National Yearbook Program of Excellence

Towanda – August 12th – Jostens, the leading producer of yearbooks and student-created content, today announced that Towanda’s yearbook program has been named a 2016 Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence. The National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body while helping students develop 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, and information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy.

The Towanda Area Jr./Sr. High School’s award winning yearbook program is led by Editor Courtney Locke, Zelia Beauchemin, Jayde Parsons, Jarod Boardman, Josh Morgan, Chelsea Blanchard, Alex Gannon, Areyl Brown, Nate Secules, Annie Young, Julia Lambert, Jorden Isbell, Jensen Nielson, Tyler Basse, Jordan O’Connor, Hannah Wheeler, Ally Tama, Beth Allen, and Alivia Young under the direction of Jason Strickland, TOHIMEKI yearbook adviser.

“The 2016 Yearbook Staff worked very hard to achieve this goal, and I am so happy that my students had the perseverance to work hard all year to achieve a goal that seemed almost intangible at times. While the student body can receive this book soon after school starts, the Class of 2016 may pick up their copy in the high school lobby on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 23rd and 24^th between the hours of 12 and 2:00 PM.” –Adviser Jason Strickland

Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence Awards are presented twice a year, in spring and in fall for yearbooks delivered during the school year. The Award was presented to the Towanda Area Jr./Sr. High yearbook program for achieving the defined criteria in each of three following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement, and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.

“Yearbooks connect students’ hearts and minds to the school story, school year experiences, and the community to memorialize moments that matter. Jostens is proud to recognize yearbook staffs and advisers who create engaging yearbooks that tell the story of their school communities,” said Murad Velani, chief operating officer, Jostens. "We understand that a great yearbook program does not just happen, and we are dedicated to helping schools, yearbook advisers and students to strengthen their programs by providing state of the art tools, resources and best practices that support the development and creation of award-winning yearbooks.”

The Towanda Area Jr./Sr. High School’s yearbook program (TOHIMEKI) Will receive a plaque to display in the yearbook area and a banner to display in school so the entire school community will be aware of the outstanding achievement.