LEADERSHIP
For the 2021/2022 school year, my 3rd year in yearbook, I was one of 3 Co-Editor-In-Chiefs, each of us having 1 hour/class period we were in charge of. I also doubled as Head Designer.
Week-to-week I assigned deadlines, shipped pages, corrected proofs, and ran announcements. I also was in charge of the page folios: the way I wanted them to be designed couldn't be put as the automatic folio, so I individually went through and typed the numbers and changed the colors (each section had a different 3 colors) on every page and then filled out the topic, sponsor, and staff.
At the beginning of the year, I was a large part of the decision-making after coming back from a virtual year. Trying to figure out how we would proceed knowing people could be gone from school for 2 weeks at any given time. The year started pretty slow and finally, we were able to start shipping pages and had to do the first 3 deadlines altogether.
From that point on the editors were correcting pages and inputting the next ones every day. The EICs shipped and reshipped pages every single week. And we kept it under control. We got it done. And we did that because of our leaders and teamwork.
editor-in-chief
I wrote my college admissions essay about how much being a part of the yearbook has changed me because this class and my experiences have been so important. I have always been a natural leader, but I never knew the right way to channel it to be productive. The opportunities yearbook has given me from the very start has shaped me as a person and especially as a leader.
I've been able to participate in a kolor run, being a staffer, being a designer, photographing sports, running yearbook pick up in the bus loop, planning the Meat-the-Team/Sponsorship picnic, Friendsgiving, Secret Santa, and white elephant.
examples
announcements
At the end of the previous school year we choose and develop our theme for the next book. This includes choosing fonts, choosing a color palette, designing the cover, making our style guide, and covering the design wall with inspiration. I played a big role in those decisions being head designer and most of my choices are what we went with. I really enjoyed looking at fonts and choosing them and learned a lot about needing the fonts to work cohesively but also stand out when alone.
As hard as we tried, our advisor, Ava Butzu, would not let us put pink in the color palette, but as of now we do plan to use it in the minimag. Despite that, the color palette was unusually difficult to put together for the 2022 book. We really struggled to get something well rounded that didn't resemble our past palettes. We wanted muted tones but quickly realized thats hard to use in a yearbook, especially the the style of design we have.
Other than the details, we tried to really let the theme drive the design for OffScript 2022. While designing Limitless 2021 we found the theme didn't have many obvious or direct design meanings so we wanted to focus on that early to be prepared for 2022.
head designer
The other EICs participated in a theme planning workshop over the summer (I wasn't skipping out but instead participating in a musical). They were able to develop a ladder and from that made a Google Slides with ideas for every type of page. This is what led to our "flipped" divider pages and how I originated my typography that I used throughout the book. My favorite of those divider pages can be seen on the design page.
The Grand Blanc Echo does not use design templates but instead allows designers to work off of a set guide and collective inspiration to make original designs. We will however recycle modules from previous spreads by any designer to help make the book cohesive.
The days we input spreads are quite busy for me. Any of the editors would tell you that I'm constantly being called over to help them solve issues with the designs or teach them something new. And I love that part of my editorships, being able to help people all the time, even with something simple, can make you feel so needed and successful despite your crazy and stressed environment.
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Maura is the hardest worker I've ever met. Always striving for perfection and working to achieve her goals. Our yearbook would be a disaster without her meticulous work and the hours she puts in during her free time. Her leadership skills and organization with the staff is amazing and it's an honor that she is our Editor-In-Chief."
- Lauren Silpoch, Co-Editor-In-Chief and Coverage Editor
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Maura has always been a positive influence for all of the designers. From day one she's been the person I can go to to get help with anything."
- Avery Quinn, Designer
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Maura is the first person to step up if any of us need anything. She's naturally caring, passionate about anything she does, and determined. She always pushes us to be our best selves and has such a strong work ethic."
- Gabby Sassack, Proofs and Copy Editor