Commemorating a legacy: iliad’s 50th Volume Celebration
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Above: CONTINUING A LEGACY: English department teacher Molly Dorkey (left) and Clarke Central High School Class of 2006 Clarke Central High School alumna and longtime iliad Literary-Art Magazine benefactor Lorien Campbell (right) socialize during the iliad’s 50th Volume Celebration in CCHS’ Gladiator Gallery on March 22. Campbell has witnessed the evolution of the program through the years. “Every year, when I come to the banquets, I love to see the excellence, the progression, how far the staff and artists have come,” Campbell said. Photo by Grady Dunston
The iliad Literary-Art Magazine’s Editorial Board celebrated its upcoming 50th volume on March 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in CCHS’ Gladiator Gallery.
The iliad Literary-Art Magazine’s Editorial Board hosted its 50th Volume Celebration, inviting alumni, friends, patrons and family on March 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Clarke Central High School’s Gladiator Gallery, to commemorate the program’s legacy.
The event, which was sponsored by 3Tree Realty, began with opening remarks from iliad Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel and iliad Managing Editor Finley Sleppy, recognizing contributors who made the event possible and sharing the program’s history over the course of its 50 issues and 25 years since its re-founding in 2001.
One individual recognized by the iliad, Class of 2006 CCHS alumna and longtime benefactor Lorien Campbell reminisced about her experiences while involved in the program during her senior year.
“We would have these big stacks of submissions that came in, and it was just so much fun to get into the editing process, but also the selection process,” Campbell said. “‘What is this person's view of the world? How are they putting that into their art and their viewpoint? How does it both impact their art, and then also, how does their art reflect who they are?’”
Above: PURPOSE OF GROWTH: Former 2002-04 iliad Editor-in-Chief Roxanne Gil speaks during the iliad Literary-Art Magazine’s 50th Volume Celebration in Clarke Central High School’s Gladiator Gallery on March 22. As a re-founding member of the program, Gil was unsure of the legacy she would leave, but knew she wanted the foundational values of the iliad to outlast her tenure. “Being able to pull the curtain back on student life and who they are at the heart (is important for the iliad),” Gil said. “I think that a lot of times when you're still trying to figure out who you are as a young person, who you portray on the outside doesn't always match who you are on the inside.” Photo by Peter Atchley
Guests were then invited to socialize, gathering around appetizers catered by Mama’s Boy and beverages donated by Jittery Joe’s Coffee. McDaniel then introduced featured speakers, including former CCHS Principal Dr. Maxine Easom; Dr. Meg Hines, mother of 2020-21 iliad Co-Editor-in-Chief Lucy Hines; and former iliad Editors-in-Chief Roxanne Gil, 2002-04, and Olivia Hendershot, 2023-25. The speakers’ participation in the iliad spanned the last 25 years.
“I really just admire how we were able to breathe life into something that had nothing initially.”
Gil was recruited to relaunch the program in her first-period English class during her sophomore year by iliad re-founding adviser David Ragsdale, and was inspired by her experience working in the program during its formative years and reconstructing it from the ground up.
“There (were) a lot of challenges going into rebuilding and relaunching the iliad because it had a really high bar, and there was no infrastructure on how to reach it,” Gil said. “I think even though the issues now are much more beautiful, the very first re-launch issues are really meaningful, because they were basically built from ashes. I really just admire how we were able to breathe life into something that had nothing initially.”
Above: PASSING THE TORCH: Former iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board members attend the iliad’s 50th Volume Celebration in Clarke Central High School’s Gladiator Gallery on March 22. Eva Orbock, 2021-22 iliad Design Editor, rebranded the iliad’s logo and website during her time in the program. “I spent a lot of time working on that logo, so it's cool to see that it's still in use,” Orbock said. “I'm glad that I was able to contribute something that has outlived my tenure as Design (Editor) and continues to be used even after I've graduated.” Photo by Grady Dunston
Following the speakers, featured performers shared their original published works from various editions of the iliad including, Class of 2023 graduate and iliad Outreach Director Salai Diekumpuna, CCHS seniors Peter Atchley and Gillian Williams and junior Lea D’Angelo. The final performer was Class of 2024 graduate Aza Khan.
“As a presenter, I really enjoyed getting to share my dramatic monologue with everyone,” Atchley said. “That piece is so deeply personal to me so being able to speak my piece into existence for everyone felt really freeing.”
To conclude the event, Ragsdale gave his closing remarks, recognizing the program's evolution. As the program has evolved since 2001, Ragsdale believes that the common denominator that has driven the iliad and its successes is the people who have contributed their time and talent.
“I think (iliad Editorial Board members) are enterprising young people, people who are risk takers, people who are coachable, who take feedback and implement it,” Ragsdale said. “I think these are people who want to be advocates for creativity and want to see their colleagues, their classmates, published.”
Story by Finley Sleppy
Finley Sleppy is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia and is the Managing Editor for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. This year, she hopes to grow as a leader and overall creative person by trying things out of her comfort zone and supporting the CCHS community creatively. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, eating all different types of food and hanging out with her friends and family.