Long before the first morning bell rang for the new school year, the CPA yearbook staff was already months into shaping the upcoming 2026-27 Lion's Roar yearbook. The team began conceptualizing its theme, establishing both visual frameworks and verbal messaging, at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention last April, where students presented initial concepts to professional consultants for preliminary feedback.

Building on that foundation, the staff traveled to Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, for an exclusive, invitation-only summer workshop alongside leading high school journalism programs from across the country. Over four intensive days, student leaders finalized the overarching theme, drafted opening copy, and created template layouts for covers and spreads. At the conclusion of the workshop, a board of professional reviewers awarded CPA Best Overall Theme, recognizing the team's creative execution among top award-winning staffs nationwide.

In addition to the camp honor, the yearbook publisher selected the Lion's Roar for inclusion in the national "Showcase" collection. Sample copies of the publication are distributed to every partner school across the country – placing the word "Christ" on library and classroom bookshelves from coast to coast.

The Lion's Roar leadership team is run by students: Editors-in-Chief, Nicholas Maddux and Lucy Ross; Head Designer, Claudia Cook; Assistant Head Designer, Evan McKinney; Head Photographers, Bennet Songer and Aiden Tolley; Assistant Head Photographers, Stella Nun and Ava Benken; Copy Editors, Mary Michael Bush and Ainsley Aiken; Theme Coordinator, Olivia Patton. The staff carries forward a long-standing tradition of journalistic discipline. CPA yearbooks have earned Best in State honors for 23 consecutive years (since 2003) and have captured five national championships, including four consecutive titles. The journalism honorary society has named the staff best in the nation for 12 consecutive years, accompanied by consistent recognition with scholastic journalism’s highest international honors, the Pacemaker and the Crown. Rather than resting on past achievements, the current staff remains focused on the daily work of documenting life at the Academy with clarity and excellence. Smile for the camera! The yearbook staff is already out across campus working hard to catch you in action!