Are you interested in the yearbook and want to know more about it? In this article, The New Dealer interviewed the Editor-In-Chief of the yearbook Vicki Z., so we could get an understanding of what her duties are and how she manages them. We’ll also be able to get a brief understanding of what yearbook staffers do, to create such an amazing book!
1) What are your duties as the Editor-In-Chief of yearbook?
“As Editor-In-Chief, my responsibility is to manage all elements of yearbook production. From helping the staff, to assisting Mr. Pipitone and answering questions with my other editors. In addition, I authorize work, such as pictures taken by our yearbook staffers for sports or clubs, and examine and approve the entire book before pushing publish to allow it to be printed and created.”
2) When do you start working on the yearbook?
“We began our templates, organized our sports, and teachers at the start of the school year.”
3) When do you stop working on the yearbook?
“Our yearbook production ends around May, and the yearbook company, Jostens, will print and assemble the books for our seniors!”
4) What other positions are there on the yearbook?
“Every role in the yearbook is crucial, therefore, in addition to the Editor-In-Chief and Mr. Pipitone, we have our managing editor (Abigail), copy editor (Shahrizoda), photo editor (Oriana), and layout editor (Abyaz). Each editor’s role also helps check anything the staffers have updated on the yearbook website, and they help operate our business like a well-oiled machine. I’m grateful to have these people in charge alongside me. In addition to the five editor jobs, we now have what we call “staffers.” The staffers are in charge of capturing everything from action shots, to group photos, to headshots. They are also in charge of filming various highlights from sporting training, among other things.”
5) When do you guys start going around for photos?
“As of right now, September is the month in which we complete all of the FDR staff photos, with the addition of fall sports. As the first semester progresses, we’ll take photos of clubs, our winter/ spring teams, etc.”
6) How do you organize teams and divide tasks?
“Organizing and dividing tasks is always difficult. You must constantly strike the perfect mix between someone who has used a camera before, and is accustomed to and comfortable with it, with someone who is still learning the fundamentals. Work-wise, my team of editors and I usually let them choose where and what they want to do, from sports to departments, and so on. To make things fair, we, for the most part, pair them up, typically with someone they’ll get along with or with whom they can get to know. When the editors decide who works with who, we try to limit the quantity of labor one has to perform. For example, each person is currently accountable for two to three sports teams in total.”
A special thank you to Vicki for making time to meet with The New Dealer! The entire Cougar Family really appreciates everything the 2025 Yearbook staff is doing for our school community!