The yearbook class at Truckee High School had been run by the same teacher, Ms. Tamara Chisholm, for eight years straight. After she retired, there were many rumors, talks, and questions about who would become the new instructor for the class.
After a while, it was shared that Ms. Courtney Clark, a math teacher at Truckee High School, would take over the yearbook teacher position. Due to her photography background and being involved with the yearbook when she was in high school, she was more than qualified to take charge as a leader.
“I love working with the students,” Ms. Clark said when asked about her favorite part of teaching the class so far. “They are so motivated and creative, and I love to get out of the math structure, and get a creative aspect”.
Ms. Clark has never taught a yearbook class before, and is still new to the situation. However, it is especially new territory since there was the same yearbook teacher for such a long time. Due to her being new to how things work in the class, experienced upperclassmen who have been a part of the class for a while have taken a leadership role in the class.
Jessica Wurzelbacher, a senior at Truckee High School, has been involved in creating the yearbook since Freshman year. Experienced yearbook students are referred to as “editors”, since they oversee the entire yearbook, not just certain pages, like most other students. She has been helping Ms. Clark to better understand the class.
“It’s nice she’s letting us lead the class as editors while she’s getting the hang of it,” Wurzelbacher said, “She has a lot of new ideas, but is also respectful with letting us run it similarly to past years.”
After becoming the teacher for the yearbook class, Ms. Clark has started to think of more options to pursue photography besides being in the class itself. “I’m looking forward to starting a photography club this year, and hopefully a photography class next year.” Clark wants to get people involved with the art of photography, in any form.
The yearbook class looks a little different this year, but it is running as smoothly as ever. The class is filled with ways to learn graphic design, advertising, how to take photos, work with cameras, and how to work in a collaborative environment to make one final product.
Ms. Clark brings her past photography experience to the students to the table, while the students bring the ways the class used to work, under guidance of Ms. Chisholm.
The combination of both will make sure this year’s yearbook is new, exciting, and filled with the best memories of the school year. As well as bringing the past energy of the old yearbooks that the majority enjoyed.
Make sure to buy a 2025-2026 yearbook to never forget the memories of the year!