Letter from the Editor

Taylor DeGuzman / Editor-in-Chief / The USD Vista

To my dearest Vista staff and the USD community,

If you told me four years ago, before attending USD, that my senior year of college would lead to me being the Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper, I wouldn’t have believed you. Not because I undervalued or underappreciated journalism itself, or because I didn’t enjoy writing or storytelling, but simply because I never would have thought that student journalism, such as The USD Vista, was as necessary, as intrinsic to an individual’s understanding of the life that so intimately surrounds them. That is exactly what The USD Vista is to our campus community, it is necessary, it is important — it always has been and I believe it always will be.  

As Editor-in-Chief, I’ve witnessed that journalism at this level has the power to highlight underrepresented voices, bring the truth to light, hold our leaders accountable and uncover and tell stories that will undoubtedly leave the impact of a lifetime. From commending football players for locking an armed burglar in the closet, to inciting major change with both dining services’ versatility in food options and Tu Mercado’s price disclosures; from an exciting, new sports “Weekly Recap” story; to parking problems and colorful concert stories; to USD ghost stories — The USD Vista has done it all this year. 

After being completely virtual for nearly two years, this incredible staff navigated returning to campus and in-person learning, all the while printing 3000 copies every Thursday, and showing up each Tuesday to the newsroom with a fervor and passion to keep this community informed. At the end of the day, every person on staff is a full-time student, involved in extracurricular activities and organizations across the entire map, and yet still, they prioritize and work diligently every single day of every week to bring the USD community necessary and important news. Though few see the 20 hours you put in each week, the sweat and (whole lot of) tears you cry, and the super late nights and restless mornings you have, please know that I have had the absolute privilege to witness every second of it, and be there with you through it all. 
It hasn’t been easy; you all know and are aware of that. But, I would be remiss not to include all of the good that each and every one of you has contributed to this paper. I have never seen so many students reading our paper, picking up our paper, talking about our paper, than this year. That is a testament to all of you. 

To our Feature Editor, you and your section shined a light on incredible efforts happening all around campus, as well as featured people who deserved to have their voice heard — may you continue to shine. To our Opinion Editor, you and your section lead with boldness this year, unafraid to bring different issues and different perspectives to life in a meaningful, significant way. To our Arts & Culture Editor, you brought color to this paper, you brought the much needed joy and light that this community so desperately needed after such an isolating time off of campus. To our Sports Editor, you and your section brought a refreshing life to the sports section — you made it your own, you transformed it and you showed that athletes have incredible stories to tell off the court. To our Art Director, you brought every single vision to life effortlessly, and with every week our readers eagerly waited to see the spread. 

To the greatest exec team I could’ve ever asked for — The USD Vista wouldn’t be what it is today without your help. Both of our Associate Editors led fearlessly and went out of their way to make everyone on staff, from assistants to contributors, feel supported. To our Managing Editor, without your tenacity and your commitment to this paper, writers wouldn’t feel as motivated and as passionate about this paper without your leadership. And to our Copy Editor, your attention to detail, your kind leadership and the focus you brought to the newsroom did not ever go unnoticed.   

And lastly, to our News Editor and our incoming Editor-in-Chief, Karisa Kampbell, there is not a doubt in my mind that you will continue to chase the truth, and that you will lead this paper with such grace and confidence. You have everything you need to succeed. And you have the best group of people who have your back until the very end. I know that for a fact.

To our readers and the USD community, thank you for trusting us with your stories, with your voices and with your concerns. You all are the reason why we have the privilege of publishing this paper — as the years pass, and time moves forward, never forget how necessary, how important student journalism is to this community. We could not do this without all of your support. 

Thank you for trusting me as your Editor-in-Chief. I will never forget how meaningful this work is. The USD Vista will always be the pride and joy of my senior year, and I can’t wait to follow the success you all will inevitably have moving forward.

Best,
Taylor DeGuzman,
Editor-in-Chief; 2021-2022