March 19 marks the official opening of the Virgil Elings Media Arts and Communications Center, even though students have been participating in classes in the new media building since the beginning of the school year.

Superintendent Hilda Maldonado, the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board members, and representatives from different politicians’ offices came to celebrate the opening of the building at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Speeches were made by DPMedia Director John Dent, Principal Bill Woodard, Co-Editors-in-Chief of the Yearbook Sierra Jewell (12) and Violet Vance (12), Maldonado, SBUnified Board President Wendy Sims-Moten, and Board Member Rose Muñoz.

During Maldonado’s speech, she expressed her excitement for the opening of the media building and thought that it was a “pivotal moment” for the school.

“This media center symbolizes not only a physical space, but also a commitment of nurturing the creative talents, the intellectual growth of our youth, and to shape the future leaders of our community and beyond,” Maldonado said.

The new building holds DPNews, Yearbook, The Charger Account, Photography, and more. With over 500 students using the building each day, it has become a central part of the DPMedia program.