Memories are scattered around the pages of these textbook-sized publications. They’re not just mementos to keep for years to come; they’re time capsules which show what life was like once upon a time.

The development of the yearbook begins at the conclusion of the previous one, usually around late March. At this time, the staff brainstorms and discusses ideas for the upcoming publication.  

Many are unaware of teh time and effort put into creating the yearbook. Each staff member is assigned multiple spreads, two consecutive pages in the publication which have a common theme.

These spreads vary from clubs to sports teams, and often cover two to three activities per spread. The students then take photos of the teams and clubs, interview members and players, and design their assigned pages.

“With the actual spreads we don’t start until about a few weeks into the school year,” Jessica Estrada, senior, said. “Ms. Sherod, the adviser, gives the more experienced members the more ‘important’ spreads such as varsity sports or bigger clubs, but sometimes we switch if we want to.”

Estrada has been a member of the yearbook staff for two years, and some changes have happened. “This year our staff only consisted of 15 people, and last year we had about 30,” she said. “We used to work with one other person and this year it was all individual.”

Due to the smaller staff, some members, like Estrada, had to cover at least eight different student activities. Estrada covered girls and boys varsity volleyball, Onstage, and six different clubs. 

Each had their own deadline, which could cause some pressure. “The stress level was through the roof!” she said. “After I finished I really did feel a lot better and a lot of weight was lifted off my shoulders.”

Staff member, junior Ashley Gistinger, finds the deadlines to be the most stressful aspect of it all.

“We have deadlines almost every month and when you’re working with a sport or a club that has an event right before the deadline, you have to work really quickly so you can include as much as possible to give everyone the coverage they deserve,” she said.

Gistinger devotes much time to assemble the publication. “We put in a lot of hours to make the yearbook as good as possible, including coming in on weekends, and staying after school,” she added.

She finds great pleasure in finishing a spread. “It’s just overwhelming relief!” she said. “For weeks, you’re working incredibly hard, stressing out, running around trying to get everything finished and perfect and then when you finally submit it, all that just disappears and is replaced with anticipation and excitement for when the books arrive.”

Her favorite aspect of yearbook is the ability to meet new people around Buena. “We go to school with so many different people and yearbook gives me the chance to talk to people I would normally have never met,” she said. 

She enjoys many aspects of being on the staff. “Working on the actual book is a lot of fun because you get to put your own creativity and writing into something that your classmates will have for their whole lives and be able to look at 20 years from now.”

Although they’ve completed designing the yearbook, there’s still work to be done. “We’re doing as many fundraisers as we can so we can buy new computers.” 

A website is in the works. There, the staff will be able to cover the events and activitites that they would normally miss out on once the book is sent to the publisher such as Prom and graduation. It will also assist in advertising the yearbook.

Adviser Maggie Sherod oversees the production and design of the yearbook. Third quarter is the final push to get everything done. By that time, the staff is wrapping up their spreads and Sherod looks over the publication.

By the time the last remaining 48 pages were due on March 11, Sherod and the staff weren’t able to view and edit proofs, or previews of the spreads. 

“I wish we had more time to look the yearbook over to see if people’s names are spelled correctly and make sure they’re on the pages we say they are, but we had to send those 48 pages to the publisher,” said Sherod.

As for the yearbook’s theme this year, it’s a secret. “It’s easy for people to get the wrong impression,” Sherod said. “We don’t want people to dismiss the theme before it comes out.”

The early release date for yearbooks will be held on May 4 after school. There, students can retrieve their books and sign the other attendees. 

During the following week, the yearbooks will be distributed to those who did not attend the party. Yearbooks will be available for $79.00 to those who did not pay.