Samantha S.'s poem, "Empty Halls," painted the many truths of high school and its inhabitants. Students romp the halls filling the air with their whispering gossip. Samantha points out how manners have diminished and "kindness is dead." As I have began to realize, high school is a small phase in life that will not last forever. One cannot hold on to "past wars of yesterday", and teens in society need to discover that rumors last but a few moments. I can relate to Samantha's poem, and I appreciate her bringing he reality of high school today into the light. It was well written, and I appreciate you for having the confidence to publish a "real" teen poem.