Yearbook superlatives are so conventional. Most Likely to Succeed, Best Dressed, Most Photogenic.

But “Most Likely to Skinny Dip” crossed the line in a New Mexico high school’s attempt to be unique.

When the Portotales High School journalism staff delivered their 2013-2014 yearbook as part of their fall circulation, it began to receive criticism from staff, students and parents as soon as the book was opened to the senior page.

Along with the typical yearbook categories, PHS decided to get a little creative, with a “Most Likely to Skinny Dip” distinction given to two girls, who in accordance with the title, took an infamous photo that not only caused an uproar in the community, but brought on national media attention, as well.

To the PHS yearbook staff, the snapshot was seemingly innocent. It was a picture of the naked girls, behind a tree. They had even taken the precaution to blur the girl to make it “PG” for a school-related product.

This precaution was not enough. Even though the image was slightly blurred, it is still apparent in the picture that the girls are not wearing any clothes.

Granted, the award had to do with skinny dipping, which implies the absence of clothing. However, I believe showing too much skin in a yearbook photo is inappropriate and crass.

According to Garrick Matthews, the assistant principal of PHS, the yearbook staff was “trying to be humorous to a certain extent.” That doesn’t excuse the fact that what they printed was racy, ridiculous and unnecessary.

I understand that they were trying to be original and set themselves apart from every other high school yearbook in the nation. But, there is a difference between being unique and trying to draw undue attention to an institution. PHS did that in their yearbook category and the photo that went along with it.

I believe that school is an atmosphere that should teach positive values to students. It’s a place where students are taught to be upstanding individuals in the community.

Any mention of skinny dipping should not reach school property. And, if that’s enough, PHS made it all the more insulting in the naked girls behind the tree.

It doesn’t matter that the girls assented to that honor in the “Most Likely to Skinny Dip” category. The yearbook photo will forever be an object that seals their reputation with their peers, in the community and regarding any prospective college that wants to review their character.

I believe the crude yearbook superlative and photo can be potentially scarring to any student that ordered the yearbook. Parents certainly don’t want their children exposed to such vulgarity in a school setting. It is disgusting that this was allowed by the yearbook advisor at PHS.

The scandal is not only humiliating to the high school and the town, but it should also raise concerns throughout America that the standards of virtue are going down in schools. With the rates of violence, drugs and other contemptible factors that schools are plagued with, sex and raciness should not be added to the list.

PHS didn’t have to add the category to make their yearbook an impactful one, but they unfortunately took that step. A step, I believe, in the wrong direction of integrity that American public schools have a responsibility to uphold.