THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503040079
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY JANE HARPER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SURRY COUNTY LENGTH: Long : 118 lines
WHEN ENGLISH TEACHER Mary Farley of Surry County High School looks back on the school's early attempts to put out a literary and art magazine, she admits to being a little embarrassed.
But now, after 11 years of publishing the magazine and watching it collect numerous awards, she expresses little other than pride.
``We've really come a long way,'' said Farley, literary adviser for the annual magazine since its inception. The magazine's title, Ars Longa, comes from the Latin phrase Ars Longa. Vita Brevis: ``Art is enduring. Life is short.''
The publication has gone from the lowest contest rankings in its early years to this school year winning trophy class - the highest possible ranking - for the first time.
That's pretty impressive for a collection of poetry, prose, photography and art compiled and created by students from a tiny, rural school district. The publication competes yearly with similar projects from schools of all sizes across the state and nation.
It has steadily climbed in contest rankings each year, earning a first place for the first time in 1988. Since then, it has consistently won first place or first place with special merit - until this year, when it reached the top category of trophy class.
``I was a little worried at first that we wouldn't get the quality of work we needed,'' Farley said, referring to when she first started the publication. ``The pool of students we have to draw from here is much smaller than you'd have at a suburban or metropolitan school.''
Despite its size and remote location, there is no shortage of talent at Surry, said Tina Epps, an art teacher who has served as art and layout adviser to the magazine for the past four years.
``We've got some really bright and talented people here,'' she said. ``I sometimes think we have the best artists in the state of Virginia.''
Most of the art and literary work in the magazine is submitted by teachers who collect it from their students' assignments, Farley said. But students also can submit work on their own, she said.
A group of student editors then pores through the submissions and determines which will be used.
While many entries come from students in the advanced placement English and art classes, students from all levels contribute, Farley said.
``You'd be surprised by who turns some of the stuff in,'' she said. ``Every once in a while you get something absolutely appealing from the most unexpected source.''
The publication, for instance, has frequently included art and literary submissions from special education students, she said. One year, a severely visually impaired student had one of his artworks published.
The magazine has been a great source of pride among the students who participate.
``I think people really enjoy seeing their work published,'' said Melissa Rollings, a sophomore and regular art contributor to the magazine. ``It makes you feel accomplished to be in something that wins awards.''
Cari Seward, a junior who has had her poems and artwork published in the magazine, as well as a local newspaper, said she enjoys the feedback she gets from other students.
``It's great when people can relate to something you've written,'' she said. A fellow student who enjoyed one of her poems once told her, ``It was like I was reading their mind,'' Seward said.
One of the keys to improving the magazine has been learning from previous mistakes, Epps said.
The judges from the Virginia High School League and American Scholastic Press Association, to whom Surry has been entering its magazine or contest each year, offer criticisms with their awards.
While improving quality is important and winning awards is fun, Farley said, they seek more to get students involved than anything else.
``Sometimes we'll use a piece that isn't great in quality just because we know how important it is for the student,'' she said. ``That's more important to us than winning awards.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
[Color Photo]
HIGH CLASS - AND INCLUSIVE
Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Surry art teacher Tina Epps helps student Pam Ilosky with a drawing
for the Ars Longa art and literary magazine.
ODE TO MY CAR
I like nothing better than driving my car.
In the city, the country, wherever we are.
If it's sunny or rainy, I really don't care.
I love to zoom by and see people stare.
With the radio blasting my favorite song,
I'll get there soon, won't take me long.
I pass others by, leave them in my dust.
I hit sixty-five, it's truly a must.
Slow down. Too fast. No, keep going!
My independence is what I'm showing.
Faster, faster, and faster still.
Driving this speed requires skill.
Yes, I know that I should slow down,
But, then my wheels would touch the ground.
And if that should ever be the case,
Someone could beat me in my own race.
- Jeannine O'Rawe
Staff photos by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Covers for Surry High School's award-winning art and literary
magazine are designed by students.
With sketch pad in hand, Sheron Wyatt, an ``Ars Longa'' artist,
waits for the computer to do its share of the work.
Art teacher-adviser Tina Epps watches as Marvin Shaw works on a
pair of giraffes. The publication's poetry, prose, photography and
art are compiled and created by Surry High students from all levels,
including special ed.
by CNB