Greensboro, Ga. (March 16, 2021) – Lake Oconee Academy high school students won top regional honors in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Competition. The students competed against thousands across the country in the century-old competition. 

This contest is the "nation's longest running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens." Past student winners include Sylvia Plath, Andy Warhol, John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, Ken Burns, Lena Dunham, Truman Capote, John Lithgow, Zac Posen, and Amanda Gorman.

The awards celebrate students locally and nationally, with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships. Judges look for works that embody the Awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision.  All entries are considered for Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention, American Visions Nominee, and American Voices Nominee Awards.  Gold Key entries are automatically considered for national awards that honor hundreds of students and their educators with a star-studded ceremony in New York City. 

Gabrielle Gruszynski, the Gold Key winner, qualified for the national competition with her award-winning essay.  Last year, Lane Herndon, a graduate of LOA and current freshman at the University of Chicago, received a writing National Gold Key. 

Honorable Mentions in Art: Katie Ciavola, Art Portfolio; Logan Fedelem, Mixed Media; Gemin Manto, Comic Art

Honorable Mentions in Writing: Gemin Manto, Poetry

Silver Keys in Writing: Lauren Harris, Poetry; Rylie McDonald, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Gold Key in Writing: Gabrielle Gruszynski, Critical Essay

Photo: Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners from Lake Oconee Academy are (back row, left to right) Katie Ciavola, Gemin Manto, Logan Fedelem, (front row, left to right) Gabrielle Gruszynski, Lauren Harris and Rylie McDonald.