The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were established in 1923, and are the nation’s largest, longest-running, most prestigious visual and literary arts program recognizing creative accomplishments of students in grades 7–12. Past winners have included many names you might recognize, including: Stan Brakhage, Donald Barthelme, Sylvia Plath, Cy Twombly, John Updike, Andy Warhol, Kay Walkingstick, Truman Capote, Frances Farmer, Bernard Malamud, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, Ken Burns, Richard Linklater, Lena Dunham, and Zac Posen.

This year, in the 100th Anniversary of the Awards, over 350,000 works were entered in 28 award categories (some examples: short story, fashion design, photography, memoir, printmaking, poetry, sculpture).  You may already know that Waterford students did very well at the Regional level of judging this year — including a total of 22 regional Gold Key awards, by far the most of any Utah high school.

At the National level, students can be recognized with even higher honors.  Works that receive regional Gold Keys enter into the judging for national medals.  Less than one percent of entries receive a National Gold or Silver Medal. The Awards serve as a launch pad for furthering students’ future success by providing them with access to scholarship programs and workshops, as well as the ability to have their work published and displayed in regional and national exhibitions.

Waterford is proud to celebrate photographers Leila F. ‘24, Micah M. ‘23, and Ethan R. ‘23, who each received a National Silver Medal for one of their images.

You can read more about the long history of the Scholastic Awards here:  https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/history/