“Producing a yearbook at this level requires vision, collaboration, and countless hours of dedication; that effort shows on every page,” Walsworth President Don Walsworth said in a letter to Wings Yearbook Adviser Julie Barker.
Since the 2022–2023 school year, the Wings yearbook staff has partnered with Walsworth to create the yearbook. Walsworth puts recognized yearbooks in its “Possibilities” book. This is national-scale recognition, and only 10 percent of all Walsworth partners are selected.
“This is a really big moment for me because it’s big for the kids,” Barker said. “No one understands how much work it really takes.”
The 2025-2026 school year marks Barker’s twenty-ninth year of advising. Barker is well accustomed to the difficulty and is a supportive part of the staff.
“Barker did so much to help me last year, and so did my wonderful staff,” 2025 Wings editor Lexi Moore said.
As the editor and only returner last year, Moore had her hands full. Yet, Moore attributes a large part of the book’s success to her staff.
“Since those girls were new to the yearbook, they brought a new perspective, and I think that helped us out,” Moore said.
Recognized for the strong layout and thematic visuals, the band page found its way into the “Possibilities” book. Moore helped 2026 Wings co-editor Haley Browning create the page, specifically, with naming band instruments.
“I knew nothing about band; Lexi had to help me every time,” Browning said.
With only five students on staff, the Wings staff had its hands full. Each member had two full pages to do every month.
“It was very difficult to manage; our deadlines were pushed back so much,” 2026 Wings co-editor Charleigh Shaver said.
The small staff was not last year’s only challenge.
“Our biggest struggle was being without Barker,” staff member Adrien Green said.
Barker missed a month due to health concerns. Even through the adversity, the staff’s combined efforts landed them in the “Possibilities” book. After finding out, Barker felt the need to celebrate.
“At first, I thought it was an April Fool’s joke because it was the first of April,” Browning said, “but then she sat us down, and we read the letter.”
Although it took some explaining, just like Barker, Green was shocked.
“I didn’t quite understand what it meant at first, but I was so excited,” Green said.
Staff members spent a total of 11 months creating the yearbook.
“I was ecstatic; I was excited; I was happy,” Browning said. “I thought it was great that our hard work paid off.”
Learning about the recognition made Moore feel like a pro athlete.
“To know that someone out there saw our book and said it was good enough for Walsworth felt like winning the Super Bowl,” Moore said.
