Fayetteville High School is undergoing massive renovations right now. But while most of the school is experiencing changes, one local magazine staff remains the same. It’s called “Connotations” and its staff was recently voted among the best in the nation.
“Connotations” is a yearly literary magazine put together entirely by students. It features writing, poetry, prose, photography, and art from students at FHS. The students write, edit, illustrate and this year they'll even bind each copy.
Another way that this staff has come together is by winning a very prestigious national award, the Pacemaker Award.
“It's from the National Scholastic Press Association,” said Becky Cox, the publication’s advisor. “It's an organization for high school journalism.” The look of the magazine has changed quite a bit over the years, but the hard work and commitment remains the same.
Inside is a collection of poems, short stories, and photographs that are meant to provide an insight into what high school kids enjoy and what their fears might be.
“They only had 56 schools enter magazines for the Pacemaker,” Cox said. “It’s the highest award they gave. Twelve schools won and eight were private schools. We are one of the only public schools, especially in the South.”
The school says the magazine is part of an effort to help the students become better writers, and get in touch with the issues that really resonate with high school kids.