Congratulations to My Students Who Are Regional Winners in the Scholastic Artists and Writers Contes

I am very pleased to announce that I have three writing students who have won awards in the Scholastic Artists and Writers contest, the oldest and most prestigious writing contest for youth in the United States. These regional winners competed with writers from many states for this highly coveted recognition. Nationally, this contest draws around 350,000 entries; therefore, any acknowledgment means the judges viewed the work as exceptional. The truth is that I believe all of my students’ work is outstanding or else I wouldn’t encourage them to submit it. Alas, the judging of writing is highly subjective and therefore not everyone receives the recognition I believe they deserve. These three, however, struck a chord with the judges and can feel proud that their hard work has paid off. I am very proud of them!

Sophie Megaw has won a regional Gold Key in the Western Division for her personal essay, “The Other.” Sophie is a senior at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Her essay will go on to the national competition. National Gold Key winners will be invited to attend an award ceremony at Carnegie Hall in late spring. Past Gold Key recipients include an impressive “Who’s Who” of writers and artists, including Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Avedon, Lena Dunham and Zac Posen.

I’m wishing you luck, Sophie, in the national competition. Fingers are crossed!

Sophie Megaw

Tiger Schenkman has won a regional Honorable Mention in the Western Division for her personal essay, “The Kiss.” Tiger is a senior at the Los Angeles Zoo Magnate (the perfect school given her name). Her essay will also be published in the upcoming issue of the Story Circle Network Journal.

Tiger Schenkman

Giselle King also won an Honorable Mention for her personal essay, “Poco a Poco.” Giselle won a regional award in the Midwest region since her home is in Alpena, Michigan, where she is homeschooled. Giselle and I have never met, but we have worked on the telephone on her writing (with a shared google document) for several years now. She and her twin sister, Lara, have both been my writing students and both will have writing featured in the newly released Real Women Write Anthology published by Story Circle Network.

Giselle King

Congratulations to all three of these young women. Believe me, the world is a better place with these three in it. They are not only smart, articulate and lovely but also three of the nicest people I’ve met in a very long time.

Hooray!