MODA FAREWELL

MODA

CLASS OF 2020

LAUREN CHUNG Editor-in-Chief

Moda is a place where my dreams came true. I always dreamt of running a magazine from a young age, but countless stories in movies, TV shows and books told me that those people didn’t look like me. Moda proved all of my preconceived notions wrong.

This magazine became a place I could flourish and gain the confidence I needed to become a great writer, designer and leader. Even moreso, Moda gave me an outlet to express myself wholeheartedly—to speak my truths, to explore my creativity. Because of this, Moda gave me standards for what to look for in a future job’s atmosphere.

Above all, Moda Magazine has been my home here on campus for the past four years. It is a wonderful and powerful publication, and I have enjoyed every moment.

ELISE ANDERSEN Deputy Editor

I found Moda during a time in my college career when I was very unsure about many things in my life — my major, my friendships, what I wanted to do in the future. I struggled to find a place where I felt like I belonged at this university, but finding Moda gave me that sense of belonging. Throughout all of the changes and ups and downs of college, Moda has been the one constant throughout it all. It has helped me realize my true career and personal interests, it has been the creative outlet that I needed and it has introduced me to so many wonderful people that I might not have met otherwise.

I will miss the Tuesday night meetings, the sense of community I found within this publication, the feeling of pride whenever I wrote a piece that meant a lot to me and the pure excitement of sharing our work with the rest of the world. I will carry everything I’ve learned with me during my time with Moda into my professional and personal life. I owe so much to this organization and the incredibly talented and passionate people within it.

KATIE HERRICK Culture Editor

Moda is more than a magazine. Moda is a collective of creative thinkers and passionate writers. It is an artistic outlet for students from every single major and area of study. Moda is the place to share stories you needed the extra push and support to write. It is an amalgamation of my best and most talented friends. Moda is the place you can come to feel supported, inspired and loved.

Moda has brought me countless friendships. It has shared hours of my writing, illustrations and layouts. Moda has entertained my wildest and most creative fantasies in art.

Moda is my home, and has been for the past three years. Though I am saying farewell now, a piece of me will forever be here.

ASHLEIGH PERRY Special Events Coordinator

To me, Moda meant community. In times where I had nowhere else to turn, I knew that I could find some solace in our Tuesday night meetings or staff bonding events. Moda is the only Student Organization I was consistently involved in all four years at UW-Madison. I always appreciated the creative energy flowing whether it be during the full staff meetings, ed board meetings or section brainstorms. While my major may not have been in the arts or journalism, Moda provides everyone from all walks of life and all educational backgrounds a sounding board for their creative ideas. I am forever grateful that freshman Ashleigh knew the importance of indulging your passions even if everyone is telling you that you need to be hyper focused on your career goals. My advice to anyone reading this is to find a balance between your work life and your creative life if you find yourself in a field that isn’t particularly creative like mine. It will provide an escape and endless happiness.

I think that is what I will miss most—an eclectic group of kind, supportive people coming together to create an amazing body of work. Oh, and of course I’ll miss my badass ed-board ladies who prove day in and day out that girls really do run the world.

ARIANA KING Culture Editorial Assistant

I stumbled upon Moda Magazine my sophomore year at the student org fair. I knew I wanted to write and hadn’t decided where yet, but Moda’s top-notch photography and graphics had me sold. Since then, Moda Magazine was a place I felt comfortable expressing myself, a place where I learned how to write not just for me but for my community. Moda Magazine is where I decided I wanted to become a journalist and make writing a key part of my career in activism. It’s also a very humbling experience—I have never felt so lucky to be in a room full of amazing, creative and talented people.

ABBEY MEYER Associate Arts Curator

For me, Moda was the opportunity to publish and work on content that really has value to me. I joined Moda initially as a sophomore with the intent to gain experience and build my resume to apply for the J-School. However, I remained a member of the staff through my college career mainly because it provided an outlet for me to express my creativity and write about topics that are important to me. Accepting a position as a member of Ed Board only brought me closer with some of the amazing members of this organization. I found friendship, I found a passion and I found confidence by joining Moda.