Celebrating the Arts - Dwight-Englewood School

LITERARYARTS
Dwight-Englewood School
22
Calliope Showcases Students’ Creativity
Dwight-Englewood’s award-winning literary magazine is a labor of love for its editors and a
treasure for the entire community.
Every spring brings a new edition
of Calliope, Dwight-Englewood’s
literary magazine. Chock full of
poetry, prose, photography, and
various kinds of artwork, Calliope is
a showcase for student writers and
artists. It also represents a year’s
worth of work on the part of the
member students who meet weekly
throughout the year to critique and
cull submissions. Steve Petkus, the
magazine’s faculty advisor, notes that
Calliope members take their role of
“workshopping” submissions very
seriously. During review, names are
withheld in an effort to foster a nonbiased
environment. The students’
efforts produce a quality publication
that has been recognized with
numerous awards over the years.
From its humble origins to its glory
today, Calliope has inspired and
influenced many creative alumni,
including some who have gone on
to literary or artistic careers.
A Long History
Calliope’s roots go back to the early years
of the Dwight School and a publication
called Dwightonia, which was a
combination of the official graduation
program, alumnae news, and literary
magazine. Then in 1949 The Scribblers
was established as an honorary
association sponsored by the English
Department. Seven senior girls were
chosen to meet, discuss plays/books, and
read their own literary works. There was
a prose and poetry contest for the entire
school and later a revival of an “honor
book” containing what were considered
to be outstanding compositions. In
approximately the same timeframe, the
A sampling of some of Calliope’s creative covers over the years.