Hillcrest High School’s Calliope literary-arts magazine just won a ‘First Place with Special Merit’ award from the American Scholastic Press Association. The award was given to this annual publication for its 2008-2009 school year edition, and it is the highest award given.
Today I spoke with Calliope sponsor Laurie Phillips, who said this is really an honor our entire neighborhood should feel good about because the magazine showcases some of our most creative kids—from elementary school, all the way up to high school.
“The students on the magazine staff actually come up with literary arts lesson plans, and then they go to our feeder-schools and teach those kids how to write poetry or creative short stories,” she explained. “The magazine staff then collects all of that student-created photography, essays, and poetry for one magazine.”
That, she said, truly makes the magazine a neighborhood creative collaboration that crosses age boundaries.
“The kids who put this magazine together every year work very hard, so I think to get an honor like this, it really gives them a sense of purpose and it’s a big payoff.”
This year’s edition should go to press in May, and they’ll be shooting for that top honor again.
Congratulations to all the Panthers and future-Panthers who helped make the magazine such a success—and best of luck with this year’s edition.
