Table of Contents
A Word of Advice and Reflection
So, you have a talent for writing? There are many people who have a talent for writing, but they don’t use it. Don’t be one of those people. In other words…don’t be me!
When I was in high school, I found a passion for writing. Something about it made me feel like I was in control of everything, although for a time I felt I had lost control. I used writing to decompress and get away from the stress of college applications, extracurricular activities, and general high school drama. But I was never able to put my writing to the test. I wish I had challenged myself and entered in writing competitions or events back then.
Why You Should Enter the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
There were not many writing opportunities available to me at my school. The most I could do was take a creative writing class, which of course I did, and complete my essays and other writing assignments. My school didn’t host teen writing contests or events for students interested in writing, nor did they provide the resources to find competitions accessible to the student body.
CLICK FOR THE NEWSLETTER AND BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT OUR UPDATES
You may also like: What Are the Most Popular Children’s Book Awards?
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Now, just because my school was a little lacking (and maybe yours is too), it doesn’t mean you have to have the same experience I did. As I was doing research for a project, I came across the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. As the name says, this is an art and writing competition you can enter with the potential to gain recognition and cool prizes.
The Awards have multiple categories to satisfy all of your creative needs. Students in grades 7–12 who are 13 years or older and attending an accredited American school can enter. You may have noted in the name that you can also enter your artwork in the competition.
The Awards program partners with many local organizations across the nation that host judging panels consisting of accredited artists and writers, to ensure that the competition is available for those who don’t have the means to travel.
So, that’s the gist of the Awards.  Now, let’s see how the Awards came about.
History of the Awards
Almost a century old, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards were created in 1923 under the association of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. The Awards program has become very prestigious nationwide, and it is considered a great honor to be a recipient of an award. Can you imagine? Not only would receiving it make you feel good, it could also help improve your resume and add to the list of wonderful experiences you’ve had.
Some notable alumni of the Awards include artists like Andy Warhol and poets and authors such as Sylvia Plath and Truman Capote. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, anyone? Who knows, maybe winning it will kickstart your career as a critically acclaimed artist or writer.
Perks of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Along with getting the title of recipient of this award, there are a few other things that come with the honor. Your work will be recognized in the National Catalog, The Best Teen Writing anthology, and the Art.Write.Now. Exhibition Program.
There are also cash prizes such as scholarship money, which is available to the top winners and can be used to further your dreams. The best part about this award is the fact that even after submitting your work, you still own full creative rights to it.
Better yet, sign up to receive the newsletter and be the first to know about our updates.
Food for Thought
You may as well take advantage of this opportunity because who knows, maybe you’ll be the next great writer to have an impact on the literary world. At the very least, you will gain a great sense of accomplishment for giving it a go and you will have grown, both as a writer and a person. So why not enter the competition?
Don’t be like I was, simply resigning to feeling stuck; put your skills to the test. I know you have them!
