The Kettle Moraine School District is proud to announce that ten students have been selected for publication in the 2025-2026 Southern Lakes Advanced Learner’s Network (SLALN) Anthology. For nearly 40 years, SLALN has provided this prestigious platform for young creators across Southeastern Wisconsin to showcase their talents in prose, poetry, art, cartoons, and expository writing.
This year’s theme, "The Journey," drew a massive response from the region. Out of over 40 participating school districts, a staggering 875 total entries were submitted for regional judging. The selection process was incredibly rigorous: each district was limited to a curated selection of just 24 entries, and ultimately, only 44% of those regional submissions were awarded publication.
“The joy of self-expression abounds, but submitting work to be judged adds a level of risk and vulnerability not everyone is ready to take," reflected DeeDee Jacobsen, the district’s Gifted & Talented Coordinator. "We are incredibly proud of the 85 students who took the leap this year with such phenomenal entries; seeing ten of them reach this level of regional recognition is truly inspiring.”
Jasper P, Grade 8: Person in Broken Glass, an internal journey toward healing.
Jo L., Grade 7: The Crossroads, Tarot imagery illustrating the difficult choices encountered along one’s path
Autumn P, Grade 5: The Pain Between, “The passage through life and death... the pain between life and death, not just passing right through”
Ava M, Grade 7: Magnificent Monarch Metamorphosis, One of nature’s most iconic transformations, “The journey from an egg to a Monarch Butterfly.”
Poetry:
Brooks B., Grade 7: Flushing
A vivid nature poem capturing the perilous and instinctual journey of a grouse in the wild.
Excerpt: Under the blue sky
Forest stirring
Through long vast trails
Wings Whirring
Flushing
Poetry:
Halle W, Grade 4: Lost
A reflective poem exploring the feeling of being lost while searching for one's future.
Excerpt: I lost my way
I lost my light
But I’m with you
So it’s alright
Poetry:
Makenzie D., Grade 6: The Winding Path to Success
An encouraging poem about perseverance and the non-linear path toward achieving one's goals.
Excerpt: The path won’t be straight
Hard and rusty like nails
Prose:
Maya H., Grade 5: Untitled
A relatable reflection of a student’s struggle to find the perfect creative inspiration for the anthology.
Excerpt: What if you write a story for the anthology about the journey you took to have the idea?
Poetry:
Norah F., Grade 5: The Places My Dreams Take Me
An imaginative journey through the limitless and adventurous landscapes of the dreaming mind.
Author’s Note: “My poem relates to The Journey because dreams are journeys. They can take you anywhere or do anything.”
Poetry:
Sawyer T., Grade 6: Fireflies
A lyrical exploration of connection and movement through the nocturnal world of fireflies.
Excerpt: No journey ever stays the same
They burn out
Come back always moving
Never really Settling