Letter from an editor

To the USD community,

Typically the Editor-in-Chief of The USD Vista writes a letter from the editor at the end of the academic year. Our Editor-in-Chief, Celina Tebor, is unable to do that at this time. She currently still is, and always will be, our trusted Editor-in-Chief. I would like to note that she is the bravest and strongest leader I have had the pleasure to work with. 

To The USD Vista staff, 

Most of the USD community does not know the extent of the work you do each week, but I am well aware; the interviews, the last-minute stories, the long days, and everything in between. Your drive, your energy, and your passion for our paper keeps us going every week. You tell the important stories. You tell the sad stories. You share our wins with the community, as well as our losses. 

I have worked at this publication for the past three years. This past fall and spring semester, our publication has had the strongest staff I have seen in my time at USD. Coming into the newsroom the first week of the fall semester, with no prior training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff proved themselves while virtually creating a paper, and continued to prove themselves in person in the spring. Our Sports Editor managed to report on sports while sports were continuously canceled for COVID-19 cases. Our Arts & Culture Editor brought diversity and fun to her section. Our Feature Editor covered more staff and students than ever before and wrote their stories beautifully. Our News Editor stepped into big shoes and filled them with an incredible energy and attitude every single day. Our Opinion Editor shined and brought many new voices and opinions to her section. Our Managing Editor led our team and has been a great colleague of mine for years. Our Copy Editor went from rookie of the year to leader of the year. I know every single person on this team will thrive in whatever future endeavors they choose to pursue.

You all chase the truth. You chase good stories. You share what needs to be shared. Most importantly, you all remain authentically yourselves while balancing what it means to be a journalist. 

I believe that The USD Vista has proven itself as a publication worth reading. After breaking the news first last year that students were being sent home for COVID-19, we became the paper to read. That provided us with a responsibility we always had, but that was not always seen by others. 

Our small but mighty publication is the strongest it has ever been. That is because of our staff. I feel bittersweet to leave this publication to my dear friend and colleague, Taylor DeGuzman. I know you will do incredible things with the responsibility that comes with running this publication. 

Thank you to our readers, our friends, and our community for following us all this time and for trusting us to give you your much-deserved news. We couldn’t do it without your support. And finally, thank you to Celina Tebor for creating the best newsroom team and guiding us along the way.

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Mossuto

Associate Editor / The USD Vista

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.