Club Creativity
Clarke Central High School sophomore James Mack stands outside the Miller Jordan Food Court on Jan. 26. Mack has always liked creative writing and is a member of the iliad literary-art magazine weekly club. “The iliad club, it's about working together (and) meeting people,” Mack said. Photo by Kaija Gilbertson Hall
Clarke Central High School sophomore James Mack has rediscovered the passion for creativity he lost during virtual learning due to COVID-19 through the iliad literary-art magazine club.
Clarke Central High School sophomore James Mack has a passion for creative writing.
He was one of the many students in the building who essentially lost their first year of high school to the grueling virtual learning experience during COVID-19. One of the many issues with isolation and attending school online was a lapse in many students’ creativity.
Room 231 lights up with creativity every Tuesday morning when the iliad club meets.
The club meetings are organized to inspire creativity in students, especially those whose imagination was hindered due to virtual learning.
The passion in James’ voice grew talking about how the iliad has impacted him this year.
“Working (in) iliad and (with) the members, to be honest, really just provided a time and a place for me to just be able to express myself beyond my comfort zone,” Mack said.
The iliad club presents members with different artistic activities every week. Club members started the year painting with acrylic and watercolors, then they worked on closed and open form poetry. Now they are learning photography and design lessons later in the year.
“I think (the club is) a great thing. The club actually provides opportunities for people, everybody,” Mack said. “Like, I went there, I first started with, maybe just a writing piece. Now I'm doing art. Like, you might not even like art. But like, it gives you a chance to just get out of your comfort zone.”
James lights up when talking about the Editorial Board members who help facilitate club meetings.
“There (are) people who sit there and help you and guide you through stuff. And it's students, it's kids helping other kids, which I think is a great thing, as well, because lots of kids don't have either friends, family, people that help them,” Mack said.
