Union Springs High School is proud to announce the outstanding achievement of several of its students who have been honored with prestigious awards at the NYS Scholastic Art Awards.

The Scholastic Art Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is the longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in the United States. Winning a Scholastic Art Award is a significant accomplishment and a reflection of the students' artistic excellence. The Awards give students opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. In 2023, students across the United States and Canada entered more than 300,000 original works in 28 different categories of art and writing.

This year, 12 students from Union Springs have been selected to receive this esteemed accolade. The students received a total of 13 awards in the 2024 Scholastic Art competition. Seven students earned Gold Keys, the highest honor, and six earned Honorable Mention.

"We are incredibly proud of our students' accomplishments in the New York State Scholastic Art Awards," said Jason Charles, art teacher at Union Springs High School. "Their passion for the arts, coupled with their hard work and dedication, has resulted in this prestigious recognition. These awards not only celebrate their individual talents but also reflect the strength of our arts education program at Union Springs."

The winners from our school have shown exceptional dedication and passion for their craft. Their creativity knows no bounds, and their talent shines brightly through their artwork. We commend their hard work, perseverance, and artistic vision that have led them to this remarkable achievement.

The Scholastic Art Awards not only recognize individual talent but also inspire young artists to continue pursuing their passion for the arts. Through this recognition, we hope to encourage creativity, self-expression, and artistic exploration among all students.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the Scholastic Art Award winners, as well as their teachers, mentors, and families who have supported them along their artistic journey. Your dedication and commitment to the arts enrich our community and inspire us all.

Among the recipients from Union Springs High School are:

Gold Keys

Catherine Ciampi – Drawing, “Separation Anxiety”

Mallory Foster – Drawing, “The Bee Keeper”

Avery Koch – Drawing, “God made a Horse”

Paige Smith – Drawing, “Eesome”

Brooke Saxton – Drawing, “The Fight”

Morgan Yorkey- Ceramics, “Breathe”

Hannah McHenry – Ceramics, “Finally Full”

Honorable Mention

Kate Besner – Drawing, “Night Light”

Nadine Cioffa – Drawing, “Pink”

Hannah Curtis – Drawing, “Pause”

Caroline Smead – Drawing, “Fighting Tears”

Joseph Tanner – Drawing, “Longing”

Morgan Yorkey – Ceramics, “Fairy”