Regulus and I
What initially drew me into the world of the yearbook was the sense of fulfillment it brought. There was something deeply satisfying about completing each step—whether it was filling in the blank placeholder boxes, crafting the perfect caption for every photo, or hitting the proof button after every aspect (photo, writings, and design) came together. Each moment that brought me closer to finishing a spread felt like a small victory, fueling my passion for the process.
It was at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) conference in March of my sophomore year that I first grasped the true depth of the yearbook’s creative process. I realized that the yearbook is much more than just arranging the content we gather. The various sessions I attended at CSPA, including basic photography sessions and more maniac yearbook skills sessions, sparked my immersion in the creation of the yearbook, prompting me to explore and engage with aspects beyond the design work.
I applied and was elected to be the managing editor (ME) in design and team leader for my junior year. While I knew that the junior year workload would be intense and stressful, especially in a school full of overachievers, I could not pass up the chance to gain more experience and further develop my skills and knowledge in yearbook production. Despite my initial concerns, or perhaps because of the intense workload, the yearbook gradually became my escape from the academic demands. After finishing homework or studying for tests, I would eagerly open my yearbook window, diving into my spreads as a much-needed break and creative outlet.
As one of the editors-in-chief, my role has evolved from designing specific spreads to overseeing the entire book. Over the past six months, I have gained more skills and insights into the yearbook than I did in the previous two years combined. What’s more, I believe that some of my strongest personality traits have been shaped by my experiences with Regulus. For instance, persistence was once a foreign concept to me during middle school and the early years of high school. However, through facing challenges where improvement came only with patience and gradual learning, I developed greater perseverance and resilience.
Another key realization I came to by being in the EiC position is the significance of having control and ownership over something I truly care about. While larger roles come with greater responsibilities, I found that I experienced less stress and greater satisfaction when I was working on something that was mine to shape rather than working for someone else. Furthermore, the pure happiness that runs through me when submitting a spread or meeting the deadline has taught me the true fulfillment that comes from accomplishing something meaningful.
Now, I stand in a position my younger self would never have imagined. Growing up, I never knew what I wanted to do with my life. I was the kind of child who didn’t have clear dreams or aspirations. Having an almost overly realistic and undreaming mindset in a world full of imperfection, I thought I would never find something free from flaws that I felt passionate about. Regulus has proven me wrong, though. While I still encounter aspects of the yearbook that I find difficult to deal with, I’ve come to realize that I truly love the experience as a whole. From the most tedious, time-consuming tasks to my absolute favorite part of the yearbook like designing spreads, I have developed a genuine passion for every part of the yearbook’s creation.
In the years ahead, I am eager to continue my studies and stay involved in journalistic work. No matter where I end up, the unique stories each place and person holds will offer countless opportunities to uncover and share stories of individuals and communities with the rest of the world. My primary goal isn’t to uncover the most stories or to find the most abnormal ones, but to keep finding joy in the field of journalism and, within this vast field of journalism, find the one aspect that I feel most passionate about.