Carson City, Nev. (Feb. 20, 2025) — Nearly 80 students and one teacher from Carson High School were honored at the 2025 Scholastic Art and Writing Contest awards ceremony in the Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno earlier this month. Carson High Photography Teacher Matt Theilen was also recognized for his dedication to excellence in the arts by the quality of work produced by his students, including eight of whom earned Gold Key Awards.
“The awards ceremony was an inspiring event for our students, not only because of the keynote speaker, Mackenzie Swecker, but also because students got to see all of their peers from the Northern Nevada region recognized,” Theilen said. “Our fine arts program at Carson High School is growing and expanding in really positive ways, which is reflected by our Scholastic Art and Writing Contest participation. This is a positive thing for our program, as this is recognition beyond our school walls.”
In total, 76 Carson High School students were honored with nearly 80 prestigious awards, with several students earning multiple recognitions. Of note, Ashton Benenati, Abigayle Coulam, Madison Crozier, Sebastian Goodwin, Maggie King, Joshua Lopez, Angel Vega, Mabel Wacker and Adam Zoghra-Awali were honored with Gold Key awards. In addition, Allison Anderson, Alessia Barrios, Karla Brena Gutierrez, Shyanne Casteel, Sylis Chalmers, Addison Connet, Madison Crozier, Alexa Gaxiola, Lleremy Hernandez, Roper Leland, Eli Locatelli, Joshua Lopez, Paityn Madera, Alex Martinez, Jason Matley, Izabell McCullen, Keani Rizo, Wehilani Ronk, Amnesty Spraggins and Angel Vega. were honored with Silver Key awards.
The following students were also recognized for earning Honorable Mention awards: Adolfo Arreola, Alessia Barrios, Sophia Bengoechea, Kylie Carrigan, Adriana Castillo, Sylis Chalmers, Sydney Clark, Chloe DeLallo, Khia Dunbar, Chelsea Empeno, Camryn Gallow, Alexa Gaxiola, Sebastian Goodwin, Riley Gordon, Braelyn Heckman, Nelleh Hellen, Bridget Lewis, Eli Locatelli, Elizabeth Loos, Lindsay Lopez, Paityn Madera, Stephanie Mata, Izabell McCullen, Kekoa Mitchell, Britney Montero, Jennifer Mora-Rodriguez, Clare Mulvihill, Tien Nguyen, Ashley Orozco, Maria Pimentel, Makayla Rabideau, William Ragget, Alexa Rasmusson, Christian Rey, Keani Rizo, Alexa Robles, Allisson Rodriguez, Mazzy Root-Ferguson, Emjae Salanoa, Julie Salanoa, Rebecca Salas-Perez, Jerilyn Salinas Contreras, Alessandra Sandoval Orozco, Joselyn Tapia, Dianna Torres, Angel Vega, Mabel Wacker, Sophia Wahl, Pebble Wiggins, Hailey Woods and Sonne Zambrana.
There were five Fine Arts teachers who attended the ceremony including Graphic Design Teacher Patricia Ababio, Ceramics Teacher Alisa Kuniya, Art Teacher Karen McCraw, Photography Teacher Matthew Theilen and Art Teacher Adriane Wacker.
Gold Key Art will be exhibited throughout the month of February at the gallery in the Church of Fine Arts Building at the University of Nevada, Reno. The Gold/Silver/Honorable Mention slideshow will be shown at NV Museum of Art. View all the winners on the following link: https://youtu.be/vVZKYupG5Iw?si=ILD0gz3EbVAcHZ8i. Additionally, community members will have an opportunity to see all the Scholastic award-winning art pieces at Carson High School’s annual art show in May, 2025.
Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Presented by the nonprofit organization Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Awards recognize exceptional student talent in 28 categories of art and writing, including painting, photography, poetry, short story, fashion and more. Each year, thousands of students from across the U.S. submit their work to be judged by panels of industry experts, educators and artists.
Notable past winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Lena Dunham and Tschabalala Self, among others. Through scholarships, exhibitions and national recognition, the Awards provide young artists and writers with opportunities to amplify their voices and pursue creative careers. For more information, visit artandwriting.org.
