Written by Student: Shaylin Stone, Treasure Chest Layout Editor
Brazoswood High School’s yearbook has once again earned a spot in the Look Book, a national showcase of the best yearbook page and cover designs for other schools to admire and take inspiration from. This marks the seventh consecutive year the school’s yearbook staff and staff advisor, Lela Siegel, has received this honor. This year, however, the Treasure Chest was recognized for excellence in cover design as well as page design. It was also featured as one of the few yearbooks selected for a Gold Leaf award by the Foil and Specialty Effects Association (FSEA).
“Every year we shine in something different, I am not surprised at all that our cover made the cut this year,” Siegel said. “It was an intricate design created by one of our Graphic Design students and molded into our vision. Knowing that our cover earned a Gold Leaf award is even more special as the competition is much broader for that award.”
The Gold Leaf Awards judge a variety of finishes used in marketing and print production including product packaging, all types of books, greeting cards, and more. To be a yearbook placed in this category is a high achievement.
“Only six of Jostens schools from across the world were recognized in the 31st annual FSEA Gold Leaf awards. There are extremely high standards for this and I honestly never thought once, muchless twice, about us being named a winner in this competition,” Siegel said.
Beyond the Gold Leaf, the Treasure Chest was also recognized in the Look Book for two other categories which goes beyond local competitions, as a panel of judges from across the country evaluate the book. Each year, the judging is a long and thorough process which puts all schools on edge as they wait for the results.
“There are a panel of judges across the country looking for theme, concept, design, and photography to add,” Siegel said. “The Look Book holds the best of the best, they want to showcase greatness for other schools to use as inspiration. Out of over 1500 books submitted only around 450 are showcased in the Look Book.”
Getting selected to be in the Look Book is a big achievement to many people, as receiving an award as big as this can create new confidence, boost motivation, and allow all members of the staff to reflect on their hard work positively.
“I remember the first time one of my books at my previous school was featured in the Look Book, it was exciting and the staff felt so proud of their book because of this accomplishment,” Siegel said. “I love seeing that within the staff and knowing my students aren’t just producing a good book for our target audience, they are being appreciated and awarded from a greater audience as well.”
Having the work published in the Look Book serves as a reminder that the staff’s efforts go beyond just our school, proving that their work means something more than putting words on a page.
“I just think it’s really impressive that we were able to get into the Look Book, and it shows the talent and the passion that a lot of people in our staff have,” junior Harper Nichols said.
When you’re new to the yearbook, the process can be eye opening, revealing just how much passion and skill go into creating something amazing. It’s not just about meeting expectations, but about pushing the limits of what the staff can achieve, serving as a reflection of the dedication, talent, and passion that the staff pours into it every year.
“Even now, the yearbook is still something really new to me, and every day I’m just impressed by what we as a staff are able to do,” Nichols said. “I’m so very proud of everybody, and so fascinated by the talent and dedication that so many people on the staff have.”
