Readers, staff, and friends,  

The second issue of The Scratch Post distinguishes itself from the first by our direct focus on growth. Together, we took on more responsibility to gain independence as a journal and establish ourselves as part of the University of Kentucky’s creative community.  

The success of this journal can be attributed to the hard work that our team has put into reaching out to creative students, selecting these impressive works, and designing a journal we can be proud of. The semester-long work that our staff has put into this journal is something to be applauded, for this issue couldn’t exist without them. Of course, the issue also wouldn’t be possible without the creative minds of each of the student artists and writers you see on these pages. 

We had several goals for this issue, including expanding our team, reaching more students, and unifying people through creative works. This issue is comprised of themes that students may relate to or have even experienced personally. From first loves, the concept of masculinity, and fear of an impending apocalypse, the works in this issue were specifically selected for you, the students, to identify with. Your hopes, your fears, your dreams—we hope these are all reflected in this issue of The Scratch Post. 

With this issue, we pass the torch to the next editors-in-chief of The Scratch Post. We hope we have built a strong foundation so that this organization may continue long after we graduate. 

Much thanks, 

MacKenzie Blaylock and Abigail Wright