Thank you for your interest in joining our Generals Publication Staff. Yearbook is a year-long elective class. You will learn photography shooting and editing skills, digital layout and design skills, advertising and marketing skills, and communication skills. You do not have to be an expert photographer, writer, or designer to join our staff. We're here to learn!

What is Yearbook? It’s a journalism class. WHHS students are responsible for creating the yearbook for Wade Hampton High School. As a yearbook staff member, students learn about and develop skills in writing, layout design, photography, technology, business, organization, communication, management, and leadership.

The yearbook staff is a group of 10th-12th graders. Since the yearbook is primarily a memory book for students and a review of the school year, members of the yearbook staff must be willing to attend events on and off campus to take photographs and more. 

Staff members are expected to:

• Plan each page, including headlines and other graphic elements.

• Write a story and use photos to help tell the story of the year, which are also appropriate for the theme.

• Edit copy, captions, headlines, and other page elements. Check names for spelling accuracy.

• Be responsible for deadlines that correspond with their assignment.

• Oversee the production of pages and meet deadlines with accuracy.

• Attend lunchtime and after-school events as a photographer/reporter. 

Much of the time spent in class is working independently to complete an assigned task, whether it is researching a topic, composing interview questions, writing a story, or designing a page. As a result, students must be self-motivated to complete their assignments on or before the deadline. Although the editors and the adviser are always available to help, we won’t be standing by to watch over students. Yearbook is a unique opportunity and with it comes extra responsibilities for which they will be held accountable.

TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN YEARBOOK

Joining the team that puts together the Wade Hampton yearbook is more than just a great way to get involved with our school. It’s also a great way to learn all sorts of valuable skills.

#10 IT GETS YOU INVOLVED

Yearbook is a great way to get involved with every aspect of Wade Hampton. Yearbook touches on EVERYTHING that goes on in your school and community. From attending all kinds of different events to mingling with your student body, yearbook gives you a great excuse to stay connected with your school at all levels.

#9 CAMARADERIE

With yearbook, the staffers work together as a team to put out a book that the entire school wants a part of. It has to be a team effort or everything comes off the rails.

#8 FREE EVENTS

As a member of the yearbook staff, when you get sent to cover a sporting event, or any other event, you get in free. Yes, you’re there to cover the event and you can’t just goof around, but by covering it, you’re probably more involved in the action than most spectators, which makes it even more fun.

#7 LEARN LIFE SKILLS

Ever sat in class thinking, “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” You won’t get that with yearbook. With yearbook you learn how to communicate better, how to solve problems, how to grow as a leader how to manage your time and, most importantly, how to hit a deadline.

#6 BOOST YOUR JOURNALISM SKILLS

If you’re interested in journalism, this is the place where you’ll get hands-on experience with the whole enchilada. From writing and photography to research, design, layout, editing and even media law (what journalists can and can’t do).

#5 LEARN BUSINESS SKILLS

Yearbook’s not just a class, it’s a business. You’re making a product and you’ve got to get the kids in school to want to buy that product — which is why you’ll learn valuable business skills such as budgeting, promotion, advertising, marketing, customer service and market research.

#4 YOU’LL HONE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS

You’re probably already a social media expert when it comes to your personal life. Why not also learn how to take advantage of this valuable tool when it comes to business communication? By being part of yearbook, you’ll learn about storytelling, creating and organizing content, engaging your audience, online research, and brand management.

#3 LOOKS GREAT ON YOUR RESUME

Whether you’re trying to get an internship or sending out applications for college, you’re showing the world you are an active member of a hard-working team who can handle multitasking, socializing, deadline management, and everything in between.

#2 WORK WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

Yearbook gives you the chance to get your hands on the kind of technology you’ll be working with later on in life. That means design, photo editing, and business and production management software.

#1 IT’S FUN!

Last but not least, yearbook is just plain fun. You’ll learn a ton, but you’ll do it in a fun and interesting way. Plus, the end result is a keepsake that captures all of your work – and memories – into a book you’ll keep forever. How many other classes or clubs can promise you something like that?