This year, Costa’s literary arts magazine Papercut is back in publication after uncertainty in its release last year. The magazine is a student-run publication advised by creative writing, English, and Thanatology teacher Shannon Vaughan. It’s made up of a variety of poetry, photography, short stories, plays, artwork and other creative pieces from students.
The magazine is published at the end of the school year, and can be picked up from room 207 by any interested students or staff.
“I didn’t have the creative writing class last year, so we didn’t have many students with artwork to submit to the magazine,” Vaughan said.
After a year of major changes, the return of the 2025-2026 Creative Writing course has helped the program to further connect to Costa’s and rebuild Papercut’s staff of writers and artists.
“It almost eviscerated Papercut entirely, and we’re currently trying right now to resurrect it,” Vaughan said.
Even with the reduced staff, the heart of Papercut remains the same: it is a space where students from all creative backgrounds can share their various artistic works. The publication has always been known for its variety and the team embraces that mission as they rebuild.
“Papercut is a compilation of poetry, prose, photography and music,” Vaughan said. “People can even do performances, like an one-act play and we can use QR codes,” Vaughan explained.
For sophomore Annie Coyne, joining Papercut began when Vaughan encouraged her and a few classmates to take on the program after the previous staff graduated. She felt a responsibility to help keep the publication going, since there were few underclassmen left to take charge.
“Ms. Vaughan introduced me and some other classmates to Papercut my freshman year, and asked us if we’d be interested in joining since everyone in Papercut were seniors the previous year,” Coyne said.
But with only about a dozen students on staff this year, the responsibility each person carries has grown. Every member plays a more crucial role, and expectations have increased for everyone involved.
“It definitely takes a lot more effort from all of us,” Coyne said. “No one can be lazy. Everyone has to put in time and care.”
For senior Rachel Cecere, Papercut became an opportunity to step deeper into Costa’s creative community. After hearing about the program from a friend, she decided to join and explore what it had to offer.
“After hearing about Papercut through a friend, I wanted to get more involved and learn more about it. I had hoped to get published in it, but found out I can help create the book, so I decided to join,” Cecere said.
As the program rebuilds, Cecere hopes to see Papercut expand beyond its current size. She believes the publication could become more recognized on campus if more students knew that they had the chance to be published.
“I hope that it will become a bigger thing and more known at Mira Costa, not just in creative
writing, but in the community,” Cecere said. “We hope to spread awareness about it so more people know that they have the chance to be published in it.”
Vaughan is excited to see Papercut thrive this year with various student submissions.
“It’s hopefully all walks of life participating in an artistic way,” Vaughan said.
“Whether people are becoming published or participating in building the compilation, it’s beneficial to all.”
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