From the Nominator

"Like many schools, Tabor Academy has experienced considerable change in the past three years. As the institution looked to strengthen itself after a period of instability due to leadership changes and other challenges, the Strategic Marketing & Communications (SMAC) team decided it was time to breathe new life into its existing alumni magazine. This publication has been in existence, in varying formats, for over 40 years; prior to 2021, the magazine was more a newsletter or yearbook-style publication than a magazine, featuring mostly updates on the current state of the school, event photos, and little narrative content. The online component was an ISSUU flipbook posted on the Tabor website. With the goal of making the content more engaging, and readers more excited to receive the publication, the SMAC team, in partnership with the advancement team, introduced a new themed format for the longstanding publication. 

Starting in the summer of 2021, to coincide with the Summer Olympics, Tabor debuted its first issue of a narrative storytelling magazine format, the Olympics Issue. The magazine combined articles on the history of the school, exciting elements of the school's current programming, and profiles of alumni, all related to the central concept. There was a focus on ensuring that all content was unique to the publication, primarily evergreen, and of interest to more than just the Tabor community. The magazine, and its subsequent issues, received positive feedback and donations. The team is working on the fourth issue in this new format with great enthusiasm."

From the Judges

Using a themed approach produced striking covers and strong photography. The team tied the theme in well with the campus/institution community, so it felt relevant and not detached. The writing is excellent and the design is creative.