Last year, it was fairly common for staffs to choose a 2020-related theme. Who knew the choice would be even more obvious this year?
As we brainstorm theme ideas each year, we encourage staffs to answer a few questions. One of the essential ones is: what’s new or different this year? For once, the answer is the same across the country and world. A pandemic has changed everything.
Logically, we’re drawn to themes that relate to what’s happening. If you’re still trying to decide on a pandemic-related concept, we have ideas! We’ve broken them down into a few main categories and also shared a few books that have used those themes in the past.
Staying positive
Attitude is everything
Better together
Challenge accepted
Despite everything
Don’t count us out
In this together
It matters
It’s what you make it
Just breathe
Keep going
Look on the bright side
Making it count
Mission: possible
Nothing like a challenge
On the plus side
Onward
Silver linings
Surviving & thriving
The important things in life
The show must go on
The year that shapes us
This too shall pass
We’ve got this
“What you make of it” – 2020, Rock Canyon High School, Littleton, Colorado
“The year that shapes us” – 2020, Round Valley High School, Eagar, Arizona
The good & bad/the whole story
All things considered
As we see it
Back & forth
Been there. Done that.
Cause and effect
Every second counts
Everything considered
Filling in the blanks
For what it’s worth
Go figure
How do you measure a year?
It was the best of times, it was the worse of times
Look at it this way
Nothing’s ever simple
One for the books
One thing leads to another
Really.
Reflect
Plus minus
Weirdest year ever
“really.” – 2017, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne, Florida
“Look at it this way” – 2016, Vista Ridge High School, Cedar Park, Texas
Tech/virtual/social distancing
#alonetogether
a/part
Connected
Engage. Connect. Inspire.
Expanse
Going the distance
Hyperlinked
Linked together
It’s a stretch
Just a click away
Six degrees of separation
The space between
Technically…
The long haul
Virtual reality
“A/PART” – 2014, Rouse High School, Leander, Texas
“The space between” – 2015, Bellaire High School, Bellaire, Texas
Uncertainty
Absolutely unsure
As far as anyone knows
Believe it or not
Can you believe it?
Didn’t expect that
Expect anything
Expect the unexpected
Hold everything
It depends
Just wait and see
Life is like a box of chocolates
Not what you expected
No expectations
On the edge
Or something like that
Outlook uncertain
So what else is new
Uncertain
Up in the air
Wait, what?
Wasn’t expecting that
What if?
Who knows?
Who would have thought?
"Absolutely unsure” – 2018, Liberty High School, Frisco, Texas
“Didn’t expect that” – 2020, La Canada High School, La Canada, California
Flexible, adapting
A [mascot] survival guide
Adapt
Anything goes
Becoming
By any means necessary
Changing course
Day to day
Deal with it
Go with it
Go with the flow
Here’s the thing…
Let’s try that again
Moving forward
Next up
Now, we’re here
Press resume
Ready for anything
Results may vary
Roll with it
Round two
So be it
Subject to change
Surprise me
What’s next?
Take note
Take two
Whatever works
“Next up” – 2020, McNeil High School, Round Rock, Texas
“Deal with it.” – 2020, Day Middle School, Temecula, California
Change/difference
A little off center
A little rough around the edges
A world of difference
A year like no other
Anything but usual
Atypical
Brave new world
Change of plans
Changed unchanged
Common uncommon
Contrast
Different by design
Exception to the rule
Extraordinary
Flipping out
In case you hadn’t noticed
In no uncertain terms
It’s different here
It’s the same, but different
Just a bit different
Life as we know it
Life interrupted
Like no other
Like never before
Like night and day
Metamorphosis
No ordinary year
Not your typical year
Not just another day
(Not) by the book
Nothing’s the same
O my!
Of epic proportions
Offbeat
Out of the ordinary
Restrictions may apply
Same, but different
Shift
Sidenote
Think again
Whole new story
Unusual
Unexpected
Unmatched
Unconventional
Unprecedented
Unfamiliar
“Life as we know it” – 2017, Thrall High School, Thrall, Texas
“Atypical” – 2017, Suncoast High School, Riviera Beach, Florida
We might be in the middle of a pandemic, but there are plenty of things to be appreciative of. One is the opportunity to create a yearbook. We’re part of a unique moment in history and we can capture these unusual and historic times for the world to look back on. We can’t wait to see your unprecedented and unconventional yearbook themes. They are definitely part of the bright side.
Need a version you can easily share? Here's all the ideas in one document. Click the image to download a PDF you can share with your staff.
