Looking back at old pictures and achievements of community members is something to entertain all. For many, looking at old yearbooks is a way to see the teenage lives of past graduates. For Piute High School, the Alumni Project and Alumni Magazine is a great way to see the past and where Piute High historymakers are now. The Alumni Magazine, run by Aleia Nay, is a published magazine that tells stories of Piute High School students from various generations. And this year is the third publication. Pictures, memories and achievements can all be found in the Alumni Magazine.
Magazine director Aleia Nay says the magazine is “basically the publication for the Alumni Project. It connects the community and students to the past and present, to the high school and each other. It is a manifestation.” The magazine highlights different generations, and the people within those generations tell their stories or high school years, as well as what they are up to now. Nay said, “It is interesting to see people from different generations and how they are connected. It is a unique way to keep things highlighted from different generations and the history of the district. It is a fun feel-good project.”
As part of making the magazine, Nay along with students and community members help gather information and create a design. The students do a lot of the designing, researching and picking a theme. Around 65-75% of the production is done by students. Nay is there with the students to help along the way, as well as to do some touch-up. Nay hopes that for the future, she can have her students each have their own roles. This helps introduce students into journalism and the commercial arts. It would also prepare students for future jobs. As for community members, anyone can send in old pictures and memories they want to see in the publication!
The magazine goes out to 350 people. It is published as a physical copy, but in the near future, the magazine can also be found on the Piute District website. Magazines are free; all one has to do is get on the mailing list at the district office, so community members should feel free to stop by and get the third publication.
Aleia Nay has done a lot of work with the community on the Alumni Magazine. Speaking from her experience over the past few years, Nay says, “It’s a very nostalgic project. It brings back a lot of good memories for people. The students get to see these adults they know when they were young. We also try to source stuff that isn’t common knowledge and celebrate the stories around friends and family.”
Those interested can find this year’s Alumni Magazine around the end of the school year or the first week of school! If Piute locals have any stories they want to see in the next publication, they can reach out to Aleia Nay, Koby Willis or anyone at the district office.
– by Ari Hurdsman
Feature image caption: The 2022 and 2023 Piute Alumni Magazines.
Read about more Piute County School District projects in Superintendent Koby Willis Honored with Award in Art Education.
Ari Hurdsman – Junction
Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.