In the tradition of T.S. Eliot, Class of 1906, and scores of Milton graduates since, Milton students show special promise as writers of creative fiction and creators of inspired visual art. This spring, 10 students earned recognition for their work in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the nation’s largest, longest-running, and most prestigious visual and literary arts program identifying the creative accomplishments of high school students.
Tina Cho '12. far left, was one of 15 graduating seniors in the country to earn a Gold Portfolio Award and a personal meeting with Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep.
This year Tina Cho ’12 was one of just 15 high-school students in the country to earn a Gold Portfolio Award for her submission in the writing portfolio category. Graduating seniors are invited to compete for top honors as Portfolio gold and silver medalists in the broad categories of art, photography and writing. Tina submitted eight original pieces, a combination of fiction and poetry that she wrote and revised in creative writing classes from her Class III through Class I year. Her favorite piece is a story called Domain Eukarya, with its themes of fertility and relationships.
She was home in Korea over spring break when she received the phone call telling her that she had won. Tina earned a $10,000 scholarship for her work.
To celebrate her achievement, she was invited to New York City to receive recognition at Carnegie Hall as part of the national awards ceremony. When winners arrived in the city that Thursday, the Empire State Building was lit in gold in their honor. Top winners then personally met event speaker and Academy Award– winning actress Meryl Streep, who congratulated them on their success.
Several other Milton students earned national recognition for their writing from the organization. Karintha Lowe ’12 won a Silver Medal with Distinction, and Hannah Grace ’12 won a Silver Medal. Shannon Reilly ’12 and Cary Williams ’12 both won Gold Medals in the short story category, and Victoria White (II) earned a Gold Medal in poetry.
In the Massachusetts Regional Visual Arts Awards, Isabel Chun (II) won Gold, Silver and an Honorable Mention. Lucie Hajian (I) won Gold and Silver Medals, and Bum Jim Kim ’12 and Kirby Feagan (I) both earned Honorable Mentions. Lisa Baker—member of the English faculty and creative writing teacher—was also recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, in the 2012 Teacher Awards. As the award states, “Teachers are often the gateway to the Awards, inspiring creativity and exploration, guiding their students’ talents, and helping with the submission process.”