Scholastic Art & Writing Awards commend Bob Jones students’ creativity

MADISON – The respected organization, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, has commended student artists at Bob Jones High School.

Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious educational program for creative teenagers. The initiative supports student achievement in the visual and literary arts.

This program has an impressive legacy of being the first to acknowledge creative talent and is today’s largest source of scholarships for creative teens, according to Robin Lakso. Lakso teaches Art I, Art III and Advanced/Advanced-Placement Art. Jenny Norton and Austin Smith also are art teachers at Bob Jones.

Students who earn the Gold Key Award are recognized with celebration ceremonies and exhibitions in each region. Gold Key entries are automatically considered for national awards, including Gold Medal, Silver Medal with Distinction, Silver Medal and scholarship awards. The Silver Key also lauds the student’s creation and fall under the Gold Key framework.

These students at Bob Jones won the highest-ranked awards:

* Makala Alexander – “the edge,” Gold Key in digital art.

* Patrick Nicholson – “Sculpture of Prey,” Silver Key for his drawing/illustration talent.

* Hannah Southward – “Lovely Tea,” Gold Key for mixed media.

* Madison Tanner – “Hog Hunt,” Gold Key for digital art.

* Emily Duong – Earned Gold Key for flash fiction “Euphoria in Doses” and Silver Key for critical analysis with her writing piece, “Women in Prison Need More Solutions.”

The contest is open to teenagers in grades 7–12, for 13-year-olds and older and those who live in the United States, U.S. territories and military bases, along with Canada.

Since the program’s inception, the awards have fostered creativity for millions of students, including renowned alumni who have gone on to become leaders in their fields. These celebrities include Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Andy Warhol, Robert Redford and Ken Burns.

Bob Jones students competed against peers in the Southeast Region ranging from Washington D.C. to Louisiana. They are competing against public, private and fine arts schools.

The winners of art and writing will be judged at the national competition for all winners from across the country and any American school overseas. Students can win up to $10,000 in scholarship money at the national level.

For more information, visit artandwriting.org.