Since the spring of 1973, LDHS students have been looking forward to our yearbook, “The 55er.”

From student life pages to showcases of our academics, everyone is trying to find themselves or their friends in the yearbook. Whether a freshman or a senior, LDHS offers a class that all students can take that allows them to cocreate our yearbook with other students, all guided by yearbook adviser Lori Pontoon. The yearbook cost is kept low by selling ads, both from businesses and our seniors’ families wanting to recognize their children’s achievements.

Hours of work and class periods go into the yearbook. After the senior and underclassmen photos are taken, the work begins.

“Each staffer picks what he or she would like to cover based on their interests,” yearbook editor Darnaire’A Copeland said.

The staff has to be at every event, every game, everywhere to take photos of our academics, students and activities.

“I have not stayed after school to meet a deadline. I have attended events to take pictures,” Copeland said.

When the staff has decided on what they would like to add into “The 55er,” they get to work. Staffers reserve their interests and pick pages that suit them Throughout the year, the staff is constantly meeting deadlines on what pages have to be completed.

“They have to meet deadlines until the yearbook is complete. Each page is student led,” Copeland said.

“It is a team effort. If we miss deadlines, it affects our grade,” Copeland said.

The planning is a feat as well. A Jostens representative gives the yearbook staff ideas and themes, and they go from there. Jostens also makes a base template for yearbooks; the students and Pontoon tweak and adjust it based on what the staff thinks will look right.

The previous editions of “The 55er” are also used for new editions. Some pages that the staff thought were hits or that the student body liked are used for the next yearbook. Progress on the current edition is shown to the class, so everyone can give their opinions and provide feedback on what they think still needs to be changed.

From fall to spring, the staff stays busy making sure the student population of LDHS can have a physical copy of memories that last a lifetime.