Walsworth Yearbooks

With the theme “in·cite,” the opening copy of the 2010 Pride is an inspiring call to action in which readers are asked to soak up the memories and make a difference and incite change. The last line recognizes that the Pride staff intends to record memories for each of the 3,084 students in the school. “Make a difference,” it reads. “Transform. Because who you are at this very moment will always be here.”

Key words are highlighted in yellow in the opening copy; other words are marked with numbers referring to footnotes on the page. These details allow the opening copy to remain uncluttered while providing readers with explanations of activities. For example, the sentence “In these pages, you see yourself wearing that ridiculous cowboy outfit,” is followed by a footnote that directs readers to a spread later in the book.

Each section of the 2010 Pride is titled with a word that is a call to action. This spread, which introduces the arts section, is called “inspire.” The title also carries a superscript number. Here, the number is the page number that begins the section. The text also holds superscript numbers, leading readers to footnotes that provide explanation to the references in the copy. Other numbers on the spread connect to photos and direct readers to stories related to those photos inside the section.

Each of the division spreads has a strong color scheme that is carried out in the photos and in a bar of color across the entire spread. A black and white cutout photo connects each of these spreads with the cover design and highlights one student who is making a difference at Franklin High School. An extra piece of information is provided along with the caption of each of these cutouts, with a theme-inspired caption header.

The relatively traditional designs of story spreads help maintain a professional look in the 2010 Pride. This spread about junior varsity cheerleading is typical of sports spreads in the book. Two sidebars provide extra coverage with thematic graphics. Inside the copy block, key phrases are highlighted, helping to draw readers into the story.

The 2010 Pride remains consistent and beautifully designed to the very end. Even senior tribute pages maintain a consistent design plan, with a color bar running across the entire spread, cutout photos and a hint of graphic grunge in the corners. This consistency helps the entirety of this 400-page book to keep readers engaged.

Senior tributes usually celebrate each senior as his family sees him; typically the family provides photos and text. In the 2010 Pride, though, the staff has added its own footnotes. Each student has a number by his name, which directs readers to footnotes on the same page that explain who the student was in the context of the school. Accomplishments, clubs and sports are listed in these footnotes. This detail adds context to the tributes for other students and highlights the contributions each senior made to the school.

A switch from the theme word “in·cite” to its homonym, “insight” provides a wonderful opportunity for the staff to reflect on what happed during the 2009-2010 school year. This, paired with beautiful photography and skilled photo editing introduced on the opening spread, makes the closing spread a fitting finish to an impressive book. This spread shares many design elements with the opening and the division, but here readers are instructed to do something new: “Close your eyes,” the closing copy reads. In the same commanding tone that was assumed in the opening copy, the closing copy encourages readers to go forth from the 2009-2010 school year and make something of themselves.