Jesse MacDonald, Chief Copy Editor

On an ordinary Wednesday evening during my freshman year, I found myself in an eclectic, chaotic and unexpectedly charming office space underneath Storke Tower. The room was cluttered with old papers, mismatched furniture and chalk-covered walls filled with messages from generations of past Nexites. It was the Daily Nexus’ fall orientation, and despite not knowing anything about the world of journalism, I felt at home. 

On a whim, I sent in an application to the Copy section, excited by the opportunity to be a part of something unlike anything else on campus. I had no idea that this seemingly small decision would lead to my longest-held job and a cherished piece of my life that would remain for the rest of my undergraduate years. 

Having been a member of the Copy team for four years, I watched editors graduate and new faces join, with each iteration of the Copy team forming a rhythm of its own. And despite any amount of change the editorial staff underwent, one thing never changed: The Nexus has always been a place where a passion for creativity holds us together.

As a part of the Nexus family, I’ve learned depths about grammar rules and AP style that I never knew existed, turned team bondings into escape room missions and even found myself behind a podcast mic. From the late-night print shifts to captivating debriefs on the Copy couch to adventures in Long Beach for a journalism conference, my time here has been full of growth, connection and stories I’ll carry with me long after I graduate. 

What started as a spontaneous decision to join the Daily Nexus became a defining thread in my journey at UC Santa Barbara — a chance to learn from others, to lead, to laugh and to be my most genuine self. I truly can’t imagine my college experience without it. I’m deeply grateful for my time at the Daily Nexus — for the chance to be part of a legacy much larger than myself, and for the comfort of knowing the Copy team is in great hands, ready to carry the legacy of the Daily Nexus forward.

Faith Talamantez, Nexustentialism Editor

It was an honor to serve as an editor for Nexustentialism over the past two years. I sold my soul during the first quarter of my freshman year to slowly start weeding out any competition, and it really ended up working in my favor! I was very lucky to have Nexustentialism and the Daily Nexus so early in my college career — it was in our dingy little office that I met so many dear friends, spent more than a few late nights and had an infinite number of funny memories. 

Satire is a unique medium, given its capacity to criticize people and ideas in a humorous manner. I’m very grateful to the people of Isla Vista and UC Santa Barbara for giving me a ton of things to make fun of. It was always a joy to overhear someone’s crazy conversation, witness something random happening in the Arbor or hear about drama with professors that I knew would make for a killer article on the page. I only hope that everyone enjoyed the different types of articles we were writing about them. 

To my predecessors, Mateo, Kathleen and Valerie: thank you for teaching me and letting me stink the place up. It was an honor to follow after you all. To my fantastic assistant editor, Juliet, I hope your reign is long and controversial as ever. I can’t wait to see all that you do! Maddy and Nick, I am so excited to have brought you both onto our team, and I trust that you will do amazing work with (and briefly without) Juliet! To all my friends at the Daily Nexus, I love you, H.A.G.S. and I hope to see you later. Lastly, thanks to all our readers for letting me make you laugh. I’ve also been Fart Tent this whole time. 

Erick Ruvalcaba, La Vista Editor

Goodbye, La Vista

As I’m writing this, it’s currently Week 9 of my last spring quarter as an undergraduate at UC Santa Barbara. I find myself reflecting on many experiences over the past four years that have helped shape the person I am today. Writing this fills me with hope that this section will continue to grow, but also with emotion, knowing this will be the last article I write for the Daily Nexus.

I joined the Daily Nexus in December 2023 after seeing a print copy at my old summer job. At the time, Angelica — a former editor and my co-worker — encouraged me to write for the La Vista section. I instantly felt passionate about it and wanted to help it grow, which eventually led to my promotion to section editor.

With almost no journalism experience, I dove in headfirst. Thanks to the support of Emily, Amitha and Nadia, I became a stronger writer and editor. Most importantly, I developed a deep passion and drive for this section — something that required a lot of balance between work, school, college journalism and my personal life. From the start, I knew our section was small, but I wanted to make La Vista more visible on campus. In my opinion, with Nadia’s help, we did just that.

From our weekly Tuesday print nights — where Nadia was always there to help with last-minute changes — to our late-night yap sessions about anything and everything, I cherished every moment. My time at the Daily Nexus helped me build skills I’ll take with me post-grad. It also provided a welcome distraction from school and life, giving me a few hours each week to focus on editing articles, designing page layouts, hosting meetings and more.

Now, as I close this chapter as La Vista Editor, I’m excited to see what the new editors will do with the section. I know Azucena, Nestor and Sofia will do amazing things — and I couldn’t be happier to pass the baton to these three incredible people. While my time at the Daily Nexus is ending, the relationships and connections I’ve made here won’t. I’ll always be just a phone call or message away.

Being a La Vista editor has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college life. Seeing new writers, editors, original content and more articles published online were all goals I had — and thanks to Nadia and I, we made it happen.

La Vista will always be part of me. It became a community I never expected to flourish like it did. This will be the last time the byline reads “La Vista Editor.” The last time I’ll sit in that old desk chair in the Nexus office and look at the chalk wall — with my name finally on it.

Thanks so much, Nexus — you were the best!

A version of this article appeared on p. 17 of the May 29, 2025 edition of the Daily Nexus.