As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, Shadow Ridge High School’s yearbook teacher Tania Mason and the Yerds (Yearbook Nerds) are finishing up the school yearbook, with this year being their earliest to ever finish the book. The guidance and passion of Mason have shaped countless yearbooks. Making her proud everyday, the team of dedicated students work tirelessly to capture core memories at Shadow Ridge, preserving memories that will last a lifetime. When the yearbook is officially published, Mason is rewarding the dedication of these students to taking them to eat out at Geisha House.

The Shadow Ridge yearbook staff is made up with hardworking students who have worked relentlessly to capture the memories around the school. They attend school events, conduct interviews, and piece together the history of the year. It’s a hands-on experience that teaches valuable skills in teamwork, time management, and attention to detail. Mason plays a significant role in this process, offering her expertise and support.

“Yearbook has taught me to be efficient with my time and tight deadlines,” sophomore Aubrey Smith says, “Mrs. Mason has benefited me with showing no lenience, and she has helped me a lot with doing different designs.”

In the yearbook, it’s an intense period of creativity and collaboration. Students learn the ins and outs of storytelling, graphics design, and photography. Along with her students, Mason works tirelessly on and off campus on the yearbook. Whether it is attending events, taking pictures or conducting interviews, Mason and her students work as a team to complete the yearbook. Guiding her students through the way, Mason teaches her students how to use their creativity and critical thinking skills to become successful in life.

“Ms.Mason provided me with amazing camera gear and knowledge on how to take the best yearbook photos,” junior and photographer for the yearbook, Paul Conners says. 

Mason has been teaching Publications for 28 years, 13 years at Shadow Ridge. Unfortunately, Mason, the soul of the yearbook, has made her final decision to retire from the publications program, leaving behind a strong legacy for her students to participate in. She has created not only numerous spreads, but many connections with her students. Her yearbook is more than just a task, but a journey that requires teamwork, creativity, and trust.

“I think I’m proud that I’ve seen students’ skills improve as well as my own,” Mason says, “I’m always so happy when I see a student become a great journalist, a great photographer or a great designer, it just always makes me so happy. No matter how much the world changes, social media changes, there’s still a place where people really treasure their yearbooks.

Beyond working on the yearbook, Mason has had a positive impact on her yearbook team. From the inevitable memories that will never be forgotten to the tireless work on a page, Mason makes sure her students have fun learning new techniques and new ways to achieve each final yearbook. She pushes students to get out of their comfort zones and to become more interactive with students on campus. Her confident and enthusiastic attitude brings her students together as a team. 

Second year publications student, junior Rihanna Acosta states, “She has impacted my personality by making me come out of my shell a lot more. I used to be a reserved person at the beginning of the year, but now she’s shown me to be more interactive with students on campus and to be more open to people. I feel a bit sad about how Mrs. Mason is switching out of the yearbook because she won’t be there for my final year in high school and in the yearbook. But I’m also glad I got to create many memories this year while it lasted.” 

Throughout Mason’s career, she has learned and taught herself many things. She became the publications teacher knowing absolutely nothing about it. Now, she leaves behind a legacy that her students will participate in and carry on throughout Shadow Ridge. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire students have made the yearbook a true reflection of the school’s spirit. As another yearbook comes to a close, the Shadow Ridge community looks forward to flipping through the pages of memories, all thanks to the hard work of the yearbook team and the unwavering dedication of Tania Mason.