Astron Yearbook Asks ‘Are You Proud to Be a Trojan': Wins Superior Honors

West High School’s Astron yearbook staff has once again been recognized for excellence, earning a Superior rating in the 2025–2026 Tennessee High School Press Association (THSPA) Student Media Awards.

The honor is based on the school’s 2024–2025 yearbook, which carried the theme “Are You?”—a concept that challenged students to reflect on identity, involvement, and the high school experience. At the heart of the theme was a unifying question: “Are you proud to be a Trojan?” Throughout the book, that idea came to life by highlighting how students, faculty, and the community stand united as Trojans, celebrating school pride, resilience, and connection.

Judges praised the publication for its cohesive storytelling, creative design, and strong student voice. "There is no better feeling than watching a dream take shape through hard work. Seeing every minute of our dedication pay off in such a big way makes me so incredibly proud of this team and the book we made together." Jesica Chilel Esteban, staff writer.

Pictured are Honoka Suzuki, Mrs. Jackie Cutshaw, Yearbook Adviser, and Jesica Chilel Esteban, staff members who assisted with the creation of the 2025 "Are You?" edition.

This latest recognition continues a strong tradition of excellence for West High’s yearbook program. The staff has now earned Superior ratings in 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026, along with this year’s award. In 2024, the yearbook achieved All-Tennessee status.

Mrs. Cutshaw, yearbook adviser, said the achievement reflects months of hard work, collaboration, and dedication by the staff who created the 2025 yearbook. From writing and photography to layout and editing, students were deeply involved in every step of the production process.

“The theme ‘Are You?’ really pushed our staff to think differently,” said Mrs. Cutshaw. “By asking ‘Are you proud to be a Trojan?’ we were able to tell stories that showed what truly brings us together as a school.”

The THSPA Student Media Awards celebrate excellence in scholastic journalism across the state, evaluating yearbooks on criteria such as coverage, writing, design, and overall impact.

With multiple years of top honors, West High School’s Astron staff continues to set a high standard for student media, demonstrating both creativity and a commitment to telling the stories that define the school community. The staff has completed the 2026 edition and is ready to deliver another award-winning yearbook.