Every year, the Alliance for Young Writers & Artists hosts the nation's longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens: the Scholastic Arts & Writing awards. Thousands of students in grades 7-12 from across the country submit works of art and pieces of writing to the competition. This year, 28 Minnetonka students were recognized at the regional level with gold and silver keys and honorable mentions.
Lena Pak, a senior at MHS, was awarded Gold and Silver Keys, as well as an honorable mention for her paintings. Pak says that the works of art she made for this year's competition were "inspired by fire, and all the different moods and things fire represents."
Over the past few years, Pak's art has been recognized on many different levels, including a first place prize in Minnesota District 3 for the Congressional Art Competition for her painting "Fuwa Fuwa." Being recognized for a Scholastic art award this year has meant a lot for her. "I am most proud of my artwork for being recognized and appreciated by other people," said Pak. "It is an honor to get this award along with so many other amazing young artists."
The incredible work created by Minnetonka students could not happened without the support of educators such as Meg Koenitzer, an art teacher at Minnetonka High School. Seeing her students being recognized for their work was special for her. "Having my students recognized for their incredible artwork is such a proud moment," said Ms. Koenitzer.
Being able to witness how these works were made is a part of Ms. Koenitzer's job that she holds dear to her heart. "One of my favorite things about being an art teacher is that I get to see the entire process of creation," she said. "I cheer on thoughtful, talented, creative students every day and having other people take notice and recognize what I see daily is really gratifying."
Along with a regional recognition, all art and writing gold key winners will move on to the national stage of the competition where their works will be eligible for national awards and several college scholarships, which will be announced on March 17.
Congratulations to all of our students for their incredible work!
To learn more about the Scholastic Arts & Writing Competition and view this year's winners, click here.Full List of Winners:
Art
- Odelia Brandel '22 - Honorable Mention (1)
- Cole Click '25 - Silver Key (1)
- Ellie Copeland '21 - Gold Key (4), Silver Key (1), Honorable Mention (2)
- Alison Crandell '21 - Honorable Mention
- Ciara Grad '24 - Silver Key (1) and Honorable Mention (3)
- Emil Liden '21 - Gold Key (2), Honorable Mention (1) and American Vision Nominee
- Tilly Nugent '21 - Silver Key
- Shannon O'Meara '21 - Honorable Mention (3)
- Elizabeth Ogilvie '23 - Silver Key (3)
- Lena Pak '21 - Gold Key (2), Silver Key (1) and Honorable Mention (1)
- Arlo Rader '22 - Silver Key (2) and Honorable Mention (1)
- Caroline Rogan '23 - Silver Key and Honorable Mention
- Ellie Salmela '22 - Silver Key
- Lauren Schulman '22 - Silver Key
- You-Gyung Won '21 - Silver Key
Writing
- Ava Chen '22 - Silver Key (4)
- Ethan Chen '23 - Silver Key
- Peyton Crest '21 - Gold Key (1), Silver Key (1) and Honorable Mention (2)
- Aileen Dosev '23 - Silver Key and Honorable Mention
- Lily Kamrath '23 - Gold Key
- Elizabeth Kearns '24 - Honorable Mention
- Maira Khurana '23 - Gold Key
- Tessa Lundheim '21 - Silver Key (1) and Honorable Mention (3)
- Emily Riemer '22 - Silver Key (1) and Honorable Mention (1)
- Mya Sato '21 - Honorable Mention
- Julia Srnec '23 - Gold Key
- Rebekah Thomasson '21 - Gold Key (1) and Silver Key (1)
- Ming Wei Yeoh '24 - Silver Key and Honorable Mention (2)
