Table of Contents

 

Volume V, Issue 2
August 2026

From the Editor

 

Artwork (visual)

Scenery by Antonio Carranza

Tail by Antonio Carranza

Butterfly Garden by Hannah Kear

Self Portrait by Hannah Kear

It’s Not Easy Being Green by Bernadette Moebus

No Bull by Bernadette Moebus

Reflections of Light by Bernadette Moebus

Halloween Classics by Sophia Rosenberg

Overflowing Love by Sophia Rosenberg

White Coat, Black Magic by Sophia Rosenberg

 

Artwork (video)

Coffee in the Morning by Drashauna Souba

 

Poetry

A Lonely Bachelor by Sophia Rosenberg

“Jackpot” O’Neill by Sophia Rosenberg

 

Fiction

Old Sports by Gracie Brinker

Virginia is for Lovers, Nebraska is for Cheaters by Gracie Brinker

Stride by Estelle Goostree

The Locked Door by Leo Pollard

The Things We Do for Love by Sophia Rosenberg

Character Design: From Creativity to Creation by Peter Zalazinski

 

Personal Essays/Narrative Nonfiction

American Girls by Gracie Brinker
    * Student Writing Awards, first place, creative writing category

Trampoline by Nishi Patel

From the Editor

Dear Readers, 

Welcome to the tenth issue of Illinois Central Review!

I'm pleased to share this issue with you! While this issue is smaller than those published last year, we have a variety of strong content. Worth mentioning is the record number of short stories in this issue as well as our first publication of video art by Drashauna Souba. 

Additionally, we are lucky to publish the first place winner of Illinois Central College’s Student Writing Awards (2025-2026) in the creative writing category: "American Girls" by Gracie Brinker. 

Illinois Central Review is currently accepting submissions for its next issue, which will be published in January 2027. The deadline to submit is December 1, and you can do so here: Volume VI/Issue 1 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, starting Monday, August 25.

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

In writing, 

Melissa Grunow
English Professor
Department of Humanities 

Scenery

By Antonio Carranza

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About the Artist

Antonio Carranza is in his first year at ICC. Antonio currently live in Pekin IL and live with family. He recently found his love for photography while attending ICC.

Tail

By Antonio Carranza

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About the Artist

 Antonio Carranza is in his first year of school at ICC. Antonio currently lives in Pekin IL. He recently found his love for photography while attending ICC.

Butterfly Garden

By Hannah Kear

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About the Artist

Hannah Kear will be graduating this May with an Associate’s in Art. When she has time outside of her hectic schedule, she enjoys spending time with family and friends or staying home and watching TV. She’s greatly enjoyed the art classes she’s taken at ICC and is grateful for the growth of her skills because of them. Her passions include art, dance, music, and singing. 

Self Portrait

By Hannah Kear

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About the Artist

Hannah Kear will be graduating this May with an Associate in Art degree. When she has time outside of her hectic schedule, she enjoys spending time with family and friends or staying home and watching TV. She’s greatly enjoyed the art classes she’s taken at ICC and is grateful for the growth of her skills because of them. Her passions include art, dance, music, and singing. 

It's Not Easy Being Green

By Bernadette Moebus

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About the Artist

Bernadette Moebus has returned to ICC after many years, and art has always been her passion. Retired and ready to take on more challenges, Bernadette has started on a new journey of art exploration. Outside of the classroom, Bernadette also enjoys making stained glass windows and spending time with her family.