From the King Street Chronicle: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Celebrate Emerging Creative Voices

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards spotlight the next generation of creative voices 

by Gray Neville '27, Staff Writer

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the most prestigious programs for creative teens, ages 13 and up and the longest running recognition program for visual and literary arts. These awards recognize students for their creative abilities and provide scholarships for up to $12,500, according to artandwriting.org. 12 Sacred Heart Greenwich students won a total of 15 awards in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. 

Students submit original works in categories including poetry, short stories, photography, journalism, and even sculptures. Judges evaluate these submissions on originality, skill, and emergence of personal voice, according to artandwriting.org. Dr. Cristina Baptista, Upper School English Teacher, Chair of Committee on Community and Belonging, and Perspectives Advisor commented on the benefits of competing in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

“These awards encourage students to be creative and are a way for students to express themselves,” Dr. Baptista said. “When students create and submit work to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, they are allowing themselves to be fueled by their own inner potential, building confidence in their creativity and critical thinking. Anything that recenters the soul and sharpens the mind, as art and writing do, is not just healthy: it is necessary.”

Dozens of Sacred Heart Greenwich students have won awards in the past. This year, a first-time participant and award recipient and junior Vivianna Lostumbo shared how winning an Honorable Mention award for her sculpture had a strong impact.

“Winning this award meant so much to me,” Vivianna said. “The recognition made me feel empowered and inspired to create more art. It is sometimes hard for me to find the motivation, but seeing that others appreciated my work made me feel like my art was making a difference.”

Vivianna's winning piece, Le Ali de Carta, which means The Wings of Paper in Italian, draws inspiration from a phrase her aunt has said to her since she was a baby: “Angels keep you safe.” Vivianna explained that she wanted to create an artwork that represents the safety and comfort of angel wings.

Sophomore Margot Gannon won a Gold Key in the visual arts category for her work in film and animation "Coffee for Good." Junior Nora Gelfand received a Honorable Mention for her digital drawing and painting “Friendship in a Storm.”  Another junior, Maisie Pascal won an Honorable Mention for her film and animation “Threads of Love,” and won a Silver Key for her film and animation “Beneath the Rush.” Senior Olivia Figueiredo won a Gold Key and Jerry's Artarama of West Hartford Best in Digital Painting, Drawing, and Collage for her work "Labor of the Day Dreamer."  Senior Ava Curto won a Silver Key in the photography category for her work "Chromatic Collision." 

Upper School students earned multiple awards in the poetry category. Junior Alexandra Lockhart received an Honorable Mention for her poem "Menelaus's Wings." Junior Carolyn McBreen earned two Silver Keys for her poems "Forever" and "Glory," and received Honorable Mentions or her poems "Last Night" and "Will You Look?" Sophomore Stephanie Stibler won a Silver Key for her poem "They Were Lonely, Not Alone." Senior Brianna Timlin received an Honorable Mention for her poem "All She Ever Wanted." Junior Maria Walsh received an Honorable Mention for her poem "Still Swimming," while Junior Miranda Zapata-Mardini also received an Honorable Mention for her poem "Wax Rose: Arrogant Humanity."

Recognition was awarded to Middle School students for their writing achievements. Eight grader Hollis Koch received a Gold Key for her personal essay/memoir "My Five Memories." Another eighth grader, Taylor Kern earned a Silver Key for her personal essay/memoir "Hark The Harold."  Emma Martinic, also in eighth grade, won a Silver Key for her personal essay/memoir "A New Kind of Love."  Catherine Villar, an eighth grader, received an Honorable Mention for her personal essay/memoir "Growing Up but Never Apart."

Sacred Heart Greenwich provides strong support for students interested in submitting their work to Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, with faculty members playing a large role in helping students develop their submissions.  Dr. Baptista emphasized that easy access to teachers helps students feel supported when submitting their work.

“At Sacred Heart Greenwich, student support for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards comes in the shape of our educators,” Dr. Baptista said.  “Throughout my fourteen years at Sacred Heart, I have made myself available to work with students on writing submissions.” 

The school celebrates winners in multiple ways, from social media posts and articles in Greenwich Time to announcements at morning meeting and inclusion in the Prize Day pamphlet.  By providing guidance and encouragement, Sacred Heart helps students not only create award-winning work but also help them build confidence and develop their voices.  Dr. Baptista discussed how meaningful it is to see students achievements outside of the classroom. 

"We love getting to see other sides and achievements of our students outside of the classroom," Dr. Baptista said.  "Writing, in short, is contagious.  And empowerment and community-building is what comes from this creative contagion."

For more stories from the King Street Chronicle, click here.