A Note From the Editors
By Emma Alex Carlson ’23, Mattie Francis ’23, Sydney Lowe ’22
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the 43rd edition of The Writing Anthology – now known as Synaptic. Founded in 1981 by now-retired Central College professor Dr. Walter Cannon, Synaptic provides an annual assemblage of remarkable student work that covers a wide array of academic disciplines. This year was the most competitive cycle yet. Following a review and conference about dozens of outstanding student submissions, our editorial team has selected the following pieces for publication. It is never easy to make the necessary cuts. However, we are happy to shoulder the burden. It serves as testimony to the incredible and plentiful talents of Central College students. As both editors and fellow students, we are proud to amplify their exceptional efforts.
The standard definition of a synapse involves neuroscientific knowledge, microscopic details about the inner workings of a human brain. Beyond biology, synapses fundamentally pertain to connection, to junctures and boundaries and bridges between ideas. As Synaptic marks the integration of the Arts and English departments to form a more cohesive publication, we are proud to feature works that honor academic and creative relationships. Take Carter Piagentini’s “Remedial Poetry,” for instance – a work that combines powerful reflection on the American educational system with incredible lyricism, or Cade Bouwer’s “My Dear Wormwood” which melds philosophy and comedy into an effective analysis of C.S. Lewis. Writing is not the only way to break boundaries either. Madilyn Peitzmen’s intricate depiction of a lively forest scene blurs the line between illustration and three-dimensional storytelling, and Sara Sienkiewicz’s gorgeous still-life painting of flowers and strawberries demands an opinion on what is real and what is merely an imitation.
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 Fynn Wadsworth has received this honor for his work “Robert Henri and the Ideal Woman: An Analysis of Ballet Girl in White.” Masterfully, Wadsworth supplies insightful analysis into the context from which this painting was born; arguing that, considering the early 20th-century time period, the artwork is exceptional in both its visual beauty and its unusual compassion for women. The thesis is flawlessly demonstrated through Wadsworth’s close and clear examination of both primary and secondary sources – leaving his audience with a rare and delicious sense of optimistic certainty. It is no exaggeration to claim that Wadsworth’s combination of words and artwork embodies the true connective spirit of Synaptic.
We would like to extend our formal congratulations to all the students whose work is featured in this year’s pages. Additionally, we would like to sincerely thank the professors who recognized the brilliance 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 presenting us with excellent student artwork. We would also like to thank Professor Kelly for spearheading many of the changes that accompany our transition into Synpatic, and for designing the cover using artwork by Fynn Wadsworth. Also, we would like to thank Jordan Bohr and Cera Stroh from 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 advice. Of course, our biggest thanks are owed to our faculty advisor Dr. Valerie Billing for not only providing her usual guidance but also facilitating the recent expansion of the anthology into Synaptic. We would also like to thank our guest editor Dr. Kate Nesbit for bringing her expertise to this new edition. Thank you both for your commitment, attention to detail, hard work, patience, flexibility, and advice. Again, we must extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who made this publication possible. We hope you enjoy the 2023 anthology!
Emma Alex Carlson ‘23
Mattie Francis ‘23
Sydney Lowe ‘24