BEHIND THE SCENES

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PAYTON ALONZO

EXECUTIVE PRINT EDITOR

LEAH PRATLEY

EXECUTIVE DIGITAL EDITOR

AINSLEY MCRAE

DESIGN EDITOR

SOPHIE SARGEANT

PHOTO EDITORS

ALI WATSON & SAMANTHA JOH

ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

KAITLYN CAFARELLI

WRITING EDITOR

QUAYE MEADOW

PRINT COPY EDITORS

ELLA NORTON, CHARLIE VIGNE, JORDYN CENTERWALL & WESLEY JOHNSON

BLOG COPY EDITORS

AMELIA KENNEDY & TILLIE MOORE

PRODUCTION

FRANCESCA MILHIZER

PLAYLIST COORDINATOR

ALI BEDINGFIELD

FUNDRASING COORDINATOR

SIDNEY STIPANOVICH

Hi everyone! Where do I start? I have been a part of Align since my freshman year of college and have watched it evolve and contribute to both arts and culture at the University of Oregon. I started as Executive Design Editor, moved into Executive Editor, and am thankful to have finished my time at Align as Editor-in-Chief. I don’t know where I’d be today without this pivotal experience. During the creation of this issue, I was so thankful to have the chance to art direct, design, and uphold my final moments as Editor-in-Chief. With all of this being said, this issue is a special one. What does Press Play mean to Align? Here is our take… Spring/Summer is full of change, transition, playfulness, and adventure… all of which encompass this issue’s theme, Press Play. There were a variety of reasons why choosing this theme took 5+ hours. For many of us executives, this was our last hurrah; how could we make this theme encapsulate that feeling? Pressing Play is the jump into that new job. Pressing Play is going on that road trip you’ve always talked about. Pressing Play is rediscovering your inner child. Pressing Play is checking things off your bucket list. Pressing Play is the realization you only live once, so live life to the fullest. Pressing Play is something that has resonated with my lifestyle for as long as I can remember; I feel very connected to this issue. We are so thankful to have won the ASUO award for “Best Publication” this term. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the passion and integrity of everyone who has contributed to Align. Special thank you to the executive team for putting in extra time to ensure Align thrives. I could not have asked for a better experience & team. Align will always have a special place in my heart. As our Executive Print Editor, Leah Pratley, recently said, “We are ending one song and pressing play on another.” Let’s Press Play & live fully! Thank you, Align <3