As the town clock strikes midnight in the distance, the Halloween
ball begins in a pitch black graveyard. Wild spirits scream and sing wickedly,
jack-‘o-lanterns chuckle crazily, cackling witches and wizards wear outlandish,
flowing robes that make them look like they are swirling on air, gruesome
looking zombies with oozing, decaying faces groan hungrily, and vampires smile seductively,
baring their sharp fangs. Grinning skeletons start the music and everyone does a
funeral march-like waltz. One…two, one…two, one…two, one…two.
When the clock strikes three and when the moon turns red, an
evil tradition then begins. The spirits chose a child in advance. They call to
the innocent child; usually a girl with the purest heart and long, scarlet hair.
With sing-song, playful voices, they call out: “Come little one, come.” Being
in a deep trance, the girl gets out of bed and walks out into her own death.
The helpless girl enters the graveyard and they all surround
her eagerly, their mouths watering. The wind howls frightfully and they creep
closer…closer…closer. The girl always wakes up just in time for her scream and
see shadows consuming her. Blood is drank, skin is pealed from the bone, and
the soul is sacrificed to the unthinkable. Where’s her body? I don’t think that
you want to know. She becomes another reckless spirit that is invited to the
Halloween ball.
Last weekend I went to Wonderland Camp and I had relaxing,
fun time. I saw my friends: Kortney, Scott, Dustin, Colleen, Chris, Kayla S., Kayla W.,
Mary, Angie, Ashley, Toby, Alena, Austin, and Jason. On Friday night, we had a
campfire. It was very chilly outside but it was nice. The beautiful stars were
out and I was surrounded by great people. Toby told a funny “scary” story and
we ate messy, delicious s’mores. Kortney and I loved it.
Saturday morning, we did crafts. First, we made scarecrow
faces with popsicle sticks. My scarecrow face had three eyes and vampric fangs.
Kayla W. smiled and said: “Well, everyone will know who made this one.” Then we
painted pumpkins with Alena and Jason. I painted a monstrous face on mine. Hey,
it’s Halloween time and it’s me. What do you expect? :) After the pumpkins, we made paper ghosts.
Everyone was making their ghosts with happy faces but I wanted to be different
so I made one with a sad face. It made the other campers laugh. After crafts, I
just relaxed in bed for a while.
Later that afternoon, the hayrides began. It was a brisk day
but it was fun to hang out with friends. When it was finally my cabin’s turn,
Scott went with us and sat by me. Kortney, Scott, Kayla S., Kayla W., and I
were laughing and joking around as the hayride went around camp. It was so
cool.
Later on after dinner, the dance began. I wore a black and
purple, glittery shirt, my favorite pair of skinny jeans, and black shoes. The
multicolored lights were spinning everywhere and the music was blasting. Scott
taking me out of my wheelchair, I slow danced with him. When he does that, it’s
beyond sweet. I love it! I also danced with Chris, Kayla, Dustin, and everyone
else. I was dancing and singing the night away.
On Sunday, everyone was getting ready to go home. When Mom
and Dad came to pick me up, Scott was goofing around and tried to hide me from
them. It was funny. I hugged everyone goodbye and took some pictures. I hate
saying bye to everybody but camp will always be there. I’ll always have memories to smile
about and I’ll constantly have things to write about every summer and fall. I
love Wonderland Camp!
Sixteen-year-old Whitney Krupp at Ogemaw Heights High was elected to her homecoming court as a cruel prank. She thought of suicide but then she stood up for herself. The town rallied behind the teen; a hair salon and a dress shop helping her get ready for the dance. A Facebook page was even launched to support the bullied teen. I still don't understand why people bully others. Bullying is just pathetic and heartless! It makes me smile to see her town supporting her. A friendly hand is sometimes all you need. :)
The damaging and dangerous practice called "conversion
therapy" might soon be at an end in California --- the most populous state
in the U.S. -- if Governor Jerry Brown signs a bill that the state Legislature
has already passed. So-called conversion therapy is based upon the dangerous
and disapproving theory that homosexuality is a form of mental illness and that
through therapy, sexual orientation can be changed.
Thousands of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth have been subjected
to the humiliating measures of this practice over the past 100 years, including electric shocks
and nausea-inducing medication paired
with homosexual imagery. In many other cases, youth have been forced to undergo
shame-filled therapy sessions with counselors and groups of their peers.
Tell California Gov. Jerry Brown: Sign the bill to ban conversion therapy of minors and affirm the finding of the legislature that being gay or lesbian is not a disease or disorder.
Last week I went to Wonderland Camp. It was a hot, fun,
incredibly adventurous week. I saw my old friends Dustin, Scott, Faith, Angie,
Mary, Morgan, Aaron, Hope, Ashley, Dawn, Lena (yes, there was another Lena in
my cabin), Colleen, Toby, Al, and Alena.
I also made new friends Katie, Ellen, Jennifer, Cole, Jade, and
Victoria. Along with the awesome camp counselors, there were also new
volunteers this year. Most of them were very nice but one was less enthusiastic
about camp; (I won’t say the name). I hung out with the nice ones anyway. On
Sunday, we had the pool party. The water was ice cold but it was fun. Beach
balls were flying and Toby brought out the water guns. Everyone was goofing
around, getting soaked. It was so much fun!
On Monday, we had Rec, Nature, Arts and Crafts, and Game
Room in the morning. In Rec, we got on the field and kicked around soccer
balls. I was actually good at kicking. I almost kicked a ball in a goal. In
Arts and Crafts, we tie-dyed our camp shirts. I made mine red and blue with a
spiral. In Nature, we went up into the tree house and told stories. I like it
in the tree house. It’s cool to look down and see nothing but green. In the
game room, I just hung out and listened to the jukebox.
Later that afternoon, it was pool time. I went on the splash
pad. The splash pad is like a mini water park with all types of sprinklers and
hoses. They ran me through it while I sat in a shower chair. It was a
blast! I became obsessed with the splash
pad and went there during pool time for the rest of the week.
On Monday evening, we had karaoke. I danced and hung out
with Dustin, Scott, Cole, and Faith. I also sang Avril Lavigne’s “Don’t Tell
Me”. The night rocked! I love my camp friends!!
On Tuesday, we had Nature, Music, and Game Room. In Nature,
we had a treasure hunt and walked down a trail. The trail seemed never-ending
but it was great. The wooded, rocky area that we were in reminded me of a
colorful, magical forest from one of my fantasy stories. In Music, we sat
underneath the parachute and sang camp songs. With everyone from my cabin under
it, it looked like a big but crowded circus tent. Then in the game room, I
played a computer game.
Later that evening, we had a movie night. We watched a movie
called “Heavyweights”. It was about some kids who go to fat camp and have to
stand up to the mean camp director. It was funny, just a cute Disney
movie. I ate the popcorn too for
once. It tasted delicious.
On Wednesday, we went to the water front in the morning to
ride the boat. The boat ride was bumpy and relaxing. I almost dozed off again.
Then on the way back to the cabin, I had a slight mishap. My back wheel fell
off and lost its screw. I was not happy at all but they fixed it.
Later that afternoon, we had Arts and Crafts and Music. In
Arts and Crafts, we painted wind chimes. Then we got to draw anything that we
wanted. I drew pictures of witches and Freddy Krueger. I’m strange, what can I
say? In Music, we practiced for the talent show.
Later that evening, it was the talent show. There were a lot
of entertaining skits and songs. For our group talent, we did a skit where we
acted like we were on “America’s Got Talent”. Three of us were the judges,
while some of us danced, some of us sang, and some of us played instruments. I
sang in the skit. For my individual talent, I read a poem that I wrote called
“Unmask the Witch”. I like reading my stuff aloud at camp. I’m less nervous and
it’s fun. I always love the talent show but this year there was the most
hilarious skit ever! Two campers had a pretend wedding. The bride danced down
‘the aisle’ and Toby acted as ‘the minster’. Goofy Toby started ‘the ceremony’
with “When I think of marriage, I think of Donkey Kong…” Their pretend vows were like, “Promise to
sit by each other at meals…Promise to dance at the dance.” Then they exchanged
fanny packs and hugged. Everyone was laughing so hard.
On Thursday, it was open activities. In Nature, we shot BB
guns. I shot a BB by myself once. I didn’t hit the target but it felt cool to
pull the trigger on my own. In Music, we learned some new dances. In Beauty
Shop, the girls got ready for the dance. I got my nails painted purple and my
hair spiked up into a Mohawk. I wore a white and black top, my favorite pair of
skinny jeans, my black shoes, and dark make-up.
Later, after a cool candlelit dinner, the dance started.
Lights were twirling and music was booming throughout the dinning hall. I
danced with everyone but the one dance that I’ll always remember is the one
with Scott. With help from Faith, he took me out of my chair and slow danced
with me. We danced as our friends watched and took pictures. This might sound
dorky but I felt like a princess for a few moments. I don’t get to slow dance
often so that was very special to me. Scott, you’re such a good friend. Thank
you. The dance was amazing!
On Friday, it was awards. I got the “Cool Sunglasses Queen”
award because I traded sunglasses with Dustin and I always wore them. Then
after awards, we played bingo. Scott helped me. When my parents got there,
Scott and Dustin walked with me to my cabin and hugged me goodbye. Last week
was wonderful. Though Fridays are bittersweet, I know that Wonderland Camp will
always be there. The next time that I’m there, I’ll have even more
adventures.
