The Bunk Room_Issue 42

FREE! TAKE ME HOME!
Kids! Want to be published?
See page 5!
The Bunk Room
North Lake
Aug / Sept
2014
Vol 7, Issue 4
Kids
Build an
Airplane
Annika 11,
in just one
splashes her
heart school out on her year
Staycation!
Russian Ballet Partners
with America

Lake County’s 1st Non-Traditional School. One Year Old - 10th Grade
25525 State Rd. 46, Sorrento, FL 32776
"Like branches on a tree, our lives and our children's lives may grow
in different directions, yet our roots will always remain as one"
• Is your child struggling in Main Stream Public School?
• Are they advanced and being held back by school agendas?
• Tired of our public education just teaching to the F-CAT testing?
• Do you want your child to excel at their own pace and skill level?
• Want a very affordable option that is better than Homeschooling?
• Looking for a wholesome environment for your child?
• Would you like your child's college education to be free?
Offering:
Spanish
Yoga
Sign Language
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Transportation to & from local
Elementary Schools
If so, you have come to the right place!!
Our environment is positive, encouraging, non-threatening, and
motivating which offers students the freedom they need to be successful.
Come by today for a tour! Your child deserves it!!
Summer Program
Large Playgrounds with Water
Misters and Shade
For more information call
352-735-4400
Mission Statement
Since 2008, Building Futures Academy has been creating a safe and accepting environment
that is academically rich, encouraging discovery and exploration, strengthening critical
thinking skills and problem solving, and utilizing experimentation to challenge all children
to achieve a solid foundation of knowledge.

10:30am Saturday, October 18th
W.T. Bland Public Library
1995 N Donnelly St, Mount Dora
Contestants ages 8-19 will walk the red carpet for a
chance to win one of six cash prizes provided by our
sponsor, Insight Financial Credit Union.
Entry forms will be available online
at www.mylakelibrary.org on
August 18th
www.InsightCreditUnion.com

The Bunk Room
North Lake
TheBunkRoomLake.com
Publisher: Julie Gazdecki
Editorial / Creative: Maria Slaby
Editor in Chief: Benjamin Slaby
Jr Content Editor: Annika Slaby
Advertising:
Ads@TheBunkRoomLake.com
313-549-2128
Julie Gazdecki
Just like when I was a kid, the summertime flies by, especially when
we are keeping busy. Busy may even be an understatement. We
hope everyone gets their last bit of fun in before it’s time to get back to the school
books. I know that my girls are having fun at summer camps. They enjoy seeing old friends,
but also making new ones. We want to hear all about your favorite summer memories. Did you
visit somewhere new? Or do you have an annual trip you make? We enjoyed a little of both.
The Bunk Roomies meetings will start back this month and we would love to see some
new faces at our meetings.
Local Publisher
North Lake
There are some exciting new things happening this coming
year, so you will want to come see what it’s all about. You can sign up for our email
updates on our website, or you can email me at publisher@thebunkroomlake.com
Distribution: The Gazdecki Family
Bunk Roomies (in this issue) ......
Josephine Gazdecki 8, Eustis, FL
Brian Thomopson 10, Mount Dora, FL
Jackson Polk 10, Mount Dora, FL
Javelyn Dempsey 11, Umatilla, FL
Clayton Polk 12, Mount Dora, FL
Annika Slaby 14, Mount Dora, FL
Benjamin Slaby 16, Mount Dora, FL
Founders....................................
The Slaby Family, Mount Dora, FL
Margo, Erik, Benjamin & Annika
Mark & Maria
..................................................
The Bunk Room: North Lake, is
published by
Julie Gazdecki, 313-549-2128
..................................................
All content submissions are assumed to
be for publication and become
property Dimples Media, Inc.,
PO Box 782, Mount Dora, FL, 32756
provider of The Bunk Room trademark
and editorial content. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication
may be used without written permission
from Dimples Media Inc. Contact
publisher@thebunkroom.com for
permission requests. Every effort is
made to avoid errors, misspellings and
omissions. If an error comes to your
attention, please accept our apologies
and notify us immediately. The Bunk
Room is limited in liability to a
correction in a future issue. All opinions
expressed in these pages are those of
the writers or advertisers. Dimples Media
cannot be held responsible for
the products, services or opinions
herein.
4 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014 | Be published! See page 5.
Founding Publisher
Maria Slaby Director of Editorial & Creative
With the new school year upon us, we’re excited to be getting
geared up for all the new adventures ahead! With each passing
year here at The Bunk Room, we create more opportunities for
kids to get involved with the publishing process, and this year is no exception.
This school year, our first adventure will be our LIVE Online Group Interview. We’re so thrilled
to be welcoming 10 year old Vivienne Harr, the inspiration behind Make-A-Stand, a worldwide
effort with a mission to end childhood slavery. In just one year, she raised over $100,000 from
her lemonade stand. Please join us at this exciting online event and hear Vivienne’s story. (See
page 21.) This is a FREE event for all; kids and families! Hurry space is limited...register early.
~Other News: We’re also offering new internships for high school students! See page 19!
The Bunk Room Foundation Needs You. Please consider helping us continue
our mission to inspire kids to love and embrace reading and writing.
We are now designated as a 501 (C) (3) so your donations will be tax deductibl! Yippy!
To donate, mail checks to PO Box 782, Mt Dora, FL 32756 or paypal us at TBRkids@gmail.com.
Says
Benjamin . . .
Benjamin Slaby 16
Mount Dora, FL
Editor In Chief
Meet our new Editor in Chief
My name is Benjamin Slaby. I
am one of the creators of this
magazine.
My brother and I dreamed up
this magazine one late night in
our bunk beds when we were
10 and 12. I’m the more mechanical
mind between the two
of us so I was more interested
in the typewriter than the writing
itself. Since then, I’m proud
to say I’ve written in every issue
and learned to actually enjoy
writing!
My brother Erik has moved
on to the great big world now,
all graduated from high school
and college so I’m happy
to be taking his place. Our
older sister, Margo, was our
first editor and now I finally
get my chance. I am excited to
be able to play a bigger role
in this magazine. Now I’ll get
to see the issue before it goes
to press—a closely guarded
process in our house! Mom is
big on surprises!
I look forward to reviewing
and enjoying all of your
articles. We’ve got some pretty
great ones in this issue—from
airplanes to ballerinas—and so
much more.
Enjoy and tell us what you
think! Email me at:
editor@thebunkroom.com

The Bunk Room
The Bunk Room is a
magazine created by kids
and read by all ages. Our goal is
to inspire kids to love reading and
writing.
We have readers and contributors
from all over the world. In addition to our
online edition, our printed editions can be
found throughout the United States. Print
editions are provided without charge and
can be picked up at participating local
businesses and institutions. To locate your
closest local provider, go to:
thebunkroom.com/locations
The Bunk Room is owned by Dimples
Media, Inc. No part of this publication
may be used without written permission
from Dimples Media, Inc. Please email
permission requests to:
publisher@TheBunkRoom.com.
Local editions of The Bunk Room are
licensed by Dimples Media and are independently
owned and operated.
For information about being a local
publisher of The Bunk Room, contact:
Mark Slaby, Director of Licensing
mark@TheBunkRoom.com
Building
Minds &
Bodies
Over 10,000 Meals Provided
This symbol on any ad in
The Bunk Room indicates participation
in our internationally
recognized and awarded initiative
to help end world hunger.
Features
8 First Flight
Not what he expected!
By Alec Skapyak 13, Osprey, FL
10 COVER FEATURE
Kids build an airplane! Learn how this
group of 17 high school students put it
all together and sent it flying!
14 Russian Ballet in America
The reknowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy
comes to America every summer to bring
their teachings to the world.
7 What Do You Think?
8 Did You Know?
9 Day-To-Day
wHAt*s uP tHis issue?
16 Future Life / Book Review
18 The Bunk Roomies Notebook
19 Featured Bloggers
20 Photo Contest
Editor’s Note:
Ages indicated are the ages of the writers when their articles were submitted.
18 Group Interview!
Join us for our first ever live group interview
with Vivienne Harr, the 10 year old
behind, Make A Stand, an international
movement to end childhood slavery.
Departments
WeÍre Growing! Wanted Writers!
This whole magazine is written entirely
by kids, so come on kids, now’s your
time to shine. See your work published!
Submission Guidelines
All writing, artwork and photography
should be original work of the contributor,
and be considered wholesome and
acceptable content for kids. Submissions
accepted from kids aged 8 thru 18
or high school graduation, whichever
comes later. For photographs, please
include names of persons in the photos.
Kids Build an Airplane!
page 10
page 14
Russian Ballet Academy
comes to America
Cover photo by
Benjamin Slaby 16,
Mount Dora, FL
Submit Online
Submit work at our Inbox at
TheBunkRoom.com. For submission ideas,
click on the Submit Articles. Parent’s or
guardian’s electronic signature must accompany
all submissions.
All submissions are the property of Dimples
Media, publishers of The Bunk Room.
The Bunk Room reserves the right to edit
& deny submissions. The Bunk Room
content is published monthly by Dimples
Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion
of this publication may be reprinted without
permission from the publisher.

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“As a Language Arts teacher, I plan to use The Bunk Room to provide my students with non-fiction text and opportunities
to utilize the reading strategy of Marking the Text.” Sarah Short, Umatilla Middle School
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“Being part of The Bunk Room magazine has opened our shop to so many more shoppers of all ages. We are thrilled to see new
kids, young couples, Moms and Dads and Grandparents discovering our little shop of happy!” Kim Pinson, Whispering Winds

What Do
You Think?
If you could change anything about school,
what would it be? Why?
Everything. School is not fun at all.
Kenzie 14, Paisley, FL
The Foods
Haley 10, Leesburg, FL
More Events
Hannah 13 , Winter Park, FL
I would abolish homework. School should be for
school work. Home should be for choosing my own
activities. (Such as sleeping, lol.)
Ryder 17, Eustis, FL
I would change the schedule so we didn't have
different times to remember all the time.
Noah 17, Eagle, ID
I would like it if we had more of a variety of specials
choices and more time to be there.
Brian 10, Mount Dora, FL
My school starts too early in the morning. Change it
to 9:00.
Julia 10, Medford, OR
I wish there would be more specialized classes for
what students are actually interested in.
Lori 17, Orlando, FL
I would change my school back to block
scheduling so I could get eight classes in instead
of only seven.
Me 16, Mount Dora, FL
If I could change one thing, I would change the
fact that so many people get bullied to the point
that they don't feel comfortable in their own skin.
That's wrong. Racism and prejudice are wrong.
If I could change one thing, that's what I would
change.
Kalijah 12, Chula Vista, CA
What I would change about school is the
uniforms. Kids don't want to be told what to
wear for school. People want to be comfortable
when they’re in school. Do you want the students
to be happy while learning?????
Sara 12, Dearborn Heights, MI
If I could change anything about school I would
change homework. Well not really change,
more like take away homework. I want to take
away homework because it just takes time out of
your day/free time. If I have homework there is
always something to do, but if I don't have
homework then there is nothing to do.
Alyssa 10, Montverde, FL
Would you
rather...
Be overdressed 57%
Be underdressed 43%
I wouldn't change anything because I'm home
schooled!
Jillian 9, Mount Dora, FL
I would have signs in halls and class rooms with the
words Respect and Honesty. There is a lack of respect
and honesty at all schools in the United States. Having
signs posted would remind students how to act
everyday.
Aflying 17, Oveido, FL
Kids! Tell Us What You Think!
Go to TheBunkRoom.com.
Answer right on our home page!
To advertise go to TheBunkRoomLake.com | 17

Early Saturday morning
my dad came into my
room and woke me up.
Tracking For Safety
Usually, the weekend was
a good time to sleep in
a little and just wake up
whenever I wanted to.
First Flight
Not What I Expected
By Alec Skapyak 13, Osprey, FL
Laurel Nokomis Middle
However, this weekend I
was going to the Venice,
Florida airport to an aviation
club called “Young
Eagles.” It sounded cool,
but I wasn’t really sure if
I wanted to go. Actually,
I really didn’t want to go
but I did anyhow. My dad
mentioned going a few
times before, but this time
I decided I would try it out
so my dad wouldn’t ask
any more.
When we got to the
airport we met a man
named Dave Cook who is
the Young Eagles Director,
and he introduced me
and my dad to a few others
who were also pilots
and flying enthusiasts.
Next Mr. Cook introduced
me to the pilot who was
going to take me on my
first flight. His
name was Gary McBride
and he once was a pilot
in the Navy who flew
anti-submarine aircraft.
First he took me to his
hangar and we did preflight
safety check on the
aircraft. He then pulled
out of the hangar and got
on the radio and talked
to the tower to request
permission to take off.
Once he had permission
from the tower we taxied
down the runway and
got into line with other
aircraft. When it was our
turn to take-off we sped
down the runway. It was
an exhilarating feeling!
Once we left the ground
he pulled the yoke back
and we climbed up to
about 6,000 feet. Then
I got
to fly for a little bit - it was
so much fun!
Finally, we made it
back to the airport and it
was time to land. It was
fun, and I wasn’t afraid
at all. When we touched
down I also got to feel
what it was like to steer
the plane on the ground.
When I saw my dad
again, the instructor told
him that I did a great job
flying the plane and presented
me with a Young
Eagles certificate and
flight log book. Mr. Cook
also told me that I am
welcome back next month
too. When we got back in
the car to go home, I told
my dad that I loved flying
and I can’t wait to go
back again next month!
8Fact
Did You Know?
Compiled by Annika Slaby 14, Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie Writer / Homeschooled
8Fact
8Fact
8Fact
8Fact
8 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014 | Be published! See page 5.

Day-To-Day
Highlight
of the day:
Band
By Clayton Polk 12
Bunk Roomie Writer
Mount Dora Middle
On a usual
weekday morning,
I wake up to my
Lego Star Wars
Boba Fett alarm
clock and then sleep in for another two and a half
hours. See my lil’ bro Jackson--also a Bunk Roomie-
-sets the alarm for 5:30 which is silly since he has to
get to school by 8:00 but he likes
to have extra computer time.
So anyway, I get up and get
dressed, have breakfast, make
my lunch and if I have time, I
play on the computer. When I
get to school I go straight to
my first period Language Arts
teacher Mrs.Vanzant, who’s
really funny and nice.
I then go to Civics with
Mrs.Lowery who makes
jokes and gets us into debates. I like her
class. Afterward, I go to Math, which I don’t necessarily
enjoy but it comes pretty easily.
Then comes my second favorite class of the day:
lunch, where I get to sit and eat with a variety of very
cool friends and do a lot of my homework. That’s
convenient because then I don’t have to do a lot of it
when I get home.
Now for my favorite class of the day: Band with Mr.
Porter, who is a really great teacher. I play French Horn
in Intermediate Band and Percussion in Beginning
Band (6th Period).
Fifth period is kind of a drag: Science. I like science
but my teacher doesn’t make it very fun.
After school I finish my homework and sometimes
play Minecraft with my stepdad. My mom almost
always makes awesome food for dinner. I go to bed
around 8 or 9 pm and then repeat all of this the next
morning.
What a regular day is like.
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Game
Room
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World’s
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24 Hour Info Line
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Come Experience
“The Launch”
New Laser Maze Challenge
424 N. Palmetto St, Leesburg
What can make two boys come home from school and
then VOLUNTARILY work on a writing assignment?
Only The Bunk Room! Jennifer Dempsey, Mount Dora, FL
What’s
Day-To-Day?
Your
Tell us about your day. Submit at TheBunkRoom.com
and click on InBox. About 250-300 words.

Kids Build an Air
By Benjamin Slaby 16
Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie / Homeschooled
Many kids dream of flying a plane,
but how many can actually say
they’ve built one? A big part of flying
is the actual airplane; knowing
how to build one takes flying to
a whole new level. A group of 17
high school students in Orlando
got the chance of a lifetime in
building a plane.
Circle Christian School offers
the Eagle’s Nest program, which
is a nationally funded non-profit
organization that strives to inspire
future aviators by giving them the
opportunity to build an aircraft.
Through a partnership with Embry-
Riddle Aeronautical University,
students also earn dual-enrollment
credit and are able to get flight
training in the aircraft they built,
provided by local Certified Flight
Instructor’s who are JetBlue crew
members. Circle Christian’s Eagle’s
Nest 6 (EN-6) is the sixth plane of
its kind to be built by a group of
students.
The EN-6 project is run by Scott
Malcomb, an instructor at the
College of Technical Operations
for JetBlue Airways with over 20
years of experience in aircraft
maintenance. In addition to being
a private pilot, he has the perfect
background to lead these young
people.
Other mentors and advisors in
the program include crew members
from Jet Blue, Delta and the
local EAA Chapter 74 (Experimental
Aircraft Association).
The first Eagle’s Nest build (EN1)
took place in Indiana, where Scott
participated. “I watched them build
the airplane and worked with my
brother and dad who were mentors
in the program. I decided I
wanted to run a program like that
here in Orlando so my kids could
get involved.”
Working alongside the hard
working students, Malcomb
and his crew were
able to transform
11,000 parts into a
fully functioning RV12
airplane. Over 14,000
rivets were used in
the process. Imagine
the biggest erector set
you could think of times
2,000 with rivets, wiring
and an engine.
Each student was completely
involved with every
part of the airplane’s construction.
The rough kit required a lot more
than just riveting pieces together.
Each piece of the plane had to
be burnished then deburred,
re-drilled, then clecoed together
(clecos are temporary rivets), taken
apart, deburred again, then rivetted
down final.
Construction was completed in
just one school year. Most groups
take up to two years to complete
construction. In August 2013, the
kit was delivered and the work began.
By March 2014, the airplane
was fully built and Eagle’s Nest 6
was ready to take flight.
Throughout the build, a time
lapse video was made, taking a
picture once every minute as they
10 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014 | Be published! See page 5.

plane!
Lorianne Shultz 17, Orlando, FL
Loved: The whole program was one of the best
experiences of my life. I have learned a multitude
of skills that I never even knew existed. I now look
at planes in a totally different way. Besides the
learning part, I gained sixteen best friends. My
classmates and I all became one huge aviation
family and got to know each other really well from all the time spent
together. Mr. and Mrs. Malcomb were the most amazing teachers.
They truly desired for us to learn and they were so patient with us.
You could tell they not only cared for the plane, but they cared for us.
Challenging: The most challenging for me was reading the build
plans. They were not exactly your typical bedtime reading and they
could be fairly complex at times, but it was worth it.
worked (see link below).
Construction began with the
tail and wing kits. From there
they built the fuselage kit and the
remaining kits. There were a total
of seven kits put together. Before
the Rotax engine was fired up for
the first time, each student took a
two-day Rotax course to learn all
about the engine. They learned all
the basic things that you need to
know before working on a Rotax,
or any engine for that matter. After
they completed the course they
proceeded to the first fire up.
“There were a few minor carburetor
adjustments that they had to
do before the plane was running
correctly but after that was completed,
the plane was running well,”
Malcomb said.
The hardest part of the build
was actually the wiring. “The kids
enjoyed doing the sheet metal
because it’s simple and you can see
progress quickly. The wiring seemed
like it took weeks.”
Malcomb took the plane on its
first flight in March. “I was confident,”
said Malcomb. He was right
to be confident as the first flight
went without incident. The student’s
work proved to be excellent and
soon each student will fly in the
plane.
Next up will be another Eagle’s
Nest project for the next school
year where a new group of students
will do it all again.
Links CircleChristianSchool.org
Watch a timelapse of the build in
4 minutes! YouTube/TBRKids
Listen to the whole interview
with Scott Malcomb here:
TheBunkRoom.com/podcasats
Austin Spidell 17, Sanford, FL
Loved: It was an incredible experience, I learned
more than I ever thought I could learn, and it
opened a career opportunity because now I have
had unique training in a field that is both fun, and
exciting. Challenging: It was challenging at times
because, simply put, we built an actual flying airplane that will seat
two people. With roughly 13,000 rivets and delicate sheet metal, it
was difficult sometimes. Working so long and hard.
Autumn Brown 15, Ocoee, FL
Loved: I absolutely loved working as a team! To
work side-by-side with 16 other students for the
common goal of building a plane was the best
feeling. By the end of the year, we all were one big
family, laughing, learning and building together.
Challenging: Wiring was definitely tricky. Some nights our team only
got through one step of the build because a wire had to be rerouted.
It was frustrating when we fell behind schedule, because everyone
was depending on us to get everything routed and wired correctly. But
seeing the plane finally fly and knowing that I was a part of making it
possible totally makes up for it.
Kaylee Goldbarth 16, Longwood, FL
Loved: I Ioved how hands-on the program was,
meeting new people who have the same interest
as me, and building relationships with them.
Challenging: Managing a busy schedule of 7
courses.
Ezra Williams 18, Ocoee, FL
Loved: I loved the fellowship, problem solving,
education, opportunity and Mr. and Mrs. Malcomb’s
leadership. It was truly an incredible year
and I was so blessed to be a part! Challenging:
It was a commitment coming out for several hours
and days a week, but definitely worth it. Also, sticking with the work
and focusing was a bit of a challenge. In the end, it was an incredible
experience, though, and I’d do all of it over again.

September
October
2010
Volume 3 Issue 3
September/October 2010 | TheBunkRoom.com | 1
SAMPLE
February
2011
Vol 4, Issue 1
Jonathan 15, works
behind the scenes
of a big box office
movie set.
Annika 11,
splashes her
heart out on her
Staycation!
August
2011
Vol 4, Issue 2
South Lake
Territory Available!
Go to TheBunkRoom.com
More Than A Magazine
Inspiring Kids to LOVE Reading & Writing
Publish Your Own Edition
By Kids For Kids
The Bunk Room
Created by Kids
The Bunk Room
and click on Be A Publisher
for more information.
Lake County
Apopka –Wekiva
The Bunk Room
Created By Kids
Read By All!
Movie Making!
Sarah tells about her own
By Kids For Kids adventure!
Ryann Watters
In This Issue
Rise to Eagle Scout:
The Journey
Dog Vision For The
Blind
Kids Write!
The Bunk Roomies!
“Brian loves going to The Bunk Room meetings and sharing his writing with others. Now, he
looks for opportunities to write about.” Jennifer Thompson

Russian Ballet
Training Summers
in America
By Annika Slaby 14
Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie / Homeschooled
Walking into the Westover School
you feel a sense of importance—
the long halls of history watch you
as you walk by. The architecture
is so precise you have to stop and
stare—some areas are in need of
repair, but it has so much potential
to be tweaked and made better.
The program that is held there
every summer is just like the building.
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy
Summer Intensive is a three to
six week program that has been
held at the Westover School for six
years. Stemming from the centuries
old Bolshoi Ballet Academy in
Russia, its history runs deep. The
Academy’s reputation as a leader
in grooming young dancers to be
the best in their profession is world
renowned.
History and precision are at the
core of the training that young
dancers receive through this program.
Every dancer gets better.
In 1997, this training was
brought to the United States upon
the formation of the Russian American
Foundation (RAF), bringing
two world super powers shoulder
to shoulder in training not only
American children, but children
throughout the world.
Rina Kirshner, Vice President of
the RAF, co-founded the organization
at the age of 27 along with
her mother, Marina Kovalyov.
Kirsher’s background in International
Relations and business,
with a focus on Russia, and her
mother’s experience as an entrepreneur,
combined to create the
perfect partnership.
“Seeing the projects that we
have created and the impact that
it has, shows me that individually
you can accomplish something
and that is most important to me,”
Kirshner said.
Four yeas ago, the political environment
was much different than
it is now. President Obama and
President Medvedev established
the US–Russia Bilateral Presidential
Commission as a way to improve
the relationship between the governments
of Russia and the United
States.
“We were invited to be part of it,
on the cultural side,” said Kirshner.
The RAF works with lots of schools
in Russia, Latin America, Europe
and from all over the globe,”
Kirshner said.
“We have had dancers that
thought that all they have wanted
to do in life is to become a dancer
14 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014 | Be published! See page 5.

and now some of them are exploring international
business and international diplomacy, so
we believe that we open up doors for young
individuals.”
The RAF travels to 15 cites in the US and Canada
each year to hold auditions for young dancers
to enter the program. They hold programs
both in Connecticut at the Westover School and
in New York City. The summer program is for
children from the ages 9 to18. Students represent
more than 10 countries.
The students in the Connecticut program are
housed in the dorms at the Westover School for
the duration of the summer intensive. There are
also non-resident students that come to class
during the day and their parents pick them up in
the afternoon.
The kids learn both ballet and character. They
also take Russian language, musical theater
and do arts and crafts. The six week program
students also do pas de deux, where boys and
girls partner.
All the dancers work very hard at the intensive
and strive to be the best they can be. Through
this program, they are building character, culture
and life long friendships.
Links
RussianAmericanFoundation.org
Meghan Booth 14, Watertown CT
Loved: I love meeting
people from all over
the world and taking
the opportunity to learn
from some of the world’s
greatesst teachers.
Challenging: The teachers expect a lot
from us and push us to do our very best. It’s
difficult but very rewarding.
Goals: My goal is to join a company and
dance professionally some day.
Favorite: I’ve been here for four years and
in that time I’ve had so many amazing experiences
that I could never pick a favorite!
Natalia San Antonio 14, Media PA
Loved: I love how teachers
from the Bolshoi
come to teach us and
how we get to learn
different teaching styles
and techniques. Also,
being in this beautiful setting with friends my
age from all over the world who I met.
Challenging: Challenges would be that
they focus on basic technique. The variations
were not the hardest ones I knew, but I really
got the chance to focus on my technique
within the dance.
Goals: Ballet and dance will always be my
future. I also act and sing, so I hope I could
do all three at some point. I strive to improve
my technique and have performance opportunities.
Favorite: This is my fourth year at Bolshoi
and I can’t even count the number of amazing
memories. I am happy that I am part of
the Ukrainian character dance because that
dance has always been my dream for two
years. Also, going to the Met and performing,
but most of all meeting teachers and
friends.
Meagan Gabrysch 13, San Antonio TX
Loved: All of the hours
of doing ballet so my
technique can get better,
and meeting new people
that want to have the
same career as me.
Challenging: Pushing through all the soreness
and blisters you get on your feet. Also,
not being able to see your parents for six
weeks.
Goals: I plan on becoming a professional
ballet dancer at American Ballet Theater or
NY Ballet. In the future I also want to inspire
children to become ballet dancers.
Favorite: Meeting people that want to have
the same profession as me, and also getting
on my first roller coaster at a theme park
with my friends.
Camille Sears 14, Yardley PA
Loved: The individual
instruction provided by the
teachers. Also, everybody
is super kind. And the
food!
Challenging: In the repertoire classes, you
have to learn a lot of choreography really
fast.
Goals: I would love to join the Paris Opera
Ballet School.
Favorite: All of my friends and I have really
funny inside jokes, and I learned a lot about
technique.
Gabrielle Frett 13, Cherry Hill NJ
Loved: That I get a
chance to work with
teachers/choreographers
from Russia and learning
new styles of techniques.
Challenging: It has been challenging to be
away from home for six weeks but it will all
be worth it to improve in something I love.
Goals: A principal or soloist in a professional
ballet company.
Favorite: Being able to improve in partnering,
and working on my technique.
Read how Bunk
Roomie Writer
Annika Slaby
paid for her trip
to Bolshoi.
ValentineDreamer.com
To advertise go to TheBunkRoomLake.com | 15

Future Life
Kids! Tell us what your life looks like in 10 - 20 years.
Submit articles to our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com
200-300 words.
Noah Hamm 17, Eagle, ID
Bishop Kelly High School
It’s pretty safe to say that my
future life will start like those
of many high school seniors:
with college. Not many can
say their future life is going to
take them to Alaska though.
In a little over a year, my
plan is to be in Fairbanks,
Alaska at the University of
Alaska Fairbanks to start
my adult life and career.
When you’re looking for the
best school in the country to
become a firefighter, UAF
is it. Since I’m looking for a
career to last a lifetime it’s
important to start my future
life with good groundwork.
Four years of tremendously
cold temperatures later and
I see a Homeland Security
& Emergency Management
bachelor’s degree in my
future life.
After that, who knows?
Anyone who has had a job
can agree that work doesn’t
come too easily. In my future
life I want to move to Minnesota
to be closer to my
extended family.
Once I’m settled there, my
future life is going to hold
a lot of job applications as I
look for a fire department to
work at. I’d like to work for
the Minneapolis Fire Department
(Minneapolis is the
biggest city in the state) or
over at the Minneapolis/St.
Paul International Airport Fire
Department.
Whichever fire department
I end up working for, I know
that my future life is going
to hold a lot of long hours,
training to improve my skills,
lifesaving rescues and family
time (including kids). And I
can’t wait. My future life is
going to be so worth it.
Book Review
By Karn Hamm 15, Eagle, ID
Bishop Kelly High School
Alcatraz Smedry has
been moving from one
foster home to the next
at a furious rate his
entire life. This is due to
his talent for breaking
things.
He can break anything:
doorknobs,
carpets, chickens, you
name it.
So it’s no surprise that
on his 13th birthday,
Alcatraz is on the verge
of moving again.
But then he receives
Alcatraz Versus
the Evil Librarians
a package with a note
from his dad and a bag
full of sand. Alcatraz
realizes the importance
of the sands when his
grandfather shows up
and finds out they’ve
been stolen by a librarian.
This discovery leads
to a full infiltration of the
downtown library, the
center of operations for
the evil librarians. In the
adventures that ensue,
Alcatraz learns information
that makes him
question everything he’s
ever learned.
Alcatraz narrates the
story and often interrupts
his narration just to
bother the reader.
However, no matter
how many times
he tries to convince
you that he’s a bad
person, you won’t
believe him.
Alcatraz vs. the Evil
Librarians is a ridiculous
book, but it’s a good
kind of ridiculous.
16 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014 | Be published! See page 5.

Montessori at Roseborough
Est. 1983
education as a preparation for life
What do the following successful
celebrities have in common?
• Jacqueline Kennedy
• Jeff Bezos; Amazon CEO
• Prince William & Prince Harry
• Jimmi Wales; Wikipedia founder
• Julia Child
• Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Nobel prize winner
• Larry Page & Sergey Brin; Google founders
…they are all Montessori Alumni
Now Enrolling
Children 12 Months - 15 Years
License# C05LA0124
AMI Accredited
We invite you to visit our Montessori campus to discover the benefits of the authentic Montessori method.
Our goal is to provide each child with the opportunity to develop their full potential in a safe and
stimulating environment emphasizing independence. Call to schedule a tour.
We are now enrolling for the 2014/15 school year.
Early Childhood Elementary Middle School
352-735-2324!
751 East 5th Avenue!
Mount Dora, Florida!
www.montessorinest.com
Montessori at Roseborough does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin.
“It’s such fun advertising with a magazine written entirely by kids!”, Michelle Metheny, The Pampered Chef
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years

The Bunk Roomies
Notebook
Join The Bunk Roomies!
Become a regular contributor and
learn more about publishing.
Go To TheBunkRoom.com and click on
Bunk Roomies for more info. Fun!
From Pods Full of
Beans to Chocolate
By Javelyn Dempsey 11, Umatilla, FL
Bunk Roomie Writer
Round Lake Elementary
Cocoa beans, or cacao beans, come from
a tree called the cacao tree. On this tree,
many, many, MANY, flowers grow on the
trunks and twigs of the tree. These flowers
are pollinated by small, gnat-like insects
called midges, and sometimes bats. After
a couple of years, pods form. These pods,
when ripe, are yellow-orange and when
people cut into them, the inside is white,
with about 50 seeds inside. Those seeds
are cacao seeds.
Expert workers pluck off the ripe pods
and cut them open to scrape all the seeds
out. After that they take the seeds and put
them all into large tub-like containers to
dry them out. This takes a couple of days.
After they are done drying, workers put
them into large bags and ship them to
wherever they need to go.
At a factory, workers remove the shells
from the seeds and then roast the seeds.
After they are roasted, workers put the
seeds into a machine that puts so much
pressure onto them that they turn into
paste. The paste then goes into a different
machine that pressurizes it even more
so it is separated into cocoa butter and
a compressed cylinder of cocoa powder.
This powder can now be sold, or mixed
back with the cocoa butter and a few other
ingredients to make chocolate.
18 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014
Nature Walks Help Heal The Soul
By Jackson Polk 10,
Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie Writer
Round Lake Elementary
I met Mr. Mike when my
brother Nick died. My
mom found a bereavement
counselor for kids
named Mr. Mike. When
you lose someone that
you love, he helps you
get over it at his camp.
After we attended his
camp, he started leading
nature walks for us. We
went to a lot of different
nature parks. We went
to Pear Park in Leesburg,
Hidden Waters Preserve
in Eustis, Tavares
Nature Park, Palm Island
Park in Mount Dora,
Crooked River Preserve
in Clermont, Venetian
Gardens in Leesburg and
Lake Louisa State Park in
Clermont.
One of my favorite
By Josephine Gaxdecki 8,
Eustis, FL / Bunk Roomie
Homeschooled
Family, happy, laughter
describe my two best
cousins that I love to hang
out with, Lily and Ellie. I call
them that because they are
the girl cousins that I hang
out with whenever I am up
in Michigan. I love to have
sleepovers with them. This
summer I tried to sleep
over one night without my
sisters. It didn’t work out
because I’m not used to
being away from my sisters
or my mom. I still had fun
before my mom had to
pick me up. We watched
Join The Bunk Roomies!
nature walks was at
Tavares Nature Park. We
saw a very rare Striped
Mud Turtle next to the
creek! It was cool and a
really unique sight to see.
I also liked the various
trees and insects that we
saw. Another fun walk
was through Palm Island
Park in Mount Dora. We
saw a male and female
Purple Gallinule in the
water! Mr. Mike said that
they were the first Purple
Gallinules he’d seen in
twenty years!
I was hoping that we
wouldn’t see too many
spiders on our walks
but we saw a few. Some
parts of the parks were
polluted with bottles,
paper and other disgusting
things. I wish people
would either recycle their
trash or throw it away.
Mr. Mike told us that
“Quest for Zue” and played
Monster High. After dinner
we had little snacks. I had
a s’more.
A couple days
later I tried again,
but this time my mom
was with me. Lily,
Ellie and I played for
hours. We watched
15 minutes of “Teen
Beach Movie” and then it
was time to go to bed. The
next morning, my mom had
to leave. I stayed with my
cousins until we met my
family back at Park Colony
Pool Club. We picked up
my other cousin, Robyn,
from her store. She needed
when we’re in nature,
we should “Take Only
Pictures and Leave Only
Footprints.”
I think Mr. Mike
thought it would be a
good idea for us to go
on nature walks because
seeing all of the plants,
animals and birds helped
to take our minds off
of stressful things. I felt
relaxed when we were
on our walks. I hope you
go on a nature walk soon
too.
Fun With Cousins in Michigan!
to tell the people from the
vet office that her store
is going to donate food
for those who are
building the new dog park.
Later, we went to PCC to
swim and play. That was
the last time I will see them
until I go back to Michigan.
I was so happy about
being in Michigan. I had a
great time with my cousins.
I can’t wait to go back!
Learn more at
TheBunkRoom.com
Click on Bunk Roomies

High School Internships
Earn service hours while you’re learning
the publishing business.
Junior Content Editor positions available.
Go to TheBunkRoom.com/interns.
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WE’RE ALL ABOUT!
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• College Prep Curriculum
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Valentine Dreamer
By Annika Slaby 14, Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie Writer
By Benjamin Slaby 16, Mt Dora, FL Bunk Roomie Writer
Blog excerpt...This summer I attended
the Blog (Russian) Excerpt Bolshoi . . . Ballet People Summer always ask me to help
Intensive them buy for cars six and weeks trucks in Connecticut. because of my Were extensive
my experience eyes ever doing opened! it myself. Read . . more. . So my . . mom and I
decided that it would be a great ideas to make some
videos about how to Go buy to a used car . . . Read more.
TheBunkRoom.com
Go to TheBunkRoom.com and click on Blogs. and click on Blogs.
Registering
Now
For Our
Black
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By Benjamin Slaby 16, Mt Dora, FL Bunk Roomie Writer
Blog Excerpt . . . People always ask me to help
them buy cars and trucks because of my extensive
experience doing it myself. . . . So my mom and I
decided that it would be a great ideas to make some
videos about how to buy a used car . . . Read more.
Go to TheBunkRoom.com and click on Blogs.
Kathryn Wheeler
Artistic Director
Joffrey Ballet
School Principal of
Metropolitan
Ballet eatre
MOUNT DORA SCH O L of BALLET
Classical Ballet, Pointe, Pre-Ballet,
Creative Dance, Jazz and Character Dance
For more information call 352-357-5536
MountDoraSchoolofBallet.com
Call now to
tour our
studio.
1

Photo Contest
KIDS ages 8-18 submit
your best photo! We
choose finalists who
will be featured in each
edition. WINNERS will be
chosen by our readers and featured
here and in future publications.
Follow @TheBunkRoom on
Instagram. #TBRPhotoContest
Congratulations
Gabriella
Winner of our June/July 2014 Contest
The Winner!
Gabriella 17,
Grass Lake, MI
Readers
Vote!
Abby 17, Sorrento, FL Christyan 15, Dublin, OH Jacob 18, Mount Dora, FL
Go to
TheBunkRoom.com/
photocontest
Victoria 16, Orlando, FL
Quyen 18, Sorrento, FL
Annika 14, Mount Dora, FL
20 | TheBunkRoom.com | Aug / Sept 2014 | Be published! See page 5.

“Never doubt
that a small
group of
thoughtful, committed
citizens
can change the
world; indeed,
it’s the only
thing that
ever has.”
~Margaret Mead
Meet Vivienne!
After seeing a photo of two enslaved
boys her age—and learning
that “slavery did not end
with Abraham Lincoln”—then
8-year-old Vivienne Harr decided
to help. She said: “Compassion
is not compassion without
action.” So, since children have
done since time immemorial,
she went with “the only business
experience I had”: a lemonade
stand. But, little Vivienne had a
big vision. She wanted to raise
$100,000. She “made a stand”
at her lemonade stand for 365
days straight, rain or shine, to
“end child slavery.”
...............
We’re excited at The Bunk Room
to be meeting Vivienne Harr,
now 10 years old, in our first
LIVE webinar interview. Join us
and sit in on the fun in the comfort
of your own home!
Join us for a
LIVE Group Interview
The Details
When: Wed, Aug 20 @ 7 pm
Where: Online
Who: Everyone! Kids & Adults
How: Go to TheBunkRoom.com/meet
to register.
Space limited so hurry!
Cost: FREE!

After “Hey, watch this!”
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It’s the very nature of an emergency. The sudden pain. The spiking fever. The thump
in the night and your child’s cry. You’re never ready for it. But the good news is, we
are. Specialists in every discipline are ready twenty-four hours a day, every day, to
assess and treat whatever nasty surprise may come your way.
Visit FHWaterman.com to view our average ER wait time.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

1st & 3rd Tuesdays
5:30-7:30
2nd Thursday
Marriage Enrichment
Retreats
Our mission is to work with families to help
children come to know the love of God and
understand their value in God’s eyes.
Wednesdays 6:30
10200 Morningside Dr, Leesburg 352-728-1620
Interactive Programs for All Ages
Meet Dr. LaShawn L. Gill,
Biblical Counseling
Director of Children and Family Ministries
LaShawn is a licensed professional and nationally certified counselor
who specializes in Biblical Counseling. She is also a licensed and
ordained minister; and a child and family clinician who has a strong
passion for building healthy relationships, especially with children
and families. She has been practicing for many years and brings to
LSPC her compassion and commitment to our community.
LAE-LAH Consulting, Inc.
"Honoring Christ Through Our Services"
www.lashawnlewis.com 434-426-2226
“Our enrollment has increased by 25% this year. The exposure we’re getting in The Bunk Room has definitely
contributed to our growth.” Kathryn Wheeler, owner Mount Dora School of Ballet
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“As your Sheriff, I am dedicated
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