Among the other exhibits of Wildcat talent that occur at the end of the year, Watershed shines the spotlight on creative abilities of students at Baker University. As a literary magazine made up of creative writing pieces, photography and artwork, Watershed is an opportunity for students to submit their creative works and have them selected for publication.

Marti Mihalyi, assistant professor of English, currently runs and teaches the creative writing courses offered on campus and believes that Watershed is an opportunity for students to show their talents and have them appreciated by the community.

Mihalyi said that the magazine really brings culture to Baker’s campus.

“It has tremendous benefits,” Mihalyi said. “It shows the range of things that are possible for students to achieve and gives student a chance to put in the works that they’ve worked so hard on.”

Because Watershed is completely run and operated by students, applicants must submit their works to a committee that then decides what is ready for publication. Mihalyi believes this is a unique opportunity for students so they can see if their works are ready for actual publication.

Sophomore Cody Keener’s piece “Ditch Weed” was selected and published in the 2014 edition. The work of creative non-fiction is a narrative that depicts a high school pastime but symbolizes and questions civic development and social norms.

Keener completely agrees that Watershed has benefits for students and feels that things like the magazine and creative writing classes go seriously underused on campus.

“I firmly believe an honest sense of competition is a necessity for any intellectual community, writers especially,” Keener said. “A literary magazine such as the Watershed is obviously a necessary focal point for that kind of competitive community.”

Keener’s words of advice for students who are curious about submitting their works revolve around confidence and preparation.

“I’d say be brave, do not be the only one to read it before you submit, and be aware of the deadlines,” Keener said.

Freshman Angelica Wade was first introduced to the Watershed in a class with Mihalyi and picked up a copy as only a quick read. Her favorite piece was a short poem by Kelsey Campbell entitled “Fingernail.”

“The word choice made it sound really cool and she didn’t have to use the word fingernail once for me to know what she was talking about,” Wade said.

Wade also likes the idea behind Watershed<em>Watershed</em>, though she’d only recently learned of its existence. , though she’d only recently learned of its existence. Watershed, though she’d only recently learned of its existence.

“I wish that I had known about the deadlines sooner,” Wade said. “I wish I had turned something in, too.”

Mihalyi is currently working toward including the Watershed in orientation packets and encourages students to submit their work. Copies are available upon request from the English Department.