R/evolve

What is R/EVOLVE?

We find our identities, our legacies, and our perceptions transforming with the seasons. To walk away with our flowers, we learn to maneuver through the labyrinth—a pattern so unpredictable and non-linear—on our way to the blossoming garden. R/EVOLVE is re-evolving into the person we need to become to get to where we want and to take from life what we need. It is a revolution of ourselves with all the obstacles and thorns thrown our way as we fleet through time and space. Like the passing of the years, changing of the seasons, and blooming of the Spring flowers, we evolve with every revolution. As life runs its cycle, we R/EVOLVE.

Panels

Chasing Polaris

Fractured Reflections

Sh(r)edding Skins

The structures and systems we live in are designed to meet the needs of the majority. Here, on the outer edges of the bell curve, outliers must seek out new pathways, or become trapped by what defines us. Chasing Polaris is about this journey.

Panel 1

Evoking a sense of brokenness and the feeling of acquiescence, fragmented reality stares back at us like fractured reflections. It’s only when we challenge ourselves to look beyond our distorted view that we are able to retrospectively reframe the fractured pieces to evolve into the person we are becoming.

Panel 2

In “Sh(r)edding Skins,” we shred society’s expectations of constructing our identities, its influence over our writing, and its power over our voices. We shed the blinding skins that shroud our visions of ourselves, our thoughts, and our legacies. We own who we are, our ideas, and our histories.

Panel 3

Meet the Panelists

Karyn Popel

Evidence of Assessment in a Double Negative Space

Karyn Popel identifies as a critical analyst and serial cynic who wields a postdisciplinary framework that is unapologetically unschooled and lacking discipline. However—due circumstances beyond her control—she is currently a 3rd year undergraduate student in the BA Educational Studies program at York University. In addition to taking up space in academia, Karyn makes intersectional claims to the identities of sound engineer, policy wonk, collector of hobbies and mother of ~~dragons~~ a toddler.

Daytona Shaffer

We Need to Talk

Daytona Shaffer is a fourth-year English Major at Lakehead University. She has a love for literature, in particular the works of the fifteenth and eighteenth century. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found crocheting or exploring the great outdoors!

Faridah Mazhar

Artroom Realizations

Faridah Mazhar is a third-year English and Professional Writing student. Like many other kids her age, Faridah has pondered over career choices and the weight such a choice has on her life. She explores themes related to this, such as self-discovery, in her writing.

Selena Loureiro

Shameless

Selena Loureiro is a fourth-year Professional Writing student with a passion for writing stories with purpose. She hopes her work will make her readers reflect, if only for a moment, on their lives and the world around them. When she’s not writing, Selena spends her time reading, sewing, and designing.

Carmela Pacis

New Perspective

Carmela Pacis is an English and Professional Writing student at York University. She values storytelling and wants to write stories that celebrate individuality. Carmela spends most of her free time reading and scribbling on her journal but also enjoys her occasional bike rides around the city of Toronto.

Nicole Calburean

The Presence of Self within Writing

Nicole Calburean is a first-year English and Professional Writing student with a deep desire to understand the world around her. Her work tackles themes of self-discovery and perspective with regards to writing. Her goal is to inspire others and provide a new point of view.

Ayyub Hussain

I'll Never Be James Dean

Ayyub Hussain is currently a second year Criminology student, who has been writing since he was seven years old. He started with fiction before primarily writing poems. When Ayyub is not attending lectures, he can be found listening to music, watching television or spending time with loved ones.

Rebecca Wallace

Foreign-ish

Rebecca Wallace is a third-year English and Professional Writing Student at York University. As an avid bookworm, she’s always held a great appreciation for books and aspires to become an editor. When she’s not studying, she enjoys playing the guitar and listening to music.

Deea Deb

Un-typed

Deea Deb is a fourth-year English & Professional Writing student at York University. She is a Dean’s Scholar and has received multiple awards in digital authorship. She has worked in communications for the past 16 years. Deea is passionate about design writing – how design and writing coalesce to create engaging communication. She loves reading fantasy fiction and hoarding stationery.

Hosted by the PWSA

The Professional Writing Students’ Association plans and executes events where York University students can network with peers, alums, and faculty through writing-focused activities. We encourage creative expression on several interactive platforms. You will find opportunities to be involved in the Association as an executive council member, a general member, or even a volunteer.

The PWSA is open to all students, faculty members, staff, and alums of York University, regardless of program major or writing experience.