The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers recently announced its 100th annual class of national medalists in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Midview High School sophomore Sesen Keith is among 96 Ohio students named National Medalists and one of only 33 awarded a Gold Medal – the highest award.
More than 100,000 teens from U.S. territories, Canada, and every state in the nation participated in this year’s awards, submitting more than 300,000 works of art and writing. Works by more than 40,000 teens received regional recognition, and nearly 2,000 were recognized nationally. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious program for creative teens in grades 7-12.
“I was so excited and extremely happy for Sesen when I learned she received a National Gold Key for her work! It is an amazing accomplishment that only goes to an elite few nationwide,” said Midview High School Visual Art Teacher Heather Burns. “Sesen has a great eye for photography, developing composition, and visual storytelling — anytime we can celebrate our students and their various talents and skills is a huge success!”
To qualify for national consideration, students must first receive a Gold Key Award in a regional competition. Sesen’s photograph, “Downtown,” earned regional recognition at the Lorain County Region Scholastic Art Awards Program, which welcomes entries from public and private school students in grades 7 through 12 in Erie, Huron, and Lorain counties.
Regional Gold Key winners then advance to national jurying in New York City.
“I had been interested in photography at a surface level for a while but really got to explore that interest in a digital editing class my freshman year. I think it is beautiful to be able to tell a story through something as seemingly simple as a photo,” said Sesen Keith. “I decided to submit my photo because it carries a deeper meaning than just being a nice photo. Every time you look at it, it’s like you notice something new, which is one aspect I really love about it. I hope this is the first of many great photos I’ll take.”
In June, national medalists will be honored at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Sesen’s photograph will also feature in a traveling show through New York, D.C., and other locations and be published in Scholastic's annual Best Teen Art book.
National medalists join the ranks of Robert Redford, John Lithgow, and Stephen King, among other famous alumni who have also earned Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.