From the Nominator

Sidwell Friends Magazine embraced storytelling with a visually striking Fall/Winter 2024 issue blending community-driven narratives and artistic excellence. Inspired by Humans of New York, we launched Humans of Sidwell, capturing the authenticity and diversity of our student body. Collaborating with portrait photographer Tim Coburn, we set up a pop-up studio on both campuses, photographing and interviewing students spontaneously. The result was an unfiltered look at daily life at Sidwell Friends School, revealing themes of belonging, gratitude, and shared experiences. This issue also celebrated alumni artists George R. Anthonisen ’55 and Marianne Bernstein ’74, who published books showcasing their work. Through interviews, we explored their creative processes, lifelong dedication to the arts, and commitment to inspiring others. We also highlighted visiting artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons, whose Rubenstein Guest Artist Lecture connected themes of humanity, the planet, and the divine, offering a thought-provoking lens on creativity and culture. Through Humans, Art Off the Shelf, and Magda, we explored the themes of legacy, the artist's journey, and the power of creativity. In our AI-themed Summer 2024 issue, we tackled two of the most pressing global issues of the year—artificial intelligence and book censorship. With artificial intelligence dominating headlines, we took a proactive approach, addressing its implications for education at large and specifically within our institution. Through deep research and the expertise of alumni, faculty, staff, and parents, we provided a nuanced exploration of how AI is reshaping learning. Simultaneously, we examined the rise of book censorship in schools nationwide. Featuring celebrated alumni authors, we shed light on the impact of limiting access to literature and intellectual freedom. By elevating national conversations and making them relevant to our school, we reinforced our publication’s role as an essential platform for meaningful discourse.

From the Judges

A standout publication that’s contemporary and well-branded. The editorial content tackles relevant topics and their impact on the school and features good engagement ideas like a crossword on the back cover. The innovative design includes layouts that are clean and easy to follow and an exceptional use of photography. A fantastic feature well is a fun and engaging read even to those outside the school’s community.