Illinois Central Review

 

Volume IV/Issue 1

January 2025

 

Letter from the Editor

 

Artwork

Mine. by Cameron Dorsey

Facets by J. Gayle Mericle

Falling Fantasy by J. Gayle Mericle

Knuckleheads 3   by J. Gayle Mericle

Chipper Woman of the Big Easy by Peyton Reyes

 

Poetry

Secrets in the Mountains by Zoey Blair

Between the Pages by Xavier Bugos

Of the Mother’s Ashes by Xavier Bugos

dust by Dinah Henry

The Instrument and the Musician by Rebekah Hewitt

Unwilling Decision by Grace Jackson

Avous/Toska by Maxwell Laughlin

Book Smugglers by Sophia Larimore

How To Not Write a Sonnet by Logan Lewis

New Life Through Destruction by Ember Nerad

Mantra by Jaden Schiele

Blue and Orange by Natalie Scott

On the Park Bench I Think Prettiest Thoughts by Abigail Stanton

tuscon by Abigail Stanton

The Longest Walk by William Utech Jr.

 

Fiction

A Bloody Fallen Tale by Scott Jackson

 

Letter from the Editor

 Dear Readers, 

I’m excited to share with you the latest issue of Illinois Central Review!

This is the seventh issue since our first publication in January 2022, and I am continually amazed by the new depths of creativity by Illinois Central College’s students. 

This issue is special for so many reasons. Namely, it marks the issue with the greatest number of submissions from and publication of art and writing by dual credit students. Overall, this issue features work from 16 students, spanning the categories of artwork (visual art and photography), poetry, and fiction.  

Illinois Central Review is currently accepting submissions for its next issue, which will be published in August 2025. The deadline to submit is May 1, and you can do so here: Volume IV/Issue 2 Submission Form. 

Remember, submissions are open to all students taking classes at ICC, including those in the Dual Enrollment and Strong Start programs through Early College. 

Finally, I invite you to visit the Illinois Central Review Facebook page for updates and weekly features of this issue's contributions. 

I hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you for taking a look! 

In writing, 

Melissa Grunow
English Professor
Department of Humanities

 

Mine.

By Cameron Dorsey

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About the Artist

Cameron Dorsey is in her first year of the Dual Degree Program at ICC through DHS. She is kept busy with her schedule as a dancer and dance teacher but uses her free time to engage in the art of photography. 

 

Facets

By J. Gayle Mericle

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About the Artist

Originally strongly discouraged from pursuing art as a career, J. Gayle Mericle followed the "get a practical job, go to work that can make you a living " directive. Retiring after stints in 2 professions, J. Gayle Mericle returned to classes to pursue one of her earliest interests, art.

Falling Fantasy

 By J. Gayle Mericle

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About the Artist

Originally strongly discouraged from pursuing art as a career, J. Gayle Mericle followed the "get a practical job, go to work that can make you a living " directive. Retiring after stints in 2 professions, J. Gayle Mericle returned to classes to pursue one of her earliest interests, art.

Knuckleheads 3

 By J. Gayle Mericle

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About the Artist

Originally strongly discouraged from pursuing art as a career, J. Gayle Mericle followed the "get a practical job, go to work that can make you a living " directive. Retiring after stints in 2 professions, J. Gayle Mericle returned to classes to pursue one of her earliest interests, art.

Chipper Woman of the Big Easy

By Peyton Reyes

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About the Artist

Peyton Reyes is in his third year at ICC. Reyes currently lives in Lacon, Illinois. He is someone who largely focuses on the expressiveness of people and aims to capture that emotion through the character of his brush strokes. Besides school and work, Reyes spends his time writing, sketching, and storytelling. His goal is to find a way for the canvas and the quill to work hand in hand to create something wonderous.