Leaving the Sandbox: “The Belfield Banter” Editors-In-Chief Reflect on Their Time at St. Anne’s-Belfield

As editors-in-chief of “The Belfield Banter,” Sebastian Laza ’26 and Kate Cheng ’26 have spent the year shaping the structure for the future of the student-run newspaper.

In this interview, they discuss what they’ve learned from their senior year, advice for future students, and the legacy these two friends who’ve known each other since their sandbox days are leaving behind. It’s been edited for length and clarity by Kayleigh Ross ’26, communications intern.

On leading the student newspaper

Sebastian L. ’26: When we did our transition into leading the Banter it was a little haphazard. Carter had to remake all of our formatting, for example, because we were not given access to those documents by our previous editors-in-chief.

Looking back, they said one of their biggest goals has been creating a smoother transition for future student leaders. 

Kate C. ’26: One of the most helpful things that we’ve done this year is committing to a routine and figuring out what the organization looks like, and what the structure of a newspaper would look like. As new generations will take this on, it comes easier and easier each year to just be able to handle that smooth transition process.

What other activities were you involved in, inside and outside of school?

KC: “We are both in Model United Nations and Quiz Bowl. I am one of the co-presidents of GSA [Gender and Sexuality Alliance], I do a bunch of theatre — I’m on the board for the International Thespian Society in our chapter here.”  

SL: “I play the piano as a hobby but also semi-seriously. And then I volunteer with Service Dogs of Virginia, so that involves taking care of an advanced training service dog for about a year until they are ready to place the dog with a person with either a physical or mental disability. That’s really rewarding. And we are both doing a Capstone.”

You are both “sandbox kids” [attending St. Anne’s-Belfield since at Grade 1 or earlier]. What will you remember the most, and what will you miss the most?

KC: I think it would be the community. More specifically, the faculty community we have at this school is phenomenal. The effort they put in every day and the connections they build with their students is incredible; you can tell that every single one of them is there to make sure you get what you need and that you do your best. I don’t know what it’s going to be like somewhere else because I have been at STAB my entire life, but it’s amazing and that is definitely what I will miss the most.

SL: I would like to second the faculty. That is our biggest strength. We have a really strong faculty who care deeply about their students, want them to succeed, and will help them if they are struggling to meet expectations. They hold high expectations, and I don’t think that’s something you can find everywhere. That’s what makes us unique.

What advice would you give future students? 

SL: If I had these years to do over again, the advice I would give myself is to not give into apathy. There is a lot of noise all the time, and I think it is really important to choose what to pay attention to. Try to focus on the positive things sometimes instead of just negative news. Even if there is a lot of negative news, try not to live in that world for too long.

There are lots of opportunities to be involved and you really should get started freshman year, don’t put off being involved in the community until you are an upperclassman. I feel like you can do a lot even as a freshman or sophomore.

KC: I’d say be committed to everything you’re doing and jump into everything you are doing. Everything that you put in is what you’re going to get back out of it.

I would also say do a Capstone. It’s your last chance to really learn about something you are passionate about, and you should take that opportunity if it’s offered to you. My Capstone is about how humanities students have more capacity to develop ethical and moral standards. It looks at how humanities students are able to transfer skills like imagination or creativity into discussing ethical dilemmas on various topics — like AI, for example.

SL: If you do a Capstone, make sure that you really want to do what you’re doing, and that you aren’t letting anyone push you in a certain direction. It should truly come from you. 

What do you hope that people will remember about you when you graduate?

SL: I hope people remember me as being a little funny—I want people to think I can crack a joke! But I also hope they remember my impact. I can give Model UN as an example: I joined as a freshman right after COVID when our club was very small, and just seeing where it was then versus where it is now is amazing. I hope the impact I had on it will be remembered by Mr. Shoup and Mrs. Rubenoff, who are the faculty sponsors of the club.

KC: I feel like it’s a little trickier for me to speak on. Obviously, the goal of doing all this isn’t just so people will remember you, but it is nice to feel remembered. I would love to see my contribution to things like The Banter carry on. As we’ve said, things don’t always stay super organized, but I would really like it to be. I’d love for people to look back and say, “Oh, well, there’s Kate’s name on The Banter, that’s what she brought.”