In all aspects of life there are many things that one needs to know. In yearbook and journalism class, it’s no different. The 2012 Yearbook Connection’s summer workshop theme was “You Better Know,” or YBK for short, and from the opening session, students and advisers learned what they “better know” by the workshop’s end.

The three-day workshop, which began on July 16, was led by local Herff Jones reps Steven Wallace and Cara Cruce, and the keynote speaker was yearbook expert Carol Ryan a Las Vegas native, who was a former yearbook adviser of an award-winning publication before becoming a Herff Jones representative.

The ultimate goal of the workshop was to have a theme, cover, and layout spread designed by the end of the three days. Dunnellon High School was represented by six students. Senior Rachel Horne and junior Laura Riley, who will be coeditors, are entering their third year in journalism. The rest, seniors Stevie White and Ariel Buchko, junior Courtney Pike and freshman Emily Romero, are about to embark on their first high school journalism adventure.

Each day the group met Dunnellon’s yearbook adviser, Julie Mancini in the DHS parking lot at 7am to embark on the hour-long journey to Oak Hall School in Gainesville. “At first it was kind of annoying have to wake up so early over the summer, but after the first day I was really excited to wake up early to learn what we were going to be doing,” said White. 82 students and advisers packed into the Oak Hall cafeteria, which was decorated with colorful paper lining the walls and hundreds of yearbooks on the tables to provide inspiration.

From day one presentations were held about important topics a YERD (Yearbook Nerd) must know such as “Anatomy of a Yearbook” and theme. Students attended different classes depending on their role in their own journalism classes. Design lessons were split into beginning and advanced classes led by Cruce and Ryan respectively. A photography class was taught with Matt Stamey from the Gainesville Sun. Lessons based on Photoshop, coverage ideas and marketing rounded out the program. Dunnellon’s own Mancini facilitated a trio of classes about marketing, student leadership and one for advisers. “In beginning design I learned the basics of how to set up a spread and the do’s and don’ts of making a yearbook,” said Pike.

The camp took a fun approach to teaching students about themselves and how they could help better their class. Games were held that were not only fun but also helpful like “Speed Dating” where students had two minutes to ask the right questions for a good caption. Students entered contests during the workshop too. On Monday both beginning and advanced design classes were given the opportunity to submit a mock yearbook layout on paper, using magazines for inspiration and for paste-up. Tuesday, students worked in groups to create a mock yearbook spread using the Maestro Concept, a management system focusing on group thinking and collaboration. On the final day, most of the 19 schools were judged on their theme presentation. Most schools showed their cover, endsheet, and title and divider ideas, and sought advice from the group. “The workshop allowed me to further understand the rules I need to follow when designing pages for our yearbook,” said Horne. “It was a really fun experience that I needed to prepare me for the upcoming year.”

On the third day, awards were given out and Dunnellon took home eight! Romero received one for first place caption in the high school division and one for her picture of the Oak Hall School track, judged by Stamey. Buchko, White, and Pike took home first, second, and third place for their beginning layout designs. Horne and Riley received a joint award for their advanced design. Horne, White, and Pike also were given an award for their Maestro spread. Dunnellon High School was awarded the top prize for their theme presentation, which was the biggest award of the workshop. “I love when my students get recognized for their hard work,” said Mancini. “I think it’s really important to not only plan ahead, but the awards also help to start the year off right: excited.”

Finally, (drumroll please...) The theme for the 2013 Dunnellon High School yearbook is “Spark the Revolution.” The staff has decided on a theme that was first suggested by the 2012 editor Amanda Ortman, but has been tweaked to fit the changes that have occurred for the upcoming school year.

“Who knew when we first started thinking about revolution that we would have such a great number of changes happening around school?” said Mancini. “From the new schedule, to the new principal, this is sure to be a revolutionary year.”

“We chose an empowering theme, something different but good, and if it makes each student feel as if this yearbook is all about them, that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” said Horne.

The DHS journalism staff would like to extend a thank you to the local business community for its continued support. The yearbook staff will be coming around in the current weeks to sell ads and books.

Businesses can not only advertise, but they can also purchase books, either for themselves, or for students who cannot afford them through the “angel book” program. Yearbooks are currently $40 (with a coupon) and ads start at $30 for a business card size. Any seniors or relatives of 2013 seniors are also welcomed to purchase an ad for their child. “We are hoping to have an all-color yearbook this year,” said Horne. “We all plan to work hard to achieve that goal.”

Students and parents wishing to purchase the yearbook early should visit the school store (just follow the signs) during orientation at DHS on August 16. A coupon will be distributed during orientation that will make the book $40 if purchased before September 14.