Friday, May. 01, 2009

Culmination of yearbook staff's work on sale

Issues of El Pacheco memories last a lifetime

This isn't just our story, it's everyone's.

That philosophy is the foundation that Los Baños High School's El Pacheco yearbook staff lives by throughout the school year. The culmination of those ideals is a history book, of sorts, that documents the lives of more than 2,000 students.

And, unlike other items that students leave high school with, the yearbook is a product that ten years from now students will pull out for their reunion, twenty years from now they will show to their children, and thirty years from now they will laugh at and wonder, "What the heck was I thinking," when they look at their fashion choices.

This is the one book that encompasses the lives of students from all four grades and the only book that can bring a student back to the big events of the year, as well as important moments among friends, like the senior walk-in or the night the football team beat Dos Palos.

What doesn't last, however, are book quantities.

"The end of the year, twelve months of production time that culminates with a priceless product that cannot be duplicated," said Dean Diaz, the high school's sales representative, who has 25 years of experience with Jostens. "Once the book is gone, you can never get it back."

This finite opportunity only gains value over the years, Diaz said. It's a constant reminder of each event at Los Baños High and time is running out to buy it. The yearbook staff tirelessly works on the book throughout the year, going to camp, selling advertising to the community, designing every page, and documenting every event.

Los Baños senior Conrad Ruiz sees the value in purchasing a yearbook.

"My mom said my senior year would be one of the best times of my life," Ruiz said. "She said I'd want to remember it and I do want to remember who my friends are."

Tina Klecka, one of four Jostens' Creative Accounts Managers in the United States said this week at a student conference in Fresno, "There are three things people keep from high school: their diploma, their class ring, and their yearbook."

And during economic downturns such as the country is currently experiencing, she said it is particularly important for people to take comfort in tradition and pride in their history.

"After 9/11, our country had record yearbook sales because people needed to feel good, they needed that comfort," Klecka said. "We are now in a recession, seniors are having to buy caps and gowns, announcements, pictures, and so much more, but the one thing that can never go unpurchased is their yearbook.

"It's a personal, traditional record of their final year that is only sold once."

Don't miss your opportunity to purchase this piece of your story. Yearbooks can be purchased at the high school for $75 through May 8. Book prices will increase after that date to $80. Cash only, please.