In January of 2022 my photo teacher asked me if I planned to enter the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. I, having no idea what she these wards were, said that no, I didn't plan to. At her encouragement, however, I figured I might as well submit a few pieces and a few months later I got an email telling me that two of my submissions had received Gold Keys at the regional level. I was invited to an awards ceremony and was told my work would move onto national judging. Not expecting to make it at the national level I attended the regional award ceremony and moved on with my life. A month or so later, however, I received a second email. One of my submissions had won a Gold Key at the national level, the award ceremony would be in June at Carnegie Hall. 

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I will forever be grateful to the judges that decided my work was worthy of receiving a high award in this century old arts competition. Not only was it an incredible boost of confidence, it gave me the opportunity to go to New York and hear former medalists and professional artists speak, as well as the chance to admire the amazing work of other teens across the nation. Seeing my photography next to professional-quality work remains a surreal experience and I am blessed to have been awarded this honor.

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The Scholastic Awards held their 100th anniversary awards this year in 2023. Though I did not receive national recognition I received two regional honorable mentions, a regional gold key, and was nominated for the American Vision Award.

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I will be submitting to the Scholastic Awards again in 2024. Although I have won before I hold no expectations that I will again as the quality of work submitted is truly astonishing. The experience was inspiring, validating, and overall magnificent, I highly encourage other young artists to enter at https://www.artandwriting.org/