Hinsdale Central Yearbook Awarded its First All-American Rating

Submitted by Hinsdale Township High School District 86.
Photo: “El Diablo” staff members Suraj Marwaha, Mary Kate Foley, Mary Kate Pyle, Julia Donnelly, Donny Kwasigroch, Samantha Strausser and Areeba Javed discuss ideas.

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 today reported that Hinsdale Central High School’s yearbook “El Diablo” received a first place rating and its first All-American rating from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). The 2014 book, “Hiatus,” earned all five marks of distinction—concept, coverage, design, writing and editing, and photography. Only 1.2 percent of student publications nationally earned this honor.

“El Diablo” also received a Silver Medalist award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The CSPA noted in its comments that the theme “Hiatus” was creative and different, and that the page layouts demonstrated top quality work.

“I am more proud of the yearbook students all the time,” remarked Erin Palmer, yearbook adviser for the past five years. “The students work so hard, they genuinely care about the content of the yearbook and are meticulous with their attention to detail and coverage. Throughout the year, the staff raises their expectations and challenges each other accordingly. This class is so much more than producing a yearbook—it’s about collaboration, real team work, accountability, and ownership.”

Upon learning of the award, Suraj Marwaha, designer of “Hiatus” and the 2015 editor-in-chief said, “Earning all five marks of distinction from NSPA speaks volumes for how well our staff worked together; design didn’t trump theme development, photography didn’t overtake copy, instead our staff collaborated to create a yearbook equally strong in each area. And that’s what I’ll remember most.”

Another notable accomplishment includes earning the honor rating of All Kempa from the Kettle Moraine Press Association, its highest ranking.

Accolades also went to adviser Erin Palmer with an invitation to return to speak at the CSPA Spring Convention. She presented last year on turning students into experts to increase accountability and ownership.

Members of the 2014 “El Diablo” team: editors-in-chief Sophia Glomb and Vicky Gomez; design manager Iman Ajaz, managing editor Jaya Sharma; marketing manager Leah Sorini; graphic designers Mayank Mehta and Francesca Chiappetta; copy editor Julia Donnelly; writers Mary Kate Foley and Katie Murphy; designers Suraj Marwaha, Areeba Javed, Samantha Strausser, AnnaLise Fyrwald, Victoria Burke, Christen Massouras, Kiki Nesic, Karolina Bryjak, Mary Kate Pyle, Mary Kate McCarthy and Rachel Thompson. Adviser is Ms. Erin Palmer and assistant adviser is Mr. Hasham Bhatti.

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