Hey, I’m Lainey Choler, Editor-in-Chief of The Smyrnan this year. What really inspired me to step into this leadership role was wanting to be more involved in creating our yearbook—whether that meant editing captions, taking on more pages, or just having a bigger hand in shaping the final product. I also wanted to help new students get comfortable in the class and make sure the atmosphere stayed positive and welcoming. Honestly, my favorite part is seeing the book come together at the end and knowing everyone’s hard work turned into something memorable and beautiful. (I won’t lie—I also really enjoyed the parties!)

Balancing yearbook with everything else I have going on—classes, clubs, and a job—can be a lot, but planning ahead and avoiding procrastination really helps. I keep a calendar and try to knock out homework as soon as I get home, which makes life way easier. Yearbook is definitely a commitment, but I’ve learned that managing my time well is key to making it all work.

I’m involved in quite a few clubs, but Interact Club has been especially meaningful to me. As the historian, I’ve been able to give back to the community and realize the importance of being part of something bigger than myself. It’s taught me a lot about service and teamwork.

By the end of the year, I hope everyone in yearbook looks back and thinks I was an effective and supportive leader who did a great job as editor-in-chief. I also hope they didn’t think I was too serious—hopefully, they saw the real me when I was just hanging out with friends.

Clubs & Activities:
Interact Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, AICE, Dual Enrollment

Hey, I’m Madalynn Collins, a Junior Editor for The Smyrnan. Last year, watching all my editors—especially Lily—work so hard inspired me to take on a similar leadership role this year. I wanted to motivate myself and others to really commit to the yearbook and improve together. My favorite part so far has been taking photos at sports events, especially football games. It makes the yearbook feel more personal and it’s a fun way to contribute to different pages.

Balancing yearbook with my AICE classes, soccer, NHS, and my part-time job takes some serious time management, but I’ve figured out how to incorporate yearbook into my daily routine. For example, I use activities I already have, like soccer games, to interview players. That way, I’m handling multiple responsibilities without losing time.

Being an AICE student has shaped who I am in high school. It’s helped me grow academically and taught me important skills like time management so I can be the best version of myself.

When my classmates look back at this year’s yearbook, I want them to remember me as someone who captured meaningful moments through both photography and writing. I also want to be remembered as someone who wasn’t afraid to be social—asking questions and taking photos when nobody else would.

Clubs & Activities:
Soccer, NHS, Cudas for Kindness, part-time job at Publix, Church, Interact Club, Surf Club, FCA

Hey, I’m Arabella Buksar, Managing Editor for The Smyrnan. Last year, my editor really inspired me to take on an editor role because I admired her leadership style. Honestly, my favorite part of yearbook has been the close bonds you form with people you might not have met otherwise.

To stay on top of everything, I make sure to show up every day and get as much yearbook work done during class. That way, I have less to take home and can focus on my other classes.

My job outside of school has helped me build strong time management skills and taught me how to take initiative and solve problems on my own.

I hope when my classmates look back at this year’s yearbook, they remember how me and my fellow editors created a creative, fun, and welcoming environment for the whole staff.

Clubs & Activities:
Key Club, Interact Club, National Honor Society, volunteering at Coronado Beach Elementary, internship

Hey, I’m Gavin Martin, the Sports Editor for The Smyrnan. I wanted to take a bigger role in shaping the yearbook, especially the sports section, so I could have more say in how it’s done while still being open to new ideas. My favorite part has been taking photos at different sporting events and connecting with the players and coaches.

To manage everything, I try to finish most of my yearbook work during class, and if I have anything left, I work on it after extracurriculars and other classwork.

Being on the weightlifting team has taught me that hard work and consistency are key to success, and I try to bring that mindset to everything I do.

I hope my classmates remember this year’s sports section as one of the best.

Clubs & Activities:
Weightlifting, Key Club (Secretary), NHS (Historian), Surf Club, NSB Beach Safety, Marine Discovery Center Camp Counselor, AICE diploma seeker, Swim Team

Hey, I’m Jasper Cook, this year’s Academics Editor for The Smyrnan. Last year, while working on the yearbook, I found myself really falling in love with the whole process and wanting to make it even better. That’s why I took on this leadership role—to have a bigger part in shaping the book and to combine my ideas with those of my fellow editors. One of my favorite experiences so far has been exploring our school’s diversity more deeply, especially while working on the theatre page, since I used to mainly stick to my own classes.

When it comes to balancing yearbook with everything else, I live by the idea that I can always get it done—it just means I have to sacrifice some time elsewhere. I usually tackle the highest priority work first, whether that’s classwork before a test or yearbook before a deadline. If I need to, I’ll even give up some of my relaxation time to finish things, because being done early means less stress overall.

Outside of yearbook, art has really shaped who I am. I’ve always thrived in precise, analytical subjects like math and science, where there’s a clear answer to find. But art challenged me—it has no one right answer, and that frustrated me at first. I’m still working to get better at it, but every bit of progress feels earned and makes it all the more rewarding.

I hope when classmates look back at this year’s book, they remember me for more than just being an editor. I want my impact to come from the bonds I built—with spontaneous jokes, honest feedback, and real connections.

Clubs & Activities:
Interact Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Take Stock in Children mentee, artist, creative writer, Cambridge AICE student

Hey, I’m Mya Erwin, Senior Life Editor for The Smyrnan. I wanted to take on a leadership role to make sure the yearbook is done efficiently and really well. This is my third year on staff, so I care a lot about the outcome and want the best for both the students and the school. One of my favorite parts was taking photos for theater last year—I loved capturing their district performance and seeing the students share the photos I took.

Balancing yearbook with my busy schedule means staying focused in class and not wasting time so I don’t get behind. I also keep a calendar to avoid double-booking important events.

Outside of yearbook, cross country and track have really shaped who I am. Running has taught me dedication, discipline, hard work, and compassion. Being captain this senior year has also helped me grow as a leader and learn how to handle tough situations.

I hope when my classmates look back at this year’s book, they remember the memories we made and the hard work that went into it. The senior section is especially important for looking back on high school, so I want to help create something that brings those years back to life for a long time to come.

Clubs & Activities:
Cross Country (Captain), Track & Field (Captain), Key Club, Interact Club, NHS (Secretary), Youth Council Task Force, Cudas Choose Kindness

Hey, I’m Emme Hunt, Associate Editor for Academics on The Smyrnan. What I love most about yearbook is the community—getting to meet and befriend people I might not normally cross paths with at school.

Balancing yearbook with everything else means focusing on my responsibilities but also taking breaks to relax and recharge when I need to.

One club that’s really shaped me is the Criminal Justice Club. It was the first club I joined in high school with my best friend Olivia, and it gave me a sense of community—it never felt like a chore to show up.

I hope when people look back at this year’s yearbook, they remember my personality—the way I bring humor and lighten the mood while still taking my role seriously.

Clubs & Activities:
Criminal Justice Club, Interact Club, AICE Program

Hey, I’m Olivia Strype, Associate Editor for Student Life on The Smyrnan. I was inspired by how kind Piper was and how she led our section last year. That motivated me to give others the same positive experience when they join. My favorite part of yearbook is seeing all our hard work come together in the final book—I especially loved when we got to see the completed project.

Balancing yearbook with everything else means staying on top of my work and deadlines without slacking off.

One thing outside of school that has shaped me is volunteering at the hospital. It’s taught me that every person is different and has their own story to tell.

I hope my classmates remember my dedication when they look back at this year’s yearbook.

Clubs & Activities:
Razzle Dazzle Fashion Club, NSB Swim Team, Halifax Hospital Volunteer