Promise Boys: Parts Two–Four

by Nick Brooks
Washington, D.C.'s Urban Promise Prep was founded to provide a brighter future for boys who struggle in regular school, but it becomes a crime scene when the principal is murdered.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: "Breaking News"–Part One, Parts Two–Four, Part Five
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dismal
    causing dejection
    Charter schools. Magnet schools. Federal takeovers. At one time or another, all have been suggested as the solution to turn around the generally dismal performance of DC Public Schools.
  2. recalcitrant
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control
    The challenges that face urban schools—from outdated resources, to overcrowded buildings, to widespread teacher burnout—are numerous and daunting, but most have their roots in a single recalcitrant reality.
  3. legacy
    anything handed down by someone or something in the past
    Nobody understood Moore’s vision like I did. In fact, I think I saw more potential in what he built than even he did. Promise is more than just a school...it’s a movement, and more importantly, a legacy.
  4. gumption
    fortitude and determination
    We spoke about expanding Promise, creating a network of schools across the country that would do exactly what Promise did in DC. Get the results that brought in the big bucks. Takes gumption and know-how. Moore had the know-how, and I definitely had the gumption.
  5. leverage
    provide with strategic advantage
    A strong sports department can be leveraged nationally.
  6. initiative
    a new strategy or plan to solve a problem or improve a situation
    Moore was even able to start a new initiative for the kids, the Promise Fund. It had a nice tagline: “To fund our students’ biggest dreams and cement their futures.”
  7. magnitude
    the property of relative size or extent
    With a tragedy of this magnitude, I’m positive I can usher in substantial financial support.
  8. substantial
    fairly large
    With a tragedy of this magnitude, I’m positive I can usher in substantial financial support.
  9. disgruntled
    in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
    Rumors constantly circulate: infidelity and a disgruntled wife, a messy divorce, talk of a failed investment, some financial trouble he faced.
  10. turmoil
    violent agitation
    In any case, the turmoil in his personal life started to bleed into work recently.
  11. unkempt
    not neatly combed
    He’d showed up at school unkempt, late, or even called out sick.
  12. involuntarily
    against your will
    My chest seems to touch my spine and my feet involuntarily take three steps back.
    I hate being punched in the chest.
  13. accessory
    someone who helps another person commit a crime
    What if I helped him pay for a gun by buying pupusas? Does that make me an accessory to murder?
  14. prompt
    urge, encourage, or motivate someone to act
    He rises without being asked to help me make pupusas. He asks me how to make all the meals I remember from my girlhood without me prompting.
  15. innovation
    a creation resulting from study and experimentation
    He found a way to do what he loved by staying within the rules. Promise always said they rewarded innovation.
  16. lope
    run easily
    He lopes up the block toward me, his hands in his pockets.
  17. skulk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
    “Skulking about in the hall? That’s a demerit.”
    Beep beep beep.
    I don’t know the word skulk. But it sounds like one of those words that means what it sounds like. Makes me think of skunk. Or sneak.
  18. casual
    marked by a lack of concern
    My abuela didn’t raise me to be scared of anybody, but I know better than to think Ever and the Dioses are people you can be casual around. I always have to be careful with them.
  19. assumption
    a statement that is held to be true
    And I can tell that even though my whole neighborhood is looking at me sideways, making all their assumptions about me being just like my primo, Luis isn’t like that.
  20. thrum
    make or cause to make a low, continuous sound
    All I feel is anger. It thrums through me.
  21. audacity
    aggressive or outright boldness
    I want to make him apologize for lying to my mother. For having the audacity to treat me the way he did...
  22. fiasco
    a complete failure or collapse
    Not only did she miss out on money by having to come down to the station, she’s probably thinking about all the money she’s going to miss out on with this fiasco.
  23. roil
    be agitated
    Potpie roils around in my stomach.
  24. proximity
    the region close around a person or thing
    You were there after school. You were in proximity to the shooting.
  25. attest
    provide evidence for
    You threatened the man, and there are witnesses who’ve attested to that.
  26. churn
    be agitated
    My gut churns as I read the words.
  27. garish
    tastelessly showy
    They tell stories about him like he’s dead, like the truth is something to be made more interesting, with garish colors.
  28. elaborate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    It’s like everybody thinks they’re the damn cops now: making up scenarios, building out all these elaborate plots of my plans to murder Principal Moore.
  29. insubordination
    defiance of authority
    The notes in the database are kind of ridiculous. For J.B. it says Physical altercation, destruction of school property, recommended expulsion. For Ramón it says Possession of contraband, vulgar language, insubordination.
  30. unbecoming
    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
    Solomon: vulgar language, unbecoming conduct.
  31. viable
    capable of being done with means at hand
    “Interesting. That sounds fishy. Let’s not dismiss her yet, but is there anyone else on here who you think might be more of a viable suspect?”
  32. meek
    evidencing little spirit or courage
    Since she’s been here at Uncle T’s, she’s been so quiet and meek.
  33. resentment
    a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
    I didn’t tell Magda because I know she would be mad, but there’s a feeling building in me that’s like the sparks before a wildfire. A bunch of small blazes growing into a big one. And it’s been growing more and more. Anger, fear, resentment.
  34. reverberate
    have a long or continuing effect
    A hero to many, a dedicated servant to those among us who most need a helping hand, the loss of Principal Kenneth Moore is one that reverberates throughout this city, and we will be tireless in calling for justice.
  35. credible
    appearing to merit belief or acceptance
    Trey was looking into this thing just like we were. And he found a credible lead. We did too, the same person. So we trust each other.
  36. necessarily
    in such a manner as could not be otherwise
    “Not necessarily goes to Promise. Maybe worked there. Or even a parent. Had to be lots of people who beefed with Moore,” Ramón says.
  37. interim
    serving during an intermediate interval of time
    Until a permanent replacement is decided upon, Dean Wilson Hicks has been named interim principal, and he takes on this new duty with the solemnity that his predecessor would’ve expected and desired.
  38. solemnity
    a somber and dignified feeling
    Until a permanent replacement is decided upon, Dean Wilson Hicks has been named interim principal, and he takes on this new duty with the solemnity that his predecessor would’ve expected and desired.
  39. predecessor
    one who goes before you in time
    Until a permanent replacement is decided upon, Dean Wilson Hicks has been named interim principal, and he takes on this new duty with the solemnity that his predecessor would’ve expected and desired.
  40. commission
    a special assignment that is given to a person or group
    Hicks has called for the commission of a portrait of Moore to hang in the entryway of Promise to commemorate the life of this powerful leader.
Created on Wed Jan 31 09:19:41 EST 2024 (updated Wed Jan 31 16:39:52 EST 2024)

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