The Douglass High Polaris yearbook staff knew early on that the 2009-10 school year wasn’t going to be like any other. A principal retired after winning the lottery. Flooding affected community members. A teacher passed away. National news kept coming at them. So they decided on the theme “Intensity” for the yearbook. They played up the number and word “Ten” in the chapters to play off the fact the school year would end in 2010.
That innovative approach helped the yearbook staff, an extension of Douglass’ Communication & Journalism Academy, earn national honors from Columbia University Scholastic Press and the National Lifetouch Publishing Outstanding Yearbook Showcase.
Journalism advisor Deedra Richardson-Rice and Polaris Editor-in-Chief Drew Jamison (who was a staffer on last year’s book) discuss the award and the story behind the theme. (Check out this previous article that mentions the yearbook during Principal Shadow Day.)
Talk Up APS 
Congratulations Mrs. Richardson/Rice. I know this feels good and it should. I salute you and you and the yearbook staff.
Congratulations Deedra Richardson-Rice and the Douglass yearbook staff! Mrs. Richardson-Rice always shown exemplary leadership, even during her days at Young Middle School as a student.
Great job yearbook staff!