2008 Woodie Awards
My legacy, what shall it be?
Zack Farmer
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: News
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The official job description gives us the responsibility to communicate between the editor-in-chief and the general staff-not necessarily is our impact seen in the paper itself, but something else seems to be required…something unwritten.
Going through the managing editor's computer, I found an immense amount of music on it-much of which Linda [Hua] had to "borrow." Some of this music is a few years old. There are other things lying around as well: Amy Beth Kelly's picture frame, expired restaurant coupons, ticket stubs, endless bottle caps to decorate the ceiling, you get the picture.
But for as long as I can remember, there has been a bright green apple on the desk of the managing editor. Not one of those faux apples you would give a teacher, professor or anybody else. Real.
When Jo-Ann Arquillano, our most previous managing editor, graduated from Saint Mary's, I thought that would be the end The Stalker Chronicles and of the apple. But four months after she left the desk for me to occupy, the apple still sits in its corner wedged between the monitor and the massive computer.
It has begun to have a bit of a mystic characteristic in the office. The apple has not rotted, peeled, nor has it been significantly damaged. It sits there and has seemed not to age. What is its secret? How does it stay looking young? What type of magic is keeping it from aging?
Botox for apples? Maybe.
Then I started thinking: this apple is special. It's one of a kind. Unique.
Now am I willing to test how good the apple is? Hell no. I cherish my life just a little too much to take a bite of that apple.
But a thought came to me: Jo-Ann might want it back. I am going to stop by Office Depot, get one of those huge boxes of packing peanuts, place the apple inside and leave a Post-It on it saying, "Here. It was getting lonely without you. Have fun."
While I'm at it, maybe I'll send Amy Beth her picture frame too. Ah, the managing editors' legacies.
The question that now remains is what will I leave as my legacy? It probably won't be a granny smith apple or a countless number of songs on the computer. I mean, I have to leave something but I just don't know what. It will come to me-I'll keep you posted.