One of the most meaningful experiences has been participating in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards—the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Since its founding in 1923, Scholastic has recognized the early work of icons like Sylvia Plath, Stephen King, Amanda Gorman, Andy Warhol, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Updike.
In 2025, I received four awards from Scholastic. Three of my poems—“You Can Live in the Dark,” “A Wildflower,” and “You Don’t Have to Hate”—were honored regionally. “You Can Live in the Dark” advanced to the national level, earning a Silver Medal distinction.
Out of nearly 100,000 teens submitting over 310,000 original works of art and writing, my piece was selected by top leaders in the literary and visual arts for excellence in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice. My work was published in Scholastic’s online gallery and listed in the 2025 Scholastic Yearbook, a companion to the annual anthology of national medalists.