Scholastic Writing Awards

The Honors Program at Point Park University is proud to be the Pittsburgh regional affiliate of the Scholastic Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Teens in grades 7–12, age 13 years and older, are invited to enter their art or writing for the chance to win recognition, publication, exhibition, and up to $10,000 in scholarships.

At the regional level, works earn Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or Gold Key distinction. Gold Key work advances to the national level; at this level works can earn Gold, Silver with Distinction, and Silver Portfolio, and Gold and Silver Medal, as well as American Voices distinction.

Congratulations to all of our regional 2023 winners, including American Voice nominees Katriel Camp (The Ellis School), Grace Glowczewski (Pittsburgh CAPA), Jocelyn Hayes (Winchester Thurston), Alexander Sayette (Winchester Thurston) and Sarah Voigt (Shady Side Academy).

View the complete list of regional winners here. 

Read about the awards ceremony here.

Congratulations to the national winners from the Pittsburgh region:

• Grace Boyer, The Ellis School, Silver Medal, Personal Essay & Memoir, "Imposter Syndrome in Soba"
• Sydney Cutruzzula, Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School, Silver Medal, Poetry, "Always for Others"
• Grace Glowczewski, Pittsburgh CAPA School, American Voices Medal, Poetry, "La Brega"
• Elaine Gombos, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "From Enemies to Lovers: Japanese War Brides and Their Influence on Multiculturalism in the United States"
• Thomas Gordon, Winchester Thurston School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "Envisioning an Ethical A.I."
• Tessa Gumberg, The Ellis School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "The Irrational are Raising our Children!"
• Mark Harris, Penn Trafford High School, Silver Medal, Flash Fiction, "Moose Crossing"
• Leslie Rwigyema, Carlynton Jr Senior High School, Silver Medal, Short Story, "Lilac Syndrome"
• Sarah Voigt, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Silver Medal, Flash Fiction, "Wonder Girl"
• Esme Warman, The Ellis School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "How Henrik Ibsen and Mary Wollstonecraft Criticize Separate Spheres"

Judge Spotlight: Tahirah Walker, Ph.D.

Tahirah Walker, Ph.D., is a Point Park faculty member and one of the judges for this year's competition. She recently received a $15,000 individual artist support grant from the Heinz Endowments' Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh program. Read about her project here.

Learn more

• Regional coordinator Leslie Wessner was recently featured on the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology's podcast during which she discussed Point Park's Honors Program and the Scholastic Writing Awards. Listen to the podcast here.
• For information about the Pittsburgh region awards, such as regional guidelines, deadlines, directions, announcements on the ceremony, visit our regional microsite.
• Learn more about the Scholastic Writing Awards here.
• Questions? Contact Leslie Wessner, regional coordinator, at lwessner@pointpark.edu.