The Kernel Media Board of Directors has named Sylvia Freire and Lilly Keith as the next Kentucky Kernel and KRNL editors-in-chief.

Freire, a sophomore journalism major and political science minor, is the assistant news editor at the Kentucky Kernel.

Keith, a junior journalism major and political science minor, is the managing editor and copy editor at KRNL.

Freire said while the interviewing process to decide the next editor-in-chief is demanding, she believes it went well.

Freire said she has wanted to be a journalist from a young age and being chosen as the next editor-in-chief for the Kentucky Kernel is a significant moment.

“I see myself making younger me really proud right now,” Freire said. “Every step that I’ve taken is very intentional with what I do, and I think this role will only enhance that.”

Keith said she feels like her hard work has paid off and is happy about her progress as a journalist since she has put much effort into improving.

“It means so much to me, because when I was a freshman, I knew that I wanted to be in a position like this one day, but I never really thought that it would be possible,” Keith said. “Because of how I’ve grown and been shaped by everyone at Kernel media and then my advisers and just my professors that I’ve had along the way … I feel like I have found a part of myself.”

Giana Gallo, a senior double major in broadcast journalism and communication and current editor-in-chief at the Kentucky Kernel, said the day was difficult, but she is happy with the results.

Gallo said that it was not long ago that she was applying to be editor-in-chief of the Kernel, and because of that experience, she understood the pressure candidates were feeling.

Witnessing the board for the Kernel interview for the next editor-in-chief was a full-circle moment, Gallo said, and it brought up emotions for her.

“I can’t believe that my term is almost up, and it is. It’s just a full circle moment of just thinking that last year I was in that chair and feeling the same thing that these candidates, and now I’m behind them, supporting them and cheering them on,” Gallo said.

Gallo said the past year has been memorable and being part of the Kernel is an experience that she will always appreciate.

Reaghan Chen, a senior double major in journalism and marketing and current editor-in-chief of KRNL, said seeing Keith interview for editor-in-chief was an enjoyable experience.

Chen said Keith progressing in her professional life reinforces the goal of KRNL, which is to help student journalists grow as people.

“Being able to watch Lilly get interviewed by the board and see her passion is really awesome. I think it just speaks to what Kernel media does, and the mission that the Kernel and KRNL have to produce aspiring student journalists,” Chen said. “I think it shows that not just me and Giana fell in love with these publications, but people after us have and they will continue on finding their passion there.”

Bryce McNeil, UK student media coordinator, said the role of editor-in-chief is complex with various responsibilities involved in the job.

“I think the biggest challenge for being leader of any group, regardless of whether the title is editor-in-chief or not, is having a strong awareness of what’s going on in multiple desks. If you’re a news editor you’re concerned about who’s covering, what story do they have? Do we have a camera for that? But when you’re the editor-in-chief, you’re concerned about that for everything,” McNeil said.

Ryan Craig, UK student media adviser, said he wants students at UK to understand that the decision for who will be editor-in-chief is not taken lightly.

“You’ve got two of the better collegiate newsrooms in the country here at the campus of the University of Kentucky, and we do take seriously who’s going to lead them, especially how they’re selected, and the rigors that they’re put through to make sure that they can do the job,” Craig said.