The title seems pretty obvious to what I’m here to write about for you all. I’m super honored and excited to be the next Editor-In-Chief of the California Times newspaper.

I was voted for the position on Monday, April 18, by my fellow peers and editors. It was a unanimous vote. Granted, I didn’t have anybody else running against me, but it still was a huge honor to be unanimously voted as Editor-In-Chief. It proves that I’ve earned their trust and that’s something very special to me.

I’m a journalism major. This whole newspaper is special to me. I’m honored that I will be the head of the newspaper. I have a lot of work to do. I basically am starting out with just myself, Mari Boyle, Emma Rawlings, Bri Hendriksen and Danny Beeck. There’s a lot of recruitment that needs to be done, so you’ll certainly see me more around campus and at Org-Fairs and such to try and recruit members. Who knows, maybe you’ll even contact me after this and ask to be a part of this newspaper.

I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I’m up for the task. I’ve learned a lot from my mentor Jose Negron. Jose has been a huge part in my success with the newspaper. If I never would have emailed him and asked to join, who knows where I’d be right now. But I’m happy with where I’m at right now. Hopefully I’ll be half as good as an Editor-In-Chief as Jose was. I’m really honored to follow in his footsteps and do this.

I’ve also learned a lot from the other members that are graduating. I learned how truly dedicated you have to be, and how gritty you have to be, to write an amazing investigative piece from Lauren Griffith. I learned how to write a really grasping opinion piece, and I got some pretty awesome fashion tips, from Katie DelVerne. I learned how to edit a photo and do a cover page from the incredibly talented Connor Marshman.

Throwing it back to the fall semester, I learned a how to be a strong journalist from Stetson Provance. I learned to how to do a website from Nikki Brognano. And then there was Matt Hagy, who I basically learned everything in how to cover sports from. I thought I knew it all, but boy was I wrong. I’m so glad I had Matt, and Jose, to teach me about that.

Again, I’m so honored to be the next Editor-In-Chief of the Cal Times. It’s a big job, and I’m up for it. Next semester might only be my third semester of college (however, I am a junior by credit this coming fall), but I know I’m ready to fill the shoes that Jose Negron has left for me. I’m ready, but more importantly, I’m excited. I hope Danny, Mari, Emma, and Bri are too.

I can’t wait to make this newspaper even better and I’m willing to take suggestions from anyone. You guys are the readers after all! I’m also willing to meet new writers, graphic designers, photographers, and other members. I’m just excited for the whole experience, I can’t wait to share it with you all: the readers.

Enjoy the last issue of this semester of the Cal Times. I know I’ve loved every single minute doing this paper, and I know Lauren, Jose, Connor, and Katie have too. To those four, thank you for teaching me everything and being so friendly. You guys are like a second family to me. Hopefully I don’t blow up your phones too much with too many questions.

Let’s get started.

Best,

Rachael Kriger
The next Editor-In-Chief