“The Pomegranate” literary magazine will be published starting this year to allow students to showcase their abilities in artwork, writing and photography. The first edition will be published before poetry night on Thursday, April 27.

The idea came from English teacher Mary Heffner earlier this school year because of the work she saw from her students.

“While teaching English, I notice a lot of really good writing that happens in our English classrooms and outside of it,” Heffner said. “A lot of students write on their own but nobody really hears or knows about them. I think we need to celebrate that culture more on our campus.”

Students who wish to participate in the publishing process can go to Heffner’s room in E107 every Tuesday during B-block.

“Heffner works with people in lit mag and I work with people in poetry club,” English teacher Amber Counts said. “A lot of what goes on is shared so we discuss both, but people don’t have to write poetry if they’re only interested in lit mag and they don’t have to plan for lit mag if they’re only there for poetry club.”

Junior Lydia Malone has grown through her contribution to both poetry club and literary magazine.

“I chose to be in it because I’m interested in language,” Malone said. “It has given me organizational skills and a purpose for my writing. It has given me people to talk to and connected me with other people who share my aspirations.”

Along with a paper copy, club members plan to create an online version as well so students have a variety of ways to access the work.

“The literary magazine will be completed before the night of our poetry event,” Counts said. “People who attend that event will be able to pick up a literary magazine there and Ms. Heffner will also have it published electronically so people can download a PDF of it.”

This magazine will be a way for students to create something and show others their work.

“I think it’s important to have the experience of having your work published,” Heffner said. “It’s a source of pride for some students.”