Chances are, you’ve probably seen the colorful posters around the halls and in English classrooms here at FM, encouraging students to submit their art and writing to Voices—and this year, over 90 incredible submissions of artwork and writing found their way into the 2025 issue.
Voices, FM High School’s student-run literary magazine, was first published in 1956 as a way for seniors to share their poetry “as a memento of their graduation,” as stated by M.E. Lewis, Voices 1956. Today, Voices is open to all forms of art and writing from high school students. Every Monday in Mr. Clardy’s room (1103), Voices members meet after school to drink tea and hot chocolate while reading through the anonymous writing submissions. The discussions are student-led, run by this year’s Senior Editors: Annika Dharwadkar, Diego Garcia, and Diya Ali. Mr. Clardy deeply encourages students to attend the weekly meetings, “The members who come and add their voice to the meeting are part of the success of the culture of Voices and the magazine.”
By mid-May, Voices stops receiving submissions, and several volunteers start to work on layout and formatting with Mr. Clardy. It takes many after-school periods of meticulous work and organization to put together a comprehensive and visually appealing magazine and to choose the visual submission that will be featured on the cover. After weeks of editing, organizing, and proofreading, Voices 2025 is finally here!
Even at first glance, the magazine is gorgeous—the cover spotlights a captivating digital art piece by senior Lindsey Gardner. The rest of the artwork is also nothing short of stunning: photography, painting, drawing, digital creation, collage, ceramics, fashion, jewellery, graffiti, woodworking, and even culinary art was included in the issue. The writing was no less diverse, with works of poetry, flash fiction, and songwriting that illustrated the perspectives, thoughts, and emotions of FM students. “2025 Voices is filled with writers who have shared their work and people who were brave and ready to share their writing for the first time,” said Mr. Clardy.
In past years, the Voices magazine was sold for $5, but this year it was decided that it would be distributed at no cost, as Mr. Clardy is “eager to get the magazine in the hands of potential student writers.” If you are interested in a free copy of the 2025 issue, see Mr. Clardy in room 1103 or email him at [email protected].
Next year, Voices will again be seeking student submissions to be featured in the 2026 issue. Mr. Clardy encourages students to “submit their writing by recognizing it is brave to share, and to assure them that our process of reviewing works is open and led by Editors who have shown not only interest in writing but have an approach to discussion that is positive, reflective and inviting.” Voices is open to all forms of writing, pieces co-authored by more than one student, excerpts from longer pieces, and even pieces written in a language other than English. Diverse art submissions are also welcome and encouraged—if you can make it, Voices wants to see it. Email submissions directly to Mr. Clardy at [email protected] and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
As can be seen in the success of this year’s Voices issue, the 2024-2025 school year was a special one, full of student creativity and expression. Voices, as a whole, extends their gratitude and congratulations to any seniors that have contributed to Voices during their time at FM, and hope that they will continue their artistic and literary endeavors in their post-high school years.
Mr. Clardy shares a final thank-you to everyone who attended Voices meetings this year: “We are what we are because of the members. I cannot thank them enough.”
