Students Read, Students Review...

Freedom Mountain Academy students are big readers! In our unique environment, they do not have access to cell phones, Blackberries, email, instant messaging, video games, Ipods, or any other electronic distractions. So, they read. In addition to the FMA literature program, they peruse our extensive shelves of fiction, history, biographies, poetry, and outdoor lore. Many students when they arrive make the declaration "I don't read," but before they leave they have read, on average, 15 to 16 books during their nine month stay.

But, its not just reading. FMA students think about what they read, and there is no better evidence of this than the book reviews they write for the student newsletter, Mountain Musings.

So, with summer reading on everyone's mind, here is a selection of what Freedom Mountain Academy students are recommending for you!

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Reviewed by Garrett C.

The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett is a 600-page epic about a small town trying to create a better church, while struggling to adapt to the ever-changing world around it. This book is quite a page-turner, thanks to Follett’s detailed portrait of the era, excellent storytelling, and dramatic and exciting action.
When the story begins, Tom Builder, a master builder, was seeking work so he and his family would not starve. They ended up in Kingsbridge where he found work at the priory rebuilding the church. Meanwhile, William Hamleigh, one of the novel’s primary antagonists, and his mother were trying to gain earldom over William’s ex-fiancée Aliena. A tragic series of events led Aliena and her brother to Kingsbridge, where she met Tom and his adopted son Jack. As first Tom, and then Jack, worked on the building of the church, it grew to symbolize the tension between characters as well as the town becoming united, stronger, and bigger.
As each character’s story was developed, it was incorporated into the main narrative, leading to a multi-character climax in which even the distant back-stories played a vital role. As the book comes to a close, the cathedral is completed and all of the characters get the ending they have earned.
The Pillars of the Earth is a remarkable story that is well worth reading.


The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
Reviewed by Kelsey G.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis is a very meaningful story about not giving up no matter what. It taught me that when I'm going through challenging times I must keep moving forward and not give up despite how tempted I am.
In the book, the main characters, Jill and Eustace, two English school children, were given the task of finding Prince Rilian by Aslan, a very noble lion, who told them to not give up unless they had succeeded in their mission.
Puddleglum, a helpful marshwiggle, who traveled with them through Narnia, following the specific signs Aslan had given Jill, aided the children on their quest. The signs were: Eustace would meet an old and dear friend, and, when he did, they would have help on their journey. Second, they must journey out of Narnia, to the north, until they found the ruined city of the ancient giants. There, they would find writing upon a stone and they were to follow whatever it said. Lastly, Aslan said they would know the lost prince (if they found him) because he would be the first person they met in their travels to use Aslan's name.
At first, Jill carefully remembered and followed the signs; however, when things got tough she became lazy and began to believe that the signs were never there. Puddleglum, the children's faithful guide, was the one who helped Eustace and Jill move forward and not give up.
On their journey they encountered giants at Harfang Castle, where they went after meeting the mysterious Lady of the Green Kirtle who invited them to Harfang for the autumn. Hungry for warmth and comfort, the children forgot all about their mission to save Prince Rilian until they found out they were going to be eaten by the "friendly giants" at the autumn feast. At the castle, they suddenly remembered their instructions from Alsan and, once again working together, escaped.
While fleeing all three of them fell down a hole into what's known as the Underworld, where for several days and nights, they had to travel in darkness. Upon arriving at the queen of the Underland's castle, the rescuers freed Prince Rilian, after he had spoken Aslan's name, and then narrowly escaped capture by the witch who tried enchanting them with potent charms. Fortunately, Puddleglum stamped out the magical fire, and he, Eustace and Rilian killed the witch after she had turned into an enormous serpent.
Upon the queen's death all her spells were destroyed which set free all the gnomes and other strange Underland inhabitants. Prince Rilian and the children returned to the Overworld just in time to see the King's homecoming. Even as his son, Rilian, arrived, the King, who was very ill, passed away. Aslan returned Jill and Eustace to England and their strange school, the Experiment House, with his congratulations.
This book illustrates the idea that when things get challenging we must not give up, but keep moving forward. It is very inspiring and I highly recommend this book if you have not already read it.


American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Reviewed by Jose D.

What are gods? They are what human’s create and believe in, in order to gain spiritual strength. This premise is at the heart of Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods. Known for creating the popular Sandman series of graphic novels, Gaiman’s novel explores what happens when god’s lose their significance. Do they die? What takes their place?
This story center around a man named Shadow, who is returning home to start a new life after being released from jail. On the way, he is approached by a mysterious man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday, and who offers Shadow a job. Through Shadow the book takes us on a journey of events, leading up to war between the forgotten gods of the old, and the new “American Gods” of television, computers, and others including a federal organization similar to the FBI, which exists only because people believe it exists.
Gaiman has incorporated extensive mythological history in compiling the gods of this book, blending Norse, African, Egyptian, Albanian, and many, many more mythologies.
This book earns a 5 (out of 5) star rating because it is rich, entertaining, and has a purely original story line. It has fascinating characters that enrich the story as a whole, in a classic blend of old and new mythology. Throughout the book, there is use of actual landmarks in America, which is outstanding. This book is truly a treasure, and I am glad we have someone with as great a mind as Neil Gaiman. I recommend this book to all readers ages 13 and above.


Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Reviewed by David S.
Man’s Search for Meaning is a provocative autobiography written by Viktor Frankl, a former inmate of a Nazi death camp. First published in 1956, the book is a case study of Logotherapy, an innovative form of psychotherapy, and how it allowed Frankl to maintain his humanity under horrific circumstances.
The main point of the story, which Frankl repeatedly conveys, is that “It is not how you avoid suffering but rather how you cope with it that keeps your spirit intact or shatters it altogether.” This is demonstrated in many cases, most powerfully as Frankl is being transferred from one camp to another. As he rode in a cramped filthy train, he was unaware of where he was going. The only two possibilities were Mauthausen or Dachau. Although Frankl was supposed to have stayed in Auschwitz with his friends, he did not despair when the SS rounded him up. Rather he rejoiced, as the train headed toward Dachau rather than the certain death of Mauthausen.
In addition, he focused not on how bad things were in the camps, or how good things used to be, but rather he set goals for the future, such as becoming a professor of psychology, and completing his book. This gave his life a purpose, and motivated him to keep on living.
Although the book was unpleasant to me, I learned valuable lessons from it. I learned how best to persevere through my sufferings in life without losing my humanity. I also learned how important a person’s state of mind and outlook on life are to achieving a meaningful existence.


1984 by George Orwell
Reviewed by Katy K.

In George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984, a dictatorship controls society by controlling its ability to think and perceive reality.
The reader is introduced to The Party and learns of its methods through the eyes of Winston Smith, as he works at his job at The Ministry of Truth. There, he re-writes history to match whatever present claim The Party is making, while simultaneously destroying all evidence that the past has ever been anything but its present version. Orwell makes the point that if history is a lie, than truth cannot exist in the present, and the population will accept whatever it is told. Another character at the Ministry of Truth is systematically altering how people think by eliminating words from the dictionary. If people cannot know the truth, and also lack the ability to find words to express their thoughts, they simply give up.
When we first meet Winston, he has already decided to go against The Party. He has committed a “thought-crime” by buying a diary, and beginning to record his thoughts and the events of his life. This is not allowed, because private citizens are not allowed to record a version of events other than that of The Party. With this act, Winston begins a series of infractions, including entering into a romantic relationship (also forbidden) and finally contacting a member of what he believed to be the opposition.
1984 is not about a revolutionary, it is about a simple man who is distressed by the world in which he lives, and just wants to believe that there is absolute truth in something. When I began reading 1984, I expected it to be sort of like a Will Smith film: a futuristic story of rebellion and technology, but what I realized is that Winston’s life is actually happening to us. Many of us do not look beneath the surface of what we are told, and even more of us lack the words to express our own ideas. How could a government exist that dictates how and what I should think? It may already be here. This book was disturbing while at the same time enlightening.


We the Living by Ayn Rand
Reviewed by Jacob C.

We the Living, by Ayn Rand examines the survival of the individual spirit in a world that demands allegiance to a collective mentality.
The novel, set in Russia in 1922, immediately after the revolution, portrays the struggle of three young people to hold to their ideals in the face of the bleak new Soviet reality. Kira Arguonova, the 18-year-old main character dreams of a world in which she can realize her dreams. Her lover, Leo Kovalesky rages against a system which systematically chips away at his spirit. Andrei Taganov, a young leader in the Communist party struggles when his faith in the revolution is tested by the venality of the party leadership.
Hunger, fear, and creeping apathy plague all three. Kira, in a struggle to survive, agrees to be Andrei’s mistress in exchange for money to keep herself and Leo alive. As Leo sinks further into cynicism and compromise, his spirit begins to bow to the pressure of a system which demands allegiance to a collective, while turning a blind eye to it’s inequities. Even as everything Kira once loved about Leo disintegrates, she finds herself unable to see the truth, and clings to him with increasing desperation; a desperation which will not allow her to see that it is in fact Andrei who is emerging as a stronger example of the human spirit. Her blindness ultimately puts all three on a tragic course.
We the Living was Ayn Rand’s first novel, preceding the more well known novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, however its powerful portrayal of the magnificence of the human spirit, shines just as clearly.


April Morning by Howard Fast
Reviewed by Valarie P.

A boy’s journey to recognizing the requirements of manhood and learning to make his own choices is the underlying message woven through Howard Fast’s novel April Morning.
In this action filled novel, 15-year-old Adam and his father Moses join the militia of their town against the British army on April 19, 1775. While many died, including Adam’s father, they still succeeded in what would become the first battle of the Revolutionary War.
Adam, who has struggled with his father, lies awake the night before the conflict, listening to his parents argue over whether he should be allowed to join the militia.
“I can keep my son out of it, he’s just a boy.”
“Yesterday he was a boy,” father replied, his voice dull and troubled. “Tonight he is not…”
“I don’t understand that kind of talk, a boy does not become a man overnight. It takes learning, growing, hurting and most of all it takes time.”
“We don’t always have time.”
In this moving story, Adam Cooper, under the pressure of life and death situations, acquires the strength he needs to know his beliefs and to take responsibility for his actions, and in doing so is transformed overnight from a boy to a man. His attachment to childish things, while struggling to be seen as an adult is over, and his life is changed forever.
“Then, falling asleep, I said goodbye to childhood. A world, a secure and sun warmed existence, a past that was over, and done with, and gone away for all time.”
Adam became a man, knowing his father thought he was ready.

Solo Reflections by Paul B.

While I was out there I thought a lot about my past, and the one thing that kept coming back to me was how badly I had treated my family before I came here. But the most significant thought was how much I truly love my family and how they would do anything for me, and how I should give back to them the same respect they give me.
What was my first thought when I was left alone?
I was really light headed . I thought to myself, why am I here? Why didn’t I just leave before solo? Then I remembered I was here for the experience of it all, and I went on.
My thoughts on the second morning:
I was glad that I slept through the night. That was when I first started feeling weak, and I sat by my fire and thought about what I would do over the summer. Who would I truly be? Would I keep the same habits that I have built here, or would I go back to the old habits? I thought about where both roads would lead me. Then I knew which one was right, but also would be the hardest. I have to find strength in my self before I face the outside.
My thoughts on the third morning:
I thought about how far I have come this year, and how much I have learned. I got to a point where I was getting confused about the whole thing. I thought what would happen if they told me to do this when I first came here. I thought that the end of this road was near, and I had to find the next one to go down.
I spent the first day thinking mostly about the urgent, like shelter, food and water. But by the last three days I started thinking about the future and the past. I thought about the things that could happen, and would happen. I spent about fifty percent of thinking about the past and fifty percent thinking about the future.
I think being in this meditative state of mind helped be to not always be in the urgent. I spent most of my time in my own thoughts.

Solo Reflections by Garrett C.

The most significant experience on solo, for me, was the second evening, when I realized that my grandparents are soon going to be gone, and I will be on my own for support. Although I spent most of my time reading, I also thought of what I am going to do in the next few years of college, and after. I did not spend a lot of time thinking about the past, but I did think back to my first days at FMA, and last year’s solo expedition. I came to the conclusion that this year was somewhat easier, because I had the skills more cemented in my mind.
For the first day of solo, I mainly thought of how I was going to survive for the next three days. I thought of what would be the easiest shelter to make, and other urgent things. After I finished doing everything I needed to do, I sat down and read for the remainder of the day.
The second and third days, since I had more time, I wrote, read and reflected more. I thought mainly of home and how life is going to change after graduating this year. I thought of how much fun I’m going to have working at the camp again this summer, and ways that I could make the camp a better place for kids to enjoy themselves and learn valuable lessons from The Bible.

Solo Reflections by Jacob C.

The most significant experience I encountered on solo expedition:
On this expedition, just after I was left alone, I felt as if someone had cut my legs off and left me to slowly bleed to death. I was completely alone and had to completely depend upon myself for survival. With that knowledge came the certainty that I would perish.
As my time progressed, and I was forced to help myself, I began to slowly lose it, and everything seemed to be going wrong. In reality it was myself who was losing a grasp on everything I had previously thought to be true of myself.
On the third day of solo, I was ready for it to all be over. I was ready to leave this nasty little mud-pit that was my shelter and rejoin civilized society. I felt alone, and exhausted. I didn’t want to move, but I would have run ten miles to be done with solo.
On the morning of day four, I was full of enthusiasm, but it wasn’t because I was leaving. It was for the fact that I had survived, and survived with style. As I walked out of Gentry Creek, I was able to hold my head high. I had been hungry, tired, scared and alone, but still, I had triumphed. While I hiked out, I was able to think about where my mind had been for the last four days. I realized that all my time was spent reflecting on the past and about the future. What would come next? How well will I handle it? Have I done a good job? What should I have done differently? This is what I thought about the majority of the time, when I wasn’t preoccupied with the urgent stuff such as food, water, and shelter. But that only occupied about ten percent of my time there.
So, for me, the most significant experience was being able to walk out with my head held high and a sense of self confidence. It is the one thing that stays with me, even now, and though it was hard, I’m glad I did it.

Solo Reflections by Jessie H.

I believe the most significant experience during solo, was realizing how much I used to take food for granted. When I was thinking about my past, I realized that the food my Mom bought for almost always went unappreciated. I may have enjoyed eating it, but I forgot her kindness in buying it. I spent most of my time reflecting upon my past and all the nice meals I didn’t finish. I felt as though I was beating myself up about it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. For example, over spring break, my Mom took me out to lunch at my favorite restaurant, and then after getting our legs waxed, she took me to a coffee place. I was still full from lunch, but she wouldn’t let me get only a coffee. So I got a snicker doodle cookie. I didn’t eat it for almost a week. It sat on my desk next to my bed and I ate one little piece at a time, not really enjoying it, but getting it off my desk. On solo, I wanted that cookie so bad, I would have done anything and I hated myself for being so unappreciative.
I spent some of my time focusing on the food I would eat once I get home, but I wondered if I would still want it by then.
I sometimes wondered how my Mom would act if she had known how hungry I was. I wondered if she would bring be platters of food and force me to eat until I couldn’t move. I would have really liked that.
I thought about what Mr. Kevin said about someone saying that “sex is mankind’s strongest instinct.” I thought that whoever said that was an idiot. I wanted food.

Solo Reflections by Katy K.

I felt Mr. Mike tap me on the shoulder, quietly telling me that this was going to be my campsite for the next three days. I looked around. This wasn’t the place I was hoping for, but it was mine and I was going to determine how things were going to run around here. I nodded quickly, and asked Mr. Mike where the best shelter and fishing sites were.
Then I was alone, out in the sun. All the clothes on my back were too hot, so I took some of them off. I thought this place was beautiful and I was going to make it mine.
Quickly I stashed my armful of clothes near a pile of rocks. Then I grabbed my hiking stick and day pack. “This shelter has to be sweet,” I said to myself out loud. “Oh no, I’m already talking to myself.”
I went up the hill above Gentry Creek, and found a huge rock wall as the start of my shelter. I wasn’t sure about this spot, but I set about finding sturdy wood to protect me from the weather. I felt like I needed inspiration on how I was to build my shelter; ideas from someone else. I thought about how Dominick, Mike, Matt and Mom had done this. I was ready to do this all for the experience.
I looked at my watch. 11:30. I started to wonder if everyone else was sitting down enjoying a fire, their shelters built, basking in the sun with a book in hand. “Oh, forget this shelter,” I thought to myself.
I thought I felt my energy draining already. I wanted to get water and forage around to see this place. It seemed beautiful, and I wanted to live in the moment in it, but I needed to get the shelter done first. I went further down to look for a new site, all the while contemplating whether I’d have a fire going before sunset. I found a new place that seemed satisfying. I checked my compass, and started over building a shelter. I made it sturdy and to my satisfaction.
I started having an eerie feeling about what is going to happen to me next year. So much I don’t know. Where to go from here? What’s my future? I have no idea.
At 3:00 p.m. I tried to meet up with my trail partner, but her watch was an hour off, so she came later. I felt like I was wasting time. The sun was falling and it was going to get cold and I had no fire, no hot rocks, no plants and no fish. So I hurried to finish the shelter with a massive amount of wood, leaves and rhododendron. I had decided to some pine branches over it later.
The sun was continuing to fall westward, when I saw Mr. Mike and Mr. Kevin down the trail. I thought Mr. Kevin was coming to join us on solo, or he was coming by to see someone. So, I half expected him and Mr. Mike to go by my shelter, but they stopped.
“Hello Catherine,” Mr. Mike said.
“Not good,” I thought.
He informed me that the doctor had gotten the ultra-sound results, and that I had to go in to be put on a prescription for my hypo-thyroid condition.
I stared at them, and thought how I wasn’t going to be able to prove to myself how this would help me, how I didn’t need to be watched out for. But I was glad that I was leaving because I felt exhausted. Mr. Mike kindly wrapped up my clothes into my poncho, and attached it to my daypack.
I walked back down Gentry Creek, with Mr. Kevin following behind me. I had so many questions running through my mind. I knew hypo meant under and that the thyroid controlled my blood. They wouldn’t be taking me out for no reason.
“Why can’t my mind think past this minute?” I thought. “I need to handle this situation assuredly. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had no control over my own self.

Solo Reflections by Chandler M.

My most nerve-racking thought before I went out was the fact that I would be alone at night, and that something would happen to me. It’s the old child afraid of the dark thing, or the effect of watching too many horror movies.
At one point, during the first night, I woke up cold, as expected. I turned around and watched for a moment. I heard the same bugs, the same water, but not the same feelings. I realized that I’m not a child anymore. I could take what came my way, with the knowledge I have, probably better than most people. I grew up in that moment. It was important to me.
The first day was spent mostly on my shelter and making it comfortable, until that night, when I laid there thinking about my parents and my past. At night, when I couldn’t fall asleep, was when I thought of my future plans, my past, and how I’ve grown. That ended up being a good chunk of time, because I didn’t sleep well.
During the day, my thoughts were on eating, my shelter, and the book I was reading.
As I was walking back to the car, all I could think about was how proud I was of myself for doing this and not going to Mr. Mike once for help. I know that this was good for me. I gained more confidence in myself, and I would do it all over again if I had the choice.

Solo Reflections by Valarie P.

In the days before solo, I was really looking forward to the time alone to do some reflecting, planning and sleeping. On the drive, and the hike up to my campsite, I was thinking the experience would be easy and fun. By the end of day one and the start of day two, I started changing my mind about how “fun” it was.
I sat by my fire and counted up how many days until graduation. I wasn’t counting them off because I wanted to know how much longer I had to wait to leave this school. I was reflecting on how little time I have left here and how much of the time for the past nine months had been wasted on “practicing being a teenager,” and “teen babble.” Back in September, and December, and even February, I felt like I had plenty of time to put my whole heart into what I was here to do: learn and grow. But I had only been putting my best effort into my work some of the time, and as I looked back on that, I wished I had done it differently.
Over the four days of solo, I thought a few times about my character at the start of September, and how it is now. I realized that how I think is different and better, and that I have confidence I did not have before.
The most significant experience of all, was realizing the responsibility I am going to have over myself after I graduate, and how important it is to use time on important things.
Although I did think of these life issues while on solo, I also spent time building a cute shelter I am very proud of, and gathering wood for my fire. Most of my days were spent sleeping or reading. At night, I would lie on my back and watch the stars while listening to the night creatures around me. To my surprise, the night and my surroundings were very relaxing. I am proud of myself for having a good attitude about solo, and choosing to make the most of it.

Finding Myself by Jessie H.

I have learned that being myself is probably the most helpful thing I can do in any situation I face. The hard part is figuring out who I really am.
Before I came to FMA, I knew that I didn’t know what I was capable of, and honestly, I didn’t care to find out. I figured it would be too much work for too little result.
I tried to impress people with things that weren’t really true, and by telling them how amazing I am. On the inside, however, I was a cowering little girl, who only said nice things about myself to get people to agree or maybe to see things they hadn’t noticed before. Well, it didn’t work.
It used to confuse me so much why this didn’t work with the people I met at FMA, the way it did on people back home. Now, nine months later I realize this was because the people back home were the same as I was, just as insecure. They would hear me talk, but they wouldn’t listen, because they were too focused on their own problems. Not that I blamed them, most of their problems outweighed mine.
Now that I have been “dragged and carried” into learning about myself, I can say that I am grateful. I have been out in the wilderness providing for myself for 58 days, four of which were with no food, no tent, and no sleeping bag. I have stayed up late hours of the night to finish work, and then woken up in the morning to do the same.
My point of view on work is different from some. I have never enjoyed it and probably never will. I am among the few who would be happy to never have to work again. But that’s not an option.
My point is that finding out who I really am and what I believe was not easy. Although I did not enjoy the process, I thank all of you who dragged me, “kicking and screaming,” along the way. When I look back at the people who were, and probably still are, like I used to be, it breaks my heart, because I know where they are going. The difference is, I don’t have to go there, too.

Finale by Garrett C.

In the beginning,
The curtain was lifting.
We came from many different places,
Each wearing our own pretend faces.

A mask carefully hid who I really was,
While I looked with hope to find a cause,
To cast off the mask that I was wearing,
To discover in them some reason for caring.

The story moved on through the first act,
I walked a tightrope, keeping my pact.
I wore my face and said my lines,
Always looking for a clear sign.

Some good reason I just had to find,
Some point in not leaving all this behind.
Some reason to care,
Some reason to share.

The second act came and went.
Many long days I had spent,
Watching others grow and care,
About the qualities they wanted to share.

The finale is just around the bend,
As the third act comes to an end,
I see the curtain about to drop down,
To the stage below where I can be found

Then I laugh in my own little way,
“Though this journey ends, I’ll be okay.
Survived and thrived these two years, have I.
I’ve grown and learned as the time flew by.”

If there’s one thing I now clearly see,
You are exactly who you choose to be,
Who you choose to see in the mirror each day,
Guides the days and months as they pass away.

Now the curtain closes, my mask I have put away.
Instead I see the face I’ve made through choices each day.
I smile a smile only I can see, finally knowing,
“This is who I choose to be?”

Solo Expedition by Chandler M.

When I first heard about the solo expedition, I thought there was no way I could be by myself in the woods, without food for four days. But as I learned more about the outdoors, and realized I can take care of myself, I was excited - it didn’t seem like as much of a big deal.
On the hike out, I was the last one dropped off. When Mr. Mike assigned me a spot, I was happy because it was pretty open and it looked like there would be good fishing.
First thing, I got to work on my shelter and gathering wood for my fire.
At 3:00 p.m. I met Jessie on the trail for our appointed check-in. She looked good and alive, so I went back and found a crawdad and some nettles for my dinner. The crawdad was not good, and I don’t recommend it. I got in my shelter about 6:00 p.m. but didn’t fall asleep until around 7:00 p.m.
It was cold, and I woke up about every two hours.
The next day I woke up at 9:15 a.m., almost late to meet Jessie, but I ran into her on the bridge, where my fishing line was hooked up. The first thing she said was that she was hungry. Since I was by my line, I thought I would check it, and sure enough I had a fish. Jessie was jealous, and left looking sad. I cooked up the fish for my breakfast. It wasn’t that bad, even without any seasoning. At least it was food. After that, I added on to my shelter and read for a long time.
That afternoon, Mr. Mike came by to check up on me, and take my picture. It was nice to see another person. After he left, I curled up and tried to sleep. I slept on and off all night because it wasn’t as cold.
During my last full day, I could feel the effects of not eating. I was really weak, and Jessie looked about the same when I saw her that day. I did one last improvement to my shelter, and then read all day, eating leaves that I saw around me. I lay down to sleep really early, but didn’t actually fall asleep until 8:00 p.m. During the night, I woke up to the sound of rain – fortunately, my shelter kept most of it off me.
At 8:00 a.m. I took down my shelter. Even that was exhausting. Then I sat and waited until 11:00 a.m. when I could start down the trail to the car. I picked up Jessie along the way and I was happy to see that she felt the same way I did.
On the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about how proud I was. This experience definitely helped increase my confidence in myself, and I’m really glad I did it.

Paths Unknown by Katy K.

A red sun rises
A deep scarlet eye in the sky
Drip drip drip
Droplets fall
The wind calls

We shoulder the packs
On our backs
Down we go
Cautious and slow
Down a path unknown

The sun ascends
Behind gray clouds
Hail falls
In golf size balls
Across a bridge
Frozen waters, slippery ice
Through a path unknown

A white blanket
Covers the sky
Crystal flakes drop
Into soft powder
Our frozen foot in front of the other
Further up and further in
Up a path unknown

The sun descends
Behind blue mountains
Stumbling down we all lie
With a fire before us
Giving warmth to our skins

Behind us our shadows fall
A bird calls
The last rays of light
Descend behind clouds of white

Same adventure
Between paths unknown

Movie Review: The Power of One by Paul B.

I want to talk about the inner meaning of the movie The Power of One based on the book by Bryce Courtenay.
It’s about a young Englishman named P.K. who lived in South Africa during WWII, as the Nazis were rising to power. When he was still a boy, P.K. was shipped to a concentration camp, and there Geel Piet, one of the prisoners, taught him to box. When P.K. was released from the camp, he became a boxing champion, and began working in opposition to the Apartheid government, teaching African natives to read and to stand up for their dignity.
P.K. did not think of race, he only thought of people. He worked to spread the knowledge that race is not important, that there is only the race of mankind, and that every person in the world deserves the right to learn and be treated as brothers and sisters in the human family.
This important message is why this movie meant a great deal to me.

The Nine Expeditions by Valarie P.

On the first expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Twiggies from an oak tree.

On the second expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.

On the third expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Three pieces of salami,
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.




On the fourth expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Four cups of tea,
Three pieces of salami,
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.

On the fifth expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Five violet leaves,
Four cups of tea,
Three pieces of salami,
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.

On the sixth expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Six slices of her cheese,
Five violet leaves,
Four cups of tea,
Three pieces of salami,
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.

On the seventh expedition,
My tent partner gave to me
Seven acts of Antigone
Six slices of her cheese,
Five violet leaves,
Four cups of tea,
Three pieces of salami,
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.

On the eighth expedition,
My tent partner carried the tent for me,
Read me seven acts of Antigone
Gave me six slices of her cheese,
Five violet leaves,
Four cups of tea,
Three pieces of salami,
Two filled Nalgenes,
And twiggies from an oak tree.

On the ninth expedition
My tent partner…
Was on solo, and so was I

Book Review: We the Living by Jacob C.

We the Living, by Ayn Rand examines the survival of the individual spirit in a world that demands allegiance to a collective mentality.
The novel, set in Russia in 1922, immediately after the revolution, portrays the struggle of three young people to hold to their ideals in the face of the bleak new Soviet reality. Kira Arguonova, the 18-year-old main character dreams of a world in which she can realize her dreams. Her lover, Leo Kovalesky rages against a system which systematically chips away at his spirit. Andrei Taganov, a young leader in the Communist party struggles when his faith in the revolution is tested by the venality of the party leadership.
Hunger, fear, and creeping apathy plague all three. Kira, in a struggle to survive, agrees to be Andrei’s mistress in exchange for money to keep herself and Leo alive. As Leo sinks further into cynicism and compromise, his spirit begins to bow to the pressure of a system which demands allegiance to a collective, while turning a blind eye to it’s inequities. Even as everything Kira once loved about Leo disintegrates, she finds herself unable to see the truth, and clings to him with increasing desperation; a desperation which will not allow her to see that it is in fact Andrei who is emerging as a stronger example of the human spirit. Her blindness ultimately puts all three on a tragic course.
We the Living was Ayn Rand’s first novel, preceding the more well known novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, however its powerful portrayal of the magnificence of the human spirit, shines just as clearly.

Idea of the Month by Valarie P.

In morning History class, I have been learning about the six Stoic virtues, which are:

My word is my bond.
I seek to limit my desires in order to control them, so they do not control me.
I seek good, hard work.
I practice thrift.
I practice non-boasting and non-complaint.
I practice mercy and non-retaliation.

If I follow these virtues, I can earn group esteem and self-esteem, because I will be known by others and myself to be trustworthy. I will be bringing out the best in others, and I will be bringing the best into my life.

I will do the good (in accord with reality,) hard (pushing past just good, into what I fear) work necessary to become virtuous. To be this person I must not focus on the wrongs of others, and I will not hold their mistakes against them. Instead I will remember and use them as a guide. As Mr. Kevin says, “If you stoop as low as a mud-slinger in order to get back at him, how can we tell you apart?”

I will not complain about anything; I will get to work fixing it.

Following the Stoic virtues appears simple, but virtue means strength. I will need to be strong in order to follow them, rather than just doing what is easiest or most fun. In order for me to be strong and to have a good character, I will practice virtue. I will never be perfect, but I will seek, strive, and progress.

When I have the strength of character I am seeking, I will not have to say what I believe or what my character stands for. It will be shown through my actions. As John F. Kennedy said, “If we are strong, our character will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help.”

Purpose and Change by Paul B.

I used to think that being beautiful took work: careful study, saying all the right things, being everything for everyone.

Then I saw a picture of a fish, which lives in the depths of the ocean. It was the most beautiful fish, all purple, green and yellow.

I thought, "What is it being beautiful for?" I am still thinking, "What is it being beautiful for?" I guess, it's because it is in its nature to be beautiful, even at the bottom of the ocean, with no one to see.

I thought the same of the stars. They are so far away, but they are so beautiful. Way up there, they have their own purpose, but what purpose do they serve for us down here? Down here, they are only beautiful.

Maybe it is simply because it gives us a more beautiful place to live. So, the question is, "What is our purpose?" If we take this beauty, and put it in our lives, maybe we can learn to be beautiful for the sake of ourselves. Even if no one is looking. Like the fish. Like the stars.

(Thank you to Mr. Ronn for sparking the idea.)

The Importance of Questioning by Jessie H.

Questioning the opinions of others, instead of rejecting them out-of-hand, or believing them because it's easier than thinking or arguing, is very important. I have learned this lesson at FMA, and, now that the year is about to end, I’m finally starting to get it.

Sometimes I get annoyed, or even enraged by someone else’s opinion. I really have to calm myself down, especially at FMA, because the instructors don’t put up with angry remarks. Mr. Kevin is one of the people here who has helped me learn to consider what someone is saying, respectfully. We may not agree a lot of the time, but he has taught me patience and understanding. I may not like something he says, but he has taught me to think about it, even question it, rather than rejecting it or accepting it unthinkingly.

Questioning has also taught me to think before I act. I can question myself before I act on impulse, and ask myself if what I want to do in the moment is really the best thing I can do.

Whether it’s my own beliefs, or someone else’s, questioning helps me arrive at the truth.

Expedition 8 by Chandler M.

Going into our last full expedition my feelings were a mix of sadness and joy. Sadness, because we will soon be going our separate ways, and joy, because I know how happy I am to have accomplished so much.

The first day was sunny and nice, but word was that weather, maybe rain was coming. The hike along the Appalachian Trail was nice, not bad at all, despite some annoying bugs, like the worm that fell on Mr. Dan’s face.

Day two began with a cold morning, but soon we were hiking on the AT again, alongside a raging river. As we came around a corner, we saw the start of what would be the worst traverse I have ever faced. It seemed to never end, but when we finally reached the top, we were at my favorite camp spot of the expedition, Saunders Shelter. From a stream nearby, I took a cold bath under the hot sun. Midway through the night, however, I woke to the sound of rain on my tent.

The rain had stopped by the time I got up on day three. We left the AT, and hiked to a great, gorgeous camp under a towering trestle along the Virginia Creeper Trail. There, the rain turned into snow. At about 3:00 a.m., Jessie and I woke up to find our tent caving in under the snow, literally on top of us.

Later that morning, we packed up and hiked through the falling snow to our next camp. There, the snowfall increased dramatically, so we jumped into our tents for a nice 14 hours of sleep.

On day five, the sun came out just for us. The hike was wonderful, up and up, past beautiful views of the snow covered valley, to the Tri-State marker, where Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee converge. This brought me full circle to my first expedition, back in January, when we also hiked to the Tri-State. This time, it looked different, because I was able to see it as a part of something incredible that I have done. We camped just below the Tri-State, where the snow had given way to grass, and we were finally able to dry out our gear.

On the sixth day, which was also my 18th birthday, we hiked our last hike together. This was our “first last” which, for me, marked not an ending, but the beginning of a new and amazing journey of growth toward developing the strength I am discovering in myself.

I want to give a special, “Thank you,” to Mr. Mike who has taught me so much about life, and the amazing outdoors.