Viewpoints editor-in-chief Leo Cabral works on an on-the-spot contest for the Journalism Association of Community Colleges conference March . John Michael Guerrero | Viewpoints 
Leo Cabral, Viewpoints editor-in-chief, looks over the news section of the paper. John Michael Guerrero | Viewpoints 
From left, Leo Cabral, Jennifer Vasquez, John Michael Guerrero, and Daniel Hernandez pose with Best of Show Awards that Viewpoints won at the JACC conference March 5. Photo Courtesy of Matt Schoenmann 
Editor-in-chief Leo Cabral holds up an Associated Collegiate Press Best of Show Award during the Journalism Association of Community College conference March 5. John Michael Guerrero | Viewpoints
By Leo Cabral
Becoming the editor-in-chief during a publication’s centennial has been a substantial opportunity.
I have watched Viewpoints shift and evolve with each new editor-in-chief since spring 2019 when I joined as a staff photographer.
I hadn’t even thought about applying for the position until after I was promoted to managing editor the following semester. I was happy to help out in any way because I found a program with other people who shared my passion for journalism.
The best thing about being on staff was all the reporters and editors that worked endlessly to ensure the paper ran as smoothly as possible despite many Adobe InDesign crashes and late night breaking news writing sessions.
I was intimidated and excited when my time at the helm finally arrived. I had some returning staff from previous semesters and plenty of newcomers discovering their own passion for journalism. Nothing I wasn’t used to since revolving staff is a common thing in a college newsroom.
Things felt different holding the EIC title compared to the managing editor position I held through the last two editor-in-chiefs’ tenures, though. This was my staff and my paper and I was responsible for them.
I am so grateful to have worked on these 14 issues with such an amazing team. It was difficult reacclimating to in-person education, dealing with a broken AC our first summer and juggling the demands of a newsroom along with the uncertainties a pandemic brings, but I wouldn’t have done it with any other crew. Thank you for your patience and hard work.
I’ve learned a lot about my strengths, weaknesses and my limits for what I’m willing to tolerate in a workplace in my short time as editor-in-chief. I look forward to where Viewpoints goes from here.
