Heliotrope 2022

4 5 Letter from the Editor seniors, we witnessed almost a year of independence, followed by a period of online learning, and now we are back on campus with new conditions. Teachers and staff alike adapted their work to be successful as circumstances surrounding the pandemic changed. Even alumni, parents, other members of the IMSA community, and any other readers have faced their own challenges occupationally or personally. While we may all be facing different challenges or phases of life, know that we are all in this together, just trying to navigate this crazy, everchanging world. Just like the moon, even if you aren’t full, you are still beautiful. With all of these challenges in life, amidst the challenging workload of IMSA, the pandemic, adolescence, and more, I have frequently felt burnt out, as I am sure many of you have too. Know that it’s okay to feel a little empty sometimes, and this does not diminish your value one bit. Even the moon wanes, yet it is still a beautiful marvel. Just like the moon, we can shine bright in the darkness. Even during the pandemic, many members of the IMSA community have produced stunning works of art. They utilized their joy, anger, stress, sadness, or emptiness to create something beautiful. And now they have shared those pieces with you in the following pages. Just like the moon, art is always there for us. As sure as the moon appears every night, we can always depend on art as an outlet. No matter what you’re feeling, no matter what you’re going through, utilize art to persevere. Pick up a pencil to write down your feelings, or a paintbrush to bring your thoughts to life, or this magazine to find inspiration from others. Another thing I have been able to depend on during challenging times is Heliotrope. All of the hardships that we’ve faced as a club, we’ve e ndured together. Thank you all for your support and contributions to this magazine, as well as for just being an amazing group to be a part of this year. I’d also like to extend a huge thank you to Jean Bigger. Heliotrope is truly grateful for your assistance establishing our magazine in Digital Commons. Thank you also to our advisor, Ms. Symoniak, for supporting our events throughout the year and fostering students’ creativity at IMSA. Also, thank you to everyone who submitted to this magazine. Thank you for your creativity and, most of all, your bravery to share your work and serve as an inspiration for others. Most of all, I’d like to thank you, the readers, for viewing our magazine. I hope that the following compilation of art will bring you joy, that you can find a message to relate to, or that you will feel motivated to make your own art. Let this magazine serve as a symbol of the brightness that can come out of dark circumstances. Creatively yours, Hannah Johnson Art and Literary Magazine Chair Heliotrope 2021-2022 Dear Reader, Just like the moon, we all go through phases. These past few years have been a challenge for every single person on this planet. At IMSA, sophomores experienced the transition to high school and then IMSA amidst the pandemic. Juniors endured their first year of IMSA online, and this year adjusted to life on campus. For us pc: Evelyn Cunneen, ISP

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