Diversity is so much more than covering a wide variety of people and groups. Being a yearbook editor means covering those different groups because they contribute to a school's environment, just as much as a club or sport. We look for stories about students and organizations that play meaningful roles in our school.
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The photo to the right was taken after a group of editors and staffers did the 2024 Special Olympics Polar Plunge. I coordinated creating a team to raise money.
Inclusive yearbook coverage and demonstrating LHS diversity
The Red and Black prides itself on covering things more than just homecoming and basketball. No matter how few students are involved in a smaller club, or how difficult it may be to cover, I emphasize the importance of people. I spread out the reporting to a variety of staffers to ensure the same people aren't always reporting on the "big stuff." To me, it's all big. Each person has a story to tell.
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During my first year as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, one of my goals was to prioritize a diverse list of students covered. In previous years, myself and others noticed a pattern of a limited number of super-involved students being covered.
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Instead, I work with a team of editors to help brainstorm a wide variety of names and activities. Intertribal Club, Black Student Union and our Unity Step team get pages because they are an important part of the high school experience for many of my classmates. I like the thought that when I look at our yearbook I will see our staff has created a painting featuring the entire picture — not just what's in the foreground.
Hate speech editorial
Sitting at a football game hearing my classmates yell at the referees was nothing new to my ears. Neither was the homophobic language that came out of their mouths next, except I could not brush off what I’d just heard.
​As I looked at the hub of noise, I saw students yelling at a group of peers a few rows up, including one student who is transgender.
Few heard what came next, but it was shocking nonetheless. He yelled, "She should burn at the stake," along with his buddies adding a few slurs to the mix.
Fortunately, I have the privilege to feel safe enough to say something. The next day, I had written an editorial and spent the next week polishing it with my adviser and fellow editors.
​While it might not immediately change how many high schoolers act, I felt like what I could do for the situation was what I do best: write about it.
Meeting staffer needs with assignments
Something I learned quickly as an editor is that you have to meet staffer needs when assigning them work. I prioritize giving assignments that coincide with a staffer's interest but also ability.
For example, many staffers can easily be overwhelmed with a story, so I assign them a longer Q&A. The simplicity of meeting them halfway helps to build good relationships as well as overall strong work amongst the staff. I have learned it is important to consider the needs of each individual rather than generalize them into one.
​That being said, I try my best to balance this with giving every staffer a chance to prove their work ethic and creativity. This has not only shown some people's hidden strengths but also helped to diversify our publications.
Beyond the book
Lawrence High School is known for being an inclusive environment. Our Including People Selflessly class and Unified Sports programs are two groups we cover frequently for their campaigns, tournaments and more.
IPS has helped build a culture of valuing the leadership potential of all students — rather than celebrating students with special needs in ways that often amount to tokenism. I was honored to learn that the adviser of the programs used the 2023 yearbook coverage to show how inclusive LHS is, as we include everyone in our book — not just the "popular" students. She used pages from the book to apply for the second Unified Champion School banner that proudly hangs in our gym. This was a memory I will never forget, because it shows how much impact our work can have.
