Elysian Literary Magazine
Spring 2025 Contributors
Ainsley Martin
is a full-time junior with autism at Aurora University. She is majoring in history and minoring in museum studies.
Alicia Tapia
is a senior at Aurora University, working towards a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, listening to music, and playing video games.
Andrea Barrón
is a senior at Aurora University, majoring in communication with a minor in creative writing. Her work has been previously published in Wordeater, Elysian, ¡En la madre!, Environmentalese, and Cueball. She resides in Morris, Illinois, and loves guavas.
Aurora Williams
is a third year student at Aurora University. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, she plays for AU's NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Team while studying to obtain her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology.
Brooke Karas
is a passionate writer and co-director of Environmentalese, where she explores topics on sustainability and nature. When she's not editing, she enjoys singing, gardening, and spending time with her beloved bearded dragon, Hagrid. She is set to graduate in May of 2026 with her Bachelors of arts.
Cassidy Jeschke
is a first-year student at Aurora University. As a criminal justice and psychology major, she uses writing as a way to unwind and have fun. Her poetry is her most treasured work.
Claudia Mora
is a senior at Aurora University graduating this spring as an Elementary Education major. During her free time, she likes to draw people and places that are meaningful to her.
Jett Hussey
is a writer, artist, and lover of nature. He graduated at Joliet Junior College with an Associates in Arts and was a contributor to the school’s gallery. Now he has transferred to Aurora University to achieve a degree in Communications. When he isn’t writing or painting he can be found hiking or kayaking and enjoying his time in the woods.
Kim Leslie
is a junior with a major in English and a minor in creative writing at Aurora University. She was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta society last semester, and she is the Vice President of the Creative Writing Club, a club so dear to her heart that she would drop a class for it. When Kim is not writing, she reads, plays video games, and works a full-time job as an animal magnet for the five dogs and seven cats in her home.
Kristina Gramillo
is an Aurora native and transferred from Waubonsee Community College with an Associates of Arts degree to Aurora University and is currently in her senior year. Kristina has immersed herself in the Music and Theatre programs at AU and looks forward to continuing her artistic endeavors after graduation. Her current poetry writing course has inspired her to submit a piece to Elysian for the first time.
Maia Deguzman
is a junior at Aurora University. Also, a capturer of small worlds.
Mia Woltman
is a Senior at Aurora University studying Elementary Education. She has earned endorsements in English and ESL. Mia served as Elysian's Editor once before and would now like to share her writing journey before she explores life beyond university.
Natasha Leclerg
(she/her) is majoring in History and English, with hopes of adding a minor in Environmental Studies in the Fall, and anticipates graduating in May 2026 from Aurora University. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in Public Health, with a concentration in Environmental Studies.
Rachel Cole
is 22 and a communication major here at Aurora University. She has been writing since she learned to hold a pencil and enjoys writing meaningful works related to her and others.
Raeya Maza
is a full-time student and artist who loves making reusable press-on nails and exploring various other forms of art. Her work shows off her creative side and attention to detail, and she finds happiness through making designs that feel unique and personal.
Richmond Outlaw
is a sophomore who enjoys photography and art to test his creativity through composition. For studying graphic design, art also allows him to practice compositional balance which is the use of space, and hand-eye coordination to get what he visually sees to paper then make art as precise as he feels it has to be.
Roxanne Alvarez
is a transfer student from Waubonsee. She has an associate’s degree in music and is now focusing on her English bachelor's degree at AU. She enjoys being creative in both worlds!
Tessa Danko
is a second year college student majoring in social work. She has been writing poetry since middle school.
Yadeliz Fernandez
is a senior psychology major that has been more open to letting people read her writing the more the writes anything. She finds herself romanticizing life in order to have a meaning in it and a purpose for creating art.
Staff
Organization Advisors
Dr. Sara Elliott
has been teaching at Aurora University for 25 years and has served as the Faculty Advisor for Elysian (formerly Nolos) for 12 years. She lives near campus and loves the fact that she can walk to work. She enjoys hiking, traveling, writing poetry, and playing board games with her family.
Editor-in-Chief
Jessica Somogye
I am a senior at Aurora University, studying English and Secondary Education. I also have a minor in Spanish. This is my fourth year on Elysian, and second semester as Editor-in-Chief and I could not be prouder of the blood, sweat, and tears poured into this issue. Everyone put in an astounding amount of effort into this project over the summer, during the fall semester, and during this semester. I cannot say thank you enough to the board, who listen to every single one of my ideas and how sporadic they are. Thank you to Dr. Sara Elliott and Dr. Meredith Harvey for being wonderful and supportive, as always. Thank you to my classmates who had to listen to me nerd out about literature and this project, too. Thank you to my students, who inspired me to keep pushing. Finally, thank you to Aurora University for providing the opportunities I am blessed to have.
Dr. Meredith Harvey
has been teaching for Aurora University for fourteen years, but has just started co-advising at Elysian this year. She enjoys teaching about writing and literature, particularly that which focuses on colonialism, gender, and the environment. In her spare time, she enjoys writing fiction, riding ponies, and hanging with her family.
Assistant Editor
Elizabeth Krueger
My name is Lizzy Krueger and I'm the Assistant Editor of the magazine. This is my final semester working as an editor for Elysian. Certainly, there have been days of feeling overwhelmed by the task of creating something that showcases work from the student body; however, the positive response we receive after each issue is released makes it worthwhile. This semester is dedicated to the feeling of nostalgia, longing for something that's no longer in reach. Soon, working on Elysian will fall into that category. As you indulge in this issue, reflect: what is nostalgic for you? Enjoy.
Digital Graphic Designer
Caitie Zwirek
I am a sophomore majoring in graphic design at Aurora University. This is my first year on the Elysian team as the digital graphic designer, and I am very grateful to Ximena for recommending me to join. I was recently inducted into Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and work at the Schingoethe Center. I have a great appreciation for all forms of art, but I particularly adore photography. I hope you enjoy the Spring 2025 Issue of Elysian Magazine!
Graphic Designer
Ximena Torres Ramos
I am a sophomore at Aurora University majoring in both Graphic Design and Communications, and minoring in Museum Studies. Though my work has appeared in Elysian before, this is my first full year as a part of the magazine staff! I hope that one day, in the future, I will be able to design for big film studios or museums, or perhaps travel the world with the help of my photography. In my free time, I enjoy reading a good book or watching a good show, going to the movies, hanging out with my friends, and getting a chance to work on any of my current crochet projects. I hope you enjoy this issue, and I can't wait to see you in the next one! :)
Photography Editor
Diego Guzman-Favela
I am a freelance photographer based in Aurora, IL. Drawing from my background in athletics and art, I developed a knack for capturing the energy and emotion of any setting. While pursuing dual degrees in Marketing and Communications at Aurora University, I have refined my skills in sports, event, and music photography, while also expanding my expertise to include graphic design. I currently freelance with East Aurora SD131, Seminole Sports, and Blaze Images and volunteer my services to many more.
Writing Editor
Madalynn Sedgwick
I am a senior at Aurora University majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. This is my first and, sadly, last semester working on Elysian, but I have pieces accepted in three previous editions. I am a member of Sigma Tau Delta: the International English Honors Society, and the President of Aurora University’s Creative Writing Club. Teaming up with Elysian for events this past school year has been amazing. I am currently preparing for graduate school to obtain an MFA in Creative Writing to become a college professor. I earned my AA at Waubonsee Community College and am a veteran after serving six years in the Army National Guard as a Military Police officer.
Secretary & Media
Naxalí Cervantes
Hello, my name is Naxalí Cervantes. I am the Secretary and Media for Elysian. This is my second semester with Elysian and it is one of the greatest decisions I have made. I got to learn so much about writing and photography, all while experiencing AU student's creativity. I am glad I get to end my AU journey with Elysian.
Treasurer
Madelyn Dittmann
I am a first-year student majoring in therapeutic recreation with a minor in neurodiversity studies, and am honored to serve as the treasurer of Elysian! I have loved writing ever since I was young, especially poetry and short stories. When I'm not writing, you'll typically find me reading, watching movies, or taking nature photography. This is my first semester on staff, and I can't wait to see everyone's contributions in issues to come!