For the first time in school history, Wando High School’s yearbook, Legend, has been recognized as the top yearbook in the nation by Quill & Scroll. Wando’s 2022 edition, “Something Within Us,” earned the international scholastic journalism organization’s Blue and Gold Award for Staff Excellence in the Class A Division (schools with 1,000 students or more). Only one school in each class nationwide received this honor.

“This honor is a monumental achievement for our program and these students,” said Phillip Caston, Wando’s yearbook adviser (and English teacher). “It's gratifying to be ranked among some of the top yearbook programs and to be named the recipient of the top honor in the contest. The 2022 yearbook continues to stay on pace to be our most award-winning volume in school history.”

Legend also picked up three more Blue and Gold Awards – first place in Writing, second place for Design, and third place for Photography.

"Our yearbook staff and editors are some of the most talented and gifted students in the school,” said Kim Wilson, Wando’s interim principal. “To be recognized as the best yearbook in the United States among the Class A Division high schools is the pinnacle of success. We are proud of our yearbook staff and congratulate them on a well-deserved honor.”

Members of the Legend staff collected 16 individual awards from Quill & Scroll this year as well, setting a new Wando yearbook record. The following students were honored:

First Place, Academics Spread – Graduate Harper Duffy

First Place, Student Life Photo – Graduate Sarah Cote

First Place, Photo Illustration – Graduate Abigail McLeod

First Place, Clubs or Organizations Writing – Senior Evie Whitesell

First Place, Academics Writing – Senior Ainsley Doyle

First Place, Sports Feature Writing – Junior Grayson Sams

Second Place, Clubs or Organizations Spread – Senior Sam Bumgarner

Second Place, People Spread – Senior Katie Brown

Second Place, Personality Profile – Graduate Lily Higgins

Second Place, Academic Writing – Senior Ainsley Doyle

Second Place, Clubs or Organizations Writing – Senior Evie Whitesell

Second Place, Academic Photo – Graduate Abigail McLeod

Third Place, Clubs or Organizations Spread – Junior Jordan Condie

Third Place, Academics Writing – Senior Sydney Lewis

Third Place, Clubs or Organizations Writing – Caroline Bierman

Honorable Mention, Student Life Spread – Senior Brooke Tribolet

Earlier this fall, Wando’s yearbook staff earned South Carolina Scholastic Press Association’s Best Yearbook in the state honor for the second consecutive year (also a first for Wando), and their former co-editor in chief, Clara Barresi, was named a Top 10 finalist for Designer of the Year by the National Scholastic Press Association.

“I'm extraordinarily proud of how hard these young women and men work to bring such accolades and prestige to their high school,” added Caston. “The pride they take in their work is incredible.”

For more information, email Phillip Caston at phillip_caston@charleston.k12.sc.us.