Preserving memories

Having a say in what goes in the Brainerd High School yearbook and having people look at these ideas for many years to come are reasons high school senior Jaclyn Wilcox is on the Brainonian staff.

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Wilcox is the Brainonian's copy editor. Wilcox's willingness to put in long hours, her leadership skills and her attitude are reasons she was named Fine Arts Student of the Week.

As copy editor, Wilcox is in charge of assigning students stories, captions and photos. If the students do not get their work done, it is Wilcox's responsibility. She also edits the copy and works with other yearbook editors.

"Right now it is real stressful because we didn't make our last deadline," said Wilcox. "We missed it by a few days."

The Brainonian has six deadlines, not including the deadlines for the 16-page supplement that includes prom and spring sports. The yearbook this year will be 208 pages.

Wilcox said if students tell her they cannot make a deadline, she responds by saying she will have to dock their grade. She said this helps motivate the students to make the deadline.

Wilcox reminds students that their names are printed on the page they helped create. She said if a student's work doesn't get done, then everyone who reads the yearbook will know it.

To help make the yearbook's next deadline, Wilcox moved up the photography deadline so the captions can be written earlier.

"I don't like being in charge of people my age," said Wilcox. "But for the most part the students know what they have to do."

Jaclyn Wilcox

Art focus: Brainonian

Art activities: Brainonian

Year: Senior

Age: 17

GPA: 3.0

Favorite subjects: Brainonian

Most memorable fine arts achievement: Being named Fine Arts Student of the Week

Artist most admired: Caleb Elkins

Favorite movie: "Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles"

Favorite TV program: "Friends" and "Laguna Beach"

Favorite song: Any John Mayor song

Parents: Carol Potvin of East Gull Lake and Barry Wilcox of Brainerd

A routine day for Wilcox consists of writing captions, telling students what needs to be worked on for that particular day, interviewing students for the yearbook and editing copy.

Wilcox has written stories for the yearbook, including stories on the Key Club, Student Council, Class Cabinet and homecoming.

Wilcox said her strongest skill in yearbook is easing people's tension if they are having a bad day, getting them to smile and helping them get their work done.

Her weakness is convincing people they need to get their work done. She said she will tell a student over and over that the work needs to be done the next day, and the next day comes and the work is not done.

Wilcox plans to attend St. Cloud State University. Her major is undecided. She also plans to try out to be a Vikings cheerleader in April.

Honorable mentions:

Sam Walker, sophomore, art: Walker's art adviser said, "Sam works and refines his ideas so that his finished work showcases his cleverness, craftsmanship and inventive solutions as he works in the creative process of design.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.