UCS junior one of five in the nation to receive top writing award

A Stevenson High School junior is one of five students to earn a top national writing award.

Jason Li has earned a gold medal from the national Scholastic Art and Writing program for his novel Pretty How World, written through the school’s writing club.

The novel depicts a futuristic United States where the meaning of life has been discovered. Scientists called the “Whisperers” share the answer with teenagers when they turn 18 only if they work hard and follow laws.

He said he was inspired by the works of Kurt Vonnegut.

“I admired his unique prose of keeping his writing as simple as possible, giving his readers only what he thought they should know,” Li said.

“The only thing more exciting than seeing a young talent like Jason’s is to see him rewarded with national recognition,” said Stevenson English teacher Annette Christiansen. “It’s a honor to have been a small part of this success and I look forward to seeing Jason’s next endeavor in what I am sure to be a very successful future in whatever path he chooses.”

Submissions are judged based on the program’s three criteria: originality, technical skill and emergence of personal vision or voice.
After earning a gold key at the regional tournament, Li’s novel was reviewed nationally by creative industry experts and awarded the top honor – a gold medal.

“The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards reflect the diverse landscape of today’s young creative thinkers,” said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the administrator of the Scholastic Awards. “Year after year we see more of the most talented and innovative teens emerge from different parts of the country, and it is our privilege to provide them with a platform to share and amplify their unique voices with a national audience.”

Since the program’s founding in 1923, the Awards have fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students, including renowned alumni who have gone on to become leaders in their fields, including Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Philip Pearlstein and Sylvia Plath. More recently, Stephen King, Richard Linklater, Zac Posen and Lena Dunham won Scholastic Art & Writing Awards as teens.