Hazel Wong, class of 2026
surprise (v). (Of something unexpected) cause (someone) to feel mild astonishment or shock. Something that life is full of.
Surprise is a curious thing: an intense jolt, a dramatic expression, fleeting shock that leaves before it is fully felt. It’s the feeling of reading a book that was much more interesting than you’d expected; a party planned in secret for you; and of course, the ups and downs of life in general.
As I’m nearing the end of my high school journey, I can’t say that surprise isn’t one of the frequent emotions I feel. In fact, I’m pretty surprised right now, thinking about how lucky I am to have met everyone in The Writer’s Den. From the grade on my first pop quiz I’ve had in English to the curiously delightful friendships I’ve been part of, I would say that I’ve been kept pretty on-my-toes these four years. And, after (several) urgent late night texts to my closest friends, I’ve decided that being surprised is pretty great.
Of course, there’s always going to be bad surprises, but a squirrel told me (to tell you) that life is more than that. Life is mostly good, and the world is getting better. (Hans Rosling said so) So let the positive jolts of energy hit you. Let it undergo fission (if you’re more inclined) and light up your entire world— galaxy, even. It’s not too late to try something new, visualize from another perspective, or write a poem about that one thing that no one dares to. We will, in fact, be cheering you on.
Join this issue’s contributors in their delightfully astonishing discoveries and their mystical interpretations of the theme. “[Did you know] It’s hard to hum while pinching your nose?” asks Katherine Cotta, bringing playfulness to life. “There are many things waiting for me in the future,” Pasta remarks, swirling optimism and possibility with the surprise of life. Follow Quinn Sullivan’s journey in battling a brain disease: “The best thing that you can do is just try to continue to be positive and just try to be that person that people can come to when they feel down.”
We’ve pushed the limits and watched our lives spin infinite— now it’s time to be surprised.
thanks...