Best Articles of the Year: Independent Schools

General Observations

We only received seven entries for the category, so our task was not as daunting as it might have been, and it was relatively simple to come to an immediate decision about which should be considered for an award and which should not. Those immediately tossed to the "not considered" pile were so categorized because 1) they lacked information about budget, 2) were far too long, 3) lacked a creative approach or eye-catching style, 4) related a story but did not engage the reader, or 5) illustrated neither the personality of the writer nor of the school.

Those articles which we flagged as potential award-winners grabbed the reader's attention through clear writing and presentation, were appropriate subject matters for their audiences, met or surpassed their stated objectives and related well to their schools' missions.

Comments on Winning Entries

Gold Medal

Emma Willard School, "Extraordinary Measures for an Ordinary Life,"

• While relating a highly emotional story, the author did not fall into a trap of exploiting that emotion, rather using it to build and strengthen a powerful theme - that female leaders are not always defined as "high-achieving. High-profile women," but can also be found at home, performing seemingly insurmountable tasks. The author's forthright style, pace and organization combined with an instinct for just the right amount of detail resulted in the perfect combination of strength and understatement to tell her story.