How would you like your artwork, photography, poetry, or short stories to be published in a literary magazine for all of your peers to see and marvel?  Crescendo, Ladue’s own literary magazine provides just this opportunity.  Including submissions no longer than a page, Crescendo puts together a perfectly balanced novelty of work from all students from every grade.

”As the semester ends, we are going to begin wrapping up the submission process and entering into production mode,” senior Alison Fiorenza said. “As of now, our biggest goal is to get more submissions. We aim for the finished product to be ready by April/beginning of May.”

One of the events that Crescendo hosted on Jan. 26 was Bad Poetry Night.  This night included read-aloud poems of silly, quirky, and overall “bad” nature.  Students brought forth old middle school anthologies, early poetry from centuries ago, and also funny poetry that students found on the internet. Students even held small musical performances as well.

“I love seeing people inspire creatively, there’s really a lot you can do and I enjoy seeing that diversity,” senior Ryan Bry said. “It also helps motivate me to be more public about the work that they do.”

With the success of Bad Poetry Night, the club plans on hosting other nights similar to it.  However, the next event will be held for a different purpose.

“After we finish we will probably host another event similar to Bad Poetry Night, but with good poetry,” Fiorenza said. “The main purpose will be to sell the magazine.”

Crescendo provides an outlet for creatively inspired students who are proud of their work and would like to share it with other students. While the primary focus is on literary work, there also is a large artistic component to the magazine, featuring photography, artwork, painting and drawings. The club also offers students an opportunity to share and showcase their work in an effort to entertain a captive audience.

“”I enjoy the process,” Fiorenza said. “There’s always an underlying appreciation for those brave enough to send in their personal work.”

Crescendo has also undergone a major change this year. With the sponsorship transferring from Patrick Jaranowski, who left Ladue to pursue a higher education, to English teacher Janet Duckham, the direction of the magazine has shifted.

“Our new sponsor has been a huge change because we all aren’t really that familiar with the process of final production,” Fiorenza said.

The club meets every white Monday in room 143, and Crescendo is always taking submissions. If students are interested in submitting work they should contact Ryan Bry at [email protected]. #