MESA, Ariz. (WTVR) – Two Arizona high school yearbook pages are causing an uproar among some parents and students because the spread features students who have children or are expecting.
In fact, two pages in Mesa High School’s 255-page yearbook titled “I’m working a double shift,” feature images and descriptions of how difficult it is to raise children while attending high school.
“It’s frustrating listening to my own parents when I’m trying to be a parent,” noted one teen featured in the spread.
Principal Jim Souder said a number of parents had called who were upset photos of expectant students and student parents were included in their child’s yearbook.
One parent said she was troubled by the image of a male embracing the belly of a pregnant female.
Mesa Public Schools spokeswoman Helen Hollands admitted the photos are not what the district expected from high school yearbooks.
“A yearbook is to commemorate the achievements of the students, particularly the senior class,” she said. “Probably this would not fall into that category.”
However, Hollands said that no changes will be made to the yearbook.
“Yearbooks are an opportunity to commemorate students’ school activities and achievements,” Hollands said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “The material presented on several pages in the student life section of the Mesa High School yearbook reflects choices made outside of the school environment. The feedback received about the subject matter will help refine the judgment used when determining content in future yearbooks.”
Others said the yearbook pages just reflect a new norm.
Other parents interviewed outside Mesa High say the yearbook pages just reflect a new norm.
Additionally, a Mesa schools governing board president said he had not heard any complaints about the yearbook and was “100 percent behind” the expectant students and student parents.
