The CT seniors say farewell

Managing Editor Grace McOmber says farewell

GRACE MCOMBER Managing Editor

I APPLIED TO THE COMMONWEALTH TIMES out of desperation for something new. The combination of a quarantined summer, a strenuous remote internship and an uncertain remainder of a college career had culminated in my late night application in August 2020.

I had a single goal in mind back then: “staff writer.” I coveted that title, a clear goal to set for myself during a blur of a semester. For the rest of my junior year, each article I wrote was one step closer to replacing “Contributing” with “Staff.”

I never became a staff writer.

Instead, I received something so much more precious. Writing for The CT started as an outlet for me to both explore an existing passion and, frankly, talk to someone outside of my two roommates.

That hesitation I felt, trying something new so “late” in my college career, dwindled with each byline, replaced by something I hadn’t experienced until I was hired as audience editor and then managing editor: belonging.

I broke out of my shell, one that was hardened not only by the pandemic but by years of hesitation toward change. I was a political science major who was good at writing. Now, I’m a writer.

In a time of isolation and stress, coming to the SMC and working with some of the most amazing and passionate people every single week has been a privilege I will never forget. I am eternally grateful to The CT for paving a path I am excited to follow.

Design Editor Gabi Wood says farewell

GABI WOOD Design Editor

WHEN I STARTED AS A DESIGNER FOR THE CT in Fall of 2020, I had no idea what I would be getting into. I wasn’t really sure what the job entailed other than laying out words and images on a page, but it ended up being so much more than that. My first couple of months as a designer, I really wasn’t sure if my skill was up to par to do these layouts and infographics weekly. There were many frustrating and late nights, but I learned so much from them.

Thanks to Andy Caress, the former Design Editor, I was pushed to perfect my skill and learned so much useful knowledge that has gotten me to where I am today. I got better and better every week and I owe most of the knowledge I gained during my first year to him.

Now, I am writing this as Design Editor and am so confident in my abilities. Working here and leading a team of amazingly talented designers has been so fulfilling and I am constantly inspired by their work. To Jayce, Bailey, Madison and Clare, I want to thank you for your patience and incredibly hard work. The paper always looks amazing and I am so happy we had such a strong team this year. Even through all of the tiring frustration, I am proud that we always produce such high quality issues. I’m going to miss all of our good times in the design den.

To the editorial staff, I want to thank you for trusting the designers and I to put a vision to your stories. I had such a blast working with you all and am thankful for the patience you all had. It has been inspiring to work with such passionate journalists and I wish you all the best.

Lastly, thank you to everyone else who works and contributes to The CT and Student Media Center. I gained so much from working here and I will keep these skills, memories and friendships with me for years to come.

Illustrations Editor Sarah Brady says farewell

SARAH BRADY Illustrations Editor

EVEN THOUGH I WAS A PART OF THE CT staff for just a short time, it was a wonderful learning experience that was worth every minute. It has been an honor to lead and work alongside the incredibly skilled illustrators and comic artists to help bring color to the pages of The Commonwealth Times. Working alongside everyone at The CT has been a pleasure and I’m extremely proud of the volumes we produced together. Thank you to everyone on the CT and SMC staff for giving me the opportunity to help create something so intrinsic to VCU.

JAYCE NGUYEN Graphic Designer

IN MARCH OF 2020, I JOINED THE COMmonwealth Times. In that same month, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and completely uprooted life as we knew it.

Everything went virtual. There was no paper to help design. I didn’t even get the chance to create my first layout until later that fall. A part of me felt a bit of envy for past designers as I was isolated behind a screen at home.

Despite these circumstances, the entire team at The CT has accomplished so much in the past two years. While reporting and learning from the community we were able to build our own community as well. We continued to build friendships and learned valuable skills from each other, even when the production room was replaced by phone calls and Zoom meetings.

I learned a great deal in my relatively short time here and want to give a huge thank you to the design team – past and present – for all you’ve taught me. To Gabi, Bailey, Clare and Madison, for always creating great visuals and being a super fun group to work with every week. To Andy, for teaching me more about type than my classes ever will. To Rey and Jeffrey, for introducing me to The CT in the first place and making me feel welcome back in March 2020.

To all the editors, illustrators, photographers, and writers, I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to share space and time with such amazing talent. I know that The CT is in capable hands.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Graphic Designer Bailey Wood says farewell

BAILEY WOOD Graphic Designer

Being a communication arts student as well as a designer, I was so excited to have the chance to merge both of my artistic passions. I appreciate everyone on the CT staff so much for their hard work, and I’ll miss spending late Tuesday nights with y’all in the production room.

EXECUTIVE

COPY

SPORTS EDITOR Arrick Wilson sports@commonwealthtimes.org

SPECTRUM EDITOR Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org

OPINIONS EDITOR Ishaan Nandwani opinions@commonwealthtimes.org

PHOTO EDITOR Kaitlyn Fulmore photography@commonwealthtimes.org

AUDIENCE EDITOR Anna Chen chena@commonwealthtimes.org

ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Sarah Brady illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org

STAFF WRITERS

Varsha Vasudevan, News Monica Alarcon-Najarro, Opinions

Season