The Journey Behind PANKU Volume 61, Issue 2: A Collective Triumph

On April 23, before an audience of over 100 students, alumni, faculty, family and friends, the spring semester 2025 editorial team of Broward College's award-winning student literary and art magazine, PANKU, unveiled Volume 61, Issue 2. This issue marked a significant milestone in the magazine's history, showcasing the impressive spectrum of talents within the student body. This launch event was both a celebration of the magazine's latest edition but also a testament to the hard work, dedication, and emotional investment of the editorial team who shared their thoughts with us now that this latest edition of PANKU takes its place in the 61 year history of the publication.

Sofia Garcia Apraiz, Marketing Editor, reflected on her final semester with PANKU, describing it as her favorite due to the team's exceptional collaboration. "The team worked together very well and that laid the groundwork for an issue that highlighted the diverse works of BC students while remaining cohesive," she said. Sofia's extensive review of the magazine's archives underscored for her the uniqueness of the works published in this issue.

Emma Franzblau, staff member, took initiative by reintroducing classroom visits in order to spread awareness about the publication and to encourage students to contribute their talents, which was an exercise that she found immensely rewarding. "I enjoyed going to Professor Dos Santos’ Creative Writing class and telling his students about submission deadlines, how to submit works or writing, and answering any questions students had about PANKU."

For PANKU Web Editor Bogdan Krintal the artistic and creative richness of the submissions from contributors and the seamless cohesion of the editorial team stand out when he reflects on his involvement. "Between the creative geniuses of our team being able to blend so well to push out a phenomenal piece of work, and my role in doing what I love by developing the website, my experience within the group was invigorating and refreshing."

The relentless intensity that emerged during the process of creating the magazine was a highlight for Zhaniya D, Layout Editor. "It was chaos, but the type of chaos that makes you want to make more issues and keep going," she said. This sentiment was echoed by Liana Grace Samuel, the Music Editor, who described the captivating collaborative effort as "a great team of individuals coming together to make something beautiful really feels like magic.”

Nahomi Marrella, Art Editor, and Mariana Ramirez Camacho, Literature Editor, both expressed a desire to relive the experience. It was “an experience that makes you want to go back and do it all again," Nahomi said, while Mariana describes it as an “emotional whirlwind that was incredibly exhilarating.”

Notions of quality and pushing boundaries was emphasized by Doris “Liz” Puentes, Layout Editor who advised that "Quality takes time. Push yourself to expand your limits.”

For Samantha Vital, Managing Editor, the notion of quality is a direct outcome of focused group collaboration. She told us, "Collective creativity ultimately produces the best quality and product. Lean on your peers for that motivation and inspiration.”

Panku staff member Nyameki (Ari) Lawrence, shared the reality of late nights and hard work that were necearry. "To put this magazine together, there are many late nights that finish at 4 am. But it will all be worth it in the end.”

Editor in Chief, David Rojas Tellez, personally values dedication and striving for excellence as key elements to make Panku a success. "You have to care more than anyone else, even when it feels silly. Show up on time with a good attitude and that’s all you need. Don’t compromise with mediocrity. If it can be better, make it better.”

Finally, Regine Darius, Associate Professor of English and PANKU Faculty Advisor, expressed her admiration for the students' efforts. "Watching this group of students put together the magazine invigorates my own practice as a teacher and a writer. We are so grateful for the support from the campus, and we stand amazed at the student contributors’ creativity," Regine said.

PANKU can be found online here. A limited number of hardcopies are available to donors. Please contact alumni@broward.edu for more details.