Everybody who is from Gretna has a story about this town. We here at Gretna Media want to read them. In the Composition One classes this semester, students were tasked with writing their own short, short stories based on the “Metropolitan Diary” feature in the New York Times. The format of a “Diary” story is a first-person account with a 250-300 word limit. If you have a story that you’d like to share, send them to us and you may be featured on Gretna Media! All submissions are welcome as long as they are about being from Gretna, Nebraska, and/or Gretna High School. Reach out to Sydney Malone at [email protected] to submit your story.
I Got Jumped
Dear Diary,
It was my first day driving to school as a freshman. I was terrified to face the difficulties of the crazy high school parking lot. It was the coldest day of the year and snow was coating the roads. I arrived at school feeling accomplished that I had done such a difficult thing. I didn’t think anything could get worse.
I go through my normal repetitive day at school. I walked to classes, messed around with friends in the halls, and ate the school’s bland lunch. Finally, the bell rang and I took the long cold walk to the church parking lot.
I get to my car and try to unlock it, but the door will not open. I stand there shivering and confused. I used my key to unlock the door thinking my automatic button needed batteries.
I get in my car and try to start it but it doesn’t turn on.
I sit in the driver’s seat freaking out thinking I broke my car. I get out of my car and head to the hicks truck beside me. Troy hops out and tells me my car died and needed to be jumped.
Suddenly all of the excited hicks are surrounding my car hooking up cables to their trucks and my car. As I heard the sound of my car turning on, a smile ran across my face. I was grateful to have been parked by those trucks that day.
– Peyton Arians
The First Day
Dear Diary,
It was my first day at Gretna High School, and I could immediately tell this was not Hastings anymore.
From small crowds to big crowds, I could tell things were going to be different. I walk the hallways only to notice groups of chatty, gossipy girls and clicks of stinky football boys.
“Sure ain’t Hastings anymore, Hastings,” said Coach Heard. “Hastings” was now my nickname. Still is.
I wandered out to practice, not sure of what my future would look like at Gretna. Comfortable was not a word in my vocabulary at this time. I felt like I had to prove myself to my coaches and teammates to make it seem like I belong here.
Would I fit in? Or would I be a misfit? Only time could tell. It seemed as if everything was moving at a faster pace than what I was used to. From assignments at school to drills at practice. It was different.
Maybe things would get easier after the first day.
– Carlie Muhlbach
Skee-Ball Betting
Dear Diary,
My family and 10-year-old me went to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch so my dad could buy a big pumpkin, and I could see all the fun things there. Before my dad picked out one, we walked past the game stalls. That’s when I saw the Skee-Ball game. I ran over and waved to my parents to come join me. I started throwing some balls and managed to get two out of three into the 100-point hole. I told my dad to beat that and stepped aside so he could have a turn. He ended up getting all three into the 100-point hole. I said it wasn’t fair; he had longer arms.
Then he told me that if I could match his score, he would give me $50, but I only had three attempts. I got into position and began to throw. I immediately messed up on the first two, but on the third attempt, I got a first 100-point, then a second 100-point, and it all came down to the last ball. I took a deep breath and threw . . .
– Jordan Nichols
Submit Your Dragon Diary
Your short essay must be connected to Gretna High School and its community. They should be no longer than 300 words. An editor will contact you if your submission is being considered for publication. Email 2[email protected] to submit your story.
