Yearbook students work hard to meet deadlines

December 15, 2011 • Erin Finley, Editor  
Filed under Student Life

Yearbooks have been an important aspect of the high school culture for many years.  Often depicted in movies and books, the yearbook captures memorable events for students and preserves them for years to come.  The DCHS yearbook, also known as the Sou’Wester, is a 240 page publication completed by students enrolled in yearbook class.  However, the yearbook takes a lot of hard work and many hours to complete.

Every year the yearbook staff brainstorms a theme for the yearbook.  Each page and section centers around this theme.    The theme for this year is “Making a Splash”.

“I like the theme this year because it is different and more unique than previous years,” said Alonso Acevedo, 12, co-editor.

The yearbook is divided into four sections. These sections are student life, academics, sports, and reference.  The yearbook staff is assigned a section and a story.  They are then responsible for writing the story, finding the pictures, and designing the layout for that page. Each page has a template that students follow so every section is uniform.   Each staff member must complete his or her page assignment by the assigned deadline.    The deadlines occur throughout the year, with the first one on Dec. 9. 

“It is very stressful when you are meeting a deadline,” said Amanda Diaz, 11, staff member.  ”There is a lot of pressure to make sure you create a good layout.”

After the students complete spreads, they are submitted to the section editor. After the section editor looks over it, the page is submitted to the yearbook editors.  After the yearbook editors examine it, it is submitted to the yearbook adviser.  The adviser makes sure everything is correct, and then it is uploaded electronically to the company that produces the DCHS yearbook.  Pages are uploaded in batches and eventually the company will have the whole yearbook.

The yearbook covers all major events throughout the year, including graduation and spring sports, which is why students receive their yearbook at the start of the next school year.

Yearbook staff members put a lot of hard work and dedication into the yearbook.   Yearbook is a class at DCHS, but it also requires outside work.  Students often attend the events that they are covering and they must also attend yearbook work night once a week.

“Work nights help me focus and complete my layout because it is more relaxing than a regular class setting,” said Keesa Shrader, 12, co-editor.

Editors and section editors also put a lot of work into the Sou’Wester. Acevedo and Shrader, co-editors, are responsible for finishing their own layouts that include the cover, title page, opening, and end sheets.  They are also responsible for helping other staff members.

Yearbooks are a great memento for high school students to cherish for years to come.

“Students should purchase the school yearbook so they can preserve their memories.  They will wish they had purchased one later on.  I often receive calls from adults wondering if they can purchase a yearbook from their time in school,” said Cindy Moore, adviser.  ”The school yearbook costs less than a new pair of shoes.”

Students wishing to be a part of the yearbook staff must first complete the prerequisite course.  Yearbook 1 is a nine-week class that teaches students the basics of yearbook design, writing, and photography.  However, the courses will be changing next year.  For new publication department courses, please view a previous story covering the changes.  If you are interested in getting involved with the yearbook, or even the Dodger staff, visit with your counselor, email erinf@dchsdodger.com, or visit with the adviser, Mrs. Moore.

Yearbooks can be purchased from Kelley Gobin in the main office.  They are currently $50 but the price will go up to $55 at the start of the second semester.

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