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Schools at the Festival > Middle School: 1st Runner-Up – Liliana Inglin

Middle School: 1st Runner-Up – Liliana Inglin

Part of: 2025 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest

Twirling snow falling in flurries,
White blankets covering the hills,
Two tracks side by side left behind,
The wind whipping, numbed to the bone,
Howling heard through the vast distance,
Pitter patter pitter patter,
Paw prints two by two,
In the Norway snow, Big eyes, wagging tails, and happy faces,
Coats covered in snow,
Together one forging through snow,
Rest as one in mini homes.

Atop hill they stand,
Dorms, classrooms, and bathrooms,
Brave few set out to set a new,
One year to change,
Away from judgement and society,
They find a different path.

One girl finds her meaning,
Believing in her own hands,
Through man’s friend,
Taking on challenges heads on,
And learning what real friends are,
And how they treat you.
She found her home here in these mountains,
Finding satisfaction in the mirror.

Another boy comes seeking his place,
Thinking he would find foe and not friend,
Emerging himself through and through,
Not taking any more blows,
He finds his purpose in service.

Lastly comes a boy scared of himself,
Not finding his calling or drive,
He half pursuits and does not follow through,
Feeling untrue,

But he comes back and fights,
Wanting to grow.

Showing real human,
Full of shame and imperfections,
They all work hard,
Surviving the cold,
Surviving challenges,
Surviving emotions,
And are able to emerge better,
Happier.
Different from all it had a true story,
People who had to overcome struggles,
And their flaws.

From time to time,
I used to doubt myself,
Unsure of what I was here for,
I had to rebound,
To branch,
To dare,
Eventually breaking through,
Once shattered glass a mosaic,
Something to be proud of.

Don’t stop at the wall,
Push it down,
Only flowers wilt,
And trees thrive,
And the only way is to fall,
But not too long,
For only the second avails.

Filed Under: Schools at the Festival

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