JCPS Students Named National Art Award Recipients

2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards announced

Nine students from the JCPS District are national recipients of the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades seven through twelve. The nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers announced the names of the more than 2,500 national award recipients on March 13.

“This is the Oscars of the teen art world, so we are very excited to see these talented JCPS students recognized on the national stage,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “The arts are important and truly have the ability to energize classrooms and inspire the students inside them. Congratulations to our national recipients—we’re excited to celebrate their creativity and achievements.”

The recipients, who include students from Atherton, Butler Traditional, duPont Manual, and Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP) High Schools, are as follows:

Gold Medal

  • Morgan Betsill, duPont Manual High School, Mixed MediaJasmine, Art Teacher: Alana Alford
  • Morgan Betsill, duPont Manual High School, SculptureWho Are You?, Art Teacher: Cyndi Young
  • Teanna Courtney, PRP High School, CeramicsClifton’s Tea Time, Art Teacher: Tammy Podbelsek
  • Jordan Heller, Atherton High School, Drawing & IllustrationImprisoned, Art Teacher: Rachel Gibbs

Silver Medal

  • Grace Bradley, duPont Manual High School, PhotographyGrasping for News
  • Megan Dyer, Butler Traditional High School, Art PortfolioSun Tea, Art Teacher: Becky McClinton
  • Mackenzie Smith, duPont Manual High School, DrawingOutdoor Portrait, Art Teacher: Alana Alford
  • Abigail Stewart, PRP High School, CeramicsDecorative Bone, Art Teacher: Tammy Podbelsek
  • Celeste Stokes, PRP High School, SculptureMy Urban Queen, Art Teacher: Tammy Podbelsek
  • Tammy Trieu, Atherton High School, PaintingBeneath, Art Teacher: Rachel Gibbs

American Visions Medal

  • Morgan Betsill, duPont Manual High School, SculptureWho Are You?, Art Teacher: Cyndi Young

All submissions are judged based on the program's three criteria: originality, technical skill, and emergence of personal vision or voice. Student works are first judged regionally, with students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Visions & Voices Nominations.

Gold Key works are then judged nationally by a panel of creative-industry experts to receive Gold, Silver, American Visions & Voices, Portfolio Silver with Distinction, or Portfolio Gold Medals.

Click any image below to visit a digital gallery with works by the JCPS national and regional winners.

  National Medalists  
  Jasmine  
     
Art Portfolio Ceramics & Glass Comic Art
2D Clifton's Tea Time Inspiration is Everything
     
Digital Art Drawing & Illustration Editorial Cartoon
Warped Perspective Manipulation Opting Out
     
Mixed Media Painting Photography
Sewn Motion Those Eyes Comparison Is the Thief of Joy
     
Printmaking Sculpture  
Polished Samurai Helmet