When people think about their yearbook, the most important section that comes to mind is the Senior Section. It is the capstone of the four years of high school! The coveted photo and often included "Most " or "Best of " captions are fun and representative of fellow class members. Many customers for school populations solely purchase yearbooks for the Senior Section. This section is a top priority and needs to be constructed with excellence.
Planning and Preparing
Begin early in the year to produce the Senior Section. Engage the class in a discussion about this section and get their input regarding its importance. Make it a target to have each grade level represented for input. After gathering the data, select seniors eager to work. Make these priorities: 1) No delay. Immediately begin gathering information for page spreads, quotes, interviews, and photo layouts. Develop the ideas as you gather. 2) Involve parents and inform them of significant dates. Wrap up the Senior Section by February, as that gives some room for Seniors not to feel rushed.
Features
What are the Key Events of the school year? Which ones do the students feel pertain to the Senior class? It is impossible to include everyone's personal experiences. However, there are select ones that can be representative, such as Prom, Senior Volunteer Event, or Senior Grad night. A page spread devoted to a few of these captures friendships, a spirit of community, and inspires hope. How about a timeline using images and captions to tell the story of the students from freshmen to seniors?
Another spectacular page spread features students sharing their personal growth through the four years of high school. The uniqueness comes in the photographs from friends and family and the captions from brief interviews. Encourage their creativity. Keep the story comprehensive throughout.
The Traditional Spreads
One of the favorite sections for the seniors is the Baby Pictures! It may be challenging because it depends heavily on parental cooperation. Check on the seniors to make sure they are proactive in getting families involved. Set deadlines for supplying photos and providing messages. This section can be prepared in two ways: 1). a portrait-style layout with everyone submitting a photo, or 2). a "senior ad" style where the parents purchase a spot on the page for their child's baby picture with comments. (fundraiser) However, this may limit some from participating, and it involves collecting funds.
What would a Senior Section be without "What is Next"? Display the places students will go after graduation: University Logos, banners, scholarship acceptance letters, job titles or business brands, trade schools, travel, and vacation spots.
How can the Senior Section be complete without the "Quotes?" These take extra care to compile. Hold a meeting between the administration and senior staff members to discuss the standard protocols. What is a quote, who is collecting them, and who will review them? These must be appropriate and pass the approval of the administration. You, as the adviser will listen, counsel, and approve or disapprove. You have the final word.
To wrap the Senior Section with beauty, end with THE SUPERLATIVES. This section is well-loved and appreciated because it is the most creatively expressive part of the Senior Section! Divide the seniors into even groups and let them list as many of "the most........." as they can. Compare the lists and remove the duplicates. It is very important to be inclusive! Once the list is narrowed down, share this with the administration. Keep the dialogue going until you have a list that is agreeable to both groups. Take a poll, get the nominations out there, and collect the votes. Lastly, take the photos of the winners and lay out the page spread.
Final Thoughts and Edits
Your Senior Section should be coming together at this point. Be ready for the unexpected. Hopefully, there won't be any difficult changes, but be prepared to swivel and adjust. By now, you should have a good understanding of your students. Trust your instinct of their capabilities. Release control but remain vigilant of your deadline expectations. When a problem area pops up, gather your staff and admin to work it out.
Students have the best intentions and ideas, but the execution often struggles. Allow the students to brainstorm solutions and pivot quickly. This is an exercise in team unity and thinking outside of the box. Use the partnership already created between students and administration, and incorporate other teachers, staff, coaches, families, and community businesses. Their input will add to the students' experience that they won't forget.
We hope your senior section will be a success. Our website, www.unitedyearbook.net , and our newsletter, podcast, and blog, are tools available to you as you move forward in the new year and complete the book. Schedule your yearbook 1-on-1 consult here.
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Contributor: Lucy McHugh comes to United Yearbook Printing from a 39-year career in public and private school education. She was a former visual art teacher and yearbook adviser. She received a Bachelors of Science in Art from Columbia College in Columbia, SC, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska in 2000, and in 2014 earned a Certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Loyola Marymount University. Lucy enjoys her family, making art and gardening.
Editor: Donna Ladner obtained a B.A. in Education and a minor in English from California Baptist University, and a M.S. in ESL from USC, Los Angeles. After she married Daniel, their family moved to Indonesia with a non-profit organization and lived cross-culturally for 15 years before returning to the U.S in 2012. Donna has been working as an editor and proofreader for TSE Worldwide Press and its subsidiary, United Yearbook since 2015.
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