Gulliver Preparatory's 1999 yearbook staff has been recognized by the Taylor Publishing Company with an Award of Merit for yearbook design and coverage.

"The Award of Merit is given each year to a select group of yearbook staffs throughout the nation who have demonstrated excellence in yearbook design and coverage," said Britt Thompson, director of marketing at Taylor Publishing. "We applaud these staffs for their outstanding work and support their efforts in scholastic journalism."

Considered a concept book, Gulliver Prep's yearbook was divided by the three elements of its theme - Mind, Body and Soul -- with each of the sections including sports, academics, clubs, student life and people.

"This was a departure from the traditional yearbook," said advisor Stacey Abercrombie. "The staff decided they wanted something more creative, with unique layouts and where the students' voice was prevalent. What emerged was truly distinctive."

The 1999 yearbook also won three other awards, including All American with four marks of distinction by the National Scholastic Press Association, Gold Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and best high school yearbook as adjudged by the American Scholastic Press Association.

Even the Gulliver Prep yearbook cover was novel, with a hologram designed by Felipe Verswyvel, a concept and design never before attempted at Gulliver Prep.

The members of the school's yearbook staff include co-editors Sarah Jarvis and Jacqueline Miguel; and Leah Solowsky, Sarah Russell, Jessica G. Schneck, Shawn Usman, Vanessa Hagen, Patricia Prins, Jaclyn Gonzalez, Cristin Smith, Alex Messianu, Lindsay Bierfeld, Cristina Papasakelariou and Nicole Vargas.

Taylor Publishing is a national publisher of yearbooks and is a leader in digital innovation. Taylor provides training, technical support and printing services to elementary school, middle school, high school and college yearbook staffs.