Senior Emma Laborsky (’24) is the second Trailblazer to be nominated as one of five Voices of Central/Southern Indiana from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards—the first being alum
Naomi Farahan (’15).
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition programs for creative teens. From Emma’s view, the awards are an opportunity for youth to submit their creative projects to be recognized—even though it has competition aspects.
The awards are divided into two groups: art and writing. The groups are then scored and placed into two categories: Honorable Mention and Gold Key. From the Gold Key awardees, a board nominates five writers to be the Voices of Central/Southern Indiana.
Writing is Emma’s passion and has been for most of her life. She didn’t submit work during freshmen and sophomore years because she was afraid and lacked confidence in her ability. With the assistance of the UHS English Department, she submitted her work for the first time junior year and received a Golden Key.
In Emma’s second year submitting work, it is also her second time receiving a Gold Key but her first year being selected as one of Five Voices of Central/Southern Indiana for her novel Looking For Mountains In The Sea.
The novel is a dystopian fiction. “Two friends are at the end of the world. One of them with the ability to save it and one of them with no ability at all,” Emma explains. “Yet, the one saves the world, and her best friend gets the credit for it.”
A panel of judges will review Emma’s novel and then select one American Voices winner from each region. She will learn about the selection later this year. Looking forward, Emma is considering schools that nurture creativity and help her become a stronger writer. Her goal in life is to become a published author.