“We received the Highest Award for our lit and art review!” cried Mrs. Mary Emma Holmes, the journalism and ninth grade literature teacher at Savannah Arts Academy, one afternoon during the journalism class period. As Mrs. Holmes noted, SAA’s literary and art review, The Muse, the Mirror, and the Making of Art, won the Highest Award from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Out of four-hundred eighty-nine schools across the nation that entered, only fifty-nine were selected to receive this award. In the state of Georgia, only three made the final fifty-nine – Clarke Central High School, Savannah Arts Academy, and Woodward Academy.

     Although SAA has won superior the last two years, this is the first time that SAA’s literary and art review has won this award – which explains Mrs. Holmes’ reaction. Many of the students who worked on the literary magazine last year and even the new members from this year were equally thrilled to hear the news, especially the student editor, Averil Eagle.

     “I was pretty excited,” says Averil. “We worked so hard on it and so that was just the icing on the cake.” When asked what made SAA’s literary magazine different from other schools’ reviews, Averil explained, “We have such a broad spectrum of students that submitted so many unique pieces.”

     Although the credit goes mostly to those on the journalism staff, the success of the literary and art review could not have been accomplished without the support of the students. The quality of the prose, poetry, and artworks was what ultimately made it a success.

     “I think that last year’s lit review was creative and insightful,” comments SAA sophomore, Veronica Feitosa. “It really shows the talent of our school.”

          As for the 2008-2009 edition, the goal is to maintain the quality of work that was pulled forth in last year’s edition. As entries are logged in, the journalism members can not wait to begin on this year’s review. In order to produce the magazine, the journalism staff evaluates the entries using a rubric, and following the criteria set forth by NCTE, who makes the final decisions on which pieces will be used. Students take this part of the process very seriously.

     “I love reading the literary pieces and looking at the artwork that is entered. So much of the work is very insightful,” Mrs. Holmes exclaims. “Many of the writers I have had as students, so I am especially thrilled to see them think the review is a quality platform for their art.”

     With the support of the school behind them, the journalism staff is ready and eager to make this year’s literary and art review the best it has ever been.