Solstice Spell ; a villanelle written by Livvy Peters Like a hummingbird drawn to coral bells I revel beneath sun, dripping nectar— I’m cast under a summer solstice spell. Cold is yet to arrive and sound the knell— yet I wish this fruit could last forever like a hummingbird drawn to coral bells. With dusk comes a coat of stars—bird trills quell, a lone firefly drifts through air, an ember; I’m cast under a summer solstice spell. The warmth will fade, it does not due to dwell— light grows sparse, night pursues suns surrender like a hummingbird drawn to coral bells. Amber waltzes through leaves of caramel, somber mist looms over fields of emmer I’m still rapt by this summer solstice spell… Ice weaves into hues of vivid pastel frost trails the warmth closely come November, like a hummingbird drawn to coral bells. Still; I’m dazed by that summer solstice spell.

Throughout my high school career, I had access to multiple wonderful opportunities to communicate with and help to make the lives of refugee students who migrated to Malaysia a little happier. There was always a plethora of clubs offered at my school, but I always felt drawn to ones that involved public service and working directly which disadvantaged students. To this day, I often fondly reflect upon the memories I shared with these students who came from all over the world--I was able to form bonds with kids from the Middle East, Karen students from Myanmar, and hospitalized children from Malaysia. An organization I had a special connection with was the Karen Organization. The Karen Organization was founded to support children who had fled from religious persecution in Myanmar so they could receive an education overseas. As an executive member of the club at our school with worked directly with this organization, I was not only able to learn about the issue through a more personal lens but I was also able to become a friend to the children. The objective of this club was to hold free interactive English lessons. Before the children came to our campus each week, we would spend time as a club preparing lesson plans, and we would also alternate roles to bring food in for each lesson. We would have criteria for what to focus on each week, such as household items, appliances, etc. Though this was intended to be a learning lesson for the children, it was just as big of a life lesson for me. Being able to learn all of their names, their favorite things, and more just made me feel more connected to the world. Another club I was a member of was in collaboration with the MERC organization of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. In this club, we arranged sporting facilities and gear for students from the Middle East to come and play sports with us! This was a simple club, but it was always such a great time to be able to see all the huge smiles plastered on their faces. All kids deserve to play, as that's what being a kid is for essentially, right? However, these kids did not have access to facilities or equipment as their school was held in a small apartment building unit. Our club was therefore founded to provide them with the space to be kids again. Overall, my experiences in high school have influenced me to become the person I am today, who has a deep passion for public service. I am currently working towards a major in Media and Cultural Studies, but I am looking to collaborate with the Community Engagement Center at Macalester College so I can engage in public volunteering opportunities at school this semester. Some opportunities I would like to look into are the English Learning Center located in Minneapolis, and the Rondo Community Library. Having enjoyed speaking with children and teaching English, I would like to continue this throughout my volunteering career. To me, this is an extremely important social issue to address. Refugees who are forced to flee their countries with no knowledge of the language spoken in the country they move to often struggle to adjust to the new culture. This subsequently makes it more difficult for them to secure a job and gain financial stability in an unfamiliar environment. The world is already a scary place, but having to start anew and alone is even scarier. While I may only be making a small change, at least I can do whatever is in my power.