Here’s a secret: I almost never applied to be a Vanguard editor. When I received a nomination for a junior position, I was skeptical. Reflecting on torn-apart drafts with countless comments, I thought I wasn’t good enough for journalism. I submitted my application on a whim (sorry, Ms. Whitney), unsure if The Vanguard editorial board was somewhere I could belong. Oh, I was so wrong.
Being Volume 53’s editor-in-chief over the past year has been a privilege beyond what I can put into words. Determined to make change within our community, this board has questioned complicated legacies, caught up with current events like the college protests and California’s wildfires (see pages 10 and 11), considered the school-wide spread of artificial intelligence, surveyed and reflected on a particularly polarizing election, and captured the aftermath of child pornography charges. We brought back the crossword and predicted the TikTok ban a year before it happened. We’ve written, rewritten, quote checked, and made mistakes more times than anyone wants to admit, but we never missed a Wednesday deadline. If you can’t tell, I am immensely proud of this board’s reporting— about our school and beyond.
But after our eight issues are bound and join the office’s shelf, I will still be grateful for this board. Together, we’ve grown into good journalists and better people. Volume 53 brought the fun: We potlucked at paste up, got creative with ledes, had heated discussions about headlines, and made each other laugh constantly. If I’ve learned anything in the last year as editor-in-chief, or the past few as a Vanguard contributor, it’s that working hard means nothing without an excellent team.
So, now, I owe some thanks: To Emilia, for being my steadfast co-leader and my calm in moments of crisis; I am so grateful I got to
run this paper with my friend. Beckett, for your creativity and big-picture vision, which brought the center spreads of our paper to life and redirected our meetings for the better. Kate Rice, for truly listening and translating our board’s thoughts into witty, well-crafted writing every issue.
To Doug, for taking on the role of digital media editor with ingenuity and bringing enthusiasm to even the longest paste-up hours. Lea, for managing a crew of, at times, strong-willed columnists with confidence and composure. Krishna, for elevating our photo team with your thoughtful leadership. Kate Martin, for your unwavering determination to making this paper pretty damn good; I’m not sure what I’ll do without our delirious “Kate + Chloe” calls every month. And to Ms. Whitney, our stellar faculty advisor, for your relentless guidance and support—and, of course, your humor. We would not have gone to press once without your decisive wisdom or concision skills.
Thank you to the juniors- Gabe, Yancheng, Ayana, Sonja, Matthew, Olivia, Carl, Charlotte, and Vartan—for learning with me this year. They are a deeply kind, talented bunch and already excellent role models for Mimi, Lucia, Christine, Ethan, and Scarlett. I do, however, have one wish for Volume 54. Before my first ever Changing of the Guard ceremony, a departing senior warned: “Don’t freak out if these people seem a little crazy about The Vanguard. It’s because they care a lot. You’ll get it soon.” I hope all of you get it soon, too.
And thank you, reader, for contributing to our volume’s 158 pages with your voice, opinions, and writing. When I often felt inundated with the unending work that this publication requires, the goal of informing and shaping our community propelled me forward. Thank you for being constantly on my mind and, please, continue reading—I think this final issue is among our best.
So, yes, I’m glad I applied to be a Vanguard editor. It has been the most exhausting, overwhelmingly difficult, and rewarding decision I have ever made.
Chloe Taft,
Editor-in-Chief,
Volume 53
