Scholastic Writing Awards
About
The Honors Program at Point Park University is proud to be the Pittsburgh regional affiliate of the Scholastic Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Teens in grades 7–12, age 13 years and older, are invited to enter their art or writing for the chance to win recognition, publication, exhibition, and up to $10,000 in scholarships.
At the regional level, works earn Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or Gold Key distinction. Gold Key work advances to the national level; at this level works can earn Gold, Silver with Distinction, and Silver Portfolio, and Gold and Silver Medal, as well as American Voices distinction.
Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Scholastic Writing Awards on Saturday, March 23 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Congratulations to all of our 2024 winners, including our American Voice nominees:
- Isabelle Dutkovic (Shaler Area High School)
- Kate Jeon (Avonworth High School)
- Madeline Ng (Oakland Catholic High School)
- Adithri Pingali (Penn-Trafford High School)
- Alexa Soltis (North Hills High School)
View the complete list of 2024 regional winners.
Pittsburgh region winners
Congratulations to all of our regional 2023 winners, including American Voice nominees Katriel Camp (The Ellis School), Grace Glowczewski (Pittsburgh CAPA), Jocelyn Hayes (Winchester Thurston), Alexander Sayette (Winchester Thurston) and Sarah Voigt (Shady Side Academy).
View the complete list of regional winners here.
Read about the awards ceremony here.
National winners from the Pittsburgh region:
- Grace Boyer, The Ellis School, Silver Medal, Personal Essay & Memoir, "Imposter Syndrome in Soba"
- Sydney Cutruzzula, Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School, Silver Medal, Poetry, "Always for Others"
- Grace Glowczewski, Pittsburgh CAPA School, American Voices Medal, Poetry, "La Brega"
- Elaine Gombos, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "From Enemies to Lovers: Japanese War Brides and Their Influence on Multiculturalism in the United States"
- Thomas Gordon, Winchester Thurston School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "Envisioning an Ethical A.I."
- Tessa Gumberg, The Ellis School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "The Irrational are Raising our Children!"
- Mark Harris, Penn Trafford High School, Silver Medal, Flash Fiction, "Moose Crossing"
- Leslie Rwigyema, Carlynton Jr Senior High School, Silver Medal, Short Story, "Lilac Syndrome"
- Sarah Voigt, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Silver Medal, Flash Fiction, "Wonder Girl"
- Esme Warman, The Ellis School, Silver Medal, Critical Essay, "How Henrik Ibsen and Mary Wollstonecraft Criticize Separate Spheres"
Learn more
- Listen to these interviews about the Scholastic Writing Awards with Leslie Wessner, regional coordinator:
- Read about the Scholastic Writing Awards here.
- For details about the Pittsburgh region awards, such as regional guidelines, deadlines, directions and announcements on the ceremony, visit our regional microsite.
For more information, contact Leslie Wessner, regional coordinator, at lwessner@pointpark.edu.