19. Pride

Pride is something that you hide inside
Pride is something you recognize
Something that lies behind the eyes

Pride is an overwhelming feeling
It builds and builds it’s the strongest of feelings
Pride it what lies inside

Pride to me is basically just a feeling that you get when you do something that maybe no one else could do, or in other words “the sword in the stone.” Even the strongest of men could not pull that sword out of that stone, but the smallest of boys was able to do it. Only problem with that is, it’s very rare to find me with a situation like that one.

The Dream Team

By Tanya Miller
Harwood Union High School

The beginning of a large project,

when ambitions abound, like fire works on a clear night.
At first there is nothing but a tiny notion,
but soon the idea blossoms into maturity.
It will soon fade, but before it is gone it will be replaced by another.

Now research and planning commences,
followed shortly by materials acquisition.
This phase, although seemingly important,

What defines us.
Who we are.
This is us.
Do we understand?
Do we accept?
Because we need to,
To have pride.

My Pride

By Warren Ouellette, age 9 (4th Grade, The Renaissance School)

P.roud of what you do
R.eally, I didn’t know
I.t’s amazing
D.on’t Rub it In
E.xcessive pride = Arrogant

Pride is…
bad, evil, sin, hiss;
simple as that.

Pride will bring…
failure, breakdown, destruction, chaos;
that’s all it’s good for.

With pride…
success, achievement, triumph, victory;
it all won’t come so easy.

Without it…
family and friends;
they’ll be at your side.

Pride

By Hugh Garrett Randall
Rochester High School, Grade 10

What we’ve become, what we’ve undone
In times past, from where we started from
We’ve changed together, you and I, as one.

I didn’t know what would happen to us
At sight and thought, the first instinct was lust
But as time passed on, one thing changed; trust.

We stare at each other through longing eyes

Our pride is what did it.
Neither of us were humble enough to give in,
admit that we were wrong,
so, all of a sudden, there it was.
Hostile glances in the hallway.
No more note-passing
Secrets
Our friendship over.
But our pride is what saved it.
After a while, some time to cool off,
we thought.
I guess we were both proud of ourselves,

Today is the last time I take any more crap from that jerk, I said to myself as he tried to take my money. I said no. He glared at me. “If you don’t give me that money ill pound the snot out of you.”
“Go ahead because, I’m done being bullied by you, you jerk.”

Pride

By Alicia Cerasoli
Hartford Memorial Middle School, Grade 8

I walk, breathless and tired,
over the large hairy green mound.
I stop, stunned.
Baby blue fills my soul,
Recharging my lungs.
Soft cotton clouds reach down,
Inviting me to take a ride.
A green blanket tumbles down the hill
To the valley.
A pond sits at the hill’s feet,
Just dipping its toes in.

My pride is ruined.
Don’t ask how
or why.
I don’t want to talk about it.
It happened to soon.
My pride will never be the same.
Whatever you do, don’t believe what you hear from her.
She’s a liar.

Pride

By Emma Seaver
Hartford Memorial Middle School, Grade 8

Pride can get you into trouble.
If you’re too proud
You could get hurt. Being proud
of acing your science test
and being so proud you can’t
apologize
are two different things.
You ace a science test,
You get a pat on the back.
You can’t say sorry
you get your teeth kicked in.
Pride can be dangerous.

The Good Things

By Samantha Burns
Fairfield Center School, Grade 8

Pride gives us strength
It gives us the courage to keep going
It is when we are proud
Proud to stand, defend, and protect

Its one thing we all hold
Deep inside ourselves
It makes us who we are
People who can raise their voice
To shout, scream, and rebel
For what they believe in

Pride
It’s something you earn
After a great goal
Or an awesome grade
It will always make you feel better
But sometimes
Your pride
Can take over
And no longer is it pride
But overconfidence
So next time you have pride
Make sure
That it stays as pride
Before it is gone.

P.R.I.D.E.

By Kyle Messier
Fairfield Center School, Grade 8

Power rushing through my veins
Ready to do whatever it takes
I am ready to step up
Defend my beliefs in
Everything that is right!

I’m sitting, watching, listening, and waiting for the moment that will make me proud. I’ve worked long and hard for this year, this moment to come. My parents told me that they too were proud when I was in my child’s shoes. I didn’t quite understand why. I was the one who had to pass in all those papers, ace all of those tests. I was the one who should have been proud.

Pink Pride

By Heidi Keller
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

I was embarrassed
It hurt my pride
Hurt so bad
I thought I had died

Did anyone notice?
Nearly broke down and cried
It all happened Monday
Actually Tuesday, I lied

A bright sunny day
My family went for a ride
Down to the beach
To play in surf and tide

Before we left
In the mirror I spied

Your so arrogant
He said and then sighed
He replied
It’s just my pride!

Belief in oneself
Not Stuck Up just Confident
Leads to much Success

I am proud of taking part in the Project Peru team last year because I enjoyed helping people out. I’m going to go on the trip next year too because I’m proud of being in that group.

Pride

By Kyler
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

Swallow your pride just suck it in
Do whatever it takes to win
Get up to the line
You know it’s on
You don’t know what you got
Until it’s gone

Don’t do what’s wrong
Do what’s right
If you do what’s right
You’ll win the fight

Pride

By Ryan Cassidy
Mount St. Joseph Academy, Grade 9

What kind of pride do you have?
Is it the kind that leaves you feeling good inside?
Or is it the kind that makes you lose your mind?
The kind that puts a smile on your face
Or the kind that leads you to scold everyone in sight
Overall the pride that you have show’s the person who you want to be

Flawed Reflection

By Meghann Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 9

Who's that in the reflection staring back?
Surely not me
No, of course not!
That is the face of a liar and coward

Those sagging eyes are not my own
My eyes are bright and send my love
The mirror shows sockets of hateful and judging gazes
They do not belong on my pure face

That big mouth never tasted my jaw
My lips raise people up who are down and do not slander as those do
The mirror shows thin lips that have lied and deceived many
They do not belong on my pure face

That large nose never smelled my food
My nose smells flowers and filters out odors
The mirror shows a nose that sniffs down revenge
No, that would not even fit on my pure face

Those pointy ears never heard my name called
My ears listen to positive messages and God's word
The mirror shows two ears that perk up to gossip
They do not belong on my pure face

Those dirty, stained hands never felt my skin

The Wisest Child

By Hanna Kingston
Mount Mansfield Union High School, Grade 9

The little child with the emerald eyes
He lays in the grass and looks up at the sky
And he sees not the moon nor the stars or the sun
He sees empty space for him to fly

He knows that a star is a great thing to be
But he fears not the others who want destiny
For stars are small and the heavens large