Press Release: All-American Magazine
Above: BUILDING A FUTURE: Members of the 2023-24 iliad Editorial Board pose at the 2023 iliad Creative Celebration at Hendershot’s Coffee on Aug. 30. Olivia Hendershot, a senior, was recognized by the National Scholastic Press Association for her work as iliad Editor-in-Chief during her junior year. “The iliad's mission to give students an outlet for creativity motivates me to continue working,” Hendershot said. “These awards give me, as well as the Editorial Board, a big push to continue working as hard as we do.” Photo by Aza Khan
The 2024 edition of the iliad was recognized as an All-American literary arts magazine by the National Scholastic Press Association.
The National Scholastic Press Association recognized the iliad Literary-Art Magazine with its highest honor, All-American, through its critique service. This service provides publications with critical evaluations and advice on improving reader services. For Olivia Hendershot, the iliad’s Editor-in-Chief for the last two years, the critique provided welcome feedback for her team’s dedication.
“When we go through rounds of edits (for) magazine drafts, website content, and emails, it’s easy to get frustrated with how precise everything has to be,” Hendershot said. “After receiving this critique, I know that frustration and hard work has paid off, and that people are noticing our work.”
As part of the critique process, NSPA scores literary arts magazines in several categories, including content, writing and editing, photography, art and graphics, design, concept, and student work. Kathryn Campbell, a member of NSPA’s board of directors, critiqued the iliad's 2024 magazine, “Prometheus”.
“(Your) pairing decisions work well to put art and literature in conversation with each other: the art doesn’t illustrate and the writing doesn’t caption -- they truly work together to build mood and stretch thinking,” Campbell stated in the critique. “(The) theme is deeply rooted in the literary, but allows for the space of contemporary adaptation, reflecting the mission of the magazine.”
Overall, “Prometheus” earned 471 points out of 500 points with four marks of distinction, thus earning an All-American rating.
“I applaud leadership's tenacity and problem-solving (along with sound advice from your adviser) as you collected work,” Campbell stated in the critique. “(I) love the club structure you've built to encourage creativity outside of academic study.”
The “Prometheus” magazine received marks of distinction for content, photography, art and graphics, design, and concept.
“The iliad has always pushed high quality design content and concepts,” Hendershot said. “Last year was my first time producing an iliad magazine, and with support from my adviser and editorial board, I ensured that every element was curated with care and detail.”
Story by Niles Flath
Niles Flath is a junior 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.