TOWSON, MD—Thirteen Baltimore County Public Schools students have earned National Medals in the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers’ prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Program, the nation’s longest running arts recognition program for students in Grades 7 – 12.

The 2022 program began with 260,000 entries from U.S. territories, Canada, and every state in the nation. Of those, 40,000 earned regional recognition, and nearly 2,000 were honored with national medals. National Medalists are eligible for scholarships of up to $10,000. Top National Medalists are invited to a National Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 9, at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Maryland students earned 51 medals, and BCPS students earned a quarter of those. The following medals were received by BCPS students.

Gold Medal Portfolio Award (the program’s highest honor, only 22 awarded – prize includes $10,000 scholarship)

• Shaeley Lincoln, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, “What They See, What I See,” art portfolio (educator: Joe Cypressi)

Gold Medals

• Cheyenne Brown, Carver Center, “In the Eye of the Beholder”
• Josephine Halushka, Carver Center, “teenage girls: the revolution,” poetry (Also earned an American Voices Medal, a writing honor)
• Divine Iweha, Carver Center, “The Reaping,” drawing and illustration
• Maggie Kurtz, Hereford Middle School, “Pushing Up Daisies,” drawing and illustration
• Angela Ma, Carver Center, “Infatuation,” digital art
• Brittney Simbana-J, Carver Center, “Your Landscapers,” photography (Also earned an American
Visions Medal, a visual arts honor)
• Brea’ Williams, Carver Center, “Not So Little Anymore,” mixed media

Silver Medals

• Nate Fink, Carver Center, “Paw-parrazi,” drawing and illustration
• Anne Hauser, Carver Center, “After the Storm,” drawing and illustration
• Rowan Leary, Carver Center, “I am a Stranger’s Words,” expanded visual arts project
• Brittney Simbana-J, Carver Center, “El Machismo,” painting
• Brea’ Williams, Carver Center, “Is This What Life’s Become?” mixed media

“We are so proud of these students for their outstanding artistic achievements,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams, “and we are so appreciative of the many ways that their teachers and families have nurtured their growth. Our school system is fully committed to arts education as an integral part of each student’s overall academic experience and personal development.”

In a news release, Chris Wisniewski, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, said: “Each year we are continually impressed by the level of creativity demonstrated by our nation’s teens. Even more impressive are the individuality, vulnerability, sensitivity, and passion reflected in their work. Teens and their teachers have been living through truly unprecedented times, enduring unbelievably challenging circumstances. We’re all privileged to experience this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards medalists’ accomplishments, which channel the hopes, fears, anger, frustrations, desires—voices—of remarkable young people to inspire us all. We thank the educators who guided and supported these students through this past year while still encouraging creative expression.”

Since its founding in 1923, those honored by the Scholastic Art & Writing Program have made notable contributions to the arts. Alumni include National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, author Stephen King, actor John Lithgow, author Sylvia Plath, actor and director Robert Redford, artist Tschabalala Self, artist Andy Warhol, and artist Charles White.