Yearbook staff at RHMS awarded for outstanding achievements
Seventh grade students Taylor Hein (left) and Kaylee Sandoval (right) were surprised and thrilled to receive an award for their yearbook contributions. “We realized, that whoa! This is a big deal!” remarked Sandoval. “It was very unexpected and amazing to feel that way!”
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Scott Melanson
The yearbook staff at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) was recently recognized by the Colorado High School Press Association (CHSPA), for their outstanding yearbook contributions. Seventh grade students Taylor Hein and Kaylee Sandoval received a first place award for student life writing and a third place award for student life spread. Eighth grade students Jason Lewis and Nikhil Thapa received an honorable mention for their sports spread.
Founded in 1970, the CHSPA works closely with middle and high schools throughout Colorado to promote effective and ethical journalism in school publications and media. The group encourages students to pursue interests in print, broadcast and multi-media journalism.
This is the first year that yearbook was offered as a class at RHMS, and the yearbook was fully created by a group of seventh and eighth grade students. Under the direction of yearbook advisor and tech teacher Scott Melanson, the class was completely overhauled and became much more than the club it has been in the past. Melanson purchased new cameras for the class, which greatly improved the photography, and the students covered each and every event and club at the school throughout the year.
Rather than using a template provided by the yearbook company, the students created their own theme, “Express Yourself,” and the layouts and spreads were creative and unique with a paint splatter look. The students developed a relationship with the Rock Canyon High School yearbook staff so that they may continue at the high school level and the transition will be seamless. The hard work and dedication by this group of students paid off!
