The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art in affiliation with the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers is proud to announce the 2025 Scholastic Art Awards recipients for the Northeastern Pennsylvania region.

An exhibition of the work of all Gold Key Award recipients will take place at the museum from Feb. 7 to March 2 and an exhibition of all Silver Key Award and Honorable Mention recipients takes place at Marywood University from Feb. 8 to March 2.

American Visions Nominee and Gold Key Award

Evie Yanaitis for “Stratus,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Gold Key Awards

Arimeya Janov for “Arimeya,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Molly Simko for her portfolio of painting drawing and illustration, Crestwood High School

Abigail Thompson for “Abigail,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Silver Key Awards

Sakinah Bhatti for “Unmasking Heart,” expanded projects, Holy Redeemer High School

Serenity Drew for “Girl,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Saidy Garcia for “The Value of Color,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Lillianna Inglese for “lillianna inglese,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Kate Soreth for “My First Job,” drawing and illustration, Wyoming Seminary Upper School

Lana Shovlin for “He Lives in My Walls,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Honorable Mentions

Ashlynn Freeman for “Ashlynn in tie-dye,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Xena Roman for “ICU,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Lana Shovlin for “Autumn Colors,” painting, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Layah Soto for “Fawn Lake,” digital art, Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy

Brandon Flores Vazquez, “Destiny of the Ocean,” jewelry, Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy

Jusnelly Hernandez Vasquez, “Lantern Prototype,” architecture and industrial design, Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, established in 1923, is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious art and writing recognition program for students Grades 7 through 12. The Everhart has hosted the arts portion of the competition for the Northeastern PA Region since 2018, judging entries and holding an exhibition for award recipients. For 2025, the Museum received 438 submissions of artwork from junior and senior high school students from 41 schools within a 15 county area.

“The Scholastic Art Awards are a celebration of the incredible talent of the young artists of Northeastern Pennsylvania, recognizing their dedication to their crafts, as well as the support of their educators and everyone in their support groups who help nurture their passions,” says Camille Dantone, Everhart Museum Director of Education and facilitator of the Awards for the Everhart. “It is a privilege to be a part of these students’ artistic journeys.”

The awards in order of prestige are Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention. All Regional Gold Key Award recipients move on to the national competition to compete for a National Gold Key Award. Five of the Northeastern PA Region Gold Key Award recipients are recognized as American Visions Nominees, which automatically advances them to the national competition to compete for American Visions Award for their region.

The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers 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 Awards, students receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. For information, visit https://everhart-museum.org/2025-scholastic-art-awards.