I remember walking into room 217 with my roommate for my first Graphics Desk meeting in 2022 as a timid sophomore. I sat in the back right corner with the other graphic artists. I looked around at the group, taking in the people I observed: the tall girl from my sculpture class, a boy I recognized from around Wey Hall, a boy I was going through the graphic design program with, and finally, my new graphics editor, McNeil Johnston. 

I had no clue that that little meeting was going to be a pivotal moment for me in figuring out who I am and what I want in life. Without The Appalachian and the Graphics Desk, I never would have discovered my passion for print media or found my major, Graphic Communications Management. There, I was allowed to tap into my creative side and trained to be a strong, competent print professional. 

A special thanks to McNeil Johnston, my first graphics editor, without whom I would not be where I am today. Thank you to Kaitlyn Close, the tall girl from my sculpture class, for allowing me to assist you during my time as your associate editor and entrusting me with the care of each month’s newspaper. Thank you to Chloe Pound, for being the best partner in graphics communications. Lastly, thank you Jenna Guzman, Editor-in-Chief ’23 -’25, for letting me know that The Appalachian was looking for artists for its Graphics Desk. 

2 magazines, 5 articles, 14 newspapers and over 200 bylines later, my time at The Appalachian has finally drawn to an end. Thank you for trusting me with the newspaper every month for the last two years and allowing me to contribute to the art of physical media. Is print dead? No — but it is up to us to maintain it.