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WVHS students win big at Scholastic Art Awards, see the GALLERY

picture is a close-up of an American bald eagle's head

The Warwick Valley High School visual arts program had another outstanding showing at this year's regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens!

Thirty-five Warwick Valley art students were recognized more than 80 times during the regional ceremony, which took place at SUNY New Paltz on February 6. The students won 11 Gold Key Awards, 27 Silver Key Awards, and received 43 Honorable Mentions. Additionally, Jay Spencer won an American Visions award for his entry into the Illustration category, titled "Killjoys."

digital artwork depicts cartoon characters in a creative art space, making creative items and enjoying one another's company

Above: Killjoys by Jay Spencer.

The American Visions Award amounts to a "Best of Show" nomination, and is the highest regional honor. Out of thousands of entries, only five American Visions nominees are selected per region. This elite award is reserved for work that transcends technical skill, specifically honoring exceptional originality and the emergence of a clear, personal artistic voice. By receiving this honor, Jay’s work is now recognized as one of the strongest examples of student art in the country and he will move on to the national judging round that takes place in New York City.

The American Visions Award excluded, the Gold Key Awards are the top regional honors. Every Gold Key-winning piece of art is automatically entered into the national judging round in New York City, where students compete for national medals and scholarship opportunities.

Silver Key Awards recognize "standout" regional work that demonstrates high levels of skill and originality. They represent the top 15% of regional entries! And Honorable Mentions acknowledge students for their strong artistic achievement and places them among the top 20% of all regional submissions.

The student artwork will remain on display in the Fine Arts Rotunda at SUNY New Paltz through March 1, 2026.

Below this story, please enjoy the gallery of student artwork and pictures taken at the ceremony. And here is a complete list of winners, presented with student name, title of artwork, and contest category.

Congratulations everyone!   

Gold Key Awards

Keene Eicher
Death's Messenger
Illustration

Keene Eicher
Kevras The Grimm
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Abigail Glemaud
Momentum
Photography

Leana Muniz
In The Moment 5
Photography

Madeline Pesta
Metamorphosis
Illustration

Madeline Pesta
That's How The Cake Crumbles
Comic Art

Sophie Quicke
Light Of Life
Mixed Media

Sophie Quicke
Celestial Plate
Ceramics & Glass

Sophie Quicke
God Of Insects
Fashion

Jay Spencer
Cards
Photography

Brooke Squillante
Eagle's Eye View
Photography

Brooke Squillante
Big Attitude, Small Body
Photography

Silver Key Awards

Sofia Ayupov
Both Sides of Me
Mixed Media

Victoria Boyd
Magic in a Still Water
Experimental Photography

Victoria Boyd
Twisted Invasion
Photography

Julianna Browning
High Voltage Model Thresher
Painting

John Butler
My Point of View
Film & Animation

Caralina Cassara
Princess Of Punk
Fashion

Maya Fong
Sun Wu Kong
Sculpture

Felicia Gambino
Transparent Flower
Fashion

Felicia Gambino
Illusions of Living
Drawing

Felicia Gambino
Light Shines Through
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Esme Gilley
Still Life
Drawing

Abigail Glemaud
Reflective
Photography

Aidan Harvey
German Flood
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Arthur Liao
Trading Cards
Illustration

Jasmine Lorentzen
Jaws
Photography

Jack Marina
Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under The Sea
Experimental Photography

Jack Marina
Born This Way
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Jack Marina
The Fragmentation of Memory
Mixed Media

Jack Marina
I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream
Photography

Jack Marina
Without Hope We Are Nothing...
Experimental Photography

Jack Marina
Humming In the White Noise
Experimental Photography

Cecelia McCormick-Bullinger
when nature meets technology
Illustration

John McGrogan
Bear Skin
Drawing

Leana Muniz
In The Moment
Photography

Madeline Pesta
Crossroads
Illustration

Riley Portka
Skulls
Drawing

Sophie Quicke
Morbid Exploration
Drawing

Ray Robles
Remnants of Earth
Portfolio Category (Art)

Ray Robles
A Cat By The Window
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Jay Spencer
San Francisco
Mixed Media

Brooke Squillante
Bird's Of A Feather
Portfolio Category (Art)

Brooke Squillante
The Mirror Image
Photography

Honorable Mentions

Mason Atlas
Time Flies
Illustration

Sofia Ayupov
Spill My Heart Out
Mixed Media

Cavan Byrne
Compression
Drawing

Cavan Byrne
Sumatran Tiger no.1
Drawing

Cavan Byrne
Black Rhino no.2
Drawing

Keene Eicher
Nameless Heretic Comic
Comic Art

Maya Fong
Cabinet of Oddities
Illustration

Esme Gilley
Self Portrait
Mixed Media

Aubrey Grigalunas
Brothers Grimm Panel Interpretation
Drawing

Alana Jarrous
Still Life
Drawing

Alana Jarrous
Snow White
Illustration

Alana Jarrous
Encounter
Comic Art

Alana Jarrous
Whooper Swan
Illustration

Alana Jarrous
Mardi Gras
Illustration

Alana Jarrous
Flame
Illustration

Arthur Liao
Skeletons
Drawing

Arthur Liao
Date Night
Portfolio Category (Art)

Jasmine Lorentzen
Birds of Chobe
Portfolio Category (Art)

Jasmine Lorentzen
The Great Chobe River
Portfolio Category (Art)

Jasmine Lorentzen
Bones of the Homeland
Photography

Jasmine Lorentzen
Silent Hunter
Photography

Jasmine Lorentzen
The Art of Stillness
Photography

Jack Marina
Silvertone
Experimental Photography

Jack Marina
SkullSplitting
Experimental Photography

Victoria Martinez
The Clicker
Ceramics & Glass

Victoria Martinez
The Fluffy Moth
Mixed Media

Jaida Martinez
Empress
Painting

Jamison McVeigh
Compression of Character
Painting

Leana Muniz
In The Moment
Photography

Finbar O'Connor
Nature Self-Portrait
Illustration

Finbar O'Connor
Boudicca the Warrior Queen
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Finbar O'Connor
My Friend Lehanna
Drawing

Madeline Pesta
Brooklyn
Illustration

Madeline Pesta
June
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Riley Portka
Winter Date
Illustration

Riley Portka
City Flyers
Illustration

Sophie Quicke
Finding The Light
Painting

Sophie Quicke
Marley
Painting

Emma Rieder
Brother Lustig Pen and Ink Story
Drawing

Ray Robles
Under Pressure
Photography

Ray Robles
Reflection of the Artist
Mixed Media

Aiden Sarine
Baseball
Photography

Jay Spencer
Doldrums
Sculpture

Jay Spencer
Lemur
Sculpture

Jay Spencer
Everybody Scream
Illustration

Zoe Swornik
Purple Perseveres
Photography

Zoe Swornik
Flow Action
Photography

Zoe Swornik
Drive to the hoop
Photography

Lexi Young
Into The Poet’s Chamber
Drawing

Lexi Young
My, Oh My, Mira!
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

A person in a flowing, vibrant dress appears to be dancing or moving gracefully against a blurred, colorful background.
A majestic bird with a striking white head and dark brown body perches on a branch against a blurred natural background.
A weathered animal skull rests amidst a rocky, muddy landscape, surrounded by various stones and debris.
A large, dark-colored buffalo stands in shallow water, its massive horns and fierce expression dominating the foreground, while a blue body of water and lush vegetation form the background.
Two colorful bee-eater birds perched on a branch against a dark, blurred background.
A baseball player in a blue uniform stands at the plate, with a catcher in the foreground and buildings and fencing visible in the background.
A small hummingbird perched on a branch, with a blurred background of foliage and a muted color palette.
The image shows a close-up view of a person's face reflected in a mirror, with the person's hands and arms visible in the foreground.
A large, mossy rock emerges from the dark, rippling waters of a body of water, creating a striking contrast between the natural elements.
A small gray bird with a distinctive crest perches on a branch amidst lush green foliage and yellow flowers in the background.
A football player in a purple uniform stands with arms raised in celebration on a sports field, with trees and a building visible in the background.
Two baboons are perched on a tree trunk, their fur illuminated by the warm light of the sun.
A colorful bird perches on a branch amidst the vibrant green leaves of a tree against a clear blue sky.
A football player in a purple jersey is running with the ball on a field, while other players in white jerseys are pursuing him.
A close-up view of a small, spotted owl perched on a tree branch, with a blurred natural background.
A young man holding a %22Thank you for visiting%22 sign stands in the foreground, with a group of people visible in the background near the entrance of a building.
The image shows two people, a woman and a man, standing in what appears to be an art gallery or exhibition space. The woman is wearing a patterned jacket, and the man is wearing a brown jacket and a hat. In the background, there are various artworks and displays.
A smiling young woman stands in front of a framed artwork featuring a portrait-like image surrounded by colorful, abstract shapes.
A large, dark-colored hippopotamus emerges from the water, its eyes and ears visible above the surface.
The image shows a person standing in front of a wall displaying various framed photographs, including landscapes, nature scenes, and abstract artwork.
A young woman stands in front of several framed artworks, including a black and white photograph and a colorful insect illustration.
A young woman with long, curly hair stands in front of a wall displaying various artworks, including a landscape painting and a collage-style portrait.
A young woman with glasses stands in front of a wall displaying various framed nature photographs, including images of birds and insects.
The image shows a close-up view of a person's face reflected in a mirror, with the person's hands and arms visible in the foreground.
The image shows a young man with curly hair and glasses standing in front of a display of framed artwork, including a landscape photograph.
A young woman with dark hair is standing in front of a colorful, patterned wall, smiling at the camera.
A cozy, dimly lit room with a wooden dresser, a mirror with a smiling face, and a curtain partially obscuring the doorway.
A young woman with long hair stands in front of a colorful painting depicting a lush, wooded landscape.
The image shows a woman with long dark hair standing in front of a display case containing various artistic figurines and sculptures.
A solitary, bare tree stands silhouetted against a dark, moody sky, its twisted branches reaching up into the gloom.
The image depicts two faces in a dark, shadowy setting, with the faces illuminated by a soft, ethereal light that creates a sense of mystery and introspection.
A weathered and rusted fire hydrant stands in the foreground, with the text %22LIFE IS HETIC%22 visible on its surface, against a backdrop of a crumbling, dilapidated wall.
A large alligator with its mouth open, resting in shallow water surrounded by tall grass and reflected in the still surface.
A basketball player in a white jersey dribbles the ball down the court, surrounded by other players in a basketball game setting.
Two wrestlers engaged in a grappling match on a mat in a dimly lit arena.
A silhouetted figure emerges from a body of water, surrounded by a warm, golden glow of the setting sun in the background.
A blurred, ghostly hand emerges from the darkness, creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
A basketball player in a white jersey is dribbling the ball while surrounded by other players on a basketball court.
A person wearing a white shirt stands in the center of a swirling blue energy field, creating a striking and ethereal visual effect.
A majestic osprey in flight, its wings outstretched against a hazy, neutral-toned background.
A person's hand emerges from a vibrant, multicolored background, creating a striking and visually captivating scene.
An alligator with its mouth open, resting in tall grass against a dark, blurred background.
A large bird of prey, likely a vulture or eagle, soars against a clear blue sky.
The image shows a close-up view of a person's face, with their eyes and part of their nose visible. The person is holding a smartphone or mobile device in front of their face, partially obscuring their features.
A small bird with a brown and black plumage perched on a branch, surrounded by lush green foliage.
A small hummingbird perched on a branch, surrounded by vibrant green foliage and a blurred background.
A vibrant pink flamingo with its feathers ruffled, set against a dark background.
The image features two individuals performing on a stage, with one person in a shimmering white outfit and the other in a vibrant yellow outfit, against a colorful and dynamic background.
A football player in a purple uniform is running on a grassy field, with a stadium and trees visible in the background.
Three individuals standing in front of a brick wall, with one person in the center wearing a dark-colored shirt and the other two individuals on either side.
A figure in a dark, shadowy environment appears to be curled up in a distressed or pained posture, with the lighting creating a stark contrast and highlighting the subject's form.
A lush, green grassy field with scattered yellow flowers, surrounded by a backdrop of tall, leafy trees in a park-like setting.
A hazy, dreamlike landscape with warm, earthy tones in the foreground and a soft, ethereal background.
A lush, verdant canopy of trees casts a warm, golden glow over a quaint, rustic structure in the foreground.
A rustic wooden fence surrounds a lush, grassy field with a gate leading into a wooded area in the background, creating a serene and inviting natural scene.
Two old-fashioned mailboxes sit in a lush, wooded area, with sunlight filtering through the trees and casting a warm, golden glow over the scene.
The image depicts a close-up view of a person's face reflected in a mirror, with a look of surprise or concern on their expression.
A dramatic landscape with a cloudy sky bathed in warm, golden sunlight, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills in the foreground.
A vibrant blue bird perches atop a chain-link fence, set against a hazy, overcast sky in the background.
Two young deer with spotted coats stand on a grassy forest floor, surrounded by lush greenery and a large tree trunk in the background.
A shadowy figure with a hand covering their face is visible through a window, surrounded by a dark, gloomy environment.
A cozy, dimly lit room with a wooden dresser, a mirror with a smiling face, and a curtain partially obscuring the doorway.
A detailed pencil drawing of a woman's face, with long wavy hair and a pensive expression, set against a background of radiating lines and stars.
A large, menacing creature with a gaping mouth and multiple eyes dominates the foreground, while the background depicts a surreal, dreamlike landscape with various organic and geometric shapes.
A surreal, dreamlike landscape with fantastical figures and structures, set against a backdrop of mountains and a winding path.
A still life arrangement featuring various antique glass bottles, jars, and a skull on a draped fabric background.
A vibrant, colorful painting depicts a woman with long, curly brown hair wearing a white dress and surrounded by various abstract shapes and patterns in shades of yellow, pink, and blue.
A colorful and lively sketch depicting a residential neighborhood with houses, power lines, and a vibrant sky in the background.
A close-up portrait of an elderly man with a long, white beard and sunglasses, set against a dark, textured background.
A detailed and realistic drawing of a rhinoceros' head, with its distinctive horn, wrinkled skin, and expressive eye prominently featured in the foreground against a muted, textured background.
A colorful, abstract ceramic plate with a spiral design and star-like patterns in the foreground, set against a vibrant, swirling background.
A close-up, abstract portrait of a face with large, expressive eyes and a soft, pinkish complexion against a muted, textured background.
A large, grinning skull dominates the foreground, surrounded by smaller skeletal figures and various objects, all set against a vibrant orange and yellow background.
A surreal and intricate pencil drawing featuring a collage of various elements, including a close-up of a face, abstract geometric shapes, and various other symbolic and fantastical imagery.
A chaotic, abstract cityscape with towering skyscrapers, angular structures, and a sense of movement and energy throughout the scene.
A large, grinning skull dominates the foreground, surrounded by various objects such as bottles, glassware, and a bunch of grapes, set against a warm, earthy background.
Striking close-up portrait of a person's face, with intense, piercing eyes and a prominent nose, set against a muted, abstract background.
A collection of colorful, whimsical puppet figures in various poses, set against a plain dark background.
A vibrant collage-style portrait of a young woman's face, surrounded by a dynamic mix of torn paper, textures, and bold colors.
A vibrant sunset landscape with a blue car parked on a dirt road, surrounded by lush greenery and a mountainous backdrop.
The image displays a collection of trading cards featuring various muscular, fantastical characters in different settings and poses.
A vintage truck is parked in the foreground, surrounded by ghostly figures and a dark, stormy background.
A large skull-like object dominates the foreground, surrounded by various objects including bottles, books, and other artifacts, set against a warm, fiery-colored background.
A large, intricate sculpture made of various materials, including fabric, metal, and other found objects, stands prominently in the center of the room, surrounded by bookshelves and other decor in the background.
A vibrant and expressive portrait of a young woman with curly hair, set against a background of swirling colors and floral elements.
A dramatic scene of a person struggling against powerful waves crashing against a rocky coastline, with a silhouetted figure in the background.
A woman with dark hair and a pensive expression holds a golden object, surrounded by a hazy, purple-tinted background.
A portrait of a young man with long, wavy hair and glasses, set against a background of abstract, geometric shapes and patterns.
A detailed black and white illustration depicting a skull surrounded by feathers, roses, and tarot cards, creating a mystical and occult-inspired composition.
A detailed, intricate black and white illustration featuring an arrangement of skulls and abstract, organic patterns in the background.
A large, intricate sculpture made of various materials, including wood and metal, depicting a woman's face with flowing, expressive hair against a natural, rocky backdrop.
The image depicts a dark, ominous scene with a prominent skull-like figure in the foreground, surrounded by a swirling, chaotic background of intricate, abstract patterns.
A white mannequin displays a sleeveless dress made of pleated and patterned fabric, with a belt cinching the waist, against a plain gray background.
A collage-style portrait of a young person with braided hair, set against a background of various textured and patterned elements, including newspaper clippings, floral designs, and geometric shapes.
A vibrant, abstract painting depicts a close-up of a furry feline creature with expressive features against a bold, teal-colored background.
A delicate, crocheted white shawl or poncho is displayed on a mannequin against a plain, light-colored background.
A still life arrangement featuring various objects, including a skull, glass bottles, and a framed mirror, set against a colorful and textured background.
A portrait of a young woman with curly hair, surrounded by colorful paper butterflies against a textured brown background.
A chaotic and surreal scene featuring various organic and abstract forms, including what appear to be skulls, wings, and other fantastical elements, all set against a dramatic, explosive background.
The image appears to be a comic or graphic novel panel depicting various fantastical and surreal scenes, including strange creatures, explosions, and abstract elements in the background.
A fantastical, steampunk-inspired creature with intricate mechanical details and a vibrant, textured background.
A large shark-like creature with intricate patterns and designs swims amidst a swarm of smaller fish against a textured, aged background.
A large, majestic swan with outstretched wings against a stormy, dramatic background, with green leaves or plants in the foreground.
A portrait of a young person's face, drawn or painted on a textured, torn background with colorful paper fragments.
A vibrant, close-up image of a red, heart-shaped object with a glowing, radiant appearance against a dark, starry background.
A collage of various items, including a drawing of two people, a camera, a ticket, and other eclectic elements, creating a visually striking and diverse composition.
A still life painting featuring various glass bottles and containers, draped in a white cloth, set against a warm, earthy background.
Two individuals in dark clothing are seated on a bench in a festively decorated setting, with red bows, lights, and a sign for %22Christmas Club%22 visible in the background.
The image depicts a comic-style scene with various characters and events unfolding across multiple panels. In the foreground, there are people engaged in baking activities, while the background features a chaotic and dynamic landscape with explosions, animals, and other fantastical elements.
A striking drawing of a fierce tiger, its face and body rendered in bold, expressive strokes, set against a muted, textured background.
The image depicts a surreal and fantastical scene, with a central figure in a flowing white dress surrounded by a mysterious and ethereal landscape. The background is filled with intricate patterns and textures, creating a sense of depth and otherworldliness.
A striking portrait of a young person's face, rendered in a collage-like style with various colorful elements surrounding the central figure.