Letters from the Editor
IMPACT 18 – Spring 2026
This issue of IMPACT took longer than we expected.
It came together during a semester of full schedules, shifting roles and behind-the-scenes challenges that do not always make it onto the page. Timelines slipped, plans changed and there were moments when the finish line felt further away than we hoped.
But we kept going.
That persistence is what this issue represents. Every story reflects not only the voices of our community, but also the dedication of the students who continued reporting, editing, designing and creating, even when the process was not easy.
This year also marks 15 years of IMPACT, a legacy built by student journalists who cared deeply about telling meaningful stories. Carrying that forward came with pressure, but also with purpose. What you are holding now is the result of that effort. It may have taken longer to arrive, but it was shaped with intention and care.
I’m proud of this team for what they created and for how they got here. This issue is a reminder that good journalism does not always follow a perfect schedule, but it does require commitment, collaboration and patience.
We hope this issue of IMPACT honors
the legacy behind it and the future still being built.
Victoria Gudmundson,
Editor-in-Chief/Art Director
IMPACT 17 – Spring 2025
Sitting down to write a final “letter from the editor” has a bittersweet feeling. Reflecting on my past two years as editor-in-chief for IMPACT Magazine and The Telescope, I am impressed with how far we’ve all come. Once, we were just a small staff, with barely ten students in the newsroom, and now, the room is so full that it can be a struggle to get your favorite seat.
As I write this, graduation is just around the corner. As you, the reader, read this, most of the staff you see in this magazine will have graduated and transferred. Some of our paths keep us close, while others take us to new parts of the world.
And even though I won’t be working with this team anymore, I know they’ll still be friends I can count on for anything.
I’m so proud of what this news team has accomplished in the past two years. We’ve done so much together, from building relationships with administrators and faculty to joining campus events to meet more students. But I’m most proud of the bonds we’ve built and the passion we’ve cultivated in the newsroom.
This issue of IMPACT Magazine is a reflection of that passion.
Cyndi Cunningham
Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 16 – Winter 2024
To say that the fall semester at IMPACT/The Telescope was a busy one is an understatement.
The semester kicked off with news that the staff had been anticipating for the past year, Palomar’s football stadium opened and coverage was intense. Along with covering this exciting news, we also covered Palomar’s Governing Board election, which included interviewing candidates before the election and staying in the newsroom until 11 p.m. on election night to see the results. On top of all of that, we decided for the first time ever to publish two issues of IMPACT this year.
The stress of this workload was amplified due to most of the staff graduating in the spring. Imposter syndrome was alive and well in the newsroom, with most of us doubting our work or questioning our career goals. Many of us were grappling with the uncertainty of the future, including transfer worries and the ever changing political climate.
However, the IMPACT/The Telescope news team came together to push through these stresses and self-doubt. In between interviews, writing, and, editing we still found time to talk about our struggles and find solutions. These conversations strengthened the bond felt in the newsroom.
In my time at IMPACT/The Telescope, I have always felt like I was part of the team. However, it used to feel like we were all just colleagues. This semester, we’ve all become friends.
Cyndi Cunningham
Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT Magazine
IMPACT 15 – Spring 2024
Starting my third semester with The Telescope/IMPACT, I walked in surprised to see that nearly every seat in the newsroom was taken. It was the first time I had seen the newsroom so full. I knew immediately that this would be the semester we would make a difference.
For the 15th issue of IMPACT, I wanted to break away from the themes and allow every writer to capture their passion in words. I asked the staff, “What’s important to you? What’s a magazine story you want to read?” The newsroom was filled with conversation and ideas, and I was proud of the excitement and energy I could instill in the writers. As the ideas filled in and my news editor, Alex Ortega, and I helped writers pick the right topic, I know this would be a magazine to remember.
The topics ranged from politics, student issues, sports, and arts. But everyone had a goal in mind: raising awareness. We wanted to have an impact.
So much hard work and passion went into this edition of IMPACT, which can be seen in every story. I hope you enjoy the stories we’ve assembled for readers like you, the Palomar community. And I hope by the end of this magazine, you’re learned something new – Whether that’s a new perspective on life, an appreciation for a sport you didn’t know about, or a better understanding of the IMPACT staff.
Thank you for reading,
Cynthia Cunningham
Editor-in-Chief, IMPACT Magazine
IMPACT 14 – Spring 2023
As we rebound from the mess that was the past three years, Palomar is coming back to life, slowly but surely. In-person classes are running again, and there is some movement on campus, but still less than there was before the pandemic.
What are we doing now? And how are we doing? This Spring, the IMPACT staff explored the culture here at Palomar. We chatted whit students and professionals to learn about what things are driving us in the new era, what our struggles are, and what we do to overcome them.
It’s true, certain things probably won’t ever go back to how they were, but that’s how it’s always been. We might’ve lost our minds a little bit, but we also gained new perspectives on who we are as people. The evolvement of things like technology, mental health and the ongoing human rights movement force us to constantly reevaluate ourselves and those around us.
So here we are, Palomar Community College, and here is out culture, a collection of our beliefs, our battles, and our biggest influences. I want to thank our writers, editors, and adviser for putting in so much work, and everyone who shared their experiences with us to bring together this issue of IMPACT magazine.
Signed,
Trina McLeary, Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 13 – Fall 2022
Welcome back to campus!
Over the last two years, a global pandemic has made online classes the norm. Change began to happen when the Fall 2021 semester started and in-person classes returned. For some, it was their first time on campus and not staring at a screen. For others, it was a return to something familiar. As many return to campus, we are seeing new faces and meeting new people.
For the 13th edition of IMPACT, we wanted to focus on the people that make Palomar College, which include students, athletes, professors, staff, and coaches. Those featured here show the different types of people who are a part of Palomar, and tell their stories. The IMPACT team has been working to bring you these stories.
The students and staff are what make Palomar College what it is, and we at IMPACT want to highlight these people.
Sincerely,
Giovanni Vallido, Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 12 – Fall 2021
20/20 is perfect vision. However, none of us could’ve foreseen the trials and obstacles the world would face in 2020 and forward.
Over the past year and a half, the pandemic has headlined news around the globe and turned each and every one of our lives inside out. For IMPACT Magazine, it’s been a strange and challenging journey, having a staff that has only met through the harsh glare of a screen–and it’s even more unusual to think that some of us may never meet in person. Our lives have all been connected solely by technology, but we adapted and survived a full year of countless virtual calls, endless WiFi problems, and innumerable interruptions from family members and pets alike.
As a result, our staff is excited to introduce the 12th edition of IMPACT Magazine, featuring a collection of local small businesses in communities that many Palomar students call home. Every mom-and-pop donut shop, comic book store, and photography business from Temecula to Scripps Ranch is significant to the individuality and culture of our community. Unfortunately, these businesses have encountered unthinkable conditions due to the shutdown like everyone else.
Image of Summer Aguirre, Editor-in-Chief of IMPACT, Spring 2021.Despite the circumstances, many persisted in the face of adversity and declared business as usual, living to tell the tale. Their stories of dedication during this time of uncertainty are a reminder of our ability to persevere, and we hope they inspire you like they did to us.
Sincerely,
Summer Aguirre
IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 11 – Fall 2019
A city’s cultural landscape is defined by the people who live there, and each city is diverse in their own individual way. From the deserts of Anza Borrego to the beaches of La Jolla and the downtown hubs and everything in between, the city is rich with culture.
If you were to take a day to explore all San Diego County, what would you see? Maybe some skateboarders breezing through the bustling downtown streets, or surfers heading to the beach to get some waves, or even some artists painting a mural inside a local park as a group of classic cars drift by.
I was no more than seven years old the first time I stood in the sands of a San Diego beach. Admittedly, I don’t remember much, but I can remember the feeling of awe I had. I spent the first eight years of my childhood living in western Arizona before my family decided to make San Diego our forever home.
For this issue of IMPACT Magazine, our staff decided to focus on some of the aspects that makes San Diego so unique, from food, to art, architecture, and more. We wanted to take a closer look at the things that everyone who lives here might have a basic understanding of, and show it in a new light. We wanted to showcase local businesses, community events, and places that are making an impact in our community, both large and small.
Whether you’re San Diego born and raised, or a slightly displaced local (like myself), or simply a traveler who picked up this magazine, and it is our hope that you get a grasp on the diverse landscape that is our city. Don’t be afraid to lose yourself in something new, or something familiar, and have an adventure of your own.
Victoria Price
IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 10 – 2019
Ten. That is how many years IMPACT magazine has been sharing stories about the impact of Palomar College and surrounding community. We have had 10 years of stories about interesting people, places and events. We are proud of what we have done and wanted to celebrate our 10th anniversary by doing even better.
With so much access to the entire world at our finger tips it is sometimes hard to see the light through a veil of negativity and discourse. Faced with an onslaught of fake news, violence, homelessness and poverty, we forget that there are the hands of community, hope and dreamers on the world.
That is why this year IMPACT is looking in a new direction. Sometimes it is important to take a break from negativity and look for positivity. To take time to believe that the future can be better than what we see right now.
In light of our 10th edition, our staff has selected 10 individuals who are making an IMPACT in their community. People who saw a need and actively worked to change it. We feature people who save animals, provide for food shelters, battle cancer or even turn a child’s death into a way to give back. Each story is a celebration of their lives and the difference they have made in the world. Their small acts of kindness have made them heroes.
We hope to inspire you to go out into your community and make a change, to be kind, and to find what you see wrong with the world and dare to change it.
Sincerely,
Bethany Nash
IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 09 – Spring 2018
Image of Bethany Nash, Editor-in-Chief of Impact Spring 2018
A people’s culture is a collection of thoughts and beliefs that cultivate an attitude of togetherness. It is culture that defines our identities as part of a grand community. However, in a world inhabited by over seven billion people, not everyone fits in the broad strokes created by mainstream culture.
That is why this year’s IMPACT, is focusing on subcultures and stereotypes. Because whereas mainstream culture provides people with identity through community, subcultures provide people with identity through individuality. Mainstream culture would like to stereotype these subcultures, and put them in a box. But that won’t fly.
Our writers were tasked with the responsibility of unboxing these subcultures. Each writer has spent time investigating, studying and embracing a circle outside of their own. From the head bangers of punk music lovers, to the religious followers of the secluded cult “The Twelve Tribes.”
College is a place to experience new ideas. We hope that by exposing these subcultures and tearing down these stereotypes you will be inspired to experience the world in a brand new light.
Bethany Nash
IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 08 – Spring 2017
Life isn’t grouped within periods of time connected by an overarching theme. There wasn’t a single motif permeating the collective thoughts of our writers and designers in creating these stories.
This year, IMPACT has no theme. Instead, IMPACT is a passion project–a collection of stories, such as our communities of transgendered youth or the transformation of one former gang member’s life. The stories our journalists found have resonated within them through their reporting and design to make the same Impact on our readers.
We all have different passions and different interests, even as journalists. We sought to capture the lives of the students on our campus not only physically within this institution, but the impacts they face outside the relative educational safety neatly confined by Comet Circle. From the discrepancies in pay our graduating women will face outside this college to the hashed-up recipes we make on measly budgets to sustain our daily activities, these stories will find a home within your own lives and hopefully resonate within it.
In college, and in life, new concepts and ideas can be overly complex. In the given moment of its introduction, we overthink our understanding of it into a simplified thought that’s then easily digestible. These collections of stories are our attempt at synthesizing the thoughts and feelings of a complex topic and creating a human element that is not only relatable, but its impact can be felt despite its complexities. As IMPACT has affected our lives, we look to this publication for it too to make an impact in your own world.
Sincerely yours,
Kirk Mattu
IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 07 – Spring 2016
How do you define a generation? This is the question that we all face. As the millennial generation, people love to label us. But how do you define a generation that is educated, passionate and chaotic?
Good, bad or ugly people chose to define us, instead of letting us define ourselves. We run around like chickens with our heads cut off attempting to live up the impossible standards of society.
Our clever and brilliant staff strived to showcase our generation, without defining it. For many of us, this is our last semester at Palomar. We are all growing up and moving on.
Our passions are diverse from fashion and music to labeling and mental health.
We had some extremely talented members of our team ranging from writers and photographers to illustrators and designers. I am happy to have a chance to work with them before we all head off to take over the world.
Sincerely yours,
Michelle Wilkinson
IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 06 – Spring 2015
Self Identity
Define yourself. Often times it is difficult to do just that in a world that is judgmental and filled with negative criticism. But when a minuscule light of positivity shines upon the diversity amongst all individuals, races, cultures, hobbies, and more, it it easier to reveal one’s own distinctive personality.
Our talented staff sought out adventures that were unique, heartfelt, comical, and honest. Our ambition was to focus on self identity and respect the voice in each story.
From a struggling college student trying to make tips, to a new era of video gaming, to the repercussions suffered by young men coming out, the struggles of self-identity are brought to life, welcomed and explored in our magazine. We hope these stories will encourage you to be authentic and honor yourself. Your soul. Your life. Your identity.
Sincerely yours,
Danielle Tuazon and Celina LeDesma
IMPACT Editors-in-Chief
IMPACT 05 – Winter 2013
Change is inevitable.
Like the passing of time, change is a constantly moving unstoppable force. We’ll talk about the change in our magazine, as well as in people trends, culture, and society. From the top down IMPACT breaks the mold of previous issues.
Bucking traditions, I came into the role of Editor-in-Chief from a photography background, but with a passion for journalism. Our staff consists almost entirely of writers, photographers, and designers who have had little to no previous journalism experience. It’s definitely been a real adventure. We also teamed up with students studying graphic design to bring a stronger and more contemporary look to our pages.
Inside you’ll meet a professor who uses his poetry to connect with students, a potter who is learning to see in a world where he is now blind, and a man who uses his passion for art to help keep students out of trouble. We’ll also take a look into how college students should change their spending habits to prepare for the future, the recent resurgence of facial hair, and we’ll change the way you see Palomar.
However, not all change is positive, and we’ll take a look at the harmful effects of hookah, the media’s infatuation with violence, and how advancing technology is hurting our social skills. In out constantly changing world, the only choice we are left with is to adapt.
Sincerely yours,
Brian Korec, IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 04 – Fall 2013
I am not infinite.
Much like everyone else,
My first semester at Palomar College, I would wake up, go to school and try to stay awake during class. It wasn’t that I was tired, I just didn’t care. Time was something I did not take into consideration. I was losing time and I didn’t even realize it.
The following semester I took the magazine journalism class. All of a sudden I felt as though I was part of something. My sleepy days turned into days without sleep. Not because I couldn’t sleep but because I cared so much. I’d spend nights in a row typing words onto a computer screen. I realized that I was still losing time. I needed more time to do what I loved and there would never be enough time.
Many Palomar students have been in the same situation as me, with Palomar being a stop on the way to better things.
Even though most students plan on making their stay at Palomar short, we should take advantage of all the resources that are offered here. We need to use out time wisely. Anywhere we go we should be soaking up all of the knowledge that we can find — at Palomar you can find plenty of it.
In this issue of IMPACT, we celebrate some of Palomar’s success stories. Our staff interviewed a current dean and a former professor that used their lives to make an impact on others.
We also explore two programs that support student success. Summer Bridge is a program that helps students excel in school and test into higher classes. We also discuss a program called GEAR UP, that helps students prepare for college.
I had the opportunity to talk to some students that have battled depression and anxiety. Some of them have moved past their struggles, others are still fighting.
It’s not always easy to overcome challenges that cross our paths. We found a story about an unconventional student comedian. Jimmy was know as a quiet guy and he’s now performing comedy acts.
We are not infinite, so get involved, immerse every second of your time in what you love and what you have been given.
For instance, this magazine.
Yours Truly,
Hannah Villaruel, IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 03 – Winter 2012
We produced the first issue of IMPACT Magazine last Spring and, much to our satisfaction, it was extremely well received. We earned eight individual accolades and won an award for General Excellence at the annual conference for the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.
This semester, we humbly return with new ideas and an entirely refocused publication. This edition was produced with you in mind. It confronts tough issues of disease, despair and delights with beautiful art and anecdotes.
We turned our heads toward the wind and let your ideas, thoughts and interests wash over us. We plucked stories from the ether of Palomar’s collective conscious and put them into these pages.
We offer you a window in time, fostered by your voice, encouraged by your readership and driven by a need to keep the campus informed and entertained. Flip through our pages and explore the realms of college life.
Follow the journey of a student who, in the face of adversity, turned to humor for catharsis.
Discover tips and tricks to navigate a jobless economy.
Learn the cardinal rules of beer sampling, and discover a unique local brewery that will keep your taste buds buzzing.
As ever, we remain resolute in our dedication to provide you with the finest news, features and profiles centered around Palomar life.
We would also like to thank the Associated Student Government and the Palomar College Foundation for their continued support.
CURIOUS TO READ MORES STORIES LIKE THE ONES HELD IN THESE PAGES?
We’ll have more unique features and insightful peeks into Palomar life up on our new website at www.impactpalomar.com.
Log on and check out more exclusive IMPACT content, including additional photos and graphics. Add your voice to the discussion by commening on our work.
Sincerely,
Your IMPACT Staff
IMPACT 02 – Fall 2012
You Aren’t Alone
You amaze me.
Every day, you get up for class, or work, or both. Sometimes you’re hungry and oftentimes you’re tired, but you still fight through every day.
I know the future seems dim. I know rent is too expensive and your terrible job pays too little. I know you’re struggling to keep up your grades and stay on track for graduation.
I am too. And so are thousands of Palomar students, their tired faces floating past in droves every day on the campus quad.
You’re not alone.
I talked to a few who faced unique struggles. They experienced stolen cars, ransacked apartments and empty bellies and still kept striving for a degree and a better future.
I saw their frustration and bravery, and I grew angry.
Nobody chose this life — the dreary daily slog of the poor student.
When I first enrolled, I didn’t envision it.
it was thrust upon us by the risky decisions of America’s economic intelligentsia, those Wall Street tycoons and Capitol Building wonks we trusted to keep the country on track. They failed us.
And five years after we hit a new low, the tiny dot of light way above us isn’t growing any larger.
But there’s hope. A few small tweaks can go a long way. In this issue, we offer up tips that’ll save you big bucks on clothes, books, outings and a hundred other little things. The results are modest, but one dollar here and two there add up.
We’re not getting a bail out any time soon. I’m not waiting up.
We sought out more deep and inspiring stories, too.
The harrowing tale of woman who overcame rape and her following HIV diagnosis give me hope in the essential good of people.
On a lighter note, a group of my staffers traveled down to San Diego to party with a fashion socialite and dig into the city’s style scene.
And a Palomar landmark, 88-year-old photography student Jack Skin, spoke to IMPACT about the experiences that shaped his life, from his tour in World War II to his many years in the college darkroom.
Dive in and get lost.
Always yours,
David Leonard, IMPACT Editor-in-Chief
IMPACT 01 – Fall 2011
Impact (IM-PAKT): the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology or ideology.
When a comet strikes the ground, it leaves a lasting impression—an impact on all who experience it. That’s what we have created with this magazine. A 64-page publication designed to impact our readers.
This magazine is not just for you, it’s about you—your needs and your interests. We don’t just want to inform and inspire you, we want to give you the power to illuminate your surroundings. It’s the work of students in Journalism 120, a class designed to learn about magazine journalism and execute that knowledge to create a final end product.
As you flip through the pages, you’ll find the cover story that speaks to men who don’t fit the typically manly mold, to articles about food, adventure, reality TV, moving out and the history of Palomar. With diversity being our goal, we have many other articles that reflect the student body.
We would like to thank the Associated Student Government, Student Affairs and The Palomar College Foundation for their support.
Enjoy this magazine. We hope it makes the intended impact.
The Staff
