Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) apply in 29 categories of art and writing. 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.

Award notifications are in and 2025 is another record year with 4 Art Portfolios, 1 American Visions Nominee, 12 Gold Keys, 12 Silver Keys, 29 Honorable Mentions, and 3 Honorable Mentions for Writing! Congratulations to these very talented OHHS Art and Design students on their accomplishments this year in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Art Portfolio

This highly competitive category is based upon submission of a series of 6 distinct works that communicate a single cohesive idea or visual investigation and accompanying artist statement. 

“The Resonance of Reality”
Molly Audretch
Honorable Mention

“Breaking Through”
Lizzie Schreibeis
Honorable Mention

“Not So Different”
Grace Gray
Gold Key

“Nostalgia and Connection”
Anne Riley
Honorable Mention

American Visions Award Nominee

Each regional program will nominate five teens for the American Voices Award or American Visions Award. Nominees must have a Gold Key work with an original, authentic voice or vision. National jurors will select one nominee from each region for the American Voices or Visions Award.

Grace Gray, “On a Journey”, Gold Key

Gold Key Winners

Below are the works that earned Gold Keys, the highest level of achievement on the regional level. Approximately 7 – 10% of all regional submissions are recognized with Gold Key Awards and all are considered for national-level recognition.

Molly Audretch, “Catharsis”
Molly Audretch, “Fertile Grounds”
Molly Audretch, “Fight or Flight: An Allegory for War”
Molly Audretch, “Saying Goodbye”
Grace Gray, “Always a Bigger Fish”
Grace Gray, “Feasting”
Grace Gray, “Finding Peace”
Baylee Moorman, “The Spirit Within”
Sydney Overbay, “Pink Pinstripe Matching Set”
Sydney Overbay and Erin Pessler, “Recycled Wear”
Lydia Wilson, “Messy Morning”

Silver Key Winners

Approximately 10 – 15% of all regional submissions are recognized with Silver Key Awards.

Bethany Bachman, “A Room with a View”
Grace Gray, “Happy Place”
Austin Haarmeyer, “Mirroring”
Maggie Heydorn, “Functional Fungi”
Kendalyn Kress, “A Little Grizzly”
Kendalyn Kress, “Game Day”
Jackson Mundstock, “Reflecting on Reflections”
Lizzie Schreibeis, “Verloren in der Musik”
Aurora Studenka, “Honeymoon”
Jordan Tinsley, “Spiraling Out”
Claire Walsh, “Tangled”
Sophia Wehman, “A Tension Like Stone”

Honorable Mentions

Approximately 15 – 20% of all regional submissions receive Honorable Mention Awards.

Bethany Bachman, “Oh, Deer”
Emma Brunner, “Voices Past”
Miles Frisch, “Blinding Possibilities”
Aubree Fuson, “Chromatic Remains”
Aubree Fuson, “Wonder”
Austin Haarmeyer, “Searchlight”
Gladys Lopez Felix, “Daily Rituals”
Lily McGuire, “In Tune”
Lily McGuire, “Melody of the Soul”
Emma Mondary, “Coil Vase”
Emma Mondary, “Galaxy Tea Set”
Emma Mondary, “Prowler”
Baylee Moorman, “Optimism”
Jackson Mundstock, “The Wooden Tightrope”
Jackson Mundstock, “Wrinkholes”
Sydney Overbay, “Farmers Market Tote Bag”
Sydney Overbay, “Pink Gingham Trapeze Mini Dress”
Ella Rizzo, “Making Your Mark”
Ella Rizzo, “Simpler Times”
Adrianna Russ, “Daily Beauty Ritual”
Lizzie Schreibeis, “Making it Up”
Lizzie Schreibeis “The Light and the Dark”
Katie Stevens, “Color me Crazy”
Aurora Studenka, “Love at First Site”
Sophia Wehman, “Conserving”
Sophia Wehman, “The Glow Within”
Olivia Widener, “Purrfect Day”
Lydia Wilson, “Rock and a Hard Place”
Rachel Wunderlich, “Time to Run”

Scholastic Writing Awards

“Mother Nature’s Wrath”
Poetry
Molly Audretch
Honorable Mention

“What Have We Become?”
Poetry
Molly Audretch
Honorable Mention

“Improving Relationships Between U.S. Law Enforcement and Black Citizens”
Critical Essay
Veda Ratcliff
Honorable Mention

An Exhibition of the award winning works will take place at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from February 7 – February 16, 2025 with an Opening Reception scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025 5pm-8pm.