The Montage literary arts club has made a comeback this year, growing its membership and presence at Lake Park. Montage was originally created for students as a chance for them to publish their art or literary work, whether it be stories, poetry, cartoon art, or photography. This club’s history at Lake Park has been extensive. Ms. Stephanie Fleck, English teacher and new Montage co-sponsor, shared that, “Over the years, the club changed quite a bit and ran with a couple different titles including Creative Writing Club [and] Poetry Club. The creativity, voices, and stories of Lake Park students is what inspired its creation years ago, and continues to be the pulse to keep it going now.”
The sponsors and members of Montage are working this year to revive it as a printed magazine to be released towards the end of the school year. Their focus is to review work, create a layout, and share that work with Lake Park, “captur[ing] the diverse voices and stories of Lake Park students,” said Ms. Fleck. Montage is going through a transition year, as it is hoping to remove their publication in the yearbook to become an independent work.
For the sponsors of the club, Ms. Jennifer Miller and Ms. Fleck, Montage is as much a personal endeavor as it is a professional one. “The first place my writing was ever published was in my high school literary magazine, Stevenson’s The Wit,” Ms. Fleck said. “I was published because my creative writing teacher–Mrs. Heckel-Oliver, who I still talk to and write with–encouraged me to submit. I’ve been published in other places, but there’s something really special and unique about seeing a story you wrote in print for the first time. It’s magical.”
She goes on to say, “Most importantly, all my literary magazine work has centered around bringing all voices into the spotlight, especially those that may not always be heard or celebrated. We want to hear your story and celebrate it.” The Montage is a chance to tell the story of students who may not always be heard otherwise, giving them an opportunity to be seen.
For Ms. Miller, her dedication to the Montage is owed to her experience with other people. She remarks, “I teach so many talented students, and I’m excited to work with Mrs. Fleck who is an inspiration herself.”
“You can join the club, which meets weekly at East Campus on Mondays after school and West Campus on Fridays after school, and be part of the team that gathers and reviews submissions, designs and lays out the magazine, and manages the marketing aspects such as social media, posters, etc.,” Ms. Fleck said.
“You do not have to be a staff member to submit to the magazine, though! If you want to submit, you’ll be able to soon–listen up and look around the building for more information on that! If you have an interest in writing, art, design, marketing, leadership opportunities, and/or just want to know more about it, come check it out!”
Montage is more than a literary magazine; it is a chance for young writers to share their voices and put their work into the world. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to shape the narrative of the lives of Lake Park students, so if you are interested, consider joining the Montage literary arts club.
