The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) Literary Arts students recently received awards in the prestigious Regional Scholastic Creative Writing Competition hosted by The Eudora Welty House, in conjunction with the Eudora Welty Foundation. MSA students received one of only five American Voices Nomination/Best in Show, one of only nine Senior Portfolio winners, 6 Gold Keys, 17 Silver Keys and 18 Honorable Mentions.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world. The Eudora Welty Foundation is the state’s affiliate for the writing awards, working in partnership with the Eudora Welty House, a museum of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Through the awards, students receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships.
MSA winners include: Amory Campbell of Jackson received one of only five “American Voices” Nominations for Best In Show, one Gold Key, and three Honorable Mentions; Dawson Johnson of Hazlehurst received an Honorable Mention for her Senior Portfolio and two Silver Keys; Shelly Castilaw of Wesson received one Gold Key and two Honorable Mentions; Delaney Harper of Pearl received two Gold Keys, one Silver Key and one Honorable Mention; Sydney Lucero of New Hebron received two Gold Keys, three Silver Keys and two Honorable Mentions; Christopher Aaron of Bogue Chitto received one Silver Key and one Honorable Mention; Jadaccia Brown of Crystal Springs received one Silver Key; Trinity Ginn of Carriere received two Silver Keys; John Hollins of Columbia received one Silver Key and two Honorable Mentions; Andrea Jefferson of Columbia received three Silver Keys and one Honorable Mention; Michael Mapp of Hattiesburg received one Silver Key; Cassidy Williams of Pontotoc received one Silver Key and one Honorable Mention; Maggie Wimberly of Terry received one Silver Key; Erykah Drone of Jackson received two Honorable Mentions; Marley Roberson of Starkville received one Honorable Mention; Alexis Weaver of Booneville received one Honorable Mention.
Writing entries represented diverse categories, including dramatic script, humor, journalism, personal essay/memoir, short story, poetry, science fiction/fantasy, as well as general fiction and non-fiction portfolios.
Entries receiving American Voices nominations and Gold Key awards, which are the highest level of achievement, will be sent to New York City where they will compete in the national competition among 80 other regions.
For more information about the Department of Literary Arts at Mississippi School of the Arts, see the Department web site or contact MSA at 601.823.1300. The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) is an eleventh and twelfth grade visual and performing arts residential, public high school located in Brookhaven, MS. Students not only meet and exceed the traditional Mississippi high school curriculum, they receive special instruction in visual arts, vocal music, dance, literary arts, media arts and theatre. Students interested in MSA apply by February 1st of their sophomore year.