Jostens recently announced that Okarche High School’s yearbook program has been named a Jostens 2020 National Yearbook Program of Excellence.

The National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body while helping students develop 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, and information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy.

The Okarche High School program is under the direction of Traci Fuller, yearbook adviser.

“Last year’s staff put out an excellent yearbook under difficult conditions after the school closed down during the pandemic,” Fuller said.

“They were able to reimagine what the book should include and were able to reconfigure the layout.

Despite the difficult times, Okarche’s yearbook was a hot item.

“Last year’s book sold more than any other edition we’ve put out and actually had more pages than previous editions, in spite of COVID-19,” Fuller said.

“I am extremely proud of the work they’ve done.”

The staff for the 2019-2020 yearbook included returning students Graci Willcutt, Kori Cox, and Hayley Coffey, as well as first-year students Rachel McDowell, Kelsee Brown, Harlie Smith, Hannah Goble and Ember Black.

Present for the recognition was the 2020-2021 staff and Fuller, along with Josh Sumrall, superintendent, and Lisa Munson, principal.

Making the presentation was the Okarche High School’s Josten’s representative Dustin Keirsey.

Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence Awards are presented twice a year, in spring and in fall based on the yearbook’s arrival date at the school.

The award was presented to the Okarche High School’s yearbook program for achieving the defined criteria in each of three following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement, and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.

“Especially this year, Jostens is proud to recognize those individuals who have acted as wonderful stewards by creating an exceptional yearbook for their school and community,” said Tammy Whitaker, Jostens VP and COO of the Yearbook Division.

“These schools did an exceptional job on multiple levels, despite the challenges presented by Spring 2020. 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.”