2004 - Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

eavers, and our obedience. He almost loved it asmuch as he loved our fear.We managed to make it to the car, Momma andI. His hands were grabbing at her head through thewindow, and as we sped away he hurled a weedeatertowards us. A sigh of relief…wait, it wasn’tover yet. My little sister was still there, unable to getto us in the frenzy of our escape. We had to goback. My mother’s purple mascara dripped from hercheeks as she puffed ferociously on a cigarette. Thequick loop through the neighborhood proved to beuncomforting. We were surrounded by his familyand his friends, and a few miles down the roadmarked the beginnings of a city we didn’t know ortrust. “Jeremy, we’re just going to go back and takeour whoopings. We’ve got to get your sister. Wecan’t leave her there. We’ve just got to be brave. Justtake your whooping.”It wasn’t the first time I had taken my whooping,and it wouldn’t be the last. Sometimes whoopingsare the only way. I did what I had to do, keptmoving. Couldn’t stop. Else I’d get caught, getdrawn into the unmotivated mindset that claims somany of my southern neighbors. I took whoopingsto get my sister back; I took whoopings for beingdisrespectful; I took whoopings for being a countryboy in the city; I took whoopings to teach me a lesson;I took whoopings for being different. I mighthave been beaten, but I didn’t lose. I kept trying,and with each punch and each prod I got a littlestronger, my objectives became a little clearer.These days, my advanced courses at theMississippi School for Mathematics and Scienceissue my whoopings. The rigorous course load,matched by my numerous extracurricular activities,provides an impossibly busy schedule. Balancing APCalculus with Yearbook and Literary Magazine editorialduties, as well as maintaining my position asStudent Government Association Vice-President,can be rather difficult. As one of the few membersof my family to value education, whoopings alsotend to come in the form of destructive criticismconcerning my academic priorities. However, thatdoesn’t stop me from pursuing my classes and mydreams to their fullest. The ceaseless battle for myrights only spurs my motivation. I may take a fewwhoopings along the way, but I’ll come out of theordeal with something to show for it: an A inphysics, an understanding of college-level chemistry,a successful year as the President of the MSMSSenate, a place to call home, or my little sister in thesafety of my arms.“Celestial”Photograph, Laura Beth MooreA MomentThe sun begins to setNo fear a new dawn awaits us yetThis chapter has come to a closeWe can only guess what the future holdsA timeless adventure that awaits us allNo fear we must take a step before we canfallFriends forever our paths once crossedWe’ve grown and now must partThose who are always with you are thosethat touched your heartWe will all venture out full of hopes anddreams andSomeday a long time from now we willremember back to these yearsAnd think fondly, smile softly, shed tearsWe remember yesterday, live today, and hopetomorrowMonica CookFlowers at DawnBeauty unfolds,Its tender petals caressedBy a gentle breeze,Its faces upturned,Waiting for a kissFrom the early morning dew.Addie LeakHonorable Mention, Poetry Competition