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St. Mary’s Dominican High School students, from left to right, Claire Judge, Julia Henry, Eilyn Smith, Lillian Tucker and Allyson “Ally” Mai, received awards in the 2026 Scholastic Arts and Writing competition for the Region-at-Large: SOUTH. “A Toast of Praise to accomplished works submitted to local programs showing the great skill and potential of our amazing art students,” said Angelle Caffery, MFA, Dominican’s Fine Arts Department Chair.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers presented to the Dominican students the following 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

GOLD KEY: The very best works submitted to local programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national-level recognition.

Allyson “Ally” Mai, Photography, Rhythms of Life

SILVER KEY: Stand-out works submitted to local programs that demonstrate exceptional ability.

Claire Judge, Mixed Media, Popped

Eilyn Smith, Drawing, Blocking Out the Noise

HONORABLE MENTION: Accomplished works submitted to local programs showing great skill and potential.

Julia Henry, Painting, Overstimulated

Lillian Tucker, Photography, The Leopard’s Gaze

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Awards give students opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. Students across America submitted nearly 340,000 original works this year in 29 different categories of art and writing.