Elysian
AU's Literary Magazine
Messages from the Editors and Designer
Volume 3, Issue 1
KOURTNEY LIPPS
Editor in Chief
IYANNA BUFORD BROOMS
Graphic Designer
BRENDA M. WAIS
Assistant Editor
I have been a part of Elysian since my freshman year (back then it was called Nolos), and it has been a huge part of my college experience. At the beginning of this semester, I was asked if I could take over as Editor-in-Chief. I was nervous at first and scared that we would not get many submissions, as I thought the pandemic may have taken a toll on people’s creativity. I was definitely wrong, because we received a little over 100 submissions from the Aurora University community this semester! It was amazing to see the variety of talent in each piece and I am so happy with how this issue turned out. If it were not for our advisors, staff, our amazing graphic designer, and each and every person who sent us a submission, none of this would be possible!
I joined Elysian Magazine since the beginning of 2020. I’m majoring in Graphic Design and still have much to learn and I’m eager to learn. It’s never too late to learn new things! When the pandemic came around, I was worried that the magazine wouldn’t be released. But we found a different way of publishing it, instead of putting it on paper. I know the pandemic is draining everyone emotionally and physically, but we have to continue to stay strong and positive to end this year off strong!
I joined Elysian in the Fall of 2020 during my last year as a graduate student in the Social Work Master’s program. I was interested in joining Elysian because I love creativity and am a big advocate for artistic expression. Art can be such a beautiful way to convey an individual’s emotional experience, whether through words, pictures, paintings, as well as in so many unique forms. I am grateful to have the chance to be a part of the Elysian team and moved by all the submissions, all those personal moments students have chosen to share with us, and now you. Enjoy!
Contributor's Notes
Volume 3, Issue 1
ALEXANDRIA GODUTO
AMANDA MINER
ASHLEY SANDERS
Alexandria Goduto is currently a Health Science and Business Major at Aurora University. She enrolled in photography this year and has enjoyed using her dogs as well as friends and family for pictures.
Amanda Maude Miner is a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation at the University of Utah and Lakeview Hospitals in Salt Lake City and Bountiful Utah. Those who know Amanda would comment on her outgoing personality, positive energy, and natural ability to inspire others. Her strong work ethic and commitment to excellence has served her well academically, athletically, in the workplace, and as an aspired poet.
Ashley Sanders is a Junior double majoring in Health Science and English. Although she envisions herself in a science-related work field, she holds a passion for reading and writing. Ashley owes her gratitude to her high school English teachers who discovered her talent in academic and creative writing.
CESAR DAVID ENCARNACION
DANA DRIER
EVAN SWEDBERG
The 20 year old photographer known as Cesar David Encarnacion is studying as an early education major. During his free time, he likes to spend time with friends and family. He also loves to capture the beauty in every moment he can.
Dana Drier is a senior at Aurora University majoring in English and minoring in Museum Studies. Dana considers herself to be more of a cryptid than a person. Legend has it, if you turn off your bathroom lights and say her name three times in the mirror, she will appear and incorrectly guess what your favorite color is.
Evan Swedberg is from Sycamore, Illinois, and transferred to Aurora University this fall to study graphic design. He enjoys photography because he is able to show others his vision and pictures of his hometown of Sycamore through his images. Photography is a subject that he enjoys and is excited to continue expanding his knowledge of photography at Aurora University.
GLENDY APONTE
HOPE KING
IAN GLOVER
In 2019, Glendy contributed a few of her early works in the Elysian Magazine. Glendys continued interest in this timeless art form is to promote, reinforce, and create new avenues for Latino/Hispanic artists’ capacity to discover and celebrate the best poetry and place it before the largest possible audience.
Hope King first came across the use of poetry as a coping strategy. She used it as a way to find her voice. Now, she hopes to use her poetry to help others find their voice and to help create space and awareness for vulnerable populations.
Ian is a senior finance major here at AU. He asks readers to spread love and hope, even to those who seem to have lost both.
JADA GOLDEN
JENNA BUTLER
JENNIFER VAN VEGTEN
Jada Golden is a Junior Early Childhood Special Education major, who enjoys expressing through the arts of writing, music, and performance. Within this opportunity she was able to give a piece of her passion to you. She hopes that you enjoyed her pieces for she lived through them all.
Jenna Butler is a Chemistry and Mathematics double major with a minor in Spanish. She enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, playing disc golf, learning songs on the guitar, and making abstract drawings.
Jennifer Van Vegten is a psychology major at Aurora University. She lives in Glendale Heights with her partner, dog, and bearded dragon. She writes poetry about haunting experiences.
JESSICA JONES
JOSH KATSIMPALIS
JOSH VALENTINO
Jessica Jones is a current MSW student studying at George Williams. She works full time at a behavioral health hospital where she integrates art and creativity to her patients' treatment. She loves to travel and cannot wait until she can finally get back on a plane and explore the world!
Josh Katsimpalis is a Senior at Aurora studying Business and Biology. He studied photography at Waubonsee CC and has a photography business of his same name. He can be found on Instagram @katphotochi.
Josh Valentino is currently a junior at Aurora University majoring in computer science. He is an amateur photographer in his spare time, focusing on capturing good energy/vibes. He loves to travel and work with others! His Instagram: @valentino.josh.
KELSEY KENNEALLY
MARK CARROLL
MARLENE VAIL
Kelsey is a senior at Aurora University. She is graduating with an English major and a Psychology minor. She wants to thank her family and friends for their continued support as she follows her dreams.
Mark Carroll is currently enrolled as a graduate student at George William's College, and is pursuing a Master's Degree in Social Work. He is married and has seven children. His song is inspired by his wife and the challenging situations created by being a foster parent and an adoptive parent.
Marlene Vail is currently a graduate social work student at George Williams College studying towards her MSW. In her prior career, she was an events manager for a Milwaukee publisher. Originally from New York, Marlene resides in Fontana, WI with her collie dog, Heather. Ballet and music are her passions.
MELODY ULIN
NATHAN YOCKEY
NICHOLAS RICHARD-THOMPSON
Melody Ulin, AU Staff, Visit Coordinator. Her photo, Planted Roots, captures the history and beauty of a colossal tree with parallel meaning to one's deep roots through genealogy. Photography is inspired by the interest and beauty that surround her; Melody's background is in publishing and marketing and loves printed mediums and photography.
Nathan Yockey is a junior psychology major, coming from Alaska to play on the Aurora Men's Basketball Team. He began writing poetry and short stories at a young age and writes about subsistence living in and around his small hometown in Alaska. He enjoys writing creatively about the big lessons to be taken from small things in life.
Nicholas Richard-Thompson is a community organizer, filmmaker, and poet and is a Communications Coordinator for the City of Aurora. Nick is also a part of numerous advocacy groups, both local and international -- most notably "Black Alliance for Peace' 'Indivisible Aurora' and 'The People's Coalition'. Nick defines himself as a storyteller of infinite form by any media necessary.
NICOLE CUNDARI
PEGGY POTILECHIO
RACHAEL SHEETS
Nicole is a 22 year old Psychology major at Aurora University. She has always had a love for photography. Her love has flourished through taking her first photography class at AU!
Peggy enjoys expressing her creativity through her photography class she is taking at Aurora University. She tries to be as unique as possible when choosing what to photograph. Peggy truly loves to capture things in a way that most often don’t look at.
Rachael loves interacting with the natural world through art photography, hiking, and kayaking. She enjoys the beautiful lake views on the GWC campus as she completes her graduate studies in Social Work. Rachael plans to use the natural world to inspire hope and healing in the individuals she serves in the future.
SALVADOR GARCIA
TEAGEN PETERSEN
TEJANDRA ORTIZ
Salvador Garcia is a history major with a minor in education, from Aurora, Illinois. In his free time, he does photography and loves to shoot architecture and nature.
Teagen Petersen is a Senior Psychology student at George Williams College. She uses poetry as her voice when she feels like she has none and to heal the pain that she carries. She hopes to make a difference in the world with her words.
Tejandra Ortiz is a senior at Aurora University pursuing a bachelor's degree in Health Science, Spanish, and Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and Physiology. Outside of work and school she spends her time taking photos and creating music.
VINCENT DHAN
ZACH RAMSELL
ZULEYHA KHURSHIDOVA
Vincent Dhan was born and raised in Aurora, IL and is the son of immigrants. Rich in diversity nearby Chicago he was able to explore different cultures and arts which led to him owning his own photography business while studying for his Masters in Social Work at Aurora University. He became passionate about creating content in hopes that those who see it experience as much joy as he does making it.
Zach Ramsdell was born in Long Beach, California, lived in Austin, Texas, and studied business at DePaul University in Chicago. Now studying English at Aurora University, Zach is leaning in to a creative career while finding influence in past relationships and experiences made around the world.
Zuleyha Khurshidova is a full-time mother, a full-time criminal justice major, a full-time stylist, and a part time photographer. She loves to capture anything and everything in her sight whenever she gets the chance to.