When sitting in one of the red or yellow cushioned chairs carefully strewn throughout the library, the first thought that comes to mind probably has little relevance to the chair itself. If each one of those chairs could talk, it can only be imagined the exquisite stories they would tell about what they had learned and experienced throughout their time in the Williston community. Yet of these chairs, it is those in the Writing Center that have the most interesting stories of all, for once a week they are witness to the creativity the Williston community presents to Janus.

On Friday September 26, I made my way for the first time to the upper floor of the library. Easily I found the wooden door of the Writing Center that was opened wide to welcome the new school year. As I walked through the doorway, I was unaware of the world of imagination and possibility that I was stepping into.

Every week, poets, artists, writers, and musicians send their work to [email protected]. Yet no one other than the Janus staff, truly knows what goes on after that fantastic work is submitted.

Looking for a way to engage in the Williston community, when I first heard about Janus I was enticed! It was an opportunity to engage my love of literature and poetry in a productive way. My first day of Janus I sat down in one of the oversized yellow chairs and listened attentively as Henry Lombino welcomed us with open arms. Since that day, when I wrote my name down on the attendance list, I was hooked, and rarely ever missed a Thursday afternoon meeting.

It was there that I discovered the inner workings of Janus. The creative pieces sent in by the community are all made anonymous for their “public readings.” Members of Janus volunteer to read a piece aloud for the group, before that piece is actively discussed. We share what we love about the piece, what we admire, what our questions are, and how the piece impacts us. Following the conference, a blind vote is held to whether the piece should be a part of Janus or not. If the piece is accepted, the author is named and they are commemorated for their outstanding work.

As a first year member of Janus, and a first year student in the Williston community, I have been hesitant to read the pieces aloud, yet I find myself actively engaged by the complex discussions we share about the pieces. I thoroughly enjoy reading and discussing the pieces that are submitted to Janus. I have enjoyed it so much, that I have even submitted my own work to be reviewed!

Janus has actively been a part of shaping the Williston community for me. It is an instant connection to a community of writers, poets, and artists and is one of the fundamental clubs on campus connecting academics to the lives and careers we hope to pursue.

This “real life experience” is what leads Janus to two publications each year. Though the print edition only comes out in print twice a year, it takes a year’s worth of work, both by the Janus staff and by the creativity of the Williston community to organize and make the print edition.

In my time with Janus, not only has my life changed, but the magazine itself has as well. In the course of this year alone we have created an online publication at janusmag.wordpress.com as well as a monthly poetry competition which has now been presented to the Williston community for two months.

Every Thursday afternoon when Janus meets there is something new to discover. It may be an idea propelling Janus into the future, an inspiring piece written by a student, or the companionship found being amongst a group of people who inspire you each and every day with their creativity, thoughtful insights, and brilliant works, whether it be through writing or art. Once a week upstairs in the writing center, a truly unique part of the Williston community is uncovered, and each week while I sit in one of the oversized red chairs, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have the opportunities that the Williston community presents. Janus has been a large part of my freshman year at Williston, and I truly believe that the creativity, uniqueness, and abstractness of Williston students should be recognized by their colleagues.

The next time you find yourself wandering through the library, find one of the inspiring Janus magazines, sit down in one of the oversized red chairs, and read. You may be surprised by what you discover.