Written by: Liz Van Leer, Sacred Heart School

To be considered for the award, the yearbook staff is required to complete the yearbook on deadline, sell the yearbook to at least 70% of the student body, and ensure that every student is pictured in the yearbook at least three times. From the 17,000 schools nationwide that partner with Josten’s to publish a yearbook, only 450 yearbook teams received the award.

Sacred Heart’s student yearbook staff, under the direction of faculty member, Nikki Howell, was among the two percent of schools nationwide to receive the award. This was Howell’s first year teaching the desktop publishing class.

Howell and her current yearbook staff of 13 students were notified of the award at the Jostens Workshop in Columbia, Mo. on October 3.

“Anyone who has worked on yearbooks understands it’s a labor of love,” says Howell. “This is homework that people choose to buy sight unseen. It’s a big level of responsibility to capture the spirit of the school year creatively, concisely, and accurately. We are honored to be recognized with this award, but the greatest reward is the positive feedback we get from our students and parents. It motivates us to raise the bar for the next book.”

Howell says plans for the 2018-2019 yearbooks include featuring 100% of Sacred Heart’s student body in at least five photos, not including team and class pictures.