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The Avatar: April and May Edition SO long from Shawnee’s art and literary publication!

Cover photo by Samantha Smith

DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR ART, WRITING, MUSIC OR ANY OTHER CREATIVE HOBBY? SUBMIT TO THE AVATAR FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE SPOTLIGHT FEATURE AND A TEN DOLLAR STARBUCKS GIFT CARD!

March winner Aimee Kloeppel with her prize!

THIS MONTH’S EDITOR SPOTLIGHT WINNER IS…

Caitlin Smitheram

Letter from Editor

Simply put, I enjoy the chaos of this piece. As of April my own life has been hectic with AP exam preparation, and most of the time I feel like that little rabbit in a storm of chaos of which I cannot discern. Color and scribbles and unknowns and a place I cannot put together. I identify with this piece, and I enjoy the bright color and emotional value.

Articles

Farewell from us!

The Avatar was given new life this year, and it soared in stoking the flames of creativity in our students. 81 artworks, 46 photos, 5 songs, 37 poems, and 2 short stories were published in 7 editions for your viewing pleasure. We gave away 7 gift cards to some truly outstanding artists. We had a blast compiling all the art and hosting fun events in order to promote the artistry of the school. We hope you had just as much fun as us, and we can't wait to see you again next year!

Have a great summer, and never stop creating what you love!

-The Avatar staff

Fun with 2nd Graders!

Mr. K's AP Art History class volunteered to teach 2nd graders about ancient artworks and ancient culturues. They took 3D models of their artworks and shared facts and fun knowledge to the kids, much to their delight!

Groups of highschoolers teaching their 2nd graders about their chosen art pieces
Famous Artists Born in April and May

April

2 Max Ernst 1891

4 Edward Hicks 1780

5 Jean Fragonard 1732

6 Raphael 1483

9 Victor Vasarely 1908

15 Leonardo da Vinci 1452

15 Thomas Hart Benton 1889

20 Joan Miro 1893

23 J.M.W. Turner 1775

24 Bridget Riley 1931

24 Willem de Kooning 1904 (left. Woman III)

26 John James Audubon 1785

26 Eugene Delacroix 1798

May

4 Keith Haring 1958

11 Salvador Dali 1904

12 Frank Stella 1936

13 Georges Braque 1882

14 Thomas Gainsborough 1727

15 Jasper Johns 1930

21 Albrecht Durer 1471

21 Henri Rousseau 1844

22 Mary Cassatt 1844

23 Franz Kline 1910

27 Georges Rouault 1871

31 Ellsworth Kelly 1923

Student Works

Artworks

By Breanna Mullins
By Cara DeBrosse
By Tessa Mulcahy
By Tessa Mulcahy
By Caitlin Smitheram
By Caitlin Smitheram
By Caitlin Smitheram
By Caitlin Smitheram
By Noah Sims
By Noah Sims
By Noah Sims
By Kenidee Morgan
By Kenidee Morgan

Written Works

Short stories

"The Burning Secret"

By Natalie Burgess

Poetry

The Morality of a Mine

By Carson Stewart

I once found myself in a pawn shop

With an old mine in my hand

It’s trigger had long been removed

Likely when it left the land

I couldn’t shake the feeling

That what I held was wrong

This piece of metal was meant for death

And it had been buried for so long

I wonder if the man who made it

Ever thought of his creation

How could the death and misery

Be worth helping his nation

Did he wonder who would step on it

Would it be a man, woman, or child

What kind of thoughts ran through his head

When making something so wild

A mine embodies the worst of man

Killing those you can’t even see

As if it is just a wild animal

You destroyed below the knee

Sometimes

By Dex Hooker

Sometimes you're not made for each other

Sometimes it's better to be apart

And pretend it doesn't bother you but secretly it does

Because in all my other friendships i find a little but of us

Technically it's my fault we fell out

So i have nothing to be upset about

But i have to admit i think about it sometimes

Even though we weren't made for each other

And it's better that were apart

Value

By Carson Stewart

Should I be given never ending life

It would take all life's value away

For everything means so much more

When I know there's a final day

Photos

By Samantha Smith
By Zoe Smith

2021-2022 Avatar Awards!

In order to properly thank our artists, we have decided to award them for their hard work and participation!

Most Works Submitted

Carson Stewart

With 19 works submitted

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Most Articles Written

Alex Karapondo

With four articles written

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Editor's Top Artwork

By Oleh "Bug" Zhuk

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Editor's Top Written Work

“Checking In” by Brock Snider

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Editor's Top Miscellaneous Work

"I Untitled IV" By Ethan Truesdale

It is with much appreciation that I thank the Avatar President and Editor, Natalie Burgess. She has taken the Avatar publication to new heights and has set the bar high for the future of the creative arts publication. Natalie was the perfect choice for the Editor position as she embodies the two elements of the publication. She is both an exceptional creative writer and an amazing artist. Natalie's dedication to this publication will be hard to match moving forward. Thank you and best wishes, Mr. Krawetzke (Avatar Advisor).

2021/22 AVATAR STAFF

Natalie Burgess - Editor, Avatar President

Mr. Krawetzke - Avatar Advisor

Have a wonderful summer, and be sure to join us next year!