2023 Yearbook Hall of Fame

Picaboo Yearbooks is proud to host its international yearbook contest. We sponsor this contest to recognize students, staff, and yearbook advisers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in creating yearbooks for their schools.

YEARBOOK CONTEST JUDGING CATEGORIES

Overall yearbook

cover design

Yearbook cover designs, judged based on overall design quality, relevance to school and current year, use graphic and textual design elements.

Yearbook - Overall yearbook theme development is judged based on the use of written and graphic elements carried throughout the entire yearbook.

picaboo originals

page design

The best use of a theme developed by Picaboo Yearbooks , enhanced by the school.

Page layouts judged are based on the overall layout design, the use of innovative techniques, and the use of captions, headlines, graphics elements, etc.

Grand Prize Winners - Best OVerall Yearbook

Hoover High School

2023 Grand PRize Winner - Best overall yearbook design - High School

This achievement recognizes Hoover High School for putting together a notable yearbook at the High School level. The Hoover High School yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their theme, long-time adviser Johnny Stafford stated, “I'd really like to see how my school's book stacks up against that of others. The theme was developed through a classroom discussion. "We Are One" symbolized a coming together after Covid.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Hoover High School who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

cliff valley school

2023 Grand PRize Winner - Best overall yearbook design - Middle/High School

This achievement recognizes Cliff Valley School for putting together a notable yearbook at the Middle School/High School level. The Cliff Valley yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their book adviser Helen said, “This yearbook is a reflection of the overall brand look for the school while ensuring that the spirit and energy of the students is represented through the photos..”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Cliff Valley School who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

Montclair Kimberley Academy

2023 Grand PRize Winner - Best overall yearbook design -Elementary School

This achievement recognizes Montclair Kimberley Academy for putting together a notable yearbook at the Elementary School level. The Montclair Kimberley Academy yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their book adviser Christy said, “The MKA 3rd Grade Memory Book theme was Cougar Tracks which our committee felt reflected our beloved school mascot - the cougar - as well as the feelings of energetic forward motion, fierceness, beauty and joy. Our students had been resilient through the challenging Covid years and emerged with such happiness and excitement - it inspired the parents who worked on the project, motivating us to go through many hundreds of photos submitted by students, parents, teachers and school administrators. Inclusion was also a crucial priority for the book as we carefully ensured that every child was featured in every relevant section. We are submitting this because we are so proud that the achieved these goals and brought so much happiness to students, parents, faculty and staff.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Montclair Kimberley Academy who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

CATCH Homeschool

2023 Grand PRize Winner - Best overall yearbook design -other group/school

This achievement recognizes CATCH Homeschool for putting together a notable yearbook at the other/group level. The CATCH Homeschool yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their book adviser Elizabeth said, “We based our geometric design on the extended tail of the letter A on our cover. Several spreads are built around the concept and we tried to keep the theme in place throughout graphically.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at CATCH Homeschool who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

Best OVerall Yearbook pages or spread

Grace Lutheran High School

2023 Winner - Best pages or spread - High School

This achievement recognizes Grace Lutheran High School for putting together notable pages at the High School level. These pages from the Grace Lutheran High School yearbook were selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Adviser Sarah who submitted the pages said, “We designed spreads that looked like the pages of a composition book by including some handwriting-style fonts as well as definitions on each page (as if taking notes in class). We featured adorable doodle images throughout the spreads as well as featured photos in the look and style of polaroids.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Grace Lutheran High School who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate and $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase

Holy Family Academy

2023 Winner - Best pages or spread -Middle/ High School

This achievement recognizes Holy Family Academy for putting together notable pages at the Middle/ High School level. These pages from the Grace Lutheran High School yearbook were selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Adviser Mike who submitted the pages said, “I love our "Superlatives" spread this year. The layout is completely different from the other pages, while still adhering to the overall design of the book. The silhouetted images pop off the page and the students had fun taking them.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Holy Family Academy who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate and $250 toward their 2024 yearbook purchase

Edith Landels Elementary School

2023 Winner - Best pages or spread -Elementary School

This achievement recognizes Edith Landels Elementary School for putting together notable pages at the Elementary School level. These pages from the Edith Landels Elementary School yearbook were selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Adviser Nadja who submitted the pages said, “The Timeline page was designed with the goal of capturing not only events at Landels and the significance of those events to the students but also capturing US and world affairs that took place during the course of the six years of the students' time at Landels. So when the students look back at this yearbook, they will remember some of the important events in their early lifetime and what kind of impact those events may have made in their lives.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Edith Landels Elementary School who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate and $250 toward their 2024 yearbook purchase

CATCH Homeschool

2023 Winner - Best pages or spread -other/group

This achievement recognizes CATCH Homeschool for putting together notable pages at the other/group level. These pages from the CATCH Homeschool yearbook were selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Adviser Elizabeth who submitted the pages said, “This spread is a great illustration of our theme stylistically. We didn't want to have a bunch of stars everywhere in the book but rather focus on the diagonal lines. Since we design in modules we have to find ways to make each module work with the theme and together on a page. I feel like this page designer did a great job with that by choosing to rotate one whole module on the same diagonal. Each image had to be rotated to fit as well as each caption. Yet they managed to keep it readable and incorporate the body copy of the article within the module despite it NOT being rotated. Each headline is attractive and catchy, using our themed fonts and colors well. The designer was able to get captions for nearly every photo and kept the articles engaging and relevant to the page. The addition of graphic elements used throughout the book are also well done and appropriate for making sure the modules come together as a cohesive group.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at CATCH Homeschool who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate and $250 toward their 2024 yearbook purchase

Best Yearbook Cover

The Charles Finney School

2023 Winner - Best Cover - High School

This achievement recognizes The Charles Finney School for putting together a notable yearbook cover at the High School level. The Charles Finney School yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their cover, adviser Rachel stated, “Once my HS staff decided on a theme (vintage tech) they brainstormed objects they felt captured that theme. In addition to the vintage tech they wanted throughout the book, we also decided clean, organized visuals would be a hallmark of this year's book, so the cover had to be neatly arranged. The back cover includes every single student in the High School, which was a huge undertaking and the yearbook photographers organized and executed beautifully.”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at The Charles Finney School who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

holy family academy

2023 Winner - Best cover - Middle/high school

This achievement recognizes Holy Family Academy for putting together a notable yearbook cover at the Middle/High School level. Holy Family Academy yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their cover, adviser Mike stated, “Our cover this year was drawn by a student, as we try to get the students to have some personal stake in things that are done at school. It shows out school mascot, the griffin, a unifying symbol that all students fall under. We like to say, "Once a Griffin, always a Griffin."

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Holy Family Academy who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

North Hi Mount Elementary

2023 Winner - Best cover - Elementary School

This achievement recognizes North Hi Mount Elementary for putting together a notable yearbook cover at the Elementary School level. North Hi Mount Elementary yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their cover, adviser Nadja stated, “We Fly Together is our 2022-2023 North Hi Mount Elementary school theme and Mr. Eagle makes his presence be known. There is no other explanation other than it represents who we are as a school which is unique, bold, beautiful, strong and proud. The eagle has his goggles and is ready to set to his journey. The same can be said about our students and their journey at NHM. They begin at a very young age and grow strong through their experiences at NHM. The best part is that they don’t do it alone. They do it in community with their peers and with the support of our NHM teachers, parents, and PTA."

Congratulations to the yearbook team at North Hi Mount Elementary who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

Watermark Homeschool Enrichment

2023 Winner - Best cover - Other/group

This achievement recognizes Watermark Homeschool Enrichment for putting together a notable yearbook cover at the other/group level. Watermark Homeschool Enrichment yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

Of their cover, adviser Laura stated, “Each of our students worked to develop a unique cover design that reflected their chosen yearbook theme of "Leave Your Mark."
This theme works specifically well for our organization because we are families who are homeschooling our children. One of our common ideals we share is to leave a positive imprint on the lives of our children through how and why we homeschool. Watermarks are like a seal, a mark, and that's why the students felt this was the best theme for our first student-produced yearbook. We also live in Florida and have beaches all around. A lot of our activities and field trips revolve around water, plus our science subject this year was Marine Biology. Each of the Middle and High School students, many designing for the first time (and many using using technology in this way for the first time even) submitted their unique designs for a blind vote by the staff. The winner was chosen based on creativity and how they best matched our school culture and theme. They all came up with wonderful designs and it was a challenging choice!The winning designer Lila Strackeljahn, a 6th grader, had not designed or used design software before this class. She worked diligently to come up with several ideas. She received feedback and made changes, narrowing down to the best design possible. She grew and blossomed into a designer this year, falling in love with design. What a joy to witness such a beautiful transformation. This joy was evident in her cover design that perfectly reflected our theme, our community, and our year.."

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Watermark Homeschool Enrichment who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

Best Picaboo Original

St. John Bosco Academy

2023 Winner - Best Picaboo Original- High School

This achievement recognizes St. John Bosco Academy for putting together a notable Picaboo Yearbook original at the High School level. The St John Bosco Academy yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

On their choice of using a Picaboo Yearbooks created theme adviser, Cindy stated, “This yearbook is the most student-centered yearbook ever created at SJBA. Our school is a pre-K through 12 school, so it is often difficult to develop a theme that engages students of all ages. After a lot of brainstorming, our high school student yearbook staff decided on a Dr. Seuss theme. The ENTIRE school loved the idea! After a Picaboo artist drew the cover, one of our very talented students drew every background, decoration, and art piece to suit in the pages of the yearbook. She subsequently joined the yearbook staff. Various Dr. Seuss books inspired the entire yearbook which ended as a collaborative effort for the entire yearbook staff. What our staff created is truly remarkable!”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at St. John Bosco Academy who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

Spring Mountain Christian Academy

2023 Winner - Best Picaboo Original- Elementary School

This achievement recognizes Spring Mountain Christian Academy for putting together a notable Picaboo Yearbook original at the Elementary School level. The Spring Mountain Christian Academy yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

On their choice of using a Picaboo Yearbooks created theme adviser, Evelyna stated, “I loved the front cover of the Jungle theme. But decided to create my own pages using the jungle and animal pictures provided! It was fun finding a new animal and jungle palm for each page. It made it easy for my yearbook to come together!”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at Spring Mountain Christian Academy who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

CHIL- Christian Homeschoolers In Lawrenceburg

2023 Winner - Best Picaboo Original- Group/other

This achievement recognizes CHIL- Christian Homeschoolers for putting together a notable Picaboo Yearbook original at the other/group level. The CHIL- Christian Homeschoolers yearbook was selected from hundreds of schools that submitted entries from around the world.

On their choice of using a Picaboo Yearbooks created theme adviser, Shelly stated, “Our class chose the "let your light shine" cover because of scripture in the Bible that speaks of being the light of the world and as Christians we are to let our light shine. Matthew 5:14-16”

Congratulations to the yearbook team at CHIL- Christian Homeschoolers who won a $100 Amazon gift certificate along with $250 towards their 2024 yearbook purchase.

2nd Place Winners - Best Overall Yearbook

  • Charles Finney School

    Once my HS staff decided on a theme (vintage tech) they brainstormed objects they felt captured that theme. In addition to the vintage tech they wanted throughout the book, we also decided clean, organized visuals would be a hallmark of this year's book, so the cover had to be neatly arranged. The back cover includes every single student in the High School, which was a huge undertaking and the yearbook photographers organized and executed beautifully.

  • North Hi Mount Elementary

    We Fly Together is our 2022-2023 North Hi Mount Elementary school theme and Mr. Eagle makes his presence be known. There is no other explanation other than it represents who we are as a school which is unique, bold, beautiful, strong and proud. The eagle has his goggle and is ready to set to his journey. The same can be said about our students and their journey at NHM. They begin at a very young age and grow strong through their experiences at NHM. The best part is that they don’t do it alone. They do it in community with their peers and with the support of our NHM teachers, parents, and PTA.

  • Happy Days Preschool

    I decided to submit our yearbook because so many parents commented on how happy they were with our book. They felt the pages were vibrant and colorful and happy with how their children were represented.

2nd Place Winners - Best Yearbook Covers

  • Hoover High School

    We were just looking for a moment that captured the theme and found it at a game.

  • CATCH Homeschool

    Being out of doors is a defining part of our group activities so we wanted to reflect that in this cover. It was critical to use a photo that showed our local landscape but also a sky full of stars. The fonts were manipulated to provide a sense of "leaning on one another" that reflected the tight bond our graduating seniors have while the extended letter A reaches down to the underclassmen to encourage them to grow.

  • Buckman Elementary School

    I created "stickers" for the cover and made one for our school mascot Buckman Bears. I wanted it to look like a well used composition book personalized by a student.

2nd Place Winners - Best Pages

  • Hoover High School

    12-13. This page spread is about our rivalry football game, the Revolution Bowl. It was designed from the kids learning how a great spread is created. The story it tells is of having fun and persevering to the end, in spite of a close loss in the game.

  • Mulberry Elementary

    One of my favorite spreads is the 5th-grade class pages (pg10-11). I love that I could use only graphic elements found within the Picaboo website. The lined paper, purple textured background, corner graphics on the class group photos, tape graphic on the teacher portrait, "fifth-grade" graphic, and the font for the teacher name.

  • Watermark Homeschool Enrichment

    "The best spread in our yearbook is the Engineering 101 Class spread. Designed by Jaxon Sherfield, an 8th grader. Jaxon related everything back to BOTH the class subject AND yearbook theme. The photos and layout further emphasized the captions by showcasing class experiments highlights, and by layout out some photos on a diagonal. His design was clean and balanced, well thought out. He captured this class exceptionally well, all the while relating it back to the Yearbook Theme as well!"

3rd place winners - best overall yearbook design

  • Providence Classical Christian Academy

    "Every year a staff of students gathers to make a year-in-review tribute for the entire academy, Kindergarten through High School. A few of these students have completed books in the past, while others are new to the process. Each year we strive to represent the spirit of our body of students with pictures, stories, and verses. As a group, we decided on the theme in the first part of the year. We seek to know what the Lord is guiding us to learn about Him this year and how we can showcase the remarkable growth of our school. Next, the veteran students choose layouts, colors, fonts, and so forth, while the others learn how to build a well-designed yearbook. We choose the theme of John 15 and the vine illustration. As individuals, we begin as a straightforward vine, and as we grow through the year, little stems shut off, and we grow into a fuller vine. With each new section of the book, we add a new vine with leaves. The leaves are all different, representing how we are all different but part of the same body of believers. These students put their own needs aside to incorporate the spirit of the entire body of students. On the last day of school, they pass out their books and celebrate their accomplishments."

  • Buckman Elementary School

    I created this yearbook to fit the retro theme that our PTA used for our fundraising and school events. The composition book felt very 90s and cool. I created custom stickers and doodles throughout the yearbook.

3rd place winners - Best Cover

  • Everest Collegiate HS

    Our cover reflects our school moto; All for Him. Together our Art Teacher and top art student created a cover that reflects our schools mission.

  • Horace Mann Elementary

    The cover design of this year’s yearbook came from a school-wide photograph of our new mini-pitch field installed this year. Our students formed the letter for the name of our school (and founder of education) Horace Mann. This photo took place at the grand opening of our mini-pitch, which is used for recess, PE, other activities, and shared with the community our school serves.

  • Big Little School

3RD PLACE WINNERS - BEST PAGES

THE CHARLES FINNEY SCHOOL

Our cover reflects our school moto; All for Him. Together our Art Teacher and top art student created a cover that reflects our schools mission.

HORACE MANN ELEMENTARY

The cover design of this year’s yearbook came from a school-wide photograph of our new mini-pitch field installed this year. Our students formed the letter for the name of our school (and founder of education) Horace Mann. This photo took place at the grand opening of our mini-pitch, which is used for recess, PE, other activities, and shared with the community our school serves.

Meet the Picaboo Yearbook Judging Panel

  • Tori Wolsky

    General Manager

  • Lori Polkinghorn

    Marketing Manager

  • Rhi Cornelius

    Customer Account Manager

  • Ashley Rowton

    National Sales Manager

  • Cathie DeRosia

    Sales Representative