Sept. 2, 2026
WESTBY, Wis. — The Westby Area High School yearbook, “The Ski,” has received national recognition for its creative design and layout.
The school’s 2024 edition of “The Ski” is one of only six Wisconsin yearbook publications featured in the 2026 Josten’s Look Book, an annual collection showcasing the country’s most innovative and creative yearbooks.
The Josten’s Look Book celebrates excellence in yearbook journalism, recognizing outstanding programs based on innovative design, student inclusion, theme, color, style, and photography. Out of more than 1,000 middle and high school yearbook submissions judged each spring, Westby was chosen for its exceptional “Boys Basketball” page featured on page 186 in the Sports section of the national publication. The page was highlighted for its high-quality photography, inclusive student coverage, and effective use of color.
This is the first time a specific page of “The Ski” has been displayed in the showcase, though the program is no stranger to excellence. For five consecutive years, the yearbook has been submitted and listed by name as a “program of excellence” alongside other local schools, including Cashton, Hillsboro, West Salem, and La Crosse Logan.
The yearbook is completely created, designed, written, and driven by students in the high school’s Student Publications class under the guidance of advisor Monica Derks. The class uses a project-based learning model to compile the 80-page publication alongside other year-end projects, such as the senior video.
Derks expressed immense pride in the students’ collaboration and creativity when she learned of the honor.
“Every year I am blessed to have such creative students with drive, passion, and goals for our publications,” Derks said. “I help them realize their design ideas by supporting them and getting out of their way so that they can bring their ideas to life.”
Derks singled out the leadership of the 2024 student editors, Ali Fortun and Erin Gluch, who graduated and went on to see their joint work published. Derks described them as an amazing, collaborative team who worked together to include the entire class in decision-making.
Fortun, who served as the 2024 editor-in-chief, said the award was a major surprise.
“Being able to design our school’s first ever nationally recognized yearbook page alongside Erin Gluch is something I never expected, and I’m incredibly honored and excited to have been a part of it,” Fortun said. She expressed gratitude to Derks for her encouragement and guidance.
Gluch, the 2024 design editor, reflected on the impact of their hard work.
“Walking into Mrs. Derks’ classroom to work on the yearbook with my friends was always one of my favorite parts of the day,” Gluch said. “It’s super cool to see our work be recognized, especially on the national level. Yearbooks hold so many special memories, but they also play a crucial role in our school history. It’s rewarding to invest our creativity into something that ages in a timeless manner.”
Add comment