Creative Writing Students Win Recognitions and Awards
The Central Academy Independent Study Creative Writing students received regional recognition in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Sixteen awards were earned by the students. 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: The highest level of achievement on the regional level. Approximately 5-7% of all regional submissions are recognized with Gold Key Awards and all are considered for national-level recognition.
Addison Williamson earned an award of Gold Key for William Shakespeare’s Nacho Libre, Dramatic Script.
Silver Key: Approximately 7-10% of all regional submissions are recognized with Silver Key Awards.
Wil Hedderich earned an award of Silver Key for The King Come Down, Science Fiction.
Rebecca Rodrigues earned an award of Silver Key for Romper, Flash Fiction.
Rebecca Rodrigues earned an award of Silver Key for The Human Error Society, Humor.
Bryanna Sterzenbach earned an award of Silver Key for This is the End, Poetry.
Zoe Swinton earned an award of Silver Key for Tell Them I’m Sorry, Flash Fiction.
Honorable Mention: This Award recognizes students with artistic potential. Approximately 10-15% of all regional submissions receive Honorable Mention Awards.
Katie Crisman earned an award of Honorable Mention for Decisions, Poetry.
Helena Gruensteidl earned an award of Honorable Mention for Circus, Poetry.
Jazzaray James earned an award of Honorable Mention for I Remember, Poetry.
Finnegan Pilcher earned an award of Honorable Mention for Life Crisis on a Third-Floor Hotel Room, Flash Fiction.
Jane Rice earned an award of Honorable Mention for Lonely Wilderness, Flash Fiction.
Rebecca Schnack earned an award of Honorable Mention for She Said, Flash Fiction.
Rebecca Schnack earned an award of Honorable Mention for Mourning a Snowflake, Poetry.
Zoe Swinton earned an award of Honorable Mention for Dear Common App., Humor.
Zoe Swinton earned an award of Honorable Mention for Daddy Dearest, Poetry.
Zoe Swinton earned an award of Honorable Mention for The Woman that I Used to Know, Poetry.
Sylvia Visser earned an award of Honorable Mention for Big Butted Hobart, Personal Essay/Memoir.
The Central Academy Independent Study Creative Writing class is facilitated collaboratively by Sherry Brooks, Cate Miller, and Terri Steinmann. These seniors meet weekly during lunch and work collaboratively in this extended learning program to explore their passion and submit to publications and competitions.
