National Winners Announced March 14, 2017 for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

(New York City). The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers announced the national award winners in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards on March 14, 2017.  North Dakota's American Visions winner was Katelyn Arman (Fargo North High, educator Lisa Gingerich) for her photograph "Perspective." Anna Wurzer (Davies High, educator & RRVWP TC Nathan Kurtti) was the American Voices winner for her personal essay, "Half-full or Half-empty." Emily Frovarp (Park River, educator Kierstin Hurtt) won a silver medal for her journalism piece, "Finding Dori." Alison Gaarsland (Fargo South, educator RRVWP TC Jackie Brown) won a gold medal AND the New York Life Award for her poem, "To Dad." The latter award comes with a $1,000 cash prize. Ali (in photo) was one of only six U.S. students to win this prize nationally. The New York Life Award acknowledges "students who have experienced the death of a close loved one and who have explored that loss in their creative work." Congratulations to all the national winners! The national ceremony takes place at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 8, 2017. The Red River Valley Writing Project partners with Plains Art Museum to serve as the state affiliate for the Awards in North Dakota.