Five Upper School students and one Middle School student at Friends Academy were recognized in the regional round of the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious awards program for creative teens.
The awards were presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit that aims to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent.
On the art side, freshman Jason Rutt received Honorable Mention for his work, “A Breath Of Fresh Air,” in the category Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage. His artwork is featured below.
On the writing side, senior Mason Linken won a Gold Key in journalism — one of 12 such awards in the category — for his story, “The Seeds of Sustainability at Friends Academy.”
Senior Charlotte Yanke won two Silver Keys for her critical essay, “Equality Over Subversion: The Narrator's Final Desire in ‘The Yellow Wallpaper,’ ” and her short story: “The Remains of the Woman.”
Top row (l. to r.): Mason Linken, Charlotte Yanke, Sydney Wang. Bottom: Jack Costagliola, Jason Rutt, Aman Jaiswal.
Junior Sydney Wang received Honorable Mention for her critical essay, “Not Yet Born, But Already Decided?”
Junior Jack Costagliola received Honorable Mention for his critical essay, “Moving on From Kipling: Why Diversity Works.”
And eighth-grader Aman Jaiswal received Honorable Mention for his speculative fiction piece, “Magnolia Road.”
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