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Writer's block, I cringe at those words.To me it is an illness. p. 8

Michael, Grade 11Herron High School

Thomas, Grade 11, Herron High School

Writer's Block: there is a cure.

ISSUE 1 SPRING 2013

INSPIRED

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3 N S P I R E D

INSPIREDcoNteNtsdepartments

Letters, 4

Poetry, 5

The Craft, 8

Art, 9+10

Writing, 16

Photography, 24

Music, 28

Film, 30

PublisherMichael Vander Sandein association with ibJ Custom Publishing

editor in ChiefMichael Musgrave

eduCation direCtorAndy Blythe

soCial Media & teChnology direCtorRandy Fisherdeveloper town

advertisingfor advertising information contactInspire Magazine at 317-691-4237

eduCatorssubmit classroom set requests and address changes to:

editor@readinspiredmag.comor call 317-847-8491

studentsSubmit your original fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art, photography, music and film for consideration for publication to editor@readinspiredmag.com.

Copyright © 2013 The Project House 9149 lantern lane Indianapolis, IN 46256

Inspired Magazine, our publisher and our advertisers are not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors.

all rights reserved. May be reproduced with proper citation for educational purposes.

features

Inspired, 6Haitian Departure by Watson George

Johnny McKee, 20Artist helps challenged students through art. by Michael Musgrave

Maria, grade 10Independence AcademyGraphite on paper

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4 N S P I R E D

Inspired magazine is a free, monthly magazine started here in Indianapolis by two stay at home dads who are ready to get back to a different kind of work, and give back to our larger community. Inspired by the young minds around us we have created a magazine filled with original writing, art, photography, music and film all created by students in grades 6-12 right here in Indiana.

Our mission is simply to inspire students to be creative. We believe that providing teachers with a useful tool, students with a good example, and an avenue for becoming published authors and artists accomplishes this goal. We also believe the act of becoming published provides an invaluable confidence boost for students of the arts. Additionally, our wider audience benefits from learning of the truly compelling things young minds are creating all over Indiana.

We will publish Inspired magazine online each month, and in print every quarter. Our digital magazine will also be available via Apple, Google and Amazon as a downloadable application. In addition, our Website, readinspiredmag.com, will be updated daily.

We are grateful for the support of many leading organizations, schools, and individuals in the Indianapolis metropolitan area including the Indianapolis Arts Center, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association, Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University, Herron High School, University High School, CFI 84, Holy Cross Lutheran School, and Huntington Bank. We look forward to working closely with these organizations, and many more, as we continue to grow and inspire.

Sincerely,

Michael Musgrave, Editor-in-Chief

Letter from the Editor

It has been quite an amazing experience bringing Inspired magazine to life. Our new magazine has been embraced with an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. From the beginning it has been our mission to inspire kids. For us, this magazine is the realization of a dream and we look forward to fulfilling our promise to create a venue for inspired students. We know that we are well on our way toward accomplishing this goal.

We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with students, educators, and community partners to ensure the growth of a truly inspired magazine. We are pleased to have built a strong team to support Inspired as we prepare to launch in print and digitally online. We are grateful to IBJ Custom Publishing, Developer Town, and Godengo/Texterity for their support in our development. We look forward to sharing the spring 2013 launch of our first full issue.

Sincerely,

Michael Vander Sande

Letter from the Publisher

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heart beating like a drum

she ran from her past

so she wouldn't be hurt

again.

She thinks herself ugly

because of all the holes

others have left.

She did not, would not

accept herself for what

beauty she could make.

All she could do was dwell

on the ugly past and pay

no attention to the beautiful

future she could’ve had.

Emma

Grade 8

CFI 84Heart Beating like a drumEmma, grade 8CFI School 84

INSPIREDpoetry

Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts, Writing and Language • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3d, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5

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I remember like it was yesterday. In the village of Troufondban, Haiti, a four year old boy, malnourished and starving, lay on the dirt floor of a too-small hut made of mud and rocks. His mother had passed away two years before and he was left with a widowed father and six siblings. He should have died. Even though the home was isolated from the rest of the community, a missionary happened to find him and nourished him back to health. She took him to a local orphanage and two years later, I was adopted.

As a six year old coming into the United States, I found myself unexpectedly immersed in a new culture. Adjusting was not easy for me. I struggled to learn a new language, a new culture, and how to fit in with new friends and family. Compared to the life I had in my village—basic survival with a little food and water for each day—the American way of life went far beyond survival to the pursuit of happiness and excess. In the village, we shared what we had to make sure everyone had enough to get by. Community was important and everyone was equal. Now, I was a minority and I was bullied because of my skin color. I remember hating being different because people made fun of me. American people strived to achieve a life of riches, fame, and success, hoping to gain happiness. Their culture focused on individuality versus society. I imagine if I was in that position, I wouldn’t just lack happiness; but, a meaningful life. As a child of my village, I

believe a meaningful life requires sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Thirteen years after my adoption, during my senior year of high school, I went back to Haiti on an emotional journey to reconnect with my biological family. The joy I felt when seeing them again was indescribable. Even though I had been living in America, Haiti was still my home and these were still my people. Throughout our travels, it hurt me to see the poverty, the filthy garbage, and the dirty roads. Despite all that, I witnessed the joy and satisfaction of the people with the few possessions they had. Although I wish I had more to offer them, I knew the only thing I could offer them was a selfless heart. I wanted to truly serve them in the same manner that they had once served me when I was a small lad in their village. Realizing this encouraged me to go to college and prepare for a career as a missionary. I plan one day to return to my village, share my knowledge and the skills I am learning with my community.

Now that I’m in college, I have already started working toward this dream. I know that education will be the key to help me further my dream of becoming a missionary. I’m majoring in

Reminiscing with my two sisters in Haiti. On our mission trip last spring, we stayed at Bettie Snyder’s (the missionary that found me when I was four) guest house in Haiti. We had a family reunion at her place. On the left is Eveline (my oldest sister) and on the right is Bettie. My family’s last name in Haiti is Filias. Photo by Marianne Brudwick.

This is my sister Eveline Filias (on the right) and I at Bettie Snyder’s guest house at our family reunion in Haiti. Photo by Pastor Mike Ford.

Haitiandeparturewith a Plan to returnBy WATSON GEORGE

INSPIREDFeature

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Biblical Studies at Anderson University, and minoring in French and TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language). With the help of the same missionary who found me thirteen years ago, I’m currently sponsoring a school in my village in Troufondban, Haiti. After graduating from college in four years, I plan to return to the village to build a ministry that educates, and gives medical care. As part of my ministry I also plan to start a trade school that allows kids to learn a skill or a profession that is needed in their economy. Through the trade school, they can find jobs. With an education, they will have a chance to better their lives for the sake of their community.

Deep inside of me is a strong passion and burden for the people of Haiti. I realize that Haiti is always going to be part of me and I can’t deny that. I’ve experienced the same suffering and heartaches as the Haitians have. I can relate to them because of that. During the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, I was praying for my family and for the Lord to help the orphans, widows, and communities across Haiti that the earthquake affected. As a missionary, I want to feed the poor and meet some of their needs. I don’t desire to force my personal beliefs on them, but I

want them to see the evidence of my faith. By helping the broken, the hopeless, and those who don’t know how much Jesus loves them, I can glorify my heavenly Father.

I’m 18 years old now, reflecting upon everything I’ve been through, and finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I still have a long way to go until I get to reach my goals; but, I keep looking for ways to make a difference in the community. Having a successful life, to me, means giving everything away, and living unselfishly for the benefit of others. God has blessed me with the opportunity to come to America. It is a miracle that I am alive, and that I am enrolled in College today. It’s heartbreaking that children in Haiti are nine times more likely to die before their sixth birthday, than children here in the United States. I hope to live to help change that sad statistic.

This is my sister CeCe (on the left) and I (on the right) at our home in Washington State. We got adopted together. CeCe is the youngest out of my three sisters. This Picture is taken by my dad, Charlie George.

Here is most of my family in the Troufondban village. From left to right, starting with Bettie (my sister in the pink), Malito (my nephew), myself, Edson (my nephew), Evelyn (my oldest sister), Kimberly (my niece), and Kimberly’s sister Djoulie (my niece). Photo by Marianne Brudwick.

My biological father (on the left) and I when we met for the first time at the church. My dad’s name is Elikib Filias. Photo by Conor Ford.

Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts, Writing, Production and Distribution of Writing • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.6

departure

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INSPIREDthe craFt

Writer's Block: there is a cure.

Writer’s block, I cringe at those words. To me, it’s an illness. It’s worse than the flu, or missing your best friend’s birthday party, because, your mom made you visit your grandma all the way in Timbuktu. Why do I feel that way? Because, writer’s block is the damming of your creativity. Suddenly, that awesome magical stuff that makes you write is just shut off! you no longer have that climactic scene you were just dreaming about. Do not fear, there is a way to overcome it. Although chocolate does help, for me it all comes down to media.

Read! Reading is one of the best things a writer can do. It gives you inspiration and ideas. Don’t copy the book. But, why not take the simple thunderstorm in one book, and make it a battle between divinities in another? Reading other successful writers can also give you an idea of what your audience wants to read; hence, what you could put in your story. Anything from blogs to fan fiction, role play to biographies can spark your imagination.

Then there’s artwork. I love looking at digital art and landscape photography. It gives me ideas for settings, characters, and scenes. By looking at the landscape view of a mountainside, I could get the idea for sending my characters into a snowstorm, or maybe my main character’s best friend loses her father in a skiing accident. I suggest looking on websites like Pinterest that sort pictures and information by topics and tend to be more appropriate. It’s quicker and more efficient too.

Then there’s what I like to call, motion picture. Again guys, youTube! If you need help adding a dramatic element to your writing, look up your favorite romance movie! There’s everything from battle scenes (again, Lord of the Rings), to action (Jackie Chan), to what aliens are actually like (Doctor Who). Movies can sometimes be the most influential sources. For one, there’s body language. Describing someone’s body language in writing can be essential to setting the mood. If your trying to make someone sad, you aren’t going to have them striding all around the place with their head held high.

If that doesn’t cure you, maybe the only thing left is time. I haven’t heard of a case where writer’s block goes on for years. So, trust me when I say it can, and will be conquered!

What about music? I love listening to groups like Celtic Woman and the Tolkien Ensemble when I write; it gets me into creativity mode. The right side of your brain is the creative side; you can trigger it by listening to wordless music. youTube is a great resource for finding music. The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter soundtracks are great if you’re writing fantasy. Even if fantasy writing isn’t your thing, it’s still good to listen to. you could get something out of it.

By Emilygrade 7Franklin Township Middle School

Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts, Writing • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2

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INSPIREDart

Untitled 5Michael, grade 11Herron High SchoolAcrylic

Self PortraitKatelyn, grade 12University High SchoolPhotograph

Common Core State Standards: Speaking and Listening, Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.5

10 N S P I R E D Member FDIC. ¥,® Huntington,® Asterisk-Free Checking® and 24-Hour Grace® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington® Welcome.TM and TM are service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Patent pending for the 24-Hour Grace® system and method. ©2013 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

At Huntingtgg on, we believe in doing what’s right for our customers. That’s why our Asterisk-Free Checking®

has no minimum balance requirements and no monthly checking maintenance fee. Plus, it comes with free 24-Hour Grace,® helping you avoid overdraft fees. That’s our idea of doing the right thing.ToTT find out more, stop by a branch, call 1-800-480-2265, or go to huntington.com/checking.

Color CollageSarah, grade 12

University High SchoolMixed Media

Angel, grade 12Herron High SchoolMixed Media

Breadth 4Thomas, grade 11Herron High SchoolPencil and Gauche on paper

INSPIREDart

Common Core State Standards: Speaking and Listening, Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.5

Member FDIC. ¥,® Huntington,® Asterisk-Free Checking® and 24-Hour Grace® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington® Welcome.TM and TM are service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Patent pending for the 24-Hour Grace® system and method. ©2013 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

At Huntingtgg on, we believe in doing what’s right for our customers. That’s why our Asterisk-Free Checking®

has no minimum balance requirements and no monthly checking maintenance fee. Plus, it comes with free 24-Hour Grace,® helping you avoid overdraft fees. That’s our idea of doing the right thing.ToTT find out more, stop by a branch, call 1-800-480-2265, or go to huntington.com/checking.

N S P I R E D

Inspire us with your photography Robert’s Camera is sponsoring our monthly Photo-Logo Contest!

Each month we will look forward to receiving your photographs of found objects from around our community that look like the letters in our name. Winners’ photos will be included on the cover as part of the photo-logo for the next issue of INSPIRED. In addition, all contest winners will receive a $10 gift card from Robert’s Camera. Submit your photographs through our website, or via Instagram at #inspiredmag. Enter today!

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