The student editors of Stonehill’s yearbook discuss their work highlighting special moments in the lives of Skyhawks.
Capturing the wide-ranging experiences of several hundred students within the confines of a book would seem like a near-impossible task to many. Fortunately, Stonehill College has two dedicated students who are up to the challenge.
Emma Afrah Tutu ’26 and Ula Nguyen ’26 are the current co-editors of ACRES, Stonehill’s annual yearbook celebrating graduating classes. In collaboration with Director of Intercultural Affairs Teddi Nguyen Lydon, their staff advisor, they are responsible for producing a keepsake that will allow seniors to relive their favorite Stonehill memories for years to come.
In a recent conversation, Afrah Tutu and Nguyen shared their thoughts on showcasing Stonehill’s sense of community, adding specificity to each yearbook, and more.
Afrah Tutu: I really love editing, designing, and just being creative. On top of that, being a part of this team is a good way for me to network and get to know more people on campus.
Nguyen: I didn’t get to work on the yearbook during my senior year at Sharon High School, but I was interested. When I got to college and started getting to know Teddi, she asked me if there was anything she could help me with. I let her know that I was interested in being part of the yearbook team. She connected me with the student who was the editor at the time, and I’ve been working on it since.
Afrah Tutu: I not only work with Teddi on the yearbook, but also in the Office of Intercultural Affairs as a work study student. If I’ve learned anything from partnering with her, it’s what it means to be a support system for someone else. She’s always there for you if you need anything. She’s considerate and patient. She delivers feedback in a thoughtful way.
Nguyen: Plus, she gives us a lot of freedom to be creative with the yearbook. She lets us make it our own, while also finding ways to support our vision.
Afrah Tutu: Whenever I look through the pictures we’re using, I think to myself, “Stonehill really does have a spirit to it.” When you’re putting together a photospread for an event like Skyhawk Madness, it’s nice to witness the sense of community and togetherness that’s on display here.
Nguyen: I agree. And I think it’s great to know that when my classmates graduate, they’ll have something to help them look back on their time at Stonehill. And I’m happy that I get to experience each of those memories because I work on the yearbook, even if I don’t know every single person in my class.
Afrah Tutu: I believe a good yearbook includes photos submitted by the students themselves. It adds a personal touch that makes it more special. By featuring photos that students took, we get a better look at the student experience than we would if we only relied on photos taken by Stonehill staff. We encourage students to submit any photos that they think might be a good fit for publication.
Nguyen: I like yearbooks that have some specificity to them. For instance, the yearbook for the Class of 2024 highlighted the 75th anniversary of Stonehill because it took place during their senior year. That’s the type of thing that no other senior class will be able to celebrate because it’s a one-time event. I like when we can find ways to highlight things that are special to each individual class.
What impact do you hope the next edition of the yearbook has on its audience, the Class of 2025?
Nguyen: Unlike some of our recent yearbooks that had covers that were black, white, or purple, this yearbook will have a red and beige cover, like one of the first editions of ACRES. We’ve decided to mix the old with the new this time around. I hope this yearbook’s design reminds students to celebrate the past and look forward to the future.
Afrah Tutu: My goal is to create a yearbook that will help ensure seniors’ memories last a lifetime. I hope that when members of the Class of 2025 look through the yearbook, they’re able to say to themselves, “I really did live a good life at Stonehill.”
