In 1999, a group of Benton Central students came together to celebrate creativity. These students — led by our very own Mrs. Morales during her high school years — were compelled to compile art and written works into a short booklet. Working with severely limited resources, they were only able to showcase the best written pieces and black and white images — printing every page in color would have been far too expensive. Only the cover was in color, showcasing a striking drawing of a fiery bird in flight: The Phoenix.
Since its inception, The Phoenix has flourished. The most recent publication is a 146-page, full color magazine, consisting of 435 submissions from 105 individuals. The two most recent editions garnered national recognition after being nominated for an American Youth Advertising Award. This growth has been supported by numerous sponsors from our community, collectively known as “The Ring of Fire”, whose contributions are honored in the very opening pages of each magazine.
In the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Our passions are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes.” The magazine proceeds in the same style, a new edition rising from the ashes of the last each year, strengthened by new voices and visuals; every issue fuels the fire of creativity by encouraging creators to continue pursuing their passions. The publication is an outlet for enthusiastic writers, artists, painters, potters, fiber artists, digital designers, photographers, and even editors — it would not be possible without all of these unique individuals’ contributions each year.
This year, Ms. Herre ushers in the 25th volume of The Phoenix. You can find its beautiful cover — illustrated by Mikaela Bloemker — on display in the library. Copies are available for purchase at $20 each. Contact Ms. Herre at [email protected] to order one! Inside, you’ll discover works from a talented array of contributors, each adding their voice to this ongoing tradition of creativity. This includes:
Shayne Alaniz, Wyatt Amor, Melanie Arenas Johnson, Arianna Arredondo, Madalynn Barnard, Devin Beausoleil, Ezekiel Bennett, Julia Bessenbacher, Leah Black, Mikaela Bloemker, Beau Boehle, Dakota Boehle, Jacob Brouillette, Lily Butzke, Emily Caldanaro, Ashley Cinto Renteria, Elijah Coffman, Bryan Cortes, Jayden Courtney, Kathryn Cox, Ella Creek, Michaela Crisp, Samuel Crisp, Destiny Crume, Tyler Crume, Jocelyn Danaher, Wade Deno, Issac Denton, Julianna Dickerson, Shianna Dickerson, Keith Dillman, Arleigh Donnelly, Reagan Dowell, Emily Fitch,Hazel Fleming, Sienna Foster, Leo Fuller, Cara Gephart, Caleb Gobel, Carson Goodman, Jeremy Guerra, Parker Haas, Alexia Haddock, Loretta Hall, Ethyn Hatke, Dakoda Hattendorf, Riley Heady, Sandy Herre, Riley Hoaks, Baylon Holmes, Ainsley Honn, Parker Honn, Sydney Ishmiel, Emma Jackson,Kyra Jaworski-Kraud, Ashlyn Kawlewski, Reece Kerkhoff, Amara Knox,Annie Lank, Katie Linvill, Logan Martin, Brooklyn Martinez, Sheryl McMillan, Jasmine Merrill, Elise Millikan, Airi Mohammed, Maiya Mohammed, Samantha Mosley, Catie Musser, Dylan Musser, Nova Noinaj, Susan Otero, Owen Pearson, Gabriel Petersen, Trinity Pfahl, Aiden Phelps, Skyler Phelps, Peyton Porter, Katarina Preger, Mariyah Rich, Gustav Robb, Samantha Rudolph, Kolby Schwartz, Parker Sexton, Vaughn Shepler, Emma Shultz, Tyler Smith, Sara Smitt, Brayley Smoot, Johnathan Speck, Brandon Spiker, Aurora Stangle, Serenity Stepp, Katie Troyer, Addison Tully, Collin Tutorow, Lucia Vickrey, Ashley Wealing, Michael Wichester, Wyatt Winchester, Addison Winger, Breanna Winters, McKenna Yadon, and Sophia Zarate
Support the tradition of celebrating our students’ literary and artistic efforts by purchasing this year’s magazine! You can even participate in the making of The Phoenix by joining the Phoenix Club on A Weeks. Learn more at https://bcphoenixmagazine.wixsite.com/bcphoenix!