In the American education system, a student’s zip code can shape everything – from textbook quality to future expectations.
Students from underfunded schools who reach elite universities carry the burden of systemic neglect.

Essentials.
That’s what I was supposed to pack as I watched the fires crest the hills near the Sepulveda pass, a few miles from my home.

Hello everyone.
Professors, classmates, friends, listeners. My name’s Olivia Miller. Communication and sociology student. Daily Bruin Podcasts editor. Investigative tunnel explorer. And – somehow – a UCLA graduate.

I have written for the Opinion section of the Daily Bruin for almost four years now. While many aspects of the work are incredibly rewarding, my favorite part of being a columnist has always remained the same.

One hundred articles later and seeing the byline “Rahaf Abumansour, Daily Bruin staff” still feels surreal.
Writing a 30 column to commemorate my time at a place that has meant so much to me feels just as unreal – a full-circle moment in the best way.

Thanks!
Nawrocki was the Online main site director from 2024-2025 and was previously an external sites contributor from 2022-2024.

I accidentally pulled an all-nighter for my first project at the Daily Bruin.
I joined the Daily Bruin right during the momentous return of DBTV – Daily Bruin Television – a broadcast-style series initially active in the mid to late 2000s.

I have no recollection of why I decided to join the Daily Bruin. But for whatever reason, my sophomore self decided to stick to applying, and I thank her for it.

Daily Bruin has always been about the people.
In the spirit of that sentiment, I will spare you the spiel of how much I grew and learned from being a part of this organization – as a contributor, assistant Photo editor, senior staffer, Photo editor and senior staffer again (in that order).

The Daily Bruin has been my longest and most stable relationship in college.
I said that haphazardly as a joke to my roommate last week, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how literal the statement was.