Woodcrest Magazine, Cabrini’s student literary magazine, continued its commitment to excellence this spring, earning a sixth Gold Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). A total of 852 collegiate publications were judged by CSPA members based on overall excellence: design, photography, concept, coverage, and writing. The 2020 edition of Woodcrest was the lone Gold Digital Literary Magazine award recipient this year, marking five Gold Crown and two Silver Crown awards since 2015.
“The CSPA is a really good measurement of how strong our writers are,” said Amy Lee Persichetti, EdD, Chair and Associate Professor, English, who oversaw Woodcrest’s publication from 2011 to 2020 as faculty advisor. “The magazine is an applied experience for our students to create their own aesthetic and have their voices heard.”
Bret Shepard, PhD, Assistant Professor of English, is overseeing the 2021 Woodcrest edition as faculty advisor.
Francesca Maslin (ΚΌ20) served as editor of Woodcrest during the 2019–20 academic year and was joined by 12 other student editors who worked to bring the latest Gold Crown-winning magazine to fruition.
Though the editing and production of Woodcrest is an integrated extension of Cabrini’s Writing program and coursework in the Writing, Publishing, and Editing: Digital Media and Print Media classes, the magazine accepts submissions from all students interested in contributing short stories, poetry, nonfiction, essays, and even other media such as photography and music.
“I see this as a vortex for anyone who’s artistic on campus,” Persichetti said. “It’s open to everybody.”
Each issue of the magazine follows a unique theme, with past issues containing special sections on identity, satire, and various current events. The next Woodcrest edition will feature a Black Lives Matter section. The magazine has its own website and students can also submit their work through Submittable, a platform used widely in professional publishing.
Persichetti said for students considering submitting their work to Woodcrest, writing is an effective and healthy way to connect with one’s emotions and the world around them.
“A lot of times we think we’re not good enough,” she said. “Maybe through writing someone won’t feel as lonely or isolated as before. It’s very much a different experience to see your own contribution—your own little space in the universe you’re sharing with people.”