WORCESTER – Thursday, February 1, 2024 – The Apricot Journal, a student magazine produced by students at South High Community School, in the Worcester Public Schools, recently received the rank of Distinguished in the annual Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literacy Magazine (REALM) program through the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
The Apricot Journal was founded in December of 2020 by students Anya Geist and Emma Robeau as a way for students to come together through creative writing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Its mission is to encourage creative writing in school and give students an outlet to express themselves.
“Congratulations to our scholars at South High who should be incredibly proud of this recognition,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools. “It showcases our scholars as creative and effective communicators, curious learners, and engaged community members – all skills and dispositions that are important for life after graduation.”
“Congratulations to all of the students and faculty involved in the student magazine for receiving this wonderful recognition,” said Jeff Creamer, Principal of South High. “The Apricot Journal was a great way to bring students together as we recovered from the pandemic. It showcases literary skills we teach our students that will carry them for a lifetime.”
The REALM program publicly recognizes excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. REALM is designed to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing. Schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US territories, Canada, and American schools abroad are eligible to nominate magazines.