The Devil's Quill – Ridge's Lit and Art Zine

Kendall Kalustyan's Poetry (2018-19 Vice President)

Kendall Kalustyan, Vice President
May 6, 2019

They say the Notre Dame is burning. They say the flames licked the heavens as if to spite the very god they were built to worship. I imagine Michael Brown’s cheek felt the same heat as the asphalt scarred his cheek as he laid shot in the street. Hellfire doesn’t have sh*t on a hot Ferguson summer. The police left him to rot, and the vultures found him before his family was able to identify the body. They say the Notre Dame is burning. They say that years of historic architecture...

Tiger Shark

Kendall Kalustyan, Vice President
May 1, 2019

Inspired by true events In 1997 Michael Coots swam out on his surfboard in Hawaii. He let his fingers glide through the water and as the crescent of the wave tunneled around him, a Tiger Shark came and took his left leg from under the surf. Since then, Michael became a marine biologist and shark advocate. He wrote to his state legislation to make hunting for shark fins illegal in Hawaii, and he plans to do the same in other states. This is what I hope to one day be strong...

Non Linear Functions

Kendall Kalustyan, Vice President
March 1, 2019

I’ve never been good at Calculus, or self care. Incidentally, they are both equally challenging to me. But from both of these nuisances, I have learned that recover is a nonlinear function that can shift for no apparent reason. While I have wished you goodbye, I leave the key to my door in the left planter, and the light about the kitchen sink is always on. Do what you may with this information.

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Lael Keller's Poetry Co-President 2019-2020 (Former Poetry Editor)

When the Moon Dreams by Lael Keller

March 2, 2020

The moon dreams of distant delights distinct with dreary day The water waves its wishes with the wind The brutal breeze blows bitter beams of woe The forest of trees standing silent still do know That beneath the mighty moon gleam, Night itself is reaching for Day And whispering all its worries away The night is dreaming, dying in delight And causing so much more than fright As a small fawn hobbles in the snow And raises it’s head as if to say, “I am lost, can someone...

A Butterflies Magic by Lael Keller

February 24, 2020

A butterfly beats Slowly in my chest Tickling my swelling heart In the most sincere and simplest way A butterfly beats To save my swooning soul A butterfly beats And turns diamonds from coal A butterfly beats With flawless flutters Brushing my broken heart Bringing love Bringing a new start A butterfly beats A Butterly beats A butterfly beats

Dusk by Lael Keller

October 21, 2019

Dusk We seek wishes At dusk We seek our endless dreams Hidden by shameless schemes Everything is not what it seems At dusk The windows are closed tight But blinds open for light We hear the cackle of a thunderous sky And see slits of lightning sly As raindrops pelt the ground We’re shaken by rumbling sounds At dusk Trees swoon now more violent We wish the night was silent We fear the forbidding kiss Of an unbeknownst fate A feeling...

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POETRY CONTEST

Poetry

I Hope You Find Your Voice Again by Caroline Laversa

March 16, 2020

I Hope You Find Your Voice Again I’m bad at painting my nails I think it’s because my hands used to shake They...

Describe by Austin Segal

March 9, 2020

Why can I describe you only by the scent of spring’s arrival, Of the outdoors fertile by pollen, Of newborn leaves...

Not Fair and Lovely by Dhristi Raval

March 8, 2020

I will never be Fair and Lovely. When I was 9 years old, I wanted to be a Bollywood actress, I was...

To Love or Not to Love

Julia Schnarr
February 3, 2020

To love or not to love, a path I choose with dismay. To let the memories of those I love go or keep warm in my mind...

Rain

Lael Keller, Co-president
January 6, 2020

Plop! Plop! Plop! Rain Rain come again Falling upon fragile rooftops Fading into sinful streams Sighing...

Accident

Julia Schnarr
December 2, 2019

Black street blue Bentley steady pace eerie night. Small bump cross roads trees stand upright. Slow down keep parked glow...

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Staff Profile

Ridge Presents- Ceramics show!

The Latest Edition: The Devil's Advocate

Blog

A Senior’s Sincere Story: The Pandemic

Dhristi Raval | May 29, 2020

In the midst of a pandemic, many of us (including myself) have had a hard time coping with the consequences and yearned for some words of the wiser. Our world seemed to turn upside down so suddenly, and we weren’t ready for such a frightening change. I had the opportunity to FaceTime a 74-year-old senior and interview him to inquire about his perspective and learn from his life story. I first...

“12 Angry Jurors” Promotional Videos

April 7, 2020

The following are Julia Schnarr's promotional videos for Ridge Drama Club's 2019 production of 12 Angry Jurors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Q8qv1YtY4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJbXkaUPE_w

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Promotional Video

April 7, 2020

The following is Emily Kobren's promotional video for Ridge High School's 2019 production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ztaxlq7ZAQ

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Short Fiction

Seeking ancient vampire Lord – a Craigslist Story

Hannah Zhang | January 7, 2019

Prompt: a Craiglist missed connection... Seeking ancient vampire Lord This story was inspired by an actual ad on Craig's list. The ad reads verbatim as follows: I'm a depraved man who is dying I am surching for an ancient vampire to turn me immortal I will serve you well your identity will be secret with me (Be advised, sensitive topics: blood and death) The doorbell rang at sunset. I...

Short Fiction

Enter, the Kingdom of Nox

Nabil Majumdar | December 18, 2018

He gagged at the wretched taste of the obnoxious air, the poisonous vials of chemtech, the lifeline of the city, was also the thing contaminating it. The murky mist veiled the remnants of the jagged mountains, sapped of all natural beauty, now the entrance to the chem-prisons where rogue warlords ran amok. Screams of distress emanated across the city, anarchy had reached its culmination, the contagion...

Short Fiction

Papino

Julia Schnarr | December 17, 2018

Douglas and Jennifer ran from the car to the house that was home to their Nana and Papa. A plump house with a two palm trees that swayed to the sides. Bushes of purple and red zinnias sprouted in front of the dainty Florida ranch. Papa loved to garden and took good care of his home. The door swung open and he shouts, “Hey, kids!” He had waited all day to see them. He’s greeted...

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Creative Writing Workshop Students

In the Silence by Jasmine Gill

February 3, 2020

“Matthias.” A man flicked at his match irritatedly. “What?” “Give me a light.” “You still have your pipe?” “Does it bother you?” The man settled deeper into his layer of fur coating. The neck of the match snapped, and he reached into the matchbox to draw another. Thick brown gloves adorned his fingers, so that he fumbled to grasp at the slender sticks. “No.” The...

Division by Zero

February 9, 2019

If you try to divide by zero, it will split like broken glass. It will shatter in shards, And leave behind it a void. It envelops your eraser shavings, Your broken lead, The blood from your paper cuts, All your sins and vices And the numeral above. If Johnny cuts a pie into zero pieces, he is never seen again. His house disappears from the street His name...

Seeking ancient vampire Lord – a Craigslist Story

Hannah Zhang | January 7, 2019

Guava

Hannah Zhang | December 18, 2018

guava tiny little watermelon-lime wrinkly light green old woman skin ruddy pink flesh with off-white seeds guava i don’t know what you taste like i’ve only ever smelled you as a candy and found you on Images two minutes ago guava from the point of view of a brief witness all i can say for now is that you’re all right i’m too far from south america to try...

Enter, the Kingdom of Nox

Nabil Majumdar | December 18, 2018

Puppet Strings

Ryan Hargy | December 18, 2018

Puppet strings, they dance above Suffocating, like a strangled dove. Brooding, planning, machinating, ...

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Check out RIDGE POLITICAL REVIEW club's website!

Photography and Videography

Jarred

Gemini

The Elements

Suicide Prevention Video | “You Deserve a Brighter Tomorrow”

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Julia Scharr member of Ridge Productions

Julia Schnarr created this short during her NJ Film School Teen Filmmaking Camp

Barbie World

Julia Scharr won with this in the 15 Second Horror Contest. Check her youtube channel, Filming Moon.

Other Publishing Opportunities/ Contests

June 4, 2019

The Morristown Festival of Books is hosting a Poetry Contest for New Jersey high school students, and we want to hear from you! Contest sponsored in memory of John Gunzler High school students throughout the state are invited to submit their best poem. Contest winners will be announced at the Morristown Festival of Books Keynote Presentation at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Friday evening, October 11, 2019. Submission deadline is midnight on July 1, 2019! LINK...

A Statewide Prose-Writing Contest for students Grades 9-12

December 13, 2018

Jersey Shorts A Statewide Prose-Writing Contest for students Grades 9-12 Jersey Shorts is a contest celebrating New Jersey student prose-writers. All students– public and private schools, as well as home-school and alternative school environments– in grades 9-12 (or the equivalent) are eligible. A total of three New Jersey students are selected. Writers will participate in an evening where...

New Jersey Youth Poet Laureate Submission Deadline: January 15, 2019

December 13, 2018

New Jersey Youth Poet Laureate Submission Deadline: January 15, 2019 Now in its third year in New Jersey, NJYPL is part of the National Youth Poet Laureate Contest. Open to students grades 9-12, three Laureates - one each from North, Central, and Southern New Jersey - are chosen by professional New Jersey-based poets. To be considered for a Laureate award, students must submit five poems, including...

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Media Center Contests

Books that Bring Comfort During Trying Times

April 18, 2020

Perhaps, having this time at home has afforded you with the opportunity to read and to escape in the pages of a good book. Has reading helped soothe your soul, brought you back to your childhood, provided that welcome escape? In a recent New York Times article, several well known authors discussed the books they turn to during trying times. ‘Authors are just like the rest of us — they like to soothe their anxieties by losing themselves in the pages of a beloved...

Winners of the Media Center Haiku Contest

May 3, 2018

Drifting By Lindsey Hillebrecht I have no control Helplessly drifting around In a broken world Haiku By Stella Campbell Sun against my skin Blue skies for miles and miles; Home is in the grass

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Student Exhibit

Art Show Displayed @ Coffeehouse

Madeline Mertz
LeeAnn Choy
Erica Wu
Isabel Pardo
Aniela Mielke
Yui Wang
Brennan Eversen
Bridget Doherty
Caitlin S
Emily Fears
Julia Russell
Sofia Brognara
Ella Kagan
Nicole Zhu
Isabel Pardo
Druhi Vandese
Abby Roos
Abby Roos
Vivian Yi
Caitlyn Chwatek
Kina Qui
Matias Bigatti
Matias Bigatti
Eric Manarevic
Michelle Singer
Michelle Singer
Nikita Tang
Ella Kagan
Kevin Wang
Isabel Pardo
Lauren Schottenfeld

The Ridge Oak Tree: A Collection of Paintings by Various Ridge Artists

Bridget Doherty
Caitlin S
Claire Yang
Emily Fears
Julia Russell
Liying Wang
Maddie Mertz
Priya Sharma
Sofia Brognara

Ridge Art Show in the news!

Media Center October Display: Grab a spooky read today!

Ridge Summer Reading, You Choose?!

Graphic Design

Vector Project- By Jennifer Quinn

April 17, 2020

Notan Style Digital Design- By Tamera Sefchovich

April 17, 2020

Enjoy these student works from Photoshop!

May 23, 2017

Cameron Lamb

December 21, 2016

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Ridge Productions

Our students in Ridge Productions are NJ State finalist for their Public Service Announcement video regarding teen suicide prevention. The competition relies on public voting which ends Friday 2/16. Vote here: http://sptsusa.org/psa/voting-page/

Ridge Exhibitions

Amazing Art Collection

May 24, 2017

Ridge ART SHOW On the Local News!

February 22, 2017

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Teacher Feature

Meet Mr. Galesi!

Dhristi Raval

April 7, 2020

Mr. Galesi is a beloved computer science and geometry teacher at Ridge High School. For many years, he has worked hard to provide a strong education to hundreds...

Mr. Stewart’s Art and Showing

June 7, 2017

Would you like to Celebrate one of your teachers?

February 28, 2017

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Music

Cabaret 2018!

Barbara Retzko

March 1, 2017 • No Comments

CABARET 2017 will be presented on Wednesday March 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the RHS Performing Arts Center. CABARET is an in-class project created by the members of the period...

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Drawing and Painting

The Ridge Oak Tree: A Collection of Paintings by Various Ridge Artists

May 24, 2017

Isabel Pardo’s Art

May 24, 2017

Amazing Art Collection

May 24, 2017

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College Connection

Kaitlyn Wiehe — Common Application

August 7, 2019

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Doodles, glue, or maybe even a pencil grayscale run down the side of my left hand. Today is no different. Pieces of tape stick to each of my fingers and a little stack of memories sits...

Rebecca Kilroy — Supplement Essay

August 7, 2019

Essay: As a writer, I consider myself a storyteller. That’s why history captivates my interest. To me, history extends beyond dates and places; it encompasses the complex stories of the human experience. However, in the narrative of our past, some stories remain untold. On the edges of history, hundreds of experiences wait to be shared. By telling a single person’s story, we can magnify their...

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Non-fiction

Ridge Homecoming: A Tantalizing Tradition

Dhristi Raval
April 7, 2020

On October 12th, Ridge High hosted yet another eventful and exciting Homecoming dance. The dance featured people from every grade level, thrilling music, and even a fancy photo booth! Many Ridge students...

The Ridge Marching Band Experience

Dhristi Raval
April 7, 2020

Imagine such a cacophony of noise emanating from a beautifully scintillating football field: mist in the air, cheerleaders giggling on the sidelines, football players huddling on the track, the smell of...

The Comedy Script

Hannah Zhang
December 18, 2018

In 5th grade, I was head over heels in “love” with a boy named Christian. I didn’t know what love was at the time; I desperately wanted to be his friend, and since I was quite unfamiliar with this...

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Ridge Media Center