Yearbooks are not just a collection of photographs and superlatives. They serve as a time capsule that captures a specific year in your school’s history. However, have you ever thought about the everyday details that go unnoticed? Imagine flipping through your yearbook after 15 years and noticing not just the trends, but also the cost of gas, the top song everyone was obsessed with, or even the minimum wage. These seemingly mundane details can turn into fascinating historical markers when viewed through the lens of time. This is different from a timeline where you are just simply documenting information from the school year in no particular order.
This is where the Time Capsule Page comes in. This isn’t about cheesy predictions for the future; it’s about capturing the essence of everyday life in your school year. Here’s how to create one, even if design or writing isn’t your forte:
What to Include:
- Prices: Gas, milk, bread, movie tickets, concert tickets – the cost of living paints a vivid picture of the economic climate.
- Pop Culture: Top 10 movies, TV shows, video games, music artists, and songs – these capture the spirit of the year.
- People: Whether it is politics on a global or national level, you can include the politics in your area or of area leaders making an impact. Think of any other noteworthy people that mean something to your audience.
- Technology: Most popular phone model, social media platform, video game console – technology evolves rapidly, making this a fun way to see how things have changed.
- Local Events: Major news stories, sporting events, school milestones – document what was happening in your community.
- Slang: What were the catchphrases everyone was using?
Making it Pop:
Yearbook pages are visual, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Infographics: Use charts and graphs to showcase price changes or the popularity of different music genres.
- Photos: A picture of a gas pump displaying the price, or a concert ticket stub adds a personal touch.
- Collages: Create collages of movie posters, album covers, or video game logos.
Why Participate?
The Time Capsule Page is a chance to contribute to the historical record of your school year. In 5, 10, or even 15 years, you’ll be amazed at how much has changed – and you’ll have a record of it all in your yearbook. Even if you don’t consider yourself a skilled writer or editor, you can still make an impact by creating a Time Capsule Page. This is a great way for those of you who enjoy statistics, history, and fact-checking to showcase your skills. Remember, to keep your writing simple for others to understand and appreciate your work. All yearbook staff members have a responsibility to contribute.