As the days get longer (literally and figuratively), and the Washington State shut-in shows few signs of stopping, we ​here at the Review think it's time for some fun!  This month's submission period, opening now and closing on June 5th, is open-ended and based around the theme "Fantasy". 

       When it comes to finding activities to occupy this tough time of quarantine and social distancing, it has been challenging. Parents are scrambling around finding activities for their children to do, while they, themselves, are also restless from the daily repetitive tasks that come with running a household.

       However, out of every cloud, there is a silver lining. In the past several weeks, parents, children, and local teachers have gathered together, virtually, to create online classes that range from cooking to computer coding. I was fortunate enough to interview some of the art teachers and get a perspective on their works and how these classes have changed the mood of the social distancing.

Mother.

A soldier, a savior
An honor, a creator
When I'm down, she fills my mind with laughter
Even in the scariest times, she makes me feel braver

When I'm confused, she gives me an answer
When I've made my mind, she makes me reconsider
When I'm weak, she makes me stronger
Even though I'm not curious, she always makes me wonder

A teacher, a leader
A joker, a dreamer
A sweeper, a cleaner
A believer, with a tough exterior​

But most importantly, she is a friend.

Over the past few days, our editors have had the pleasure of reviewing a wide array of submissions from all ages of EmP youth. We've seen intricate clay art designs, a multitude of heartfelt cards, and even a couple of poems -- all centered around the theme "Mother's Day". We're thrilled to announce the four winners of our May competition: