Laynee Takigawa, confident and bubbly, strutted into the chaotic publications room, students frazzled, hair in her face, personality lighting up the room. She plopped into her seat, started up her computer and began working on her time-consuming yearbook spread.

This past weekend, Rocklin High School’s 2014-2015 yearbook won the Pacemaker award as well as placed fifth in Best In Show at the JEA Convention in Denver, Colorado. Laynee Takigawa, a current member of the Rocklin High yearbook staff recognizes the hard-work and dedication behind each book.

“Even though I didn’t work on last year’s book at all, I was just happy to know what I’m going into; our school is really good and I can’t wait to start for next year,” said Laynee.

Most students don’t realize how much work is put into each book and how rewarding a Pacemaker award is.

“You have to dedicate so much time after school, it’s not just a one period sitting where you can finish a book. You have to spend at least five hours after school each week… It’s a lot of work,” said yearbook staff member Christina Cho.

The staff who went to represent Rocklin High were not only rewarded with pride and recognition, they also felt a personal reward by establishing a close bond with their fellow yearbook members.

“The trip made me closer with a lot of people and we learned especially… how to bond more,” said Christina Cho.

Along with the obvious excitement about the awards, the classes offered at the convention really made an impact on their perspectives for creating a refreshingly historical yearbook. The girls plan next year to establish a picture based book with a clean style that will surely succeed among the student body.

“Everyone wants pictures no one reads [captions] so we’re trying to cut back on the words, make it more magazine like, trendy; make it more appealing to the eye, kind of like social media, more pictures with small captions.” added Laynee.

This year’s issue is still available at www.jostens.com