Another Warhol? USC Eighth-Grader Wins Same Award Andy Did

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - Not many eighth graders can say they have something in common with the late pop art icon Andy Warhol. That’s what makes Jaron Maine’s accomplishment so significant.

Maine, a Fort Couch Middle School student, won a silver medal in the national 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. His print, “Jellyfish” was judged to be among the top one percent of all submissions.

“Since 1923, the awards have recognized creative teenagers from across the country,” said Virginia McEnerney, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “By receiving a Scholastic Art & Writing Award, Jaron Joins a legacy of celebrated authors and artists.”

In addition to Warhol, past winners have included Robert Redford, Lena Dunham, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Sylvia Plath and Paul Chan.

More than 300,000 works of art and writing by students in grades 7-12 were submitted for consideration for the awards this year. Maine advanced to the national art competition by earning a Gold Key Award at the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Vivian Li, an Upper St. Clair High School ninth-grader, also won a Gold Key Award for a piece titled “Nocturne.” Sever other Upper St. Clair students won Silver Key Awards or received an honorable mention in the regional competition.

Photo via Upper St. Clair School District.