The NEHS Pen Ultimate Chapter is a talented, opinionated, and curious group of students who form the Arizona School for the Arts (ASA) chapter of the National English Honor Society. Our deep appreciation for literature and poetry drives us to meet after school every Friday to celebrate the English language. Comprising juniors and seniors at ASA, our group set ambitious goals for 2024. We aimed to transform the club from a low-commitment honor society into one that fervently promotes a passion for reading and language, both within the school and the wider community, through unwavering commitment and accountability.
Our first initiative was to launch school-wide poetry and writing competitions to encourage students to write. By offering small prizes, we hoped to motivate participants to invest in their word choice and structure. The inaugural competition, a Thanksgiving-themed poetry contest, was a resounding success with over 500 entries, each narrating the story of “why the turkey crossed the road.” By the end of the year, we had successfully organized four competitions.
Moreover, many Pen Ultimate members were concerned about the younger students’ lack of interest in literature and writing. It seemed that the impact of COVID-19 had hindered their literary development, causing many to fall behind. To address this, the Pen Ultimates helped establish a junior NEHS chapter at ASA to foster a love of language among younger students.
While proud of our achievements within the school, we aspired to make a broader impact. We were thrilled when we received an opportunity to correspond with an NEHS chapter in another country. This allowed us to connect with students outside our familiar environment and build relationships with peers thousands of miles away. A chapter of NEHS in Armenia at QSI International School of Yerevan sought to connect with a US chapter, and the Pen Ultimate Chapter eagerly embraced the opportunity. The QSI chapter president, Marina, initiated contact with a beautifully written letter detailing the impact of the Armenian Genocide on her country and people. Although many of us had heard of the genocide, we knew little about its details and context. Marina’s letter educated us about the persecution of Armenian Christians and the lasting devastation on the Armenian people, which was not covered in our history classes.
She recommended resources to learn about the genocide and included a kind letter about her life. Many of her chapter members also sent letters, detailing how the genocide had affected their families and how it continues to do so today. We responded with letters about our lives, interests, plans, and photos. As we exchanged letters and built connections with our Armenian pen pals, we decided to collaborate on a literary project. After much discussion, we chose to create a literary magazine with a theme centered on cultural, familial, or personal identity. This allowed members to express themselves while producing cohesive and intimate work creatively. Each chapter member, both from QSI and ASA, contributed a piece of poetry, prose, or any form of writing that showcased a part of their identity. We then compiled these into a colorful and artistic magazine.
The resulting collection features personal stories and sentiments that reveal aspects of the authors’ identities and histories. Whether related to cultural or ethnic backgrounds, familial ties, or personal inclinations, each piece offers a window into the author’s personality.
Read the Magazine: NEHS LITERARY MAGAZINE—On: Personal and Cultural Identity
Adele Torrington was a student at the Arizona School for the Arts (ASA) from 7th grade until 2024, when she graduated as a senior. In high school she was a part of many clubs, but her favorites were Mock Trial, Model United Nations, and of course, the National English Honor Society. She has a passion for art and has been running a small oil painting business since 8th grade. She plans to attend McGill University in Montreal this fall to complete a Dual Honors major in International Relations and Philosophy, along with a minor in Arabic Language. She hopes for a career in law or diplomacy focusing on foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. As the former president of ASA’s chapter of the National English Honor Society, she hopes to participate in McGill’s literary magazine, utilizing her artistic talents and creativity while keeping up her literary endeavors.
