Letter from the Editors

As undescriptive as it may be, the best phrase to describe this semester is “a lot.” The year started out with uneasy optimism, and The Oak Leaf staff hoped for a slow rise in our workload. However, the news doesn’t work that way. Almost mirroring the atmospheric rivers that saturated the first quarter of 2023, it seems everyone in the newsroom endured maelstroms of sadness, madness, spaciness and craziness that pushed us to the brink of burnout. Yet, nearing the end of the semester, we began to feel whole again and worked together to push through with a triumphant sprint through the finish line. Surely, shared tension creates the tightest of bonds.

Despite a last-minute setback where several already designed magazine pages were lost, the resilience of this group of writers, photographers and editors to strive and move forward is truly remarkable. Coming together to work tirelessly, fueled by pizza and energy drinks, this group demonstrated a commitment to truth and excellence.

We chose “The Next Episode” as the theme of this magazine, because we feel it’s time to move on from the turbulent times of the recent past. This isn’t to say the future looks free from strife, with unprecedented levels of bigotry, political polarization and state governments that are attacking individual rights. However, we know we’re the strongest we’ve ever been, and we’re prepared to counter these injustices.

After a year in Garcia Hall, room 106, the newsroom has finally lost that “new car smell” and, as its first editors-in-chiefs, we’re proud to know we set the foundations for the newsroom SRJC students deserve. As a voice of SRJC students, The Oak Leaf will not be ignored.

We feel unbelievably grateful knowing The Oak Leaf has been integral in helping its reporters and editors grow and learn more about what it really means to be themselves. We feel a solemn joy knowing some of us will soon leave the newsroom for bigger colleges and experiences. We feel confident that those who stay will bravely carry on the Oak Leaf’s 96-year tradition of being SRJC’s fourth estate.

From staying creative through fascist book bans, finding peace after fleeing a repressive regime and continuing the fight against climate change, the stories in this issue reflect on the human ability to push ahead amid seemingly impossible challenges. This issue also reflects SRJC’s next episode with a profile on retiring President Dr. Frank Chong and an interview with the upcoming president, Dr. Maria Angélica Garcia.

We can’t thank our adviser, Anne Belden, enough. She taught us to thrive amidst chaos, and remain steady with the burden of truth. Without her, some of us may have never found our true purpose in life. We would also like to thank our new T.A., Mark Fernquest, who is quickly learning to be the backbone that holds up a solid news team. Last, we would like to thank our fellow Oak Leaf editors and reporters who continually kept the news flowing to SRJC students in real time.

To our readers, we hope our stories help give you the strength and knowledge to walk into the future with resolve. We at The Oak Leaf are ready for The Next Episode, and we know SRJC is too.

-Sean Young and Michael Combs

Jetta and Koya Belden