Entries are currently being accepted for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. This program focuses on rewarding and noticing the creative minds of students.
Prizes include silver keys, gold keys, and opportunities for the artist’s work to travel nationally, Wellbrock-Talley said.
“My friend had the pieces that got the highest level award,” Wellbrock-Talley said. “That means it got to tour around the country in a national show, which got him a fair amount of notoriety, and probably translated to scholarships.”
Within Central’s time of submitting entries, the highest reward that has been achieved is a gold key, Wellbrock-Talley said.
Advanced English and creative writing teacher Josh Rubino’s classes begin writing projects in the first quarter of the school year, this is typically when he encourages students to enter since the work is complete. If a student does take the opportunity to enter, the writer is able to polish the work with the assistance of Rubino.
“Last year, I had a student get a silver key for their short satirical story that they wrote, which was really cool.” Rubino said “That’s the highest award I have had a student get.”
Because the cost of submission has increased, the art department will pay for students’ submissions, Wellbrock-Talley said.
“When I was in high school I think it was $2.” Wellbrock-Talley said. “We pay for it, so it’s not like that falls on the kids. But because of that, we don’t get to submit as much.”
Although the program is covered by the art department, the writing department isn’t. Writing entries cost $10 per submission.
“If a student really wants to submit and they can’t afford it, I just cover for them,” Rubino said.
Junior Iris George wasn’t aware of the program last year, but plans to compete.
“I submitted my pieces because I’ll take any advantage I can get into the art world, not only for praise but also for my own ambition.” George said. “If I don’t continue to improve myself and take opportunities for advancement, then there’s no point.”
The program provides an opportunity to build resumes, Rubino said.
“If you do win an award, you get your work published,” Rubino said. “You get the bragging rights of saying that you’re a published writer. It also gets your voice out there for others to read.”
