I joined yearbook my sophomore year because I had friends on staff and I had always been in love with photography. Yearbook quickly became a leading force in my life. I spent hours in the lab, helping out in any way I could and falling in love with the creation of a 300-page book from blank pages in InDesign. My family soon came to know that when I was at school until eight p.m. on a Wednesday, it was because I loved yearbook.

        My junior year, I took on a higher position, managing my own group and spreads while also holding the photo editor position on staff. My second year in yearbook taught me how to time manage on a new level and how to meet deadlines while dealing with my school work and the stress of SATs and college searching. It also expanded my love for design and journalism and motivated me to apply for the Editor-in-Chief position.  

       Yearbook has always been more than just a class to me. This senior year as the Editor-in-Chief of the Gladiator Yearbook has taught me countless things about leadership, compassion, commitment, and so much more. Overall, yearbook has taught me to use my voice. It has taught me that voice is a gift that can be used in the most powerful ways. Through this publication, I have had my voice heard and I've helped my staff and those in the school put their voice out there. And that is the greatest reward there is.