Star Beacon
February 11, 2009 02:58 pm
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ORWELL — Bump, set, spike! In the last two weeks, students (and some teachers) at Grand Valley High School have taken their skills to the court in a volleyball tournament held by the yearbook staff. The rules of the tournament are simple: teams must consist of three players; no un-sportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated; and teams are to be co-ed. Although each team is playing with the intention to become the champions, the real trophy is a photo of the winners in a special section of the yearbook.
The yearbook staff’s purpose for having the tournament is to raise money in hopes of purchasing a new camera. This year, every member of the new Web Design and Publishing computer class is a member of the yearbook staff.
In previous years the staff consisted of three to five members that got together to work on the yearbook during their study hall period. Now, with more than 20 students taking photos to assemble a yearbook, a new camera is much needed.
The decision to host a volleyball tournament arose after one of the staff’s cameras malfunctioned when a student was taking photos for a yearbook spread at a basketball game.
“A new digital camera isn’t exactly in our budget; our profit margin is razor thin at best,” said Brad Dawson, computer teacher. “I had the publishing students sit down and think of ways to raise a little bit of money so we could get the yearbook rolling again.”
Students Angie Ferguson and Mike Glause suggested that the staff have a volleyball tournament.
“Personally, I thought it was a great idea and so did the students. In the end we were able to fill a 22-team bracket,” said Dawson.
Students are enjoying the opportunity to be a part of a group that they might not have been able to join without the Web Design and Publishing class.
“The part I love most about our class is designing the yearbook. We are designing something that will become a part of our school’s history. It will be shown to children and grandchildren, allowing the people of our high school to revisit their high school memories for decades to come!” said Breana Fortney, junior.
It can be said that the entire 2008-2009 Mustang yearbook is almost completely designed by the students. Junior Cole Waitinas drew the artwork that will be printed on the cover of each book.
Aside from putting together the yearbook, the students in the class also publish a weekly newspaper. The paper, called the “Mustang Minute,” is printed every Friday and has everything from an advice column to a student spotlight section.
Because the students in the class write all the paper’s stories, they have had the chance to conduct interviews and take photographs like real reporters. Each student will also play the role of editor sometime throughout the school year.
The editor is in charge of planning the week’s paper and making sure everyone completes their stories. The editor works with a computer program to put the stories and photos into a newspaper template.
Whether it is designing the yearbook or publishing weekly newspapers, students in the Web Design and Publishing class definitely have a lot to stay busy with. They are documenting a school year through their creativity and are keeping classmates updated weekly on current school events. Even though the class sounds like all work and no play, the students and Dawson have still found a way to bring a little excitement to the daily lunch routine with an entertaining fund-raiser.
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