Five students from FCPS earned gold keys in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which qualifies them for the spring’s national competition. Congratulations to writers Kayla Beebout of Henry Clay High School, whose “Into the Woods” was saluted in the personal essay/memoir category; Gwendolyn Blair of Lafayette High for “A Song About September” in short story; Serena Dudee of Lafayette for “Dietary Privilege: A Response to Self-Righteous Vegans” in critical essay; and Joanna Slusarewicz of Paul Laurence Dunbar High for “To Sophie” in poetry. In the art division, Lafayette’s Zoe Felice earned a gold key for “Terrain.”
Fayette County art students compete in the Northern Kentucky, Southern Ohio, and Southeast Indiana Region. In other awards, Dunbar’s Jennifer Lee received a silver key for “Wreck” and honorable mention for “ROME.” Honorable mentions also went to Dunbar’s Megan Slusarewicz for “Rotting from the Inside Out” and “Salsa Dancing.”
In additional writing kudos, Kayla received a silver key in poetry for “In Memoriam” and honorable mentions for her poem “The Painter” and writing portfolio “Between Light and Darkness.” Serena earned silver keys for “Wildflowers” in poetry and “The Caribou Cave Creep” in science fiction/fantasy, while her journalism entry “The Bindi Isn’t Indie” got an honorable mention. Joanna’s poems “Dear God or Gods: Who Are You?” and “To Claudia (or Hoping to Find You at Our Joint Destination” both earned silver keys.
Several other young writers from Fayette County Public Schools also earned recognition in the Southeast Region at-large, which covers several states. Claire Kimani of Tates Creek Middle received honorable mention for the short story “Arachnids.” The following students are all from Lafayette High School:
- Leila Abou-Jaoude, personal essay/memoir, “Of My Limited Experience with Love,” silver key
- Kynnadie Bennett, poetry, “Camp Moments,” silver key; poetry, “Rules to Being a Girl,” honorable mention
- Constance Brown, dramatic script, “The Ride,” honorable mention
- Karlee Caswell, short story, “Night Terror, Light Terror,” honorable mention
- Meredith Cherry, personal essay/memoir, “Cream Soda,” silver key
- Katrin Flores, humor, “Dear Mr. Mayor,” silver key; critical essay, “‘Of Mice and Men’ and Life with a Disability during the Great Depression,” honorable mention
- Taleah Gipson, poetry, “A Rich Sound: A Collection of Poems,” silver key
- Mackenzie Haire, writing portfolio, “Bonds,” silver key
- Sarah Hall, science fiction/fantasy, “The Shed,” honorable mention; science fiction/fantasy, “The A.I. Revolution of March 13, 2079,” honorable mention
- Avery Logsdon, science fiction/fantasy, “Heaven,” silver key; humor, “Jaguar,” silver key
- Jenna Tinnell, flash fiction, “What It Means to Have a Family,” silver key
- Jamin Waite, dramatic script, “Let Me Breathe,” honorable mention
In the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program, which dates to 1923, students in grades 7-12 submit entries in more than two dozen categories for a chance to win scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. The judges look for pieces that exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. The awards are coordinated by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.