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Three Peaks Review

Three Peaks Review is a literary journal for Black Hills State University.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SYDNEY CAMPBELL

I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD and went to high school at Sioux Falls Christian. At BHSU I am pursuing a major in Business and a minor in Creative Writing. I’m also a part of the BHSU Triathlon team. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, reading, baking cookies, and hunting.

“Human Unfamiliarity"

creative nonfiction

"I look to Lucianna to understand. But the energy has taken her too. Her hips move side to side in a swaying motion and her sandaled feet tap out the rhythm that has taken over the whole crowd. I hold tighter to her hand, and she looks at me and laughs, urging me to move too. So, I do."

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SYDNEY SCHENDZIELOS

Leader. Sophistication. Arbiter of Truth. I am none of these things. Just a person who likes to obscure and reveal things with fancy words, brushstrokes, and the occasional tinfoil hat.

“cover letter”

creative nonfiction

"Read this so I can be sure that these words have been printed across this page, these letters placed with some rhyme or reason that can somehow make sense to you in a way I’m not sure they can for me. I will not beg for this position, but I need to know that I’m still capable of it."

Cover of Issue 6: An artistic interpretation of someone cycling,

Issue 6 PDF Download

Issue 6 - 2024

"The highest purpose of art is to inspire,” Bob Dylan ambitiously said, and that is our hope for you in this sixth publication of Three Peaks Review’s literary journal. Through the carefully cultivated written work and media of Black Hills State University’s students, we present a gateway to individual interpretation. I encourage you to immerse yourselves in the art that has been thoughtfully selected for this year’s magazine. May you find comfort here and a source of inspiration to craft your own artistic stories.

-- Deanna Twedt

Cover of Issue 5: Two skeletons with green and red hair sitting together, wearing opposite color shirts.

Issue 5 PDF Download

Issue 5 - 2023

This magazine celebrates the fifth publication of Three Peaks Review, and more importantly, it celebrates each of the writ- ers and artists who find their work published here. Maya Ange- lou wrote in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story in you.” She knew that each of us holds a story—one that we might not want to tell, but one that we must tell. We have to question what the meaning of art is if no one else sees it, hears it, feels it. These Black Hills State University artists have been brave enough to uncage their stories, and Three Peaks Review is honored to give them the space to do so.

- Editor (Amanda)

Issue 4 cover: Transparent face without features, revealing crumpled newspaper where the brain would be.

Issue 4 PDF Download

Issue 4 - 2022

In the Second O of Sorrow, Sean Thomas Dougherty writes, “Why Bother? Because right now, there is someone out there with a wound in the exact shape of your words”. This Journal serves a testament to human existence—the pain and the bliss of it all, and I truly believe that every creative writer at Black Hills State University is healing the wounds of others with the profound shape of their words. This year we still find ourselves living in strange and uncertain times, but we have kept creating and that is some- thing to celebrate. Here’s to the Fourth Edition of Three Peaks Review, and to all the people that made it happen—I have endless thanks to give.

- Editor (Starr)

Issue 3 cover featuring a black and white image of a monstera leaf.

Issue 3 PDF Download

Issue 3 - 2021

Another year around the sun and the third edition of Three Peaks Review is here. This is our second magazine published during the COVID-19 pandemic, and although we felt more prepared this time around, like most student organizations, this year was full of challenges. In a span of months, our meeting sizes were cut in half, and due to quarantine restrictions, attendance was unpredictable. Even with extensive outreach, our submission numbers had decreased significantly. While it was once nearly impossible to find a seat at one of our literary open-mic nights, because of social distancing guidelines, there are now only a few people in attendance. Yet, with the endless support of our members, the school, and the literary-arts community here in Spearfish, we persevered. So, my first big thank you goes out to those who attended even our smallest events, shared our social media posts, and kept us running as a club even when the rest of the world seemed to have stopped. It is because of you that we were able to successfully produce another issue of Three Peaks Review. Thank you.

- Editor (Jo)

Issue 2 cover: Photo of a yellow building with a closed window, curtains visible from outside.

Issue 2 PDF Download

Issue 2 - 2020

In what feels like a blink of an eye, another year, another chapter, and another issue of Three Peaks Review has flown by. Yet, the differences between this year and last couldn’t be more clear. This time around, it seems as if everything tripled—the weekly meeting size, the frequency of literary readings, the number of submissions received, and reasonably so, the workload behind it all. With the challenges we encountered this year, particularly regarding the pandemic, I am reminded once again of how important it is to have a dedicated team of people in order to succeed as an organization. When it comes to the 3PR members themselves, I couldn’t have gotten luckier. My first major thank you goes out to these wonderful people who kept their passion, determination, and sense of humor as we all learned to navigate the process of creating a literary magazine in quarantine. For the same reasons, I would like to thank our advisor, Matt Bauman, who supported us along the way, answered endless questions, and gave honest feedback when we needed it most.

- Editor (Jo)

Issue 1 cover: Photo of a girl in a red polka dot dress wading in shallow water, holding red and white balloons – the balloons are intentionally blurred.

Issue 1 PDF Download

Issue 1 - 2019

It seems as if only yesterday it was fall and we were all gathered in a circle in Jonas 302, laughing as we discussed the ridiculous names we had come up with for this literary magazine, unaware of the challenging but monumental changes that we would encounter over the course of this year. In truth, this inaugural issue of Three Peaks Review was only made possible by the countless people who supported us along the way. I would first like to say thank you to the 3PR members themselves. Your commitment to weekly meetings, endless feedback, and much-needed humor never goes unappreciated. To our advisors, Nick Heeb, and especially, Matt Bauman, I am so lucky to have had such talented advisors who are not only dedicated to creating this magazine, but also are passionate about establishing a larger literary community here at BHSU. For your ceaseless patience and honesty, thank you.

- Editor (Jo)

Contact Info

Dr. Courtney Huse Wika
Professor of English
Courtney.HuseWika@BHSU.edu
Phone: 605-642-6918

School of Humanities, English
Black Hills State University
1200 University St.
Spearfish, SD, USA 57799

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Three Peaks Review

Three Peaks Review

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SYDNEY CAMPBELL

“Human Unfamiliarity"

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SYDNEY SCHENDZIELOS

“cover letter”

Issue 6 - 2024

Issue 5 - 2023

Issue 4 - 2022

Issue 3 - 2021

Issue 2 - 2020

Issue 1 - 2019

Contact Info

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