10 students at D. 202 in Plainfield place in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Ten student artists from District 202 high schools in Plainfield won 11 regional awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program.

This award program is the “nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, according to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards website.

Through this program students in seventh through 12th grades submit works of art or writing for the chance to win scholarships and have their work published or exhibited by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers.

Judges are renowned artists and writers judge the contest. Past winners include Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oate and Andy Warhol, the website said.

In 2020, students in the U.S. entered nearly 320,000 original works in 28 different categories of art and writing, the website said.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize student achievement in the visual and literary arts in 28 categories, including architecture, painting, flash fiction, poetry, printmaking, fashion design and expanded projects, the website said.

“Gold Key” works are considered for national-level recognition. National medals will be awarded in March 2021. The top entries at the national level will be displayed this spring and summer virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to a news release from District 202.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is the national nonprofit organization that presents the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the website said.

For more information on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, including additional programs and how to apply, visit artandwriting.org.

Here are the regional winners for District 202:

Plainfield High School – Central Campus

• Leo Zabel (junior): one honorable mention, drawing and illustration

Plainfield South High School

• Shya Hibbler (junior): one Gold Key, digital photography
• Alyse Slawinski (junior): two Gold Keys, digital art for two different pieces
• Morgan Acs (junior): one Silver Key, digital photography
• Chase Horan (junior): one Silver Key, digital photography
• Aiden Chavez (senior): one honorable mention, drawing and illustration
• Christopher Padilla (senior): one honorable mention, painting
• Hadley Keeley (junior): one honorable mention, digital art
• Isabelle Reynolds (junior): one honorable mention, digital photography

Plainfield East High School

• Natalie Hua (senior): one Gold Key, digital photography