About

Ramrod is Hillsborough High School's student run Yearbook class. Ramrod was created in 1969 when Hillsborough High School was first created and is based on the ramrod: the wooden device used to pack the gun powder into muskets. The Hillsborough Raider is actually based on the Patriots from the American Revolutionary War. Fun Fact: The choice for the school's mascot was between the "Farmers," and the "Raiders," and we chose the "Raiders." We ARE NOT the British red coats (as our mascot may misleadingly depict). Our mascot, the raider, is based on the "minute-men" who served in the militia using guerrilla warfare tacticts and their own bravery and spirit to win the war. Ramrod is a symbol of that perserverance and fight to win. In the yearbook room, the staff has yearbooks going all the way back to 1969. The yearbook staff helps to maintain this legacy that was started over 50 years ago by immortalizing the memories of the students and faculty in between the pages of the book.

Ramrod is also a nationally recognized aware winning yearbook. It has received the Diamond award (the highest award) from the Garden State Scholastic Press Association and the Gold award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

At Hillsborough High School, yearbook is an English elective and admittance into the class is by application only. After the yearbook has been sent off the printers, the yearbook staff focuses on recruitment for the next year. HHS Raiders can expect to see one, two or maybe three staff members pop into their English class after January with information regarding class applications and how to sign up.

Top 10 Reasons why YOU should join yearbook.

1. Yearbook class looks amazing on college applications since we learn real-world skills in writing, research, photography, design, technology, and leadership.

2. It’s unlike any other class- We work independently on our assignments and are graded on our pages. There’s no traditional lecture, tests, quizzes or exams.

3. The class runs more like an office and employee/employer situation: you get an assignment, and you manage your own time. Each day you make a plan for yourself. This freedom to choose your tasks for the day is the biggest fringe benefit and the class is more fun and enjoyable because of that freedom.

4. Instruction is not directly from the teacher. You learn as you go, finding solutions to problems, and there is more than one way to accomplish a task well. You can also design pages that suit your areas of interest.

5. We create a professional quality published book at the end of the year that 1200 people will cherish for years to come. Our names are on that product, and we have something tangible to show for all our hard work.

6. We work hard but play hard. We are sometimes stressed out when meeting our deadlines, but we celebrate every time we meet our goals.

7. There are many leadership opportunities! We have at least eight leadership positions available each year.

8. Since we interview students, teachers, and administrators, we strengthen our communication skills and confidence.

9. We attend publishing workshops and conventions to strengthen skills and bond through travel, sightseeing, and other activities.

10. We learn about budget, marketing, and advertising which is great for a career in business.