Facebook keeps yearbook camaraderie strong January 17, 2011
January 17, 2011 / Staff Management / Teaching Moments

Facebook keeps yearbook camaraderie strong

Written by Jim Jordan

I thought it would be fun to see how many of my former editors and staffers I could get in touch with and help them stay in touch with each other.

Or maybe I was just looking for something to do that Christmas break. So I started my original Facebook group, “Decamhian-Former Editors and Staff 1982-present” on Dec. 24, 2007.

On the wall, I encouraged everyone who joined to tell what year they were a part of the Decamhian, what their position was and to share what they had been doing since they graduated from Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, Calif.

What strikes me most about the comments received is that producing a great yearbook is just a small bit about being on yearbook staff. What it really is all about are the relationships and friendships that have developed from working through a seemingly impossible project together and, in the end, knowing you have become a better person for the experience.

That is what true education is really all about. I couldn’t feel anymore fulfilled or blessed. Thanks Facebook for having a small part in reminding me of that as I take on the task of creating yearbook number 29 with a completely new mix of kids.

To date the group has nearly 275 members and here are a few of their comments:

J. Jason Clark, 1988 staffer

I was looking through my oldest son’s HS yearbook the other day and couldn’t help but think to myself how much better our 25th anniversary Decamhian looked. Even though we did our layouts by hand, we rocked!

Mary Mendenhall, staff for 2000 and 2001, editor for 2002

Graduated from Gonzaga University in 2006 in public relations and journalism, then came back to Sacramento and worked in Communications for Raley’s Family of Fine Stores (Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods). I just got married in February and now live and work in Spokane, Wash. For the rest of my life, I’m pretty sure I’ll always be in pursuit of being “the editor.” 🙂

Cara Hampton

Hi Everyone!! I hope you are all well, is anyone surprised that Mr. J is on Facebook? Not me! So for our “assignment” Mr. Jordan, here’s my info 🙂

Cara Hampton (1996-1998) These days I am living in Sacramento again! I have just finished my Ph.D. in Neuroscience. I am publishing my thesis (good old Adobe Illustrator reminds me of yearbook all the time) and applying for teaching jobs at local colleges and community colleges. Of course in our smashing economy the job hunt is going fabulously!

Amy Abrams, 1991-1992 (Editor-in-Chief, with James Chou)

“Cause & Effect.” Terrible band. Great yearbook. Remember “Positive Day 1992?” My campaign to convince the staff that it was fun to be in the yearbook room on a Saturday? Funny, I am still trying to pull this kind of stuff on the staff I manage today. Formative, Mr. J,  formative.

Tamara Givens

Okay, you can change your “recent news” now! Try the 1983 Staff! What took you so long to find your VERY FIRST EDITOR?! How many of these other whippersnappers can say they knew you when you were single, went to your wedding, and remember Kate being born?! Thanks for inviting me! The old one. (I think I’m going to do this for GBHS SG!).

2 Responses to “Facebook keeps yearbook camaraderie strong”

December 06, 2010 at 12:01 pm, Del Campo yearbook reunites old staffers through Facebook said:

[…] Take a look at the latest Teaching Moment column over in the Idea File area where Jordan describes how the Facebook group for past Del Campo yearbook staffers came about, and even read a sample of the comments. Cancel reply […]

January 20, 2011 at 7:16 pm, Jane said:

Hi. I came across you in google doing research on this. I am trying to get our ancient yr 11/12 yearbooks from 78/79 up on Facebook so people can find each other and reconnect etc. I’ve had nothing but problems. Hoping you can help? FIrst I opened a page uploaded 45 photos from our yearbook then discovered (despite all setting saying yes you could)-no one could tag anyone or befriend which was the purpose. SO next I set up a group but can’t upload multiple photos into an album. SO what did you do to set up yours? I’ve put queries everywhere on line but no one answering. Seems a missed opportunity for Facebook to make this easier-eg old yearbooks.
Thanks-Jane

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Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan is a Special Consultant for Walsworth Yearbooks and the host of the Yearbook Chat with Jim podcast. He is former yearbook adviser at Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, California. Jim was the 1996 JEA Yearbook Adviser of the Year, and shares his expertise with students and advisers at workshops and conventions across the country. Jim is the lead mentor for Walsworth's Adviser Mentor Program.