Thomas Artist Earns Honorable Mention National Contest

Webster CSD is proud to announce that Webster Thomas High School senior Jessica V. has been awarded a National Honorable Mention in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her exceptional portfolio, Nature's Beauty. This prestigious recognition places Jessica among the nation's most talented young artists.

  Out of nearly 110,000 teens who submitted more than 310,000 original works of art and writing, Jessica’s portfolio stood out for its originality, skill, and the distinct personal vision it conveyed. Her work was evaluated by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts, who recognized the depth of her talent and the profound connection she establishes between art and the natural world.

  "Nature has always been a place of sanctuary for me," Jessica shared in her artist's statement. "Whether I’m standing in the tidepools of New Zealand or the mountains of Upstate New York, the beauty of nature has always been a source of inspiration, so when creating my art it has been instinctual to incorporate nature and its many forms. Whether it's the spiderweb I hiked past, glistening with morning dew, or the fossil my grandfather gifted me in his workshop, these memories which I hold close to my heart remind me of nature’s beauty and my family’s shared, unconditional love for such. Truly through my art I wish to share these feelings which I cannot articulate; however, I wish to leave room for the viewer’s mind to make personal connections which will in turn hopefully inspire them to once again discover a love for nature."
Cathy Morrill, Jessica’s teacher, praised her creative approach and dedication. "In class, Jess thinks outside the box when problem-solving design challenges. She is passionate about the environment and brings her passion to her artwork. She is an extremely bright, creative, curious young adult with an amazing work ethic."

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, founded in 1923, are the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. This initiative has a rich history of identifying and nurturing the talents of young artists and writers, including renowned alumni such as Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, and Amanda Gorman.

The awards recognize student achievement in 28 categories, including painting, novel writing, mixed media, poetry, digital art, journalism, and more. Each submission is blindly adjudicated, first locally and then nationally, by panels of esteemed artists, authors, and educators. The judging criteria emphasize originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal vision or voice.

Jessica’s achievement underscores the exceptional artistic talent cultivated in Webster Schools and highlights the importance of fostering creativity in young minds.

About the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Awards are made possible through the generosity of Scholastic Inc., and numerous other individual, foundation, and corporate funders. For more information, visit www.artandwriting.org.