Regional Scholastic Art Award Recipients Announced by the Everhart Museum

The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art, an Affiliate Partner of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, hosted a virtual award ceremony announcing the winners of the Northeastern PA Regional 2021 Scholastics Art Awards. The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers’ mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world. The awards give students recognition, exhibition, publications, and scholarships. Scholastics is the nation’s longest-running, a most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.

“The 2021 Scholastics Art Awards submissions of the Northeast Region is proof that arts educators are doing a fantastic job. This year’s submissions were some of the best works I’ve seen since the Museum became an affiliate partner in 2018. The level of talent is exceptional,” said Stefanie Colarusso, Director of Programs and Events for the Everhart.

“The arts provide students with a creative outlet to express their personal vision or voice. It is a way for students to express their emotions in a way that is especially meaningful in such uncertain times. It is genuinely refreshing to see the commitment from educators, students, and parents or guardians who support creativity at home and in school, encouraging students to express themselves through art creation.”

This year, made possible by a grant from the Maslow Family Foundation, the Museum received over 400 submissions in various media from Junior and Senior High School students from throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The awards are Honorable Mention, Silver Key, and Gold Key. Five of the Gold Key award recipients were recognized as American Vision Nominees.

All Gold Key Award and American Vision Nominee recipients are invited to participate in the National Exhibition in New York City and an awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, June 9. 

American Vision Nominees are Sabriya Seid, 12th-grade, Abington Heights High School under the direction of Eileen Healey; Julia Poncavage, 11th-grade Crestwood High School under the direction of Ann Gubitose; Michelle Andia, 12th-grade Delaware Valley High School, under the direction of Christine Sweeney; Milada Burovova, 12th-grade Delaware Valley High School under the direction of Irene Lantz; and Ava Badyrka, 10th-grade Mid Valley Secondary Center under the direction of Samantha McGraw. 

Gold Key Awards were awarded to the following: Michelle Andia (12th) and Matthew Nzasi (12th) of Abington Heights High School; Ava Badyrka (10th), Julia Poncavage (11th) of Crestwood High School; Olivia Outt (12th) and Emma Varano (12th) of Danville Area High School; Milada         Burovova (12th), Asela Chrysann Calvert (11th), Youngeun Choi (9th), Sage Henry (10th), Sophia Miller (11th), and Kendall Mrozinski (12th) all of Delaware Valley High School; Claire Urbas (12th) of Forest City Regional Jr Senior High School; Taylor Vlassis (12th) of Lackawanna Trail Junior Senior High School; Ava Badyrka (12th) of Mid Valley Secondary Center; Cecelia Adams (11th) of Montrose Junior Senior High School; Leah Crawley (10th), Parker Dubiel (12th), Gabrielle Edwards (12th), Kasey Portanova (12th) of North Pocono High School; Aiden Itsalapron (12th) of Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School; Sarah Sulek (12th) of Pocono Mountain East High School; (12th), Maggie Bede (12th), Nancy Ho (11th), and Paige McConlogue (12th) of Scranton High School; and Lilly Maros (8th) of Western Wayne Middle School.

Silver Key was awarded to the following students: Matthew Nzasi (12th) of Abington Heights High School; Sabriya Seid (12th), Kiera Chillis (12th) of Danville Area High School; Michelle Andia (12th), Anna Bailor (12th), Jarett Baka (12th), Sage Henry (10th), Joclyn Irons (12th), Kendall Mrozinski (12th), Gavin Munro (12th), Rachel Richter (11th), Ethan Sansolis (11th) all of Delaware Valley High School; Emily Johannes (12th), and Kyle Soden (12th) of Honesdale High School, and Leah Crawley (10th), Gabrielle Edwards (12th), Maya Kulick (11th), Kasey Portanova (12th ) of North Pocono High School; Aiden Itsalapron (11th) of Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School, Maggie Bede (12th), Sadie Bracey (12th), Sarah Goldberg (12th), Mia Macavage (11th), and Sharon McConlogue (12th) all of Scranton High School; Amaya Cruz (12th) of Stroudsburg High School; Lilly Maros (8th) of Western Wayne Middle School; Porter Dawson (10th) of Williamsport Area High School; and Luke Duthie (11th) of Wyoming Seminary Upper School.

Honorable Mention was awarded to Matthew Nzasi (12th) of Abington Heights High School; Briauna Hausser (10th) of Blue Ridge High School; Noelle Stamm (12th) of Danville Area High School; Michelle Andia (12th), Cayden Bell (12th),  Milada Burovova (12th), Noelani Felix (11th), Joshua Flick (12th); Kristen Henry (12th), Bryan Morley (12th), Gavin Munro (12th), Rachel Richter (11th), and Ethan Sansolis (11th) all of Delaware Valley High School; Claire Urbas (12th) Forest City Regional Jr Senior High School; Ha Young Kim (11th) Homeschooled; Kyle Soden (12th) and Claragail Wheeler (10th) of Honesdale High School; Alexandra Dejesus (10th) of Mid Valley Secondary Center; Abby Kutalek (12th) of Montrose Junior-Senior High School; Leah Crawley (10th), Parker Dubiel (12th); Gabrielle Edwards (12th); Maya Kulick (11th); Kasey Portanova (12th) all of North Pocono High School; Leilani Chung (12th) of Pleasant Valley High School; Deanna Hoffner (12th), Shelby Jurasits (12th), Sarah Sulek (12th) of Pocono Mountain East High School; Kayla Walsh (12th) of Reach Cyber Charter School; Madelyn Casey (12th); Sarah Goldberg (12th), Mia Macavage (11th), Paige McConlogue (12th), Emma McNally (12th), Abigail Wilson (11th), Kathryn Wozniak (11th) all of Scranton High School; Lyric Ray (12th) of Stroudsburg High School; Anna Brown (7th), and Grace Ronacher (8th) of Wayne Highlands Middle School; Bailey Stanford (12th) of Wilkes-Barre Area School District – CAPAA, and Carter Dawson (11th) of Williamsport Area High School.

“On behalf of the Everhart Museum and our regional arts community, I’d like to congratulate all student artists for the fantastic display of work created this year. It is an honor to represent the Northeast Region as a National affiliate of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards,” exclaimed Stefanie Colarusso.

All Gold Key and American Vision winners will advance to national judging and be invited to a National Exhibition in New York City. Jurors select national recognition work based on three criteria: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal vision. National Awards will be announced on March 17, 2021, at artandwriting.org, and an awards ceremony held at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, June 9. 

To view the virtual exhibition, please visit the Everhart Museum’s YouTube Channel or click here.