Dear Readers, 

 

As the Editor and the Art Editor of The Network, we are excited to share with you our summer issue.

 

Each issue we create focuses on a theme developed from current events. We want to inform our readers about relevant events, provoke them to think, and move them to act.

 

As we discussed current events—Donald Trump’s trial which includes his being accused of falsifying business records to hide embarrassing truths about himself, the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge on March 26 after it was struck by a ship that was unseaworthy, and the continuing troubles Boeing Airlines has had since an Alaska Airlines 737-9 Max lost its door plug midflight—we started asking questions. 
 

Why do countries, politicians, companies, or individuals cover up or lie? How do we shed light on the entire story and hear all the opinions or voices in society no matter how quiet? What is our individual role in shedding light on truth? Do we have a responsibility to bear witness to the deceptions and unfairnesses that we see in society? Aren’t all of us obligated to be whistleblowers?

 

This discussion and these questions led us to ask, “What Lies in the Dark?”, which is the theme of this issue. Each one of our guest artists and writers tried to shed light on some aspect of society that needs to be thought about, discussed, or changed.
 

Our feature article, “When I Was Wrong,” is a brief personal essay by Joshua Glazer (’25). Glazer discusses his own misconceptions and behavior in the classroom during his academic career and his unexpected journey to becoming a writer and gaining a better understanding of the humanities. He reminds all of us to self-reflect and change.
 

Next, an opinion piece titled "Swinging for Equality: Revolutionizing Women's Tennis, One Ball at a Time” by Julia Hristov (’24) points out the inequalities in women’s tennis, including recognition, media coverage, and financial compensation. Hristov shows the need for immediate change in women’s sports. “W.O.M.E.N.”, another opinion piece written by Lillian Tracy (’25), considers how women are portrayed in the media and how this affects their self-esteem, and urges change for the welfare of all women. Think about Gia Defortuna’s (’27) poem, “My Condolences to the ‘Nameless’ Boy,” where Defortuna uses poetry to consider the grief and loss of a family member and how these topics are avoided and shrouded in darkness. Fiona Poth (’24) also wrote in verse a poem titled “Four Wrongs Do Not Make a Right: The Rapid City Indian School” about the problem of Indigenous People’s rights, the inequities of the Indian Health Service, and the desperate need for reform.  

   

Also, please enjoy the artwork featured throughout the issue. Zoë Johnson (’24) reminds us of the struggles of African Americans in the United States today through the symbol of a dandelion. Luna Reyes (’24) explores the danger associated with societal expectations of beauty in her artwork. Finally, Thea Han (’28) looks in the mirror and reveals the difference between a false reality and the truth.  

 

Discover the Watch section and enjoy the documentary about the online student experience filmed by Sophia Charania (’28). 

 

We hope that this issue will inspire more students to participate in The Network. This journal is a student publication, and its success depends on student participation. As the student editors, we hope that it will grow into something far greater than we ever could have imagined.

 

If you would like to contribute to the next issue, please email thenetwork@avenues.org. We cannot wait to see and read what you are thinking about. Work created both inside and outside the classroom is welcome. All students in grades seven through twelve are welcome to submit their work for consideration.

 

We would like to give a special thank you to our faculty advisors, Dr. Rebecca Conklin and Ms. Linda Kimbrell, for their unfaltering belief in this publication and untiring support of our efforts. We would also like to thank Ms. Amy Rosenberg, our first faculty advisor, for believing in the idea of a literary journal four years ago. In addition, we want to thank Ms. Maggie Wollner, Head of School, for her support of this publication. Finally, we want to thank all the students who have contributed to this edition and their parents for believing in Avenues Online.

 

We hope you enjoy this issue. May the pages of this publication engage, enlighten, and inform.
 

Editorially Yours,

Fiona Poth (’24), Editor, and Julia Hristov (’24), Art Editor