The Red River Valley Writing Project at NDSU and the Plains Art Museum are proud to share the national award recipients of the 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Presented by the nonprofit organization the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the country’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7-12.
Five national medals were awarded to three students from North Dakota, each of the recipients from the Fargo/West Fargo area. In order to be considered for a national medal, students first had to earn a gold key at the state level.
North Dakota students who were recognized include:
• Jada Bell, homeschooled in Fargo, won a gold medal and an American Voices medal for her dramatic script titled “Monsters in Disguise.”
• Gracie Erickstad of West Fargo’s Sheyenne High School won a gold medal for her painting “Pete’s Shoe Shop.”
• Danae Bell, homeschooled in Fargo, won a gold medal and an American Visions medal for her photo “Unfolding.”
“These students represented the state of North Dakota on the national stage and exceled,” said Jamee Larson, a creative writing senior lecturer at NDSU. “The national awards exemplify the best of teen art and writing across the country and the competition is fierce. These students should be very proud.”
National award-winning teens from across the country will be celebrated with a ceremony at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City, scheduled for June 9.
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