2021 New Voices (PDF)
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Lander University’s Student Journal New Voices Spring 2021 Edition New Voices is a publication of the Department of English & Foreign Languages Lander University 320 Stanley Avenue Greenwood, SC 29649 [email protected] www.facebook.com/newvoicesLU www.instagram.com/lu_newvoices Table of Contents Student Editors & Faculty Advisors .......................................... 1 Awards ..................................................................................... 2 Tribute to Jackson Wise ........................................................ 3-7 Literature ................................................................................. 8 Fiction ........................................................................ 9-22 “All the Texan Poppies” by Amber Ballenger .................. 9-11 “Behind the Wall” by Bryce Myers ................................. 12-14 “How to Make Men Love You” by Lea Toby ........................ 15 “3:33” by Rebekah Smith ................................................. 16-22 Poems ....................................................................... 23-27 “W 42nd St.” by Angelina Vita ............................................... 23 “December 31, 2012” by Lea Toby ........................................ 24 “My Truth” by Lauren Talley .................................................. 25 “The Lament of Icarus” by Eryn Goudy ...............................26 “Misdirection” by Jonah Mullinax ......................................... 27 Essays ....................................................................... 28-32 “My American Dream” by Angelina Vita ...................... 28-29 “Something Else” by Christina Aguayo ................................ 30 “Some Assembly Required” by Jamie White ................ 31-32 Art ......................................................................................... 33 The Studious by Joel Seymour ..............................................................1 A Woman of Trade by Audrey Poltrak ..............................................34 Beauty Is Pain by Jerusha Nolt .......................................................... 35 Bibaxi by Audrey Poltorak .................................................................36 Fairy Forest by Roxie Harris ............................................................. 37 Empty by Audrey Poltorak ................................................................ 38 Thoughts of Sweets by Elizabeth Cooper ......................................... 39 Tooth Express by Amber Ballenger.................................................... 40 Without Wisdom by Katie Newton .................................................. 41 You: An Analysis of the Human Condition by Rebekah Smith ..... 42 Student Editorial Board: Morgan Brown Angelina Vita Art Editor: Emily Smoak Faculty Advisors: Dr. Misty Jameson Dr. Andy Jameson Prof. Dusty McGee-Anderson 1 Awards: Congratulations to Amber Ballenger Winner of the 2021 Creative Writing Award, Angelina Vita Winner of the 2021 Dessie Dean Pitts Award, Christina Aguayo Winner of the 2021 Race and Identity Dialogue Special Recognition, And Jerusha Nolt whose artwork Fish of Fortune was selected as this year’s cover *Award Winners are represented by Jerusha Nolt’s Fish of Fortune koi fish* 2 Tribute To Jackson Wise 3 Faculty Tributes to Jackson: Monique Sacay-Bagwell: Jackson had a strong impact in our program. Not only because of his creative energy, and thirst for learning, but because he genuinely cared about others. He was the kind of student who brought people together. He always clapped the hardest and smiled the broadest for every student who stood up to give a presentation in class. Even though he left us all too soon, he has inspired others to continue to live, learn, and love with a full heart. Robert Stevenson: I only knew Jackson a short time, but he was a genuine pleasure to teach. Transitioning to fully online due to Covid was challenging, but Jackson continued to excel. He was very talented and loved learning. Brittany Cuenin: Jackson Wise was a dynamic, charismatic, and curious student. I had the privilege of teach- ing him and training him as a peer tutor. As a tutor, Jackson energetically poured himself into help- ing other students with their writing. As a student, Jackson brought his curiosity and energy to each class meeting. Jackson was a great friend and student; we miss him immensely. Misty Jameson: I had the honor to teach Jackson his first semester here at Lander. He was immediately one of my favorite students—I could always count on him to have something to say about every topic we discussed, every essay we read. And on top of that, he was a great writer; it was no wonder we published one of his essays in New Voices spring 2020. When we were searching for a new dean that same semester, I was able to count on Jackson again; this time, he came to every student meet-and- greet with the candidates,asking the best questions and making the best possible impression. He was such an absolute joy to be around—the truly rare combination of talent, kindness, and enthusiasm. 4 Student Tributes to Jackson: Joel Seymour: There is much to be said about Jackson Wise and the impact that he has had on my life. But, suffice it to say for now that he was one of the people who could make me laugh the hardest, one of the collaborators I created with best, and will always be one of my friends that hold dearest. It’s hard to look back on the memories we made together now and not hurt, but at the same time, because of who he was, it’s simply impossible not to be filled with that joy that he shared so freely. Thomas Histon: Jackson Wise was my roommate during both of our years at Lander. I could tell about the weird stuff we got up to, like having a lightsaber fight in our dorm with umbrellas, or going several times a week to the 7-Eleven in the middle of the night, or starting our own cult...yeah, we were pretty weird. But it’s the little moments that make for fond memories, which makes it heartbreaking that we can’t make anymore little moments. The time for new little moments is up, but I think my memories of Jackson will continue as follows: I’ve heard it said that people pass when they’ve accomplished all that they needed to accomplish on this Earth. I have to believe that’s the case here. Jackson came into the lives of everyone he met, wel- comed them, loved them, and made them feel better. And that’s what he was here to do. The only reason I know everyone I know at Lander is because he introduced me to them. The only reason I have this awesome group of friends at Lander is because he introduced us to each other. Jackson had the gift of being able to bring people together. Jackson made me feel like I belonged. Not only at Lander University but on this Earth. And for that I’m eternally grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but I can take solace in the fact this man made a more positive impact on me in the year and a half I’ve known him than anyone I’ve ever met. And that’s what he was here to do.” 5 Megan Higginbotham: “For You” Alright, take 5,327.26 of trying to write this because this was never something I thought I’d have to write and I’ve been trying for the last week to figure out how to do this without falling apart. Let’s see how long I last this time around. Jackson, my little bird. Thank you. I can’t say everything that I’m thanking you for because then you’d hear things like: thank you for waving at me with enough force to blow a house down; thank you for keeping eye contact when we spoke; thank you for pointing out little things in the middle of nowhere; thank you for holding doors open; thank you for always giving me a laugh; thank you for being present. I can’t say everything I’m thanking you for because then you’d hear things like: thank you for making me believe I was important when I thought I was worthless; thank you for leaving a trail of magic wherever you stepped- I promise it left an imprint; thank you for meeting strangers and treating them like family; thank you for being passionate and driven and for sharing that energy with others; thank you for all the laughs-again-because I don’t think I can ever express how special those were; thank you for your curious nature that always inspired me to look for new ways to love the things around me; thank you for loving. Thank you so so much for loving. Today, “Love Swiftly” was said before we said goodbye to you, the best of us. Today, “Love Swiftly” became the most important thing to me because when you loved, you loved swiftly. Passionately. And so so genuinely. No one who so much as exchanged glances with you went without feeling loved. Today, “Live life as a piece of art” was quoted and became a new perspective of life because when you smiled, you made masterpieces out of broken hearts, melting and molding and piecing together the people who were content with settling for less of life. Today, “Come thou fount” was sung and it is my favorite hymn and it came into my favoritism again for a new reason because when you walked, you walked in faith and shared an excitement that made Heaven glow and as I prayed in the pew I felt you take my heart and seal it with a pretty ribbon to hand off to our God. When you walked you walked with grace, again I say, pouring out of your pockets. Jackson, today, I cried really hard. REALLY hard. I’ve cried every single day since you left and I’m still struggling between being angry with you and wanting you home. (there it is. Crying again.) The night you left was the worst