With distribution day on May 31, students received and signed yearbooks, marking another success for The Edge staff. With book 16 on the shelf, this year’s staff can now rest after days of moving and handing out books. “I think it went well; a lot of students showed up. It was also very hectic, and some people were not listening to the rules, but it still went well,” Lily Whitman said. 

While many people see the result, most students don’t know the hours upon hours that the staff works to create this book. This past summer, a group of 11 students went down to Pomona California for the Walsworth workshop. This past year The Edge staff switched yearbook companies from Balfour to Walsworth, offering different opportunities for the staff to attend. This is where the idea for “The Grizzly Way” was born. “It was a great bonding experience, aside from the humidity and heat,” Tem Forbes said.  

Returning with the fresh idea of a school spirit themed book, jobs were assigned to new staff and the returning students and editors were introduced. While assignments started off simple such as “how to make a sidebar” and “what makes a good story”, they eventually progressed as the book needed to get made. Starting with summer, back to school, the fall sports, Homecoming court, and the spirit pages, they were officially sent to the plant shortly before the class conference trip to Boston. “Being a first-year student at the first deadline was scary because there were so many people who knew what they were doing. I’m also really glad that the older kids were there to help me,” Cooper Bosch said.  

With two trips, one to Boston and one to Kansas City, students got the opportunity to learn from professionals and learn about subjects in their field. With classes ranging from editorial leadership to photography, there was a wide range of sessions to attend. “Boston was a super historical city, so it was very cool to see all the things I learned about APUSH in real life. There were a lot more professionals from this industry, so I enjoyed seeing what career paths were available to me after high school,” Jaxx Sanchez said.  

Finishing off the year strong, distribution came quickly. Pictures were taken, boxes were lifted, and students saw the work the staff put in throughout the whole school year. As the year ends, seniors get their honor cords, and the staff starts working for next year’s book. A bittersweet end to new beginnings. “I had a good high school experience, but to new freshman I would say, ‘don’t get caught up in the drama and do what’s best for you’,” Jackie Shaner said.