The graduation season can often be bittersweet. While it’s exciting for graduates to move on to the next stage in their lives, they will be missed by the people that came to know them during their time at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
This is no different for The Racquet Press, as Managing Editor Ann David’s time at UWL has officially come to a close.
David will be graduating with a degree in English with a medical professions emphasis, minors in biology and music performance and a professional and technical writing certificate. She originally came to UWL as a biology major on a pre-medicine track before taking ENG 200, where her professor said she would be a good fit for the English program.
“One of the biggest things I was thinking was [people in the pre-medicine track] are so passionate about…being a doctor or being a nurse,” said David. “I have a passion for helping people, but not in that way.”
David applied for the position of Arts & Entertainment Reporter her sophomore year after a faculty member in the music department had sent out an email about the opportunity.
Her first article was about the UWL Theatre and Dance production “Dr. Faustus” and proved to be quite a learning curve for her.
“Figuring out questions to ask people was a bit of a challenge…I’ve learned that the best answers you get from the interviewer come from when you just let them talk,” said David. “Once I learned that, coming up with questions was a lot easier because I could think, ‘Okay, if I ask this question, their answer could lead to this question, this question, this question.’”
Last spring, David stepped into the role of Multimedia Editor after the person who previously held that position had stepped down. She then became the Managing Editor in the fall of 2024.
“It was kind of intimidating to step into that role…straight from arts & entertainment,” said David. “But I still got the chance to learn from [Executive Editor Isabel Piarulli] and [Managing Editor Easton Moberg] about editing and publishing. That gave me a jump start on being Managing Editor in September.”
During her time as Arts & Entertainment Reporter, some of David’s favorite articles involved the Theatre and Dance department, which she covered frequently. She particularly enjoyed her pieces about James and the Giant Peach and a follow-up article about Dr. Faustus because of the backstage insights she was able to gain about the shows.
In addition to being involved with The Racquet Press, David played the flute in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Cordeiro Woodwind Trio. Someone that has inspired her in her musical performance studies, as well as life in general, is her flute professor Dr. Jonathan Borja. David said Borja helped build her confidence and knowledge in performing music, something she is grateful for.
“He’s just a role model that I look up to. He’s very active in the community and active in the music department. He knows so much,” said David.
On the English side of her studies, David listed Dr. Christopher McCracken as someone who has helped and inspired her throughout her educational career with his experience in technical writing. David’s peers have also helped her improve her skills, whether it be her writing or her flute playing.
David’s plans after graduation are somewhat up in the air for now. She currently has an internship at Kwik Trip as a quality assurance intern, working on and reviewing their standard operating procedures and raw material registers, and she wouldn’t mind staying with the company post-graduation.
“I’m kind of open to either getting a job in writing or communications or in the lab,” said David. “I don’t really care where I end up, as long as it’s a good company, and so far, Kwik Trip’s been my goal as a good company to work for.”
While David is excited to graduate and won’t miss the stress of completing assignments for all her classes, she will miss the people she has met during her time at The Racquet Press. She explained that the staff at The Racquet have felt like one big family while she’s been with them, which isn’t something she anticipated.
“The people I’ve met there, they’re so hardworking and they’re so dedicated to talking about other people that it’s been so much fun. I’ve definitely been inspired by people who work at The Racquet,” said David.
Overall, David’s time at UWL has been busy but filled with unforgettable memories and enjoyable experiences. Even though she sometimes felt bogged down by homework or the drag of a seemingly long semester, she is glad she chose UWL.
David ended with advice for students trying to experience college, “Focus on what makes you happy. Don’t rely on somebody telling you to go with them to do something. Find something you like to do.”
To read David’s articles, click here.
