The
Palouse Review
A literary arts journal

The Palouse Review is the biannual arts and academics journal of the Washington State University Honors College. We accept submissions from current and former honors students from throughout the Western Regional Honors Council. Our editors are looking for carefully crafted, evocative work that demonstrates the literary, artistic, and academic excellence of our broader honors community.

The Palouse Review, May 1st 2025 Edition

 Fiction ~ Nonfiction ~ Scholarship ~ Poetry

Photography and Visual Art  ~ Digital Multimedia

About Our Authors

Hello and Welcome from the Editors of The Palouse Review!

This time of year on the Palouse is incredibly special. We see the beautiful flowers in bloom releasing their lovely aromas, the sounds of the chirping birds as they build intricate nests, along with the wonderful feeling of the sun on our skin for the first time in months. The feeling of entering into Spring surrounded by such breathtaking scenery and an amazing community of people is something truly magical. We are fortunate enough to see the beauty of the Palouse each and every day, and with each new edition, we get to showcase exceptional work from around the western region. Each piece allows us to experience brilliance and expand our horizons. 

I joined The Palouse Review in the fall of 2023 after our Faculty Editor, Colin Criss, made an enthusiastic announcement in one of my honors classes. I walked in the door of the first meeting I attended as a terrified freshman who was determined to push past my discomfort in a new environment and get involved in campus organizations. From that first day, I knew I had found something special with this journal. The students involved in The Palouse Review are some of the most dedicated and talented people I have ever met. Their passion for literature drives this journal forward with each edition. I want to thank each and every member of our team, your work is extraordinary, and we could not have done it without you. 

Two years ago, I made the decision to join the Scholarship team as an assistant editor and I have found such joy within the scholarship genre. I am always blown away by the quality of the submissions we receive, and I want to thank all of our submitters. With each submission we read, we learn a great deal, and we have the opportunity to share these works with all of you. This semester, we received scholarship works that took us around the globe, centering on topics all over the world. Alexander Aurich brings us to Japan with the piece “Japan’s Forgotten Countryside: Democratic Crisis and Revival Strategies,” which tells of the depopulation Japan has endured for generations and the highly concerning population projections for the future. “No Sound, No Safety: The Fire Risk for Deaf Students at UCD” by Daniele Macdonald transports us to Ireland. Written from the perspective of a study abroad student worried for their safety in a school that lacks accessible fire alert systems, and tells of solutions to an incredibly dangerous situation. McDonald’s works educates about alternative fire safety measures that can be implemented to ensure the safety of all students.

These pieces are just a couple examples of the exceptional work displayed in this edition. There is a lot more to discover with new places to explore, and we are excited for you to see what we have been working on this semester. 

The Palouse Review would not be possible without our incredible student leaders. We want to celebrate the graduating members of our team and highlight their dedication and contributions to this journal.

Dillon joined TPR in 2022 as a Fiction and Scholarship Editor and later joined the Poetry team and became the Scholarship Executive editor. He is now our Managing Editor.

Happy reading,
Lauren Kwartin | The Palouse Review Scholarship Executive Editor & Music Editor

May 1st, 2025

 

Fiction

 

Excidium
by Joselyn Jiménez Reyes

My Defender
by Mackenzie Raiman

One moment defense attorney Ryley Mendax is devouring a bowl of cereal, and the next the police are breaking down the door and arresting his best friend, and roommate, Kyden James. Kyden has been accused of murdering his girlfriend, but Ryley is determined to prove his innocence.

I Am His Brother 
by Veronica Rosemary

The River to the Shore
by Sumdra Cao

In early 1900s Germany, a young woman from the colony of Qingdao must make a difficult choice.

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Nonfiction

 

Damn, At Least I’m Not That Guy: The Dating Misadventures of a College Sophomore
by Patricia Troutswater

Through the eyes of an average twenty-year-old, this satirical piece exposes the nightmares of human interaction in the modern world.

My Friend, The Fly 
by Darya Jafarinejad

I have a fly in my thumb. Or so I thought. As a young child, I witnessed a fly shoot down under my thumb and get hopelessly caught underneath the skin. I tried everything I could to get it out, hurting my thumb immensely in the process, until eventually, I accepted defeat, and the fly as my new friend. We did everything together and were the closest of friends. Until adulthood settled in, and I began to question how much of the fly was real and how much was an overactive imagination.

Offsides
by Ava McClure

Premier League soccer players and teenage girls have more in common than you might think. This essay seeks to explore the rampant competition of girlhood, the trials and tribulations of some of soccer’s most infamous plays, and the intricacies of the world’s game.

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Scholarship

 

The Case for the Crazy Woman: Feminine Rebellion in Greco-Roman Texts
by Madison Ferrari

Through the examination of a few prominent literary works from the Greco-Roman world, typically considered the origin of Western civilization, this essay investigates the oppressive mechanics behind the portrayal of women who revolt or otherwise dissent as irrational, and explores the radical power of this “crazy” woman.

Creative Writing as Decolonial Pedagogy
by Ruby Gutierrez

Creative writing programs offer transformative literacy spaces for youth of color to challenge colonial educational structures alongside educators and peers by exploring their lived experiences, culture, language, and identities through culturally relevant and inclusive curricula. This research, informed by Critical Race Theory, decolonial frameworks, and Gloria Anzaldúa’s Borderlands Theory, examines the impact of two creative writing organizations dedicated to uplifting and affirming the voice

Japan’s Forgotten Countryside: Demographic Crisis and Revival Strategies
by Alexander Aurich

Japan’s rural depopulation crisis, driven by aging demographics, low birth rates, and youth out-migration, threatens regional economies and infrastrucutre. This research analyzes three case studies—Tottori, Akita, and Kamiyama—to evaluate revitalization strategies. The findings suggest that increasing GDP allocated for social services and fostering cultural shifts are essential, alongside government initiatives, to mitigate and reverse demographic decline.

Leadership Profile: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
by Ethan Ward

This paper analyzes the political vision and motivations of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, through a historical lens. Particular focus is granted to the political reality of Khamenei’s tenure as Iran’s leader, how that reality has impacted his current political agenda in the Middle East, and his ongoing desire for Iranian regional hegemony.

No Sound, No Safety: The Fire Risk for Deaf Students at University College Dublin (Ireland)
by Daniele Macdonald

At UCD, fire safety measures lack visual alarms needed by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Although the Irish Fire Code and I.S. 3217 standards are met, reliance on auditory alarms leaves DHH students at risk. The paper details UCD’s failure to install strobe lights, citing international examples and legal obligations. It argues that modern, safe strobe lights can address these gaps, ensuring accessibility and equal protection for all students.

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Poetry

 

Black history
by Didire Hall

This piece is a raw and thought-provoking reflection on the state of Black awareness, culture, and activism, particularly in the context of Black History Month. It challenges complacency, critiques societal distractions, and urges a deeper recognition of historical struggles and ongoing injustices. With powerful imagery and unfiltered emotion, the poem calls for a renewed sense of pride, awareness, and action within the Black community.

The Intruder
by Darya  Jafarinejad

This poem tackles feelings of imposter syndrome in your own culture and the complex navigation of identity that it causes.

Matryoshka
by Abigail Brandel

Destructive habits often become addictive coping mechanisms used to distract from the issues one may be reluctant to confront. This free-form poem explores the feeling of self-sabotage, and how frustrating it can be when the only thing stopping you from accomplishing your goals is yourself – yet when you try to understand yourself, you can’t break past the barrier of internal hatred, and patterns repeat themself, just like a Russian nesting doll, or matryoshka.

Mi Lirio 
by Luis Martinez Hernandez

“Mi lirio” is a heartfelt poetic piece that explores the beauty and uniqueness of a lily among roses. The poem reflects on themes of self-perception, insecurity, and the struggle to embrace one’s individuality. Despite the lily’s natural elegance, it yearns to conform, failing to see that its distinctiveness is its greatest strength. Through evocative imagery and rhythmic verses, the poem conveys a powerful message about self-acceptance and inner beauty.

Spring Aubade for My 22nd Birthday
by Benjamin Rigby

I wrote this poem as a way to mark time—not with explicit celebration, but with attention. It came from the morning of my 22nd birthday where I didn’t want to be anywhere else, but also couldn’t stop imagining myself in the future. It’s about the work of staying intentional with yourself in a world that’s always moving, and finding meaning in that pause.

When the Tahoe Circled the Block and Skidded to a Stop, I Carried Not Even Mace and Hoped Only for a Beating
by Charlie Divine

“The Tahoe” is a poem that controls its syntax, and measures the precision of each word. It is an invitation into the social space of a poem, a meditation on gender, sexuality, and gun violence in America.

Witches
by Maximilliani Pierce

Inspired by the gender and feminist theory behind political lesbianism, Witches explores what it means to be a woman outside the context of a man.

Writer’s Block
by Bennett Kehl

I didn’t know what to write about so I wrote about not knowing what to write about. This poem also plays around with rhythm and sound as a way to emulate the mess of words and sounds in a poet’s mind as they try to create something legible.

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Photography and Visual Art

 

 

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Digital Multimedia 

 

Recreating Sonder
by Maximilliani Pierce

Taking audio collected around the Western Washington campus and overlaying it onto archival footage, this installment explores how sound can render those of the past as more real to us.

See the rest of Maximilliani’s work on Recreating Sonder.

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About Our Authors

Abigail Brandel
Las Positas College

Abigail is a freshman at Las Positas currently studying psychobiology, but enjoys making music and reading in her free time. She enjoys capturing glimpses of human connection through her work, almost as much as she enjoys eating her way across the Bay Area. She hopes to be able to intertwine science and the arts in any lifestyle she pursues.

Alec Barran
Washington State University

Alec is a senior studying Computer Science at Washington State University. He enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors, using his camera to document his experiences. At Washington State, he is also a member of the Track and Cross Country programs and an officer of the Cyber Security Group.

Alexander Aurich
MiraCosta College

Alexander Aurich is a political science student at MiraCosta College and an honors researcher exploring contemporary Japanese issues, including rural depopulation and economic policy. He’s active as a tutor and as a member of student government. His academic interest lie at the intersection of public policy and economic development, and he has plans to transfer to a four-year university.

Amanda Coburn
Idaho State University

Amanda Noel Coburn (she/her/hers) is a TRIO McNair Scholar working towards her Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with minors in art history and history from Idaho State University. Her artworks explore the liminality of rural spaces as well as the politics of intersectional feminism and witchcraft.

Ava McClure
Northern Arizona University

Ava McClure is a playwright, essayist, and fiction writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is currently pursuing her BA in English Creative Writing at Northern Arizona University with minors in Museum Studies and Humanities.

Benjamin Rigby
California State University, Fresno

Benjamin Rigby is a graduating senior in the Smittcamp Family Honors College at Fresno State, where he studies Political Science and Creative Writing. His scholarly work spans topics from Central Valley public health policy to global systems of political economy and everything in between, often examining the intersection of power, access, and justice. As a poet and essayist, Benjamin’s creative writing explores themes of identity, grief, doubt, and transformation with precision and emotional depth. His work has appeared in San Joaquin Review, Behemoth, Words With Weight, and other literary publications. Outside of academia, he finds joy in live music, long drives, and a well-worn pen.

Bennett Kehl
Northern Arizona University

Bennett Kehl is a poet and writer from Tucson, Arizona. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English, as well as history and Spanish minors, at Northern Arizona University. She especially enjoys writing poetry and creative nonfiction. Her work aims to explore the whimsical aches of childhood, the growing pains of adolescence, and the horrifying freedom of adulthood. Outside of writing, she dabbles in a variety of visual art forms and spends her free time with friends, in nature, or at home reading.

Charlie Divine
Portland State University

Charlie Divine (they/he) is a queer, trans writer who grew up in the shrub steppe of rural Oregon. They are graduating from Portland State University with a BFA in Creative Writing. You can read his work in Vagabond City, Alchemy, and The Bellwether Review.

Daniele Macdonald
Saint Mary’s College of California

Daniele is a second-year Management and Leadership major with additional focuses on Social Justice and Computer Science. As someone who is part of the Deaf community and didn’t receive hearing aids until age 13 due to a lack of state covered insurance, Daniele is deeply passionate about ensuring all voices are heard. Their lived experiences have shaped their inclusive leadership style, emphasizing empathy and collaboration. Daniele aims to bring these values to any internship or job opportunity, with a goal of becoming a project manager in the tech industry and promoting the importance of leaders from all backgrounds.

Darya Jafarinejad
California State University, Long Beach

Darya Jafarinejad is a junior studying Creative Writing at California State University, Long Beach. She has a particular love for dystopian fiction, though she enjoys writing in a variety of genres. In her free time, you can find her lost in a bookstore or embarking upon a long drive in her own personal concert.

Didire Hall
Mount San Antonio College

Didire Hall is a dedicated mother, educator, and determined student striving for success. Passionate about learning and growth, she balances her academic journey with the responsibilities of parenthood and teaching. Committed to critical thinking and self-improvement, she approaches her studies with curiosity and resilience, always seeking to expand her knowledge and understanding.

Eloise Smith
Oregon State University

Eloise is studying Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability at Oregon State University’s Honors College. Despite the homework, she tries to make time for sewing, handstands, painting, baking, etc. – and get enough sleep to sustain said homework and hobbies.

Ethan Ward
Northern Arizona University

Ethan Ward is a junior at Northern Arizona University majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law. He is highly interested in international law and the political dynamics in the Middle East. After earning his undergraduate degree, Ethan plans to attend law school with a focus on international and constitutional law. In his free time, Ethan enjoys reading, playing video games, and losing to his brother in pickleball.

Ian Wells
Washington State University

As a researcher with Washington State University’s (WSU) Hydrogen Properties for Energy Research (HYPER) Center, Ian focuses on optical systems to explore cryogenic boiling phenomena. His passions for photography and aerospace have led to technology development projects for both extraterrestrial and terrestrial application for NASA, Janicki Industries, and the Institute for Materials Research. His current work continues this trend and, in the process, enables future human presence on the Moon and Mars. In his leisure, he enjoys image manipulation at all stages of the creative process. He explores the limitations of the technology used in his research and optimum methods to explore the world.

Joselyn Jiménez Reyes
South Mountain Community College

Joselyn Jiménez Reyes, a Mexican native residing in Phoenix, Arizona, is currently studying Information Technology with a strong interest in cybersecurity. Passionate about writing since the age of 12, she has participated in literary competitions, earning second place at the state level. She also enjoys exploring technology, creativity, and looking for ways to help people latina

Luis Martinez Hernandez
California State University, Stanislaus

Luis A. Martinez Hernandez, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, moved to the United States at the age of 12. He is currently in his second semester at Stanislaus State, pursuing a double major in Kinesiology and Spanish. He aspires to become a chiropractor while combining his passion for teaching Spanish with his deep connection to the language. Additionally, Luis is a dedicated poet who began writing during his youth and continues to cultivate this passion today.

Mackenzie Raiman
University of Montana, Missoula

Mackenzie is a psychology and cognitive neuroscience double major at The University of Montana. She loves swimming in lakes, reading books, and telling really terrible dad jokes.

Madison Ferrari
Western Washington University

Madison Ferrari is a freshman at Western Washington University. Beyond studying philosophy and economics, she enjoys reading, ruminating, playing video games, and perpetually pushing her boulder up the hill.

Maximilliani Pierce
Western Washington University

An involuntary daydreamer, Maxi’s mind is a constant reel of vivid scenery unwinding throughout her day; a motion picture of the worlds, interactions, and internal struggles of the characters she creates. Reluctant to pause her long work sessions, Maxi often forgets to concern herself with such human frivolities as using the bathroom, drinking water, eating, or socializing.Filling her time with shows, videos, and games that transport her into another world, escapism serves as the basis of Maxi’s stories. Striving to connect with an audience through art, Maxi believes storytelling to be the best medium to explore the emotional journeys and societal critiques most important to her. Perhaps by transporting someone into a different world, she figures, she can illuminate a newfound perspective in this one.

Patricia Troutswater.
Washington State University

Patty Troutswater is an Honors College student at Washington State University. Besides laughing at her own expense, she enjoys being involved in biomedical research and collecting houseplants that her roommate ends up having to take care of. 

Reese Bachelder
Irvine Valley College

Reese Bachelder is a Biology major and visual artist based in Southern California. Having a passion for both the arts and the human mind, she uses her knowledge in photography, illustration, and storytelling to explore themes of nostalgia, connection, and wanderlust in her work.

Ruby Gutierrez
Santa Clara University

Ruby Gutierrez is a first-generation college student from East Los Angeles whose work explores identity and cultural lived experiences. She is currently a senior at Santa Clara University double-majoring in Ethnic Studies and English.

Stella Cortese
Santa Clara University

Stella is a junior studying Child Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies at Santa Clara University. She loves film photography, the outdoors, music, animals, crafting. At Washington State, she is a research assistant for a culturally diverse and affirming children’s literature study and an office assistant for the Gender and Sexuality Studies department.

Sumdra Cao
California State University, Los Angeles

Sumdra Cao is a pre-med senior at CSULA majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Computer Science and Math. She dabbles in different genres but gravitates towards historical fiction. Outside of writing she enjoys reading, drawing, and coddling her two cats.

Veronica Rosemary
California State University, Stanislaus

Poetry, short stories, and essays by Veronica Rosemary can also be found in Penumbra magazine and Scribendi literary magazine.