Right now, I’m writing this as I come back home from our school’s inaugural Senior Signing Day and Awards Ceremony (feeling a bit emotional, not gonna lie). As I officially step down from being The Sunburst’s first Editor-in-Chief, I wanted to share my thoughts, and give thanks to everyone who made these last three years unforgettable.
My counselor had told me that I had to transfer to Del Oro after my freshman year at Mira Monte. Reluctantly, me and my family went to the Golden Valley presentations where Mrs. Bentley showed us the archetype photos of the school; when the beautiful campus we see today was once nothing more than an unfinished, 77-acre canvas. Literally since day one (dare I say, even before I stepped foot onto campus), I heard the same mantra time and time again: being part of the first-ever graduating class. As I heard this being uttered at every school event under the sun, and in every conversation where Del Oro is mentioned, I never truly knew the weight of that title – until now.
When the Newspaper club had its first meeting in September of my sophomore year, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had written my name down on the sign-up sticky note, and – out of some unknown wave of hubris – I had decided to strike the iron while it was hot, and take on this editorial role, as naive as I was. Little did 14-year-old me know, we would be setting a precedent for future Sunburst members who wish to engage with the DOHS community in their own way. Whether you like drawing, writing, design, video editing, podcasts, photography, social media marketing, I believe there are SO many opportunities for upcoming Sunburst staff to find interests that spark their curiosity, like I did.
Mind you, I often found myself to be very reserved. But with this newfound curiosity and ambition for storytelling, I was able to get out of my comfort zone by interviewing dozens of peers and community members, and decided to branch outside of school by getting involved with South Kern Sol’s Youth Reporter program – and I owe all that to my time as editor-in-chief.
I am forever grateful to have been awarded by local multimedia experts during the Kern High School District’s Journalism Day two years in a row, and to have my work in The Sunburst nominated for the KHSD’s annual Promoting Excellence in Activities and Athletics in Kern (PEAAK) awards three years in a row (here’s to us sweeping the awards next week!). I am honored to have gotten the opportunity to tour Arizona State University’s Downtown Los Angeles campus and the Cronkite School of Journalism (not to mention getting a sneak peak at the Grammys’ red carpet), and to have toured the ESPN sports broadcasting facilities during a CSUB vs. Pepperdine baseball game. And now that there are only three weeks left of school until we’re out the door, I continue to look back on these incredible experiences and how they have made my high school experience so, so meaningful.
Speaking of which, there are many people I wish to recognize who made these opportunities worthwhile:
Thank you to my fellow senior colleagues: Alexandra Cruz Rivera (sports editor), Jayden Zepeda (multimedia editor), Miguel Estevez (sports editor), Joanna Serrato (social media manager), Leshlie Medina (photo editor), Paola Rivera Lopez (online editor), Daylarlyn Gonzalez (staff writer), and Edwin Campos (staff writer). I am lucky to not only have been part of this journey with you all, but to have the pleasure of calling you guys my friends. In spite of the stressors of adolescence – you know, AP/DE classes, college applications, scholarships, the whole shebang – know that your kindness, spirit, and contributions to the newspaper have never gone unnoticed. I will forever cherish the times we have spent together.
Thank you to the staff members who will be carrying the torch after we’re gone: Estefany “Atlas” Cano (photo editor), Merelin Morales (news editor), Alisson Gonzalez, Ismerai Briseno, Nataly Gurrola, Maikayla Jones, and so many other staffers who have helped shape the charm, vision, and mission of The Sunburst newspaper into all that it is today. I am so excited to see what the future holds for you all, and I am confident that you will go on to do amazing things!
Thank you to our advisor, Mr. Ednalino: I genuinely don’t think that this segment can fully encapsulate my gratitude for the impact he has had on my life, but you know what, I’ll give it a try nonetheless. Even at my lowest moments, he has hands-down been one of my greatest and kindest advocates throughout my high school career. I think I speak for many when I say that he is truly an incredible human being who cares for his students and his Sunburst staff members, and wants nothing more than for our futures to be bright. I can not thank you enough (and as always, what happens in Room 603 stays in Room 603).
Thank you to DOHS staff, students, parents, and Bakersfield community members for your readership and endless support: Whether you have interacted with one of our IG posts, donated to us, or read from our website/published issues over the years, I am honored that you have placed your trust in us as a news source to report on stories that are important to DOHS and greater Bakersfield community. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for supporting our work.
And for me, it all goes back to the idea of being the first to do it: the first seniors to graduate from Del Oro; the first Journalism Day win for Best Front Page; the first PEAAK award win for Best Design (knock on wood). At first, it seemed like no big deal. But this was until I realized: our campus and its newspaper have only existed for three years, yet our staff have already set the bar high. I only hope that in five years, ten years, twenty years, A HUNDRED years (looking at you Blue and White), The Sunburst will continue to thrive in longevity. I am optimistic that through our work in cementing the foundations, future students and staff will strive to build this newspaper’s legacy, and stay true to the long-term goal of serving and informing our community.
But until then, I am going to miss my time as editor-in-chief, and will continue to carry my journalism and communication skills with me — in college and beyond.
Signing off,
Kayla Vaughn
