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Conference Preps Yearbook Staff for a Successful Book

The Nebraska Christian yearbook endeavor is loaded with obstacles that many students may not imagine. Uniting different ideas, people, and experiences into one cohesive product proves challenging. It’s a big responsibility to record the only comprehensive written document of the school year. Early in the year, Nebraska Christian’s yearbook staff struggled to come together to fabricate a theme and setup for the yearbook that reflected the spirit of the student body. The yearbook conference that NC students recently attended inspired the yearbook staff to work together and was extremely beneficial.

Inside a Ramada Inn in Columbus, Nebraska, ten members of the Nebraska Christian yearbook team learned about trends in yearbooks, writing, photography, and page layouts. They reviewed other local yearbooks, seeing what works and what does not. One of the more interesting aspects of the conference was the opportunity to view numerous other covers and the themes of books used by schools throughout Nebraska. The event was sponsored by Walsworth, the yearbook company used by many of the schools in Nebraska. About 15 other area schools participated in the conference, which provided the NC students with the opportunity to interact with and learn alongside other students.

The students enjoyed the conference and felt it was worth missing a whole day of school. Senior Tim Hofmann said the most enlightening part about the conference was “just seeing other schools’ yearbooks and being able to know how to make the best yearbook possible for our school.” Senior Katelynn Halstead, head photographer of the yearbook, stated, “My favorite part, besides the food, was the first design session because it helped me better understand the Walsworth program and the numerous design options it has to offer.”

After the conference finished, the yearbook staff stopped at a small coffee shop to discuss what they had learned and to possibly get a frappe or two. They made progress in discussing the yearbook theme and worked together to jumpstart this theme. Adviser Becky Ritta said, “The conference really helped the kids to focus their ideas and see what would and would not work for our book. The time at the coffee shop afterward was incredibly valuable as it allowed everyone to process what they’d learned throughout the day and begin applying that knowledge to our book.”

Overall, the conference was an educational and positive experience for everyone involved. The staff gained the skills to overcome perceived obstacles and and are eager to engage in this year’s endeavor!

Above: The yearbook staff following the Walsworth conference. Front: Cream Masatit, Carsyn Ostrand, Corryn Fall. Middle: Katelynn Halstead, Melinda Kim, Madi Felt, Danae Burdett. Back: Tim Hofmann, Brennan Nokelby, Daniel Myers.