Teens get work published

There is poetry, photos, artwork and creative nonfiction. Humorous, serious, abstract and direct.

Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s literary magazine — the first of its kind in decades — is as diverse as the students themselves.

But they shared one commonality at the magazine’s release this month.

Students and staff alike — they contributed as well — showed pride as they were handed copies of their work, excitedly paging through the 20 pages of “Small Car No Brakes” to see their own submissions and that of their classmates.

A generation that mostly communicates online or via phones was thrilled to see their names and creative endeavors in print.

“There’s something special about the physical  copy. You’re holding your work,” co-editor Loden Reed said.

English teacher Carol Schumacher initiated the project after an inquiry from a student. A senior, she said, came to her and asked about opportunities to be published.

“We don’t have a school newspaper here. We do need a way for students to get published,” Schumacher said.

Schumacher bounced the idea of a literary magazine off of her 15 creative writing students. Three editors were selected by traditional process.

“We raised our hands,” Reed said.

Reed, Olivia Kappler and Jack Beckmann collaborated to lead the project. They first had to get submissions. Posters, emails and encouraging teachers to tell their classes to submit work were among the tasks.

Kappler said she threatened students in one of her classes that she would eat their leg hair if they didn’t submit work.

“Abstract horror and threats,” Beckmann joked.

Plenty of students emailed submissions. Schumacher redacted the names so the editors couldn’t play favorites, but they figured out who wrote some of the pieces.

Most of the submissions got published.

“Cutting people’s work is a little disappointing, but it didn’t happen that much,” Beckmann said.

The trio was impressed with students’ work.

“They’re so brave and talented. They’re very free spirits,” Reed said.

The trio played around with a title and went with “Small Car.” Schumacher requested they add a little more, so “No Brakes.”

“The hardest thing about the whole magazine is Mrs. Schumacher steering us in a direction, and we didn’t want a direction,” Reed said.

Schumacher said she tried to release as much control as possible.

“I think students thrive on that opportunity,” she said.

Schumacher had her own proud moment the day the magazine was released. All the contributors gathered in the library and student Jay Namok asked if he could read his poem. Others followed.

“I love that we have lots of creativity,” Schumacher said. “It’s refreshing to know so many students are writing in their free time.”

Besides the chance to be published, the magazine will serve a timeless memory for students, much like a yearbook.

“I’m so excited to read all this,” Kappler said. “I get to look back on this as an adult and remember everybody’s personalities.”