Isabella Cruz-Hill
Grade 4
Bannockburn Elementary, Bethesda
My perfect day would be to wake up and realize that I could do anything to change the world—just by thinking about it—just for one day. I would wake up and think the world was perfect. The poor had money, and they would. The homeless had homes, and snap—they had the best homes.
I would have happy thoughts for the sad, and boom—the sad were happy. The lost were found. My perfect day would be if I woke up and I could make smiles on everyone’s faces. So there were no sad faces. With a thought I could heal hurt hearts.
If I had a day all for myself and I could do whatever I wanted, I would make everyone happy. My mind would be at peace—so there would be peace on earth for one day. I would feel the love—and love would invade the earth. In my perfect day, I would make the world one family—and make the world feel family’s values, always looking out for everyone’s feelings, for everyone’s joy.
In my perfect day, I would walk the parks and there would be no pollution. Flowers would bloom all year long and bright rainbows would shine in every corner. The birds would always sing and fly. The worms would crawl and no one would squish them, or be scared of them. The trees would be big and tall and smile when they gave us shade. The squirrels would be climbing up high in those big tall trees and they would come down and give us their nuts.
I would observe every river and ocean and the water would be the most perfect shade of blue. If I had a day all to myself, I would ask the universe to let me make it perfect for everyone—and I would look at everyone’s eyes: American, Haitian, Salvadoran, African…and we would all sit together smiling—laughing. Because of the knowledge that everyone was free; that there was equal rights for everyone. That the wars were over. That everyone loved everyone.
If I had a day all to myself I would like to dream that I could change the world—but if I discovered that I couldn’t, I would make a less fortunate child believe that he can dream, and that through my wishes and examples, he can work to change the world—just for one day.
Maddie Sparrow
Grade 5
St. Jane de Chantal, Bethesda
Wake up in the morning feeling great,
As I look out my window past the garden gate.
I hear birds chirping in the trees,
And see tiny caterpillars resting on the leaves.
Hearing children, enjoying their play,
I go downstairs ready for a wonderful day.
I eat some pancakes, with syrup on top,
I watch the syrup pour down, it never stops.
I put on my bathing suit, ready to go,
To drive down to the beach and hear the water flow.
We arrive there bursting with excitement,
Getting ready for a whole new moment.
I grab my beach chair, and a book or two,
To get ready to see the ocean blue.
As I approach the beach, I take a picture in my head,
While I lie down in my beach chair, like I’m in my bed.
I put on some sunblock, before I lay,
Like a cat resting on a warm summer day.
I see my friends in the ocean,
So I go and join them, seeing the commotion.
A big wave is coming, we will have to go under,
Thank the Lord that there is no thunder.
We go under without a sound,
With water splashing all around.
We decide to get out of the water,
Before a big wave hits us with power.
We go and sit down by the dunes, where it is always warm,
And talk about random things like “Do you like corn?”
We laugh and hang around all day,
Until it is time to go back, to the place where we will stay.
I take a warm shower, using all the hot water I can,
Before it is time to have dinner, where my crazy brother is banging pans.
I go to my room, and get dressed in shorts and a pretty top,
Before I go and meet my friends, and the fun will never stop.
We play a game of baseball, or we will just talk,
Until it’s time to go in, and have dinner, which will be quite a shock.
We will have my grandma’s steak, with her sweet potatoes on the side,
Then we will look out at the ocean, seeing the tide.
I pop on my sweatshirt, because it’s getting cold,
As I walk down to the mini beach, right in front of our household.
I see Austin and Jerret already down there,
And my cousin Kate with them, eating a pear.
We decide to play soccer until it gets late,
And get ready for bed, talking with Kate.
We go back downstairs and eat some ice cream,
With sprinkles and cherries, every kid’s dream.
Then I go back upstairs, and jump into bed,
As I pull my blankets up and over my head.
I hear the waves crashing down,
As I fall asleep dreaming about princesses in gowns.
Alexander Clipper
Grade 6
St. John the Baptist, Silver Spring
Dear Mom,
You won’t believe what happened today. I woke up at 9 a.m. in Dad’s car. I said to Dad, “I’m going to be late to school and my homeroom teacher, Mrs. Winterbottom, said that if I am late to school two more times I’ll be…” I stopped right in the middle of my sentence and saw a sign that said, “Welcome to Hershey, Pennsylvania,” and there is only one place that we could be going. I yelled at the top of my lungs and said, “We’re going to Hershey Park!” Dad said, “This is your special day, you can do whatever you want to do in Hershey Park.”
When we got to the parking lot, it was deserted. There wasn’t a single car in sight. I said to Dad, “Oh, no, the park is closed and we…” My father stopped me in mid-sentence and said, “I reserved the park for just the two of us so we don’t have to wait in long queues.” I tried to say I loved him, but nothing came out of my mouth. I stood there for two minutes speechless.
I walked into the park, still speechless, and finally said, “I want to go on the Storm Runner.” The Storm Runner went so high, it made me feel like the king of the universe until we started to drop rapidly at 75 mph. After the Storm Runner, we went on a few other rides such as the Great Bear, the Fahrenheit, the Wildcat, the Comet, the Falcon, the Sooperdooperlooper and much more. Then we took a little break to eat pizza. It was fabulous and mouthwatering. After the pizza, we had some Dippin’ Dots. My Dippin’ Dots were cotton candy, but my dad’s were chocolate. Dippin’ Dots are ice cream in dot form.
The rest of the day went by so fast. Dad and I went into the arcade, and I won $200. Yes, Mom, I put half of the money in my college bank account. After that, it was time to go home. We hopped in the car, started the engine and headed home. I was very tired because it was 11 p.m. With my eyes half opened, I yawned and said to Dad, “This was truly the best day ever.”
With love, Your son, AJ
