The Bridge Presents
For Youth, By Youth
In This Issue:
Page 3 Personal Learning Plans
Page 4 Social Media Analysis
Page 9 Bestselling Children's Books
Page 10 Young Creators
Saving The Planet One Bridge at a Time
by Will Kyle
M
ONTPELIER Have you ever wondered who brought The Bridge to the
spot around town where you pick it up?
The man responsible will be the focus of this story. Dan Renfro is his
name. Twice a month when The Bridge is published, he can be found carrying stacks
of newspapers in a garden cart to downtown businesses and drop spots. The full
route for him demands close to three hours of walking. With a smile on his face,
Renfro faces the blazing heat of summer and the exhaustion of heavy lifting. He
could certainly complete the route faster and with more ease if he used a car. But the
easy way out of hard work is not for Renfro. He doesnt walk this route for the sake
of the buckets of cash he earns from The Bridge for his service. He does it for the
people. He does it for the dogs. Most importantly, he does it to do his part for the
environment. And, he told me, I do it for me. This week, I was afforded the great
pleasure and honor of following Renfro
on his twice monthly route, scribbling
as many notes as I could on the quickly
moving conversation.
Renfro inherited the paper route eight
years ago from a little girl who grew
up and eventually moved on. Nat
Frothingham, The Bridges publisher
and editor, was friends with Renfro, and
asked him if he was interested in taking
over the route. Renfro decided he could
use a little extra income, and before
you know it, Renfro was stuck with
the deliveries, he said, laughing, as he
walked up to the Botanica Florals with
a stack of papers. A friendly German
shepherd named Ferdinand came to
greet him as he dropped the stack on
the right side of the counter. I said,
hello to Ferdinands human, who was
putting more flowers in a large glass
case. Renfro gave Ferdinand a scratch,
then the dog came over to meet me.
Renfro turned to leave, his work done.
The dogs human, Bronwyn Fryer,
called out, Thank you!
July 2017
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY: Will Kyle, left, The
Bridges summer intern, tags along with Dan Renfro, who
delivers The Bridge on foot in a garden cart in downtown
Montpelier each publication day. Photo by Carla Occaso.
Every time Renfro dropped a stack of papers in a store, people would invariably
thank him. The kindness he receives even from store owners with whom he
doesnt happen to strike up a conversation is part of the perks of his job. Its kind
of nice, he told me. If you are a sociable person, which Im not really, its a good
Environmental Warrior
way to meet people.
As we stopped at Capitol Grounds to deliver by far the largest stack the papers
along the route, Renfro told me there is some skill involved with his task. He
sets papers at about waist height, typically to the right of where people would
be walking anyway. That way, anybody can simply grab a paper with one hand
without any extra difficulty. Capitol Grounds was one exception, with the papers
being to the left as you walk in. However, the coffee shop patrons make up more
than the difference. People who go Capitol Grounds seem to be as hungry for
something to read as they are for breakfast.
Renfro occasionally gets hungry on the route, but today he was more focused on
staying hydrated. We walked into Delish, Montpeliers sweet shop, to deliver a
stack of papers. Co-owner Mary Kay Blouin told me that when the weather isnt
so hot, Renfro always buys some of the sweets. They fuel him, she laughed.
Renfro had already walked out, but he popped his head back in the door to
answer. Mm! he exclaimed. Yes!
On his way out of Positive Pie, Renfro picked up a piece of plastic trash he saw
on the floor. Cleaning up messes is part of his job too, he tells me, though The
Bridge had nothing to do with the trash on the floor.
The garden cart he pulls around filled with stacks of papers seems to fit the
stacks so perfectly that it could have been made for the job. Renfro bought it
from a local hardware store and doesnt own a car. As convenient as it may be,
he told me that he doesnt need one, so he can do without. He hopes that seeing a
guy pulling around a garden cart all afternoon can be a symbol to the people of
Montpelier. What kind of symbol do you want this to be, exactly? I asked him.
Now is a time when we all have do our part to take care of the planet. Renfro
wants people to become just a little more aware of their environment, of the use
of oil and of people with less advantage in the world. With his small act, Renfro
hopes that he can share his respect for our planet, and communicate that respect
to the like-minded people around him.
Renfro told me a funny story about his mom. After president Jimmy Carter
asked U.S. citizens to become more conscious about wasting resources, his mom
stopped using her clothes dryer and never used it again. I suppose thats more
respectable than funny. But its still a good story.
PAG E 2 J U LY 2 017 THE BREE ZE

Introduction to The Breeze

T
h e Breeze is back! This is our third year of
creating a publication for youth, by youth with
the guidance of the staff at The Bridge. From
writing the stories to editing to layout, area youth have
contributed to this project every step of the way. Thank
you to all of the youth contributors and to the broader
community who supported this issue of The Breeze.
Welcome

And to everyone at The Bridge for collaborating with

us and providing a space to publish our work. As with
the previous editors, Lindsey Grutchfield in 2015, and
Nathan Grutchfield in 2016, it is my hope that The
Breeze will continue to appear on newsstands around
Montpelier in the years to come.

Julia Barstow, editor of The Breeze

COLLABORATION Ben Merrylees, left, of East Montpelier works to create the newspaper.

The Bridge Presents P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

The Breeze For Youth, By Youth

Phone: 802-223-5112
Fax: 802-223-7852

Managing Editor: Julia Barstow

Layout and Design: Ben Merrylees

ON DEADLINE Julia Barstow. The Bridge Staff:

of Adamant, helps pull The Breeze Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham
together. Managing Editor: Carla Occaso
Calendar Editor, Design & Layout: Marichel Vaught
Intern: Will Kyle
Copy Editing Consultant: Larry Floersch
Proofreader: Garrett Heaney
Sales Representatives: Michael Jermyn, Rick McMahan
Distribution: Tim Johnson, Kevin Fair, Daniel Renfro, Ander Augey
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14, or
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
WRITE LIGHT Will Kyle of Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts,
St. Johnsbury deftly weaves a story on the main level of Stone Science Hall.
together. Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by mail for $50 a year. Make out your
check to The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143, Montpelier VT 05601.
Published every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, except in July when we
publish the 3rd Thursday only.
montpelierbridge.com facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt
Twitter: @montpbridge
Copyright 2017 by The Bridge
T H E B R E E Z E J U LY 2 017 PAG E 3

Traditional On The Outside,

Changing On The Inside by Matt Koucky

Note: This story was written by Montpelier High
School (MHS) student Matt Koucky as part of his
participation last semester in the school's Community-
Based Learning (CBL) program. As part of the overall
CBL program, students get hands-on workplace
experience at local businesses and organizations. In
Koucky's case he got hands-on experience in freelance
writing for The Bridge.
summative, and get an A in the class. However, one
would be wrong, for in this system, 20 percent of the
students grade falls into the category of preparedness,
a word which in this context means did you try on
every problem?
Preparedness assesses everything from the student's
contributions to class discussions, to the student's
beginning of the year were concerned that colleges
might be unable to accurately assess a transcript using
the proficiency-based learning system of grading. In
fact, after the beginning of year assembly in August,
where the principal explained proficiency-based
learning to the students, there was a swarm around
the door of the principals office to discuss admissions
anxieties. In response to the concerns, the principal has

M
ONTPELIER On the outside, Montpelier
High School may seem rather drab and
orderly. The reader might see the building
from afar as they drive to work or as they get on the
highway toward Burlington, the red brick and green
metal trim unchanging against square box architecture.
However stagnant the building may seem, the inside is
marked with the chaos of change.
In 2016, a new grading system as well as a new
willingness to complete and commit to doing work.
Preparedness is, essentially, the systems way of
ensuring that each student is on task and maintaining
healthy work habits, while the system reserves the
assessment of a students understanding of the subject
matter for the summative. Preparedness is the flour-
and-water mixture that holds the formative/summative/
marking period papier-mch masterpiece together.
However, according to Principal Mike McRaith, (the
grading system) is not really the meat of the change.
a few words: you can call any college admissions (and
we called several [...] some of the most well-recognized
names like Harvard and Yale and Middlebury) and if
you call them yourself you'll find out that they just
immediately tell you it's not a problem.
Another concern, especially among some teachers,
is that the system works better for courses in the
humanities than it does for science and math courses.
In any course, work is graded on a half-point scale

schedule was implemented at Montpelier High
School. This new grading system, titled Proficiency-
Based Learning is a statewide initiative courtesy of
Vermont's Act 77 and the State Board of Education.
Scheduled to take effect in 2020, the new grading
system is rooted in the idea that every student should
leave high school with skills that can be transferred to
the outside world. In addition, the new system requires
that classes should be taught in such a way that students
can gain these transferrable skills. In order to achieve
this aim, the structure of classes and the language
used to refer to classes had to change.
In the new class structure, the year is split into eight
marking periods, approximately four weeks (10 blocks
of class) in length, in which classes focus on one subject
for example, LeChatelier's Principle and the skill
associated with that subject problem solving. During
the marking period, all work is formative, meaning
it does not count toward a final grade. Formative work
is reflected upon by the student and the teacher to
ensure that the skill involved can be improved through
dialogue. At the end of the marking period, there is
a final assessment of the skill, called a summative.
The summative" is the culmination of the dialogue
between the teacher and the student in which the
student demonstrates their ability to use the skill they
have learned. The summative, of which there is one
per marking period, is the only work in which the
demonstrated ability is assessed and counted toward
the final grade. During what would be finals/midterms
week (which has been redubbed last chance week)
students are given the chance to redo any summative
grades which they deem insufficient, or which the
school requires them to redo.
One might be realizing now that this system enables
an individual to do absolutely no work during the
formative part of the marking period, ace the
The change at Montpelier High School goes deeper.
Not only have the grading system and the schedule
experienced a change, there has also been a change
in instruction, as seen in the underlying philosophy
of the instructional change according to McRaith:
Content information is absolutely everywhere.
With the advent of the internet and very high powered
computers in every kids pocket, or nearly every kids
pocket, schools value is about different things than just
providing content. Its about developing transferrable
skills that are useful no matter what kind of job,
school or career you have ahead of you. Its about
social belonging. Its about ... citizenship, and its about
continuing to have really strong fluency in things like
reading and writing and math calculation. I mean, in no
way are we giving up on rigorous content. We just want
that content to be accessed through skill development.
Under proficiency-based learning, teachers guide
students toward being successful and active citizens
through instruction based around developing
transferable skills skills which can be used in
real-world applications outside the academic sphere.
These skills include creativity, reading, writing,
communication, problem solving, citizenship and habits
of learning.
In order to teach these skills, it is necessary for teachers
to engage in discussions with students about the subject
matter. It is necessary for teachers to be actively involved
in developing the students ability to create polished
and refined work. It is necessary for teachers to prepare
students for life after high school.
Despite its many advantages, the system has encountered
some kickback.
One of the largest concerns among students and parents
has been the way in which colleges might view this
grading system. Many high-achieving students at the
Education
from 1 (the lowest grade, equivalent to an F) to 4 (the
highest grade, equivalent to an A/A+). In this system,
a 3 (equivalent to a B-/B) is considered a proficient
grade, meaning the student has mastered the skill
being assessed. In order to get a 4 the student must
go above and beyond to exceed proficiency. This
means that the students have to show that not only
can they use the skill, but they can do so artfully. It is
at this point where some teachers find fault with the
system.
In a science course or a math course, the highest
grade is mastery. A 100 percent simply means you
got everything right. You are proficient at the skill.
Some teachers believe there is little room within math
and science (though in science there is slightly more
room than in math) to exceed proficiency because
proficiency itself is the goal. Some teachers feel it
would be wrong to give a student a B- because they
got everything right, but didnt do anything extra.
This is one place where edits are being considered.
According to McRaith, we need to spend more time
looking at student work and then writing more
rubrics together. Rubrics are the criteria by which
teachers assess work. In order to successfully assess
student work under the new grading system, the
rubrics by which teachers grade work will better match
the subject matter and the skills being assessed.
For any significant change, there will be some chaos,
some dysfunction, some stress. Any change and any
work requires reflection, discussion and reworking.
Proficiency-based learning teaches that idea through
its encouragement of a growing, shifting, transferable
knowledge. Reassessing the work one has done, with
the aim of improving, is the basis of proficiency-
based learning, and the way administrators, teachers
and students have come to view the shift toward
proficiency-based learning.

Transfer Day July 17 at Johnson State College
JOHNSON The first Transfer Day this summer at Johnson State College for students considering transferring from another college will be July 17.
Students who submit the JSC online application and other materials in advance can get an on-the-spot admission decision.
STREET

The free event, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., will include a campus tour, lunch and the opportunity to talk with representatives from JSCs admissions, financial aid and
HEARD ON THE

advising offices. Register at www.jsc.edu/transferdays/.

For more information, call 635-1219 or email admissions@jsc.edu.

Local Youth Served by Summer Meals, Backpack Programs

MONTPELIER This summer, lunch will be made available free for all Montpelier children under the age of 18. The free lunch program is not just for
those with financial difficulties. In fact, according to Montpelier city council member Rosie Krueger during the regular meeting July 28, the more people
who come, the better.
This program is really important to many kids who would be getting free and reduced meals under the National School Lunch program during the school
year. Then in the summer they often end up going hungry because their parents arent able to afford lunch during the summer because that assistance drops
away. So by being able to offer a summer meal site, we are really supporting those kids. And participation by more affluent families only helps the program
because it maintains that site as a successful site and brings in more funds, and increases the economy of scale. So everyone with kids should think about
sending their kids this summer.
Meals will be offered at Main Street Middle School, administered by the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are to be served Monday through Friday
from July 5 through August 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Krueger said, adding, Any kid at all. You dont have to meet any financial requirements and
anyone can go and get a free meal there and there will be some cooking activities as well.
And if a youth has trouble accessing food on weekends, the Montpelier Rotary Club has them covered. According to Dona Bate, Rotary packs lunches
for kids who have food security issues over the weekend. Every month we pack four weekends worth. We now have 40 kids we are serving in Montpelier.
So it really is a need and if you want to do it sometime, our Rotary does it once a month, so call me, get a hold of me, Ill be glad to connect you and have
your service.
 PAG E 4 J U LY 2 017 THE BREE ZE
Snapchat? Instagram?
An Analysis of Social Media
S
napchat lights up on 800 million
screens, Instagram opens on 500
million screens and Facebook is
seen on 1.8 billion screens each month.
Social Media Split
Odds are, if you have a smartphone,
you have at least one of these social
media apps. In fact, the website Statista
declares, As of 2016, 78 percent of the
United States population has a social
networking profile. Thats nearly four
out of five Americans. The majority
of users on Snapchat, Instagram and
Facebook are young people from the
millennial and centennial generations.
Many older, electronically challenged
people are teased because of their
inability to understand and navigate
through the inner workings of these
websites. They are commonly confused
by the purpose of such networks.
However, youths seem to know exactly
what, where and when to post on each.
An adult will ask Why post this here
and that there? and Whats the point
in having all three? A teen might say,
Because thats just how it is. But, its The app also has direct message where
the varying structures of social networks
that result in specific behavioral norms
on these apps, allowing for different
means of self-expression.
Snapchat enables individual messages
to be sent from one friend to another in
the form of a video or image, potentially
with a caption. Users can also send a
text message on the apps chat feature.
The most prominent characteristic of
this network is that it is temporary.
Once a picture is received, it cannot be
seen again. Once a video is uploaded to
a users story, the ten-seconds-or-under
recording will disappear after 24 hours.
Of course, there are exceptions. The
capturer of these moments is able to
save their memories to their own device.
The same goes for chats, unless they are
by Karli Robertson
saved, they will vanish when the screen
displaying the text is closed. The receiver
of the moment is also able to save an
image by taking a screenshot.
Snapchat is, the most popular (app) by
a landslide, says Business Insider after
interviewing 60 teenagers from across
America. The format of this network
allows users to instantly send their chosen
friend(s) a view of what theyre doing at an
exact moment. There is no carried weight
or fear of judgement that comes with
the permanence of posts on other apps.
This causes users to behave carelessly,
sending ugly selfies and blurry pictures
of comedic incidents. With access to easy,
rapid communication like this, Snapchat
doesnt fail to fascinate its users.
Instagram successfully captivates an
audience of 300 million active users daily.
With a focus on photos, this apps grid-
like format clearly displays posted images
and allows for simple viewing. The most
recent photo uploaded appears in the
upper left corner under a persons profile.
users communicate through texting. The Illustration by Ben Merrylees
number of followers is shown beside the
username and amount of likes is seen
attempt to craft their pictures into a called Messenger which is nearly
under each image or under-one-minute piece of art. Helper apps like VSCO and identical to iMessage on Apple products.
video. Depending on who a user follows Instasize are made for users to edit their People talk directly with their Facebook
and the more pictures they look at, the photos. Dramatic selfies, scenic views, friends and make group chats for easy
more the search page will show photos images of food and pictures against communication. Facebook is the most
that reflect that persons preferences. colorful walls (all taken on smartphones) widely used social media network with ages
Professional Instagrams run by businesses, fill the majority of feeds. ranging from tweens to octogenarians.
photographers, and models thrive on this This growing amount of high quality But, why does everyone have it? Facebook
network due to the easy publicity. Eye- images has pressured users into making makes the complicated, arduous task of
catching photographs encourage large additional accounts called finstas (fake communicating simple. People want to
amounts of people to tap the follow instagrams) where they post whatever feel like they are still involved with their
button so they can see the images a person they want without worry of quality, friends lives. Talking on the phone is a
posts by scrolling through their home theme or aesthetic. Finstas are often filled hassle, writing a letter is burdensome, but
screen. Growing numbers of followers with impulsive images and ridiculous liking a Facebook post is nearly effortless.
motivate amatuer photographers to screenshots, whereas real accounts Although this downplays the importance
obtain as many likes as they can, as they contain carefully crafted photo art. of true correspondence, a like or
Artsy photos from friends next door and comment is like someone saying, Hey,
humorous videos from friends across the this is cool and I care enough to tell you
sea both are seen on an Instagrammers that. Facebook is the ultimate network
home screen. for communicating.
On a Facebook home screen, photographsThe telos of social media is to connect
and apps like Snapchat, Instagram and
and text are there for all to see, however,
this website has much more. The app Facebook do a good job at bridging the
constantly encourages users to post bygap between people. These networks
displaying, Whats on your mind? at act as lenses into a persons world,
the top of the home page along with each showing a varying perspective in
suggesting that people Check In (at a unique format. The website Statista
this location). Like Instagram, usersremarks that, the number of worldwide
can post photos, videos, promote theirusers is expected to reach some 2.95
billion by 2020, around a third of Earths
business and see what friends are doing.
However, only on Facebook will people entire population. This mass amount
successfully connect with one another of electronic connection is powerful.
in a way no other website can. Family To consumers, programmers revise the
structure of a network in, what seems
photos are posted, events are scheduled,
public service announcement videos arelike, a blink of an eye. With only a small
update, the way people communicate,
spread, emotions are voiced and birthday
behave and express themselves can be
reminders show up everyday. This format
changed for billions. The internet did
is designed for people to create a profile
not become widely used until 20 years
that exhibits who they are and what they
ago. It was just starting to exist 30 years
think. Facebook becomes an archive with
photos and updates informing users of ago. Today we tap our fingers on a screen
and send a video to a person thousands of
their friends whereabouts, activities and
emotions. miles away within seconds. Look at how
much we can do now and then imagine
Facebook also provides a separate app how much well be doing next.
T H E B R E E Z E J U LY 2 017 PAG E 5

Releasing Perfectionism by Will Kyle

O
ne year ago, as I began my third semester at
Vassar College, my grade point average was
in the 2 range. This meant that I could not
apply for a junior semester abroad to Barcelona, Spain,
which was a dream of mine for a long time.
My third semester was filled with more mistakes. My
grades did not improve.
But like a samurai sword tempered by flames, my work
ethic was slowly becoming strong and flexible.
I ended my fourth semester with over a 3.5, pulling my
overall grade point average to just over 3.
I began my third semester with two classes advanced
Spanish and a contemporary political philosophy
seminar that were well above my ability to handle.
I naively believed that my great interest in the classes
would allow me to succeed.
healthy balance.
The whole idea was to give myself the feeling that I
wasnt neglecting any part of my life that would end
up pressing on my mind.
It is worth mentioning that it took years of exploration
and playing to even find out what I really like to do. By
this winter, however, I had learned that I like engaging
with people by reading books, watching things on
Netflix, keeping up with news and conversing with
people; to be happy I need to have set plans for
future employment and keep my house clean; I like
to be active by working out, meditating, doing yoga
stretches, hiking, swimming and even just hanging
around outside; and I like to be artistic and creative,
by cooking good food, writing poems or anything I
feel like writing, oil painting, drawing, singing and
playing music. Although I only have so much time in
done. I did the things that I really wanted to do and
nothing else. If I really wanted to pass a test, I would
do what I had to do. If I really wanted to play my
guitar, I would do that for a solid hour and think
about nothing else.
If I were passing a class to my satisfaction and an
assignment wasnt vital to my academic goals, I
would only do what I needed to get a passing grade,
even a very bad grade. If I didnt really want to
go to a party, I simply wouldnt go. This was very
uncomfortable at first, and I had to practice not
feeling guilty, but I got used to it.
I was only able to take this ethic to an extreme because
Im a journalism student. My writing portfolio will
be far more marketable in the job market than my
grade point average. Rather than see grades as an end
in themselves, I see grades as indicating where my

I had no choice but to drop Spanish a third of the way
into the semester. I failed an important test, and had
no option but to either fail, or drop the class. I took
this as a lesson not to bite off more than I can chew.
I needed another credit to remain enrolled in college.
The only option available to me was luckily an easy
credit: a field work class visiting a nearby Buddhist
monastery named Tsechen Kunchab Ling for one
weekend near the end of the semester.
I had been interested in Buddhism before. At the
monastery, I saw how some people meditate for their
whole lives. They idolize the Buddha, a person who
started out a regular person like anyone else. The
Buddhas only significance is that he learned how
to understand his thoughts and control himself,
practicing those skills until he was completely at
peace. These skills led to his being deemed a sage with
more wisdom than others, so he attracted followers
who felt his teachings were worth studying.
The magnificence of the monastery displayed the
passion that Buddhists have for their religion. The
temple is filled with extraordinary tapestries and a
huge golden-painted statue of the Buddha. Their
library is in a small room filled floor to ceiling with
books on hundreds of different topics related to
Buddhism. Behind the temple, hundreds of hand-
printed prayer flags are hung over a large field from
one end to the other.
Every person living at the monastery was humble,
down-to-earth, and very kind. Some of them were
very well-read in ancient texts, while others followed
the practices they were taught while trying to learn
directly from their experience. Everyone there was
trying to learn about themselves and attempting to be
the best people they could be.
The experience inspired me to do the same. The
Buddha did it, and thousands of years later his story is
still inspiring hundreds of millions of people around
the world. Although a monastery is not the right place
for me at this time, I can still make an attempt on my
own.
About a month later, my winter break became the
turning point in my discipline and enthusiasm for
school work. I didnt have a job, so I decided to work
on myself.
The strategy I used was to organize my time into
an efficient, but fluid, schedule. I would limit each
activity that I wanted to do to only the amount of
time I needed to be satisfied. I kept my interests in a
a day, Im going to do whatever I can to not need to
choose between my interests. To be myself, I have to
take my interests seriously.
My normal way of life is to completely improvise and
follow my impulses. Although that allows me to be
creative, I noticed that any aspect of my life I neglect
typically comes back to me later when I least expect it.
There will be something that I cant control, and the
thing I neglected is what I need but dont have.
My new strategy worked toward solving that problem.
I could keep my creativity free while taking care of
everything I found important. I was able to improve
very rapidly, not so heavily on any one talent, but at
the talent of being my own unique self.
I discovered how to put my all into everything I do.
First, I became aware of what my all was. I did it
by paying very close attention to myself and to what
was around me, for instance, down to smallest detail
of a nice flower or a minor facial expression, and up
to the largest worldwide scale of how people were
reacting to current events or how the global music
scene is changing. This active attention of mine left no
thought, feeling, or perception out of my life as long as
it could be in my life.
If something I noticed left me confused or unsatisfied,
I would give myself time to think about what caused
that feeling. When I would judge someone or myself, I
would pause to think more deeply about the reasons for
those judgements. Since a judgement usually indicates
a conflict, I would try to change my way of thinking
until I could think of a resolution, whether that be to
adopt a new attitude or to take an action. I would only
move on if I wasnt leaving anything unresolved, even
if the resolution was that I would keep watching for
new perspectives on a problem.
This mindfulness gave me the raw material to my
life that I could ask for, but on its own it doesnt give
me the energy and passion needed to do something
with that raw material. That energy came from the
efficiency and diversity of my schedule, which forced
me to consider why I was choosing to do what I was
doing, and what part of it was essential to me and my
mental health.
I went into my fourth semester
with a schedule of classes that
I would be able to handle.
This time I was much better at Become a Community Contributor!
deciding my priorities rather
than trying to get everything Name______________________________________________________
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City____________________________________ State_____Zip__________
Email_________________________________
A Personal Essay
work is satisfactory and where I could improve, and
nothing more important than that.
I have always been a perfectionist. This past
semester, I stopped placing perfection as goal for any
project whatsoever. This new attitude allowed me to
comfortably work only on the projects that were most
educational to me. The passion that I put into those
projects translated into better grades than I would
have received otherwise.
My abandonment of perfectionism gave me far more
available time to work on revisions and relax. My
quality of work and the speed at which I could
produce it, ironically, became far higher than any
previous semesters.
It seems I learned that I had to release my attachment
to achieving my goals immediately. Only by releasing
the desire for perfection, even while keeping in mind
what perfection would mean for me, could I finally
improve towards my goals.
By abandoning my perfectionism this past semester,
I became more comfortable with unpolished work.
That made me confident enough to make more
frequent trips to the office hours of my professors.
Those trips helped me to develop my ideas and made
my classes more personal and fulfilling.
By looking back and picking apart the process of
developing my current feeling of confidence, self-
control and self-acceptance, I hope I can share that
feeling to other people. Everyone will have their
own strategy and process, as we all have different
personalities. However, I believe that the key to my
quick improvement was becoming well-rounded by
developing my positive personality traits that were
once weak. To me, if an aspect of my personality is
dissatisfying, I must work on it and change myself,
although acceptance of myself as I am is always the
first step in that process.
I hope that some people can learn something from
my experience. I certainly learned from many other
people along the way. Still, I dont think there is
any way to avoid going about these things the old
fashioned way: plain old trial and error.
Support The Bridge

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Photo by Carla Occaso

Please mark the box if you have contributed $50 or more and would like The
Bridge delivered to you. YES, Send me every issue of The Bridge for one year!
Friends of The Bridge will be periodically acknowledged in future issues of
The Bridge. I wish to remain anonymous
Send this form and your check to:
The Bridge, P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 Thank
Donations may also be made online at montpelierbridge.com You!
PAG E 6 J U LY 2 017 THE BREE ZE

The Black Lagoon Lives On The Moon The Chicken Hawk Love Forever
The black lagoon lives on the moon In the vast, Love is a circle
The moon has cheese spilling on its knees Deep blue skies Round and round
The moon likes peas but can only eat cheese There is a hawk that is relentless Love stays forever
The moon is white but is not very light In his pursuit of farm fowl In everyone around
The black lagoon lives on the moon
Poetry

He swoops down
Leonie Fournier, age 8, Union Elementary School, Montpelier Upon his prey Queen Annes Lace
And just when the chicken's feathers
Brush his sharp talons, Queen, queen, Queen Annes Lace,
A gun goes off You are a beautiful queen;

Photo by Julia Barstow

Scaring the hawk away Though you have a drop of blood,
You are a beautiful queen.
He vanishes
Back into the dark, Merjeme Lane-Karnas, age 7, Calais,
Mysterious skies unschooled
Seeking prey once more.

Ben Parker, age 13, South Burlington, Oak

Meadow homeschool
T H E B R E E Z E J U LY 2 017 PAG E 7

BARRAGE OF BUBBLES Children delight in

a shower of bubbles during Montpeliers July 3rd
celebration. Photo by Robert Lehmert.

Thank you
for reading
The Breeze!
PAG E 8 J U LY 2 017 THE BREE ZE

Literacy Foundation Awards

At-Risk Children Grant

Children's Literacy
W
ATERBURY CENTER The Childrens
Literacy Foundation has awarded 10
organizations in Vermont and New Hampshire
At-Risk Children grants for fall 2017. The grant provides
selected organizations serving at-risk children (up to age
12) in Vermont and New Hampshire with resources to
encourage a love of reading and writing. Each of the
chosen organizations will host an inspiring storytelling
presentation from one of the foundations 60 professional
authors, illustrators, graphic novelists and storytellers;
receive up to $2,000 in new childrens books for an on-site
library; have the option to host a family literacy event to
teach skills and strategies for reading with kids; and each
child present will choose two new books to keep.
This grant is awarded bi-annually in fall and spring through
an online application process. Applications for Spring 2018
will be available at www.clifonline.org in the fall. Applicants
not selected for this grant round are encouraged to apply
again in the future.
Two local Fall 2017 At-Risk Children grantees are the
Family Center of Washington County (Montpelier) and
Lund Family Center. Charlotte Bend says, "Lund is very
grateful to CLiF for another opportunity to promote literacy
and the importance of storytelling to our families. We have
enjoyed CLiF presentations at our early childhood education
program and at Kids-A-Part, a program serving mothers
incarcerated at the Chittenden Regional Correctional
Facility and their children in the community. We are
excited to bring CLiF to our 20th Annual Adoption Picnic
and watch them spark a love of reading, books and stories in
a whole new audience. Reading together is a wonderful way
for parents and children to connect and spend time together,
and can be especially meaningful for families who have
recently come together through adoption."
About the Childrens Literacy Foundation
The Childrens Literacy Foundation is a non-profit
organization whose mission is to nurture a love of reading
and writing among low-income, at-risk and rural children up
to age 12 throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. Since
1998, The Childrens Literacy Foundation has supported
and inspired nearly 200,000 young readers and writers
through six literacy program grants and has given away
almost $5 million in new, high-quality children's books.
For more information about the foundation, visit www.
clifonline.org.

Dream, Girl Documentary

to be Shown in Waitsfield
Local Veiwing

W
AITSFIELD The Vermont Womens Fund
is hosting a screening of a documentary about
women entrepreneurs, Dream, Girl, on
Wednesday, July 26 at 6 p.m.at the Big Picture Theater in
Waitsfield.
Dream, Girl showcases the stories of inspiring and ambitious
female entrepreneurs and the risks they take to achieve
their dreams. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for refreshments
and mingling. The film starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be
followed by a panel of local women entrepreneurs including
Emily Doyle (Ursa Major), Leigh Williams (Laughing Moon
Chocolates) and others to be announced soon. The panel
discussion will be followed by more time for networking and
refreshments.
Since its release, Dream, Girl has been shown in 81
different countries. In May of 2016, it was viewed at a private
screening at the White House for the Council on Women
and Girls. The Vermont Womens Fund also recently co-
sponsored screenings of the film in Burlington, White River
Junction and Manchester.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students. For more
information, to view the trailer or to buy tickets, visit
vermontcf.org/dreamgirl-waitsfield.
Proceeds benefit the Vermont Womens Fund. This event is
made possible by the support of these sponsors: Big Picture
Caf and Theater, Laughing Moon Chocolates, Ursa Major,
the Common Man Restaurant, the Historic Waitsfield
Village, 4orty Bridge Boutique, East Warren Community
Market, Broadleaf Landscape Architecture, Valley Works,
Valley Glow Yoga and the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Vermont Womens Fund is a component fund of the
Vermont Community Foundation.

Classifieds
HELP WANTED
SECURITY OFFICER needed PT,
afternoons in Barre, VT. Strong customer
service skills req. experience preferred.
Please contact 603-363-8200
ROYAL RIDE Montpelier businessman Fred Bashara drives in the parade route on July 3. With him are Miss Vermont
Text-only class listings and
Teen Kelsey Golonka, left, 17, of Montpelier and Miss Vermont Madison Trimbey Cota, 21 of Bellows Falls. Photo by Robert
classifieds are 50 words for $25.
Lehmert.
Call 249-8666 or 223-5112 ext. 11
T H E B R E E Z E J U LY 2 017 PAG E 9

New Bestselling Childrens Books

Compiled from various lists

Little Excavator Blue Sky, White Stars

Fun, fast-paced construction story is truck lover's delight Stirring, poetic take on America and flag has majestic art
By Anna Dewdney By Sarvinder Naberhaus New Construction
Renovations

Summer Reading
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the Chasing Space Young Readers Edition
World Stellar memoir of an elite athlete and astronaut's journey Woodworking
Short, inspiring profiles of groundbreaking women By Leland Melvin, Laurie Caulkhoven General Contracting
By Chelsea Clinton

Where Will I Live?

Moving book about child refugees brought to life by photos
By Rosemary McCarney

223-3447
clarconstruction.com

The Legend of Rock, Paper Scissors Ryan Higas How To Write Good
A laugh-out-loud hilarious picture book about the epic tale of YouTuber's engaging memoir has solid writing advice, too
the classic game rock, paper, scissors By Ryan Higa
By Drew Daywalt, Adam Rex (illustrator)
The Magic Hat Soup
Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel Sweet, whimsical tale of
The hilarious sequel to the smokin' hot New York Times best magic hats transforming
seller, perfect for story time town
By Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri (illustrator) By Sonja Wimmer

The Pearl Thief The Three Billy Goats

Gruff
Queenie's origin tale in a less dark Code Name Verity pre-
quel Classic tale given new,
thoughtful ending and
By Elizabeth Wein
exquisite art
By Jerry Pinkney
Invisible Emmie
Texting drama helps an insecure and popular girl connect
Vampirina at the Beach
By Terri Libenson
Vampire girl frolics at
night in fun, zany beach
Goodnight, Numbers romp
Rhyming bedtime book has sweet art and lots to count By Anne Marie Pace
By Danica McKellar

RecyclE This Paper!

 PAG E 10 J U LY 2 017 THE BREE ZE

The Robot that Lives on Ferns Head in Vermont

A story by Forrest (age 6) and Fern (age 2) Carter-Pearson, Mas (the Robot),
and Bnt (the Bird), in collaboration with Julia Barstow

Julia, draw a robot with lots of arms, lots of eyes, and lips, with a bird on
its head. A robot on Ferns head that lives in Vermont. -Fern, age 2

A
robot named Mas was living on the ceiling in the house. He be-
came a being 3,982 years ago today. Mas started living on Ferns
head one year ago. On Mass head lives a bird. The bird was once a
chicken and hatched from an apple named Fred at the edge of a field. The
birds name is Bnt.
When Mas was small he had one arm, a little pincher arm. Over the years
and centuries Mas grew many other arms as he encountered new environ-
ments and situations.
When Mas first appeared on Ferns head, she was freaked out. Eventually,
she got used to him living there.
The first time Mas saw Forrest was in California, when Forrest was visit-
ing cousins. Forrest promptly fainted. Bnt, the bird who lives on Mass
head who lives on Ferns head, flew down to Forrest and revived him by
landing on his foot.
Young Creators

Forrest woke up and exclaimed, Im up! Im up! Is it time for breakfast?

It was actually 7:30 p.m. at night.
So, Mas, Bnt, Fern and Forrest all went on a walk on top of the roof of
a 100 story building. They had a view of the clouds below them. They
were looking over the edge of the roof when a gust of wind made them fall
toward the ocean below.
Fortunately, Mas had plenty of scuba diving gear, which they all put on
midair.
Once they safely landed on the ocean floor far below, Fern began to try
to eat Forrest. As he attempted to escape, Forrest fell backward into a
shipwreck.
Fern, Mas and Bnt the bird swam in looking for Forrest. Mas pulled
open a decaying door, revealing a room full of treasure chests guarded by
a Ghost Bear.
Go away! The Ghost Bear shouted at the intruders.
Before the Ghost Bear could chase after the intruders, Mas extended his
electric arm, which he grew yesterday, and electrocuted the Ghost Bear.
But, unknown to Fern and Mas and Bnt, there was another intruder in
the room.
Mas opened a treasure chest.
BOO!
Mas feared there was another ghost, but he soon saw that it was actually
Forrest hiding in the treasure chest. Illustration by Forrest Carter-Pearson and Julia Barstow
They all gathered up the treasure in Mass many arms and brought it up
on land.
They decided to buy a mansion in Vermont with some of the treasure.
They kept the remaining treasure in chests and gave some to a museum.
Forrest, Fern, Mas and Bnt all lived in the mansion in Vermont for the
next 3,982 years, by which time Mas had grown 1 million more arms.
The End

FLEDGLING WRITERS The youngest contributors to The Breeze Forrest,

age 6, and Fern, age 2, with their parents Norman and Victoria. Forrest and Fern
eagerly anticipated having their story published and read by a wider audience.
T H E B R E E Z E J U LY 2 017 PAG E 11

Making and Sharing Comic Books to Small Groups

by Jackson Reeves

W
hen you notice you are good at drawing comic
book art, you may want to write and illustrate
your own comic book. You may also want to
share it with classmates at school or friends and family.
Making comics is quite easy, if you have the right equip-
ment. You first have to get all the pieces of paper that you
need, depending on how long you want your comic book
to be. Then draw the panels, which are boxes which can be
whatever size and shape you want. Draw the characters in
the panels. To get your drawings to show up in the copier
machine, trace everything in pen. What you just made will
be your master copy. Now to copy and print your comic.
Scan the master copy into the copier machine and watch the
copies of your comic book print out! Now staple each comic
books pages together. So now you have a pile of finished
comic books. Share these with anyone. Good luck with your
comic book making!

Comic by Jackson Reeves

Jackson Reeves.
Courtesy photo
PAG E 12 J U LY 2 017 THE BREE ZE

T
hink a summer spent reading Shakespeare sounds dull? Then how about a summer reading graphic novel adaptations of Shakespearean plays?! WIth some funding from The
University of Vermonts Office of Undergraduate Research and the guidance of Shakespeare-extraordinaire Professor Andrew Barnaby, this is exactly what I got to do with the
time between my Junior and Senior years. After getting a look at how other artists translated Shakespeares language into the fresh medium of comics, I took the next step and
tried my hand creating some cartoon vignettes of my own. This adaptation reworks a piece of Shakespeare from Julius Caesar, and attempts to reimagine the Bards classic lines in
an entertaining new way.

by Ben Merrylees

Advertise in the NEXT ISSUE: For more information about advertising deadlines,
rates and the design of your ad, contact one of
Barre Heritage Festival our representatives:
In Circulation July 20Aug. 2 Rick McMahan: 249-8666
rick@montpelierbridge.com
ALL AD MATERIALS AND AD SPACE
RESERVATIONS DUE FRIDAY, JULY 14. Michael Jermyn: 223-5112 ext.11
michael@montpelierbridge.com