Many would agree that creativity and self-expression are key ingredients to healthy lives and are good habits to pick up. Arguably, there is no better place to establish such habits than in high school. Mr. Legg, English teacher at Briar Woods High School aims to do just that: help students establish themselves while having fun in the process. The literary magazine has published four volumes and began to post submitted student work on a blog site last year when printing became too costly.

Every year since its opening, Briar Woods High School has published its own literary magazine to showcase student and teacher talent at BWHS. Mr. Legg, sponsor of literary arts magazine, allows the students involved in the creation of the magazine to use his room for collaborating ideas. The variations of work submitted are endless, ranging anywhere from poetry and short stories to essays, artwork or photographs.

"Students and faculty are inevitably amazed when they take the time to visit The Talon. We have so much talent at Briar Woods-and too frequently, too little energy to appreciate it," said Legg.

Last year did not end with a printed copy of the Literary Magazine for the first time since its creation and was instead published online. Senior Brandon Weight, is a "technological wizard," in the words of Mr. Legg, and oversees all the technological goals of the magazine. The magazine is currently published on a blog which can be accessed on the left hand side of the Briar Woods homepage.

"We’re in the process of transitioning to a new website format that will allow for more involvement. We are also trying to train new people to use the program next year when all the seniors leave," said Weight.

The name ‘The Talon’ was a result of a combination of students and Mr. Legg’s ideas, but the ability of Loudoun County schools to create a literary magazine requires the permission of the county. Although the magazine is truly run by students, Mr. Legg submits some work himself on occasion, always anonymously however. The same option is available to any student who would rather remain anonymous, which is the beauty of a website. Any student who feels inspired can use the magazine to submit their thoughts to the public.

"The Talon comes from the students’ hearts and minds and I love the time I am privileged to spend with these amazing individuals," said Legg. "I am fascinated by the work they produce and I am invariably, enormously proud of them."

BWHS graduate Jason Tsai said, "I was a contributor, and as a writer I enjoyed the freedom to assume any medium and form. However, I was not involved with the editing. Some amazing people did that."

Over the past four years, Briar Woods has inevitably changed, as have its students and staff. Trenton Reed, also a Briar Woods graduate, worked on The Talon since its inception in his freshman year four years ago.

"I enjoyed seeing the creativity behind the students involved in the process and it was interesting to see the contributor’s literary and artistic progression over the years," said Reed.

Both the ‘The Talon’ staff and Mr. Legg could not be prouder of their hard work and effort to continue publishing this free-speech outlet for students. The contributors, as well, have the opportunity to be heard and showcased for their talents.

Weight said, "I love it. There are tons of creative minds. The magazine is not a requirement, so everyone is there because they want to be involved, and we’ve done a great job so far."

The magazine meets every fifth block FLEX in Mr. Legg’s room, where the editors get together and talk and where students submit new work. Come spring, when the end of school is approaching, the staff takes two days off from school and works as a group to finish up the contributions, and often to print student copies of the magazine.

Whatever the future holds for this student publication, Mr. Legg sums things up best; "The Talon is about the writing, not the writer; the art, not the artist. Excellence has a way of getting noticed, and these kids are excellent writers and artists."