Thomas Fire dedication included in Ventura High School’s yearbook

Ventura High School seniors graduate tomorrow. For this class, one of their biggest memories will be the Thomas Fire. Students decided to include pages of their yearbook about the disaster the ripped through their town.

Eight pages of flames, smoke, and devastation from the Thomas Fire are included in the 2018 Ventura high school yearbook.

“We have so many kids, and staff that lost so much and it was such a struggle, but for us to be having that conversation and saying that this is our responsibility and I know these kids can handle it,” said Margaret Sellers, the yearbook advisor.

Sellers is the journalism teacher at Ventura High School, as well as the advisor to the student club that produces the yearbook. The fire ripped through the city destroying hundreds of homes, affecting many of the students.

“The Thomas Fire had a huge impact on our school, our kids, and staff so I felt like it was our responsibility to cover that,” said Sellers.

Margaret designated a group of four students from the yearbook club to be responsible for the spread.

“I think the hardest thing for me is saying, which kids do I trust that are going to do a really tasteful job in a way that respects everyone,” said Seller.

One of the students who rose to the challenge is senior Grace Hrabak.

“How do you do something so tragic and so heartbreaking, and do it tastefully?” said Hrabak. “The question I kept asking myself is what do I want to remember in 20 years. “

The eight pages include pictures, quotes from students, and a message from the principal describing the night of December 4th.

“I am so very proud of them,” said Seller. “I think that is the coolest thing you can have as an advisor, is a team that can just pick it up and create something so beautiful.”

“It was a crazy year and I think our yearbook shows it really well,” said Hrabak.