“The Salamander” is an accurate portrayal of the truly talented student body hidden at Le Moyne. The first Salamander was published in 1975 and now in 2014, another issue has just been released. This perfectly composed journal features poetry, short stories, photography (now in color!) and most of all some seriously powerful stuff from the people you see every day. Reading through “The Salamander” gives an in-depth look into the lives of that girl in your history class, or that really nice guy in your religion class.

Chief Editor, Claire Kennedy said “These students enabled me to fall in love with literature and art all over again, making this position and all its stresses worth it.” After reading through “The Salamander” I can fully agree with Claire’s statement.

Students featured in “The Salamander” recall stories of love, loss, beauty, and every other lesson you have ever learned from life.

One story in particular caught my eye; “Driving Lessons” by Emily Higgins. This story starts out innocent and relatable-a.k.a-learning how to drive is terrifying and gratifying all at once. The attractive drivers ed teacher starts making eyes with the student, after lessons and lessons of pent up sultry glances they finally exchange in a slightly romantic kiss. The most fascinating part of this story is the immense amount of detail that litters every line and every shred of dialogue.

The colored pictures in this issue illustrate the beauty of everyday things: streets, nature, wildlife, people, and everything in between.

At a school where the dominant major seems to be science, the amount of creativity students are bringing to this annual journal is astonishing. The level of writing skills these students are bringing to the table is eye opening.

Reading through the journal becomes somewhat peaceful, as if you have just found an old artifact from a distant relative who had a strong appreciation for life and everything that comes with it.

Looking through the intensely beautiful pictures, one specifically caught my eye, a picture of an eye taken by Chi Fei (Flora) Chen. Who knew a simple picture of a black and white eye could give you so much insight into the emotion behind something so common on every human.

What I’m trying to say is, pick up a copy of “The Salamander” and support the wonderful and awe-inspiring peers around you. Copies of “The Salamander” are available in the English Department, Communications Department, Dean’s Office, and the library.