“Vivarium” by sophomore Alex Altenburg received a Gold Key Award and a nomination for the national American Visions Award.

Congratulations to several University High School students who received honors in the district level of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards last month.

Thousands of submissions were received from the Midwest, and University High School students received a total of 18 awards. Four of these awards were honored with the prestigious Gold Key award, and they will advance to national level competition.

Additionally, one of these pieces, “Vivarium,” a mixed media piece by sophomore Alex Altenburg, earned her a nomination for the prestigious American Visions Award.

2022 Regional Award Winners in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

• • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Gold Key (American Visions Nominee) in Mixed Media for “Vivarium”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Gold Key in Mixed Media for “Where Am I?”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Silver Key in Drawing & Illustration for “16 Years”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Silver Key in Painting for “Dissociation”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Silver Key in Drawing & Illustration, for “The Heist”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Honorable Mention in Painting for “Faithful Continuity”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Honorable Mention in Drawing & Illustration for “Got Milk?”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Honorable Mention in Drawing & Illustration for “Holiday Memory”
  • Alex Altenburg, sophomore, Honorable Mention in Drawing & Illustration for “This Is It?”
  • Khari Dennis, sophomore, Honorable Mention in Digital Art
  • Nettle Dill, sophomore, Honorable Mention in Poetry for “8425 Morgan St”
  • Alfonzo Gallanosa, junior, Gold Key in Photography for “Dichotomy”
  • Alfonzo Gallanosa, junior, Gold Key in Film & Animation for “get out of my head”
  • Alfonzo Gallanosa, junior, Honorable Mention in Poetry for “Ebony Tide”
  • Alfonzo Gallanosa, junior, Honorable Mention in Poetry for “The Skeleton”
  • Jordan Herbst, senior, Silver Key in Painting for “Madre”
  • Carson Holstine, junior, Silver Key in Photography for “West Coaster”
  • Julia Poertner, senior, Honorable Mention in Fashion for “Angel”

Here’s how the award levels are broken down:

• Gold Keys are awarded to work demonstrating the highest level of achievement in originality, personal voice, and technical skill. Approximately 5-7% of all regional submissions are recognized with Gold Key Awards and advance to the national competition.
• Silver Keys are awarded to distinguished work demonstrating achievement at the regional level. Approximately 7-10% of regional submissions are recognized with Silver Key Awards.
• Honorable Mention Awards are awarded to work demonstrating creative potential. Approximately 10-15% of regional submissions are recognized with Honorable Mention Awards

Digital images of all Gold Key Awards from district competition are sent on for national adjuctication in New York City. National awards will be announced later this spring. Awards recipients at the national level will be invited to particulate in the Awards Ceremony in New York City at Carnegie Hall in summer 2022, have their work shown in noted galleries, attend workshops, be considered for scholarships, and have their names included in the New York Times article covering the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Gold Key Awards from the district competition will be displayed in an exhibition at the Indianapolis Artsgarden this spring. District award winners may also attend a celebration at North Central High School on Sunday, April 3, 2022.