AT the entrance to Mid-Pacific Institute's publications office/newsroom in Kawaiahao Hall is an impressive collection of wood-framed plaques from the American Scholastic Press Association. Every year, the ASPA sponsors a heated contest in which up to 8,000 U.S. schools compare their respective yearbooks. A yearbook to be
proud of at Mid-PacificAnd since 1993 (except for one year it didn't enter), Mid-Pac -- one of the most low-key private campuses in Hawaii -- has won first place in its division (enrollment under 1,100).
That's numero uno, ichiban, numbah one in the nation, ladies and gentlemen!
For the editors of the 1997-1998 annual, that precedent means pressure, especially after a controversy over a racist caption in Kalaheo High's yearbook thrust a once unobtrusive student project into the statewide spotlight.
Not to worry. For the past six years, the Mid-Pac annual has been under the guidance of an artistic go-getter affectionately known as "Mister Ed." Yearbook adviser Ed Tompkins is an L.A. native who loved his vacation in the islands so much, and loved working on annuals even more, that he sought a teaching position that would combine both.
In 1992, both he and Mid-Pac lucked out when Tompkins signed on the dotted line.
Since then, he has been blessed with some exceedingly creative, overachieving staffers. For example, last year's 368-page Ke Anuenue edition titled "Madness in Manoa" featured a 3-D format (complete with 3-D glasses), an eight-page original cartoon (which also won an ASPA national first-place award), a local news section that included coverage of the Honolulu mayor's race, and 122 pages of ads that generated $16,000 for the school.
The secret to a great yearbook, says Tompkins, is to let the students brainstorm like crazy because it is their keepsake. But brainstorming happens only after several weeks of serious discussions at the beginning of the school year on topics ranging from avoiding plagiarism to being sensitive to other people's feelings. "They are reminded that they have to be able to share this book with their moms and dads, aunties and uncles -- and their priests," says Tompkins, 50.
Regarding the incident at Kalaheo, Mid-Pac's Ke Anuenue staffers said the words of the racist caption were from a rap song. Thus the "inside" joke among young people was overzealously blown into a full-fledged lawsuit by adults.
But inappropriate material can be a problem for any publications staff facing deadline pressure. Last year at Mid-Pacific, despite stringent checking procedures, a small ad with naked caricatures made its way down to the printers. To Tompkins' relief, they called to check if it was OK.
NO, it wasn't, retorted the advisor, who was prepared to pull the ad and leave a blank space in the yearbook. Instead, the folks at Jostens publishing house in California drew clothes on the figures. They value their good relationship with Tompkins, who does seminars and helps other schools in Hawaii with their yearbook projects.
Phew. A controversy averted and another banner year for Mid-Pac, whose annuals are so popular that nearly 98 percent of the student body buys them, despite a hefty $50 per book price tag.
Just how good are his staffers? Tompkins pays them the ultimate compliment. "I could die tomorrow and they could run this class," he says, "and the yearbook would still get out."
Such high praise is an award in itself.