When the end of the school year is on the horizon, students anxiously anticipate the arrival of the The Spartan Annual yearbook.

On distribution day, excited students head down to the mezzanine to pick up their new yearbook. Teachers and students crack open the book and scavenge through more than 250 pages looking for pictures of themselves, interesting quotes, and articles about their sport, club, or activity.

The yearbook does not come together quickly, though. Hours upon hours of writing, photography, editing and layout by the yearbook staff is what makes The Spartan Annual one of the top yearbooks in the state.  The yearbook is put together by a staff of more than 20 students, an Editor in Chief, an Assistant Editor in Chief, and an Adviser.

Most students are unaware that yearbook is a class as well as an extra-curricular. Homework in the class is non-traditional and most of the work needs to be done at school, but outside of class. The yearbook staff spends a lot of time in the publications lab working on layout and editing different pages and photos.

“I spend about 15 hours working on the yearbook per week, sometimes up to 20 when deadlines are coming up,” Editor in Chief Lindsey Case said.

The theme for the yearbook is different every year.  In the past few years it has included “The Elements of Orono,” “The Spartan Experience,” and “Orono Ties.”  The yearbook staff works hard to create a theme and keep it a secret until distribution day.

“I’m really excited to get my yearbook,” freshman Celia Brown said. “It’s my first year in high school and I get to see people [in the yearbook] I have never seen before.”

Compared to the elementary, intermediate, and middle school yearbooks, the high school yearbook is a big change. It is much bigger with many different topics and things to look at and read.

Starting in the summer, the yearbook shows the student body what has been going on in Orono throughout the year. The yearbook staff works hard to show all events and activities that students are involved and interested in.  From Homecoming to sports to the Senior Hall of Fame, the yearbook never disappoints.

The student body enjoys the Senior Hall of Fame.  In the past few years there have been awards such as “Most School Spirit,” “Most Likely to be an Orono Parent,” “Couple that should have been,” and “Best of Friends.”

“I always look forward to seeing the people in the Senior Hall of Fame,” senior Heather Alton said.  “It will be even more fun this year because it’s my grade.”

In last year’s edition of the yearbook there was even a Faculty Hall of Fame with awards like “Gives the Most Homework,” “Biggest Child at Heart,” and “Most Likely to Give an Impossible Test.”

The yearbook is a great representation of what went on throughout the year. Most students look through the yearbook, but only a few realize how much work goes into creating it.

Ashley Johnson