Out of all six buildings of PPCHS, there are only a few classrooms you can never truly leave. With your first step into the walls of C113, the sound of simultaneous chatter comes from every corner of the room. Whether it’s the sound of Editor-in-Chief Samantha Serrano reminding her staff to stay on top of their assigned contacts, or the clicking of a mouse as junior Layout editor Leah Miragliotta ensures the perfection of every page, the air is always filled with a sense of busy chaos.
And yet, this classroom is where senior Samantha Serrano’s pride and joy comes from, as she revels in the undeniable sense of purpose and connection fostered within the classroom.
Producing PPCHS’s yearbook is no easy feat. As Editor-in-Chief, Samantha is tasked with creating a diverse, yet unified yearbook that perfectly encapsulates the student body at Charter. However, she finds comfort in the fact that she doesn’t bear this weight alone. “As stressful as the title may appear of being in charge of such a special facet for the school, my section editors make the job easier for me. They can religiously see how much I literally pull the hairs out of my scalp over how a page is turning out, delays, the constant work of getting different students to be featured in yearbook pages, reminding seniors of tedious deadlines, and assisting parents through email or on the phone with assistance they need,” says Samantha.
This year, Samantha’s goal was to produce a yearbook like no other. “It’s not just about leading the book and coming up with a theme, but putting your own touch into it that no other Editor-in-Chief has done… to creatively come up with ideas [about] the appearance of the yearbook and features showcased.” And, after almost a year of hard work, she can proudly say she has done just that.
“Frankly, the theme and cover that I chose for this school year is definitely one of the top 3 out of any yearbook created. It really screams Charter and who we are as a student body. It is bigger than ever: more pages, more features, more everything! The designing choices are completely different from prior years as well. I can promise that the Yearbook theme and title is a really sick name that will be enjoyed by all, ” she hints.
However, this year hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the class. Because of some difficulties with the City of Pembroke Pines and their production company, the Prowler was delayed on the time of both its selling and distribution. Yet, despite their initial difficulty gathering sales, the yearbook staff received 250 additional book sales and 55 more senior dedications the week before the deadline — a huge jump, breaking records from previous years and surpassing their goal. “I can indeed say that I am ending my last year as a Senior with a great note,” she exclaims.
As the day of distribution comes closer and closer, Samantha and her team are eager to unveil a yearbook that’s more than just a collection of memories — this year’s yearbook will be a testament to Charter’s spirit and the dedication of its students.
