After a year of channeling passion into the pages of the Catharsis Literary Magazine, the editorial team published “Serendipity,” a volume teeming with vivid prose, expressive photography and impassioned poetry. Each turn of the page mesmerizes the reader in a chorus of expression and layered artwork. The rhythmic poetry and vibrant colors of each spread culminate in a symphony of student voice as it pushes the creative boundaries of journalism. Now, these voices have reached a national stage, historically making Catharsis the first Gables publication to be recognized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. This achievement not only reflects the magazine’s artistic depth, but also the editorial excellence that inspires its success.
Catharsis, the literary magazine publication at Gables, annually publishes a volume of its literary magazine that varies in layout and theme from year to year. Its magazines feature a variety of creative works, including poetry, prose, scripts, photography and artwork, displaying the perspectives of their members through visual and written mediums.
Catharsis has long been recognized by statewide awards for its poetry and spreads at the Floridas Scholastic Press Association, but this year marks a significant milestone for the publication. Their 15th volume, Serendipity, outshines its predecessors under new management and creative direction, earning them the nationally recognized, CSPA Crown Award.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is dedicated to advancing student press nationwide through award programs and journalism events. The Crown Award is the most prestigious recognition awarded by CSPA to student-run publications based on excellence and ingenuity. Nominees for the award are invited to the Columbia campus in New York to participate in CSPA’s journalism convention. Columbia alums and published authors share their valuable knowledge and experience with student-journalists to help them improve their publications. But behind this achievement is a dedicated class of designers, student-authors and artists whose vision shaped Serendipity into an award-winning volume.
“Out of over 500 applicants, we were part of the few who were invited to the Columbia campus and given the highest award. But it’s more than an award, it’s an opportunity to improve and network with professionals in the field. The FSPA convention is highly centered around traditional media not literary magazines, so we hope to learn more about how to improve our publication at CSPA,” senior Luna Santiago said.
Two years ago, the Catharsis adviser stepped down, leaving the class without leadership or direction. Ms. Silveira, the english and creative writing teacher, saw the publication’s potential and worried that without a sponsoring teacher, the class would be suspended. Ms. Silveira felt an undeniable call to action and although she had little experience as an adviser, she he used her abundance of experience as a teacher to guide the class. The shift in leadership contributed to a reinvented class culture, that promoted communication, deadline leniency and a shared goal: Serendipity.
“I’ve learned so much in just one year of being an adviser to these amazing kids. Mainly, I’ve been focusing on our print date, so we can get the newest volume distributed by the end of the year as well as fundraising for competitions. Right now, I’m planning my trip to New York to accept our award. It is truly an honor to have been nominated by CSPA and that I get to be the one to represent our publication nationally,” Ms Silveira said.
As the new class-sponsor transformed the publication, so did its members. Now Editor-in-Chief Caitlin Savage, guided the publication’s artists and writers to align their work with the volume’s four chapters, each shaped by a distinct theme. The first, Temporal, centers around nature and physical objects imbued with personal meaning. The second, Tender, delves into softer emotions and vulnerability. The third, Anguish, embraces melodramatic scripts and distressful poetry. Lastly, Supernatural, where the artists explore religious and internal themes they find unexplainable. Each chapter contributes to a cohesive journey of emotion, experience and growth via the the depth of student expression.
“As layout editor, I have to couple written pieces with drawings or photography. The layouts of Serendipity were often inspired by the written pieces and then developed by designers to make their vision a reality. They created pieces with underlying themes that adhered to the chapters and then found artwork that elicited similar feelings,” junior Lucia Astorga said.
Building on the legacy of Serendipity, the publication’s current EICs strive to emulate its success, while creating a distinct volume of their own. Recognizing that the previous volume thrived due to creative freedom, they ensure that artists and authors have full leeway when designing spreads. Following a similar structure to last year, the EICs plan to weave an overarching message throughout the volume using recurring motifs. By balancing the authenticity of their artists with a shared thematic goal, the voices of their contributors remain unique while adding to an interconnected whole.
“I think what made Serendipity stand out in competitions was how it didn’t conform to traditional standards. Our magazine really focuses on individual artists and uplifting their artwork, however abstract or controversial they may be. I want our upcoming volume to uphold these principles and expand on the successes of its predecessor,” senior Caitlin Savage said.
In March, Ms. Silveira will travel to New York to attend CSPA’s convention and accept the Crown Award on behalf of Catharsis. This award puts Catharsis in the national spotlight and solidifies the achievements of its hardworking members and dedicated leadership. More than just a magazine, Catharsis amplifies the unheard voices of the Gables student body through artistic expression. Its ability to unify diverse voices into a cohesive volume makes it truly deserving of the highest honors.
