Duck: Ilyan Sarech
People often say that when you speak multiple different languages, your personality changes from one language to another. Is that true (can we even really say that I speak two languages lol)? I think it is.
When I arrived in Syracuse in August 2025, I was completely lost. I was in a city that I didn’t know, without a single friend or family member, surrounded by people who spoke a different language than mine and who thought Paris and France were two different countries (yes that’s a real anecdote). In that context, where everything was different but somehow similar, where everything seemed at once so new and so old, impressive and ridiculous, welcoming and terrifying, I was no longer myself. I was only part of my personality, just one facet of my whole being, because I couldn’t express the rest, whether through cultural codes or language.
However, there was one place, only one, where I always felt good, felt whole, felt alive: The Daily Orange. I still remember the first time I opened the door of the house. The energy, the activity, the joy radiating from what would soon become my workplace immediately struck me. And I was not wrong. Here, everyone always did everything they could to include me as much as possible and to make sure I felt good. And when you have nothing, that means everything. A smile, a question, a laugh, they all can carry you across thousands of miles and make you feel like you are home.
And for that, thank you. For hours, I was trying to figure out how I could express what should be the pinnacle of my duck. But I can say nothing other than “thank you,” because to me, nothing is more powerful than a sincere thank you, coming from the deepest part of my heart.
More specifically, I would like to thank the following people:
Griffin Uribe Brown – Thank you, Griffin. First, for creating the nickname “Skilyan.” It may sound stupid, but I absolutely love it and knowing that no one will call me that anymore makes me sad. After all those hours spent in the dig room with you, I was able to fully appreciate your ability to go from the most serious person in the world to someone radiant and hilarious in a matter of seconds. You are a real hard worker, but also a truly golden human being. If I felt good at The D.O., it is in large part because of you, and I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you did for me (except when you asked me to make the same graphic again for the fourth time 😉 ). I hope you will come back to Strasbourg soon: we still have to go to the Delirium together.
Sophia Burke – Thank you, Sophia. You were the first person I spoke to when I walked through the doors of The D.O., and I could not be happier about that. Even when I was struggling to speak two correct English sentences in a row and trying to understand how Illustrator worked (I still don’t know why my interface is different from yours), you always had a kind word or a thoughtful gesture for me. I hope you always remain that smiling, open-hearted person, because you have this incredible ability to make the people around you feel comfortable, even when you don’t realize it. I sincerely hope I’ll see you again someday, and hopefully you’ll be bilingual in Chinese by then.
Katie Crews – Thank you, Katie. I always loved talking with you while we worked. I really appreciated listening to stories from your maaaany travels or laughing with you at parties. I loved being a digital designer with you, and I hope you will have an amazing time in Japan!! You’re the best!!
James Hoagland – Thank you, James. At the end of the first semester, when I learned that you were leaving your position as DME, I was genuinely sad. That says a lot about how much I appreciate you. You are sincerely kind and open to others, and above all, you have this fascinating ability to turn your visions into reality — whether as the boss of the dig section or now with your own media. I will never forget the moments spent together (nor the way you were clutch during the Media Cup). I sincerely wish you success in the future because you truly deserve it.
Rose and Kendall – Thank you, to my favorite two bosses. Even though I never got a raise in two semesters (#sad), it was a pleasure working with both of you. You are two people who are always willing to listen, always ready to help and always striving to bring out the very best in everyone. I can only praise your qualities, and now that you’re graduating, I hope they will take you far.
Charlotte Price – Thank you, Charlotte. You are the most “Parisian” person at the DO (that is a compliment) and it was a pleasure to work with you. Even if I may not have shown it often, I always enjoyed it, and I truly believe you have the soul of a fighter. You have everything in you to go far in whatever you pursue, and I am truly convinced that you have all the resources to be successful.
My friends from the sports room: Quinn Postman, Henry Daley, Noah Nussbaum and Mauricio Palmar – Thank you, guys. Honestly, you are the people who were the kindest to me and probably the funniest in the whole house. For that, I hope you always keep your joy for life and your calm way of facing obstacles. I especially want to wish you, Quinn and Noah, good luck for leading The D.O. next year. I would have loved to be part of that adventure with you, but even from thousands of miles away, I will be supporting you and following your work closely.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone I had the chance to work or have fun with at The D.O. If words fail me, know that my thoughts toward you are filled with nothing but kindness.
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As I finish writing these lines, I have only 30 days left before I definitively leave the United States. The D.O. has been an incredible experience that will always remain deeply engraved within me. I hope that one day, I’ll cross paths again with one of you guys.
As we say in French: “Je pars, ce n’est qu’un au revoir, pas un adieu.”
– Ilyan “Skilyan” Sarech, digital designer, Fall ‘25 – Spring ‘26.
