Emily Lockwood, the beloved yearbook adviser, is stepping down after two years in the role. Though she started without any journalism experience, her love for graphic design and eagerness to connect with upperclassmen made her a perfect fit for this special position.
Balancing her role as yearbook adviser with her responsibilities as the English 9 team lead was no small feat.
“The Yearbook requires an incredible amount of time, energy, and focus, and I know stepping away will allow me to better serve my team and my classroom,” Lockwood noted. As she prepares to say goodbye to this cherished role, she reflects fondly on the connections she made with students across grade levels.
Her dedication to helping students thrive has left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
“Seeing them [her students] develop confidence in their ideas, refine their skills, and work together to create something meaningful has been incredibly rewarding,” Lockwood said.
Each year, she poured her heart into guiding students through the exciting and sometimes challenging process of yearbook production.
One of Lockwood’s favorite moments came when they submitted the final yearbook spreads for print.
“The most rewarding part of the yearbook process isn’t receiving the final copies for me—it’s the moment we submit the final spreads for print,” she explained.
While she initially thought that holding the finished yearbook would be the highlight, the arrival of the 2024 copies brought a delightful surprise:
“When the 2024 yearbooks arrived, I realized something surprising: they looked exactly like what we submitted. Credit to Walsworth publishing company for such a realistic design platform!”
For Lockwood, that moment of submission represented the culmination of months of hard work and creativity shared with her Editors.
“There’s an unmatched sense of accomplishment that my Editors-in-Chief and I share in that moment—knowing the book is complete, the vision has come to life, and our hard work is officially part of our school’s history,” she said.
Lockwood especially loved her interactions with upperclassmen, whom she wouldn’t normally get to teach.
“Seeing their creativity, leadership, and dedication to telling the story of Atom Nation has been truly inspiring,” she shared.
She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the teamwork, problem-solving, and passion that characterized every deadline, knowing that these experiences would stick with her long after she steps down.
Lockwood’s impact will continue to inspire future generations of AHS students, reminding them of the importance of creativity, collaboration, and connection.
