By Bri Salgado
For the Salisbury Post
A high school yearbook is cherished decades after graduation. But has anyone ever really stopped to think about where the yearbook came from, and who took such time to create this piece of memorabilia?
The East Rowan High School yearbook staff is made up of 10 students. The staff works all year long, during a scheduled class, and often times extra hours outside of the classroom, to put together the annual yearbook. Many people are misled into believing that the yearbook staff’s sole responsibility is to wander the hallways and take pictures, but that is not the case. The dedicated staff works tirelessly, creating and designing the cover of the yearbook, meeting countless deadlines, designing layouts, creating templates, photographing major occurrences throughout the school year, and much more.
Each member of the staff has a different job, such as photo editor, copy editor and business manager, to make this task possible.
Jodie Lohmeyer, the adviser, received 60 applications for the staff of the 2012-13 school year. Only about 10 percent of those applicants will be on the new staff. All students with an interest in the yearbook staff must complete an application consisting of teacher recommendations, photo submissions, and an interview. This is only a preview of the obligations they will face as part of the yearbook staff.
When asked about their biggest challenge, the staff said the organization of the yearbook has completely changed this year. In past years, the yearbook included photos from the previous year’s spring sports, The Broadway Revue, and prom. This year, the yearbook includes spring activities from this current year, while meeting all deadlines and staying within their allotted budget.
The yearbook staff has a remarkable reputation. The book is always very impressive, jam-packed with photos and ads, documenting the unforgettable years of our lives. I feel it is important to give credit to the students that take time out of their days to create such an important part of the high school experience.