To the readers,

I still remember walking into my first Clarion meeting, feeling nervous, uncertain but also excited. It was rare for me to attend a meeting fall quarter of freshman year, since unknowingly, my FSEM was from 6-8:00 p.m. So, the few Mondays that my professor cancelled class, you could find me in AAC 301. 

Before my first meeting, I got coffee with Ana Ortega, the Editor-in-Chief at the time, to learn more about the Clarion. She sparked a drive and sense of belonging in me that I hadn’t expected. Little did I know, AAC 301 would soon become one of my favorite spaces on campus. 

I started with the Arts & Life section and wrote about student organizations on campus before transitioning over to UNIFY when it launched in January 2023. An initiative spearheaded by Ana and led by Ana Júlia Rodrigues Alves, the section’s first editor. I was empowered by the section’s mission to amplify the voices of marginalized communities on campus and ensure our coverage reflected the diverse experiences on campus.

In my sophomore year, I stepped into the role of UNIFY Editor, a position that has both challenged and inspired me over the past two years. UNIFY taught me that journalism isn’t just about reporting facts, it’s about whose stories we choose to tell. I’m proud of the strides we’ve made in diversifying our coverage and promoting advocacy journalism. I carry that same commitment with me as I step into this new role.

To my predecessor, Ana Júlia, thank you for your inspirational leadership and the warmth you brought to every meeting. And to Riley Laub, your dedication to the Clarion never went unnoticed and inspired all of us. 

I am excited to work alongside my partner in leadership, Anna Neumann, whose passion for the Arts & Life Section has shined with every story she touches.

To our current staff and dedicated writers, thank you for taking me in and allowing me to grow with you. Liam, Mason, Hampton, Nick, Josie and Delaney, thank you. And to the staff that has since gone on to their new endeavors, thank you for making me the writer I am today. 

To our new staff members and future writers, I cannot wait to welcome you to the team and begin this journey alongside incredibly talented and passionate journalists. 

I’d be remiss not to thank my biggest supporters, whose unwavering encouragement has brought me to this point. Thank you to my family, a quienes les debo todo, for always believing in me.

I promise to lead with purpose and a belief in the power of student journalism to spark change. The Clarion is more than a newsroom — it’s a community. And together, we’ll continue pushing boundaries and making room for new voices at the table. 

With gratitude,

Alyssa Avila

Editor-in-Chief Incoming