Staples High School is proud to announce that its premier literary magazines, Soundings and QED, have been awarded the rank of Superior in the 2025 Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) contest. This prestigious distinction, bestowed by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), places both publications among the top student-led literary journals in the country.

The REALM program is a national initiative designed to celebrate the spirit of collaboration between students and faculty in the production of high-quality literary magazines. To achieve a Superior ranking—one of the program’s highest honors—publications are evaluated by a national panel of judges based on a rigorous set of criteria. These include the quality of the literary writing, the variety of genres featured, the excellence of the art and graphic design, and the overall editorial layout. The award highlights the diverse creative talent at Staples High School, as the students are entirely responsible for the magazines’ success, overseeing everything from the initial call for submissions to the final technical production.

Under the guidance of faculty advisor Kim Herzog, Editor-in-Chief Allison Cancro ’25, along with Associate Editors Eva Slossberg ’26 and Jack Robinson ’26, ensured that the magazines met the highest professional and aesthetic standards in secondary education, providing a vital platform for student voices through poetry, prose, and visual art.

From its founding in 1947 to this 2025 Superior ranking, Soundings has always been about student voice, said Herzog. I am so proud of our editors—Allison, Eva, and Jack—for maintaining that high standard of excellence. They handle everything from the initial submissions to the technical production, and this accolade from the NCTE is a well-deserved testament to their hard work and creativity.

This year's accolade is particularly meaningful given the storied history of the school's creative community. Staples High School students founded the literary magazine entitled Soundings in 1947, making it the oldest club at Staples. For over 75 years, the publication has remained a cornerstone of student life, and that legacy of expression continues today with both Soundings and its sister publication, QED.

The National Council of Teachers of English established the REALM program to publicly recognize the best student literary magazines in the United States, Canada, and American schools abroad, encouraging schools to develop publications that build community and provide an outlet for creative expression. True to this mission, the Staples literary magazines remain inclusive organizations; all students are welcome to join the staff at any point in the year. Students interested in contributing to this award-winning tradition can find more information on becoming a member at the official Soundings website.