Recruiting Yearbook Staffs

“ I have Intro to Journalism classes that are a prerequisite for yearbook, so I make my pitch during that class. We do a simple yearbook project and it helps me see who really has natural potential.” Russ Hembry Adviser, Bishop Kelley High School Tulsa, Oklahoma

“ I also taught AP Language and Composition. So I would take any student who was doing well in my class. I always knew who the great writers were. One year, I recruited the very best writer in the class. I knew she would be perfect to write the theme copy for next year’s book. She was, and she did. What she wrote for the Decamhian was truly amazing. Find those stellar writers and aggressively recruit them!” Jim Jordan

Walsworth Yearbooks Special Consultant and former national award-winning adviser at Del Campo High School, Fair Oaks, California

“ The more you can recruit the right students, the better the publication will be, and the better the publication is, the more you will attract the right students! It’s what I call the ‘awesome cycle.’ Getting the administration and counselors on your side is the best place to start. Make them see that your goal is to create a journalistic program, and that you need the right kids to make that happen. Most counselors and even administrators don’t totally understand what we teach in yearbook and what it takes to make a great publication happen, so start by sharing those things with them. Explain what the students learn and what they are responsible for and how serious the class actually is, despite the parties and games we often play. This will get the counselors on your side and when students are searching for electives, they will know what types of students to funnel towards the yearbook class.” Sabrina Schmitz, CJE, Walsworth Yearbooks Sales Representative and former award-winning adviser

Photo by Nathaniel George

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