A letter from the incoming 2026-27 editor-in-chief

I had a bit of a rocky start to my time at STU. Most people have a “gap year,” or a few, before they start university. I decided to have mine after my second year. I had no idea what I was doing. 

I had a strong start in sociology, but enjoyed journalism through the classes I took with Phillip Lee and Mark Tunney. 

Despite this, in my first years at STU, I was too nervous to write for the Aquinian. These seemed like professional and serious people, an entire world away from me. When I returned to school with strong encouragement from my family and co-workers at Guardian Ross Drug, things did seem a lot clearer—journalism and writing.

When I started volunteering for the AQ, I still hadn’t figured out my beat. I volunteered for every section, allowing me to interview a diverse set of interesting people and experience new situations I never thought I would. From covering art show openings to championship games, I learned to have confidence in myself. 

I applied to be a staff writer last year. When Fernanda called me while I was at work and offered me the sports editor position, I was shocked. After I said “what, wow” and a few moments of silence, Fernanda spoke up and said, “So, do you accept?” 

Saying yes was one of the biggest moments in my writing life. Despite taking on the role, I still felt underqualified and nervous. What if I couldn’t produce for the section I was in charge of, let alone lead it? 

Thankfully, Fernanda and Emilia are two of the best leaders a writer could ask for. With their guidance, I learned how to sniff out good stories that people would find interesting. They taught me how to pitch, write tightly and communicate my ideas clearly. From early Sunday morning layout to story meetings, they made you feel heard. I hope to emulate them as we head into the new academic year.

To my fellow editors and writers from this year, thank you. Reading your work has helped me out so much as well. Being in a sports bubble, your writing has shown me how to keep up with the changing world around me. 

I hope that my tenure produces a workplace with a welcoming environment and connections with the STU community. 

I want to thank my mother as well for always being in my corner and supporting me, even when it was difficult at times. 

See all of you in September!

Liam Carleton

Editor-in-Chief 2026-2027