Editor-in-Chief Karly Hamilton ’21 announced next year’s new Gator Executive Board this morning, as seniors prepare to leave for projects next month.

Executive Editor Edan Zinn ’23, this year’s second-in-command, will be promoted to Co-Editor-in-Chief with Senior Writer Natalie Kozhemiakin ’23.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity join The Gator Editorial Board and look forward to what next year has to offer,” Kozhemiakin said. “The Gator means so much to me, and I will continue to cherish the ability to share my voice on a public platform.”

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue editing for The Gator and I look forward to collaborating with Natalie, Grace, and Sophia next year,” Zinn said. “I am so thankful for the support Karly has offered me since I first joined the newsroom in 2019, and I wish her well in college next year.”

Senior Writer Grace Papas ’23 will assume Zinn’s current role as Executive Editor, while Sophia Spring ’22 will continue as Multimedia Manager.

“Though young, this new leadership team represents the most award-winning student journalists in Gator history,” said Hamilton. “I am sad to leave, but I feel happy knowing that I am leaving the publication in truly excellent, highly capable hands.”

The new leadership team will serve in an acting capacity beginning Monday, April 12, while Hamilton and Associate Editor Zoe Kaplan ’21 help facilitate the transition. Likely, Zinn, Kozhemiakin, and Papas will be confirmed April 30 to serve in a permanent capacity for the 2021-2022 academic year.

“I’m both humbled and thrilled to take on the position of Executive Editor next year,” Papas said. “I look forward to assisting our next wave of writers with their work and to helping the newsroom continue to run smoothly. I am grateful to be entrusted with this position, and I hope I can be as efficient and encouraging as an editor as Edan was for me.”

Under Hamilton, Zinn, and Kaplan’s tenure, The Gator earned multiple scholastic journalism accolades, with more to be announced this fall. Last spring, during remote learning, the two editors also oversaw a complete overhaul of the site’s design. Their direction of COVID-19 news coverage also played a significant role in the publication earning a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown Award, the highest national honor in scholastic journalism.

“With a smaller staff this year, I couldn’t be prouder of all of the newsroom’s landmark achievements,” Adviser David Cutler said. “I have the utmost confidence in the new leadership team, who will do an outstanding job of recruiting and training new staffers, while also building upon the publication’s excellence.”