A guide to the NJCL Traditional Scrapbook contestijcl.org/download/state_convention/Scrapbook Guide.pdf · Scrapbook Checklist The scrapbook covers events since the last convention

A guide to the NJCL

Traditional Scrapbook contest

Rebecca Bush

IJCL Graphic Arts Chair

and former NJCL Scrapbook Co-Chair

Rev. August 2013

Table of Contents

Scrapbook Checklist ......................................... 2

Stage 1: Theme .................................................... 3

Stage 2: Content ................................................. 6

Stage 3: Layout .................................................... 9

Stage 4: Structure ............................................. 10

Useful Latin Quotations ................................. 12 Ann

us

Mir

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is

~ 2 ~

NJCL Scrapbooking Guide Rebecca Bush, IJCL Graphic Arts Chair

Scrapbook Checklist

The scrapbook covers events since the last convention (state or national) only, with no materials re-

used from a previous scrapbook or past years.

Events from the whole year, convention to convention, are included. This is a historical document!

Pages are no larger than 22x28”.

Every page of the scrapbook ties into the theme, through use of artwork, quotations, borders, layout,

etc.

The book has a handmade cover—no purchased books!—which is sturdy and easy to turn the pages.

Photos all have captions; events and student names are clearly labeled. This is a historical document!

All writing is done by hand, very neatly, without stray pencil marks or erasures.

Double-check the spelling! Have another club member proofread it too!

The book includes:

Photos—use the highest quality possible, photo-weight paper, not grainy or blurry photos

Memorabilia (programs, menus, brochures, agendas, notes, etc.)

Student-drawn artwork that ties in to the theme

Latin or Greek quotations that tie in to the theme

A Table of Contents (it’s the last page you should make!)

Page numbers

NOTHING COPYRIGHTED unless you have written permission to use it

~ 3 ~


Theme is worth 20 points. A good theme unifies your scrapbook and sets it apart from every

other year’s book. Everything you do with the book should tie in to your theme, so it is impor-

tant to think about the theme early in the year.

The best themes are more than just a quotation or title. A well-planned theme can open up ave-

nues for your creativity to shine!

Get together with your club members or scrapbook committee at the start of the year and

brainstorm possible themes. Take into consideration:

Can we find good Latin quotations relating to this theme?

Can we create graphic elements such as borders, page number designs, etc. that go

along with this theme, as a subtle way to tie the pages together throughout the book?

Can club members create eye-catching artwork related to this theme?

Is this an original idea, or an original take on a common theme (e.g. the year’s conven-

tion theme)?

Think about the following possibilities as you brainstorm:

Stories from mythology

The year’s NJCL convention theme

Favorite Latin quotations

Games and hobbies

Organizational themes, e.g. alphabetical sections

“A is for…” or geometric arrangements

Historical events

Famous Romans and Greeks

Stage 1: Theme

~ 4 ~


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Three Sample Themes

Van Alstyne chose a mythological theme: Jason and

the Argonauts. A myth which, like this one, includes

many characters is a great way to present the many

members of your club! Note also the Argonauts

quote, suitably applied to the adventure of JCL, and

the 3D artwork of Jason’s sandal.

Handley’s “Tour of Ancient

Rome” theme lends itself

well to creativity as well as

classical connections. Offi-

cers are characterized as

“tour guides” and the Table

of Contents becomes the

“Itinerary.”

~ 5 ~


Everything should tie in to your theme...

Cover...

Theme page and

Table of Con-

tents...

Officers and

Members...

Section dividers

and Event pages...

~ 6 ~


What should go in a scrapbook?

Try to cover everything your club does in a year (from convention to conven-

tion). Start with this list and add to it any other events you do.

State Convention

National Convention

Election of club officers

Initiation of new members

Certamen or other competitions:

Event:

Event:

Cultural activities such as Roman cooking, Toga fashion show, etc.:

Event:

Event:

Fundraising activities:

Event:

Event:

Social activities such as pizza parties, picnics, pool parties, dances, etc.:

Event:

Event:

Guest speakers or outings to museums, plays, etc.:

Event:

Event:

Other events:

Stage 2: Content

~ 7 ~


A historian’s job is to acquire photos and arrange them in the scrapbook. Here are some tips for getting

good photos.

Take lots of pictures! Some shots may not come out, so

give yourself better odds for having some gems that you

can use.

Know Thy Camera. Most digital cameras have presets

available for indoor or outdoor lighting, motion, por-

traits, macro (up close) or distance shots, etc. Practice

with your camera’s settings so that when a good shot

presents itself at a JCL event, you won’t end up with a dud photo.

There is a time and a place for the candid shot. There is also a time and a place for posed pic-

tures. A good scrapbook knows when to use each. For example, posed pictures may be best

for your membership pages, whereas you might want a variety of candid or action shots illus-

trating various events.

Print your pictures on good quality photographic weight paper, or have them printed profes-

sionally. Use the digital photo prints kiosks at your local drugstore or department store, or

order prints from one of the many online photo storage sites such as flickr.com.

Before printing your pictures, use Photoshop or similar photo editing software to get rid of red

eye, crop out unneeded parts of the photo, adjust the colors and contrast, etc.

You can’t be everywhere with your camera, so you will need to solicit photos, memorabilia, artwork, etc.

from club members to round out the book. If you are a state historian, contact your state’s local chap-

ters—get in touch with chapter historians as soon as possible—and beg for photos. If you are a chapter

historian, organize your group. Enlist members or sponsors to bring their cameras to events. Arrange to

have other people’s pictures sent to you via email, CD, or by posting them online. You may want to create

an online account for your chapter at a photo sharing site, so that all members can contribute photos to a

pool from which you can choose the best.

Don’t just take pictures at events. Memorabilia are an important part of your scrapbook’s content, too.

Collect anything that will fit between the pages of a scrapbook: menus, brochures, stickers, wrappers, nap-

kins, graffiti, feathers, pretty pebbles...whatever will remind your group of an event!

Keep track of your photos—make a list of what photos you have, what photos you need to get, and who

or what is in each photo. You will need to write captions for each picture eventually, so don’t be left with a

stack of pictures of unidentified people or events!

Develop an Eye for a Good Photo Op!

~ 8 ~


Memorabilia

Programs, Brochures, Maps

Stickers

Menus, Napkins

Letters

Tickets, Receipts

Ribbons and certificates

Lanyards and name badges

Anything that will fit on a scrapbook page!

Be a pack rat—you can sort it out later and throw out what you don’t need.

Artwork

Ask any artistic members in your club to contribute artwork to the

scrapbook. Based on your theme, suggest subjects that they could

draw, paint, etc. Quality and Quantity of artwork are both impor-

tant to your scrapbook’s score. You’re going to need a variety of

artwork to decorate event pages. It’s also great to have larger art-

work for section dividers, and of course you need something really

eye-catching for the cover. Artwork must be original student work.

Quotations

Scour through books of Latin quotations, mottoes, etc. to find

some pithy sayings that fit with your scrapbook theme. These can

be used along with artwork on section dividers, especially if you can

find quotes that could also relate to specific sections. Quotations

also work great on event pages to help tie every page in to the

overall theme.

In addition to Latin or Greek quotes, you might like to include fun

quotes uttered by club members throughout the year. Keep a list

from the start of the year so you have material to work with!

It’s More Than Just a Photo Album

~ 9 ~


As you collect your photos, memorabilia, artwork and quotes, decide how much space to allot to each

event. If some events will require more than a single 2-page spread in the book, how will you make it clear

to readers which pages go together? You might need a “Continued on the next page” symbol—use original

artwork for it if you can—or section dividers between major events. Don’t forget to plan the following

types of pages:

Table of Contents

Statement of Theme

Membership list

Club officers, perhaps with bios or quotes from each officer

Pages for each event throughout the year (chronological

order is good, unless you have an alternate arrangement that

ties in to your theme)

Be creative with layouts! Your

main event pages should include

lots of pictures, all with neatly

written captions, but don’t stop there. Find new ways to put pic-

tures on the page, such as tucking them into envelopes or layering

them on flaps cut out of stiff paper. To make a more interactive

scrapbook, layer tissue paper over pictures or fold a picture behind

a secret door! Memorabilia can also be tucked into envelopes or

otherwise creatively arranged. Instead of using every picture as the

rectangle that it was printed, some can be cut out and arranged as

a collage or as highlights between the main pictures in a layout.

Stage 3: Layout

~ 10 ~


Cover

You’ll lose points if you start with a purchased book. Since you have to

make the cover for your scrapbook anyway, put all your creativity into

it! Maybe you could make it in the shape of a game box…

Or a temple…

How about a wax tablet, a shield, or an amphora?

A mythological creature—or a book of a very different kind!

Stage 4: Structure

~ 11 ~


Your book doesn’t have to be as fanciful as the previous page, however. You can build the cover from

wood, plastic, fabric or other materials—just make sure it is sturdy enough to stand up to being reviewed

by multiple judges as well as viewed by the adoring crowds!

You might decorate your book cover with a mosaic...or a pillow!

Or, just decorate the cover with student artwork appropriate to the book’s theme.

Practical handling of the book is an important consideration. Make sure it will last for a long time...it’s a his-

torical document for future members of your club to look back on in awe, and nobody is awed by a card-

board cover tearing apart and patched with random bits of duct tape.

Give careful consideration to hinging the cover or lid of the book, as well as rings or other structures to

hold the pages. Make sure the pages will turn easily without tearing or getting caught. You might also want

to install a clasp to keep the book from opening accidentally during transit.

A Practical Cover

~ 12 ~


Latin quotations are an important detail in a JCL scrapbook. Here are some good ones to get you started.

“Ab ovo usque ad mala.” - From eggs to apples, i.e. from beginning to end. Appropriate for a scrap-

book from start to end of the year!

“Aut viam inveniemus aut faciemus.” - Either we’ll find a way or we’ll make one.

“Per aspera ad astra.” - Through difficulties to the stars.

“Fugaces labuntur anni.” - The fleeting years slip away.

“Facta, non verba.” - Deeds, not words.

“Minima maxima sunt.” - The smallest things are most important.

“Non est vivere sed valere vita est.” - Life is more than just being alive, it’s being well!

“Nosce te ipsum.” - Know thyself.

“Parva leves capiunt animas.” - Small things amuse small minds.

“Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim.” - Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful

to you.

“Respice, adspice, prospice.” - Examine the past, examine the present, examine the future (look to the

past, the present, the future).

“Docendo discimus.” - We learn by teaching.

“Mirabile dictum!” - Wonderful to tell!

“Aspirat primo Fortuna labori.” - Fortune smiles upon our first effort.

“Rident stolidi verba Latina.” - Fools laugh at the Latin language.

“Acta est fabula.” - The play has been acted out.

“Fortes Fortuna iuvat.” - Fortune favors the bold.

“Non scholae sed vitae discimus.” - We learn not for school but for life.

“Sermo datur cunctis; animi sapientia paucis.” - Speech is given to many; intelligence to few.

“Exegi monumentum aere perennius.” - I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze.

Quidquid bene dictum est ab ullo, meum est. –Seneca

Documents

A guide to the NJCL Traditional Scrapbook contestijcl.org/download/state_convention/Scrapbook Guide.pdf · Scrapbook Checklist The scrapbook covers events since the last convention