Press Release: National Council of Teachers of English REALM First Class

Above: BEHIND THE SCENES: The 2024-25 iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board stands in front of Clarke Central High School’s Ceremonial Entrance on Aug. 13, 2024. Class of 2025 alumna Olivia Hendershot served as the 2024-25 iliad Editor-in-Chief to produce the iliad’s 49th Volume, “Sound & Color.” “The 2024-25 iliad team made sure to be on the lookout for any and all student art that showed excellence in any form,” Hendershot said. “We worked together after submissions closed to select pieces by vote so that the entire team’s input was recognized and implemented into the 2025 magazine.” Photo by Aza Khan

The iliad Literary-Art Magazine was recognized as REALM First Class by the National Council of Teachers of English.

The 2024-25 iliad Literary-Art Magazine was awarded First Class in Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literature Magazines, also known as REALM, by the National Council of Teachers of English on Jan. 22.

REALM First Class is the highest honor awarded to literary-art magazines from the National Council of Teachers of English. There are four ranks of REALM, which are Distinguished, Excellent, Superior and First Class.

“I’m excited to continue (this) type of recognition throughout the rest of the year,” Managing Editor Finley Sleppy said. “Understanding that (we) work hard and produce things that we are proud of and using (more recognition) as a motivator will be very (helpful).”

The iliad has been consistently recognized by the REALM program since 2009 and is recognized amongst the category of literary-art magazines in Georgia. This year, schools in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and six countries nominated 456 student magazines across their middle schools, high schools and higher education. Out of these, 135 magazines were awarded REALM First Class.

“To be part of the iliad team means to have creative bones, and during interviews for each year’s Editorial Board, we ensure to recognize those bones so everyone on staff is capable of contributing to a literary art magazine,” 2024-25 iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot said.

Current iliad Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel served as the Writing Director on the 2024-25 iliad Editorial Board when the iliad was previously awarded REALM First Class. Sound & Color receiving REALM First Class inspired McDaniel as she moved forward with the iliad.

“I’m so glad to know how our hard work pays off and that we get recognized for what we do, it’s truly an honor,” McDaniel said. “(This year,) we can continue to hold ourselves to a high standard because we knew what last year’s team was capable of, and we’ll be striving for that level of success again.”

Story by Jay Braswell

Jay Braswell is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and is the Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Braswell hopes that her contribution to the iliad will help inspire young artists around the Athens community. When they aren’t hanging out with friends, Braswell enjoys listening to music and painting.