Montgomery County Community College’s 2019-20 art and literature magazine, “Transitions,” recently earned a first-place award with special merit in the American Scholastic Press Association annual contest.

The American Scholastic Association presents this award to publications that are outstanding examples of scholastic publications in format, content, and presentation.

Francesca Santini, editor-in-chief and MCCC student, oversaw the production of the 96-page magazine with assistance from Rose Cushwa, Nakiha McCreath and Michael Sowa, art and graphic editors; Russell Magee, literary editor; and English Instructor Dr. Tom Powers and Art Associate Professor & Galleries Liaison Dianne Zotter-Mill, faculty co-advisors.

This accomplishment is especially meaningful for the students and co-advisors who worked tirelessly during the pandemic to put the magazine together, as well as for the many contributors whose work was highlighted within its pages.

“We had to transition because of COVID, but the College is a place where you transition,” said Santini, a non-traditional student with an advanced degree in science who came to MCCC to explore and develop her creative interests as an artist and graphic designer.

“I was new to the task of editor-in-chief, and I knew I had big shoes to fill since the 2018-2019 magazine had won awards,” she said. “I also thought it would be a great opportunity to bring something new and fresh to the magazine.”

Literary submissions may include poetry, short stories, fiction, essays, comics, novel excerpts and song lyrics. Art submissions may include any two- or three-dimensional works of any medium.

“For the next edition, we want to include animation entries,” she said. “We’ll be adding QR codes in the magazine that will link to YouTube, where you can view the animations. The next magazine will be a double issue that will be printed in 2022.”

During winter break, the student staff reviews the entries and collaboratively makes their selections. For the 2019-2020 magazine, they selected 76 works by 45 contributors – from 190 submissions by 79 artists and authors.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done, and I’m glad it was well-received,” said Santini. “This was a first for me, and it’s been a great opportunity.”

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