Improving the quality

Story by Jennifer Wallace and Tammy Putnam

M\ good yearbook is a book that improves each year, regardless ofitsage or established professional quality The '82'83 SELAH experienced many changes, most of which were considered improvements

At the beginning of the year thestaff was introduced toanewofficeinDorm 20, complete with a darkroom, occupied and operated bystaffmembers only Theoffice had previously been located intwo rooms in Dorm 9

One ofthe most rewarding experiences fortheSELAH staffthisyear was receiving its second first-class ranking from the Associated Collegiate Press and its second first-class ranking from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association

To obtain aranking, aschool submits its book to an institution such as ACPfor critiquing A judge evaluates thebookand awards points in various areas such as photography, writing, layout and design, and theme.The ranking andjudging forms are returned,enabling thestaffto examine its strengths and weaknesses and toconcentrate on theweak areas

SELAH also received anhonorable mention in photography from theSocietyfor Collegiate Journalists. Inallthe contests, SELAH's every page wasjudged in comparison with other college yearbooks.

Since 1980,thebook has based its organization on a magazine style, which involves large amounts ofcopy This style provides extensive experience forthe writing staff andkeeps a better record of the school year through in-depth coverage of events and organizations. The SELAH is continually developing its personality within thisstyle.

"The 1982 book reduced copy and concentrated more on photography. Inthe 1983 book we cutthelength of Student Life and theSports section to emphasize several other sections,"editor PaulStoltzfus said.

SELAH strove for organizational balance "Ideally there aresome in-depth storiesandothers where pictures tellthestory People expect that," Stoltzfus said There were a good number offreshmen involved with the 1983 staff,especiallyin writing Section editors, including three sophomores andtwofreshmen, were new in every section except one.Responsibilities and pressures increased forallstaff members second semester asdeadlines approached andseveral section editors temporarily left tofulfill other obligations

SELAH's young staffgained experience thisyearthatwill beapositiveinfluence on improving the quality of future books, experience that will some day help achieve the highest ranking, that of medalist, for the SELAH

Story by Melody Bacas