Deadline Dinosaur. Mediation Mouse. Drama Llama. Adopting a yearbook mascot can boost spirits, squash squabbles and build relationships.
As children, we clung to cute toys and fluffy creatures. Maybe we should cling to them as adults, too. It’s no secret the yearbook world is chaotic. Deadline stress, design struggles and staff squabbling can break even the best of us. A yearbook mascot is a simple and inexpensive way to alleviate that stress.
Creative fun
The Dripping Springs yearbook staff adopted a goat mascot for their 2020 volume. Inspired by the newspaper’s cartoon version of the school mascot (a tiger), the staff realized the creative opportunity with their “The G.O.A.T.” theme. The goat mascot appeared at school events and was featured on marketing stickers, promotions and staff T-shirts. The staff also voted on his name (Chester won) which was a fun, staff bonding moment.
Last year, a Thrall High School senior brought in a small dinosaur lamp to the yearbook room (see main photo above). The light changes colors, although the staff regularly kept it purple to match their school colors. Eventually dubbed “InDesignosaur,” the staff consulted him for layout advice or shared design frustrations.
Calming effect
A few years ago, a Foster High School yearbook staffer gave the adviser a sticker saying “Save the drama for the llama.” Amused, the adviser bought a stuffed llama and Lucy, the Drama Llama was born. Now, when a staffer has an issue, the student must hold the llama while talking. Similarly, if two staffers have a conflict, they can only discuss it with the adviser while holding the llama. “It seems to calm them somehow, and make them listen to each other,” adviser Danielle Bell said.
Share the love
Restorative circles are a popular activity in the North Kansas City School District. For the Winnetonka yearbook staff, they employ the activity whenever there is staff tension, they need to regroup or want to celebrate. This year’s mascot is The Yerd, a stuffed mouse with glasses (past ones have been Taco Cat and Mozart Mouse). With a question prompt, like “What is weighing on you right now?” or “What’s one thing you’re proud of this deadline?”, staffers share their answer when holding The Yerd.
The Odyssey staff also use the restorative circle and mascot for an activity called the “love dump.” Each staff member takes a turn in the middle while the other students pass The Yerd and share what they appreciate about the person. The person in the middle isn’t allowed to disagree or argue with the compliments. “It is the hardest thing in the world to be in the middle of the circle,” adviser Shannon LeGrand said. “It’s always interesting how doing the love dump completely changes the culture in our classroom when things are starting to get tense or we’re starting to have miscommunication as a staff.”
What will your mascot be?
Maybe you’ll adopt a Deadline Dinosaur that roars encouragement. Possibly a Mediation Mouse or a Drama Llama will lift tensions. Whether it’s to hang out with you on deadline or to mediate conflicts, a yearbook mascot can bring joy and calm to your staff. That simple stuffed animal (or light-up plastic dinosaur) transforms into a symbol of encouragement, hope and fun. What will your mascot be?
