From the endless amount of stories, photography and design each student has put their own touch to each page.

Panther’s Tale has reached its 100th volume.

Staffers and editors spend a lot of time brainstorming, setting deadlines, interviewing, taking photos, writing, editing and scheduling work nights.

Panther’s Tale has been through multiple eras.

Dating back to 1973, past sports editor Bob Lutz remembers the days he was once in current staffers’ shoes.

“I found out I had a little bit of an aptitude for writing when I was a sophomore in high school. I knew I wanted to be in sports in some way or another, and I took a journalism class as a junior,” said Lutz, who worked at The Wichita Eagle for 42 years.

“I’d say that it was pretty impactful to take those journalism classes and find out that I was looking for a way to be involved in sports.”

Years later Panther’s Tale had setbacks and couldn’t publish due to budget cuts. By 2013 it was back with the help of seven students.

“My goal when I joined the yearbook staff in my sophomore year was to leave an impact on Derby High,” Panther’s Tale editor-in-chief (2013) Nathan Gash said. “Myself and a staff of six high schoolers worked to sell ads to local businesses that would be published in the paper and that would cover the cost of the printed version as well as help to purchase a website to start posting stories happening around the high school.”

While covering costs would allow the newspaper to print, it was the content within the paper that had to catch the attention of the student body.

“One of the biggest stories we posted online was when then principal Tim Hamblin held an assembly to address behavior concerns of the student body,” Gash said. “With this assembly, Mr. Hamblin decided to take away Hollyball (the old winter formal). We used this story as a breakpoint to get attention brought back to the Panther’s Tale.”

High school journalism is more than just a class to most newspaper staff. For some it was a family tradition.

Katie Carlson, director of comunications in Derby, grew up around journalism. She was the editor of Panther’s Tale when she graduated in 2005.

“Fun fact: my mom, who also works for the school district (class of 1984), and sister (class of 2003) were both also editors before me. My brother (class of 2008) also was on the newspaper staff,” Carlson said.

With a family who was invested and surrounded by journalism Carlson found herself in a spot where she knew this is what she wanted to do as a career.

“Growing up in the early 2000s, I was fascinated by magazines—the design, storytelling and interviews drew me in,” Carlson said. “Being involved in the newspaper not only fueled my passion for journalism but also strengthened my connection to the school.”

Carlson believes extracurricular activities enhance the high school.

“The skills I gained from newspapers opened doors for college, too,” she said.“I always tell people that the foundational skills from journalism and communication classes are beneficial in any career.

“A degree in communications is incredibly versatile. Love sports? You can work in PR, marketing or graphic design for a team. Passionate about animals? Join a humane society’s outreach team. Interested in healthcare? Hospitals need marketing and communications professionals too.

“No matter your interests, strong communication skills are incredibly valuable.”