The Bunk Room_Issue 36

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The Bunk Room
North Lake
July / August
2013
Vol 6, Issue 4
Launching
a Dream
Erik Slaby 17,
Mount Dora, FL bypasses
high school
to graduate from
college. Now he’s
an intern with the
Annika 11,
splashes her
heart out on her
Staycation!
Orlando Predators.

Save the date
November 9th!
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Show
Fundraising
Event
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The Bunk Room
North Lake
TheBunkRoomLake.com
Publisher: Julie Gazdecki
Editorial / Creative: Maria Slaby
Executive Editor: Margo Slaby
Editor in Chief: Erik Slaby
Advertising:
publisher@TheBunkRoomLake.com
352-729-2109
Advertising Design: The Bunk Roomies
Distribution: The Gazdecki Girls,
Gary Wayne, Family Martial Arts Center
Bunk Roomies (in this issue) ................
Josephine Gazdecki 8, Eustis, FL
Anna Gazdecki 11, Eustis, FL
Javelyn 11, Umatilla, FL
Meg Greystoke 12, Mount Dora, FL
Annika Slaby 12, Mount Dora, FL
Emma Gazdecki 14, Eustis, FL
Benjamin Slaby15, Mount Dora, FL
Erik Slaby 17, 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, 352-729-2109
..................................................
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. The Bunk
Room cannot be held responsible for
the products, services or opinions
herein.
4 | TheBunkRoom.com | July / August 2013 | Be published! See page 5.
Julie Gazdecki
Where should I begin? It has sure been a journey over the past
two months as we experienced putting together our first full issue.
I would like to thank my girls and my husband for supporting
and helping me through these big changes for our family. It has been great to spend
special time with all my girls doing different tasks. I am very proud of them for stepping up
and talking with business owners about the magazine. It is amazing how much they have
grown from this already.
I have to say that the best part about getting out into the community, is to distribute the
magazine and hear so many positive reactions from everyone we meet. People just LOVE
The Bunk Room!! I truly enjoy finding all kinds of unique businesses that I never knew were
there. I am excited for the journey with all the new businesses that have decided to join us!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Maria Slaby
Director of Editorial & Creative
There is a buzz in the air,
the sun is shining and it
looks beautiful outside.
The moment I step outside
I instantly become
very hot and sticky and
I run back inside to the
cool air. I guess summer
has arived!
I have been very busy
these last couple of weeks
applying to law schools,
working at the Orlando
Predators, carting my
siblings around and working on The Bunk
Room.
It’s exciting to share with all of
you my Intern Adverntures with The Orlando
Predators. (See page 10.) It’s been
getting a little bit crazier at the Predators
office now because we have started to win
Erik Slaby 17
Editor In Chief
Erik's
Think
Tank
Publisher, North Lake
Catch up with me at my new blog at TheBunkRoom.com. Lots of
great news to share about how your kids can get involved with
us behind the scenes. Can you hear my hAPpY dANcE?!
The Bunk Room Foundation Needs You. Our mission is to inspire
kids to love and embrace reading and writing. All our local Bunk Roomies
meetings are completely operated by volunteers and funded by donations.
We welcome your donations to help us continue this amazing program. To
donate, go to TheBunkRoom.com or email us at donate@thebunkroom.com.
Thank you!

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
Features
wHAt*s uP tHis issue?
Editor’s Note:
Ages indicated are the ages of the writers when their articles were submitted.
8 Meet The Author
Maria Chester 18, Eustis, FL shares inspiration
and writing tips from bestselling author
Tracie Peterson.
10 COVER FEATURE!
Erik Slaby 17, Mount Dora, FL
launches his dream to become an
NFL general manager starting at
the Orlando Predators.
14 Summer Camp Memories
Emma 13 and Madison 13, Eustis, FL
along with Sophia 12, Coral Gables share
their favorite summer camp memories.
16 Butterflies For The Butterfly
Leah 10, Maitland, FL experiences The
Butterfly, inside and out!
Departments
7 What Do You Think?
9 Day-To-Day
Benjamin 15, Mount Dora, FL fills
his day with fixing cars.
16 Future Life
20 Photo Contest
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.
Erik Slaby Launches His Dream
page 10
page 18
Gracie Disccovers a Love For
Engineering with Goldie Blox!
19 Featured Blogger: Habilis Boy
22 The Bunk Roomies Notebook
Submit Online
Submit work at our Inbox at TheBunk-
Room.com. Parent’s or guardian’s
electronic signature must accompany all
submissions. For ideas, click on the Ideas
page.
All submissions are the
property 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.
Email Updates: TheBunkRoom.com
The Bunk Room Lake
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The Bunk Room

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What’s Your Best Summer Memory?
What Do
You Think?
My family went up to Virginia for about two
weeks. It was really fun because I got to see
my cousins and family who I almost never
get to see. We swam, played baseball, had
ice cream, and just relaxed.
Christina 13, Orlando, FL
Having fun with my friends in Belgium!
Meg 12, Mount Dora, FL
Well this summer we had a road trip. We
stayed in Savannah, GA and in North
Carolina in a cabin on the river. I think that
was my favorite summer memory.
Samantha 11, Oviedo, FL
Going to Walt Disney World.
Lauren 10, Woodbridge, VA
Staying at the beach with my family. Playing
in the waves and letting them knock me
down.
Tyson 9, Leesburg, FL
Going up north to Benson, Vermont and
spending a week with all of my family in a
cabin on a lake. We always make a lot of
good food, kayak, swim, and drive the ATV
around.
Devyn 18, Mount Dora, FL
Swimming at the pool and water parks.
Serenity 6, Anniston, AL
My favorite summer memory happened in
the summer of 2012. My parents decided
that we could go to Disney World. My dad
goes all around the U.S. for work and since
I am homeschooled we go with him. We
called them "vacations" but my dad always
worked so it wasn't a true vacation. Disney
World was fantastic! My family had so much
fun! The fireworks at night, riding my first
roller coaster (at the age of 12 surprisingly),
and bonding with my family will be some of
the best memories of my life.
Erin 13, Woodbridge, VA
What do you
like the most?
Beach (13)
Water Park (12)
Pool (9)
Lake (3)
Sleeping in late, playing outside all day,
riding bikes with my brothers and Mom,
visiting family, going to the zoo and going
to water parks with my family. Summer is
just about having fun and doing fun things
with family!
Kyle 9, Holmen, WI
The Summer of 2011 we took an amazing
cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
Makenzie 11, Tavares, FL
Going on a family vacation to Las Vegas,
going to the beach and spending time with
my friends.
Julia 9, Medford, OR
Going to the parade on the 4th of July.
Dylan 8, Grand Island, FL
When I went fishing under the bridge and I
caught a big bass.
Malaki 9, Leesburg, FL
Riding my bike to Skateworld!
Jordan 9, Leesburg, FL
Going to Virginia to see family and
celebrating birthdays with cousins.
Serena 13, Leesburg, FL
Hanging out with my family.
Isiah 15, Leesburg, FL
Going to Daytona Beach and chillin’.
Nathan 19, Leesburg, FL
Read more responses here:
Take Our Survey and Be Published!
Go to TheBunkRoom.com/survey
New one each issue!
To advertise go to TheBunkRoomLake.com | 17

Meet The Author
Award Winning Author
Shares Writing Tips
Romance novels make the hearts of girls
everywhere flutter and usually seems to
make boys cry “cooties.” But what goes
into these books that inspire so much
enthusiasm? Tracie Peterson, award
winning, bestselling
author of
over 95 books,
has some
insights.
Peterson is the
2007 winner
of Romantic
Times Career
Achievement
Award for
Inspirational
Fiction. In addition, she’s held
Barbour Publishing's “Heartsong
Presents” Favorite Author of the Year,
three years in a row.
Peterson began writing when she
was very young and credits her mother
for helping her discover her talent. When
attending church, her mother would give
her a pencil and paper and tell her to
draw a picture and make up a story to
go along with it. After services were
over, she would ask her to tell the story.
“I knew I would have her undivided
attention and credit her with developing
the storyteller in me,” Peterson said.
Perhaps best known for her period
romance, Peterson says it was her love
of the past that drew her to historical
fiction. One of the things she enjoys is
being able to share little known
historical facts in her books. “I love
exploring the various time periods and
events in history in order to bring them to
life in a story,” she said. Peterson also
likes to show that, just as the Bible says,
“there truly is nothing new under the
Tracie Peterson
sun” and that many of today’s
problems were also faced by
people long ago. “They might look
a little different, but they were just
as compelling and frustrating.”
Peterson writes every day,
spending a great deal of time
researching before she begins a
new novel. Then, when she has
completed her studies, she begins
to plot out the story and write the
synopsis, brainstorming with her
editor as needed. “When I have
all of that in place, however, I
generally give myself three months
for each book,” she said. After
she has finished a story, she
enjoys celebrating with those close
to her. “I love to go out to dinner
with friends and family,” she said.
There are many things that
Peterson hopes her readers will
walk away with, but the greatest,
and perhaps the main reason for
her work is love of God. “I would
Order these books and more at
TheBunkRoom.com/store
By Maria Chester 18, Eustis, FL
Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer
like the readers to see the hope,
joy and love that can be had in a
relationship with Jesus Christ,”
said Peterson.
As a bestselling writer and a
teacher of writing workshops,
Peterson shares invaluable advice
for aspiring writers.
“Read. Read for pleasure,
then look at the same book and
try to tear it apart and find why
you think that book was good or
bad. If it's a best seller try to
figure out why you think that's the
case. Is it strong characters? An
unusual plot? Great pacing? All
of the above? Get involved in
writer's organizations like
American Christian Fiction Writers
and study the craft of writing.
Learn techniques and know what
audiences are looking for in
books. Never think you know it
all. I'm still learning.”
8 | TheBunkRoom.com | July / August 2013 | Be published! See page 5.

Day-To-Day
By Benjamin Slaby 15,
Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie A-Team
Homeschooled
........................
My average day consists of
me waking up at about 8 or
9 o’clock to the sounds of
the ipad blaring some
random, usually annoying
song that my mom has
What a regular day is like.
chosen.
I then get ready for the day.
I usually practice my cello for an hour then do some
math. The best part of my day comes next when I go outside
and start working on my car. On an average day I will spend
about four hours in the garage working on my 1965 Ford
Mustang as well as my other projects.
I have been working on this car for about six months and
I really want to have it done by the time I take my drivers test
when I turn 16. It’s a challenge because since I have to pay
for everything that goes into my Mustang, I have to
constantly be buying and selling other stuff to fund the
project. I buy all kinds of fixer-uppers, some of which have
included dirt bikes, jet skis, go-karts and even cars and trucks.
After working out in the
garage for a while I then head
back in the house, eat, then start
the rest of my homework that I do
at Rasmussen College. This
usually consists of writing papers
and posting on the school forum
and stuff like that. I take online
classes. Sometimes I get a little
distracted and start looking for
cool parts for my Mustang
which eventually leads me to
YouTube.
When I finally finish
messing around on the
computer it’s about midnight or later and I
head up to bed. This is just an average day at my house but
every day has a lot of random. This is just the standard day.
Read more about Benj’s Mustang and other projects on his
blog at TheBunkRoom.com
What’s Day-To-Day?
your
Tell us what your day is like! Submit your Day-to-Day
article to us TheBunkRoom.com and click on InBox.
About 200 to 350 words.
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1

Launching A Dream
First Stop: Intern for the Orlando Predators
By Erik Slaby 17, Mount Dora, FL
Editor In Chief / Homeschooled
The crowd is roaring. Music is blaring
throughout the arena. People are scurrying
around and there is an undeniable
excitement in the air as I lean forward in
my chair preparing for kickoff. This is what
moments before kickoffs feel like for the
Orlando Predators and staff, myself
included. I have had the pleasure of
working with the Orlando Predators, a
professional Arena League Football (AFL)
team as an intern for the last couple
months.
The Orlando Predators are an arena
league team that plays in the Amway
Center. Arena football is like the NFL, but
slightly different because the field is only
50 yards instead of 100 and they play in a
basketball arena instead of a regular
football stadium. The game is much faster
than an NFL game and there are way more
points scored because of the shorter field.
It's very exciting to watch.
When I finished my last term of
college recently, I realized I would have
several months of free time before heading
to law school in the fall. I felt like I needed
to do something with my life. My ultimate
dream is to become an NFL General
Manager, so my dad and I thought that it
would be good for me to get some
experience with a sports team that was
close enough for me to drive to and
aligned with my career plan.
The Orlando Predators was the perfect fit!
I sent emails to the Chief Operating
Officer of the Predators and the Director of
Ticket Operations asking about internship
opportunities. They quickly hired me as an
intern and I began work right away. I have
always been interested in arena football
and wondered how it was played so I was
very excited to start working with the
Predators.
Working with the Predators is fantastic!
There are a ton of things that I do as an
intern. Some of the things include
answering phones, running errands and
most importantly, doing whatever someone
asks me to do and to always look for new
ways to help.
When I first started, I really didn't
know what it would be like. I've quickly
learned that professional football is so
much more than a game. It's a business.
The product being the team along with the
“show” on game day. The show has to be
entertaining and it helps when the team is
winning. And, like any business, the
product needs to be marketed heavily.
While some days can be a little quiet
for me, there are always little details that
need attention. The busiest days are
always game days and the days leading
up to game day.
Game day is crazy busy! With sponsor
banners to be hung on the field, trucks to
be unloaded and a gazillion other things
as simple as making sure promotional signs

What does an intern do?
Unload Trucks (Equipment, Promo Items,
Drinks, etc.) • Answer Phones • Cut up
Restaurants &Ticket Vouchers for Players
• Manual Labor (Pick up trash in parking
lot, organize supply room, moving boxes, do
dishes, etc.) • Drive Players around town to
Airport, Doctors, etc. • Run Errands (Amway
Center, Office Supply, Bank, etc.) • Game
Day On-Field Promotion (Tshirt Cannon, Kick
for Car, Pizza Giveaway, etc) • And MORE!
One employee jokingly said that he's going to
put out a cot for me because I am at the
office all of the time!
are carried out onto the field to getting
Sharpie pens to the players for
autographing, all the interns are on the
move. There can be anywhere from six to
20 interns working at a game.
During the game, the interns have
many different jobs, from being on the field,
to working with the media. During the first
several games, my job was to sit in the
press box with a computer and place the
commercials for the live internet stream of
the game. During timeouts, halftime and
commercial breaks I would make sure that
advertisements were run on the live stream.
It is a pretty simple job but it is important
that I don’t mess up because that could
result in some unhappy advertisers. Even
though it’s a little quiet in the press box, I
get a great view of the game and can think
of football strategies in my head. I love
football so this is a plus for me!
One game was really close and the
opposing team's head coach and his
assistant were right beside me. Usually the
coaches are on the field and I’m all alone in
the press box. Their emotions were really
high. I felt a little awkward sitting next to
them with my Predator’s shirt on. But all
ended well for them since their team won.
Recently I started doing on-field
promotions during the games and that has
been a lot of fun. I bring fans onto the field
to compete for prizes from sponsors like
Subway and Mullinax Ford. I've also been
able to talk to a few players and get a
great view of the game. It is definitely a lot
more exciting on the field.
Working at the Predators is great for
me. Along with all the business I've learned,
I've learned more about the AFL and how it
works, the rules (which are different from
the NFL rules) and have seen the drama
that unfolds with players and trades. I've
really enjoyed being part of all of this.
There's never a dull moment!
I always try to work as much as
possible because there is a lot to do and I
feel like I can help out and learn at the
same time. One employee jokingly said that
he's going to put out a cot for me because I
am at the office all of the time. I love
working at the Predators and I can't wait to
apply the knowledge that I have learned
here later in life. Especially when I am a
general manager in the NFL.
To advertise go to TheBunkRoomLake.com | 11

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IT’S EASY . . . REGISTER at
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Crossword
Challenge
Prizes Provided By
We’ve got awesome prizes
available for the winners! Prizes
are limited so HURRY!
Simply submit a snapshot of your
completed crossword to
TheBunkRoom.com/crossword
Or email to
publisher@thebunkroomlake.com
Prizes go
QUICKLY so
HURRY!
Montessori at Roseborough
Est. 1983
education as a preparation for life
Learn how you can sponsor
this page! Call 352-729-2109
Prizes!
Prizes!
Across
3. Gourmet kitchen products can be found here.
5. What do our readers love most?
6. Break Point is located in _____ .
9. What is Meghan's favorite position?
10. Where will Erik be heading in the fall?
11. Goldie Box is what kind of toy for girls?
13. Where can you find a 70's & 80's night?
16. Christian Home & Bible has _____ school
care on campus.
17. Where can you buy, sell, or trade clothing,
jewelry, and gifts?
18. Which character did Jenna play at the New
Fantasyland?
HURRY!
Prizes!
Down
1. What did Madison's team help paint for an
Orlando
resident?
2. Parker plans to do what for life?
4. What was the name of the horse that
Sophia was assigned to?
7. Leah competed in the 50 meter ________.
8. Buy _____ games, get one free at Family
Fun.
12. Emma does theatre at ______ Youth
Theatre.
14. Where did Benjamin buy his Mustang?
15. Montessori at Roseborough is hosting this
in August.
To advertise go to TheBunkRoomLake.com | 13
Winners pick any one prize.
HURRY! First come first served!
Prizes!
(1) Backpack of school supplies: Christian
Home & Bible
(3) Game of Bowling w/Nachos & Soda:
Break Point Alley
(1) Game of Laser Tag or Putt Putt: Family
Fun
(1) $25 Gift Card: Delia’s Boutique
(25) Skate admission up to $7 value: Skate
World
(1) Back to School Package: Montessori at
Roseborough
(1) Photo Session with 8x10, 2-5x7's and 16
wallets: 1000 Words Gallery $75 value
(1) Mystery Gift: KaDee Kay Gourmet
Kitchen Products
(1) Dog bath up to $50 value: The Green
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Prizes expire August 30, 2013

Learning To Lead
a Colorful Camp
By Emma Gazdecki 13,
Eustis, FL
Bunk Roomie A Team
Homeschooled
As individuals, we are as unique as the indescribable
eighth color of the rainbow. One of my favorite
summer camps I attended was The Eighth Color Camp,
a two week summer production camp of the Icehouse
Youth Theater (IYT). I was the youth assistant director
(YAD).
It was my first time being the YAD and it was
hard. Mostly because more than half
the cast was my age or older. It
really challenged me, but I did it. I
got to direct my friend, Skylar’s
poem scene and the pageant scene.
I gained a lot of leadership and
communication skills. I also had
to write the actors notes on how
to improve. I found out that
leading can be very fun!
Mr. Scott, our director,
wanted me to be in the play too
so I acted as the computer that
was projected on stage.
I also ran lights for the show and it was chaotic!
I had to press this button, then that one. I had to
turn on this light cue, then that one. Wait, Turn off
the lights! But it was not as bad as it seems.
At the end of the show I went on stage and sang
the ending song with everyone.
Madison
Work = FUN!
Imagine That!
Last summer I went on a mission trip with my
youth group to Catholic Heart Workcamp in
Orlando, FL. There were 10 different youth
groups that came from different states. We
were all split up into different work teams
doing whatever that resident needed.
My team painted a house for a really
nice man. He would come outside and talk and
pray with us and he would make sure we had
everything we needed and more. There were
some teams that helped at a boys and girls
club for two of the days, others cleaned out a
warehouse and others sorted food at a food
pantry.
We rode a bus to our worksite every
morning, then at about 2:30 in the afternoon
we’d go back to the school that we were
staying at. There was daily Mass, plus we had
morning and evening program. At morning
program we sang songs and got everything we
needed for that days’ work. But at evening
program we sang and danced.
Some of the parishes did skits and we
always got to see pictures of that days work.
Tuesday was Taco Tuesday, and at evening
program we had a huge dance party! One night
some of the chaperones got on stage to dance
and embarrass themselves. I got picked, along
with some other people, to do a flash mob.
There was also the prayerful part of evening
program. We sang praise and worshiped.
One night we did this thing called four
corners. It is a very spiritual and prayerful
thing and everyone ends up crying. Friday was
our free day where all the youth groups got to
go do whatever they wanted. My youth group
went to Wet ‘n Wild and then when it started
to rain we went and played glow-in-the-dark
mini golf. For dinner we went to a Japanese
steakhouse which was really yummy. I had the
best week. Our youth group got a lot closer
and we are all like family now.
By Madison 13,
Eustis, FL
Homeschooled

Memories
By Sophia 12, Coral Gables, FL
Homeschooled
More To Gain From Hanging On
Than Just Not Falling Off
“Sophia, pull back on your reins,” my teacher
yelled. I was eight years old and it was my
first time at M-Bar-C Ranch, a charming horse
farm in the woods on Whidbey Island, Florida.
Until that summer, I had never galloped before.
I arrived at the ranch with a brown
paper bag lunch and my pink boots that I had
just purchased from the second hand store in
Freeland. I walked into a cold, concrete floored
building. Numerous people were already there
sitting on wooden chairs lined up in the center
of the room facing a small white board. Others
were sitting around a long, grey plastic folding
table, chatting.
I turned my head and looked at the
white board. It had everyone’s name on it,
including mine, with the assigned horses for the
week. I walked over nervously to see which
horse I had been given. I got a horse called
Dancer! He was a chestnut brown purebred
Arabian gelding.
During that week we learned gobs about
horses. By Wednesday we were ready to go on a
trail ride in the forest. I tacked up Dancer and
grabbed his reigns and took him to a step stool.
I thrust my left foot in the stirrup and pushed
myself up while I swung my right leg up and
over the saddle. It was a cool, clear morning
and we were all ready to go.
The campers, mounted on their horses,
filed up in line and meandered towards the trail
head. I held the leather reigns tightly in my
hands, sitting on the Western leather saddle
with a huge horn in the front to hold onto. My
furry helmet was fastened under my neck.
Cautiously descending the first hill, dusty dirt
flew everywhere and I was close to the back of
the line.
We passed through a dry grass pasture.
Suddenly, Dancer broke from the line and began
to gallop full speed. I thought I would fall off
and
become paralyzed, picturing myself
thrown from the horse and with a concussion.
Terrified, I closed my eyes tightly. Dancer
bolted across the flat turf. I began falling off.
My saddle was slipping. Dancer finally slowed
down and suddenly stopped at the beginning of
the line, right next to my instructor’s horse.
“Oh, are you OK?” my instructor asked.
“Dancer probably wanted to be at the front of
the line because my horse is his girlfriend!” she
explained.
I didn’t want to go on the trail ride
anymore. I was terrified of galloping again.
“Trust me. It will be fun,” my teacher reassured
me.
We continued the ride and went on to a
clearing among the trees. My teacher praised me
and was proud of me for holding on. We tied up
our horses to hitching posts. We had a picnic on
the ground next to a big wooden cross.
One of the older volunteers told us a
story. While listening to the story I saw what
I would have been missing if I had not gone on
the trail ride. I understood that day if I face
my fears I will enjoy what I was scared of and
find out it was worth it.
Tell us your
camp memories!
Go to TheBunkRoom.com/survey
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.
By Parker 18, Mount Dora, FL
Mount Dora High School
In 10 years from now I expect my life to
be significantly different than it is today.
First and foremost, I hope to have
graduated college with a business degree
and to be married. After I acquire this
degree, I hope to begin working more
seriously with my dad in an effort to bring
his business to the next level in the
wastewater treatment industry.
I would like to own property in Mount
Dora; preferably on a lake and I would
like to eventually possess property on a
beach that I could use as a retreat on the
weekends and holidays. My dream car
would be a Corvette ZR1 or a Dodge
Viper. I would also love to own an
offshore fishing boat and two wave
runners.
A very important goal I would like to
accomplish would be practicing martial
arts for life. Ten years from now I hope to
remain progressing in the belt ranking
system of Tae Kwon Do with instructor
training because in the future I may want
to open my own martial arts school. I
know that some of these dreams seem
childish and far-fetched, but I hope that
through hard work and dedication I can
accomplish all of my goals.
16 | TheBunkRoom.com | July / August 2013 | Be published! See page 5.
Butterflies for the Butterfly!
By Leah 10, Maitland, FL
“Off we go to the state meet!” my sister
exclaimed.
“UUUGGGHH!!!”I groaned. “I can’t
swim! I have butterflies in my stomach!”
“Well good, because you’re swimming 50
meter butterfly!” my dad joked. “It is one of
your best strokes!”
When my family and I got to the state meet,
I quickly learned that the place where I was
swimming was bigger than four football
stadiums put together! It sounded worse, too!
With the splashing, beeping and yelling, I
thought I was going to get a headache right
then and there! Well, the sights and sounds
just made the butterflies worse!
Then I was called for a pep talk that
lasted about 30 minutes. After the pep talk
we went to warm up so we could swim fast
later. But boy, that was hard because there
were about 30 people in each lane! Once I
passed a person who grabbed me by my
ankle so I couldn’t kick! I was so mad that I
sprinted and kicked as hard as I could! As I
pulled myself out of the pool I thought I’m
done! Then I sat on a bleacher. I waited for
my event for what felt like hours!
When I had to swim 50 meter butterfly I
was shaking more than an old dog! “Don’t
be scared, Leah!” my coach exclaimed while
guiding me to the place we dive off of.
Then I heard a whistle! That meant get
on the starting block.
“Swimmers, take your marks!”BEEP!!!
With a splash I dove into the water while
thinking legs, don’t fail me now!!!
When the race was over I couldn’t feel
my legs! I whipped off my goggles, closed
my eyes and hoped I cut time off of my
butterfly. I looked up at the electronic time
board. Then I saw the times for 50 meter
butterfly. I cut four seconds off my butterfly!
(That is a lot!) My time was 44.92! I think I
got second place in my heat!
After two more races my family and I
went home. What a day!!
1

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She’s More
Than a
Princess
By Annika Slaby 13, Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie A-Team / Homeschooled
Barbies, Polley Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop.
There are so many toys for girls but none that
inspire science! There are pink Legos and Lincoln
Logs but Debbie Sterling didn’t think that was
doing the trick. That’s why
she invented Goldie Blox. Annika & Gracie
Goldie Blox is an
engineering toy for little girls.
The mechanical toy is
connected to a story,
something that Sterling said
separates the girls from the
boys when trying to inspire.
The storybook that goes
with the toy is about an
engineer named Goldie and
her animal friends.
Sterling was inspired by her friend’s
daughter. She was watching her play with Legos
and could see that she was getting bored.
“I asked her what was her favorite toy and
she showed me a book. I remember at that
moment thinking that girls like reading more than
building. Maybe I could combine them together!”
Along the way Sterling has had worries.
“You want to try to do everything, you want to
appeal to the girls....but not be too girly.”
But doing something you love overpowers
these challenges. “I think that the most fun part of
my job is brainstorming, finding ideas and
passing the toys out to the kids. I’m always very
surprised at what kids say and do. They are very
creative.”
In only a year, Sterling pre-sold 20,000
orders of Goldie Blox. In the future she sees
Goldie with her own television show and a
clothing line for girls that includes a tool belt.
According to Sterling, the world needs more
women engineers and she’s doing everything she
can to make that happen!
Gracie Says . . .
Pink ribbons and animals help little
girls like six year old Grace
Desmarias of Mount Dora, FL learn
the meaning of engineering.
Gracie is one of the thousands
of girls who now own the
revolutionary new toy called Goldie
Blox. Gracie loves Goldie Blox. “I
just love how the ribbon spins and
spins.”
She loves how not only the toy
makes the shape of a star but that it
can make the letters D,E,O and I. It
also makes mushrooms and smiley
faces.
Gracie now knows what a
washer and an axle are because of
the toy. She said she would like to
have more toys by Goldie Blox and
a cool Goldie outfit.
18 | TheBunkRoom.com | July / August 2013 | Be published! See page 5.

Restoring a ’65 Mustang
By Benjamin Slaby 14,
Mount Dora, FL
Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer
Excerpt from Habilis* Boy Blog
Since I was little I always
thought that the first
generation Ford Mustangs
were so awesome! My mom
and dad said I should just find
one and restore it. I was so
happy that they believed in
me and excited when I
decided to buy one! I
couldn’t stop thinking about,
and searching for, the perfect Mustang.
Habilis means “handyman.”
Habilis Boy
Go to thebunkroom.com
and click on Habilis Boy.
“Benj”
At the time I was in the process of flipping a 1996 Chevy
Camaro. I was able to sell the Camaro for $1900 which was the
exact amount for the Mustang I found.
I had been searching Mustangs on Craigslist for a couple
months. Every time I thought I found one, something would fall
through. Either the car would sell before I had the money or the
car wouldn’t be anything like described in the ad.
I finally found what seemed to be the perfect car; a 1965
Mustang 302ci V8.
The car was in Kissimmee, FL, about an hour away from us.
My sister Margo and I drove to see the car one day after my
cello lesson. . . .
READ MORE at TheBunkRoom.com
Click on Habilis Boy
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Did you know teachers use
The Bunk Room as a curriculum
and reading supplement? Yep.
Girls Love
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352-589-5683
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1

Photo Contest
KIDS ages 8-18 submit
your best photo! We
choose finalists that
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
Larissa!
Winner of our May 2013 Contest
Larissa 9,
Mount Dora, FL
Julia 14, Louisville, KY
Quyen 18, Sorrento, FL
Brittiney 11, Eustis, FL
Readers
Vote!
Go to
TheBunkRoom.com/
photocontest
Samirah 16, Airdrie, AB
CANADA
Samantha 11, Oviedo, FL
Robbie 16, Lenoir, NC
20 | TheBunkRoom.com | July / August 2013 | Be published! See page 5.

Montessori at Roseborough
Est. 1983
education as a preparation for life
Early Childhood Elementary Middle School
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10 Years Of Experience In Caring For Customers’ Pets
3815 Lake Center DrivMount Dora, FL
352-729-6172
www.thegreenk9.com
info@thegreenk9.com
NaturSOrRecy
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This 3 1/2 year old is building
the Pink Tower using her
sense of vision. She determines
which cube goes next, from
largest to smallest.
This activity assists the child in
developing coordination of
intentional movement and
visual discrimination.
The Pink Tower is found in the
Sensorial Area which is one of
the four main areas that can be
found in a Montessori
classroom.
OPEN HOUSE! Thursday, August 1st 3-6 p.m.
AMI Accredited
352-735-2324
751 East 5th Avenue, Mount Dora, Florida
www.montessorinest.com
License# C05LA0124
Montessori at Roseborough does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin.
“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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Bunk Roomies write
NEW Fantasyland!
ByJosephine 7, Eustis, FL
Bunk Roomie / Homeschooled
I went to the new Fantasyland at
Disney World and it
was so much fun.
When we were there,
we met up with one of
my best friends,
Jenna. The first thing
we did was go on the Ariel’s new ride. In line we
played Point at the Crab game. The car for the
ride was shaped like a shell. Jenna and I got to
ride together. It shows all the parts from the first
movie of The Little Mermaid. I loved the ride.
Next we went to Storytime With Belle. While
in line you get to see a picture of Belle with her
mom. We went into Maurice’s workshop and we
saw a mirror. But it was not any mirror, it
was a magic mirror. The
mirror was for
whenever Maurice
wanted to see Belle.
We had to say “Take
me back to the day
Belle and Beast fell in
love.” The mirror
turned into a doorway
for us to walk
through. In the next
room we got our
character parts. Jenna was the Beast, my sister,
Anna, was Maurice and I was Mrs. Potts for the
second time.
We also ate at Belle’s castle restaurant called
Be Our Guest. I shared a turkey sandwich with
my sister and I had a triple fudge chocolate
cupcake for dessert. I love the big music box
statue in the restaurant.
We rode the Ariel ride again before we had
to leave. I had a great day with my friend Jenna.
I hope we can do it again soon.
What is the A Team?
An A-Team writer is our highest level of writer in
The Bunk Roomies. A-Teamers bring all the
journalistic skills of interviewing, researching and
writing together to create amazing features.
TheBunkRoom.com Click on Bunk Roomies.
22 | TheBunkRoom.com | July / August 2013 | Be published! See page 5.
Slice-O-Life
Stories
By Javelyn Dempsey 11, Umatilla, FL
Bunk Roomie JAy-Team / Round Lake Elem
The Bunk Roomies take their first steps into the
reporting world by interviewing someone they know
and turning it into an interesting article.
Softball Fun With
Friends & All Stars
By Anna Gazdecki 11,
Eustis, FL
Bunk Roomie JAy-Team
Homeschooled
When I was in Panama, the first thing we did
was go to Barro Colorado Island, in the
Panama Canal. Barro Colorado Island is
owned by the Smithsonian research institute
(STRI) and is a national monument.
At the island, they give tours through
the jungle that have to be booked at least six
weeks beforehand. Did you know that about
225 different species of ants live there?!
Ten year old Meghan
Kennedy, of Mount Dora,
Florida started playing
softball when she was five
years old. She started
playing softball because she
thought it would be a fun,
awesome sport and her mom
used to play softball too.
When I was there, I saw an ant eater, a
coati, some agoutis, some bats, a couple of
white necked capuchin monkeys, some poison
dart frogs, a ton of leaf cutter ants, and a
Meghan said, “I love it,
because I get to do it with the
people I love.” She has many
great friends on her team and
her mother is her coach.
Meghan has played
several positions, including
shortstop, pitcher, second
base, third base and left field.
Her favorite position is
pitcher. She was inspired to
be a pitcher by a girl that
helped with her team. “I
thought if she could do it, that
I could do it,” Meghan said.
Meghan has been on
three teams that were named
Hot Shotz. Her favorite team
dead red-lored
amazon parrot. Plus I
got some neat
pictures!
was for the spring 2012
season. She says this was her
favorite team because, “I
liked the teammates and it felt
like I was close to them.”
She was on the All Stars
team in 2012. The All Star
team is made up of the best
players for each age division.
“I felt proud that I was on the
team. It was a goal and an
achievement,” said Meghan.
During the fall 2011
season, Meghan received a
game ball from the umpire
and he told her that this was
the best game she had ever
played and that she is an
amazing pitcher.
As for her future,
Meghan plans to keep softball
in her life. “I want to play at
UCF (University of Central
Florida) because I love it!”
After college she added, “I
want to push myself as far as I
can with softball.”
Meghan’s advice to
everyone is, “If you put your
mind into it, you can do
anything.”
A REAL Island Of Adventure!
Before the tour, you
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bananas, coffee, and
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place. Then you go on a 2-3 hour trek
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catch glimpses of animals and some biologists
doing their work.
After that you go back to the facility,
have lunch, and play some games. Then you
leave the island.

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LIVE LIFE TO THE
ULLEST
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST
CREATION HEALTH COOKING CLASSES
A HANDS-ON COOKING EXPERIENCE
JOIN
Learn how to prepare tasty, healthy meals!
When: June 25 | July 30 | August 27 | September 24
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Conry CREATION Health Center Demonstration Kitchen
Cost:
$30 per class or $100 for all 4 classes
• Easy to prepare recipes for soups, salads, entrees and desserts
• Food and cooking utensils provided
• Cooking demonstrations by a professional chef
• Nutrition advice from Stephanie Bassett, Registered Dietitian,
Morrisons Healthcare
Call (352) 253-3685 to register