Literary Magazine

SAGEMONT PREPARATORY SCHOOL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

VALERIE CARRILLO

CONTENT EDITOR

LYLIANA CACERES

ART EDITOR

OMAR JIMENEZ WALTON

DESIGN EDITOR

JASMIN GARCIA

ADVISORS

MRS. HENRY

MRS. YASMIN

The World

is a melting pot of culture and nature.

It is our home, and every inch is unique; our lives revolve around our tiny existence on this planet. Every day is a treasure and every experience invaluable. As a society, we tend to love our home, our specific little area we are tethered to on this big blue planet. Yet, as humans we yearn to explore different parts of it, to see more of the globe. We want to experience a new culture, a new dish, a new landscape. We desire to understand the unknown, the undiscovered. Our curiosity swallows us, but it also defines us. Our journal reflects that inescapable desire to discover our planet, with the locations being chosen by our members. It also embodies our love for home, how a country can bring one great pride and a longing to return to it.

Editor in Chief: Valerie Carrillo

Colombia - Marcus Taylor

Colombia - Samuel Carrillo

El Tayrona - Lyliana Cáceres

Minca - Valerie Carrillo

Paraíso - Valerie Carrillo

Costa Rica - Sarah Hernandez

Japan Fun Facts - Makalo Tomas

Takoyaki - Carolina Reyes-Farinas

Japan’s Geography - Leo Perez

Tokyo - Omar Jimenez Walton

Mount Fuji - Valerie Carrillo

Geishas - Mikaela Jimenez

Redcarnation - Sophie Acosta

- Ciela

Monkey & Waterfall - Valerie

Monkey - Valerie Carrillo

Arrecifes Beach - Valerie Carrillo

Minca - Valerie Carrillo

Islas del Rosario - Valerie Carrillo

Costa Rica - Sarah Hernandez

Painting - Sarah Hernandez

Nishiki Market - Valerie Carrillo

Nijo Castle - Valerie Carrillo

Team-Lab Planets Tokyo - Valerie

Team-Lab Planets Tokyo - Valerie

Mount Fuji - Valerie Carrillo

Geisha Painting - Danielle Conley

Geisha Sketch - Sarah Hernandez

España - Mikaela Jimenez

Colombia,

A place of vast beauty, every road you go, greeted with lush colors that give a sense of warmth only a house full of its familiar faces can give.

The sky brushed with beautiful clouds, every person welcoming like you’re already acquainted.

Every way you look, beautiful mountains that seem so stale to the crowded hustle and bustle of the streets

It’s never empty of new treasures to discover, nestled in every corner of the country.

Nothing could ever compare to the feeling of Colombia.

– MARCUS-ALEXANDER TAYLOR, 11 -

Monkey

Colombia rises where two seas meet, with emerald hills and something sweet.

Coffee winds valley wide, while the Andes guards the land with pride.

From Caribbean sands to jungle rain, life and color in every rain.

A nation strong and free, Colombia shines in harmony.

– SAMUEL CARRILLO, 7 –

TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK

Where the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta meets the Caribbean Coast. The park boasts 12 thousand hectares of land, famous for its stunning beaches, coves, lagoons, and rainforest. What makes this national park stand out is its rich biodiversity, with a total of 8 key ecosystems inside the area. Those being tropical dry forest, marine, coastal, mangrove swamps, tropical swamp, cloud forest, lagoon swamp, and coastal swamp.

Minca - Sierra Nevada

Minca is a small village in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. It is close to Santa Marta, Colombia, but is nestled 600 meters above sea level. It is known for its serene landscape, coffee and cacao farms, vast biodiversity, and waterfalls.

ISLAS DEL ROSARIO - CARTAGENA DE INDIAS

Paraiso

Miro a mi diestra a ver el resplandor del sol

Acoplada por el calor de la costa y la suavidad de la arena

El agua brilla azul y verde

Estoy en casa

Mi tierra querida

Llena de amor

Música que me calienta el corazón

Y me llena de serenidad

Las islas del rosario, joyas doradas envueltas en verde

Demuestran la diversidad de mi hogar

Aisladas y casi intactas

Complementan a Cartagena como el oro moldeado y la esmeralda intacta

Paradise

I look to my right to see the sun's radiance

Warmed by the heat of the coast and the softness of the sand

The water sparkles blue and green

I am home

My beloved land

Full of love

Music that warms my heart

And fills me with serenity

The rosario islands, golden jewels wrapped in green

Demonstrate the diversity of my home

Isolated and almost untouched

They complement Cartagena like molded gold and an unblemished emerald

COSTA RICA

– SARAH HERNANDEZ, 12 –

Hacienda Alsacia, high in the Costa Rica mountains. where road curves are long enough to make the road spin but never enough to turn us back.

Cold air, fog resting on the trees the scent of rain mixed with the deep breath of coffee.

Weekends with family at wooden tables, Sweet pastries, cups held up close, the environment filled with laughter With the waterfall’s song.

Plants, trees, mist, and a memory of beautiful place that taught me what peace feels like, How nature feels like, and how to stay warm, even when wrapped around an eternal fog.

JAPAN’S FUN FACTS

– MAKALO THOMAS, 12–

Japan, like no other country, has more pets than children, which, by all means, results from its very low birthrate and high life expectancy.

With many people living in small apartments and working long hours, keeping pets seems easier to them than raising kids. Pets often find that they come to be treated almost completely as family members.

For example, dogs often find themselves riding in strollers, clothed, or receiving spa treatments.

Pet cafes, pet hotels, and bakeries have been set up and they specialize in birthday cakes for animals.

Birthday parties are organized for the pets with the full color of decorations and gifts.

– SARAH HERNANDEZ, 12 –

Such a culture of ownership towards their pets reflects how deeply the Japanese people value companionship. It is a unique and heartwarming aspect of modern Japanese life.

TAKOYAKI

– CATALINA REYES-FARINAS, 9 –

Japan's food is so unique and so good! They have some of the best sushi in the world, especially Takoyaki, which, in English, is fried Octopus.

It is a spear-shaped octopus covered in wheat flour, green onion, takoyaki sauce, bonito flakes, and dried seaweed. It tastes so good, with the Octopus, bonito flakes, and the takoyaki sauce really bringing the dish together

Having a crispy exterior and creamy interior really brings the dish to life, with a tangy, rich, and sweet flavor. It is so unique. There is nothing like takoyaki.

JAPAN’S GEOGRAPHY

–

LEO PEREZ, 10 –

Japan stretches across the ocean’s edge, A curved line of islands rising from the sea. Mountains dominate the land, tall and steep, Leaving little space where people can build

Volcanoes shape the islands from below, With Mount Fuji standing high and still, Its snow-covered peak watches the land, A reminder of fire beneath the earth.

Rivers rush quickly down rocky slopes, Short and fast, they carve narrow valleys Forests cover much of the hills and mountains, Thick with life and changing through the seasons

The ocean surrounds Japan on every side, Bringing storms, trade, and shifting tides From the cold north to the warm southern shores, Japan’s geography defines its way of life.

TOKYO

-VALERIE CARRILLO, 12 PHOTOGRAPHY-

It is the gleaming capital of Japan, and the world’s most populous metropolis; over 37 million people reside in its greater area. It is home to many famous landmarks, including Shibuya Crossing, which is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world.

Tokyo is not Japan’s original Capital; Kyoto was the centre of the country in terms of imperial society. However, Tokyo, or Edo, had been the political and economic center of Japan for 200 years before the shift. Once Japan wanted to move from a feudal system to a modern state, it believed a change in capital was necessary. Edo became the capital in 1868 and was promptly named Tokyo. Originally, it served as the center of power for the Tokugawa shogunate - or the final era of traditional Japanese government - but it had become a modern stronghold.

MOUNT FUJI VALERIE CARRILLO, 12 PHOTOGRAPHY

Mount Fuji or “Fuji San” is Japan’s cultural landmark. It is an active volcano and the tallest peak of the country. It is a sacred mountain, symbolizing national identity, strength and natural beauty.

GEISHAS

The Geisha is a highly trained female traditional artist, a woman who specializes in music, hosting, conversation, and are keepers of culture. An icon of Kyoto, they preserve Japan’s historical practices and customs.

ARTWORK BY SARAH

HERNANDEZ,

12 AND

DANIELLE CONLEY,

12

ises in the spring ffects others with its meaning eeply rooted in the Mediterranean region olors that may vary ppeases others with its appearance epresents many different emotions otably magnificent ssist with conveying peoples worlds he flower of the gods t out shines the others utstanding it is ow this is the flower of Spain

SOPHIA ACOSTA, 8 –

SPAIN

CIELA PALOMINO, 11

I learned Spain by walking slowly, Letting warm stone teach my feet patience. Coffee stained my mornings, salt clung to my skin, and every sunset felt like it knew my name

I didn’t visit Spain, it unfolded around me, and somehow kept a part of me when I left.

SPAIN’S BEACHES –

LYLIANA CACERES, 11 –

Spain’s beaches are known for their vibrant blue waters, golden sand, and beautiful cliffs Each one carries its own unique aspect, from bustling coastlines to relaxing seaside towns. Enjoyable seafood, historic towns, and the warm sunshine are bound to pull you in! In this magazine, we’ll share some picks for the best beaches in Spain worth checking out:

PLAYA DE LA CONCHA, SAN SEBASTÍAN

This beach is known for its walkable promenade and breathtaking views of the city San Sebastián, a resort town on the Bay of Biscay. World-renowned businesses dot the shoreline, with several shops and restaurants special for every traveller!

CALA MACARELLA AND MACARELLETA, MENORCA

Menorca, a charming island of Spain located in the Mediterranean Sea, is home to some of the most alluring coves Surrounded by limestone cliffs, these beaches are filled with bright, white sand and crystal clear water, perfect for those who live for pictures and scenery

PLAYA DE BOLONIA, CÁDIZ

Playa de Bolonia is unique for its sand dunes and ancient Roman ruins closeby. Compared to the other two beaches, this one holds a quieter atmosphere With beautiful hues of blue water and clean scenery, this beach is perfect for the quieter life

SPAIN –

SHAYLA TRONCOSO, 11 –

Where sunrise flows and drops down golden rays across the tiled roofs, a mellow strum of light flies across balconies laundry hung and swaying in the delightful breeze like quiet flags

The mornings begin with the smell of coffee grinds

In the south, villages cling and sprawl to hillsides, their outlined shadows sharp and bold while the plains elongate and carry patience, holding warmth the way old stories hold truth

Cities drumming and pulsing with music and laughter.

Madrid’s beats quick and bright, Barcelona sculps dreams into stone and sea, Everywhere, time moves differently, slow, fast, joyful, regretful always carrying the echo of something ancient.

Spain is a tapestry of sun and shadow, molded from memory, music, and the stubborn joy of people who live close to the land, and even closer to each other