RBR Visual & Performing Art Academy Creative Writing Majors won 97 awards at the prestigious National Scholastic competition, with silver medals awarded to Jack McLoone (far left), Liv Winnicki (second from left) and Mya Nunnally (right). RBR Creative Writing teacher Dr. Gretna Wilkinson is pictured third from left.
Press release from Red Bank Regional High School
The Visual and Performing Art Academy at Red Bank Regional High School once again turned in an impressive result in the National Scholastic competition, which is sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers as the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.
This year’s competition included over 255,000 submissions in 28 categories, by students from the United States, Canada, U.S. territories, and U.S. schools abroad, including North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. RBR won 97 awards at the June 6 event in New York City, including 18 Gold Keys. Gold Keys represent the highest level of achievement on a regional level (approximately 7-10 per cent of regional submissions).
The regional winners were then judged on a national level, and three RBR students took Silver medals — Jack McLoone of Little Silver, Liv Winnicki of Belmar, and Mya Nunnally of 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 Parsons The New School for Design and the Pratt Manhattan Gallery, through June 14. Writing will also be displayed.
Student award winners are eligible for scholarships from prestigious universities across the country (some past winners include artists Andy Warhol and John Currin; authors Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates and Sylvia Plath; photographer Richard Avedon, designer Zac Posen, and actor-director Robert Redford). Visit here for more information on the National Scholastic Awards.