WRITERS DILIGENTLY PREPARE FOR LITERARY MAGAZINE CONTEST

By CLAUDIAN FRANCIS

A place for creative minds to showcase their inner talents and gifts, Washingtonville High School’s Literary Magazine has served as a diverse publication for over five years.  The magazine allows writers and visual artists to express their personal feelings with the school and community.  

The club is advised by English teacher Mrs. Martinson, whose primary goal for the club is to share a publication made by artists that is accessible to the whole community.  Writers of the school’s magazine have received recognition in a variety of well-known organizations and businesses including the American Scholastic Press Association.   Whether students paint, sketch, write poetry, or even find themselves doodling away in class, this club certainly has a spot for everyone.  

The Literary Magazine Club holds its meetings on Tuesdays after school in room 140.  Here, the writers, artists, staff, and editors put together this year’s magazine that is yet to be titled.  The club is always recruiting new members, so spreading the word about the club is critical as it allows for more creative writing and artwork to be featured in this year’s magazine.  

A clever way that will allow for more work to be published in the magazine is through the Literary Magazine Writing Contest.  This contest encourages creative writers to submit work to the magazine by awarding a Dunkin' Donuts gift card to one lucky winner.  The writing piece could be a short story, a poem, or anything in between. 

The contest was initiated the week of September 25th and ends November 1st, so it is a good idea to begin working on submissions as soon as possible if interested in showcasing work.  All entries must be turned in to Mrs. Martinson through email, google docs or in Room 140.  

Mrs. Martinson explains how this is the perfect opportunity for students to express their emotions in a creative way.  She noted, “Around this time, students are stressed with the pressures of schoolwork, college, or their life in general,” further adding, “...the contest gives students the opportunity to turn whatever they’re feeling into works of art.”   

The editors of the magazine emphasize that the contest does not judge the artists on their creative skills. Instead, the winner of the contest is randomly chosen.  This makes the contest a fair game for anyone who wants to be a part, and encourages creatives to share their talent without being judged on the actual content of the piece.  

The Literary Magazine writing contest is open to all students who are passionate about writing and art of all kinds.  Washingtonville High School's Magazine anticipates a diverse set of artwork from a variety of artists.  All creative minds are encouraged to be original and self expressive to fulfill the theme of this year’s magazine.