Screenshot of "Best of 2024" spread in Balfour's Yearbook Yearbook

The 2023โ€“2024 Spencer County High School yearbook, For the Record, has been named among the nationโ€™s best in Balfourโ€™s Yearbook Yearbook, an annual publication showcasing exceptional student journalism in theme, design, and photography.

Balfour publishes thousands of yearbooks each year, from elementary schools to universities, but only 21 were selected for the prestigious โ€œBest Ofโ€ section. An excerpt about the boys basketball team's trip to the state tournament was also featured in the โ€œPackagesโ€ section, which spotlights smaller story elements that support or expand a main spread.

Former adviser Mrs. Whitney Beyer, who stepped down after the 2023โ€“2024 school year, said the recognition fulfilled a long-term desire. โ€œSince the day I found out about the Yearbook Yearbook, itโ€™s been my goal to have our book featured in the โ€˜Best Ofโ€™ section,โ€ she said. โ€œI knew when I clicked the publish button in May 2024 that this was our best chance to get there, and Iโ€™m so proud we achieved it in my final year.โ€

Beyer credited the work of editors Avry Earnshaw, Reese Reynolds, Shay Shaw, and Maddie Warren, along with the entire staff. โ€œThis recognition is a testament to all the work they put in throughout the year.โ€

According to the Yearbook Yearbook, โ€œBest Ofโ€ selections represent the highest standards of scholastic journalism, capturing the school year both visually and verbally in a cohesive, standout design.