Welcome to the 20th-anniversary issue of fishladder.

Taking on the journal this fall and bouncing back from the pandemic, I knew I wanted to make this year’s issue special. It marks 20 years of fishladder which serves as an incredible achievement and monumen- tal celebration for all the hard work put in thus far. As writers, artists, and most notably, students, we juggle a lot in our lives. We persevere through anxiety, self-doubt, heartbreak, and insecurities, all of which push us to become better every day. In turn, it also provides beautiful inspiration for the art and stories that we create. fishladder is a celebration of YOU, all of you. The parts you may hate, and the parts you should proudly love. Dare to shout when you want to whisper. Chase after your dreams instead of just walking toward them. Be a part of something meaningful and make a million mistakes along the way. Uplift marginalized voices and demand space for creators of color. Read and read and allow yourself to soak up all the knowledge that books have to offer.

As you turn through the pages of this year’s issue of fishladder, take in the unique stories and visual imagery that decorate the journal. Find yourself getting “Lost in the Forest,” or reading about “Of All the Things They Don’t Tell You.” Perhaps the sight of “Rainbow” makes you nostalgic when thinking about your last year at GVSU, or the poem “Before You” makes you reminisce on your first love. Either way, take your time. Allow fishladder to be a safe haven you can come to whenever you feel like time is moving too quickly. One moment can’t last forever but forever is made of infinite moments. So love, laugh, and dream big. The world is wide and we can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you for all your hard work, and I hope you love the journal as much as we loved creating it.

Bruna Ngassa 

Editor in Chief