It’s a deadline night for the yearbook staff and people are rushing around trying to get their pages, stories and photo edits done.
   An editor has a question about one of her pages, so she calls over Loren Cherry and David Bittner, co-editor-in-chiefs of the yearbook.
     Both Cherry and Bittner collaborate about what should be done with her page, but something is different.
   In the history of GBHS, there has never been a male co-editor-in-chief for the yearbook.
   Bittner has defied the norm, and has stepped up as a leader, guiding the yearbook for the 2009-10 school year.

 In the past, yearbook has been primarily a female class, but Bittner, who is now a co-editor hopes that his being the first male co-editor-in-chief will defy the expected.
      Bittner originally joined the yearbook staff last year because he was interested in photography and also because he was encouraged by Jenny Padgett, the yearbook advisor.
   Bittner went into the class with a positive attitude and hoped for the best.
   As the year progressed, Bittner flourished as a writer and photographer.
   Finally, it was time for the next year’s editors-in-chief to be chosen, and Bittner expressed interest along with Cherry.
    “I sat Loren and David down together to go through the application process as a team to see if they could develop a teamwork mentality,” Padgett said. “They both work really well together, but independently have strengths that complement each other.”
   Although they were the only ones who applied, it was evident they were perfect for the job.
   Bittner uses his creative strengths and looks for new, cutting edge designs while Cherry is organized and has an eye for detail.
   Both Bittner and Cherry knew that being an editor-in-chief would be a tough job, but each of them looked at it as a way to produce a phenomenal product.
   Bittner is the chief designer of the yearbook and, throughout the year, Bittner and Cherry will be in charge of overseeing writers, dealing with business deals and organizing the whole book.
    Bittner already spends hours outside of school trying to make the yearbook the best it can be.
   “He goes and gets expert help,” Padgett said. “ He’s worked with people at Jostens’s and also Natalie Elkin, the former yearbook advisor. He’s open to all kinds of ideas.”
   Being the first male co-editor-in-chief is an honor to him, Bittner said. He, along with his classmates, agrees that he brings a new, fresh perspective to the yearbook.
   “I hope that me being an editor sets a new trend in yearbook,” Bittner said. “Hopefully it will break down some stereotypes about yearbook.”
   And it already has.
   Last year, three guys were enrolled in the class, and this year there are seven.
   Several yearbook students agree that having more guys in the class improves the quality of the yearbook and its future.
      “It’s changing the whole availability of the class because they see (David) in a leadership role,” Cherry said. “(Boys will) feel like they can join.”
  Megan Emme said she thinks that having more guys provides an overall balance to the class and eases tension among people.
    And with Bittner’s natural leadership skill, you’ll usually see Bittner walking around in the yearbook class asking if anyone needs help or advice.
  “He’s super supportive,” junior Jamie Giddings said. “He always comes up with new ideas.”
   Even in stressful situations, Bittner stays calm, leading others in times of anxiety. He proves that leadership is neither male nor female, but human.
      He also befriends and guides people in the class with his sweet, calm nature.
   “We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores in our class,” Emme said. “David is really good at making them feel welcome.”
    But in the end, Bittner’s main goal is to show GBHS students the hard work that the staff puts in.
   “I love seeing my staff become really involved,” Bittner said. “I really want to feature (my staff’s) talents in the yearbook.”
    The lessons Bittner is learning through his experiences in yearbook will teach him how to handle situations that will greatly help him with future jobs.
   “David is (going to) make good decisions (in life),” Padgett said. “He’s a great thinker (and has) a great personality.”