What's in the Forecast?
The Process Behind the Theme
This past summer, my Co-Editor-in-Chief Maddie and I attended the MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop, where we participated in Cody Harrell’s “Yearbook: Best Theme Ever” workshop to refine our theme “What’s in the Forecast?”
​
The process wasn’t easy. Our original theme, “In the Forecast” didn’t fully capture the uncertainty surrounding our school’s future, between a new bond proposal, updated security measures, and other major changes. After workshopping our idea, we reframed it as a question: “What’s in the Forecast?” – a reflection of the unknowns ahead and the anticipation they brought. By the end of the workshop, we had a theme we were proud of and one that not only captured the unpredictable year ahead but also invited every student to interpret it in their own way.
​
"What’s in the Forecast?" emphasizes looking ahead and adapting to factors beyond our control, whether it’s the bond proposal, teacher retirements, a new health clinic, or policy changes. We can predict the weather and hope for the best, but sometimes we have to let go and go with the flow – just as students navigate the changes and disruptions of high school life.
Opening
Over the summer at MIPA Camp, I wrote this rough draft of the opening to explore the theme of uncertainty in our school community. I wanted to highlight how, despite the routines and expectations of high school, so much remains unknown, whether it's the outcome of a football game in the rain, the disruptions of a tornado warning, or the changes brought by new teachers, clubs, and policies. My goal was to show that while we often assume we know what’s coming next, we’re constantly faced with unpredictability.
Updated Opening
This is the first page of our opening, where I incorporated many ideas from my rough draft while grounding them in concrete examples specific to our school. I focused on the certainties we rarely question, such as the traditions and patterns that make East Lansing High School feel predictable year after year. From our football team’s consistent playoff runs to the guaranteed success of Model UN and Science Olympiad, these are the things we expect without a second thought. By highlighting these familiar rhythms, the opening sets up the contrast for the uncertainty that follows, challenging the assumption that we always know what’s coming next.
Click on the image to access the Google Doc!
This is the second page of our opening, where the theme of uncertainty begins to take shape. This section introduces the moments that disrupt our expectations, both the small shifts, like unexpected losses in competitions or changes to Excel, and the larger, more unsettling events, like the tension of an election year or a sudden gas leak. These moments serve as reminders that high school isn’t as comfortable or predictable as we assume. By the end, the focus shifts from simply recognizing uncertainty to embracing it, reinforcing the idea that the future is always unknown, but that’s what makes it worth anticipating.
Spin Off Phrases/Words
For our spin-off phrases and words, we played off weather and temperature-related language, creating fun and diverse thematic headlines that tie back to our overall theme. Each phrase connects to a different aspect of student life, using weather metaphors to frame their experiences. For example, Sunny-Side Up highlights students staying positive, while Stormy Weather reflects challenges they’ve faced and overcome. This helps us reinforce our theme while keeping coverage relevant to students' experiences.
My "Yearbook: Best Theme Ever" class celebrating our Volleyball Tournament win!