By: Mikayla Boyd, Editor-in-Chief Before I embarked on a plane for the first time, headed to the other side of the country, I could never have anticipated the impact that it would have on my life. I felt like the world suddenly opened up to me through my experience, and the way I viewed change had, well, changed. The growth of my world didn’t take away from the beauty of my familiar places, as I worried it would. Instead, it enriched who I am. As soon as I took off, an odd se

By Kayla Gajewski  My sister Isla has always believed that if you say something sweetly enough, it will become so sweet it has the potential to undo all the wrong in the world.  I think this as she smooths the sleeve of her blue and pink floral dress as if it’s offended her. The fabric catches under her evenly manicured pastel purple fingernails as she presses it flat, smiling to herself when it quietly obeys. Across the room, a man clears his throat too loudly. Somewhere beh

By Kira Rodriguez Lesson two: During professional duties, reasonable suspicion of child abuse or maltreatment must be reported. “A lady in a suit came yesterday,” Silas Lowe said as he put his coat on the hook. Mom dropped him off today. Her eyes were red and glossy, her breath rank. It stung her nose. She hoped the baby was with Dad or Grandma, glad that Silas seemed to be okay. His mother stared at her, read her and knew she was the one who called Child Protective Services

By Kira Rodriguez Lesson one: Occasionally, check on the sleeping child. Everyone loved Ms. Mandy. She was a willing participant in the infant’s room, the smelly room, the busy room, the ‘look out where you are going or trip’ room. Her blonde hair, the roots more strawberry than the rest, was always tied into a loose bun or a ponytail, and her golden cross hanging from its chain was always tucked in her shirt. The unspoken rule of the infant’s room. Her eyes, bright blue, wer

Art by Hollie Ellis

By Kira Rodriguez Dad lifted him so he could put the top hat on my cold, smooth head. Mom wrapped the scarf around, not too tight, but enough that the wind wouldn’t blow it off. My eyes, dark and glistening in the winter sun, made him smile brighter than the sun that started to make me sweat. I knew, as I watched Dad and Mom swing the little boy back and forth under the March sun, that it would be some time before I saw them this way again, dressed in a top hat and scarf. Soo

by Ria Minhas Girlhood is butterflies and flower stud earrings It’s pinky promises and tiny buckles on tiny Mary Jane shoes It’s pinks and purples (but secretly, blues and greens) Girlhood is walking past the camisoles in favor of the oh so grown-up training bras It’s sneaking mascara and lip gloss into the school bathroom, and rubbing it off before going home It’s having your first kiss on a dare while sitting in the grass at recess, As your friends giggle off in the distanc

Art by Hollie Ellis

By: Hannah Wiley, Managing Editor The 2026 Travel Photography group heads to Naples, Italy this morning with The Griffin ’s very own Opinion Editor, Mo Hill, included in the bunch! Be on the lookout for some photos from this year's trip, but in the meantime enjoy these photos from the 2024 trip from Procida! Beach on Procida Island Procida at sunset Procida at night

by Kira Rodriguez You looked down at me with such gentle eyes, Your big, brown eyes filled with such love, As you rested on your grandmother’s couch, A place holding so many memories. It was my first and most cherished moment. Even though I don’t remember the details, I remember the love of your gentle embrace As you held me close, our heartbeats in sync. I, so small, and your hands, so large. Your tattoos and earrings, a symbol of the past, The boy you used to be and the man

By Chris Tolliver

By: Hakim Mosegi To Remy and Anne Marie,  They say that "X" marks the spot where two lives have crossed each other for the right reasons, and looking at both of you two today, it is clear that no writer's hand could've scripted such a bond this pure. You've spent years weaving a heart-shaped knot through the flow of time, showing that love is a choice made by people, whether mutant or not.  You both came to the X-Men with secrets and "theft" in your veins: one stealing hearts

To be a strong man. If I were a strong man,  I’d have addressed my misgivings  From your reckless speech, which made me feel small. If I were a strong man, I’d have fought back in every one-sided argument you used to practice your lungs. If I were a strong man, You would have never thought you could use me like you did. If I were a strong man,  I’d be confident and swift after discerning that you never cared at all, that you were silent on purpose. I didn’t want to leave you,