You receive your subject selection form and go through the list of possible electives. You scroll past drama, you disregard film & video, and then you set your sights on journalism, but then have to pick between newspaper or yearbook. “What’s the difference anyway?” you wonder.

On a typical day in yearbook class, “Everything is chaotic. Everyone is working on something different because we have deadlines to meet and this is a very big school to cover,” says yearbook advisor Ms. Idania Diaz.

In newspaper class, the experienced students (veterans) work individually on their newspaper stories while new students (rookies) begin the class with a reading log entry that relates to something they’re doing as journalists.

There are advantages to be being in each class. Senior Sharon Fuentes says that she gets to do something she loves when she has to take and edit photos in yearbook. Yearbook senior Ashley Munoz likes being behind-the-scenes and capturing the events going on all year.

Newspaper graphics editor Fernando Cabrera, a senior, likes being able to use the Adobe Programs for free, while junior Natasha Puron, a second year veteran, says, “I get to sharpen my writing skills.”

It’s not all about fun and games in either class. Newspaper rookie Nicholas Gomez, a sophomore, says, “Walking up and talking to intimidating people can be a turn off.” Yearbook student Angel Espinoza, a senior, says the deadlines make him tense sometimes.

It takes time to produce the newspaper and the yearbook. Ms. Diaz says that they come up with the theme and people to cover the year before yearbook class starts. Once the school year begins, the yearbook takes roughly seven months to create.

Newspaper adviser Dr. DeNight says that it takes eight weeks to produce the first newspaper because of the training of the new staff, but afterwards, it takes about six weeks for each of the remaining 4 issues.

Students join the two journalism classes for different reasons. Yearbook editor-in-chief Scarlet Garcia said that the idea of yearbook appealed to her because she likes having to be involved in everything at school. Yearbook business manager Anthony Porras joined to improve his business skills.

Newspaper layout editor Jasmine Ortega, a junior, says, “I like writing and decided to stay because I love the teacher and the things we do in class.” Chief layout editor Grace Marro, a three year veteran, joined because she wanted to be able to say she published an article in the school newspaper.

The two journalism classes use different computer programs to create the yearbook and newspaper. Newspaper uses Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop for the physical copies of the newspaper and uses WordPress for the online version. Yearbook uses the Herff Jones Electronic Design program and Photoshop.

With lots of news to cover, it could be difficult to decide what gets published. Ms. Diaz says that she wants all major and minor clubs and events covered in the yearbook.

“All ideas for the newspaper come from students, so they choose what goes in. The only time that wouldn’t be true is if they didn’t have an idea, so I suggest one,” says Dr. DeNight.

Covering the costs of the publications is not cheap. According to treasurer Mr. Jorge Portuondo, the yearbook costs roughly $20,000. Yearbook receives its money from sales of previous yearbooks and advertisements.

“To publish the school newspaper,” says Mr. Portuondo, “it costs $720 for each of the five issues, and $600 to publish the newspaper online.” Newspapers costs are covered fully by principal Mr. Valdes and through advertising sales.

Students who don’t have journalism on their schedule, voice which class they would prefer to take if they had to choose. Senior Ilan Moradal says, “I think yearbook would better suit my love for photography.” Junior Jose Lopez says that yearbook people look like they get more freedom and exceptions in school events, so that would be cooler.

Sophomore Natalie Mendoza says, “I think the more you write, whatever it may be about, it benefits you in all aspects of life, so I would probably go with newspaper.”