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
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