Throughout high school, kids interested in every department of study look for ways to showcase their talent and hard work. For many middle and high school students interested in writing and art, the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards are a great way to do just that. From regional awards showcased locally to national awards presented in Carnegie Hall every June, the Scholastic Awards never fail to shed light on amazing young writers and artists across the United States. Unlike many other competitions, Scholastic offers numerous scholarships aimed at helping talented students continue to pursue their passions. Due to these factors, students interested in art, writing, or both should submit to Scholastic annually if able to do so.

Every October, scholastic submissions open up to 7th graders through seniors, offering 29 different categories in art and writing to submit to. These categories range from Critical Essay and Speculative Fiction to Jewelry and Editorial Cartoon.

Rhea Farhan ‘27 has submitted to the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards since her eighth-grade year. Writing for both the poetry and short fiction categories, she has received many regional awards in the past. A difference Farhan noted between the Scholastic Awards and other competitions was that Scholastic had different levels of awards. “I like how there are regional and national awards,” she noted, “It’s nice that there are regional awards, so if you don’t win nationally, you still get recognition.”

A cool opportunity the awards offer is to seniors submitting art. Graduating seniors are able to submit up to two Art Portfolios made up of a sequence of six works that follow a theme. This is another amazing chance for students about to end their high school journey and start their next chapter.

For art submissions, Scholastic has historically favored traditional art above contemporary art. They like seeing a mix of skill and creativity while valuing originality most of all. In the writing sections, you may want to focus on the emergence of a personal voice. Taking these factors into consideration gives you a better chance at receiving recognition for your work.

The Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards are one of the best ways for students to showcase their talent. The awards are a method for students to meet other writers and artists while also competing against them.