Under The Sun

In April, we invited unpublished writers to submit their work as part of our Write South Florida contest. There were three categories in the contest: Amateur, College, and Children. These are the runners-up from the contest in the Children’s category.

Alex Woodward/self-portrait

The Vicious, Ferocious, Terrifying, Killer Monster in Palm Beach County

By Alex Woodward

Once upon a time, a vicious, ferocious, terrifying, killer monster invaded Palm Beach County. Did anyone survive? Is he friendly? Is he a he? Who knows, let’s find out.

It all started with a beetle and a simple drop of high molecular fusion reactor serum. This very liquid, invented by Dr. Arnold P. Rosman, mutated an innocent microscopic insect into a complete monster! Even though it shrunk the beetle down to one inch it was given the ability to blast molten lava out of it’s mouth (which caused Dr. Rosman’s death. See a picture of him in ash form at www.ashpile.com). In addition, it gained super strength so powerful it can lift an object five hundred times its size. It is also indestructible.

After the destruction of the laboratory was complete, the monster continued elsewhere. As soon the protective military found out they were up and ready because of the dreadful description of this creature. But, as it waddled over the tar hill and revealed itself, everyone exploded with laughter. Of course they were expecting an enormous and fierce creature. Yet, they were faced with a miniscule beetle. When the sergeant, still chuckling hysterically, picked him up and approached the cage that would contain him; the miniature monster let out a forceful punch of rage that sent the soldier flying. When the foreign bug proved its toughness the armed troops retreated. Unexpectedly, an immense cage crashed over the creature.

The General called Dr. Rosman’s assistant, Professor Elkweed, to communicate with. When she arrived the monster explained to her that all he wanted was a friend. Due to that statement the Professor mentioned, “All you had to do was ask.” Instantly, they skipped off into the horizon… hand- in- hand.

That ends the story of the kind, helpful, gentle, caring monster that invaded Palm Beach County.

Bio: Allamanda Elementary School’s ten-year-old Alex Grant Woodward is a runner-up in our kids writing submissions. He is the oldest child in his family and has won awards in the principal’s honor roll, coloring contests, baseball, acting and Invention Connection.

Natalie Garcia/ self-portrait

South Florida

by Natalie Garcia

Have you ever been to South Florida?  Well if you haven’t, listen up.  There once was a penguin named Daphne and she always stayed at the North Pole, never leaving it.  Finally she decided that she had always wanted to take a trip to South Florida and this was the time to do it.

Daphne went to South Florida with her snowy white seal Noel.  When they arrived at their hotel, they were given the coldest room there was.  When Daphne went to the ocean she was amazed at how warm the water was and how fabulous the beach was.

Unfortunately, Daphne and Noel were not very comfortable in the hot weather so they decided to go home.  However, on their way back to the North Pole, they stopped by to see their friends the Canadian Geese and told them all about South Florida.  At this very moment, guess who’s winging their way to sunny South Florida?  You got it.  The Canadian Geese!

Bio: Natalie Marie Garcia is a nine-year-old at William Lehman Elementary School in Miami.  Her favorite subjects in school are reading, math, art and music. She loves to sing and dance and has performed as an orphan in Annie, a waitress in Grease and a giraffe in The Lion King in her school’s Drama Factory. She is very excited about helping with her school’s morning announcements.  Click here to see an animated version of Natalie’s story.

Connor Voorhees/self-portrait

South Florida

by Connor Voorhees

The medium size star, with its fiery red, golden hue

Is hotter than a piping stove, too hot to touch

Its shines upon the Sunshine State, like a rare gemstone,

As it attracts the people from the north.

As the turquoise ocean builds up foam and crashes upon the shore,

The fish of all different shades dance between the seaweed and coral

From magenta to indigo to sea green,

From sunfish to barracudas to marlins as they swim around in harmony

While the emerald green leaves sway in the crystal clear breeze,

The palm trees “greet” many individuals that go by

From the bottom of the dusty roots to the tips of the lime green leaves,

This plant is pretty enticing.

All of these fabulous things make up South Florida.

Bio: Ten-year-old Connor Voorhees started speaking at age four, and hasn’t stopped since. Connor goes to Allamanda Elementary School in Palm Beach Gardens. In his spare time he likes to build complicated structures out of legos. His accomplishments include placing in the Invention Convention and making honor roll. Connor loves drawing, swimming in the ocean and drawing, and anything red.

Funding for this episode provided by a grant from The Florida Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.