Since her childhood, senior Alli Kaufman knew one thing: she loves to create. Ranging from building cute outfits to writing original fantasy stories, she has always been fascinated by the ability to put things together and show them to others.

 

“My parents always told me that I was a good writer, which I didn’t really realize until I started actually getting into writing,” Alli said.

 

Alli’s junior year of high school is when she first got involved with the Purple and Gold news (P&G). She recalls being motivated by the upperclassmen that she looked up to in her early years at Hickman.

 

“All the cool girls did journalism. I love the newspaper and I wanted be a cool writer girl.” Alli said.

 

Her skills extend beyond writing, though, and she has developed an expertise and love for graphic design. 

 

“My sophomore year, I did the graphic design class.  I found that it was a big passion of mine, making information appealing and clear for the people that you’re advertising to,” Alli said.

 

The graphic design class provided a good opportunity to learn the technical skills, but it was not until taking on the position of the swim team’s social media manager that she really grasped the need for good quality graphic design.

 

“After running the swim Instagram my sophomore year, I realized that I really wanted people to come to meets, so I needed to get information out and I needed to be as clear as possible,” she said.

 

In a school setting, graphic design provides students with necessary information in ways that are easy to understand.

 

“Advertising information to our student body that getting out there and coming to events is super important,” she said.

 

Alli has taken these graphic design skills to the P&G. Senior year, she was named as managing editor and is specifically in charge of the layout and design of the print edition, the P&G presence across social media and making sure that the newspaper is adequately promoted. 

 

“Becoming an editor, and earning that title, working with other editors, it’s a lot of fun,” Alli said. 

 

She explains that being on the newspaper staff provides a perfect fit for a blend of her passions.

 

“I love to write and I love to do design, so boom journalism,” Alli said.