Farewell to the 2025-26 Editors!

The M-A Chronicle editors have worked tirelessly this past year, publishing countless editorials, creating and designing four Marks, and leading one of the largest staffs in Chronicle history. As the school year comes to an end, take a moment to appreciate the accomplishments and get to know our 2025-26 editors. 

As a child, Gaby Foster created a neighborhood newspaper. Little did she know she would end up leading a high school publication. “My mom wanted me to take either debate or journalism, and I chose journalism. I never thought it would become such a major part of my life,” Foster said. 

Foster attended Menlo School, but after transferring to M-A at the start of her sophomore year, she quickly fell in love with the Chronicle’s intense but close-knit atmosphere. “It was slightly intimidating walking in on the first day, but it’s such a family,” she said. 

During her first year with the Chronicle, Foster covered the Stanford Sit-in genocide in Gaza. Her experience covering the week-long protest sparked her interest in writing about local and current events. “I was the only high school journalist covering it. I ended up becoming close with people on both sides, and it was just an overall really amazing experience,” Foster said. 

Foster continued writing news stories and contributing to the Chronicle in her junior and senior years. Whether copyediting or designing for The Mark, her dedication, versatility, and leadership led her to become Editor-in-Chief. “My junior year, I was really just trying to keep putting myself in new situations. It’s what helped me develop into a good leader,” Foster said. 

As this year’s Editor-in-Chief, Foster has managed one of the largest staffs the Chronicle has ever had. On top of being a remarkable leader, managing ClickUp, and always managing to make others laugh during classroom ether, Foster has published and co-led three Editorials. 

“It’s been an absolute powerhouse of a crew this year. With Alessandra and Leah taking care of logistics and transforming the website, and Rose and Isabel pioneering video stories, along with Caitlin and Becca doing The Mark, it’s just all been incredible,” she said. 

“I’m most proud of our 504 Editorial. We put a lot of thought and research and especially time into that story, and I’m really happy with how it turned out,” she said. 

As graduation looms, Foster recalls one of her favorite moments from the year being outside the newsroom. “During prom, [Chronicle staff] were coming up to me and thanking me for the work I’ve done this year, it really just made me so grateful to see how much I was appreciated,” Foster said. 

Foster’s advice to next year’s Editorial Board: “Your creative juices might feel like they’re slowing down because you aren’t writing as much, but do anything you can to keep the spark alive. Weave it into your life.” 

Foster will continue to study journalism at Northwestern University in the fall. 

For Editor-in-Chief Becca Koenig, journalism started with a passion for writing and a love for reading. “I’ve always enjoyed English classes, and journalism felt like a good way to use my writing skills,” Koenig said. Initially drawn by the Chronicle’s print magazine, The Mark, Koenig quickly found herself immersed in the program. 

Like many others, Koenig’s first impression of the Chronicle was intimidating. “It was scary in the beginning. There’s definitely a learning curve, and you have to learn how to take feedback,” she said. Nonetheless, she embraced the challenge, spending her sophomore year experimenting with different types of stories and learning to advocate for herself as a writer. “You have to teach yourself a lot, and learn to be vulnerable,” she said. 

Toward the end of her sophomore year, Koenig wrote a breaking news story covering a fire in Redwood City during the last week of school. As a junior, Koenig began to take on more ambitious stories. One of her favorite stories she covered was the Los Lomitas Elementary School District teacher strike, which was especially meaningful to her since she had attended the district herself. 

The more involved Koenig became in journalism, the more she realized she wanted to pursue a leadership role. “It was a really good opportunity to develop my skills as a leader,” she said. 

As chief, Koenig worked extensively on the Sandy Hook editorial and rigorously tackled the copyediting slack to ensure the website’s quality. She balanced leadership duties with in-depth stories, including coverage of surveillance technology and TIDE Academy. 

Alongside leading the publication, Koenig also became heavily involved in designing The Mark. “I didn’t come into the program thinking I was going to be super design-forward, but graphic design really lets you embrace your creativity,” Koenig said. Among her favorite editions were the “Twee Mark” and the back-to-school issue. Distribution day became one of her favorite days of the year. 

One of her proudest memories came during her junior year while working on the master file of The Mark. “When it finally came out, it was such a good feeling,” she said. 

Furthermore, she learned the importance of confidence and effective communication. “You can’t be afraid to assert your ideas,” she said. “It can be uncomfortable to confront people sometimes, but it’s necessary.”

Becca credits much of the publication’s success to other members of the Editorial Board and managing editors. “Gaby is so passionate about the program, she just brings such a light, and Leah is so helpful managing everything,” she said. “Caitlin always just has a vision for The Mark, and she’s amazing.” 

Her advice to next year’s Editorial Board: “Make time for your own stories and your own pursuits. It’s important to keep doing the things that make you love journalism.”

Koenig will attend Stanford University in the fall. 

Isabel Habibi’s journey in journalism began with a love for writing and curiosity about the world around her. “I’ve always enjoyed writing, but journalism gave me a way to explore real issues and share stories that matter,” she said. 

In her first year with the Chronicle, Habibi was initially reluctant to cover ambitious stories, instead opting for the easiest she could find. However, she quickly found her stride when she covered local news stories. “By the end of [my sophomore year], I was taking on bigger stories,” Habibi said. 

As she entered her junior year, Habibi began to focus on news reporting, covering district policy, protests, and more. One of her most memorable stories explored the Stanford Department of Anesthesia and its work using dreams to help alleviate PTSD. “I interviewed doctors and a mother who lost her son to suicide. It was emotional and transformative, and it really showed me the power of reporting to inform and connect people,” she said. 

This year, Habibi was a pioneer in multimedia storytelling by observing how students’ experiences changed when they stepped away from social media for two weeks. “It was challenging to coordinate, but seeing the results and editing the final video made it worth it. I loved combining reporting with hands-on experimentation,” Habibi said. 

Through her work, Habibi learned key life lessons that helped shape her as a journalist. “I learned how to take feedback, even when it’s tough, and use it to improve my writing. I also learned how to dissect complex documents and data, skills that will carry into college and beyond,” she said. 

As one of three news editors, Habibi deeply values collaboration. “Leah is positive and reliable, Rose brings creativity and joy to every story, Gaby is passionate and dedicated, Alessandra has bold ideas, and Becca is the quiet powerhouse behind The Mark. Working with them made every story stronger,” Habibi said. 

Looking back, Habibi hopes she is remembered as a passionate and driven journalist. “Journalism has been my lifeline, helping me understand the world, communicate effectively, and collaborate with incredible people. I’ll carry these lessons with me into the next chapter,” she said. 

Habibi will attend UC Berkeley this fall. 

Alessandra Hartwig never expected to end up in journalism, but once she got a taste for storytelling, she was hooked. “I loved digital communications in sophomore year—talking to people, making videos about local events, and finding ways to shine a light on stories that matter. That made me want to continue telling stories in a more investigative way,” she said. A summer investigative journalism camp solidified her desire to take the class. 

Hartwig joined the Chronicle during her junior year and immediately began exploring. She eagerly took on many massive projects early in her career as a journalist. One standout experience was a deep dive into affordable housing with fellow editor Leah Collins, which taught her how to explain complex policy in a way readers of all ages could understand. 

She also discovered a love for covering board meetings, local news stories, and any other opportunities thrown her way. 

Being named a news editor came as a surprise to Hartwig, especially considering it was her first year in the class. “I came in with a giant notes app full of story ideas and ended up pursuing most of them. That caught people’s attention, and I was excited to continue taking on big projects,” she said. 

This year, as a news editor, Hartwig had the opportunity to continue to dive into local policy, but her new position gave her creative freedom to explore new formats. Her favorite story from this year is her feature on Resonate. Hartwig built an ornate multimedia piece that captured the personality and brand. “It was rewarding to see the story come together and convey the right vibe,” Hartwig said. 

However, being a news editor for such a large group was no easy task. “Being an editor meant figuring out how to help others while still making time for my own stories,” she said. Despite a quick adjustment, Hartwig continued to rejoice in the achievements of others and gave her utmost support and ambition to the program, whether it was a story she wrote or a story she helped guide another staff member on.

Hartwig’s favorite memory from this year was covering the ICE walkout with Foster. “It felt like true journalism—taking photos, interviewing people in Spanish, and being part of something meaningful. Everyone was so passionate,” she said. 

Hartwig also pushed for innovation, introducing new ideas to the Chronicle and its website. “I hope next year people will continue to be creative and explore new formats,” Harwtig said. 

Looking ahead, Hartwig hopes to continue her journalism career by being a reporter for UC Berkeley’s The Daily Californian. “I want to use journalism skills to explain complex ideas and, potentially, pursue science journalism,” she said.

Hartwig’s advice to Chronicle journalists in the years to come: “Take advantage of every opportunity—design for The Mark, write in every category, experiment with social media. Explore everything, because that’s the best way to figure out what you love.” 

Hartwig will study physics at UC Berkeley this fall. 

Leah Collins joined the Chronicle in her junior year, without knowing anyone in the program, but quickly found her place through the community and the stories she was writing. “I didn’t go in with any friends, and journalism gave me a chance to connect with mentors and peers, like Celine and Alessandra. Over time, I just made so many great friends in the program,” she said. 

Collins’ journalism journey actually happened by pure chance. Originally hoping to take Spanish Film without realizing it wasn’t being offered, she chose journalism instead. “I’ve always loved reading, writing, and exploring things, and journalism just felt like the class I’d enjoy most,” Collins said. 

Collins quickly proved herself to be an outgoing and dedicated reporter. She covered complex stories, such as affordable housing, alongside Hartwig, experiences that sharpened her reporting skills and deepened her interest in local news. “Those stories taught me how to reach out, ask questions, and really work with people to tell their stories,” she said.

Being named a news editor alongside Habibi and Hartwig propelled Collins into a new position of leadership. “It was strange at first, but I loved being in charge of stories and making decisions,” she said. Throughout her journey as an editor, she found a balance between guiding staff and continuing her own reporting. 

Her favorite memories from this year were quiescently journalistic, including chasing stories, conducting interviews, and capturing the moments that mattered. “Covering the ICE walkouts and sharing quotes and photos—it felt like real journalism. Those experiences, and seeing the final pieces published, were amazing,” Collins said. 

However, her biggest form of growth as an editor stretched far beyond writing. “The biggest thing I’m taking to college is the people skills. Coordinating, communicating, and working with others are lessons I’ll carry forward,” she said. 

Although she is leaving the Chronicle, she will continue to carry the lessons she’s learning, valuing both the craft of journalism and the connections it fostered. 

Collins will study Law, History, and Society at Vanderbilt University this fall. 

Rose Chane joined the Chronicle inspired by a love of writing that started in middle school. Chane arrived at the Chronicle full of energy and curiosity, taking on big stories and long-term projects. 

During her sophomore year, Chane wrote an opinion piece on Ethnic Studies, which cemented her interest in exploring meaningful topics and having her voice heard. By junior year, she took over the Culture desk and led “Bears Doing Big Things,” an ambitious alumni feature series. “It was incredible to see how different paths can all start in the same place,” she said.

As culture and features editor this year, Chane balanced mentoring, writing, and organizational responsibilities. She collaborated with Habibi on a multimedia project exploring a social media detox, tracking participants over months, producing both video and written content. 

She also managed the Chronicle’s editorial workflow, helping ensure that stories were polished, angles were clear, and deadlines were met. “I’ve really loved working with the Editorial Board. Everyone brings unique skills, and it’s been amazing to see younger journalists grow,” she said.

Chane reflected on the skills she’ll carry forward, including collaboration, interviewing, and communication. “Journalism has taught me more than just writing. It’s about organizing, managing teams, and communicating effectively,” she said.

She also shared her admiration for the other members of the Editorial Board. “Isabel’s creativity and collaboration are unmatched. Alessandra’s work ethic keeps the Chronicle running smoothly behind the scenes. Leah came in strong and ambitious, immediately contributing. Becca’s dedication and passion are inspiring. And Gaby’s drive and hard work push everyone to do better,” Chane said. 

Looking ahead, Chane will continue to study journalism while pursuing her dream of working in fashion as a creative director.

“Being part of the Chronicle has been my favorite part of my M-A experience,” she said. “I’m so proud of it and excited to watch it thrive in the future.”

Chane will continue to study journalism at the University of Southern California this fall.

For Caitlin Smith, journalism began with The Mark. “My older brother would always bring copies home, and I thought the designs were cool,” Smith said. Her favorite issues include the Y2K and New Yorker-themed designs.

Although Smith had no prior experience with digital design, she had always enjoyed art and began taking art classes in her freshman year. “I had never even used InDesign before, it was all really new to me,” she said. 

Coming into journalism, Smith knew she wanted to focus on design. After completing her first layouts and sharing ideas for future covers, she became more involved in The Mark, eventually earning the role of design editor. 

“I was really excited to have creative freedom and make something that felt like my own,” Smith said. She especially enjoyed teaching younger staff members how to use InDesign and watching them grow more confident in digital design. 

Smith credits much of her success to Koenig. “I don’t think I could’ve done it without Becca,” she said. 

Among Smith’s favorite editions this year were the Atlantic-inspired Mark and the back-to-school issue. Looking ahead, Smith hopes to continue magazine design in college, and she says that she will miss the creative opportunities journalism gave her. “The class gave me the space to try out different things,” she said. 

Smith will attend Boston University this fall. 

For Ben Warner, journalism became a way to combine a passion for sports with storytelling. After joining the M-A Chronicle, Warner quickly found himself drawn to sports and reporting, covering games and athletes across M-A. “I knew sports was my thing,” Warner said. 

Warner originally joined journalism after hearing positive things about the class from his sister. Former Sports Editor Tessa Elingston also encouraged him to become more involved in sports coverage. “Once I started doing it, it just became fun for me,” Warner said. 

Among the various stories he wrote, his favorites are his coverage of sports games against Sacred Heart Prep and a feature on gambling addiction. 

This year, Warner stepped into the role of sports editor. Through journalism, he improved his writing and communication skills. “It really helped me get better at talking to people and drawing out someone’s story,” he said. 

Looking back, Warner describes journalism as one of his favorite classes he has taken at M-A. “McBlair gives the power to the students, and it really helps build leadership skills,” Warner said. 

Warner will study Earth Science at UC Santa Barbara this fall. 

Jenna Lee’s passion for journalism has always been rooted in community. Lee first discovered the Chronicle by seeing staff writers passing out The Mark during lunch. “I’ve always wanted to join journalism, and I love writing,” Lee said. 

Jenna joined journalism at the beginning of her sophomore year, and wrote stories about small community events and feature stories—including her coverage on new clubs, awareness events, and community organizations. It was during this time that she developed a passion for events. “I really like [events] because of featuring the community that we have and highlighting different parts that people don’t know about,” she said. 

Some of Lee’s favorite stories included coverage of International Week and the opening of the Belle Haven Community Campus. As events editor, Jenna organized the coverage of various events across campus and mentored younger staff writers on reporting, interviewing, and writing engaging community stories. 

“I think I wanted to become an editor because I love mentoring other people, especially the freshmen,” Lee said. 

Lee has reflected on how much she has grown through her time in journalism. “Just being in this room a lot really helped me grow a lot,” she said.

Lee will study communications at the University of Washington this fall.