The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth, and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated each year since 1923. An increasing numbers of teens participate in the program and become a part of this community—young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers—along with countless educators who support and encourage the creative process.

Waterford’s talented students show passion and elevated standards in the work they submitted this year.  The awards listed below are for our Western Region, which includes Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Washington, and parts of California. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards—the oldest and most prestigious program of its kind in the country—selects winning work for Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention awards. All Gold Key winners advance to the National competition; those results will be announced in mid-March. Seniors whose portfolios win the top National award receive a $10,000 scholarship.  

In the Visual Arts, there were 77 regional awards received by Waterford students:

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Studio Art

3 Gold Keys

Kelly G. ’23 – My Brother (drawing and illustration)
Alexis H. ’22 – Cafe Sunset (digital art)
Tony W. ’23 – Be Keen On (drawing and illustration)

3 Silver Keys

Arissa J. ’22, Tony W. ’23, Lucza B. ’22

3 Honorable Mentions

Annika M. ’24, Tony W. ’23 (2)

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Photography

21 Gold Keys

Austin B. ’25 – Lone Pump
Lucza B. ’22 (6) — Bubble Bath, Coil, Eye, Sakura, Terra, Wait
Katelyn C. ’26 – Mike and Gus
Michele G. ’22 – Illuminated Man
Marlo H. ’26 (2) – Know Glow, You Through Reflection
Jack K. ’25- Soul
Will M. ’23 (2) – Lone Commuter, Tickets & Info
Molly M. ’24 (2) – Distorted Drowning, Opaque Faith
Madeline M. ’22 (2) – Galleson’s Gun Shop Alley, On the Outside
Christina W. ’23 – Division in Laketown
Ai Lee W. ’22 – Zion
Orion X. ’23 – Auto Zone

26 Silver Keys

21 Honorable Mentions

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Writing

In creative writing, there were 8 awards received by Waterford Students. Waterford students earn this recognition for their critical essays, poetry, personal essays, and fiction pieces that are submitted. 

4 Gold Keys

Jema D. ’25 – A Portrait (Personal Essay & Memoir)
Annabelle Q. ’23 – Epistle of the Fallen Angels (Poetry), True Faith (Personal Essay & Memoir)
Sierra S. ’25 – Half Human, Half Chinese (Journalism)

2 Silver Keys

Sonya B. ’23 (2)

2 Honorable Mentions

Connor G. ’25, Annabelle Q. ’23.

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Congratulations to the incredible hard work put in by Waterford students to earn this recognition. 

Please click here to see a gallery of the Regional Gold Key Visual Arts winners.