Celebrate your one-of-a-kind yearbook
Written by Kris Mateski, CJE
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” – Thomas J. Peters
After taking thousands of pictures, writing hundreds of captions, and spending more time in the yearbook room than all other classrooms combined, it can be encouraging to know the school year is winding down. If you are a spring-delivery school, you may still have some work to do with yearbook distribution; but after the last receipt is written, I want you to do one more thing before leaving for the summer – celebrate!
Celebrate what you and the yearbook staff have accomplished. You have created a one-of-a-kind yearbook; you have created memories that will last a lifetime. What started as an idea is now a reality. The cover sketch has become a beautiful cover; the theme ties everything together and makes this year’s book truly unique; and each spread brings the school year to life.
Cherish each page you have created. Savor the reaction you see in others. Celebrate your one-of-a-kind yearbook.
To help you find ways to celebrate, I’ve asked some of our Walsworth employees to share some of their favorite ideas:
- Americas High School, grand prize winner of Walsworth’s Big Event promotion, already had a three-hour distribution party planned and will use their $1,500 prize to help with their photo booth, drinks and snacks, music, and goodies for the first 100 students in the door along with Golden Ticket prizes. Students who find a Golden Ticket in their yearbook will win a prize valued at $25. – Candis Brinegar and Lori Garcia, sales representatives in El Paso, Texas
- Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., has an assembly to celebrate the delivery and distribution of the yearbook. During the assembly the editors read the “letter from the editors” to the students and faculty, the person the book is dedicated to is presented their copy and they read the copy from the dedication, and then the books are presented to special contributors. After the speaking is done, they play a slide show to music of pictures from the yearbook and of the creation of the yearbook. – Michelle Sidwell, sales representative in Boston, Mass.
- The day my granddaughter’s grade school handed out the yearbooks they had a DEAR Party (Drop Everything and Read). The DEAR Party was an event that was held several times in the year to encourage students to read more. The yearbooks were an added feature to the last DEAR Party of the year. This event was announced in advance encouraging students to bring pens for signing. – Marjorie Schofield, marketing analyst in Kansas City, Mo.
- Have a black-tie ceremony where everyone wears black bow ties. At this ceremony staff members can be recognized as “most willing to give up a Saturday,” or any other superlative. This could turn into a red carpet event. – Jamie Chambers, design supervisor in Kansas City, Mo.
- I encourage my staffs to develop a Golden ticket like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and on this ticket would be an award for 50% off their 2013 yearbook. This discount is always appreciated by the yearbook staff. – Jimmie Johnson, sales representative in Casper, Wyo.
How do you celebrate? Please share your ideas in Comments below.
One Response to “Celebrate your one-of-a-kind yearbook”
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May 25, 2012 at 10:33 am, Susan Evans said:
The unveiling of the Glassboro High School Maroon & Gold yearbook occurs at the Baccalaureate ceremony the week before graduation. It is there that the dedication is read (which is always a surprise to everyone, except for the advisor and the staff member that person created the page), as well as the acknowledgement of any retirees and memorials. This is followed by the distribution of the yearbooks and a pizza party book signing.