Meet Senior public relations and English professional writing major, Alexandra “Ally” Bonicker!

Bonicker first began her journey to Elizabethtown College in her hometown of Kingsville, Md. While initially coming in undecided, she ultimately chose to pursue her interests in both writing and communications.

“I knew I’d always been good at writing, and I liked English class in high school, so I figured communications would give me the broadest amount of job opportunities,” Bonicker said. “Now, it kind of combines my interests for social media management and writing, and it’s a good combination.”

For three years, Bonicker has worked as the social media student assistant for the Etown Office of Marketing and Communications and as a student lab assistant for the Communications Department for over two years.

Before coming to Etown, Bonicker attended an all-girls Catholic high school where she first started to cultivate her talents and love of the arts, particularly in photography.

However, it was not love at first sight for Bonicker and photography. But after a gentle nudge, it did not take very long for her to discover a new source of creative inspiration.

“Sophomore year, my mom said to just try digital art and I was like, ‘Mom, I’m going to hate digital art, why would you think I would like that?’ I took it, and I was like ‘oh my god photography!’ So, that’s where it all started,” Bonicker said.

After spending some time honing in on her skills, Bonicker started her side business as a portrait photographer.

“I learned all the basics and I just really loved being able to capture the world in that way,” Bonicker said. “So, for the rest of high school I was pretty consumed with photography and that was my new favorite thing.”

“I was a big landscape person, I really liked nature photography, but you don’t really sell nature photography. So, I started doing my friends’ high school senior pictures and that was my first experience with portrait photography.”

Since becoming a Blue Jay, Bonicker has also taken up multiple clubs and leadership roles on campus, including yearbook photographer and president and social media manager of Vocalign A Capella.

Coming from a musical theater background, it was important to Bonicker to find a way to continue performing throughout her college career.

“I knew coming into college that I wanted to do some kind of music and performing, I didn’t want to lose that,” Bonicker said. “I saw Vocalign perform at Campaign my [first] year and they did ‘Somebody to Love,’ and I was blown away. I knew I had to audition.”

After first auditioning for the group her freshman year, Bonicker then went on to be vice-president of the club her sophomore year and now president for both her junior and senior years.

“I love every second of it. Everyone is so kind and creative and funny and we just have the best time hanging out together and singing together,” Bonicker said. “It’s like a little supportive family, and it’s so nice when you’re just stressed out about work, you just go, and you get to sing and have fun with people that care about you, and it’s a really good time.”

For Bonicker, being president of Vocalign means more than simply directing and organizing the group. It has also been an opportunity to connect with her colleagues and give back to the club that has given so much to her.

“I’ve also really appreciated this year, because I really love being a mentor for younger people, and that’s why I’ve always loved being an upperclassman,” Bonicker said. “Being able to use what I’ve gone through to guide people and help them; I remember how much I appreciated that when I was a [first-year]. So, now that I get to do that, it makes me so happy that I get to help our new members settle into their new home.”

So, what does the future hold for Bonicker?

Post-graduation, she plans on pursuing a career in social media and communications, as well as continuing to grow her career as a professional photographer.

“My dream job would be to work as a photographer and social media manager for a zoo, because animal documentaries are my favorite thing in the entire world,” Bonicker said. “I would love to get into videography more, and my ultimate dream would be to work on making documentaries for National Geographic.”

When it comes to any long-term plans Bonicker, she only had this to say: “Whatever I end up doing, I just want to be happy.”

If you’d like to see Bonicker’s work, check out her website and Instagram (@allybonickerphotography) for photos or inquiries!

For more information about Etown’s Vocalign Acapella, visit their Instagram @etownvocalign.