For the first time in school history, the Virginia High School League, the sanctioning body for all Virginia sports and extracurriculars, awarded the Lightridge literary magazine, Thoughts of Thunder, the Trophy Class designation. Trophy Class is the highest award possible and means Thoughts of Thunder is among the best literary magazines in the state.

The magazine includes student produced creative writing, art work, music, and recipes. The different pieces of art are then all put together in a magazine designed and laid out by the students. Last year, three hundred copies were printed and sold to the community.

“The magazine is a piece of art itself,” said sponsor and English teacher Lin Rudder, empathizing that the way the magazine looks is almost as important in terms of winning Trophy Class as the student work it contains.

“The lit mag tries to showcase art that is unique,” said senior Vanya Angara is the magazine’s editor-in-chief. Angara also enjoyed the process of publishing.

“Working with the team and making the magazine was a very enlightening experience,” said Angara. “I got to learn how to lead people who were new.”

The team is currently working on this year’s edition of Thoughts of Thunder. Their website is open for submissions of student original work until January 21, 2025.