A Note From the Editors
By Emma Alex Carlson ’23, Mattie Francis ’23, Gabrielle Anderson ’22
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the 42nd edition of The Writing Anthology. Founded in 1981 by now-retired Central College professor Dr. Walter Cannon, The Writing Anthology presents an annual collection of remarkable student work that spans a wide variety of academic disciplines. After review of dozens of strong pieces, our editorial team has chosen the following works for publication. These cuts were no easy decision. Still, the difficulty of our choice was a welcome burden. It signified the abundant skill and talent of our Central College student body. As both editors and peers, we are proud to support the exceptional labors of our hardworking authors and artists.
A couple of lines from American poet Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” particularly speak to this year’s selections. They read, “Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. / Meanwhile the world goes on.” Though this sentiment may initially seem dismissive, it is also comforting. As writers, artisans, scientists, and mere human beings, we are all united and empowered by our individual ability to tell one another stories and other important information. The very act of doing so is healing on both ends. While the broader universe may be indifferent to our opinions, we always remain capable of caring deeply about our fellow mortal beings. This is in part why we are so particularly proud to present the 2022 anthology; it contains student works that illuminate a wide variety of healing perspectives. Take for instance Sarah Linde’s “Don’t Bury my Bones” or Kayla Lindquist’s “I Hope You Feel No Pain,” which both brilliantly utilize environmental imagery in their poetry to illustrate a strong connection with the natural world. Or examine Quinn Deahl’s “Remembering American Slavery: Learning from Germany’s Eradication of Antisemitism” to receive a fresh, insightful perspective on a centuries-old issue. Or fix your gaze upon Jaden Hoag’s gorgeous monochrome print of a heart, and become more conscious of the steady beat of your own. Though these pieces vary in genre and style, they are related in their ability to inspire and connect us to each other in a life that seems bent on tearing us apart.
Each year, the John Allen Award is awarded to a piece of student writing that the selection panel deems to have superior rhetorical competence, high levels of readability, originality, and insight. This year, we are pleased to announce that Sarah Smith will receive this honor. Sarah’s piece “To My Core” is an exceptional combination of both original poetry and analytical writing. While candidly reflecting on a traumatic experience, Sarah excels at both making strong creative choices and eloquently explaining the reasoning behind them. Sarah’s masterful command of language and free-verse poetry elicits raw, powerful reactions from her reading audience. Through this brilliant work, Sarah brutally but beautifully depicts grief, and she prompts us all to be more honest about the more vulnerable elements of our own personal bereavements.
We would like to congratulate all the students whose work is featured in these pages. Additionally, we would like to thank the professors who recognized the excellence of these pieces and submitted them for our judgment. Furthermore, we must thank Mat Kelly, Associate Professor of Art, and Brian Roberts, Professor of Art, for nominating outstanding student artwork. This year, we are excited to introduce a new section featuring full-color panels of the most exceptional student art. Special acknowledgments are also in order for Mat Kelly for designing the cover using artwork by Audrey DeBie. Also, we would like to thank Jordan Bohr and the student workers of the Central College Communications Office for their efforts in bringing The Writing Anthology’s website to life. We also express our thanks to Steffanie Bonnstetter for her advising. Of course, our biggest thanks are owed to our faculty advisors Dr. Valerie Billing and Dr. Anna Christensen. Thank you both for your dedication, hard work, patience, flexibility, and guidance. Again, we must extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who made this publication possible. We hope you enjoy the 2022 anthology!
Emma Alex Carlson ’23
Mattie Francis ’23
Gabrielle Anderson ’22