Tucker Kupfer
11-13-14
English 7f
Personal Memoir

I woke with a start. The house was calm, it was an early morning in Montana. I looked up and saw my uncle's bristly unshaven beard. He told me to grab my jacket and put on some warm clothes. He led me outside to his truck, I was still groggy. I got in the car and took the seat next to my brother. My dad and uncle were in the front seats. We drove along a well paved road for some time, but then the car swerved onto a dirt road leading into the woods. I heard the guns in the trunk rattle around as we went over some rocks. Finally the car stopped. Uncle Mike opened his door and stepped out, the rest of us followed. We made our way to the back of the truck. He opened it up and started handing my dad and brother guns. I remember seeing a small rifle that was just my size, so I immediately grabbed that one. My uncle and dad lectured me on proper hunting and gun safety, like they do every time we go hunting. We finally set out into the woods. I was holding my gun tightly and acting like an army soldier (like most 9 year olds do). We came to a halt. I saw my uncle draw his crossbow, line up the shot and pull the trigger. "Thunk." A big elk fell to the ground. My uncle walked over to the downed deer and pulled his bolt out. He told my dad to get the car. A few minutes later my dad came carefully down to where we were standing. Everyone but me was lifting the elk onto the truck. When they finally managed to lift it up, my uncle tied the elk to the hood of the car with some rope and elasticity bands. We all piled back into the car, but our hunt was not done yet. It was the day before Thanksgiving and we had to get a turkey. We drove further into the woods to the usual location of turkeys. We found one! We all got out of the car, but this time it was my turn. I drew my rifle, aimed down my sights, took a breath and pulled the trigger. I heard the turkey shriek and then fell to the ground. My uncle patted me on the back, and the next day we enjoyed the turkey. It was delicious!

Tucker Kupfer
11-13-14
English 7f
Nobel Peace Prize Essay

There is a major problem in the United States; this problem is the number of gun-related deaths. It seems nearly anyone can get their hands on a gun. I do not believe guns are bad; rather some people with guns are bad. A possible solution for this problem would be to get rid of guns in society. This would presumably make murder and other gun-related crimes vanish. A problem with this approach is that hunting would require great skill with a bow or knife, an inherently more difficult and dangerous activity. Another possible solution would be to just make guns hard to obtain. There could be a background check on anyone trying to purchase a gun. These checks would be done to assure the person is sane and not a criminal. This does occur in many parts of Asia, and in Asia there has to be a logical reason for someone to own a gun. For example, if the person is in law enforcement, though in that circumstance they are only issued the gun through the police force and do not procure it on their own. In any event, this is a real problem that needs to be addressed. Too many shootings are occurring these days; we must put a stop to it. Finally, I believe that though it might be worse to be pierced by an arrow or stabbed to death by a knife, as both of these actions result in a slower and more painful death than death by a gun, it is still more likely that you would survive these attacks. Guns are more deadly and easier and quicker to use, sometimes even with multiple victims in one event. Therefor, I believe there should be strict laws in place to make it very difficult to get a firearm.

Tucker Kupfer
11-13-14
English 7f
Holiday Memoir


I sat up in my bed. I rubbed my eyes and look over at the illuminated alarm clock on my bedside table. It read 12:47 PM. I groaned and fell back onto my pillows. I thought about the possible gifts I could find the next morning under a tall evergreen tree. Sometime passed, I thought about everything from the universe and wormholes to new video games and candy. I started to dose off until a loud clattering and banging sounded from the roof. My young eyes lit up like fireworks. I immediately shot out of my bed and threw on the warmest clothes I had. My family was spending this years Christmas at our house in Telluride Colorado, so it was very cold. I crept up the stairs, trying to keep them from creaking. I made my way over to the festively decerated living room. I sat on the couch staring at the warm fireplace. A thought popped into my mind. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. I rushed towards the fireplace and doused it. I calasped on the couch, satisfied with my quick thinking. Before I knew it I had fallen asleep. The early morning sun shown bright in my eyes. I rolled over trying to keep the bright light from blinding me, but then I realized what day it was. I jumped off the couch and ran towards the fireplace. I stared at the mound of presents under our everegreen tree, trying to imagine what was in each festive box. I was soon joined by the rest of my family. We opened gifts and drank hot chocolate. That Christmas couldn't have been better!