In a collaborative effort, students at Estes Elementary School are creating a literary magazine to be published in May. During weekly after-school club meetings, known simply as magazine club, eight Estes students and four teachers are working with several Owensboro Innovation Academy student volunteers to create a magazine to distribute within the school and community.
Last year, in their first year, the club produced what advisor Jessica Lusk referred to as a mini magazine. This year, they are working to publish a magazine that will be the start of a project for many years.
Lusk said she became interested when kindergarten teacher Faith Harralson came to her and said it was a going to be a magazine “written by kids for kids.” She believes a market for this type of publication exists and said that several Estes students were published in the “Owensboro Parent” kids-take-over edition, garnering interests from writers, artists and classmates of those published.
“I also like that it puts a spotlight on Estes kids,” Lusk said.
Teachers Sarah Gaynor and Patricia Bertke joined to help the club and the ideas began forming.
Fourth-grader Mirick Johnson, who is also a member of the school’s lighthouse and dance teams, said her primary reason for wanting to be part of the club was Harralson, but she also likes writing, especially book reviews.
“We also sometimes make crafts [in the club] and then [write an article to] show how to do it,” Johnson said.
First-grade student Keaton Beard became involved because he wanted to learn how to make magazines, something he said has been fun to do.
“I want to show that there are kind people, they are everywhere,” Beard said about the types of articles he wants to include.
Both enjoy working on the magazine and have been tasked with finding contributing writers and artists within the school. Johnson said that last year, students in her class shared stories they had written and club members chose several to take to the sponsors to be included. They are also on the lookout for artists within the school community.
Several OIA students are helping with the after-school club, which is not required but appreciated. On Wednesday afternoons, they travel to Estes to work with the students and brainstorm ideas.
OIA sophomore Darryn Gage said he likes to write and enjoys helping because he likes kids. He is also adept with computers and will help the club sponsors by actually creating the magazine using the purchased software.
“The kids are fun, they are hilarious,” Gage said of the club members.
OIA sophomore Serenity Barnes said that she has been volunteering to help because she has an elementary age brother and enjoys that age. She said the students pick up on things so quickly.
Barnes said she was typing one of their stories during a club meeting and while typing, was making mistakes that she intended to correct later, and one of the students was showing her the errors as she was typing.
“They are so smart,” she said.
Helping brainstorm ideas has been helpful for the publication, both OIA students said and also finding out what they want to include.
“It’s really nice to help them and watch them grow,” Barnes said. “The kids really do it well and enjoy it.”
The sentiments of the OIA students are echoed by Beard.
“They help us work and are fun,” Beard said.
Estes said they can always use community support for the project through donations or by volunteering time to the club. If interested, contact Faith Harralson at Estes.
