According to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards website, the awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth, and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated since 1923. Teens in grades 7–12 from public, private, or home schools can apply in 29 categories of art and writing for their chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited and published through the awards. In 2018, students submitted nearly 350,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards. Award alumni include artists Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly and Hughie Lee-Smith.

This year, Selina Zhou ’19 won two “Gold Key” awards, which means she will go on to the next level of competition with the chance to be recognized on a national level. The next level award winers will be announced in March. AFS students also received ten “Silver Key” awards for artwork by Tamsin Longenberger ’19 and Selina You Zhou; and 14 honorable mentions for work by Dante Raso ’19, Margaret Silbaugh ’19, Lena Bahrendt-Harrer ’19, Bethlehem Fisher-Guerra ’19, Hannah Blanco ’20, Nic Jacobs ’20, Tessa Sandre ’20, and Selina Zhou.