because I am weak,

But, because it has become my new technique.

I cannot forget, she is my sister.

Even though she is as annoying as a blister,

Somewhere deep down inside, I still love her.

However, there are times I beg to differ.

But around the holidays we try to stay sweet

By making ends meet.