Portfolio 31 offers a glimpse into the creative collective of today’s student journalists. This printed excerpt is just a small sampling of this year’s awe-inspiring, 352-page hardbound edition (with three custom tip-ins), which celebrates the best work from yearbook programs across North America.
Inside, you’ll find standout design, bold storytelling and vivid photographs that capture the character of each campus with clarity and spirit. Every page reflects the skill, curiosity and drive of today’s students, along with the advisers who guide them.
Whether you’re exploring what’s possible or looking for fresh inspiration, this work shows how powerful student voices can be when they have the tools and support to truly shine.
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Whether you’re a first-year staffer or a seasoned EIC, we tip our hats to each and every one of the journalists, designers and photographers who work tirelessly to get the job done.
YOU SEE, YEARBOOK GOES WELL BEYOND THE BOOK ITSELF. It’s a family. A calling. A support system. You may not know it yet, but the skills you gain will impact your life forever. YEARBOOK IS A GAME-CHANGER. A career builder. A door opener. A differentiator. A connector.
Of people. Of groups. Of ideas. A community of like-minded creators coming together to make miracles happen.
WESTFIELD HS | YVONNE PHO | CHANTILLY, VA
MOUNT ZION HS | PAITYN KOESTER | MOUNT ZION, IL
FREEMAN HS | HARPER SEFTON | ROCKFORD, WA
THE HARKER SCHOOL | CHAYCE MILHEIM | SAN JOSE, CA
CHARLES J. COLGAN SENIOR HS | BREEZE LAWLESS | MANASSAS, VA
Orange County School of the Arts SANTA ANA, CA
DREAMSCAPE
Adviser: Courtney Harper
Editors: Sophia Chau, Hailey Cho, Caroline Kim, Elaine Lim, Sophie Liu, Hailey Perng, Jesper Seet, Ashley Shin and Emily Wen
Varsity Reps: Mimi Orth and Trisha Marciano
ENDSHEET
STUDENT LIFE
OPENING
STUDENT LIFE
OPENING
FEATURE
INNOVATION: CUSTOM-SIZE TIP-IN
JUST BEAUTIFUL: There’s no other word for it. Every decision in Dreamscape feels intentional and executed with care and precision. Each spread offers a fresh approach to coverage. You might encounter traditional designs with copy and secondary coverage — but then you could shift into a spread of cutouts with no students pictured, and that spread could be be followed by one that’s mostly photography with minimal captions. It’s a dynamic blend and a thoughtful balance that celebrates variety while staying on script.
SMART STRUCTURE:
The front cover’s theme statement, delivered in artful typography, immediately sets the tone, but the power lies in the details. At first glance, the rotation of certain letters may go unnoticed, yet that subtle shift is exactly what makes it so effective. There’s a clear difference between repeating design elements without thought and using them with purpose. Here, the rotated and slightly twisted letters are never confusing — they’re placed within familiar words to maintain clarity while visually tying everything together.
AMAZING PHOTOS: Storytelling through photography was a clear goal for Dreamscape. Talking heads, objects and candid moments are captured with precision and intention, elevating each spread. Cutouts within type treatments also bring coverage to life by guiding readers through the content exactly as intended.
Orange
Liberty High School COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
EXCALIBUR
Adviser: Eilidh Gill
Editors: Ashton Rowlands, Hunter Hall and Kaiah Tong
Varsity Reps: Rebecca McGrath and Mackenzie Brockman
STUDENT
THREE-DIMENSIONAL:
Limiting a palette to just two standout colors, with black and white as support, is a classic move. What sets this book apart is how those colors are used to create a dimensional feel through duotones. First introduced with the UV gloss on the cover, then reinforced on the endsheet, the dotted photo effect adds depth and texture without overwhelming the design. The staff’s restraint shows real skill — spreads using this effect all manage to keep the original photo intact and allow the palette to enhance rather than distract.
EXTRA POINTS: The staff knew how to make intentional design choices. The crosspoint, representing the “here” in their theme, repeats across every spread, whether thematic or traditional, guiding readers to a coverage focal point. It often connects to or slices through dominant headlines and leads your eye Pac-Man style to the next standout coverage package. Supporting this directional tool, the use of single or double rails of separation adds just the right amount of white space to balance the coverage-heavy layouts.
TIMELY COVERAGE: With its fresh angles, the staff clearly set out to rethink the expected coverage models. Instead of just talking about cars on the automotive spread, the dominant story dives into breaking gender norms in the class, while still highlighting the day-to-day experience. A spread labeled in the folio as “toasts and cheers” gives insight into what students are “toasting” to and what they’re “cheers-ing” with. Smart, specific and reflective of the year.
West Linn High School WEST LINN, OR
GREEN & GOLD
Varsity
Adviser: Glenn Krake
Editors: Elise Meikle, Iris Hochstettler and Audrey Krake
Rep: Debbie Shurson
REAL DEAL: There’s really no other way to say it: this book captures attention. The cover immediately jumps out with its bold introduction of a single-word theme: Real. But the spine crimp text? That’s where the real magic happens. Perfectly aligned, a feat of precision and attention to detail, it’s the kind of detail that says this staff didn’t just design a book, they engineered it.
TURN
YOUR HEAD:
From the italicized slab serif to the carefully sliced color blocks, the Green & Gold designers knew exactly how to “lean” into their visual language. These graphic anchors support cutouts, pull quotes and features like “real talk” in a way that makes their theme tangible on every spread — clever and literal.
COLOR, PLEASE: The palette introduced on the cover truly blooms inside. Full-bleed color pages are balanced by smart use of black and white for copy and bars. The standout? Headline treatments that highlight individual letters in different colors by echoing the endsheet’s table of contents for a playful, confident execution. It’s a brilliant reminder that when your theme invites quirk, don’t be afraid to go for it.
West
Horton Watkins High School ST. LOUIS, MO
RAMBLER
Adviser: Sarah Kirksey
Editor: Mariana Copeland
Varsity Reps: Dan Mueller and Priscilla Frost
Ladue
MADE
IT LOOK
EASY:
You can feel the theme come to life in this volume. With the statement “We work hard to make this look easy,” the staff took that message and ran with it, and their effort shows in every corner. From photography to layout to topic selection, every choice feels intentional and sharp. Interrupters go beyond surface-level — especially the Clubs spread, which pulls in five-plus mini features alone. Headlines are fresh but still clear and purposeful, guiding readers without losing the fun. Bravo, Rambler staff.
MORE THAN THE BASICS:
Renamed sections go beyond standard coverage, offering a smart mix of formats. From single talking heads to long-form stories and quick Q&As, each spread brings variety. Even on contentheavy pages, strong eyelines and hierarchy keep things clean. Photo-focused spreads also shine with great use of internal margins and layout guidance. This is smart, structured design that doesn’t sacrifice personality.
DETAILS THAT DELIVER:
The Rambler’s reference section proves just how hard this staff worked. Team photos are cleanly labeled, scoreboards are complete, and smart reader services guide students straight to each sport’s spread. Add in a well-organized index of clubs, classes and events — it’s everything a great record book should be.
COLOPHON
Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Melbourne High School MELBOURNE, FL
STEPPING STONE
Adviser: Jamie Reynolds
Editors: Riley Blum and Sarah Cameruci
Varsity Reps: Jean Henry and Teenie Reddeck
CHECK THIS OUT: This book is a breath of fresh air — in more ways than one. With a theme like “It all comes full circle,” you might expect literal circles dominating the design. But the Stepping Stone staff had other plans, and we’re so glad they did. Instead of going the obvious route, they played it smart by using a hand-drawn line to guide readers through coverage and a subtle halfcircle color bar to echo the theme without shouting it. Even headlines spin off the statement, and when coverage appears inside the circles, it’s purposeful and strategic. A+ for nuance.
CLEVER AND CURRENT:
Every spread is packed with playful yet smart content choices. You’ll find creative, trend-savvy angles like sports bag hauls and “Stick check,” a perfect twist on “fit check” that make this book feel custom-built for their student body. Sidebars, like quick-hit Q&As, show up consistently and work well alongside longer narrative content. The “Social circles” interrupter series weaves in lifestyle topics, from student jobs to fashionistas, that are fun, fresh and so readable. This is student-centered storytelling at its best.
IT ALL COMES TOGETHER:
Bright colors, flowing lines and loads of visual movement could easily be overwhelming, but not here. The design feels completely intentional. Bright color blocks anchor the copy while one to two rails of separation build strong eyelines and hierarchy between mods. Text alignment stays crisp whether it’s left or right page, and dominant images cross the gutter (as they should). Every cutout has a visual home, and small design elements all echo the larger theme without ever being distracting. It’s layout excellence, start to finish.
Redmond High School REDMOND, OR
THE JUNIPER
Adviser: Hannah Rogers
Editors: Amelia Eldridge, Apollo Bezdek, Lexie Churchill and Kaylie Sullivan
Varsity Rep: Genie Westfall
OPENING
LOOK ACROSS: Most often, dominant packages stick to one side (left or right) with the photo crossing the gutter. Not here. The Juniper staff showed how a horizontal approach can create something fresh. Some spreads feature anchored color blocks that stretch across the gutter, while others use wide photo packages that feel expansive yet clean. Captions are smartly placed, margins are tight and everything is working together. It’s a layout strategy we’ve seen before, but it’s rarely this well-executed.
LOUD, BUT SMART: From the jump, this theme, “You can’t get rid of us, just try it,” gives permission for bold choices. Big type, bright colors and distressed fonts make a statement, but they’re backed by a strong layout system. Rails of separation, established eyelines and consistent margin work to keep the spreads grounded. Color blocks bring the energy while never overwhelming. Even the changing color bar at the bottom, used as an all-coverage device, is a clever way to keep things dynamic without changing structure. It’s attitude, with balance.
COVERAGE HITS DIFFERENT:
The book doesn’t just look bold, it covers boldly too. Academics are just as engaging as sports, thanks to fresh angles and smart structure. In places where photos are limited, the staff leaned into cutout objects, pull quotes and mini Q&As to keep things visual and informative. It’s clear that every page was built with intention and creativity. These staffers weren’t just filling space — they were telling stories.
Cresthill Middle School HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO
COUGAR PROWL
Adviser: Gina Claus
Editors: Danielle David, Jacob Giacomozzi and Sophie Harris
Varsity Reps: Rebecca McGrath and Mackenzie Brockman
QUIRKY AND COHESIVE:
The theme “Oddly enough” really shows its personality through clever and quirky section names. Instead of the usual labels, student life and clubs become “We got involved,” academics turns into “We learned stuff,” athletics is “We worked together” and the reference section, complete with portraits, club and team photos, wraps it all up as “We grew up.” Each divider keeps that oddball energy going with playful subheadlines like “Living on the odd side,” giving the book a fun, unified vibe from cover to cover.
CAPTIONS THAT CLICK:
Inside, the spreads are full of energy and variety — think cutouts, talking heads, infographics and long-form stories all layered together. One highlight? The Cougar Prowl staff’s impressive command of ABCDQ captions. Each one feels purposeful, with unique lead-ins and a strong character style that makes it feel alive.
PURPOSEFUL PERSONALITY:
Design-wise, the staff totally delivers. There’s a clear eyeline across packages and an earlyestablished hierarchy that keeps everything in check. Internal margins between photos and text create a clean, organized feel. Dominant photos cross the gutter with purpose, while secondary mods are grounded with stroked boxes or solid color bars. The interrupters have their own standout look with full-bleed black backgrounds, and characterdriven talking heads add just the right amount of punch.
Cresthill
MIAMI PALMETTO SENIOR HS The Palm Echo | PINECREST, FL
ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rampages | MAITLAND, FL
STRAWBERRY CREST HS The Centaur | DOVER, FL
TROY BUCHANAN HS Siege | TROY, MO
WEBB SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE Princeps | KNOXVILLE, TN
ALEXANDER HS Catamount | DOUGLASVILLE, GA
LIBERTY HS El Halcón | HILLSBORO, OR
YULEE HS Vespidae | YULEE, FL
FLETCHER HS Senator | NEPTUNE BEACH, FL
NEWSOME HS Legend | LITHIA, FL
EUREKA HS Eurekana | EUREKA, MO
HARTFIELD ACADEMY The Legacy | FLOWOOD, MS
HERITAGE HS VANCOUVER, WA
GARDNER EDGERTON HS Trailblazer | GARDNER, KS
ARVADA WEST HS The Claw | ARVADA, CO
PRINCETON HS The Prince | PRINCETON, NJ
BERMUDIAN SPRINGS HS The Eagle | YORK SPRINGS, PA
GILMER HS Bobcat | ELLIJAY, GA
SANTANA HS Oasis | SANTEE, CA
HENRIETTA LACKS HS VANCOUVER, WA
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS HS The Medallion | OVERLAND PARK, KS
LOWNDES HS Munin | VALDOSTA, GA
JOHN JAY HS Statesman | CROSS RIVER, NY
BROOKVILLE HS The Buzzer | LYNCHBURG, VA
ALEXANDRIA CITY HS Cerberus | ALEXANDRIA, VA
TALKINGTON SCHOOL FOR YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS LUBBOCK, TX
SOUTH DADE SENIOR HS Southernaire | HOMESTEAD, FL
SAN DIMAS HS El Santo | SAN DIMAS, CA
JOHN A. FERGUSON SENIOR HS | Soar | MIAMI, FL
TEXAS HS | Tiger | TEXARKANA, TX
COLUMBINE HS | Rebelations | LITTLETON, CO
IDAHO FINE ARTS ACADEMY | The Curtain Call | MERIDIAN, ID
FUQUA SCHOOL | Peregrine | FARMVILLE, VA
GILBERT HS | Tiger | GILBERT, AZ
DOVER HS | Doverian | DOVER PLAINS, NY
FORT ZUMWALT SOUTH HS | SouthPaw | ST. PETERS, MO
LITTLETON HS
Cor Lionis
LITTLETON,
CO
STORY WORTH TELLING:
OK, Cor Lionis — we see you and your smart theme spinoffs. The theme “This is who we are. Did you expect that?” sets the tone for an energetic, student-centered book and gives staffers plenty of verbal play. Section titles like “We are explorers” and “We are united” pair well with phrases like “Did you catch that?” and “Did you find that?” to carry the voice all the way through. The triangle graphic introduced on the cover is used consistently and intentionally, showing up behind photo packages and mods with just enough transparency to support the design without overpowering it. Each spread features a strong eyeline and generous coverage, from infographics and Q&As to mini stories and thematic mods, proving this staff knew how to build a cohesive, well-reported and visually rich yearbook.
spot light
GALLERY
PATRICK HENRY HS | Encounter | SAN DIEGO, CA
THOMAS A. EDISON HS | Talon | ALEXANDRIA, VA
TUSCARORA HS | Iditarod | LEESBURG, VA
WARD MELVILLE HS | Invictus | SETAUKET, NY
DEL NORTE HS | Traditions | SAN DIEGO, CA
WESTFIELD HS | The Guardian | CHANTILLY, VA
CHAPEL HILL HS | The Prowler | DOUGLASVILLE, GA
RYLE HS | The Raider | UNION, KY
CATALINA FOOTHILLS HS | Falcon | TUCSON, AZ
WILLIAM CAMPBELL COMBINED SCHOOL | The General | NARUNA, VA
TRABUCO HILLS HS | Brumby | MISSION VIEJO, CA
THE CLASSICAL ACADEMY HS | The Torch | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
YORK COMMUNITY HS | Y’s Tales | ELMHURST, IL
M c CLURE MS | KENNESAW, GA
FOREST MS | The Shield | FOREST, VA
COOPER MS | Pathfinder | M c LEAN, VA
CORONA DEL MAR MS | Riptide | NEWPORT BEACH, CA
GEORGE WASHINGTON MS Surveyor | MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ
FALCON COVE MS The Cove | WESTON, FL
LIBERTY PARK MS The Torch | VESTAVIA, AL
MIAMI BEACH NAUTILUS MS Riptide | MIAMI BEACH, FL
POWHATAN MS | POWHATAN, VA
MEDLIN MS | Hoofprints | TROPHY CLUB, TX
STONE VALLEY MS | ALAMO, CA
KATHERINE L. ALBIANI MS | Falcon Nation | ELK GROVE, CA
GALLERY | middle school
WESTFIELD MS The Scrapbook | WESTFIELD, IN
W.R. THOMAS MS Tiger’s Roar | MIAMI, FL
MILL CREEK MS Mustang Memories | LENEXA, KS
MONTICELLO TRAILS MS The Howler | SHAWNEE, KS
BRANTLEY COUNTY HS
The Edge | NAHUNTA, GA
SPECS: Blue etched, kiss cut, plexi quarterbound cover.
HINSDALE SOUTH HS
Vespa | DARIEN, IL
SPECS: Front endsheet includes gold foil. The endsheet matches the custom debossed cover with foil and wolfgrain grain applied for texture and suede lamination.
PRINCE GEORGE HS
Peerage | PRINCE GEORGE , VA
SPECS: Laser-cut front endsheet to give a torn paper effect.
PARKWAY NORTH HS
Saga | ST. LOUIS, MO
SPECS: Specialty fold-out for front endsheet design.
EDWARDSVILLE, IL
Custom-size tip-in to highlight 25 opportunities in their school in the year 2025.
PROVIDENCE SCHOOL
Blind-embossed metallic
FORT ZUMWALT EAST HS The Pride | ST. PETERS, MO SPECS: Gold gilded edges.
HIGHLAND HS | Talon | GILBERT, AZ
EDWARDSVILLE HS | The Tiger | EDWARDSVILLE, IL
JUSTICE HS | Howl | FALLS CHURCH, VA
SAMUEL V. CHAMPION HS | The Charger | BOERNE, TX
DESERT RIDGE HS | La Cordillera | MESA, AZ
DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | JACKSONVILLE, FL
CLOVER HS | The Eagle | CLOVER, SC
PATRICK HENRY HS | The Voice | ASHLAND, VA
GALLERY
ENCINAL JR. SR. HS | Horizon | ALAMEDA, CA
VALLEY MS | CARLSBAD, CA
LYONS TOWNSHIP HS | ALLIE SILIC | LA GRANGE, IL
ATLEE HS | CAMDYN METTS | MECHANICSVILLE, VA
FRANCIS HOWELL HS | ALI THUET | SAINT CHARLES, MO
Feeling inspired? Motivated?
Proud?
Jealous?
THAT’S COMPLETELY NORMAL.
Yes, the preceding pages are an awe-inspiring testament to the time and talent it takes to create a yearbook. (Something that others outside our circle don’t fully grasp.)
It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, fueled by pizza and caffeine and ambition.
BUT YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT.
TIMBERLAND HS | CAIDENCE GRINSTEAD | WENTZVILLE, MO
LIBERTY HS | CHRIS MORENO | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
LAWRENCE HS | LYDIA FOLKS | LAWRENCE, KS
LADUE HORTON WATKINS HS | VINCENT HSIAO | SAINT LOUIS, MO
WAYLAND HS | EMMA ZOCCO | WAYLAND, MA
LENOIR CITY HS | JACK HENRY | LENOIR CITY, TN
Volume 31 of Portfolio is a curated collection of student work from the 2025 school year.
Like what you see?
If you’re interested in getting your hands on a full, printed volume of Portfolio volume 31, reach out to your Varsity Yearbook rep.
Why Varsity?
Choosing Varsity Yearbook means working with a partner who shows up with real support, great tools and a genuine passion for helping your program succeed. Our reps eat, sleep and breathe yearbook. And, they’re with you every step of the way, cheering you on and helping your staff shine.
Our eDesign platform gives you smart features that save time and make creating fun, and our curriculum takes the guesswork out of teaching. You can count on gorgeous printing and on-time delivery, plus unmatched customer support.
And because we’re part of the Varsity Brands family, you also get access to programs that boost student engagement and build a stronger school community.
Our array of programs includes professional development, emotional well-being and youth empowerment — all designed to elevate your students’ experience both in and out of the classroom.
It’s yearbooking made easier and a whole lot more enjoyable.
Celebrating the work of students is just one thing that makes us extraordinary.
