Written Story
My text story was derived from a University of Oregon student, editor-in-chief of student-run Align Magazine.
Navigating the Storm
In the whirlwind of creativity, amidst papers soaring like confetti, the student-run magazine newsroom is in a frenzy. In the eye of the storm stands Ainsley McRae: the editor-in-chief of the student-run Align Magazine. McRae, a dedicated member since her sophomore year at the University of Oregon, has navigated various roles within the publication, each contributing to her growth as a leader. With McRae taking on a leadership position in which she oversees her peers, leading was found to be a bit tricky. Her journey began as a blog and Spotify manager and was soon under the mentorship of Kailey James, preparing her for the eventual role of editor-in-chief.
As the University of Oregon operates on a quarter system, Align Magazine releases a new issue every term. McRae’s leadership has been put to the test, particularly during the fall term of September 2023. The executive board had chosen “Vengeance” as the theme for the issue, but unforeseen circumstances arose when violence erupted between Palestine and Israel, impacting individuals globally, including within the university community. Despite the issue being in its final editing stages, McRae faced a difficult decision. She states, “I know what is best for the magazine and so I make the executive step to do my job and the hard thing and cut anything that I feel that is insensitive or related to violence in any sense.” When asked about the decision, art director, Eva Rose Braxfield stated “Ainsley faced backlash for cutting controversial content, but she did what had to be done and did it for the interest of the magazine as a whole.”
Looking ahead, Ainsley McRae envisions a promising future for Align Magazine. With Winter 2024 marking the first term where the magazine has secured enough funding to print physical copies, rather than relying on virtual distribution, the publication is poised for further growth and impact. McRae anticipates implementing more specialized roles and expanding resources beyond the confines of the university. As Align continues to evolve, it will remain a platform for students to express themselves freely and contribute to meaningful dialogue within the community and beyond.
By Lilly Bartleson
Photo Package
Tucked away at the University of Oregon, the Jewelry and Metalsmithing studio gleams with creativity and craftsmanship, where students forge dreams into wearable art.
Kenna Fletcher, a junior at the University of Oregon has found her passion working with metal smithing and making high-end silver jewelry pieces.
Fletcher uses a torch to solder two pieces of silver together to create the base for her custom ring. The flame burns at 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, making safety glasses a strict requirement.
Fletcher’s tools to measure, file, and melt her jewelry are kept in her drawer at all times. The five most recent creations are shown on the bottom left. Each piece takes anywhere from 2 to 20 hours and costs approximately 75 USD of materials.
As a finishing step, Fletcher polishes her fine silver rings with the circular polisher. This machine moves at 2500 rotations per minute. With the machine moving so fast, it creates intense amounts of friction, and therefore users are required to wear rubber protection on their fingers to avoid burns.
Audio Story
This story features Mariam Fischer, a sophomore at the University of Oregon. Fisher shares her insight of working at the Wildlife Center in Astoria, OR.
Video Story
Kenna Fletcher shares her passion of metalsmithing and jewelry making as a student at the University of Oregon.