Artwork by ESD tenth grader Vivian Chen earned Gold Key recognition in the 2023 Region-at-Large Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Her piece now advances to the national competition, with medalists to be announced in March. 

"The Chinese character '善' falls from the sky as if weighed down by an indescribable force of heaviness, defining good morality," said Chen about her work. "Our contemporary society suffers from the upheavals of chaos and controversy. On the one hand, the moral decay of today's society leaves scratches and traces of dirt in people's minds. On the other hand, society's educational system is trying to teach people to grasp good morals. Everyone can only try to hold on to what they think is good in their hearts."

This is the 100th year of the competition. Previous teenage winners of the award include Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Tschabalala Self, Kay Walkingstick, Andy Warhol, and Charles White.

Congratulations, Eagle!

Learn more about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards here.