Zheng and Laznik Named Winners of Student Art Contests

Congratulations are in order for two outstanding student artists, Xiyan “Tiger” Zheng ’29 and Julia Laznik ’27, who have had their works selected for publication on the Tabor Academy Holiday Card and on the cover of the fall 2025 edition of the Tabor Today alumni magazine, respectively. Both contributed an original piece that will reach the wider Tabor community in print.

Zheng was named the winner of the 5th Annual Winter Mood Holiday Card Contest with a photo, a waterside, evening shot of Lillard Hall. His submission stands out for its thoughtful composition, expressive color palette, and the sense of warmth and spirit it conveys. The design is featured on Tabor’s official holiday card, sharing Zheng's artistic vision with alumni, families, board members, and friends of the school throughout the winter season.

Laznik's piece, a restored, archival photograph of Lillard Hall, was selected as the winner of the Sesquicentennial Magazine Cover Contest for the Fall 2025 Issue. This is particularly meaningful as this year marks not only Tabor's 150th anniversary but also the 50th anniversary of Tabor Today. Her cover design captures the essence of Tabor’s legacy for this historic celebration and appears on the front of the current issue.

Both contests drew an impressive range of submissions from across campus, reflecting the depth of talent within Tabor’s student body. These juried competitions welcomed artwork of any medium, including digital art, paint, photography, animation, and ceramics. In their designs, students were asked to consider the colors, shapes, history, and spirit of the School by the Sea.

"Each student art contest is a fun way to showcase Seawolves’ creativity while giving their work valuable exposure to the wider Tabor community. It also offers an opportunity for students to build their portfolios and gain recognition for their artistic talents," says Deb Cohen, Graphic Designer and Brand Manager.

As these winning pieces make their way into the hands of our community, we encourage everyone to take a moment to enjoy and appreciate the creativity behind them. Tiger’s holiday card and Julia’s magazine cover are more than artistic achievements, they are celebrations of student expression at Tabor. Keep an eye out for both the Winter Mood card and the special Sesquicentennial issue of Tabor Today to experience their artwork firsthand.