Wayne City High School’s yearbook, The Chieftain, has earned national recognition after being selected for inclusion in the prestigious Jostens Look Book 2026, a publication that showcases some of the best yearbook designs and storytelling from schools across the country. Yearbook adviser Kelli Keen and her staff recently received a copy of the Jostens Look Book 2026, along with a plaque and banner, recognizing their outstanding achievement.
This marks the first time in nearly 25 years that Wayne City’s yearbook has been featured in the annual publication, which highlights excellence in yearbook design, coverage, photography, storytelling and inclusivity.
The Jostens Look Book is considered a leading resource for yearbook advisers and staffs seeking creative design ideas, trends and inspiration. The publication features outstanding examples of yearbook themes, covers, layouts, photography and coverage of school events from across the nation.
The Chieftain was created by the 2024 yearbook staff under the leadership of Chief Editor Klaira Vaughan and the direction of adviser Kelli Keen.
“In my 31 years of working with schools in southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri, this is only the second time I can recall a school has been featured in the Jostens Look Book,” said Jostens Sales Representative Jim Hawkinson. “This is an incredible feat that shows the dedication, time and effort that is placed in the design and execution of putting together the yearbook. Mrs. Keen does an exceptional job of keeping her staff focused and motivated and every year they produce an award-winning book; however, this year they knocked it out of the park.”
The Wayne City High School yearbook was one of only 500 publications selected from more than 1,200 yearbooks submitted for consideration. A panel of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers reviewed submissions and selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers for inclusion in the 320-page publication.
“The Jostens Look Book showcases the hard work and dedication of students who tell the story of the school year through photos and words,” said Kristen Scott, Senior Manager of Yearbook Marketing for Jostens. “It is their collaboration and communication, as well as creative thinking in challenging situations, that results in the fine designs shown in this book. We are very proud to celebrate the ability of this country’s future leaders and communicators by showcasing their sophisticated designs and photography.”
School officials noted that it has been approximately 25 years since a school from southern Illinois has been featured in the Jostens Look Book, making the recognition an especially significant achievement for Wayne City High School and its yearbook staff.