A Note from the Editors

Dear readers and contributors, Congratulations on another academic year finished! We are so excited to publish the amazing work that you have created. From video games to the Black American experience and artistic collages, we have been continually impressed by the breadth of knowledge here at Washington College. With Love, Jessica, Siobhan, & Piper

Featured Artist: Isabel McCreary ’27

Major: Biology; Minor: Chesapeake Regional Studies Contributor Biography: Isabel McCreary is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Chesapeake Regional Studies. She loves to be outside, and spends most of her free time sewing, painting, collaging, and tending to her small orchid collection. Brief Description: This piece is my take on the Empress, the third…

“Margo, / I cannot bear to watch the nations cry:” Vision, Voice and Injustice in “The Fortunate Traveller” 

By Logan Monteleone ’26 Contributor Biography: Logan is the News editor for The Elm and a peer writing tutor at the Writing Center. Brief Description: This analysis of the 1981 poem “The Fortunate Traveller” by St. Lucian writer Derek Walcott considers how vision and voice function as literary devices that enable the speaker to reckon with injustice through poetry. The following…

Featured Artist: Elizabeth Fitzpatrick ’26

Contributor Biography: Elizabeth Fitzpatrick is an art history major from Catonsville, MD. After graduation she is pursuing a master’s degree in art history at American University. In the future, she hopes to work in a museum to share her love of art with others. In her free time, she enjoys reading, making art, and watching really bad movies.  Brief…

Assembling Identity: Blackness and Agency in Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father

By Sheri Swayne ’26 Major: English; Minor: Creative Writing Contributor Biography: Sheri Swayne is a senior from Baltimore, MD, majoring in English with a creative writing minor. She is obsessed with Toni Morrison and writing critical pieces on racial topics. She’s the editor in chief of Collegian, president of Intervarsity, and enjoys reading, R&B, and action movies. If you ever…

Racial Inequality in the Hollywood Film Industry: Acknowledging Black Actresses 

By Sheri Swayne ’26 Contributor Biography: Sheri Swayne is a senior from Baltimore, MD, majoring in English with a creative writing minor. She is obsessed with Toni Morrison and writing critical pieces on racial topics. She’s the editor in chief of Collegian, president of Intervarsity, and enjoys reading, R&B, and action movies. If you ever need to have a productive conversation with…

Bone Black: Forms of Remembering Black Girlhood 

By Sheri Swayne ’26 Major: English; Minor: Creative Writing Contributor Biography: Sheri Swayne is a senior from Baltimore, MD, majoring in English with a creative writing minor. She is obsessed with Toni Morrison and writing critical pieces on racial topics. She’s the editor in chief of Collegian, president of Intervarsity, and enjoys reading, R&B, and action movies. If you ever…

Mending as a means of Memory Making and Resistance 

By Melchior Tuerk ’26 Contributor Biography: Mel is a senior who cares a lot about people and their stories. In their last semester at Washington College, they are enjoying the library terrace, walks to get ice cream, and time spent with friends. They look forward to returning home to the Lehigh Valley after graduation in May,…

Featured Artist: Faye Dorman ’26

Title: unfinished basement By Faye Dorman ’26 Contributor Biography: Faye Dorman is a dual major in Communications and Economics from Mohnton, PA. She is an active member in Dance Club, and is a member of several academic societies on campus. In her free time, she likes to draw, paint, and write, usually while “watching” a new show or movie. Short Description: For…

Featured Artist: Faye Dorman ’26

By Faye Dorman ’26 Contributor Biography: Faye Dorman is a dual major in Communications and Economics from Mohnton, PA. She is an active member in Dance Club, and is a member of several academic societies on campus. In her free time, she likes to draw, paint, and write, usually while “watching” a new show or movie. Short Description: For this assignment, students…

Griselda Gambaro and the Fight for Justice

By Juliana Santiago-Batista ’27 Contributor Biography: Juliana Santiago Batista is a Theatre major and Creative Writing minor from Carolina, PR. She believes people should learn more about Latin American theatre and their impact towards their countries. Juliana enjoys reading plays that feature powerful women, writing horror, and playing videogames with friends. She hopes to pursue a career in Acting…

Environmental Humility through Spirituality

By Maria McGinnity ’28 Contributor Biography: Maria McGinnity is a sophomore majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. She enjoys writing short-form fiction and essays and loves exploring new ways to be creative. When not writing, she enjoys reading, exercising, listening to music, and spending time with friends. Brief Description: For this writing project, I read works by Annie Dillard and compared…

The Amygdala’s Role in Horror Video Games 

By Tamzin Maines ’29 Majors: Biology and Environmental Science Contributor Biography: Tamzin is a freshman at Washington College, seeking a degree in environmental science and biology. She has a passion for understanding evolutionary processes and how adaptations influence the organism. She further explores the environment with her land-trust to maintain habitats and track populations of horseshoe crabs.  Brief Description: We frequently see the…