Our younger selves were both profound and innovative, and this feature is dedicated to highlighting those brilliant minds and memories.

We are headed into finals week, and it is time. It’s crunch time, it’s nap time, and it’s high time that I actually got all of that work done. As the French-Canadian pop quintet Simple Plan once crooned, “I’m just a kid, and life is a nightmare/I’m just a kid, I know that it’s not fair.” Unfortunately, as most of us here are 18 and older, the “I’m just a kid” excuse doesn’t exactly apply anymore. You can, however, derive some quiet joy during finals time by reading through some of the younger writing of Kenyon students, and taking a moment to reflect on simpler times:

Nate Rosenberg ’18, Undeclared: 2000-2001 (best estimate)

The following entries are from Nate’s kindergarten journal that he would write in every morning.

“This was after our class rabbit died,” Nathaniel explains, “And I guess her ghost hopped over me? Not sure why there is a shark…”

Gracie Potter ’17, English: 2006-07

While our middle school journals may be different than our Elementary School writing, Gracie shows that it’s also entertaining to reflect on our angstier times:

Gracie’s middle school “snow dance” is so detailed that you could probably attempt it in real life.

Seventh grade Gracie expects you all to stay awake while you read her journal.

Gabriella Alziari ’15, English: Second Grade

Some excerpts from a book that Gabby Alziari wrote in the second grade:

Madeline McGrady ’15, English: 2000 (best estimate)

While her poetry shows that she was always an English major at heart, young Maddy McGrady also dabbled in some artwork here and there:

Did you write about dinosaurs, porcupines or snow dances when you were young? Did you do none of this, but you still think you have some old writing that deserves to be seen? Send your entries to thekenyonthrill@gmail.com!