SHS Students Among Recipients of Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Writopia Lab, a non-profit organization founded in New York, features a variety of writing workshops and camps for students in Westchester, Rockland, Manhattan, and Fairfield. Apart from its creative workshops, it also takes part in an annual Scholastic competition allowing aspiring young students with expertise in the arts and writing to submit their work to be ranked on a regional and national basis. A panel of professional judges awards students by ranking their work’s quality and potential from one to ten. These numbers then correspond with either a gold key, silver key, or honorable mention.

At Scarsdale High School a total of six students received awards in the competition: Ariel Weinsaft ’21, Fiza Metla ’20, Rina Ota ’21, Emily-Jane Luo ’23, Alicia Xin ’23, and Sam Hurwitz ’21. 

Hurwitz submitted six pieces to the competition ranging across three categories: short story, flash fiction, and poetry. He first heard about the competition through Writopia Lab’s writer’s workshops and submitted his strongest pieces of writing from the past year. Hurwitz received four honorable mentions, one gold key, and one silver key. “It was a really good way for writers to get their work out there because there aren’t too many competitions for writers and artists to feel confident in their work and get recognized,” reflected Hurwitz. He has enjoyed writing creatively since he was nine years old and, to this day, attends Writopia every week to write novels as well as songs.

Ariel Weinsaft ’21, who was not involved in Writopia Lab, first heard about the competition from her sister’s involvement with the program. After participating in a journalism camp at Boston University over the summer, Weinsaft submitted an article she wrote to the journalism category. She ended up winning a gold key in journalism, with national esteem, for her article “Quidditch for Muggles: A Growing Presence on College Campuses.” At the Boston University program Weinsaft attended, she was able to take the subway by herself and interview a variety of students. “I chose to write about Quidditch on college campuses because there were so many colleges in Boston,” said Weinsaft, who narrowed down her focus to Harvard, Tufts, and Boston University’s quidditch programs.

Next year, it is encouraged that more Scarsdale students try their talent by submitting their work to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. While it may be a bit stressful and laborious, most applicants can attest that it is a rewarding experience.