RBR Creative Writing Majors Recognized for Excellence in National Scholastic Competition

Red Bank Regional’s (RBR) Visual & Performing Art Academy (VPA) once again turned in an impressive result in the National Scholastic competition, which is the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Participating students are from the United States, Canada, U.S. territories, and U.S. schools abroad including North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  This year’s competition included over 255,000 submissions in 28 categories. RBR won 97 awards including 18 Gold Keys.

            Gold Keys represent the highest level of achievement on a regional level, or approximately 7-10% of regional submissions.  Silver Keys represent 10-15% of regional submission and honorable mentions represent the top 10 to 15% of all submissions. 

            The regional winners were then judged on a national level and three RBR students took Silver medals; they were Jack McLoone, Little Silver, Liv Winnicki, Belmar, and Mya Nunnally, Red Bank.  RBR’s national winners were honored with all national award recipients in a special reception, along with their teacher, Dr. Gretna Wilkinson, at Carnegie Hall on June 6.  The Empire State Building glowed in gold that evening to celebrate the student’s achievements.

National winners’ art will be on display at Parson’s The New School for Design and the Pratt Manhattan Gallery from June 5 through June 14, 2014. Writing will also be displayed.

Student award winners are eligible for scholarships from prestigious universities across the country. The awards are sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.  Some of their famous winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Zac Posen, John Currin, Robert Redford and Joyce Carol Oates. For more information on the National Scholastic Awards visit www.artandwriting.org.