By Robyn Forbes

For all of the Miami Lakes Educational Center Jaguars who purchased a yearbook, the wait is finally over. The highly anticipated books arrived at the school on Thursday and brought with them a tangible sense of excitement to all those aware that they were officially available for distribution. Staffers of the Alpha & Omega yearbook team buzzed around the school’s Activities Office hurrying to get things in order for expectant students to pick up their books.

Senior Kiara Finlay expressed her satisfaction with the book in an interview shortly after she’d picked hers up.

“I bought my yearbook [in] early September when it was still $65. I think [the yearbook staff] did a really nice job with it and the theme was nice, so I think it was great. I like the way that my senior portrait came out in it; I think it looks really really nice. I like the way that you guys organized them.”

The distribution process was also designed to make the pick-up as stress-free as possible. Tables were placed at the entrances of the Activities Office to avoid a large crowd gathering in the room and slowing down distribution. Students were called from their classes in groups and then called randomly by name for the purposes of abandoning the alphabetical advantage that students with certain last names have. Students were also able to purchase permanent markers for their friends and teachers to sign with, as well as plastic covers to preserve the beauty of their book for years to come.

Those who’d just gotten their books, particularly seniors, were eager to share their opinions about the yearbook.just outside the Activities Office with their books and they were eager to share their opinions.

When asked what his favorite thing about the book was Andy Alvarez’ response was “Everything. Everything is really good.

“Right off the bat I like [the way everything is sectioned]; it’s organized nicely. I thought [my senior portrait] would look bad but it actually ended up being very well done and looked nice.” The point of the yearbook is to express the idea of 2018 in general and since that tragic hurricane came and kind of busted everything…it is part of [the school year] so I don’t see an issue as to why it’s there.” senior year “For sure. There’s a lot of memories in here. There’re pictures all over the place…definitely. Just having this book on a shelf somewhere…it’ll always be good to come back and look at all the pictures.”

When asked what his favorite thing about the book was, senior Andy Alvarez’ response was “Everything. Everything was really good.”

“Right off the bat I like [the way everything is sectioned]; it’s organized and nice. I thought [my senior portrait] would look bad but it actually ended up being very well done and looked nice,” Alvarez went on to say.

“I like the table of contents and I thought that the pictures that were taken were really cool,” added his friend and fellow senior Abigail Aruca.

In addition to the usual class and school events the yearbook also encapsulates monumental events that have affected the world around us in the passing year. In this case we covered Hurricane Irma. A few students weren’t too sure about the relevance of the spread highlighting the historic storm while others were quite comfortable with it.  

“I don’t see why it shouldn’t be there,” said Abigail. “It is the yearbook for 2018 and this hurricane did impact our school year. Because of it we did miss time in school and we got more days [added to make up for it.]”

“The point of the yearbook is to express the idea of 2018 in general and since that tragic hurricane came and kind of busted everything it is part of [the school year] so I don’t see an issue as to why it’s there,” Alvarez commented.  

Although we can count on graduating seniors making up the majority of the yearbook purchases the book isn’t just for the students. On the contrary, it is inclusive of faculty and staff, and oftentimes students pool their money to reserve a page in the book for the teacher they appreciate most. This year the Student Government Association raised money to dedicate a page to SGA sponsor and Social Studies Department Chair, Mr. John Moffi.  

“All of the books are different. They rise and fall with you guys who produce them, and it is amazing to me how they’re never the same. I know over the years some are received differently than others, but I love the book. It looks great; I love the design elements. I don’t know how to react to the lovely gesture that was in there for me [courtesy of] my [SGA] officers,” Moffi responded.

“We were talking about something and somebody was looking at the book and they said that I was in it. I just sort of said ‘What do you mean?’, and then I caught a glimpse and it was surprising; I didn’t expect it. For a teacher to have their students do that is very heartfelt. I’m looking forward to thanking my officers.”

Each year the yearbook gives us the space to commemorate those special moments that have taken place during the school year as well as the people who have made them special. For most students it represents the culmination of their final year as a highschool student. Even though we publish a book every year, for each graduating class there will only be one to solidify their last year here.

When asked if By Design was worthy of holding that special place in her educational journey Abigail responded, “There’s always so much that’s not gonna fit into a book about your senior year but I’m pretty sure I can remember everyone through the yearbook.”

“For sure. There’s a lot of memories in here,” Andy added. “There’re pictures all over the place…definitely. Just having this book on a shelf somewhere…it’ll always be good to come back and look at all the pictures.”

Yearbooks are still available for sale in the Activities Office for $85 while supplies last.