College Place High School Talon Yearbook Earns National Design Recognition For Third Consecutive Year (Photo) - 04/21/26

College Place High School’s Talon Yearbook has earned national recognition for the third consecutive year and will be featured in the 2026 Jostens Look Book, which highlights the best in yearbook design across the country.

The Jostens Look Book showcases outstanding yearbooks for their creative themes, innovative covers, strong visual design, meaningful storytelling, and high-quality photography. Inclusion represents one of the highest honors in scholastic journalism and design.

This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and professionalism of the student journalists who produce the Talon Yearbook. Now a three-time nationally recognized program, the staff is known for investing countless hours beyond class time, working collaboratively, and demonstrating strong attention to detail in documenting the school year.

The honored edition, titled “We Are the Legacy,” was created by the 2024–2025 Talon Yearbook staff under the direction of Cathy Mebes, 2021 Journalism Adviser of the Year (Washington Journalism Education Association) and 2021 Hometown Hero Educator of the Year (Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce).

“As a 2025 graduate of CPHS and one of last year’s Managing Editors, I’ve had the chance to reflect on why we chose the theme ‘We Are the Legacy,’” said Jenna Vinyard.

“Many of us dedicated all four years to yearbook, and by our senior year, we weren’t just creating another book. We were preserving something meaningful. We had spent years documenting moments and telling the story of our school, while also helping shape the culture of CPHS.”

The theme centered on the idea that a school’s legacy is built through everyday experiences, from classrooms to activities to the connections students make along the way. The staff intentionally designed the book to feel both timeless and reflective of the unique energy of the 2024–2025 school year.

“We wanted to leave something meaningful behind,” Vinyard added. “Our goal was to create a yearbook that captured that shared experience and reflected what makes our school community special.”

“I could not be more proud of the young professionals who serve on the Talon staff each year,” said Mebes. “Their attention to detail, design skill, and commitment to excellence set them apart.”

The Talon Yearbook staff received a commemorative plaque and banner in recognition of the honor and their work is a powerful example of the exceptional experiences offered in College Place Public Schools.