This volume of Wild and Free captures fleeting moments of creative passion. It is a time capsule of the experiences, thoughts, and feelings we had during a fantastic year. In these pages you will find art, poetry, flash fiction, and short stories that challenge and inspire. There are speculative pieces about future worlds impacted by new technologies, and meditations on the majestic and strange. Each provides its own glimpse into an inventive world of possibilities.

Walden's high school students were courageous and fearless in their creative work, pushing the boundaries of conventional written and visual forms. We collect and celebrate a sampling of that work here. This volume also features work recognized by the Scholastic Writing Awards, with several students earning distinction for the originality and power of their words. However, all of the work included is worthy of celebration because it is a record of the unique qualities, perspectives, and experiences that define the Walden community. We hope that you join us in celebrating all of the beautiful strangeness captured in these pages.