The final issue of The Prospector, Carroll College’s student-led newspaper, is now online, offering a meaningful tribute to the Class of 2026 while inviting readers to reflect on this year’s graduating issue theme: faith.
Produced by students in Carroll’s journalism program, this special edition combines graduation coverage, senior profiles, campus news, sports updates, and deeply personal student essays that explore belief, doubt, identity, and spiritual searching. The issue was led by student editor Lexi Larson, with design by Katelyn Christensen, whose dedication to the publication extended well beyond the classroom.
According to journalism professor Brent Northup, Larson and Christensen worked until midnight putting the final touches on the issue before Christensen boarded a bus early the next morning with her track teammates en route to North Dakota, laptop in hand, continuing her design work from the road.
“Katelyn has been designing the paper for three years,” Northup shared. "I will miss her deeply as the Hot Springs ranch girl goes adulting. She’s a gifted graphic designer who has already started her own business.”
A centerpiece of this year’s issue is a collection of long-form senior profiles featuring graduating students Madelyn Shipman, Rachael Stacey, Aidan McGarvin, Kennedy Venner, Hannah Mendelson, and Peter Bukowski, alongside a special profile of international student Hyunjoo Kim.
Rather than brief snapshots, these profiles dig deeply into each student’s journey, exploring triumphs, setbacks, injuries, unanswered questions, broken dreams, and the experiences that shaped their time at Carroll.
Equally compelling is this year’s themed essay section on faith. Building on previous graduation issue themes such as resilience, sacrifice, and kindness, this year’s student writers offer honest and often vulnerable reflections on their spiritual journeys. Some essays explore Catholic faith and personal encounters with God, while others wrestle openly with doubt, silence in prayer, and what it means to search for belonging in a faith-centered community.
The issue reflects a semester-long writing process led by Professor Northup, who challenged students to revise relentlessly, offering unlimited rewrites with publication reserved for work meeting the highest standards. Many students completed as many as eight drafts before seeing their work in print.
"These are not one-and-done writing," said Northup. "These students put their liberal arts minds to work asking questions and reflecting deeply on both their own beliefs, and the beliefs of their friends. I’m proud of their final products!"
The final issue also includes graduation news, athletics coverage, and a heartfelt farewell to beloved faculty member Dr. Belle Marie.
As Carroll College prepares to celebrate the Class of 2026, The Prospector’s final issue offers a fitting tribute to the thoughtful voices, intellectual curiosity, and honest reflection that define Carroll students.
