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Various covers of Ames High yearbooks.
November 14, 2024

The Bold and Unforgettable History of the Ames High Yearbook

For over a century, Ames High School’s yearbook, The Spirit, has served as a time capsule, capturing the lives, achievements, and stories of generations of students. The journey of the Ames High yearbook began humbly in the early 1900s when it was first known as The Meteor.

Published in 1907, the debut edition sold for $1.50, a modest sum even then, and yet this first venture turned a profit of $106.55 after covering the costs of printing, engraving, and artist fees. Selling 228 copies, it was an impressive achievement that laid the groundwork for what would become a beloved annual tradition at Ames High School.

However, the process wasn’t easy. In an article from Ames Times dated May 23, 1907, it was noted that when the junior class decided to publish an annual, they faced obstacles, particularly in securing advertisements to support the costs. “They went out to solicit ads, and in some cases met with a very cool reception, and only by their ‘grit and git’ did they succeed in getting out the book—The Meteor—and paying out on it,” stated the Ames Times. For these students, their dedication and perseverance paid off, culminating in a yearbook that received recognition as a credit to any school in Iowa or beyond.

In 1911, the first publication of The Spirit emerged, though at the time it functioned more as a high school paper rather than an annual. By 1913, The Spirit was officially recognized as the school’s annual publication, transitioning from a quarterly paper to an annual yearbook by 1918. In the inaugural 1911 issue, the yearbook staff expressed hope that it would be warmly received, stating, “This first number will not be perfect, but we hope to receive a hearty welcome from the students, faculty, board of education, alumni, and all friends of public education who come in touch with it. More than this, we hope to be deserving of such a welcome, for it shall be our purpose to represent to the best of our ability all those things which tend to make high school life pleasant and profitable.”

Over the years, The Spirit grew in quality and reputation. A 1913 edition of The Ames Evening Times describes the yearbook as “a very neat affair, with a two-colored cover, in the form of a pennant printed in the high school colors.” It was sold at the Ames News Stand and the high school building for twenty-five cents, making it accessible to the Ames community and alumni alike. By this time, The Spirit was beginning to capture the essence of student life, focusing on both achievements and everyday moments that defined the school experience.

Even during challenging times, such as World War II, The Spirit continued to thrive. A 1944 article from the Ames High Weekly Web highlights the use of a “dummy,” or blueprint, to plan the pagination and layout despite limited resources like film and flashbulbs due to wartime scarcity. Nevertheless, the staff’s creativity and resilience paid off, as The Spirit earned three first-class honor ratings and one second-class honor rating from the National Scholastic Press Association between 1941 and 1945. This recognition was a testament to the hard work of the yearbook team, showcasing their dedication to producing a high-quality publication even under constraints.

The Spirit continued to receive national acclaim in the decades that followed. In 1970, it achieved a remarkable score of 966 out of a possible 1,000 points from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, praised for its layout, design, action photography, and candid shots. These high standards became a hallmark of The Spirit, setting a tradition of excellence that continued into the modern era.

Certain editions of The Spirit have become iconic in their own right. The 1980 yearbook cover, for example, features a nickel, a nod to the five-cent deposit on soft drinks that began on May 1, 1979. In 2012, the 100th edition of The Spirit paid homage to its legacy with a unique design: the cover had the number “100” cut out, with alumni quotes and memories printed throughout the pages. This special edition highlighted the memories of past generations while celebrating the centennial milestone of the Ames High yearbook.

The history of The Spirit encapsulates more than just the evolution of a school publication—it tells the story of Ames High School itself, chronicling the lives of students across generations. Each edition of The Spirit captures a unique moment in time, documenting everything from cultural shifts to school traditions. From its earliest black-and-white pages to today’s vibrant, full-color spreads, The Spirit has evolved alongside its students, preserving their voices, experiences, and memories for future generations.

Over the years, The Spirit has not only documented but occasionally stirred conversations within the Ames High community due to controversial content. In 1973, the yearbook drew attention by featuring a cover styled after Playboy magazine, sparking debate among students, parents, and faculty. A few years later, the 1979 edition included a bold “Getting High” column complete with an illustration of a large bong, which raised eyebrows and prompted discussions about the boundaries of student expression. In 1984, controversy emerged once again when the yearbook featured candid student discussions on chewing tobacco, a topic that some viewed as too provocative for a high school publication. These instances reflect the daring nature of The Spirit, as it periodically pushed the envelope, engaging with complex issues relevant to student life and sparking dialogue that extended beyond the pages of the yearbook.

Today, The Spirit remains a high-achieving publication under the guidance of current advisor James Webb. In recent years, The Spirit has continued to receive accolades in photography. In 2023, photographer Derek Peng was recognized in a national competition, and in 2024, Akshay Sarda earned similar honors. These achievements reflect the enduring commitment of The Spirit’s staff to excellence in both content and artistry.

As technology and trends continue to change, The Spirit evolves with them, embracing new tools and design techniques to capture the lives of Ames High students in ever more engaging ways. And yet, even as it adapts, The Spirit remains true to its origins as a publication founded on the determination and passion of its student creators. Today, The Spirit stands as a cherished tradition at Ames High, preserving the voices and memories of its students for years to come, allowing them to reflect on their high school journey with pride and nostalgia.