East Central PA students announced as regional Scholastic Award recipients
The East Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Affiliate has announced the regional award recipients of the 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Presented by Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the country’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7-12. This program year, nearly 250,000 works of art and writing were submitted to more than 100 Affiliate Partners across the country.
An awards ceremony honoring the students will be held 2-3 p.m. March 5 in Kutztown University Schaeffer Auditorium.
Over 600 pieces of art made by teens from Berks, Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties received regional honors, including Gold Keys, Silver Keys and Honorable Mentions from the local jurors. Five students were nominated for the American Visions Award representing the best in show: Mandy Zhang from Emmaus High School (Tracy Maley, educator), Gwynne Geedy and Naeleh King from Exeter Township High School (Christina Pinkerton, educator), Thomas Gilchrist from Parkland High School (self-guided project) and Mary Brubaker from Wilson Senior High School (Elizabeth McKemy, educator).
Three students were also chosen for Juror’s Choice
Awards: Caleb Knotts from Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (William Childs, educator), Nailea Almanzar from Orefield Middle School (Laura Wright, educator) and Genesis Rodriguez from The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Joseph Boyle, educator).
The Alliance for Young
Artists and Writers, presenter of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience. Gold Key winners at the local level go on to compete with teen artists from across the country and national winners are exhibited in NYC and celebrated at Carnegie Hall in June. Established in 1923 by Maurice R. Robinson, the founder of Scholastic Inc., the awards are one of the largest sources of scholarships for young artists and writers.