Central's Yearbook Brings Memories Into The Future

Ah, the high school yearbook.

Everyone has one. Pages full of memorable photos and not so memorable hairstyles, along with quotes to live by. Or laugh at.

West Morris Central’s 2013 Talisman, however, is taking the next step in yearbook memories, as it became part of a nationwide pilot program with Walsworth Yearbooks to incorporate multimedia into the paperbound log of memories.

Through a mobile app called Yearbook 3D, the books can be brought to life with 3D animation, video and special effects, according to a press release from the school.

This year’s cover of the Talisman is designed to look like outer space with stars and a theme–titled on the cover–of “Limitless.” When a student scans the yearbook’s cover with their mobile device via the free app, the cover’s custom animation shows a blue, nebula-like graphic that grows and explodes, with images of students beginning to appear. The animation then ends with the implosion of the blue graphic.

“Applying the theme ‘Limitless’ to West Morris Central was an easy task because our high school offers so many different sports, activities, clubs, and classes that each student can take,” said Emily Thomas, Talisman 2013 Editor-in-Chief. “This year’s yearbook showcases the limitless possibilities that each student encounters. By adding 80 pages from last year to this year and including videos using QR codes this was a big assignment that the students who produced the yearbook did a great job with. I, myself, am very proud of the yearbook that WMC has produced this year and the technological advancements that we have taken on.”

According to Talisman advisor and West Morris Central teacher Cara Fabin, the school is just one of 10 in the nation that are taking part in the special cover technology this year.

QR codes have also been used inside the book for students to view videos from special events throughout the year, Fabin said.

The 2013 edition is also the largest in school history, coming in at a whopping 400 pages, all color.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of the students who put this book together,” said Fabin. “In September when they signed up for the yearbook 90-percent had never worked on any type of publication or project of this sort. Not only did they create the largest yearbook in the history of the school but they made every deadline with ease.

“It was remarkable to see them work and produce this book,” said Fabin.