Original works of art and writing by students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) earned 27 national medals in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program. In addition to Gold Medals and Silver Medals, Lyat Melese of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) received the American Voices Medal in writing, Arin Kang of McLean High School received the Best in Grade Award for grade 10, Alison Wan of TJHSST received the Best in Grade Award for Grade 11, and Ellen Pan of McLean High School was recognized with the One Earth Award. 

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, is the largest, longest-running recognition program of its kind in the United States. Established in 1923, the awards have recognized students who have become some of our nation’s most celebrated artists and writers, including Richard Avedon, Robert Indiana, Steven King, and Andy Warhol. Visual arts categories include architecture, art portfolio, ceramics and glass, comic art, design, digital art, drawing, editorial cartoon, fashion, film and animation, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video game design. Writing categories include critical essay, dramatic script, flash fiction, journalism, humor, novel writing, personal essay and memoir, poetry, science fiction and fantasy, short story, and writing portfolio. More than 300,000 students participate in the program across the country.  

Eleven Gold Medalists and fifteen Silver Medalists from our region will be celebrated in a virtual award ceremony in June. More information and a complete list of national award winners is available online.