Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2026

Thaden School is thrilled to announce that numerous students have received honors in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for the Heartland Region. Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in the United States. Established in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards bring the work of young people to regional and national audiences. The Scholastic Awards recognize students in grades 7 -12 with the distinctions of Honorable Mention, Silver Key, and Gold Key. Gold key works automatically advance to the national level of judging in New York City. 

The awards have recognized some of America's most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Amanda Gorman, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oats, and Andy Warhol. We are proud to count our Thaden students among these esteemed award alumni! 

Visual Arts Upper School
Samantha W. '26 - Honorable Mention (Drawing)
Cora H. '26 - Silver Key (Painting)
Autumn N. '28 - Silver Key (Painting)

Writing Upper School
Elle E. '26 - Silver Key (Speculative Fiction)
Cora H. '26 - Honorable Mention (Personal Essay and Memoir)
Maggie H. '26 - Silver Key (Flash Fiction), 2 Honorable Mentions (Novel), Honorable Mention (Speculative Fiction)
Dimaya H. '28 - Honorable Mention (Poetry)
K L. '27 - 2 Honorable Mentions (Short Story)
Eden-Belle R. '27 - Silver Key (Flash Fiction), 2 Silver Keys (Poetry), Silver Key (Short Story), 2 Honorable Mentions (Short Story)

Visual Arts Middle School
Olivia S. '31 - Honorable Mention (Painting)

Writing Middle School 
Ben F. '30 - Gold Key (Novel), Gold Key (Speculative Fiction), Honorable Mention (Short Story), Honorable Mention (Flash Fiction), Honorable Mention (Poetry)
Stori S. '30 - Gold Key (Poetry) 
Abe W. '30 - Honorable Mention (Poetry)