Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Journey holds reading to recognize spring graduates

Thursday, May 12, 2016

On May 6, Journey, Southeast Missouri State University’s literary magazine, hosted a reading of short stories and poetry for graduating students at Cup ‘n Cork coffee house. However, the reading was open to the public, and anyone who wanted to participate was welcome to read his or her works, regardless of being affiliated with Southeast. Teachers and students from other universities, extending as far as New York City, traveled to Cape Girardeau to share their works during the event.

May 6 was the last day the magazine’s staff held a reading event during the spring semester. Three other reading events also were held in April but had small audiences because of a lack of awareness in the Southeast community. According to Shaibriel Mack, president of Journey, there will be changes made to ensure that events hosted by the magazine’s staff are well attended in the future.

“Readings are not well attended because people do not remember what Journey is,” Mack said. “My freshman year, four years ago, Journey had more acclaim, and I want to get that back. Right now, our events are more publicized to the English department students, and that is what I want to change. I am a poet and a writer, so I want to introduce Journey to students who have a hidden talent of writing.”

Cassi Daugette, a graduate student in Southeast’s English department, has been involved with the magazine since 2010 and has acted as an adviser for the Journey staff. Daugette intends to remain active with the magazine following her graduation on May 14.

“Within the last year I have become a really heavy reader at the reading events,” Daugette said. “My friend Alex Hughes, a Southeast graduate student who graduated in 2015, was hugely involved with the magazine and encouraged me to keep Journey alive, so I have really made an effort to do that. After graduating, I hope to continue writing and stay involved in the literary community, especially in Cape Girardeau. Cape’s literary community really has the potential to grow.”

In addition to the reading events, Journey publishes a magazine every year that includes poetry, non-fiction, short stories, art and photography. Next semester, Mack plans to introduce slam poetry to Southeast and use Journey as an outlet in doing so. For more information about Journey or other organizations at Southeast, students may contact the Office of Campus Life.

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