As Editor-in-Chief | Lily Shi Portfolio College

As Editor-in-Chief (2025-26)

Serving as Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila this year has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Beyond running the publication smoothly and ensuring high-quality content, I was responsible for leading a newsroom of more than 60 staff members and fostering a collaborative, supportive environment. Most importantly, I set out to expand Aquila’s reach: making it more accessible and impactful within our community.

Managing publication cycles

As Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila, I oversee the journalism program’s nine publication cycles each year, guiding every stage from story conception to final publication. These cycles form the backbone of our newsroom, shaping how every article is pitched, written, and produced for our publications.

Each cycle begins with a pitch meeting where editors propose and select article ideas. Every story must be approved by me before it moves forward, so I work closely with editors to refine their angles, assess sourcing, and suggest ways to deepen or expand coverage. These discussions are highly collaborative: I often bring together editors from different sections and writers across grade levels to strengthen ideas through group dialogue.

We brainstorm pieces by writing all ideas on the board and making live edits.

After articles are selected, I create cycle assignments and match each story with a team of reporters. Each cycle, I assign roughly 50 staff members to 70–80 articles, a process that requires knowing each reporter’s strengths, interests, and growth areas. I strive to pair writers with stories they care about while encouraging them to explore unfamiliar sections and collaborate with new teammates. New reporters are often partnered with experienced upperclassmen who can mentor them through their first assignments.

Example of cycle assignments sent out to all staff at the start of each cycle

Once assignments are finalized, I manage deadlines using a centralized cycle spreadsheet that tracks every article’s progress. Stories are divided into Week 1 and Week 2 deadlines, and each is color-coded based on its timeliness. The spreadsheet also records each article’s status, sourcing plans, and visual ideas, ensuring that the entire staff remains organized, informed, and accountable throughout the cycle.

Example of central assignment spreadsheet updated throughout the cycle

Once writers complete their first drafts, each article undergoes multiple rounds of editing. I often serve as the final editor before publication, providing both high-level feedback on story structure and angle as well as detailed edits to refine clarity and word choice. My goal as an editor is not only to improve the piece but also to teach, which is why I explain the reasoning behind revisions so writers develop stronger skills with every cycle.

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When an article is ready, I publish it on Harker Aquila and share it on our Instagram. Since the start of this school year, we’ve published 106 articles as of October 9, 2025. Each one represents weeks of teamwork and revision, and each feels personally meaningful to me because of the care and guidance I invest in every stage of its creation.

For every piece we publish, we also create an Instagram post.

Every article requires a different web design to best represent that piece.

This is the SNO (Student News Online) backend to manage our website and publications.

Building a newsroom

One of my most important responsibilities as Editor-in-Chief is not only to maintain a high-quality publication but also to guide more than 60 staff members as they grow and find their place in the newsroom. Journalism can be fast-paced and stressful, and it’s easy for reporters to feel overwhelmed by deadlines and responsibilities. I see my role as creating a newsroom culture where people feel comfortable asking for help, making mistakes, supporting one another, and most importantly, finding joy and belonging in the process.

Throughout the year, I lead workshops on everything from writing news briefs and conducting interviews to photo editing and multimedia storytelling. Journalism often requires jumping into new challenges with little preparation, a feeling I remember vividly as a new reporter. My goal is to make sure every staff member feels equipped to tackle assignments confidently and empowered to propose original story ideas.

During Editor's Week the week before school started, I gave a workshop going over the updated writing rubric that editors use when they leave edits on articles.

Managing such a large team with varying levels of experience and commitment has been one of the most challenging parts of my role. I’ve learned the importance of delegation and trusting others with responsibility. I’ve also learned to be direct and firm when necessary, holding staff accountable to their commitments while maintaining empathy and understanding. After each cycle, I meet individually with section editors to reflect on how they’ve upheld their responsibilities, conversations that are sometimes difficult but always constructive.

When many staff members are falling behind, I send Slack messages to all staff members to remind them of their responsibilities and possible consequences.

Over time, I realized that accountability alone isn’t enough to build a thriving newsroom. People do their best work when they feel valued and personally motivated. Instead of criticism, I make it a priority to recognize and celebrate excellence, whether by publicly commending someone in class or giving shout-outs on Slack for effort or improvement.

Whenever I want to highlight or celebrate someone's work, I send a message to all staff members on Slack to shout them out.

To further strengthen our sense of community, we end each cycle with “shout-outs,” where staff members write short notes to thank or recognize others for their contributions. Receiving these myself reminds me how meaningful appreciation can be, and I’ve seen how this practice fosters a supportive, connected newsroom where everyone feels seen and encouraged.

I save every shout-out I've ever recieved!

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As Editor-in-Chief (2025-26)​

Managing publication cycles

Building a newsroom

As Editor-in-Chief (2025-26)