2017 Brilliance Awards Writing Winners
Category No. 16: Magazine Feature Article
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GREENHILL SCHOOL
Addison, TX • Grades PK-12, Coed Day
SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
Greenhill's comprehensive package on social-emotional learning tackles the timely subject from every angle: teaching, learning, students, parents, and alumni. Through solid writing and expansive resources, it paints a clear picture of the social-emotional learning landscape in independent education today, from the youngest learners to high school students and beyond. Alumni testimonials and resource lists add an extra service element.
I loved how the author comprised this piece. I found the topic compelling and relevant to the reader. I applaud Greenhill's creativity and commitment to writing topical pieces in which readers can find meaning whether or not they feel connected to Greenhill.
The format and breakdown of this piece helped simplify a complicated topic and make it easily scannable. It was educational and informative beyond promotional
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SILVER
MCCALLIE SCHOOL
Chattanooga, TN • Grades 6-12, Boys Boarding/Day
SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
Well-written alumni profile that touched the right bases for a school's magazine: an alumnus who has achieved artistic success, links to the roots of his passion for musical theater through his McCallie experiences, and the role of the individual to pursue his own dreams in an independent school culture.
Great article, well paced, excellent photography, insets, kept me interested and reading through to the end.
Effectively mixes personal profile with school snapshot.
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BRONZE
GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
Philadelphia, PA • Grades K-12, Coed Day
SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
In a category with strong entries, Germantown Friends' article stands out because it is topical, creative and exceptionally well executed. With lively prose, the piece positions GF as a compassionate, intentional and vibrant community that alums would take pride in and prospective families would find deeply compelling. It puts the audience's needs first, and for that reason, I found it to be the strongest piece in a collection of polished submissions.
This fascinating story takes the reader through a day-in-the-life of a GFS student using the observant eyes of an alumna to explore the student experience in a personal way. It nicely interweaves GFS's strategic investigation of the current challenges around promoting student wellness in an academic institution. In general, it was a delight to read and gave many insights into the day-to-day life of a modern student.
Category No. 17: Elevator Speech
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NCSDO FOR
SAINT JAMES SCHOOL
Hagerstown, MD • Grades 8-12, Coed Boarding and Day
SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
Powerful first sentence — made my spine tingle — and first paragraph builds nicely to what the school offers.
With its emphasis at the end on the challenges presented by today's political and social climate, the Saint James School's elevator pitch posseses an important sense of timeliness. It puts the onus on the students to take advantage of the support systems the school has in place and the opportunities it has to offer, and challenges them to make something of themselves —and make a difference in the world.
Concise, creative, the school differentiates itself by way of both faith and education.
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SILVER
NCSDO FOR
ST. STEPHEN'S & ST. AGNES SCHOOL
Alexandria, VA • Grades JK-12, Coed Day
SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
This elevator pitch holds students at the center, and clearly spells out the skills and knowledge students will gain if they attend St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School. Using dynamic language and phrases, such as "fearless curiosity," it expresses not only what the school hopes its students will experience while they are in attendance, but also what kinds of citizens it hopes to graduate — with an emphasis on the difference their students will make in college and beyond. The simple tagline at the end — Become Ready — is a nice balance between the practical and the prophetic.
Clear and effective start and some lovely phrases e.g. "fearless curiosity."
Calls out portrait of a graduate aspects, which is important. I liked that there were three highlighted bullet points. It made it easy to focus on what the school was about.
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BRONZE
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
West Haven, CT • Grades 9-12, Boys Day
SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
Strong sense of flow through the passage and good use of rhetoric.
Strong and confident.
