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A Small Act of Kindness
An essay by Theo Lyons

A small act of kindness, however insignificant it may seem, can build the foundations of harmony.  With its own sweat and tears and determination, it can send out a ripple that can fill the world and light the shadows, all from a thought. A thought of someone else. A thought of their hardships and suffering and not just of our own. A thought which, from a small act of kindness, can grow and become something else. A thought that brings hope. A thought that, given time, can make other thoughts in its own image. A thought that comes from us.

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By Natalie Libby, Grade 8

My mind is
A wooden bridge of past
The twinkling stars of my heart
The vast meadow of my imagination
Paired with the elongated message of utter confusion to the ones around me
Leads to the whispery song of the barely audible cry
Of a crushed rock that bleeds a deadly orange

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 Some of our most precious moments in life do not last long. We grow, we change, we move forward. What have you lost? What have you found?  

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 Some of our most precious moments in life do not last long. We grow, we change, we move forward. What have you lost? What have you found?  

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What do you dare believe? About yourself? About the world? What needs to change? What whispers into your ear about change? 

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What do you dare believe? About yourself? About the world? What needs to change? What whispers into your ear about change? 

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A chilling poem by Bradley Hayward, Grade 7

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The Freeport Sparkle Parade
by Alexandrew Arrison, Grade 7

We have been practicing our song for months and today is the day. It is a cool night. The star-white snow is falling gently, the perfect weather for a winter parade. I feel the butterflies in my stomach take flight. The parade had begun. I, marching down the street filled with bright lights shining beautifully on the snow-covered trees. Everyone is relaxed as the cool winter-wind washes over us. As the band nears the final stretch towards the high school we finish the last song, the snares give the last beat, and the crowd thins to the last people. Done!

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Changing Your World
by Mira Goldman, Grade 6

Hometown
It's where your world began
You grew
It grew with you
Growing
Changing
It's alive
Always moving
Always changing
Always pushing
On and on
Trying
To right the wrongs
That are always
Happening
Pushing them to forgive
But never forget
It's history is alive.

Always changing
With every new discovery
You know it's alive because
You can feel it
Pushing
And
Pulling
Under your feet.

Always growing
Always changing
The animals changing
pushing you to become someone.
Someone who understands
To be caring
To Love them
To be you.

That's your hometown
Always growing
Always changing
Changing your world.

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This Small Town That Doesn't Feel Like Home
by Erica Lynn, Grade 7

Here in this small town.
Home doesn’t feel like home.
Everything seems uninteresting and brown,
Takeout boxes made with styrofoam.

Not crowded,
Normal jobs and stores.
Cookie-cutter houses,
But what if I want more?

No creativity,
No going on to do big things.
No Coachella festivities,
Just normal people wanting wedding rings.

Born here not by choice,
But destined to stay.
You’re not given a voice,
Not given a say.

I’d do anything and everything,
To live in a home that feels like home.
To this dream, I will cling,
To live in a place that doesn’t feel
so monochrome.

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A 100-Word Fantasy Story
by Natalie Libby, Grade 7

The Pownal woods seemed alive as the wind swept through them, knocking Keara off her feet. "Mother, watch out!" came her daughter Lorna's voice. Keara turned around and froze as Finadar's sword came down and struck Keara, killing her instantly. "Mother!" Lorna screamed as she rushed over to her mother's dead body. The wind started to die down, as if Keara's death had calmed the Pownal winds. "How could you!" Lorna cried, glaring at Finadar.
"I did it to save you," Finadar said urgently. Lorna stared in horror at Finadar as he spopke. "Keara wasn't your mother. She kidnapped you."

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by Moss Handelman, Grade 6
If you look up the work hometown, you will find its definition is: the town of one's birth or early life or of one's present fixed residence.
But hometown means more than that. To me, hometown is somewhere a person has lived for a while and that they enjoy or have enjoyed living in.
Ask yourself: Where were you born?
Ask yourself: Which towns have you lived in?
Out of your answers, which do you consider your hometown?
I was born in and have always lived in my house in Freeport, Maine. Freeport, Maine is my hometown.

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by Trinity Cunningham, Grade 7
My hometown, Freeport? No, Richmond. Ahh, it can be hard to live in two places. I live in two places because when I was little, my mom and my dad got a divorce. I grew up traveling back and forth. Every other weekend I am at my dad's and the next at my mom's. But when someone asks me what my hometown is, it is hard to decide, so I just say both!
My two hometowns, two places that I love! Two places where bad and good memories were made. Two places that I will never forget.

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Magic From Within: The Brilliant Light of Freeport

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Magic From Within: The Brilliant Light of Freeport

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by Eydie Kaplan, Grade 7
When you think of magic, you should remember that day when you first saw that mighty falcon fly. Freeport has a spark of magic in it that will never die. Freeport has a way of bringing

out the best in people and we pride ourselves on our strong sense of

community. Freeport Middle school is one of many brilliant lights in Freeport;

lights that will never burn out.

Freeport will always be my hometown. This little town

makes sure that everyone feels welcomes under the Freeport

falcon’s wide open wings.  Let the magic soar in my beautiful hometown of Freeport!

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by Braelyn Boucher, Grade 6

Freeport has so many different things to do,

so listen closely and I’ll share some with you.

Holiday nights, oh what a sight!

At L.L.Bean the lights are so bright.

Going out to eat? Oh what a treat!

The restaurants in Freeport can't be beat.

Go ahead and park it

and shop at Bow Street Market.

In the Summer on the 4th of July

the fireworks light up the night sky.

At Winslow Park break time starts

you can sit by the fire in the dark.

At Wolfe Neck Park the dogs bark

and the fun hayrides start.

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What is it like to be growing up in the midst of a global pandemic?

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What is it like to be growing up in the midst of a global pandemic?

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Monday:
Get up you're going to be late
get dressed
try you only have school twice
skip breakfast
get in the car
you’re late
don’t forget your mask you
forgot your mask.

Tuesday:
Get up you’re going to miss your math class
I missed the math class
*missing assignment*
do all 5 of your Google Meets calls,
*missing assignment*
don’t forget to study
*missing assignment*
we will be emailing your parents if you have more missing assignments.

Wednesday:
Repeat Monday

Thursday:
“I can’t do this anymore”

Friday:
Week is over

Monday-3.8
Tuesday-3
Wednesday-2.8
Thursday-2
Friday-1.6
*emailed parents*

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By Claire Ramus:

This new world has changed us,

but maybe for the better

This new pandemic has showed us

We can change our ways forever

Though sometimes it can challenge us

We always make it through

And even with our differences

We are sure we can subdue

Some are pulled apart

And hide behind their mask

Others push their way through tough

And conquer every task

Though this pandemic has taken its toll

And weakened all our hearts,

I still believe that when it's all done

We’ll be able to let down our guards

I know we can fix our world

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Click the link below to read all 25  entries!

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Click the link below to read all 25  entries!

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Grainy purring straw

Can't wait to see what you come up with

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Find Your True Self
by Ahna Ventimiglia

When I'm lost

I'm stuck

My feet are planted

My mind is somewhere else

and all there is, is a voice of negativity

I'm lost with negative thoughts

I am trapped in my own brain

My anxiety takes control

And I am useless

But then another voice pops in my head

I am one

I am me

And I am awesome

And no one can tell me what to do

I found myself

I found my mind

I found my voice and that voice

Will make me feel free

When I am found, I am no one else

Than me

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"Dare to Believe" A 100-Word Writing Contest November 2021

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"Dare to Believe" A 100-Word Writing Contest November 2021

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WINNING ENTRY: A poem by Hazel Guillette

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WINNING ENTRY: A poem by Hazel Guillette

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Prosperity of Kindness
An abecedarian poem by Lilly Latendresse

A

Burst of colors that

Create the smooth whiteness that

Drains from its core it

Evolves from its small

Feelings and makes a new

Grain of color and brightness and

Hope can not decide the

Intrusive rain that blesses the

Journey ahead for the

Kind soul. It makes a move and

Loves the sound of prosperity.

Moving, it doesn't think about the past. But the

New things make life better, then

Opposite of sad can remake something

Priceless. It shows the world what it can do,

Questioning their thoughts

Remembering

Sweetly that

Together we become

Unstoppable

Voices,

eXtra

Youthful

Zealous

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An Act of Kindness

A free-verse poem by Krea Galway

Have you ever dreamed,

Of being a better person,

In a better world?

Sometimes better feels impossible,

Other times it feels you can be perfect.

Unfortunately,

To be perfect,

Someone must not be themselves.

The world feels like a wall,

Shielding you from the only light,

You can see.

But one simple deed,

Can change that.

A lilly floats along the pond

It slowly drifts along to bump into another lilly,

Drowning all alone

Suffering from the waves pushing it below the surface.

But as the flowers reach for each other,

They rise up together,

In an act

called

Kindness.

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Dancing With Your Ghost

By: Hazel Guillette

We have all lost things

Maybe too many to count,

To remember

And we see how each person

deals with the loss,

yet we know not to judge

I have lost friends, I have lost homes

I have lost people who I never knew,

But now I wish I tried to

I have lost many things

And I have not found all of them,

But I hope to one day

And as plausible as they may be

They may have stunning new meaning

And maybe,

In some crazy way I may never know

They may bring all things lost home

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A poem by J. Patton

People say you need to lose yourself in order to discover your true self.

But what happens when you're lost and can’t be found?

Stuck in a growing pit of darkness.

Sinking further everyday.

Falling into the depths of gloom.

It's dark and lonely.

Dull.

The ache is hollow.

Your head feels fuzzy and your body aches.

When did you last leave the bed?

Too long ago.

Voices. That's strange when was the last time you heard voices

Your name.

Help.

Cars.

Where are we going?

Home

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“School Cafeteria” A 100-Word Writing Contest, February  2023

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“School Cafeteria” A 100-Word Writing Contest, February  2023

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PROMPT: A school cafeteria is alive with humanity! The buzz of voices and movement, the lunch line, food and laughter, friendships and sometimes loneliness. What story, memory, or images do you associate with a school cafeteria?

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PROMPT: A school cafeteria is alive with humanity! The buzz of voices and movement, the lunch line, food and laughter, friendships and sometimes loneliness. What story, memory, or images do you associate with a school cafeteria?

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Tales From The Lunch Table

My First Time in a Cafeteria

By Mayer Redding

Rubber soles slap down

On off-white tiles

Each step takes me toward the unknown

Light blazes from the door,

Like a gateway to another universe

I walk forward

And step cautiously…

Into pure chaos

Feels like hundreds of kids bustle past

Each eager to claim their food

Clambering over each other

Like wolves fighting over food

I make my way through the line,

Weaving past fallen meatballs and lost rolls

Into the belly of the beast

Tables lined up in rows

Laughter bubbles up somewhere

Finding a seat seems impossible in this universe

Except for one table of smiling faces

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The Lunchroom

By Calum Phelps

The lunchroom filled up with food and laughter

up to the brim with noisy conversations

shouted and whispered louder and louder

pausing to eat between sentences

The food packed lovingly in a box

or perhaps on a tray full with food on top

something different every day

Surrounded by friends or even alone

surrounded in all this chaos may be overwhelming

but to some it's just as comforting

Just soon after it’s recess just around the corner

quickly put away your lunch so not to delay

Then long after the school day is done

the lunchroom is quiet once again

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Creepy Cafe

By Rachel Tryon

First day as a freshmen

Scared, sad, and stressed.

Perfect Pause.

Lunchtime.

A creepy cafe

Filled with flocking freshmen

And

Frightening food.

Altogether atrocious.

There's

Cartilage in the cheeseburgers,

Paper under the patties,

Plasticky piles of cheese,

Moldering meatballs,

Rancid ravioli,

And

Nasty nachos.

But,

Really I realize

There’s

Sweet servers,

Friendly faces,

And

Cheerful custodians.

In the end,

Everything was fine.

Stressful and confusing,

But fine.

The food was wonderful

And the people are amazing.

Now I start to realize everyone played it up.

They made me think it was some horrible place

Filled with monsters.

But it's not

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"Talk to Planet Earth" A 100-Word Writing Contest, May 2023

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"Talk to Planet Earth" A 100-Word Writing Contest, May 2023

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PROMPT: What would you say to planet Earth if Earth could hear and understand you?

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PROMPT: What would you say to planet Earth if Earth could hear and understand you?

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A “Talk to Mother Earth” Poem

By Harper Moore

When my day is bad

And I feel dreadful and sad

I leave and escape

To a beautiful landscape

Either a field full of flowers,

a city of towers,

Perhaps a foggy day,

Or dancing in the sun’s rays,

Maybe a forest full of autumn leaves,

Or reading on a sand-covered beach.

I wonder how it will feel when those things are nonexistent.

Will I feel as if I missed it?

Missed the warm and sunny days,

Or the down-pouring rain

If I missed it

That would mean the world has never existed

And that this is a dream.

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A “Talk to Mother Earth” Poem

By Juliet Bard

“ Thought we’d escaped.”

Is what I would say, if I could speak to her today.

“Thought you were free?”

She would respond. Her reply was cold and frayed.

“Thought I was able to flee.”

I say, the air is thick and polluted today.

Her voice is hoarse, raspy and worn. She has done this many times before.

“Your thoughts are fallacious.”

She is far more than done.

A war has been waged and the climate has won.

“ You must watch your tone, My time is now over. Now leave me alone.”

She sat on her ‘throne.’ I left her alone.

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Sweet Mother Earth

By Sydney Smith

Oh sweet Mother Earth

So kind and loving

I want to take this time to apologize

You are so loved

You deserve the best

I am sorry

For all the crudeness,

That these people give,

That hate.

It must be hard

To wake up everyday

To patches of your skin

Trashed everywhere.

Out of all the planets

You took care of us

And this is how we treat you.

I will walk the highways

Picking up the smoked cigars,

The dirty paper bags,

The plastic cups

With sucked on straws

For people aren’t just choking animals

They are choking you.

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"The :eave Fall A 100-Word Writing Contest October 2023

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"The :eave Fall A 100-Word Writing Contest October 2023

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PROMPT: It is a common saying: "The trees are about to show up how lovely it is to let things go." What do falling leaves make you think of?

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PROMPT: It is a common saying: "The trees are about to show up how lovely it is to let things go." What do falling leaves make you think of?

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"All the Small Things" A 100-Word Writing Contest, Fall 2024

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"All the Small Things" A 100-Word Writing Contest, Fall 2024

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Some say it is the small things in life we should be grateful for, as they bring us the most joy and have the most importance. Aesop, the ancient Greek fabulist, believed “gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” What small things are you grateful for in your life? Warm soup on a chilly day? Laughing with friends after a soccer game? A happy greeting from your dog each day? Can you write about all the small things, people, or experiences you are grateful for in your life?

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The Leaves Let Go

by Lydia Pye, Grade 7

Bright fireworks

erupt in the trees,

Of the changing colors of

changing leaves.

Slowly,

Slowly,

The leaves start to drop.

On sunny days, the colors pop!

How silently they tumble down

And lay a carpet on the ground.

A colored carpet full with flare.

It shuffles with the autumn air.

One by one, then all at once they fall

I rake them up in piles extra tall.

Brown leaves are on the ground,

crunching as I walk around.

And now the crisp, sunburnt leaves

Are waltzing with the chilly breeze.

I say goodbye to summer fun

Winter darkness has begun.

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The Leaves Let Go

by Sydney Smith, Grade 7

I wish I could be

Like the trees,

Letting each worry

Break away from me,

Away from the world

Never forgotten

But never reminded

As I watch each

Leaf part from its tree

It reminds me to let myself free

Each hard time

Every year

Disappearing into the wind

Sending a shiver down your spine,

Trees are so lucky

Never looking in the past

Always looking forward

Into the next year ahead,

I wish I could be like the leaves

Letting go of everything

Letting the wind carry them

To where they belong,

It reminds me to let myself free.

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The Leaves Let Go

by Sylvie Helman, Grade 6

Rocco and Patch stared at the other falling leaves, neither able to look at the other. “So this is it, then. The end of me,” Patch said softly.

Rocco replied. “We both knew this would happen.” He thought about the fun they’d had during the last few days, the laughs they shared. Patch slowly let go. "Goodbye," he said, through tears.

“Goodbye, my friend. I’ll miss you.” Rocco replied sadly.

And then Patch let go.

As Rocco sat there, under the stars, he knew that when it was his time, his best friend would not be there to say goodbye.

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Seasons

By Isabelle Brophy

Grade 6

The little things in life

Are the ones that make life great

The small things

That no one really confiscates

At least that's what they think

At least that's what they say

But the little things in life

Are the ones that make life great

In the spring,

Jumping in puddles

Cool, chill nights

And 1000 piece puzzles

In the summer,

A pool cannonball

A drink of water

And showers in a waterfall

In the fall,

Pumpkin carvings anywhere

Apple cider

And getting out snow-wear

In the winter,

The window frosts

My fingers freeze

Hours of the day are lost

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Important Small Things

by Toby Trahan

Grade 7

Sometimes we do not appreciate the small things in life,

ones that matter most.

like a conversation,

with people you like and appreciate,

the words escaping your mouth,

others entering your ears,

as people exchange thoughts.

Another is,

Warmth of a hot food,

or drink,

on a cold day,

your mouth another temperature

then your body.

Also,

landing a joke right,

and everyone’s laughing hard,

and you just know,

that you couldn’t have told it another way,

or time,

these things,

and many more,

are creating our favorite parts of the world,

sometimes we don’t appreciate these,

important “small” things.

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All the Small Things

By, Nora Murray

Grade 7

Sometimes the best things in life are the smallest. Sometimes the best things in life aren't even things. For some people it's a warm hug to snuggle into, or maybe it's having a good laugh with your family at dinner. For me it's walking along the beach at sunset with family, the ocean lapping on the shore in a rhythmic pattern and the grainy sand stuck to my limbs, and the way the ocean glistens in the sunset like it's sprinkled with glitter. For most people it's just a walk but for me it is proof small things are more important.