Scholastic Writing Awards

Scholastic WRITING Excerpts

Scholastic Writing and Art Awards

From the pensiveness of a portrait to the imagery conveyed in a poem, the creative works of our students capture life through unique and powerful artistic expression. Each year, Harpeth Hall students submit original works to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition, which for nearly a century has “inspired bold ideas in creative teens” throughout the country. This year, over 70 Harpeth Hall students earned recognition in the regional awards. A showcase of drawing, painting, poetry, short stories, and more, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition started in 1923 and offers students in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) a chance to submit an unlimited number of creative works for judging at the regional and national levels. From beautifully detailed still life drawings, to humorous short stories, to comprehensive critical essays the art and writing of our students not only examined the world around them during a year unlike any other, but also their place in that world.

A young lady skates, living in the present, and although some things have changed some really haven’t. She twirls around in loose pants and a fitted top and she starts to dance.

— Cailin ’25, “Ice-Skating Rink,” Gold Key for Poetry Total Number of Awards by Grade 7th Grade............................ 3 8th Grade..............................6 9th Grade..............................8 10th Grade..........................49 11th Grade..........................54 12th Grade..........................48

Writing Awards by Category Critical Essays.....................35 Flash Fiction.........................5 Journalism ............................3 Personal Essay & Memoir...7 Poetry..................................59 Novel Writing.......................1 Science Fiction & Fantasy......1 Short Story............................6 Art Awards by Category Painting.................................8 Drawing and Illustration.....5 Comic Art.............................1 Printmaking..........................1 Photography.........................8 Digital Art.............................3 Mixed Media.........................2 Art Portfolio.........................1

Her toes touch up against the thick, white spray paint line on the grass. A line between the controllable and uncontrollable.

She squints at the starter as he holds his gun and his free hand in the air. Even the sky seems to hold its breath for that split second. Then just as quickly as it came, the moment is gone. The starter’s arm is dropping and the crack of the gun reaches the ears of each runner simultaneously. Her heart jumps with a jolt of adrenaline, and her toes leap across that bold white line.

— Bella ’23, “A Quiet Mind,” Gold Key for Personal Narrative

A light blue, like the color of the sky, but only the color one would use when painting the sky, not the color of the sky itself. A fake sky blue for a fake blue sky.

— Angie ’21, “Sky Blue,” Gold Key for Flash Fiction