By Katharina Guttenberg
Pulse Staff Reporter
The Eleven Rivers Review debuted last spring semester as a way to give the students of Palo Alto College a chance to showcase their talents.
So far students have submitted sketches, photographs, poems, short stories, colored drawings and an interview. Even if students are not interested in writing and drawing, they can enjoy the work of others in the Eleven Rivers Review online.
“One of the things I like about the journal is that it kind of gives a sense of community to our college,” said Hunter Bates, INRW program specialist.
The journal, named for rivers in Texas that are also the names of the buildings on campus, is a composite of student submissions selected by student editors.
All students enrolled at PAC are encouraged to submit their work by Nov. 13 on the PAC Tutoring Services page and the INRW Learning Center homepage for the next issue. Student editor applications were accepted until Sep. 25.
“When you make something, something to which you pour your time, emotion, and dedication, you naturally want others to see it,” said Sergio Medina, a freshman Computer Information Systems major. “Especially when you’re trying to branch out, have people know what you do. So when I was told I could share my work with ERR, I found a great opportunity there to do so.”
The journal was originally exclusive to INRW students before Bates realized that the journal would be beneficial for all students. Some students are reluctant to submit their work for the public to see. Bates said many students have stories to tell, but they are not willing to write about them.
“There’s a tendency that students have that their work isn’t good enough, or they’re not really qualified,” Bates said. “I would definitely urge them just by reinforcing that that is a good piece of art…”
One of the goals he has for the journal is to diversify its audience and make it more popular throughout the campus. He plans on getting the Veterans Affairs Office on campus involved because of the veteran population in San Antonio.
The biannual journal plans on publishing all kinds of work that is evidence of PAC students’ talent. It is different from magazines and newspapers because of the scope of material it allows but also how in-depth each piece delves.
“…You never know what you can achieve by getting the attention of people whilst at the same time you get to see the talent of others through the journal,” said Medina.
After the first publication, Bates and Thomas Murguía, coordinator of Learning Labs, held a launch party where students read and displayed their pieces to their families and friends.
“It was a very moving event because you could see the pride of those who worked on it and the pride their families had for the students’ accomplishment,” said Murguía. “It really exceeded my expectations, particularly for the initial journal.”
The student editors also benefit from being a part of this collaboration. They put in 8-10 hours throughout the semester, gain skills and use the experience to make their resumes look better. The editing process includes selecting pieces, editing, formatting and event planning.
The fall issue will be available within the two weeks before finals week by going to the Eleven Rivers Review online.
PAC Student Media 