Letter from the Editor

Supporting.

As a child, I was convinced that I’d be famous. My great-grandmother and I were certain that Ed McMahon would discover me on Star Search; I was destined for a life of glitz and glamour. Nana Brown, as I called her, would sit in her teal, velour recliner and play dress-up with me, covering me in necklaces, bracelets, and rings. I’d don any dress-like clothing I could find and twirl and dance around the room while she clapped her hands and sang, “Here she comes, Miss America!” Yes, we mixed theme songs and programs, and no, I have no idea what my talent was back then (other than entertaining Nana Brown), but I was convinced I’d be a star.

Eventually, my desire to be in the spotlight faded, and I started to find my place behind the scenes. In high school, I stage managed the musical. In college, I worked the technical crew, operating the lights in our performance hall and student union. In my career, marketing and communications quickly became a passion and allowed me to be a part of the lives of everyone at the school, from prospective students and their families to the current students and families, faculty, and staff, and even the alumni and friends of Tabor. I get to be a part of the entire community’s daily lives, even if they never know I’m with them on their journey.

We all play a role in the world, and we are part of something greater than ourselves. Take away one part, one role, and the entire structure is at risk of falling. So often, we applaud the individuals we see the most, but they are just one part of a greater operation. The truth is, if we all took centerstage, no one would be there to run the cameras, operate the lights, edit the film, or say, “That’s a wrap!”

Not everyone is meant for the spotlight, just as I was not meant to be on Star Search and meet Ed McMahon. Rather, I was meant to entertain my great-grandmother and bring joy into her life, and I did right up until she passed at the age of 86. And now, I’m meant to lead the team that brings you this latest issue of Tabor Today.

This issue of the magazine pays tribute to some of these behind-the-scenes individuals, working hard to bring joy into the world through the entertainment industry. We have so many alumni involved in this incredible work that we focused on those in filmmaking specifically. From producers and directors to writers and casting, join us as we shine a spotlight on these behind-the-scenes stars who help brighten (or frighten) our days through film.

Please note: We acknowledge that history is complex, and there may be instances in which we do not have the full story. We also know that we can’t possibly cover every alum related to a single industry in one issue. As such, we always welcome and encourage alumni to reach out and share their stories and historical knowledge of Tabor with us. We’re excited to hear from you and share your stories with the Tabor community. Contact us at magazine@taboracademy.org