O'Neal Honors Student Creativity and Dedications
On Wednesday, May 21st, the O’Neal School community gathered in the Hannah Center Gymnasium for a special all-school assembly preceding the annual Field Day. The event honored student creativity and dedication through the unveiling of the 2025 editions of the School’s literary magazine, Blackbird’s Eye, and the Talon Yearbook, as well as the presentation of the Bill Youngclaus Creative Writing Awards.
Blackbird’s Eye, O’Neal’s annual literary magazine since 1974, showcases original creative writing, art, and photography by students and staff. This year’s theme, “Back to the Future…Looking Back to Move Ahead,” inspired a reflective and forward-thinking collection of work. Each year, the magazine is dedicated to a faculty or staff member chosen by the senior class. The 2025 edition was dedicated to Director of Communications and Facilities Kathy Taylor, in honor of her work in recording and showcasing the growth and development of the School for almost 20 years.
The assembly also featured the presentation of the Bill Youngclaus Creative Writing Awards, established in 2007 to honor students in each division who demonstrate exceptional talent in creative writing. The award commemorates Bill Youngclaus, a former O’Neal parent, trustee, and passionate writer.
This year’s recipients were:
- Grace Ames, a third-grade student, for her poem “Back through the Future” (Lower School)
- Ava Bozovich, a seventh-grade student, for her poem “1000 Years More” (Middle School)
- Logan Slabaugh, a ninth-grade student, for her poem “Choose Yourself” (Upper School)
All winning pieces were published in Blackbird’s Eye, and each recipient received a medal and a monetary prize in recognition of their achievement.
The 2025 Talon Yearbook, themed “New Horizons,” was also revealed and dedicated to Middle School Math Teacher Alison Coates. Ms. Coates, who has inspired students with her patience and enthusiasm for over 25 years, was honored for her lasting impact on the O’Neal community.
The assembly served as a meaningful celebration of creativity, dedication, and the vibrant spirit of the O’Neal School.
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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