We’re all wondering the same question: how will we get the yearbook done this year? Saguaro High School adviser Matt Bohnert shares his first week experience as the school and the yearbook staff began virtually.
Going the Distance is a new blog series about embracing yearbook challenges. This is the first post in the series which will be available on the Balfour Blog. We hope you’ll enjoy hearing from different advisers and reps around the country.
As we start the school year here in Arizona virtually, I wonder how we will get our yearbook done this year. We did not have a summer camp, our cover is not done, and we don’t even have a theme yet. Thankfully, this is my 12th year overseeing the yearbook and I’m determined the book will get done. Personally, I feel the theme should be “Determined,” but will wait and see what my new staff of 10 come up with. This week I started with my smallest class ever of 12; by the third day, it shifted to 10!
I attended the Amplify adviser workshop and got a lot of great ideas. We have always done a traditional book, but this year we will do a chronological book. I went to school the week teachers had to report to get photos of football and our trainers. I took screen shots of teachers in our virtual meetings and I have reached out to our community in hopes students will send us photos we can use for the book. I have been promoting it as #yourphotosyourbook.
With his earbuds and laptop, Saguaro High School adviser Matt Bohnert begins the first day of school at his home work station, Aug. 10, 2020. Photo courtesy of Matt Bohnert
I know this book will be interesting on many levels. And I know the staff will discover that too. We may have to work harder than ever since we are small and will have to crowdsource photos.
I was able to see the staff for the first time Tuesday via Zoom and most seemed ready to go. Some have said they will cover practices, which is a good feeling when they are willing to help right away. I have three who are returning to yearbook and two students who have had me in other classes. The rest are all NEW to me and yearbook.
The 2021 Sentinel yearbook staff meets virtually with former editor in chief Annabelle Jeglum (far left, second row), Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Photo courtesy of Matt Bohnert
I am sure I am like most teachers and students. I am nervous, anxious and ready, all at the same time. I know WE will get this book done! Will I have to do more to help get coverage? Possibly. But I would never ask the staff do something that I never have done or would not do myself. Yearbook is a team effort and we will work as a team to get our book done.
Hopefully, for us at Saguaro High School, we will be back to school after Labor Day. Until then, I see my staff 2.5 hours a week and will see if we can meet more on their time as well. There are many challenges we will face, and we can grow from this and be stronger. Even if “Determined” is not our book theme, I will make it the theme for our class.
Matt Bohnert is the yearbook adviser at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is his 16th year teaching and 12th advising. You can follow Matt on Twitter and Instagram: @Saguaromrb and the Sentinel staff: @Saguaroyrbook (Twitter) and @SaguaroYearbook (Instagram).
