Yearbook Editors: Most Likely to Be Punished

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Rachel Dry, Daren Fonda, Michael Jackson, Ellin Martens, Benjamin Nugent, Michele Orecklin, Julie Rawe, John Rosenblatt, Josh Tyrangiel

While their peers are out enjoying summer, high school yearbook staffs are already at work planning coverage of crucial events like orientation and homecoming. But if trouble with content in last year's crop of yearbooks is any indication, capturing the true spirit of life at high school could be perilous:

SCHOOL: Bronxville H.S., N.Y. SCANDAL: Photo of football players simulating a sexual act, with the caption ONE TIME, AT FOOTBALL CAMP... UPSHOT: A facultywide memo of apology from editors; negative publicity for a school named fifth best in the U.S.

SCHOOL: Roane County H.S., Tenn. SCANDAL: Affectionate poses on the "PDA page"; photos of condoms and an unmade bed under the title SEX HAPPENS UPSHOT: Yearbook adviser resigned, course changed from "yearbook journalism" to "yearbook composition."

SCHOOL: Porter-Gaud School, S.C. SCANDAL: A female senior's hobby was changed to something ribald UPSHOT: All 900 or so copies recalled, page reprinted.

SCHOOL: Central Regional H.S., N.J. SCANDAL: Two pages depicting the piercings and tattoos of students UPSHOT: School officials pulled the pages before publication. Students contacted the A.C.L.U. but didn't pursue legal action.