I bet you thought this'd be a poem...
One that you could take with you wherever you roam,
To tell the great story of 2010,
The year legends walked the halls, like never again.
But to tell the story right would really take the big screen,
Imagine a movie--maybe a cross between Casablanca and Scream.
Katy & Rachael could film it, get each scene just right,
Samira could organize the gala for opening night.
Leave the script up to Clayton he'll make every line sound,
Rough Cut? This'll be polished and have Kurt Oscar-bound.
For location, undoubtedly Charlie will scout the Acropolis,
His sister Anne won't care as long as there's a zombie apocalypse.
Brad Pitt? Who needs him? Paul's our leading man.
The Tomb Raider? Of course it's Mikaela with a whip in her hand.
As in all good productions, Kellyn's big dance scene's a treat,
She'll have Emily dancing so fast you'd think turtles snapped at her feet,
We'll need child actors that're cuter than snot,
Stevie & Maria can teach them to do The Robot,
Khloe Frank will score our film, get it sounding all flash,
As for musicians, like in business we only take Cash.
The class of 2010 had a gift for the gab,
No matter how long they talked their stories always were fab,
If you're looking for truth, this class could set up a biz,
Both Dillan and Mikhail tell it just like it is,
The 411 on what's going down in IB or TJ?
Just ask Tamra on the DL and she'll have lots to say,
And Bryndan daily tells stories of his cat eating large prey,
Cheyenne & Kelsey keep your horses away!
Charlie C has always got news, most of it new,
Did you know corporations have feelings, just like me and you?
Need the Middle East explained, just ask Ryan P.
He's got Israel dialed in, and he won't charge a fee.
Want gossip on tanning, boys, and still more?
You're in luck Kirsten, Alicia and Shelby just came in through the door,
Carolline, Brooklin & Nadya all cheered with them too,
Stereotypes? No way, these girls could take you to school,
Debates and Socratics battled with polish and heart,
Proving once and for all that cheerleaders are smart.
In football, Noah Bryant, was a front line of one,
With Izzy and Matt they always got the job done,
Eric could throw any pass--Adrian has better aim, though,
If you want some more proof look at the egg on my window.
Cameron Robinson could catch anything thrown up,
If Ronnie hit a golf ball, Cam could catch it before it rolled in the cup.
On the wrestling mats Mitchell drove opponents to the ground,
But the toughest wrestler of them all? Moriah, hands down.
In volleyball, Bella & Brook dove and they dug,
While Katy hit as hard as a .44 slug,
But when my kids name famous athletes, just a few fill their thoughts,
There's Kobe, LeBron and the one called "The Dot"
And when our athletes need rest--a moment to think,
Brett's got BJ cola, just "Drink, Drink, Drink."
This class had its athletes of all different stripes,
Cameron Johnson could probably bench press his own bike,
And speaking of bikes, who could ride with one pedal thirty miles through the rain?
It's our own Karl Booth still happy and sane,
Harley's motorcycle's the fastest, of that there's no doubt,
In the pool Ceaj, Dreena & Sarah could out-swim a trout,
Our Secretary General AJ roamed the floor of UN,
Who knew the trophy for nicest would go to a guy named Talon?
Most important title of them all--who takes the ring?
Izak's undoubtedly Pokemon King,
Who can save little Red from a fate that seems set?
It's Breanna Hemsley our own West Point Cadet.
For our new state champs, let's hear it, three cheers,
Graham and the Knowledge Bowl crew shouted "Magenta" without fear.
To manage all their trophies, they'll need someone right away,
How about Jenny T., a great organizer and even better TA.
At PT, president's such a hard job it often takes two,
But with just one Kayla Reynolds you can make your way through.
In student gov., Alexa & Jordyn heard, "I want this!" "I don't wanna!"
They should just take the prom and rename it DRAMA.
At Port Townsend you could go to club meetings all day,
Molly even added a new one, "Go GSA!"
Visit History, Interact--we know that's the Key!
Where Brynne Gamble helped students turn "I" into "we,"
With senior projects, could a class have done more?
Chloe D made sure on adoption we all knew the score,
Tera & Andy C. both helped to educate teens,
Sammie helped keep them healthy regardless of means,
Ella Piatt gave the marine sciences a try,
Trisha gathered so many toys it might make her cry,
Julian took pictures that captured each senior with care,
Jenny M. hung them up so in 20 years kids can laugh at your hair,
Sam helped Special Olympics athletes fulfill their dreams,
Cara tore psyches apart at the seams,
Gaby and Sarah created adventures for Star students so bright,
Bartley coached basketball, too bad he couldn't coach height,
Erica & Kelsey made animals lives better no doubt,
Jason traveled to the Dominican Republic to help others out.
Andrin proved cars with less gas could still zoom,
While Kathryn helped kids find joy 'midst the gloom.
Greg & Aaron raised money with music, Sebastian used clay,
Karlie's models strutted their stuff in a charitable way,
But most touching of all were the projects close to the heart,
Ben's book for Swedish, where his life got its start,
And Fabian's project helping his own mom to learn,
What better son could any of us earn?
Music? This class had it in spades,
Heck, they even got Austen out in the parades.
Rhythm Planet has skills, Sebastian knows where the beats fall,
And aristocrat Dekker Dean? Yeah, it's like that ya'll.
With Dakota and his band, there's no need to be crass,
Just welcome Ryan and Andy J. by shouting, "Kiss My Bluegrass!"
Some real rock stars like Ruth joined us from far away,
Laerke came from Denmark, Patricia Paraguay.
But ask any teacher: what's their music of choice?
A student like Jenny B. who found her own voice.
Mar Vista you know means a view of the sea,
Where minds and spirits will forever roam free,
Want to see Lucas' soul, just maybe a flicker?
Don't look in his eyes, just look at his pictures,
As for Neal you'll find him in the snow above all the trees,
behind him is Julia driving her big ORV,
Tyra will tell you just what's on her mind,
Ashley Sua will always have your back in a bind,
Chelsey & Ashley both make hard work pay,
Laura Rogers bends words in her own artsy way,
Kaleigh's a good friend, she just always gets along,
Flicka's up for adventure--with Rachael Kelly she's off to Pa Pong.
So that's all there is of this class of twenty-ten,
Get your last glimpse, the chance won't come again,
Sassy and strong, they made their own rules,
Only they could take the accordion and make it seem cool,
But when I look back, what made this class a little slice of heaven?
Twenty-ten is way easier to rhyme with than 2011.
by Benjamin Dow
Contemporary World Problems Teacher