Walnut Hills Literary Magazine Earns National Recognition

Walnut Hills High School’s long-standing literary magazine, Gleam, has once again earned national acclaim — this time being recognized as an “Excellent” magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). The honor marks a significant step up from last year’s “Distinction” award, reflecting the continued growth and dedication of the student-led publication.

Founded in 1895, Gleam is the oldest student club at Walnut Hills. Its name is inspired by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem “Merlin and the Gleam,” which encourages readers to “Follow the Gleam” — a message that continues to guide the magazine’s mission today. For over a century, Gleam has remained committed to two central goals: celebrating student writing and art and producing a high-quality literary magazine each year.

The club meets weekly with meetings planned and run by students. Today, Gleam maintains a membership of about 30 students. Meetings focus on creative writing activities, collaboration, and community-building, along with a steady supply of snacks. Above all, the club prides itself on being an inclusive and supportive space for creative expression.

Looking ahead, Gleam is preparing for two major events. In April, the group will host its annual open mic night, “The Writing on the Wall,” showcasing student voices and performances. Then in May, the latest edition of the literary magazine will be published, continuing its long tradition of highlighting student talent.

Copies of Gleam can be purchased to help fund the club. If you're interested, contact Blake Taylor at taylorb@cpsboe.k12.oh.us.

The recognition comes through NCTE’s REALM (Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines) program, which honors outstanding student-produced literary magazines. This year’s competition was especially competitive, with 456 magazines submitted from schools across 44 states, Washington, D.C. and six countries. Entries spanned middle school, high school and higher education levels.

The REALM program aims to encourage schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the craft of writing, offering students a platform to share their voices. With its latest “Excellent” designation, Gleam stands as a shining example of that mission in action.

For more information about the REALM Program, visit: https://ncte.org/awards/program-to-recognize-in-student-literary-magazines/