Inside the 2024 Waterpark Yearbook

The idea for the 2024 Waterpark College yearbook came to me during the lead-up to New Year’s Eve in 2023. I was reflecting on the past year and realised how much I wanted a way to capture those memories. That’s when it hit me - our school had never had an official yearbook. I wanted to create something that would let my peers hold onto the memories of their time in Waterpark.

As the organiser of the 2024 Waterpark Debs, I had gotten to know everyone in our year on a more personal level. It struck me how little we sometimes know about the lives of those around us, especially outside of school. I wanted the yearbook to break those barriers and give everyone a chance to showcase their personal and school lives.

What Made It Different

This wasn’t just another yearbook; it was the first official one for Waterpark College, which felt like a huge responsibility. I didn’t want it to follow the traditional format - just one photo and a short quote under each name, crammed onto a page. That felt too impersonal.

Instead, I designed it to celebrate individuality, which I think is something Waterpark really values. Each student had their own dedicated page, filled with their input. From the colours of the fonts to how the photos blended into the design - even down to the spacing between text and images - every detail was chosen with care and collaboration.

The Challenges Along the Way

Balancing the yearbook with my Leaving Cert, organising the Debs, and other leadership responsibilities was tough. It was my first time tackling something of this scale, and time management was definitely a challenge. But once I had a system in place, it became easier to stay on track. That system is now something I can adapt for future yearbooks.

The Reaction

The response from students, staff, and parents made all the hard work worth it. My classmates were so supportive throughout the process, and their reaction when they saw the finished yearbook was incredible. I don’t think they were expecting something as personal or as detailed as what they got.

Teachers and the principal were also really impressed, and on graduation night, parents were pleasantly surprised. A lot of them mentioned how much they wished they’d had something like this when they were younger, which was a real validation of the project’s value.

What I’m Most Proud Of

For me, the best part was seeing my vision come to life exactly as I imagined it. I didn’t cut corners or settle for “good enough.” Every page turned out the way I envisioned, and knowing that it’ll be a lasting piece of history for everyone involved is something I’ll always be proud of.