Co-Editor-In-Chief

Vanessa Nevarez, 22, is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Southwestern Sun. Vanessa has one true love and it is journalism. She believes in ethical and honest journalism. Vanessa joined The Sun in the spring semester of 2006 as an enthusiastic journalist writing 12 news articles her first semester. In fall of 2006 she was promoted to Viewpoints assistant editor. In Spring 2007 she became Viewpoints editor and starting Fall 2007 became Co-Editor-in-Chief.

Aside from being Co-Editor-in-Chief, she enjoys being The Sun's sex columnist. She is into world affairs and learning trivial fun facts no one would care to know. She is also a human rights advocate. She spreads the word against global child abuse and exploitation awareness. She is overly enlightened about sexual health and likes to inform those naïve about STDs and sexual wonders.

She wants to major in Journalism with an emphasis in broadcasting. Her passion in journalism hopes to direct her to being an aspiring national evening broadcaster. She labels herself the "Mexican Barbara Walters." As a child she noticed Mexican-American journalists did not grace the national evening news. Her motivation to be the first "Mexican Barbara Walters" is based on wanting to inspire Mexican-American student journalists.

Amanda L. Abad

Co-Editor-In-Chief and Co-Campus Editor

Amanda L. Abad, 20, is affectionately called DURACeLL. She's the Co-Editor-In-Chief and Campus Co-Editor at the Southwestern Sun. Amanda is a 4'11" Chinese Filipina possibly partially Spanish and Middle Eastern. She has a brain and she's never scared to use it. Amanda loves to learn, so go ahead and call her a nerd. She's not audacious, but as a short person she manages well.

Outside of the paper, she participates in many community events as Miss Chula Vista. She plays with her three dogs and catches up on sleep. In the future she will start her own magazine and conquer the world.

Shannon Pagano

Managing Editor

My name is Shannon Pagano, I am 32, a mother, a student and a Journalist. I joined The Sun in the spring of 2002. Lifetimes seem to have come and gone since then. But of one thing I am sure. Being part of The Sun saved my life and I remain grateful to this day. I am now in my sixth year here, an anomaly at a community college. After serving as Editor-in-Chief as well as managing sections, I am now Managing Editor. Although I have won several awards for my writing and leadership, my greatest reward has been how much I?ve learned and grown. My goals for now are to make sure that my daughter (who is 9) doesn?t end up as one of my classmates. I hope to transfer eventually and pursue my Masters in Psychology. But for now I?m enjoying my time at the paper and enjoying the path I?m on.

Esmeralda Ramirez

Viewpoints/Online Editor and Production Manager

Esmeralda Ramirez, 21, is a graphic design and journalism major. She joined the Southwestern Sun in August 2006 as an extracurricular activity, but didn't realize that The Sun was much more than an after school pass-time. To her, The Sun is an organization that allows growth both in the personal and professional niche. Through hard work and dedication, Esmeralda is currently the Viewpoints/Online editor and Production Manager.

She hopes to one day leave The Sun with an educated mind, professional attitude and a great experience. In her past time, Esmeralda likes to play tennis, play Guitar Hero and learn more about the world. Although Esmeralda doesn't have a set goal, she juggles the idea of working for Pixar Animation Studio, Wired magazine or for an advertising agency. The newsroom has given her the strength to handle criticism, deadlines and challenges. Esmeralda has learned to always strive for excellence.

Sean Campbell

Senior Staff Writer

Lauren Manary

News Editor

Lauren Manary, 19, lives for the news. She is currently News Section Editor for The Southwestern Sun Newspaper. Someday she hopes to become a professional journalist--her dream job would be a weekly news publication such as Time or Newsweek. When she does have extra time, she enjoys shopping, rockin' out, going to the beach, traveling and warm summer days.

Kemesha Thomas

Assistant News Editor

Kemesha K.Thomas is a 22-year-old English major who is in love with the art of writing and with words in general. She grew up in the U.S Virgin Islands and transferred to Southwestern College to continue her college education.

This is her second semester on The Sun staff and she is presently Assistant News editor. Her responsibilities on the paper include keeping up with staff writers, copy-editing, searching for new stories and working with the staff to maintain an award-winning newspaper. She believes that journalism is important because a journalist role is to be the voice of the people.

Angel Huracha

Assistant Viewpoints Editor

Angel O. Huracha, 20, is an Assistant Viewpoints Editor for the Sun Newspapers. He joined August 2007 and has remained active with the paper since. His major is in journalism, with emphasis in music journalism. Give him an issue of the latest Rolling Stone or Q and he is in heaven.

A loner at heart he enjoys traveling very much and random road-trips. Not only a music junkie but a film buff he enjoys reading as well as writing screenplays. For him, the Sun has been and great and challenging place. He has grown as a writer and hopes to continue this blossom relationship.

Mari Canzoniero

Co-Campus Editor

Mari (Mary) Canzoniero, a 34-year-old Journalism major, has been part of the Southwestern College Sun since Spring 2007. She has worked her way up from staff writer and photographer to Co-Campus Editor. She was recruited from Max Branscomb's Culture and the Media class. Mari is the initiator and writer of the military column.

When Mari was recruited, she had no idea of the hidden talents that she had and now she is working hard to perfect them so that she may one day work for a major military publication like the Stars and Stripes or Navy Times.
At the end of the semester, Mari and her family (husband and three kids) will be transferring to Georgia. While there, she plans to continue her education in Journalism, Graphic Design and Photography.

Daniel Iglesias

Arts Editor

Daniel Iglesias, 21, is the Arts editor at The Sun. He is an International student that has been commuting everyday from Tijuana since high school. He wishes to continue his studies and someday become a news anchor of a respectable network.

He believes that everyone has a story to tell and he likes to find the human angle to stories and make them compelling to the reader. He also likes to report about issues in the Mexico-U.S. border. On his free time he is a philanthropist and a frustrated rock star.

Tanya Castell

Assistant Arts Editor

Tanya Castell, 20, is the Assistant Arts Editor at the Sun. She came to the Sun because she wanted to get her writing published. Tanya made the transition from staff writer to editor in one semester and now has more appreciation for the dedication that editors have to the paper.

She loves writing about the arts because there is more room for creativity than in any other section. After SWC, Tanya is going to San Diego State University and plans on earning a Bachelors degree in Journalism. Though her love is writing, her passion is dance and plans on taking dance classes until she can no longer walk.

Almendra Carpizo

Sports Editor

Almendra Carpizo is a 22 year old graduate of Castle Park High School where she played for the women's varsity soccer team and ran distance for the track and field team. Her heart however will always belong to soccer.

This will be her second semester as Sports Editor for The Sun. She joined in spring 2007 to obtain first hand experience on working for a newspaper. Almendra obtained her Associate's degree in Journalism spring 07 and now plans to transfer to SDSU and earn a Bachelor degree in Journalism. Her goal is to become a freelance writer and radio host.

As a Jaguar at Southwestern College she played for the women's soccer team for two seasons and was captain for one. Almendra currently plays for the San Diego Women's Latina Soccer League and indoor soccer. On her spare time she loves to surf and snowboard. Her favorite sports include soccer, football, baseball, surfing and snowboarding.

Gerardo Rocha

Assistant Sports Editor

Gerardo Rocha, 21, has been part of the Southwestern Sun since January 2007. He is currently the Assistant Sports Editor for the paper. Gerardo has a passion for sports, which is why he decided to start out in that section. While he spends most of his time on sports stories, he also helps design the sports page.

In the fall of 2007, he participated in the Journalism Association of Community Colleges that took place at Fullerton. He participated in two contests: Sports writing and Broadsheet/Layout design. He was awarded Honorable Mention in the design competition. Gerardo plans to transfer to a four-year university and then write at a web publication focusing on technology or something related.

Mariana Ricalde

Photo Editor and Business Manager

Denisse Manzano

Assistant Photo Editor

Denisse Manzano (a.k.a. manzana) age 20 has been part of the Southwestern Sun since August of 2007. As a photography enthusiast, she likes to capture life's most simple moments and allow you to view it through her scope.

She is currently the assistant photo editor for the photography department at The Sun. During fall 2007 she was awarded second place at the JACC for the bring-in ad competition. When she concludes her studies at SWC she plans to transfer to UCLA and later on become part of the photojournalist world.

Tommy Todd

Cartoon Editor

Tommy Todd is a 24-year-old cartoonist. Tommy joined the Sun to strengthen his cartooning skills and to experience something new. Since then, he has become the Cartoon Editor and has won 2 first place awards, a third place, a fourth place and 2 honorable mentions for his work. Tommy also started two comic strips "PettingZoo" and "Open Forum."

He is a Biology major and hopes to one day work at a zoo or study animals in the wild. Outside of the paper, he surfs, plays guitar, goes to concerts, takes trips to the San Diego Zoo, weekly bowling and of course spends time with friends.

Gabriel Orendain-Necochea

Assistant News Editor and Assistant Cartoon Editor

Monica Charmise-Batie

Copy editor

Monica Charmise Batie, 30, is Copy Editor and Assistant Campus Editor for the Sun Newspapers. Her major is in journalism, with emphasis in broadcasting. Monica enjoys reading about past and current events. She is a news junkie. She also loves to read fiction novels as well. In her spare time Monica writes short stories and is currently working on a screenplay.

The Sun has been a place where she has not only grown as a writer, but also as a person. Recently her life has changed drastically. Her home was destroyed by the October 2007 fires that ravaged Southern California. That has not stopped her from pursuing all that life has in store for her. The Sun staff has been a solid foundation that she can rely on during her studies. Monica is a strong and intelligent woman who is eager to learn, grow, and succeed as a journalist.