George School students took home sixty Scholastic Art and Writing prizes in the 2021 Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, announced on January 28, 2021. Ten students received Gold Key awards, reserved for the most outstanding student writers and artists in the Pennsylvania region. Their works will be considered for national-level recognition. In addition, Elliott Brown ’21 was nominated for an American Voices award for his poem “Ask No Questions, Hear No Lies.”
The students who received Scholastic Gold Keys are:
- Kira Barich ’21 (journalism)
- Elliott Brown ’21 (poetry)
- Annika Crawford ’22 (drawing & illustration)
- Rachel Delie ’23 (photography)
- Katie Rose Hendry ’22 (photography)
- Michelle Kalunda ’21 (photography; two awards)
- Yuei (Tori) Lee ’21 (photography)
- Aniketh Phalcomepely ’21 (photography)
- Emmett Schmucker ’23 (photography)
- Jasmine Zhang ’22 (digital art)
Nineteen Scholastic Silver Key awards went to thirteen students and Honorable Mention awards were received by twenty students. See the complete list of Scholastic Art and Writing Award Winners from George School.
Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national recognition and are judged by an impressive panel of creative industry experts to receive National Medals.
“Our students work tirelessly in their respective studios to refine techniques and skills, while developing critical thinking and searching for their own voices,” said Danielle Picard-Sheehan, director of visual arts and photography teacher. “Each student recognized should be very proud of their achievements.”
“These awards are a demonstration of the quality of our students and the strength of writing as a whole in our English Department,” said Melaina Young, head of the English Department. “Students who were recognized for their writing are members of the George School Writer’s Focus class, a senior International Baccalaureate class elective.”
Since 1923, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, creativity, skill, and talent of our nation’s young people. These awards continue to celebrate, showcase, and inspire young artists.
Selected award-winning photography and art are highlighted below in the slideshow. Works from writing award winners are available here.
Parents/Guardians: Please join the Parent and Guardian Association (PGA) for dinner in the dining hall at 5:30 p.m. before its final meeting of the school year on Monday, April 17. The meeting will be from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the MDA Library Conference Room. Those unable to attend in person may join virtually via Zoom.