Concolor Yearbook History
Ruben Dario Middle School began recording its memories in 1992 with a Video Yearbook sponsored by Media Specialist, Connie Sax, after the school had gone two years without a yearbook. The WILD TV production group created the video. The need for a yearbook became essential after Hurricane Andrew destroyed the Miami-Dade community in the Summer of 1992. During 1992-1993, the first edition of the yearbook was published, named CONCOLOR. Concolor is the Latin name for Cougar and was named by Science teacher Mrs. Ana Fenton. The first advisor of the yearbook was Mrs. Vivian Santiestan-Pardo.
In 2011, the school published its first all-color yearbook, drastically changing the quality of the publication. This started the book's successes, beginning with a first-place award for its On the Spot Writing contest at the FSPA Annual Journalism Day at FIU in the Fall of 1998. Since then, the yearbook has been nationally recognized for its incredible themes, photography, and design, including a Bronze Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2011 and a Gold Medal in 2012.
In 2020, Ruben Dario Middle School achieved a huge milestone, becoming the first Middle School in Miami-Dade County Public Schools to receive the prestigious Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. This feat was repeated in 2022. The school has also been recognized for winning the All-Florida Award by the Florida Scholastic Press Association in 2019, 2020, and 2022, the Sunshine Standout award in 2020, and the All-Southern Award from the Southeastern Interscholastic Press Association in 2019 and 2020. In 2020, the yearbook also won the All-American yearbook award from the National Scholastic Press Association with all Marks of Distinction. In addition, it won first place from the American Scholastic Press Association in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Concolor has also been featured in Herff Jones's Best of the Best National Publication Portfolio for its 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 editions.
If you are interested in joining this award-winning program, please contact the yearbook advisor, Ms. Ileana Rozo, at 242194@dadeschools.net.
Yearbooks can be purchased online through the online Student Portal (OSP) for $25, and dedications and advertisements can be purchased for prices ranging from $25 (business card size) to $200 (full page). Please contact Ms. Rozo via email for more information.