Every year, Polaris, Ohio Northern’s undergraduate literary magazine holds two events, Rapid Fire Readings. One is in the Fall, called the Scary Rapid Fire Reading and the other is held in the Spring Semester, the Valentine’s Day Rapid Fire Reading. On Thursday, October 26 Polaris held its annual Scary Rapid Fire reading.
Co-Editors-in-Chiefs, Marisa Lucas and Kelley Lewis, led the event. Marisa Lucas is the one who kicked off the event by reading a poem about a black cat, a classic symbol for Halloween.
The students following read from works by famous authors and writers like Ray Bradbury and others read original works.
Via D’Agostino read a poem she said she had written at two am the night before. It was about a woman sitting at her desk that had “Do not go outside” written on her hand. The poem was met with murmuring and applause at the end.
Dominic Turnea read a short story from Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine.” He read from the chapter, “The Whole Town’s Sleeping.” It is about a serial killer in a small town, and how a girl refuses to heed the warnings about walking out late. As the final line was read aloud, there were some gasps of fear and some “Oh my god”.
Matthew Haase read a short story from H.P. Lovecraft titled “Polaris” to go along with the event.
Emily Walkerow read an original flash fiction piece about a fog invading the small town of Ada and the campus of ONU.
Kelley Lewis ended the event by reading some poetry by Warsan Shire who was featured in Beyonce’s “Lemonade.”
Dr. Pullen is new to the Rapid Fire Readings along with being new to the school. Dr. Jennifer Pullen was hired by the English Department this past Fall and has begun teaching classes this fall. Dr. Pullen is the advisor to Polaris, which hosts this event every Fall and Spring Semester.
“I think it’s a really great idea. I like that there’s a time for students to read work that they admire. It helps make it into a community of readers, I think.”
Dr. Pullen was not concerned about hosting her first Rapid Fire Reading. She knew that Polaris is a student run organization, so she felt confident in letting the Editor-in-Chiefs and other staff members take over and host the event.
The Rapid Fire Reading also hosted a Halloween costume contest for the students. Even though the contest is for the students, that does not stop the faculty from donning their own costumes. Dr. Pullen was dressed as a Kitsune, which is a Japanese fox spirit, and Dr. Robeson, chair of the Department of English, came dressed as one of the first known female Pirates.
Dr. Pullen stated she was always ready for having costumes worn. “I’m always a fan of costumes. Any excuse to wear a costume that is socially acceptable, I am all for. So, literature and costumes, where I’m concerned is a win/win.”
Polaris will be having their Valentine’s Day Rapid Fire Reading in the Spring and hope to have a big turn out once again.