The Arrowhead Magazine Releases Bicentennial Edition of Its Publication
Annual literary and art magazine provides platform for student expression and collaboration
The Arrowhead is Mississippi College’s (MC) literary and art magazine, where students have the opportunity to submit their work and be showcased. The first publication of the Arrowhead was released in 1939, when several students came together to compile their work for the student body. The magazine is housed within the English and World Languages Department.
This year, the Arrowhead staff focused on MC’s bicentennial. The theme of this year’s publication centered on time, giving students and staff a way to reflect on the past, present and future of the university. Students submitted their work during the fall semester, and the judging results are released in the spring, along with the publication.
The magazine offers several categories for students to submit their work, including poetry, short stories, creative essays, comics, 2D art, 3D art, photography and digital illustration. The Arrowhead staff also creates guidelines for students to follow during the submission period.
Janalyn Childress, the literary editor of the Arrowhead, has been contributing to the magazine for much of her time at MC. She has submitted work and also serves on the staff. Childress has worked on several projects and helps ensure each edition is well organized. One of the most important aspects of production is meeting deadlines.
“The creation of the magazine itself, we usually start at the beginning of February because in January, we are still getting results back from judges,” Childress said. “That’s whenever we start figuring out where we’re going to put what … And then it’s a matter of creating it on somebody’s laptop, and that can take a long time.”
With the amount of work put into the magazine throughout both semesters, a strong staff is essential. Key staff members this semester include Gracia Oden as art editor, Jonathan Dickey as media manager and Jane Sherwood as production assistant. The team also includes Caroline Misner and Ella Murphree as assistant editors.
When asked how she would describe her team, Childress used one word.
“‘Dedicated.’ That’s not a super great word, but everyone is so loyal to the process. Everyone wants the best magazine it can be, even if it means they have to do more work.”
On Thursday, April 9, the Arrowhead hosted a release party in the Leland Speed Library. The event also featured a historical exhibit of several past editions of the Arrowhead. This year’s award winners were recognized and allowed to read some of their work aloud.
Adeline Segalla, a junior at MC, placed second in short stories this year. Her story was titled “The Wooden Mannequin.” The story follows a wooden mannequin searching for a greater purpose in life. The Arrowhead provided an outlet for Segalla to share her work with others.
“What’s cool about it is that it’s not just writing for you and nobody sees it, so it challenges you to actually make it the best you can,” Segalla said. “It’s nice to push yourself and see the process of trying to find my potential and make my writing the best it can be.”
The staff encourages students to get involved and learn more about the Arrowhead because of the sense of community it offers.
“Do it! No, it really is a lot of fun, and anyone on our team or staff will tell you it is so much fun,” Childress said. “You make friends out of it, and it really is a lot of fun. It’s a good little community.”
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