Archives > McKinney Courier-Gazette > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Yearbook staff left to fix ‘serious error in judgment’
Yearbook editor Madelyn Wilson and staff member Madeline Taylor works through the complicated process of fixing picture errors. Paul Gosling/McKinney Courier-Gazette
By Paul Gosling, McKinney Courier-Gazette
After all the official apologies were made and the platitudes were spoken, the “suits” went home and the real work of fixing the 2008 McKinney High School yearbook was left to the very same students who saw their year’s work ruined by a Lifetouch employee’s “serious error in judgment.”
In a second floor office strewn with circled photo proofs and empty soda cans, the student staff of the McKinney yearbook and advisor Lori Oglesbee have been working around the clock to make sure MHS students get the reprinted book as soon as possible.
From the moment it was discovered that pictures in the “The Lion” had been digitally altered by outside contractor Lifetouch Photography, yearbook staff showed their dedication and commitment as they cancelled social plans and work to spend this past weekend pouring over hundreds of pictures. The process of correcting the pictures is a labor-intensive one, made worse by a Lifetouch file-naming convention that does not match the yearbook staffs’.
MHS Principal Stewert Herrington said, “With what they’ve been through it would be easy to give up, but they’ve kept going.”
“We just have to grin and bear it,” said senior Danielle Steele.
To ease tension, staff joked about future media appearances and have suggested they could make lost wages back by selling copies of the doctored books on E-Bay.
Many of the staff are holdovers from the award-winning team that in 2007 won National Pacemaker, Gold Star and Distinguished Merit Awards, as well as a slew of individual honors.
Despite her staff’s hard work and dedication, Oglesbee is concerned the impact of the scandal may be ongoing.
“This is the time we use to plan next year’s book, yet we’re still working on this year’s,” she said.
“These students are ready for the challenges life will throw at them. They’ve forever missed out on the delivery of a popular book, but they remain devoted to the final product being the best it can be.”
“It says a lot about kids when on two-hour notice I can get 18 students to give up a substantial portion of their weekend. These kids are a credit to their families and their school. I’m proud to call them mine,” she said.
Yearbook editors Bailey Cox, Dylan Derryberry and Madeline Taylor released a joint statement: “This experience has taught us that we need to be prepared for anything that may come our way. Our staff proved their dedication from this accident by working through the weekend on a time-crunched schedule to practically redo our yearbook.
“Mrs. Olgesbee has spent countless hours at the school helping us get over this. She has even brought her newly-acquired dog to late deadlines. She has sacrificed her personal schedule to secure the rights of the students and staff members and keep the reputation of the McKinney High School yearbook at the high standard it has kept for years.”
Senior Josh Thompson, who has been documenting the efforts of the yearbook staff to fix Lifetouch’s mistake, captured the sense of humor that he believes has helped the tight knit group through the ordeal.
“We can always Photoshop our stuff if it doesn’t turn out right,” he said.
The McKinney High School Yearbook staff and Taylor publishing are planning on a June 3 delivery date for the reprinted book.
Contact staff writer Paul Gosling at pgosling@acnpapers.com. To post comments online, access this story at www.scntx.com
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
WASTE wrote on May 22, 2008 1:05 PM:
" WHAT A BUNCH OF NOTHING! ALL THIS TIME MONEY WASTED OVER A BOOK OF PICS! "
Lori Oglesbee wrote on May 23, 2008 10:12 AM:
" The MHS Lion is more than a book a pics. You should drop by our classroom to see the finished product. Outstanding stories, indepth details and memories that will last long after we are gone. This book is more than a keepsake. It's also the official history and stats of this school year. Students paid for a yearbook and deserve to get what they paid for.
Think of the positive implications of this story: high school kids spending extra time at school in an academic setting without being required to do so. "
Think of the positive implications of this story: high school kids spending extra time at school in an academic setting without being required to do so. "
WASTE OF TAX PAYER MONEY wrote on May 23, 2008 5:53 PM:
" I GRADUATED FROM MCKINNEY HIGH SCHOOL OVER 35 YEARS AGO. EVEN THEN, IT WAS A SELECT FEW THAT RAN AROUND TAKING PICS OF THEIR BUDDIES & SOCIAL GROUPIES! I AM THINKING OF ALL THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS WASTED ON SUCH NONSENSE. THESE KIDS CAN'T EVEN COUNT CHANGE! THEY (kids) NEED TO BE TAUGHT THE THREE RRR's...SO WHAT IF THESE KIDS PAY FOR A BOOK OF PICS! AS A TAXPAYER I AM FOOTING THE REAL COST HERE! GET REAL!!!!!!!!!!! "
Proud Parent wrote on May 23, 2008 9:47 PM:
" It may be a waste of time money (proper grammar there would help - its time and money) to you...but to the kids that spent countless hours, its much more. To the people that bought one, its much more. This is something that the kids will be able to look at when they are older and remember their friends, dances, etc. I am very proud of those kids for wanting the book to be the best it can be. It says a lot about the character of them - as your statement says a lot about your character..... "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
