Columbia Scholastic Press Association

About our Yearbook classes

CSPA's Summer Journalism Workshop yearbook strand features a unique opportunity for all participants to work with all three instructors: National Yearbook Advisers of the year Jim Jordan, Crystal Kazmierski and Mary Kay Downes.

While students will choose a core course for enrollment dependent on their experience and interest, they will also be working closely with their school groups under the guidance of all three instructors as they prepare a theme packet for their 2009 book, and will have daily opportunities to attend breakout sessions taught by all three instructors.

Bringing a laptop computer with you is highly recommended for completion of assignments.

Participants should carefully read the descriptors of the three individual courses to self-select their core class.

Those with mimimal or no experience and who will be on staff or serve as a section editor would be best served by taking Yearbook Fundamentals.

Those who have at least a year's staff experience, and who are familiar with the production process and plan to serve in an editorial capacity should choose either Advanced Yearbook Leadership or Advanced Yearbook - Design Emphasis.

Students who choose the Design class should be prepared to expand their knowledge of design with the use of InDesign and Photoshop.

Breakout sessions

Here are the descriptions of the breakout sessions that all yearbook students will be able to attend:

Mary Kay Downes

Judging Lingo
Learn what press association judges look for when they critique your books. A veteran judge provides tips for success.

Get Into the Minds of your Staffers
Learn surefire tips for motivating the "unwilling" to do the "impossible" for the "ungrateful."

Money Making Magic
Learn how to generate cash to pour into your programs.

Jim Jordan

Passion for Coverage
The primary purpose of a yearbook is to tell the complete story of the year. Expand your coverage beyond photos and traditional quote-transition-quote stories. This session will present a multitude of innovative and traditional ways a school year can be covered.

The Big MO
Motivate your staff by making them into a team. If no one is getting along and having fun, no one is going to want to do anything! Come learn strategies to build your team and motivate them to produce the best book you have ever had.

Design Quest
Where do the great yearbook designers get all those amazing ideas? This session will stimulate your creative thinking as you design the 2009 book. Come see what the professionals are doing and how yearbook student designers have adapted those ideas in their books.

Crystal Kazmierski

Before & After
Tips and tricks for getting the best yearbook photos before and after the shutter is clicked.

Designing with Purpose
Compare the do's and don'ts of good and bad design.

Overhaulin' - Story Style
Take an OK story from acceptable to spectacular. It's just a matter of finding the right words.