Carillon Yearbook Staff
Application
First Deadline: March 31st, 2015
Second Deadline: April 4th, 2015
Return to Ms. Micaela Segal’s box in the Main Office or to room 341
Name: _________________________________
Age: ________ Grade: ____________
Phone #: (_______) ________________
E-mail address: ____________________________
Please place
a current
photo of yourself
here
6th period Teacher: ________________________
7th period Teacher: ________________________
We are excited that you are interested in joining our staff.
Being a writer or photographer on the Carillon staff is a commitment not to be taken lightly. The applicant
should understand that yearbook involves many extra hours outside of school, especially near deadlines. It
is important that the applicant also understand that he/she must attend a summer camp held at Texas A&M
University on July 17th-20th for which the yearbook will pay 50% of the expenses if book sale profits allow.
The camp is a wonderful opportunity to learn a great deal about yearbook and how to become an integral
part of the staff. If this is a financial burden, there is a possibility of scholarship funding.
This contract is intended to be a two-year commitment to the Carillon. If after the first year, the
applicant feels yearbook is not a good fit, he/she may decide not to reapply. Also, if the student does not
meet minimal expectations, a recommendation will be made that he/she not reapply. By signing this
document, the parent and student are confirming their recognition of the extensive work involved in
yearbook and the responsibility expected of yearbook students.
Although these requirements may seem demanding, Carillon is an enjoyable experience that allows
students to meet new people, to become a member of a team, to learn real life skills, to apply good business
management principles and to be more involved in school activities. Research states that journalism
students are the most successful freshmen in universities because of the knowledge and skills that they gain
from their journalism experience.
The application includes a requirement for design elements, survey questions and topics. Writers
should submit an essay. Photographers should submit a portfolio of pictures according to the guidelines
included.
Anything an applicant submits as part of the application process becomes property of the Carillon
and may be used in future publications.
Student Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Parent Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _________________________
Please answer the following questions as completely as possible on a separate sheet.
1. Please list any previous experience in journalism, creative writing, photography or yearbook.
2. What kind of experience do you have with computers? (i.e. List programs and type of computers.)
3. Specifically, why do you want to join yearbook staff?
4. Yearbook requires extra time after school and on weekends, during the summer and at lunchtime.
Do you have any activities or obligations that may conflict with yearbook? Please specify.
5. Why do you believe that you would be an asset to the staff? What sets you apart from others? Give
two reasons why we should choose you over the other candidates.
6. Will you be able to attend the yearbook training camp on July 17-20 at Texas A&M University?
The cost is approximately $200, which will be matched by the Carillon staff as book sales profits
allow. If this is a financial burden, there is a possibility of scholarship funding.
7. Do you work well under pressure? Please give examples.
8. How well do you work with others? On a team? Independently? Which do you prefer and why?
Give examples.
9. How do you handle criticism? (i.e. how do you react?) Give examples.
10. When you are confronted with a problem, what is your problem-solving strategy? Give examples.
11. What motivates you? When you lack motivation to complete a project, what gives you the drive to
get the job done?
12. Give examples of when you’ve shown initiative in leadership, team building and/or problem
solving.
13. Develop one possible yearbook theme for a yearbook and explain why you chose this topic.
14. What improvements would you make in our yearbook? (Don’t worry, we welcome constructive
suggestions.)
15. Please attach a copy of your current schedule, fall semester grades, and teachers. (Indicate course
level.)
16. Please list your projected schedule for next year. (Indicate course level.)
17. What do you do when you have procrastinated on a project?
18. Is there anything else you would like for us to know about you?
19. Who is your favorite teacher? Least favorite? Why? (We won’t tell.)
20. If you could be a TV or cartoon character, which one would you be? Why?
For All Candidates:
(Note: Carillon can use your ideas even if you are not accepted on staff)
1. Write 5 interesting questions suitable for a yearbook survey. (Do not write questions that can be
answered “yes” or “no”.)
2. List 5 special feature topics, which would be of interest to you and would be suitable for the student
life section of the yearbook. Examples: “The Hunger Games” Challenge, Olympics, Day in the life
of _________, Heritage, etc.)
3. Do you have a car or have access to mode of transportation? It may be necessary to drive to certain
events or photo assignments off campus. Would your parent be able/willing to take you to
assignments?
4. Are you familiar or skilled with Adobe InDesign or Photoshop?
For Writer Applicants Only:
On a separate sheet of paper, type an article for next year’s publication. Interview at least 3 people and
include a headline, sub-headline and at least 3 quotes. Choose one of the following topics regarding life at
Bellaire: Sporting events, student spotlights, faculty spotlights, club profiles, or student life events. Refer to
the yearbook if you need examples.
For Photographer Candidates Only:
1. As a photographer, it will be required that you take pictures outside of school. Will you be available
before school? After school? On weekends? Describe available options for transportation.
2. Do you own a camera? If yes, specify what kind. Do you have any other useful equipment? We
highly recommend a SLR camera. If you do not have a SLR camera will you be able to buy or
borrow one for next year?
3. Of what do you prefer to take pictures?
4. What do you think constitutes a good picture? A bad one?
5. Have you attended any photography classes? If so, where and for how long?
6. Please submit a portfolio of 10 to 20 pictures that YOU have taken of people around the school.
We like close-ups and action-packed photos that show emotion and involvement AROUND
SCHOOL of school functions (sports events, club activities, volunteer work, luncheons, and
classroom activities). Photos should NOT be posed or people looking directly at the camera.
Please do NOT submit pictures of you and your family on vacation, at birthdays, flowers, pets,
butterflies, etc. Pictures of this sort will NOT be considered. Place all pictures in an envelope or
portfolio with your name attached.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all of our questions. We will be in touch.
The CARILLON staff