LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Think back to 2019.

A year just like any other, we had no idea what was in store for our immediate futures. We had no idea how our community would have to adapt to face unprecedented challenges, nor the manner in which our connections would evolve under new pressures.

At this point, I had only a vague conception of what the student organization, Calliope, encompassed. I had heard a few announcements, recognized the editorial leadership team, and thought that it would be interesting to engage in such an activity. Even so, I had not joined the club, nor sought out additional information.

“Why?”

one may ask.

No response can fully answer this, as the person I have become differs dramatically from my 2019 freshman self. The simple explanation is that I did not believe I had the qualifications. How could I, someone with limited artistic ability and only the start of a 9th-grade English education, judge the work of others? How could I adequately analyze the poetry of other students, recognizing differences between stylistic choices and grammatical errors? How could I possibly decide which visual art piece is “better” than another?

Not understanding the hidden purpose of the club, I decided that while I thought it would be incredible to eventually assume a leadership position within Calliope, I did not have the merits to take part.

Now what is this so-called “hidden purpose”?

Calliope is not only intended to edit and compile students’ artistic works into a cumulative magazine, but also to give members the opportunity to expand their knowledge in relevant skills. No prerequisites are required to take part. The only requirement is a foundational interest in the arts. Those without significant experience in the creation of, or in the editing and selection of pieces, are able to learn from the more senior members of the group, as well as the faculty involved. Calliope, thus, is an opportunity for growth and learning within an environment of creativity.

Moving forward to this year, I have achieved that which I had initially deemed impossible. I am not only on the editing staff but am also the Editor-in-Chief of the Calliope magazine. Being able to take on this role, at this point in time, has been an incredible opportunity, largely due to the manner in which I have been able to assist in some of the most transformative stages of the club’s lifetime. This was the first year in which Calliope has accepted more than prose, poetry, and visual arts. With creativity in Calliope’s form, I have assisted in the expansion of the magazine into realms of performance arts, and other individual creative pursuits, in addition to these previous categories. The structure of the club is still undergoing change, as well, with adaptations to the styles of editing work and team distributions and assignments.

As this artistic community has grown and changed, from collaborating virtually in the evenings of 2021, to involving a more diverse array of arts, to expanding roles of leadership, it has been an honor to be involved. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this year’s edition; our faculty advisors, leaders on the editorial team, Calliope club members, and all those who have submitted their work. I look forward to watching the continued growth of the student organization in the years to come.

WINNIE THE POOH LAUREN GINGO '25