SAN JOSE, CALIF.— Submissions for the competition are in, and the five winning entries will be featured as the covers of the Raider Review’s first magazine.

The Raider Review’s upcoming issue, The Senior Edition, marks a bold shift from the traditional newspaper format. The magazine, expected to be up to 48 pages, is designed to honor the Graduating Class of 2025 filling the gap left by the absence of a yearbook.

“For me, it’s like a yearbook. It’s something special we can keep, a memento,” said Jasmine Sessoms, editor-in-chief of the Raider Review. “We wanted to try something different, something more original. Photos just feel more meaningful than a regular newspaper layout.”

The idea, born from the creativity of the Raider Review staff, aims to give every senior a tangible memory of their final year. It will feature articles from both semesters and spotlight students, events, and achievements.

To make the magazine even more unique, the staff launched a schoolwide cover art contest. Students were asked to design a digital cover, sized 8.5 by 11 inches, and include “Edition 4, Volume 40.” The winning piece will grace the front cover of every copy. The artist will also receive a $25 Target gift card and their own personal copy.

While submissions were limited this year, Sessoms remains hopeful the contest will grow. “We didn’t get too many entries, but we got at least one strong one. Hopefully next year there’ll be more if this becomes a tradition.”

Though creating a full magazine is a massive undertaking, the staff remains optimistic. “I know not everyone on staff may feel motivated, especially the underclassmen but if other schools can put together yearbooks, we can do this too,” Sessoms said. “It’s intimidating, but I really believe in our team’s creativity.”

One of the biggest challenges ahead is organization and accuracy. “We have to triple check everything, especially names. I don’t want to hear a student say we spelled their name wrong. That would be embarrassing.”

Still in its early stages, the Senior Edition already reflects the hard work and pride of the team. “I’m proud that we even came up with the idea in the first place,” Sessoms said. “There’s so much talent in this school, and it’s exciting to show that off.”

There’s hope this project won’t just be a one-time event. “I’d love for this to spark a tradition. Seniors deserve something that’s just for them.”                               

As the Class of 2025 nears graduation, the magazine aims to leave behind more than just memories; it’s about resilience, pride, and legacy. “We’ve been through a lot this year, with all the chaos around senior events. But we got through it. I want this magazine to show that even when things were messy, we still made something meaningful.”