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Like many kids, Rachel Gregorio ’12 grew up with a love of drawing. What set her apart, however, was that by age 11 she had a caricature business established at two local town recreation departments.
Her artistic gifts have always been bolstered by an entrepreneurial drive, which is why it comes as no surprise to those closest to her that the Burlington, Mass., native now has a second children’s book illustration to her credit.
Released in November, Basketball with Big Baby is the second collaboration between Gregorio and author Jon Goode, vice president of the Lowell Spinners minor league baseball team. Their first book, Pitching with the Papelbons, was published in 2007.
Basketball with Big Baby is a biography of the Boston Celtics’ forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis, now in his fourth year with the team, who has become a hit with fans for his engaging personality as well as his playing ability.
“When Jon texted me that he was interested in doing a book featuring Glen Davis I was very excited. I ended up doing a lot of the work on it over winter break – when I already had scheduled to get my wisdom teeth removed,” said Gregorio, a double major in communication and studio arts. “So with an ice pack in one hand and a pencil in another, I took those weeks and focused solely on this book.”
Balancing school, her responsibilities with the yearbook, an editorial position on The Heights and a part-time job, Gregorio answered calls from the publisher and made edits on the book.
The work paid off. At the launch party, the 6-foot-9, 280-pound Davis gave the book — particularly her drawings — rave reviews.
“He really liked it a lot and thanked me for making him look so handsome – and thin!” said Gregorio. “It was funny because that was always Jon’s criticism throughout the editorial process, that I needed to make him look, um, chubbier. He’d say, ‘Rachel, he’s known for being big!’”
Beyond the children’s books, Gregorio keeps very busy with other projects. Working in the Media Technology Services Graphics Department, Gregorio has had a hand in many of the most visible campaigns on campus. In fact, even those who have not met her may be familiar with her work: She designed posters for the “Lights Out” campaign for the BConserves energy conservation initiative and Professor of English Paul Lewis’ Edgar Allan Poe exhibit at the Boston Public Library. In addition, she is the Theatre Department’s photographer.
“I’ve really enjoyed working on so many different projects and meeting people in the different departments,” she said.
Next up for the ambitious Gregorio is a semester in Madrid, fulfilling a promise she made to herself when she studied Spanish in high school. Focused on obtaining a career in public relations, advertising and marketing, Gregorio said she’d always be on call if Goode has another book in him.
“I have high hopes that he rounds it out with a football one,” she said, adding that she’s look forward to perfecting Tom Brady’s mug.
Goode is donating all proceeds from the new book to the C2 Mission, a foundation that benefits children and families affected by cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis.
For more information on the books and to see samples of her work, visit www.rachelgregorio.com.