Creative Writers Earn Regional Recognition

Twenty one Central Academy Independent Study Creative Writing students received regional recognition in the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The writing contest, sponsored by University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center, “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” (art&writing.org).

The winners are as follows listed with the awards they earned, the title of the works they submitted, and the category.

Gold Key with American Voices Nomination: Five works are selected out of all Gold Key works (across categories) as the “Best of Show” for each region.  National judges select one of the nominees for a national award.

Cole Rehbein, earned an award of Gold Key for SMS Tragedy and is an American Voices Nominee for Flash Fiction.

Susan Stacy, earned an award of Gold Key for Natural Disaster and is an American Voices Nominee for Poetry.

Gold Key: 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.

Elizabeth Fisher, earned an award of Gold Key for A Click for Help, Journalism.

Hatte Kelley, earned an award of Gold Key for Machines, Poetry.

Prateek Oberoi, earned an award of Gold Key for The Cookies in My Ears, Humor.

Jenna Pokorny, earned an award of Gold Key for The Shortcomings, Critical Essay.

Susan Stacy, earned an award of Gold Key for The Secondhand, Poetry.

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

Alex Atal, earned an award of Silver Key for Lost, Personal Essay/Memoir.

Luke Bascom, earned an award of Silver Key for Taking Life by the Horn, Poetry.

Anne Hilker, earned an award of Silver Key for Skirts and Sperry’s, Flash Fiction.

River Iannaccone, earned an award of Silver Key for Suits, Short Story.

Brittanny Miller, earned an award of Silver Key for Drunken Tinder, Flash Fiction.

Cole Rehbein, earned an award of Silver Key for Novelty, Short Story.

Honorable Mention: This Award recognizes students with artistic potential. Approximately 15 – 20% of all regional submissions receive Honorable Mention Awards.

Desiree Allen, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Why Can’t You Understand Me, Poetry.

Adrian Alread, earned an award of Honorable Mention for After, Science Fiction/Fantasy.

Apple Amos, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Comparison of the American Slave…, Poetry.

Cindy Carillo, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Thirty Pounds…, Personal Essay/Memoir.

Rosie Cook, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Stoplights, Flash Fiction.

Rosie Cook, earned an award of Honorable Mention for The Strain of Understanding, Flash Fiction.

Sabrina Davis, earned an award of Honorable Mention for A Message on Beauty, Poetry.

Sabrina Davis, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Picture Perfect, Poetry

Ellen Leys, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Christmas, Personal Essay/Memoir.

Brittanny Miller, earned an award of Honorable Mention for There’s This Place, Short Story.

Tim Nguyen, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Greet the Waters, Short Story.

Anna Steenson, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Flames, Poetry.

Anna Steenson, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Ink, Science Fiction/Fantasy.

Emma Wellman, earned an award of Honorable Mention for Campus on a Hill, Poetry.

The Central Academy Independent Study Creative Writing class is facilitated collaboratively by Sherry Brooks, Darci Kellen, Cate Miller, and Diane Morain.  These seniors meet weekly during lunch and work collaboratively in this extended learning program to explore their passion and submit to publications and competitions.