Each year students in Lou Jessop’s literary-magazine class at Copper Hills High School read hundreds of student and faculty submissions for the school’s Chasms magazine.
Students spend hundreds of hours each school year compiling stories, creating artwork and designing the magazine. Their goal: create an award-winning book of poetry and prose.
Last year’s efforts paid off for students when, last month, the magazine was honored by the National Council of Teachers of English. Nearly 500 U.S. schools entered the contest, with only 20 receiving the highest ranking. Copper Hills High was the only school in Utah to receive the honor.
Cara Spohn, 18, was Chasms editor last year. She said choosing which entrees to include was a difficult process.
“We encouraged everyone to submit their writings,” said Cara. “It was really hard because we didn’t really want to tell them that some of them weren’t that good, or needed work.”
This year’s editor, Chelsea Lindsay, 18, said she is nervous about taking the position, but wants to encourage all students to enter.
“Anyone can write if they really want to,” she said.
The award-winning edition includes original artwork submitted by students and staff members, as well as dozens of poems and works of prose that address all aspects of life.
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Ian Sanabria’s submission addressed the issue of tardy and attendance policies, while Ashley Gober’s short poem compared physics to peanut butter.
Student artwork included landscape shots, a picture of a homeless man and original drawings.
Staff stories included “potty humor,” written by Jessop, “The Purse-oot of Happiness,” by Gail Richardson, who chronicles the pursuit of finding the perfect purse, and “Granny’s New Chevy,” by Dennis M. Randall.
Jessop, who has been Chasms advisor for four years, said they try to maintain a high standard when creating the magazine, while encouraging diversity of submissions.
“We wanted to try to redefine the literary magazine a little,” said Jessop. “Two years ago we invited teachers to submit work, and we tried to broaden the diversity of submissions. Then we started entering national contests, and have been winning them.”
Jessop credits Principal Mary Bailey with helping them succeed.
“She has not only supported us, she’s actively encouraged and helped us in every way.”
tdeans@sltrib.com
Most memorable teacher
Most people have at least one teacher who stands out in their memories. It could be the teacher who used love and understanding to encourage students, or the teacher who used tough love and consequences in the classroom.
Interested to know what impact teachers have had on local leaders?
Each week the Class Act page will feature one community leader’s memory of a favorite teacher. This week’s Most Memorable Teacher quote comes from Josh M. Reid, regent member of the State Board of Education, who has fond memories of BYU Biology professor Dr. Sam Rushforth.
“Dr. Rushforth really pushed me to pursue a career in environmental issues. I was planning to go into medicine, but he got me interested in mixing science with policy,” said Reid. “I’m an environmental attorney today, and still keep in touch with him.”
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