Eleven Niles West art students received Gold Key recognition from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.

Students were recognized at an awards ceremony held at Columbia College Chicago on April 10, 2024. At the event Niles West art teacher Deanna Sortino (below, right) was also recognized as one of ten teachers in the state with the most amount of Scholastic entries and winners in the region.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The Alliance is a nonprofit organization that identifies students with exceptional artistic and literary talent. The Awards give students opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships.