Each year, graduating editors are given 30 final column inches — “30” was historically used to signify the end of a story — to reflect on their time at The Hatchet, published in the final issues of the year.
Over the three volumes I’ve served as graphics editor, I’d estimate I’ve produced over two hundred charts, illustrations and other graphics. With each visual, I’ve enjoyed supporting the important reporting of our news and culture writers and editors.
Someone asked me in the fall, why on earth would I keep coming back to the same role year after year? I understand how, from the outside looking in, creating chart after chart may seem redundant, but with every new visualization I’ve created for the paper, I’ve sought to improve on how we went about presenting information to our readers. The graphics section has been a small corner of this publication where I’ve been able to grow continuously. I kept coming back to this role because I never felt my work was done.
Near the end of my freshman year, I saw there was an open position available on staff: Graphics Editor. I had only contributed one graphic to the section all year but decided to apply anyway, never expecting that my time in this section would end up deeply shaping the direction of my future career.
Once I joined staff officially, I quickly realized that I hadn’t really understood the nature of my responsibilities. I thought I would be creating some illustrations and playing with graphic design, not creating chart after chart every week. Under the mentorship of my predecessor Nicholas Anastacio, I got a handle on how to navigate weekly graphics requests and staff meetings. Without his guidance, I would have been completely lost.
Nicholas spent two volumes as graphics editor before me and readily shared with me everything he had learned about charts, graphics requests and life on The Hatchet. Without his continuous support, I’m not sure if I would have had the confidence to explore new software or apply for internships I felt unqualified for.
As I worked to get better at visualizing data for stories, I fell in love with the process of working with data and designing clean visualizations. With every new week, I was eager to learn a new, better way of doing things. I had the good fortune of not only being mentored by Nicholas, but also quickly being introduced to former data journalism professor Marc Lajoie who became a close friend and mentor.
The first time I met Professor Lajoie, he explained to me and sold me on data journalism in under an hour. He told me about the three pillars of data journalism that I would need to get a handle on: design, journalism and data. That conversation laid the foundation for my next three years of college. I switched my major to pursue political science and data science with a minor in journalism. I set out to make incremental improvements to The Hatchet’s data visualizations, hoping to help move our newsroom toward a digital-first, data-driven approach. With the guidance of Professor Lajoie, I learned how to implement our own custom AI2HTML pipeline and ensured the charts we published were responsive and accessible.
It’s hard to overstate the influence and impact people like Nicholas and Prof. Lajoie have had on my time at GW and on The Hatchet. Without their willingness to share their knowledge and time with me, I wouldn’t be the journalist I am today.
A highlight of my time on staff was getting to work with Joshua Hong, my successor and predecessor, while I went abroad in the spring of my junior year. Having the opportunity to pass down the lessons I had gained from my mentors was an honor, and I was amazed by Joshua’s care and commitment to making the role his own.
As I end my tenure on The Hatchet, I leave with deep adoration and appreciation for every single person I’ve worked with over the past three years. Whether that be the editors and reporters I’ve created visuals for, the members of the design team who have spirited the visual identity of the paper or those on management who have led each volume with compassion and wisdom.
I hope that the graphics section will continue to expand and innovate with each edition. The capacity for this section is far greater than what I’ve been able to accomplish during my term, and I’m excited to see all of the wonderful ways in which the editors who succeed me will better and transform our work.
Volume 122 staff:
Kaiden Yu: You are such a joy to work with. I’m so glad we were able to get you on e-board for AAJA. You’ve been dearly missed this semester.
Sachini Adikari: I’m so glad I got to get to know you better this year. I always enjoy when we find a moment to chat. I hope we get to find more time in the future.
Annaliese Persaud: I’m happy you joined AAJA this year and am excited to see what you all accomplish in the coming years. You’ve been missed this semester.
Abby Keenley, Anusha Trivedi, Mollie Weiner, Livi Tuber: You all have done such an incredible job making the paper look polished and intentional. I’m always impressed by how you execute each edition.
Fiona Riley: It’s been an honor to get to serve under your leadership this volume. You’ve done an amazing job guiding us and cultivating a collaborative environment. I hope our paths cross again.
Hannah Marr: I’m glad I got to know you a bit better in Lajoie’s class. Thank you for always being a friendly face in the townhouse every year.
Jenna Lee: I’ve had a great time working with you this year on graphics requests. I’m excited to see all of the things you will accomplish in the future.
Mathylda Dulian: I had a great time getting to know you when you took my photos! Thank you so much for helping me find the perfect photo. I hope you find a chance to see the Lerner pool before you graduate.
Diana Anos: I’ve really admired all of your work in the culture section this year. I’m always happy to get to see you during visuals meetings. I hope our paths cross again.
Former staff:
Nicholas Anastacio: Nicholas, your guidance and support during our time together on The Hatchet meant the world to me. Not only did you teach me so much about how to make a good graphic, you showed me how to uplift and be a part of a community. You’ve been there for me in moments I needed a helping hand with graphics requests and checked in on me during some of the hardest moments I’ve had in college. Thank you for all of the support you’ve shown me in the past four years. I’ve enjoyed watching you do incredible things since graduating.
Joshua Hong: You did a fantastic job taking over the graphics editor role last spring. When I came back, I saw how much of an impression you had made on the whole staff after only one semester. I’m thankful for all of the work you put into our section and for keeping me company on Sundays. I hope to see more graphics coming from you in the future and am happy to see the work you’ve gotten into since graduating. I’ll see you for lunch in New York sometime again soon.
Ananya Gondesi: When you showed up to our first AAJA meeting your freshman year, I knew you would be a force to be reckoned with on campus. I’ve loved getting to experience the intense enthusiasm and energy you bring to every room you’re in. Thank you for being such a wonderful partner in AAJA. This campus will never see such a polished and talented panel moderator again.
Lily Speredelozzi: I wish I could be half the leader you were to AAJA during your time at GW. Since you’ve left, I’ve found myself wondering how on earth you managed to carry our group with such ease. I feel lucky to have worked with you and to be your friend.
Jennifer Igbonoba: I’m so glad our paths crossed many times on campus. I still remember running into you in the basement of Potomac our freshman year. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you on the paper, in class and in all the other spaces we found ourselves together in. I hope our paths continue to cross down the line.
Nick Perkins: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to create the most ridiculous graphics for your guides. I had such a great time trying to bring your creative vision to life. Even when I found it daunting, I always enjoyed getting a glimpse into what you saw for each edition.
Grace Chinowsky: I always appreciated your strong sense for what you wanted our paper to look like. Your leadership was always keen and thoughtful. I’m glad that I got to be a part of the volume under your direction.
Sejal Govindaro: Thank you for being a great leader for our founding AAJA e-board. I’ll always appreciate and remember getting to know you as an underclassman.
Nick Pasion: You were the first person I ever met on The Hatchet. Thank you for always being a friendly face in the townhouse. I hope to run into you again soon.
Annie O’Brien: Thank you for always having such fun pieces to illustrate for. Your weekly column was one of my favorite parts of The Hatchet.
Rory Quealy: I enjoyed all of the graphics we worked on together for your stories over the years. I’m glad we get to graduate after pulling off such a great conference.
Everyone else:
Marc Lajoie: As with many things in my life, I wish I would have kept better documentation of all of our conversations over the past few years. Thank you for always opening your door to me and other students. Your advice and support have meant so much to me. I’m grateful that our paths crossed at GW, and I know they will meet again soon.
Sofia Ang: I am so excited to see you take this section into your hands. I’m confident you’re going to do an amazing job.
Gabrielle Clark: Thank you for being my biggest support system through these four years. I couldn’t have done college without you. No matter how many time zones are between us, I love you just the same.
Giuliana Grogan: Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and roommate to me these past years. I’ve loved hearing all of your extremely insightful takes on the television we consume. You are so wise, and I hope to always be able to get your advice.
Ali Arrigoni: Thank you for always being a supportive friend to not just me, but your entire community. You have been such a central part of my years at college, and I’m excited to see where the future takes you.
Javier Mina: Your life had a profound impact on the person I’ve become in the past four years. The light and beauty you brought to the world is not forgotten, and I’m grateful to have ever called you my friend.
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