Spartans Claim Top Spots in National Arts Awards

St. Stephen’s students Rachel Schlesinger and Hudson Quinn have been named “Best in Grade” award winners in the National Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards competition. The two student artists were selected for the top prize alongside 22 other national finalists from among 331,000 entries nationwide.
 
St. Stephen's was one of only two schools nationally to have multiple “Best in Grade” award winners. Schlesinger, an 11th grader, won for her documentary film, Inge. Quinn, a 7th grader, won for his novel, Omaha. Both students will receive their national medals and cash prizes in New York City at a special awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall in June. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers administers the prestigious competition. According to the organization, “Two writers and two visual artists per grade 7 to 12 are chosen each year as Best in Grade. Students and their educators do not apply for this award, but are chosen for Best in Grade Awards by a special panel of national jurors.”
 
In addition to the two top honors, St. Stephen’s Middle School students Natalie Kim (grade 7) and Abbie Prewitt (grade 8) each received a National Silver Medal for writing, and Upper School student Callie Cho (grade 10) won a National Silver Medal for photography. These awards represent the top 1 percent of entries nationally and are significant creative achievements.
 
St. Stephen’s art instructor Bea Baldwin and English instructor Vicki Woodruff were also named “Best in Grade” teachers and will receive medals and cash prizes for their outstanding instruction. Theatre and film instructor Mike Dolan deserves notice as well for his great work with St. Stephen’s student artists.
 
 
2017 National Arts Awards Winners
 
Middle School Winners
Hudson Quinn (7th grade) Gold Medal, Best in Grade Award, Novel Writing
Natalie Kim (7th grade) Silver Medal, Novel Writing
Abbie Prewitt (8th grade) Silver Medal, Personal Essay & Memoir
 
Upper School Winners
Rachel Schlesinger (11th grade) Gold Medal, Best in Grade Award Film & Animation
Callie Cho (10th grade) Silver Medal, Photography
 
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Address: 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 327-1213