COVINGTON, VA (VR) — The Covington High School yearbook staff has been recognized at the silver level in Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence.
Jostens, a Minneapolis, Minn.-based producer of school yearbooks, presents its Program of Excellence awards in the spring and fall of each year. The program recognizes yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body, while helping students develop 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, and information and communications technology (ICT) literacy.
The Covington High School yearbook program is led by Shannon Fogus and Heather Brooks.
“Our yearbook staff worked really hard last year to create a piece that celebrated the cougar spirit with the theme, ‘Long Live the Cougar.’ It was an exhaustive effort, yet it was well worth the countless hours we put into it,” Fogus said.
“This year’s ‘Puffs and Patches’ annual will be our final CHS yearbook, so photojournalism students are pouring themselves into it. Our theme this year is ‘Stay Gold,’ paying tribute to some of the literature students have learned in high school and saying farewell to our school colors,” she said.
The 2022-23 “Puffs & Patches” is available for purchase now and it will be delivered in September 2023.
“The heritage and legacy of the CHS yearbook ‘Puffs and Patches’ is a tribute to the former alumni and past CHS staff members who dedicated time for this annual publication . Thanks to the current students and staff members who have provided another historical document for our community, “said Melinda Snead-Johnson of the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools senior leadership team.
Less than 12 percent of yearbooks meet the requirements for Jostens’ Program of Excellence. Recognition is given on the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. The Silver Award was presented to Covington High School for meeting criteria in between one and three of the following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement, and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.
“Jostens is proud to recognize those individuals who have created an exceptional yearbook for their school and community,” said Tammy Whitaker, Jostens vice president and chief operating officer of the Yearbook Division. “Covington High School did an exceptional job on multiple levels, despite the challenges presented by the past school year. Yearbooks are a critical part of capturing and telling a school’s story, and Jostens is dedicated to supporting yearbook staff members as they do their important work.”
Founded in 1897, Jostens is primarily known for its production of yearbooks and class rings for high schools and colleges as well as championship rings for sports. Jostens assists schools in creating yearbooks by providing journalism education and technology tools to deliver a learning experience that helps students develop 21st-century skills in journalism, photography, writing and design, leadership and business while creating the permanent record of the school year.