HEAR FROM THE BEST

We’ve brought together experienced advisers and industry pros to cover the essentials — staff management, storytelling, design and more.

Gain practical tips, insider knowledge and real-world strategies for yearbook success.

This is a tentative speaker list and is subject to change.

Meet Your Support Staff

Debra Klevens, CJE

Debra Klevens, CJE, is a scholastic publications adviser with a career spanning over two decades. In addition to serving as an instructor for CSPA, she offers her expertise to students and advisers through her work for organizations like the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), the Journalism Education Association (JEA), and Varsity Yearbook. In 2023, Klevens was honored as the CSPA National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year. She is a CSPA Gold Key recipient and past Distinguished Adviser. Her students have achieved CSPA Gold and Silver Crowns and NSPA Pacemaker awards. Klevens now advises the Clayton Globe newspaper and serves as a JEA director-at-large. 

Matt Johnson, CJE

Matt Johnson, CJE, discovered his love for photography at 14 when he found an old Canon camera in his garage. While other kids focused on sports and school, he spent his free time in the high school darkroom, developing black-and-white photos. His passion led him to Brooks Institute of Photography, where he graduated at the top of his class in 2003. Afterward, he moved to Boise, ID, and opened a photography studio, capturing families, weddings, and high school seniors. During this time, he realized that he had a gift for working with high school seniors. In 2009, he jumped at the chance to teach high school photography, moving his family to Pasco, WA. He spent 13 years teaching photography and yearbook before transitioning to a role with Varsity Yearbook. Though his career has evolved, Matt’s love for photography hasn’t changed—he still creates photography content for Varsity and shares his knowledge on YouTube.

Susan Happel

Susan Happel has been yearbooking since 7th grade when she served as editor-in-chief of her South Dakota K-12 school’s yearbook and as a writer for The Dome at the University of Notre Dame. When she graduated, she began teaching and was happily voluntold that she’d be advising the yearbook. After deciding that she loved yearbook more than teaching, she moved to Boston to become a Varsity Yearbook rep. In 2020, she joined the Varsity Marketing and IT team to help be the voice of our customers for eDesign while still working with schools. She’s thrilled to mix her love of technology with her passion for yearbooks. Like Hannah Montana, she gets the best of both worlds.

Jared Shuff

Jared Shuff advises yearbook, newspaper and online publications at Lawrence Free State High School, where he has been since 2023. Shuff earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in secondary English/journalism education. While at Kansas State, Shuff worked as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper and worked on various other publications. Shuff received KSPA’s Sunflower Award in 2025. This year, Free State’s yearbook, newspaper and website were awarded All-Kansas titles, and several students placed in both regional and state contests. Outside of advising journalism, Shuff enjoys collecting vinyl, grabbing coffee with friends, playing guitar, singing and taking photos with his dad’s old film camera.

Betsy Brittingham, CJE

Betsy Brittingham, CJE, is Sr. Product Manager at Varsity Yearbook. After a more than a decade of advising and teaching in Central Virginia, she joined the marketing team at Herff Jones/Varsity Yearbook in Indy in 2017. Even after seven years of doing YBK all day, she still geeks out over cover upgrades, great photos, extreme coverage and really good theme packages. Betsy draws on her experience in print journalism, higher ed communications and ad agency work to make her yearbook life even more complete. Forever a Hokie, Betsy sits on the EMCVT student media board at Virginia Tech.

Brice Holland

Brice Holland is the Creative Director for the Marketing Team at Varsity Yearbook. Sadly, he wasn’t on yearbook staff in school, but he did discover his love of storytelling as a copywriter and broadcast producer for clients such as Delta Faucet, the Indiana Pacers and John Deere. Fortunately, he was introduced to the wonderful world of yearbook when he joined Herff Jones (now Varsity) in 2019 and continues to be inspired by the work of student journalists and the tireless efforts of dedicated yearbook advisers — like you! In his spare time, Brice enjoys giving tours of Monument Circle in Indianapolis, trying out new recipes for his ongoing Colts vs. Food Instagram story and spending time with his adult kids (and the cutest redheaded grandson you’ll ever meet).

Kyle Lewis, CJE

Kyle Lewis, CJE, is Art Director in the creative marketing department at Varsity Yearbook, and is responsible for “the look” that you see most places — especially Portfolio. Lewis was design editor for both newspaper and yearbook in high school — and was a college publications kid, too. With a degree in Journalism Graphics, he worked at a newspaper company for 10 years before re-joining the world of yearbook in 2017.

Muriel Party

Muriel Party got her start in publishing as the art editor of her high school’s literary magazine and dove back in with Varsity Yearbook in 2015. She has a BFA in Illustration and worked as a cover artist until 2025, when she started as a new design on the Varsity Yearbook marketing team — tackling everything from templates to tote bags! She loves using design to explore and celebrate all the personality, variety and spirit in the world of yearbook.

Nicole Arduini, CJE

Nicole Arduini, CJE, discovered her passion for student journalism as Editor-in-Chief of her high school yearbook, which led to a career in visual journalism and graphic design. After three years as a professional designer, she spent 15 years with Herff Jones Publishing, supporting advisers and student staffs in Colorado. She later advised the yearbook and newsmagazine at Regis Jesuit High School, where the program earned its first Yearbook Pacemaker nomination and an All-American Award along with multiple state recognitions. After three years in advertising, Nicole is thrilled to return to scholastic journalism as a Field Marketing Manager, where she continues to champion the power of student storytelling.

Bridget Sherrill, CJE

Bridget Sherrill, CJE, has spent the past 19 years serving as a yearbook representative using her background as an educator and former yearbook adviser. As a Certified Journalism Educator (CJE), she is passionate about working with students to help them create a yearbook that reflects their unique school experience- one they will be proud to look back on for years to come. Supporting schools in all aspects of journalism while preserving their memories and telling their stories continues to be a deeply rewarding part of her journey.

Monique Simpson

Monique Simpson has been working hand-in-hand with advisers and students for the past 14 years and loves seeing the yearbook creation process from beginning to end. Opening the box during distribution is rewarding, but what excites her the most are the thousands of little details, spreadsheets, and timelines that all begin on day one. With organization and determination, Monique enjoys helping advisers create a book that their students will cherish.

Murdocc Saunders, CJE

Murdocc Saunders, CJE, believes every student deserves to be represented in their yearbook. His passion lies in helping yearbook staffs achieve their absolute best, creating publications that truly capture the essence of their school community. A graduate of Philadelphia University with a bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, he left the engineering field to pursue his passion for education and student development, to work directly with people. Whether through the printed word, photographic imagery or digital media, Murdocc connects with students to help them produce yearbooks they’ll treasure with pride. Murdocc specializes in yearbook technology and working with staffs to produce a quality publication that captures your school’s unique story.

Sonny gray, CJE

Sonny Gray’s yearbook journey started in high school, where he spent countless hours snapping photos, editing content, and perfecting layouts—and he’s been hooked ever since. After earning his bachelor’s degree in education from Auburn University, Sonny spent several years teaching in Birmingham before making a successful leap into sales with a national building materials supplier. There, he developed a strong reputation for service and customer satisfaction. For the past 13 years, Sonny has served as a trusted yearbook representative in central Alabama, helping schools tell their stories. He brings a mix of classroom experience, business know-how, and an enduring passion for student journalism to every partnership. Sonny and his wife Jenny live a busy, joy-filled life with their four amazing kids: Elizabeth (20), Natalie (16), Buck (14), and Millie (10).

Kristin Czerminski, CJE

Kristin Czerminski, CJE, has been passionate about yearbooks since the sixth grade—and she’s never looked back. She joined the Herff Jones/Varsity Yearbook family in 2009 as an intern while attending Ramapo College of New Jersey. Her love of yearbook inspired her to earn a BA in Communication Arts with a concentration in graphic design and web design. Kristin firmly believes that yearbooking is nothing short of magic. It has the unique power to elevate every student’s experience, whether by joining the yearbook staff or simply being featured in its pages. The yearbook is one of the few places on campus where every student can feel seen, heard, and valued. That sense of belonging shaped her own journey, and now, she works every day to create that same space for others. As both a former editor and adviser, Kristin brings firsthand understanding of the daily challenges and triumphs that yearbook teams face. Her ability to connect with advisers and students alike allows her to offer not just technical expertise but meaningful support. Her favorite part of the job? Making a difference — big or small — every single day!

Deniz Sarci

Deniz Sarci has a lifelong passion for yearbooking, which began in middle school. She combines her love for art, travel, and storytelling to help her schools create meaningful and memorable yearbooks. Her artistic eye enhances design and layout, while her travel experiences inspire fresh, creative perspectives. Most of all, Deniz values working closely with advisers and students, using her enthusiasm to guide, support, and make a lasting impact through the collaborative process of yearbooking.