Meet the Founders

illuminate was founded by Editor-in-Chief Olivia Vu and Managing Editor Genevieve Yuen in the spring of 2024 during their freshman year as a platform to amplify student voices and showcase Alameda High School’s hidden talent. We chose the name illuminate to illustrate that we are shining a light on unrecognized artists, writers, and photographers. Fueled by our passion for literature and the creative arts, our small project grew into a shared vision of establishing an official literary arts magazine. Since then, we have managed to bring together a wonderful staff of students to help piece each issue together, with members within and outside Alameda High School. Our reach has broadened to eight schools across the Bay Area and beyond, representing hundreds of talented voices and bringing together a tight-knit community of creative peers. We are extremely grateful for all of the students who have helped turn illuminate into a flourishing reality.