45th Anniversary Dedication: Cassandra Jordan

Jordan is a free-lance writer residing in Goodman. Her career began when at the age of six, she knew she was meant to be a writer. She has grown from a Sam Spade typewriter to the complexities of a computer. Never giving up, she has overcome challenges to share her words with the world.

We recognize and honor Cassandra Jordan, founding Quill staff member, who has been a valuable supporter of the Crowder Quill through the years. Below is her reflection of the experience:

“A person has a dream they want to become a reality.” Jordan said. “There are those who move forward with determination, and others who let the world crush those dreams. It doesn’t matter what others think. The only thing that matters is what you want and believe you can accomplish.”

The snow lies pristine. Unmarked and waiting to be written on. But you know if you venture out, it will be hard. The snow will resist you, suck you down into its coldness and maybe even trip you and you will land on your face. The prospect leaves you standing at the window with your hands in your pockets, the desire rumbling through you, but you turn away. Afraid of the challenge, too timid to try.

When the subject of a literary magazine for Crowder College was brought up, it was met with skeptic raised eyebrows. The Ozark people are a no-nonsense individualist breed. You didn’t find literary magazines lying about the house. The people are too practical to waste their time on trifles.

But Mr. Richard saw the vast white expanse and believed it should be marked by stories and the work of artist. He stepped into the unwelcoming mass of cold and in a small, unused classroom he laid out his dream. We hammered out the details and I named it. We believed it could be done.

People hesitated to send in entries; actually then they were hand delivered to boxes in designated places. They smiled, lifted eyebrows, and a few made condescending remarks. But we didn’t quit, and the thin first edition came out. We met in a small conference room to hand out awards and pass out the magazine. We had made a path, and we hoped others would follow.

It wasn’t easy. The magazine went through many changes. It opened up to students of all grades and the community. The editors encouraged people to express themselves, to dream a dream and turn it into reality. The success of the authors and artist encouraged many. They used their experiences to launch their careers. Over time, the Quill went from twice a year to a single issue, and the school entries were narrowed to high school. It has changed with the times, growing in scope to meet the needs of an ever-changing world. It has won awards and made Crowder shine. It has gone from 20 entries to over a thousand.

The college began with two officer’s barracks and has grown into a beautiful campus of multiple buildings. It has expanded into satellite communities and is a highly respected institution. My sister was among the first to attend. In my family at least four generations have attended Crowder College. It seems that the smallest beginnings leads to something thriving and vibrantly alive.
The magic of holding a book with your work included never gets old nor dims in the eyes of eager artists and writers. At a recent writer’s conference, a young woman came up to me. She had heard me talking about the magazine at a writer’s meeting. She was hoping to find a market for her work and submitted it to the Quill. Her eyes glowed as she told me she had been accepted. The excitement of acceptance, the anticipation of being published made her glow. A reaffirmation of what we had believed in and fought to bring to life.

Think of how many artists and writers have been published in these 45 years. I know I once figured out I had been in about 75% of the issues. My late husband, children and grandchildren have seen their work in the pages of multiple Quills. My youngest was on the staff one semester.

Yes, you can stand at the window looking at the pristine snow, wanting to make your mark but just keep your hands in your pockets, your dreams and visions locked in the safety of your soul.

Safe, but you will never have the opportunity of knowing your words are being read and you are touching people, perhaps changing lives. Of all the things I have written, had published and won honors for…the ones I am proudest of, are my articles in the Standard.

The Nazarene publication goes around the world, printed in many languages and distributed to their missions. I cannot calculate the number of people who have seen and read my words. My dream started out simply as the vision of a young girl sitting in a pear tree, embarrassed by a rejection. A rejection only means you have tried, you have learned and honed your skills. One of my rejections morphed into a very lucrative first place victory in a prestigious contest.

So, do you dare? Do you take your hands out of your pockets and make your mark, share your vision and feel the thrill of accomplishment? Or do you walk away and let others have their moment of glory, as they take their first steps toward a rewarding career.

The blank paper, the pristine canvas, calls out your name. Do you dare to answer the call? Or will you fade into the night, a shadow of what might have been.

Original Quill staff members, 1980:
Cheryl Ball
Patti Bowman
James Paul Dickey
Sally Geeding
Sandy Jordan LeeAnn Sontheimer
Wesley Watkins
Dan Richard, Adviser