When Sunset View Elementary School couldn’t afford to hire someone to oversee its yearbook, Deni Baughn volunteered, along with other parents, to put together the publication. And when nobody wanted to be responsible for Dana Middle School’s yearbook because a technical error the year before had accidentally omitted all students whose last names started with G, Baughn took on the challenge.
As Dana’s yearbook adviser, Baughn is taking her efforts to the next level.
Lifetouch Publishing “” a leading producer of yearbooks for elementary, middle and high schools “” recently appointed Baughn to its yearbook think tank committee. She will serve as one of 63 yearbook advisers selected from across the nation to share ideas on improving all aspects of yearbooks, including cover design, layout, deadline, photography and content writing.
Although Baughn does not know who recommended her, she said she is honored to be a part of the think tank and has big dreams for the organization.
“I want something good. I want a quality product,” Baughn said. “I’m 48, and it’s nice to pick up yearbooks and look back and think about people “¦ You want to produce something that makes people happy.”
While her influence will be broad as a member of Lifetouch, her interest in yearbooks began with a modest effort to help Sunset View. She and about eight parent-volunteers compiled the school’s publication because the students were too young to use the Web-based programs it involved. The volunteers took photos and designed the class pictures and certain activity pages.
Around that time, Dana Association President Eleanor Synder approached Baughn and asked if she would like to oversee Dana Middle School’s yearbook. The school was having a hard time finding someone to take over the yearbook after complaints that students whose last names started with G were missing from the publication.
“I, initially, was hesitant because it was a huge commitment, but nobody else wanted to do it,” Baughn said.
After reluctantly taking on the challenge, Baughn discovered that the tasks have differed hugely from her volunteer position.
“I help six committee members learn all of the aspects of yearbook, break up the yearbook into achievable tasks, assign the duties and facilitate them to the parents,” she said. And now, with her position at Lifetouch, Baughn is charged with additional paperwork as well as meeting with the company representative and facilitating the sales.
Despite the demands, Baughn always keeps the students’ and teachers’ best interests at heart.
“I want to keep prices low by not going with color and hardcover so all kids can afford a yearbook at $15,” she said. “I also make sure all the electives are represented as well.”
While there is not a lot of funding directed to the elective, Baughn believes yearbook is important to the educational development of students.
“It’s a graphic representation of a school experience and journey for a child,” she said, adding that it documents their activities, from science camp to a trip to Balboa Park to arts and crafts. “The electives are the actual application of the knowledge acquired through the core classes like language arts, math, science and social studies.”
Currently, Dana’s yearbook is halfway finished, but Baughn can’t wait to see the final product, saying she is excited to see the “different faces, personalities, smiles, teachers and how much passion they show toward their work.”