"A Real Pain in the Knee"

One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my life

Involves an inherited trait that has caused me much strife.

Bowed legs seem to run on my mother's side of the family tree

But never have they proved to be a problem--then along came me.

It's not like having bowed legs are necessarily problematic,

But frequent exercise and activity can turn it traumatic.

Because I was always running, playing soccer or basketball,

My knees were constantly in pain, thanks to my legs above all.

I met with a few doctors, who agreed my bowed legs were the source of the pain.

I now had to make a decision as to how I wanted to approach this cause of strain.

My orthopedist told me a surgery would be beneficial if I planned on remaining active

Throughout my life; if this wasn't the case, I didn't need to bother with it--I would live.

I wasn't thrilled about the prospect of having surgery, of course,

But I love athletics too much to cut myself off with full force.

I decided, as an eighth grader, that the surgery to correct the shape of my legs as I grew

Was my best option if I wanted my knees to be pain-free for years to come while doing what I love to do.

An X-Ray portraying the kind of procedure I underwent--two screws and a plate in the growth plate of the knee!

"The Downside to Sharing a Room"

Finally, the month of May has arrived and spring is in the air!

The warmth and the sunshine and the wind through my hair...

Good things are to come: more track, prom and graduation,

But before all this I had to take care of a little situation.

My older sister, Katie, just finished her junior year of college.
I'm very excited to spend the summer with her, I must acknowledge.
However, Katie and I share a bedroom that is not too large;
I had to make space for her before she could take charge.

It's nice having the room to myself during the school year;
I find it easy to spread my things out to every corner far and near.
Don't get me wrong, my room is always organized and neat,
But I occupy the free space that opens up when Katie leaves.

I felt myself wanting to put off organizing my clothes and things,
But I realized I did not want to deal with the impatience she also brings
Home along with all of her stuff! So I buckled down days before she came home
And gave her a fair share of space in our room; it's so neat there's even space to roam!

The days before we used to fight over drawer and closet space in our room!

"Tripped Up on the Track"

By the end of April we expect at least a little spring weather--

Some sunshine, blue skies, and breezes as light as a feather.

But the day of our biggest track meet so far this season

Was gloomy, chilly, and windy for no good reason!

The meet was in Secaucus, so we knew there'd be even more of a breeze.

We needed to perform at our best to remain undefeated--we couldn't freeze!

Everyone on the team had to step up to the place that afternoon, myself included;

Coach Kelly had mentioned running three races, but I didn't know it'd been concluded.

I was anxious about running the mile, half-mile, and then the two-mile all in one meet;

I'd never accomplished such a thing, and I know it's definitely not an easy feat.

However, running the mile went smoothly as usual, and I was feeling fine.

I had only a short break before the half-mile began and I stepped up to the line.

The gun went off, and I made a dash for the front of the pack;

I had not gotten far when I felt myself being tripped from the back.

I tumbled forward and landed hard on my side;

The gun went off again, and I tried hard not to cry.

Before the race was restarted, the officials and Coach Kelly made sure I was okay.

I knew my hip and elbow were banged up, and my hands stung since it was a cold day.

I wasn't sure in the moment if I'd be able to still run the race, let alone well,

But I found that I was actually even more determined now, simply because I fell.

I took first place in the race, and first in the two-mile race, too;

Then I ran in the relay to close up the meet, something I never do.

Four races in a matter of about two hours, glum weather hanging over us,

Blood and bruises--but our team came out with the win, so I couldn't fuss.

"Navigating a Nighttime Snowstorm"

My family and I were on our way to the Green Mountain State.

It was Friday evening, the weekend just beginning, and I was feeling great.

Most of my friends had been talking about their plans to go to the St. Patrick's Day parade,

But I would be skiing down the beautiful slopes of Stowe, Vermont--what could possibly go astray?

We had been driving for several hours and had an hour to go before reaching our destination.

All had been going smoothly, especially the weather, but then there was a drastic transformation.

As if out of nowhere, we drove into a blinding, frightening snow squall;

The highway and the air were blanketed in white; our car slowed to a crawl.

The night sky was dark as could be--no light pollution up in scenic Vermont.

Very few cars surrounded us on the road, so it was impossible to act nonchalant.

Looking out through the front windshield, we could see only the swift-moving snow,

But my brother and I soon realized we could see our surroundings from the side windows.

As my dad maintained control of the vehicle, the rest of us guided him by what we could see--

How far we were from the shoulder, what the signs said, and if we felt comfortable with our speed.

Luckily we also were able to slowly follow the leadership of another car on the road,

Who was courageous enough to brave the storm and pave his way through, however slowed.

Soon enough we were on local streets, and the terrifying snow squall had ceased.

I could finally relax my tense muscles; my fear of an accident significantly decreased.

"Valentine's Dance Dilemmas"

Another February rolled around, which meant another Valentine's Day.

Just like the year before, this also meant another dance to plan away!

Peer Leadership hosts the annual event for a night of food, music, and fun,

And the proceeds always go to a very good cause (once we all agree on one).

This year we chose to raise money for a Ugandan village's school,

But a problem quickly arose: how could we make this dance seem "cool"?

School events just haven't had the pull they have had in previous years;

We wanted this dance to happen, though, so we all put it into full gear.

From the very beginning we did not have the best feedback;

It was clear that many kids' interest in school dances do lack.

Instead of trying to force reluctant students against their will to agree to attend,

We focused on making the dance awesome for those on whose presence we could depend.

We had one other major problem, however; how could I forget?

Our DJ could not come. Boy, did that make us all sweat!

Decorations were finished and the food was ready to go,

But how to solve the music situation, we still did not know.

Just hours before the dance, Jackie, Kaysee, and I created

A playlist for the evening; with our work we were elated.

Selling tickets at the door turned out to be a wise decision,

And a great time was had by all who came, more than we had envisioned.

"The Trials and Tribulations of Track"

Last Saturday, the indoor track team went to compete

In our first-ever league championship meet.

I had all my things packed and ready to go,

But what races I should run, I did not know.

As the bus passed over the Hudson River,

I went through the order of events to consider

Which events I could participate in to my advantage

But also how much my legs and lungs could manage!

I wanted to run the two-mile race, which I had not run all season.

I was anxious to try to improve my time--a goal within reason.

But after running two miles, I knew I would be a bit tired,

So I really had to think about which races most drew my desire.

There would not be much of a break between the two-mile and the mile,

Which has always been my favorite race to run and simply fits my style.

I talked to my coach, who helped me decide to give the two-mile a shot

And then come back to run the half-mile later if I felt up to this plot.

I was happy with this choice, especially after I won, in the two-mile, first place;

Plus I had enough energy to help my teammates take a medal in the relay race.

"Down-to-the-Wire Decisions"

Most people think of December with fondness-
A month full of food, family, and celebrations;
But for me I could not have been more stressed-
Finalizing college applications really tested my patience.

It would have been nice to sit down at the dinner table
On Thanksgiving, all done with my forms and essays.
My indecisiveness and busy schedule, however, ensured
That I could not truly relax for many more days.

While the essays themselves were not too difficult to write,
I found an obstacle in deciding which schools to apply to.
Another Ivy League? What about one more safety?
These questions filled my mind the whole month through.

I never planned on sending in my last application two days before the end of the year.
I did not anticipate, however, such a torn heart on what to study or where to go.
I applied to all three schools I was trying to choose between that day, for a total of eight,
Because I never want to think, "What if?" about where I spend the next four years to grow.