ACARA Years 7-10

Personal Narrative·Mengxin Sun — Seven-year-old stuck on a water slide at Great Wolf Lodge faces her fear of darkness and devises a solution to get the raft moving again.

Poetry·Nova Macknik-Conde — A cascade of philosophical questions triggered by Turner's painting 'The Banks of the Loire' spirals from consciousness to existence itself, returning to the painting's contemplative figure.

Poetry·Disha Hebbar — Night unfolds through sensory details as a speaker lies in bed, transforming darkness into a symphony of moonlight, rain, wind, and the subtle fragrances of sleeping nature.

Poetry·Laylah Burstein — A dancer encounters a whale's ancient wisdom through a wood knot that transforms in rain and streetlight, their movements becoming shared music.

Personal Narrative·Kathleen Werth — A meditation on how the sun's dangerous beauty contrasts with the moon's honest imperfections, questioning what nature teaches us about perception and need.

Personal Narrative·Landen Cusick — A teenager finds peace paddleboarding on a lake, where swimming among fish and watching the sunset brings clarity about focusing on life's beauty rather than its troubles.

Story·Avah Dodson — A hero confronts a dragon but finds herself debating philosophy when the dragon challenges her assumptions about good and evil, ending with an invitation to tea.

Story·Chelsea Guo — A wizard who weaves people's fates with glimmering strings realizes the cruelty of his mischief when he sees a boy he cursed years later caring for a sick parent.

Poetry·Enni Harlan — A child transforms a piano practice session into an imaginary train journey, packing vintage hats from a decorated hatbox while Hanon exercises repeat downstairs.

Personal Narrative·Lindsay Gale — A girl stuck at home during the pandemic battles jealousy as friends text about their vacations, until rain brings unexpected release from her frustration.