The Lexington High School Folio Literary and Art Magazine is one of the school’s longest-running student publications, operating since 1973. Each meteorological season, the Editors-in-Chief and staff select student art and literature submissions for the fall, winter, and spring issues. These submissions range from photographs and paintings to short stories and sculptures.
Unlike other literature clubs at LHS, Folio places a stronger emphasis on creative expression.
“It is more on the creative side. Rather than recording and reporting or academic writing, [Folio is] more free and creative,” Melissa Yu Tyne Ng, a junior and one of the magazine’s Editors-in-Chief, said.
The art and prose editors work alongside the Editors-in-Chief to select pieces that reflect a variety of styles and stories.
“We’re very accepting of all different pieces,” Natalie Han, Folio’s other Editor-in-Chief, explained. “If we can see that this person has a unique perspective or narrative, we’ll probably accept it.”
Folio recently published its Fall 2025 Issue, available digitally on its website and in print in Commons 2 and the LHS library. The Pyre’s Testimony by Lucas Dai was featured as the issue’s cover piece. Other notable pieces that stood out to the editors included Strung, also by Dai, and Deer by Tiffany Weng.
During the publication process, the staff had to navigate a few logistical challenges, including a change in advisor and print shop, as well as the maintenance of a relatively small team. Despite these obstacles, there was a high level of student participation, and the magazine received a significant number of submissions for its fall issue.
“I was excited that there are many people willing to share their voices and vulnerable enough to share,” Ng said.
As it continues to work on the winter issue, Folio is also planning a collaboration with LHS’s Asian Student Union for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In place of the typical spring issue, the editors are looking for submissions that center more specifically around the AAPI experience.
“I am really excited to see how people highlight Asian culture … I feel like it will be really cool to have an issue specifically so that the LHS community or Lexington more broadly can see that,” Han noted.
Folio plans to close submissions for the spring issue on March 27, since its release date is set in May for AAPI Heritage Month. Although there is a selection process, Han and Ng emphasize that students should not feel intimidated about submitting their work. The editors hope the publication will encourage more students to experiment creatively.
“I’m very encouraging of people to try making art or writing prose. I think a lot of people are so intimidated by it,” Han said. “Just try it out. You don’t need to take a class; do it for fun.”
