2022 School Magazine

VALIANCE IN ADVERSITY Nyasia's eyes sank to her tattered, second-hand sneakers which were two sizes too small. She was aware of the blazing stares that felt like the sting of shrapnel piercing her skin. It was obvious to her she didn't fit in. Didn't belong. Shifting to the corner of the parsley-green field, she twisted her thin, threadbare hijab around her finger. The scorching heat slapped her face, as long grassy weeds danced and tickled the edges of her chocolate brown skin. Her eyes glinted like varnished wood, as she timidly lifted her head, accidentally meeting the judgemental gazes of her competitors. Nyasia knew she was lucky. Lucky to be in a new country with safety and freedom. However deep down, she felt a sense of self-consciousness. It was impossible to ignore the snickering behind her back. Impossible to block out the countless side-eyes people gave her. Soon, all eyes were locked on a distant figure, pistol in hand. Nyasia hoped the countless hours spent training would pay off. She knew these people had come to run and come to win. Pure silence followed for the next few seconds. The instant the trigger was pulled, there was a stampede of footsteps. As the wind scratched at her face, Nyasia picked up pace, unaware of her competitors that were dropping like flies, their bodies crumpling at the sight of the endless track ahead. Scanning the quilted, grassy fields, a wave of nostalgia hit her, reminding her of home. Not this new, foreign place, but her childhood home, now scarred by war, death, and destruction. Before she knew it, the once painless run seemed to weigh her down, the course seeming to go on for eternity. The sun was setting, painting the sky a rich crimson hue, however, her legs were at the brink of collapse, her lungs screaming for some sweet air. Nyasia snapped her head back. Searching through the glare of the radiant sunbeams, all she could see was an endless track behind her. She was alone. She so desperately wanted a taste of victory, but looking at the almost impossible track ahead, her brain screamed at her give up. Her mind made up, she carried, on her valiant head held high, and made her way towards the finish line. OLIVIA BANH (9E) Charlotte d’joncourt Folklore Competition 2022: Junior Prize THE FLIGHT OF ASTRID For millennia, humans have been looking up at the crystalised dome that rested above their known world, in search of a world that lies beyond this world. Indeed, many cultures and people have dreamt of exploring beyond the confines of our globe and Astrid always understood why. She always thought that Earth was so polluted with the greed, cruelty, and ego of humanity, that one had to reach the stars and go beyond them to escape the Labyrinth that is human society. It was this search for something more, something else that lead Astrid to dedicate her life to researching and creating an energy resource that could allow humans to begin anew in the cosmos. Over many years, Astrid and her team at CERN produced an abundant, clean energy resource that would be used to power the world’s first interstellar vessel, Safina . Like Noah’s ark during the great flood, Safina would serenely sail the Milky Way, away from the throes of life on Earth. Upon the completion of the grand vessel, Astrid was granted a ticket on Safina ’s maiden voyage to the outer rims of the Solar System due to her involvement in the project. When the momentous day came to board the vessel and depart Earth, Astrid had everything packed into a suitcase and said her goodbyes to everything that she knew – as if intending never to return to this insignificant sphere ever again. On board the Safina , Astrid was among the world’s leading scientists, intellectuals, and philanthropists similarly aiming for a new, superior existence in space. Finally, Astrid was surrounded by the purity of the universe, previously untouched by humanity. With each passing day that Safina travelled away from Earth, Astrid saw the sea of rings embracing Saturn and Uranus floating like a pearl in the dark abyss. Despite being amazed by these astronomical wonders, Astrid felt these objects were detached, cold and almost motionless. Life among the stars was similar; whilst the cosmos was tranquil, it was also without much beauty, vivacity, and purpose. The only planet in Astrid’s known universe that flourished and had any sense of meaning was Earth. Despite its wars and poverty, Earth uniquely still gifts the seasons of life to many, including Astrid. Yet, the most capable humans deserted Earth and its problems on a ship, to create more problems in the untainted, undesirous cosmos. For humanity’s path of destruction will only spread if it’s not fixed at its origin. Thus, it was only until Astrid had flown too far away from Earth, and it was just a little pale sphere in Safina ’s windows, that she burned to be back there and face life’s challenges, not evade them. Upon Safina ’s return to Earth a decade later, Astrid set about using her expertise in renewable, accessible energy production to bring light and energy to Earth’s darkest places. Then, Earth will never look dim in the universe again, and everyone will be living among the stars. EMMA ARMITAGE-HO (12R) Charlotte d’joncourt Folklore Competition 2022: Senior Prize

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