Letters to the Highlander

Angelica Brianna Acosta 

• • Position: Editor-in-Chief
• Blurb: “What drew me to the Highlander was the dedication and hard work the students working for the organization put into the paper. I have many fond memories since working at the Highlander. A lot of my memories took place in the office, in the late hours of the night, while I was scrambling together an article that needed to be ready for production the next day; though I was stressed in those moments, those moments also built me as a writer and as a person. The Highlander grew my love for the Riverside community and my appreciation for the community University California Riverside (UCR) has built.”

Ian Palma

• • Position: Managing Editor
• Blurb: “What initially drew me to The Highlander was the fact that I could pretty much hyperfixate on many of the shows, movies and music I love. Growing up, writing was one of the few ways I could fully communicate and express myself. The Highlander provided me an outlet to say what I wanted to say all while helping me hone my skills as a writer. Through the newspaper, I’ve also met some of the funniest and most intelligent colleagues one can ever come across. I hope to focus more on humanity-based journalism, documenting the lives and everyday experiences of students in a way that highlights the best of what people can do.”

Agna Soneji

• • Position: Production Manager
• Blurb: “I started working at the Highlander by getting scouted at tabling while our previous business manager had baby chicks for people to hold. I really wanted to hold the baby chicks, stopped by and learned more about the Highlander. The environment was very inviting and everyone was friendly. Being here has helped me stay more informed, grow better connections, and improve more in my professional life! The memories I’ve made at the Highlander are some of my favorite times and I am so so glad for the community to continue growing.”

Xochitl Gutierrez

• • Position: Business Manager
• Blurb: “I was in need of a job when I first came across the Highlander. It was the end of my first year at UCR, and I had failed miserably at making any friends on campus. I had no clue what was in store for me at The Highlander, but even now as a third year, I firmly believe that it is the only place I’ve felt I belonged on campus. I’ve met some of the coolest people and enjoy what I do working for the school newspaper.”

Jeremiah Finister

• • Position: Assistant Business Manager
• Blurb: “I always feel out of place because I am a Computer Science major and feel like I don’t know what I am aiming towards when it relates to the Highlander. That said, the environment, people, vibe and passion I get from working around these people just brings a sense of belonging and makes me wanna strive just as much even though it may not be in my foreseen future.”

Ekta Dhyani

• • Position: Ad Representative
• Blurb: “It was so much fun to meet all these new people, especially coming in new this year! I hope this year is great with the Highlander and I’m excited to learn a lot this year!” 

Adrian Duran Ramirez

• • Position: Ad Representative 
• Blurb: “I’m just now starting my role at The Highlander.I am hoping that by working here I could build up my professional and personal skills alongside meeting new people to connect with so that one day I could share fond memories I made while working at the Highlander.”

Adelia Urena

• • Position: Art Director
• Blurb: “I applied to the Highlander Newspaper as a design intern because I loved drawing! As time flew, we’re making ambitious covers and fun stories with student comics! My colleagues have been so kind, from when I was a baby intern to now. How far we’ve gone in this sliver of our lives, even winning awards in San Francisco. For my coworkers and managers who have graduated, our graphics team, comic artists and all of the Highlander Newspaper family: thank you for having me, teaching me and allowing me to be my most creative self. I will continue to do my best.”

Malini Joseph

• • Position: Lead Features Editor
• Blurb: “When I first joined The Highlander, I wanted to find an outlet so I wouldn’t go stir crazy in my apartment. Since joining, I have been able to meet the most incredible people and discover new features of Riverside that I hadn’t even known existed. It’s been such a wonderful experience working with creative minds and passionate hearts. I’m so grateful for everything The Highlander has taught me and everything I still get to learn.”

Rachel Ko

• • Position: Assistant Features Editor
• Blurb: “I’ve always loved reading and writing, so joining The Highlander just pretty much checked off everything I’ve wanted to do. I hope that The Highlander will continue to dish out high-quality articles and comics and pictures and everything and that more and more readers will flock to the stands to grab an issue!”

Kassandra Aguire

• • Position: Lead News Editor
• Blurb: “Joining The Highlander was something I had imagined since my high school graduation, but getting to walk into a space with such passionate and compassionate people was something I could not have anticipated. I hope that with the amazing energy which exists within the newspaper, we can continue to provide a space for those within the UCR and local communities to find solace while having a great time ourselves!”

Andrew Hagler

• • Position: Assistant News Editor
• Blurb: “I joined The Highlander because I was motivated to write about issues I cared about and be a part of the local community. I also wanted to make friends and grow as a writer. I hope to build strong connections with staff writers and fellow editors as well as with leaders here in Riverside.”

Jazzy Nguyen

• • Position: Lead Opinions Editor
• Blurb: “What drew me to the Highlander is the same thing that drew me to journalism 8 years ago — nosiness. That incessant need to know the who, the what, the why, why, why, led me down a path of late nights, impossible deadlines and a circadian that has entirely lost its rhythm. I’ve gone places with a notepad and pen that I wouldn’t dream of approaching with a taser (Meninist rally) and I have never been happier. Some call it Stockholm Syndrome; I call it the Highlander.”

Shreya Patel

• • Position: Assistant Opinions Editor
• Blurb: “One of my core memories with The Highlander was interviewing The Carrot Guy. This was the most side-quest that has ever side-quested because of how spontaneous it was. It was fun to ask questions, join in on jokes and make connections with a walking carrot lol. At the end, we also received a carrot pen and carrot guy’s autograph when I walked with him back to the HUB. In the future, I wish to get more opinions from students on campus on what they think about mascots/social media influencers on campus and how they want to see them contribute to the UCR community.”

Vash Chen

• • Position: Lead Photo Editor
• Blurb: “I remember how welcoming everyone was when I was first hired. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of one of UCR’s greatest traditions and I’m so thankful to all of the people I work with. I’ve been doing journalism for almost 7 years now and it has been so incredibly meaningful. I hope more people discover what it means to be a part of The Highlander and the joy it brings!”

Jihoon Kwon

• • Position: Lead Radar Editor
• Blurb: “Despite my years of experience working as a student journalist, I’ve never gotten to be part of a newspaper quite like The Highlander. It’s given me a platform where I can develop my own voice and perspective as a journalist as well as a community of people that are both respectful and professional. As I take on the position of the Radar editor, I hope to provide this experience that I was fortunate enough to enjoy to all incoming writers of the section.”

Abigail Ortiz

• • Position: Assistant Radar Editor
• Blurb: “What initially drew me to The Highlander were the warm welcomes at the writer’s meetings. The Radar section specifically allowed me to write about topics that I am interested in that I never thought I could write about. The Highlander allows me to connect with people and subjects that I probably would not have discovered on my own. Music, art and entertainment are what give my everyday life pleasure and writing about it feeds my mind as well as soul. I hope The Highlander gives others the satisfaction of seeing their individual thoughts and ideas have a place to flourish.”

Izzy Graham

• • Position: Lead Sports Editor
• Blurb: “One of my favorite memories was my first year with the Highlander getting to travel to Vegas with our managing editor and another sports writer and getting to commentate the women’s basketball team as they played in the Big West Tournament. Definitely a fun bonding experience trying to navigate Vegas all on our own!”

Iyanna Wallace

• • Position: Assistant Sports Editor
• Blurb: “I totally joined The Highlander on a whim. I’ve always been interested in journalism but I never thought I would actually do something about it. I ended up taking an R’ Course that was taught by the former Editor in Chief, Mata Elangovan, and long story short I ended up at my first writer’s meeting. Now I’m here with “Assistant Sports Editor” in front of my name, LOL! I’m glad I found The Highlander when I did and I hope others can find the same outlet and community I’ve found here :)”

Eddy Basurto

• • Position: Lead Video Editor
• Blurb: “I first started working with Highlander News my first year to become a photographer. My favorite memory being our trip to New York for the CMA Conference. My hope for this year is to win a video award 🤞”

Josey Wang

• • Position: Assistant Video Editor
• Blurb: “Joining The Highlander as a first year was my first step towards opening myself to the UCR community more. I look back upon my time being a contributor with so much love, knowing that I was full of apprehension and hesitance, but I marched forward anyway. Since then, working with the other staff members has been nothing but welcoming and supportive,and I hope to continue preserving UCR’s voice through my future work here!”