The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has an impressive legacy dating back to 1923. Over the years, 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.

More than 100,000 students submitted more than 330,000 works of art and writing to the 2024 Scholastic Awards. Gold Key Regional winners compete on the National level for Medalist Awards. Grace and Sophia’s work was selected by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts for excellence in originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Less than 2,000 works received a National Medal, which places them within the top 1% of all submissions!

Grace Gray’s (12) piece, “Finding Peace”, was awarded a Silver Medal, and Baylee Moorman’s piece (10), “The Spirit Within”, earned a Silver Medal.

An awards ceremony for National Medalists will take place at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Congratulations to our Scholastic Art Awards National Medalists!

​On March 22, 2025, the Esquire Theatre in Cincinnati hosted the premiere of “Sweet Meats,” a locally produced film that has garnered significant attention. The event was a notable success, with reports indicating that tickets were nearly sold out. ​

A standout contributor to the film is OHHS Art and Design student Lizzie Schreibeis! Schreibeis took on multiple roles in the production, serving as the department lead for hair and makeup, as well as portraying the mascot. Her diverse talents are further highlighted by her work as a set designer and makeup artist at USS Nightmare, a popular attraction in Cincinnati, as well as an assistant makeup artist on the film “All Your Friends are Dead”. ​

The film’s premiere was part of the “Hands Across Tromerica” event, celebrating independent cinema. Local media, including Fox 19 Cincinnati, featured segments on “Sweet Meats,” underscoring the community’s support for homegrown talent. ​

Schreibeis’ contributions to “Sweet Meats” not only exemplify the dedication and passion of young artists in Cincinnati’s burgeoning film scene, but her own commitment to using the arts to build a career. This year alone, Lizzie has earned numerous Gold and Silver Key Awards for her work submitted to the Scholastic Art and Writing Competitions, was an Overture Awards Semi-Finalist, has artwork currently on exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and Studio San Giuseppe, and was selected to exhibit at this year’s Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition as a top 25 award winner and will have work in Cameo Exhibition at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Each year The Cincinnati Art Museum engages young artists to display their artwork at our 10×10 Teen Art Expo.

Students from the OHHS National Art Honor Society will be exhibiting work at the Cincinnati Art Museum! The Cincinnati Art Museum Teen Expo Volunteer Team curated an exhibition of artworks addressing the theme of “Whimsy”. Artists were invited to interpret and use their creative voice to address this theme in the media of their choice. The only parameter was that works submitted had to be 2-Dimensional and only 10 inches by 10 inches.

Congratulations to the following students whose work was selected to be a part of the exhibition this year, projected in the Great Hall, from April 15–20, 2025:

Kendalyn Kress
Kayla Linkenfelter
Lizzie Schreibeis