​Summer / Fall 2024 issue

Human life rarely lasts beyond a century – we appear and vanish like flickers of light, a mere

blink in the vast expanse of the cosmos. As mortals, our flesh may not endure through time’s

inevitability. Still, our arts, our cultures, and our thoughts may cross generations, as our

magazine The Mortals seeks to broaden students' perspectives, aiming to impart knowledge,

creativity, and the essence of humanity beyond the years spent on campus, beyond the “shelf

life” of our mortal souls, celebrating individuality with connections to societies.

“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside

ourselves already.

” At our core, we, like J.K. Rowling, believe in the inner magic within each

student. Everyone possesses a unique and powerful voice, ready to be heard and to inspire

change. We are committed to nurturing this inner strength, empowering everyone to realize

and express their authentic selves.

The first issue of The Mortals saw the realization of precisely this goal. Burgeoning young

writers, poets, and storytellers joined us with their diverse and captivating writings. Aspiring

young artists, developers, and designers joined us with their creative and innovative minds.

From editors to designers, our mortal souls joined together to synthesize a harmony of literary

and artistic expression.

We wish to express our gratitude for those who made possible this harmony of mortal souls.

Thank you Mr. Dust for improving our ideas with concrete actions and constructive feedback;

we are proud to have your incredible support and suggestions. Thank you Mr. Huizinga for

proofreading our drafts from start to end; we are proud to say that all three student magazine

editors at BIPH were once your students. Thank you Mr. Quirk and Ms. Hannah for leading us

to the publishing stage; we are proud to be members of a growing and thriving literary

community at Basis.

The first issue of The Mortals is just the end of a start – the road ahead is still so long, and our

climb still so steep. On our way, we call upon young writers and artists to submit your work for

consideration in our upcoming issues. We welcome anyone and everyone, beyond

objectification and beyond doubt, beyond our limitations as mortals.

​

By Timmy Zhang, Albert Wang