Event Coverage: iliad Creative Celebration
CCHS’s Literary-Art Magazine celebrated releasing its 2023 publication "flourish" through an event that showcased writing and live music from CCHS students on Aug. 30.
Clarke Central High School’s iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board formally released the latest edition of their magazine, ¨flourish¨, at Hendershots Coffee on Aug. 30. The magazine stood out to iliad Creative Celebration attendee Sarah Baugh. “I’m excited that the students are writing in such a vulnerable way. It takes a lot of guts to share your work amongst your peers,” Baugh said. “I’m also impressed that the iliad is student-run because it is such a polished journal.” Photo by Aza Khan
Clarke Central High School’s iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board held a Creative Celebration at Hendershot’s Coffee on Aug. 30 to showcase the CCHS student body, and celebrate the release of the program’s latest edition, “flourish”.
iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot, a junior, and Managing Editor Cathrine DeMaria, a junior, began the event with a welcoming address, followed by a brief presentation with an overview of the iliad and its mission.
“I think the iliad (is) really important for Clarke Central students. (It's) a way for them to get their art noticed,” Hendershot said. “When we’re able to share art with the rest of the Athens community, other people are able to support students and their creativity.”
Above: LOVE OF ART: 2022-23 iliad Managing Editor Ethan Caspary, current Managing Editor Catherine DeMaria and Editor-in-Chief Oliva Hendershot (left to right) sit on the stage of Hendershot’s Coffee as DeMaria and Hendershot interview Caspery at the iliad Creative Celebration on Aug. 30. Being able to help put together last year's iliad, Caspery fell in love with the art published within it. “There are so many pieces of art that I loved in the last magazine. I can’t possibly choose (a favorite),” Caspary said. “Even (choosing) a medium (of art) would be so hard for me. I could name names, but then I would name the entire magazine.” Photo by Aza Khan
After the opening address, several CCHS students performed work published in the magazine, which consisted of poetry, a musical composition and a letter. One of the performers was the iliad’s Writing Director, Margo McDaniel. Her mother, Sonya, noted iliad's impact on her daughter.
"Margo is (braver) and more willing to share herself," McDaniel said. "(The iliad) carries a huge sense of love from what I've seen so far. That’s really sweet and it makes me glad that (my daughter) has this support system. I appreciate that."
Three additional students presented poetry, followed by a Q&A session with iliad’s 2022-23 Managing Editor Ethan Caspary, which was facilitated by Hendershot and DeMaria. Caspary told the audience what it was like to be a part of the Editorial Board, his plans for the future and the importance of student art at CCHS.
"Working with artists and working with writers to help get their pieces put in the magazine was so amazing for me," Caspery said. "(iliad) gave me a place in the art scene of Clarke Central that I really loved and (it) helped me to love my school."
Above: MUSICAL FEELINGS: Clarke Central High School sophomore Kimwell Jones performs onstage at Hendershot’s Coffee during the iliad Creative Celebration on Aug. 30. Jones wrote an original piece for the event and was excited to perform it live. “(Music) is so simple, but if you can perform the music in the correct way, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Jones said. Photo by Aza Khan
Afterwards, more CCHS students presented their pieces and Hendershot and DeMaria shared a few published works from 2023 CCHS graduates. The showcase ended with a guitar performance from CCHS sophomore Kimwell Jones, who played two songs, "Broken Window Serenade¨ by Whiskey Myers and an original piece.
As the event came to a close, Hendershot reflected on why she loves iliad and how she can plan more events in the future.
“I (hope) we can get writers from this (coming) year's magazine to read aloud and also get some more musical performances because I think that would be really fun for the audience,” Hendershot said. “I love the iliad. I've always loved the iliad. I have a passion for art, so being able to help (students) express (their) art and seeing (their) art at Clarke Central (is) really nice.”
Story by Niles Flath
Niles Flath is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens Georgia. She serves as Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Flath hopes to make connections with creators both inside and outside the CCHS walls and showcase their work through the iliad program. In her free time, she likes playing tennis, swimming, and hanging out with friends.