Idea File Fall 2023

A Yearbook Resource

Fall 2023 | Vol. 34

UTILIZING AI ETHICALLY IN YEARBOOK PRODUCTION

GET YOUR STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR WORK

OVERCOME 10 CHALLENGES ADVISERS FACE IN YEARBOOK

Timothy Cain, CJE • Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH • 34 years teaching; 20 years advising yearbook • 2022 NSPA Critique: All-American; 2019 Adviser of the Month; 2022 Pinkerton Academy Joanna Chadwick • Derby High School, Derby, KS • 8 years as a journalism adviser, 20 years covering high school sports for the Wichita Eagle . • 2021 JEA Rising Star, 2016 KSHSAA Sportswriter of the Year, Sportswriter of the Year for the athletic directors’ association, tennis coaches’ association and wrestling coaches’ association • Has had 4 students in 7 years who enjoyed sports writing – 3 were her sons; spends free time watching her sons play sports and her husband coach

Raylee Mallett • Legacy High School, 1ERWƼIPH 8< • 2 years on staff - 1 as a staffer and 1 as EIC • Plans to go to a private Christian university to study psychology • CSPA Silver Crown, Texas Silver Star, NSPA Best of Show 9 th place, 4 ILPC individual awards • Sings in Legacy’s varsity treble choir, on the bowling team, journalism is a family business – dad is adviser, Brandon Meyer • Beaumont High School, Beaumont, CA • 13 years teaching, 8 years advising yearbook • Awarded Outstanding Headline Writer at the Daily Nexus newspaper at UC Santa Barbara • Award-winning poet and a PMZI QYWMG EƼGMSREHS [LS has seen over 400 bands in concert sister is photo editor, brother was newspaper editor, mom cooks for work nights

Laurel Wicke • Drake Middle School, Arvada, CO • 5 years advising yearbook • CSMA All-Colorado publication, CSPA Silver Crown, NSPA Pacemaker and Pacemaker Finalist, students were 2019 NSPA Junior High/Middle School Design of the Year and 2021 CSMA Middle School Journalist of the Year winners • English and Theater degree from University of Wyoming, also teaches drama, and will give up the job only when they pry it out of her cold, dead hands Kari Riemer, CJE • Hendrickson High School, 4ƽYKIVZMPPI 8< • 35 years teaching, has advised school publications for most of them • Nationally recognized newspaper and yearbook, Edith Fox King award

Hall of Fame Inductee, JEA NH State Director

recipient for outstanding dedication to scholastic journalism, president of the Texas Association of Journalism Educators, 2023 Texas Journalism Teacher of the Year

• Loves live music and traveling

Sarah McCambridge • Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park, KS • 11 years teaching, 5 years advising yearbook • All-Kansas publication from KSPA • Has been to 4 continents outside of North America (Australia and Antarctica left) and will read over 100 books this year

Jim Jordan • Walsworth Special Consultant • 35 years teaching as award winning adviser at Del Campo High School, Fair Oaks, CA • 27 NSPA Pacemakers/ Finalists, 20 CSPA Crowns, JEA Adviser of the Year and JEA Lifetime Achievement Award • Host of Yearbook Chat with Jim podcast — Walsworth Yearbooks Podcast Network (WYPN) • Bow tie connoisseur

Mike Taylor, CJE • Walsworth Journalism Specialist • 13 years as award-winning yearbook adviser at Lecanto High School, Lecanto, FL • JEA Medal of Merit, CSPA Gold Key and FSPA Gold Medallion • Host of Ask Mike podcast — Walsworth Yearbooks Podcast Network (WYPN) • Always check out his shoes

CONTRIBUTING

Corporate Headquarters 306 North Kansas Avenue Marceline, MO 64658 800.265.6795 walsworth.com 7EPIW ERH 1EVOIXMRK 3ƾGI 7300 West 110th Street, Suite 600 Overland Park, KS 66210 800.369.2965 walsworthyearbooks.com

Idea File magazine is published during the school year by Walsworth Yearbooks as a service to schools involved in the production of yearbooks. It is intended to serve as an educational resource, providing readers with timely and informative features on a wide range of yearbook subjects. All contents of Idea File © 2023 by Walsworth. All rights reserved. Idea File is provided free of charge to schools printing yearbooks with Walsworth. Non-customer schools may arrange to receive a copy by contacting their local Walsworth Yearbooks sales representative.

Fonts used: Built , Roboto, Waulbaum

Colors used: Yellow: C=2, M=10, Y=100, K=0 Formula Color: F1500 Fiery Orange: C=0, M=91, Y=98 K=0 Formula Color: F0105

SENIOR EDITOR Jenica Hallman, CJE

ART DIRECTOR Sara Hunt

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Zach Field, Danielle Finch, Shiloh Scott

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Zach Field, Delaney Pierce

Front cover photo by Evan Johnson | Back cover photo by Isabella Semiglasov | Above photo by Esteban Corral

4 | Editor’s Corner

STEPPING UP to Fill a Leadership VOID

Photo courtesy of Raylee Mallet

Editor’s Corner | 5

What Did I Learn? Even though I didn’t fully understand how to do everything, I learned to be honest with my staff. If someone asked me a question and I didn’t know the answer, I said “I don’t know” instead of making up an answer. I embraced my cluelessness while reminding myself that I was not completely clueless, and we worked together to tackle problems. I’ve been around journalism kids my whole life, so I knew the basics, which FSSWXIH Q] GSRƼHIRGI ERH LIPTIH QI to lead more effectively, but I had to get used to the idea that I didn’t know everything. I made sure to communicate with my dad, staffers and other editors. Communication proved key. If a problem occurred, the responsibility JIPP SR QI XS Ƽ\ MX - PIEVRIH XS VIEH XLI room and help the staff with issues instead of letting someone sit and get behind on their work. This required actively watching them because they sometimes felt uncomfortable asking for help. Over time, though faster than I anticipated, they became comfortable approaching me and asking questions. Defining Our Culture From that moment on the living room couch, I knew I wanted to bring back the fun culture I saw in my dad’s classroom my whole life. I wanted to change the way others looked at me and the way we

E ditor-in-chief was not my original title. My adviser sat me down on my living room couch to tell me the EIC quit two weeks before school – my adviser happens to also be my dad. As the assistant editor, I needed to step up. We spent the last two weeks of summer on our MacBooks modifying the former editor’s theme, the look of the book and the ladder. When school started, I still felt unprepared. I grew up in the journalism room with my dad, always imagining myself as the EIC sitting at the computer next to his desk one day. When I actually got there, it turned out to be harder than I thought. 'LEPPIRKIW ERH PIEVRMRK GYVZIW ƼPPIH XLI year, but I made it. Was it a struggle? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Also, yes. What is the best part? I got a trial year, as I like to call it, and now I get a second chance to be the best EIC ever.

did yearbook. I asked everyone a silly question of the day or gave them a sticker when they got to class so I did not come across as a scary monster barking commands. I communicated my expectations. I made sure they knew the end goal for the book, which helped my staff to know what they were working toward from the beginning of the year. Most of all, I made sure they loved coming to yearbook class. My trial year tested my patience and sanity. From a district-wide cyber-attack that shut down the whole network for two weeks to moving more than one XIVEF]XI SJ ƼPIW JVSQ +SSKPI XS ERSXLIV server mid-book, the hurdles grew taller. All of this drove me to make the yearbook one of our best, bring back the culture of fun and connect with my staff. ;LIR [I ƼRMWLIH XLI FSSO - HMHRƅX ORS[ how to measure if I’d accomplished this. Then the book arrived. I sat with a book in my lap, looking at everything we did, everything we survived, and I thought, “Wow, we did it.” The book is great. The staff grew. I developed close relationships. Everybody wants a room full of awards and recognitions for their hard work, but the greatest achievement of being an editor would have to be the lasting relationships created with the adviser, editors and staffs. By Raylee Mallett

4PER JSV 7YGGIWW Outside of the Legacy High School Performing Art Center, Raylee Mallett discusses the plan for the day with her staff at a workshop. Walsworth Yearbooks area sales reps hosted the training event on Sept. 29 on Legacy’s campus. The yearbook staff helped with distributing lunch and guiding students around the campus. Photo courtesy of Raylee Mallet

7XYGO SR =SY As staff members arrive to class, Raylee Mallett gives everyone a sticker. Once a week, Mallett gave out stickers and the staff put them on their IDs, making a collection throughout the entire year. The simple act helped build a sense of camaraderie among the team. Photo courtesy of Raylee Mallet

in Middle School CREATIVITY in Middle Scho I nspiring C

A GGSVHMRK XS +ISVKI 0ERHƅW WXYH] of creativity, “young children are creative geniuses and become less creative as they age.” That’s great news for those of us who advise middle school yearbook programs. ;MXL SRI JSSX WXMPP ƼVQP] VSSXIH in childhood and the other just stepping into the adult world, our middle school students might be that much closer to their native genius – even if their brains are remodeling. Here’s what I know about helping our middle schoolers become more creative: 1. 'VIEXMZMX] HSIW RSX SGGYV MR a straight line. Creativity often comes from trial and error, so teach your staff to be unafraid of exploration and discovery. In my classroom, we begin every project with an exploration mindset. For example: In August, most of us talk about theme. Don’t rush the process. Take the time to discover. Try multiple versions, talk it to death, ƼRH XLI SRI XLEX JIIPW VMKLX F] ƼRHMRK XLI SRIW XLEX JIIP [VSRK ERH then get everybody on board. It may feel arduous, but that early work will TE] SJJ FMK MR XLI ƼREP TVSHYGX 2. )QFVEGI XLI GLESW In my experience, yearbook does not lend itself to straight rows and handouts. When my students are invested and most creative, they come and go, talk to people and each other and move a million miles an hour in different directions. Being an adviser pushes you outside your comfort zone. My advice? Lean MRXS ƽI\MFMPMX] 9WI ]SYV WXYHIRXWƅ engagement as a guide to what works best, and don’t be afraid to let it get a little messy. We start each class with a staff meeting. The length of the meeting depends on the need. Sometimes it’s a whole staff meeting with a mini-lesson or going over a punch list, sometimes we’ll split into student-led team meetings, and sometimes it’s only announcements. Regardless of the format, these meetings give a foundation of instruction and share vision. After that, I turn them loose and the real fun begins. 3. Great work requires GSQQMXQIRX Don’t be afraid to ask your staff to step up and work hard. How great they feel at the end of the project will equal the effort XLI] KEZI +MZI XLIQ STTSVXYRMXMIW to experience excellence. Once you

4MGO ERH GLSSWI )MKLXL KVEHIV )PPE )RKIP GSRWMHIVW [LMGL QEKE^MRI QMKLX FIWX LIPT LIV ƼRH inspiration for her design project. Using a draft style model, students drew numbers to see who KSX XS GLSSWI ƼVWX 8LI] YWIH E ZEVMIX] SJ QEKE^MRIW JSV HIWMKR MRWTMVEXMSR Photo courtesy of Laurel Wicke

Middle School Moment | 7

path of least resistance. Without mastering fundamental skills, creativity will never be harnessed. So train their eyes and ears. Show them beautiful design. Read them great stories. Build a collection of masterful examples from which they can draw inspiration. I don’t let my students design without inspiration. Whenever a student comes to me with a troublesome design, I always ask to see their inspiration. About 99% of the time, they don’t have ER] LIRGI XLI MWWYI 8LI] GERƅX Ƽ\ something when they don’t even know there is a problem. Inspiration gives them a starting point and guidance as they begin to master the rules. 5. Saying no is not a bad thing. Middle schoolers are incredibly literal and love clip art. As young designers, they don’t often understand scale, nor do they know what to do with white space. All of these things, and more, often add up to design experiments or ideas that

need a no. If you never say no, you are not helping them grow. No does not have to be ugly or soul crushing. In fact, I rarely use the word no. Here are some phrases that work for me instead: “I think you can do better; I like what I see here, but this part doesn’t seem as elevated; let me hang onto this one, and I’d like to see two more attempts, then let’s compare; I think you’ve got too much going on, and my eye doesn’t know where to look; there are a lot of good ideas here, just maybe too many at one time; I’m not getting it.” Elevating their work means reaching for their best ideas and efforts. Usually they need a push to get there. Inspiring creativity takes…well, creativity. It takes curiosity, positivity, energy, persistence and hard work. It is a grand adventure, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. By 0EYVIP ;MGOI

spend the time to come up with a theme and a look, and especially after XLEX ƼVWX HIEHPMRI GSRWMHIV ]SYVWIPJ committed. You cannot get to the end by going backward. Yes, the creative TVSGIWW MW ƼPPIH [MXL HSYFXW 7SQI WXEJJ members waver back and forth all year long, some question the color or font choices and some may doubt the overall theme. Middle schoolers tend to see the RIKEXMZI ƼVWX 8LEXƅW [LIR - RIIH XS FI the cheerleader. I must convince them to trust our choices and the process. Once we make those decisions as a staff, we lean into it on every page because we can’t half-step our way to greatness. 4. My job is to help raise the bar. I have heard advisers say, “It’s the kids’ book; I let them do what they want.” With all due respect, if we taught any other class that way, kids would never learn anything. Certainly, listen to their ideas – their creativity has value – but learning doesn’t occur on the

'SPSV 'SRGITX Leading a group meeting, co-editor Charlotte Jones, an eighth grader, discusses color options for the group’s design presentation. %JXIV ƼREPM^MRK XLIMV GSRGITX XLI KVSYT [EW XEWOIH [MXL TVIWIRXMRK MX XS XLI GPEWW 8LI VIWX SJ XLI GPEWW KEZI GVMXMGEP JIIHFEGO EJXIV XLI] PMWXIRIH XS XLI group share. Photo courtesy of Laurel Wicke

14 | Five Simple Ideas for Using AI 5

Simple Ideas for Ethical AI in Yearbook Production

F rom Clippy the Microsoft paper clip XS +VEQQEVP] XS 4LSXSWLST ]SY LEZI TVSFEFP] YWIH EVXMƼGMEP MRXIPPMKIRGI QSVI XLER ]SY ORS[ =SYV 2IXƽM\ UYIYI SRPMRI shopping recommendations and Siri all rely on AI. Though it concerns some industry professionals, the reality is we have been using AI for years without realizing it. The adoption of AI programs in yearbook production marks a new era in journalism, similar to the mass adoption of digital photography, computers, calculators and the internet. Educators worried then that these tools would prevent students from learning how to do the work on their own, but the

resources quickly became part of everyday life. In the same way, AI art and language models will become part of everyday life, though their full impact remains to be seen. With careful consideration and guidelines in place, AI does not have to be a scary unknown or detract from student opportunities to learn. The best ways to take advantage of AI in the yearbook creation process are as a tool to enhance creativity and IƾGMIRG] [MXLSYX HIXVEGXMRK JVSQ SV replacing student production. Spend time investigating the best AI prompts to make the most of your yearbook and build rules into your syllabus now.

Tips for Ethical AI Use in Yearbook Production:

• Choose reputable and reliable AI tools that integrate seamlessly into the production process. User-friendliness is essential. • View AI as a supplement, not a replacement, for human creativity and expertise. Staff members should dedicate effort throughout XLI ]IEV XS IRWYVI XLI ƼREP TVSHYGX MW IRKEKMRK fully representative of the year at their school ERH VIƽIGXMZI SJ XLIMV S[R [SVO

• Practice ethical use of AI by considering potential biases and limitations of AI-generated content. Users must ensure these tools are not used for discrimination or to create any false or misleading information. • Understand that AI programs are generative QSHIPMRK XSSPW ERH RSX XVYI EVXMƼGMEP MRXIPPMKIRGI 9WIVW QYWX FI XLI ƼREP WEJIKYEVH EPMKRMRK %- use with journalistic ethics and principles.

TIPS

Five Simple Ideas for Using AI | 15

2. Enhance Photography Photography plays a crucial role in yearbooks. AI tools available online can enhance photo quality and enable more artistic creations. Photoshop , known for its photo editing capabilities, now includes AI-powered tools for object removal, background-edge detection for cutouts, composition suggestions, color palette changes and now in beta testing – Generative Fill . The Adobe Express suite, free with an education email, allows users to create eye-catching cutouts, change color palettes and draft infographics based on images. Programs like HitPaw Photo Enhancer , Icons8 and Deep Image AI upscale images by increasing image resolution and correcting imperfections like blurry images and image noise to MQTVSZI %- -J ]SY WMKRMƼGERXP] 1. Edit and Transcribe Copy Efficiently Editing copy and transcribing interviews consume a lot of time in yearbook production. AI tools can greatly expedite and streamline this process. Well-known options like ChatGPT allow easy prompts for editing any pasted text. Additionally, programs such as Ryter , CopyAI , Anyword , CopySmith and SnazzyAI offer both free and paid versions that analyze text to suggest ways to shorten or combine sentences, save valuable time and IRWYVI E GSRGMWI ERH IRKEKMRK ƼREP product. Use tools like Otter.ai to record interviews and drastically shorten the tedious transcribing process.

Final Cut. This photo makes a great cutout, except for the bottle blocking part of the sleeve. Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop removed the bottle and replaced the background in seconds. AI-powered Picsart, now available in Yearbook 360 – Online Design, then easily removed the background in one click and saved directly to the photo library. Photo credit and photo illustration: Caroline Crump using Adobe Photoshop Generative Fill

change an image, label it as a photo illustration in your photo credit and consider listing the tool you used in your colophon. Just be up front about the

resources you employ. Walsworth now offers

customers the AI- based Picsart in Yearbook 360 – Online Design for one-click cutouts and more.

Photo credit and photo illustration: Caroline Crump cutout using Picsart in Yearbook 360 – Online Design

16 | Five Simple Ideas for Using AI

3. Suggest Timely Coverage Topics

Yearbooks aim to capture the highlights of a WGLSSP ]IEV MRGPYHMRK WMKRMƼGERX [SVPH IZIRXW While some AI programs like ChatGPT may lack up-to-date knowledge, options like Microsoft’s Bing AI possess internet access and search GETEFMPMXMIW &] TVSZMHMRK TVSQTXW WYGL EW ƈ+MZI me a list of the top 10 hashtags on Instagram this year,” these programs suggest relevant and timely topics, keeping the yearbook fresh and current. AI supplies the idea, but your students create the unique content. Make a habit to fact check every suggestion. 4. Market Your Book AI makes marketing your book easier, which in turn brings in more revenue. AI can write attention grabbing marketing emails, generate social media content and translate your message into different languages. Natural language processing algorithms can translate marketing materials into any language, and upcoming tools like Google Universal Translator can dub videos into other languages while changing the speaker’s lip movements to match the new language. AI Chatbot can be used on a website or social media platform so parents can inquire about your book in their native languages. Use AI analytics tools to optimize ad placements, KIRIVEXI IQEMPW SV ƽ]IVW ERH WGLIHYPI TSWXW at the most opportune times to reach your audience with your custom sales information. AI tools like Flick , Socialbakers , Quillbot and HelloWoofy can repurpose existing social media content, suggest relevant hashtags, predict the best times to post, transcribe words from graphics into captions, instantly brainstorm and plan content and provide insight into your audience and page analytics. Captions can be instantly created and optimized for each social media platform, and design graphics can be resized for different sites and viewing preferences in seconds.

5.Generate Compelling Headline Suggestions

Crafting attention-grabbing headlines can be a challenge, even for experienced yearbookers. AI can simplify this task. Prompting programs like InstaCopy and others mentioned earlier can generate headline possibilities for various WXSV] X]TIW %HHMXMSREPP] TEWXMRK XLI ƼRMWLIH story into the program enables it to analyze the text and suggest catchy headlines tailored XS XLEX WTIGMƼG WXSV] IRWYVMRK XLI EZSMHERGI of repetitive clichés. The prompts it generates may spin more of your own ideas. Using the correct prompts ensures the best results, so specify if you want alliteration, a set number of words or other relevant information. While AI is a powerful tool that can revolutionize yearbook creation, it requires proper training and guidance from an experienced adviser. When used responsibly, %- GER IRLERGI GVIEXMZMX] ERH IƾGMIRG] transforming the way yearbooks are made. Discuss the parameters for AI use in your classroom with your staff so everyone understands the ethical and practical uses

of AI in journalism. By Brandon Meyer

Bonus Simple Ideas for Ethical AI in Yearbook Production:

• (IXIGX 4PEKMEVMWQ Plagiarism remains a serious issue in education and journalism. AI tools like Copyleaks compare pasted text against an extensive internet database to detect plagiarism. These tools help ensure the originality and ethical production of the ƼREP ]IEVFSSO TVSHYGX -R JEGX %- GER even tell you if content was likely written by AI!

• *MRH 'YWXSQ (IWMKR -RWTMVEXMSR An impactful cover design sets the theme and tone of the yearbook. Instead of traditional sketching, generative art programs like Midjourney or Adobe’s upcoming *MVIƽ] can KIRIVEXI GSZIV MHIEW FEWIH SR TVSQTXW 8LSYKL ƼRI XYRMRK prompts require some learning, these tools aid in translating GVIEXMZI ZMWMSRW SRXS XLI TEKI ERH JEGMPMXEXI IƾGMIRX WIPIGXMSR SJ GSZIV ƼREPMWXW JVSQ WXEJJ WYFQMWWMSRW =SYV WXEJJ GER YWI XLIWI ideas as a starting point or for original inspiration. Think of it as a custom Pinterest board tailored to your exact theme and look.

BONUS

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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE 2023 PHOTO CONTEST! Photos by: 1. Bennett Moger, 2. Macy Maynard, 3. Emma DeShon, 4. Nathanial +ISVKI 1E\ (IEVMRKIV 6EWLIIH Riveroll, 7. Milan Venegas, 8. Jackson Haltom, 9. Ashlyn Alley, 10. Hiba Issawi

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18 | Online Design Tutorial

InDesign Tutorial | 19

20 | Photoshop Fun

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY WITH

Enhanced photo editing capabilities now available, including one-click background removal.

4LSXS F] (MIVO &IHHMRKƼIPH

10 Common Challenges Advisers Face & How to Overcome Them

10 common challenges your staff might face and how to get your students to master the skills needed to make a phenomenal yearbook. %X XLI IRH SJ XLMW EVXMGPI ]SYƅPP ƼRH E 56 GSHI with links to all of the resources.

E ven talented students are still kids, which means all advisers face shared common issues each year. Repetition and practice are key to overcoming these issues. In-class activities and lessons offer a safe space for practice, creativity and mistakes. Here are

3 S p read Desi g n 4 Cover Development

1 Ca p tion Writin g

Feature: 10 Common Challenges | 23

(S ]SY ƼRH ]SYV WXYHIRXWƅ TLSXSW PEGOMRK# 8IEG h ing p hotography boils down to preparation, critique and praise. It’s not every student’s strong suit; but you can implement practices that ensure your staff understands the fundamentals of photography. A. Yearbook Suite : “Photojournalism: Telling Stories with Images” +VIEX TLSXSW LIPT XIPP XLI WXSV] SJ XLI year in a way readers remember. This unit introduces the world of photojournalism. B. Team Photo Practice: Taking sports photos can be intimidating, especially if students are not familiar with the sport or players. -QEKIW GER VIƽIGX ]SYV TLSXSKVETLIVƅW ER\MIX] +S to a practice together to introduce staffers to the coaches, get a feel for the space and demonstrate where to place themselves to get impactful shots. Once they’re comfortable with their surroundings, they’ll feel prepared to get in on the action. C. Photoshop Help: Most photos need touch ups. With our Photoshop video tutorial series located on yearbookhelp.com , an expert walks through how to edit photos for spreads. D. Feedback and Critiques: Don’t let hard work go unnoticed. Have editors GLSSWI XLI XST ƼZI ƈ4LSXSW SJ XLI ;IIOƉ ERH KMZI positive feedback and critiques in class. The more GSRƼHIRX ]SYV TLSXSKVETLIVW EVI XLI QSVI PMOIP] they’ll take powerful shots. Ca pt i ons are not meant to be jaw-dropping copy; the formulaic writing should tell the story of the photograph and provide contextual information. Start with these resources to help improve your staff’s captions. A. Caption Writing Video and Handouts: Watch the instructional video on caption writing by Renee Burke, MJE, and use the resources provided to practice. B. Caption Writing Kit Poster: Your Planning Kit contains a classroom poster that spells out the ABCDs of caption writing. A visual on the wall gives students a daily reminder, plus, they [SRƅX LEZI XS EWO ]SY MJ XLI] GER ƼRH XLI ERW[IV SR the wall. C. Yearbook Suite : “Completing Your Copy with Captions and Headlines” Help students learn how to write captions and headlines that grab the reader’s eye and keep them on the page with our comprehensive Yearbook Suite curriculum, and this unit focuses on captions and headlines.

T h e struggle to create high-quality spreads remains a common challenge. The key is to show quality design inspiration examples to boost creativity. A. Find Inspiration: %REP]^I SYV SRPMRI 8LIQI +EPPIV] ERH 'EYKLX 3YV )]I spreads with your class to identify eyeline, hierarchy or negative space. Once students recognize patterns of good design, it becomes natural to incorporate those elements in to any spread. B. Yearbook Suite : “Understanding Why Design Matters” This unit shows the fundamentals of yearbook design and all the intricacies of making eye-catching spreads. C. Graphic Design Portfolios: Use resources like Behance, Fast Company or Typography to browse graphic designer portfolios ERH TSTYPEV XVIRHW ,EZI ]SYV GPEWW ƼRH E LERHJYP SJ TSVXJSPMSW XLI] PMOI ERH TVIWIRX XLIMV ƼRHMRKW D. Video Resources: Our library of webinars showcases techniques for achieving high-quality design for your staff to emulate. Learn from the masters what goes into good spread design and how to go from a blank spread to a well-rounded one. E. Yearbook Help Tutorials: /RS[MRK XLI WSJX[EVI MW XLI ƼVWX WXIT MR GVIEXMRK captivating design. Walk your students through our library of tutorials related to Yearbook 360 – Online Design or Adobe InDesign on yearbookhelp.com to help staff members who may be new to the program. How will you bridge your theme throughout the book using your cover as the anchor point? Plan carefully to ensure your vision is impactful. A. Cover Gallery: 'LSSWI FSSOW JVSQ SYV SRPMRI 'SZIV +EPPIV] ERH analyze them with your team. Consider the typography, color, textures and imagery other schools use. What design elements on the cover inspire you? B. Brainstorm and Work Together: Making a cover your entire staff loves encourages buy-in and inclusivity. Allow all staff members to contribute to this brainstorming process – not just editors. Don’t dismiss any ideas during this stage. +IX IZIV]SRI XEPOMRK ERH I\GMXIH JSV ]SYV GSZIV C. Workshops: A fresh set of eyes can help determine if your cover is communicating the intended message. Attend Elite Weekend and workshops your rep hosts to seek advice.

2 Low Q ualit y Photos

8 24 | Feature: 10 Common Challenges 7 Stron g Co py Writing strong copy can be a daunting task for students. Work wi t h them t o write effective, storytelling copy that captures the year. A. Yearbook Suite : “Writing: Tell Me a Story” This unit kickstarts the process for writing personal WXSVMIW ERH ƼRHMRK YRMUYI ERKPIW B. Published Inspiration: Take a look at investigative journalism pieces, magazines, great yearbooks and other published works to explore ways to craft your narrative copy. C. Writing Webinar: “Feature it!” Watch yearbook legend Susan Massy teach how to write for your yearbook in our webinar series. Theme Co n c e p tualization Ano th er new year bri ng s another theme concept. Crafting a theme that encapsulates the year takes planning. A. Online Theme Gallery: Look at well-executed themes to ignite your staff’s creative journey. Identify theme styles that inspire you and talk about what a high-quality theme looks like on the page. Refer to our Possibilities book for this too. B. President’s Collection: Watch the President’s Collection Highlight Series to research the best of the best theme development. C. Theme Webinar: “What’s Your Theme Story?” Our yearbook experts have a fool-proof method to LIPT ]SY ƼRH XLI TIVJIGX ]IEVFSSO XLIQI 6 Book Sales Plan your marketing strategy early to avoid a lull in sales. The more yearbooks and ads you sell, the more you can do with your staff. View a full list of resources at walsworthyearbooks.com/marketing . A. Parent Email Program: Remind parents to buy the yearbook with our Parent Email Program (PEP) and give your sales an easy boost. Work with your sales rep to get started at walsworthyearbooks.com/pep . B. Social Media Resources: Access our social media content and resources to boost sales and generate awareness. C. Pick6: Walsworth created sales tools to help you sell more effectively. “Pick 6” marketing resources are available at walsworthyearbooks.com/pick6 for you to select XLI SRIW XLEX ƼX ]SYV WGLSSPƅW YRMUYI RIIHW XS MRZIWX efforts for maximum return. 9

Confident Interviewin g Kids get nervous talking to people th ey don’t know. Recognizing and overcoming potential hesitations XLEX GSQI [MXL MRXIVZMI[MRK FYMPHW GSRƼHIRGI 8LI more you practice and prepare, the better your copy turns out. A. Yearbook Suite : “The Art of the Interview” This unit teaches your staff the fundamentals of interview etiquette and best practices. B. Practice, Practice, Practice: You have to work a little magic to make WYFNIGXW JIIP GSQJSVXEFPI ERH GSRƼHIRX MR their answers. If your staff struggles with interviews, have them practice in class. Model a good interview and have them take notes on body language and questioning style. C. Team Approach to Interviews: Consider conducting interviews as pairs. Sometimes one staff member has a great follow-up question that would not be asked otherwise, and it might feel less intimidating with someone else there. Team-buildin g and Bu y -in Would your staff rather play on their phones than work on yearbook? Do they seem disconnected? Early team-building and b u y -in activities b uild a positive culture vital to your success. A. Yearbook Suite : “Staff Management through Team Building” This unit provides tips and helpful suggestions for managing your staff and building strong working relationships. B. Workshops: Attending workshops isn’t just about learning – it’s about exploring, meeting new people and bonding with other team members to foster relationships. You develop closer connections with one another when you do fun things together. C. Incentives and Competitions: Tap into kids’ competitive nature. Incentives motivate students to work hard. Even if it’s just a bar of chocolate, kids light up when they work toward a prize! D. Creating a Positive Culture: If you maintain a positive attitude, smile and model positive behaviors, students will follow. Take photos with them, demonstrate that you care about them and make all students feel included.

10 Sub Plans Never worry about missing a day with these everyday activities your staff can do to stay sharp and stay busy. A. Yearbook Suite Activities: Choose any of our curriculum activities to keep your staff working. Focus on areas that might need a refresher. B. Webinars and eBooks: Access our webinars and eBook library for an abundance of materials across a TPIXLSVE SJ GEXIKSVMIW 9WI XLI +SSKPI Forms embedded in our Class Starters series to hold students accountable while you’re away. ' 1MRM 4VSƼPIW Have staff interview one (non-yearbook) WXYHIRX TIV KVEHI JSV E QMRM TVSƼPI VIPEXIH to recent school events, sports, news, trends or any coverage gap areas.

Photo by Lajon Holly

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Are you tired of order forms not making it home? )QEMPW VIEGL TEVIRXW IEWMP] ERH IƾGMIRXP] ;EXGL ]SYV sales increase with our Parent Email Program (PEP). TO YOUR PEP YEARBOOK SALES SIGN UP TODAY AT walsworthyearbooks.com/pep. ADD SOME

Photo by Felix Ratner

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32 | Feature: Advisers Supporting Student Journalists

As a member, not only will you as an adviser have access to a curriculum and resources that will enhance your students’ media-related knowledge and skills, but it will also allow your students to compete at the national JEA/NSPA fall and spring conventions. At these conventions, students compete in National Student Media Contests in areas of writing, theme, photography and graphic design, to name a few. Attend the 2023 Fall National High School Journalism Convention, which JEA and the National Scholastic Press Association put on, in Boston, Massachusetts, Nov. 2-5 if possible. You and your students can network with other yearbookers, compete in the

individual and publication contests, and learn in the specialized sessions with industry experts. JEA’s “Journalist of the Year Scholarship” begins at the state level. Once a state selects its winner, the state winner moves on to the national level, at which point judges review the students’ portfolios before the JEA/NSPA Spring Convention. They announce the winners at the closing ceremony. Because this scholarship begins at the state level, it is important to contact JEA State Directors for instructions on state competition submissions. NEVER STOP LEARNING Finally, as advisers who want to assist their students in improving their writing skills, encourage them to read good journalism every day. Young journalists FIRIƼX F] VIEHMRK E TVSJIWWMSREP writer’s engaging ledes, by their use of research to fully inform their readers and by the way they attribute their sources. A good place to start would be reading the 2023 Pulitzer Prize winners. Essentially, the opportunities for students to improve their journalism skills and participate in contests are only limited to one’s imagination. As Katina Paron commented: “Even if it doesn’t exist, doesn’t mean it can’t exist.” By 8MQSXL] 'EMR '.)

NARROW YOUR OPTIONS If you can only commit to one organization to support your students JSV ƼRERGMEP SV SXLIV VIEWSRW - LMKLP] recommend joining JEA (Journalism Education Association) . This national organization supports educators and students “by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity.” Arguably, JEA helps shape young people into creative, critical thinkers who know how to navigate the deluge of media with healthy skepticism and who have the tools to investigate and report a story.

If you plan to attend the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Boston on Nov. 2-5, stop by the Walsworth Yearbooks booth. Browse yearbooks, meet with our journalism experts, connect with other yearbook advisers and staffs, take a 360° video, discover our educational resources and more! STOP BY OUR JEA BOOTH JEA

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Feature: Advisers Supporting Student Journalists | 33

7LSGO ERH %[I Evan Johnson and Grace Logan celebrate their achievements Nov. 12 in St. Louis, Missouri. Johnson won “Sports Feature Photo of the Year” at the Fall 2022 National Scholastic Press Association Convention. “I was really surprised because I was not expecting to win,” Johnson said. “It was excitement, happiness and shock all at once.” Photo by Sydney Jackson

In her work with young writers, KatinaParon amassed connections to which aspiring journalists can submit their work. Consider these writing contests for teens and journalism camps to sharpen your students’ skills. Scan the QR code for links.

JOURNALISM CAMPS •Summer Journalism Academy at Boston University •CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop •High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University Bloomington •University of Connecticut Summer Multimedia Camp •Interscholastic League Press Conference Summer Camp •Walsworth events - view a full list at walsworthyearbooks.com/events

WRITING CONTESTS •Write The World •New York Times Student Contest Calendar •SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest •Scholastic Art and Writing Awards •We the Students Essay Contest

T here’s nothing quite like the beginning of a new school year. The clean classroom, the eager crop of new students and – if you’re lucky – new equipment. If you have the means to stock your classroom or you have a little bit extra in the budget, here are some items that could make you and your entire staff’s lives easier. Don’t have the budget? Put it on your wish list! You never know when a community member might want to donate to the program.

1. Stick y Notes Sticky notes have so many great uses. They’re great for reminders, for editing yearbook proofs, for brainstorming and more! Plus, they’re so cheap you could even get a set for every student on your staff. Did you know see-through sticky notes are an option now? Becky Tate, CJE, the yearbook adviser at Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, recommends them. “My yearbook editors asked me to purchase some clear post-it notes in addition to the regular post-it notes I already purchase for the classroom,” Tate said. “Fast forward to the end of the year, and I’ve really appreciated these. We place them on the proofs and then make comments. It’s especially helpful on pages that have dark backgrounds that make marking SR XLI TEKI HMƾGYPX - PSZI MX [LIR XLI OMHW ORS[ just what we need – and we needed these. I just didn’t know they existed.” 2. Writing Utensils You’re going to need to take notes and make edits this year, so make sure you stock up on markers (permanent and dry erase), pens and highlighters in plenty of colors. Don’t forget metallic markers for writing on dark surfaces. Save money by ordering in bulk when possible. These make great editor gifts too! 3. Stickers Show yearbook pride with stickers! Walsworth sells yearbook-themed stickers in the Advisers Market. If you want something unique to your yearbook staff, have one of your designers create something. Many companies print custom stickers for a reasonable price. 4. Press passes and lanyards Reduce stress for your staffers, administrators and yourself with press passes. Students can wear them when they’re out taking photos or conducting interviews so everyone knows XLI]ƅVI SR SƾGMEP FYWMRIWW -X EPWS MQTVSZIW recognition for your yearbook.

EQUIP YOUR

Feature: Yearbook Haul | 35

5. SD Cards and Readers Unless you’re able to do a Scrooge McDuck-style dive into a pile of SD cards, you can probably use more. There will always be situations where a student misplaced it or the normal SD card is full and the ceremony you need to photograph starts in four minutes on the other side of campus. Assigning each student their own, plus keeping a spare in the camera bags, will help avoid the “oh, no!” moments. And if your classroom computers don’t have slots for the SD cards you use, pick up a couple of SD card readers too. 6. Dr y Erase Boards “My favorite purchase this year was a really large HV] IVEWI GEPIRHEV JSV XLI [EPP Ɖ .MPP (EZMW +YRXIV WLEVIH It’s a great way to track upcoming deadlines, school events and staffer birthdays. Mini whiteboards are a great way for your staff to participate in games, do team-building exercises and take notes. g y y participate in games, do team-building exe

7. Anchor Charts Anchor charts provide a helpful way to visualize classroom rules, style guide snippets and mini-lessons related to photography, captions, editing, interviews and more. A bonus is that your admin immediately notices what you are working on as a staff. Consider upgrading to the anchor chart paper with adhesive on the back so you can stick it on the wall, but you can save money by ordering without it. 8. Curriculum Customers can download our entire Yearbook Suite curriculum for free at yearbookhelp.com , but if you work with a different publisher or want a printed workbook, the curriculum can be purchased at walsworthyearbooks.com/yearbooksuite . The 12 units cover everything from staff management to interviewing to design to photography and more. Walsworth customers should take advantage of all the extras available on yearbookhelp.com as well. From PowerPoint presentations for teaching to quizzes ERH ERW[IV OI]W EPWS EZEMPEFPI EW E +SSKPI *SVQ to an assortment of related Class Starter videos and EWWMKRQIRXW ]SYƅPP ƼRH VIWSYVGIW XS QEOI XIEGLMRK your class easier.

9. Celebrate Your Staff Have some fun and celebrate your staff! This could be something as low-cost as kudos drawn on construction paper, going all the way up to a pizza party to celebrate making a deadline. You know your WXYHIRXW WS TE] EXXIRXMSR XS XLI PMXXPI XLMRKW XLI] ƼRH QIERMRKJYP ;LIXLIV XLEXƅW ƼHKIX XS]W JYR WXMGOIVW E TETIV GVS[R XS [IEV JSV E day, kudos on trophy note pads, or something else, taking the time to celebrate their good work will be a morale boost.

Photo by Olivia Hunt

36 | Feature: Yearbook Haul

10. Marketin g Materials The more books you sell, the more cool stuff you’ll be able to buy for your classroom! Marketing materials run the gamut of prices, so you have a lot of choice. ;ERX QEVOIXMRK ƽ]IVW ]SY GER TVMRX SR ]SYV S[R# If you order through Walsworth’s Customized Marketing form at walsworthyearbooks.com/customizedmarketing , we’ll send you the PDF for free! There are lots of ways to do some marketing on a budget. You could market your book with something as simple as sidewalk chalk. You could also get more fancy with something like the hand fans Kathy Beers’ yearbook staff hands out to parents at football games. The fans include the annual football schedule and a reminder to purchase the Timber Creek yearbook. They’re a hit during the hot early season in Texas. Justin Turner, from Sheridan High School in Arkansas, recommended Walsworth’s “Buy Your Yearbook Here” signs. “It was so nice not having to make a new poster every time we got the sales table out.” Those yard signs cost $16 for two signs at walsworthyearbooks.com/advisersmarket . You can even place them near the school pick-up line so parents are reminded to buy a yearbook while they’re waiting for their student. eting dget. e as staff ude ase ot as, re” ster

11. Studio E q ui p ment +MZI ]SYV KVSYT ERH TSVXVEMX TLSXSW E QSVI TSPMWLIH PSSO with a standard background. You could even go all-out and get a backdrop with your school colors and branding. Investing in lighting equipment will take photography to the next level. Choose the price point you can afford. Ring lights are fairly affordable and can make a huge difference.

Photo by Ashley Flores

W hat you should buy depends on what you already have. Jim McCrossen, the yearbook adviser at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas, keeps enough camera bodies for each of his photographers to have their own assigned to them for the year. He chooses mid-range camera bodies, then the best lenses the school can afford. ƈ- ƼRH MX FIXXIV XS LEZI JI[IV PIRWIW XLEX EVI FIXXIV XLER QSVI PIRWIW XLEX EVIRƅX EW KSSH Ɖ 1G'VSWWIR WEMH His “workhorse” lenses are 70-200mm f/2.8, and they’re the lenses his staffers want. McCrossen recommends getting as many as you can afford of these. All of his kids get a 35-70mm lens, and they share the limited amount of 70-200mm lenses as needed. He also bought a few 300mm f/2.8 lenses, which he said his students don’t like as much because they’re heavy, “but they’re beautiful lenses.” Extra camera bags come in handy as well so your staff can protect their camera and keep equipment, like SD cards, all together. For more photography recommendations, watch the Fabulous Photography webinar available online at walsworthyearbooks.com/webinars .

PHOTOGRAPHERS Equip Your

44 | Caught Our Eye

The Notus Elkhorn South High School Omaha, Nebraska 8LIQI “Our Storm, Our Way” Adviser: Jen Sinclair )HMXSVW 0EYVIR (SPWSR 0MRHWI] +VY[IPP 1EKKMI Madsen, Rowyn Scheer Walsworth Reps: Kris Hemry, Cassi Helleberg ;LEX ƼVWX WXERHW SYX EFSYX XLMW WTVIEH [EW XLI number of students the Elkhorn South staff featured on the page – at least 32 by my count! By including this many faces, The Notus can incorporate as much of its student body as possible, which is exactly what the readers want to see when they open the book. By localizing the struggles of a popular college team in the area, the staff tied in news outside of school impacting the student body. The modules tie in topics like fantasy football, summer trips and a popular concert, which can be tough to cover for staffs. The use of courtesy photos helps include these timely moments that yearbook photographers could not be at.

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The Prowler Providence Senior High School Charlotte, North Carolina 8LIQI “Speakin’ of Prov” Adviser: Pamela Mann )HMXSV Caroline Dier Walsworth Rep: Carolyn Henderson, CJE The Prowler staff took a topic many would consider boring – a junior research paper – and made it both interesting and eye-catching. The notebook paper, sticky notes and writing utensils at the top and bottom of the page weave in color and a strong design element. The universal experience of a graduation requirement means every junior at Providence will have thoughts about the experience. Rather than simply focusing on their topics though, the story focuses on lessons students learned from the research process. The design of the drop cap and the pull quote also create a nice effect.

46 | Caught Our Eye

Showcase University Prep Seattle, Washington 8LIQI “On To Something” Adviser: Scott Collins, CJE )HMXSVW Julia Cappio, Talia LeVine, Max Rubenstein Walsworth Rep: Alicia Carlson, CJE With grades six through 12 going on a retreat the same day, the Showcase staffers highlight each of the experiences through compelling photos. Covering this many events at once shows good collaboration and communication. The witty headline “You’re in for a Retreat” behind the dominant photo creates a starting point for readers. The colors are effective and contrast well. The module showing where each of the grades traveled to is effective, especially because it conveys the distance from the school.

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Campus Kiski Area High School Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 8LIQI “Spaces” Advisers: .SLR 7[ERWSR 7EVEL +VEGI] )HMXSVW Sophie Smietana, Angela Tucker Walsworth Rep: Cheryl Franzmann, CJE The coordination it would take the Campus WXEJJ XS ƼRH E WXYHIRX SV XIEGLIV [LS LEH visited all 50 states is impressive. Plus, the staff needed to track a photo down from each person, which only adds to the challenge. The visual helps readers quickly absorb the trips, much more so than a collection of quotes would have. The organizational skills of this staff are evident from a design project like this one. The ampersand (&) in the headline and the way it interacts with the 50 states creates a nice effect.

48 | Caught Our Eye

Portfolio Paetow High School Katy, Texas 8LIQI “To Be Seen” Adviser: 7EVE ) +SR^EPIW )HMXSVW =ZIXXI +EVGME +EFVMIPPE 0IMKLXSR Walsworth Reps: 4EYPE +VMƾR (EZMW +EQFPI Through the clever headline “Be real, school is stressful,” the Portfolio staff tackled all sorts of trends that help students study or destress, like coffee, social media apps and musicians. The modular design of the page works to include all this information. The staff used subheads to make sure the topic of each section of the page was clear to readers. Students shared great advice about how they build healthy habits or create morning routines. The hierarchy of the word “Stressful” carries the tone of the page and interacts well with the stack of textbooks.

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Talon North Broward Preparatory School Coconut Creek, Florida

8LIQI ƈ Don’t Blink” Adviser: Paul Miller )HMXSV JinJie Jack Wang Walsworth Rep: Veronika Levine, CJE

When covering topics involving students on screens, it can be really easy to default to a dominant photo that doesn’t offer much compositionally. Rather than settling for a large photo of students looking at a computer, the Talon staff shows wonderful planning and creativity by incorporating a portrait that focuses on the Magic 8 Ball with a message “Outlook not so good.” The staff wanted to show that the school’s transition to Microsoft LEH FIIR HMƾGYPX ERH XLMW TSVXVEMX HSIW XLEX TIVJIGXP] %R SYXWMHI XLI FS\ ETTVSEGL HIƼRMXIP] XEOIW QSVI GSSVHMREXMSR as a staff, but the end result is so worth it.