A total of 37 students from Manhasset Secondary School received 63 Scholastic Northeast Region Art and Writing awards from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers program for their artistic and literary creativity.
Among the accolades, junior Alexandra Hong earned 14 writing awards across a variety of categories. Her flash fiction pieces – “I’m supposed to be getting married today but…,” “Aunt Edna’s Money” and “Julia the Armchair” – each received a Gold Key award. Additionally, two Gold Keys went to junior Benjamin Mo for his flash fiction work “Seven” and personal essay and memoir “Red.” As Gold Key recipients, Alexandra and Benjamin will now be considered for national-level recognition.
According to its website, the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers is a non-profit organization with the mission to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talents, and present their remarkable work to the world through Scholastic Art and Writing awards.
Each year, more than 330,000 students in grades seven through 12 enter their written and artistic works in this competition, where they are assessed by a panel of renowned judges. Originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision are among the qualities sought after in award-winning pieces.
