“It is the most rewarding project I have worked on during my 17 years at Sacred Heart because it has developed from an idea to a fully flourishing community of dedicated student editors who bring their talents and passion to each issue,” said Prof. Marie Hulme, faculty advisor of HeartLines.
partnership between the two institutions.
Source: Danielle Grillo, Staff Writer and Photographer
As HeartLines Magazine nears the release of its sixth edition, SHU students are once again bringing their creativity to print. Through the continuing partnership, Notre Dame Prep students are also collaborating with editors of this edition and may soon see their own writing published alongside university contributors.
Run entirely by students, HeartLines is a literary magazine at Sacred Heart that features a diverse range of creative work, from poetry and fiction to flash fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art. Submissions are open to students from all academic majors, serving as an outlet for expression and a space where creativity, storytelling and individuality come together.
“HeartLines highlights the creative writing and artwork of our students,” said Hulme. “I think it represents the ‘heart’ of our creative community here, and it offers student writers and artists a public platform for showcasing their talents.”
Since Sacred Heart University acquired Notre Dame Catholic High School – now called Notre Dame Prep – on July 1, 2024, the opportunities offered by HeartLines have since expanded to include its students.
Through a mentorship program, these students collaborate with HeartLines editors, gaining hands-on experience and a pathway to be published. The initiative was spearheaded by Hulme in partnership with Dr. Chris Cipriano, principal of Notre Dame Prep, with the goal of providing students with a chance to develop their skills and contribute to a professional publication.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our kids to learn from Sacred Heart students and become better writers,” said Cipriano. “Any opportunities like this are so unique for high school students, so with the partnership with the university, it just gives us a great opportunity to spotlight our students.”
Each edition centers around a theme that contributors are free to interpret through their own creative lens. The upcoming issue, themed “Journeys and Identity,” encourages students to reflect on the experiences, perspectives and moments that form one’s sense of self.
“It offers writers and artists a wonderful opportunity to explore physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual journeys that may have impacted how they see themselves,” said Hulme. “It is broad enough to allow students to think about ways in which their identities have been shaped by the different paths they have walked in their lives.”
The magazine provides students with an opportunity to experience the publishing world firsthand.
“You’re actually learning to be published, and there is a difference,” said junior Kathryn Haig, senior editor of HeartLines. “When students write for the magazine, they’re learning to write not only for their professors, but for themselves, and in a way that they can express themselves to a wider audience.”
Working with the Notre Dame Prep writing club by attending meetings and hosting them on campus, editors provide feedback to help shape students’ pieces for publication, while nurturing their creativity.
“I do think that these partnerships are going to be really productive,” said Haig. “Seeing how dedicated these students are already, I do think they’re going to continue to pursue creative writing, especially seeing that they can be published in a college publication, and that they can work with college students who believe in them and can see the potential in their work.”
Last spring, several Notre Dame students had their work featured in HeartLines and took part in a public reading at Sacred Heart with other contributors. This collaboration is one of many ways Notre Dame and Sacred Heart students have connected, spanning academics, extracurriculars, and opportunities like studying abroad in Dingle.
“We’ve seen a wonderful embrace of the high school community since we became part of Sacred Heart,” said Cipriano. “It’s my hope that many students can take advantage of these opportunities because it’s going to make both Sacred Heart and Notre Dame students’ experiences stronger, better, and more fulfilling.”
Built around a unified theme, the sixth edition of HeartLines will highlight the collaboration of students from both communities.
“I hope that readers take away that HeartLines is truly the voice of Sacred Heart students,” said Haig. “Especially this semester, it’s not just our writing, it’s about who we are.”
