I am proud to announce that two of my students have received Western regional awards from the Scholastic Artists and Writers contest in personal essay, critical essay and Senior Portfolio. The contest sponsored by the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers is the oldest and most prestigious writing contest for youth in grades 7 - 12 in the United States and had 300,000 entries nationwide in 2015. The Western Region is composed of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Kate Eplboim received a Silver Key for her personal essay, "Glass Half Empty," and Honorable Mentions for her critical essay, "An Inaction Problem" and her senior portfolio, "Cross Section."
Lona Tehrani received a Silver Key for her personal essay, "In Transition."
Alumni of the Scholastic Artists and Writers contest include artists Andy Warhol, Philip Pearlstein, Cy Twombly, Robert Indiana, Kay WalkingStick, and John Baldessari; writers Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Bernard Malamud, Myla Goldberg, and Joyce Carol Oates; photographer Richard Avedon; actors Frances Farmer, Robert Redford, Alan Arkin, Lena Dunham, and John Lithgow; fashion designer Zac Posen; and filmmakers Stan Brakhage, Ken Burns, and Richard Linklater.
Congratulations, Kate and Lona. Your hard work has paid off! I am very pleased for you and proud of you. Hooray!
Kate
Lona