Area students excel in art and writing competitions
This American Vision art nominee was created by Andrea Neil, Avella Area High School, in the printmaking category. Her school adviser is Jessie Miller.
Hannah Cunningham of Mapletown Junior-Senior High School is an American Vision nominee for her painting submission. Her school adviser is Louise Mechling.
This dress created by Amber Hughes, Bentworth Senior High School, was honored as an American Vision nominee in the fashion category. Her school adviser is Sandra Threlkeld.
Jacob Volanski, Canon-McMillan Senior High School, is one of the five American Vision nominees for his painting of a smoker. His school adviser is Kari Stauffer.
This drawing of a tree by Leah Lilley, Connellsville Area High School, earned her an American Vision nomination. Her school adviser is Justin Guess.
CALIFORNIA – Students from high schools in Greene, Washington and Fayette counties were honored last Sunday at an awards ceremony at California University of Pennsylvania for capturing either a Gold Key, Silver Key or Merit Award in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition.
Five students – three from Washington County, one from Greene and one from Fayette – were chosen as American Vision nominees for their art work, and two students – both from Fayette – were chosen as American Voice nominees for their writing. They, along with 23 other Gold Key winners in art and the two Gold Keys in writing, will have their work sent to New York in the national competition where their work will be judged alongside the award-winning work from 100 other regions representing all parts of the country from Alaska to Florida to New England.
National winners will be announced March 15.
The top art honorees are:
• Hannah Cunningham, Mapletown Junior-Senior High school, painting
• Amber Hughes, Bentworth Senior High School, fashion
• Andrea Neil, Avella Area High School, printmaking
• Leah Lilley, Connellsville Area High School, drawing
• Jacob Volanski, Canon-McMillan Senior High School, painting.
Additionally, Paige Tibbe, Uniontown Area High School, won a Gold Key for art portfolio.
The writing honorees are Katie Catanzarite, Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School, short story; and Tara Wadsworth, Laurel Highlands Senior High School, short story.
Catanzarite, along with Kristen Wilson, Washington High School; and Elizabeth White, Waynesburg Central High School, won gold, silver and merit awards, respectively, for their writing portfolios.
The scholastic art and writing awards are the largest and longest-running recognition programs for creative young people in the country. The program is now in its 90th year and this was the 11th year students from the three-county area competed in the art and writing competition.
The art and writing categories included digital art, drawing, fashion, sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, mixed media, essay,/memoir, poetry, short story, flash fiction, science fiction/fantasy, humor and journalism.
“In 2003, we initiated the program at Waynesburg College to honor our local students. We were thrilled when 222 pieces of student writing and art arrived for judging,” said Janice Hatfield, a member of the Scholastic Board who oversees the writing competition.
“In January of this year, students from the three-county area submitted more than 500 pieces of writing and art,” Hatfield said.
The Gold Key winners in art, exclusive of the American Vision nominees, were:
• Haven Anderson, Trinity Area High School, printmaking
• Mason Boni, Avella Area High School, photography
•Jenna Cario, Waynesburg Central High School, drawing
• Brianna Church, Belle Vernon Area High School, drawing
• Heather DeMarino, Canon-McMillan Senior High School, drawing
• Morgan Dubich, Avella Area High School, drawing
• Raymond Fiorentini, Avella Area High School, drawing
• Catherine Fox, Avella Area High School, drawing
• Raven George, Central Christian Academy, painting
• Katie McCarthy, Canon-McMillan Senior High School, drawing
• Brandon Morran, Trinity Area High School, digital art
• Andrea Neil Avella Area High School, printmaking
• Charles Novick, Central Christian Academy, photography
• Allison Paxton, Central Christian Academy, sculpture
• Emily Poye, Trinity Area High School, sculpture
• Rachel Reska, Trinity Area High School, painting
• Emily Richard, Fort Cherry Junior-Senior High School, film and animation
• Micaela Ruse, Carmichaels Junior-Senior High School, sculpture
• Anna Salai, West Greene High School, mixed media
• Taylor Smith, Charleroi Area High School, drawing
• Nicole Speegle, Bethlehem-Center High School, photography
• Katie Staley, Central Christian Academy, drawing
•Paige Tibbe, Uniontown Area High School, sculpture.
There were 40 Silver Keys awarded and 41 students received Merit Awards.
In addition to the American Voice and portfolio winners in writing, 14 students received a Silver Key and 33 student received merit awards.
Those who won Silver Keys and Merit Awards received certificates at the program at California University.
“This is the 11th year of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program in our area,” said Hatfield, adding that “state testing merely addresses basic proficiency. This kind of competition rewards excellence – outstanding talent and creative instruction.”
Jaclyn Wilson, a graduate of Washington High School and a 2010 National Gold Key honoree, delivered the address, “Everyday Creativity.”
California University’s acting President Geraldine Jones gave the welcome and Catanzarite and Wadsworth read excerpts from the Gold and Silver Key writing submissions.
Nationally, the Scholastic Awards have encouraged young writers and artists since the program was launched in Pittsburgh in 1923.
More than $3.25 million in scholarships is available to graduating seniors who earn national medals. The Gold Portfolio Award recipients receive $10,000 scholarships, representing the highest level of achievement in the awards.
Sponsors of the SAWA of Southwestern Pennsylvania are California University of Pennsylvania and Consol Energy.