Theme Gallery

Do you know the students of Shawnee Mission East High School? They are proud, creative, driven, united, passionate, bold and real, and they wanted a yearbook that reflected their unique personas. That’s why “As We Are” was such an appropriate theme choice. Editors Addie, Hallie and Emily explained the theme was inspired by a quote that said, “We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.”

They spent the next 576 pages explaining why they are proud, what makes them bold and how creative is more than a cliché to them. It was the first time in 20 years they did not do chronological coverage, deciding instead on topical coverage. The school colors Columbia blue, white and black were predominant in the book, but still left room for accent colors. Intentional margins, a unifying font in specialized styles for each section and graphic treatments kept a cohesive feel and made a limitless theme that could easily overwhelm a less-experienced staff perfectly encapsulate the year.