Student Wins Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Medal Award
Grade 11 student Victoria McIntyre has a passion for creative writing, journalism and literature. She comes by her desire to pursue a good story honestly as her grandmother was a widely published journalist and has always been a strong female role model for her.
Victoria's writing abilities were recently recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ International Writing Region-at-Large after she submitted 10 pieces in a number of categories, including journalism, poetry, flash fiction and short story. In February, she learned that seven of her 10 pieces had been awarded regional awards, and deemed among the most outstanding work submitted among her peers.
A month later, she received further word that a panel of creative professionals in New York City had awarded her a Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Gold Medal for her journalism submission - Combatting the Crisis: Poisonous Water on Native Reserves - as well as an invitation to attend the National Ceremony at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on June 8.
These prestigious awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a non-profit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent. In being recognized, Victoria has joined the ranks of other celebrated writers who have been teenage recipients of these awards since the program’s inception in 1923, including Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King and Truman Capote.
Americans in Grades 7-12, as well as international students from English speaking countries or who attend American international schools, may submit works of art and writing for a chance to earn scholarships and have their work exhibited and published. This year, more than 330,000 artistic (visual, film, photography and fashion) and assorted writing pieces were submitted across 29 categories.
Victoria has been submitting writing pieces since Grade 9, and won several regional awards last year. Her older sister has also won regional recognition through the Scholastic Awards program for her artwork and is now pursuing an Arts degree at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Victoria is considering attending university in the States as well, and believes this honour will help attain that goal.
Watch the attached video to hear why Victoria chose the theme of her journalism piece that won the Scholastic National Gold Medal Award and her reflections on the overall experience.
You can read Victoria's entire piece here. (© Alliance for Young Artists & Writers/Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Used with permission.)
You can read Victoria's entire piece here. (© Alliance for Young Artists & Writers/Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Used with permission.)
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Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
