Visions
Ann & Nate Levine Academy 18011 Hillcrest Road Dallas, TX 75252 2024/5784 Volume XXXI
Staff
Addar Abinun Ryann Cohen Aden Feldhendler Nathan Gokh Hailey Goldminz Avery Karp Avi Kornbluth Daniel Ksabi Jamie Kurtzman Isaac Lemeshev Noam Lipszyc Livi Mintskovsky Shaun Nadato Ariel Primo Idan Rahamim Mikayla Richardson Idan Rulnick Sophie Rubin Ray Sacher Ethan Sadka Cooper Savariego Asher Stayman Hannah Schildkraut
Editor ’ s Note:
Over a vastly different 31 year span of Visions, each issue has reflected the same pattern of age related entries: an innocence and unbridled imagina- tion, an awakening to life ’ s realities, and a development of values and opin- ions. From the joys of a childhood pet to the excitement of an athletic ex- perience, from the beauty of God ’ s natural world to the discovery of life ’ s grays, this issue - my last as editor - continues this trend. As always, I hope that you, too, will be entertained and amazed at the depth of creativity and critical thinking expressed in these pages. Just remember that we have not corrected any technical convention errors for students below the fifth grade - after all, that is the charm of youth. May you find peace and happi- ness within this wonderful literary magazine as well as in life.
Editor: Joanie Geffen Graphic Design: Wendy Cramer
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Table of Contents
PROSE
“ All Summer ”… Continued ~ Erin Baskind
06 10 10 12 13 16 17 22
Japan Reflection ~ Dylan Steiger
The Time I did Lion King ~ Dalya Kopmar
A Soccer Game ~ Jack Azouz Joe ’ s Farm ~ Claire Fenster
Why School Should Start Late ~ Eliana Yochananov
Why the Husky is Black ~ Gabe Stern
We Remember ~ Adam Rosen
POETRY
24 It ’ s Not My Fault ~ Jamie Kurtzman 28 - 29 Rex ’ s Resilience ~ Pierson Reiman
The Untouchable ~ Mikayla Richardson The Pirate ’ s Passage ~ Isaac Lemeshev Unconditional Love ~ Adrianna Marks
04 14 19 20 22 26 29 31
Gen Z ~ Addar Abinun
Hope Stands Tall ~ Gideon Rose
Inked ~ Amiel Bueckert
Fire Rains Over the Land of Stories ~ Hailey Goldminz
From Rain to Sunshine ~ Aden Feldhendler
ARTWORK
Monet ’ s Poplar Trees, Tempera Paint ~ Yuval Glikman Sunrays, Mixed Media Collage ~ Miles Zeltser Explosion Book, Painting/Bookbinding ~ Simon Files Spotted Lake Landscape, Oil Pastel ~ Talia Gokh Paul Klee Landscape, Chalk Pastel ~ Jesse Jankelow
05 07 08 09 11 12 15 18 21 23 25 27 30 32
Penguin Sculptures, Model Magic Clay ~ Samuel Zide, Adam Wiessman, Agan Deri
Monster Face, Collage ~ Geffen Richman
Edouard Manet Poof Dog, Tempera Paint ~ Juliana Friedman Blair/Crump Fantasy Cityscape, Collagraph Print ~ Emily Blum Ghana Inspired Weaving, Mixed Media ~ Hannah Roffman Van Gogh Landscape, Oil Pastel ~ Justin Wildeman Blair/Crump Fantasy Cityscape, Collagraph Print ~ Noam Deri
Van Gogh Landscape, Oil Pastel ~ Faye Nilevsky
Monet ’ s Poplar Trees, Tempera Paint ~ Ari Spirer Cover Chameleon Portrait, Oil Pastel ~ Natalie Golman
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The Untouchable Mikayla Richardson
Grade Eight
(Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of The Hunger Games, is more comfortable in nature than in the dangerous arena of The Capitol.)
If only it were near where everything is clear. The mountains as high as the sky, valleys so deep the wind whispers by. Meadows painted with hues unknown, flowers bloom with a fate of their own. A lovely river that will never lead you wrong, a symphony of nature, where I belong. Beneath the cerulean sky, where hopes drift by, a kingdom of clouds that seem so high. Graceful animals, a diverse delight, each creature dancing in nature's light. Enchanted trees, swaying with the breeze, and there lies a house, where the spirit is at ease. This land of wonders, where fantasy comes true, is where I want to stay, like a tattoo. I, Katniss Everdeen, am dreaming of a distant land, now closer than ever, but not the way I planned. Entering the Hunger Games with my fate foretold, until the echoes of my final breath grow cold.
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Yuval G likman Grade One
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“ All Summer In A Day ” - Continued
Erin Baskind
Grade Seven
(In Ray Bradbury ’ s open - ended story, an Earth born girl cannot handle life on Venus; she endures physical and emotional problems, the least of which is being locked in a closet at school.)
The closet opens. Margot ’ s eyes take a minute to adjust to the dim, flickering light faintly illuminating the room from the lights in the ceiling. Her pale, lifeless face nearly blending with the cold, gray metal closet. She steps out of the closet, her legs shaking as she stumbles into the classroom. At first, Margot has no intention to run. She walks to a desk and sits down on the chair, staring straight ahead, saying nothing. “ Hey, Charcoal! ” William yells. “ You ’ re looking a bit washed out! ” Sad that you didn ’ t see the sun?! ” Margot keeps staring at the blank wall in front of her, seemingly deaf to his taunts, only hearing the deafening sound of the rain, pounding its never ending drum on the roof. The class goes silent, waiting for an answer … It never comes. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Margot gets up. No one tries to stop her. She slowly walks out of the classroom, and, once she is out of sight, breaks into a run. As fast as she can, she runs through the torrential rain until she gets to her front yard. An overwhelming sense of giving up washes over her, and it feels like everything is too much. Her legs can ’ t hold her up anymore, and her heart is filled with despair. Then everything goes black. She lies there, victim to the pelting rain. When Margot opens her eyes again, she is lying in her bed, tucked in under blankets. She looks down for a second and notices that she has been changed into fresh, warm clothes. She rolls over, facing the wall. Nothing can entice her to get up. Not even the smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven. The only thing she can think of is the inside of that cold, gray closet. Pitch black inside, with no room to move, it ’ s hard to breathe, as though the darkness were suffocating her. The walls are closing in and she struggles for air. “ Margot? Are you okay? ” her mother asks softly, standing by the door.
“ I ’ m fine. ” Margot whispers back.
“ I ’ ll bring you some cookies, ” says her mother, as she walks away, back to the kitchen. Margot rolls over, facing the window this time, and gets up. She walks past her dresser, to the window, and looks out. Still the driving rain does not stop. Sighing, Margot starts to turn away from the window until she catches sight of a faint, colorful glow on the horizon. A rainbow. Slowly, Margot smiles, feeling something that she can ’ t quite place. A warm, cozy feeling inside. Hope. Hope that life will lead to a better future.
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Miles Zeltser Grade Two
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Simon Files
Grade Seven
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Talia Gokh
Grade Four
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Japan Reflection Dylan Steiger
Grade Three
I had so much fun learning about Japan. Here are five facts that I learned about Japan.
First, Japanese people use fresh ingredients that are in season. For example, winter fruits like apples and oranges.
Next, Japanese food reflects the changing seasons. For example, summer colors are blue, white, and green. Third,
slurping soup is polite in Japan. Also, the Nintendo Switch was invented in Japan. Last, you can see ginkgo trees in
Japan, but they were made in China. I learned a lot about Japan. I loved this unit.
The Time I Did Lion King Dalya Kopmar
Grade Three
I was backstage at The Lion King show, and I was nervous. I thought I was gonna forget a line and be embarrassed!
But then I heard the music go on, I knew it was time to go out on stage! It was a full house.
(When there is a full house it makes me do better). Then I went on stage (I had the most lines)!
After I did my show I took a very proud bow! Then I went backstage and was really proud of myself. So then I went
to meet my fans (I felt so smushed). Everyone wanted to meet me! After all that me and my family
went to go get some dinner it was so good (yummy)!!!
Then I went home and went to the sink to get all that makeup off my body (EWW)! After that I took a shower I felt
gross. Then I said goodbye to all the people that came to my house (like my grandparents). Then I was exhausted so
I said goodnight! I went upstairs and went in my very comfy bed and went to sleep like a blink of an eye.
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Jesse Jankelow
Grade Two
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A Soccer Game
Jack Azouz
Grade Two
First, I was playing soccer against the Sharks. Then I got
the ball and went up the field. I started running quickley. I
went to shoot but someone tripped me and I slid into the
goal. I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. I tried to walk I could
not. I told my coch I had to leave. Then my parents came
and took me home. At home, my dad put me on the coach.
He put carbin perocside on my leg. Then it was dinner
time. I limped to the table. I felt the same sharp pain. After
dinner my dad caried me up stairs. He caried me to my
bed. Then I rested a little bit. After I rested, I brushed my
teeth and put on my PJs and went to bed. After a few days
I felt better!
Top to Bottom: Samuel Zide, Adam Wiessman, Agam Deri
Kindergarten
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Joe's Farm
Claire Fenster
Grade Five
“ Hi, my name is Neli. I am a turkey. I lived on Turkey Farm. The farmer there almost killed me. Here is how it happened, ” said Neli.
I was walking along Turkey Trail when I saw a couple of turkeys wandering along the road. I said, “ Hi, what brings you to Turkey Trail? ’’ They said,
“ Oh, we were just out for a walk. Would you like to join us? ’’
I said, “ Yes. ” We talked for the rest of the afternoon and then we had dinner. I learned their names and coop numbers. It was so much fun. I fell asleep so happy that night.
We wanted to escape because every morning when we get up, we do a head count, and then one turkey gets cooked. I didn ’ t want to get cooked, so my friends and I decided we didn ’ t want to be there. In the morning, we decided to find a way to escape that night. I was so happy that we could find a way to escape. That evening, I creeped out of my coop. I was walking along the trail when I saw a hole in the fence just big enough for me to go through, but then farmer Joe came along and saw me. I tried to run away, but he already got me. He was so mad he put me in the room where you get cut into pieces and die. I was so scared I was shaking, so he put me back in my coop and said, ” Don ’ t ever do that again! ” The next morning, I woke up in fear. I told my friends what happened, and they said we should go through the hole again. That night, we snuck out and went through the hole. We made it! We found a hotel and hung out there.
When I got to my room, I was so tired I took a long nap. I knew I would never forget how kind my friends were and how, if they hadn ’ t helped me, I would not be here now.
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The Pirate ’ s Passage
Isaac Lemeshev
Grade Eight
I, the captain of the ship,
volunteer to take you on this treacherous trip.
There may be bruises, there may be gore,
but we won ’ t know until we see what ’ s in store.
We must watch out for the danger of the sea,
for when waves are too strong, we will cease to be.
Beware Davy Jones ’ terrible wrath,
or you shall surely bathe in a blood bath.
The Kraken lurks just under the water,
and if disturbed, it will lead to your slaughter.
If any captives try to steal our bank,
they will be forced to walk the large wooden plank.
The only one I trust on the ship
is my trusty parrot whose name is Pip.
So you must think twice, or be sent to your grave
on this pirate ’ s passage, you must be brave.
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Geffen Richman
Kindergarten
15
Why School Should Start Late
Eliana Youkananov
Grade Four
Do you think waking up early every day is worth it? I don't think so. We should start school late!
One reason is if you wake up early for school then you know you will be tired in the morning. It will take you a long time to get dressed, make your bed, brush your teeth, do your hair, and much more. When you get in the car there will be traffic lights on the way. It will take a long time and make you late! For example, when you wake up early and get to school you will probably do sloppy work and not be focused. If you are not focused you will not learn anything new. MAYBE if you are that tired then you might fall asleep in class! That won't be good. In addition to that, waking up early means that you get less sleep than you are supposed to get every night. Plus it can make you sick and can be unhealthy. Most people care about their health. For example, like me, I hate getting sick. Also, if you wake up early for school that means more school. If there's more school that means more learning and less relaxing at home. Also, you have to sit in really uncomfortable chairs that feel like rocks when you could be at home lying in your comfortable bed. That also means the teachers have to teach longer. These are my reasons why I think school should start late. Many people need their beauty sleep, like me, and many people probably agree with me. So go to your teacher or principal and tell them that school should start late!
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Why the Husky is Black
Gabe Stern
Grade Four
A long time ago, there was a dog named Husky. He had pointy ears that stuck straight up. He had
bright blue eyes and a long fluffy tail. Husky ’ s fur was plain white. All of the other dogs had black fur.
Husky liked that he was special and different from the other dogs. Husky lived in a dark cave all by
himself. Husky stuttered, “ I am so lonely, but I ’ m too scared to get my white fur dirty. ” He did NOT
like to get dirty!!!! He stayed home all day long.
The other huskies asked, “ Husky, why don ’ t you ever leave your cave? ” Husky announced, “ I want
to keep my fur clean, not dirty like you other mutts. ” The other huskies were like, “ Suit yourself, but
you are going to get bored and lonely all by yourself. ” The other huskies were right. Husky did get
bored and lonely staying in his cave all day. One day, Husky watched the other dogs from his cave.
They were playing and having fun all together. Husky was like, “ I want to play and have fun too. ” So
Husky decided to make himself go on an adventure and leave his cave. He left his cave and took his
first step. Suddenly, he tripped on a rock and fell in the tar! Husky was like, “ OH NOOO! ” When he
got out he was black and his fur was covered in tar. Husky worried, “ I ’ m so dirty, I should have never
left my cave. ” Husky cried and cried.
The other dogs heard Husky ’ s cries. They came to see what was wrong. “ What happened to you?
You are all black like us now. ” Husky looked up and saw the big, blue sky and the winds were
whispering to him. The winds were saying, “ It ’ s not that bad to be dirty because now you are able to
be adventurous and not worry about getting your white fur all dirty. You can now have fun with your
friends. ” So Husky and the other dogs ran off into the jungle.
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Juliana Friedman
Kindergarten
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Unconditional Love
Adrianna Marks
Grade Seven (Based on a true story)
My best friend since birth, now you are under the earth.
With your gold and yellow fur, your life went by in a blur.
You chased the balls all day long, and our love for you was so very strong.
Swimming with you in the sun made me have so much fun.
You barked at the golfers all day long, and we knew you would always belong.
For thirteen years you brought me joy and delight; now you've gone and left me in the dark of the night.
My heart once warm, now shattered and cold, leaves me feeling lost and alone in this world.
Watching you die was the saddest thing I had to do. I hope that no one else experiences what I went through.
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Gen - Z
Addar Abinun
Grade Eight
Not all sheep are soft and fluffy;
nor do they graze in the pasture.
They flock in the middle school hallways -
girl drama gossip:
“ OMG, did you see her TikTok?!?! ”
With skirts rolled high
for the look and in rebellion.
They clutch their Stanley cups,
trophies of belonging,
Nirvana sweatshirts -
tags of ownership -
that compliment their white Air Force ones.
Listening to Lana Del Rey,
their national anthem.
Aquaphor in bulk, to moisturize their lips,
Retinol treatments for the wrinkles they don't have.
They do it all.
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Emily Blum
Grade Five
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We Remember
Adam Rosen
Grade Six
Normal. The world was calm, kind, and filled with love. The year is 1619. The black people
living in Africa got captured. We remember. They were brought on a ship and sailed
across the perilous water. We remember. They were forced to be someone, something,
who they weren ’ t. They became slaves: worthless slaves. But they persevered, and
remembered their peaceful past. They sang and prayed for freedom. Courageous heroes
rescued them. The heroes risked their lives to free the slaves. Our heroes saved the victims
so now all of us, together, can remember.
Hope Stands Tall
Gideon Rose
Grade Six
Hope stands tall
even after the water they were born on
tried to extinguish their flame of hope
Unconditional hope is built from prayers and tradition
even after separation
even after lies
even after fear
Hope shines in the darkness of
slavery and racism
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Hannah Roffman
Grade Three
23
“ It ’ s Not My Fault ”
Jamie Kurtzman
Grade Eight
I heard yelling, followed by sirens. Chaos ensued. The Nazi officers came bursting through the
door. Was there a riot? They were frantically looking around and snatched me up. Suddenly, I
saw black, followed by the huffing and puffing sound of the running Nazi who grabbed me. I
heard all sorts of other horrid noises too - the bang of gunshots, the screaming of women and
children, and the crash of glass shattering into a thousand tiny pieces. I had no idea what was
happening. I was whipped out and saw a young man and a little girl huddled in the corner of a
room. I don ’ t understand German, but I knew they were in trouble. “ Had they done something
wrong ?” I didn ’ t think so. Seconds later, I found myself beating down on them, over and over and
over again.
That night was a misery. After I smashed some wine cups, the Nazi who carried me was tackled.
He dropped me, and I rolled under a table. Then there were more gunshots. The man must have
been shot by the Nazi officer. Blood splattered, and screams continued throughout the night. I sat
with that awful feeling for years until a young boy picked me up in 1951, still covered in that
young, brave Jewish man's blood.
I tried not to think about that night, but I couldn ’ t stop myself. I had smashed windows, counters,
valuables, and even people. “ It wasn ’ t my fault, ” I had to repeat to myself. After all, I am just a
baton. It can ’ t be my fault. Seven years later, that ’ s what those evil Nazis were saying in court. “ It
wasn ’ t my fault! ”
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Justin Wildeman
Grade Three
25
Inked
Amiel Bueckert
Grade Six
How much ink was inscribed No, burned into the flesh of six million Jews?
We were innocently taken from our homes Ripped from our loved ones We had nothing more to lose.
Captured one after the other, numbers adding up and growing. Festering in the dark. Scarred for life And never free Because of that five digit mark.
So truly, how much is six million? Inked, stamped, selected. Branded with a number: children, women, men.
Remember today Remember, remember, remember Never Again!
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Noam Deri
Grade Five
27
Rex ’ s Resilience
Pierson Reiman
Grade Six
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle is a book about poverty and the effects it has on the relationships in
families. This book is a memoir about Rex Ogle ’ s childhood and what he went through to get out of the cycle
of poverty. There are many lessons to be learned from this amazing book, including the power of hope. The
themes of poverty, child abuse, and resilience are important throughout the book, and can help Levine
Student Congress members become better people and make a difference in our community and world.
Student Congress can help people in need like Rex by educating Levine students about poverty, food
insecurity, and homelessness. Examples of this are donating to Jewish Family Service and collecting food for
other food banks around Dallas. Student Congress can also volunteer at Dallas Life Homeless Shelter and
Vogel Alcove to increase awareness about homelessness in our area. An example from Free Lunch is that
others judge poor people because of their appearance. Rex states, “ Mrs. Winstead sees the holes in my
shoes, my too small jeans, my too big shirt, my secondhand backpack, and my black eye. Right then she
decides she doesn't like me. ” (p. 19) In Student Congress, I will make sure everyone is aware of ways they
can help people living in poverty and not judge other people based on their appearance or wealth.
Another theme in this book is child abuse, and Student Congress can also help children in our
community with this problem. Rex ’ s parents both abuse him physically and verbally. Rex states, “ I wish I had
a different mom. One who took care of me, rather than the other way around. ” (p.77) Over 28,000 kids are
abused in Dallas County per year, and Levine can help this cause by raising money for organizations like
Dallas Children ’ s Advocacy Center. I can help educate my friends about children suffering from abuse and
find ways to improve the lives of these children.
The message of hope and the importance of resilience are evident throughout the book and can
help students at Levine or people in tough situations. For example, when you are in a dark place in life, you
need to find the hope for a better future. Rex, despite struggles, wants to help others and make sure
nobody feels the same way he does. Rex thinks, “ If I had money, I ’ d share it with the people who don ’ t,
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so they wouldn ’ t have to feel the way I do now. ” (p.33) Student Congress can inspire others to make a
difference in this world and give hope to those in need in our community.
I can contribute to Student Congress by being a leader and an upstander. I will help advocate for others
who are less fortunate than me. By increasing awareness and educating others about the hardships of people
like Rex, Student Congress can help those who are struggling with hunger, food insecurity, homelessness, and
child abuse. We can give other children hope for a better tomorrow. In conclusion, the book Free Lunch has
many lessons that Student Congress can incorporate into its volunteering efforts in the community.
Fire Rains Over the Land of Sto- ries
Hailey Goldminz
Grade Eight
Israel and Hamas, a crazy storm, Echoes of fighting, but just a swarm. Skies are crying, tears mixing with the thunderous sound. A messed - up battle, turning hopes upside down. Kids can ’ t even laugh, lost in the war ’ s heat, A sad story playing out on every street. The people are watching, seeing the dilemma unfold, Nations tangled up in a war, dark and cold.
In all this craziness, people still wish, Hoping for quiet, and peace to relish.
29
Faye Nilevsky
Grade Three
30
From Rain to Sunshine
Aden Feldhendler
Grade Eight
Playing with my friends and passing the time,
there is no feeling that is so sublime.
It was so much fun, even in a drizzle,
but soon enough, all those hopes would fizzle.
Now I sit here, sad and alone,
with no one to talk to and nobody I can phone.
I ’ ve felt so empty, looking at the sky and remembering its azure hue.
Now, the only feeling I know is a dark, gloomy blue.
Even in school, where I can barely keep up the pace,
life still gives me pain that no surgeon can erase.
Although our God might feel cold and unforgiving,
I always remember I have a lucky life that I am living.
Whenever I keep that thought in mind,
hope and happiness is what I always find.
Even though things might not go my way,
the sunshine in my life will always have a greater say.
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Ari Spirer
Grade One
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