A Literary Magazine for Poetry, Short Stories, Digital Stories, Comics/Magna, Slices of Life, and other print-worthy written original creations.

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PAWS PRINT: “Better Late than Never”

By A. Snowden-62 – CCB Editorial Staff

Editor’s Note: This poem was written by A. Snowden in honor of Women’s History Month. The poem was read in its entirety on the live Friday, “At Conwell We Are On!” Zoom show on 3/31/23.

Better Late Than Never 

We celebrate women today
Because back then, they weren’t celebrated in any way
They were treated unfairly, different from men
They did so much, but then …

They still were treated unequally, it wasn’t fair!
So, they marched and marched, as they dare

People saw the issue and sought help
They kept marching … and, welp …

The women were free to do whatever
But til this day, women are still under the weather
They are still paid little, more about
Someone has to do something, this isn’t allowed!
But as I always say, you’ll see one day

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Posted by CCB Staff

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STUDENT COLUMN : Marvel Mania – Black Panther Trailer Breakdown.

By J. Flores – 82 , CCB Contributor

Editor’s note – This is a movie review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Please watch the official trailer: Marvel Studios’ Black Panther : Wakanda Forever | Official Trailer

[SPOILERS For “Black Panther : Wakanda Forever”]

Graphic Art by A. Peralta-83 – CCB Staff

The trailer begins with Shuri holding the mask of her fallen brother T-Challah (Chadwick Boseman).

All the Wakandians are marching while wearing white, their color of mourning as seen in the 2018 film, Black Panther. Remora, knowing how hard it is, decides to hold Shuri’s hand to comfort her while she is walking down. Next we see the Wakandians marching while two statues one of the two being Bashinga the first Black Planther and the other one being his wife and I believe the statues represent the Black Panther going from male to female, after a long period of time.

Next we see Namor painting a god. The god I believe he is painting is the feathered serpent from Mayan Mythology. This shows that Namor is a follower of the feathered serpent, probably the avatar of this god as well, like how the Black Panther is an avatar of the Panther God which took gods that I didn’t think was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (616) but I guess they are. Next we see Shuri making a Wakandian salute with her tattoo, which if you look closer you can see that the tattoo is really Vibranium atoms.

Then we hear Namor saying “Only the most broken people can make great leaders” pointing to him and Shuri. We also see a mural of T-Challah (Chadwick Boseman) and the mural says “The king lives in the black panther that is forever in us, rest with the ancestors”  then we see Namors kingdom and we get a closer look at Namors helmet and we see that his helmet is a feathered serpent which is more evidence that Namor is the avatar of the feathered serpent.

Then we hear MBaku saying “His people do not call him general or king they call him the feathered serpent” and that quote is even more evidence that Namor is the avatar of the feathered serpent. Then we see the new Black Panther with the same dots on her face and forehead as Shuri, possibly confirming Shuri is the new Black Panther. This paragraph is my trailer breakdown of black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Editor’s note: If you would like to submit a review for any media related content, Please contact gdungan@gmail.com

Edited and posted by A. Peralta-83 – CCB Staff

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PAWS TIME: A Student’s Life At Conwell Middle Magnet School

By A. Peralta -83 – CCB Contributor

Editor’s Note: PAWS TIME is an ongoing series of Conwell students and alumni who want to pause for a moment and reflect on their time at Conwell Middle Magnet School

Hello all, My name is Antonio P. of the 8th grade and I am in section 83. 

I will be retelling my experiences at Conwell Middle Magnet School to you, and the many questions, thoughts, and interests that I have had in the past 3 years. 

Beginning from 5th grade I was inspired to go to Conwell Middle Magnet school because of its praise at my elementary school (Sheppard Elementary School). With work being done and assignments being turned in, I was eventually able to be accepted into the school alongside some of my good friends. 

Beginning in the 5th grade, I met a lot of cool people ( I still talk to them to this day ). I initially struggled with some of the work, but with time I began to grasp the basics of studying and learning the material by teachers assigned to me. 

The teachers helped me with the work and pointed me in the right direction. At some point in 5th grade, I managed to get full Straight A’s with the help of the teachers and with some of my friends. I earned an honors Conwell hoodie and proudly showed it off to my friends. Leaving 5th grade was kind of a toll on my brain because of the Corona outbreak. This event slowly introduced me to the concept of a virtual learner.

“ At Conwell middle magnet school, we can do virtually anything.” – Principal Green of Conwell middle magnet school. 

The teachers helped me with the work and pointed me in the right direction.

During 6th grade, I was surprised at the thought of virtual learning because previously I learned by going to the school physically, I met more people in the virtual classroom. This was also a point where I struggled as I was not accustomed to this new way of learning, However I still continued to keep working as best as I could and eventually I grasped the concept of learning as well. 

Some important things that happened in my 6th grade was the beginning of the Conwell Cougar Celebrity that was hosted by both Mr.Dungan and Mr.Posnan where we celebrated the nominee’s and applauded the winners. Something funny that happened was Mr.Posnan’s introduction to his soundboard. Originally used by my good friend for comedic purposes, Mr.Posnan questioned it and he began using it at the Conwell Cougar Celebrity meetings which gave the audience something to laugh with.

The beginning of 7th grade. A very important grade, it decides what high schools you are eligible for and the tasks you must complete are just as important. It was a year where we resumed back to “normal” learning and interaction. This time I was not greeting people from a screen but now I was able to see their faces. It was a bit awkward since we have never met each other in person before but we quickly adapted to it. During the school year I was able to get on a cool trip by visiting the Penn relays, where our school competed in (And got first place). Besides that I enjoyed my 7th grade despite the various challenges that I had. 

Graphic art by K. Velasquez-83-CCB Contributor

Moving to my 8th grade year, the year I am currently in ( as of September 2022). Nothing much really changed compared to my 7th grade year. I still see the same people everyday with the exception of some people. I somehow got into Algebra class alongside some of my friends and some people I talk to. I can’t write much in this area as I am limited by the concept of time. However I would like to talk about the programs we have at Conwell Middle Magnet School. 

I would like to start off with the program I am currently In, ASAS ( After school All Stars ). This program, as its name suggests, takes place after school which specifically starts at 2:30. It gives students a chance to learn new skills and practice in some sports. It also provides time for assistance for any homework that a student may need help with. Besides that the community is great as everyone is considerate of others and they respect each other. 

More programs here at Conwell Middle Magnet School are NJHS (National Junior Honor Society ) and The Safety Patrol. NJHS primarily focuses on recruiting students with high grades and leadership skills as well as helping them further their skills as a person. The safety patrol focuses on voluntary students patrolling the school in shifts to make sure everyone is in a good condition and to prevent trouble from erupting. They also help students get to their designated classrooms and arrive on time. 

There are still more programs to come but I may never see them. Besides that I greatly admire the people in these programs as they have shown confidence to even be in the programs and I also admire how they perform their duties well. 

If you would like to know more about Conwell Middle Magnet School. Please feel free to visit www.conwell.philasd.org .

Posted by A. Vale-Velez-62- CCB editor and A. Peralta-83 -CCB Contributor

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PAWS TIME: A Long List of Likes & Loves At Conwell

By V. Escorza-62 – CCB Editor

Editor’s Note: PAWS TIME is an ongoing series of Conwell students and alumni who want to pause for a moment and reflect on their time at Conwell Middle Magnet School

• One of the things I like about Conwell Middle Magnet School is the dedication that students have and how teachers keep pushing you until your limits.
  
• The Second thing I like about Conwell is that After School All-Stars helps you with finding things that you actually like and love to do. 

• The Third thing I like about Conwell is how the teachers try so hard to make you do your greatest and do your best. 
  
• The fourth thing I like about Conwell is the teachers really don’t let you give up  and they don’t want you to fail and keep pushing you until you start to get the work.

Editor’s Note: Do you have a list of Likes and Loves for Conwell? Send your ideas to the CCB Google Classroom by clicking on: https://classroom.google.com/c/NTQ2NDgwODE3NTI4?cjc=c7zfnas

This article was posted by V. Escorza-62-CCB Editor

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SHORT STORY: “The Fallen Hero”

By I. Bermudez – 82–CCB Contributor

Graphic Art By: A. Vega CCB Editor

Editors Note: This is an on going fiction series about a hero in pain

The first password I tried didn’t work. 

Neither did the second attempt. 

I knew I was going to be locked out of the database soon, but if I didn’t crack the code the consequences would be dire. Time was running out. I began to hear footsteps and then I woke up. When I woke up  my best friend/roommate was in my room.

¨What are you doing here??¨ I asked her.

 ¨Sorry i came in here because i heard you talking to yourself and when i came in you were floating off your bed.¨ I looked at her, not surprised this was the 3 time this week.

 ¨ Are you still seeing the future?¨ She looks at me worried.

 “Yea but it’s fine I promise you I’m fine.¨

 She looks at me like she knows I’m not telling her the whole truth.  

I’m not telling her the whole truth. I’m actually not fine.

I’m scared because every time I sleep I see parts of the future. I got up and got ready for work and left the house without saying goodbye to my best friend. After work was done I went back home. When I went home and laid down on the sofa I went to sleep and this time my dream was showing me fighting as my hero self and the bad guy had my best friend and he killed her right in front of me.

I felt so much pain then me and the bad guy began to fight me. He hurt me badly but he got hurt pretty badly himself. 

“You’ll never win!” I yelled to the villain but he just stared at me as this creepy smile grew on his face.

“I already did”, He said as he left.

“Yea but it’s fine I promise you I’m fine”

But little did I know I was in a coma and all the things that were happening had actually already happened and I’m stuck in my own head seeing my best friend die in front of me on repeat with no escape until I fully accept that she is gone forever.

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POEM: “The Space About”

by Ace Rogowski, Section 82, CCB Contributor

This is a poem (haiku) by A. Rogowski talking about her 8th grade experience.

Life Got Too Crowded

I met Amazing People

Now I feel Complete

“Now I feel complete” – A. Rogowski, Section 82

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A fan made song by nocturnal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNp8qaMaN14

Check out the latest digital composition by X. Rollins of Section 62, a.k.a. “Nocturnal”

Hi! This is how I made my newest song, MISSING_ASSETS. I use Fl Studio 20 for all my music, and this was no exception. The first thing I did was use the plugin Sytrus for the weird alien acid-like sound you hear. (The preset is called Acid 3 so take that as you will.) I made them  Major Chords, and made them go down for the first three chords and then take them up on the last. Then I used SimSynth, And just copied the chords and pasted them in SimSynth.

Next was the Hi-Hats and Kicks. At the start of the song you can probably hear “ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts tts ts ts” I used them for the kicks as well which you can hear at the end of the song when the Hi-Hats were removed. Next was the Drum Loop that I just found on the Internet so not much to add here. Now the Vocals, I made most of them up by myself but two of them are taken from the song this song is based off of, Recovered_Project.

At 16 Seconds, you can hear a reference to Recovered Project at this Part (This Link should take you straight to that timestamp: https://youtu.be/gi45-19UPQE?t=16  And at 1:04 Seconds, You can Hear a reference to the part at 40 seconds in Recovered Project. https://youtu.be/gi45-19UPQE?t=40. To make the Visualizer, I Used ZGameVisualizer.

The effects I used are, Linear, (The Waveform in the back, Youlean TextDraw (To add the text), and Youlean Time Stamp for the time stamp in the corner.

That’s Basically How I made the song. Thanks for Listening! Here’s my Youtube if you wanna see more of the music, and other content I do: Nocturnal – YouTube.

edited by A diggs speach, CCB Editor

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Short Story: “Creepy Birthday”

by B. Soto-81, CCB Contributor

Tomorrow is my birthday and I’m excited although it’s taking a while. It’s nighttime and I’m supposed to be sleeping when nobody’s awake. I waited downstairs for an hour and nobody’s there. I gave up and I was so tired, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I went to my room and went to sleep. The next day passed but it didn’t feel right.

I woke up and I was happy it was my birthday, I woke up my parents in a hurry, I was too excited, something was weird it’s like my parents were hiding something, we all got ready and went downstairs. And I saw the presents. I opened all of them, but one gift was weird – it was a stuffed animal a cute bear.

 I didn’t ask for it, but I like it. I played with my gifts and placed the bear on the floor. I went to walk away to get something, but when I looked again, the bear was gone… I was just thinking it was my imagination. It was near the table  someone might have moved it there’s nothing to worry about. I walked away again and It was in a different place. This time I knew it wasn’t my imagination, I wasn’t crazy. I told my parents and it was almost like they were hiding a secret from me. 

I was freaked out by this bear and I had a bad feeling something was going to happen. Maybe the bear feels left out, maybe if I play with it it wouldn’t do anything. As soon as I was gonna play with it my mom told me we were going surfing .

When I arrived there I got ready and it was time. I surfed on the biggest  wave as I was surfing down the biggest wave. I felt like I was falling, I was falling when suddenly I went flying. It was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. I remembered I let go of the surfboard  and there was a something  on the wave. So that’s why I went flying. It was just bad luck.

I went back home and when I entered the house I knew something bad was gonna happen. The bear was out of sight. The bear appeared when I was looking at the window, and I was scared. When I called out for help, nobody would hear being in a snow biome, living in the only house there was. I spotted things out of order and I just fainted out of nowhere.

I woke up and I was in the snow biome. I called out for help and nobody heard me. Just as I thought, something bad did happen ….. my mom was looking for me but could not find me and I couldn’t find the bear either. I noticed that the bear appeared at a tree and it came alive. I was chased and I couldn’t find a way to go back home. It felt like I was never gonna come home again.

I saw something in the distance I ran towards it and it was my house. I was happy and I ran towards it and went in. My mom was so happy that she ran to hug me. The bear appeared again and I realized something. The bear only appears when I’m alone…

That’s scary. I had to get rid of it. I put it in the trashcan and there was no sight of the bear. I was happy, but then I heard a nose, I turned around and the bear had red eyes … I knew there was something suspicious about this bear. I looked up on my phone what the signs of red eyes from a bear means and I couldn’t believe it. It said that the bear is coming alive…

Evil Bear Symptoms:

• Red eyes,
• Appearing (when you’re alone),
• Disappearing,
• Following you and
• Mischief.

Those are all the Symptoms I’ve been experiencing. It’s real, The bear came alive. 

I ran for my life and Looked up what to do when a bear is alive. It said to make the bear happy and to do that you have to play with it. I played with it and was happy again. It turned back to a teddy bear.

This adventure was actually a good highlight of my day, I was actually just overreacting about this bear, it was actually fun. I had an idea who to take the bear, too, My Wicked Cousin Who’s a Bear collector.

She don’t know what’s coming. I put it on her doorstep and rang her doorbell.

I ran back to my house and looked out the window. She opened the door and talked to it and took care of it, it was almost like she’s the one who gave us the bear and was a plan all along. She made a big loud scream and dropped the bear on the ground nowhere to be seen. I was surprised to see that but she deserved it. I’m pretty sure the bear liked me better than her. But after all Karma came back to haunt her. 

The End

Edited by A. Diggs-Speach-62, CCB Staff

Why we should not use profanity  

By C.Rich-71, CCB Contributor

Throwing out a bunch of swear words when you are angry or frustrated doesn’t let people know what is wrong. It only lets people know that you are upset. Because swearing does hinder communication, it is much better to avoid swear words and express what is really bothering you.

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“What happens when you swear, cursing, cussing, profanity at school?”

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Many teachers or staff members will give you a detention for yelling the “F” bomb in class. Or like Ms. Green says “ Queen Bee Curse Words” It depends on the teacher or staff member (and who hears you). Some teachers hated it, others didn’t mind so much.  However, it’s rude and doesn’t show your true respect for others.

How we can stop saying/using profanity we can say more  appropriate words rather than they really offensive ones.

For example instead of saying  the F word we can say:

• Flipping
• Freaking
• Fudge
• Frickin. 

For example instead of saying the S word we can say: 

• Sugar
• Shoot
• Shiz
• Shingles

edit by A.diggs.speach

Is Technology That Bad?

by B.Smith 73, CCB Contributor

The following essay was an argumentative writing assignment from Ms. Gartside’s class:

A lot of people do not know the harm that technology does to everyone. Many think, “There is nothing bad about technology” , and “What harm could technology do to us?”. The truth is, technology does a lot more harm than you’d initially think. This essay will explain why.

When someone says, “Technology is bad for you”, people tend to think they are saying this because they want you to get off or stop using technology. They also tend to think that when people say this, their reasoning will be something along the lines of, “It rots your brain” or “It hurts your eyes”. That may be their reasoning but technology isn’t just bad for you, it’s bad for everyone and everything on this planet. When I say technology harms everyone and everything on Earth, I mean the resources and where you get the resources are harmful. Though without the resources, there would be no technology!

“Although a lot of people use cars, they are extremely harmful to the environment.”

B. SMITH-73, CCB Contributor

An example of technology that is hurting everyone are cars. Although a lot of people use cars, they are extremely harmful to the environment. Cars are made of aluminum, steel, plastic, glass, etc. As you know from reading the previous paragraph, glass is made of  ash, sand, and limestone. Quarries are found in many places such as Egypt, Italy, Texas, Indiana, Georgia, etc. Once quarries have no more (in this case) limestone, they are usually abandoned. After a while of them being abandoned these empty quarries become landfills or become dangerous quarry lakes.  If it becomes the former then it will be very bad for the environment. If it becomes bad for the environment, it is damaging the Earth. If it is damaging the Earth, it is damaging our home, ourselves, and animals.

Another example of technology that is hurting everyone is computers. Computers are made of many things, one of these many things is glass. Glass is used in and/or for many things, including technology such as phones, tablets, and computers. Glass is made of natural materials such as soda ash, sand, and limestone. Limestone can be found in many places but the most common is a quarry. Quarries are found in many places such as Egypt, Italy, Texas, Indiana, Georgia, etc. Once quarries have no more (in this case) limestone, they are usually abandoned. After a while of them being abandoned these empty quarries become landfills or become dangerous quarry lakes.  If it becomes the former then it will be very bad for the environment. “The most pressing environmental concern regarding landfills is their release of methane gas. As the organic mass in landfills decomposes, methane gas is released. Methane is 84 times more effective at absorbing the sun’s heat than carbon dioxide, making it one of the most potent greenhouse gasses and a huge contributor to climate change.”

Technology isn’t all that bad though. Hospitals, governments, police, firemen/firewomen and so much more use technology and without it, many more lives would be lost on a daily basis. Technology is needed for modern day life. Without technology, how would people who live far away stay in contact? Many jobs would no longer exist. How would the people who have these jobs survive? Technology might do more good than bad.

“So what” you may ask, “why should we care what happens to anyone but us?”. You don’t have to care what happens to anyone else,but the earth is dying and if the Earth dies so do you.In conclusion, technology is both good for humans and bad for animals, Earth, the environment and people. There’s so much bad that technology does but there’s also a lot of good that it does. In my opinion though, technology does more bad than good. Thank you for reading.

Edited by A. Diggs-Speach-62, PAWS Print editor