Harris County Department of Education has been selected to receive the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers 2017 Gold Key for Excellence in the Field award among 100 nationwide regional affiliates. The New York nonprofit which runs the 94-year-old Scholastic Art & Writing Awards said the honor will be given to HCDE at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 8, 2017.

Virginia McEnerney, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, said the award recognizes HCDE as a tremendous contributor as regional affiliate in the program.

“This Award is given annually to an affiliate partner organization that demonstrates extraordinary dedication to creative young people; preservers through challenges over time; and expands the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program to reach more participants,” said McEnerney.

Harris County School Superintendent James Colbert, Jr. said the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are an integral part of the services HCDE offers to support students and school districts in the county.

As a 13-year regional sponsor of the Awards, HCDE generated a 20 percent increase in art and writing submissions by youth in Harris County in 2016. The Awards allow creative teens in grades 7-12 in public and private schools to earn recognition, exhibition, publication and scholarships.  HCDE provides adjudication for the Awards at a regional level. Students advance to gain national recognition in New York City.

HCDE’s Teaching and Learning Center Director Andrea Segraves coordinates the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for HCDE and is applauded by organizers for growing the program in Harris County.

Specifically, Segraves is commended for increased outreach to students and teachers through a promotional video, online journal/blog, and webinar trainings. Fundraising efforts were also praised.

“The students and educators in your region have benefited enormously from your commitment to supporting, recognizing and empowering the vision and voice of these teenagers,” said McEnerney.

HCDE receives the award along with art supplies and a $100 gift certificate from the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.  For more about regional and national award recipients, where to view their work in March or to help support, enter or judge submissions, go to www.hcde-texas.org/Scholastic .

Photo: Several of HCDE’s staff members who help support Scholastic Art & Writing gather at one of four celebrations in March 2017 to honor teen artists and writers: (left) Joyce Akins, Liliana Maldonado, Rosa Murillo and Andrea Segraves, coordinator for HCDE’s regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

About Scholastic Art & Writing: Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious educational initiative supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts. The program has an impressive legacy of being the first to acknowledge creative talent and is today’s largest source of scholarships for creative teens: www.artandwriting.org .

About Harris County Department of Education: HCDE helps school districts in the state’s largest county meet the needs of uniquely challenged learners, directly serving students at their schools or one of four HCDE-operated campuses across the county. Learn about these services and more at www.hcde-texas.org .

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