Bay Village Schools Announces Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Winners

Gold Key Brown Sugar by Junior Martin Hausler

Bay High School is proud to announce that five students received 10 awards in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Of these recognitions, 2 were Gold Key awards, 4 were Silver Key awards and 4 were Honorable Mentions. The Gold Key award is the highest honor of distinction in this competition.

“All students involved in the Bay High School arts program are encouraged to enter the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition,” said Thomas Schemrich, chairperson of the Bay High School Arts Department. “Students exhibit a strong understanding of composition, and deftly craft works that have a strong concept or statement. They have the opportunity to exhibit their work publicly. Bay High School’s art program has a strong reputation in Northeast Ohio, and students have consistently garnered recognition. We are proud of the student achievements, and celebrate their individual voices. Their commitment to always strive to do their best speaks volumes.”

“Katie is a true embodiment of what it means to be a creative person,” said Erin Beirne, English teacher at Bay High School. “She is devoted to the art of words and has a gift for crafting poetry, personal narrative and fiction into something that touches on the pulse of humanness. Her work and enthusiasm have inspired me as an educator, and I’m so proud of her for her achievements in the Scholastic Writing competition this year.”

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. You can find out more here.

Art Winners:

  • Junior Melia French received an Honorable Mention in the Painting category for the piece “Bird Hunting.”
  • Junior Martin Hausler received a Gold Key in the Painting category for the piece “Brown Sugar.” Martin also received a Silver Key in the Painting category for the piece “King of the Pond.”
  • Junior Billy Maynard received an Honorable Mention in the Ceramics & Glass category for the piece “Old Tranquility.”
  • Senior Gwynn Miller received a Silver Key in the Sculpture category for the piece “Spare Me Your Pity.”

Katie Pistorino, photo by Reese Roche, Bay High Junior

Writing Winner:

  • Junior Katie Pistorino received a Gold Key in the Novel Writing category for the piece “Tracks.” Katie also received a Silver Key in the Personal Essay & Memoir category for the piece “DJ;” a Silver Key in the Dramatic Script category for the piece “The Mercenary;” an Honorable Mention in the Poetry category for the piece “Special;” and an Honorable Mention in the Personal Essay & Memoir category for the piece “Nerf Guns.”

Photos courtesy of Bay Village Schools