Literary Magazine Wins national Competition

Beard Full of Butterflies (BFOB), Peninsula’s student literary magazine, recently entered the nationwide American Scholastic Press Association’s annual competition and was awarded first place in the magazine category. Additionally, they were honored with the title of Outstanding Photography.

BFOB’s Editor-in-Chief, Senior Ashley Liu, is extremely proud to be awarded these titles. She feels that the variation of Peninsula’s students’ art is what truly helped BFOB win.

“I feel that winning the award reflects the quality of our students and the work that they do,” Liu said. “The diversity of our magazine is what made us stand out from other entries. We include a variety of pieces including poems, essays, photographs and even doodles. It has become one of our magazine’s strengths and something that we look for when we request submissions.”

According to Liu, the process of reviewing the submitted art and choosing which pieces to print in the magazine is a task that the BFOB staff greatly enjoys.

“All staff members spend weeks [sifting through] the vast amount of submissions that we get,” Liu said. “I love being a part of the magazine because it is fascinating to see the artistic sides of students that we do not get to see in a regular classroom setting.”

Liu feels that the arts give students a way to express themselves. BFOB allows students to be recognized for their work, and prompts young artists to continue their skills in the arts.

“It showcases the incredible art and literary work that Peninsula students produce,” Liu said. “Peninsula has amazing artists and writers, and the magazine gives them the opportunity to be recognized. BFOB encourages and fosters the creative talents of our students.”