The Flame Yearbook Revisited

Ever since the idea of having a 30th high school reunion surfaced earlier this year, I've had the Flame yearbook close at hand. The publication has been invaluable for me and many others prior to and ever since our gala event in August.

I scanned countless photos from the yearbook and created a number of albums on the official reunion Web site. It was a great trip back in time while reviewing and writing the captions for each scan. Several classmates asked me to scan their senior photos and use them for the "classmates" page. I've also been able to write articles on various sports teams and use the photos and information provided by the Flame.

Do you still have your copy of our high school yearbook? Better yet, prior to the reunion, how long had it been since you even looked at it? I'm sure our reunion afforded all of us an opportunity to wax nostalgic about our high school days. Obviously, I still enjoy publishing the blog.

I applaud those who took the time to create and publish the yearbook over 30 years ago. It was, without question, a labor of love for all those students who were involved in its production.

Remember, too, that the technology of 30 years ago was archaic compared to today. Now, we have digital cameras, word processors, and personal computers. Back then, I'm sure the students who worked on the yearbook needed Royal typewriters to write their summaries, and black-and-white pictures were developed at the film shop. They didn't have the convenience of email, photoshop, or the ability to work on the yearbook at home.

"The one activity at Warde requiring the greatest amount of dedication, cooperation, and hard work from its members is the yearbook," according to the Flame. "The 1976 Flame was published as a result of the efforts of just such a hardworking editorial board and the guidance of Mr. Bormann, Flame advisor. The members of the staff sacrificed many of their previous obligations and almost all of their spare time in order to insure that the yearbook would be of high quality.

"Working on the yearbook staff can be a very rewarding experience. As true in most endeavors, one gets from it what he puts into it."

The hard work of the yearbook staff over 30 years ago continues to pay dividends today. It took a 30th high school reunion for me to dust off the Flame and slowly peruse all the pages once again. Thankfully, I still have my yearbook. Needless to say, it's a cherished treasure from a long time ago.

Paul