At the annual Nebraska High School Press Association (NHSPA) convention, held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, young writers and school publications in the state were recognized for being outstanding at what they do. Among these recipients was Lincoln Southwest’s yearbook, which won a Cornhusker Award for their 2024-2025 edition of The Talon. A Cornhusker is a prestigious state honor given by independent publication judges that acknowledges excellent yearbooks and publications. This was the fourth year in a row that Southwest’s Talon secured this award.
“I felt very accomplished, because when the book came out last year (the yearbook staff) all thought it was great,” senior Jaylee Carlson said. “So it felt good to see what we worked so hard on doing well.”
Although there is a lot of praise and relief that comes with winning a prestigious award, the process comes with tribulations behind closed doors. There is immense pressure to create the best finished product, while also focusing on other subjects and extracurriculars that can be taxing. These experiences aren’t specific to Lincoln Southwest, but former adviser Mrs. Brandi Benson noticed it as one of the biggest setbacks for her yearbook staff.
“The challenge for us has always been deadlines,” Benson said. “I think the students on our staff are so incredibly busy, which is a blessing, but finding time to finish those yearbook things is sometimes a challenge.”
The effort put in by yearbook staff and the challenges they face shows that there is a lot that goes into creating a yearbook, especially one that is good enough to be recognized. Recipients must have a layout that follows the judges’ rubric and an arrangement of pictures and stories that flows with an overarching theme. As Southwest’s yearbook looks to the future, their new adviser is taking on the responsibility that comes with overseeing the work.
“I think that the journalism programs in Nebraska have a lot of support for educators in this field,” new yearbook adviser Ms. Delani Young said. “So my plan is to use the resources that have been provided and reach out to other schools that are striving for excellence.”