SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

Letter from the Editor
2023
What words describe this year and the
experience of overseeing this issue of
SandScript? Pima’s Art & Literature magazine has always
reflected the dreams and emotions of our campus body, and
the pulse of the world around us. As Editor In Chief for the
last three years, I’ve seen the effect of loss and pain from the
pandemic; grief was our daily companion who became easier
to live with day by day. This year, our goal was to get past
the trauma of the pandemic to some form of normalcy and
help SandScript grow and thrive in the ever-changing world. I
practically willed SandScript into surviving the pandemic, and
I am proud to say that we have done that with this incredible
staff. SandScript 2023 shows that we are no longer just
surviving–we are thriving.
In reviewing hundreds of submissions for this year’s issue, the staff and I saw struggle,
acceptance, and dare I say happiness, as key themes from our contributors. We felt elation
when someone accepted who they were despite intolerance. We felt the terror of entrapment
and fear that toxic relationships bring. We felt hope in seeing art reflecting the determination
to endure and escape to be safe. We felt proud seeing artwork showcasing the desire to
follow one’s dreams. We celebrated with those who shared their love for history, culture,
and their identity. As editors we felt the intense passion, fear, love, insecurity and confidence
that shined through each individual piece. Acceptance was a major theme we saw in this
year’s submissions: acceptance of difficult situations, but also acceptance of who we are,
personally and fundamentally. This year’s edition reflects how life puts us in untenable
positions, but we are resilient, stubborn creatures and we find a way.
Every year presents its challenges and changes, and this year was no exception. Our
previous advisor and my mentor, Frankie Rollins, left Pima to follow her dreams, but she
handed SandScript to another creative & passionate soul, Mariah Young. Our staff’s love for
SandScript and our shared goal to make Pima’s talented creators more known has made
SandScript what it is today. As Editor in Chief I’ve had the chance to meet artists from around
the world, work with writers whose work has made me feel a myriad of emotions, and it’s
been a privilege to hear the experiences that inspired those stories. I step down as Editor In
Chief after three years, but I take so much experience and love with me. I think of SandScript
as a parent would see their child: a lot of me has gone into raising it but I am only meant to be
a part of its life for a while. Now I get to step back and enjoy watching it grow.
Thank you for the privilege of being SandScript’s Editor In Chief. SandScript is a wonderful
platform for all Pima students to share their creativity and art. It is a very brave thing to share
that part of you with the world, but taking a creative risk is worth it. The world needs to see it.
So I encourage you all to continue to make art, to live your life passionately and to remember
that life isn’t easy but it can be beautiful if you let it.
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Raiden Lopez |Editor-in-Chief