As newspaper has evolved, so have its staff members

When I visit friends at other schools, I look for copies of
their campus newspapers. I always have a preconceived notion that
the papers will disappoint me, and they usually do. I can’t
help it; I work at the Daily Bruin.

One of the first things I did when I started at UCLA was apply
to the design department of the Daily Bruin. Little did I know that
I was about to join a staff that produces what is one of the best
college newspapers around.

I always show my age at The Bruin when I talk to the younger
designers. I tell them that back in my day, you actually had to
assign every object on your page separately. I started working
before there was a dB Magazine and a bar running down the left side
of our front pages.

But it is this history that makes me realize how amazing my time
at The Bruin has been. Every year I designed, I had to learn new
things so as to grow with a paper that was ever changing and
improving.

Although I never thought it would be the case, college served as
a time for self-discovery. I have developed into the person I am
today.

As I inevitably improved my designing skills for a constantly
improving newspaper, I was perfecting my skills as a person by
figuring out how to design the layout of my life.

Much like our paper, during my time here I developed into a
better version of what I already was. I have become ready to be
presented to the world, speak from the heart, and make a
difference.

And so, with my first and only published column in the Daily
Bruin, I would like to say thank you to The Bruin, to UCLA and to
everyone who has been there along the way.

Thank you for helping me grow into who I am and for what has
been the best time of my life.

Aqui was a 2003-2004 assistant design director. He urges all
Bruin designers to forever uphold the tradition of creative fake
headlines.