2025 Regional Scholastics Art and Writing Award Winners

ashleymariakoenig

Jan 237 min read

Updated: Jan 27

This time of year is always exciting, as our art students have been working tirelessly since last January towards the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The first round of the competition is held regionally in Michigan, with over 5,000 entries submitted—and only about 1,100 pieces earning awards. It’s truly an honor for any student to receive recognition in this competition.

Students who earn Gold Keys will advance to the national competition, where they may have the chance to win on a national level and even be recognized at Carnegie Hall. Over the past three years here at Central, we’ve had national winners each year. Here’s to hoping we can keep that streak alive and make it 3/3!

This year, I had many talented students participate, and I’m thrilled to share that we won 18 awards—the most Central has ever achieved! Our accomplishments include:

8 Gold Keys
4 Silver Keys
6 Honorable Mentions

The students who earned recognition are:

Gold Key Winners:

Tuur Devits (11): Lost in the Abyss, Photography

In this artwork, I have created a self-portrait of me alone sitting in the dark on a stool which gives a big statement about how teens can be alone and times can be hard and we will all make it through eventually.

Tuur Devits (11): The World is on Fire, Photography

In this piece, I wanted to show how the world is falling apart, with the burning newspaper symbolizing the chaos and uncertainty we face today. The fire represents destruction, but it also shines light on how serious things have become. The newspaper, full of stories about real events, is consumed by flames, showing how overwhelming and uncontrollable these problems feel. The figure behind the fire is slightly out of focus, representing young people like myself who are deeply affected by everything happening in the world. The blurred person shows how it’s easy to feel powerless and unsure where we fit into all this. The gray wall in the background adds to the feeling of being stuck or trapped, unable to escape the challenges around us. Through this image, I wanted to show the emotions of living in times when the future feels so unclear. It reflects both fear and the hope for change, whether the fire will destroy everything or inspire us to rebuild something better. This photo is about capturing that tension and making others think about what comes next.

Bennett Memelli (11): What They Say, Photography

The photo is the effect of years of degrading and cruel comments that they may forget that they said to me 15 minutes later but I will have for the rest of my life. The comments never go away, they stay..... what they say stays.

Erena Sharm (10): Faith, Femininity, Full Moon, Photography

My self portrait is meant to represent the intimacy of faith, hope, and serenity. No matter what belief system a person holds, we all have moments of looking inwards with hope for the future. For me, divinity is present in nature, and so is girlhood, which is why i chose to represent it with lavender. the darkness that engulfs me represents the quite of life when a person is dreaming, and the light pattern represents moments of blessing against darkness.

Onna Solomon (12): Open Window, Photography

The recurring question that guided and furthered my investigation was "What is daydreaming and what does it look like?" I tried using my model to answer the question and found I had to revise and use other things such as lighting, color, and focus.

Cherelle Stewart-Gonzal (12): Ethiopian Soulful Strands, Drawing & Illustration

I used graphite pencils to show the shadow in the Ethiopian hair and the highlights in the patterns.

Enrique Tirado (12): Fog, Photography

Fog is a photo that focuses on the application of aperture. The metallic structure and the morning fog combine together to create an image which leads the viewer down the line of the structure. I focused the photo around the aperture and the rules of parallel lines to enhance the viewer's experience

Mia Virga (10): Portal of Reflections, Photography

This piece focuses on one spoon among the tangle of many forks. The spoon's curves and soft gleam is contrasted from the sharp angles and harsh reflections of the forks.

Silver Key Winners:

Annabel Cotham (10): Abstract Form Paper, Photography

I created this work with a few pieces of paper. It was inspired bye i-phone wallpapers.

Tuur Devits (11): Portal to the Unknown, Photography

In this photo I have used light drawing and a long exposures to capture the stars and a circle of light to give it an uncertain feeling to it like it unknown a big mystery

Bennett Memelli (11): The Real Me, Photography

This photo was a depiction of the struggles I have had with my own mental health and the awareness I want to bring to mental health because. Even if I was still living a "normal life" internally I was struggled every moment and what I saw in the mirror was the real me.

Trigger Warning

Mia Virga (10): Blooming Vision, Photography

This piece is a double-exposure image combining two layers: a close-up of a human eye and an overlay of soft white flowers. The composition creates a surreal effect, blending the intricate details of the eye—reflecting the light—with the delicate texture of flower petals. The overall tone is warm, with hints of natural elements, evoking a sense of harmony between humanity and nature.

Honorable Mentions:

Annabel Cotham (10): Forks, Photography

I made this piece using forks and the way I set them up creates depth within the photo.

Tuur Devits (11): Lost in the Glow of the Past, Photography

In this photo I used a vintage camera floating to capture the shot with the colors showing a deeper meaning the more you think of it

Liana Garcia (12): Sinking in Silence, Photography

This piece portrays the isolating experience of surviving sexual abuse, symbolized by the act of drowning while appearing to others as though simply swimming. The serene imagery of floating contrasts with the invisible weight of trauma beneath the surface, emphasizing how pain can remain hidden from the outside world. The underwater setting reflects feelings of suffocation, isolation, and the struggle to stay afloat when overwhelmed by grief and shame. It invites viewers to recognize the silent battles many endure and to look deeper beyond appearances.

Vee Valenzuela (10): Pomegranates, Painting

I created this painting using acrylic paint on canvas paper, I chose to paint pomegranates because of an assignment I got one day in class. This assignment was what inspired me to explore them further as a subject and ultimately led to the creation of "Pomegranates" which to this day is one of my favorite projects.

Liana Garcia (12): Captured, Photography

This photo shows two girls standing in the entrance of an elevator, lit by bold yellow and black tones. One looks happy and confident, while the other seems more serious, creating an interesting contrast between their moods. The strong colors and lighting draw attention to them, while the elevator setting gives a feeling of a moment of pause or transition. The image mixes a model-like vibe with an underlying seriousness, making you think about the different sides of their personalities and the story behind the snapshot.

Cherelle Stewart-Gonzal (12): Strands of Style: The Artistry of Hair, Portfolio

Artist Statement

In my portfolio, I explored a variety of hairstyles from different time periods and how they relate to cultural identity and personal expression. Hairstyles are much more than just a way to style hair; they often reflect a person's background, traditions, and values, and they often represent an important part of someone's identity. Using graphite pencils, I focused on capturing the textures, shadows, and highlights of various hair types and styles to emphasize their uniqueness. I also studied how hairstyles have evolved over time, and how they reflect personal stories, heritage, and deep connections to culture that shape our identities in meaningful ways.

Personal Statement

When I pick up my pencil and start drawing, I get nervous but excited as I watch my creation come to life. Growing up, people always told me I was “talented” or “gifted,” and while that should have made me happy, I never fully accepted it. I’ve always felt like my work wasn’t good enough, even though I did well in school and won awards. I’ve always loved drawing people—capturing their expressions, emotions, and stories. Hair has always been important in my culture because it represents identity and history. I used to love drawing different Black hairstyles and exploring their beauty and uniqueness. This inspired me to experiment with other cultures and hairstyles through my art. In high school, I joined art clubs and took harder art classes, and that’s when I started to change my perspective. I learned that I wasn’t in competition with other students—I could learn from them instead. Once I stopped comparing myself to others, my art started to improve. I began winning awards and finding my own unique style that reflects my journey and experiences. Now, my artwork represents my growth, my culture, and my journey as an artist. Every piece I create tells a story, and I’m excited to continue learning, experimenting, and growing as part of this amazing art community.