6 MPS students win national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Previous honorees include Ken Burns, Joyce Carol Oates, Sylvia Plath and Andy Warhol
MILWAUKEE (April 7, 2016) – Six Milwaukee Public Schools students now have something in common with creative icons including Richard Avedon, Ken Burns, Joyce Carol Oates, Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford and Andy Warhol.
The six are winners of national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, earning national medals in categories from painting to science fiction/fantasy writing.
The winning MPS students’ entries were selected from among a record-breaking 320,000 works of art and writing. Fewer than 50 students from Wisconsin were among the national winners and one MPS student, Lilian Solheim of Milwaukee High School of the Arts, won two awards: gold and silver medals for her entries in painting.
As part of its eight Strategic Objectives to improve student outcomes, MPS has been focusing on reading, writing, speaking, listening and language at the high school level. The district has also added more than 100 art, music and physical education specialist teachers in recent years, providing students with critical access to a well-rounded education.
MPS’ national award recipients are:
- William Fendt, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Silver Medal for Science Fiction/Fantasy writing: “Pearls”
- Cynthia Monter, Riverside University High School, Silver Medal for a Short Story: “Final Journey”
- Jada Patterson, Rufus King International High School, Silver Medal for Painting: “Reflection in Shapes and Colors”
- Leah Penn, Rufus King International High School, Creative and Citizenship award for Drawing and Illustration: “divergence”
- Marissa Robertson, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Gold Medal for Personal Essay/Memoir: “A Selected Collection of Human Anatomy”
- Lilian Solheim, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Gold and Silver Medals in Panting: “Following Myself” (gold) and “Stoic Man” (silver)
MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver joins the students’ teachers, principals and support staff as well as the entire MPS family in congratulating these national award winners as well as the families and educators that helped them on their way!
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Public Schools
Families invited to MPS Community Showcase at Douglas School on April 24
Apr 10th, 2024 by Milwaukee Public SchoolsLearn About Schools in 53206 ZIP Code, Apply for Jobs, Enjoy Activities
Registration opens March 4 for MPS Summer Academy
Mar 1st, 2024 by Milwaukee Public SchoolsSummer Classes and Activities to Inspire Learning Take Place in June and July at Select Schools around Milwaukee
M-Cubed Announces Milwaukee Direct Admit Program to Increase College Access
Jan 25th, 2024 by Milwaukee Public SchoolsMPS students will be able to apply to both MATC and UWM through one online form at no cost