In the wake of widespread uncertainty and upheaval, many high school seniors are turning to art to make sense of their world..
From painting to photography to music, young artists are finding ways to express themselves and connect with others, a trend that has been evident at this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards..
This year’s awards, which were announced in March, saw a record number of submissions, with more than 340,000 works from students in grades 7-12. Of those submissions, over 1,700 were recognized with National Medals, the program’s highest honor..
The winning works, which are now on display at the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers in New York City, offer a glimpse into the hopes, dreams, and fears of young people today..
One of the most striking things about this year’s winners is their diversity. The students who won National Medals came from all over the country, and their work represented a wide range of styles and perspectives..
There were paintings that celebrated the beauty of nature, photographs that captured the struggles of everyday life, and essays that explored the complexities of human relationships..
The common thread that ran through all of the winning works was a sense of hope and optimism. Despite the challenges they have faced, these young artists are still looking to the future with hope..
They are using their art to make a difference in the world, and they are confident that they can create a better future for themselves and for their generation..
Here are a few examples of the winning works:.
* **Painting:** .
