Manchester schools have some of the state’s most creative teens

CHS senior Claude Kwizera submitted several pieces,
including "Pants," and received Gold and Silver Key honors

What do Ken Burns, Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath and 23 students from Manchester have in common? All of them have been recognized by the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Students from Central and Memorial high schools are contenders in the national competition after winning regional awards from partner programs in New Hampshire.

 

Memorial HS senior Chris LaSalle won
the Silver Key in ceramics and glass

More than 2,000 public, private and homeschooled students from across the state submitted works to this year’s Scholastic Art Awards of New Hampshire contest. A ceremony to honor Manchester’s 22 young artists in a variety of categories, including photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and glass, digital art and design will be held this weekend. All of the state's winning works are on display this week at Pinkerton Academy's Stockbridge Theater. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, February 8 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.

Nearly 600 aspiring authors entered submissions to the National Writing Project in New Hampshire. Manchester’s one winner in the writing category will be honored in May.

All of New Hampshire’s winners – some students received honors in more than one category – will be considered for the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which will be presented in June at Carnegie Hall in New York by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. That organization’s mission is to provide recognition, exhibition, publication and scholarship to students across the country with exceptional artistic and literary talent. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has grown to be the nation’s longest-running, most respected recognition initiative for creative students and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. Learn more at www.artandwriting.org.

Manchester’s students hoping for an invitation to Carnegie Hall are:

Memorial HS junior Rachel Thibeault is a Gold and Silver Key
winner for several photographs, including "Bricks."

Memorial High School

Hanna Kierstead, senior: photography, sculpture and art portfolio

Jansen Mayer, senior: design

Anuva Mizan, senior: drawing and illustration

Rachel Thibeault, junior: photography

Despina Yogas, junior: digital art

Alayna Blodgett, junior: drawing        

Susan Garwood, sophomore: photography

Christopher LaSalle, senior: ceramics and glass                      

Marika Ohar, junior: ceramics and glass                     

Caleb Pantazis, junior: photography   

Brandon Scott, junior: drawing and illustration           

Amber Fournier, senior: art portfolio  

Honorable Mention:

Shauri Gilot, junior: ceramics and glass                       

Hanna Kierstead, senior: painting       
GeDeon Mwano, junior: painting        
Collin Tessier, sophomore: drawing and illustration   

Rachel Thiebeault, junior: photography                      

Brooke Wisniewski, sophomore: photography           

Central High School

Claude Kwizera, senior: drawing and illustration

Jordan McCown, senior: art portfolio

Nick Picciano, senior: comic art  

Angel Hyde, senior: writing, personal essay/memoir and flash fiction

Honorable Mention:

Elaura Thompson, senior: drawing and illustration

Johanna Hebert, senior: drawing and illustration

Ashley Holland, senior: drawing and illustration