Steering the Ship: Our Editors-in-Chief through the Years

By Michael C.

Just like a captain steers and guides their ship, so also does the editor-in-chief lead the Navigator. Since 2019, the Navigator has had four different editors-in-chief. Whether they served for one or three years,  each has left their mark in distinct ways and brought change to the Nav for the better. Last year the Nav interviewed Savannah L. who was the founder of the Navigator class and our first editor-in-chief. This year we thought it would be interesting to hear the stories of our former, current, and future editors-in-chief. 

From 2021 to 2024, our editor-in-chief was Lydia N. Lydia joined the Nav because she wanted to be a part of a school newspaper and at her two previous schools when she tried to start one, it did not work. Lydia became editor-in-chief very suddenly in the 2021-2022 school year. She says “It was honestly such an honor, but very unexpected…It was definitely a lot of work at first. I had to figure out how to complete some of my responsibilities as I jumped into using new software and leading a team (something I didn't have a lot of experience in). However, coming up with new and better ways to improve the Navigator is the editor-in-chief's job, so it forced me to think creatively about the Navigator and how we could grow.” Lydia presided over lots of change at the Nav, leading it to new directions.

Lydia graduated in 2024, and she now attends Calvary University in Missouri where she is studying Vocal Performance and Theology. Lydia is currently working for her mom who owns a digital marketing agency for Law Firms called Law Quill. She is helping her mom develop her business, and will one day take it over when her mom retires. The Navigator has prepared Lydia for the business world Lydia says, “The skills I learned on StuCo and the Nav. have been absolutely invaluable. I have learned so much about how to be a leader, think creatively, problem-solve, manage a busy schedule, communicate with a team, develop and implement new ideas and strategies, navigate new software and online technological tools, and adapt quickly to change…The lessons that I learned at NorthStar and the friendships I made there really helped to shape me and prepare me for what God had next in my life.” 

Last year John C. served as assistant editor-in-chief alongside Lydia as she modeled what an editor-in-chief does and John helped Lydia with publications. This year John C. is serving as our editor-in-chief. John says he initially joined the Nav just because he thought it would look good on his high school transcript, but “after my first year, I came back because I had enjoyed it so much and I wanted to continue writing and working here.” John’s older brother Aaron was also part of the Nav. John says that his brother always talked very positively about the Navigator which helped influence his decision to join.

While John does not write a lot of articles, he does a lot of behind-the-scenes work. John makes sure that each article is set up correctly to be published on the website. Sometimes, John has to make the final decision on whether or not an article gets published. John also gets to choose the topic of the collaborative article which is written by the entire Nav staff in the final publication of each year. John shares,“There is a lot of work that comes with the job but it’s worth it. I’ve loved being able to collaborate a little more with everyone and it’s been nice to sort of oversee everything about publication and make sure it all comes together as it should.” John has already finished his main classes, and in March he will move back to the states, work for a few months while saving money, and enlist in the military towards the latter part of the summer. This has been a very busy year for John as he balances all of that, and to help him in these duties is Alex who is the assistant editor-in-chief this year.

Alex M. is our assistant editor-in-chief this year, but next year he will serve as our editor-in-chief. He joined because his parents suggested that he do something outside of school and Mrs. Meyer personally invited him to join after his first year at NorthStar. Like John, Alex does a good bit of behind-the-scenes work, which he actually prefers to writing articles. Alex explains, “First, I have enjoyed learning all the details of the publication process.  Second, I get to work with a lot of students regarding their articles and questions, which I really enjoy.” Being assistant editor-in-chief this year gives Alex the necessary experience to feel confident taking the job next year. Alex says, “It is an honor that I am not taking lightly.  I am really interested in seeing how I can help our current editor-in-chief complete his goals this year, and I am excited to be able to continue helping the Navigator next year in a more direct role.” At the end of this school year “the changing of guard” will happen, and Alex will take on the role and responsibility of editor-in-chief. From Savannah and Lydia, to John and Alex, each editor-in-chief steers the Nav to new horizons and leaves a legacy behind for the next captain.

Michael C. lives in South Asia with his parents and three siblings. He is in twelfth grade and has been at NSA for five years. His hobbies include working out, listening to music, and playing basketball. Michael enjoys all things Star Wars, DC, and LOTR.

👤NSA People, 🗞️Staff StoriesEIC NSA2024-2025, April 2025 Publication