Elysian
AU's Literary Magazine
Messages from the Editors and Designer
Volume 4, Issue 1
DANIEL CHACON
Editor in Chief
ALEXANDRA JERBI
Graphic Designer
DALIN JOHNSON
Assistant Editor
Elysian means “beautiful or creative; divinely inspired.” Creative or inspired are words that I would never use to describe myself. Still, I joined the board to support those who are talented in the arts. When I was chosen for Editor-in-Chief, I didn't think I was fit for the job. It has been a struggle in leading this first semester and I've made my fair share of mistakes. This issue wouldn't have been possible without all the help I have received.
First, I want to thank you, the reader! We do this for you! Second, without our talented contributors, we wouldn't have these creative works to share, so thank you! Next, I would like to thank my board who has helped me every step of the way as we learned to work with AUSA and how to publish a magazine.
I would've been lost from the very beginning without our advisor. Thank you, Dr. Elliot. Lastly, I want to thank the previous Editor-in-Chief. She has been helping and supporting me all this semester. Thank you, Kourtney!
I am a junior Graphic Design and Marketing major and this is my first year on the Elysian board. I have almost no experience in writing or poetry, but art is definitely something that I can relate to and something that I am passionate about. Elysian gave me more experience and gave me the chance to work with new people in a new environment after the pandemic slowed things down. I also love to see the submissions done by others while submitting and organizing content.
I am so grateful for the fact that I was able to try something new and have fun doing so!
NOLAN THILK
Writing Editor
I am a sophomore at AU with a double major in Professional Writing and English. I hope to work for a newspaper, magazine, or publishing house after graduating with a Master’s Degree. Last year, I was most interested in academic writing, so I was hesitant to apply for the assistant editor position in such a creative magazine — I had very limited experience writing poetry and short fiction. I joined Elysian hoping to gain experience and to see how magazines work behind the scenes, but I doubted how much my technical brain would be able to contribute. Elysian has helped me tap into the creativity I didn’t know I had, and I am so thankful for my position and experiences. Thank you to the executive board for making each meeting fun, and thank you to all the contributors for inspiring me to write more creatively.
This is my first year on the Elysian board and it has already been an incredibly rewarding experience. Reading the work of my fellow AU students has been nothing short of inspiring, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have taken this position.
Contributor's Notes
Volume 4, Issue 1
ANGELA CABALANG
Angela Cabalang is a sophomore at Aurora University, majoring in English and Secondary Education. Thanks to all the wonderful English teachers she's had throughout her life, Angela has a strong appreciation for creativity and writing.
ASHLEY SANDERS
Ashley Sanders is a Senior double majoring in Health Science and English. Having contributed to previous editions of Elysian, Ashley continues to foster passions in reading and writing. Ashley owes her gratitude to her high school English teachers who discovered her talent in academic and creative writing and her college professors who constantly encourage and critique her work.
CAITLIN WINCKLER
Caitlin Winckler is a Senior at AU majoring in Graphic Design. She has always been interested in the art of photography but hadn't had a chance to explore that interest until taking a digital photography class this past semester. She is looking forward to developing her skills with a camera as she completes her final semester and hopes to keep up with photography in the future.
CORRI ROGAN
DALIN JOHNSON
GLENDY APONTE
Corri is an aspiring freshman at AU who is double majoring in Theatre and Communications. She decided to showcase one of her favorite hobbies. Enjoy!
Dalin is a sophomore at AU, with a double major in Professional Writing and English. She is the Assistant Editor for Elysian Magazine and a student worker in the Crouse Center for Academic Advising.
From 2019 to 2021, Glendy has contributed her works in the Elysian Magazine. Glendy's 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.
JENNA BUTLER
JONATHON REID
JUAN GUTIERREZ
Jenna Butler is a chemistry and mathematics double major in her final semester at AU. In addition to drawing, she enjoys reading, playing disc golf, and learning songs on the guitar.
Jonathon Reid is a Successful Impressionist and Abstract Painter, Actor, and Athlete. He does all his work in memory of his family and God.
Portraits and cars were where Juan discovered his love for photography. Being able to take someone's photo in an interesting environment or capturing his favorite car speeding down the track, each shoot is always something different and brings forth the challenge to try and come up with something new he hasn't tried before.
L'AQUISHA SMITH
LEEBA JOSEPH
MIA WOLTMAN
La’Quisha Smith is a graduate student at Aurora University who has numerous experiences working in various fields such as Theatre, Business, and Marketing. La’Quisha Smith spends her time inspiring people within her community to be passionate about their dreams and believe in themselves.
Leeba Joseph is a junior double majoring in Business Administration and Psychology. She loves creating pieces of art and has now decided to try her hand at photography and poetry. Enjoy!
Mia Woltman is a first-year student and studies Elementary Education at Aurora University. She plans to achieve an endorsement in secondary English to nurture her appreciation for writing and imagination.
MARIANA SIFUENTES
NOLAN THILK
Mariana Sifuentes was born in Mexico but has been raised in Carpentersville, Illinois for seventeen years. She is an only child and lives with both her mom and stepfather whom she loves spending time with. She dreams of one day becoming a social worker and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Nolan Thilk is a junior at Aurora University majoring in English and minoring in Spanish. He hopes to one day be able to turn his love of creative writing into a career, but in the meantime is enjoying rewatching old episodes of Columbo. He currently lives in Aurora.
ADVISOR
Dr. Sara Elliott
TREASURER
Gabriella Curatola
READERS
Leeba Joseph | Frida Guerrero | Brooke Dowd | Corri Rogan | Maya Stevens | Mia Woltman