Old Rochester Regional Junior High School student wins Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
MATTAPOISETT — An eighth-grader at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School has been awarded a Silver Key in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, according to a community announcement.
Sophie Zhou, an eighth-grade student, was recognized in the Drawing & Illustration category for her piece, 'Balancing Act.' The self-portrait depicts a girl in a yellow shirt balancing three books on her head.
'This piece in particular was one where I was experimenting with colors. It is a self-portrait in which I tried to utilize every color in the rainbow while coloring the skin,' Zhou said. 'I also experimented with posture and drawing how gravity affected the books on my head. I was inspired by the symbolism of consuming knowledge, balance, and fragility.'
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, dating back to 1923, is the nation's longest-running recognition program for creative teens, rewarding outstanding achievements by students in grades 7-12. This year, the Massachusetts region received nearly 8,000 individual art entries, awarding 730 Silver Keys and 1,330 Honorable Mentions.
Zhou, whose love for drawing began before she started school, said she was surprised and grateful for the award.
'When I got the email that awards had been given, I set it aside until later that day because I did not expect anything,' Zhou said. 'When I checked and found out that I had been awarded a silver key, I was shocked. My main reaction was along the lines of, 'No way!' It felt really rewarding to be recognized for my art.'
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson commended Zhou for her achievement, emphasizing the dedication and creativity required to stand out in such a competitive field.
'Sophie's recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a reflection of her talent, hard work, and passion for artistic expression,' Nelson said. 'We are incredibly proud of her for earning this honor, and we celebrate the creativity she brings to our school community.'
Principal Silas Coellner also praised Zhou's accomplishment and the importance of artistic opportunities for students.
'Sophie's artwork demonstrates both technical skill and a unique artistic voice, and we are thrilled to see her talent recognized at such a high level,' Coellner said. 'The arts play a vital role in education, fostering creativity and self-expression, and we are proud to support our students as they pursue their passions.'
Zhou and other Silver Key recipients from across the state have been invited to an awards ceremony at Cohen Auditorium on the Tufts Medford Campus on Sunday, March 16.
For more information about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and to see the full list of winners, visit the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of Massachusetts website.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Local student wins Silver Key in Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
___ go now! (See ya!) Crossword Clue
In case you've faced some hurdles solving the clue, ___ go now! (See ya!), we've got the answer for you. Crossword puzzles offer a fantastic opportunity to engage your mind, enjoy leisure time, and test your knowledge simultaneously. Now, let's delve into solving the ___ go now! (See ya!) crossword clue, featured as 4 Down in the USA Today Crossword on June 9, 2025. Answer: GOTTA Daily Crossword Analysis from Sally Hoelscher Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This crossword clue page was generated automatically using information from You can send feedback to Sally Hoelscher at shoelscher@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ___ go now! (See ya!) Crossword Clue - USA TODAY
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
CMA Fest weather delays: What causes them and what to know amid Nashville storms
Amid a severe weather risk, Nashville's CMA Fest continues — albeit with some setbacks. The festival kicked off on June 6 with delayed outdoor performances and fans were encouraged to keep the party going inside Music City Center at Fan Fair X. Inside Fan Fair X, many cowboy boot-wearing, denim clad fans were passing the time by grabbing a bite to eat from one of the multiple vendors, playing corn hole or just lounging by one of the many exhibits. Beth and Dusty Butler, a married couple from Utah, were waiting indoors after a performance from Kelsey Hart — the artist they were most eager to see — was postponed. The couple, attending CMA Fest for the first time, are excited to see the evening performances at Nissan Stadium, especially Blake Shelton, and hope the weather won't disrupt their experience again, they said. "It's been fun so far, hopefully the lightening will let up," said Dusty Butler. "We can live with the rain." Due to storms, all outdoor daytime stages and nighttime performances at the Hard Rock Stage were suspended for the remainder the day, festival organizers announced on social media. Attendees were advised to take shelter or head to Fan Fair X. With more severe weather expected during the evening hours, the gates at Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheater are scheduled to open at least 90 minutes later than originally anticipated. A tornado watch is in effect for parts of Middle Tennessee until 8 p.m. Weather is closely monitored during the four-day festival. According to a social media post from the Country Music Association, a team tracks any lightning activity within an 8-mile radius of the event. Whenever a strike happens, events are paused for 30 minutes. When severe weather strikes, guests are encouraged to immediately follow the instructions provided on-site and seek the shelter at the following locations. If you are unable to get to one of these safe shelters, proceed to the nearest business for cover. Music City Center Garage, Sixth Avenue between Demonbreun and Korean Veterans Boulevard Music City Center, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way (10:00 a.m. to 5:30 PM) Hilton Hotel Underground Parking Garage, 121 Fourth Avenue S. 222 Garage, 222 First Avenue S. Festival organizers recommend downloading the CMA Fest app to get up to date notifications due to weather. At Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheater, follow the instructions provided in the venue. Per Nissan Stadium usual weather policy: Umbrellas are not allowed inside, but rain ponchos are allowed in and will be available to purchase in the stadium. Blankets, jackets and coats are allowed into the stadium. When it comes to inclement weather, follow the directions of stadium staff and pay attention to the screens around the stadium. They will direct fans to covered or interior shelter areas if necessary. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest weather policy: What causes delays amid Nashville storms
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Prince William Joins Unexpected Family Member for Royal Outing in Rare Appearance Together
Prince William Joins Unexpected Family Member for Royal Outing in Rare Appearance Together originally appeared on Parade. Prince William was joined by his Aunt Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, for his latest outing on Friday. The two attended The Royal Cornwall Show, an agricultural event in Wadebridge, Cornwall, which both royals are formal supporters of. In batches of photos shared to Sophie's official Instagram account the two were seen tasting local favorites and interacting with the crowd. "Both are in high spirits as they laugh and enjoy trying gin and local cider during a visit to the Food and Farming Pavilion, which showcases dozens of the best artisan food and drink producers from across Cornwall," her social media caption read. The Duchess who is married to King Charles' brother, Prince Edward, is vice president of the The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association and William, who regularly attends events with wife Kate Middleton, is also a patron. According to People, the aunt and nephew duo are typically not paired for royal outings, as they attend events with their spouses and have their own patronages and causes they appearance comes a day after William stepped in for King Charles in a formal capacity as he made his first visit to 4 Regiment Army Air Corps at Wattisham as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps on Wednesday. Members of the royal family have continued to attend events in the monarch's place following his February cancer diagnosis. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Prince William Joins Unexpected Family Member for Royal Outing in Rare Appearance Together first appeared on Parade on Jun 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.