Mirrors don’t break, they multiply: A reflection of this year’s edition of The Mountain Laurel
Mary Margaret Flook, Staff Writer
Seasons change. From winter to spring and summer to fall, every year holds different emotions, different rhythms. The Mountain Laurel is much like a mirror, in that it reflects the highs and lows of changing seasons and the emotions that those seasons entail.
The Mountain Laurel, a literary magazine sponsored by North Greenville University, has just completed its 59 volume. Editor in Chief of the Mountain Laurel, Caemon Ashworth, described how if one were to go into the library and look at The Mountain Laurels archives from previous years, each year would look different.
She said that the one written in 2020 regarding the pandemic will look different than this year’s edition which she said has more redemption type themes.
At North Greenville University, students are encouraged by departments such as CMSE to be social, and to interact with other students. These social activities invite a large crowd of students. Yet, there is a subset of students that prefer their voice to be heard, without their face being seen. There are students who dare to share, yet in a different environment. Ashworth likes to call the Mountain Laurel club “NGU underground.”
Students from NGU are the primary contributors of the magazine, but those outside of NGU are also welcome to contribute. The magazine accepts poetry, prose and visual art pieces. Contributors are allowed to submit up to six literary pieces and four visual art pieces.
Submitted pieces go through a simple selection process. Ashworth said that submissions are printed out and given to the staff. The staff rate the piece on a one to three scale, one meaning the piece is rejected, and three meaning the piece is accepted. If the piece gets a two then it is passed on to the editors to vote on the acceptance or denial of the piece.
Ashworth said they try to include pieces that are unique, rather than the most typical topics. She said that students feel comfortable sharing their heart.
According to Ashworth, one of the absolute best qualities of the Mountain Laurel is their acceptance and vulnerability. Small talk is not their strong suite, Ashworth said. Her hope is that as she graduates and steps out of her position as Editor in Chief that the Mountain Laurel will continue to foster their sense of community.
This year’s theme is mirrors. Ashworth said that someone brought up the idea that when a mirror shatters, it multiplies. When a mirror breaks, it creates several smaller mirrors. The idea of perception was embedded in the theme as well. The staff broke up the overall theme of mirrors into three categories including: reflection, refraction and distortion. All the pieces that were accepted were placed in the category that best fit in with one of the three categories.
One aspect of the Mountain Laurel that Ashworth hopes will change is an improvement in advertisement. She said that the Mountain Laurel is special and others should see it.
Featured image taken by Caroline McNeely.
