Northport HS Senior Earns Scholastic Art And Writing Gold Key Award

NORTHPORT, NY — Ella Piscatello, a senior at Northport High School, earned three recognitions from the 100th Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the school district announced.

She earned the Gold Key award for her critical essay, "Every Book is for Someone." She also received honorable mentions in both the dramatic script and personal essay and memoir categories.

Gold Key works are automatically advanced to the national level, with winners being announced March 22.

She wrote her winning essay in her creative writing course under the guidance of teacher Michael Beskin. The essay described Piscatello's thoughts on the recent increase in schools and communities banning books.

"I think that while not every book is for everyone, I do think that every book is for someone," she said. "Limiting that for someone can be extremely harmful to society."

Her personal essay, "Along for the Ride," was about how overthinking can hinder people in their lives as told through her fear of rollercoasters.

Her dramatic script, titled "Snap," was about the recent rise in "sextortion" among high school students and the overall increase in young adults using social media and technology at a younger age.

Piscatello, separately from the awards, previously earned recognition last May when her play, "Moment," was selected for the Young Playwright's Festival. Her script was turned into a one-act play for production at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport.