The search for submission forms, the excited voices shouting out what tasks that they take responsibility for, and the overall welcoming personalities, all make up The Abyss publication.

The Abyss took off about two years ago, publishing a collection of poems, photos, and artwork, that students and staff shared. Senior Reed Gordon was one of the first to become a member and really got to experience the publication from its beginning stages.

“When Taylor asked me if I was interested in joining this new publication, I of course jumped at the opportunity,” said Gordon. “I thought it was an amazing idea and I could tell that with Taylor and her art that we would be able to go so far.”

The magazine published its first issue very quickly bringing positive attention to the new club and its members.

“The first issue was amazing, and beautiful, I loved it and everyone loved it too,” said Gordon. “The school ate it up, it was something we took pride in.”

The Abyss’s  symbol includes paper airplanes that have a special meaning according to Gordon.

“Sophomore year when we were thinking about the book and what we were going to do for the cover, Taylor and I went for a walk through the art show and she showed me this drawing that she made, and it was a city with all these paper airplanes flying through it,” said Gordon. “At that moment I was like ‘wait a minute, this is it’ and from there the paper airplane evolved from this drawing to the meaning and message to what The Abyss is.”

The graduating staff like cover artist/brainchild senior Taylor Turbide, who originally started the club, now questions how it will run next year with minimal members.

“I was taking an independent study with Trem [Tremblay] my sophomore year and she mentioned it as something I could start and even choose who else should be part of it too,” Turbide said.

With the majority of the members graduating, current  seniors wonder how the others can keep up the hard work without their effort/support.

“We have a lot more connections to get submissions than some of the newer members, ” said Turbide. “I really really hope the others stick with it but I’m sure Trem will find more kids to join too.”

It takes a lot of dedication to take part in a club like this, according to Turbide. The Abyss helps newer members realize that not everything is just handed to them.

“The newer members haven’t been to the awful meetings that we had in the beginning where it was just coming up with ideas for fundraising so that we could publish,” said Turbide. “[But] If they stick with it though they’re bound to run into it again.”

Seeking the attention of students has been one of the many challenges Abyss members like senior Ben Nason were faced with this year.

“We’ve recited poetry to people during advisory which got a few kids interested but I haven’t really seen them at any meetings or anything,” said Nason. “We try to be more involved and showcase it to try to build up more members.”

Part of the high school experience is finding out what really interests you and for Sabrina Kheang The Abyss helped her do that.

“I joined because I felt like I didn’t fit in high school my freshman year because I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do and when I heard about looking for members, I became a part of it.” Kheang said.

The Abyss can have different meanings for different members but other than everyone in the publication taking pride in their work and having a good time, members like Kheang have their own meanings.

“It’s a place where we all can let out our inner thoughts, ideas, and support the arts,” said Kheang.”Basically it’s a place where we all can express ourselves in ways we can’t out of our meetings.”

Kheang also hopes to keep up with the members that continue next year to help out and give helpful tips.

“I plan to still be part of The Abyss and keep in touch with the freshmen and sophomores that have joined and help them in anyway I can,” Kheang said.

New cover artist, freshman Lauren McCallum believes that The Abyss is more than just literary work.

“It’s something that recognizes the artistic kids in the school and their abilities which is important because the school is really athletically dominated,” said McCallum. “Having The Abyss is very important because the people stronger artistically/creatively have an outlet to express who they are.”

Becoming a member for McCallum was a no-brainer decision that she feels will help her get more involved in the long run.

“Well I don’t really fit in with the athletic crowd all that well, so not only do I feel comfortable and accepted, but I want to help promote the arts in school [too],” McCallum said.

The Abyss meets once a week to discuss tasks that need to happen in order to publish the magazine and it’s not just a chaotic place where magic happens, within the meetings collaborations are welcomed by staff and students who enjoy the arts.

“Even if someone isn’t artistic they’d like to help with ideas and putting the book together thats totally okay [too],” McCallum said.

The Abyss is more than just a book to the members and it will continue to grow with everyone’s support.

“It’s not just a book,” said McCallum. “It’s a unique way to put your individual creativity out there and express yourself.”

If you are interested in joining The Abyss please contact Mrs. Tremblay.