"Celebration Under the Stars"

By E. Alicia Chance
ORLANDO, Fla.-


Several authors who are featured in the Pheonix, Valencia's literary magazine, performed their works outdoor Thursday night.

Many audience members were deeply engaged in the art and poetry that was being displayed.

The coffee, cheesecake, and several different genres of cookies complimented the evening's bliss.
Some may wonder how the name came about?

The Pheonix is described as a mythical creature that lives for hundreds of years, it burns itself and then is reborn, thus the explanation of the publication and its being reborn every year.

Most that attended had a copy of the publication, and as the readers approached the podium and gave the names of the works many were flipping pages to find it throughout the book.

"Ode to the Streptococcus" by Mercedes Gosnell was among the favorites.

Tawanda Todd, a freshman, stated "she could relate to the poem because she sometimes felt the same way, and she feels the need to be checked by a doctor frequently."

One of Michelle Cavonaugh's favorites, titled "Rock Face" was enthused when sayin "it had a good hook and was also well written."

When asked of the influence to write "Ode to Streptococcus" Sophomore Mercedes Gosnell answered, "it was my constant over-worrying. It came to me while I was in school." She had to run by several friends and family members to get the final copy as it is now.

Mercedes has also published an article in education and one at her high school, Dr. Phillips located here in Orlando.