Letters from the editors
The 2025-26 Editorial Board is signing off
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD — opinion@theaggie.org
As the end of the year approaches, The California Aggie’s Editorial Board is preparing to say goodbye to some of its departing members. We dedicate the last print editorial to one other, with each editor writing a short farewell letter to another member of the board. Congrats on graduating and happy summer, Aggies!
To Alyssa Crevoiserat, Editor-in-Chief:
From Savannah
In high school, very briefly, Alyssa and I entertained the idea of starting a campus newspaper. While the project failed to launch (we didn’t attempt to launch it, really), I’ve never known Alyssa to admit defeat — after we accepted our admission offers to UC Davis, her dream simply evolved into joining The California Aggie. So, it is not at all an understatement to say that when she became Editor-in-Chief, I felt more proud of her than I ever have of anyone else before.
I’ve seen Alyssa think about this newspaper — and had to listen to her talk about this newspaper — every day since she became a copy reader in our first year. She is my best friend and the person I will be spending the rest of my life with, so I know we will continue to talk about it even when we’re so old we can barely hear one another. I’ve written about Alyssa in my senior column, and now in this brief note and later in an exhaustive graduation card, but there is no word count sum that could possibly encompass all of the gratitude, admiration and love I have for her.
Alyssa, you did it! Congrats on your awesome year. While your sense of humor is rooted in a wild ego, I do believe you’re actually incredibly humble — as our year comes to a close, I hope you can reflect on the mountains of effort you’ve poured into this paper and feel truly accomplished. You have been diligent, creative, endlessly determined and maintained a staff that reflects all of those qualities and then some. You would never call yourself a journalist, but you work harder than anyone else to make sure that the rest of us can. I am amazed by you always, all the time.
To Maya Kornyeyeva, Managing Editor:
From Katie
Maya!!! You are probably the coolest person ever. I am obsessed with your skateboarder/barista/newspaper manager vibe, and I have loved getting to work with you over the past couple of years and watch you thrive in the different roles you have held at the paper. I remember one time, I think during the Secret Santa exchange, someone guessed that the card I had written was made by you because we had “similar vibes,” and I truly thought it was such a compliment. I can’t think of anyone who would be a better managing editor; you are the voice of reason we so desperately need to keep us on track during meetings, and you are so dedicated to your work. We could always rely on you to come up with a thought-provoking, slightly absurd question to kick off Storyboard meetings every Thursday, which was personally one of my favorite parts of the week. All of your editorials are so well written, and your feedback during Ed Board meetings is always helpful and considerate, but more importantly, you also radiate such genuine kindness, which comes through in all of your interactions both in person and, of course, via Slack.
Side note — your handwriting is incredible and I’m so jealous, and also, I think every time I see one of those squiggly cat drawings I’m going to associate it with you. I wish you the best with everything you pursue in your life, and I hope our paths cross one day again.
To Vince Basada, Campus News Editor:
From Jordan
The first time we met, you were holding a pen in one hand and a reporter's notebook in the other. Week after week, you would report back the drama from Senate meetings or the latest ASUCD updates. Soon, it was my turn, and I would do the same, sharing what had happened on the Thursday before. We bonded over getting home past midnight and our passion for reporting. The next year, you took on the role as Campus News editor and encouraged me to look into a position on the Editorial Board.
I was unsure about going through with it, but your support and kind words got me through. I still remember texting you about it this summer, and you calling me from your vacation in Thailand to talk through the interview process. I will miss hearing your book recs, Senate updates and just laughing with you. It’s been great getting to work with you both on the Campus News Desk and the Editorial Board. I cannot wait to keep reading your articles next year and beyond.
To Jordan Poltorak, City News Editor:
From Zoey
I was pretty nervous to meet you; you were the last member that I met on Ed Board, and I was scared that we wouldn’t have enough time to become close. Now that we’ve gotten to know each other, I can safely say that you’re one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve met while working at The Aggie. You have such a calming presence that brings everyone on Ed Board back down to Earth, and you’re always happy to see everyone and are genuinely excited to catch up. You’re also always so put-together, and you always wear the cutest outfits; I want to steal your whole wardrobe.
The consideration and care you put into your relationships is visible whenever I’m around you — I’m going to miss your presence on the Ed Board so much next year! You handle a truly difficult job with grace and composure, and I truly admire your ability to always get your work done with a smile on your face and a story to share. You also have such great taste in everything; I can’t even count the number of times we’ve found niche interests in common, and I feel like you bring out that energy in everyone around you. I’m so excited to see what you accomplish after graduating; I’ll be keeping up with the work you do and cheering the whole time (and hopefully I’ll get to visit you, if you’ll have time)!
To Zoey Mortazavi, Features Editor:
From Alyssa
While the snuffing of my torch may mean my time in the game is over, I feel nothing but excitement seeing you step into the Editor-in-Chief role. “Survivor” references aside, working with you these last few years has shown me a passionate journalist, a dedicated coworker and a supremely awesome friend. Your confidence and bright whimsy are infectious, and that energy comes across to the people around you: the Features team, the Editorial Board and anyone else you meet. Whether it’s practice with your band, late-night radio shows for KDVS or writing editorials, I admire your dedication to feeling proud of the things you create.
From one EIC to another, the transition into this role can be overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with a strong dose of excitement and opportunity. I can’t wait to see all of the work you do next year, and I know your love for the Davis community and The Aggie’s role on campus will create positive changes for the paper. Don’t forget you have the sauce to accomplish anything you set your mind to. Goodbye, gorgeous!
To Savannah Anno, Arts & Culture Editor:
From Molly
Savannah may very well be the friendliest, coolest, most kind-hearted person you’ll ever meet. Beyond her timeless, chic style and witty sense of humor, she is the embodiment of grace. Confident in what she does and yet humble, Savannah brings an invaluable light-hearted and compassionate energy to The Aggie. She’s as fun and loving as she is passionate and smart — I can’t imagine the Editorial Board (or The Aggie) without her.
Anyone on staff at The Aggie will tell you how envied Savannah is for how tight-knit her desk is. She’s a fantastic team leader, and the Arts & Culture Desk absolutely adores her. No one else has been able to rival the level of camaraderie she’d cultivated — her team is far more of a family than a group of coworkers.
If you’re lucky enough to be close with Savannah, that’s how you’ll inevitably feel — like family. Her talent and skill speaks for itself (she is undoubtedly one of the most intelligent people I can say that I know), but it is her warmth and generosity that truly makes her who she is.
Savannah, I will never forgive you if you fall out of touch with me or with The Aggie. You continue to inspire me every day, and I know I’ll miss you dearly — we all will.
To Molly Thompson, Opinion Editor:
From Maya
From working as a columnist alongside you on the Opinion Desk to watching you come into the role of Assistant Editor, to the grace and strength with which you took on the challenging position of Opinion editor, I could not be more proud and awed of how much you’ve grown as a leader, writer and individual. You’ve taken the nuanced, detailed eye of an editor and combined it with the passionate freedom of a columnist to create a truly unique experience for your writers this year — one that’s empowered them to become the best storytellers they can be and gave so many new writers a chance to see what the Opinion Desk is all about.
I will miss reading about everything you write — from recommendations on how to romanticize your life and the value of gifting scrumptious cookies to Taylor Swift lyrics and unicycles. The whimsy imbued in every column you write and the confidence you pen into each editorial is instantly recognizable — I know a Molly article when I see one.
Whether it’s juggling the most articles a week of any editor, reading editorials and jotting down pitches during Editorial Board meetings or volunteering your free time to help plan social events for The California Aggie staff, your dedication shines through in everything you do. You always, and forever will be, our favorite social media personality, Olipop ambassador and Temple queen. I am beyond grateful to have spent three out of my four years at The Aggie knowing you, and I can’t wait to see what incredible things you will accomplish next year.
To Megan Joseph, Sports Editor:
From Vince
We joke that you’re ancient — even though you’re not that old in the grand scheme of things — but I think part of the reason why is because you’ve become such a mainstay of this paper. You became an editor after writing only a handful of articles, and clearly your predecessor knew in short order that you were up for the challenge. You’ve managed to keep your desk’s coverage steady despite low staffing, and you may have written more articles as an editor than any of us have the bragging rights to. You have been as much an institution at this paper as one can become in four years time.
On a more personal note, I’ve had the pleasure of being your sparring partner during our time together on the Editorial Board. I will miss your playful combativeness — your jabs and jokes at my expense. I think you’ve been a good sport with the taunts I’ve thrown your way too (no pun intended). It’s been fun having someone to lob retorts to, knowing they’ll eventually come back my way and that we’ll be able to continue on in a verbal volley.
I think — and hope — you know how much I respect you, the work you’ve done at this paper and your ability to always find time for pilates in between. It’s been a pleasure to call you a colleague and a joy to know you as a friend.
Good luck and goodbye, Reno.
To Katie Hellman, Science & Technology Editor:
From Megan
What can I say about Katie? Pretty much anything. She is a phenomenal writer and one of the few people ever at The Aggie to have written flawless editorials for three years straight.
I have gotten the pleasure of knowing Katie over the last three years at the paper. She and I have always shared a special bond as the two longest-standing members of the Ed Board. Katie brings a big smile and positive attitude to every room she enters. Her easygoing personality is infectious and makes it easy not only to be her friend but also her colleague. Santa Barbara (not Canada) is lucky to have you.
Anybody who has the privilege of meeting, knowing and working with Katie knows how dedicated and talented she is. She gives her all to everything she does. If you need someone to cover a topic with no questions and deliver perfect work, Katie is your person. I am sad to see her go, as the paper will not be the same without her, but I am excited to see what comes next for her. Whatever she does, I know she will exceed expectations and make it look easy. Good luck, Katie. I will miss you and miss seeing you every week!
Written by: The Editorial Board — opinion@theaggie.org