Student News Desk: Alexis makes mark at North Star with yearbook leadership talents

January 28, 2026

Lincoln Public Schools understands the importance of quality journalism to help inform our community and shine a light on the people, programs and events that make our school district unique. Student News Desk is our ongoing effort to promote excellence in journalism and public education by highlighting student journalists from our high school publications classes. This month’s spotlight is on North Star senior Alexis, who is editor-in-chief of “The Polaris” yearbook. Congratulations, Alexis!

North Star High School senior Alexis is building up her leadership ligaments this year as one of the school’s journalism success stories.
 
The future physical therapist is currently strengthening the social muscles of North Star’s campus as the yearbook’s editor-in-chief. She has been involved with “The Polaris” for three years and is a well-respected member of the Gator family. She is involved in multiple North Star activities, works at a local YMCA and is a fixture on academic honor rolls.
 
Alexis said she has enjoyed her time as editor-in-chief. She said it has been rewarding to share uplifting moments with fellow staff members and students throughout the school year.
 
“I really like the leadership, and I like being able to help other people out,” Alexis said. “I think back to when I was a sophomore and I really leaned on upperclassmen to help me out, so to be that person now makes me happy.”

 
North Star teacher Shelby Cowan said Alexis is a joy to work with in her yearbook class. Cowan is the English department chair and advises the school’s Gator Galaxy mass media program. She said Alexis makes everyone around her better with her cheerful demeanor, intelligent actions and standout work ethic.
 
“I have had the extreme honor to watch her grow so much over the last three years,” Cowan said. “She seeks to include everyone, which is so special. She has this personality that people gravitate towards. What has remained constant over the years is her passion and pursuit of excellence in everything she does.”
 
North Star Principal Megan Kroll said she has also been impressed with those accomplishments. She said Alexis’ selfless approach to all of her activities has been noticed by hundreds of students, teachers and staff members.
 
“Lexi is a servant leader,” Kroll said. “I believe she would be a great example of the amazing LNS students I get to work with each day.”
 
Alexis’ first chance to bolster her journalism credentials came when she joined the yearbook staff at Schoo Middle School. She took a photography class her first year at North Star, which increased her interest in applying for a yearbook position. She learned about photo composition, how to process pictures and how to capture various subjects on film from the course.
 
Alexis gained more knowledge of the mass media throughout her sophomore year. She interviewed fellow Navigators for stories, became familiar with layout design programs and met deadlines for her assigned spreads as a staff member. She served as junior editor-in-chief the following year before rising to the head spot this fall.

 
Alexis said it is satisfying to help others feel valued and appreciated by including them in the yearbook. The past two editions – “The Journey” and “It’s a Great Year to be a Gator” – were filled with spreads on topics ranging from senior spotlights to social highlights. The 2025-26 product will include portrait galleries, school pictures and approximately 100 spreads.
 
“To put so many hours into it and to finally see the finished product feels really good,” Alexis said. “It’s definitely rewarding to see people’s reactions when they see their face on the cover or they’re getting interviewed in a spread. They’re like, ‘This is so cool,’ and that makes it fun.”
 
Alexis has built bridges across Lincoln with her well-rounded resume. She has participated in volleyball, track and field and unified bowling for four years, is vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and is a member of the Lincoln Public Schools Equity Cadre. She also volunteers at Bryan Medical Center one day a week and coaches youth volleyball at a local YMCA.

 
Alexis said those connections have opened many doors for yearbook teammates when they are trying to secure sources for stories.
 
“It’s super helpful,” Alexis said. “When we have spreads and people don’t know who to interview, you can say, 'Well, I have this person on Snapchat,’ or something like that. I can give them a name and then they can go interview them. When people know you, they’re more willing to help you out with the yearbook, so being involved in a lot of activities is really good.”
 
Alexis said she is grateful for having a dedicated team of writers, photographers and editors on the yearbook staff. She said those friendships have made completing yearbook assignments easier.
 
“We’re all kind of a close-knit community,” Alexis said. “If you’re right at the deadline, everyone’s willing to help you, and you’re willing to do the same for them. It’s really nice.”

 
Alexis said being editor-in-chief has also prepared her well for life beyond North Star.
 
“I really do think this class has made me a better leader, and it’s been very helpful for teaching me how to work with people,” Alexis said. “Even if I decide not to use journalism in my future career, the things I’ve learned from this class will always be worthwhile.”
 
Cowan said Alexis has the academic, social and creative talents to make a strong impact in all of her future endeavors.
 
“Lexi is such a phenomenal leader,” Cowan said. “She is so committed to doing the best she can at everything she is involved in. To have this sort of focus and unwavering commitment is impressive and something I greatly admire. There is absolutely no limit to her future success.”
 
Interested in learning more about North Star’s mass media program? View more stories from the school’s newspaper and yearbook staff members.
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

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