Simsbury Resident Wins Regional and National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Poet Brandonlee Cruz, a junior at Watkinson and a resident of Hartford, won a Gold Key in the Regionals Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and then went on to win a Silver Key in the Nationals for his Poetry. Visual artist Samantha Thompson, a junior at Watkinson and a resident of Simsbury, won a Gold Key in the Regional competition.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has an impressive legacy dating back to 1923. The Awards have grown to become the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in the U.S., and the nation’s largest source of scholarships for creative young artists and writers. A noteworthy roster of past winners includes Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, John Updike, and many more.

Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual and literary-arts organizations across the country to bring The Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 28 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.  In the last five years alone, students submitted nearly 900,000 original works of art and writing.

Watkinson School is Hartford's oldest independent day school serving students in grades 6-12/PG. Their next open house is April 22nd at 6pm.