Charles Apple

Here’s wishing a happy 21st birthday today to Allisence Chang, who : 1) Was The Virginian-Pilot’s graphics intern this summer; 2) Is a rising senior at Michigan State University; 3) Will be a contestant in The Intern contest in Boston this coming October.

Allisence models Chris Courtney’s Arkansas
Razorback hat at SND/Orlando last summer.
—

Allisence left us three weeks ago after 12 weeks of busting her ass all summer on a huge array of charts, diagrams and about three million locator maps.

Because she’s several hundred miles way, I can’t be the first to buy her a legal drink.

But I’ll take a rain check. The beer in Boston will be on me, Allisence.

(Actually, if you’ve seen me drink, then you already know: Most likely, the beer really will be on me. All down the front of my shirt. But I digress… )

Allisence came to us via the recommendation of her former editor at the Michigan State Daily, Nick Mrozowski. Nick had been the design intern here two summers before and then the Pilot hired him full-time last winter. He introduced me to Allisence last fall in Orlando.

She was also highly recommended by her graphics professor, Karl Gude. We were lucky Allisence decided to spend her summer with us.

Allisence with her pal Nick Mrozowski. Hell,
I can’t believe I’ve typed his name twice in
this post and haven’t misspelled it yet.
—

Allisence is one of the quietest people I’ve ever met — although, admittedly, compared to me, nearly everyone seems quiet.

But Allisence would go hours, camped out in her cube, silently hacking away at the stack of work I’d give her each day. She hardly ever had a problem or even a question.

Hell, if she had asked more questions, I would have known for sure she was still awake.

But Allisence was more than awake. She was sharp — very fast, efficient and accurate. She was notified last week that she’s one of the ten finalists who’ll be competing in The Intern contest at SND/Boston this fall. She’d be a wonderful catch for some lucky paper after she graduates next spring.

Allisence: It sure is loud around here without you. We miss you. Come back anytime.

On her last day at the Pilot, veteran artist Ken Wright brought in his horse, Major, so Allisence could ride around the parking lot.

Ken and Major take Allisence for a stroll
around the Pilot’s parking lot. YEEHAW!
—

A few examples of the work Allisence did for us here at the Pilot this summer:

See more of Allisence’s work here.

Allisence shares a birthday with basketball great Wilt Chamberlin, “Sex in the City” actress Kim Cattrall and country singer Kenny Rogers. In addition, today is National Spumoni Day.

Never heard of it? Me, neither. So we’ll consult the Wikipedia:

Spumoni or spumone is a molded Italian ice cream made with layers of different colors and flavors, usually containing candied fruits and nuts. Typically it is of three flavors, with a fruit/nut layer between them. The ice cream layers are often mixed with whipped cream. Chocolate and pistachio are the typical flavors of the ice cream layers, and the fruit/nut layer often contains cherry bits.

This dish comes from Naples, and the three-flavored Neapolitan ice cream evolved from it.

Ah. Perfect timing for your birthday, Allisence. Go eat some spumoni!

Happy birthday!

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 5:19 am and is filed under Virginian-Pilot, Happy birthday, VizEds Blog, Graphics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.