A Note From the Editors
By Sydney Lowe ’24, Keilah Brewer ’26
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the 44th 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 presented even more variety of works from presentations, to musical compositions and more that provided us with ample selection. Following a review and conference over dozens of outstanding works, our team has selected the following pieces for publication. This publication highlights our skills as editors and pays tribute to our fellow classmates commending them for their great work.
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 Kenyon Geeting’s “Willow Wonders,” for instance, a work that integrates science, history, and literature creating a balance that places readers under the willow tree. Or the painting created by Gunner Hutton that transports the scenery in front of Jordan Hall into a new setting. Cheyne Plants challenges ideals about how history should be taught within the American education system using a controversial book for support. This submission also includes the artwork installed on Roe Center here on campus, a work that brought together Amelia Brown, Madilynn Peitzman, Fynn Wadsworth (artists), Joceyln Timmerman, Cassie Severson (grant writers), Kayla Lindquist, Carley Underwood, Madi Whalen, Summer Chambers, Jillian Fairbanks, Jordan Helmick, and Alexis Hesse (installers) to combine their disciplinary skills.
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 Jessie Pospisil has received this honor for her work “Chaos is Not Wished Away.” Jessie’s use of the lyric essay gives us a glimpse into the chaos that is a full-time student athlete’s life. The essay shows the frustration we feel as our schedules are packed to the brim. Creative aspects of this essay allow for the reader “to see the mix of unsteadiness, distraction, and obligation that college students face”. This shape mindfully lets readers see the connections between the anxieties of creating meaning in a life that expects a lot.
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 designing the cover using artwork by Kaylee Peiffer. Also, we would like to thank the staff and the student workers of the Central College Communications Office for their efforts in bringing The Writing Anthology’s website to life. Of course, our biggest thanks are owed to our faculty advisor Dr. Kate Nesbit who took over this year’s Synaptic. We would also like to thank our guest editor Dr. Stavros Papakonstantinidis for bringing his 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 present to you the 2024 Synaptic, but first we share Winona Van Berkum’s land acknowledgement speech given on February 8th, 2024 during the opening session of
Central’s MLK Jr. Day’s alternate day of learning.
Sydney Lowe ’24
Keilah Brewer ’26