Capturing a year in the life at Laguna

Suzie Harrison

Tuesday in Carolen Sadler’s yearbook class at Laguna Beach High

School, the room was buzzing with adrenaline as the students

diligently worked to meet deadline.

“We have a series of deadlines throughout the year,” Sadler said.

“The book is published in sections. Probably half the book has been

printed.”

It’s Sadler’s fourth year as yearbook advisor.

“I guide, but I don’t direct,” Sadler said. “I think it’s more

important to reflect the student body than from my view point.”

The class meets every school day for two semesters; it’s limited

to 36 students, primarily seniors and juniors.

“Seniors get priority,” Sadler said. “We try and get as many to

participate as possible.”

Sadler said the editors have a huge say.

“Usually it’s their second and third year doing yearbook, so they

have some experience,” Sadler said.

Certain content is required -- class photos, sports, dedications

and standards that are within every yearbook.

“There’s also a certain amount of discretionary pages like the

lifestyle page,” Sadler said. “We brainstorm different types of pages

and their themes. The kids want to have ownership of the pages and

take the pictures.”

The first job each year is to decide the book’s theme and look.

“We choose fonts and page layouts that work with our theme,”

Sadler said. “Once we decide on the look we create templates and plug

in the design, so there is conformity throughout the publication.”

This year’s theme is “Fast Times at Laguna Beach High,” as voted

on by the class.

“Everything is digital, photography is 100% digital and now it’s

totally done on the computer, desk top publishing,” Sadler said.

Rebecca Campoy, 18, said she likes working on the after hours

page.

Another popular page with students is called senior bests.

“Seniors vote on about 20 different categories -- the most

athletic, most likely to be a movie star and things like that,”

Rebecca said. “It’s fun because we all get to be a part of it.”

Mahri Barnes, 17, was busily working on ads.

“Usually parents send them in all ready made to scan,” Mahri said.

“Sometimes they give us just pictures and we have to put the ads

together ourselves. “This is a pretty big job.”

Each year the students try to create something a little bit

different.

“I’m working on the senior dreams page,” Chelsea Hairston, 16,

said. “It’s where you interview seniors and ask what they want to be

like when they grow up, about the dreams they have for the future.”