Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Redbird of the Month: Kate Lee Wilson Helps Bring Alton High's Stories to Life
Wilson's efforts with The Tatler to be remembered for years to come.
ALTON – Every school has students whose work leaves a lasting impact long after graduation. For Alton High School junior Kate Lee Wilson, that impact will be found in the pages of The Tatler, where her creativity, leadership and dedication help preserve the memories and experiences of the Alton High School community.
Kate is the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Redbird of the Month.
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Kate serves as one of two design editors for the 2026-27 edition of The Tatler, Alton High School's yearbook. Working alongside the student editor-in-chief and a talented staff of student journalists, photographers and designers, she helps create the visual layouts that will tell the story of the school year.
Her journey to a leadership position began last year as a sophomore member of the yearbook staff. Through her dedication, attention to detail and creative eye, Kate earned the confidence of yearbook adviser Bridget Heck, who selected her to serve as a design editor this year.
In her leadership role, Kate oversees a six-member design team responsible for creating engaging page layouts and ensuring the yearbook captures the full student experience. The team also coordinates senior superlatives and organizes club photo days, helping ensure every organization, activity and student group at Alton High has an opportunity to be represented.
Kate says one of the most rewarding parts of yearbook has been seeing how much she has grown, both creatively and as a leader.
After learning the fundamentals of yearbook production as a staff member, she now enjoys helping younger staff members develop their own skills and confidence. She encourages her teammates to contribute ideas and take ownership of their work, believing the strongest designs come from collaboration and shared creativity.
Along the way, Kate has gained valuable experience using industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Yearbook Avenue, skills that have strengthened both her artistic abilities and technical knowledge.
Her commitment to documenting student life extends beyond the yearbook classroom. Kate is also a member of the Redbird Nest, where she and other student media members help capture photographs from athletic events, extracurricular activities and special school events throughout the year.
Producing a yearbook requires the efforts of many dedicated students, and Kate is proud to be part of a staff of approximately 30 students who work together in a variety of roles to make The Tatler the best it can be.
Outside of yearbook, Kate is an active member of the Marching 100 Color Guard, a program she joined as a freshman. She has embraced the opportunity to perform, travel and compete alongside fellow students while representing Alton High School across the state.
Among her favorite experiences have been traveling to competitions throughout Illinois, where color guard and marching band programs perform elaborate halftime productions before panels of judges. Some events feature as many as 20 participating schools, providing students the opportunity to showcase their hard work while learning from other outstanding programs. Her travels have included competitions at Illinois State University in Bloomington and other venues across the state.
Whether she is designing yearbook pages, photographing school events or performing with the color guard, Kate consistently demonstrates a commitment to celebrating the accomplishments and experiences of her fellow students.
After graduating from Alton High School, Kate hopes to pursue a career in a field that combines science, discovery and service. Her interests include marine biology, oceanography, nursing and ultrasound technology. She is considering continuing her education at institutions such as the University of Miami, the University of Michigan or the University of Illinois.
For her creativity, leadership and dedication to preserving the stories that make Alton High School special, Kate Lee Wilson exemplifies the spirit of an Art Fahrner-Edward Jones AHS Remarkable Redbird of the Month recipient. Through her work behind the scenes, she is helping to ensure that the memories, achievements and traditions of today's Redbirds will be remembered for generations to come.
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