North Gaston earns national yearbook design recognition

Schools around the world produce yearbooks annually.  This year, North Gaston High School’s publication ranks among the best. 

North Gaston’s award-winning publication titled “NOGA” is featured in Jostens’ Look Book 2021, a collection of school yearbooks that celebrate the best of the best in design, inclusivity, and excellence. 

The yearbook staff includes Cassidy McMahan, Jackson Payne, Sydney Shugart, Julia Stroud, Cecelia Tolbert, Hannah Trainham, Peyton Davis, Kelsey Dockery, DJ Bishop, Victoria Duncan, Karsyn Monk, Justin Helms, Dylan Helms, Shyanne Large, Elizabeth Cable, and Madison Mills.  The yearbook adviser is Jennifer Reed.

“I am so proud of these students!  This was a yearbook created during a pandemic, and they did not let it stop them,” said Reed.  “They worked tirelessly to make sure that quality was never compromised.  Being recognized for their creativity and design with everything else that they have been through over the past year is a very nice reward.”

Each year, Jostens, a company known for producing school yearbooks, selects publications for its Look Book.  The collection gives students and advisers a look at outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, eye-catching covers, beautiful designs, relevant coverage of school events, meaningful storytelling, and stunning photography.  

North Gaston’s “NOGA” publication was one of only 460 yearbooks selected for the Look Book 2021 from more than 1,000 yearbooks submitted for consideration.  During Reed’s tenure as the yearbook adviser, Jostens has chosen North Gaston’s publication for its Look Book four times. In addition, the yearbook has received the The Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Medalist Certificate along with several honors from the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association. 

“We commend our yearbook staff and Mrs. Reed for their hard work, dedication, and leadership to give us another quality yearbook,” said North Gaston principal George Conner.  “This award is a great accomplishment, and it is a major achievement for our school to be recognized once again on a national level by Jostens.”

Reed and the yearbook staff received a plaque and banner from Jostens to celebrate their status as one of the best school yearbooks created this year.