As we approach the middle of the school year, seniors are getting ready for the most anticipated events in all of high school, such as prom, the galla, and most important receiving our yearbooks at the senior banquet. Receiving the yearbook is one of the most memorable and important experiences of high school as we say our last goodbyes in the pages of the alembic. Madison High School seniors look forward to seeing their pictures through the years, and reading each others senior quotes and write ups. The alembic is one of MHS’s most celebrated accomplishments; the yearbook staff spends the entire year planning a massive yearbook for MHS students to enjoy. MDO talked to yearbook editor and chief, Brianna Brown, in order to find out more about this process, and what MHS should expect from the yearbook this year.

MDO: What is the theme of this years yearbook?

BB: Okay well, when we began the brainstorming process we were told to search for inspiration. Kate and I used pinterest. I thought it might be really cool if we did something with electricity and circuits, so I shared the idea with our brainstorming group and they liked it. Meg gave a suggestion that we incorporate the theme visually by using images of light bulbs like The City of Ember cover. As a result the theme became more focused on light. Kate then came up with the words “spark the future” to go with the visual aspects we had brainstormed. There was originally two solid themes and we ended up voting as EICs and Elizabeth to choose the “spark the future” one.

MDO: When did you guys start planning for the 2017 yearbook?

BB: It takes a very long time for us to brainstorm all the thematic elements, so we typically start right after we publish the years edition. That is normally in the May/June timeline. The book is super intricate so we start in June and continue in the summer and the early fall.

MDO: What are you and the yearbook team currently working on?

BB: Well most of the yearbook students were recently assigned the fall spreads like football, the fall drama, boys soccer, etc. So the students are interviewing, choosing photos, designing spreads, and writing stories. The editors are setting up the senior pages, which requires us to scan baby photos into the computers and transferring senior write ups into the spreads.

MDO: Which sections of the yearbooks should seniors look forward to the most?
BB: Oh that’s seriously hard. I mean each year the seniors are typically the ones emphasized on sports/arts spreads, so I think the seniors should be on the lookout to see themselves incorporated in the spread that focuses on their extracurricular activity. I also think the cover is stellar this year. We worked really hard on it, and as always it’s nice to see the senior section.

MDO: Do you think this is going to be MHS’s best yearbook yet, and why?

BB: We put a lot of hard work into this book, and it’s only the beginning! I think our theme is really strong this year, and the visual elements are subtle, but interesting and creative, so yes.

Thank you Brianna for answering our questions!