Putting the ‘art’ in ‘heart,’ among other things

Savannah Anno is a fourth-year human development major and English and community regional development minor. She plans to pursue a master's degree in social work after graduation. (Jenna Lee / Aggie)

Falling in love at The California Aggie

When I was tasked with writing a senior column, I thought it would be difficult to find a good starting point. There are so many aspects about this newspaper that I love — I could make a list of at least 100 different things I’ll remain fond of forever, all the way down to the poetry magnets on our office fridge or the basketball we keep in our conference room. But, if the list was ordered, Alyssa Crevoiserat will undoubtedly always be No. 1.

After becoming a volunteer copy reader in our first year, Alyssa would open her computer each weekend and read me soon-to-be published sentences from The California Aggie outloud, asking me to validate her edits, think up synonyms for repeating words or help rephrase a clunky clause. When my best friend first suggested I apply to be a staff writer, I probably laughed in her face.

A few quarters later, after I’d heard about the wonders of the Arts & Culture Desk, I caved. Quickly, much of my college experience became shaped by art exhibition visits, hours-long interviews and weekly deadlines (which I may or may not still procrastinate). Alyssa and I like to joke that a significant chunk of her interests come from my own — I gave her Phoebe Bridgers, endless TV show recommendations, “folklore” and a billion other things that are just slipping my mind right now. But Alyssa gave me The California Aggie, and that probably trumps everything else we’ve shared in our past nine years of friendship.

So, to Alyssa: Thank you. I know it was all (not very) secretly a ploy to spend even more time with me.

But truthfully, until I joined the Editorial Board this year, most of my time at The Aggie was wholly separate from Alyssa’s. While she worked in copy editing, I found my place on the Arts & Culture Desk. I’m actually typing up this column while sitting on the Memorial Union Quad for the last time with my writers, sharing snacks and reflecting on the articles they’ve published this year.

I’m not going to repeat their suggestions for what I should add into the piece (swear words involved), but I will sing their praises and thank them for a magical year of collaboration, beautiful writing and friendship. The greatest accomplishment of my time at The Aggie is that I can confidently say my team is not only made up of thoughtful journalists, but true and encouraging friends.

It’s been such an honor to work alongside this little group, who can constantly make me laugh through overly niche references, outlandish responses to my weird ice breaker questions (e.g. what large topographical feature would you be?) and funny tidbits about their past lives as theatre kids and Wikipedia editors.

My time at The California Aggie has been wholly shaped by my love for other people: for my best friend Alyssa, my eclectic team of writers, the Editorial Board (who I will miss meeting with daily more than anything), our chatty Managing Staff and all of the wonderful individuals I’ve been lucky enough to interview.

While our commentaries on the relevance of unicorns in media or reviews on the latest trashy romantic comedies may seem trivial, the stories we share on the Arts & Culture Desk ultimately reflect the essential qualities of human creativity and expression. We are not only examining stories, but through what modes people are telling them and what these projects can teach us about ourselves in the process.

More than anything, beyond satisfaction and gratitude, my time working on this paper has made me feel inspired. I am inspired by the community organizers who run free local art initiatives, the artists who constantly reinvent what it means to be a painter or sculptor, the many students who play back-to-back house show sets every weekend whilst double majoring and working multiple jobs, every single Couch Concert performer (thank you guys, seriously) and, of course, my 100+ brilliant coworkers.

Value art everywhere and all the time. Never be afraid of showing how enthusiastic you are about something. Ask many questions. Write as much as possible. Always trust your best friend’s advice. When someone offers to tell you a story, listen. Love the people you work with, and love the work that you do. Thanks everyone.

Written by: Savannah Anno — arts@theaggie.org

Savannah Anno is the 2025-26 Arts & Culture Editor. Before this, she was the Assistant Editor for the Arts & Culture Desk and an Arts & Culture Staff Writer.