February 7-8, Regis middle school students competed at the St. Pius X High School Middle School Academic Rally (MSAR). Congratulations to all of our boys who competed and those who won! We had four students compete in the creative writing portion of the competition, and you can read their entries below. A full list of Regis' winners is located at the bottom.
Creative Writing, Narrative Poetry – Chase Moyse, 6th Grade, 1st Place
The Thrill of the “Chase”
Bonjour! My name is Chase,
It means “the hunt” in Français.
Commonly known as the huntsman,
Hunting is what my father likes to do often.
Getting up early to travel to the countryside,
Making sure all of the dogs are qualified.
They must have the nose for the pheasant,
So, they can deliver the prized present!
The whistle blows from the guide,
As the dogs wait like champions with pride.
While the birds meet their fate,
The dogs scan the grounds at a fast rate.
The thrill of the hunt makes precious puppies pounce with their best friend,
Unfortunately, it must come to an end.
After they divide the pheasants into thirds,
The huntsman returns home with his bountiful birds.
To enjoy a delicious dinner with his family,
Because the recipe tastes HEAVENLY!
The poor bird’s choices cannot alter his fate,
I am Chase! I will not end up on a plate!
Creative Writing, Prose Fiction – Andrew Budoff, 6th Grade, 1st Place
I’ll Do It
“I’ll do it,” I said.
As the sergeant walked away, I couldn’t believe that I volunteered for this mission in Afghanistan. If I made it back alive, I would have to get my head examined. I was scared out of my mind as I turned to the two other volunteers in Company H, John Smith and James Hyman, and rolled my eyes at our foolishness. As we walked to the equipment tent, the sergeant shouted, “Thanks for helping us boys!”
The machine gun bunker had pinned us down and it was buried too deep in the mountainside for airstrikes to be effective. Itshot down two of our attack helicopters that tried to use missiles against it, which left us, the foot soldiers. The expendables.
We reached the equipment tent and started suiting up. I looked at James and John while we put on our tactical vests. “You guys ready?” I asked.
“Not at all,” they both replied.
At least I wasn’t the only one who was nervous. I started thinking about my home back in Texas, my mom, dad, and brothers. I sure hoped I would see them again.
James’ voice brought me back to reality. “Need some of these?”
He tossed me five ammo clips for my M4 carbine rifle, and secured them to my tactical vest. I triple checked that I had enough ammunition, grenades, and water. I then headed outside and waited for James and John. My mind wandered again. The more I thought about the probability of dying, the less I wanted to go. However, if I didn’t go, we’d all die anyway.
James came out of the tent in a cold sweat. John looked as if he was going to faint. The more I thought about climbing up a mountain into enemy fire, the more I wanted to throw up.
I turned on my night vision goggles and used my combat periscope to look out from cover. No enemies were visible, so I fired my grappling hook into an outcropping on the rocky cliff. I prayed and started to climb.
Creative Writing, Prose Non-Fiction – Finn Dybesland, 6th Grade, 4th Place
Believe
Believe it or not, but there are things that kids know that adults do not. Kids know how to believe in the miraculous. Kids believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and fairy tales with very little doubt. Imagination and a sense of wonder helps kids accept such magical things. a
There is nothing like the exhilarating excitement of a child at Christmas. It is not just the gifts, the sweets, and the time off from school that makes the Christmas season so sublime. The wonder and joy surrounding Christmas makes everything seem possible for a child. Adults worry and stress over the Christmas season because they have forgotten to use their imaginations and they have forgotten to believe in the magic of it all.
In Hebrews, it is said “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” To believe and to know our Savior, Jesus Christ requires imagination and wonder. Kids knowwith great certainty of those extraordinary things that exist beyond the ability to see, so they do not question the truth of Jesus in the way that adults do. It is not easy for adults who are cynical or worldly, or even perhaps jaded by circumstances, to believe in any one thing that promises so much, yet cannot be seen or touched. Kids have faith in those things that offer hope and happiness. Our world would be a better place, a more joyful place, if everyone had the hope, faith and the imagination of a child.
Creative Writing, Lyric Poetry – Charlie Hough, 6th Grade, 4th Place
Humor is Knocking on the Door
When you might be broken-hearted and sinking down, humor is always around.
Happiness is just a feeling,
But laughter is even more appealing.
If humor were a person, he would cheer you up in times of need.
A jolly fellow with a bright face he would be.
Humor feels like being tickled and hugged all at once.
If you are having a good day,
He will make it even better.
Humor is like a fountain that flows with light-heartedness and glee.
It comes in all types of forms,
Good and bad riddles and even more.
Corny jokes are close to the best,
But those are nothing to compare to my dad’s jests.
This is why humor belongs,
And it can be found even in song!
St. Pius X MSAR Results
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Connor Walsh, 8th Grade, 4th Place
Creative Writing, Prose Non-Fiction
Finn Dybesland, 6th Grade, 4th Place
Creative Writing, Lyric Poetry
Charlie Hough, 6th Grade, 4th Place
Creative Writing, Narrative Poetry
Chase Moyse, 6th Grade, 1st Place
Creative Writing, Prose Fiction
Andrew Budoff, 6th Grade, 1st Place
French Poetry Non-Native
Carlos Martinez, 6th Grade, 1st Place
James Sullivan, 8th Grade, 1st Place
Zack Amelang, 8th Grade, 2nd Place
Chase Moyse, 6th Grade, 3rd Place
Connor Walsh, 6th Grade, 3rd Place
Michael Hren, 7th Grade, 3rd Place
Dominic Hurd, 6th Grade, 4th Place
Mark Broussard, 8th Grade, 5th Place
William Wilcutt, 6th Grade, 5th Place
Daniel Martinez, 8th Grade, 6th Place
Fran Moretti, 6th Grade, 6th Place
Peter Bryant, 7th Grade, 6th Place
Social Studies
Dominic Hurd, 6th Grade, 1st Place
Connor Walsh, 8th Grade, 6th Place
Spanish Poetry Native
Daniel Martinez, 8th Grade, 5th Place
Technology
Dominic Hurd, 6th Grade, 3rd Place