The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts yearbook staff achieved Silver Level recognition the Jostens 2021 National Yearbook Program of Excellence.
The program recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body while helping students develop 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration and information and communication technologies literacy.
ASMSA’s yearbook staff included seniors Steven Gruver of Jacksonville, Lexi Hardin of East End, Nyala Jefferson of Poplar Grove, Isha Patel of White Hall, and Annette Perez of Searcy, who served as editor. Fred Zipkes serves as the yearbook adviser. The theme for this year’s book was “A year like never before.”
“I challenge the students’ thinking and force them to step outside their comfort zone in creating and executing a yearbook with a difference,” Zipkes said.
Jostens presents the awards in the fall and spring semesters based on the yearbook’s arrival date at the school. ASMSA earned the award for achieving criteria in between one and three of the following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.
Jostens has produced yearbooks for more than 60 years. The company provides a combination of journalism education and technology tools to deliver a learning experience that helps student develop skills in journalism, photography, writing and design, leadership and business while creating a permanent record of the school year.