Forty-two Students from RKYHS Place on Top in Celebrated Arts Contest

Competing against thousands of high school students from across the Northeast, 42 students from the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School and one student from Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy were awarded top prizes in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition for their literary and photography submissions. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition is the oldest and most esteemed student writing competition in the nation, recognizing the work of creative teens across the United States. Competing in the “Northeast Region-At-Large,” the Kushner students were up against top students from throughout Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards accepts submissions in 28 categories of art and writing, and students have the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. The impressive list of previous literary awardees includes writers and artists such as Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Andy Warhol, Bernard Malamud and Joyce Carol Oates. The Scholastic Awards submissions are juried by top names in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Notable past jurors include Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Paul Giamatti, Judy Blume, Lesley Stahl and David Sedaris.

Mentored by the school’s English and language arts department faculty, the students were able to hone their skills while receiving guidance along the way. The students submitted work in such categories as Flash Fiction, Critical Essay, Science Fiction, Short Story and Poetry.

“We are proud to highlight our RKYHS students who have received award recognition for their creative writing, “ commented Diane Bohs, English Department Chair, RKYHS. “The English Department is vested in inspiring excellence and giving our students opportunities to find their ‘voice’ in writing.”

While the work of all 43 students received impressive awards, there were 8 Gold Key awards given out to RKYHS students, the highest level award that will be entered into the nationwide competition, the results of which are announced in March.