Dear Reader,

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the 2023 spring issue of The Folio! And what a year it has been. We’ve seen a rebirth of many activities put on halt over the last few years, and as we find ourselves gathering together once more, everyone has started to feel like themselves again. In our case, The Folio staff was once again able to hold Inkwell—our annual coffeehouse and performance program—to celebrate the many accomplishments of our wonderful community. In the spirit of these new beginnings, we’ve chosen gardens as our theme for this spring issue. It has been lovely to watch our school bloom again, although it has come as a bittersweet reminder to us seniors of how it’s time to leave the garden behind.

These past few years have been chaotic for everyone. Somehow life has been both stuck in a moment and wildly speeding away. For this reason, many of us have found very little time to stop and smell the roses, both literally and figuratively. Our staff hopes this issue is a reminder that love and creativity always shine through, even in our darkest moments, giving us the strength to keep going. Art provides the nourishment every growing garden needs.

The staff who dedicated their time to creating this issue are some of the most brilliant people anyone could ever have the privilege to meet. Their minds have nourished so many thoughtful, heartbreaking, and beautiful pieces. For the seniors, this beauty is hard to give up. To find a place where we are challenged, loved, and allowed to be ourselves is a gift that we can never repay. We have been able to grow through this program, begun to blossom into young adults ready to move on to the next stage of our lives. Still, we bear the marks of the love that allowed us to do so. And that is something that will never leave us.

This program would not be the same without our incredible advisers, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Gately, and Mrs. Wilson. We thank their drive to make The Folio a home for anyone who walks through the door. Without them, there would be no place to grow.

And finally, we thank you readers. You drive us to create, to perform, to be better. Art would mean nothing without the people who find value in it. Now, go on and enjoy the garden we’ve grown.

With Love,