Eden ensures excellent memories for Grizzlies as yearbook leader

April 22, 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 Standing Bear senior Eden, who is vice-editor-in-chief of the “Standing Bear Kodiak” yearbook. Congratulations, Eden!

Eden is ensuring that all of Standing Bear’s success stories will be told in memorable ways this school year.
 
The Standing Bear High School senior is using her journalism talents to produce top-notch copy for the yearbook. She has been on staff all three years of the school’s existence and is currently vice-editor-in-chief of the Standing Bear Kodiak. She is responsible for overseeing yearbook spreads, proofreading copy, generating story ideas and covering events with her words and photos.
 
Eden said she enjoys publishing the first drafts of school history with her fellow staff members.
 
“I like being able to put words together to make people feel like they’re in the moment,” Eden said. “That’s my biggest goal. I want to be able to make a time capsule for everybody to be able to look back on.”

 
Standing Bear teacher Brianna Knoell has watched Eden thrive with her camera, computer and creative mindset. Knoell leads English, yearbook and broadcast journalism classes and has helped students advance to state journalism competitions. She said Eden’s intelligent and hardworking personality has made her a vital part of the Standing Bear team.
 
“There are so many things I love about having Eden in class, but something that stands out is her creativity,” Knoell said. “Eden always has the best ideas and she never backs down from a challenge. Whenever I’m unsure about what to do on a certain page in the yearbook or how to use certain elements, Eden always figures it out in a way that looks stunning. She has been a pivotal part of all three yearbook themes and covers thus far.”
 
Eden began her high school career at Southwest and came to Standing Bear when it opened in the 2023-24 academic year. She made a seamless transition by joining the softball team, attending Hope Squad meetings and working on yearbook pages. She said the community spirit at Standing Bear has been a source of pride for all of the Grizzlies.
 
“I feel like it’s different than what you think the average high school community would be,” Eden said. “We were able to start everything ourselves. We started new traditions and built our community and were able to be the foundation for the school. It’s really neat to be a part of something like that.”

 
That list of new beginnings included the yearbook, which chronicled the achievements of two grades in its first edition. This year’s publication has increased to approximately 200 pages with stories about four grades.
 
Knoell said Eden has become a trusted mentor for many people in the building. She has passed along her knowledge to younger staff members who have relied on her judgment and expertise. She qualified for this year’s state journalism contest in the layout design category, and she helped the Kodiak staff earn a state bid in theme development.
 
“Eden is a role model in her dedication to achieving and maintaining a high standard for our yearbook,” Knoell said. “Other staffers look to Eden for inspiration, and Eden is always willing to lend a helping hand.”
 
Knoell said Eden’s strong academic resume has also played a factor in her success. She is planning to major in pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after she graduates from Standing Bear. She has met people from across campus because of her willingness to take many types of courses, which has expanded the number of story possibilities for the yearbook.
 
“Our staff knows that we want to produce a yearbook that students want to have on their shelves, and accomplishing that takes the leadership of editors like Eden,” Knoell said. “Whether it’s coming up with new ideas or giving feedback to existing ones, our Kodiak Krew looks to Eden for guidance.”

 
Eden said she has felt like an honorary member of every school group because of her yearbook role. She has taken her camera to the sidelines of Standing Bear games, written about academic activities and composed spreads about social events. She said it has been fun watching fellow Grizzlies enjoy bright moments in all types of settings.
 
“There are so many things that I’m interested in,” Eden said. “It was hard to pick one thing that I wanted to focus on, but being on yearbook has given me an opportunity to explore everything. I love being a part of all of those things.”
 
Eden said her time with her Kodiak co-workers has been a memorable part of her Standing Bear career. She said it has been meaningful to tell stories about her fellow Grizzlies in a time-capsule format.
 
“It makes me feel like I have a purpose,” Eden said. “It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished things for the good of others.”
 
Learn how English Language Arts courses like journalism are preparing LPS students to become successful members of society.
 
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