Oxbow High School

Some people cannot live
without the serenity of rural country
The peace of fall
The chill of winter
The look of the white snow falling
I am one of those people
though when I grow up
I may not stay to raise
a family of my own
But in my heart I will forever know
That Vermont is my home
And home
is where my heart
will forever lie

Vermont
To me means
White Christmases
Close families
A loving environment
Green trees
With ever changing leaves
To me a home
Born & raised
I may not stay here to start my family
But I'll bring everything I learned with me
Yes I'm a Vermonter
& Proud of it

In ten years
When I first read the prompt about living here in ten years, my answer was immediately, no. Why would I want to move back to a place I am already so sick of? It seemed like a completely stupid question. But then after really thinking about it, I am really not sure. I believe there are many pros and con with living in Vermont. It is a very beautiful, quiet state, with lots of wonderful traditions and friendly people. But there is also the facts that it is really small, has hardly anything to do, has a lot of Hicks, smells bad often, and is simply boring. For example, as a teenager, trying to find something fun to do is pretty impossible. Hanging out with friends is fun, but there is nothing to do outside of watching some rented movies. It's a big deal to go to the movies, or bowling one weekend. That's not even all that fun. Even saying all this, I think I would, too, grow to miss it.

My friends, Courtland, and Mike, and I have already planned out our future. I can truly tell you that living in Vermont isn't in any of our futures. We are going to be rich, comedians, or truck drivers.

Okey, here is the set-up. Courtland, Mike, and I were sitting in class in eighth grade when we got bored. It was Friday and we were sick of listening to Mrs. Hill ramble on and on about how we never listen to her or give her any respect by looking at her when she is talking to us. So we started to have side conversations. I know this probably wasn't the best idea to do when she was yelling at us about doing this, but we were so bored.

Growing up in Vermont has affected my life a lot, and in ten years, I hope I don't still live here. If I didn't live in Vermont, I would most likely live in New Jersey because both my parents were born and raised there. Living in New Jersey would be wonderful because in Vermont you have to live in a specific town to be able to go shopping a lot, and from my house it takes 45 minutes to travel to the nearest clothing store. In New Jersey it would probably be easier to make friends because of the bigger schools and the bigger population. In Vermont schools, there are only so many people, so if you get into a fight, or make enemies, there aren't many other people to fall back on.

Myrrhanda Wentworth
November 18th, 2008
College Composition

The Quintessential Vermonter

To me, a Vermonter is a hardworking, caring, compassionate, family- oriented person. True Vermonters cares about their neighbors and the town they live in. They are hands- on in their community and in their careers. One minute a Vermonter may be out chopping and stacking wood, and the next minute he or she is inside helping his or her kids with homework.

Jake Leete
11-17-08
English

Living in Vermont, for Now

Vermont is like living in a snowflake during the winter. The giant pine trees tower over the landscape and cover the Green Mountains. A winter wonderland is created with each snowflake that doesn't melt and hits the ground. But is this the only place like this? I have always wondered about what other places there are in the world to go, and if there are better places. I am sure there are, but Vermont is a pretty amazing place. I have lived in Vermont all my life, and I have only been to a handful of other places. I have been to New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, the airport of North Carolina, Florida, and off the coast of South America the island of Aruba. I have yet to go farther north or farther west to find a place where there is open land.

From growing up in Vermont, my life and outlook on life is probably different then someone who lives in the South. My outlook on weather is very different, along with a love of Vermont's environment. The hunting views I hold are also very different then those of the South

What is the most important thing to you about life in Vermont?

Do you enjoy where you live? Are there specific things you like to do in the state you live in? Well, I'm proud to say that there are several things that I do in Vermont that some people can't do where they live? These things I enjoy a lot and practically live my life around. My personal opinion on why I like to do what I like to do is because of the environment I was raised up in. In this essay I'm going to wrote about three of my most favorite things I like to do in Vermont.

VERMONT
This essay is about living in Vermont, being a Vermonter, growing up in Vermont, and why it is important. For me it tends to be my life. I live in Vermont and enjoy it. I try to em-braise everything I do in Vermont.

When most people think about Vermonters they think about a person, preferably a male who works on a farm, wears Carhartts and so on and so forth. I’ve grown up in Vermont so I could be considered a “true Vermonter,” but in most peoples opinion when they look at me they don’t think that. Why is that? Because I don’t look like the stereotypical Vermonter. Personally I’ve learned many things by living in Vermont, and I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about it.
My personal view of what a true Vermonter would be someone who has spent practically his or her whole life living in Vermont. I also believe that Vermonters are stereotyped against. Not every person in Vermont works on farms, own cows/horses/sheep, or even has any type of chore to do, Some of us live in normal sized houses, with maybe a dog or a cat or no pets at all. I guess in some ways people don’t think that all Vermonters are the same, just because we’re all not like that in any respect

Some people look at Vermont and think only of cows, horses and rolling hills. However, there is more to it than that. Vermont is a place of beauty, pride and passion, this is reflected in its people. Vermonters are surrounded by a passion for their work, a pride for their family and an image of unique beauty cast in the mold of a slowly dying rural society.
While cities and urban areas grow the love and passion that the people of Vermont feel for their jobs is slowly dying out. In Vermont the sense of dedication that the average person feels for their career is mind blowing. Whether you see a farmer, teacher, mechanic, lawyer or even a small store employee you instantly understand and witness the commitment that they have toward whatever task is at hand.

Vermonters would normally be described as Carhart, boot wearing rednecks who have farms and drive tractors. This is just what most people think about when they hear the word Vermont. But contrary to what people might believe, we are more than that. Most boys in my school do wear Carharts and boots maybe once or twice a week but a lot wear Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, Hollister, and Aeropostale, with sneakers like Nike Shocks or DC's. Even the girls are thought of to be little or big (depending on where you are) hillbillies. I'll admit it, I hunt. I shoot guns. I drive big honkin' tractors and skidders, and to be honest, I didn't even have my ears pierced until I was a senior. I just didn't have time with hunting and sports. However, I am more than the Vermonter stereotypes I like to look good, dress up and wear heels. I like to color my hair and wear makeup, but I am also a pretty big redneck.

What is a Vermonter?

Vermont

Vermont. Vermont is a state; some people know this, others are clueless about its existence. In some areas Vermont's a normal city, people going to college, cafe's and shopping malls. In other areas you can take it straight out of a country song. Farms, accents, 100-person population per town, hicks, chewing tobacco and drinking. Some areas see hunting as a lifestyle, fishing as a profession, and getting drunk as a religion. I, however, live in an area where only some of this is true. Trees surround my house, which lies on a hill, with a long, bumpy driveway. At school, sure there's that group of country boys and wannabe rednecks, but to me my school is an average high school: boring.

One score year ahead of ten years past the number 2018 will line the calendar's face like the vehicles line the urban street outside my window. Vermont, the Green Mountain state, the farmers paradise, the figment of the past. Mother of some of the most important years. Old high school friend long lost from contact. Memories that soar high on the scale opposite opportunity. While the coming and going of faces of friends and kinfolk are often, they remain strongly embedded into my cerebral cortex. The meeting of new faces and the making of new family holds my key to survival. While Vermont housed me, fed me, bathed me, and taught me, the extent of its reach was one of limits. Vermont, however, reached those limits, stretching its hands out long enough to support me and pass me off to the next pair of open arms. My experiences and the knowledge gained living here is unique.

Green Mountains Finest

Excuses to Leave Vermont

If I could live in Vermont in ten years, I don't think I would want to. Don't get me wrong, the scenery is beautiful, the changes in seasons are nice, and all that other flatlander stuff. I just feel out of place in Vermont. Growing up I moved around constantly and lived mostly in big cities my whole life. So moving to a little back-woods town was a big transition for me. It's also way too green for me. I'm used to smog and litter and buildings. Its just too nice for me here. I feel like a little kid in a really nice store. Don't touch anything, you break it you buy it. Everything in this state seems to have its own little place, and it all fits so well together. The trees, the mountains, and even the people. This state looks like a Bob Ross painting.

What is a Vermonter? This is a good question. The stereotype: A redneck, born, raised, and lives on a farm, who hunts everyday, smells bad, loves John Deere, wears Carharts, chews, and talks like he got his education from a cereal box, if he was lucky. But not all Vermonters fit this stereotype. I’m a Vermonter and far from this image. Vermonters are people who have grown up in Vermont, know the back roads better than they know their family, and enjoy the beauty that is Vermont. Living here, you may know everybody and their dogs in your town, but you don’t really get much diversity.

I remember one time that I really knew my friend was a true friend, I actually spent my senior summer being a kid who would be out of high school in a year and I partied I drank I had fun with some new friends. I did all of this with a girl that used to be a sports enemy considering we went to rival schools when she was in high school. After we hung out a few times we realized that we had a lot more in common then we had thought. My friends weren't that excited about me hanging out with her because she had a sort of reputation for being a party girl and just going out and having fun and not caring what people thought about her. So my friends just started to leave me out of things, they didn't understand why I was going out and having fun but one of my best friends who was the most mad at me did this same thing her freshman year and I never said anything to her but apparently when I did the same thing it was bad!

Sticking up for what I believe in
Even if it isn't right.
Making sure I'm ok,
When they know I've had a rough night.
Some friends come and go,
Some we don't really know
But your true friends will always be there,
Showing that they care.
True friends will last a lifetime,
they're your other partner in crime.

He has helped me threw so much.
I don't know what it is, his smile, his confidence and such.
I don't always ask for help when needed.
From my own stupidity I'm sometimes to conceded.
He's the best help I could ask for.
I'm not very smart if I don't ask anymore.
He's always there when I need it.
It's just the way he thinks that's so exquisite.
When I don't ask he feels unwanted.
Sometimes I feel so retarded.
I appreciate all he does for me.
I need to show how much he makes me happy.
For he is the only one who's gotten me through.
And for a while it's only been us two.
The time for payback is here.
I hope it says how much I care loud and clear.
He truly is a life saver.
It's is now time for me to return the favor.
Thank you my love for all you've done.
You've truly been my morning sun.
My wake up call has arrived and is here.
So please believe there's nothing more you need to fear.

Forever a friend
Through to the end
The whole day through
I was not sure what to do
Everything was going wrong
The day felt so long
At school, at work, everywhere
That night home late by a hair
I got on the computer
Wondering what was in the future
My good friend was on AIM
I told them everyone was to blame
Once I was done
They said 'hun,'
Next came the words
I couldn't believe I heard
'I love you my friend
Through to the end'.

Friend

I don't know what I would do with out my friends,
Because around them there's no need to pretend,
They all stick with me when I'm feeling down,
And when I'm not, they're with me to clown around.

We like to laugh or just hang out,
But when someone's having trouble, we work it out,
There's not many times when we start a fight,
But when we do it usually turns out right.

My friends are around pretty much all the time,
they're very much involved in the family of mine,
They've all stayed the night when they needed to run,
My mom considers them as some of her own.

I've had them over for family affairs,
And some have invited me over to theirs,
But it's not the same when we're not at my domain,
When we're not all together we feel the pain.

My mom and my brother a very much part of the gang,
Sometimes they can't make it, and it's kind of lame,
But we manage anyways because it's what we do,
Even though sometimes I'd like to hit 'em with a shoe.

My Best Friend

By Ethan James Martin
Oxbow High School, Grade 12

One moment is not enough.
They have to be there for you through the good and the tough.
That is a true friend
One that is with you till the end
Since the beginning she has been there with me.
In our dippers eating popsicles sitting on a beach chair with me.
She has been there through the good and the bad.
She has been there when no one else has.
When her brothers said I was too small to play.
She would come and save the day.
When I was about to make a bad choice.
She would let me hear her voice.
My cousin Anna is also part of the family.
I am sure we will continue to live happily.
Because we know we are best friends.
And always together till the end.

The new me is just around the corner.
Think of the old bitch Ashley as the former. I trust and believe your word. I am so happy I met you, and that I thank the lord. I am here to say I will not wrong you again. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. No more hurt feelings that cut like a knife.
I will never again be afraid to tell you something. I know the truth is way better then nothing.
I will not make any more mistakes.
That in the end will make me look like a fake.
I am ready to become the person we know I can.
And can't wait to call you my man again.
I will not again lie to you.
Because I seriously want it to be again just us two.
I'm going to make you so proud.

Missing you,
The way you look me in the eyes,
The way you laugh, talk, smile
When I’m with you my heart pounds fast,
When we’re apart my heart rips in two,
All my life I never thought I’d feel this way,
Laying on my bed, all alone in the dark, crying
Missing you…
I hug my pillow believing that its you,
I know there is other people in the world,
But i don’t want them i want you and only you.
One tear strolls down my cheek then another then another,
I won’t stop this till you’re right here by my side,
missing your smile, missing the things you do,
I sit on my bed,
Missing you…
I need you! I want you! and I’ll feel this way until I have you!
You wipe away my tears,
You frighten away my fears.
My life is incomplete without you,
My heart is apart till I have you,
I pray, I wish, and dream till the day I’ll be with you until then I’ll be here,
Missing you…

Facebook

By Robert Wakefield
Oxbow High School, Grade 12

Facebook: A social network on the Internet, where people connect from all over the world for different reasons. What is the attraction of Facebook? What makes it so popular?

Personally, I don’t understand why people like Facebook. It has become almost completely applications, meaning things like ‘super comments,’ gifts, bumper stickers, ‘biting’ people with the vampire or zombie applications, etc. It was fine when it first came out because it was just simple communication: pictures, videos, comments, messages, and profiles. Lately it has gotten too cluttered with extra stuff and become too obnoxious to keep up with.

If I was ever chosen to be president I really wouldn't want to, but if I had to I think the first thing I would do is straighten this country out. What I mean by that is I would take us right out of the war as fast as I could. I wouldn't hesitate twice to if I could I would arrest Mr. Bush for not thinking threw completely what he should have done after 9/11. That mean's yes I would take us as fast as I could out of the war. I would have to higher taxes for a short time. The reasoning for this is when the taxes do go up then there is more money to help pay for this that our people need and haven't been able to afford it so this is help to pay for half. I think it is very important that everyone have at least some kind of health care. The doctors can't turn you away which is good. But it's better to be able to pay for some of it then be in debt for the rest of your life like our country is so much in. It's a very hard place that we have been put in.