Hello all,

Welcome to the 23rd issue of fishladder. This is a place to capture the precious voices of the writers and artists of the student body of Grand Valley State University. The journal’s underlying theme this year is grit and perseverance: pulling ourselves up and out of the rubble; when the going gets tough, we don’t stop, we continue.

This has been a taxing year. Tensions are high, whether from school or outside pressures. It hangs in the air, heavy and taut. We are tired; howev- er, we prevail. The pieces in this year’s issue highlight that no matter how high tensions rise, we will create, determined to showcase the lows and the highs amidst uncertain times.

Though the overarching theme of the journal is grit and perseverance, it is also hope. Together, each piece chosen for the publication demonstrates not just pulling through tough circumstances but they also recognize good moments among unsettled ones, like a light at the end of the tunnel or a diamond in the dust.

So, I invite you to take a look at the pages that hold our blood, sweat, and tears and our heart. Revel in our highs and huddle in our lows with us. Let this issue be a light, a hope, during trying situations. Let it be a place to rest when the going gets tough; let it be a place to be reminded to con- tinue, to crack your knuckles and dig in your heels, because to continue to create, to persevere, to hope, is the very essence of humanity.

To those who helped to construct this year’s journal, thank you. Thank you for putting in the work and thank you for being my rock. To those whose work was chosen, thank you for trusting us with your creations and to present them honestly. To the reader, thank you for delving into the journey of this publication. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I do.

All the love,

Cate Woods

fishladder Editor-in-Chief, 2025-26