SEX.
POWER.
GOD.
Hey y'all,
The idea for this issue and generally the entirety of the magazine came–as many ideas in college do–from a four am conversation with my sophomore year roommate. (To think it's a UCS approved club is a little insane to be honest. Drafting up a constitution and recruiting a membership is genuinely no joke.) Many people have told me the title hits different. I do love a pun. Whether I did it solely for the pun or not, the concept of poise is something I think we, as young adults entering the world and the workforce for, give or take, the first time, should aspire to. I’d like to highlight three Merriam Webster definitions:
a balanced state: equilibrium
easy self-possessed assurance of manner : gracious tact in coping or handling
the pleasantly tranquil interaction between persons of poise
I would hope the first two definitions would capture our editorial perspective. Fair, gracious, and self-assured. Poise&Ivy is not a magazine struggling to find its voice, no matter how new we are. Moreover, I suppose this interaction we are having right now (you as reader, me as editor and writer–bear with me I concentrate in Lit Arts) can be described as the latter definition. You and I are persons of poise. Perhaps, you will continue to have these interactions as you read this issue and the next and the next and the… Well, you get the point.
On the topic of our first issue, the title, Sex. Power. God. named after the infamous party, was my roommate’s idea. Shoutout to Madelyn Moore ‘TBD. Our feature explores SPG, its casualties, and recent renewal efforts. The whole idea of the party is so Brown it hurts. Students running around campus buildings naked; what’s new? The fact that went out in a blaze of gory glory, Fox News clips included, only deepens the general lore.
Still, the concept immediately resonated with me as not just an article, but a fully realized theme. Sex. Power. God. Aspects of life where you can show the most poise or lack thereof. What does each mean to ivy league students? I asked and my staff and various contributors answered for better or worse.
To them, I say thank you. This issue could not have existed without you. While launching this magazine was a one-woman show, I am glad to have a full(ish) cast now. To plug, if you would like to join hit the contact button in the menu.
This letter exists mainly because magazines usually have them. What do I really have to say? Almost nothing. The work speaks for itself. I would hope it speaks to you. That it will echo in your mind and memory. Who am I to silence it?
Stay Poised,
Vanya Noel ‘25.5
Editor-In-Chief and Founder