That Yearbook Podcast | Season 3: Episode 7 | 5 Lessons from the 2025 President's Collection

What can award-winning yearbooks teach you right now, in the middle of deadline season?In this episode of That Yearbook Podcast, we break down five key lessons learned from analyzing the 2025 President’s Collection award-winning books. After reviewing all 30 national award winners page by page, we share the biggest takeaways that separate strong books from exceptional ones.In this episode, you’ll hear about:There is no single formula for greatness, but there must be purpose and consistencyAttention to detail is what elevates good books to award-winning levelCoverage must be deep, varied and representative of your school communityStrong writing still matters and engaging storytelling drives readershipTheme-rich books carry their concept visually and verbally from cover to closingWe also talk about how the 2025 President’s Collection video series breaks these concepts down into six focused areas: theme, design, coverage, writing, photography and reference.This episode is designed to help staffs:Stay motivated during deadline seasonUnderstand what judges look for in award-winning booksIdentify areas for growth in their current production cycleStart planning stronger systems for next year