L-W East Yearbook Staff Unveils 2011-12 Annual

The Lincoln-Way East High School yearbook staff unveiled the 2011-12 annual on Friday, May 18, revealing more than just a collection of photos.

Students filled the 312-page book of memories with messages, words of wisdom and interviews with students of all ages and interests.

“We got out of our comfort zone and met new people,” said Lincoln-Way East senior Evelyn Kmetty, the book’s associate editor.

She and a team of 19 other staff members interviewed dozens of students throughout the school year, having them explain the various clubs and activities at Lincoln-Way East as well as some of the trends that define their generation, such as iPods, iPhones and iPads.

“We used the words of the student body instead of our own to tell the story of the school,” said Evelyn.

The tactic enabled the yearbook staff to “connect” with the student body and make the book more personal, added senior Summer Weiss, the book’s editor-in-chief.

“We did a great job finding students not in the yearbook before,” agreed senior Alexis Huss, the book’s copy editor.

Students decided to name Volume 11 of The Legend “Well Said.”

“We wanted a theme that was simple but said a lot,” explained Summer.

In the opening pages, staff members wrote: “Everyone is subject to their own opinion, whether they want to be heard or not. Words have the power to hurt or heal, to tear someone down, or build someone up. They can gift life to a feeling and give thought to a moment in time. Words don’t need to be loud to be heard. You don’t have to say it all to say something. You’ve just got to find your voice and make sure you say it well.”

Students revealed the book to administrators, faculty, staff and Board of Education members on May 18. Students began receiving their books on May 21.

The yearbook chronicles everything from school pep assemblies and dances to clubs, sports and music programs.

A special tribute is paid to Patrick Mizwicki, a freshman who died Sept. 15 after being struck by a car.

Students included a photo of the student athlete at bat during a Frankfort Eagles baseball game and surrounded his image with words that students used to describe him, such as “charming,” “compassionate” and “dog-lover.”

The book earned special recognition by its publisher, the Walsworth Publishing Company, which selected it for inclusion in the company’s Gallery of Excellence.

Only the top 1 percent of books published by the company is selected for the honor each year.

"We’re proud of that (accomplishment),” said Lincoln-Way East English teacher and yearbook adviser Amanda Stewart.

Contributing to the 2011-12 annual were: Heather Bauer, Ann Baugnet, Lauren Behrens, Sonnet Corkery, Jessica Hardy, Carolyn Hartmann, Jessica Heichel-Kaffel, Kristina Horn, Alexis Huss, Evelyn Kmetty, Julia Lange, Teresa Mountford, Bailey Murphy, Katherine Pijanowski, Emily Rush, Caitlyn Smith, Shelby Wegforth, Summer Weiss, Abigail Whalen and Marguerite Wilson.

“We put so much work into it,” said Alexis. “We hope it shows.”